Famille Summerbelle

La Maison du Pastel, Paris

20 Rue Rambuteau in the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris is a magical tiny shop that has been frozen in time, the decor of the Roché sisters hasn't moved since 1930. The famous pastel Roché has been made in this place for the past 3 generations.


The story of La Maison du Pastel starts at the beginning of the 17th century, a time when working with pastel is very much in fashion. Henry Roché a chemical engineer, chemist and biologist is very interested in art. He decides to buy the old Maison Macle which sells at the time all sorts of materials for artists. In 1887 he proposes a range of around 500 colours. After the second World War, the shop has to be rebuilt (it has been occupied by the Germans and then bombarded).
Generations of skills and manufacturing secrets are carefully maintained by Dr Henry Roché's wife and daughters who work together at perpetuating the family tradition.
In 2000 the two sisters aged 80 years old decide to transfer their skills to their great cousin Isabelle Roché who is now in charge of the Maison du Pastel. She dedicates all her energy to the conservation of this wonderful national and family heritage.

Miam miam miam

I am heading over to this place ASAP. It's called Bogato and it's in the 14th Arrondissement in Paris. Anais, the super talented chef/mummy behind it used to work in advertising before she had 2 children and then got really hungry and decided it was time to do amazingly good looking and yummy cakes for children. I love cakes. Baking them and eating them. I need to learn to make them as nice as hers...:)

Doshi Levien

These London based duo designers Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien are doing some amazing stuff. This sofa is on my Xmas wish list (i think more in my dream list!). The back of the sofa is as nice and original as the front. I love the shapes, colours, the cushions, the details...and the name 'My beautiful Backside'!


This day bed called 'Principessa' is also on my list. I love the reference to the Hans Christian Anderson tale of Princess and the Pea. Both products are available at Moroso. Check the details on the top mattress!

Print on demand

I really like this new concept store by Envelop, a Belgium based company. They print on demand work by illustrators who can download product templates of textile items in order to customize them. They can then sell them online via Envelop site. The good thing for designers is that they don't have to stock the products. Every single order is cotton printed and assemble in Belgium by means of an eco defendable production process. The collection currently include cushions, table runner, aprons, bags...This is just to give you an idea:


As seen on Decor8 Blog.

Little Clouds

This little cloud arrived at home all the way from Canada before the Summer. I even manage to match my lampshade to the bright colours of the rain drops! I am not the only one who fell in love with the poetic products of this French designer based in Montreal. (Milk mag). Her soft felt clouds are available on her Etsy shop: The Butter Flying.

Colourful ceramics

The house was busy today with the visit of 2 charming ladies from London, Sian (Stylist) and Bridget (photographer), who came especially to do a photo shoot of the interior of the house. They did some really nice shots so we're hoping the photos will end up in nice magazines in the UK and maybe abroad.
Also while looking at blogs in my comfy bed tonight, I discovered via Bloesem the talented Nina Invorm a Dutch ceramic artist. I really like her style and the colours she uses and also the way she recycles plates and pots with her designs.

Nice to see you

It was a nice surprise to see an article in the latest Wallpaper magazine from an old school friend Gary Card. We graduated together from Central Saint Martins. He is now actively involved in designing sets, illustrations for the fashion industry.
He made some amazing puppets (made of masking tape) for 'The life of Galileo' a play I was working on few years ago when I was still designing sets for theatre.
Below his work for Comme des Garcons new campaign. I love it. Continue the good work Gary!

It's nice to be back

We had a lovely and warm long Summer break spent with the family in the sun. It was as you can imagine so nice to relax and to be cut off the world for few week, no internet, no phone and out of the office! I thought at first that I would never manage (especially without the internet) but thanks to Simon's help it all went fine with FS shop. I feel much more chilled now and full of energy to start the new school year. Et oui, Ophelia starts school tomorrow. I think i'm more nervous than she is.
Still i'm so happy to be back online and to catch up on some of my favorite blogs. So many nice things were posted over the Summer.
Here's some of my selection for tonight:

Just to put us in the mood for September. Some truly beautiful mushrooms made by hand by Kris (from Kris's color stripes blog) . I'd love to have some to put on the mantelpiece, but i think they've already sold out. I hope she will make others soon!

My dear friend Emma Cassi has been super busy making some amazing cards, notebooks and garlands with vintage laces and papers. She will be making an exhibition at the lovely boutique/gallery space Doux Dimanche in Tokyo (hello Rie and Fumie!). So all the best to Emma.

I discovered the Australian brand Maé via Bloesem Kids and the funky wall stickers made of fabric which is quite unusual. Ophelia would love the dressing up doll in her room.

Studio Violet is launching a re-used porcelain collection this Autumn. It's a one of a kind serie. Just gorgeous.

Bonne nuit & i'll be back soon with images of the new paper cut map i've made over the Summer...

Top 5 at Pulse

It is difficult to make a selection of my favorite designers as there were so many good things around at last week trade show in London.
Sukie is now a well known UK label with great designs that range from travel books, cushions, calendars. You can buy their products in Paperchase and on their website.

Claire has a background in textile design and she creates some beautiful cards, calendars, bags and trays. Her products are available on her website at Cloud Cuckoo designs and also you can get her cards in Habitat.

I love London based Thornback and Peel screen printed fabrics:

Great paper products, cards, stamps and much more from Lollipop designs: