Meet the Timorous Beasties
Stationary, wallpaper, AND vocabulary words!
As a stationary fiend, I like keeping boxes of art-themed notecards stocked. Until recently, I reveled in sending folks sheets of Finnish design house Marimekko’s note paper in matching envelopes. But when those ran out and I started using my name stamp on watercolor paper as makeshift stationary like an animal, I started hunting for my next cards. I’ve felt drawn to botanicals and flowers lately, so I was thrilled to find a nice box set of notecards at the National Gallery of Art giftshop a few weeks back that where rife with floral whimsey and gravitas. I love a giftshop, and the three found in the National Gallery of Art are especially delightful: They’re low on trinkets and high on useful items that convey at least a passing interest in art. This stationary is one such practical, beautiful item.
The fantastical botanicals caught my eye, but the name of the print designer sold me. Timorous Beasties. Isn’t that fantastic? “Timorous,” as in “shy” or “nervous,” pairs so charmingly with “beasties.” My small cat, Rae, is a timorous beastie. I feel like I have a timorous beastie inside of me—she is gruntled by validation and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with walnuts.
Let’s pause for a moment to appreciate that the opposite of disgruntled is “gruntled!” This, well, gruntles me.
Back to Timorous Beasties! This is the name of the textile and wallpaper firm founded by Alistair McAuley and Paul Simmons in Glasgow in 1990. The print I purchased in notecard form is called “Bloomsbury Garden.” Here it is in wallpaper form:
The firm has had remarkable collaborations over the years with the likes of Nike, Kate Bush, and the Royal Opera House. These are well worth taking a moment to explore, if you’re in the mood for a true ocular feast. You can also read more about TB’s approach to design here if you’re really fiending for more.
Gruntle your inner timorous beastie with something beautiful this week. Until next,
Elizabeth
This newsletter is just one facet of Zhuzh, my platform dedicated to conscious consumption and making space for delight. I offer secondhand-and-vintage-based wardrobe and interior styling services, art curation, and super chill life coaching. Keep up with me on Instagram and learn more at www.zhuzhlife.com.