The Hillside Spring 2014 Lookbook | Brookyln (US)

Nothing says spring quite like fresh flowers and the Corsillo brothers' location in New York's flower district is the ideal backdrop for The Hill-Side's Spring 2014 lookbook. The Brooklyn-based label present their seasonal collection of ties, handkerchiefs and scarves alongside additional items including bags, shirting and Japanese-made sneakers in this colourful set of images by NYC photographer Josh Wool.

Available from Peggs & Son.

A modern farm: Westwind Orchard | New York (USA)

The Westwind Orchard, first planted by Chester Khon in the 1930s, is a 32-acre apple orchard farm in the Hudson River Valley owned by partners Laura Ferrara and Fabio Chizzola. Inspired by apple growing, the fashion editor/stylist and photographer-turned-farmers have dramatically renovated the farmhouse over the last eight years to create 'a vision of a local farming future for our region'. The farm grows pears, raspberries, garlic, grapes and squash and also houses a flock of chickens, honey beehives and maple trees. The interior of the farmhouse is a delicate blend of traditional and contemporary design and neatly reflects the couple’s unconventional yet sophisticated taste. The rustic dark wood that lines the floors and walls is offset by soft furnishings including quilts, long pile carpets and custom-made furniture to create a warm yet rustic space.

Read more about Westwind Orchard.

EDC Kit 2 by Kaufmann Mercentile | New York (USA)

Each exploration we take often involves a utility waistcoat with pockets filled of everyday essentials and a Fjallraven Kanken tactically packed to the point of being refused as hand luggage. So a useful everyday carry that makes daily duties as simple as possible is always appreciated, hence our excitement for the Every Day Carry Kit by Brooklyn (US) shop Doane Kaufmann Mercentile.

Founded in 2009, Doane Kaufmann Mercentile is the creation of Sebastian Kaufmann, a German expat who owns a great appreciation for design, art, cooking, science, and the outdoors. Kaufmann Mercantile is a one-stop appreciation for well-designed goods that are crafted with equal importance given to functionality, durability and aesthetics. Will a outlook that design should marry both function and beauty, the articles present by Kaufmann Mercantile are handmade, never compromised or mass produced for they encourage still-functioning heirlooms, not fodder for landfills.

A recent addition to the Kaufmann Mercantile collection is the Every Day Carry (EDC) which refers to a small collection of pocket-friendly tools that you’d find useful to carry on a daily basis for tackling both mundane and disastrous situations. The concept behind the EDC Kit 2 is to keep the collection streamlined yet reliant; having items that do the most, while taking up the least amount of pocket space possible. Turning your keychain into a productive tool, the EDC Kit 2 features a pressurised pen, brass compass, stainless steel perforated folding knife, brass flashlight and magnesium fire starter all attached to a stainless steel carabiner. All items can be bought separately also.

Top – Kaufmann Mercentile EDC Kit 2

'Empire State of Pen' by Patrick Vale | London (UK)

Our appreciation for capturing a location from a unique viewpoint is the drive for our exploration and is fundamental in our design approach of ‘mapping out a city’. Our sense of spatial awareness and approach to highlight a community of independents is the conveyance of better living. A city can and will always be viewed from a differing perspective, one person to the next, from ground zero to a roof top. The city drawings by Hackney based artist and illustrator Patrick Vale are a demonstration to how we view a city, be it as a local or a visitor.

Patrick whose idiosyncratic sketches of major cities are incredibly complex, built up by a multitude of layers has lead him to international acclaim, large and highly detailed, Patrick’s freehand drawings render a sense of history and character, making us intrigued; we peer deeper into the makeup of a city. Each drawing shows the intricate structures of fire escapes and rooftops as much as it does the famous landmarks that makes a city iconic and instantly recognised. Often choosing a very high vantage point, Patrick creates work that represents vast swathes of a city, which invite us to investigate and relate to.

Patrick is best known for his work based on New York City, where his freehand drawing ‘Empire State of Pen’, a view of Manhattan from the Empire State Building was documented in a time-lapsed film captured from five days of intensive drawing. View Patrick’s portfolio to find out more about his work past and future.

Aprons by Editor's Index | New York (USA)

From the outside looking in, Editor’s Index present a small selection of hand crafted aprons designed and made by Kimmy Eliot Fung. But on further inspection there’s a lot more than meets the eye. Editor’s Index is the convergence of style, utility and craft, where an apron serve’s its own specific purpose for its owner. Editor’s Index creates articles with a thorough design ethos; understanding taste, dissecting form and minding the manners of design.

Where reference is just as likely to be sourced from architecture and literature as a restaurant kitchen. The philosophy behind Editor’s Index is deeply integrated within the artistic vernacular of Kimmy Eliot Fung who aspires to offer makings of intellect, honesty and sentiment. Currently Editor’s Index offers well considered aprons which have been designed with function and form in mind. Crafted from either 10oz cotton duck or 9.5oz Japanese Hickory denim stripe canvas in a New York studio, the Lock, Half and Cross aprons are quiet, simple and industrious in design while offering protection and utility.

Top centre – Half Apron (Bib), 9.5oz Cotton Hickory Denim Stripe Canvas
Middle left – Lock Apron, 10oz Cotton Duck Canvas
Bottom left - Cross Apron, 10oz Cotton Duck Canvas