tuiss Love :: Blue Marmalade

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tuiss loveBlue Marmalade is a great name for a fantastic design outfit based in Scotland. Trent Jennings and Tom Marsh are the founding directors and the Blue Marmalade name reflects their love of British design “and what’s more British than marmalade?” and their unique take on things, hence Blue Marmalade. We love their products which range from the very functional to the truly gorgeous.

Blue Marmalade’s guiding principal is to create and produce products that reflect its designer’s passions: simplicity, fun, functionality & eco – friendliness.

The Bloom lampshade and Polyrap bin are bang on trend with their folded good looks. (Take a peek at Elle’s trend predictions for 2010.) And who wouldn’t love the bi-clip? It’s actually a by-product of making lampshades, genius.

PolyrapBloom Pendant Lamp Shadebi-clip

by tuiss :: New York Steel roller blind

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Everyone has a favourite blind here at tuiss and the favourite of our website designer is the New York Steel roller blind. Surely being a designery type he knows what he’s talking about!

The New York Steel roller blind is gorgeous and it oozes masculinity from every pore, from the dark navy colour to the technical streamlined fabric. With the addition of aluminium chain and smart tuiss badge this blind makes a superb statement.

New York Steel is a dramatic blind, combining a dark navy blue and a shimmery sparkle. The blind catches the light and makes the dark colour look and feel lighter. Blue is a calming colour so this black out blind will work well in a bedroom. Equally its dramatic looks will suit stainless steel accessories in a kitchen. New York Steel will give a modern and contemporary feel.

New York Steel roller blind

New York Steel roller blind

The New York Steel roller blind is made from blackout fabric so is perfect for a bedroom but we can see it any room with sophisticated high-tech equipment or no argument furnishings.

We’ve scoped out some uber cool and up to the minute gadgets that will co ordinate handsomely with this special blind. Here function meets style.

Grown up speakers

Designer Marcos Ignacio Madia is the man behind the Growin Up Speaker System. Capable of stacking, rotating and working together to create a unique feel for your stereo system.

Quooker boiling tap

The Quooker boiling water tap is one of those rare 'must haves'. The simple, ultra-safe idea renders kettles out of date and takes kitchens a giant leap forward. Popular throughout Europe, 100,000 installed to date.

Charade Multifunction

The Charade Multifunction showerhead designed and produced by Fornara & Maulini gives 5 different ways to experience your shower cabin, including energetic blades crossing together, a soft Tropical rain jet and a single and revitalizing vaporizer.

Zero radiator

Zero-Otto with its simple and clean shape, is suitable for furnishing contemporary environments, as well as providing heat. Zero-Otto is made of aluminium and can be installed as a single element, either vertically or horizontally.

Elle Design Trend Forecast 2010

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Elle has nailed its colours to the mast and revealed the hot trends for 2010. The design shows from Milan, New York, Tokyo and of course London were flooded with products shot through with happiness and colour. Long may it continue we say.

Here’s the trends for the forthcoming year.

  • Illusion and Fantasy, think surrealist furniture and accessories, Lord of the Rings meets sofas…
  • Folding and Pleating, we have a brand new product out shortly that echoes this trend. Watch this space!
  • Handcrafted details, embellishments, stitching and embroidery give items a homely and personal feel.
  • Honeycomb patterns are going to be big, hexagons will be everywhere.
  • Turquoise, this is of course the Pantone colour of the Year, see our previous blog post with our great selection of turquoise blinds.

Unit 24 lamp shadePantone TurquoisePS HALLAR stool

By tuiss :: Toile de jouy patterned roller blinds

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We have two gorgeous roller blinds in a traditional toile de jouy pattern, one is a fresh apple green, the toile green and the other is classic wedgewood blue. These blinds have a timeless quality to them and their classic delicate colouring will work fantastically well in so many settings.

Obviously such stylish blinds will add that little touch of ‘je ne sais quoi’ to an already elegant and charming room but what about using them cleverly in a more modern setting? Each of the blinds will add a quirky touch to a more modern room.

Toile GreenToile Wedgewood

Toile de Jouy originated in France in the late 1700s and literally means “cloth from Jouy-en-Josas” and refers to a fabric design that has a repeated pattern in a single colour, usually depicting a fairly complex pastoral scene. The fabric design remains popular, often with a modern twist in contemporary colours, take a look at these pieces, there’s something for everyone’s taste.

Toile candlePink toile chestGlasgow Toile Lampshade

Toile and stripe cushionToile de Jouy Fabric Photo AlbumToile-de-Jouy set

Toile-de-Jouy Waste BinFrench Pastorale Toile CushionToile bag

Toile bedroom

Thursday thought by tuiss :: Yoyo Ceramic Notepad

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Saving paper. I could go on about using both sides of the paper, creating your own scrap paper book, writing very small….

or

I could introduce you to Yoyo’s Ceramic Notepad!

Ceramic Notepad has been sculpted initially from plaster, moulded and then made entirely out of clay. This smart jotter can be used to make those lists or leave little notes for your loved ones.

Supplied with a special pencil to write on the ceramic with, wipes or washes off easily, and believe me, it is most satisfying to write on the glazed surface with these waxy pencils (simple pleasures!) The hole through the top not only mimics a spiral jotter but also keeps the pen and pad together for convenient use.

Also for use with dry wipe markers or even permanent markers – they just wash off with water.

Ceramic notepad

Blinds by tuiss :: Screen roman panel blinds :: Privacy & shade with a view

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Just picture a beautiful sunny day, birds are tweeting and flowers are blooming. Of course you’re sat inside, in the dark, working away on a computer. Curtains or blinds closed to keep the sun off your computer screen. (An alternative scenario is spending a sunny afternoon watching the football live on TV!) Struggle on no more, we have a solution!

Before we get onto the solution though quickly picture a terraced house with a living room right next to the pavement and pedestrians glancing in as they pass by.

We are very excited here at tuiss because we have the perfect stylish solution to both problems. Welcome to screen roman blinds made up in special UV fabric. These blinds are in the much loved roman blind style simply made up in a technical fabric. This fabric is really win-win-win, just take a look at all its benefits:

  • Visually transparent, you will be able to see the view through the window but no-one will be able to see inside, this isn’t magic it’s down to the minute openings between the yarns. (Just be aware that at night this is reversed so ensure that your night time privacy is protected.)
  • Reduced glare and brightness on TV or computer screens.
  • Provides solar protection (95% ultra violet screening).
  • Reduced heat gain.
  • Reduced need for artificial lighting by keeping the benefit of natural light.
  • Virtually 100% waterproof and washable, combine this with its bacterial and fungal resistant properties and you also have the perfect blind for kitchens.
  • Available in a range of sophisticated colours.

You’re in good company if you choose a screen blind as they’re hugely popular throughout Europe, thanks to their chic style.

Diffusion3 Grigio

Diffusion3 Grigio

The science behind your colour choice

This thoroughly modern blind is available in five contemporary colours from the very light diamond through to city chic grigio and deepest midnight.

A little bit on the science of colour, we all know that light is reflected off light colours and absorbed by dark colours. The colour of the fabric will therefore directly affect heat gain, brightness and glare.

The darker coloured blinds will absorb more light and heat so are less heat and energy efficient than lighter shades. However, due to the absorption these blinds will provide the best glare-free environments for computer and TV screens. Paradoxically dark blinds also offer a better view to the outside.

Lighter coloured blinds are more reflective so will result in lower heat gain, i.e. rooms will stay cooler. Be aware that in a very sunny room a lighter blind may cause bright surface brightness and therefore transmit light onto computer screens. If glare is a concern then choose a darker blind.

Diffusion3 Alabaster

Diffusion3 Alabaster

Diffusion3 Midnight

Diffusion3 Midnight

Diffusion3 Graphite

Diffusion3 Graphite

Diffusion3 Diamond

Diffusion3 Diamond

tuiss Love :: Restoration and Beyond

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tuiss loveIf you have a period home or are involved in a self-build then you may well be able to make use of Restoration and Beyond. The website is a directory of independent suppliers that have particular expertise in this area. There are products for every room of the home plus there are suppliers of key services too, from builders to tilers and stone masons.

If you need some advise then check out the range of fact sheets or even ask an expert.

Antique Oak FramesTowel WarmerReclaimed Stone

tuiss Love :: Made by / designed by Andy Murray

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tuiss loveAndy Murray (in his own words) is a product designer, maker, crafter and enthusiast of ‘stuff’. One of Andy’s enthusiasms is that we should all brave the credit crunch, use the things we have around us and start making things.

Andy has put together a neat little book with 5 make-it projects all involving the humble tea towel, and who doesn’t have an old tea towel lurking in the back of a cupboard ‘from a holiday to Spain or a wet visit to a castle’?

So if you fancy making a laptop sleeve, watch strap, bag, wallet or belt just order Andy’s Made By book and get crafting. To have a look at Andy’s non tea towel designs just click here. You can also follow Andy on twitter, we do.

It’s not quite the same but if you don’t have any tea towels tucked away then why not treat yourself to some tea towels from To dry for?

Tea towel bagTea towel belt

by tuiss :: Voile roman blinds

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If you love the look of roman blinds but want a lighter look than a heavy fabric you will adore the new tuiss voile roman blinds. Just take a look at the Maglia Alabaster voile roman blind below it just oozes calm sophistication.

These voile blinds with their graceful sheer fabric give a light and breezy touch to a traditional roman blind. Not only do these contemporary blinds look fantastic but they are also immensely versatile. When raised you will have an unhindered view and when lowered these blinds will afford privacy and also gently shade the room.

The modern simplicity of these blinds will team very well with soft curtains for a luxurious and beautiful look.

We have three gorgeous colours to choose from, Alabaster has a soft white tone, Cashmere is warmer with a hint of almond while Oro has leanings towards sage and a delicate shimmer to further captivate.

Maglia Alabaster roman blind

Maglia Oro roman blind

Maglia Oro roman blind

Maglia Alabaster roman blind

Maglia Alabaster roman blind

Maglia Cashmere roman blind

Maglia Cashmere roman blind

thursday thought by tuiss :: recycling coffee grounds

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Are you guilty?

Did you know that coffee grounds and waste pipes don’t mix? Used coffee grounds block pipes, particularly if you add a bit of fat from your Sunday roast into the mix too!

Coffee grounds are far too precious to just throw away, here’s some great ways to benefit even more from your cup of coffee/nectar:

  • Sprinkle used grounds around plants for a great slow-release nitrogen fertiliser, the grounds are also a great way to condition the soil.
  • Add to compost piles to increase the nitrogen balance and don’t worry about the coffee filters they’ll break down in next to no time. If you have a wormery those worms love a bit of caffeine.
  • Dilute with water for a gentle, fast-acting liquid fertilizer.
  • Encircle the base of the plant with a coffee to repel pests.

I’ve tried all of the above, I can’t say from personal experience whether the following work!

  • After drying the grounds thoroughly, add them to an old stocking. Tie off the ends and then use in cupboards and your refrigerator as an odour absorber.
  • Rubbing your hands with used coffee grounds will remove strong smells such as onion or fish. (And be really messy!)
  • Grounds can be used as a scourer for greasy pots and pans. (As above! Messy or what?)
  • Dry out the coffee grounds in a warm (not hot) oven; then add equal weight of fresh coffee grounds and then use that mix to create another brew. (I’m afraid I like my coffee far too much to be brewing anything less than perfection.)

I have a red Grindenstein knock box at home, well worth it for that professional barista feel.

Grindenstein knock out boxThanks to Sustainable Enterprises and Green living tips for some of the ideas.