marie antoinette colours

Over here at Mengsel, I'm always inspired by colour trends. With Spring coming up, I've been looking at some sugary hues. One of my favourite films (stylistically), is Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola. The decadence of the era with a bit of an edge is so beautiful.

A colour palette...

shed working

Somehow I got the idea that having a shed for an office/workspace/studio in the back of a garden is a fabulous idea. I don't really want studio space somewhere else where I have to pay a high rent and have to commute. Now I just need an actual garden! I've found some really cool shed offices online for inspiration.

Author Amy Bloom's writing haven. Credit: William Wright from "Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways"

Vivid Green designs and constructs low-energy offices, studios and workshops. Photo from The Telegraph

Shed workshop at Real Living. Everything in its place. A huge dream of mine.

Modern, green and affordable shed from Studio Sheds. Flat packed and constructed within 6 hours! From jetsongreen.com 

Garden office by Decorated Shed

Summerwood garden shed decorated by Urban Mode. Image via Interior Design Show

Librarian Friday

I always feel like I'm dressing like a librarian.  A complete geek, I have to confess that I'm very happy when hanging out in a library and love the smell of old books and especially the peace and quiet. Some cute finds from Etsy and more. Happy weekend!

Library Card Notebook from crabappledesign at Etsy

Studio Julie skirt at Kate Spade

Vintage Black Buddy Holly Eyeglasses from comeuppances at Etsy

Prada Fall/Winter 2010 at Milan (image from famespy.com)

Trio of vintage self help books, mid-century classics by SunnyDay Vintage at Etsy

Colour of the day: neon pink

I just printed a special edition of my popular graphic "Toucans" print in a gorgeous neon pink and dark grey. Tropical and 80's: How much more colourful can it get? I discovered some brilliant pieces in the same hue. Hope this post fills your day with colour in this dreadful London weather. Available to purchase in The Mengsel Shop and my Etsy shop.

"Toucans" handpulled silkscreen print from Mengsel

Detail of "Toucans" silkscreen print in neon pink and dark grey.

Love this colour pop of a classic Panton chair at an antique desk. (Image from elementsofstyleblog.com)

Sign in a shop in New York (snapped by me on my trip to NYC last year)

Geometria Landscape 2 - painting on wood by Neawear at Etsy

"Hot Pink Neon Wayfarer on the sreet - Williamsburg, Brooklyn", photograph by BrooklynorBust at Etsy

movie inspiration: The Village

With all the pretty new capes and coat styles for Winter, the trend for staying warm and toastie this Winter really made me think about the mustard yellow coloured hooded capes that the characters wore in the creepy M. Night Shyamalan movie, The Village. Bryce Dallas Howard and Joaquin Phoenix went berry picking in the woods, trying to avoid "those we do not speak of". Those villagers were way ahead of the trend back in 2004!

Joaquin Phoenix in "The Village" - photo from The Editing Room

Bryce Dallas Howard in "The Village" - photo from uk.movies.ign.com

Ash Grey Woollen Studio Cape from Zara

Vintage 1960s PLAY CHARADE Wool Cape in Celery and white Tweed Cape by Fabgabs at Etsy

Cape in Mustard Yellow, with Neck Tie by Margerydaw0 at Etsy

leaving on a jetplane

I'm very lucky and fortunate to visit Amsterdam again this weekend with loads of friends. My husband is running the marathon and I'm running the much tamer 8km run. My first run ever. Fingers crossed. I'm really at my happiest when travelling. Back in the day, travelling by air was a real luxury and people used to go all out and dress up for the occasion, so here's a few vintage travel inspired finds from Etsy:

Vintage KLM Royal Dutch Airlines travel bag by Hotdate at Etsy

Vintage Polaroid Colorpack 2 Camera by 8pointdesign at Etsy

1951 Netherlands Book from Pinkshirtsncarwrecks at Etsy

1932 vintage City Map of Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Vintage 60s EMMA DOMB pink stewardess dress from dollydresshop at Etsy

Style Crush: Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr Ripley

After I posted my Anthropologie picks yesterday, the green epadrilles kept reminding me of Gwyneth Paltrow's character Marge Sherwood in the brilliant film with Jude Law and Matt Damon, "The Talented Mr Ripley". Marge's effortlessly classic style against the backdrop of Italy's Amalfi Coast contributes a lot to this film's cinematic beauty.

(1) Ray-Ban Wayfarers from asos.com (2) Champion Canvas Originals from keds.com (3) Broderie Print Corset Dress from Topshop (4) Cooperative Plaid full Picnic skirt from Urban Outfitters (5) Leather vintage style wallet from Urban Outfitters (6) Rouge Allure lipstick from Chanel (7) Broderie Anglaise cropped shirt form Shadowplayvintage at Etsy (8) Nautical stripe tie bandau top from Accessorize

The return of Don Draper

It is almost time for season 4 of Mad Men to start. I'm just completely obsessed with the decor, design and fashion of the show. The attention to detail is amazing and I really love that period in time, not to mention the political incorrectness. Here is some Mad Men inspired finds on Etsy. Also have a look at the YouTube clip at the bottom. Excited yet?

Vintage Mod Gooseneck Desk Lamp by Bluebell at Etsy

Home Magazine Decorating Book - Midcentury Decor

vintage 60's OVERBLOUSE, 4 MAD MEN styles by monicacarmel at Etsy

 

Vintage General Electric Alarm Clock by rerunzvintageshop at Etsy

 Mid Century Danish Modern Arne Vodder Sideboard Cabinet by thevintagesupplyco at Etsy

Vintage ad early 1960s All Steel Desk by arcaniumantiques at Etsy