ikat is in .. we're doing it too ...

We are loving the latest trend in fashion and textiles - the ikat print.

Ikat prints are created by dying portions of thread then weaving that thread into cloth, creating an ethnic-inspired print that has been practiced for centuries in countries such as Indonesia and India.

So watch out for Wallace Cotton ikat accessories this spring .. sarongs, cushions ( like these seen at tabletonic) ..

Spring is coming - let's get busy

On a recent North Island holiday we found a fabulous place for our Spring catalogue photoshoot - a place where the surroundings are as beautiful as our products - they'll be shown off perfectly!
The inspiration for the Spring 2010 range is the good life, keeping it simple and fresh with home gardens, farmers markets, beach house living - those places and things that keep us positive in hard times.

So Black Barn in the gorgeous Hawkes Bay is the perfect fit - vineyards, art gallery, restaurants, accomodation, farmers market, open air cinema - the works!

This is what Kim from Black Barn has to say about the spot we've chosen for our next photoshoot ...
" In the heart of what is now Black Barn vineyard stood a small turn of the century shepherd's cottage. This was restored and extensively renovated and opened its doors as Rush Cottage in 1994 - the same year as the vines were planted around it. It was quickly booked out and was the beginning of a rapidly growing and important part of the Black Barn experience soon to be known as the Black Barn Retreats. These luxurious single party occupancy properties now number 15 with two on the vineyard, one on the ocean, one on Cape Kidnappers golf course and the rest along the spectacular Tuki Tuki river. While diverse in location and layout these properties all strongly reflect the Black Barn style. This style has its roots firmly established in the New Zealand countryside - using elements such as corrugated iron, black stained baton and board and generous use of recycled timber - but in a way that is fresh, modern, clean and contemporary. In other words through both name and look, Black Barn is proudly of New Zealand but interpreted in a way that we would like to think sits comfortably on a world stage. "

So we can't wait to head there this July to create our Spring catalogue.

Grandma Em's Gingerbread Recipe

this features in our autumn catalogue, so delicious it needs to be shared ...

3 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 heaped tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
165g butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup golden syrup
1 1/4 cup milk
1 egg

Line 2 loaf tins with baking paper. Pre-heat oven to 180C. Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl. Heat butter, sugar and syrup in a deep saucepan until melted. Set aside to cool. Add milk and beaten egg to butter mix and beat. Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients and pour in liquid mixture. Stir to make smooth batter. Pour into tins, then let the kids lick beaters, spoon and bowl. Bake for 30 minutes. Test with a metal skewer to see if cooked. Serve in thick slices with butter. Yumm, yumm!

how to tips to come ...

we're thinking of adding tips of the trade to our website .. little video clips of "how to fold a fitted sheet", "how to make a bed" etc.
a bit like this
perfect

Inspired by a Northland summer

Just returned from shooting our Autumn catalogue in an extraordinary home in Kerikeri. Our gracious hosts had moved and manouvered an old rest home from somewhere in Northland NZ to their dream spot at the head of the Kerikeri inlet. The house was trucked up and down their fairly hairy drive in 3 pieces, then this creative couple set to work, with panelling, paint and oodles of passion. The result is a dreamy family villa, with big light-filled rooms, lots of character and room for the family to grow. Luckily for us, the interior colour palette was perfect for our new ranges, I think there must have been a bit of synchronicity in the air while we were selecting our colours for the season.

These people seem to have a wonderful balance of country life by the sea, where they catch and grow enough food for family and friends, and share in a small close community, while town is only a few minutes away.

Our crew was made completely welcome by the owners, while taking photos of their bedrooms, children, parents, friends, friend’s children,  friend’s parents ( we can proudly say that we now have a former Miss Scotland as a model!)animals and anything else that inspired a photo.

I fell completely in love with their beach  cottages, built using leftover materials and a pre-nailed frame made by a local builder. There is a spot in my eastern garden for at least one of these. I’m ready to take to our little corner of the world with renewed energy and passion after spending a week with these creative souls.   

Hopefully the resulting catalogue will be our best ever, inspiring our readers as much as we have been. Look for it in early March.

Paula Wallace

Style tips from Paula in the latest HER magazine ...

Paula has the last word on ...
choosing the right bed linen... "a bedroom needs to be a place to retreat, relax, unwind and enjoy a little luxury. Pure cotton sheets, fluffy feather duvets and pillows will create the nest which can be dressed according to each season: crisp white for summer, warm nurturing colours for winter."
obsessed with ... " Stripes! Even after designing them for 25 years, a good stripe can still light me up if the colours and pattern are right."
accessorising a bed... " Matching bedskirt and European pillows help to balance the bed then layers of pillows and cushions to nestle into .. ooh and a lovely husband or partner!"
buying sheets... "Cotton, cotton, cotton! Thick cotton flannel for winter and luscious matt sateen for cool summer nights."
making your bedroom look fantastic in 5 minutes..." Fresh cushions, a quilt and a lovely fragrance thanks to favourite scented candles and/or flowers."
stay away from ..." Polyester or any other synthetic fabric blends. Sleep only with nautral fibres, which help wick moisture away from your skin while you slumber."
web shopping ..." A great way to shop for your home, from your home. As long as the on-line store has great images and loads of info, you can shop with confidence and look forward to a parcel arriving on your doorstep (in a lovely laundry bag, if from Wallace Cotton)."
the never fail gift for the home... " Depending on budget and occassion, towels, sheets or teatowels. I like taking an apron along to dinner parties.
every woman should have ... " An enormous linen cupboard, preferably with no back on it so you can keep piling stuff into it without ever having to throw out old favourites. Mind you, the annual clean out and perfect folding can be a beautiful thing too."
how much is too much ..." when you just can't get the linen cupboard doors to shut."

Sizzling Sydney

Hi there,
Just returned from a short trip to Sydney, for business of course!
Helen and I visited an Indian apparel and home textiles trade fair in Darling Harbour. It was a great opportunity to catch up with some companies we deal with, with out travelling for 2 days to Delhi or South India, (even though I love doing that). Found a great organic t-shirt company from South India, who have really envirnmentally sustainable ethics, as well as supporting their local comunity. They had some beautiful knits, and samples of their recycled cotton tshirt cloth, tres cool! We will begin to use them in Autum hopefully with a new kids Pj range that I have been working on.
Sydney was steaming hot, so a swim was essential every day. We stayed in Manly, in a gorgeous guest house on the harbour edge called Periwinkle. Lovely people, and they let us stay in a different room each night to experience the entire place!
We caught up with my niece Kristy McLaughlin, who is an up and coming interior designer based in Manly, watch out for her website coming soon with gorgeous bedheads and chairs that she has designed.
Sydney is such a cool place, manly beach at 6.30 on a week morning has more people on it than Takapuna beach on Sundays, running, walking, surfing, swimming or just strutting their stuff.
And the food... We were sent on a misson to eat at Fratelli Fresh, an Italian deli/fresh food store/cafe in Potts Point, and yes, it is good! Auckland needs a place like this, preferably in Birkenhead please?