Where to shop – Page 21 – Apartment Apothecary

katy 5th July 2013

Abigail Borg

Abigail Borg is an illustrator and surface pattern designer with a love for hand drawn design. Her designs are all based on nature and beautiful botanicals:

My style is unique and takes unusual flowers and plants and uses them as a backdrop to provide colourful patterns. The beauty of illustrated botanicals cannot be denied and it is what sets my designs apart from the rest. My designs are hand drawn, intricate, highly detailed and above all an intimate portrait of the chosen plant or flower. From something so delicate comes a robust and useful home textile which is luxurious and beautiful.

Last Christmas, I asked my sister, Juliette, to buy me some Abigail Borg cushions for my stripy sofa after seeing them in Liberty. Lots of people comment on them because they are a little piece of art in themselves. I was instantly attracted by the deep, rich colours and bold, beautiful designs. I would love to paper a room in one of Abigail’s gorgeous wallpapers, or upholster a chair with one of her fabrics. Have a look…

The gorgeous colours and hydrangea design of my Polka Polka cushion.

Abigail Borg Fritti cushion | Apartment Apothecary

All of Abgail’s designs seem to work together. I love the combination of my striped sofa, Polka Polka cushion and Fritti cushion.

Mr Chrysanth floral Wallpaper Abigail Borg

Gorgeous Mr Chrysanth wallpaper.

My favourite design – Polka Polka wallpaper. I really like the complementary woodwork.

Lady Green wallpaper.

Abigail Borg floral cushions and Ercol chair

Hello Yarrow cushion

I love the colours of the Orange Fox fabric.

Choose from a selection of beautifully made cushions that are made from a linen mix.

Which is your favourite print? X

katy 13th June 2013

I love stripes

One of my lovely followers introduced me to the wonderful Jane Cumberbatch after I’d featured her home in the post Pale and Interesting. Since then I’ve bought a couple of her interior design books and her sewing book (again, based on the advice of my follower) and I’m totally hooked. Jane’s style is so clean, simple and effortlessly stylish, a breath of fresh air. One of things I have seen on her blog (Pure Style) is a new product she’s designed, which I want to introduce you to: stripy wallpaper border. It is so simple, yet really effective and could transform a room; a million miles away from the twee wallpaper friezes of old. Have a look…

Jane Cumberbatch striped wallpaper border

Cornflower

Quince

Rose petal

Cake tin

Marmalade

Toast

Jane Cumberbatch blue stripy wallpaper border

Duck egg

Fennel

The wallpaper border is available to buy on Jane’s website Pure Style. What do you think? I might have to give it a go in my hallway, which is a bit dull. But what colour to choose…

katy 18th May 2013

More design classics I want in my life!

A bit of design inspiration for the weekend: sometimes it’s a good idea to go to the really expensive, out-of-reach shops to get an idea of what you like, don’t like and ideas for your own home. This will help you figure out what is worth saving up for and what you could easily find elsewhere for cheaper.

I’ve hankered after this Rolly coffee table, deigned by Matt Carr, for a long time. It’s on sale on eBay at half the retail price (click on picture for link).

I’ve had to admit defeat with this Original BTC lamp: I can not justify spending nearly £400. Instead I’ve bought a copy from John Lewis for £45.

Dreamy. That’s all.

This Picquotware kettle is next on my present list. Love the contrast between the stainless steel and beautiful sycamore handle.

A timeless sofa from Heal’s.

How sweet is this? It’s called a Penguin Donkey. I want it bad! CLick on the picture to take you through to Objects of Use, which is such a nice online shop.

Those of you that know me well, know that I do not stop complaining about our HUGE TV and speakers. I HATE them. On a recent visit to a friend’s house I saw these B&W speakers that I think I could live with. I think.

Believe me when I tell you that this Hans J. Wegner wishbone chair is seriously comfortable.

What are you currently hankering after?

katy 12th May 2013

Christian jackson prints

When I first came across these Christian Jackson prints I got very over excited. They are both unique and affordable, nostalgic and contemporary. The minimalist style is in no way sterile because Jackson has used a beautiful palette of subdued colours. If you haven’t seen them yet, I hope you like them too…

Christian Jackson Princess and the Pea print

My lovely sister bought me ‘The Princess and the Pea’ print and got it framed in a beautiful bespoke frame. It was my favourite story as a child – just loved the romance of it all!

These prints are quite difficult to get hold of. I had to get mine from America through Image Kind. Prices start at $21 for a small print to $45 for a large print. Check out Christian Jackson’s other work on his website Square Inch Design.

Which is your favourite?

katy 7th May 2013

Behind the scenes at Out There Interiors

Jenny, and her partner Mark, are the force behind Out There Interiors, a very successful furniture company. They set the company up from scratch and it continues to grow each year. I wanted to get an insight into starting a business and what goes into sourcing furniture (I wish I could do that for a living!). Jenny explains all:

“There were two reasons for wanting my own business. The first was that five years ago I was trying to make it as an actress, and I couldn’t cope with the mindless work I had to do to make ends meet in between auditions and acting roles. I used to work in Harrods’ cosmetics department and would spend the excruciatingly long days scribbling down business ideas in the hope of escaping the misery. The second reason is that I’ve always hated having a boss. Regardless of how pleasant my superior, I really detest having to answer to someone. Since Out There Interiors I answer only to myself, although I’m a massive slave driver so it doesn’t exactly play to my favour.”

Mid-century console table ‘Laina’

“I launched Out There Interiors completely by accident. Whilst at Harrods I set up a small giftware company and was invited to attend a trade show by one of my suppliers. Whilst wandering around the NEC I stumbled across a mirrored chest of drawers I’d recently bought for my bedroom. Realising there was money to be made I opened an account with the company and bought five. The rest is history.”

Hanging factory lamp ‘Mavra’

“Purchasing for Out There Interiors is without question the best bit of the job. I love discovering covetable home decor and filling the website with interesting, colourful things. Many retailers focus on only one style of furniture but I didn’t want Out There Interiors to be limited in this way. My own taste is not limited. For example, my favourite furniture style is mid-century/retro, but I also love vintage French furniture and colourful contemporary stuff. It’s a one-stop-shop.”

Fifties style dining chair “Wilma”

“We have a huge mixture of products on www.outthereinteriors.com, from hooks and handles to huge French armoires and life-size model cows. Some products we purchase from UK wholesalers and others we import directly from the Far East. We spend a lot of time ensuring the factories we use are treating their staff well and producing quality goods. Far Eastern travel is a definite perk of running a furniture company.”

Bathroom cabinet ‘Kaia’

My favourite Out There Interiors picks:

Out There Interiors not only sells new and reproduction furniture but also sources genuine vintage and antique finds…

Antique ceramic baby bath. This would make an amazing planter.

Enamel coffee pot.

An original 1920’s French stove.