The red has to go!

June 14, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

Well, while I’m waiting for my delivery of inks, screens and squeegee I thought I’d make a start on decorating our living room. I have to admit I’ve been putting it off as there’s lots to do but now is a perfect time and I need another project to get stuck into. Here is a photo of the room – I hate the red wall and I don’t really like the tiles round the fireplace plus the shelves aren’t brilliant, see what I mean, lots to do!

I’m not going to bother with a floor plan this time as the furniture can only fit one way. I have put together a mood board though. If you’re thinking about changing the scheme of a room this is a really good way to start as it helps you visualise the kind of feel you want to achieve in the end. In this case I’m going for blues, greys and whites to make a calming room with natural colours and textures. I’ve been collecting cards and pictures of all different sizes to put in frames on one wall and have already made a cushion so I’ve been thinking about the scheme for some time. I even have the wallpaper already (to go on one wall); another reason to get started in case I don’t like it in a few months time!

Simple pleasures…

June 9, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie Gardner2 Comments

I really like the shape and style of traditional Moroccan pouffes and thought it would be good to have a go at making one. These will eventually be made from my screen-printed designs but I thought I’d practice on bought fabrics first.

This one is made out of three fabrics: John Lewis Chevron in sulphur, a plain natural coloured linen, and grey cord as the top and bottom. Can you spot the gilhoolie label in the seam? (Seeing them attached to something I’ve made makes me smile!)

I really enjoyed making something a bit different from standard cushions. The question is, what to make next?….

….well, I realised yesterday I’m not happy if I don’t have my next project at least in my head, but the next ‘project’ is to clear out the utility room and try and set up a workshop so that I can start screen printing. Not as much fun as making stuff but it has to be done. Hopefully I’ll be posting pictures of my first prints soon!

Sewing projects

Bags and buttons

June 8, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie Gardner1 Comment

This is my second attempt at making a bag and I’m really pleased with the result, thank goodness. (Yes, I am a perfectionist but I think that’s a good thing when you’re sewing; straight, neat lines are good, right?!)

I used remnants from the denim beanbags and geometric cushion I made, so it didn’t cost much; just thread and a magnetic clasp to fasten the top of the bag.

I loved covering my own buttons with fabric; it’s so easy to do and adds interest to the exterior of the bag. I found a pack of self-cover buttons in my Nan’s old sewing box I inherited. I’ve been told she was a good seamstress so it’s a shame she can’t see what I’m up to but I’m sure she’d be pleased her sewing things are being put to good use.

So all in all I had a really successful day. The lining will eventually be made from my own printed fabric to make it an authentic gilhoolie bag. (Spot the gilhoolie label stitched into the seam!)

Interior Design · Soft Furnishings

Not exactly designer labels…

May 27, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

Some people will only buy something if it has a label… so here are some gilhoolie ones I made today! Printed on natural cotton twill tape.

You know when you think, WHAT AM I DOING?! Well this was one of those moments, but hopefully they’ll look nice when sewn onto things I make. I just have to perfect the technique but I guess the imperfections make them look more home-made… well that’s my theory…

Interior Design · Soft Furnishings

First gilhoolie designs

May 23, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

I’m really keen to make lampshades out of my designs but decided to start more simply by printing tea-towels. I spent a day last week on the computer drawing up the designs that have sat in my sketchbook for the last few months and ended up with quite a few basic repeat patterns I’m happy with.

Here are a couple of images of my favourite tea-towel designs. Luckily, I can buy them already made and will just need to sew on the gilhoolie logo. This is the blue colourway but they will also be printed in a dusky pink and powder green. Hopefully they’ll go with most kitchen designs and look as good printed on fabric as they do on a computer screen!

Artwork

gilhoolie has a logo!

May 20, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie Gardner1 Comment

I’ve read that a good logo can make or break your company, no pressure then… Apparently it needs to be a true, direct reflection of your company, your brand and of you as well.

Well, I’ve spent quite a bit of time this week trying to come up with a logo for gilhoolie that does this. I want gilhoolie products to be fun and a bit quirky but also stylish and accessible. Of course the textiles will be hand-printed and the colourways will be very fresh and clean in soft pastel shades. I’m hoping the logo I designed reflects this (thank you for your advice Chris and Sandi!)

If you have any comments on the logo please let me know. Thank you…

My logo

Interior Design · Soft Furnishings

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside!

May 13, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

I’ve just finished making a beanbag for a friend. It’s still blue denim but with a colourful stripy pocket and bright pink stitching. I really need to borrow a studio so that I can take some decent photos of these when they’re filled but you get the idea. Mind you, I think the pebbles go well with the deckchair stripes; it could almost be at the beach, not in our back garden! (fabric from http://www.deckchairstripes.com/)

I’m thinking about making smaller ones for pets as our cat seems to find them very cosy… I might also have a go at more sophisticated big floor cushions for the grown-ups but these will be in my own printed fabrics, eventually….

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

Interior Design in Reverse!

May 12, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

Well, this was all done a bit backwards seeing as I finished decorating a month ago, but I still wanted to publish the sample board and floorplan I put together for our bedroom. Gilhoolie Designs is working out to be a great place for me to keep track of my ‘work’ and build up my portfolio.

Enough of interior design though, I’ve just received more fabric to make a beanbag so I need to get out the sewing machine. Watch this space for photos of a more girly beanbag with pink stitching!

Decorating Projects · Interior Design · Soft Furnishings

Where is the bed?!

May 4, 2011February 8, 2025 Julie GardnerLeave a comment

Well, the three weeks of the Easter holidays were glorious but it’s good to be back making things again (not how I was feeling yesterday, it’s weird being in the house on my own again!) I finished the runner and one of the cushions for our bedroom today and I was dying to post them on my blog so here they are. There will be two cushions when I’ve finished and they’ll go on the bed but I was trying to be artistic with the shot in the garden and it looks good on the chair too.

So that’s the bedroom all done (except for the bedding, hence still no photo of the bed, sorry!) I must say it is very calming and I’m really pleased with the design. Now onto making a beanbag for a friend (my first commission, thanks Sandi!) and thinking about decorating the living room. I’m also going to try and master Adobe Illustrator as I’ve heard it’s good for textile design, busy busy…

Decorating Projects · Interior Design

Our bedroom, a calming gooseberry fool!

April 13, 2011April 25, 2025 Julie Gardner

Okay, so it’s true, I am no decorator but I do like seeing the results of all that hard work (well, a few days painting and a day wallpapering). So I thought I’d post a few pictures here even though it’s not quite finished (I’m waiting for the fabric for the cushions). I know it’s hard to tell from my amateur photos but the walls are a really calming green (gooseberry fool apparently) which goes really well with the white fireplace and amara wallpaper on the wall behind the bed. I’ll post a picture of the cushions in a few weeks hopefully, plus I’d like to re-cover the tub chair but I’m not sure whether I’m up to the challenge!