marie antoinette colours

Over here at Mengsel, I'm always inspired by colour trends. With Spring coming up, I've been looking at some sugary hues. One of my favourite films (stylistically), is Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola. The decadence of the era with a bit of an edge is so beautiful.

A colour palette...

colour of the day: ultramarine green

I always have such a tough time naming my colours (a fine balance) and I've decided that it is about time that I invest in a Pantone colour chart (a bit pricy, but worthy it). I printed a new edition of 50 prints in my popular "Bigger Boat" design at the end of last year, before going on my travels. The previous edition in turquoise green is now completely sold out and I've listed my new edition and the colour is... ULTRAMARINE GREEN!

Did a bit of research on the colour and it just so happens to be on the Pantone Colour Fashion Report for Fall 2012. Have a look below at all the other colours, very beautiful. Definitely a lot of inspiration in there.

You can purchase the brand new "Bigger Boat" hand pulled silkscreen print in ultramarine green HERE at the Mengsel Shop.

Bigger Boat silkscreen print in ultramarine green at Mengsel

A few more ultramarine green inspired fashion...

ultramarine green skinny jeans at Current Elliot

NARS eyeshadow duo in misfit

Seck MT shoes in ultramarine green at Onitsuka Tiger

ultramarine green dress at Zara

colour of the day: terracotta

Brand new A3 sized Mini Moka silkscreen printed with white ink on terracotta coloured Canson paper available to purchase HERE in the Mengsel Shop. I've only printed 10 in this very specific colour, so if you want one... be quick!

Terracotta is such a rich, warm and lovely colour and makes me think of the Mediterranean. Here's a little mood board I put together...

In this picture:
- Contemporary Ceramics by Atelier Polyhedre
- Structured Stem Willow Bag by Orla Kielly
- Kenitra Rug at Anthropologie
- Eames prototypes on manganese clay body - house numbers by Heath Ceramics
- Le Creuset Grand Teapot in Volcanic at John Lewis
- Mini Moka Express hand pulled silkscreen print in terracotta by Mengsel

friday loves

In true rainy weekend style, there's a 15% discount offer in The Mengsel Shop all weekend. I'm sure you'll find something bright and colourful to cheer yourself up, even when it is grey and wet outside. To receive 15% discount, enter the coupon code RAINYWEEKEND at the checkout. Click HERE to go shopping.
Friday loves for a rainy London weekend...

1. Kate Spade Flicker Bon Shopper
2) Thomas Paul reversible aqua banner pillow
3) Hatty 2 Bow Sandles from Topshop
4) Relight Candle Holder Range from Heal's
5) Double breasted raincoat from Zara
6) Modern Vintage Style at Anthropologie
7) Lemon Meringue cupcake - recipe from Martha Stewart

new moka express colours

If you've had an eye on my shop over the last week or so, you would've noticed that I have some brand new colours from my Moka Express prints in a new A2 size format (59.5cm x 42cm = 23.42 inches x 16.53 inches). You can even leave a little note for me when purchasing, if you would like me to trim the print down to fit a 50x40cm frame, as there is enough white space around the printed area for custom framing.

Great for bringing a pop of colour to your kitchen or a wedding gift for a lucky friend. Hope you like?

Available in the Mengsel Shop and my Etsy shop.

Denim Blue Moka Express silkscreen print

Neon Pink Moka Express silkscreen print

Charcoal Moka Express silkscreen print

ultramarine and sky

Introducing a new colourway for my "Swans" graphic silkscreen print. Bright ultramarine and soft sky are two blue hues that compliment each other perfectly. Hand pulled in my studio on bright white 220gsm paper. Limited edition of 50. This design is also available in the combinations of emerald/mint and bright red/hot pink.

Swans are such elegant, graceful creatures and I love simplifying these shapes to create a balanced, colourful image.

Have a look in my Etsy shop for more details. Hope you like all of these bright, happy colours...
(Flowers from my lovely friend, Laeticia)

Colour of the day: neon pink

I just printed a special edition of my popular graphic "Toucans" print in a gorgeous neon pink and dark grey. Tropical and 80's: How much more colourful can it get? I discovered some brilliant pieces in the same hue. Hope this post fills your day with colour in this dreadful London weather. Available to purchase in The Mengsel Shop and my Etsy shop.

"Toucans" handpulled silkscreen print from Mengsel

Detail of "Toucans" silkscreen print in neon pink and dark grey.

Love this colour pop of a classic Panton chair at an antique desk. (Image from elementsofstyleblog.com)

Sign in a shop in New York (snapped by me on my trip to NYC last year)

Geometria Landscape 2 - painting on wood by Neawear at Etsy

"Hot Pink Neon Wayfarer on the sreet - Williamsburg, Brooklyn", photograph by BrooklynorBust at Etsy

Colour of the day: pumpkin orange

It's Halloween! Are you all dressing up and getting ready to party? My colour of choice for this blog post is pumpkin orange. Hope you have a great Halloween weekend.

Orange Spectrum Clock from Chroma Lab at Supermarket

Elsie two seat sofa from SCP

Believe in People mug by Rob Ryan at SCP

Pumpkin Spice Creamer ...vintage orange USA by The Classic Farmhouse at Etsy

60's Bright Barkcloth skirt Suit by The Pigeon Chest at Etsy

Colour of the day: macaroon pink

When Etsy customer Erica asked me to print a custom colour of my Leafy Heart design for her new baby girl's bedroom, I was thrilled. I've been looking at the colours of macaroons recently (yum) and working with the colour swatch that was given to me, knew that this colour could have only one name: Macaroon Pink. Here are some  beautiful images and recipes of pink macaroons plus an introduction to my new Leafy Heart print (signed edition of 30). Learning how to make them is definitely on my to-do-list. Available in the Mengsel Etsy Shop. Happy weekend everybody!

Leafy Heart silkscreen print in Macaroon Pink from Mengsel

Recipe for French Macaroons at this link

Strawberry macaroons with chocolate filling - recipe at The Daily Mail

Rosewater and vanilla macaroon recipe at Wasabimon

Colour of the day: Fire Engine Red

Definitely one of my favourite colours. Just in love with all of these items. Maybe I can ride the Electra Amsterdam classic, while wearing the vintage 80's pumps and sunglasses? Or maybe draw at the desk (I know it's a kiddie one - dammit), in the light of the AJ table lamp? Too much red? Never!

Vintage school desk and chair by Rhapsody Attic at Etsy

Fire Engine Red Hot vintage 80s Pumps from VintageDress Flickr stream

Electra Amsterdam Classic 3i Madonna Ladies bicycle. Dutch style bicycle inspired by the designs of Alexander Girard, one of the most infuential folk artists.

AJ table lamp in red designed by Arne Jacobson and manufactured by Louis Poulsen. Celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the iconic AJ lamp.

80s Vintage Red and Gold Wayfarer Sunglasses from The Honey Room

Colour of the day: Monday Blues

It is barely 12 o'clock here in London and I'm already having a Blue Monday of epic proportions. Made me think about one of my favourite colours a lot today, which is inspired by the blue Dutch tiles of Delft, Holland. In my Afrikaans culture, coming from Dutch ancestry, most of our grandparents had these blue tiles and ceramics in their homes. It really conjures up the romantic, mysterious era of 17th century Holland, when the Dutch came to South Africa to colonise the Cape. I love this colour so much that I used it for my Delft Blue Retro Roosters tea towel (available in my Etsy shop) and I find great inspiration from the images on the ceramics.

Retro Roosters tea towel in Delft Blue by Mengselhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/mengseldesign

Colour of the day - chartreuse

I've been having a little bit of a chartreuse moment with my new Retro Roosters limited edition silkscreen print (available in the Mengsel Etsy shop). This colour is my favourite at the moment and I've search for some more finds...

"Fawn and Flower wall wear" by Neawear at Supermarket

" Your are here now" giclee print by Farouche at Etsy

"Eucalyptus lined journal" by Imoss at Etsy

"Ginko Spring" fabric by cyoungquist at Spoonflower

"Flying Higher" canvas by teaforbini at Etsy