Reiko Kaneko

Have you heard of Reiko Kaneko? She is a ceramics designer who combines the best of English (bone china and eccentricity) with Japanese (kawaii-ness). She is causing a stir in the design world with her work, which is at once witty, practical and beautiful. Everything is made in Stoke-on-Trent - the home of British pottery. Have a look for yourself...

The Boat

Heart Collection - a reflection of the handle is subtly screenprinted onto the cup to create the image of a heart

The Breakfast Express

Petal Plates - designed for the numerous sauces that accompany Japanese meals

Lip Tease and Drip Tease Cups

Twiggy Snowman Christmas Decoration

Kasper the Cat Christmas Decoration

Reiko Kaneko

Pick of the sales: Plümo

The lucky buyers at Plümo travel the world to find beautiful artisan goods for you to put in your home. And guess what - they've got a sale on! Just look at these bargains!

Painted tinware jugs, handmade in India. Was  £49, now £25

Mexican bird cushion, was £39, now £24

This Fairtrade wooden toadstool nutcracker would make a great gift. Was £33, now £18

Palekh boxes - traditional lacquer boxes depicting Russian fables. Handmade in Russia. Was £39, now £15

Not a teapot but a Fairtrade watering can, made in India. Was £35, now £19 

Fairtrade sisal placemats, hand-woven by a women's cooperative in Bangladesh. Was £9, now £5.95

Dowry boxes, handmade in Northern India from recycled metal.  They are bigger than they look - the square one is  41cm high and the rectangular one is 59cm long. Was £119, now £75.

Sunburst mirror, was £219, now £159. If you like sunburst mirrors (and who doesn't?) take a look at this post from Natural History's blog...

Pick of the sales: Plümo

Debenhams Home Collection for Autumn/Winter 2011

Last week Debenhams kindly invited me to their Autumn/Winter 2011 press show. I was in great company, as Matthew Williamson, Julien Macdonald and Ben de Lisi were all there too. Not bad celeb spotting for a Wednesday lunchtime!

I was really impressed by the new home collections for next season, from each of Debenhams' designers and the store's own label range too. 

For me the highlight was Ben de Lisi's collection, featuring retro graphics, London icons and his signature bulldog in the form of a porcelain lamp. 

Ben de Lisi Home at Debenhams 

The ceramic egg box and milk carton are particularly cool and I expect they will sell very well as Christmas gifts.

Ben de Lisi Home at Debenhams

The latest addition to the Designers at Debenhams stable, Lisa Stickley, didn't disappoint with her first collection for the brand. Lisa's poodles, polka dots and roses are sure to be a hit. 

House and Home by Lisa Stickley for Debenhams 

Betty Jackson's elegant range was fabulous; the purple toile bed linen, blue smoked glass vases and two-tone mustard/mushroom crockery were among my favourite pieces of the whole show (and I will post more pics as soon as I get my hands on them). 

Betty Jackson.Black at Debenhams

Matthew Williamson's Butterfly Home collection will bring some welcome colour to the winter months and his signature Indian influences are present and correct. The peacock cushions are absolutely gorgeous. Lime green is a key colour in this range (looks far better than it sounds!), Chinoiserie patterns decorate bedlinen and tableware and Williamson shows that this season's ikat trend is set to continue through to next year. 

Butterfly Home by Matthew Williamson at Debenhams

Butterfly Home by Matthew Williamson at Debenhams

Debenhams keeps the Royal Wedding spirit alive with a patriotic collection for next season. There was some fantastic quilting happening with Union Jacks, gingham, checks, florals and denim shades. Please excuse the pictures - I took the first two myself on my phone...

Debenhams

The Debenhams Autumn/Winter 2011 range will be in stores from September.

Debenhams Home Collection for Autumn/Winter 2011