anantelopecametotea

Australian Design Emporium: Koskela

2012-11-11T22:24:00.001-08:00

After dropping a friend off at Sydney Airport on Sunday morning to catch an early flight back to Melbourne, we decided to drop in to a spot I'd seen pop up in a few media spots. Located in the industrial area of Rosebery - very close to the airport- a transformation has occured.

An big old beautiful warehouse has been giving some love and attention, a brush off of some old plaster and good sweep.

Kitchen by Mike occupies the entry. With sublime wafts of freshly baked bread, we could hardly walk past without stopping for a delicious coffee and wholesome breakfast. A feast for the eyes and belly.

The space is so cleverly divided. Quite a task standing in a huge warehouse with high ceiling visualisng how to create smaller more intimate spaces within. See the black oversized light shades above, they beautifully help to pull the space in.

How clever this wall of fresh growing alive herbs on the inside wall! Small greenhouse effect. Such a good variety too.

And then for the decor section.

All.
Exclusively.
Very cool.
AUSSIE designers.

The space so beautifully curated. Here are some glimpses. Enjoy. Please be in touch if you have any queries.

Till next time x

Heaths old wares

2012-06-11T02:46:00.001-07:00

Bangalow, New South Wales, is a charming little town tucked in the lush hills behind Byron Bay. It plays host to some beautiful boutique home ware stores and food junkie outlets. As often when away from home one has the time to wander and stumble upon some gems.

Heaths Old Wares is one such store. Behind the main drag it is literally a shed full of treasures and trips down memory lane. The store is so well laid out that makes navigating it easy with all items neatly stored and not just a junk dust gathering arrangement.

Old fruit and beer boxes

Old milk vats, these could be so good as a painting.

Being a farming area there are some lovely old milk vats, fruit boxes, rakes and other agricultural implements. These and old ladders leaning against walls help conjure up some gorgeous country home, hearty soup interiors.

Take a look at some of the shots below. I bought some old beautifully shaped green bottles for some single flower arrangements next to the bed and in the bathroom.

Variety of bottles

The helpful and informative Heath

Scrabble letters

The beach at Brunswick Heads on a very wet day

The other fun thing we did up there, which was pretty rained out unfortunately, but would make for a fun day out was the 'old and gold' market at Brunswick Heads. Early June every year the town empties its homes of all sorts of bits and pieces and holds a town big garage sale.....good to see what some homes have held onto all these years

Melbourne - Flinders Lane

2012-05-10T04:09:00.001-07:00

Recently on a trip to Melbourne, strolling along Flinders Lane, I felt like I was Alice who had fallen down the rabbit hole. Every gritty inch of it delivers a suprise. Coffee hole in the walls a plenty, graffiti lined lanes and art gallerys tucked behind and below back doors.

Shhh..a sneaky man...down a side lane

Its urban generation at its best, making best used of disused warehouse spaces and breathing new life into them in an extremely well designed and executed manner.

I started with a flat white, a delicious grenola and berry yoghurt at Cumulus Inc. armed with the paper 'Broadsheet' which suitably reports on many artistic topics.

Delicious breakfast @ Cumulus...I was in the clouds!

Then I popped into Flinders Lane Gallery and was energised and inspired by the colourful works of Karlee Rawkins.

Karlee Rawkins - Pea King

Next Hosier Lane, every inch covered with well done graffiti, this is art! Its right it has a gallery lane all to itself, and at the end of it the best tapas in town...Movida for lunch.

Urban Jam - Graffiti in Hosier Lane

Another beauty in Hosier Lane

Then to Degraves - one of Melbournes oldest laneways. It was buzzing with activity and we just had to have a further coffee at Degraves Espresso.

See the romance in the window...

The beautiful shop that is Bison, ceramics of colours made to sing

The laneways in Melbourne are a real feature and add such life to the CBD. Sydney has been taking notes and slowly little lively lanes are cropping up. It gives the city a much more human scale, away from noisy buses and traffic.

Autumn light hits the pavement

A florist shop front, an art work!

Then to have a few cocktails in the basement speak easy bar that is Go Go's. Many of the places we went feel like you are going to be entering a car park, but no, beyond the eye lies the funkiest little bars alive.

Nothing beats an end to a good day than some cocktails with good friends

Take a morning to stroll Flinders Lane, you will not forget or regret it! Next time a little treat, I tracked down some of the designers of these cool spaces.

Emma Vic Art

2012-04-17T02:25:00.001-07:00

Hello, its been a long while since I was last active on my blog and I have missed it!
I have some new posts I cant wait to get down on paper as I had a busy last while but right now Id like to share with you my new passion....my art. I'd love you to leave a comment to let me know what you think.

After having moved from London to Sydney I am having a love affair with the ocean. That and the heavy clouds and rainstorms really make for some inspiring subject matter.

I have opened an Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/emmav77, so go and have a look if interested.

Here though are some of what I've been up to.

Pure and General - Sydney Store

2011-11-08T01:06:00.000-08:00

Where have I been? Well...no excuses really, a bit of this, a bit of that and nothing much in particular. I was amazed when I had a look at the blog stats this afternoon, after a fairly dormant few months its amazing the people still find you - the internet, what a wonderful thing...

Almost as wonderful, but not quite, as this new Sydney store tucked in the side streets behind Kings X. What I love is that the owners have sourced their products world wide during a year long sourcing trip (aka 'the dream') They have found the most wonderful and quirky homeware from all over the world, added is the feel good factor of providing a platform for guiding and showcasing local artisans who are tucked away in the forgotten folds of the world.

Anthropologie on a smaller scale. (Speaking of which, have you watched Keith Johnson (Anthropologie buyer) 'Man Shops Globe'. Find episodes on you tube.)

Visit Pure and General you next can, it will keep you occupied for hours, in awe of what is created 'out there'

Illustrator Luci Everett

2011-07-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

This work is so inspiring, from Luci Everett based in Melbourne Australia. The colours are eyecatching and the designs fresh....see her blog http://www.happinessetc.blogspot.com/.
Watercolours in illustrations are so on trend at the moment, classic and calm....I guess in line with all that is handmade and vintage. LOVE these....and somehow relate to that feeling the girl might be having with her head up the stigma of an enormous bloom!!

These event posters she creates are eye catching, why dont more events spend just a little more time creating something attractive and different, surely they would help pull in the crowds.

Lucky Luci to have such talent and flair....and good on her for using it x

Murano Lamps

2011-07-03T05:19:00.000-07:00

I have an obsession lately, trawling markets and ebay looking for glass Murano lamp bases.
Murano is an tiny island off the coast of Venice, famous for its glass. I went to Rozelle Market in Sydney yesterday hoping to find my pair, there were one or two there but werent quite right....

They are so elegant and add a dash of colour with their organic and individual shapes.

Here are some of the lamps that have caught my eye...they sell on ebay from about GBP 30, not bad really and better than a new lamp in my opinion!

Beautiful and the kind of thing I think you'd always find a spot for and keep forever....

Pinterest...

2011-07-01T01:34:00.000-07:00

Oh my! What a great idea.
Let me introduce you to http://pinterest.com/
You should settle in, get yourself warm and comfy for I think you might not be moving for a while.
This is a place to share creative ideas, travel dreams, DIY projects, receipes and to generally saturate your minds....
Im not yet a member, although I have requested an invite and I'll be keenly watching my inbox.
Seems I was a lil late...they already have close on 300 000 followers!!

SOHI (Creative Southern Living)

2011-06-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

I need to tell you about this great Australian magazine.
It contains all the best kept Australian secrets in the New South Wales world of creativity.

We picked up a copy of SOHI (Creative Southern Living) on our roadtrip south of Sydney a few weeks back, it was so inspiring and useful as we used the shop directory in the back at our pit stop guide.

Our copy was the handwritten 197/3000 limited edition. Makes it a little extra special dont you think?

It was wonderful browsing through creative mine fields, eating lunch at secret home grown spots and coffee breaks to die for. We so easily could have missed them!

Mr Pickles and Me was one such shop in Nowra and stocked among many other interesting bits these gorgeous flat pack bird houses...seeing flat pack has been on my mind...

Another gem was One.Wise.Owl in Berry. Its eco friendly ideology makes a fab little creation...

I encourage you to do the road trip with a copy of SOHI - a good weekend away if anywhere nearby!

Unto this last

2011-05-24T05:05:00.000-07:00

Flat Pack conjures up images of cheap Ikea put-together-yourselves-and-sorry-we-forgot-the-screws headaches....
But look at this clever mob aiming to get back to local craftmanship at mass-produced prices.

Unto this last make gorgeous pieces in London out of birch ply with digital routers in their back room ...with on-site workshops in Brick Lane and in Battersea. Oh I love the East End.

'Unto This Last purpose is to offer you the convenience of the local craftsman workshop at mass-production prices
We design along a single principle; less dependence on heavy industrial processes, more use of innovative digital tools adapted to the small workshop.'

UNTO THIS LAST: Choose your colour, pay not much and have yourself a very merry little piece of gorgeous furniture. The fun part is watching the guys behind the glass, carefully creating the next coffee table while you browse their creations.

Is this not beautiful?

Honeycomb shelves

See website http://www.untothislast.co.uk/

Fancy an intership? Just send in your CV. Love IT!

Brick Lane Workshop
230 Brick Lane London
E2 7EB 020 7613 0882

Talking Markets...Moscow

2011-05-23T01:54:00.000-07:00

Just thinking about markets....markets are just my favourite things, I guess its never quite knowing what you will find that makes them so exciting...

Ive been to a fair few in my time, one of the most 'far out' was the huge sprawling market on the outskirts on Moscow, Izmaylovo Market. It sold everything, fur gloves, fake dvds, russian dolls a plently and a healthy stash of vintage relics to rummage through...

I would love to go back and buy and buy....crate loads full because some of the stuff I havent seen for sale before - like the friendly wolf! All of amazing quality, the value a little lost on the masses.

Round dolls, skinny dolls, fat dolls, peasant dolls, many many dolls..

War memorabilia, standing Stalin proud

Amazing and random oil paintings and iconography

Genuinely old Virgin Mary's

Light fittings, books, vintage maps..

..And the friendly wolf

Broadway Market

2011-05-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

With London fever so high at the moment, I have cast my mind back to the fresh crisp London spring mornings where daffodils carpet the fields yellow.

Roaming East London was my best day out, armed with a good coffee, a hat and my camera.

Here are a few pictures I took at Broadway Market, the heart of the East End.
Its a foodies delight, vintage galore and quirky bits everywhere!

One vendor still sells jellied eels.....

Hungry?

Huddled in the sunny spot for coffee

Market stall cash collector

F Cooke, Hot Jellied Eels

Mr Hot Jellied Eeels!

Fresh apple juice...ymm

This is for my friend Alex who wanted East London market suggestions, enjoy x

Dumbo Feather, pass it on

2011-05-06T03:33:00.000-07:00

Hello again, little me is sitting with a very sketchy web connection these days, it drives me to distraction but am hopefully going to be changing network providers....who would have thought in a first world country, huh??

Just been nose embezzled in a lovely independent magazine, Dumbo Feather, pass it on. I happened upon in a small shop I found in Surrey Hills, its so full of good stories of creatives finding there talent and 'somewhere finding the courage to fly'.

Its so inspiring and informative, it takes 5 people, looks at what they create, where they work, their inspirations and their journeys.

Take Nga Waiata, living in Napier co incidently (see two entries before). Nga is a gemologist who makes the most beautiful rings from sanded crystals and wood. I had actually forgotten about his article until the lady in the coffee queue this morning displayed a beautiful bold yellow one as she grabbed her Campio Coffee...

See her amythyst rings, enhances stability strength vigour and peace, heightens spirituality, a traditional healing crystal

Or the flourite rings, said to bring clarity on every level, identifying truth behind illusion...very good for centering, calming and balancing.

Her rings are available In Barneys, NYC! The big time, but can also be ordered from her directly. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

See Dumbo Feather at www.dumbofeather.com/thenest

About three ads in the whole mag, now thats quality ;-)

Cigarette Cards

2011-04-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

Amongst some of the antique bric a brac in Napier, I came across a basket full of old cigarette cards.
The first cigarette cards appeared in cigarette packs from 1875, to stiffen the packs and be used as advertising. The cards were typically of a set of 25 or 50 and the idea would be to collect a set, very popular by the working class children in London.

I love the ones I found, of a series 'Children of all Nations' from a British Tobacco Company of 1925. Amusing to see how the UK viewed the world and also some seriously non pc slants....

The South African child is pictured as 'Natal' - on the back - the Zulu children of Natal are brown, being darker than others but none are quite black. They are not unkindly treated, but are made to assist their mothers in hoeing weeds from the maize patch and in gathering ripe cobs. These are ground into meal, which together with curdled milk forms the cheif food of the boys and girls, the fresh milk being reserved for very young children.

The american children are noted as being obnoxious, while the Brazilian children need to be beaten by their grandfathers, cut on their arms to ensure good hunting skills and bitten by ants without complaining...

The not badly treated (obviously suprising) Zulu child

The Australian 'Black Fellow', the Hong Kong Coolie and the South African Settler

The caterpillar eating Congelese, who play a game with a big nut that resembles lawn tennis

The obnoxious and boysterious american child

Im not sure what I'll do with these...Im sure i'll find a use at some point.

Napier New Zealand

2011-04-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

I have just been to visit a friend in the beautiful Hawkes Bay region of North island New Zealand. The area is known for its outstanding wine and beauty...it certainly didn't disappoint. One of the towns in the area, Napier, is known as the Art Deco capital of the world.

An earthquake in the early 1930's destroyed the town, it was rebuilt at the height of the Art Deco era, a movement which praised industrialisation and the machine. The movement developed after the Art Nouveau period, which drew inspiration from nature - think Paris underground station signs....

Some of the typical Art Deco symbolism are stylised sunbursts over doors and fountain motifs, both representing renewal. Speed/ go fast lines are also often seen, representing fast cars and machines of the era. The zigarat symbol which shows the stepping back of a shape, derived from the newly developed 'skyscaper' being built in places like New York, which was stepped back every few floors to allow sunlight to the streets below is another typical motif.

See the sunburst of renewal over the door

The canopy 'zigarat', a typical feature of art deco buildings, go fast spripes to the right

All buildings were in pristine condition

These buildings were in such a fabulous state of repair and the whole town is jammed with art deco dress up shops, antiques and decor it really feels like a wonderful step back in time.

Black Barn vineyard - keep em peeled for delicious grapes grown on the 'grimblet gravel' from Hawkes Bay - shiraz the best.

Leaving Napier

Its a beautiful spot, highly recommended if youre ever in the area.

I've been very slack of late, have started working so time is once again a precious commodity, I'm going to keep at it though. x

Nguni Chair: Vogel Design

2011-03-10T21:47:00.000-08:00

Cape Town based furniture designer has it spot on when re cycling old furniture styles.
Taking the old Cape furniture tradition and incorporating it cleverly into his designs the results are stunning.

Inspired by the Ngunis and their forward curving horns, the traditional cattle of the Zulu People, Vogel Living Design has created this sleek and stylish Ngunis Chair. The chair has a woven seat that resembles of the traditional riempie seats of the early European settelers in South African.

I would eat my left arm for these.....I noticed it when visiting Bistro 1862 on Steenburg Estate as all the dining furniture is done by Vogel. Bistro 1862 is a treat to the eye and palate; they do Steenburg wine tastings in the evenings served with fabulous tapas, overlooking vineyards and looking up to the mountian, really a place not to miss when in the Fairest Cape.

This has reminded me of another outstanding Cape furniture designer.....I will do an entry on him soon....bet you cant wait!!!

Nienke van der Meulen: Ceramic Artist

2011-03-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

On the slopes of Table Mountain, under ancient oak trees and set amidst a small nursery, is home to Nienke van der Meulen's ceramic studio. Its sits in the creative hub which is the Montebello Centre, surrounded by Iron Mongers, Jewellers and Artists alike. Nienke creates gorgeous large sculptural vessels, inspired by the beautiful natural surroundings. Her work has a distinctly raw and African flavour, surfaces baked and textured with found objects such as porcupine quills.

While I was in Cape Town for a stint in November/ December I had the pleasure of attending her studio classes. The setting is second to none with one side open to fresh and fragrant nursery air. A tree grows right through the middle of it - it got there first...

Nienke is an extremely talented and experienced teacher, I cant think of a much more satisfying way to spend a morning than with clay oozing through your fingers as you are assisted to mould a creation from mud to vessel.

Bird Textiles Emporium

2011-03-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

On Cleveland Street, nestled amongst Surrey Hills, sits the Bird Textile Emporium, in an old dispensary. All the wooden pharmacutical units still line the walls, drawers and glazed doors that have been opened many times over the years add a magical feel to this Emporium.

The hand printed fabrics with water based dyes have a huge focus on sustainability and style are made in the hinterlands of Byron Bay at the edge of the rain forest.

Made into table cloths, clothes, napkins the store is rammed with eye candy.

Visit their website http://www.birdtextile.com/
And read their story and the language of birds......inspiration is everywhere.
xx

The gradual demise of Phillipa Finch

2011-03-05T16:18:00.000-08:00

After working in a Paddington bookshop for years Emma Magenta was beginning to feel her dream of being a discovered creative was not going to happen, ever...

She started doodling her work hours away on bits of paper at the cash register, on bits of sticky tape and put them up on the wall behind her. Customers started purchasing her doodles and then one customer offered her a book deal.

Sometimes it seems its important to just put yourself out there.

She went on to illustrate Toni Collete (of Murials wedding) childrens book and now they have produced this charming little series: The gradual demise of Phillipa Finch.

I will be posting more as she starts finding herself...

Going Retro with G Plan

2011-03-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

I hate admitting to my TV addictions, perhaps because my last fix was Desperate Housewives....I now however have a small obsession with Mad Men.

To be a woman in those days...20 years on I keep thinking of my folks who met at the photocopier at I&J. Mike was 31, big shot and owner of a nifty little black jag, Jean - naive, 22, great 'torso' and tiny yellow mini skirt I am told. Go figure..... (Much has changed since to my relief)

Anyway - Mad Men set design is an ode to retro. I long admired the charity shoppers and now think they might have been onto something....

G-Plan is one such furniture range which epitomises 1950's furniture. Post war, during which furniture was rationed, led to pent-up demand for modern furniture.

In 1953 G Plan decided to produce a range of modern furniture for the entire house which could be bought piece by piece according to budgets. Advertising was part of the plan from the beginning and the furniture was advertised in magazines and in cinemas direct to the public. Designs were available for several years so people could collect them slowly. All furniture was marked with the distinctive brand mark.

The success of G-Plan led to one of the UK's largest furniture manufacturers, with profits increasing sixfold between 1952 and 1958 when it was floated.

Now this furniture is very collectable but can still be bought on the cheap from the unsuspecting seller....infact other furniture to keep your eye out for are brands Macintosh, Ercol or anything of Danish origin.

Early IKEA pieces are also very collectable as the brand has changed much since from quality to quantity.

Enjoy your weekend, maybe time to hit some markets to bag a bargain!
xx

PS Apologies to those this post affended....My mother still has a great 'torso', thats not what changed in case you were wondering.

Dippy Duvet covers and Pillow cases

2011-03-02T16:26:00.000-08:00

Some clever ideas these...

How about a bed time story written on a pillow case? Quite a good way of getting a kid to sleep on the end of the story....

Or little characters of dreams on one side, nightmare monsters the other and depending on your choice of dream for the evening you offer the selected side 'up'.

Melbourne shop 'Third Drawer Down' http://thirddrawerdown.com/ has fabulous selection of interesting items, but I do like their statement linen, designed by various artists, sound engineers and philosophers.

Quite like the idea of a white duvet cover with interchangable pillows depending on my mood....;-)

Finnish illustrator: Sanna Annukka

2011-03-01T17:58:00.000-08:00

Sanna Annukka has created some wonderful designs and has the sprawn all over a variety of products.

She is half Finnish, half English, studied at the University of Brighton on the south coast of England.

In her final year, her speciality moved to the area of screen printing and the results of her practice are truly stunning. As well as being commissioned to illustrate an album cover of well known British band Keane, she now has a long list of impressive clients.

Inspired by her summer holidays near the Lapland Arctic Circle her designs are gorgeously scandanavian.

You can read more about the young and talented Anglo-Finnish illustrator Sanna Annukka on her new website which can be found here: Illustrator and print maker Sanna Annukka.

Marks and Spencer Biscuit tin

Selection of her cards

PS I have finally sorted the subscribe function....please subscribe if you would like notifications of a blog update. S-l-o-w-l-y becoming a little more blog literate, thanks for your patience! And thanks for your support, keeps me going ;-)

Lee Castalena: Panoramic photography

2011-02-28T22:51:00.000-08:00

My goodness, look at this most amazing interactive picture by panoramic photographer based in Cape Town, Lee Casalena.

His motto: Find something you love to do and you'll never have to work a day in your life....How true.

Spin this about and it will leave you awestruck....

http://leecasalena.com/fullmoonhike.swf

Adding any images to this feed would do the photography an injustice - I urge you to take a look....

Society Inc and Etcetera

2011-02-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

In the depths of Paddingtons residential grid (Sydney) is a gorgeous hardware and haberdashery shop, Society Inc. It feels more like a whimsical market. Sibella Court, owner and collector af all things has written a book - Etcetera - I picked up in Cork last year.

Her displays are a fabulous mix of all sorts of interesting found object - never did I think a hardware store could be so appealing.

Old cotton reels, shells and perfume bottles all under a big glass domes on old chopping boards....soooo stylie...

It was really fun looking through old postcards, envelopess, victorain scraps and all things found

Tamar Mogendorff

2011-02-24T16:12:00.000-08:00

I saw a set of these beautiful storks suspended mid flight carrying baby parcels in the window of a very lovely Sydney shop on Crowne Street, Surrey Hills.

The fabrics used are of beautiful quality and threads are left falling from the delicately sewn wings.

Tamar has a workshop based in Brooklyn, NY where she creates all sorts of gorgeous creatures.

Arent these bird houses beautiful?

Funny thing is I have been looking at the beautiful birds in Sydney and thought I really fancy making a stuffed kookaburra, perhaps with tweed scraps...after seeing these Im fully inspired....so watch this space.... Oh to be unemployed ;-)