Author: Justine Harvey

Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

Unikko Mouse Mat

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Marimekko’s Unikko pattern is the company’s most famous design and has been used on a host of products. Personally I never tire of it and it has been put to especially good use in this Unikko Mouse Mat.

The design here has taken just one of the distinctive flowers from the pattern with the mouse mat shape cut around it.  It is a bold design that will bring a bit of cheer to a dull work desk.

It is available to buy online from a New York seller of Marimekko products, Kiitos Marimekko (kiitos meaning “thank you”). It costs $20.

Categories / Homeware

American Stars and Stripes Cushion

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On the day of a historic US election, this American Stars and Stripes Cushion seems wholly appropriate.

It is designed by Jan Constantine who specialises in hand-sewn products often with a retro look. Union Jacks, the word Love and pop art hearts feature heavily in her designs, but here she has used the American flag as inspiration. It is made from wool felt and has been hand stitched.

It costs £59.95 from the Vinegar Hill website.

Categories / Homeware, Kids

Retro Tree Print Wallpaper

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This retro patterned wallpaper by Scandinavian company Ferm Living has been given the name “Dotty”, but rather than dots, the print is made up of little trees. The trees are yellow and brown and a very much in the Scandinavian folk art style.

It is being marketed as wallpaper for a child’s room, but used sparingly it could work in an adult’s room too. If you like the print but not as wallpaper, there is a cushion in the same pattern also available.

The wallpaper costs just over £50 per roll and is available from the Scandinavian Design Center.  The cushion costs just over £30.

Categories / Women's Fashion

French Connection 50s Cocktail Dress

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Rather than buying a shiny or sequinned dress for the upcoming party season, it might be better to buy a dress that can be worn again once the Christmas decorations have come down. This 50s Cocktail Dress from French Connection is perfect as it is dressy enough for parties but simple enough for daytime.

Its cap sleeves and slash neckline make this more demure than the prom dresses currently dominating the high street and make it suitable for day wear too, but it has a scooped back that saves it from being too ordinary.

It costs £120 and can be bought online from ASOS.

Categories / Homeware

Walnut Nest of Tables

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Walnutnest

Another product using Walnut veneer! This time it is a nest of tables by Bloq which has been given the self-explanatory name of “Nest in Walnut”.

Nests of tables are not the most fashionable furniture these days, but their practicality is undeniable. This particular set is especially versatile as they can be interlocked in a variety of ways or flipped over to use as storage. The smallest cube also has a shelf which provides another use. Prices are from £375.

Visit the Bloq website to order and see the nest in its many configurations.

Categories / Design and Interiors, Men's Fashion, Women's Fashion

“Chair History” T-Shirt

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Eames La Chaise, Aarnio’s Ball Chair, Nelson’s Marshmallow Sofa, De Lucchi First Chair, Gehry’s Wiggle Chair.

These are just some of the iconic designs featured on the “Chair History” T-Shirt. You could have hours of fun naming the thirty chairs depicted on the white t-shirt.

It costs 23,80 Euros (around £20) and is available form the Vitra Design Museum Shop in sizes from Small to XL.