Before & After: Deep Buttoned Velvet Sofa

Here are the results from our latest 'before and after' endeavor - this tired, terracotta sofa has been transformed into an aqua delight, upholstered in Mokum 'Vintage' colour peacock. Absolutely stunning! We hope the client likes it too...!

Before

After!

For Sale - Vintage Amber Glass Lamp

We have a real gem for you from our collection of stored goodies - this divine mid-century glass amber lamp base, in working order - is reluctantly going up for sale! First in first serve, we will let this baby go for $250. Contact us via email or phone to secure it today...

Design Crush: Emily Henderson

As designers we are all influenced by our close peers and workmates, as well as fellow designers further afield via the wonderful worlds of Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. I absolutely love it when I stumble across a designer whose style and personality is totally on my wavelength!

My absolute favourite design crush at the moment is stylist and designer Emily Henderson. Her work is bursting with colour, with layering, with texture and with the perfect amount of vintage vs. contemporary with some quirkiness thrown in. And to top it off, this girl knows how to STYLE. (I have a thing for styling bedsides and mantels, and Emily is so good at it she could write a book...!).

Head over here to her blog to keep up to date with her projects and very busy lifestyle. I've also included a very neat video for Domino Magazine which sums up her personality and design style pretty darn well.

Enjoy!

        

One from the Archives: A Furry Project

When esdesign was first born in Thorndon nearly ten years ago, we had a special sewing machine for making rugs out of sheepskin. On hearing this we were approached by a lovely elderly chap with a special request; to sew a multitude of vintage rabbit furs into a large bed quilt!

No matter your thoughts on animal products these days, these furs that had been stored for half a century were put to a much better use as Eleanor and I sewed and patched these beautiful pelts together until we couldn't see for the mist of fur in the air and up our noses! Once the cover was completed, it was backed and edged with a beautiful soft faux suede, however Eleanor and I declared, 'Never again!' as we were cleaning up fur for months on end. Oh the things you do when starting out in business!

Feature Fabric Friday: Vintage 'Hemisphere' Wools by Hemptech

Helllooooo glorious vintage inspired linen wool mixes from kiwi company Hemptech!
We are all about this great new range of upholstery fabrics whose swatches arrived to us on the courier this morning. They have a great vintage feel and a colour palette of subtle neutrals through to a poppin' great orange and turquoise. Speak to us today about getting your retro on!

 

Images via Hemptech

From Palm Beach to Capri - Photos by Slim Aarons

Bouncing around on So Haute this morning I came across these photographs by celebrated American photographer Slim Aarons who was most noted for traveling the globe to photograph socialites, celebrities and jet-setters, capturing well-to-do slices of life from a bygone era. Kinda cool! Got a spot calling out for a little vintage artwork? Check them all out on One Kings Lane!

Vintage Blanket Cushions

The latest goodies out of our sewing room are these gorgeous cushions re-purposed from a collection of vintage woolen blankets - so so cosy, and we're loving the mish mash of bright colours! They're off to their new home in the next few days...exciting!

Tick Tock Porcelain Clocks

How neat are these beautiful scalloped porcelain plate clocks by Aussie company Angus & Celeste? These are great pieces of decorative art that also tell the time. Reminiscent of vintage plates, the illustrative surface decorations are complemented by brightly painted hands. Yummo!

Vintage Textile Transformations by Mr. Finch

The self-taught artist Mr. Finch is part hunter, part gatherer and fully genius. Obsessed with the rolling hills and mossy woods near his home in Yorkshire, Finch goes gathering for inspiration. "Flowers, insects and birds really fascinate me with their amazing life cycles and extraordinary nests and behavior", says the artist. He then goes hunting for vintage textiles; velvet curtains from old hotels, a threadbare wedding dress or a vintage apron and transforms them into all sorts of beasts and toadstools. The aged feel creates a sense of authenticity, or mystery as if each piece has an incredible story to tell.

Fabric Lovers Round Two

So we have a little treat for all you fabric lovers out there........ because the weekend didn't offer us the best weather, we have decided to extend our fabric sale! So embrace your second chance and pop on in and grab yourself a bargain.

 

Sale Sneak Peek

 Goodies up for grabs this Friday at the sale - hope to see you there!

Seven Gauge Studios

Check out the goodness from Seven Gauge Studios - made by the creative knitting talent of UK based Joy Bates.

She takes inspiration from vintage textiles and mid century elements to create her divine knitted wares - so bright, fun and contemporary!