Royal Buffet

I am loving these sweet paper garlands and mobiles from Royal Buffet. They are so light and airy. Who doesn't want a collection of swinging butterflies made from vintage french magazine pages dancing in the corner of any room?

Love Cards

I just realized that it is almost February! Ahh where did January go? As its almost February that means that Valentines Day will be quickly upon us- I am not one for chocolates or other Valentine's extravagances, but I do love a sweet, letterpress card anytime of the year! Here are some cute ones from some of my favorite designers

Tandem Bike Card from Letterpress

French Bulldog from Sycamore Street Press

Deerest Valentine from Shop Hearts and Anchors

"Calm and Cool"

So ready for winter to be gone... as soon as the holidays are over it seems that the cold weather just isn't as appealing! I am ready to open the windows and sit outside with the dogs and not feel like my fingers are going to fall off! The beautiful photo above by Alicia Bock is just what I need- fresh air, green grass and warm sunshine.

In Branch news, want to welcome and thank the following retailers for carrying our products:

Pink Pig Westport, NY USA

Aspasia's Boutique Jersey City, NJ. USA

Perch Osaka Japan

Have a lovely weekend! xo

Packaging Inspiration

T and I have been working on a little Branch re-brand, mainly re-doing our packaging. When we first created the packaging we currently have, a little over 2 years ago (whoa!), we were kind of rushed to get things done and we quickly turned it out. Its exciting now to take some time to create something a bit different. I have been checking out one of my fave sites for inspiration The Dieline and of course was immediately inspired by all the beautiful work.

Of course, I fell hard for the packaging created by Colorado based Moxie Sozo for soap line Leap Organics. The illustrations are so amazing- I think these would definately pop on store shelves. Gets ya thinkin'....

Created by Edmindson/Martin for a tropical fruit company. I am drawn to the bright, vibrant floral design and the way it wraps around the box. So fresh!

"Sweet" packaging by HartungKemp. I love the simple pastels and the way the stickers are placed. So much great inspiration!

Charmaine Olivia @ Fey Handmade

The lovely Christine is always surprising me with her beautiful and unexpected picks for her online shop Fey Handmade. I was recently perusing her site to see what new goodies had arrived when I happened upon the artwork of San Francisco based artist Charmaine Olivia. I was immediately enchanted with the sketchy drawings and rich photographs that she has created. With a cool 70's vibe her art is right up my alley, I can definately imagine these beauties adorning my walls. Love, love the Fox Masque featured above.

Serene Print

Headache

Berkley Illustration

TK and I have been looking for something special for the wall over our bed. It has been blank since we moved in as I waited for that unique piece to grab my attention- and I found it! Take a look at Berkley Illustration for something whimsical and and simple. For a great price, these drawings are available in a variety of sizes- we are buying a collection and found some fun vintage frames on ebay to pair with them. If you are an animal lover I am sure you will be able to find a place in your home for these great pieces!

This Is Not Ikea

I discovered This Is Not Ikea when I was on the hunt for unique and bargain priced outdoor vintage furniture for our deck. I really wanted things that were one of a kind, not pieces that I would go to my friends' houses and see in their yard too! This Is Not Ikea was created on the premise that for the same amount of money that you spend at Ikea on things that will fall apart and are mass produced you can get a beautiful vintage piece that is quality and that has (and will) stand the test of time. They really do have an amazing selection, and the fact that it constantly changes is an incentive to visit often! (fiberglass chairs, vintage alarm clock, vintage wet floor sign)

peppersprouts

Just discovered the sweet little shop peppersprouts. Run by a full time graphic designer, peppersprouts specializes in handmade home pieces including coasters, pillows and other little lovelies. Being an animal lover, anything to do with home and nature usually catches my attention and the "Foxy Trivet" above is no exception. Laser-cut from thick felt, this hot pink trivet is the perfect addition to the tabletop. I love the kissing fox design around the edge- that mixed with the great color- perfect!

Who doesn't love a great silhouette design? Check out these cool Silhouette Wood Coasters. Hand drawn silhouettes have been cut from Colour Rumu wood, that has been finished with tung oil to protect them from moisture. Almost too pretty to set a glass on!

In the same vein as the trivet, this kissing deer design dances around the outside of this sweet mirror. A perfect addition to any wall decor. Created from Italian poplar and painted a soothing light green.

Alicia Bock

Photography is most definitely one of my favorite forms of artistic expression. A good photographer is a good storyteller and can make magic from an object that may appear to others as being mundane or typical. It is for these reasons that I am entranced by the work of Alicia Bock. Her photographs have a wonderful vintage feel to it and looking at it takes you on a trip to another time- where things are a little less face paced and life was simple... I am loving all her summer inspired pieces right now- and the best part is that her pieces are priced affordably, some even under $20! "End" featured above.

"Hush" is part of Alicia's "Through the Viewfinder" series in which she combined an Argus 75 viewfinder camera as well as a digital camera to create a soft looking, imperfect photograph. I love this !

"This is a Memory" was taken with an antique sx-70 poloroid. Layered with typewritten text.

Pen Pencil Stencil Wallpaper

In honor of Earth Day, we thought we would post these beautiful and fun wallpaper designs printed on recycled paper by Oakland based design studio Pen Pencil Stencil. Featuring original designs that has been hand screen printed with water based inks, this is the perfect example of "trash" being turned into treasure! Now go ahead, get to work plastering this beautiful work to your walls, but before you go using that toxic wallpaper paste available at the local big box, check out this eco friendly diy recipe that you can use instead! Happy Earth Day!

Product Spotlight: Playmates Pillow

The LAMA store is always a great stop to peruse over morning coffee and toast. I am loving this adorable Playmates Pillow by Argentinean design duo Coty Larguia and Eugenia Troncoso. Featuring simple, sketchy illustrations on 100% cotton, the pillows in this collection are perfect for many spaces and give an air of fine art on textiles as if an ink pen was drawn directly on the pillow.

AMH Design

For those of us that may be craft challenged, but still yearn to be one of those talented people that create fabulous gifts and accessories for themselves take a peek at AHM Design. A great little company that specializes in contemporary needlepoint kits, AHM carries a range of products that comes with all the tools you need to end up making a great little item that you can proud to say you made yourself! And if your not the crafty type, but still enjoy the look of needlepoint, no need to worry, AHM carries a selection of completed needlepoint products including cute journals and snappy photo albums. You can shop all the goods right here.

I am loving this Marrakech Stichable Journal. Available in four color ways, this project takes less than an hour to complete and comes with a chart pattern for any initial you could want!

I adore the red, purple and white color combination of the Rio Photo Album. Retro and fun! Can be personalized with your own initial.

Sweet little keychain. Available in a ton of colors- Great starter project for those who may be a little afraid to start off with something bigger!

Product Spotlight: Spanish Endearment Necklace

I have been coveting these sweet Spanish Endearment Necklaces from jewelry designer Anne Kiel. I have a thing for simple gold or brass charm necklaces, my favorite that I wear all the time is a simple gold circular "a" pendent, but these might be good to switch it with. I am particularly fond of the "Besame" one... Hmmm, maybe my purchase for the week! Also available in French terms, if that's more your thing. Take a peek at all the beautiful baubles available in Anne's etsy shop here.

Knack Studios

If you are looking for that perfectly distinct piece that fits just the right spot in your home look no further than Greenville, SC's Knack Studios. Created by the fabulously talented and wonderfully sweet Barb Blair, Knack Studios takes salvaged and vintage furniture pieces and restores and resurfaces them, often with unrecognizable results. With a flair for great color and pattern combinations, Barb easily takes something that was once trash and makes it a unique heirloom treasure. If you are in the area be sure to stop by Knack and find that perfect one of kind piece and if your not you can enjoy Knack from afar via Barb's great blog and website.

There are so many beautiful items, its hard to pick favorites! This bright orange piece is a real stunner! Featuring sliding glass doors to house and display your special dish ware and accented with the perfect turquoise knobs. There are too many places this little gem could fit! Check out the before right here.

I am loving the detailing on this turquoise beauty! Great dresser to use as a centerpiece in a living room or the conventional way in a bedroom- though personally I would have hard time hiding away something so stunning in my bedroom!

Pretty and simple, I love the quiet finish on this piece. Goes well with all kinds of decor and those white diamond shaped knobs add just the right amount of fancy!

Fox and Clover

I love the pieces created by Sabrina for Fox and Clover. She makes absolutely beautiful dishes and delicate jewelry pieces. Not only does she hand illustrate the delightfully whimsical designs on all of her table wear and jewelry, but much of it is created from reclaimed old windows and picture frame glass. You would never know it by looking at her work! Click here for the Wild Horse Dish featured above.

Being an animal lover, anything decorated with nature or wildlife is something that I would love! I have long admired these Fox and Hare Mini Bowls. I love the bright chartreuse color coupled with the simple white animals.

Pretty and simple Paisley Necklace. Handpainted paisley pendent hung from a modern natural steel cord.

I love this Whale Dish! Perfectly sized for a bar of soap in the bath or odds and ends that clutter up your bureau.

Product Spotlight: Stone Forest Round Bathtub

I saw this bathtub and was immediately transported to a land of bubbles, candles and fresh air! Stone Forest makes beautiful pieces for the bath and kitchen using natural granite that has been hand carved using a hammer and chisel. Combining contemporary design with a traditional Japanese aesthetic, Stone Forest designs amazing pieces that carry a weight of authenticity that you don't normally see. I absolutely adore the shape of this tub, its looks so comfortable and natural! You can check out all their beautiful pieces right here. 

Angela Adams

Good morning! It is a blustery, grey and snowy day here this morning, but these fantastic, colorful pieces from Angela Adams' new collection are sure to brighten anyone's day! I have been a big fan of her textiles for a long time, but I think her new collection of floor coverings is especially inspired. You can check out all the goods here, including new apparel and select, lovely furniture pieces. I am in l0ve with the textured Flora/Peony Rug featured above. 

The prints and shapes of the Manfred collection of pillows is so great! I love the retro, bright feel- would look great just about anywhere! Available in three distinct shapes. 

These totes are perfect for carrying around town or on a trip. Featuring the distinct Angela Adams patterns and color. Made of silk screened canvas and handles long enough to go over the shoulder. 

Check out this bright 2' x 3' rug, perfect for an entry! On sale too! I love the colors and made from soft 100% cotton. 

 

Jacqleen Bleu

I discovered the amazing work of Jacqleen Bleu through the lovely Sara LeeAnn @  The Bunny Cage and haven't been able to stop looking at it. Her beautiful photographs are haunting and thick with dreams and feeling. I love the colors in her work- the cool blues, the perfectly used black and whites. I have always loved photography, its great to look at it and goes perfectly in any home. There is nothing like a beautiful, perfectly placed photo to add depth and introspection to a space. Click here for the fantastic "No Cars Go" featured above. 

Love this one entitled "Your Intentions, Up Yours." My favorite part of photographs are deciphering the artists underlying meaning and this one is pretty clear! 

I love the layers of this one, "Flesh Canoe". The colors are gorgeous and clean.