all things pretty

Welcome to the first DOTS vs STRIPES blog entry. We have created this platform as a visual diary to share with you on our journey where we will showcase beautiful items, décor ideas and our take on trends.

We will share cheap ways of adding that special something to your home and clever things to make life easier. In a nutshell – HAPPY things.

Enjoy xxx

I’m still not over the ‘bunny, bird and heart’ trend

About five years ago my creative director at the time had about six porcelain bunnies that she wanted to get rid of and put them on my desk as an Easter gift.

While a lot of people think they are super kitsch I believe it’s these quirky little touches ‘used in only sparingly and in the right place as surprise elements’ in a décor scheme makes all the difference like the white ceramic bunnies seen in veggie gardens or on a all white pigeonhole bookshelf between books.

As time starved creatures I think we are looking to add things to our homes that make us happy. Inspired by memories of the Beatrix Potter books and the little blue bird in Heidi we hang on our childhoods where things moved at a slower pace and where uncomplicated.

Also a good example is the heart shaped items you get in retail that seems to still be going strong. Wood, ceramic, metal, barbed wire with a rusted finish, just about any medium you can think of.

My heart collection has grown considerably over the past few years and I’m now in the process of showcasing them on a focus wall. I have bought a set of three heart mirrors and a red chopping board from Clicks that was cheap as chips to say the least. The collection also features woven hearts, wooden and ceramic ones that makes for interesting textures.

Remember back in the 90’s how big the ornate rusted crosses, chicken and cow ornaments for the kitchen, the collection of blue ceramic ornaments on the pine shelve and little golden cherubs where?

The bunny, bird and heart shape is a wonderful update of these. I just hope they are not going to become dated like the turquoise Uno if you know what I mean.

On a flight to Durban a few years ago I picked up this book from Exclusive Books called ‘Happy Kitty Bunny Pony, A Saccharine Mouthful of Super Cuter, by Charles S. Anderson Design Col with text by Michael J. Nelson. A collection of images from postcard kitsch to amazing prints. I would recommend this read with incredibly funny text to the picks to anyone with a fascination for quirky.

Have a look at these all inspiring pieces and interiors showcasing them.