I first spied Charlene Mullen’s exquisite hand-embroidered work at the East London Design Show in December. And being the London-obsessed lass that I am, I made a beeline for her monochrome cushions featuring iconic London landscapes.
Transcending a purely functional role, each graphic “piece” is beautifully crafted with extraordinary attention to detail. And with Mullen drawing inspiration from Victorian Christening gowns to prison tattoos, it’s no wonder her work appears simultaneously both modern and vintage.
In London, you can find her cushions at Liberty, Sigmar and Linley. She is also stocked in Le Bon Marche in Paris and Scoop in the U.S. Otherwise, purchases can be made through enquiries to her website.
I would add Stephen Wiltshire to the inspiration. these are lovely.
xx
ps, I love that you can live in london and still love it. I hated it when I lived there in 87 -88. Now I quite like it. But I couldnt live there.
xx
Posted by: hammiesays | March 26, 2009 at 12:26 AM
christening gowns and prison tatts! a girl after my own heart <3 super lovely xxxx
Posted by: gemma jones | March 26, 2009 at 07:13 AM
Beautiful! I love the ones with Tower Bridge on them.
Posted by: Karen | March 26, 2009 at 12:48 PM
I'm with you on the london lovin' - I'm sold on these cushions.
PS I bought a birdy necklace for a fiver in Topshop yesterday - your fault officially!!
Posted by: Film Upstart | March 27, 2009 at 08:57 AM
These are great... and they look so soft! You could mix them in with some cushions from Snowden Flood.
Great blog.
Guy
www.manmakehome.com
Posted by: Guy | March 27, 2009 at 04:57 PM
God, I LOVE these. Thanks for posting x
Posted by: Cassandra | March 27, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Hi Birdy, there is a big rally in London tomorrow, details on my blog.
It is world autism awareness month - our woodstock!
Posted by: hammie | March 28, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Do I see a UFO? :P I love the black and white. So whimsical and classy at the same time.
Posted by: gia | March 28, 2009 at 02:37 AM
Have a nice weekend :-)
Greetings from Norway :-)
Posted by: Villblomsten | March 28, 2009 at 10:31 AM
that is some really fine work and yes I agree with the other poster, whimsical but very classy.
Posted by: Jafabrit | March 28, 2009 at 01:11 PM
Wee Birdy, I've been trying to message you directly on Twitter but I don't think you are following me. Have been meaning to tell you about a WONDERFUL artist in Brockley, SE4, for ages - he makes the most BEAUTIFUL articulated wooden animals. My friend has the chickens, the seal and the sea lion and they are WONDERFUL. I'm going to add him to my blog under the "heaven on earth" section - website is www.wobblywood.demon.co.uk
Cx
Posted by: Cassandra | March 28, 2009 at 02:46 PM
Top Bird, any idea of a price? These are gorgeous, but I fear they may cost an arm and a leg ...
Posted by: Fionnuala | March 29, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Cassandra - thanks for the heads up about the Brockley artist. Why he's just around the corner from me! I will get Twitter sorted, too! xx
Fionnuala - you're right, this kind of work does come at a price, but Charlene is actually starting to produce more machine-embroidered pieces to keep costs down. The London long bolster cushion are £145 and the standard ones are £95, including vat + postage.
Posted by: Top Bird @ Wee Birdy | March 29, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Gorgeous, but too good to sit on really.
Posted by: Gervy | March 29, 2009 at 10:46 PM
I'm in Australia, and am in love with the Charlene Mullen cushions but i can't view her contact details on the website. Can anybody help and pass them on?
Posted by: Jess Moore | May 04, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Hi Jess,
They're super-lovely, aren't they?
You can contact Charlene here: charlene@charlenemullen.com
Good luck! xx
Posted by: Top Bird @ Wee Birdy | May 04, 2009 at 10:25 AM
I think Charlene Mullen has produced some excellent work and she is definitely one of the most talented designers on the scene at the moment. I look forward to more to come. Nice post btw.
Posted by: Charlene Mullen | February 23, 2010 at 06:41 PM