AGITATTO

Recently launched and based in Switzerland, Agitatto is an online gallery dedicated to bringing the best of the international creative scene to all lovers of fine art.
Showcasing the works of artists and delivering them worldwide, among others Agitatto represents Whitney McVeigh and Connie Noyes (painting), Daniel Weisser and André Wagner (photography), and Conor Wilson and Matt Chivers (sculpture).

Besides art, it also boasts a book store and a design one, where besides our soft toys, you can find other design objects such as Hulger's phones and Vitamin's modern plant pots.

( Written by Lola )

IN THE PRESS

I've been working lately on making a few changes to our website, adding some new lovely products (quite soon now!), and changing a few bits and bobs in the overall look, so although we've been having quite a few press articles, i haven't been able to write about it here or add it to our in the press pages.

So, as i daydream of having a little more time to keep everything updated, here's one of our latest features to hit the newsstands, in portuguese deco magazine Caras Decoração.

Shown alongside the lovely Wooden Dolls by Alexander Girard (we're big fans), our soft toys couldn't be in better company.

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

GEORGE NELSON EXHIBITION

Last week, and for the second time, i visited the beautiful swiss city of Basel and the nearby Vitra architectural compound, located in the small german town of Weil am Rhein.

Like in so many other exhibitions that Vitra has shown in its amazing Design Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, the George Nelson one takes an in-depth look on the american designers' work. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Nelson's birth (1908), the exhibition is the first comprehensive retrospective of his career.

From the most renowned classics - the Marshmallow Sofa or the vast collection of wall clocks are just two examples - to the innovative office furniture that Nelson designed in the fifties and sixties, the exhibition also shows other areas where Nelson introduced his creativity, such as graphic design, photography, literature and exhibition design.

From all the projects and pieces featured in the presentation, i especially loved the Experimental House size model, a prefab home that never left the paper, the delicate Miniature Chests, and last but not least, the beautiful range of sofas that Nelson designed over his career.

Open until May 3rd, 2009.

( Written and Photographed by Álvaro )

THE ITALIAN JOB

We've been doing some redecorating, finding a place for a few favourite magazines, putting up some pictures, changing accessories from A to B.

It's an ever evolving process, as it's always improved by a new piece we find, or by giving a new purpose to an old one, so it's an ever changing canvas.

In the process of this overall change, i fell in love again with an old favourite of mine, Bassotto, a royal blue dachshund from Bitossi which sat sadly on the cofee table and now looks lovely next to some magazines and books.

The italian brand has a never ending variety of products to choose from, but i particularly love their Rimini Blue collection with its ceramic figurines and vases, which is quite eclectic and retro and has enough presence to look good on its own, or proudly displayed next to other prized possessions.

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

ROOM EMBELLISHMENT

The Rug Company is known for making the most fantastic rugs, like the ones from Neisha Crossland, Vivienne Westwood, Diane von Furstenberg, and Paul Smith (as pictured above), but besides the newly released capsule collection by Alice Temperley, we're loving their wallhangings, which are the perfect solution to embellish one's walls in a truly fun and tactile way.

Besides the ironic and floral 'Jubilee' designed by Lucinda Chambers, for kids we love the zoologic 'Ark' by Paul Smith, in which Noah's Ark is portrayed in a colourful needlepoint wallhanging.

( Written by Álvaro, Photo courtesy of The Rug Company )

A SHOT OF COLOUR

I love notebooks... Apart from their obvious practicality, when beautifully made, they are a pleasure to own and flick through from time to time.
As the beginning of the year is the ideal time to renew one's stock, i love these by Orla Kiely, which having her signature colours and prints, are definitely smile inducing.

Containing 128 off-white ruled pages and being perfectly sized for a handbag, like a bunch of flowers in the home, or an uplifting scent, they're the perfect antidote for handbag depression.

Besides the bags, clothing line, stationery and homewares, the irish designer has teamed up with Target, so if you're in the US, an exclusive line of Kiely's homewares will be available at Target stores from the 15th February.

( Written by Lola, Stills courtesy of Orla Kiely )

DOMINO FOLDS

It's very sad news to all Domino readers, as the lovely magazine closes its doors due to the economic recession.

Its inspirational website is also shutting down, along with the galleries, videos and deco files.

First it was Blueprint, which i loved, and now my favourite, Domino, is also folding.

I was always looking forward to the next issue, as it never failed to bring a smile to my face.

The latest one arrived in the mail just a few days ago, and i was amazed by the lack of advertising in comparison with the previous ones... Around 60 something in October 2008, and a mere dozen in February 2009!

Well, it's the end of an era where publications are concerned, and by all means, there's a HUGE gap in the market for magazines of this genre, for those who enjoy style and quality, without wanting it to be sterile or overtly conceptual, so i do hope others will come along the way.

The last issue of Domino will be the March 2009 one.

It shall be missed.

( Written and Photographed by Lola )

SARGADELOS CERAMICS

Founded in 1806 by Antonio Raimundo Ibáñez, spanish brand Sargadelos is well known for its wonderfully crafted porcelain ranges. 

Inspired by traditional forms of Galician culture, Sargadelos pieces are specially appealing for their original motifs and retro look. Of the whole collection, we're particularly fond of the 'F-73' range, inspired by the organic shape of leafs, and also the architectural 'Portomarínica' one, influenced by the geometric corbels in the church of San Juan de Portomarín.

( Written by Álvaro, Photo courtesy of Sargadelos )

ECO DOG

As pets are part of our families, holistic wellbeing and a greener approach to life should certainly be extended to those with paws and hairier bodies.

In a mission to extend our health and eco concerns to Dot and Dário, we got Eco Dog, a gorgeous book on healthy living for canines, filled with upbeat photography and precious advice.

Comprehensive and beautifully done, this guide covers everything one should know when creating the best eco environment for our four-legged friends, from how to shop for and make non-toxic grooming products and eco-friendly pest control, and how to bake organic dog treats, to how to create a canine first aid kit.

As a plus, at the end of the book there's also a resource guide to organizations, publications and products on the subject.

( Written by Lola, Photography by Lola and Álvaro )

HEAVY METAL

Our soft toys have found a new home in Loja das Quasi, the first shop of cultural project Do Impensável.

A space totally devoted to art, literature and design, this shop/gallery opened last Saturday with 'O Espírito das Coisas Invisíveis', an exhibition by surrealist painter Artur do Cruzeiro Seixas which can be seen until February 9th, while unveiling its impressive all-metal, circle bound industrial space.

Located at Rua Conselheiro Santos Viegas, n. 102, 4760-129 V. N. de Famalicão, it's definitely worth a visit.

( Written by Lola, photography courtesy of Loja das Quasi )