Clarissa Hulse presents Kallianthi

Textiles genius Clarissa Hulse has teamed up with Harlequin to create a beautiful new collection of wallpapers and fabrics called Kallianthi. The name comes from the Ancient Greek for 'wild flowers' and of course the range features her signature botanical graphics. In fact, most of Clarissa's designs are inspired by real plants that she has spotted and photographed while on countryside walks. 

 

The designs in the Kallianthi collection are all beautiful - some bold, some serene. All come in a dazzling variety of colourways, combining the bright shades of fuchsia, chilli or turmeric with muted neutrals such as pewter, putty or pebble.

This stunning watercolour wallpaper - Demeter Stripe - has just been named 'Best Wallpaper over £40' at the Homes & Gardens Fabric Awards. Hang it horizontally for a fabulous sunset effect. 

Demeter Stripe wallpaper in magenta, fuchsia and flame

Persephone patchwork cushion in magenta, peat and turmeric

Grasses fabric in zinc, coral and chilli

Grasses wallpaper in coral and pewter

Clarissa Hulse presents Kallianthi

Reiko Kaneko

Have you heard of Reiko Kaneko? She is a ceramics designer who combines the best of English (bone china and eccentricity) with Japanese (kawaii-ness). She is causing a stir in the design world with her work, which is at once witty, practical and beautiful. Everything is made in Stoke-on-Trent - the home of British pottery. Have a look for yourself...

The Boat

Heart Collection - a reflection of the handle is subtly screenprinted onto the cup to create the image of a heart

The Breakfast Express

Petal Plates - designed for the numerous sauces that accompany Japanese meals

Lip Tease and Drip Tease Cups

Twiggy Snowman Christmas Decoration

Kasper the Cat Christmas Decoration

Reiko Kaneko

Ten of the Best... Armchairs

Summer's over! It's time to head back indoors and find a lovely comfy armchair on which to hibernate until April.

Cleopatra Slipper Chair, £795, Graham & Green

Mrs Godfrey Chair, $1695, Jonathan Adler

Louise Armchair, £799, OKA

Cream Palmer Armchair, £349, Debenhams

Jefferson Chair, £299, M&S

Lazy Teak Occasional Armchair, £395, Lombok

Sleek Armchair by Luca Scachetti, from £3595, Heal's

Rocco Armchair, £149, Dwell

Rattan Gin & Tonic Rattan Armchair, Citta Design

Luisa Mexican Chair, £395, Graham & Green

Ten of the Best... Armchairs

Pick of the sales: Pedlars

More bargains! Here are my top five interiors bargains from the Pedlars sale.

Paper Cut Print - Paris. Was £145, now £49.50. 

Tolix Square Table, Orange. Was £499, now £245. If you like this, check out my post on Tolix A Chairs from earlier this year. 

Bulb Vases. Were £8.50-£22.50, now £3.95-£9.95.

Dreyfuss 500 Desk Phone. Was £67, now £32.50.

Hey Ho Let's Go Limited Edition Letterpress Print. Was £135, now £49.50.

Pick of the sales: Pedlars

Pick of the sales: Plümo

The lucky buyers at Plümo travel the world to find beautiful artisan goods for you to put in your home. And guess what - they've got a sale on! Just look at these bargains!

Painted tinware jugs, handmade in India. Was  £49, now £25

Mexican bird cushion, was £39, now £24

This Fairtrade wooden toadstool nutcracker would make a great gift. Was £33, now £18

Palekh boxes - traditional lacquer boxes depicting Russian fables. Handmade in Russia. Was £39, now £15

Not a teapot but a Fairtrade watering can, made in India. Was £35, now £19 

Fairtrade sisal placemats, hand-woven by a women's cooperative in Bangladesh. Was £9, now £5.95

Dowry boxes, handmade in Northern India from recycled metal.  They are bigger than they look - the square one is  41cm high and the rectangular one is 59cm long. Was £119, now £75.

Sunburst mirror, was £219, now £159. If you like sunburst mirrors (and who doesn't?) take a look at this post from Natural History's blog...

Pick of the sales: Plümo

Wake Me Up Before You Rococo

My latest post for the wonderful Natural History blog is all about Rococo. Go on, have a read!

Wake Me Up Before You Rococo

Where I keep my other blog!

I'm very excited to tell you that I am now a member of the Natural History blogging team! The blog is over at http://naturalhistory.typepad.com and there's a bunch of us who blog about different topics. My subject is design history, looking at various styles and techniques, and you can read my posts on Monday mornings at 10. 

I was already a big fan of Natural History (the actual shop is in Oxford and the website is called Origin of Style) so it's an honour to be part of it. It's a treasure trove of unique pieces and unusual, beautiful homewares. The founder, Sarah, says she spent a lot of her youth in the Museum of Natural History in Dublin, so much of the shop's collection is inspired by such things as birds, entomology and Victorian taxidermy!

Here are my top seven wonderful things to be found at Natural History (it was going to be my top five but I couldn't narrow it down!)

Hummingbird prints (set of six, unframed), £25
Hummingbird cushions, £70

I would love to swan about my house wearing this fabulous silk robe. Possibly while pretending to be Margot from The Good Life and drinking a martini. 

Coral printed silk robe, £120

Beetle tea towel, £12

This luxurious blanket would make a brilliant gift for anyone. 

Bright cosy lambswool blanket, £60

Fretwork lanterns: small £12.95; medium £18.95

Dove bottle stopper. £5.95

Where I keep my other blog!