Earlier this month my Scandinavian love affair officially began; it's no secret that I recently visited Stockholm (as I've literally not stopped banging on about it), and it really is as magical as I imagined it to be, especially in the snow. It was my first time in Stockholm and it's safe to say that it won't be the last. I've never found it so hard to narrow it down to just a handful of images; so many beautiful photos, so many beautiful memories.

Wilder California X Dursk: Wilder Winter Collection

All imagery courtesy of Jane Wilder, Wilder California 

My first post of 2015 is one I've been saving especially - Introducing the latest work of Wilder California: Wilder Winter is the newest collection of photography prints by Jane Wilder, featuring botanical themes with a cold aesthetic. Not so long ago I featured Wilder's work on Dursk (view past post here) and was hypnotised by such a dominant pastel colour palette and her eye for capturing natural plant-life in a contemporary way. By applying additional tonal effects and adapting her imagery into an artographic form, Jane's work encourages the eye to focus upon the intricate details of the natural world that might usually go unnoticed.

Wilder Winter is Jane's second collection due to be sold on her Wilder California Etsy shop, with it's release being launched here on Dursk. Despite the distance, myself and Jane wanted to convey winter photography that encompassed our similar tastes and I'm so happy to have been a small part of this creative process. I supplied Jane with a colour palette that channeled her pastel signature style, but was altered slightly with dulled down shades for the winter months.

With the influence of the colour palette, Jane has captured the changing colours of the current Northern California winter storms and the result is a cool adaptation of on-trend botanical prints, but with a refreshing colour scheme that redefines winter greens.

The Wilder Winter Collection goes on sale today on her Etsy shop (here) and until February 1st customers can get an extra 15% off, using code word DURSK - Happy January! X

The Poster Club

Kristina Dam, Playtype, Kristina Krogh

Claus Randrup, Playtype

Playtype

Kristian Holm

Playtype, One Must Dash, Anne Nowak

Playtype, Coco Lapine, Kristina Krogh, Playtype

Van Kladderadatsch, One Must Dash [All imagery provided by The Poster Club] 

The Poster Club is a Copenhagen based webshop that merchandises prints from a hand picked selection of graphic designers, illustrators, photographers and creatives from all over the world; turning their works into statement prints, perfect for a Scandi interior.

Launched only 4 months ago, this newly formed site sells prints that are exclusive to The Poster Club, ranging from black and white graphics, bold typography, graphic illustrations and edgy photography. I've fallen hard for some of the posters; especially the truly unique, translucent photography by Kristina Dam, of plants and cacti being captured through tracing paper. There is such a somber but beautiful mood to these images; almost as if the plants are desperate to come out of the page and into focus. I'm also a sucker for a clean, simplistic bit of typography and there is so much to choose from at The Poster Club, I really love how the 'Grey' series by Playtype has a subtle darkened background for each letter. And how could I forget their marble, embossed effect posters, such a stand out, feature piece with a lovely use of 2D imitation marble.

In addition to The Poster Club's array of artistic imagery, each piece can be visualised within various frames as part of the buying process - a lovely touch. Another bonus, shipping is available worldwide and when you buy two posters, delivery is free! Safe to say that my Christmas list is already as long as my arm and hopefully Santa will make me a fully fledged member of The Poster Club.

Dalston Details

No. 60 St Jude Street

Unicorn by Stewy, St Jude Street 

No. 15 Midmay Road 

Tina, We Salute You

The Mockingbird Tapas

No. 4 St Jude Street   [All photography by Emily Nicholson, Dursk]

Just a few pictures that were taken on my last visit to London, too lovely not to post.

Bunglo by Shay Spaniola

All imagery provided by Shay Spaniola, Bunglo

Earlier this month I became acquainted with Austin, Texas, based artist Shay Spaniola, founder of design studio, Bunglo. As an admirer of her unique hand painted fabrics, I delved deeper to find out more about the inspirations behind Shay's adventurous approach to design and her latest A/W Landscape collection.

Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, Shay had always been incredibly creative, practising various crafts and developing a unique artistic style, but it wasn't until after college when Shay travelled the world that her creativity flourished.  By collecting fabrics and interpretively painting as she travelled, Shay developed a watercolour diary that was to eventually become her bible of inspiration for Bunglo. Her unique mirrored pattern formations, brush techniques and colour choices are all inspired by the changing landscapes of an epic two year adventure. When speaking to Shay I asked about her favourite creations and was humbled by her response; to have a favourite is impossible but instead, she gets to relive the best of times through each of her creations.

'When I look at my 'Mid Century Pop' pillow I'm reminded of my childhood home, my 'Rose Water' pillow brings me back to the sunsets in Senegal and the brightly colored 'Monteverde' fabric gives a moment of ease as I reminisce the rainforest and beach side in Costa Rica. They're all much more than a design but a story and memory.'

I was also intrigued by Shay's approach to colour: not afraid to explore neutrals, brights and bolds, Bunglo has a recognisable style with a diluted tonal appeal. By designing with her own home in mind, Shay has instinctively developed her inspirations into completely organic design. Her collections are about bringing peaceful and tranquil colour into the home, but all through the language of pattern.

There's something about Shay's textiles that you don't get from other home-wares; even without knowing the story behind each design, it is easy to recognise that every item is created with care, attention and wanderlust wisdom, and from Shay's curious nature, comes truly unique, one of a kind design.

Wilder California: Photography for the home

All imagery provided by Jane Wilder 

I recently came across the Instagram account of Jane Wilder, a California based photographer with an eye for combining pastel palettes and all sorts of plants and cacti. I of course fell head over heels and was delighted to discover that this imagery was actually available as large scale prints for the home from her Etsy shop, Wilder California.

It was then I felt I had to get in touch with Wilder so that I could shout and rave about her absolutely stunning work. Her photography makes her the modern day impressionist with such an abstract approach to capturing small but perfectly formed details. The images allow you to appreciate natural formations in a new light and for me the colour is just the cherry on the cake and what initially drew me in. I'm a pastel-holic and seeing such peachy pinks and chalky blues with an overall hazy fade just hypnotised me. What I particularly like about Wilder's work is that plants are transformed into print and pattern, with contrasting colours creating unexpected lines; palm leaves reveal chevron shapes and cactus spindles create polkodot pattern. I feel I must also add that the pair of colour fade images are actually Californian skies - what bliss.

With photography in the genes, Jane studied the art in Northern California, growing up surrounded by creativity as her father and aunt are also photographers. Finding inspiration from art & interiors blogs, Wilder has a fondness for shooting diverse Californian plantlife and her natural surroundings, combining these objects of nature with such a soft-hued colour palette.

Since getting in touch with Jane, I'm delighted to announce that we are currently working together on her next collection, due to make it's first appearance on Dursk. Without giving too much away, colour will be a big focus, and I'm so glad that despite being on the other side of the world, we can collaborate to create something that is truly marvellous and expressive of our similar tastes.

Lake District Wedding: Lucy & Phil

YBB Photography 

It's been just over a month since my cousin Lucy got married to Phil in the beautiful setting of Coniston, a small village within the Lake District. The day was perfect, set in a clouded mountainous scene next to the water and with an intimate, poetic service. I just had to share these images taken by Photographer Yann Besrest-Butler, they are a true representation of such a lovely day, and one that couldn't be more Lucy; environment friendly, pretty and heart felt.