Author: Vanessa

tuiss Love :: Orla Kiely

November 25, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

Orla Kiely designs are known the world over and her signature stem print is iconic with its organic lines and beautiful use of colour.

If you’ve been inspired by Orla’s stem design then take a look at the selection of tuiss blinds that we’ve mixed in with the many stem print accessories available. For the full range of exclusive tuiss blinds please click here.

Lounging ...

tuiss :: Connecticut Samphire

Lounging no. 2 ...

Zingy towels

tuiss :: Boho Green

Scented candles - ummm

Embroidered Towel & Mitt

tuiss :: Structure Zingy

Bathmat in mushroom

tuiss :: Bondai Rustic

Scribble Multi Stem in Grey

Lambswool Cushion Chocolate

tuiss Love :: Bold & Noble

November 23, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

We really do love Bold & Noble. Not only are their prints super, super stylish, great value but they’re also earth friendly too. Quite like tuiss really!

Producing each poster takes real skill, inks are hand mixed and then printed using the silkscreen printing process. Based in Hertfordshire Bold & Noble do all they can to be green, the card is recycled card, and the packaging has been thought about too.

Look out for the prints that would look great in nursery or pre-school bedroom, it’s never too early to have style!

Ark

Black roman blind collection by tuiss

November 20, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

Black will happily sit next to any tone on the colour wheel. It can inject power into a subtle scheme or stabilise a more vibrant style.

There are three tuiss roman blinds in a black colour way and with their different textures they each add something a little different.

Decadence Obsidian - This smooth velvet with a touch of sparkle brings magic into any room. The velvet softness just begs to be touched!

Vermont Black - The simplicity of the Vermont fabric brings simplicity but wonderful colour depth too.

Chenille Noir - Chenille is a classic fabric for a roman blind, it will hang beautifully with soft handle and drape.

Uber minimalist lounge

Italian leather and clean line furniture gives an ultra modern look. Team our Vermont Black roman blind, with its simple lines it will look a treat and also introduce a balanced softness.

Stylish bedroom

Opt for a masculine mono scheme but keep it feminine too with elegant lighting and soft textures. A chenille black roman blind at the window adds an extra touch of luxury and sensuality, just perfect for a special space to escape to.

Gloss kitchen

Gloss kitchens are very popular but add designer difference with a roman blind in beautiful black velvet. Accessorise with softer colours for interest.

Take a look at the tuiss collection of Black roman blinds.

Thursday thought by tuiss :: Ecotricity

November 19, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

Our ‘Greener by nature’ touchstone is one that we hold dear, so here at tuiss we voted with our feet and changed our electricity supplier to Ecotricity. Ecotricity is easily the greenest electricity supplier and price competitive too. Switching electricity supplier is very easy, just click here to start the process.

tuiss Love :: Glove Love

November 18, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

What to do with a lone glove or lost glove that you find? Glove Love has the answer. Glove Love pair up gloves to make a ‘matching’ pair. The gloves that you will receive will be washed and specially labelled with the Glove Love many-handed monster. An unusual gift for this Christmas time.

There is a lovely story behind Glove Love that’s well worth a quick read or watch their quirky video.

tuiss Love :: Designer lighting

November 17, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

These lights from the Caroline McGrath website touch all three of the tuiss touchstones with their design details, affordability and kindness to the environment.

Which is your favourite? I’m drawn to the Flair but love the shape of the aptly named Calm Drop.

A warm light emanates from Flair’s balanced, quiet form. The outer petals touch lightly, each supporting the others to form a light canopy, delicately holding still. In this paper option, the designers tried to use as little material and energy as possible, while making the Flair Lampshade tranquil and gentle.

This intriguing and striking design has been developed by interiors company One Foot Taller in collaboration with textile designer Genevieve Bennett. The paper option gives soft, distinct silhouettes and creates fine shadows around the shade. Produced from high quality recycled paper.

The Calm Drop Lampshade is a soothing, gentle design that diffuses the light in a living space or bedroom. In groups, it can produce an exciting centrepiece - perhaps over a dining table. The Calm Drop Lampshade is made from organic cotton and uses minimal energy to produce. Quite simply beautiful.

Reusable bags :: Animal character Bag

November 16, 2009 by Vanessa·2 Comments

Last week I blogged about reusable bags. I spotted this one today and had to share it. Available from Suck UK, this nifty bag can be transformed into all manner of animals and alien type beings. Go to Suck UK if you want to see a squirrel, penguin and cat. If you like fiddling I predict this bag may become quite addictive.

A bunny,

maybe a butterfly

or what about a mouse.

Innovative upcycling :: rubbish to beauty

November 13, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

The phrase upcycling was coined by William McDonaugh and Michael Braugart in their book on ecologically intelligent design, Cradle to Cradle. In the simplest terms, upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value. All of the following products have been upcycled and some of them from surprising products.

Some we absolutely love and have bestowed tuiss love on them. In particular take a look at the Smateria website, you cannot fail to be impressed by the dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of the Cambodian people. Take a look at the videos too, taking a plastic bag and turning it into a handbag is tops in our opinion.

Milk bottles from the 1980's upcycled into retro glasses

Old scratched vinyl records transformed into coasters

Once a number plate now a designer bag

Colourful choco pouches upcycled into luggage

Juice cartons into hard wearing document folders

Bright Choco handbag this time - drink less choco maybe?

Once a dirty old bin bag transformed by crochet

Old London Fire Brigade hoses, profits to the Benevolent Fund

Once a tyre now a rock chick bag with attitude

Thursday thought by tuiss :: Save a flush

November 12, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

We like free ways to help the environment and this is a great one. If you have a toilet at home or work that has just the one flush setting then you need a Save – a – flush. This nifty bag expands when it’s put into the cistern and diplaces 1 litre of water everytime you flush. Incredibly that adds up to 35, 000 cups of tea a year!

Water companies generally give these away for free, eg Severn Trent Water, United Utilities. To find your supplier then click here and grab your freebie.

Bamboo blinds :: sustainable beauty by tuiss

November 11, 2009 by Vanessa·0 Comment

tuiss bamboo blinds are not only beautiful but tick the eco-credential box in a big way.

Bamboo is the uber sustainable wonder product. A few quick facts for you. It grows incredibly fast, some species grow one and a half meters a day. A softwood can take 10-20 years to mature, while bamboo can be harvested in 3-5 years. Bamboo will also release 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees and absorbs far more carbon dioxide. (All facts courtesy of the Environmental Bamboo Foundation.)

Choosing a bamboo blind keeps it stylish and it’s kind to the environment. There are five blinds in the range from the lightest chalk through to deepest darkest walnut. Keep it light and airy with the kirin or play to the nigra’s dark side with a cutting edge exclusive look. Our stylist and photographer have produced these beautiful shots that showcase the blinds perfectly.

Kirin

Kitsune

Honey

Shu

Nigra

Kirin :: This bleached timber has a fine and delicate grain. The colour hues vary from pale chalky cream through to an extremely soft and fine light grey, adding just a touch of texture.

Kitsune :: The combination of grain and small knot feature gives this paler blind real character. The colour is distinctive and varies from pale straw tones through to light brown.

Shu :: The wooden Shu blind is beautifully grained from the darkest hazelnut lightening through to soft caramel. This blind will bring sophistication wherever it is used.

Nigra :: This blind, reminiscent of dark walnut has a lovely interlocking grain texture which includes a harmonising light brown that gives this blind just a touch of brightness.

Honey :: The classic Bamboo Honey blind is a colour similar to a traditionally stained pine. The grain of this blind is brought to life with slight waves and the occasional knot detail.