The Story Behind our Collections: Lucky Boy Sunday

Lucky Boy Sunday feels like a friend or a place that you get really excited about seeing, knowing that it will make you smile like a breathe of fresh air.  When Carla & I established the Sisters Guild boutique we wanted to fill it with inspiring collections and Lucky Boy Sunday was a collection that kept beckoning us with it's creatures and cushions.  Then when we got to actually feel the pieces for real we just didn't want to let go of them.  The combination of the softest baby alpaca wool with the beguiling designs makes for such a unique collection that Sisters Guild is so proud to house and share with you.

Milk Magazine

Behind Lucky Boy Sunday are the talented and inspiring Danish designers Camilla and Camilla. We've had the pleasure of meeting one of the Camillas and we get the feeling she has a whole box of tricks and fun up her sleeves, someone you'd want to spend a long weekend with, or maybe just a sunny sunday.....the kind of sunday that 'the Camillas' came up with Lucky Boy Sunday.  In August 2007 ' We sat down on a bench one sunny afternoon near the lakes of Copenhagen; shaking hands and promising each other to create our own version of a child's reality.  And a feeling of lucky sunday should definitely be in these products together with edgy design and top of the pop quality.'

After that sunday in 2007 the girls 'danced into the afternoon signing' - and they've probably been dancing and signging since.  The inspiring duo now create two collections a year bringing the most imaginative and loveable soft characters and accessories into the world.

Their workspace was built around the framework of the words 'silly,' 'seriously,' 'joyful,' 'graphics,' and 'dreams.' Their entire collection speaks this promise in a language of design that is enjoyed by both child and grown up alike.

 One feels slightly transported to somewhere else when you the behold the Lucky Boy Sunday collection - is it the future, in some strange land where creatures can talk or in the past, in some childhood reverie.  Wherever it belongs it is ceratinly other-worldy, where things are combined that have never been together before - colours, shapes and expressions.  Lucky Boy Sunday is like a vision of a child who sees endless possibilities. Maybe that is what 'the Camillas' mean when they talk about creating 'their very own version of a child reality.'

Our own children have had so much fun creating stories around these characters:

Meet Bad Eye Lily:

Bad Eye Lily looks a little dizzy but that's not surprising she loves nothing more than twirling around in her pretty dress. She wants to be a ballerina when she grows up. Though I think she'll need a little more practise at her pirouettes first!

Meet Miss White:

Miss White adores kisses. With her heart shaped mouth she'll cover you with love. Oh and she loves to dance too. She's been trying to teach 'bad eye lily' her pirouettes though this often ends with dizzy dancing and falling over!

And here's some of the rest of the gang:

Each quirky little piece is made in Bolivia from 100% baby alpaca and non-toxic dyes. They are so soft this tactile quality makes them even more appealing - like long-lost friends you have to embrace!

And as mums who have practicality as well as imagination in mind we are grateful too that Lucky Boy Sunday pieces are all machine washable on a gentle wool cycle. So no matter how much they are hugged, cuddled with sticky fingers or journeyed around whilst bumping on the ground, you'll always be able to give them a clean.  Though they may resist with a gasp and a frown!

There's nulle, jealous baby, kiddo doll, blib blob, jazzman, bow jovi, miss white, bad eye lily, ready to become part of the family.  The names are ones that your own children may've come up with - perfect names for childhood friends, but ones for adults too who feel a nostalgia for the playthings of the past.  The pillows are designed to share a hug and a secret with: sad joe pillow, quiet kid pillow, favourite place pillow - they surely belong in grown-up spaces too! Plus some flap ear rattles who are looking for nothing more than a good shake from an enthusiastic baby!

Whilst some of these creatures have already been sent off on new journeys to new lands, we do have the AW11 collection arriving very soon.  We can't wait to greet them - they are the kind of creatures that you can only suspect must hold their very own party in the stock cupboard every night. You might just catch a wink from them as you open the box! 

Lucky Boy Sunday is surely set to become one the new classics for the blossoming generation - the generation that embraces the quirky, the edgy and the intimate. 

Discover the current Lucky Boy Sunday collection here

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This is part of our series of blogs where we share the story behind our collections; because the collections and their creators mean so much to us here at Sisters Guild we want to pass the story on.

We bring a new blog each day; other series of blogs include our 'Monday Makery' with ideas and 'how to's'  to make and bake with all the family, Wednesday we woo you with our favourite pieces from the boutique and its new arrivals, Thursday is all about the art of living; discovering places and sharing new treasures and Friday we bring you the 'A-Z of Sisters Guild' a collection of pictures that convey the life behind the boutique

You can Follow us on Twitter here ,like us on Facebook here and visit our rather marvellous boutique here

The Story Behind our Collections: Rice DK

Rice DK is a Danish company that is so full of joy that they even have their own song! 'Add some spice to life with Rice.'

Rice DK designs the kind of homeware that brings colour to your home and a smile to your face.  They have a strong design style that is always fun and imaginative.  The collections are modern and charming with a nostalgic and slightly bohemian edge.  We love Rice and their pieces have been in our homes for many years, so we just had to include Rice in the Sisters Guild Boutique. Each season Carla & I swoon over the new collection and it's such a pleasure to pick things for the boutique and add some fun and colour to the decor, parties and picnics, gifts and imagine and play categories.

Rice DK is well known for their colourful tableware, kitchenware, picnic pieces, storage and accessories. Of such high quality, this is homeware that is made to be used everyday and last a lifetime.

Rice DK brings new inspiration each season - AW10 was 'Cool & Cozy, SS11 is 'Peace, Kiss and Glamourama.'  They create new words and new colour ranges each season with wonderful names such as this set of mixing bowls in colours called the 'naughty mix,' a candelabra in 'sunshine yellow' and a Tiffin Box in 'sunkissed' colours. These things really are kissable!

Rice are very passionate about Peacocks, and so are we - such a colourful and ridiculous bird! Peacock designs appear everywhere in their collections. Flowers, butterflies and other nature motifs feature too!

The fabrics are beautiful with checks and florals, cottons and velvet, with embroidery, applique and crochet - divine! There's patchwork quilts, floor cushions, LOVE and KISS pillows, fabric covered boxes, bunting, bags, purses, napkins and fabric frames, all in stunning fabrics and detail. There are hand-painted objects too - clothes hangers, candle holders and candelabras.  Rice really know how to take an everyday object -  a box, a bag or a cup - and make it joyful!

So, how did Rice Start?

Rice was founded in 1998 by Philippe and Charlotte Gueniau just months after the birth of their son Max.
The creative inspiration after having a child is a powerful thing!

Charlotte says: The idea of ​​launching Rice was in our heads for a while - my french husband Philip and I wanted a change in our lives. We lived together in Paris for almost 15 years. We both had a good job but felt the need to live differently - to have a life where we could travel together to enjoy a calmer day ...My old classmate Hans was based in Thailand - and was already working on interior products. At a VERY long lunch in France Rice was born!  Today, more than a decade later, there are over 35 people working at Rice in Denmark - where we have very nice offices and showroom in an old building on the canal bank of Odense (the former shipyard Maersk).

The Rice Design House in Denmark sounds like an inspiring place to be. 

Things from Rice are not only colourful and beautiful but they are practical and functional too. This is why we adore Rice - these are beautiful objects that can be used everyday.  The things for children are designed with thought and imagination too, again keeping practicality in mind.  The Raffia Storage Baskets are some of our favourite pieces of children's design.  They make a child's bedroom colourful, help to keep things tidy and they are play things themselves.  My son Gabriel has the Zoo basket which he fills with his animals (and dinosaurs of course) and it is the perfect size for journeys and holidays too.

The Rice team are such a pleasure to work with and it is easy to see that their fun and positive ethic carries right through from the products to the people. Their philosophy is NO ONE CAN HELP EVERYONE, BUT EVERYONE CAN HELP SOMEONE.  We like that!

Rice DK say that their wish is 'to surround you with homely objects – down to earth but still funky, fun and functional'.  Rice DK definitely achieve this in leaps and bounds PLUS they do it in a FAIRTRADE way.  Rice DK has such an inspiring and positive vision in the way they work.  Rice is fairtrade certified to SA8000 and they work closely with the communities that produce and manufacture its products to ensure that a safe and healthy work environment and their manufacturing is carried out with respect and social responsibility.  Their products are produced with a clear conscience. All Rice products are designed and developed in Denmark and are produced in countries such as Thailand, India, Madagascar and China, with respect for people. Rice have a big heart and a strong social ethic. You can read more about Rice special projects around the world here 

Rice themselves say: 'Our designs are inspired by the “good old days” and are very down to earth with lots of detail. We hope to colour you happy when you are washing, cleaning, baking and relaxing in your home.'


We are certainly hooked on this brand that has gained cult status.  Rice is a true celebration of all things we love - home, colour, fun, nature, flowers, fabrics, food, parties and play! Rice really does bring a smile and we are so happy to offer the Rice collection in the boutique to spread those smiles and let Rice add some colour and joy to each corner of your home! 


all images courtesy of Rice DK

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This is part of our series of blog posts about the Story Behind our Collections - why we've chosen the designers that are in the boutique and how those designers came to be.

To see a bit more of what Sisters Guild is all about take a look at the A-Z of Sisters Guild here.

The Story Behind Our Collections - Maileg

We are huge fans of toys that are pieces for play that encourage a childs imagination. We believe that creativity is about coming up with something new. Seeing something through the minds eye rather than the eyes in which we see our physical world.

Maileg is the imagination and the creativity that was born from the eyes of an originative mind. A collection of pieces designed to decorate the home and a wonderful collection designed for children. The Danish design house of contemporary interior lifestyle concepts was established in 1999 and is the imaginative, tactile and visual universe of Dorthe Mailil.

Dorthe Mailil is a graphic designer from The Danish Design School where she graduated in 1996. With studies at the E´cole D´art de Marseille in France and previous stays with creative work in Paris Mailil has a unique talent for creating delightful pieces with an unusual richness and quality.

Winner of the Formland Design Award several times it comes as little surprise that the world that grew up around the bunnies and elves has become an adored collection all around the world.

The authenticity that underlines Dorthe Mailil´s touch has also made her well known as a graphic designer for both books and magazines. Dorthe Mailil´s design has among others been presented at Louvre, Paris – Caixa Forum, Barcelona and Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The Danish design house Maileg brings us a world of rabbits and bunnies with beautifully crafted accessories, mice that sleep in miniature matchboxes on soft striped pillows and woolen blankets. You'll find a charming princess with her bed piled high with mattresses and the infamous pea beneath them, skittles, rattles, and contemporary seasonal decorations for Easter and Christmas as well as storage drums for your favourite things and of course treats.

I have been a fan of maileg ever since my girls were born. My love started with the Belle Amis rattles and has grown along with my girls since. The pieces are crafted beautifully and the fabric and textiles used have such a pleasing feel to touch and play with.

The fabrics used are quite the signiature of Danish design, following a natural theme using cottons that have clear simple patterns typically including white stripes and checks and just as with the bunny collection you'll find that florals are seen too with frosty pastel petals on a white background.

The colours associated with the designs are typical of scandinavian interiors with subtle cool pastels; delicate blossoms of pink and blues that conjure up a milky sky, alongside stronger tones like royal blue, touches of red and bright green.

Natural wood is used frequently in the collection. The furntiure follows the strong designs of the Scandinavian feel for fresh and timeless pieces, where strong lines are often met with gentle curving detail.

The girls insist that the mice are private creatures that live in wardrobes and cupboards where it’s quiet and safe. I cannot count the times I’ve laughed aloud at the places I’ve discovered them hiding along with tea sets and miniature furniture where they’ve set up house.  Our mouse house is tucked in a bookshelf and has been their home for as long as I can remember. We have made a ‘townhouse’ from old shoe boxes for them too, and this is where they come to stay when they’re visiting their cousins.

It is as though they are the mystical creatures that live alongside us. The girls will make up stories too of what they get up to when we are not at home. ‘Coco’ is the sensible one whereas ‘Beau’ is a little mischievous trying to coax the others into some sort of cheeky game. ‘Coco’ and ‘Beau’ have travelled all around the world with us too, taking their suitcases and holiday must haves with them. 

I continue to love the way the girls play when they play with Maileg. Their imagination is free to create little worlds in which their bunnies or mice live in. Whereas their dolls follow a more traditional routine of role-play in which they mimic our everyday lives seeing the world as it is. I have noticed that with other ‘toys’ they are freer to ‘let go’ of this way of play.  ‘Coco’ and ‘Beau’ live in a wonderland where flowers sing, stars are sprinkles of magical powers and the world is a place of new discoveries in which nothing is at it truly is. Their creative play goes beyond thinking and feeling the world as it is and into having their own ideas about it. Interpreting their experience and imagination to give it new meaning. This is not to say that one is more important that the other but rather there is desire for both. A puzzle can only be pieced together in one way; there is an order a logic to it. A picture can use different media and be many things either as a replicated image of something known or a journey into the artists own imagination. Neither is more important than the other and both are part of a childs play. The girls have toys which are played with using their experience of the world as they have learned it and of course those that teach them about the world as it is, then there are toys in which they play with through their ‘minds eyes’. They are inventive, imaginative and turn this into creativity.

This is one of the joys of childhood; the ability to be so utterly spontaneous in thought. To create just to be creative. This is why I love the collections of Maileg. The timeless pieces that have brought a little magic to my own children, a sense of nostalgia to me and hopefully too to be handed down to their children where they can see, as mothers, the other side of play.

Thankfully The Maileg collection holds more than well designed toys for children.

There are beautiful seasonal decorations for Easter and Christmas alongside goodie tins, candle holders and bunting. The designs are instantly recognisable through their colour, design and theme.

Some of our family traditions involve Mailegs designs, the Easter egg tins are rediscovered in the garden every year with different treats inside according to their ages. It’s a tradition I hope to keep going from bunny accessories which is a current favourite and girls’ obsession to hiding a lipstick or a pair of gloves when they are (much) older.

Our pixy advent calendars come out in December to squeals of excitement and their pockets are filled with treats and surprises and ideas for the day. I’m hoping when the children are older they’ll get an advent for us too to fill with ideas, wishes and treats too. The fabric decorations are hung by the children on the lower branches of the Christmas tree and the girls feel like they have been part of the decorating affair that is Christmas. Each year I will add to the collection giving the girls a ‘special’ decoration that is ‘theirs’. Mostly they are chosen depending on the children’s ages and characters at the time. Sometimes just because I know they will adore them.

The Maileg collection grows stronger with each new season. Bringing new collections; a new range of matchbox mice with beautfiul seasonal colours and bunnies in glorious fabric clothing. Easter is just around the corner now and their collection for this special time in spring conjures up imaginings of sunny picnics, fresh spring flowers and wonderful Easter egg hunts. There are plenty of inspiring gifts to suit all ages and wonderful pieces to start your own family traditions.

You can see the best of the Maileg collection here

My favourite pieces from the spring / summer 2011 Maileg collection are the fabric tea set and patisserie cakes.  They are made with beauty and longeivity in mind and just like the whole of the Maileg collection, they are very desirable and collectable.

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This is part of our series of blog posts that reveal the story behind the collections and why we chose them for the Sisters Guild Boutique.

Wednesday Woo - Welcome to the New Rabbit Family

Welcome Alex, Abby, Christina & Cornelia, the new Maileg Rabbits for spring /summer 2011 that have  hopped into the boutique from Denmark, just in time for the Easter holidays.

The Rabbit Family live in a wonderful lair behind a tiny hill-top. There are sisters and brothers, nephews, cousins, a whole family. Every morning they wake up the sun, before it rises, and in the evening they eat star-sprinkles with warm milk using a silver spoon. They are beautifully dressed and ready to play...

Maileg Rabbits - Medium - Christina & Cornelia, £34

The outfits can be changed and the medium sized rabbits even have sweet little shoes you can take on and off - perfect for keeping little hands busy.

Maileg Rabbits - Medium - Abby & Alex, £34

Maileg have used some beautiful fabrics this season - fresh green check, bright florals and a sweet yellow blossom print. Alex has a soft knitted cotton sweater and stripey shorts - so the boys aren't left out of all the rabbit play and dressing fun!

Maileg Rabbits - Small - Christina & Cornelia, £16

And of course there are baby rabbits in the family too:

Maileg Rabbits - Baby Boys & Girls, £14

The Maileg rabbits are made with fine linen with embroidered deatil on the face, fingers and toes. They have dangly arms and legs which adds to their charm. They are so adorable and easily become favourite companions to join in all the day-to-day activities...and far flung adventures too. 

When the rabbits are out and about there's a lovely little duffle-style bag which is perfect for the babies and all the bits they need.  The medium rabbit fit in too with their little face and ears popping out the top to spy all the things that go by.

Maileg Weekender Bags, £13.95

Another rabbit that we are completely smitten with is Boo, Belle's best friend. The pair of them have been up to all sorts of things so far this spring:

Belle & Boo art prints

Boo is ready to charm your little ones at bedtime with this beautiful Boo Cot Bed Quilt (coming very soon!)

View all things rabbity in the Easter section here

The Monday Makery has some wonderful Easter crafts ideas, including Bunny Bunting

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On the Seventh Day of Christmas

On the Seventh Day of Christmas we discovered a Felt Farmhouse that is also a bag,

with a farmer and animals ready to play.

This Felt Farmhouse set is made by Danish designers En Gry & Sif who bring us a unique and beautiful range of handmade and fairtrade products.

We were intrigued that 2 sisters started En Gry & Sif and wanted to find out more.

Here, we share with you an interview with En Gry & Sif

There's 20% off En Gry & Sif today only
Take a look at the En Gry & Sif collection here

20% off En Gry & Sif using discount code* SEVENTH

*offer valid for UK orders only, for items in the En Gry & Sif category,  for 1 day, expires midnight 7th December 2010