Forget those manilla envelopes and sad cheap pens because colourful, unique and inspiring desk supplies are more abundant than ever before. Environmentally conscious, artful curated collections, indicative of design trends, integrated into branding – this shift is more of a revolution than flash-in-the-pan trend and I wrote a post for Rena Tom on this new niche of “fresh supplies”. Whether buying for a shop, creating a new product line or working a 9-5 somewhere, I think everyone is in need of colour and beautiful design in their work environment. Pop over to my post here if you fancy…

(images via blank goods, best made co., douglas + bec, moma store, best made co., brand new, here design and david galasse)

Love these Envelope Mail Holders by Goodwin + Goodwin. Perfect for storing documents, mail or bits of inspiration. Simple but effective bent metal with bright and glossy powder coat finish, they are a handsome addition to any studio or entryway…

I love when retail design emphasizes colour to form strong product display and unique art installations. A wonderful example is this boutique nook by Cire Trudon, the world’s oldest candle company dating back to 1643. Handcrafted tapers form a lovely pattern of colour that highlights the product while creating a striking, modern wall of art…

(photographs by paul reaside for AD magazine; spotted on haute design)

I frequently daydream about having a large studio to fill with work surfaces, supplies storage and colourful details. A piece I would definitely purchase for said studio is the Supergrau Expose, a front-facing presentation space for magazines, thin books, records or portfolio examples. So handsome. Available in black and white, I love the giant colourful bands securing the books in place. As Supergrau points out, this board embodies the quote “show me what you read and I’ll tell you who you are”…

(photographs via schoener wohnen and supergrau)

Perhaps it is a strange niche but I really love retail signage. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I did a roundup of striking shop signs and reflected on some recent trends and ideas to ponder. From blade signs to unique materials like balloons to illuminated typography – a shop sign can say so much about the products, aesthetic and personality that lies within. Whether you have a shop or not, retail signage is an inspiring part of the design world. Pop over to my post here if you are as sign-happy as I am…

(photographs via remodelista, acre, the189, bpando, hypebeast, trendland and ban.do)

I love when designers and brands find a way to highlight their colour collections in an innovative way. Case in point: decorative plywood company Ichiro’s 2012-2013 catalog designed by the Irobe Design Institute. A gorgeous collection of nine mini-books, I love the scale of swatches and the way the hues are integrated into images that speak to their inspiration. Also fabulous? The Ichiro Japan Shop 2012 by Torafu Architects – a showcase space of prototypes and plyboard hues. I love the thought of a living, breathing swatch book customers can explore and hope more brands embrace a similar dedication to colour…

(spotted on spoon & tamago) and trendland)

These have to be among the most artful sticky notes I have ever come across. Available at Madewell, the collage-style Pansydaisy® for Top Hat sticky note two-packs come in eight different designs and are sure to bring sophisticated chaos to your next jotted note…

I do love desk accessories and this Multiples Pencil Holder by Anthropologie is a beauty. The gradient of blue metal would look fabulous with a jumble of vibrant pens and pencils. Fingers crossed this item becomes a whole series of different cylinder and shade mixes…

It feels like over the last few years, navy blue has gone from being considered stodgy and traditional to a true “new neutral” that is modernly mixed with many colours. This shift is the topic of my latest post for Rena Tom. Neons, tropicals, metallics, pastels – virtually any palette looks smashing with a dash of elegant deep blue. Remember when mixing navy blue and black was considered a faux pas? No longer. The pair looks like it will be a big trend this fall season and into the future. Yep, navy blue manages to mingle with any colour and is universally flattering and elegant. To read more, pop over to my post here.

(photographs via apartment therapy, linconnuedeindochine, we are twice, australian interior design awards, scotch and soda,  convoy, design sponge and anagrama)

In my latest post for Rena Tom, I explored two subtle trends that have caught my eye lately: Constellations and Honeycomb. From sequin pants to abstract mobiles, there appears to be no shortage of unique applications possible. They may currently bask in the spotlight but classic hexagonal patterns and the long-held love affair with the night sky ensure a timeless quality for both honeycomb and constellations designs. If it tickles your fancy, read my post here…

(photographs via 100 layer cake, riches for rags, lauren haupt, matsys design, viasnella, bec brittain, mochi things & julie nolan)

Paper sampler books are always full of lovely swatches of colour but rarely gorgeous items of design themselves. I love this GF Smith’s sample book created by MadeThought to showcase the brand’s “iconic range of premium coloured papers and boards”. The tab cutting style reveals all 50 colours along the book’s edge and highlights the endless hue combinations possible. Oh and don’t even get me started on that sublime binding with multicolour stitches…

(photographs via september industry)

Yep, more proof I am obsessed with modern neon. I love these personalized neon signs by Penny Farthing Design House. The Australian studio handcrafts each sign in whatever word or colour you can think of. What an unexpected pop of happy created amid rustic or chic interiors…

(photographs via penny farthing design house and poppytalk)

Logo-shaped paper clips, branded bubble wrap or pylons, innovative cake decorating – there are so many ways the little things create fabulous design and memorable retail. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I rounded up some inspiring images devoted to one of my favourite topics: “retail details”. I strongly believe it is mindful, creative details that turn good stores or brands into great ones. If you fancy, take a look at my post here.

(photographs via kledzik, i am baker, design you trust, jay mug, september industry and veronique)

I love photographs of workspaces particularly when they are covered in piles of creativity and yes, colour swatches. This behind-the-scenes shot of the Old Navy offices showcases the creative process of colour selection and forms a fun, punchy palette of Pantone chips…

(photograph via old navy behind-the-scenes pinterest board)

We have all heard of “pop-UP” retail but will “pop-OUT” retail become the next begin thing? I am in love with the ingenious design of The Gourmet Tea in a São Paulo, Brazil shopping centre. Created by architect Alan Chu and inspired by the brand’s 35 brightly hued tea tins, the space is a wall of artful squares when closed and a lively, angled store when open. The flat panels of the plywood box “slide, swing and roll” into a vibrant space within minutes. I love how the shop sign is a hinged flap. A brilliant, colourful design that proves small spaces are often the most magical. Perhaps we can turn all malls into art installations when closed?

(photography by djan chu via dezeen)
(pop over to my other the gourmet tea post here)

So technically, this is last week’s ‘palette of the week’. Whoops. Expect two featured colour combinations this week! I love the way brands and identities can be transformed to fit vastly different applications. This photograph by Heather David captures the bold pattern and colour of a Disneyland shopping bag from the 1960′s. How great is the abstract use of Mickey Mouse ears? Proof that great branding doesn’t need to shout to be wildly effective…

(photograph by heather david, spotted on present & correct’s pinterest)