+ Nadia Pignatone

Hi there!

Sorry it's been so quiet around these parts. The last two weeks have been nothing short of hectic! The projects I have been working on are coming to a head, meaning the workload has grown and everything is at a really crucial stage... I have also started a new job which I am really excited about : )

My brother and his new wife celebrated their nuptials too so we've had a whole heap of celebration thrown in the mix as well. There's nothing like having a full life, filled with people that you love and the things that make you happy!

I hope all has been well with you... are you ready to delve back into this alphabet*eleven?

Let's go!

Nadia Pignatone

Nadia Pignatone's gorgeous porcelain work is new to me. Like me, you may have seen Nadia's work amongst the pages of the April/May Issue of Belle, or in various other publications that have readers oohing and ahhing over the latest finds at Maison and Objet in Paris... - oh my!

I have been particularly loving Nadia's Blossoms collection of hand thrown porcelain adorned with laser cut Kimono (pictured below)... Oh, and the Drip's Collection by Nadia's work and life partner Fausto Pellegrini (pictured first below) is divine too!

"My love for the art of pottery began many years ago in an atelier on the East Side of Manhattan, where I learned to shape my passion for clay into forms that I longed for.
The soul of my wares comes to life through a visual aesthetic, inherited from my background in graphic design, combined with the endless enjoyment of forming porcelain."

(images and quote from Nadia Pignatone)

NOTES:
visit Nadia's website

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See you soon for Q!

xxoo

P is for....

Hello! Welcome to a new week!

I hope you had a lovely weekend. We managed to do all the things on our 'list', and had a really enjoyable weekend together as a family...we visited the City Art Gallery, walked around the Wellington waterfront, had dinner at the beach...all good stuff!

This P post is dedicated to Porcelain, Pottery and Ceramics... I keep finding ranges that are too good to wait until 'their letter comes up'.. so, here we go.. P is for

Porcelain , Pottery and Ceramics

First up we have..

Whitney Smith

I love the femininity of Whitney Smith's work... the smooth surfaces, fabulous colours, beautiful shapes and the hints of nature...

"My design sense is primarily informed by my obsession with flowers and other forms found in nature. I have painted and drawn since I was a small child, and many of the designs are influenced by other painters and 2-D artists. I am also strongly influenced by Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement of the 19th early 20th century. I like the look and feel of old things and antiques, and the glaze choices have a certain look that reminds me of a different era."

Have a look:

(images and quote from Whitney Smith)

NOTES:
visit Whitney's website
visit Whitney's shop
read Whitney's blog

Polly George

Polly George's Mr and Mrs Jones Citrus Juicers are my favourite! So clever and with such a good sense of humor too.. As well as the quirky 'Jones' series, Polly creates a collection of gorgeous and functional pieces...

"Designed in rural Kent and handmade in Stoke-on-Trent, the historical centre if finest English Pottery, Polly's pure and simple white shapes are the trademark of her studio. Produced in teh highest quality Bone China and individually decorated with hand applied butterflies, roses, birds an her lilliputian family of Mr and Mrs Jones."

(images and quote from Polly George)

NOTES:
visit Polly's website
see Polly's website for ordering

Paloma's Nest

Paloma's Nest is a simple, thought provoking and beautiful collection from Caroline Colom Vasquez. I love the idea of someone using her 'Will you marry Me?" dish when they pop the question.. so romantic, and what a keepsake treasure!

"Paloma's Nest is dedicated to creating pieces for the home and for the heart. Each piece is designed and hand crafted in my own studio in Austin, Texas, by me, with care and pride and passion. I use only natural materials including fine clays, wood, paper and cloth.

My inspiration lies int he purity of the materials I use, and the idea that something so simple can be so bold. By adding text, I give written ideas, feelings and daydreams a place to rest."

(images and quote from Paloma's Nest)

NOTES:
visit Paloma's Nest shop
read Paloma's Nest interview on Etsy Featured Seller

Alyssa Ettinger

Another clever and beautiful collection. I am particularly drawn to Alyssa Ettinger's 'knitted' range - a collection of work imprinted with the texture of knitting - everything from cable knit to good ol' knit-one-purl-one... her series of milk bottles are beautiful too...

"It's a far different environment than the more corporate world where I once worked," she says. "Being a ceramic artist doesn't make you wealthy, but I've reached a point in my like where being happy and content are a far more valuable currency."

(images and quote from Alyssa Ettinger)

NOTES:
visit Alyssa's website
visit Alyssa's shop

And there we have P. I hope you have enjoyed this showcase of my favourite porcelain, pottery and ceramic artists...

Have a lovely day. See you tomorrow for Q!

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!