just in time for valentine’s day here’s a lovely little limited edition collaboration between two of my favorites — Pigeon Toe Ceramics and Illustrator/Stylist/Optimist Shanna Murray (who designed my pretty banner logo!).

A set of two hand-thrown porcelain cellars covered in a clear gloss glaze with black lettering (Please note! the photos appear to be dark red lettering, but it’s black). One vessel reads “We are” and the other “So Good together” in Shanna’s signature lettering. Each pretty vessel holds approx 4 ounces — perfect for sauce, salt, or as a votive holder. Comes packaged in a drawstring muslin bag. be sure to pre-order now, and it the sweet little vessels ship by February 6th, with guaranteed domestic delivery for Valentine’s Day.

the new anthropologie catalog is live online, and it’s got some lovely pops of color. i’m quite smitten with the homegrown monogrammed mugs, and only wish the ‘v’ was a better color for my kitchen. alas, there are worse problems in the world, and i am leaning towards the ‘p’, so maybe i’ll go with ‘p is for picky!’ check out the rest of their colorful alphabet here.

oh yes! california based artist amanda smith creates these gorgeous oil paintings on ceramic slabs, and then adds little bits and pieces of sculpted clay, usually in the form of leaves and flowers, to create these stunning pieces. they are a series of beautiful, strange, girly worlds {with fantastic little details, so look closely!} that really should be hanging on my wall :

~ and she finishes it off with a tiny golden apple. ok, this girl crush just became official.

see you soon! ~ the jealous curator xo

i was recently checking out the rue archives, when i came across my vintage white ceramics collection (i was happily featured back in their first issue!). i love all my white ceramics — some old, some new and it gave me the idea to round some up for this week’s vintage finds for a modern world. when i write under this topic, items i scout out don’t necessarily have to be vintage, per se, just have that vintage vibe, you know? which makes them kinda perfect for a modern decor. here’s some from a few of my favorite ceramicists.

more from my collection, via rue; so very much in love with the blue floral bowl of maria kristophersson; and i’ve long been a fan of rae dunn’s whimsical pieces; diana fayt’s pretty Sepia Flower Porcelain Bowl With Clover Flower; and such delicate lace bowls by ching-ting hsu.

beautifully modern white vases from sara paloma; whitney smith’s adorable cake stand; sweet teabag mug from bailey doesn’t bark; i like these white ceramic vases from west elm; such a pretty white platter from cox & cox; creamy white urchin finials from anthropologie; and a sweet faux bois bird plate from rae dunn.

i recently came across the beautifully creative work of designer caroline swift. i love the delicacy and simplicity of her designs. caroline swift worked for almost twenty years designing knitwear, working in new york, england, and in italy as head of knitwear design for benetton. her experience and traveling the world extensively for research, led caroline to develop a curiosity for other areas of design such as food, ceramics and interiors.

in 2003, caroline started developing ideas and concepts for food for a book she was writing, but she couldn’t source plates that she liked for the images. it was this relationship between food and tableware and how they influenced each other that led her to start making her own ceramics. simply stunning.

one of my lovely advertisers, designer Caroline Colom Vasquez of paloma’s nest is opening her very own brick & mortar boutique this week and you’re invited to the party! if you’re in austin, texas pop on in for some fun party favors, check out their beautiful home accessories and keepsake mementos, and be sure and say hello to caroline for me! but, if you’re not in austin, you’re still in luck – you can visit paloma’s nest on etsy, too!

straight from Scandinavia? well, not exactly…surprise! this is west elm kitchen, launching today – online and in stores! west elm is introducing a few new lines for summer, including The Modern Collection, inspired by pop art and Scandinavian design, bringing a bit of whimsy to the kitchen with bright colors and mix and match prints. i am in love…especially with that creamy yellow butter dish!

it may seem soon, but the holidays are right around the corner, and one of my lovely sponsors, paloma’s nest is offering up a very generous sfgirlbyaby reader discount on her beautiful new ceramic holiday collection.  many of these items are custom and personalized, so it’s best to be thinking about these gift ideas early in the season!

i love some of these ingenious new designs – from the ceramic ‘made with love’ buttons (perfect for the handmade gift items you’re crafting), to the key for santa (you didn’t think he really came down the chimney, did you?), and the ‘where we met’ custom map ornament.

simply enter the coupon code ‘JINGLE‘ at checkout, for 20% off any order in celebration of the new designs. This reader discount code is good through November 15 in the paloma’s nest shop.

i am just so charmed and captivated by the work of french artist and designer nathalie lete, who i recently discovered through anthropologie’s gallery. Nathalie lives and works in paris in this amazing home and atelier, and works in many artistic mediums, mixing different techniques with illustration, ceramics, textile and painting, inspired by her travels, but also by the mixing of vintage toys and old engravings of flowers and animals.

nathalie’s work is colorful, naive and poetic, sometimes unusual, influenced much by folk art. She produces children’s and graphic books, knitted and stuffed toys, glass pictures, patterned dishes, but also postcards, ceramic sculptures, silkscreen printed t-shirts, rugs and jewels in limited edition, both for herself and for commissions. You can find some of her work and limited edition pieces in the anthropologie gallery, lapin & me, john derian and couverture, as well as other unique shops listed here.

nathalie’s beautifully eclectic home and french atelier, where she works and lives.

nathalie’s totally unique and handtufted area rugs. i love the ‘paint-by-numbers’ look of the bird piece on the left.

]]> http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/2010/08/25/french-flair/feed/ 15 http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/2010/08/09/a-bit-of-britain/ http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/2010/08/09/a-bit-of-britain/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:45:31 +0000 victoria http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/?p=23717

Snowden Flood is an interior accessories designer based in London, with work which celebrates iconic urban and rural landscapes through her ongoing exploration of kitschy souvenirs,with a fresh, modern twist. Snowden has designed a range of fun home wares, including cushions, glassware and ceramics with a brilliant british flair. for more of snowdon flood’s fanciful accessories for the home, visit her website and online shop.