Gorgeous cars

I don't even have a driving license, but it doesn't stop me wishing I was driving into work in one of these...

Above, the Porsche 356. I love the leather straps.

A 1938 Bugatti

A 1936 Mercedes 50K

A Ferrari California

and our Anzu Convertible card.

Modern patchwork

When I designed the Anzu Patchwork range of cards and Cosy candle, aside from being inspired by Indian chintzes, embroidered Chinese silks, Chantilly lace and this picture of Truman Capote below, there were also a couple of companies that really influenced me.

Squint and Bokja both produce modern versions of patchwork. Squint is an English company based in East London, that covers furniture with a mix of English damasks, Japanese kimono silks, and 19th century French trimmings to create a modern twist on patchwork.

They produce chairs, chaise longues, lighting and cushions. Click here to view their website.

Another inspiration was Bokja designs. Bokja is a Lebanese company based in Beirut that uses rich embroidery and sumptuous fabrics from across the region to create truly individual pieces.

Click here to visit their website.

Inspiration boards

I love creating inspiration boards and find them so useful when I work. I had these special screens made and I use them all the time. Above are the inspiration boards I used when developing the Anzu range of candles.

A section of the inspiration board for the Anzu Cosy candle - more coming on that next week!

Traveling in time

I love this Japanese website that ages photos. Above is the anzu office circa 1910, and me lighting an anzu candle circa 1932?

To age your own photos, simply click here, choose the file/photograph you'd like to age and then click on the blue button. It's all in Japanese but actually simple to use.

Orange

House Beautiful

Intertwined with my love for Hermes has been my recent love of orange. I'm clearly not the only one. I love the way orange is a thread through this interior above.

Somebody loves Hermes more than me!

via Parishotelboutique

via travelorg.blog

Orange is also the colour of Buddhism and contented happiness, which is why we chose it for the colour to represent Happy on one of our Patent cards.

Top Drawer 2009

Visit Anzu at Top Drawer

Stand J109

13-15 September 2009

Olympia, London

We look forward to seeing you there!

Patent cards

Our brand new patent cards are here! Inspired by the fashions of this season, our cards have fun, punchy colours with a high gloss finish and an embossed word be it 'happy' or 'bling'. Call us on 020 7193 0189 or email us at info@anzu.co.uk if you would like to see the whole collection.

Blue

It has been so hot in the office today (we really need an air conditioner). I'm sure we can't be the only ones in a hot office on this baking day so I thought I would post some refreshing blues to cool us all down.

Above is my Mughal patchwork painting, featured in our Patchwork range of cards.

Yoshigo on Flickr, via English Muse

Even though I love blue, for some reason I hardly ever paint in it unless I'm feeling a little fedup ( literally a case of the blues!). It's strange because blue is my favourite colour. I love the ever changing blues of the sea,

the vivid lilac blues of a bluebell field (I went to a small village school and this was pretty much the view from our classroom during May),

the soft grey of a Wedgwood blue as on this Anzu dressing table card,

the deep intense blues of Iznik tiles,

the clear blues of a Canaletto sky,

the Ming porcelain blues of a Cavalli dress,

the incredible underwater blues of a David Doubilet photograph (my favourite)

or a more pale turquoise blue as on the neckline of this Anzu turquoise dress painting.

All aboard!

My Dad emailed me this photo he'd done the other day and I love it - I wish it was real! The amount of stuff we seem to end up lugging about, I think an anzu bus would be very useful.

Busy, busy, busy

So so busy in the office - putting the finishing touches to our new products, preparing for Pulse, sending out mailers..

Linda Burgess

We have been busy working on some product shots. I am lucky enough that Jasmine's Mum just happens to be a famous photographer with a lovely fresh and English style, so it was great to have her do our photographs. The Anzu photographs are being scanned at the moment, but in the meantime here are the snapshots of the shoot and some other examples of Linda's work.

I look forward to putting the results on the blog soon, but in the meantime here are a few more examples of Linda's work.

I like that this photograph is called Picnic with salami sandwiches - my favourite!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from everyone at Anzu!

John Lobb part 2

As you know if you read my blog regularly, I love the traditional outfitters of Savile row, Jermyn Street etc. Often these old-school shops have inspired my men's cards too - above is our new "Preppy" card.

So when I was offered a behind the scenes tour of John Lobb I jumped at it (see my earlier post on the 16th February)

John Lobb has created bespoke shoes for many famous people from Emperors to filmstars and they even have a cupboard with the lasts (the carved wooden replica of the customer's foot) of especially famous people. Unfortunately though, the rule is that for a last to be in this cupboard it has to be of a dead customer (the identity of current clients is fiercely protected). Somehow Calvin Klein still managed to work his way into the cupboard though.

The lasts of Frank Sinatra, Jackie O and below Princess Diana

Before the last is made, an outline is done of the customer's feet. Nick shows me the book with the outlines of the famous feet of everyone from Bismarck to Somerset Maugham.

The outline of Amy Johnson's foot, the famous aviatrix and first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia.

And finally a work in progress. This boot is in the middle of being made for the famous Hollywood actor that ordered it.

The anzu office on a Friday

I'm working hard,

Ryma is working hard,

but I'm not too sure about this one.