ShowUp in Amsterdam is a trade show for inspiring home, design and gift brands featuring both established and up-and-coming names. I was there this weekend to discover the latest collections. Here are my favourite discoveries – eye-catching design that delights, inspires and uplift. From sparkling champagne saucers and timeless objects, to delicately embroidered towels and candy-coloured stationery. With a slight preference for Scandinavian design, of course. 🙂

1. Marimekko’s Oiva tableware with Hortensie pattern

Marimekko’s new table setting range was made in collaboration with Carina Seth Andersson (for the illustration) and Sami Ruotsalainen (for the design of the tableware). The idea for the new Hortensie pattern was inspired by the climbing hydrangea that grows on the wall of Carina’s summerhouse. She came to the first design team meeting with this enthralling image in mind, and with a paper cutout of the new design, putting it on top and around of an Oiva plate. The paper cutout method of arranging the paper patterns on top of tableware continued throughout the design process, which resulted in this blooming new collection. marimekko.com

2. Ferm’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection

Aptly named “Scenes of Splendour,” Danish brand Ferm Living went back in time to the decadent days of French salons to bring to life this sparkling new collection. Featuring a mix of bold colours, tranquil textures and exquisite forms, the collections merges the era of extravagant salons with the brand’s restrained Nordic roots. I’m particularly very enamoured with the Ripple champagne saucers – so elegant and decadent, yet so timeless and classy. fermliving.com

3. VisseVasse’s prints and stationery

VisseVasse is a Copenhagen-based design and paper studio. Their eye-catching illustrations and posters feature iconic buildings, silhouettes of cities, delicate pastels and a touch of Art Deco and nostalgia, with a noticeable Nordic and minimalist style. Alongside gorgeous prints of Australian photographer Vee Speers (who I interviewed for the Green Gallery here), lush floral posters and quirky greeting cards, VisseVasse also has a beautiful stationery line. I love the various blush-toned to-do lists (“Do Or Die!”) and the turnable wall calendar in the most perfect shades of pink and green. vissevasse.com

4. Vitra’s L’Oiseau

Vitra’s classic collaboration with designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec now come in ceramic versions (as an addition to the original wooden version) and beautiful new colours. Reminiscent of simple artefacts of Nordic folk art, the sleek and elegant L’Oiseau is a timeless addition to contemporary homes. vitra.com

5. Hammam34’s embroidered hammam towels

These towels stopped me on my tracks as soon as I laid eyes on them while wandering the trade fair. The delightful ladies from Turkey who own Hammam34 immediately flocked around me to tell the story about the collaboration with Paris-based illustrator Quentin Monge. Entitled “Explore the Unseen,” the collection features his whimsical illustrations embroidered on (super absorbent) soft and silky hammam towels. The two designs feature a poetic story of a girl hidden deep inside our dreams” – floating away on a balloon, and discovering tropical fauna. hammam34.com

6. Fest Amsterdam’s collaboration with Mae Engelgeer

Fest Amsterdam’s booth featured a sneak peek of a new collaboration with Amsterdam-based textile designer Mae Engelgeer. I’m already in love with the subdued colour palette and the graphic lines. Really curious to see more of this! fest.amsterdam

7. House Doctor’s wall hangings

These rustic embroidered wall decorations evoke idyllic afternoons in Scandinavian countrysides… In contemporary shades of black and cream and glittering beads, these items are gentle reminders to slow down, and to enjoy the simple things in life. Hygge! housedoctor.dk