The Affordable Art Studio

Say Cheese Ruby by Celia C Peters

With a shared ethos that art should be accessible to everyone, Oxford University Graduates Luke Halsey and Alison Waldron launched The Affordable Art Studio, an online gallery store, selling a variety of hand-picked artworks from exciting, emerging artists as well as more acclaimed creatives.

DIY design experience: Instruction For Use

Standing for Instruction For Use, IFU is a new Italian brand dedicated to self-produced contemporary furniture.

Tora Brasil launches commemorative collection

Brazilian furniture brand Tora Brasil has launched a new collection to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The brand's signature is the solid wood collection made of certified wood from Brazilian forests, all designed by founder Cristiano Ribeiro do Valle.

The commemorative collection includes an interactive shelving piece as well as a stool and an occasional table.

Feather and Fur by Liz Shuter

Graphic designer Liz Shuter combines hand-drawn mark-making patterns with CAD to create a series of beautiful illustrations. Inspired by birds and cats, these pastel colored motifs can be translated into greeting cards and fine art prints.

Gardens of sensations in Chaumont

Ruban Rouge by Yu Kongjian - Photo by E.Sander

The 22nd International Garden Festival, in Chaumont sur Loire, France, is this year focusing on feelings and sensations. Landscape artists and garden designers from all over the world were asked to work on the subject and stimulate all of the visitor's senses, by building surprising gardens. 

The 'Ruban Rouge' garden (Red Ribbon) by Chinese designer Yu Kongjian encourages contemplation and rest.

Outdoor wallpaper by Wall & Decò

Italian company Wall & Decò launched a collection of wall coverings for the outdoor, also suitable for bathrooms and other damp environments. The innovative wallpapers are treated with a water-resistant and anti-UV finish, preventing yellowing and abrasion. With dozens of patterns to choose from, shower walls and swimming pool areas can now be decorated with the same attention to detail than the rest of the home.

Cloud 7 at Harrods

Plaid Collection by Cloud 7

London department store Harrods has added Cloud 7 to the line-up of pet brands it stocks. The German pet brand, who we profiled back in 2011, specialises in high-quality dog bowls, beds, leashes, whistles and toys.

Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina: contemporary cool with a nautical twist

This modern harbour-side hotel is surrounded by Reykjavik’s coolest cafes and port-side design boutiques, boasting contemporary suites with a nautical twist and a buzzing pop-up cocktail bar.

CLUC by Laia Fuste: objects for humans and cats to share

Graduate designer Laia Fuste has created a collection of objects for the home that cats and humans can share. Called CLUC, it includes a feeding pot, nightstand/house, and toy.

3D wire drawings by Agnes Jones

Candlesticks by Agnes Jones at New Designers 2013

Artist, blacksmith and illustrator Agnes Jones specialises in making 3D drawings from wire. From wall pieces to candlesticks and lighting, each one appears sketched in mid-air.

Hen House & Hedgehog House by Highgrove

Luxury British brand Highgrove has launched two animal houses for gardens: one for keeping hens and one for helping hedgehogs. Each house is made in Gloucestershire from FSC certified timber.

Encaustic patterns by Emma Cook

Graduate designer Emma Cook has created a mix and match design series of handmade ceramic tiles, re-usable digitally printed wallpaper and woven samples.

For You The Traveller: a human guide to the world

Artist and sculptor Nabil Sabio Azadi has made a limited-edition nomad's travel guide written by the friends he has made during six years of travelling around the world.

When Wine Tastes Best app by Floris Books

Edinburgh-based publisher Floris Books has launched an app for iPads and iPhones that tells users when it is a good or bad day to drink wine. When Wine Tastes Best is based on the biodynamic theories of Maria Thun, author of The Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar.

Praga by Renata Rubim

Brazilian surface design studio Renata Rubim has launched a collection of tiling inspired by stones in Prague. Called Praga, the tiles are made of durable refractory concrete and are available in a range of complementary colours.

Keramiker: Copenhagen ceramics

Nørrebro’s Jægersborggade offers a rich concentration of independent retail in Copenhagen. A key example is Keramiker, the offbeat ceramics shop that stocks Inge Vincent’s translucent, creamy white porcelain pots.

Homebuildlife subscribers can read our full guide to Copenhagen here.

Ferretti 960: Ferretti Yachts’ new flagship

In June 2013, Ferretti Yachts launched Ferretti 960 - the largest planing pleasure boat ever designed and built by the group. Registered as a CE craft below 24 metres in length, this new yacht was made entirely at Ferretti Group’s Cattolica shipyard.

Aēsop, London: new store launch

Australian skin, body and hair care brand Aēsop has opened its sixth store in Covent Garden. The fresh, bright interior combines a minimalist approach with textural detailing.

L'ArcoBaleno: new online boutique

Landscape Table #4 by India Mahdavi

Design Miami founder Ambra Medda has teamed up with former eBay director Oliver Weyergraf to launch an online design boutique and journal that explores the best of design. With pricepoints ranging "from impulse to investment", L'ArcoBaleno combines design classics with contemporary pieces from the likes of Nendo, Max Lamb and India Mahdavi.

Dark chocolate nails: Brocche Fondenti

Brocche 2.0 is a competition to find new ideas for the Brocca, a typical nail that is traditionally made by hand in Valle di Ledro in Italy, and is most often used in mountain boots. The winning project, Brocche Fondenti, is a nail made of the finest dark chocolate.

Custom-made crystal designs by Lalique

Following the tradition of René Lalique's own work, the Lalique interior design studio creates bespoke crystal projects such as doors and panels. The studio's designers work on projects throughout the world from private homes to yachting and hospitality. 

Jean Cocteau by Roche Bobois

The Jean Cocteau Committee, in charge of defending and promoting the works of the multi-disciplinary French artist, has partnered with Roche Bobois to mark the fiftieth anniversary of his death with a tribute collection of decorative objects.

Virkkuri by Molla Mills: crochet anything

Helsinki-based designer and maker Molla Mills has published a book that explains how to crochet everything from plant pots and jugs to iPad cases and cable protectors.

Bound hand mirrors by Grain

Available at online design boutique Lin Morris, these hand bound mirrors by Seattle-based design house Grain are made of hemp twine wrapped around two pieces of precision-cut glass.

Tutti Frutti by Bompas & Parr

Food experience designers Bompas & Parr have launched their new book, Tutti Frutti, which celebrates the global appeal of fruit. Speaking to WGSN, Bompas explained: "We were just so bored of all the 'dude food' restaurants opening in town and wanted to do something as a palate cleanser - and fresh fruit held the key."

Ceramica Galassia at Cersaie 2013

Ergo by Ceramica Galassia

Italian bathroom brand Ceramica Galassia will show three collections at bathroom furnishings fair Cersaie this September. As well as its Ergo collection, the brand will be launching new showers called Piana and Life.

Jewellery by Anaïs Paulard

Graduate designer Anaïs Paulard has created a collection of jewellery that leaves a physical trace of the memories or interactions of the person wearing it.

Nakhee Sung: expressive art

Characterised by her colourful, abstract approach, Korean artist Nakhee Sung splashes vibrant, expressive shapes onto canvas. She uses mediums such as pencils, gouache and paper, covering the whole of the material's surface in order to express her emotions.

New Italian overlooks by Archiplan

Italian design studio Archiplan has created Virgilio, a cultural landscape path in the Lower Mincio area of Italy. The series of Corten steel, wood and concrete rest areas and information points are situated along the banks of the river in Northern Italy, and have been designed to enhance views of the surrounding countryside.

Christmas 2013 at Hobbycraft

DIY craft retailer Hobbycraft's key Christmas colours for 2013 are classic red and white, while the product range is to be updated with Nordic-inspired pieces, new festive décopatch lines and advent, dinner and tree crafts.

1960s UFO in Paris flea market

The Futuro House at Marché Dauphine

The youngest of Paris' Saint-Ouen flea markets, the Marché Dauphine, is refreshing itself with creativity and humour: a large UFO called the Futuro house will be erected under the market's classic Eiffel-like glass roof. 

Tools for Thinking by The School Of Life

Cultural enterprise The School of Life continues to input its positive life messages with a recently launched stationery range. Tools for Thinking is a collection of books, cards and pencils that all convey stimulating messages, essential for everyday life.

Graphic tabletop by Non Sans Raison

The new Axo collection by French design studio Non Sans Raison was inspired by the work of constructivist artists of the Russian avant-garde. It uses axonometry as a design principle: a geometric projection technique in which vanishing lines remain parallel. 

The Secret Garden at Hampton Court

London-based garden designers Katerina Rafaj and Jens Haendeler have incorporated augmented reality into the garden with The Secret Garden, an installation at Hampton Court Flower Show 2013. The image of an ivy-covered brick wall serves as a base to reveal an undiscovered world when ones holds an iPad in front of it.

Hallmark Creative Studio announces the winner of the Hallmark New Designers award 2013

Nottingham Trent University graphic design and illustration graduate Gemma Luxton is the winner of the Hallmark New Designers award 2013. The inspiration for Luxton’s hand crafted work stems from food illustration, travel and her personal collection of antique maps.

Tip of the Iceberg at Hampton Court

John Esling and Caroline Tait stacked Zanussi fridges and freezers to form this giant iceberg installation at the Hampton Court Flower Show 2013. The conceptual garden re-evaluates landfill waste and creatively transforms unwanted white goods into planters.

Rose of the Year 2014 at Hampton Court

Lady Marmalade (Hartiger) has been announced Rose of the Year 2014 at the Rose and Floristry Vintage Festival held at Hampton Court. The sweet scented cabbage-style blooms are bred by Harkness Roses.

Paper architecture by Procédés Chénel

French manufacturer Procédés Chénel specialises in decorative solutions for exhibition spaces, events or interior architecture, made solely out of paper. The brand recently launched a Hanging Gardens collection, complete with leafy paper garlands and pleated fruits, in bright summery colours.  

Delicious photographs by Normann Copenhagen

Apple Trifle by Normann Copenhagen

Danish design brand Normann Copenhagen has launched a recipe series called Normann Food. The walls of the brand's Copenhagen flagship store have been covered with colourful 3D prints that illustrate twelve summer recipes.

Picnicking in style by Ivan Kilroe

Leeds Metropolitan University graduate Ivan Kilroe presented a handcrafted picnic set at New Designers part two in London last week. Bound in a leather pouch, the set comprises a water bottle, metal tins, cotton napkin, wooden cutlery, and a chopping board and drinking cup carved from solid wood. 

Royal Collection by Yves Delorme & Monogrammed Linen Shop

To celebrate the arrival of the Royal baby, Yves Delorme has teamed up with the Monogrammed Linen Shop on a collection of personalised pillowcases. The slips are embroidered with royal motifs such as crowns, princesses and guardsmen, and can be customised with a child's name and date of birth.

Adjustable wall lamp by Omikron

Viiva mirror by Angeletti Ruzza Design for Omikron

Italian designer Angeletti Ruzza has collaborated with lighting manufacturer Omikron to develop a new system of wall lamps for the bathroom. Complete with a storage space for small toiletries, the light can be installed on mirrors of different shape and size, in a symmetrical or off-centre position. 

WGSN-homebuildlife subscribers can read our full report on mirrors here.

Strung Stool by Not Tom

Bespoke installation company Not Tom is launching its first product in a Kickstarter campaign. Inspired by flat pack furniture, Strung Stool enables customers to get creative and make the seat to their own preference.

Christmas 2013 at Biscuiteers

Gingerbread house kit by Biscuiteers

British biscuit brand Biscuiteers has previewed its Christmas collection, which will include iced gingerbread house kits, bauble biscuits, cheese and biscuit gift sets and personalised Christmas treats for dogs.

Adieu by Christine Yun Kim

Central Saint Martins Textiles graduate Christine Yun Kim has designed a collection of woven wall hangings that show the narrative of a dream she had about saying goodbye to her sister.

InStitchYou: live stitched portraits by Harriet Riddell

Textile performance artist Harriet Riddell is stitching live portraits of visitors at New Designers: Part Two this week.

Selfridges Wine Shop & Harry Gordon's Bar by Campaign

Photograph by Hufton + Crow

London-based studio Campaign has designed a new wine shop and cocktail bar for Selfridges. Located on the lower ground floor of the famous department store, the space is designed to be a welcoming and relaxing environment in which to browse for spirits, fine wines and cigars.

Folkloric Carving by India Rose Bird

Leeds College of Art graduate India Rose Bird has designed a collection of woodblocks and used them to print wallpapers inspired by ancient African masquerade and folklore.

Integrative Biscuits: introducing consumers to the idea of eating insects

Brian Sironi and Giulia Tacchini have designed a set of biscuits made with increasing amounts of cricket flour. The project takes a gradual approach: each biscuit is stamped with a number to indicate how much we are consuming of an ingredient that we might think is unpalatable.

Morocco collection by José Lévy

French designer José Lévy launched a new collection at Paris' D'DAYS that is inspired by the Morocco of the 1950s: its flea markets, perforated metal garden furniture, granite floors and cement tiles. 

Folly by Ron Arad

With an emphasis on fluid lines, Folly by Ron Arad is a bench made out of rotational-moulded polyethylene that sits on the border between sculpture and design.