2012 Most Influential - Part 4

The last installment of this year's highlights or most influential. Click here to see Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3.

Woodcutter Cool
We loved this fall vignette from Inside Out Magazine featuring army-blanket cushions to wood stumps and forest wall image/artwork. Image from Inside Out's Jul-Aug/12 issue | Photography by Sharyn Cairns | Styling by Glen Proebstel.

Pumpkin Diorama
We thought The Art of Doing Stuff's pumpkin diorama was pretty amazing this year - check it out here.

Schoolhouse Electric and Yellow Owl Workshop
A fun new collaboration between Schoolhouse Electric and Yellow Owl Workshop.  We especially like the pillows.  Click here for more info.

Scenic Walls
We loved all the scenic wall murals and tapestries and especially Abbey Nova's brilliant DIY scenic wall version in her New York bedroom. See others here.

Stitch the Stars Calendar
by Heather Lins.  This calendar comes has got to be one of the most creative we've seen in a while. Check it out and others by clicking here.

Vintage Inspired Holiday Cards
Beautiful cards this year including some beautiful vintage-inspired versions.  These by Quill & Fox. See more here.

Succulent Wreaths
Flora Grubb Gardens inspired us with all her beautiful succulent and moss wreaths.  Click here to see more.

Holiday Lights
We liked all the retro-inspired holiday stringed lights about.  These from Toast.

Beautiful Gift Wrap
The folks at Inside Out Magazine sent over a little sneak peek of their amazing gift wrapping ideasfor the holidays.  See more here. Styling Vanessa Colyer Tay and photography by Guy Bailey.

And that's a wrap!  It's been yet another amazing year in the world of design here and always an honour to host all the amazing talent that surrounds us.  Happy New Year everyone!  Here's to a creative and prosperous and lucky '13!

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2012 Most Influential - Part 3

Here's part 3 of our 2012 Most Influential List.  We're heading down the home stretch, with Parts 1 here and 2 here.  See the highlights of the third quarter here. 

Cacti Prints
Not only did we love cacti this year, but we also loved these cacti prints from Vancouver-based Banquet Atelier & Workshop. More info about them here.

Mixed Styles
As our world gets smaller and smaller the fusion of styles and design become stronger.  We loved this mix of Scandinavian and Moroccan we came across this summer. The above room is from a fisherman's cottage in Gotland, renovated and owned by Swedish cinematographer, Bengan Widell. A rustic space with a unique mix of vintage middle eastern accents, religious wall art and Swedish pine. More info here. Photo Karin Björkquist.

Bonsai
The bonsai seemed to be popping in a bit this year –we love this large older one as seen in Real Living this past July.  Photo Warren Heath | Styling Sven Alberding/Bureaux.

The Takeout Window
We saw a few of these this year and what a fun way to entertain out on the patio in the summer. Image shown from vartnyahem.se

 
Summer Whites + Pinks
Summer was filled with whites and pinks, black and whites and hints of sea blues.  Links to images can be found here.

Marble or Cement Counters
Did you notice all the marble or cement covered kitchen counters?  We love them!  Above photo from AD. (Photographer and socialite Kelly Klein's kitchen in Palm Beach).

Modular Tiles
These modular tiles from ixxi gave a summery feel to a space. A special design called Loco by Studio Boot, the cards which are printed on both sides are suitable as wall decor or room dividers. Click here for more info.

Paint Swatch Wall
This paint swatch wall by Liz Apple had to be one of the best DIY ideas of the year.  Click here for more info.

 

More Pinks, Black and Whites and  Sky Blues

More summer color inspiration. Click here for info on all the images.

Giant Cross-Stitch

The giant cross-stitch was sorta everywhere.  See proof here.

 

The Summer of Neon

Everywhere you turned this summer, neon was there. From nail polish to furniture accents, see a post about it here. Photo from Issue #5 of Anthology / Photo by Janis Nicolay of  Pinecone Camp

Take What You Need
Maybe a little inspiration from everywhere. Florals, ships in bottles, chalkboard quotes, cherry cakes... click here for links.

Part 4 to follow.

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2012 Most Influential - Part 2

Continuing with our year end posts on "most influential of 2012" here's Part 2 of things that stood out to us over this past year.



Plank Covered Cabinets
Such a great idea and way to customize a kitchen, interior designer Benedikte Ugland covered some IKEA kitchen cabinets with stained planks, creating a one-of-a-kind swoon-worthy space. Read more here.

Botanicals, Straw Hats and Polaroids
Polaroid came out with a new instant film camera, botanicals delighted us and straw hats protected us. Click here to read more.

Berber Rugs
Found in the souks off Marrakech, the Berber rugs were a much coveted floor covering this year –made from wool and cotton yarns with tassled ends, this soft and cosy rug with it's neutral colors is a perfect addition to any room.  Above: Found Moroccan Berber Rug, West Elm.

 

Large Format Photographs

We talked about this last year, but the trend is still going strong, and we couldn't be happier. We love large format photographs.  This image from Mjolk.

Everything Retro
All things from the past were on the forefront this year from stationery to the real thing.  We love our vintage!  (Above collage from a post we did in January 2012).

Natural Palettes
Color was everywhere this past year, but natural palettes stood out also - like this space from the home of By Nord's founders, Hanne and Søren Berzan in the January issue of Livingetc.  The creams, beige and natural woods make way for a serene space. See the article here.

Wallpaper
Beautiful designer wallpapers were dazzling us all year long, and we couldn't pass up mentioning this beautiful limited edition from Fargerike out of Norway. See more beautiful wallpapers here.

  
Leather Belt DIYs
A few DIYs using leather belts were popping up on the blogs this year. And this IKEA + H&M one from Brigg we posted about in February has to be one of our faves. See others we noticed here , here, here and here.

Southwest Textiles
We loved the textiles the owners of  Heath Ceramics brought back from Marfa, Texas to their showroom this year by artist couple Jamey Garza and Constance Holt.  After years of custom work, Garza's furniture and Holt's textiles were available to the public. More info here.

Paola Navone
We loved these chairs by Paola Navone that appeared at the Merci Pop-Up Shop this year at Salone 2012.  Photo via Riazzoli.

Charlotte Lancelot
Another stunner at the Salone 2012 this year was Charlotte Lancelot's new line Canevas Collection for Gan

More Terrariums
Terrariums just got more and more beautiful this year with mini worlds appearing like stories in stunning vessels and plants.  This one by DoodleBirdie on Etsy.

The Bay
We really love the way The Bay embraced more Canadian culture this year bringing their iconic stripes full force from blankets to Holga's and featuring a new line of Canadian designer tea towels.  We can't wait to see what's in store for 2013!

The Backyard Shed
We all love them and want one –whether it's for a home office, hobby space or gardening shed, the backyard shed is one of those reachable projects just waiting to happen.  Above phillipkerickson.com. Click here to see more.

Stay tuned for Part 3 - and read Part 1 here.

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Most Influential 2012 - Part 1

It's that time of year when we take a look back at the past year and have a little fun reminiscing, to see what made our hearts flutter and think about what was the most influential in the design/art/craft world. With so much inspiration, it was hard to pick just a few. Read back on past posts here from previous years, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).  It's always fun to see what will stay on and what will go. Here is part one of what should be a three or four part post.

Sheepskin
How amazing are all the sheepskins everywhere?  I'm loving the grey ones most (out of Scandinavia) - we don't see those as much here, but I can't get enough of them.  This one from Stil Inspiration.

Copper
Another "can't get enough of" this year - has been copper.  I really love it in lighting for a kitchen, my mother gave me some vintage canisters for Christmas this year and how about copper planters as Ashley of Sugar & Cloth posted as a DIY for us this past October. Above photo from Inside Out Magazine | Photography Armelle Habib.

DIY Fabric
This one has been going on for a few years, but it became really prominent this year –perhaps inspired by Danish company, by nord's cushions and bed linens.  I like seeing independant photographers and DIY versions - like the one above by Kimberly Blok on Society6.  Spoonflower has also opened up the doors to this offering indie makers the chance to create their own fabrics using their own photographs and art work.  Check out this DIY round-up where we featured one of my favorites by Mariah of Everything Golden.  We're loving the ones using black and white photos the best.

Hand Lettering + Typography
If you've been reading Poppytalk for a while, you'll maybe remember us talking about hand lettering and typography almost from the beginning. Featuring the likes of Ray Fenwick, Leigh Wells, Paula Scher, Kate Bingaman Burt, Will Bryant, the list goes on.  But this year more than ever - the hand lettered poster, quote poster, whatever you wish to call it has been super prominent.  Above a beautiful one by Emily McDowell.  Also check out my hand lettering and typography board on Pinterest. Heaps there too!

Cacti and Succulents
The cacti and succulent were pretty prominent this year –popping up on patios and in windows everywhere. These from  Serax maison d'être (loving the striped flower pots)!

Beautiful DIY Food Blog Styling
I've been so inspired with all the gorgeous styling I've been seeing of food this year on blogs.  Pinterest has certainly brought that to my attention, and it's always the chocolate on the dark backgrounds with red berries that gets me the most.  This one from Madame Gateau.

The DIY
No one can deny, the DIY has taken over the internet hasn't it? Everyone has their fingers in the pie from big chain stores featuring them on their blogs to the hobbyist wanting to share their latest project –DIYs have most definitely become part of our everyday in a big way.  (Above DIY round-up found here).  More links to DIYs we like, click here and here.

Faceted and Geometric Shapes
From magnets to jewelry, the faceted and/or geometric shaped objects were everywhere this year.  Loving these ceramic ones by Pigeon Toe which are are cast from hand-sculpted shapes and glazed in amazing hues.  Check out this one you can make yourself.
  

Stay tuned for Part 2!

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