the man of steel

For those of you who want to celebrate the best in design for the home, get your voting mouses ready! Starring today on Apartment Therapy's 2009 Design Showcase is NZ designer Nathan Goldsworthy -

Nathan's STEEL series is a "series of objects constructed from steel wire and finished in a range of powdercoat colours. The form is loosely based on that of a table, and is generated by joining alternated triangles to create a strong, stable object with a solid top surface".

Makes me proud to be a kiwi : )

Voting is taking place NOW - so get on over to AT and vote for Nathan....go on, off you go...

have a great weekend everyone! - (image from Apartment Therapy)

LiZZie, LiZZie and LiZZie

We are ending this 4th Alphabet with Lizzie, Lizzie and Lizzie. Three super clever gals who are all exceptional at what they do... enjoy!


Lizzie Thomas

I am guessing that you now well and truly know how much I love Paper Art : ) Lizzie Thomas is a newly graduated paper artist whose use of paper and wood is absolutely stunning.

I think I first read about her work over at Design*Sponge. Make sure you click over to d*s to see more images of Lizzie's work.. and be sure to check out her portfolio...

I adore this series of works hidden inside wooden boxes. Lizzie describes this first piece;
"Inspired by experiencing how the Japanese celebrate the seasons, the ‘Hidden Season’ series are wooden books holding hand cut paper pop up scenes inside. Having caught the transient, each season is waiting to burst out at any time of the year."

stunning!

(images from Lizzie Thomas)

NOTES:
visit Lizzie's website
read Lizzie's blog


Lizzie Allen

I can't remember where I first saw the work of Lizzie Allen. She has been the starlet of many a design blog and magazine, and it's no wonder...Her hand screen printed wallpaper is fantastic!

It is Lizzie's signature style of drawing and hand print quality that brings spontaneity and humour to these large scale story boards. Her style is both enchanting and timeless.

It was pretty tricky trying to find good quality images to share with you, so do pop over to Lizzie's website to view her complete collection.

(images from Lizzie Allen with thanks to Apartment Therapy)

NOTES:
visit Lizzie's website
click here to see Lizzie's stockists

Lizzie Dish

Elizabeth House from Lizzie Dish has always wanted to be a fabric designer. At the age of 12 she had made her first phone calls to fabric houses requesting information for submissions. By her early twenties, Elizabeth signed her first deal with Andover Fabrics.

Elizabeth's first Lizzy Dish collection started from an idea to design and create a 50's influenced cook book. What it eventually turned into was a collection of gorgeous kitchen themed fabrics in fantastic colour combinations from the mid century eras.

"I wanted it to appear like something out of a 1950's or early 60's cook book. Something you got from your mom or were excited about finding in thrift store or at a garage sale. I kept that in mind while I was designing the line. Especially where the colors were concerned."

Have a look:

(images and quote from Elizabeth House)

NOTES:
visit Elizabeth's website
read more about Elizabeth here and here

I have really enjoyed compiling this 4th Alphabet. I am always astounded by how wonderfully creative people are. And how this magical internet revolution has bought us all closer together.

I am so appreciative of being able to compile these collections to showcase to you. I hope you have found some things in here that inspire you to create, to enjoy, to buy(!).

Thank you so much for joining me, our new alphabet starts exactly one week from Monday (June 29th) and will take us all the way through to August. Don't forget to pop back next week for some exciting and interesting reading... maybe even a give-away! stay tuned!

Have a wonderful weekend my friends,

see you Monday for....you'll have to wait and see! xxoo

Inspired by Max...

OK, I have to be honest... I have been struggling with X - I mean REALLY struggling! - I will so need help for the next one!! - help?

I had figured that I would write about Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan (the founder of Apartment Therapy) who emails me everyday with amazing finds, incredible house tours, fab decorating tips and some DIY goodness... well, actually I subscribe to Maxwell's daily Apartment Therapy Blog so I get sent it every day : ) But you know, when you have someone in your life that often, you start to feel like it's a bit personal - don't you??!

above: Maxwell and daughter Ursula - image from Cookie Magazine

So, yep, all set for a post about Max, and a couple of days ago Victoria at sfgirlbybay did a post about Max - he was actually in her apartment, in the flesh, and they appeared on TV together!! So, yeah, I can't really compete with that!! But, I can give you a gander at my pick of inspiring stuff that Max has sent my way... have a look:

Inspired by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan

I LOVE the top picture - that swinging bed is just divine! The room just looks so airy and light - and so stress free! And the bottom pic: what I love about this house is that it actually looks like people live there - real people!

Above images from the home of AB Chao, courtesy of Apartment Therapy
See more HERE

Top Pic: This artwork is absolutely stunning and I would LOVE it above my bed... and the bottom pic is also great! Can you imagine being bold enough to use that wallpaper - It's fabulous, I just don't know whether I'd have the guts to use it!

'Forever' by Tim and Sue Webster
Above images from the home of Amalia Dayan and Adam Lindemann courtesy of NY Mag.com
See more HERE

Max had a whole post dedicated to Chalkboard Paint - and this is my fave.. The whole Karkula store is painted in Chalkboard Paint and the signage / price tags are just written on the walls - inspiring!

Above image is of the Karkula Store courtesy of Apartment Therapy
Read the whole post HERE

And.. well, this place is just to die for! - check out that pool!! The whole house is incredible and definitely worth an online visit! - have a look!

Above images of Olle Lundberg's Cabin courtesy of Apartment Therapy
see more HERE

Of course clicking through to the links above takes you through to a whole world of Apartment Therapy - be warned! if you haven't ventured here before give yourself some time to enjoy the feast of resources.

If being online for that long drives you a bit nuts then there is good news! Maxwell has two books out -"Apartment Therapy Presents: Real H People, Hundreds of Design Solutions" and "Apartment Therapy - The Eight Step Home Cure"... you can buy them at the Design Alphabet Book Store HERE.

And to see more - visit Victoria at sfgirlbybay and click the link through to her television slot with Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan - enjoy!


It's our last day tomorrow before our week long break... we are going away for the week so I am not sure if I will be able to post anything or not - if you don't want to keep checking back through the week, feel free to subscribe and we'll let you know when new posts are up...

see you tomorrow for y and z! xx