Lou Rota: Salvaged and vintage customised furniture

I've just stumbled across the work by Lou Rota and I'm in love. Lou gives old funiture and ceramics a new lease of life using decoupage and vinyl applications. Quirky, intriguing, kitch and witty - every piece is stand out and is sure to become a talking piece.
You can buy Lou's work from not on the high street and her prices are suprisingly affordable - with a set of 3 personalised plates available for 55 pounds.

My favourite has to be the floral wrap chair - covered by the painstakingly cutting out hundreds of flowers from old magazines (so it's totally eco friendly as well). Who knew an old school chair could look so good.

Studio Inspirations: I love this colour

dark teal walls, originally uploaded by ooh_food.

Dark blue/grey - somehow depite it's darkness it remains soft. It's neutral yet edgy but not at all overpowering. I love this entire room.

While all my entire house is freshly painted grey(see below photo) (obviously right before it went on the market). the colour just isn't sitting right with me. Firstly I don't think every single room in a house should be the same colour unless that 'colour' is white. But also the shade isn't right - I can't exactly pinpoint whats wrong with it because it's a fairly nice shade but somehow it feels too dark and dull in the bedrooms - and either too dark and grey in the living room, or not dark enough (if that makes sense). I feel like unless its making a statement i would rather the walls were white.  I'm feeling drawn to rooms that are working grey well and it would be nice to make at least some of the grey work here - rather than repainting the entire place.

Anyway, rather than replainting my house I'm addicted to trawling for home inspirations at the moment and Ooh_food on flickr has found a gorgeous and extensive selection of images. Go look!

rainy sunday

floral cowhide rug - I want!

I just found this super rug. It's kind of difficult to see in the picture but it's a piece of old axminster floral carpet, cut and overlocked into the shape of a traditional cowhide. This is a one off on Trademe but it sounds like they will be making more (from new carpet).

I love it. Traditional hide rugs are an on going dilemma for me - because while I mostly love the look - I don't like to be reminded of the death of an animal for the sake of a floor covering (or a burger for that matter). So, this rug kind of solves this dilemma for me.

The auction closes at 8.57pm NZ tonight here.
I'm plum out of money this month so it won't be mine - but I'd love to see some better pictures of it if you happen to win it!

amongst the mess that is my new house

is my most wonderful new (to me) chesterfield.  This is THE sofa of my dreams. I was a child who read 'Homes and Gardens' and watched 'Antiques Roadshow' and home renovation shows well before I was 10. So I really have dreamt of a white (ok, Ivory) chesterfield for the longest time.

The house is still largely unpacked, we have no dining chairs, curtains, rugs ...but I have my new sofa and it is lovely. Now I just need to dare sit on it.

opening night

Last night was the launch of my degree exhibition. It was lots of fun and I got many lovely, encouraging comments about my work. It will be on display at AUT until Sunday 22nd so if you're local (Auckland) - you still have time to check it out.
Heres a few quick pics of my exhibit 'Atrophy'. I will post more when I go back during the day with more time.

 "Even within the most beautiful landscape, in the trees, under the leaves the insects are eating each other; violence is a part of life."

Francis Bacon

Atrophy is an illustrative exploration of death as a theme in textile design.

While art and other areas of design explore death freely and frequently - textile design does not. In short I ask, why not? 

Has the bond between textile design and the idea of the 'home' left it permanently restricted by the unwritten rules of tradition? 

The intention is for Atrophy to be just the beginning of a larger study of non-traditional motifs in interior textiles.

Today

I completed my degree. My final work is being exhibited from Saturday 14th until Sunday 22nd at AUT, St Pauls St, Auckland central.
I hope to have some pictures up soon. It feels strange for it all to come to an end. I guess I must be a real adult now.
Sad.

busy life

I'm so stressed with trying to complete my project by Tuesday - especially because I'm moving on Friday.
I'm super excited about both things but I can't wait until I can just relax again. I think I'll enjoy working life for a while after this.

Heres a random piece from my workbook which I'm desperately trying to sort out. It's hard to show how much time, effort and thought has gone into my work through a book. I should have screenshots of the time spent sorting patterns on screen, cleaning, drawing, colouring. Stress.

linedotline update

Line Dot Line, the AUT design exhibition where I'll have my final project exhibit is just two weeks away.

The website is (sort of) up though lacking the individual info and image for each student (hopefully this happens soon).

Even if you don't know anyone who is exhibiting it's a great opportunity to go and get inspired by a huge selection of work. Line Dot Line is open to the public (free of course!) from the 14th - 22nd of November - check out the website for directions and opening hours.

Oh and if you see me there - please come and say Hi - I'd love to meet you!