Is this wallpaper? Someone covering up a dirty book collection? Nope. It’s a flipping fantastic showcase of the 41 colourways available in the Passepartout luxury upholstery cotton collection by Italian textile company Dedar. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I enjoy more than a book of swatches but unless you have one in your hands, it is often hard to truly “see” the colour via computer monitor (especially in textiles). This is such a clever and inspiring way to feature colour options beyond the regular computerized colour chip. Don’t you find yourself wondering what hue you would pick for that chair? Kudos Dedar. You are making me want to upholster things AND wrap all my books in luxury cotton…

(photographs via carisma and archiproducts)

Flowers are definitely one of the best parts of the world of colour and one of my biggest personal influences. From a vivid magenta-blue to glowing golden yellow, there are hues found in florals that are simply unmatched. I have been visiting the blog of Barcelona floral studio Flowers by Bornay for a few months now and have fallen in love with their untraditional creativity, eye for colour and use of flowers in a beautifully architectural way. Bornay makes exquisite bouquets that are often seen on the cover of Vogue España but it is their bowls of compact blooms that I find the most striking. These big floral dishes become their own colour palettes while showcasing the mesmerizing shape, texture and patterns of different flowers. They feel almost textile-like, don’t you think? In addition to a fabulous portfolio, Bornay’s blog frequently posts flowers inspired by artists, movies and occupations. I love their bouquets and arrangements created for a tailor, fisherman, Monet and James Bond’s Goldfinger. Yep, their blog needs to be one of your bookmarks!

From dishes of architectural blooms to high fashion editorial bouquets to blog arrangements created for pop culture icons, it is hard not to be wildly inspired by Flowers by Bornay. They turn flowers into true design. Add to all of that a distinct talent for stunning textured colour and you can see why Bornay is a true ‘colour hero’. One day, when I finally make it to Barcelona, I hope to visit the Bornay studio and see magic in action. Don’t be surprised if I get in trouble trying to smuggle a bouquet in my suitcase…

As you may know from my borderline obsessive posting about it, I love when colour brings magic to urban eyesores or shows up in unexpected places. More often than not, this is in the form of street art or installations. I fell in love with these pretty darn adorable “it socks to be lonely” interactive installations in Brooklyn, New York. If you happen to live in Williamsburg and also happen to have a mateless sock, head to Bedford Avenue and North 4th or Berry Street and North 4th. Tacked up with other colourful and patterned fabric widows, you sad sock has a chance at a new life. One of the most smile-inducing pieces of street art I’ve seen in a long time. I can’t wait to see it grow as more socks are added. Please send updates if you are in the area!

(photograph via sabeth718)

In this vibrant series, brilliant artist and photographer Carl Kleiner explores the endlessly alluring golden ratio. Upon first glance, it is easy to think these are computer generated images but “Golden Ratio & Friends” is actually a set of still-life photographs crafted in paper. Fantastic colour palettes, bold patterns, the beauty of the golden ratio – Carl never ceases to amaze me with his talent! (see the whole series here)

(spotted in it’s nice that magazine, issue #6)

I came across this beautiful terrace located in the Vasastan district of Stockholm, Sweden and decided it would be the perfect place to be spend Monday morning. What a joyfully colourful nook with an almost magical view of warm-hued rooftops. It also goes to show what life you can bring to a tiny patio with some colourful details. Pop over to 1 Kind Design to see the rest of this stylish space. Oh and guess what? The apartment is for sale! If anyone out there buys it, can I come visit? You will find me on the terrace….

(photographs via 1 kind design)

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)

Tree of Life by Gary, Aaron & Khairul is a brilliant print I spotted on the Anthology blog yesterday. From afar, the piece looks like a textured tree ring but upon viewing up close, the rings turn out to be hundreds of graphic animals walking in procession around the tree ring curves. The designers created the print “to highlight the responsibility we have in letting animal species thrive in their natural environment.” Tree of Life is a pretty perfect print – meaningful, clever and striking with an socially conscious soul.

(to buy a print of the poster, go 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 am more than a little enamoured with Love Letter Fired From a Cannon by Blake Walmsley. How clever and thought-provoking. Is it a poem? Or a piece of design? Rather dreamily, it is both. I would love a print of this on my wall (although I can’t seem to find a source beyond Diagram Journal). Finding so many talented artists and designers is making my ‘print wish list’ insanely long!

(image via the diagram)

These images are from a couple of years ago but they had such jaw-dropping effects on me yesterday when I saw them for the first time, I knew I had to share! Tham & Videgård Arkitekter re-imagined this traditional Art Nouveau apartment in Stockholm in the most striking of ways. The entire space features dramatic oversized and multicoloured parquet flooring inspired by the seasonally changing colours of adjacent Humlegården Park “from winter grey and black to summertime bright and deep green, to orange, red and yellow in autumn”. I don’t think it would be humanly possible to have a bad day in this apartment. Colour therapy meets architecture? It is definitely a feat of colour mixing and pattern. My personal favourite are the rooms with a neon orange, hot pink and black hues. Do you think you could live in a space this uniquely dazzling? At the very least, this apartment has inspired me to paint some doorways in vibrant colours!

(photographs by Åke E:son Lindman; spotted on yatzer and fine little home)

Vancouver Farmers Markets are city-wide weekly events created for “people who love fresh food at festive gatherings”. I am in love with the cheery illustrations created by Vancouver designer Jane Koo to brand and promote the markets. Her style is just full of joy. Have you seen a more whimsical drawing of a squash? And how about the jolly figs or stylish loaf of bread? Love Jane’s hand-drawn typography too. I can only hope there will be more of this beautiful branding around Vancouver as the markets expand. Devoted to highlighting local chow and supporting community farmers, the gatherings are not only a fabulous facet of food-obsessed Vancouver but are dramatically bursting with inspiring colour. I need to take some photos one of these days and devote a post to all of the hues that can be found among the stalls of delicious inspiration. In the meantime, I have my fingers firmly crossed that Jane illustrates an entire cookbook. Fantastic design and good food. Is there a better combination?

(images via jane koo and @vanmarkets)

Love these striking shots by Buenos Aires photographer Josefina Mogrovejo. Would love to see an entire editorial by Josefina of fashion meets bold and stylish craft.

I am a longtime fan of Spanish artist and designer Ana Montiel. She has a dreamy eye for colour and exquisite use of pattern. When visiting Art Hound yesterday, I was reminded of Ana’s many talents and upon taking a closer look at her portfolio, fell in love with the Faux Crystals drawing series. A beautiful vision of the intricate details and texture in crystals as well as their many vibrant hues. I wouldn’t mind one (or seven) of these prints for my walls!

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.

Who decided that sewing boxes and baskets required embroidered flowers or frolicking kittens? If you prefer something a bit more modern, consider an On the Button Sewing Box. The streamlined, handsomely designed piece may become the chicest box in your home. I would love to fill it with intensely colourful thread and make it a coffee table conversation piece. I guess that would require a frolicking kitten basket to remain as my real sewing centre?

(photographs via modcloth)

Architect Armin Blasbichler’s home in Northern Italy has a magnificent door that features little transparent colour swatches for every hue seen in the nature surrounding the house. I love the handwritten names of flowers, trees and other natural Italian colour sources. As the light changes throughout the day, this door must create one stunning light show after another. How do you get anything done when your home has something so full of wonder? See the rest of Armin’s home here.

Thanks for the inspiration thirdpearl!

(photography by ingrid heiss via design*sponge)