Monday, March 31, 2014

{ Colour of the Year }


Introducing PANTONE 18-3224 'Radiant Orchid', Pantone's colour of the year for 2014.

"...Radiant Orchid reaches across the colour wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute. "An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today's society."

"An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm."

RADIANT ORCHID FOR INTERIORS
...Radiant Orchid compliments olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows.

Likewise, the vibrant colour is sure to liven up neutrals including gray, beige and taupe. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, Radiant Orchid reenergises almost any colour palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces.

Read more about Radiant Orchid here.

Friday, March 28, 2014

{ This Week in the Office }


This little rabbit pendant has found his way into the office, and is about to hop his way in store… We are divided about which pendant is our favourite - the rabbit, the daisy or the stallion. We each love a different one, and can't wait to own a character from our Copenhagen collection.



Thursday, March 27, 2014

{ We are hiring! }


We are looking for a Textile Designer / Artist to join us on a 4-6 month fixed term contract, 40 hours a week, covering maternity leave. Join an exciting and friendly team of designers as you help to develop designs for seasonal homeware collections.

Applicants must have a creative background, have excellent computer skills especially in Adobe Illustrator, the ability to create repeat patterns for textile design and can work unsupervised.

To apply: Email through a CV, covering letter and Portfolio of work to: work@cittadesign.com.
The closing date for applications is: April 2nd, 2014.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

{ Your colourful home }


This is what happens when you combine a Citta Design catalogue, an old magazine, empty candle boxes, a pair of scissors and some glue with a crafty mum and her 6 year old son. What a fun project! We would happily live in this little house.

This little house was created by our HR manager Kate and her son Liam.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

{ Snapshot }

A monthly feature showcasing Citta Design product in the homes of Citta Designers - not only do they design the product, they love to own the product too!

According to Carina, the Rasmus & Mia plate is just too good to use, so it takes pride of place on the dresser in her bedroom. It is destined for the wall, but currently looks fantastic sitting alongside these beautiful flowers.



Thursday, March 20, 2014

{ A Winters Tale }



A Winters Tale
Inspired by the city of Copenhagen

Still half asleep, Mia reached over and stroked Bo's whiskery white fur. He snuffled happily as she sat up to check her phone - no new messages. Had Rasmus remembered her birthday?


Arriving at work, the hum of her workmates and the spicy aroma of ginger coffee lifted her spirits. Mia blew out the candles on her pale blue birthday cake feeling warm and happy. Outside the snowstorm was worsening, but her cheeks flushed rosy pink from the warmth inside.


High above the city, a chilly bird glided alongside the plane outside Rasmus's window. Looking down upon the tiny snowy rooftops, he searched in his pocket for his hat and discovered a small pink glove.


Snow was falling heavily in the city. Mia pulled her single pink glove and thrust her other bare hand deep into her pocket. Stepping out into the blustery night, she started her walk home, joining the throng of people in thick coats and heavy boots navigating their way through the snow flurries.


Mia paused at a pet shop window and gazed wistfully at the small fluffy white rabbit inside. She wondered again if Rasmus had remembered her birthday… Shivering, she pushed her hand deeper into her pocket.


Continuing along the picturesque port of Nyhavn, Mia stepped carefully over the shiny cobbles, avoiding the icy patches and puddles where the thick snow has melted. On the canals, the water appeared solid and black where the sea had turned to ice. A glossy black ship bobbed on the water; on the tip of the mast a gull rested, its plumage dishevelled by the swirling wind. Through the dense overlapping clouds the stars glittered, appearing pale pink, gold and palest blue against the inky night sky.


At the airport terminal, Rasmus burst out the doors and ran for the nearest taxi. He has just under an hour before Mia arrived home.


Lost in thought, Mia walked past a group of snow-cloaked trees; down a side street and past a row of pastel coloured houses in soft pink, grey and buttery yellow that looked like they belonged on top of a cake. Pots of daffodils and hyacinths sat optimistically in entranceways; valiantly keeping their heads upright despite their frosty white coats, not ready to surrender to the lingering cold.


His foot touching the snow-covered footpath before the taxi had stopped, Rasmus leapt from the car and ran towards the pet shop. Was there still time?


With his soft furry friend tucked safely under his jumper, Rasmus unlocked his bike and started the last leg home, making a detour past the magical Tivoli Gardens. The ornate horses on the vintage carousel danced under the lights and the masses of twinkling lights made the snow appear like tiny crystals. Overhead a flock of sea birds navigated their way over the city through the wisps of smoke that curled out of the chimneys.


Mia neared the small tree-lined park close to their home; over the tree tips enticing yellow light glowed from the window of their row of houses.


She opened the front door to an enthusiastic greeting from Bo. Removing her scarf and coat she let out a sigh of contentment; surprisingly the house felt warm and cosy. In the living room the fire flickered cheerfully and on the carpet in front of it sat a fluffy white rabbit - he had remembered!


As she hugged the rabbit to her she felt its heartbeat slow and its soft fur warm her cold fingers. She gazed out the window into the snowy night, and felt happy.





Our tea towels featuring Rasmus, Mia and their animal family are available in store and online now.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

{ Exploring Copenhagen }


Imogen writes about her trip to the inspiring city of Copenhagen:

I was lucky enough to visit Copenhagen in March 2013. The weather was supposed to be cold but improving - well, not when I was there! The entire city was covered under a thick blanket of snow and it snowed heavily for much of the 4 days I was there.

Although it was really cold, the snow actually contributed to my experience of the city. It did mean that walking the streets for any great length of time was difficult, which is something I normally love to do in a new city, however it forced me inside, into warm cafes, galleries, design shops and interesting looking buildings  - and it forced me to slow down and look at the people and think about how they lived in a big city in this cold climate.

The snow enhanced the fairy-tale / storybook feel that Copenhagen oozes. Mythical looking ships bobbed on the frozen black sea of the canals, the soft silhouettes  of snow cloaked trees lined the pavements, warm yellow light emanated from cafes and through windows. Above the snow covered rooftops wisps of smoke curled out of chimneys into the cold night air and sea birds navigated their way over the city like tiny flecks against the stormy sky. The whole city felt like it was covered in a fine magical mist.

I had always associated Copenhagen with great design - clean lines, simplicity, quality… and I knew that it could be a little bit quirky in its design style, but there is a wondrous fairy- tale almost carnivalesque atmosphere to the city as well. On every horizon line there are ornate spiralling turrets and church spires, picturesque buildings line the streets - many pastel coloured in soft pinks, greys and blues, and buttery yellows with rows of orderly little windows willing you to peek inside. Hanging street lights shine on cobbled stones of the pavements and make the snow twinkle, it has a romantic air with its bicycles, decorative buildings and the oldest operating amusement park in the world - Tivoli Gardens.

I thought, no wonder Hans Christian-Andersen was inspired to write so many fairy-tales!

On my return home, and upon reflecting on my trip, it seemed obvious that a modern day fairy-tale was to be the underlying inspiration for our collection this season.

Friday, March 7, 2014

{ This Week in the Office }


Yesterday we enjoyed this delicious cake while saying farewell to Jess, who has been part of the Citta Design team for the last two years. She is off on an adventure to explore the world, and will be sadly missed by all of us :(

Thursday, March 6, 2014

{ DESIGN POST }































































This month In My Humble Home
One of the most enjoyable things about owning your own home (and saying goodbye to flatmates) is the freedom to fill your home with your favorite things. Featured here are some of my faves: a framed photograph taken by my clever fiancĂ© up at Langs Beach, Wishbone Chair, Taus Ceramic Bowls and Snoops the puss.

See you again next month!
Emma x

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

WIP { Work in Progress }


We are going gaga over the gold zip detailing in these first samples for our summer 2014/15 collection. We can't wait to show you the final items, but for now you will have to make do with this little snippet.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

{ Colour of the Week }


Could you imagine living in a world without colour? We definitely couldn't, and neither could Dulux Paint UK. Above is a video of their latest TV ad campaign where a woman lives in a world where colour has been banned, but it finds its way back in a dramatic fashion...

Monday, March 3, 2014

{ Inspired by }

Wow. This is pretty neat… 

Fashion student Bianca Luini, of the Tumblr WISF (Where I See Fashion) takes pairs of complementary images (one fashion related and the other art, photography, landscape, closeups from nature, architectural spaces and so on), and does something amazing with them! In some cases it's difficult at first to see what you are looking at; I love the way that, because of the way she pairs them, they transcend the literal and begin to merge with each other in a beautiful way…





It makes you see the shots of people in a totally different way; both they and the landscapes become only about pattern, shape, light and dark...





Thanks honestlywtf.com for the heads-up!