Design Inspiration. Planet Stencil Library.

New Stencils from Country by Mail, Sweden

We've written before about the Swedish Mail order company, Country by Mail.  We had discovered them because we were supplying stencils to them and upon browsing their web-site, found that they had all sorts of wonderful home accessories.  If you are a fan of that pale, slightly shabby chic scandanavian style, then this is the site for you.  Recently, we had designed some custom stencils for them to sell and I thought I would share them with you.  I am particularly fond of this recipe for apple pie in French.  I think it would look great in a kitchen along with our Shaker style Basket of apples stencil:

Here are a few other of the new stencils we made for them.  We made 5 different latin herb names, but I am only showing one example.  You can see the others on their site.

If you like them, you will have to purchase them from Country by Mail.  They ship worldwide.  Their site is in Swedish, but despite only knowing one word of Swedish myself, I did not find it a problem to navigate.  To see the stencil section, simply click on "Schabloner".  Also, they speak perfect English so if you have any enquiries or need help, you can e-mail them info@countrybymail.se.

We recently added a new range called "In Your Own Words" to our site which is a range of over 40 different fonts and you can have us make up your favourite quote or saying or name as a stencil if you fancy having your own text in your decor.  Rachel.

The Fabulous Liberty of London

I don't get to London as often as I would like (probably a good thing for my bank balance), but if ever I am going, whether it is for a long or short trip, the one place I always visit is Liberty of London.  There are many great department stores in London, but in my mind Liberty has to be the best.  I love to mix the old and the new and so does Liberty.  The tudor style building is filled with wonderful wood panelling and carving throughout its many floors.  It opened its doors in 1875 in Regent Street and has been at the forefront of luxury goods ever since.  It is famous for its printed fabrics,  but it is so much more.  It has men's and women's clothing as well as shoes, bags, jewelry and all those yummy things, but it is the Home department that really sets my pulse racing.  It has a good old fashioned (and rare) haberdashery (love that word) department:

It showcases wonderful furniture from talented designers:

Great soft furnishings:

The most amazing lighting department (how fabulous is this flocked chandelier?!?):

The fabrics are wonderful and the selection is huge:

If you like making things, then there is no better place to go and pick up bits and pieces to do so.  Have a look at these wrapping papers:

I could also spend a fortune in their beauty and perfumery department.  The great thing about department stores is that they should have everything under one roof.  I think that is why I will make every effort to visit Liberty even if time is short...I can buy unusual, wonderful things and be inspired all in one place.  So, next time you are in London, take my advice and indulge in and shop at the Liberty world.  You will find loads of lovely things and come away with many shopping bags and full of inspiration. R.

Photographs by Liberty.

Country By Mail, Sweden

We have a customer based in Sweden who sells some of our stencils through their wonderful web-site.  If you are a fan of the romantic Swedish style, then this site is for you.  The address is www.countrybymail.se. 

They sell such lovely items that I wanted to share them with you.  They are a home accessories online shop.  The palette is pale and washed out with a vintage feel.  They sell everything from wonderful quilts and linens...

to glassware...

to lighting...

to tableware...

to childrens' toys...

and of course our stencils (that's schabloner in Swedish)....

  I particularly like these cushions with transfer photos on them. They ship worldwide.  The site is in Swedish, but laid out as most web-sites so if your Swedish is not up to scratch, it is easy to navigate.  As with most Europeans, they speak perfect English so you can always e-mail them if you have any questions.  The prices are in SEK (Swedish Krona), but I have found out that 1.00 SEK = 0.15 USD or 0.07 GBP (as of today).  So if you fancy some gorgeous Swedish style home accessories, check out their web-site. R.

House & Garden Fair, Olympia, London 27th-30th June 2007

The Daily Telegraph / House & Garden Fair 2007 is the UK's most prestigious shopping event for interior and garden design. The Fair brings you an unprecedented line up of exhibitors assembled under one roof for just four days. For anyone passionate about interiors and gardens the Fair is an excellent opportunity to see the very latest classic and contemporary designs from many of the country's most prominent designers. Discover many unusual products and innovative features to inspire your house and garden in 2007.

This year the Fair runs from Wednesday 27 June to Saturday 30 June at London's Olympia, from 10am - 6pm.  We will be there, with bells on, exhibiting on stand number B74 with some of our new stencil ranges as well as accessories.  We would love to see you there! 

We have a limited number of complimentary tickets for the Fair.  If you would like one, please go to The Stencil Library web-site and contact us by e-mail.  Tickets are limited and will be sent out on a first come, first serve basis, limited to 1 per person.  Alternatively, if you would like to purchase tickets for the show, go to House & Garden Fair or telephone 0870 121 2525 and quote HG53 for an exclusive ticket offer.

Glitter Pot

I love this little concrete pot.  I bought it from www.coffeeandcream.co.uk. It is in the lighting section.

I had already stencilled the kitchen table with gold glitter paint and the pot seemed made to go with it.  I was originally intending to stencil the matt exterior of the pot with a black pattern, but in it's present location no further embellishment is needed... just a lit tea light.  Coffee and Cream is exhibiting at The House and Garden Fair in London this June, and so is The Stencil Library, so I will be able to shop for more lovely things. See www.houseandgardenfair.co.uk for more information about the fair. H