Sep
1
More Tolix Love…
Filed Under Furniture, Inspiration, Interior Design, Vintage | 1 Comment
Sorry, I simply couldn’t resist posting these images of Tolix chairs that I came across since my last post just the other day about these French beauties. How is it possible to love furniture so? These are just one of my massive chair crushes, there are others that I’m saving for another post. Gasp!
Is it completely necessary for me to point out that I also LOVE the shelving and the light fittings?
By the way, I saw Inception the other night and I was pretty enthralled by the whole thing but especially the architecture in the dream thingy. Did I mention that I’m also a film critic? Anyway, it just reminded me of some of the dreams that I have because I mainly dream about architecture and interiors. (really random useless) FACT!
Images from vt wonen via Delight by Design
Aug
29
House Doctor Moments Autumn 2010
Filed Under Danish Design, Furniture, Inspiration, Shop Stuff | 3 Comments
I received the new House Doctor Moments catalogue a few weeks ago and my copy is very well thumbed at this stage. I had been looking forward to its arrival for weeks and it did not disappoint as I well and truly devoured it, repeatedly. To say that I want to order EVERYTHING for the shop is a slight understatement. It’s so difficult to choose a few select pieces when their styling is this good…
House Doctor are based in Denmark (you know I’m such a sucker for Danish design!) and they produce two collections every year. The Everyday catalogue showcases their new collection, which is updated annually and launched in January and Moments is then released in time for Autumn and consists of more new products and Christmas decorations. I’m chuffed that Mabel & Violet is the only online shop in Ireland currently stocking House Doctor, so if you are looking for something from the range that we don’t have in stock you can get in touch with us here and we will do our best to get it for you.
Aug
26
FUSE Can Lights
Filed Under Furniture, Interior Design | 1 Comment
Hot on the heels of my last blog post about FUSE Finds, I just had to feature the latest products from this impressive design empire. Capitalising on the upcycling trend, the clever people at FUSE Interiors have designed these Can Lights, which are constructed from discarded and salvaged Heinz Beanz cans and Campbell’s Soup cans. With the help of Dublin’s many restaurants and cafés who collect the tin cans, these everyday waste objects are turned into charming yet functional pendant lights. Now that is clever. These quirky and unusual beauties are available to purchase directly from their website and you can (pardon the pun) also keep up to date with them on Facebook.
Aug
25
Location, Location, Location!
Filed Under Inspiration, Interior Design, Shop Stuff | 1 Comment
Ok, so when Mabel & Violet is big and all growed up, not to mention rich and famous; I have earmarked this bijou little spot for one of our photo shoots or maybe I could just move in…
I just love that it’s nearly falling down and full of peeling wallpaper, crumbling plaster, ornate furniture and chandeliers and other intriguing little details. Divine!
Images via Shoot Factory
Aug
23
Tolix Chairs and Stools
Filed Under Furniture, Inspiration, Vintage | Leave a Comment
are my latest obsession as well as all things with a vintage industrial feel; yes I am a dedicated follower of fashion.
Images via Living Etc, Skona Hem and My Scandinavian Retreat
Aug
21
Handmade Rag Dolls – Mrs Crimmins
Filed Under Kids Stuff, Shop Stuff | 1 Comment
I’m back in London again but I just wanted to stop by to show you the latest arrivals to the shop…
Available exclusively online from Mabel & Violet, I’d like to introduce you to Mrs Crimmins for Paper Bird – a collection of beautifully hand crafted cloth dolls, each one with her own unique identity.
I am so in love with these beautiful rag dolls, they just appeal so much to the little girl in me.
Each one of these cloth dolls is handmade with love in Ireland by the extremely creative hands of Dublin based designer Paper Bird.
They are made from tea dyed unbleached cotton, fire retardent fibres and recycled vintage fabrics, beads and unusual findings.
Each doll is unique and they are real collectors items, yet they are robust enough for a child to play with.
Doesn’t every little girl deserve a really special doll like this?
You can just click on each image above for more details or to make a purchase.
Aug
7
Absentee Bloglord, Sneak Peek & Big News!
Filed Under Banter, My Home, Shop Stuff | 6 Comments
This absentee blogger is back…briefly. This time with a sneak peek of a corner of the living room here at Mabel & Violet towers. More images are set to follow but not before the “big reveal” elsewhere – oh the drama and suspenders of it all!
While I’m here, I thought I’d take the time to let you know our other big news – himself has got a new job and we are moving to that London! I can hardly contain myself with the excitement of moving to such a great city but I will really miss Dublin too. I’m really happy to report that our Irish customers will not be affected by this move because I will continue to run the online boutique from across the pond and all of our products will continue to be stored and sent from within Ireland, so no need to worry about any ker-azy postage costs from the UK! We only found out about this two weeks ago and we are moving two weeks from now so we are frantically trying to find somewhere to live and sort out our entire lives, hence my extensive absentee bloglord-iness. For shame though and in the words of my 4th class teacher – “must try harder.”
Jul
13
Step Into My Office Please
Filed Under My Home, Wallpaper | 9 Comments
Finally, another ta-daaah moment. They’ve been a bit thin on the ground on this blog of late but that’s all about to change thanks to a mighty big push to get the gaff sorted! There is a reason for that too but details will have to wait for another post at a later date because it’s all a bit hush you see. Oh the intrigue!
So this is how the office looked a short while ago, above. Remember this post about my wallpaper indecision? It was a close contest but the Ferm Living Black Fir Tree Wallpaper won the vote in the end and here are the results…
The cushions are also from Ferm Living except for the orange one that I made from some vintage fabric bought at a local market.
The prints are actually postcards designed by Sanna Annukka. I love her work but until I can afford an original print the postcards will have to do. They do look great in these Ikea Ribba frames though.
The vintage Herbert Terry anglepoise lamp was a wonderful ebay find and the yellow box is soon to be available from Mabel & Violet.
As you can see, I’m really embracing the yellow accent thang and it’s pretty much all down to Twig Hutchinson. If you click here, you’ll see what I mean.
Jul
3
I had a lovely email recently from Danielle Mac Innes of Fuse Interiors to let me know about her new venture – Fuse Finds. Fuse Finds is an online vintage furniture store featuring handpicked pieces from around the world, ranging from re-vamped flea market finds to mid century design classics.
The concept for Fuse Finds has grown from a genuine passion for design as well a love for travelling which has inspired the collection. Pieces have been sourced locally as well as from the UK, Europe and the US.
The collection will grow and evolve as new furniture and objects are ‘found’ and introduced. Sustainability is at the core of the Fuse Finds concept through re-vamped and up-cycled vintage finds, pre-owned mid-century design and seeking of contemporary design that uses renewable methods and materials.
The shop is predominately online at fusefinds.com but the furniture is also available to view by appointment at Fuse’s studio which is based in Lad Lane in Dublin’s city centre. There’s also a series of ‘pop-up’ shops planned for early autumn so keep an eye out for that!
Jun
28
A Tiny Victorian Cottage
Filed Under Inspiration, Vintage | 5 Comments
I was browsing some of my favourite blogs earlier and this just stopped me in my tracks. It’s the most romantic cottage I’ve ever seen, fit for a fairy princess! The owner did most of the work herself, using salvaged and flea market finds and she uses it as her own personal retreat. Her husband also has his own retreat on another part of their property. That sounds like the key to a very happy marriage…
Images from The New York Times via {this is glamorous}