I'm constantly on the prowl for beautiful fabric and apparently so is graphic designer Nicole Balch from Making it Lovely, who turned me on lately to the work of Vanessa Arbuthnott. Vanessa's prints are quite country so I guess for all you non-country fans I should write this with a warning: Arbuthnott may not appeal to everyone. Even I had to draw the line at the rooster and check prints because it's not really my style. But I'm a firm believer in keeping an open mind so I don't pass by anything without digging first, often the most amazing finds are from the least expected places - like finding something that is so you in a store that caters to a style you don't find appealing. Vanessa Arbuthnott's linens, cottons, and oilcloths (along with her collection of rugs and wallpaper) call to mind a charmed life in the English countryside peppered with cozy cottages, winding roads through green pastures, garden parties with afternoon tea.

Of course it's only reasonable to assume that not everyone prefers country prints in their home but again, keep your mind open because some of these would fit nicely in a mid century or a bohemian modern home too - like the little leaf in gray, duck egg denim, or any of the pie in the sky colorways (my favorite pattern). They'd look great transformed into roman shades, chair cushions, bench slipcovers, quilts, duvets, or trim on the bottom of solid drapes.

Want to try before you buy? If you'd like a few free samples, click here where you can order up to five at no charge. Yay for free!

And thanks Nicole for the fab tip...

(images from vanessa arbuthnott)