Chalky Pictorial

 colour, fun things, inspirational, nice things, photography, random  No Responses »
May 182012
 

Chalks Chalky Pictorial

It’s been a busy week and so I felt like a little light relief in the form of a pictorial post might be in order. We’ve had more than our fair share of grey skies and rainy downpours in the last few weeks and whilst it’s rather nice from a visual point of view (the zing of fresh new leaves against the grey sky with the flurry of pink and white blossom flying through the air on the Spring breeze). However, everything is a little soggy and we’re beginning to fear a development of webbed feet. They look great on ducks but not so much on us. Chalky pastels is a popular colour theme in both interiors and fashion at the moment and a collection of smokey hues is a pleasure beyond belief. I’ve been wearing a variation on this theme for a while and can’t get enough of it. And so having spent the last few days shooting AW12 press lookbook for a high street retailer, I was pleased as punch to be doing a dps (double page spread) in subtle and hazy pinks, creams, beiges and blues. Before you all shout ‘but there’s barely a chalky pastel featured’, I’d like to point out I know. There wasn’t a lot available in the more delicate hues on We Heart It but nonetheless, rather sweet pictures. Happy Friday to you all.

Images with thanks from We Heart It

The Big Yellow Shop

 coffee, collaborations, colour, events, fun things, London, nice things, shopping, shops  No Responses »
May 172012
 

The Big Yellow Shop The Big Yellow Shop

I was pleased as punch the other day when propping for a job, I was stopped in my tracks by the cheeriest hue on the streets. London may not be paved in gold but the Pantone colour 109 is no bad close second. YELLOW. EVERYTHING YELLOW. Selfridges is all about The Big British Bang and isn’t it loud? The ladies were head to toe in black and didn’t they cut a fine figure against that yellow? The Big Yellow Shop was originally launched back in 2009 and is back but this time bigger, better and dare I say it, bolder. I’m glad Selfridges are celebrating their signature colour and what a marvellous collection of yellow things, to be sure. All fine examples of nice design and great brands to boot. I love the display and that it’s over looked by yellow birds perched high on the lighting cable, alternating with the dangling naked bulbs. Splendidly done and with humour. My favourite combination. Whilst the nation (and Selfridges too) go wild with red, white and blue, get your fix of an alternative patriotically-coloured initiative with sunshine bright on the floor of the world’s favourite famous high street store. Here are my top picks. Lots on line, more in store.

The Big Yellow Shop1 The Big Yellow Shop
1.) Pantone 109 mug, £14.95, 2.) Undercover London A-Z address book, £24.95, 3.) Sigg water bottle, £18.50, 4.) Espresso coffee, £4.99, 5.) Hunter wellies, £120, 6.) travel card holder, £8.95 and finally, the one you’ve all been waiting for, 7.) Illamasqua Pantone 109 nail duo, £21. All exclusives to The Big Yellow Shop.

The Beauty of Earthborn

 colour, decorating, homewares, inspirational, interiors, nice things, product design, shopping, shops  No Responses »
May 162012
 

Earthborn The Beauty of Earthborn

Increasingly we are moving in a direction of better, kinder, friendlier products which are made from natural resources or recycled materials. “But what about the compromise on colour!”, I hear you cry. Fear not, for long gone is the time of limited colour-schemes with a slightly dodgy finish. This latest addition to the scene is Earthborn. A environmentally-friendly British paint-company which unfortunately doesn’t have its own stores as yet but has no shortage of stockists, both on the high street and on-line. Earthborn are one of the few paint companies to have been awarded the EU Ecolabel which means that it’s the best alternative for a healthier paint for both planet and homeowner. Their Claypaint range I am particularly interested in as it gives an almost tangible matt finish which looks thick and luxurious. Now, if you want neon-pops, this might not be the brand for you but if gentle hues and muted brights are what you’re interested in then I definitely recommend having a look through their ranges. If you want a more hands on exploration, then pop into your local branch of Lombok for a closer look. Lombok have partnered with Earthborn which is a good business-thinking, if you ask me.

Visit Earthborn or ring: 01928 734171, for more information and stockists. Available in tester pot, 2.5l and 5l size pots.

Ceramic Innovation and Tradition

 Art, ceramics, decorative, Designer-Maker, events, exhibitions, homewares, inspirational, interiors, jewellery, London, nice things, product design, things to do  No Responses »
May 152012
 

Tradition and Innovation Ceramic Innovation and Tradition

‘Tradition and Innovation: Five Decades of Harrow Ceramics’ is the current exhibition that’s showing at the Contemporary Applied Arts gallery in the centre of London. It’s a bitter sweet exhibition because it’s the end of an era. Five decades of ceramic prowess nurtured and encouraged at the Harrow Ceramics course is being celebrated in this last ever show which sees the closure of the course. The Harrow Studio Pottery Course recently became the BA Ceramics as part of the University of Westminster, but sadly is no more. The show is a look at recent work from current and past students and tutors of the course. There is a nice mix of materials, not just ceramics and porcelain, as true as the nature of art, the students and tutors have grown organically as has their work and the materials that they work with. There is paper, plastic, metal and wood in all forms and shapes, recognisable and otherwise. Some of my favourites are pictured above. On until the 9th June 2012. Admission free. If you’re in the big city, why not drop in for a spot of tranquility and ceramic art? Why not, indeed.

Contemporary Applied Arts: 2 Percy Street, London, W1T 1DD. Telephone: 020 7436 2344

From left to right, top to bottom: Lawrence Epps, Daniel Smith, Caterina Fadda of FaddaSantos, Sue Goldschmidt, Prue Venables, Richard Slee, Marie T. Hermann, Sylvain Thirouin.

images by Atticus and Finch using Instagram, with thanks to CAA for letting me photograph the exhibition.

Life Is A Soeng

 animation, Art, colour, illustrators, inspirational, nice things, texture  No Responses »
May 142012
 

A spectrum of grey from white to black which covers all areas of light and dark along the way. This video is not only an education of the multitude of greys in the world but also how light effects and interacts with tonals of white and black, and all that’s in between. The main character is a silhouette made up of what looks like sugar paper or felted fabric and is the most textured throughout the video making it easy to distinguish and follow. The surroundings are formed of ethereal, dream-like, washes of colour that blend and merge to make a misty ‘working’ universe in which the character lives, the edges of which are highlighted in streaks of white. Dappled rays of light and the occasional flash or block of red, makes for a powerful and moving animation. Beautifully executed and subtly done, this story is one we all know too well, and we all have our own ‘Soeng’. And make of that what you will. Throw in some nice texture too and you’ve got a recipe that makes me rather happy. Although rather melancholic, this animation is sufficiently beautiful to help you forget about the sadness and have you watching it repeatedly.

‘Soeng’ official music video of Near Light by Ólafur Arnalds
Animation by Lam Ho Tak

My Bauhaus Is Better Than Yours

 Art, collaborations, Designer-Maker, exhibitions, fun things, furniture, homewares, interiors, London, nice things, shopping, shops  No Responses »
May 112012
 

Bauhaus shopping My Bauhaus Is Better Than Yours

I didn’t want to Bauhaus you all out last week so I saved this for today’s little treat. Soooooo much nice stuff, all Bauhaus-y and spectacular. Most of the above can be found in the exhibition shop but I also wanted to share the love out between other retailers, as I know not all of the Barbian items are available to see or buy on-line through the Barbican shop itself. The selection of exhibition-related consumer goods is very strong accompaniment to a very good exhibition. The new in-house buyer knows her stuff and has certainly made an impression on me. There’s nothing worse than coming out of something stonking to find the available treats pappy, and for a small space, they sure know how to cram it full of goodness. Go wild in the aisles of lines and squares.

1.) ’Build Things’ print by Joe Joiner, £49 (special offer ends on the 13/05/2012), Llustre, 2.) Sugar and Creamer, designed by Marianne Brandt and Helmut Schulze at the Bauhaus Steel mirror polished made by Alessi (Includes tray, creamer and sugar tongs), £165, Barbican (available in store and online) 3.) Wassily Lounge Chair, Code: 301, From: £1,428, Aram, 4.) Bauhaus: Art as Life Exhibition Catalogue, £38.95, Barbican (available in store and online) 5.) Stolen from De Stijl ceramic plates, £120 each, Darkroom London, 6.) Stolen from De Stijl large notebook,£29, Darkroom 7.) ‘My Bauhaus is Better than your Bauhaus’ tote bag, £16.95, Culture Label, 8.) Anni Albers Rug, Produced by Christopher Farr, 100% Hand tufted hand spun wool. 122 x 183 cm, £975, Barbican (available in store and online)

An Alternative Alphabet For Adults

 Art, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, fun things, homewares, illustrators, nice things, paper, product design  No Responses »
May 102012
 

Mark McGinnis An Alternative Alphabet For Adults

Now, due to their rather cheeky personalities, this alphabet may not be to everyone’s taste but I think it’s no bad thing to try and keep things light-hearted occasionally. It’s all too easy in these libellous and blame-seeking times to get over sensitive about things and to lose perspective. It’s understandable that people are delicate and take things personally especially when the world is in such a hurry. One can get lost in the tunnel-vision of concentration that our lives require so it’s important to remind ourselves that life is serious but is also meant to be fun. And these are fun. Cheeky, in bright colours with simple drawings, this limited edition alphabet series by Brooklyn-based illustrator and artist, Mark McGinnis, will no doubt produce a favourite in there for everyone (possibly, I hope). Complete with irreverent humour, these will surely have you giggling each time you see them and that’s got to be a good thing. Throw out the over-cautious political-correctness, and just enjoy the charming good-natured humour that these posters bring to the table (wall), shall we?

Limited edition Alphabet Series Prints (signed by the artist) each poster is £90, dimensions: h64x w49cm, all available from SCP (not available online)

The Inner Squeakings of Chisel And Mouse

 architecture, Art, ceramics, decorative, Designer-Maker, fun things, homewares, inspirational, nice things, product design  No Responses »
May 092012
 

Chisel And Mouse1 The Inner Squeakings of Chisel And Mouse

I’ve always had a hankering after those beautiful cardboard models that architects make when designing buildings. They’re miniature, their pure, unadulterated white is unsullied with the grime of life or car pollution, and they represent, what I imagine to be, an inordinate amount of hours slaving away with a ruler and scalpel. The latter I can fully appreciate and comprehend. However, whilst these little lovelies may not be made out of card nor the originals, Chisel and Mouse have endeavoured to bring you the next best thing. Handcrafted plaster ornaments of facades of the nation’s favourite and most beautiful buildings and not all the most well-known. I was most delighted when I spotted them in The Guardian Weekend a few months back and was delighted when their name recently appeared in my inbox. A mere sapling of a company, Chisel and Mouse started in 2011, but are already being seen across the internet and the pages of the glossy nationals. And rightly so. I hope that their branching out into American Art Deco will see them traversing the lands across the pond too. Deservedly so. Which brings me to a thought. This is the sort of thing that ought to be available to tourists, should they wish to purchase some gifts, come the the couple of big National events. Instead we are as usually being over run with multi-coloured, cheaply-made (most likely in China), heavily-branded, plastic toot, that no one in their right mind would truly desire and given a few months will no doubt be covered with dust and forgotten in the corner. Let’s wave the flag for British handmade goods that will be coveted and cherished.

1.) Whitechapel Art Gallery, (77-82 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7QX), 19cm high, 19cm wide, 4.5cm deep & 1.2kg approximately, £95, 2.) Regency Townhouse, (13 Brunswick Square, Hove, BN3 1EH), 24cm high, 10cm wide, 6cm deep & 1.5kg approximately, £129, 3.) Buckingham Palace, (Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA), 26cm high, 17cm wide, 5cm deep and 2kg approximately, £99, 4.) Hoover Building, (Western Avenue, London, UB6 8BW), 18cm high, 21cm wide, 5.5cm deep & 2.1kg approximately, £135, 5.) Broadcasting House, (Portland Place, London, W1A 1AA), 24cm high, 16cm wide, 9cm deep & 3.5kg approximately, £105, 6.) Battersea Power Station, (188 Kirtling Street, London, SW8 5BP), 28cm high, 20cm wide, 5.5cm deep & 1.5kg approximately, £99 images with thanks to Chisel and Mouse

The Perfectly Easy Based On Uneasiness

 colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, furniture, homewares, interiors, nice things, product design, shopping, shops, textiles  No Responses »
May 082012
 

Uneasiness and Triangle The Perfectly Easy Based On Uneasiness

Seeing as I liked yesterday’s post on the animation, Uneasiness and Triangle, by Masanobu Hiraoka, so much, I thought I would continue it on today by concentrating on the lovely colour palette. And here is the result. A nice selection from across the UK’s interiors high street (the virtual one as well as the one made of bricks and mortar), not too girly but a nod in that direction. Nowt wrong with that. Warm and inviting without the chintz and the twee normally associated with these sorts of colours. There’s a lot of candy hues continuing over from last year’s trends and we’ll see it continue into AW12 whilst getting bolder and smokier. Lovely tonals of ‘dirty’ colour. Nice. One could say ‘pretty but gritty’ which is just how I like it.

1.) Large Nostalgia Vase, TRJ3234, £18.95, Graham and Green, 2.) Set of 6 coloured glass tumblers, £59, Dwell, 3.) ‘This Storm Would Pass Me’ collage print by Sabrina Tibourtine, £16.95, Pretty Dandy, 4.) John Lewis Barbican Large Sofa, Cossette Green / Light Leg, £1,200, John Lewis, 5.) Candy Stripe Pink, 100% cotton, £22.50 per metre, Ian Mankin, 6.) Centro carafe in purple, 870ml, CX27, £15, LSA, 7.) Leff Amsterdam wall clock ‘Scope 45′, £85, Design 55, 8.) Mutabilis Cushion, Rectangle, £98, Anthropologie, 9.) Cockatoo candle, £14, Rockett St George

Uneasiness and Triangle

 animation, Art, colour, fun things, illustrators, inspirational, nice things, treats  1 Response »
May 072012
 

by Masanobu Hiraoka, latest member of Je Regarde, source: Vimeo

Ohhh, I’m liking this video. Granted, it’s a little ookie in places but look at those colours! Colours! Whoop-la, colours! Sweet drawings too, classic Japanese-esque animation but for grown-ups. With a spectacular colour palette and no oversized eyes to be seen anywhere. The combination of the white background (which you don’t see much of in animation or art) and the music creates a dream-like experience that fits perfectly with the slightly bizarre happenings on the screen. I don’t think I really know what’s going on it in but I feel like it doesn’t really matter, the little girl who is dressed in what looks like a little romper-suit is such a little cutie (occasionally seen close up and she has freckles!) and the colours are so magical that you just want them to keep appearing. Totally otherworldly, his style is weirdly reminiscent to me of our own children’s cartoons of the 70s. I’m thinking along the lines of the Clangers and Willo The Wisp. Slightly druggy but utterly captivating. Candy cool and the occasional block of strong colour adds depth and strength to what could maybe have been an insipid scheme. And bang on too for seasonal colour trends both in fashion and interiors.

pixel Uneasiness and Triangle
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