I came across these images, by different photographers, during two separate Flickr searches and started to think about how much they had in common. The effortless, random swirls of ranunculus and fabric rolls (In particular, the pink and orange flowers elements) are fascinating in their vibrancy and layers. More than anything, I have always loved the eye candy of gorgeous ranunculus and the patterns created by fabric rolls lined up on the shelf.

(images via jessica nichols & robert wallace)

It’s hard not to love these images styled by London-based stylist Rebecca Newport and photographed by Ania Wawrzkowicz. I love the idea of painted spoons and the matte finish showcases their craftmanship and intricate lines. The colour palette is also particularly dreamy. There is nothing insipid or faint about these pastels. In fact, if there is such a thing as strong pastels, these are it! Now if only they sold silverware like this somewhere…

(images via rebecca newport)

The more photos I see of Cielito Querido Café, the more I fall in love with it. Drawing from Mexican and Latin-American design heritage from the late 19th century to early 20th century, the space is just so full of life and details. With vintage Latin-American signs and product labels of old grocery stores in mind, Mexican studio Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena created the vibrant branding and café design. In a world of coffee spots that are far too beige, Cielito Querido is café overflowing with bold colour, dramatic typography and wild patterns. It is a modern and playful place that retains a truly Mexican flavour. Even the take-away coffee cups are beautiful! Fingers crossed Cielito Querido Café expands in Canada soon. If that happens and you need to get in touch with me, I’ll be the one in the pink chair…

(via we heart & the dieline)

I’ve always felt like clotheslines were a kind of hanging colour palette where articles of clothing become swatches floating in the breeze. Also, as you can probably tell from the posts on plenty of colour thus far, I love when colour pops up in unexpected places. A line of vibrantly hued garments can definitely bring life and joy to a boring exterior (it helps if you have bright and interesting clothing!) Overall, I have just always loved clotheslines for their whimsy and colour inspiration so they became a very random topic for this week’s colour me happy!. Hoping you see a colour palette next time you pass a line of clothing dancing in the wind…

(images via yemanja79, darrell godliman, lindamade, aya_nakai, elli 19, chatursunil, ruffeloo, markus, g!l, g!l, foto blitz color, gabriela bruno, ashlee patten, elaine, sgoralnick, cozy memories)

There is something about this illustration, with its geometric shapes and vibrant cool hues, that makes me extremely happy. It kind of feels like a turquoise ocean translated into a pattern! (There is a skull hidden in the drawing as well which only adds another layer to this fascinating piece.) The illustration is part of German designer Hannes Beer’s All Day Everyday Project, a graphic design diary in which Hannes designs “something cool everyday”. The daily creations are available for purchase via his Etsy shop.

I’ve always thought make-up was a fascinating photography topic. Sure, flawless application on a supermodel is eye-catching but I love when make-up is used like art supplies – lipsticks are squished into piles of glossy colour, eyeshadow pots are ground into vibrant powders and blush becomes flakes of luminous pink. I recently came across the work of photographer Geoffrey Sokol and while he has a wonderful portfolio covering a wide range of colourful subjects, it was his make-up shots that caught my eye. I just love the styling, dramatic texture and gorgeous colour palettes. I would love to see a make-up company embrace this type of styling rather than the stagnant product shots that dominate the industry. Geoffrey proves cosmetics really can become art!

(images via geoffrey soko)

From a layered cake to the bold lines of architecture to Parisian fashion, there are few patterns as classic and attractive as stripes. While I love when stripes are used blatantly (on a shirt for example), I find that I especially like when stripe patterns emerge unexpectedly like in stacks of books, twists of pasta, rows of planted fields or corrugated steel on the side of a building. Whatever the form, you can’t really go wrong with timeless stripes. Hope they colour you happy this Friday!

(images via red pepper quilts, katie weller, julien, zoë power, ingrid, megan walker, clatie k, little brown pen, rafael.82ml, andrea kennard, frscspd, kristian ekfors, jean-michekl, marco braun, christine gerhardt, us images, ale ramirez)

To say I am a Douglas Coupland fan would be a rather large understatement. He is one of my true design heros and I plan to do a special post on Douglas under my colour hero feature in the next bit. Although his Digital Orca sculpture outside of the Vancouver Convention Centre has been in place for 10 months or so, it still continues to dazzle and inspire me. For a city where marine life plays at the foot of our urban core while technology, innovation and video games grow as vital industries, it is simply poetic to create an orca out of pixels. We are, after all, a city where nature and urban life overlap but fuse together in harmony. Digital Orca has quickly become one of my favourite pieces of art. If I win the lottery tomorrow, I will see to it that Douglas Coupland designs many more sculptures in Vancouver!

I like the words written on the plaque beside the sculpture: “The digital orca sculpture breaks down a 3D Orca whale into cubic pixels – making a familiar symbol of the West Coast become something unexpected and new. This use of natural imagery modified by technology bridges the past to the future. It speaks to the people and activities that created Vancouver’s thriving harbour culture, while addressing the massive changes reshaping the BC economy. The sculpture’s metal construction and lighting components evoke the daily moods of the harbour and the diversity of those who work here.”

(images via douglas coupland & claire fossey)

Love these photos by German photographer Matthias Heiderich. Matthias has hundreds of wonderful shots but his ‘Colour Berlin‘ series is just so fascinating. I love the warm, retro colour palette and patterns of geometry that run across all the photographs. Such a beautiful way to look at the colourful details that make Berlin special.

(via honestly wtf)

I don’t know if you have been in the market for hosiery lately but it isn’t exactly an area of packaging design that screams inspiration. I think that all changes with these designs for Nordstrom. The photography is sharp and I love how the typography plays off the type of stockings inside. Perhaps this could be the spark that lights the hosiery design world on fire? Fingers crossed…

(via thedieline)

I think I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw these illustrated and hand-embriodered Penguin Classic book covers by Jillian Tamaki. They are a stunning piece of craftmanship. Not only beautiful illustrations but incredible embroidery detail and colour. After a commission from Penguin, Jillian took two months to create the wraparound covers with French flaps. What a mesmerizing update to the covers of classic literature and yet another fantastic Penguin book cover. Wow Jillian. That is all I can say! (p.s. the books will be available in Fall 2011)

(via sampaints)

I feel like 98% of shower curtains are really unattractive. It’s as if bad patterns go to die in the shower curtain sector! Perhaps Ty had the same feeling when they created the brilliant DIY Shower Curtain. Using a breathable, high-density polyethylene and permanent market, you can create the shower curtain of your dreams. Words, illustrations, patterns, sports stats – the options are endless. Now your bathroom can have a custom piece of design!

Nacho Alegre created these fantastic designs by photographing glasses of coloured water. I love how the patterns take on unique details and texture because of the different facets at the bottom of each glass. Such a clever idea!

(via this is colossal)

Photography and styling studio Doswell & Mclean created these gorgeous images for a Bloom Magazine article on using natural dyes. I am in love with the first photograph’s stunning purple hues, romantic white mushroom texture and mixture of matte and gloss finishes.

This photo of a terraced rice field in Yunnan, China is pretty show-stopping. The bright colours and shapes created by the terraces look more like a textile or art piece than a landscape shot. Yunnan is the most southwestern province in China and has, by far, the most diverse plant life of any other area in the country. Judging from this photo, I would love to see Yunnan in person one day!

(photo by Thierry Bornier, National Geographic)

I just love the street art of Spanish artist Nuria Mora. Her unique geometric designs and nature-inspired illustrations have revitalized abandoned, deteriorating or soulless surfaces in cities all over the world including Cairo, Madrid, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. I love how she works with the shapes or character of the exterior so her designs seamlessly integrate (take a look at how she “grows” the blue leaves out of that beautiful but ignored blue tile.) As you can see from my many posts on the topic, I am so inspired by those who bring art to buildings and areas that have been sadly neglected. It truly brings colour and personality to a neighbourhood and I can only imagine how inspired residents must feel when a bright Nuria Mora piece pops up.

(images via unurth, albert de pedro & guillermo de la madrid)