Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday period! We will see you in the new year with lots of exciting product, behind the scene previews and inspirational design.
From the Citta Design team.
xx


Image found here

Spotted!

In todays issue of Viva - the blue Sequin cushion and the ever popular Isla Tropical euro pillowcase.

Christmas ice cream treat

I know it hasn't exactly been ice cream weather (how about that rain?!) but Im hoping that by posting this Candy Cane ice cream recipe the weather gods might take heed and turn on the sunshine dial just in time for Christmas - fingers crossed!


Click image to enlarge.


Posted by Carina / Citta Design team.

Spotted!

The Floridita card*, Cuban Bouquet tea towel and Bonita make up purse were all featured in yesterdays issue of Viva.
How is your Christmas shopping going? If you're stuck for ideas, look back at our Gift Guide post.


* Available in Citta Design stores.

Christmas tree alternatives

If you cant be bothered with a real Christmas tree this year (I always feel sad when they die at the end of the holiday season) how about creating one of these fun alternatives?

1. Print an illustration of a tree, stick it on the wall and decorate with colored paper cut outs.

2. Love Maes fabric decals are fun.

3. All you need is a large packet of Blutac and a collection of random knick knacks. Stick or pin them to the wall and away you go.

4. Make or buy a Pompom garland. String it up in the shape of a tree.

5. Bookcase + books = easy. The prefect excuse not to tidy your bookcase.

6. Paint some drift wood and attach to the wall. This is my favorite. After Christmas, simply re-arrange in a non christmas tree shape for an interesting art display.

Posted by Carina / Citta Design Team

CARD GAMES

While playing Happy Families with my seven year old son last night I starting thinking about design and modern card games.  I did a little on-line exploration to see how things have moved on since 'Mr, Mrs, Master and Miss Bun the Bakers' and was delighted with what I found...

Victorian Stack by Anika Khan

Typeface 'Memory' game designed by ps.2 architecture + design from Brazil

Swiss designed Helveticards

Name That Republican card game by Design Army

Hanabi & Ikibana (fireworks & flowers) by Antoine Bauza

One Deck of Cards by Tauba Auerbach

I know what I'm going to be putting the Christmas stockings!

Posted by Katrina

Festive Napkins

Dress up your table this Christmas with our fun paper napkins!

Top to bottom: Tile paper napkin 33 x 33cm / Lagoon paper napkin 25 x 25cm / Festivity paper napkin 33x33cm / Wreath paper napkin 25 x 25cm / Smithie paper napkin 25 x 25cm / Folklore paper napkin 40 x 40cm / Checkerboard paper napkin 40 x 40cm / Bouquet paper napkin 33 x 33cm. For stockists click here

Toast anyone?

I stumbled upon this music video last night by an artist named Geoff Mcfetridge. He used 2340 pieces of toast and laser etched still images onto each of them to create a stop-motion video sequence for the band OKGO's song 'Last Leaf'. So clever! Click here to watch the video.

Giving Thanks

Christmas is a good time of year to be thankful I always think. This is a sweet blog I come back to once in a while which features thank you notes to all sorts of things! It's quirky, clever and candid and always makes me smile.

Posted by Amy Tonkin / Citta Design Team

A Grand Design

Earthship. Unfortunately the name makes them sound very space age, when in reality they are not. I prefer the name Groundhouse -  a home which is 'aligned with nature in all three aspects of design: architecture, systems and materials'. A house which is low cost, low carbon and completely self sustainable. In the age of being environmentally friendly, these houses beat them all by being built out of old car tyres and other recycled materials.
From an aesthetic point of view Earthships/Groundhouses get a bad rap for not looking ‘pretty’. I, however don't put that down to a fault in materials, but rather a lack of good design taste by the individual building the house. The Groundhouse pictured above was featured on an episode of Grand Designs and is one of the best I've seen. I have been completely inspired to consider this way of building one day in the future.

New Zealand has it very own Earthship in the mighty Waikato, and through a bit of research there are many Kiwis out there interested in this style of building.


Posted by Carina / Citta Design team

Fashion History

  

I just stumbled across this lovely work by graphic designer Danielle Kroll. I've often found it fun to document my best outfits that I felt epitomised the look of the times, as the times have gone by. My versions were pencil sketches glued into my photo albums over the years, but these are much more lovely and evocative. Plus, it's so lovely to see beautifully handmade art - never fails to inspire!

Posted by Amy Tonkin / Citta Design Team

Behind the scenes

Behind the scene 'chaos' at our Winter 2012 photoshoot.