Happy Weekend: Off To The Christmas Tree Farm!

Yay, the first weekend of advent has finally arrived, and so I'm off to search out my tree. I'm getting up early to quickly brew a fresh coffee and rustle up a bite to eat before jumping in the car and heading to the Christmas Tree farm. On arrival, I'll be walking up and down the rows of trees, feeling the variety of branches, sniffing the needles and spinning to check for that all important symmetrical shape! With temperatures below freezing this weekend, the weather is set to be ideal for cracking on the Christmas tunes (yes, Mr. Buble, I'm looking at you!), pulling all the decorations out from hibernation for their month in the spotlight and generally having a jolly old time. Anyone else headed out on the Big Tree Hunt this weekend? If not, what are your plans? I hope you have a lovely few days, friends!
// Amazon

Happy Weekend: Festive Red Kitchen

As there's only a week to go until December hits I'm well and truly feeling the festive spirit! I normally don't start decorating my place until the 1st December, but I'm not sure I can resist taking a walk through the woods this weekend to pick up some festive foliage to start placing around the apartment. Truth be told, I don't know why I'm even pretending that this might not happen because I even tried to get some winter berries from my local florist last weekend, but I was too early! What can I say? Mr. Bazaar loves the festive season! Whilst I can realistically bring smaller decorative pieces into my home, I don't have space for this beautiful SMEG fridge I spotted over at West Elm, but that won't stop me dreaming - isn't it fab? In fact, the whole kitchen space it's styled in is rather dreamy. I have very similar storage unit to this, except in black metal, and it's given me some styling ideas to try out over the weekend. How about your weekend? Will you be doing anything fun and festive? Have a lovely one, friends!
// West Elm

Happy Weekend: Black On Black

If you follow Bright.Bazaar on Instagram, you'll know that Mr. Bazaar went on a little adventure to IKEA yesterday. Let me explain the story: I've been trying to get hold of their Stockholm Rand rug for almost a year, and when I heard on Thursday that it had sold out Europe-wide, I thought it was never going to be. Then, yesterday, it transpired that there was one rug left in the Birmingham store. So, I jumped into my car and made the 220-mile, 4-hour round trip from London to Birmingham and back to pick up the rug! My heartmate was laughing saying at least it was a weekday so they didn't have to come along with me on a wild goose chase across the country for a rug! Well, I'm nothing if not determined (read: interiors crazy!). It was actually kinda fun to go a road trip: I had the radio blaring and 'sang' along at the top of my voice the whole way there and back. Have you ever taken any crazy, impromptu trips for an interiors piece?! I'd love to hear your stories. Have a great weekend, friends.
// All Hail The High Sea

A Look Back On Mr. Bazaar's Week

Do you ever have those weeks when you move so fast from one thing to another that you don't have time to take stock of it all? Well, I just had one of those weeks: in amongst a whirlwind of Spring/Summer 2013 press shows, I somehow managed to film a special video for Laura Ashley, interview the super talented Holly Becker as part of her Decorate Workshop book launch in Anthroplogie, and give a talk on blogging at Easyart's UK headquarters. Phew! As Bright.Bazaar heads into a new era (did you see the sneak peek of the new site design yesterday?!) I'm feeling so grateful for the genuine friendships I've been graced with and the creative projects that I've been able to work on. I truly love writing this blog everyday; it's such a pleasure to share my colourful view on the world with you all. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for following along on my blogging adventures. A big 'high five' to all my blogging pals!
// 1. Will Taylor | 2. Tina Bernstein | 3. Holly Becker | 4. Yvonne Eijkenduijn | Paint splash | Tape stripes

Happy Weekend: Anna Emilia's Prints

Bike Caravan | Blossom Sailing | Under Ice | Forest Cuckoo | Winter Is Ending

This week I discovered these beautiful art prints by illustrator and painter Anna Emila - aren't they so sweet?! Anna was born in Leppävirta, a small town in Finland that had strawberry fields, lakes and pine forests. She I love how she explains on her website that she used to built huts out of branches with friends and her brother and played by cutting and gluing paper. One summer she found Melancholy thistle flowers which she then used as painting brushes and she hasn't looked back since. Well, I'm pleased she didn't because her work is such a treat! There's an air of whimsy and delicacy to Anna's work that I really like, especially her Forest Cuckoo illustration. Do you have a favourite? I'm off to take my granny out for her birthday today. Do you have any fun weekend plans, friends?
// Art prints by Anna Emilia

Take Your Pick: Thornback & Peel Fabrics

Welcome to the weekend, friends! Apologies for not bringing you your daily colour fix yesterday but I was having technical issues with the site. Of course, to calm my technological-induced stress I sought out some Pin Therapy over on Pinterest. In doing so I discovered these beauties from Sofa.com; the shots show a range of the brand's pieces upholstered in Thornback and Peel's super fun Jellies and Cakes fabric: the Jethou armchair gets the mustard treatment, the Sunday armchair a splash of raspberry and the Saturday sofa is married with the cool grey colourway. Aren't they fabulous? Not only is the print unique and playful but the different colourways really bring each of the pieces to life. Being the Colour Addict that I am, I clearly love the mustard option the most. That said, the grey colourway is very sophisticated and looks great paired with the romantic shape and form of the Saturday sofa. Your weekend task? To pick your favourite colourway! Have a great one! x
// Sofa.com

Happy Weekend: Illustrator, Jayde Cardinalli

I always try to head into the weekend with a smile on my face, which is why I wanted to share these delightful illustrations by San Francisco Illustrator, Jayde Cardinalli, because, well, they make me smile. Scrap that; they make me beam with joy! I am utterly charmed by their whimsy and striking colour combination. I would love to hang all three of them in a row behind my couch - the colourings and style are spot on for my living room. I take a lot of inspiration from illustrations and talented artists and often find myself admiring illustrative work in magazines and books. Do you find this kind of artistic work inspiring? As for this weekend, I have a little baking and nesting planned. How about you, friends?
// Illustrations by Jayde A. Cardinalli

Happy Weekend: Making Chores Fun!

I couldn't be happier to see the weekend as this week has been beyond busy; with so many exciting projects going on I've been beavering away at my desk late into the night all week. Certainly no complaints but I'm looking forward to some time this weekend to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, take in the weekend paper supplements, catch a movie and crash out on the couch with a stack of November issues. Of course, Mr.B will be keeping it real with a healthy dose of chores, too; after a week of solid work the flat is ready for a date with the hoover. If anyone pops around on Saturday afternoon you'll find me rocking out with that very hoover, 'singing' along to some questionable music choices and cleaning like a Mad Man! No kidding... cheesy music gets me through the chores, for sure! Anyhow, after four weekends on the trot of being out and about, I'm looking forward to spending a few days at home without being padlocked to my desk. What are your weekend plans, friends? Happy Thanksgiving to any Canadian readers! Save some turkey and wine for Mr. Bazaar, won't you? 

// All products in lifestyles from John Lewis

Sneak Peek: Adore Home Magazine, Oct/Nov

I can't quite believe that Adore Home magazine is celebrating it's 2nd birthday already, it seems like just yesterday that I was reading the first issue. Well, two years have passed and the team at Adore Home are set to release their 2nd birthday issue on Monday next week - and lucky us, as we get to take a sneak peek in the super colourful issue right here today on Bright.Bazaar. Kicking off proceedings is a tour of Armchair Collective in New South Wales, a destination store that sells fresh blooms, homewares and food. Should I ever find myself in Australia I'd love to explore here on a Saturday morning. Up next is another shop tour, this time of Kristy Mclaughlin's Sydney store, Kristy Lee Interiors - I'm majorly crushing on the Cockatoo lamp base! I'm really looking forward to reading the piece on the Mr & Mrs G River bar that was designed by one of my favourite designers, Anna Spiro. Anna's use of colour and pattern is always right on point, and this Brisbane location is no exception. Rounding out the sneak peek is a colourful kid's bedroom designed by Maria Barros. I don't care if it was designed for a child's bedroom, I would adopt that blue/yellow work area in a heartbeat! Thank you, Adore Home, for this lovely weekend treat, I can't wait to read the full issue on Monday. What's inspiring you from this peek, folks? Happy weekend!
// Photography from Adore Home magazine

Happy Weekend: Popping In From London Design Festival

Hello, my dear blogging friends. Well, what a week London Design Festival has been - and it's not over yet. I've seen a bucket load of great design over the past five days and I'm excited to get back my desk next week so I can start blogging my inspirations for you all to see. What can you expect? A bucket load of colour, of course! For now, I'll leave you with the yellow front door of my future that I spotted when walking through West London yesterday. Seriously, yellow rocks my life big time! Wherever you are, I hope you have a very happy weekend. Do you have any fun plans in your part of the world? (P.S. Yesterday, I was able to wear a fairisle jumper for the first time this season - yay, I love Fall fashion!) x

Happy Weekend: Farmers' Market Colours

A week or so ago I was walking through Bath when I happened to pass by Jamie Oliver's first UK deli. The moment I saw the deli I stopped in my tracks as my Colour Inspiration alarm bells started to sound! Rain had been falling all morning but the skies had begun to clear and the farmer's market style display of fruit and vegetables outside looked so crisp and fresh. Vibrant yellow tomatoes and citrus bright lemons flirted with Mr. Bazaar's colour-loving lens (I mean, seriously, I was in heaven); the remnants of the morning rainfall gently rolled off the fruits. A chef from Jamie's nearby restaurant came to collect some produce and we ended up chatting for ten minutes, discussing the simple pleasures of fresh produce and the recipes each variety inspired us to make. It was one of those unexpected, lovely moments of shared enthusiasm with a complete stranger. After the chef went back to work, I moved inside, my imagination caught by the bold, typographic and colourful packaging that graced many of the products. I admired the synergy between inside and out, fresh and packaged, interior design and food - notice how the red stools tie in with the produce and the packaging. In all, I must have spent at least an hour soaking up the atmosphere of this tiny deli yet it felt like all of five minutes. I left feeling inspired by the two colour stories - the exotic and primary brights of the produce and packaging, and the comforting, calm hues of the rustic interior. I hope you find some colour inspiration this weekend, friends!
// Photography by Will Taylor

Happy Weekend: A Ten Minute IKEA Hack

Welcome to the weekend, friends! Today I wanted to share this quick, easy and super fun DIY project by Paul from Design and Beyond. Paul is a student studying Interior Design and wanted to give the IKEA furniture in his rented digs a quick update. Taking inspiration from the colours and stripe pattern on his bedding, Paul decided to paint simple stripe details onto the drawer fronts of his MALM chest of drawers from IKEA. In a matter of minutes Paul was able to turn a very ordinary piece of furniture into something that expressed his personality and pulled his bedroom scheme together. It's simple decorating updates like these that I find so inspiring - graphic, colourful and simple. Bravo, Paul! What are your weekend plans, folks? During the week I had some new office furniture delivered so I'm going to be clearing out my office and getting my new shelves stocked and sorted. I'm also keeping fingers crossed for one last summer BBQ because London is going to be scorching for the next two days. Have a great one and thank you for your company this week.
// Project & photography by Paul Harrison

Happy Weekend: Adding Colour With Textiles

Weekends are so good for the soul, don't you agree? I think we all need those two days where we can take time to restore our batteries and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Don't get me wrong, I'm guilty as charged when it comes to working over the weekend but I always relish the opportunity of a work-free weekend. And that's exactly what I have planned this weekend as I'm going to help my mum shop for some pieces to style up her kitchen, take a country walk and bake some cookies. I find a lot of inspiration and calm in these simple tasks - in fact I'm heading into the weekend feeling super inspired by the dining room of Fjeld Borg. I love how playful and uplifting hues have been added as accents to the monochrome scheme through textiles and books. Plus, a string of circus lights always goes down well with Mr. Bazaar! What are you weekend plans, friends? I hope you have something inspiring on the cards.
// Fjeld Borg

Happy Weekend: Mr. Bazaar's Mum Takes Over!

ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR

It's my mum's birthday this weekend (that's Mr.Bazaar and Mummy Bazaar above just before Christmas lunch last year!) and so she's taking over Happy Weekend with her birthday picks. My mum and I have always appreciated interior decor, plus I spoke of the hours we spent in the kitchen together when I was younger earlier in the week. So, then, no surprises that her wish list is full of top notch interior and kitchen-themed goodies. Shall we crack on with what I like to call: Mr. Bazaar's-Mum's-Top-Four-Birthday-Wish-List-Chart, snappy, right?! In at number one is this super cute letterpress recipe folder from Anthropologie, which given the abundance of foodie magazine tear sheets dotted around my mum's house is a super practical pressie. Still at two is The Little Paris Kitchen cookbook by Rachel Khoo. We were both fans of the TV series that aired during Spring so I'm also keen to read the accompanying book. (Has anyone read it?) Slipping to number three after its Olympics high is this London landmarks cushion cover from Cath Kidston which she has earmarked for the conservatory. Rounding out the top four is this photographic studio light for her walk in wardrobe. Happy birthday, mum! Which wish list pick do you like best, friends?

Happy Weekend: Felix Forest Photography

I was speaking with a friend the other day and we both agreed how we are still amazed at the inspiration one can find daily by clicking through the Internet. Personally, I still can't get over how lucky we are to be able to discover inspiring creatives and their work each and everyday. So, what could be a more perfect way to kick off the weekend than by doing just that, namely with the photographic work of Felix Forest. Felix is a top notch photographer based in Australia and he regularly shoots for one of my favourite interiors titles, Real Living. Let's meet him through three quick questions, shall we?

What journey did you take into professional photography?
I started shooting with my first camera when I was 13, first with an interest was to ‘document’ things but my love for photography was confirmed when I read the book Rapporteurs de guerre by French war photographer Patrick Chauvelnot. I'm not a war photographer but I have a fascination for calm and destruction, and my art series often have elements of it. I had a conventional education in France that didn’t involve much creativity apart from drawing classes as I was studying a bachelor of Economics and Finance, so I started taking black and white film processing classes before I started assisting other photographers.

What keeps you inspired?
Photography is an ever learning passion, it keeps inspiring me as each door you open leads to ten new doors and it keeps unfolding and each idea leads to another one and another one. My partner Dina Broadhurst has a background in Interior Design and I am very lucky to be able to work with her regularly as we find interest in very similar creative enterprises.

OK, I think your work rocks so please do shout about who you've shot for...
My work has appeared (or will appear soon!) in Vogue Living, Inside Out, Belle, Real Living, Vogue Australia, Grazia, Grand Designs, Habitus, Vogue Brazil, and COUCH. I also shoot for advertising clients including, IKEA, Coco Republic, Murobond, Broached Commission, Fenton and Fenton, MCM House, Baye and Fyfe.

Thanks, Felix! Have a lovely Saturday, friends. I'll see you here tomorrow for some of my favourite links I've read this week.
// Photography by Felix Forest

Happy Weekend: Mr. Bazaar at the Olympics!

On Thursday night I was lucky enough to experience a London 2012 Olympics event in person when I watched the Beach Volleyball at Horse Guard's Parade in central London. I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences I've had all year; the atmosphere was electric and the setting was breathtaking. The temporary stadium set up in Horse Guard's Parade feels quite intimate despite holding 15,000 spectators and provides the most amazing views of London's famous landmarks, including the London Eye, The Shard and the BT Tower. After four hours of exciting play I left feeling inspired by these wonderful Games, lucky to have spent a joy-filled evening with my partner and reminded of how life really is what we make of it. Thank you all for your continued support of Bright.Bazaar, connecting with you daily continues to bring me so much happiness. Hugs to you all!
// Photography by Will Taylor