Monday, June 30, 2014

{ Snapshot }



My friend recently found these mid-century chrome candle sticks in a little hospice shop north of Auckland. They are not something you often find in New Zealand, as they are designed by Fritz Nagel and made in West Germany. The tripod configuration lets you play with its structure. You can expand and suspend each stem, allowing you to grow its shape. I have seen many people collect other designs in the series and only wish I could find some for myself.

BY HOLLY CLARKE

Thursday, June 26, 2014

{ Inspired By }


Lola Whitecalf Houghton

Introducing my wonderfully talented niece – artist, fashion and costume designer, actress, thinker, writer and all round awesome girl. This is a lino cut that she made when she was 12, and gave to me yesterday as a birthday card. I think it's amazing. Here's what she says about it:

"The deer is part of the wild. It's looking at you with kind, friendly eyes. It's in the North Pole, in its habitat and everything is flowing. 

At the top is the northern lights, and in that space is a pair of eyes. The eyes are like the Spirit of the Arctic. The eyes are looking at you, weary but also nice. Weary because the polar ice caps are melting due to global warming. The Spirit of the Arctic wants people to know they are being watched. It's like a call to action, as if they are saying "I expect you to do something about it."

The whole thing is summing up this feeling of what's happening with the polar ice caps because of global warming, and the effect that is having on all the animals who are losing their habitat."

I'm planning to do more posts on Lola's work as I think she is a true artist. Watch this space

Amy
X



Monday, June 23, 2014

{ Snapshot }



Feeling grateful today to my sweet workmates who busied around like little squirrels decorating my desk for my birthday! What a lovely way to start my day – thanks girls! XXX

Amy

Friday, June 20, 2014

{ Behind the Scenes }



Emma and Amy tweak our cushion stacks for our last and final product shoot, for the Hanoi catalogue. I am sure the marketing team will breathe a big sigh of relief after it comes off the press. It's thanks to Emma for her great eye in styling, crafting and layouts that makes the catalogue look so good. I can't wait to see it all come together.

BY HOLLY CLARKE



Thursday, June 19, 2014

{ Inspired By }


I've come across some lovely typography inspiration lately. As you can see I have a thing for hand drawn type, black & white and painted florals!

Sarah x

Images via Pinterest

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

{ DESIGN POST }



This month In My Humble Home

Just a quicky from me today – it's certainly shaping up to be a very busy June here at the office! No rest for the wicked at home either with the project of the month being laying new fireplace tiles. I always find the worst part of any home reno job is the prep, and removing the old tiles was not an easy task. I'm still finding chips of old tiles behind the bookshelf and wedged down the side of the sofa!


All of that 'fun' stuff aside, we're really happy to have it done and the lounge feels so much more complete now. We replaced the heavy mantelpiece with a finer mantel which makes the room feel a little more contemporary too and a lovely surface to our ever-growing ceramics collection!

See you again next month!
Emma x

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

{ Colour Of The Week }


This weeks 'Colour Of The Week' was inspired by one of our playful Copenhagen kitchen palettes. I love the energising yet calm combination of Spruce, Orchid, Night and Mist. 


Sally x

Monday, June 16, 2014

{ Inspired By }





There seems to be a bit of a moment right now for political slogans in fashion. Bring it on I say! I admire designers who use their public platform to raise awareness about the important issues of these times. Kenzo's No Fish No Nothing print is a great example.

You don't have to be famous to make your mark though – I especially like these ones from The House of Riot, designed by 23 year old model Ollie Henderson, and distributed to her friends backstage at Sydney Fashion Week 2014. They caught the eye of the media in a big way and I wouldn't be surprised if they start a trend. Nice work Ollie!

Amy X

Friday, June 13, 2014

{ This week in the office }


It's been a busy ol' week here at the office with photoshoots for the next summer collection coming out of our ears. We're almost through it now which means for me, a little less running around organising people, props and bamboo creations and a whole lot of catalogue designing to get on with! 

It's really fantastic seeing a completely new look and feel unfold right before us. It looks like a lovely collection will be coming your way in the warmer summer months. Ohhh yeah, can't wait for that!

Have a great weekend! 
Emma x

Thursday, June 12, 2014

{ In Store Faves }



Winter is well and truly here! I don't know about everyone else but I'm on a mission to get my hands on as many warm and woolly pieces as I can. I've been lusting after this beautiful Petra lambswool throw for some time now – I love its simple, bold pattern, and being made from 100% wool I know it's going to keep me toasty and warm on those cold nights ahead! Sadly it appears the Black and Cream Petra has sold out online but if you're quick you can still pick one up in store.

Sally x

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

{ DESIGN POST }




…itchy feet. It must be these cold and dreary wintry days. I'm just longing to be out of my office chair, and off on my feet to somewhere amazing (and warm)! 

I don't know about you but I have always had a bit of an obsession with documenting the view of my own feet in places that mean a lot to me. It's something about the whole "I was here" feeling. My step-dad always teases me mercilessly about it, but I love these pictures. For me, without that particularly intimate and literal record, it could seem like perhaps it was all a dream…

I love these pictures, captured by my friend (and beautiful blogger) Lucy Patterson (02, 03, 05, 07), and found on a pretty Tumblr I came across today called View From the Topp (01, 04, 06, 08). I love the play of colours and textures, the gorgeous marigold strands and vintage Indian tins; not so sure about the street-side dentist in 05…eek!

Amy X







Tuesday, June 10, 2014

{ Work In Progress }


I've been working on a fun project this week! We are working with the lovely ladies at J'aime Les Macarons in hosting pop-up macaron shops within our Auckland and Wellington stores later in July and I've been whipping up some artwork for the packaging.

Keep an eye out on the Citta Design and J'aime Les Macarons Facebook pages for more details. Yum!

Sarah x

Monday, June 9, 2014

{ Inspired By }







ANDRÉ BLOC - 1896 to 1966

I recently came across this Algerian born French artist and loved his organic shapes and forms. I was surprised to learn that he was also an engineer, architect, editor and sculptor. I would rather like one of his models for my living room, but imagine it would be a rare collector's item. If only I could bust out the plaster of Paris and pull something out of the large mess I'm bound to make!

BY HOLLY CLARKE

Thursday, June 5, 2014

{ Inspired By }






ARTIST AS ARCHITECTS

Ever wonder what an artist's work might look like to live in? Perhaps not, but these cartoonish illustrations give you an impression of how they might interpret a 3D form. 

Whether you would want to live in something like this or not, they would make a great postcard!

BY HOLLY CLARKE

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

{ DESIGN POST }





Along with being a new addition here at Citta Design, I'm also a new addition to Auckland! I thought it would be fun to do a monthly feature on my favourite spots I've discovered here...

I was introduced to Goodness Gracious on my second day of work and feel a tab bit guilty to say I've been back twice since! Located on New North Rd, these guys are easy on the pocket, super friendly and the food is delicious! I recommend the vege bagel and green smoothie.

Sally x

Images via Goodness Gracious

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

{ This Week in the Office }




Huge apologies for the utter silence last week folks! Last week was a crazy mix of some people being bed ridden with the flu, and others being busy at the studio, working on the photoshoot for our summer 2014/15 collection. As a result the blog was completely neglected! Without giving too much away, here's a few pics taken in the thick of it at the shoot…

Wishing everyone a good week ahead!

Amy X