Mimi la Rose

Want to meet a designer and an interior architect whom I've been exchanging some very long, inspirational emails with for the past week? Her name is Barbara Moser and she is a German designer who splits her time between a spa town here called Bad Mergentheim and also Paris -- oh the lifestyle!

Her mother who was a costume designer from Hannover, obviously installed in her a love of textiles and inspired her creativity and interest in design. In Germany, she has a home in the country and in Paris, she rents a very small city apartment with her husband which they adore. Spending time in both countries gives her access to all the things in life that she enjoys -- her personal dream come true. One thing that she likes is searching for vintage textiles for the pillows and handbags that she designs. She sources most of her rich and beautiful fabrics in France and Belgium at the flea markets there, and from them she cuts and sews one-of-a-kind cushions for her brand, Mimi la Rose.

About her bags Barbara says, "Each bag and pillow in the home collection is 100% handmade by a professional seamstress and I, most of them are one-of-a-kind as I use vintage fabrics and combine them with new high quality designers' fabrics. As in my interior architect work, I love the idea of mixing old and new... the feel of vintage silk, the amazing colours of the trims that were made in older days."

I think Barbara's luxurious bags and pillows are perfect for those who love vintage textiles, faux furs, decadent trims, and rich beautiful colors and textures. With a pair of jeans, a vintage leather jacket and pair of cute heels, a bag or clutch from Barbara's collection would be the perfect accent. That's how I would wear it. But I'm not a fashion writer and so I'll stick to giving decorating advice. :) Her pillows are the perfect sofa accent and could do wonders for a settee in the hallway.

Psst: Barbara has an etsy shop, too.

(images: barbara moser)