Archive for mid-century modern
Ikea’s new Vandring owls
I’m finding it hard to write convincingly about owls today. I’ve started this blog post about five times before jabbing the back space key with a vengeance.
Perhaps it’s because the eyes on these newest Ikea owls are not to my taste. But there’s no denying that the vintagey styling, back-to-nature colours and comforting coterie of dragonflies and spiders all add to the allure of these particular kid-focused owls.
I for one find it hard to resist an oak leaf, and the coat rack above so cleverly combines mid-century kitsch with funky storage solutions that I can forgive the slightly confused looking owls.
However, I would make a special trip alone to find myself a yard or two of the Ikea owl and spiderweb fabric above, especially because it would look just perfect with the quilt cover and curtains below, in a mini person’s room, or just for fun on a cushion or a blouse.
Now I’m really not sure about this owl glove puppet, but I couldn’t leave it out – it’s part of Ikea’s new Vandring range (which also, excitingly, features hedgehogs) and would nestle perfectly on the owlish bed above.
Owls at teatime
Gawd – there’s so much rain outside I’ve been forced to cook fish pie and dig out a cardigan. I guess summer is over, and it’s time to succumb once again to dark afternoons, cold toes and muddy jeans. So by default, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy all the pleasures a good cuppa can offer. Speaking of which, here are a few owlish teatime fancies to tide you through the autumn.
The owl gocco coasters above are de rigeur: you don’t want to scorch your table top. Thank goodness for Kerry Beary’s mid-century modern designs, printed on 100% recycled paper (which is then pounded into a sturdy chipboard bar coaster) and oozing with seventies chic. By the way, if you have fallen for these owl designs, Kerry has also created a set of limited edition, hand printed versions for you to hang on your wall.
While escaping some of the rain today, I found myself steaming in Debenhams (literally) and spotted these owl mugs. Nicely down to earth, with a light-hearted pattern and good ceramic finish, and all for a fiver. Bargain, right? They’ve a touch of the old halloween theme about them too, which is good preparation for the coming months. You can buy them online here, if you prefer to stay dry and shop while you sip…
For a more traditional owl, it’s gotta be Emma Bridgewater, every time. Check out John Lewis for this particular earthenware barn owl design.
Now a proper cup of tea normally involves a scooby snackette too, and if these owl biscuits from an earlier blog post are just too plain, how about an owl cupcake instead? These ones are baked by the Artisan Cake Company, and look just about chocolately enough to warrant a second cup. Roll on winter.
Kristian Vedel wooden bird
It feels a bit cliched to include Vedel‘s wooden bird here – it is such an obvious choice for anyone interested in toys, Scandinavian design, birds or mid-century modern desirables. But I remember the first time I saw one – on the desk of an uber-cool designer I was working with. I was fascinated by the way you can adjust the bird’s head, even minutely, and its expression changes completely. Perfect when you’re a little distracted and need time out to figure how to proceed on something computerish. Luckily I received one as a gift last year and it is now sitting on the freecycled teak sideboard, looking out the window at the garden. Thanks Mark!
