Prairie Seed

graham and green...

2012-01-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

a few of our favorites from graham and green...

a beautifully neutral collection of pieces. a bit eclectic. sweet little pops of color...

a little from founder antonia graham:

"I have fond memories of travelling to buy kelims and rugs in Istanbul in fur lined boots in the freezing, but hospitable carpet warehouses and during a very cold weekend in Beijing we went to the farmers market to discover a girl selling beautiful traditional Chinese lanterns. She was the daughter of a well known actor in the National Theatre and lantern making was the family’s way of supplementing his income! We placed a small order at first, but we have been ordering regularly since then. That is exactly why I love doing what we do, forging relationships on chance meetings and bringing beautiful things back for others to enjoy...

We like to think that our customers care about their surroundings as much as they care about their clothes and how they look. It’s a lifestyle. A contemporary mix of old and new, things brought home from travels abroad, memories of people dear, put together in an interesting way so that it works and provides a peaceful and inspiring background for today’s busy life."

prairie seed

shop update...

2012-01-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

sweetly simple, sachet love... coming to the shop throughout the week. each filled with deliciously aromatic dried lavender buds

lovely lavender embroidered heart sachet pillow, made from tea-dyed cotton, and backed with a pretty recycled vintage quilt. ready to tuck under your pillow, for a peaceful sleep. or used as a bookend, to sweetly scent a room. or heated and placed under your neck, after a long day...

a relaxing eye pillow, with hand stitching on sweet recycled cotton prints... love tucking these in with a freshly laundered pile of linens, as well...

another sweet heart sachet, embroidered on a rose hued linen, and backed with a recycled floral print cotton... ready for hanging on a door, or dresser, or bedpost

prairie seed

kinfolk...

2012-01-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

dutch oven bread, a film by tiger in a jar

the wonderful kinfolk magazine... a little beauty for the soul. and what a fantastic gift (for yourself or a loved one)

kinfolk's manifesto:

Kinfolk is a growing community of artists with a shared interest in small gatherings. We recognize that there is something about a table shared by friends, not just a wedding or once-a-year holiday extravaganza, that anchors our relationships and energizes us. We have come together to create Kinfolk as our collaborative way of advocating the natural approach to entertaining that we love.

Every element of Kinfolk—the features, photography, and general aesthetics—are consistent with the way we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated, and less contrived. Kinfolk is the marriage of our appreciation for art and design and our love for spending time with family and friends.

kinfolk manifesto, by andrew and carissa gallo

and a few of the delicious images from kinfolk's gallery...

prairie seed

snow days...

2012-01-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

currently having a snow days sale! our way of joining in on the snowy fun, down here in snowless atlanta

15% off everything in the shop, now through the 21st. simply enter the following coupon code during checkout: SNOWDAYS

(if you're having any trouble using the code during checkout, let us know, so that we can help... or we will simply refund the discount through paypal, after checkout. thanks!)

prairie seed

michael graydon...

2012-01-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

the undeniably gorgeous images of toronto-based photographer michael graydon... pure eye candy

a little about michael:

The first time I remember discovering an interest in taking pictures, I was 16 and on vacation with my family at a provincial park in the B.C. Interior. My dad passed down his old Pentax Spotmatic to me and I immediately fell in love with the trance it could put me in. I’ve taught myself photography, slide film in that Spotmatic is where the journey started.

In my mid-twenties I moved to London, England for a year to assist top photographers, experience living abroad and use the word ‘mate’ as much as possible. I also loved the sounds of Britpop – for me, music’s ‘good ‘ol days’. I have a keen interest in music, new and old, and I always have something tasty playing in the background while we shoot.

prairie seed

remade usa...

2012-01-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

just love this gorgeous doily pendant light, from shannon south of remade usa... not to mention the fabulous shadows and shapes the lamp casts upon the wall when lit. a beautiful new way to showcase the intricacies of the vintage handwork

here is a little info about shannon's work:

One of the most interesting aspects about repurposing a used material is the fact that it had a whole other life before it landed in Shannon's hands.

Customers often share stories, when they send a leather jacket that belonged to a loved one or that they got on a trip abroad. Sentimentally valuable objects are hard for people to get rid of. A leather jacket may have been worn daily for ten years or a doily might have taken twenty hours to crochet by someone's grandmother.

The inherent beauty of these histories adds a whole new and deeper layer of value to an object. Giving an object new form and purpose honors its previous life, extends its story and is what makes her work worthwhile and always interesting.

and be sure to check out shannon's lovely bags, made from recycled leather, in her shop...

prairie seed

new...

2012-01-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

a new year... time for new posts and new lovelies in the shop

on a side note: we were excited to have our little speckled coffee for three set featured in the delicious fall/winter issue of what liberty ate (pg. 134)

and here is a sneak peek of a few of the lovelies coming to the shop this week...

a set of ten pretty milk glass pyrex cups...

the sweetest strawberry fine bone english china sugar and cream set...

a vintage buttery yellow pottery pitcher/creamer...

several new handmade sachets...

a sweetly delicate occupied japan tea cup...

prairie seed

aprons...

2011-10-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

a little sneak peek of some of the new aprons we're working on for the shop, made from recycled cottons and linens. lots of handmade lovelies will soon be added... aprons, sachets and eye pillows, sets of cloth napkins, kitchen towels, table runners, etc.... perfect gifts of the holiday season

prairie seed

maria grossman...

2011-09-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

just love the way in which german stylist maria grossman gathers objects to create pictorial scenes... images which seem to both capture surreal little moments and live outside of time...

prairie seed

harvesting autumn...

2011-09-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

handmade pintuck dress : edithandbertha

dream tote : fieldguided

compostable vegetable support ties : daisychestnut

cushion in an antique french cloth with monogram : frenchmelody

vintage pendant light drum : klinker

peaceful breakfast : boywonder

sophie's knit top skirt - bare trees and natural linen : bodhihandmade

alpaca lavender pillow liner : edysmillsfinefibres

heirloom carrot mix colorful organic seeds : cubits

pretty birdie's military jacket (hemp and organic cotton) : stephanieteaque

gray and yellow ochre ogee on white linen lumbar pillow case : giardino

original gouache painting : maisonpaulette

circa 1885 antique tombstone mirror : goseek

prairie seed

sneak peak...

2011-08-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

a little peak at a few of the vintage lovelies that will be popping up in the shop this week...

we have several new handmade pieces as well, which we'll share later

a pretty german floral platter. so lovely to set down a nice big vintage platter in the middle of your table, as the family gathers for the meal; sitting so prettily on display between meals...

three lovely hand painted royal york bread and butter plates... love to use these around the house as candle holders, or as under-plates for pitchers of flowers, or simply as sweet little catch-all plates on end tables (and, of course, mixed with other vintage dishes on the dinner table)...

the loveliest shade of blue. a pretty divided dish, and matching sauce pitcher, in the taylor smith taylor boutonniere pattern...

just love pretty bowls of various size, stacked up on the kitchen shelf, and adding a little bit of special to the dinner table...

another sweet set, from the taylor smith taylor 'ever yours' line. this time in the 'autumn harvest' pattern. a pretty platter and bowl, ready for the changing season and cooling weather...

a wee little blue pottery bud vase. the simplicity and size of this one is just so wonderful...

prairie seed

a creole manor...

2011-08-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

loving the simplistic beauty of this creole manor

here is a bit, from garden and gun magazine, about the home's current owner, southern designer and antiques dealer, patrick dunne (proprietor of lucullus, an antiques store, with locations in new orleans and beaux bridge, louisiana):

The first change Patrick Dunne made to his Creole country house was to remove the dishwasher, a bold statement given how much the New Orleans epicure entertains. He grinds coffee by hand, and though his home has central air-conditioning, he prefers to throw open the sashes and fill the rooms with fresh air. He sleeps under a mosquito net, not for decoration but to keep the bat-sized bayou moths out of his bed. Antique roses, bearing names such as ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’, ‘Rev d’Or’, and ‘Old Blush’, dominate his parterre garden, and spiky vetiver and citronella sprouting alongside his front gallery drive away mosquitoes the same way they might have done when the home was built two centuries ago.

prairie seed

tine k home...

2011-08-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

the timeless and cozy stylings of tine k home

a little about the company's origins from the founder and creative director, danish designer tine kjeldsen:

While the interior decorators in those days decided mainly on pink, baby blue and an abundance of flowers (quite shabby chic), I opted for a different, more minimalistic approach: clean colors in grey, blue, white, dark brown and black which eventually lead to the creation of a collection of cushions and quilts, and consequently the foundation of the company Tine K Home.

The collection has grown ever since, and today it includes also furniture and clothes. The unique Tine K Home style is an adventurous mix of Asian, French, Scandinavian and Moroccan colors, shapes and surfaces which, despite the big cultural differences, are lifted to the higher level of a remarkably clean and simple style.
Design is my life, and the smallest every day actions at home, as well as food, shapes, colors, flowers and trips abroad are a source of inspiration to me.

(all images via the tine k home webshop and blog)

prairie seed

mark eden schooley...

2011-08-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

an american photographer living in paris, mark eden schooley's work has been featured in many publications. love the world his images inspire. he also is the designer of the koushi lamps, handmade from steel wire and cotton, featured below.

via remodilista

paul massey...

2011-06-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

the stunning lifestyle and location photography of paul massey...

prairie seed

toast house and home...

2011-06-08T16:28:00.000-07:00

the loveliness of toast's 2011 house and home line...

"We are committed to supporting organic production in our ranges.

International cotton production uses only 2.4% of the world's agricultural land but 25% of the world pesticide consumption. A single t-shirt can require about 100-150g of pesticides. This is damaging both for the planet and also for the growers who are exposed to these chemicals. Additionally, producing organically supports bio-diversity in the environment.

We started using organic cotton in 2006 for a small range of T-shirts – just 7 styles. Since then we have increased our use of organic products by introducing over 80 styles which are made from organic materials by 2010. Importantly most of our bedlinen and many other home products are made from organic cotton as well as some of our jeans and food products. We will continue to try to add to this range in the future."

prairie seed

victoria fitchett...

2011-06-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

oh, the serenity created by stylist victoria fitchett...

prairie seed

barn sale...

2011-06-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

beautiful items from ekster antiques in virginia, which are sold at barn sale events throughout the year (and soon online as well)...

Natural. Reclaimed. Recycled. Those are the elements that embody Ekster Antiques distinct style. Owners Caroline Verschoor and Jon-Paul Saunier hold sales events in their historic 8,000 square-foot former dairy barn several times a year in Hamilton, Virginia, just outside of Leesburg, where they sell European, Belgian and Scandinavian-style antiques, furniture, & home accessories.

wouldn't you love to take a stroll through these beautiful items?! i wish my own barn looked so inviting! viait their website for the dates of the events. they are also open by appointment in between sales.

do you have a local barn sale that is a favorite? we would love to hear about more....

sally nencini...

2011-05-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

the exquisite design and upholstery work of sally nencini....

"Each of Sally's bespoke upholstered pieces is a unique response to the vintage chair and its character; the story of its use and its user. The fabric sourcing and craft-treatment give the chair a new life but also acknowledge its idiosyncratic past life. Sally will work to commission, sourcing furniture around a brief or responding to a family piece in need of reworking with the same research and consultation process. Sally's cushions, bags and toys sample pattern-motifs from vintage nursery toys and fabrics. The knitted pieces can be made to order, or purhased online at her Etsy shop.

Sally, from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, studied MA Fashion at the Royal College of Art and has designed for, amongst others, Levi's and M&S. Since bringing up a young family, she has retrained in upholstery. Her long-held interest in handworked craft, surface pattern and vintage"

and be sure to visit her etsy shop

prairie seed

a quiet afternoon...

2011-05-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

hand-woven throw - grey british herdwick wool honeycomb throw : maxemilia

vintage moss olive green train case luggage amelia earhart : getreadysetgo

vintage shop stool : holdthewire

a midsummer's mini collection : themeasure

lavender - 100% natural handmade olive oil soap : froggoestomarket

vintage antique rare 1920s wild wild west leather lace up boots : simplicityisbliss

oval white gourd bowls with antique script : gleenashop

antique french wooden chopping board. farm primitive, hand carved : frenchmelody

organic hand face towel mini peshtemal : beautyandspa

cup and spoon s'il vous plait : carnevaleclay

size large fitted vintage inspired dress in teal : kayemkay

prairie seed

j'adore love...

2011-05-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

a few photos, courtesy of j'adore love photography, from a recent new york wedding...

we had such fun working with the bride, to create the textile flowers and succulents for the table centerpieces and cake decoration... as well as for the bridal bouquet, the boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, and the bouquets and hair bands for the sweet flower girls...

so wonderful to work with this lovely bride, for her beautiful handmade and vintage inspired wedding

congratulations!

** p.s. we are currently have a customer appreciation springtime sale, now through the end of may, over in the shop... enjoy 10% off every prairie seed purchase, using code: may11sale

prairie seed

bddw...

2011-05-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

the beautiful, handmade furniture of bddw...

here is a little about the company:

A small American furniture company dedicated
to the creation of well crafted timeless designs.
Tyler Hays, a painter and sculptor, is the company
founder and head designer. BDDW is known for
their heirloom quality solid wood furniture, traditionally
joined, in select domestic hardwoods. Their finishes
are all hand rubbed with natural oils and lacquers.
In beds, tables, seating, lamps and storage,
BDDW has created dozens of classics and is
constantly producing new and innovative work.

prairie seed

summer roses apron...

2011-05-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

new summer roses apron, just listed in the shop. sewn in a double layer throughout, with various pink and blue cotton and linen print recycled fabrics

a nice big, full apron, with two pockets to carry you from gardening and egg collecting, to the kitchen for baking, to your daily errands, and back home again

prairie seed

ill seen, ill said...

2011-05-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

love the beautiful blog ill seen, ill said and nearly swooned upon seeing her beautiful post about the olde bell inn. wouldn't this be such an amazing place to stay? feels more home like than like an inn... and the design inspiration could easily be incorporated into your own home.

be sure to visit jane's new shop, coterie, where you can find the beautiful blankets displayed in the first photo above, along with other goodies.

baileys...

2011-04-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

sharing some of our favorites from the baileys store... home of the wonderful design duo, mark and sally bailey

here is a little about who they are:

"The things we sell are a surprising mix of vintage and new from a variety of sources - but they all share the qualities integral to our repair, reuse, rethink philosophy...

When we're not rescuing and recycling, we design simple useful products with a subtle sense of humour and nice labels. We also source some things from small family run companies who have been making the same things for generations - such as beautiful Burleigh pottery - still made in Stoke-on-Trent."

and be sure to pick up and peruse their beautiful books, recycled home and simple home... featuring the beautiful photography of debi treloar

now, we just need a visit to the beautiful farm store and tearoom...

prairie seed

james merrell

2011-04-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

beautiful images from london-based photographer, james merrell

prairie seed

early morning skies...

2011-04-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

antique farmhouse pitcher : oldohiofarmfinds

antique bottle-shaped beeswax candles : pollenarts

on sale anais nikita dress : zorya

appliqué pillow : lambert

vintage earth talker seed necklace : vintagepickins

vintage rare french enamel body pitcher : thepetitemarket

darling i'm leaving stitched and signed print : leahduncan

antique hand carved wooden trench bowl : gardner3863

prairie seed

plain english...

2011-04-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

the inspiring rooms of plain english...

"Plain English is a traditional joinery company.
We use the techniques of 18th and 19th century cabinetmakers.
Skilled joiners make our cupboards by hand in our Suffolk workshop.
We don't like gadgets and plastic bits.
Most of our drawers run on candlewaxed wooden runners.
Our shelf pegs are hand turned for us by a small company that makes wooden nails.
Our baskets are hand-woven for us in Suffolk from willow grown along the banks of the River Box.
The local forge makes our iron shelf brackets and hanging pot rails.
The pull-out trays in our floor cupboards were copied from the slides in an 18th century linen press."

prairie seed

brie williams...

2011-04-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

the inspiring photography of brie williams (found via sanctuary)

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breath of fresh air...

2011-04-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

brass wall mirror: sugarstreetvintage

quilted adult sleeping bag, natural cotton: goodintent

zola collection. vintage spectator chairs: cottagefarm

mireya- labradorite, white turquoise, and bronze necklace: simonandruby

antique 1930's french duvet cover - all cotton with blue roses: theprimitivehome

primitive wooden bowl with handle: silencedogoods

creamy white daydream romper bodysuit: ohhhlulu

antique farmhouse primitive folk art apothecary hanging spice chest: wiltsiebridgecs

fade to white circle skirt with petticoat: karmologyclinic


vintage white pottery vase/ jug: modishvintage

prairie seed

cabbages & roses, homeware...

2011-03-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

some beautiful images from british company, cabbages & roses

love the simplicity of the rooms, with just a subtle touch of texture and color...

"We cherish quality and individuality. We aim to run our business in the kindest way possible, with the best quality of product and with the best treatment of the people involved in the provenance of the product; from beginning to end. Quality, uniqueness and fair prices paid to all our suppliers are reflected in our prices...

Cabbages & Roses has 5 core values:- beauty, simplicity, longevity, integrity and sustainability."

prairie seed

something old, something new...

2011-03-25T07:09:00.000-07:00

a new orchid hair wreath just added to the shop... inspired by the beautiful simplicity of antique bridal hair wreaths. sewn using vintage crocheted lace, recycled cashmere, and lovely vintage buttons... something old, and something new

cake toppers...

2011-03-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

a beautiful handmade wedding cake topper... the first in the shop! this lovely giraffe couple has been entirely hand sewn from the highest quality felted wool, linen, and vintage lace. a beautiful heirloom quality piece to honor your special day! please feel free to contact us with questions or custom orders. this one is ready to ship!

les indiennes...

2011-03-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

such beautifully colored and patterned textiles, from les indiennes

"Les Indiennes is an environmentally conscious and socially responsible company. We make printed cotton fabric in south India according to an age-old process that is altogether friendly to the environment. And because we bring fair trade employment to the communities where the work takes place, local culture is unaffected and continues to thrive."

and a little about the company's origins, from founder mary mulcahy:

"I launched Les Indiennes in 2002, a happy result of my own yearning for beautiful hand-blocked textiles. I had a vivid picture in mind of naturally dyed cotton, with airy patterns of big, single colored motifs. Unable to locate anything anywhere, and utterly possessed by the idea of these fresh, simple designs, I decided to go to the source and create my own.

A craftsman named Srinivas from a tiny village in southern India responded, and I knew at once that his work was what I wanted. Srinivas is one of very few craftsman who still practice the ancient art of kalamkari, an extremely complex printing method."

and be sure to visit the lovely online store

prairie seed

nina hartmann sundgren...

2011-03-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

the home of decorator nina hartmann sundgren, via skona hem...

prairie seed

shop update...

2011-03-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

english ironstone saucers

shop update: two sets of vintage saucers, just added to the shop... we love to use these pretty and simple vintage saucers as candle holders. they look just lovely lined up down the length of the table. and it's always nice to wake up to a pretty candle and saucer on the table next to the bed.

ironstone saucers

forget me not saucers

english ironstone saucers

prairie seed

canvas home store...

2011-03-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

how we love canvas home store, both for the beautiful designs and for the use of sustainably harvested materials and natural hand dyed and hand woven fabrics. not to mention the beautiful photography and the fact that the products are created by artisans from around the world.

here is a little about canvas:

"Welcome to canvas, a new collection of ceramics, wooden objects, textiles, accessories and furniture for the home created by artisans and craftsmen from the US and abroad.

canvas is a journey around the globe that combines natural materials with interesting textures. Unstructured, soft shapes and subtle colours define a look that is understated yet elegant.

With a continued pursuit of products made under fair trade and green principles, we aim for a collection that represents simple, sustainable style."

you can also find an online registry here

prairie seed

touch of color...

2011-03-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

vintage large chandelier and prisms: thepetitemarket

a touch of green for march...

yellow paisley 1950's daydress circle skirt: reenhabit

vintage slip: littlebyrdvintage

vintage 1931 olive green security box .. depression era: thefancylamb

tea bowl with smoky white glaze: danielbellowpottery

peacock pearl necklace: postscripted

fancy chandelier in white: uncommon

colony harvest grape milk glass platter: 5gardenias

peasant wedding: veravague

trade winds keepsake bag: zibagz

ruthe umbrella: topsydesign

white linen top: larimeloom

industrial enamel shop light: amradio

prairie seed

living agency...

2011-03-12T17:47:00.000-08:00

all images from living agency

prairie seed

shop update...

2011-03-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

vintage wall shelf, painted in a pretty gray

adding a few new lovelies to the shop today

large old handmade basket

handmade gift set, lavender eye pillow and a pretty pincushion

prairie seed

view from the kitchen...

2011-03-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

pair of kitchen cafe curtains- antique flax homespun: theprimitivehome

no. 22: theblackstrap

kitchen notes: inhauspress

through the wood - original painting: blairblambert

antique farmhouse milking stool: shavingkitsupplies

photograph - pears in a row: ameliakayphotography

kaj franck arabia finel mushroom bowl: tippleandsnack

vintage 1910's fricasee ironstone platter: luncheonettevintage

lambswool english rose fingerless gloves in putty and tartan scarlett: vknit

four bin mercantile cabinet: sadieolive

the chair: thepolkadotmagpie

1950's argus seventy five camera with flash: jessjamesjake

prairie seed

rough linen...

2011-03-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

beautiful linens made in the traditional style, using the best fabrics available. tricia rose of rough linen writes...

"i have always wanted to recreate the linens from my grandmother’s house in Scotland and from vintage textiles I found in France. It took years of searching to discover the traditionally woven coarse linen fabric I use in my range of bedding... I wanted the feeling of connection, appreciation of good materials and handiwork which is part of my heritage, as part of my everyday life ."

fitted sheets were designed not for ease in making the bed, but in order for the companies making them to save fabric. as matresses grow larger, making the bed actually becomes more difficult. these sheets follow the traditional method of using a flat sheet for the bottom, and tucking in the corners... hospital corners optional! practical and beautiful.

tricia also makes beautiful duvet covers, bed skirts, and even lovely curtains....