This is a gorgeous article from World of Interiors that I have had on my moodboard for well over a year now, I’ve been meaning to show you for that long! Aren’t I lazy (don’t answer that). Oh yes I remember why I didn’t show you earlier – it’s because I was hoping to shoot Manon’s studio as part of Paris: Made By Hand! But after a chat with Manon we found out that her atelier is not open to the public, and that is very important for the Made By Hand concept. So then I tried to find Manon’s work in Paris so that I could at least include her pieces, but to no avail. Her work was nowhere to be found in Paris at the time. I was very sad as I adore her creations and philosophy, and wanted to photograph her space and her work. I hope one day I have the opportunity to do so, but in the meantime let’s take a look at these beautiful photographs by Eric Morin for World of Interiors…

Manon creates fabric sculptures, dressed household objects, clothes and accessories.  Every single piece is unique and exquisite…

She uses uniforms from early 20th century workmen and women, and her textile collection is, well, c’est à mourir (to-die-for)…

Manon’s studio is part of a residents for artists. Her kitchen is full of lovely old crockery, all on display, and the back wall is covered in peony wallpaper which she found at a brocante…

And then, as if Eric Morin (sorry I cannot find any website for his work) did not already whet our appetite for  inspiration, I just found this incredible story of images by Japanese photographer Makiko Takehara (again, no online portfolio)who recently photographed Manon and her Paris studio for Japanese fashion magazine so-en. Take a deep breath and hold it tight, because what you are about to see will indeed, take your breath away…

Are you still with me? My heart did ten double backflips when I first saw these images, with thanks to mady dooijes of abundance – a textile designer herself who authors a beautiful blog filled with inspiration. From there I went on a rather erratic wander – running to a number of dead ends in search of the original shots and more information. Alas, here are the images, but no more information than I have already offered. Manon and her work remains a beautiful mystery, one that you may cross if you are in the right place, at the right time.  Let’s hope for this moment…

To see more of Manon Gignoux’s work, please click here.

Last night I had a rare chance to visit my (blog)neighbours via my blogroll, and see what everyone is up to. It’s a rather favourite wander of mine, because there is always so much inspiration to be found at each of their places, and I come back to my (blog)house filled with light and joy. Just before I was about to head to bed, I decided to visit one more place and it was that of pacha design (you may recall I featured their awesome blog in my ‘blogs in the spotlight’ a couple of weeks ago). My heart soared when I spotted their post on fashion and textile artist J Morgan Puett’s artist colony in Pennsylvania called Mildred’s Lane. I have never seen a more inspiring property in all my life, take a look…

J Morgan Puett and her ex-partner and now good friend who she calls peabody, have spent ten years creating this magical place as an artists colony. They don’t believe in disposability so everything is used, re-used, and reworked – old nightgowns become tablecloths, bits of steel become coffee tables, and old linen is used as floor coverings. The staircase is made up of random steps, nothing is taken for granted and it takes a week to clean the place which is a cherished chore as it gives her a chance to rearrange her incredible collections. Old sheds have been turned into guest rooms in the most romantic and timeless of ways. There is not a space that has not been styled – J Morgan Puett even styles the inside of her fridge which is like a work of art with  gnarled wood and antique linen put to good use.

I’m completely enraptured. If I had magic red slippers I would click them right now 3 times to take me straight there. This is where I would like to be to rejuvenate my spirit in between projects.

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All incredible photographs are by Simon Upton for  London Telegraph Magazine.

Be sure to visit J Morgan Puett’s website for a more inspiration.

Thank you Pacha Design for showing me the way to Mildred’s Lane.

…beautiful new wall stickers for the kids room from harmonie-intérieure. Love the child’s growth chart.

…and the dreamy photography of yvette inufio. I love these coral colours combined with vintage pieces. delicious.

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So I’m thinking, splashes of red and coral in the home, with a backdrop of cream and soft grey. Beautiful. Thanks for the interior inspiration harmonie-intérieure and yvette inufio.

the music studio/guest room in our old Paris apartment which I photographed for Home Beautiful magazine last year…

Do you remember my pallet daybed from my Paris apartment story last year? We still have the daybed as you know, it is part of our houseboat here and it’s the perfect place to laze about on these perfectly hot summer days…
by the way the boat has changed quite a bit since this photo was taken last summer! I’ve accumulated so much more stuff…agh…

Well this morning I was delighted to find one featured on Design*Sponge as a before and after! How cool! Ashley Ann’s daybed is beautiful, check it out…

I love that she has kept the pallets raw, only sanding them back so they are smooth to the touch. And her styling is fab.

Oh there is so so much you can do with pallets. Just the other day I was walking past a new store here in Amsterdam and noticed they have designed their entire space using pallets – even the counter desk is made from pallets! I will try to duck in and take some photos for you in coming weeks if I can.

Pallets rock.

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In similar but totally different news, (blog)house reader Sofia left a comment the other day letting me know that she found my paris studio/guest room had been used as inspiration for a sim2 room! Now as you know, my knowledge of this technology is limited (of course I had to ask French Boy what ‘sim’ is… which he explained, which I still don’t understand…), but check it out, it’s pretty cool! Click here to view. Thanks for letting me know Sofia!

xx

PS some of you know from my facebook fan page that I’m in agony with lower back pain right now. I’m trying to rest up but have so much to do that I have no choice but to push through it. Thanks for all your suggestions! The ice pack is working at dulling the pain, and I will keep this up throughout the day.

PPS I just found out that ashley wrote a great post about how she made her pallet bed! Please check it out here. Also photos of the full nursery here. So. Beautiful.

I am on my way to hit the hay, but before I do so, I wanted to check that you had all seen artist ann wood’s insanely inspiring home/studio over at design*sponge. It comes complete with a shipwreck on a rolling, frothy sea of antique wedding gowns. I am flipping out!!

Girl’s got my number.

Well, she doesn’t actually, but if I were at a party I’d give it to her and hope with all my heart that she’d invite me round for a cup of tea. Check out the full post of images and captions here. And then check out Ann’s awesome work here.

xx

Oh boy, it’ll be sweet dreams for me tonight!!

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Oh did I say in my last post that stockists will be revealed in this post? I meant the next one, after I get a night of sleep. sleeeeeeeeeeeeep.