pattern + colour

30 October 2013


We are slowly making progress with our house. Boxes are almost gone, and furniture is working it's way into the correct rooms. It's still a complete mess, and there are shelves and hooks and lampshades to put up and painting to be done. BUT, whats the rush eh?

One thing I can't stand is plain things, and although I love white walls and stripped floors, they are only good for displaying colourful textiles and objects in my opinion. So I have been collecting some bits of fabric, and spray paints, and buying cheap cushion inners and lampshades in B&Q and Ebay and the like.

I got out my sewing machine this morning, and in my pyjamas, started whizzing up some cushion covers to add a bit of life to our grey sofa.

It might not be to everyone's liking, but I do love a colourful zip. I mean, why should a zip be concealed or matching? Zips are amazing, so I made them a feature ; )


I chose the most colourful ones I could find.





I love this Japanese inspired print...

I made this one from a Thornback and Peel handkerchief that I bought on our last trip to London.
I had to use a white zip for this one as the cotton is very transparent.


What I love about cushions is:
They are so easy to make,
They transform a room,
You can use anything to make them, like old clothes, tea towels, blankets or handkerchiefs!
They cost loads to buy, but you can make them for a couple of quid,
Most of the inner cushions I have, happen to be made in Britain,
You can re-cover them when you get bored of them.

...and they are great for diving on.

I have done a few other bits and bobs around the house, like this knackered old stool I found.

The seat was all bowed and cracked, so I punched it out from the bottom...

and recovered it, with a bit of padding too.

and I have recovered quite a few lampshades too, this was from B&Q, now covered with Liberty print fabric.

Lots more projects on the way, and if I feel brave enough, I'll show you around the house...(once I have done the washing up).

43 comments

  1. Such happy patterns and colours. I feel inspired. I've been meaning to sort out my cushions for years (lazy mare!) must get on with it. xx

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  2. beautiful! I love all the light streaming in. You are officially a zipper pro I think!

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  3. You are so good with combining colours and patterns around your home! It all looks so effortless and stylish :-) My efforts always end up looking like a dog's breakfast so I've succumbed keeping things very neutral. On the side note, Pehr is growing up so fast I can't keep up! (I bet you feel the same way even though you see her every day) - such a gorgeous little girl :-) Much love from Sydney x

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  4. Gorgeous! I totally agree with you, I love surrounding myself with pattern via cushions, rugs& throws

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  5. Looking forward to seeing around the house x

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  6. Pehr is looking less baby more toddler now, and her curls! Your projects are always so inspiring, that zip tip is the best. I am such a sewing clutz.

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  7. You house is looking good, and those cushions you made look amazing my favourite is the pear one x

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  8. There's nothing better than a new house to get you motivated to make new things and make new memories.
    Love the zip idea and your daughter's little curls.

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  9. Oooh I have that Cranes fabric - It's so lovely and makes a great cushion cover.And now I'm going to have to buy everything on the Thornback and Peel website!

    You're new place looks like a right stunner can't wait to see more pics.

    Isabel.x

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    Replies
    1. we bought those blankets in a little local shop that sell bits and bobs for the home. I think they are Scottish ones.

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    2. Both are lovely, I thought they were from here:

      http://anta.co.uk/made-in-scotland/throws

      Greetings

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    3. can't see them on that website, but those ones are lovely too (a bit above my budget though!)

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  11. I love that pop of colour you've created with the zips! very inspiring, i may have to borrow that idea! x

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  12. Love the super bright zips, I am most definitely going to nab that idea, so much better than boring old matching ones. Can't believe how much Pehr's growing too, her little curls are so sweet.

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  13. right! thats it! too long have I let my sewing machine collect dust. thanks for inspiring me to make some new cushions, got so many inners lying around so no excuses. ps. your house looks beautiful x

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  14. hurray for colorful zips!

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  15. I just love what you're doing with your home and can't wait for the full tour. What you've done with the cushions is just perfect. You have such amazing style. Makes me wish I could sew. I can knit and crochet, but for some reason sewing sends me into screaming fits. And Pehr is just about the most adorable child I've seen in a long time. You two must feel so blessed.

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  16. Your home already looks amazing x

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  17. I think the reasoning for enclosing the zippers is because they can scratch skin or catch on clothing. However, if you are not planning on any pillow fights it probably doesn't matter.

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    Replies
    1. hmm...maybe metal zips? I think buttons could be equally as lethal ; )

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  18. Anonymous30.10.13

    Gorgeous! Love the zips and all of the patterns!

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  19. Matching is so overated, give me odd and different, and colorful , and eclectic, and patterns any day..

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  20. Super lovely!! But, I have a side question: what does Pehr do when you do all the sewing? The reason I haven't done much sewing since my son was born is because he is a little detective: he always wants to join in with me!! (and consequently, I've got nothing done :-D)

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    1. Thanks!, She is either having a nap or is with my husband (we work from home most of the time). Sometimes she will just play with something on the floor or watch what I am doing. x

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  21. Amazing! Really beautiful and colourful - lovely! I have it just like you when it comes to colours - when we moved into our new home some years ago we painted every wall white just to colour up with our quite colourful things and stuff.

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  22. Lovely! I love those colourful zips.

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  23. I love all these bits and pieces. Our new flat has a random bed in the entrance hall (can't explain it) and want to make a daybed sort of thing. Great idea for pillows and love the neon zippers. No sewing machine here but might get Mum to go wild ;)

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  24. Love the coloured zips idea.

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  25. Your new house is going to look lovely. I've been making lots of cushions too using my stash of Liberty fabric.

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  26. Lovely house, stunning location, perfectly gorgeous toddler...can't wait to see what you do next Artemis!
    Has Plimsoll settled in well?

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  27. Your home is looking beautiful and, like so many other commenters said, the way you combine fabrics is inspiring! I really love the navy blue Japanese inspired fabric with the geese (are they geese?!) on it - would you mind sharing where you found it?

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  28. I love your new home and love the colorful zipper idea! We just moved and I was just arranging washing my couch pillow covers (that I made) and arranging them on the sofa. So fun. I sew mine with an openable fold. So easy to wash! By the way, I'm a big fan of your fam and blog!

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  29. Anonymous31.10.13

    gosh, I really don't think you need to feel brave to show your lovely house. From what you have done in such a short time, it looks amazing. You put me to shame......but inspire me to buy a sewing machine! I have been meaning to recover my sofa cushions for 6 years and counting.....perhaps one day. Anyway, as always, wishing your lovely family all the best. Ruth in Dublin.

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  30. Hi Artemis
    I hope you don't mind me asking--where did you learn how to make jewellery? I'm interested in learning and I just wondered how you got into owning your own jewellery business :-)
    x

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  31. I LOVE the colorful zips!

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  32. One of my teachers in design school taught us to add always something that looked wrong to give personality to what we were doing. It still the best advice I had! Every time Io have no idea on how to finish a design I just go and add something that is wrong from a conventional point of view. Like with your colorful zippers! One could think it's wrong not to match colors, but look at the results!

    And, Artemis, I think Pehr's cheeks deserve a blog of their own.

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  33. Anonymous6.11.13

    I've been reading your blog for years...enjoying every post; in silence. But this time I feel compelled to tell you that you have such a perfect little girl and a wonderful approach to life/work. Congrats for your house. I know you're brave and hope you'll find the courage to share more pictures of how each room turns out as you get settled in. I miss my house (been on the road in a westy...with a baby!) for two months) and seeing yours reminds me of how it's cozy to be home.

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  34. the cushions are lovely

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  35. Beautiful fabrics, they work really well with the grey. I have just got over my recent obession with cushions, I bought and made way too many and I live on a boat, so no space! Anyway, I love your blog and always look forward to reading it... I get a lot of diy ideas! So thank you. Laura, Frockney Rebel Vintage

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  36. Anonymous18.11.13

    your taste is just impeccable!

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  37. Anonymous26.11.13

    Would you consider having sewing tutorials??? I'm completely new to sewing and fell in love with it but find myself losing motivation when things don't go right (i mean horribly wrong)...your tutorials would be fabulous!

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