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 love design that takes advantage of stair edges as they are a fabulous canvas for colour and pattern. Case in point? A beautiful staircase makeover by Dihzahyners, a team of artists and designers “aimed at creating initiatives to make Beirut brighter and more beautiful through colour”. It’s amazing what a vibrant pattern can do to a space…

(spotted on/photograph via street art utopia)   

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) 

Ever find a colour palette you could organize your life around? Spotted on the blog of design studio Colors and the Kids, I just love the bright ocean colours, cool toned greys and pop of coral. The sharp angles and artful layering bring contemporary style to a beautiful palette (oh and a random shark doesn’t hurt)…

(image via catk)

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)

Single Strip of Colour: I love this method of colour blocking books because it is subtle yet bold and looks smashing in neutral and colourful interiors alike.

Unique Colour Palettes: No need to follow the idea of making a rainbow. I prefer colour blocked bookshelves that use unique colour palettes including mixing soft hues with bright ones. In most interiors, it makes the look feel less forced and helps if you happen to have books in one particular colour family.

Gallery White Spaces: Colour blocked books can look incredible in all light interiors especially when the design follows an artful, gallery sensibility. You definitely can’t get away with many ratty books in this approach!

Dark backgrounds: Black, wood or neutral grey shades can make bold backgrounds for books organized by colour. I especially like that first image as it showcases how bright coloured books can look beautifully striking when mixed with many white spines.

Bring up the topic of colour blocked bookshelves with interior design-minded friends and you will find those who adore the look and those who hate it. Design critics can be especially snarky on the topic! Personally, I love it but understand that it can go into cheesy territory fairly quickly. I’ve been searching for images for a couple months that exemplify the colour blocking styles that I love –  a single strip of colour, unique palettes, white gallery settings and dark backgrounds. I find I like the rainbow look less often then a random but organized selection of hues. I particularly like when just a row of colourful books splash into an industrial space. Colour blocked books definitely colour me happy… What about you?

(photographs via the design files, the selby, design*sponge, trendland, decor8, apartment therapy, fjeldborg, easy living, hus & hem, design*sponge, better homes and gardens, the selby, one kings lane, heart home magazine, deco my place, seventeen doors, little green notebook, hus & hem, lonny magazine, terkultura, apartment therapy, yatzer, the design files, lovenordic and chotda)

I love when strong wayfinding, a unique colour palette and beautifully detailed typography come together and this show signage by Raw Color pulls that trifecta off with aplomb. Created for the “Eating by Design” exhibition exploring all avenues of food design, Raw Color was inspired by commercial signage and supermarket shelving. I love the 11 shade palette and sublime CNC milled plywood typography. I wouldn’t mind one of those giant letters hanging on my wall as art. As always, I love the popsicle stick process Raw Color uses to find the perfect hue range…

(images via raw color)

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)

I feel like I have come across more inspiring school architecture lately than ever before. I hope this is a continuing trend because if there is one place that should always be colourful and inspiring, it is school. I love the gorgeous exterior of The Reece School in New York by Platt Byard Dovell White Architects. A non-profit private elementary school for special needs children on East 104th Street, I love the rectangles of transparent colour that make the building look friendly from the outside and full of joyful, colourful light on the inside. There are some fantastic light fixtures in the classrooms and gym as well. Learning and colour really are a match made in heaven…

(spotted on arch daily, photographs by jonathan wallen)

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)

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)

Now this is a colour-happy police station. Designed by Klein Dytham Architecture, the ‘Koban Police Box’ is a station in the Japanese neighbourhood of Kumamoto. A perforated steel ribbon rims the top of the structure allowing for lovely shadows to dapple the sidewalk throughout the day. The inside surface is also painted a rainbow of light hues which, when viewed at street level, allows for colour to pop intriguingly from the perforations in many different ways. This design certainly projects a friendly, less intimidating image of police. I hope the handcuffs are similarly colourful…

(photographs via designboom)

I love the way Dutch studio Raw Color created and presented their colour scheme to architecture studio Merkx+Girod for the pilot store of The Royal Dutch Touring Club. Striking, glossy popsicle stick swatches and autumn hues mixing beautifully with watery summer hues. The seasons really do blend seamlessly, don’t they?

(photograph via raw color)

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)