Castle is an Australian homeware and design company at the top of my current obsession list. The mastermind of colour-loving designer Rachel Castle, the line is just bursting with creativity and vibrant hues. From bedlinens and cushions to fabric garlands and one-of-a-kind art pieces, Castle seamlessly fuses exquisite handcraft detail with a geometric design soul. I just love Castle’s handstitched embroideries with their bright colours and blend of fabrics including vintage French linen, flax Belgian linen, Australian wool, moleskin and velvet. Oh and the styling of their product photographs is ridiculously stylish. I wouldn’t mind living in those set designs. Yes, I think I would be quite happy to wake up in some colourful sheets with a handmade fabric garland draped across my chic art pieces. What more can I say other than I am utterly in love with Castle!

I love these animal cards and prints by Vancouver designer/illustrator Mélanie Kimmett. A fantastic combination of vibrant colour palettes, splashes of geometry and modern style. How cute are those wintery creatures that look as though they are zipped up in snowsuits as colourful confetti-like snow falls? I met Mélanie when we worked together a couple of years ago and within days of meeting her, I was totally overwhelmed by how beautifully she could illustrate. In addition to always having an awesome haircut, she is one of those people that can translate anything into an modern and whimsical illustration with a true sense of colour and style. I am lucky to call her a close friend so I get to see her fabulous product line evolve firsthand. From the beaver’s pink tail to the sheep’s chic striped horns, these colourful creatures just make me happy. Mélanie currently sells blank cards and art prints. How great would these modern animals look in a baby nursery? I am pretty sure your little one would end up being a designer!

(for details, pop over to mélanie’s etsy shop and print shop)

If her homeware range Swiden Design is any indication, designer Charlotte Swiden is as bonkers about colour as I am. The Swedish-born, Melbourne-based creative is launching a new line next week called “Tivolivat” inspired by fun park rides, fairy floss and ferris wheels. From illustrated prints to painted wood decorations, the collection is bursting with colour and modern shapes. My favourite pieces are Tivolivat’s bold, geometric and happy-inducing cushion covers. I think that beautiful pattern of multi-coloured rectangle and square stripes (on the bottom far right in the first image) might just find a new home at my place…

Shopping List Magnets by Harrington and Squires allow a refrigerator to become one big grocery list while adding pops of colour to your kitchen. A fantastic London letterpress workshop, Harrington and Squires have recently added a set of Spice Magnets to their collection. I’m thinking you could take a cell phone photo of your fridge before heading to the grocery store so no paper list is needed at all. Can’t wait to see what they add next. Perhaps liquor store, farmer’s market or bakery essentials? The possibilities for food and colour seem limitless…

(photographs via harrington and squires, kitchen critic & unlimited editions)

I love these Action Pencils by We Are What We Do, a non-profit organization that gives all profits from their stationery line directly to schools and community projects. Even the most snooze-inducing tasks can be brightened up with some colourful, positive and community improving desk supplies. These pencils bear just six of the 131 small and simple actions that We Are What We Do list as ways to make someone’s day, make your home a big greener and overall, do a little chunk of good. I really hope the organization comes out with a giant box of 131 Action Pencils. Each day, you could grab a pencil and complete the action. A vibrantly colourful desk and a happier life would be the end result I think…

(spotted on our workshop; read more about the fantastic mission of we are what we do line here)

I love the Hermetic series by creative Italian company Seletti. Unlike the regular plastic type, these handsome fridge containers are porcelain with colourful silicone tops. Not only will your fridge look instantly full of good design but your leftovers can go straight to the oven without the negative health effects of heating plastic. Come to think of it, your leftovers can go straight to your dinner party table without anyone knowing any better!

It’s hard to beat a box of Crayola crayons but the Abex Neon Crayon Set from MoMa takes the cake in the “most handsome crayons ever” department. Vibrant neon in sticks of black wood all housed in a tin with wise typography – if Kanye West had a child, I imagine this would be the only set allowed in the house.

I’ve seen this set of 100 Pantone Postcards online but somehow resisted buying them. Most of the images shown in online stores were surprisingly dull. Well, now that I have seen these fantastic photographs by big bang studio, I am in love! Mailing colour swatch postcards around the world sounds like a perfect new hobby don’t you think? It sure would brighten up a stack of mail. Keeping a box of these giant colour swatches on your desk to make random palettes out of sounds quite perfect too. Come to think of it, maybe I “need” two boxes…

(you can buy a set here or here)

It’s hard not to like Wobbly Plates by ceramics designer Brigitte Bouquet. That texture is created with lace and the results are beautiful. I love those thick organic edges. Wobbly Plates is a collection of platters, plates and bowls but I think these condiment bowls are my favourite. A little bit of magic you can add to an all white dinner plate! I wouldn’t mind the whole colour spectrum…

(to buy your own wobbly plates, go here)

I saw the Cubes Perpetual Calendar in the MoMA online store was instantly smitten. Oy, the vibrant CMYK colours on a handsome black base. Have you seen a more attractive calendar? Love the brilliant use of space as months are printed in different directions to make six cube sides turn into 12 months. Great design, full of colour and good for the environment? I am in love.

Look up “gorgeous” in the dictionary and I imagine you will find these Stars by Seb Lester prints (right next to a photo of George Clooney of course.) Sparkling gold ink screen printed by hand on royal or midnight blue paper, the dreamy Van Gogh quote is beautiful from a distance. But, upon closer look, the word stunning doesn’t seem to do justice to Seb’s typography made up of ‘hundreds of thousands of tiny stars’. Limited editions of 100 prints, both colours are sold out which kind of shows that you should never drag your feet when buying art! I will dull the pain by dreaming of a second edition…

(photographs via keep calm gallery)

While there is traditional beauty in black, stainless steel and wood handle knives, I am finding it hard to resist Kuhn Rikon Colori Paring Knives. Love the Kuhn Rikon Mini Cleaver and rather clever Watermelon Knife too. Designed by Swiss designer Philipp Beyeler, they feature unbelievably sharp, non-stick Japanese high carbon steel and ergonomically designed handles. See? Brightly coloured tools and gadgets can have technical chops too! Oh the palettes that could be created with a colourful knife and some vivid fruits and vegetables…

(photographs via kuhn rikon, williams-sonoma, cookworks and sur la table)

I love these textile cables by danish designer and artist Rie Elise Larsen. The many bright colour options would look fabulous with a white or black pendant light or in contrast with a heavily patterned hanging light. The textile/fabric look of the cord gives a nice tactile feeling that would look great paired with an industrial piece. Come to think of it, one of these cables would look great with those plumen light bulbs I am similarly obsessed with…

(photographs via rie elise larsen)

I spotted these rings on the Beso Beso website and stopped in my tracks. What is the source of such glimmering, richly saturated hues? It appears to be “sparkling Brazillian semi-precious miniature-crystalline amethyst stones”. That is one stunning shade of magenta. Of course nature is responsible for it! (love the geometric shapes as well…)

(photographs via beso beso; to shop, go here)

A few months ago, I posted about the brilliant art installation “before I die” by Candy Chang that transformed an abandoned house in New Orleans into a thought-provoking, colourful and interactive public space. Candy continues to expand on the idea in wonderfully creative ways including these limited edition “before I die” paintings. The large 48″ x 12″ handmade pieces not only make a beautiful addition to a wall but can constantly change to reflect your evolving goals. Perhaps one day the statement is serious and the next it is downright silly. There are only 100 paintings available so hopefully you are lucky enough to grab one! Oh and put a box of really colourful chalk on your shopping list as well…

(photographs via candy chang; all proceeds go to funding future “before I die” projects.)

My love for desk and office supplies seems limitless so I can already think of a million uses for Millimeter Milligram Transparent Stickers. Available in scalloped edges, triangles, circles, rings and more, these stickers add a nice punch of colour and creativity to your calendar without blocking the important information. Another rather ingenious element of these stickers? They can be placed on a whole host of items that you probably would not want to mark up permanently. Textbooks, appliances, special documents… Anything can benefit from a colourful transparent sticker! (p.s. as always, I love how MMMG photographs their products. Great inspiration!)

(photographs via mmmg)