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Nov 04

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Read, Reviews 0 comments tags: Book Review, Collage, Cute Paste Create, Eleanor Shakespeare

Cut, Paste, Create: A Design Journal by Eleanor Shakespeare

Cut, Paste, Create is a brand new design journal created by Eleanor Shakespeare and finished by you! The book starts with some key collage tips from Eleanor which introduce 52 projects for you to complete ranging from building tree houses to designing cushions for a sofa and cheery umbrellas for rainy days. Leading on from the huge adult-colouring trend which seems to be dying down a little (although I am still loving Johanna Basford’s releases), activity books seem to be the big new trend in publishing. I read recently that this is down to the fact that publishers are looking to emulate the experience the younger generation are used to on screen, and that it is no longer enough for any form of media to be complete when published but instead should be interactive in one way or another. The increase in popularity has also made the activity book market a very saturated one and any book hoping to stand out from the crowd must have a fairly unique quality. Cut, Paste, Create’s niche comes from its vintage twist. Just like Eleanor’s beautiful portfolio of work, the book is filled with monochrome drawings and photographs, aged textures, retro […]

Jun 27

by bibelotm_wp in Guests, Read 0 comments tags: Books, Flying Eye Books, Nobrow, Will Taylor

Beautiful Books: June

Whether you are planning an exotic holiday by the beach, a few lazy weekends lounging in the garden or (if you are like me and live in Scotland) several evenings indoors curled up under a blanket trying to distract yourself from the fact it is still this cold in June – every creative needs a good Summer reading list. Lucky for you, I have rounded up a small selection of titles to keep you entertained on any Summer afternoon, whether it’s sunny or not… Dream Decor Known for his #MakeYouSmileStyle, Will Taylor is founder of Bright.Bazaar, one of the happiest blogs on the internet, and author of a series of equally positivity-fuelled design books. His latest title, Dream Decor, takes the reader on a whistle-stop tour of some of the brightest and most beautiful homes in the world, pausing along the way to give insight into what makes these spaces such a success. By the time you are just a few chapters in, you will already be conjuring up your own dream home, preparing for the cooler days when you can go about making it a reality. The Wolves of Currumpaw Having won the Kate Greenaway […]

May 06

by melinosa in Guests, Read 0 comments

Beautiful Books: May

My treasured collection of books includes a large variety of different genres and styles; from big, beautiful coffee table books that are thick with text to stunningly illustrated concertina books which double as artworks, from short, heartwarming picture books to long, intelligent graphic novels. My favourite finds are those I have stumbled on for no reason at all and can come from any of these genres and that is why for this month’s Beautiful Books list I am doing something a bit different for me – a post without a theme! Below is, quite simply, a selection of books which have inspired me over the last four weeks. I very much hope they do the same for you! Modern Retro A prime example of the big, beautiful coffees table books I just mentioned is Modern Retro by Caroline Clifton-Mogg. The book showcases an array of homes who’s owners, by keeping one designer foot in the past and another in the present, have created unique and eclectic spaces. By juxtaposing bold vintage patterns and statement pieces of retro furniture against clean, bright white walls, contemporary finishes and modern accessories, Modern Retro shows you how taking inspiration from the past can create […]

Mar 04

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Guests, Read 1 comments tags: Books, Branding, Children's Books, Design, Illustration, Interiors

Beautiful Books: March

Hello again! I’m back with the second edition of my Beautiful Books column – a monthly round-up of some treasured titles from my ever-growing collection of illustrated books. The first two months of the year always feel like a bit of a slog to me – it’s cold and wet and not in the fun festive way I love at Christmas. This section of the year just seems to go on and on… but then March comes. Bringing with it promises of Spring and an air of positivity and excitement, the start of Spring is the perfect time to launch a design project and I hope my March book list inspires you to go on your own creative adventure this Spring! How to Style Your Brand A few weeks ago I launched my very own creative venture – a new design blog by the name of Headless Greg – and whilst designing the new site, I found Fiona Humberstone’s How to Style Your Brand to be an invaluable resource. When planning any new design project with lots of elements to think about it can be easy to get mentally overwhelmed but worry not as Fiona’s best-selling book guides you […]

Feb 26

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview, Read 0 comments tags: Children's Books, Ella Bailey, Flying Eye Books, Illustration, Illustrator, Nobrow

Ella Bailey – Interview

Today we chat to Nottingham-based Illustrator Ella Bailey, who’s big break came when she wrote and illustrated children’s book ‘There’s No Such Thing’ for innovative publisher Flying Eye Books, the children’s imprint of award-winning publishing house Nobrow. She’s since published a second, ‘One Day on Our Blue Planet… In The Antarctic’, and has already collected an impressive client list under her belt. Ella talks picture books, cats and ketchup with Bibelot… 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? I would say that I take a lot of inspiration from illustration and design from the 50s and 60s, so my work often has a retro feel to it. I love using limited colour palettes combined with fresh, contemporary colours. Wide-eyed characters, of both the human and animal variety, feature often in my illustrations. 2. Describe your working routine – studio, kitchen table, caffeinated beverage of choice, music, silence? I have a desk, which is mainly dominated by my computer and tablet, tucked away in the corner of a room. My work is mainly digital, so that is often all I need to get things done! There is always a minimum of one […]

Feb 05

by bibelotm_wp in Guests, Read 1 comments tags: Books, Review

Beautiful Books: February

Despite being a blogger by trade and finding much of my visual inspiration online, I still harbour a love for beautiful books! Whether they be big lustrous coffee table books or small, delicately printed limited edition comics, they never fail to entice me and so my collection has grown to include everything including inspirational interior design books chock full of ideas and design-philosophies, catalogue-style titles introducing you to a whole new crop of talented artists, stunningly illustrated picture books suitable for any age and boldly designed sprawling concertina books. In this new monthly column, I will be delving into my collection to unearth and share some of my most treasured titles. So without further ado, let the printed pages parade begin… Sage Living Lifestyle writer and design blogger Anne Sage’s debut interior design book, Sage Living, not only showcases a series of enviable homes but also presents a whole new approach to decorating. Drawing from both her personal experiences and those of the troupe of creatives who’s homes are included within the books pages, Anne preaches brilliantly on the art of decorating for the life you want to live. Deconstructing the home, Anne explains how each individual area […]

Nov 20

by melinosa in Read, Reviews 2 comments tags: Bohemian, Creative, Decorate, Interior Design

The New Bohemians – Justina Blakeney

The New Bohemians, design blogger Justina Blakeney’s debut interiors book, showcases a selection of 20 of her favourite homes and accompanies them with DIY tutorials and ideas to add that boho vibe to your own space. If you are unsure of what defines bohemian style (I was a little hazy before I read this book), there is lots to enlighten you within its pages. Aesthetically, bohemian homes layer together bold patterns, warm colour palettes and lots and lots of plants to create eclectic spaces. But more than this, “bohemianism” is about having a unique style and not being afraid to let it run free. Throughout all of the homes showcased in The New Bohemians, making a personality-filled statement is key, and this results in spaces filled with meaningful items and plenty of heart. Defining bohemianism further, the book groups the homes into six different categories – Modern, Folksy, Romantic, Earthy, Maximal and Nomadic. Maximal boho (the style which Justina favours for her own home which is also included in the book) is perhaps the style most commonly associated with bohemianism. What is most notable – and often most impressive – about these homes is the paradox which they create by […]

Oct 30

by bibelotm_wp in Read, Reviews 0 comments

Halloween reads: The Haunting of Hill House

“It was a house without kindness, never meant to be lived in, not a fit place for people or for love or for hope.” “God! Whose hand was I holding?” A select group is invited by a mysterious doctor to spend the summer in a countryside mansion to explore its reputed occult phenomena. A strange, ugly building with a troubled past, Hill House disturbs and intrigues its four new guests, and soon begins to live up to its reputation. Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House first tingled the spines of America in 1959, taking inspiration from classic ghost stories of the past in the same year that futuristic dreams became reality, with Russia landing the first spacecraft on the moon. This chilling tale embraces many typical Jackson motifs, such as poisonous human relationships, the darkness within, and the supernatural, and is a great way to give yourself a good scare this Halloween! Seen from the point of view of Eleanor, a mousy, anxious woman burdened by guilt and resentments, bonds of friendship are formed and broken as the disorientating Hill House gradually reveals its secrets. With a history featuring mysterious deaths, abandoned children, and […]

Oct 19

by bibelotm_wp in Read 0 comments

Get your dose of Vitamin C with writer Banana Yoshimoto

“The place I like best in this world is the kitchen. No matter where it is, no matter what kind, if it’s a kitchen, if it’s a place where they make food, it’s fine with me.” Banana Yoshimoto has stolen my heart. Ever since a copy of Kitchen, the novel which made her a Japanese national treasure, turned up in our house, I have been entranced by her simple, perfectly placed prose, her warmth, her touches of the supernatural, the way she layers tiny details to light up the page; snow falling, the moon behind the trees, the smell of food. And of course there is her name. Sadly it’s not the one she was born with, rather, she is named Mahoko, but chose her pen name based on her love of banana flowers. She likes Banana as it is both ‘cute’ and ‘androgynous’, and it certainly adds a touch of the kitsch and surreal to her works. Yoshimoto’s debut, Kitchen, features a young woman, Mikage, recovering from the death of her beloved grandmother and gradually forming a close bond with florist Yuichi. It sold like hot cakes in her home country, leading to a phenomenon […]

Aug 12

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Lists, Read, Reviews 0 comments

Paper Only – Review

Paper Only by The Papered Parlour includes 20 varied and beautifully written tutorials teaching you how to make everything from delicate paper roses and wreaths, to printed wrapping paper and origami bows. Since being founded in 2009, The Papered Parlour has hosted experimental workshops, critically acclaimed masterclasses and mini festivals, welcoming thousands of participants to their craft-centric events. Their passion for crafting, and adoration for paper and its versatility, shines through on each page of Paper Only. With this, their debut book, The Papered Parlour endeavoured to create more than just a craft book – they wanted to create a book about creativity, pushing the boundaries of paper-craft whilst simultaneously encouraging creativity. Below is a list of five reasons which make Paper Only much more than your average craft book: 1. Personality Unlike some books, the goal is not to create exactly what is on the page but rather to adopt The Papered Parlour’s messy, carefree way of working; take some artistic risks, experiment, let your artistic flare go wild and see what happens! This experimental approach injects excitement into each challenge and means that 20 tasks can in fact create an endless amount of unique, personality-filled crafted […]

Jul 17

by bibelotm_wp in Guests, Lists, Read 1 comments

Flying Eye Books

From imaginative story books and titles with a focus on education, to those which effortlessly weave information and narrative together – Flying Eye Books are varied, intelligent and incredibly beautiful! Whilst the target market for this imprint of Nobrow Press is undeniably children, there is no reason that Flying Eye Books can not be enjoyed just as much, if not more, by adults. After all, the publisher has produced a plethora of innovative and stunning titles – and why should children have all the fun?! Flying Eye Books have countless amazing qualities which make them appeal to a wide audience; they often have a moral, but don’t feel the need to slap you around the face with it. They tell short stories, not stupid ones, and the artwork within them is produced by some of the worlds best illustrators. Below is a list of some of my favourite Flying Eye Books and the reasons why they are perfect for an adult audience. Wild by Emily Hughes Wondrous, witty and uncontrollably wild, Emily Hughes debut Flying Eye Book tells the story of a little girl who knows nothing but nature from birth. The buzz around Wild – and Emily’s second title […]

May 15

by bibelotm_wp in Read, Reviews 0 comments

5 Fabulous Books by Women

The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto A young graphic artist moves to Tokyo after the death of her mother. She is grief struck and spends her time staring out the window. One day she notices a young man across the street who is staring out of his window. They hesitantly fall in love but there’s something horrific in his past. While they’re visiting two of his friends who live by a lake, the pieces of his past start falling together. Banana Yoshimoto took inspiration from the infamous Aum Shinrikyo cult for this beautiful, fragile novel. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Narrated by Merricat Blackwood who lives with her older sister and her uncle, who is confined to a wheelchair, in their large family home after the rest of the family is poisoned at dinner. The older sister is the acquitted murderess and it has caused them to live on the fringe of society. This is gripping Gothic psychological suspense at its best. This book evokes nostalgia, conjures up memories of childhood and may even cause déjà vu for Shirley Jackson fans. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki After the 2011 tsunami […]

Feb 25

by bibelotm_wp in Read 1 comments

Book Covers We Love

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But when book covers look this good, well, it’s hard not to… 1. Till T (For Tea) by Suzanne Brøgger. Cover design by Lotta Kühlhorn. We love Stockholm-based Graphic Designer Lotta Kühlhorn’s beautiful bold patterns that adorn tea towels, cutting boards, trays and even napkins. Now her stunning designs are being applied to books too. www.Lottakuhlhorn.se 2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Cover design by Jillian Tamaki. Jillian hand sewed limited edition covers of 3 classics for Penguin Books, including The Secret Garden, Emma and Black Beauty. The tactile texture of the embroidery is absolutely beautiful. www.jilliantamaki.com 3. The Forest Feast by Erin Gleeson. Cover design by Erin Gleeson. Artist and professional food photographer Erin Gleeson began her blog, The Forest Feast, after she left New York City and moved into a tiny cabin in a Californian forest in order to be closer to nature. Here, she shares her passion for creating vegetarian food. Her book, of the same name, is a mouth watering treasure to behold, which draws you in from the cover alone. Inside the book are vibrant photographs, complemented […]

Feb 11

by bibelotm_wp in Birds, Read 14 comments

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt – A Review

When Theo Decker was thirteen he lost his beloved mother in a terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His dad left them when Theo was little but he was lucky enough to be taken in by a wealthy friend’s family. While he was trying to locate his mother in the rubble, a dying man gave him the address to his local antiques shop and a signet ring. The elderly man also entrusted Theo with a package containing The Goldfinch by the Dutch painter Carel Fabritius. Eventually the shop becomes Theo’s spiritual home and the painting, the one thing that reminds him of his mother more than anything else, draws him into the criminal underworld of art theft and drugs. There’s been a very long wait since Tartt’s last novel The Little Friend, which I still can’t stop thinking about over a decade after reading it, but it was well worth it. Tartt is a wonderful writer and it’s difficult not to be impressed by her willingness to confront suffering head on without flinching for even a split second. The book is told in retrospect by Theo and the opening of The Goldfinch grabs […]