p is for....

Welcome to a new week! I hope you had a relaxing weekend. We start the week with some P's...enjoy!

Port Chalmers Design Store

The Port Chalmers Design Store is owned and operated by Sarah Wood and Rebecca Wilson. Situated along side the main port for the southern New Zealand city, Dunedin. Port Chalmers is a picturesque (well actually, stunningly beautiful) bustling little area, dotted with shops and artists studios.

Port Chalmers

Sarah and Rebecca set up the store to create a space where Otago locals could buy the NZ designed products they see in magazines. With a solid contingent of successful NZ designers, the Port Chalmers Design Store has also established itself as a launching pad for Dunedin designers to test their products in the market, and showcase their work.

Do stop by if you are in the neighbourhood.

(images from Port Chalmers Design Store, NZ Life and Leisure and Rydermonkey)

NOTES:

visit the Port Chalmers Design Store website

visit Sarah and Rebecca's retail store at 15 George Street (the Main Street), Port Chalmers. Dunedin, NZ.

Pakhuis Oost

Located in the Netherlands, Pakhuis Oost has a strong collection of colourful, fun and quirky products - that I love!

Their winning combination of pattern and colour is inspiring and their sense of fun invigorating! - enjoy!

(images from Pakhuis Oost)

NOTES:

visit the Pakhuis Oost website

contact Pakhuis Oost for stockists

Good on Paper

Good on Paper was the first stationery company I really fell in love with - the one that all my friends got links to, the one that inspired e to look further, to search longer - to find more!!

Lisa Wong Jackson is the owner and designer of Good on Paper. Based in Berkeley, California, Lisa's designs custom wedding invitation sets, business identities and other print collateral as well as producing her own collection of products for the home, office and baby.

The Good on Paper designs are simple and fresh, and Lisa uses recycled paper, earth friendly inks and organic cotton wherever possible.

(images from Good on Paper)

NOTES:

visit Good on Paper online

contact Good on Paper for stockists

Thomas Paul

I mentioned Thomas Paul in my post 'M is for Melamine' as he produces a fantastic range of melamine plate collections. I love Thomas Paul's cheerful prints that are on everything he designs. His print patterns have a flavour of 'by-gone eras' with designs inspired by Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Fifties Modernism, Sixties Pop Art, Seventies Glamour, Asian, Baroque, and Hollywood Regency.

Always ahead of the curve, Thomas Paul creates innovative, affordable and gorgeous home accessories.

Here is a hint of his work.

(images from Velocity Art and Design)

NOTES:

visit Thomas Paul's website

shop for Thomas Paul products at Velocity Art and Design

Monday Art Find:

I am going to postpone Monday Art find for a few weeks as I just never get a chance to compile a really good amount of information. I am going to approach some people I know that love art, to see if they would like to guest blog this section. - If you would like to, or know someone that would, just drop me a line at thedesignalphabet[at]yahoo.com -it would be lovely to hear from you x thanks!!

And it's Q tomorrow!! see you then x

m

Hello there... here are some Mmmmmmmmm's to get you through the day!
Let's start with


mud

In 1994 Shelley Simpson started 'mud Australia'. Fourteen years later, with an international stockists list, mud Australia has opened it's flagship store in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Their new showroom gives Shelley and co-owner James Kirton the opportunity to showcase their range of globally loved porcelain. The mud collection boasts perfectly combined minimalist aesthetics with a clearly hand made finish.

I love the warm colours and simplicity in design of the mud products. The colour palette is soft, yet modern. My pick would be a mismatch of colours in a combination of these timeless pieces...

NOTES:
Visit the mud Australia website
Shop at mud Australia retail at 134 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra. NSW
See mud Australia for stockists



Melamine

There is no doubt that Melamine dinner and serve ware is back in full force. Countless producers are making products that are suitable for more than just your picnic basket.
One company famous for its striking and modern melamine range is French Bull.

French Bull debuted in 2002, and in its short years has revolutionised and reinterpreted the use of melamine in the home.

French Bull continues to be ahead of the curve offering customers a wide range of storage, serving and kitchen items in bold, graphic colours and patterns.

Other producers of melamine products that I enjoy are:

Oksana Badrack

Thomas Paul

Marco Cibola

(images from French Bull and Poketo)


NOTES:
Visit French Bull
Shop for Oksana Badrack
Shop for Thomas Paul
Shop for Marco Cibola

Madder and Rouge

I was pretty excited when Madder and Rouge opened their new store in Wellington - and I wasn't disappointed!

Even though I probably wouldn't decorate with their popular French Striped Fabrics, I do appreciate it's appeal.

It is their French bath products, contemporary French fabrics and toys that I really love...and their effortless mix of old and new.

"We believe interiors should contain some element of quirky and have some sense of fun."

NOTES:
See the Madder and Rouge website
Visit Madder and Rouge retail outlets - Wellington: 19 College Street Wellington. Auckland: 25 Teed Street Newmarket.

Mozi

The first Mozi collection "The Secret Garden" was launched in August 2005. It was from this point that Mozi's owners (and sisters) Camilla and Olivia Tipler were inundated with an overwhelming response. Wholesalers, consumers and the media couldn't get enough, and it was this public enthusiasm that earned them credibility throughout Australia and overseas.

It hasn't stopped. Just three years on, Camilla and Olivia have firmly cemented their place in the Homewares industry. Their catalogue currently offers over twenty-five products that fall into six main categories - from kitchen textiles to stationery.

I have been finding it hard to come up with words to describe the print style at Mozi - it's kind of 'Exotic meets Backyard' - and after reading their information, I guess that this description is about right. Olivia and Camille site their childhood pets, far away places and their love for all things exotic as their major influences.

"Mozi's designs are a fusion of colour, pattern, theme and subject that inspire the imagination."

Here's a peek...

(images from Mozi)

NOTES:
visit the Mozi website and online shop
See Mozi for stockists
International shipping is available

And good ol' 'N' joins us tomorrow! - see you then!