I caught the end of this piece on a program called Collectors this evening and was immediately struck by the beauty of these artworks. Lucia Usmiani uses recycled drink cans and bottles collected from household bins and transforms them into amazing works of art. Above the work is created by cutting up small pieces of aluminium drink cans, while below titled 'Wallflowers' is made from the bottom of PET plastic bottles pinned to the wall.
I've be rediscovering the joys of Ikea this weekend. Our place in London was full of it so I've been a bit turned off for a while. But our friends have this lovely white day bed in their place and it would be just perfect for our new sunroom. This pic is from Harmonie Interieure.
Celebrate Earth Hour AND Earth Month. Switch off the light Saturday night from 8.30pm for Earth Hour to join 80 countries around the world in highlighting the importance of taking action on climate change. And next weekend you can do it again, but this time light your Aveda Lavender Candle. Each candle sold in April raises funds for Avedas Earth Month projects.
Here are some good looking gift ideas that score 20/20 for originality and fun:
- This pendant light was made by covering an old shade with an eyechart, add a little trim and you're done, instant Drs office chic. Pic from Real Simple.
- Never forget where you left your glasses again. When glasses are in the tray the eye chart is in focus, when they aren't the text appears blurred. Unfortunatly only a concept at the moment from Fiona Carswell. Keep your eye out for it though.
- Test your friends vision on their birthday with the happy birthday eyechart card from creative monsoon. $40 for a mixed pack of six - so you can insult people all year round :)
- Multifunctional cushions. Add comfort to your home and keep a check on who might need glasses. $35 from Melbourne designer Aunty Cookie.
- Heather Lins Home even throws in a pair of 3D glasses with their pillows!
- Not quite an eye chart, but eye catching all the same. This cute $15 poster is from Melbourne based The Love Shop.
Last week I mentioned the popularity of Babushka dolls at the moment. Well this just tops it all. If you have a spare $8000 plus dollars lying around you could pick yourself up this new Chanel Matrioshka handbag made from black resin and gold. You'll have to wait until mid May though - damn, would have gone so well with the outfit I was planning on wearing down the pub this evening. Read more on handbag.com
It's been a VERY busy week here. A total redesign of a beauty magazine has taken up most of my time, but we still managed to make some more progress on the rock pool photography project. I'll let you know when the results are available for sale on creative monsoon.
This is definitely my favourite find for this week. This gorgeous photo was taken by Aussie photographer Jason Loucas and comes via the city sage blog. Two weeks to go until we move into our new home and Ive been thinking a lot about decorating. This is a must - a china hutch painted all white.
These cute little guys are everywhere at the moment. Babushka dolls, (also know as matryoshka) originated in Russia and are most commonly know for the nesting dolls in decreasing sizes. But there are so many variations around:
- I love this take on the Babushka doll by Ferragamo Studio in Florida. She is hand embroidered and decorated with lots of different fabrics and ribbon. A very pretty gift, US$36.
- If you feel like making your own Babushka set, Matryoshka Dolls sells blank nesting dolls in a variety of shapes and sizes from as little as AU$6.75 - bargin!
- These Bandai Unazukin are tricky little things to track down. But worth the hunt I think - it's voice activated, nodding or shaking it's head in response. How cute?! Try looking for them on ebay. Around US$15.
- For the techno geek there is this slick black option featuring the various storage capacities in sequence.
- I couldn't contain myself when these arrived the other day - how gorgeous! They are part of a limited edition by Kenzo perfume to be released soon.
- Ravenhill in Norway have some beautiful hand-made dolls in a lovely selection fabrics. They're sure to bring a smile to your face. US$34
UPDATE: Even more Babushka. Check out these fantastic Babushka inspired lights by Russian designer Dima Loginoff.