One of my dear friends in the Netherlands authors a fabulous blog called the Style Files, and though I’ve talked about her and her blog a million times on this site I just realized that I’ve never formally announced the opening of her online shop Le Souk. You may remember Danielle, we went to Stockholm together in October. I can’t believe how I let Le Souk slip from my radar, but not today!
Familjen wallpaper by Swedish designer Lisa Bengtsson.Danielle’s life dream was to set up her own business so while she still has a day job, she’s hoping that Le Souk and her blog will someday give her the opportunity to work from home full-time. She’d also like to widen out and work more with clients as an Interior Stylist, and I know for a fact that she’d excel at this because her taste level is so exquisite — her rooms would be magazine worthy and gorgeous. I can’t wait to see Danielle continue to march towards her dreams, it’s so empowering to see women going for careers that they’ve often only dreamed about before. And though it’s only baby steps that get us there, Danielle has made so much progress in one short year being online as a blogger and a few months as a shop owner that I know she’s got a lot of great things in store!
Le Souk ships worldwide and offers a range of home accessories for modern living, most with an ethnic flavor to them, and she offers personal accessories too. Mixing traditional ethnic pieces with modern and handmade items, each Le Souk item is carefully sourced by Danielle so you can be sure everything is made well and looks wonderful. From rustic, wooden stools to authentic vintage silver tea trays from Morocco and even beautiful crocheted pets for the kids, Danielle’s growing shop is a real treat. Enjoy!
Would you like to read more about Ethnic design? Click here.
(images from le souk)
Not only can this lady make beautiful children’s clothing, but she’s a fine potter who crafts some extraordinary pieces. Meet Mette of Mettes Pottery located in lovely Denmark, a country that I hope to visit this year if all goes as planned. Her work makes me happy and her studio is wonderful.
It reminds me of my classroom when I was a child, art class was always my favorite. It smelled of clay and I loved all of my art teachers. When I see these studio shots I can almost smell the clay and paint. Remember that scent? Think about it for a moment, I’m sure you will. The lighting here is so pretty the way it filters in like it does. I wonder if she teaches a class in this space? Oh, If only Denmark were a little closer I would have to visit her and bring home a pretty mug and lots of nice memories of what would be quite a special afternoon I’m sure.
I really appreciate it when artists share their workspace online because it really makes me feel like I know them somehow – you know, it’s a personal space and the fact that they’re sharing it and showing the process gives me this sense of community and friendship. Mettes Pottery is lovely. I sense the lady behind the work is equally precious.
(images from mettes pottery)
I read about American ceramicist Stephanie DeArmond over at Happy Cavalier recently and had to introduce you to her work. It’s obviously a play on giving traditional objects a cheeky new lease on life. Almost how the Dutch design things.
I like the cursive fonts, the colorful motifs, funny words, and that although everything is a precious ceramic, nothing looks too precious – in fact, it’s a bit edgy. You can view more of DeArmond’s work on her website. Definitely not a trend follower, this lady is a trend setter – it’s so unique. I can see this showing in some hip San Francisco-based store like Rare Device or Rose + Radish, and not to leave Boston out, Koo de Kir or Pod.
(images from stephanie dearmond)
Enna told me about Fruit Fly Pie today so I had to check them out for myself, she really loves this cutie Etsy store and after taking a peek, I can see why!
Fruit Fly Pie makes dishware and ceramics and then hand paints them so they look like vintage finds. She either makes plates, bowls, mugs, and vases from her potters wheel or via slip cast from vintage ceramic molds.
So retro sweet! Especially the cupcake cookie jar and the owl dish, they’re my favorites. And they ship worldwide – yeah! Thanks Enna for the great tip! xo
p.s. enna has an etsy shop, too.
(images from fruit fly pie)
Freddy & Ma are loved by the ladies for their fabulous custom handbags, but did you know that they’ve now launched custom pillows and melamine plates? Oh yes. It’s true. And I’m over the moon because seeing the talented Joy Deangdeelert Cho of Oh Joy! fame as part of the designers involved in this is super exciting. Her patterns look terrific as plates and pillows, don’t you think?
And there are other artists part of the Freddy & Ma crew with delicious patterns too, so browse the site and see what you can pull together. Here’s a selection of plates that I’d love to own along with some of Joy’s things, all would make the best gifts. I can’t resist the idea of owning a stack of melamine plates that coordinate, all in different patterns by various designers, and using them for lunch at home or on the patio in the warmer months. Hanging a collection on the wall is another idea, especially great for adding dimension and pattern to an otherwise boring wall – perhaps a long narrow hallway or as a border across the middle of the wall only.
For as little as $12 for a plate and $60 USD for a 17″ square pillow, you can’t go wrong with going custom!
(images from freddy & ma)
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