… corner of my office. Hi I’m over here at my desk playing with Poladroid

WINKS – weekend links. Here we list what has come in during the week, things we’ve found and things we think you’ll want to see. If you’d like to see your blog or website featured email us and if we think it fits with our readers we’ll link you. So what’s in this week?

• • First up the wonderful creations of Cristina Serrano, illustrator and designer. haciendo el indio creates things for children, things made to endure, to become childhood partners, timeless objects and characters that tell wonderful stories in the universal language of children. Textiles, art, jewellery and toys. All so gorgeous and all so special.

• • Alischa from Bespoke Press emailed to let us know about her new letterpressed limited edition prints launched in her shop this week. Inspired by her favourite Kahlil Gibram quotes and printed in the most gorgeous colours using Bodoni typeface, they are each a limited edition of 50. Each is signed and numbered and only Au$25 each. BUT… if you are quick there is 20% off sale in Alischa’s shop! You simply need to enter the code ILOVELETTERPRESS when checking out to receive the discount. The sale will end at midnight on Sunday the 8th of February and is valid on all items. The 20% off takes the prints down to AU$20 or about US$13. Be quick!

• • Alex Brooks writes about homes, property, renovation, interiors and eco-living. Her blog is the discussion point for her main website Renovation Planning full of articles and e books. Don’t rush in blind. Alex will guide you through with her no nonsense approach. Disaster to success with lashings of common sense. Best thing of all it’s Aussie based. Hooray!

• • Heidi emailed to introduce Vinyl Silhouettes her new business that introduces a new twist on wall decals. Heidi will turn your digital photos of a child, pet, or object into vinyl silhouette decals. So cute! Think of a wall of traditional silhouettes in traditional fr
    ames. Yum!

• • Let your imagination run wild! Love poems for your partner, ideas board in the office, bread and milk from the shop. These boards designed by Kotona are a combination magnetic and chalkboard made of reclaimed plywood from the furniture industry offered in a wide range of colors and sizes. Designed and produced in Finland you’ll find them at Matteria.

• • Been to DigsDigs yet? Home design, decor, furniture and more. If a modern, clean lined and cutting edge aesthetic is what you dig then DigsDigs may just be for you.

• Sale at Lotta Jansdotter? Yes please. Love these fabric 2009 calendars now only $10! And there’s still 11 months to go 🙂

Nothing dates a house more than an outmoded bathroom (that and an aging kitchen). I couldn’t resist posting these 80s bathing beauties. Come on! What’s not to love? In 25 words or less “Why I hate these rooms”. Your time starts now. Making the most of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, by Mary Gilliatt, Orbis Publishing, London, 1983 is the source.

… what were they thinking? A study in the bathroom? Forget the idea of a parents’ retreat, even a phone by the toilet or a TV above the bath. Is this taking it a bit far? The only person I know how corresponded from the bathroom met a sticky (or should that be soggy) end. I’ll be back with more retro bathing beauties from Making the most of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, by Mary Gilliatt, Orbis Publishing, London, 1983 later in the week.

WINKS – weekend links. Here we list what has come in during the week, things we’ve found and things we think you’ll want to see. If you’d like to see your blog or website featured email us and if we think it fits with our readers we’ll link you. So what’s in this week?

• • Lost Found Art = found new love. Joy emailed about this cool website and I’m so glad she did. Lost Found Art is a unique design company that specializes in sculptural installations and assemblages using antique and vintage pieces. I adore every piece. What’s your favourite?

• • Cathrine Kullberg, the designer behind the Norwegian Forest pendant lamp has recently completed a 10 metre light installation for the Emil&Samuel Restaurant which has just opened in Oslo’s high end department store Steen&Strøm. The large ceiling/wall installation is constructed from 100m2 of wood veneer, light and laser-cut patterns – a glowing forest with owls, foxes, squirrels and birds playing between the trees. See more of this amazing work here. (Thanks to Steffen for letting us know.)

• • Toronto-based architect and interior designer Dee Dee Hannah has launched Dee Dee’s Blog, a new interactive feature on her website. Want an insight into how a top end designer works? Want the low down on her high end look? Although Dee Dee has only just started, her blog will be an interesting insight into her studio.

• • Schumacher Modern is introducing for spring a dramatic new prints collection by L.A. fashion designer Trina Turk, known for her sportswear and swim collections. Bold geometric patterns are mixed with prints derived from natural motifs and adapted from Trina Turk’s extensive collection of vintage apparel. Fabrics in the Trina Turk collection are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Vintage inspired deliciousness!

• • Melody Miller is inspired by a love of clean modern design, bold mid-century print & pattern, and whimsical, vintage-inspired fashion. She decided to design some curtains when she couldn’t find anything that excited her for her new house. A new business was born – Letter M Design. The panels are constructed of 100%
    silk taffeta with gorgeous, vibrant silk designs sewn on top. Hey Melody you must send us photos of your own home with these gorgeous curtains!

• • Emily emailed to introduce her blog A Life Less Ordinary. Fashion, interior design and her favourite things. Drop over and say hi!

• • Another fabulous offering from Modern Dose, the Love magazine holder. Too cool for just Valentine’s Day. Show your magazines your true feelings.

• And last but definitely not least Jenny emailed – “I am crazy for interior design and love to find ways to ‘get the look for less’ – which, it seems like a lot of people here in the U.S. are concerned with doing lately.” Jenny of course blogs and Little Green Notebook is full of inspiration and eye candy as well as clever ideas.

Where oh where have the retro posts been? Simple answer – I ran out of retro books to plunder. I had to wait to the next big book fair to replenish my stocks. I got some goodies! I thought I’d start with everyone’s favourite era. Not the stylish sixties or the fabulous seventies. No the much maligned eighties. Kelly Wearstler is on the bandwagon. Is it time to join? Remember the chunky pine? The stencilled furniture? The lace and patchwork and dried flowers and Tiffany lamps? Padded bedding of all types and grey, grey and more grey (with lashings of salmon pink)? Bedrooms are the best area to start. Somewhere soothing to rest your head. Today’s book is Making the most of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, by Mary Gilliatt, Orbis Publishing, London,1983.