Mini & Maximus posters

Last month, I mentioned these two gorgeous posters...well they've arrived! The only thing is that I didn't foresee so many pre-orders so now we've only have 5 Meow posters left in stock until next year and a few more of the Feathers poster which is actually looking even better in real than on the photo so it will also end up in my home! It's a great one for teens as it look a bit more grown-up.
Since I got two of her prints and saw how great they look in my bedroom, I have been developing a massive crush for black and white prints. I have not decided yet where I will hang them all but it's likely to be in the kitchen where the Meow poster is (but then I'm moving away from my dream kitchen) or in the lounge, either on the floor or on the wall once we've done the lounge next Spring...

Le mois dernier, j'ai mentionne ces deux posters canons...et bien ils sont arrives! Le seul truc c'est que je n'avais pas prevu que nous recevrions autant de pre-commandes et que maintenant nous n'avons plus que 5 Meow posters en stock jusqu'a l'annee prochaine et un peu plus du poster Feather qui est en fait, beaucoup mieux en vrai qu'en photo et du coup, celui-ci aussi va finir a la maison! Je trouve que c'est un chouette poster pour des ados.

Depuis que j'ai recu deux de ses illustrations, et que j'ai vu a quel point elles avaient l'air cool dans ma chambre, j'ai un peu developpe, comme qui dirait, un gros coup de coeur sur les illustrations en noir & blanc. Je n'ai pas encore decide si je vais toutes les mettre dans la cuisine ou le poster Meow est (parce que du coup, je m'eloigne de ma cuisine de reve) ou dans le salon par terre ou au mur, une fois que nous aurons refait la piece au Printemps prochain....

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Sally Pring's illustrations

Last time I went to the flower market in Columbia road, I picked up some pretty cards from various illustrators in the Fleapit cafe at the corner of the street. I really liked the ones by Sally Pring, an illustrator and print-maker who graduated from Edinburgh College of Arts with a BA Hons in Visual Communication.
If you live in Scotland, you may be able to see some of her works but if not you can easily order prints directly from her website if you have a Paypal account. The illustration she did for Time Out's Paris Supplement (below) is really pretty and I love how simple the drawing she did for one of my favourite authors J.D. Salinger (although not my favourite book).It has the lightness of the Winnie the Pooh's drawings (hope Sally wont be offended by that because I think they are very pretty) but with a stroppy strike to it.

However my favourite are Pam (below) which looks cheeky and youthful and Deneuve (far below) which I assume is named after French icon Catherine Deneuve.

You can buy Sally Pring's illustrations here

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Mr Darcy Proposal Dish towel

I'm loving this gorgeous Mr Darcy Proposal Dish towel by Brookish. Bit too late to get it for Valentine's but would look great framed to hang in a kitchen.

Via Designcrush
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Rosie Flo's colouring books now at BODIE and FOU

Last year or maybe the year before, I came across Rosie Flo's colouring books, a very unique collection of colouring books designed by Roz Streeten. They are different from other colouring books because children can draw faces, arms and legs and backgrounds too but also they are simply wonderful and the drawings are exquisite.
So imagine my joy two weeks ago when I went to Top Drawer (a UK trade show) and saw they had a stand there....Well after having been in the back of my mind for such a long time, I thought now was the perfect time to add them to our growing range of beautiful, creative and design things for children and they are inexpensive. Well I think so...If you think that a Barbie magazine costs about £3.50 to £4.50 and comes with a vile, plasticky toy, then £5.99 is money well-spent when you get a really nice colouring book with wonderful drawings.
So we've just added the first one of the series which is now a classic: the Rosie Flo's colouring book and the Rosie Flo's Sticky colouring book which comes with a beautiful set of stickers.

My daughter Mila (4) is obsessed with stickers. Princess stickers were even on a Christmas list...so I thought I would test them on her especially since Rosie Flo kindly gave me the sticky book to take home and gosh... it has managed to take her attention from Madagascar! Every afternoon after school, since she got her new Rosie Flo's Sticky colouring book, she has been spending some time carefully colouring her book and we now have stickers on the fridge, on her Dad's t-shirt and on the stairs leading to her bedroom.

We are starting with two but of course if you like them as much as the books from Paumes, we will a lot more to our collection.
We've also added the new Rosie Flo colouring poster which we saw framed at the stand and it looks just adorable and will look very nice framed in your girl's bedroom.

Designer Roz Streeten took great care to avoid some of the things about coloring books that frustrated her as a child: the lines are thin so the activity doesn't look dumbed down for very young children, the paper is thick so colors don't bleed through and they're sturdy and small enough to tuck in a bag for travel and outings.

So I hope you like them :-)

Now, for the sexy mamans....Valentine's Day is coming soon so if your husband still hasn't got a clue, tell him to read this or make the most of the BODIE and FOU Wishlist (you need to be registered to use it) and send him in the right direction of...umm
Maybe the new La Tropezienne tote bag in black :-) The brown was already stunning but check out the black one...A-MA-ZING!
Bon I need to do some proper work now...Have a great day
xoxo
Karine
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Beautiful sketchbook by Giddy Giddy

Look at these gorgeous images of a little girl's bedroom found here. So cute!
I'm loving the old sewing machine and the Fischer Price little characters. I'm going to start Mila's bedroom this weekend and it will be a bit more modern with a grey feature wall. Yes I know...grey for a child bedroom.... but I'm French and trust me, it will look fab!
However, if you love the retro vibe, you will love the 70s collection of posters and bed linens ByGraziela. They were initially designed by German designer Graziela Preiser and were HUGE in the 1970s but recently Graziela's daughter: the lovely Nina, re-launched these iconic designs which are flying off our shelves.
But back to Giddy Giddy...so I was looking at these lovely, feel-good images and I could not help admiring the header of this page.

So I explored her lovely blog a bit further, check her shop to see if she was selling prints...nothing and then I saw these beautiful sketchbooks!

I think they are gorgeous and I hope the designer behind Giddy Giddy explores this avenue further and comes up with some beautiful prints for everyone to enjoy!

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Alice Tait hand drawn illustrations

I got food poisoning for the first time yesterday and I was so weak I had to spend the whole day in bed wondering what on earth was happening to me. Steve was like...'check the swine flu symptoms!'...errm no thanks! Well I checked but it wasn't that and given I had gone for my early run at 6.20am before it hit me, I thought it was some kind of virus...So after fever going up and down, not being able to eat all the nice chocolate deserts Steve had brought me in the evening to cheer me up and then passing out on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night, I eventually woke up this morning feeling like I was back from the living dead.
So basically my energy level is very close to peanuts and before heading back to the sofa for the evening, I just wanted to mention the work of Alice Tait which I discovered via the Glove Factory Studios.
Alice Tait had been working as a professional illustrator for 5 years. Her style comprises of hand drawn illustration and type. She has produced a series of wonderful book covers for Chef Nigel Slater at Penguin and is currently doing regular work for Vogue and the Financial Times amongst others.

I'm loving her pigeons and her Paris and London maps are very nice but a bit too classic looking for my tastes and I still prefer the ones from Famille Summerbelle but if you love Alice's versions you can contact her directly.

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Introducing Studio Violet

Studio Violet is like one of these little surprising little boutiques you found by chance while wandering around the streets except it's online. It takes you by surprise in a nice way, like someone being nice to you when you least expect it, or something really good happening to use when you need cheering up. I was reading some lovely French blogs (i.e. Made in Sud-Ouest to feel at home) and suddenly I ended up on the homepage of this pretty Swedish site and as the leaves start falling in the streets of London and I'm enjoying a cosy, relaxing Sunday afternoon at home, I thought it was sweet to be welcomed by these golden Autumn leaves and little acorns.

Studio Violet is a creative studio which was set up in Sweden in 2008 by Camilla Engman and Elisabeth Dunker, two creative girls who have heaps of creative experience under their belts. Illustrator and graphic designer Camilla Engman graduated from HDK, School for Design and Crafts, Gothenburg and was the chosen poster artist for the Gothenburg International Film Festival, 2009. Elisabeth Dunker, too, began with an education at HDK but now has added design, illustration, styling and photography to her creative skills.
Their illustrations are pretty and delicate. Enjoy....

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Mon coup de coeur this weekend is

for the illustrations of Scott Balmer, who after graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone college of Art & Design in Scotland, started life as a freelance illustrator.
My favourite is the one below, called Poop in the Woods but they are all very playful and I love the fact that his characters don't give a damn about being size 0...
I think they look a lot more cuddlier with curves and big bellies, bicepts and they are all smiling!!

this is Lumberjack

If you are in the UK, you may have across his work in The Guardian but he has also done a bit of work for Inc. magazine and Business Week in the US.

This is The Amazing Hilda

This is The Hills

this is DNA

this is Sugar Frosted

You can see more of Scott's work on Flickr here
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Kristina's handmade jumper

Kristina is/was studying at Camberwell College of Arts. This handmade, hand-embroidered jumper was one of her degree projects. This one was about memory and nostalgia and she embroidered words taken from her diaries when I was 16. Isn't this gorgeous?

She is also trying to finish a children book to enter the Macmillan Prize and does wonderful illustrations which she sells on Etsy.

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Art to download

I have no idea what it says since it's written in Dutch but I thought it was a nice little piece of artwork you can download and frame or to pin to your mood board.

Available to download here from 101 Woonideen magazine.
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Interview with.....Famille Summerbelle

Last week, we added two gorgeous maps of Paris and London by Famille Summerbelle to the site but what was most amazing and took us by surprise is how quickly they sold out on pre-orders alone....In just 2 days, we received heaps of orders (see update) from New-York, San Francisco, LA, Canada, Australia, London and the rest of the UK so we can safely assume that London and Paris are still a big hit around the world :-)
The prints are due to arrive in the new few days and we had to email Julie, the French Designer behind Famille Summerbelle, twice to top up our stock order. Given the huge success of these prints, you'll be pleased to know that Julie is also planning to work on a New-York map for a potential September launch so stay tuned...
In the meantime, enjoy this lovely interview with Julie, who kindly took the time to answer our usual B&F interview about inspiration, family/life balance, dreams with beautiful photos of her studio and family home just outside Paris....

This is a paper cut Julie did for Xmas and New year greetings in San Francisco, the last place, she, her husband Simon and their daughter Ophelia visited during their World Tour last year.

bodie and fou: When did you decide you wanted to be a designer?

Julie: Very early on. I went to a Steiner School when I was little and it was very creative. I think from the age of 6-7 I wanted to draw and make things all the time. After my A Levels I went straight to study in Art school in Paris (Ecole d'Art Appliques, Plasticen de l'Environnement) and then in London at the Saint Martin School of Art. I've never looked back!

bodie and fou: Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Julie: Everywhere: blogs, magazines, everyday life. My daughter inspires me a lot as well.

Julie's studio (with a little desk for Ophelia to join in and starts being as creative as her mum) is located at the top of the house under the roof. It's a very light room and she gets the sun all day long...mmm doesn't this sound like the perfect place to work from

bodie and fou: Describe your studio/workplace?

Julie: I work from home. My studio is located at the top of the house. It's very light and spacious. I have on one side my desk with my computer/scanner/printer and on the other side a long desk where I do all my paper cuts and drawings.

bodie and fou: Which aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?

Julie: I love the research and design aspect. When I'm making things. I also love when I see that my products makes other people happy. Blogging is great for that, you get direct feedback from people all over the World.

bodie and fou: Launching your design studio/company was.....?

Julie: Pretty straight forward. It was a slow process. We're been learning along the way and we're still learning...

bodie and fou: Best piece of advice you were given?

Julie: Do what you like in your life and enjoy yourself. The rest will follow.

bodie and fou: When did you get your 'lucky break' ?

Julie: I've been quite fortunate. I had lots of 'lucky breaks' along the way

bodie and fou: How often do you end up with a finished product that you don’t want your name attached to?

Julie: Never. If I am not happy with a product, an illustration then I work harder to make it good. Or I bin it, and try again. I can't do a job half done, I am a bit of a perfectionist in that sense.

bodie and fou: Who is your favourite designer?

Julie: I admire a lot of designers/artists/architects. Just to name a few: Georges Rousse, Mies Van Der Rohe, Robert Wilson, Charles and Ray Eames, Hella Jongerius, Tord Boontje, Thomas Heatherwick, Saul Bass, Marcel Breuer, Alexander McQueen...

bodie and fou: What is your favourite piece of design?

Julie: Difficult to name just one. I like simple and practical designs. It could be an Eames classic rocking chair or the Imac.

bodie and fou: What advice would you give to aspiring designers?

Julie: Believe in yourselves, work hard and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

bodie and fou: What would your dream project be?

Julie: Design and build our own house.

bodie and fou: How do you achieve a good work/life balance?

Julie: Working from home is great as I can spend more time with my daughter and I don't have to commute every day. The downside, it's hard to switch off from work! Running a small business and having a toddler around means working evenings and sometimes weekends. Working also freelance means there are time when it's a bit hectic and then more quiet. Family life is also very important for me so I make sure that I'm not working when i am not supposed to.

The pink Family Tree (available to buy here) was inspired by Ophelia's enthusiasm for family pictures. As Julie had too many pictures to hang into Ophelia's bedroom (in addition to Ophelia's little masterpieces), the Family Tree was a fun way to resolve that problem....I think it's such a cool and original gift idea for a new mother or for a baptism.

bodie and fou: Your most precious belongings at home?

Julie: My photo albums, or I guess my computer that stores all of my photos...I haven't really had the time to do photo albums yet!

bodie and fou: How would you describe your style at home?

Julie: A mix of modern and vintage furniture and lots of personal things.

Julie loves displaying her collection of glass candle holders on the mantelpiece (get the look here). She bought the table cloth from an antique market in Paris and the chairs from Ebay (they were from a church). The big green jar (top photo) was purchased in the south of France and the black & white photo is one of Julie & Simon's wedding day.

bodie and fou: If your studio wasn't, describe your ultimate dream workspace?

Julie: A ground floor space with white walls, lots of storage behind doors, a big desk and a massive window with direct access to a lush garden. A view of the mountain would be great too.
bodie and fou: Can you cook and what's your signature dish?

Julie: I can cook but my husband cooks really nice things so I let him do it. I like baking cakes. Rhubarb cake with meringue on top.
bodie and fou: Name something you can't resist...

Julie: My bed.
bodie and fou: What is next on your design journey?

Julie: I have lots of things I'd like to do, so I am going to explore a bit.
bodie and fou: And the mantra that keeps you going.......?

Julie: Keep on making things and have fun. Everyday.
(C) BODIE and FOU www.bodieandfou.com
Photos credits: Famille Summerbelle
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