A Mr. Bazaar Store Crush: Bamarang

Have you heard of Bamarang? I discovered this flash sale site recently and I'm loving their product assortment. There's a good mix of both fashion and technology accessories and homewares, with a focus on the latter. Just yesterday I succumbed to my colour addiction and bought some goodies from their current Rice sale. This will come as no surprise to regular readers who may have seen me wax lyrical about my love for the brand before here, here and here. As well as these colourful wares, I also felt drawn to the Scandinavian art prints that show iconic phrases and designs; the vintage cameras against a bright yellow backdrop came in at number one for Mr. Bazaar. I was also delighted to see that Bamarang stock Yas Ming ceramics (which I featured here on the blog last year); the chicken head design caught my eye straight away. What's tempting you to treat yourself to purchase a new piece for your home?! P.S. You can also find Bamarang on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Google+.

Take Your Pick: Rice Italian Tableware

"Everyday magic begins with a lovely table setting." These words by Rice founder, Charlotte Guineau ring so true with me - just take a look at the Tablescape 101 series for a host of reasons why! This collection of Italian tableware curated for Charlotte's lifestyle brand Rice help create that very magic. As regular readers will know, colour is the not so secret ingredient to creating magic for Mr. Bazaar. So it will come as no surprise that I was charmed in an instant by this rainbow of tableware brights. I've broken the shots up into sections, as I thought this helped see how the various hues have been used to create each scheme. Notice how occasional yellow, navy and sea green tiles break up the blue splash back. This is a great way to add visual interest and add to your colour palette without over crowding the eye. Could we also talk about those fabulous candlesticks? What a fun and quick way to get an instant colour fix. Which of these colourful tableware pieces would get your pick, folks?

RICE: Autumn/Winter Collection 2011

one | two | three

It's always such a joy to share the latest collection from Rice. Yes, the product assortment is always a glorious feast of colour but there's more to their ranges than bright hues. Quirky, original and practical are all words I would associate with their autumn/winter 2011 collection. Expect to find sizable storage baskets, quirky lamps and more melamine wares than you thought existed! Which Rice pieces would you work into your existing homewares? P.S. If you're in London and due to get married soon then you might like to know that the Covent Garden store now does wedding lists.

LONDON STORE TOUR: RICE

Well, folks, you know I'm always a happy chap when I'm around my beloved brights, so clearly I was in seventh heaven inside the new store for Danish brand, Rice. Located in Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, the store is a like a treasure trove of colourful finds where you can expect to find anything from melamine dinnerware to patterned baskets and patchwork textiles. The staff are super friendly and clearly passionate about their product, so I'd definitely recommend you pop in and treat yourself (and your home!) to some brights.

Rice Spring/High Summer 2011 & Market Picks

Not only are they ethically sound, they also produce beautifully, lovingly crafted, super colourful products. Yes, Rice are pretty darn fab! Their spring and high summer collections are a feast for the eyes, from vibrantly covered photo frames and lampshades to melamine kitchenware in almost any shade imaginable, their latest offering is like Aladdin's cave. I simply can't pick a favourite because it's all wonderful, but I do really, really love the storage boxes I picked out in the market picks. Which pieces are your favourite?

Blanket | Storage | Cutlery | Plates

{Rice: Fall Collection 2010}

I'm a huge fan of the fall season; the orange hues of the leaves, roaring fires and the more adventurous clothing fashions compared to the more predictable trends of spring/summer. It's not only in fashion collections where I feel fall designs are more interesting than s/s, it's for interior brands as well. Rice is no exception as this feast of warm brights and maximalist ideas demonstrates. My top three favourites have to be the inviting textiles, poppy melamine pieces and the multi coloured cooking pans. What would you choose from their new collection to brighten up your place?

Images: Rice

{Retro Kitchen: Get The Look}

I don't know where to start with this fun and fabulous space; for me it's all so good. It's an eclectic and colourful space tied together with industrial metal finishes and soft, neutral furniture, which makes me want to call my buddies and get together for an impromptu evening of good food and wine. That mantle is pretty much my ideal mantle and don't get me started on how excited I am by those open kitchen shelves. Plus, that hugely European stone floor...I die! Right, time to stop being all swoonful and see how to recreate this playful kitchen space...

Tablecloth | Clock | Vases | Dining Chair

{The brightest accessories}

Forget the weather forecasts, if we're to believe the new collections for SS10, then we're in for a scorcher come Summer! Everywhere I look for inspiration at the moment, I'm seeing stores positively bursting at the seems with brightly coloured, bold and in-your-face accessories, that could warm the coldest of interiors in an instant. Here's a pick of my favourites from the high street:

Above images: Habitat

Top to bottom: Balun vase, Regatta cushion, Tyler frame, Ivy hare decoration and Ivy owl decoration. All available from Habitat.

Above images: Rice

Top to bottom: Multi-coloured brooms, Thermo flasks. Both from Rice.

Above images: Heals

Top to bottom: Starburst orange silk cushion, Lsa Hula yellow vase, Diamantini & Domeniconi Arcoiris Stripe Cuckoo mantle clock. All from Heals.

My favourite is the Regatta cushion and the Ivy owl decoration from Habitat because I think they would remain stylish beyond one season. I can't get over how bright the stripe clock is from Heals - a statement piece for sure! Have you seen any bright accessories that you like recently?