Who knew soap and jewels could come together so magically? Available in three sizes and seven colours, these beautiful hand-cut soaps by Brooklyn studio PELLE will make any washroom sparkle…

(photographs via pelle)  

Construction, renovation, DIY projects – I love all elements of building and home design. One of the best parts? Colour swatches of course! I came across some sample pages from Sydney Harbour’s 2012 Interior Exterior Fan Deck and fell in love with the well-curated, saturated hues. They prove that colour (beyond expected neutrals) can be chic, sophisticated AND vibrant…

(photograph via sydney harbour; spotted on architectural digest)  

I was poking around the internet last night and became happily reacquainted with an identity from a few years ago that I really love. Designed by London studio Farrow, the look of British bakery Peyton and Byrne is minimalistic colour with a decidedly British flair. It is a cohesive programme of meticulous detail that can be applied to many products uniquely and manage to make a simple box of treats feel like a box of jewels. I love how the packaging is colourful (a great palette) but doesn’t overshadow the products. I wouldn’t mind a kitchen shelf full of those boxes…

(photographs via farrow and little ghost)   

I stumbled upon Cox and Cox last weekend and I could honestly post just about everything on their website. Fabulous products and gorgeous styling. They seem to seamlessly mix raw concrete with whimsical elements. An opulent industrial look perhaps? Just a few examples: 50-50 Pencils, Corkboard World Map, 20 Small Ink Pads, Leaf Chocolate Moulds, Zinc House Tea Lights and Fancy Pants Crackers. I better look into Canadian shipping ASAP…

(photographs via cox and cox)  

In my latest post for Rena Tom, I explore the details that turn online retail from good to great. While lacking the tactile quality of brick and mortar stores, online shops have complete control over how they are presented aesthetically (a rather rare creative opportunity!) With careful attention to even the smallest design elements, a shop can turn into a unique corner of the web that features mindful navigation, striking design and its own style voice. Community building via a blog or Instagram, creating a unique shopping cart style, highlighting colourways, art directing fabulous opening photography – great online stores are all about the details. To read my post, head over here.

(shops featured above: j crew, douglas + bec, leif and field)  

I have a thing for design and art pencils (showcased via three overflowing bins on my desk). Anthropologie is full of some great examples at the moment including the Color Sheen Pencil Set, Fluorescent Pencil Set, Mechanical Color Pencil Set and Banderole Pencil Set (nice lokta paper). Yep, I might “need” those beautiful metallic colour pencils…

(photographs via anthropologie)   

Paint made from paint that has been thrown away? That’s downright brilliant. Newlife Paints rescue waste paint from landfills or incineration and reprocess it back into premium grade emulsion. And they can match any colour! Working with the eco paint manufacturer, Mini Moderns has launched a new line of 12 paint hues to match their textile and wallpaper designs. I love the neutral yet bright palette and how the swatches are styled as colourful lids on a modern backgammon wallpaper…

(photograph via mini moderns; spotted on we heart)  

With the rise of big box stores and discount e-commerce, brick and mortar shops feel more important than ever. Their design details and community building potential are vital to the uniqueness of cities. To me, the soul of a place is found walking down its streets but what happens if every street looks exactly the same? Even if chain stores are an inevitable addition to a neighbourhood, there is no excuse for cookie cutter design. Just look at that great Starbucks above! Any shop can be engaging and full of great design. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I dissect some great brick and mortar shops that have caught my eye lately and serve as inspiration for physical storefronts, unique online spaces and temporary retail. Pop over here to have a look…

(photographs via love camden, michael penney style, blank inside, nico alary, weekday carnival, dezeen and the design files)

I love a pop of colour among neutrals and bright laces are a surefire way to inject vibrant detail into fashion. I love these Stolen Riches laces and their gold/silver aglets. The Canadian company has been making high quality laces for four generations and showcase how 100 years of craftmanship can mix with high fashion. Menswear could particularly benefit from a jolt in the colour department and I would love to see a suit with a colourful pocket square/shoelace combo. A pop of colour can truly make an outfit…

(photographs via stolen riches, union, pinstripe mag & union)    

I love Olympic design and the identity for Mexico 1968 is one of my very favourites. Full of bold colour, typography and clean illustration – it is a pitch perfect voice for a host city and example of what made 1960′s design so fantastic. I particularly love many of the pictogram design pieces including this Official Stamp Collection by Lance Wyman. Simple, colourful and stylish sport imagery…

(images via design related/karen horton and collectible)  

To me, styling has two roles: it supports and enhances how a product is viewed and it presents a larger sense of the maker or brand’s soul. It’s a huge topic but in my latest post for Rena Tom, I explored areas of styling including unique backgrounds, detail stacks, showcasing colour palettes, monochromatic styling, vignettes and artful approaches. Your product or collection may be fantastic but if it is not presented well, potential customers will never know. Plus, styling is a pretty inspiring facet of photography and design. Take a peek here if you fancy a read…

(photographs via maria grossmann, natalie shriver, herriott grace, scandinavian deko, falconwright, dezeen, daniel carlsten, yatzer and michelle armas)

I seem to be finding more uses lately for trays and these Kaleido Trays by Hay are pitch perfect. Powder coated steel crafted into hexagonal-shaped handsomeness, I love the fresh yet unexpected colour palette. Available in many size and hue options, the tray shapes were created to fit into each other for easy storage and unique tangram arrangements. I think I can find a use for one or seven of them…

(photographs via nordicthink and tas-ka)   

Fabulous colour and a leaning book-like logo are two components of the vibrant new identity for Vicente Aleixandre library in Badia del Vallès, Spain. Designed by studio Txell Gràcia, I especially love the signage and wayfinding throughout the library from bright window graphics to four panel subject signs. A clean, modern and colourful canvas for showcasing beautiful books…

(photographs via txell gràcia)   

I’ve always found open and closed signs are ignored elements of retail design. But why? Even on a wee sign, there is so much potential to create brand beacons, points of design interest and small but mighty information centres. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I showcased some inspiring examples (it took a ridiculous image hunt!) and explored ideas such as 3D materials, modern type and unique surfaces. Let’s hope this is the next big retail design trend! Take a look at my post here…

(photographs via snap713, the design files, emma carlow, sunshine to you, elle decoration, portland garment factory, rebecca plotnick and bonjour johanna) 

Fantastic posters for Kibon ice cream by designer Renata El Dib. Love the clever rolled edge hinting at ice cream cones. It’s amazing what a two-sided print and some iconic neapolitan colours can do…

(images via renata el dib)

I always love when the IKEA catalogue arrives and there are millions of new products and interiors to pore over. I am particularly loving how IKEA has embraced the DIY trend and the many ways their pieces can be customized. For example, their blog features PRANT boxes painted and clamped together in beautiful style. I might “need” the new MALM mirrored drawers and turquoise RASKOG trolley. Oh and how about that TARVA set of drawers customized in vibrant paint? Time to dream up new projects to DIY and studio objects to fill that handsome cart…

(shown: RASKOG trolley, TARVA drawers (painted), MALM mirrored drawers, MARIUS Stool (wrapped in fabric), HEKTAR clamp light, PRANT boxes (painted & clamped together); photographs via IKEA & IKEA Livet Hemma)