Zaishu half price sale this week

This one is hugely exciting for you Melbourne folks. If you've been coveting a Zaishu stool/side table like I have for many years, a huge selection of styles and colours featuring the work of Australian artists will be reduced to half price for three days only at their Melbourne studio sale.

New Zaishu art stools and side tables

I'm busy processing orders and tallying up proceeds from the Bondville Charity Auction, but wanted to share with you this super-cute stool from Zaishu. Made from sustainable birch ply, Matthew Butler collaborates with Australian artists to create these flat-pack furniture pieces with fun designs. I've seen them used as seating and as side tables and they always draw comments. This design by Melbourne illustrators Tin and Ed is particularly cute; a great way to add art to the kid zones in your house. You can find Zaishu in the online store (and next weekend at The Big Design Market in Melbourne). Read more about Zaishu here on Bondville.

Image: Zaishu 

Zaishu art stool re-launch - new designs

I was so excited recently to discover that Australian sustainable art-furniture designers Zaishu were back in production with their iconic stools after a break of more than two years. I have dearly loved Zaishu's many collaborations with International and Australian artists including Julie Paterson (Cloth), Louise Olsen (Dinosaur Designs), Florence Broadhurst, Rachel Bending (Bird Textiles), Stewart Russell (Spacecraft), Beci Orpin, David Bromley, Angus McDonald, as well as local artisans through their social art projects. I'm sure that you've seen a well-placed Zaishu stool in cool interiors over the last ten years, as well as in the permanent collection at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum.

Zaishu has recently re-launched with new designs including these beauties - the third stool in collaboration with guest artist Nicola Cerini:

The Zaishu blog also shows sneak-peaks at some amazing designs featuring photographs of India, and I can't wait to see the new collection, releasing in March 2013.

You can find Zaishu stools in the online shop. Read more about Zaishu here on Bondville.

Images: Zaishu

Drool-worthy Design: Bird textiles, fashion and homewares

The gorgeous eco-friendly textiles of Bird textiles are instantly recognisable. The brainchild of Rachel Bending, the colours and design of Bird textiles are inspired by the elements of beautiful Byron Bay. The label has a strong cult following, and Bird texiles now grace products from fashion to home furnishing to stationery.

Rachel's philosophy is passionately about sustainability in design and the Bird studio in Byron Bay is a temple of social harmony and environmental responsibility. The botanical designs are hand-drawn, printed using water-based dyes and handmade into delightful products using solar power.

One of my favourite products in the collection is the collaborative Zaishu featuring Bird designs on the iconic stool/table.

You can find Bird Textiles at HQ store and studio in Byron Bay, the Emporium in Surry Hills, Sydney, online at the Bird Textile online store and at stockists around Australia (check the website for details).

PS: Look! The Bird logo incorporates a darling bird illustrated by another favourite, Emma Magenta.

Image: top left - Zaishu, top right - stationery, bottom left - fabric, all via Bird Textiles