Louisa Parris scarves are a luxurious, modern mix of vibrant colour and pattern. I particularly love the palette of her new ‘Collection Two’ and the simple but beautiful styling featured throughout her lookbook…

(photographs via louisa parris)

Ecole Maternelle Pajol is a four-classroom kindergarten in Paris’s 18th arrondissement that joyfully showcases how colour and education are a true dream team. I love how Parisian architects Palatre & Leclère restored the 1940′s building. The front retains its vintage brick beauty while the back explodes with vibrant patterns and colourful activities. The interiors are equally joyful with bold hallways, bright furniture/building materials and a dotted ceiling I just love. Even the washroom features fabulous streamlined colour and animal details (love those dividers!) This kindergarten must be one magical place to learn and play…

(spotted on the cool hunter)

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)

Oh, how I love sport photography (especially when it is downright artful). This shot by Peter Svoboda of cross-country skiers in the Austrian Alps is a sublime example. Beautiful geometry/angles and crispy textured tracks…

(photograph by peter svoboda)

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)

Chalk pastels are one of my favourite art supplies. Sure, they’re messy but that’s the beauty of them! The different layers of colourful dust mixing across a box layered with vibrant sticks and shards of hue… There is a new palette each time you pull them out of your drawer. This shot by Elsie Larson highlights some mingling chalk pastel colours and brings a big dash of bright to a rather grey day.

(photograph by elsie larson)

Photographer Joshua Scott created this fantastic toy typography for a youth-focused feature in BULLETT Magazine. The layers of vibrant objects create a playful yet artful texture that works wonderfully with the modern type shapes (the result of perfectly selected colour, shape and scale). I always knew something brilliant could be done with those bright Barbie brushes…

We all know how ubiquitous neon, colour blocking and big florals have been lately. In fact, remixed and modernized 1980′s design don’t seem to be slowing down in any product category. In my post this week for Rena Tom’s site, I focused on four 80′s/90′s trends that are gaining steam and visibility: marble, brass, metallic colour and oxblood. I was inspired by an episode of The Golden Girls, an 1980′s classic full of design begging to be re-imagined and tranformed. Will these four trends become formidable in modern design/retail much like neon hues have? We will have to wait and see. On a side note,  I am loving how well oxblood mixes with different colours from cornflower blue to vivid magenta to soft pastels! If you fancy a read plump with images, take a look at my post here.

(photographs via neapolitan, mjolk, samma, apartment therapy, designworklife, american prom, opening ceremony, euro style lighting and kleidersachen)

Creating beautiful works of art doesn’t require expensive supplies. Case in point? Düsseldorf-based artist Sebastian Wickeroth diligently layers line upon line of regular old felt-tip marker to create his wonderfully abstract works of colour and angle. Never underestimate the possibilities just sitting in your pencil bin…

(spotted on but does it float, images via sebastian wickeroth )

Melbourne-based designer Emily Green creates vibrant necklaces featuring lovely hand-formed beads. Come to think of it, she really creates wearable colour palettes full of whimsy and joy. I love visiting Emily’s online shops to spy the newest colour combinations (love those new wintery combinations on leather cord). I am also a big fan of how she styles her pieces on patterns like graphic black and white and bright watercolours. I’m thinking wearing one of Emily’s colour palettes around your neck could only make a day happier…

(photographs by emily green via her online shops here and here)

Serbian designer Ana Kraš debuted her BonBon Lamps in 2010 and has now updated the handsome devils for 2012. Wire framed lampshades looped manually with cotton thread, the lamps are colourblocked in intriguing palettes and crafted in whimsical shapes. What beautiful, hue-filled glow is created as the light shines through the strings. A modern lantern perhaps? I would love to have a row of BonBon Lamps hanging in an industrial space just as they do in the second photo from the top. Sigh…

(photographs via ana kras except second image from remodelista)

My love affair with how simple, colourful elements of everyday life can come together in extraordinary ways continues to grow. Crafted out of plastic clothespins arranged in rows, Peg Carpet was created by Dutch art collective We Make Carpets and is a feat of layering and precision. I love the bold patterns of these modern tapestries and the beautiful gradients of colour achieved through carefully placed clothespins hues. There really is magic brewing in the laundry room…

(photographs by boudewijn bollmann via we make carpets)

Sorry for the unexpected delay in colourful posting this week. Many more bright things to come! First off is this Giant Wall Washi Tape by mt and Sincol. I am a huge washi tape fan (my desk showcases that fact!) and have long been intrigued by the idea of bringing the removable, sheer Japanese masking tape to walls. I love these ideas in the Sincol x mt online gallery. Layering, metallics, patterns, brights, pastels – the possibilities are endless. Perfect for custom, easily changed looks especially in shops and rented spaces…

(images via/see the whole collection here)

I love these Modern Zen Gardens by Gardens of Wendiland. Available in colours including fuchsia, yellow, orange, purple, baby blue, black or white, these vibrant gardens are sure to liven up any workspace. Who needs a boring grey Zen Garden when you can have a modern pop of colour and a perfectly placed cactus? I don’t know about you but making designs in bright-hued sand sounds like the perfect way to combat stress…

(photographs via Gardens of Wendiland)
(thanks Catriana!)

French artist Suzy Lelièvre manages to take everyday objects and make them thought-provoking and playful. I especially love her pieces Gravity Dice and Dominos Gravitation. Why shouldn’t dice dots fall to the bottom of the cubes? Why wouldn’t domino spots all hail the mighty ‘one spot’ leader? I might refuse to play any games that aren’t as handsomely designed as these pieces…

(photographs via suzy lelièvre)

I posted about Alberto Seveso’s gorgeous high-speed ink and water photographs last year and had my fingers firmly crossed that he would one day work with mixed colours. When I spotted his new series called a due Colori, I fell in love with his work all over again. Dreamy plumes of vibrant colour billowing like fabric underwater? Just beautiful. See the rest of the series here.

(spotted on Colossal)