Neon Ring Of Fire

 Art, colour, decorative, exhibitions, fun things, inspirational, interiors, lighting, London, nice things, product design, things to do  No Responses »
Apr 182013
 

Chris Bracey Neon Ring Of Fire

Having discovered Chris Bracey’s neon lights (with thanks to Conran Shop) and gone on to use one in a shoot last year, I was rather excited to see a gallery of bright colours emitting glow over the hard concrete streets in the west end of London. I have to say, I do like a bit of neon lighting, especially done with a nod to many aspects of iconic American popular culture which will always retain a element of cool; 1950s, rock’n'roll, bikers, tattoo parlours and street retail advertising. But Bracey doesn’t just regurgitate old lights, he adapts and adds to, recycling old lights to make new pieces, that are more relevant to us today, whilst referencing the land so far from these shores. And no further away than from Walthamstow, where Bracey works in his delightfully named workshop, God’s Own Junkyard. His workshop is now open to the public on specific days, so after you visit Scream to see his exhibition, I advise you to check out his website, then go and indulge yourself with more neon goodness.

1.) Lady Luck (detail), 2.) Hot Burning Love/ Hotel Love, 3.) Love and Hate, 4.) Hands of God (and detail),  5.) Find Love Upstairs (shown in three light variations)

Chris Bracey at Scream Gallery. 12 April until 01 June 2013.
27 – 28 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8DH Tel: +44 (0)20 7268 9857
Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday 11am – 4pm

Very Pleased To Meet

 colour, decorative, fun things, illustrators, nice things, paper, product design, shops, stationery  No Responses »
Apr 172013
 

PleasedToMeet Very Pleased To Meet

I spotted this company’s products in various hotspots around New York and liked their style instantly. Pleased To Meet is the lovechild of two German designers, Daniela Könn and Marcel Hornung, who met and fell in love whilst working in New York. Founded in 2004, they now have a lovely range of simple and charming designs spread over a variety of paper-based goods, contemporary eco ethics with a hint of mid-century style illustrations. Good colour choices too. They do have stockists worldwide but they also do international delivery so no need to panic. Here are my top-picks.

1.) I Love You wrapping paper, €2.60, 2.) New York wrapping paper, €2.60, 3.) Fawns wrapping paper, €2.60, 4.) A Good Catch wrapping paper, €2.60, 5.) Flying Birds notebook, €5, 6.) Lovebirds notebook, €5, 7.) Travel Journal, €19, 8.) Paris notebook, €7, all available from their website.

Many Treats To Be Had

 ceramics, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, homewares, inspirational, interiors, nice things, product design, shopping, shops  2 Responses »
Apr 122013
 

NYC Shopping Many Treats To Be Had

I was pretty restrained on my recent trip to New York despite the many treats to be had. The choice was out of my hands. I had to be. I’m soon to be moving home and property in London isn’t cheap. Needless to say, the mortgage company would not be sympathetic to my pleas and tales of cushion-love in NYC, however lovely it was, so, well-behaved I was. This doesn’t mean that I don’t sit here at my desk and dream. I confess, the Cole Haan shoes and the birdie letter opener came home with me, but then they don’t count, as they both fall under the ‘practical’ category. For future reference (for myself and any one who fancies treating a hard-working Finch), here are my top nine shopping treats from the great city across the pond.

1.) Gramercy Oxfords in nubuck rooftop and sunlight, $198, Cole Haan, 2.) stone house door stop, $31.90, West Elm, 3.) Petrie armchair in fawn, $2,199, Crate And Barrel, 4.) Petrie ottoman in fawn, $1,248.75, Crate And Barrel, 5.) birdie letter opener, $12, MOMA, 6.) Dauville gold glazed bowls, from $11, Canvas, 7.) Map of New York decorative sheet, by Charles Lahti, $20, Kate’s Paperie, 8.) porcelain pitchers by Ryota Aoki, from $148, The Future Perfect, 9.) Acciaio dining chair, designed by Max Lipsy, $1,500, Matter

Monochrome Stripes Ain’t Just For Zebras

 Art, collaborations, colour, decorative, events, exhibitions, fun things, illustrators, inspirational, interiors  No Responses »
Apr 112013
 

Patternity Monochrome Stripes Aint Just For Zebras

This show is a visual feast, both close up and as a collective whole. The power of monocrome stripes will never be denied again. The two pattern-lovers behind the blog, Patternity, Anna Murray and Grace Winteringham, have curated a powerhouse of all that falls under the category of stripe- be it fashion, art, craft, science, architecture, design or environment. The three rooms of the gallery space on Redchurch Street, have been divided into separate entities looking at research, collaborative efforts in design and finally a interactive learning and events space, dedicated to film and the philosophy behind pattern and the stripes of everyday life. No gallery would be complete without a cafe, and this cafe has Guinness, Pomp de Franc cakes and they’re serving (black) tea in Richard Brendon‘s tea cups. There’s even a gift shop, needless to say it’s a specially-curated black and white Darkroom concession gift shop. With lots of events running until the end of the show, from yoga and crafts to discussing pattern with neuroscientists and psychologists, entertainment and learning is guaranteed. Everyday’s a (glamourous) school day.

1.) a screen shot from the wall-sized projection area especially commissioned films, 2.) the flooring of the event area in Room Three ‘It’s Everywhere We Go’, 3.) the dazzling play of perpective and pattern on the gallery wall, graphics by BAF graphics, 4.) The strength that is Room One ‘Seeing Pattern Everywhere’, 5.) black coil pot by artist, Glen Wild, 6.) Plumen bulbs and Richard Brendon’s ‘Warp’ and ‘Reason’ teacups complete a sriking table made by Patternity

Ode To The Moon

 Art, colour, craft, decorative, Designer-Maker, exhibitions, fun things, homewares, inspirational, interiors, nice things, pattern, product design, shopping, surfaces  No Responses »
Apr 102013
 

Moonish 1977 Ode To The Moon

sunspots Ode To The Moon

Moonish music Ode To The Moon

One of my highlights of New York’s Architectural Digest Home Design Show, which I attended as part of Modenus’ BlogTourNYC, was this stand showing the work of Brooklyn-based designer-maker company, Moonish. Marine-grade plywood is dyed, silk-screen printed and cut down into 6″sq tiles with magnetic backing. The wood grain is visible through the dye, allowing for the natural qualities to show, giving the decorative tiles a warmth not usually associated with their ceramic cousins. Their application also differs, no messy grouting required here, this wall treatment is purely magnetic. Allowing design flexibility and a freedom from the usual constraints of surface decorations, you can chop and change as often as you rotate your footwear, should you wish. This also makes them reusable, a detail that is rapidly becoming the most attractive USP a product can have, in an age of economic and environmental uncertainty. All of these positive pointers and we haven’t even got on to how good looking these little wooden squares are. Well, I don’t really need to say anything, they do all that’s necessary for themselves. Just look at them! And if you tire of diamonds, change it to chevrons, …if you bore of chevrons, …change to diamonds. So much to love, so little time (such good colours too). Go get them.

From top to bottom: ’1977′, ‘Sunspots’ and ‘Music’ designs.

Kielitiettyni

 animals, animation, Art, colour, fun things, nice things, random  No Responses »
Apr 082013
 

The Tongueling from Elli Vuorinen on Vimeo.

This little animation is by Elli Vuorinen, a recent graduate of the Turken Arts Academy in Finland, has been making waves. Elli has been selected to be a resident animation artist in Tokyo 2012-2013, her animation ‘The Tongueling’ will be part of the KROK international animation festival, was entered into the main competition of Hiroshima International Animation Festival. The Tongueling is a wondruous wintery colour palette, full of high contrasts, this is totally apt seeing as despite it being April and BST, it’s still winter here in the UK. I watched it complete with scarf and blanket over my lap, cradling my coffee as I giggled, gasped, winced and exclaimed by way through this short story. Both funny ha-ha and funny peculiar, this tells the tale of a man looking for love and finding it in a most unexpected place. Full of wet mouth noises, so if you’re a little sensitive, this may not be for you.

Kielitiettyni (The Tongueling)
Wooden knocks are echoing in a frozen landscape when a lonesome man is searching for a tongueling of his own.
Hand-drawn animation- Direction/ Animation/ Script/ Editing: Elli Vuorinen
Sound design: Elli Vuorinen, Jani Lehto
Music: Jani Lehto
Production: Turku Arts Academy / Eija Saarinen/ 2010

BlogTourNYC: No.4

 Art, ceramics, collaborations, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, fun things, homewares, interiors, product design, shopping, shops  No Responses »
Apr 042013
 

No4 BlogTourNYC: No.4

1.) Bespoke Global: bringing artists and craftfolk’s work to the fore. Facilitating communication and encouraging non-high street retail. 2.) the fantastically cheerful carpet in the reception of the Fab headquarters, 3.) Du Verre‘s ‘Rise’ cabinet handle by Christopher Smith of East Main Design (available in three finishes and 4 sizes), 4.) a selection of Prehistoric stone bracelets on stands, just a few of the many treasures on sale at interior designer, Vicente Wolf‘s showroom, 5.) Pomegranate cabinet handle, in satin brass, by metalsmith designer, Heinz Pfleger, sold by Du Verre (available in different finishes and sizes), 6.) a detail in the corner of the Fab photographic studio. Lovely colours.

With many thanks to all the Modenus‘ BlogtourNYC sponsors: Miele, Mr Steam, Silestone by Cosentino, Blanco, Poggenpohl, Du Verre, Barber Wilsons, NKBA, Jenn Air, Victoria + Albert Baths

It’s All Woolly Good

 animals, Art, collaborations, colour, craft, decorative, Designer-Maker, events, homewares, inspirational, interiors, London, nice things, textiles, texture, things to do  No Responses »
Mar 142013
 

Woolweek Its All Woolly Good

Yesterday saw the opening of this year’s Wool Week by Campaign For Wool at Wool House, Somerset House. I first got excited by Wool Week two years ago with their Wool Modern exhibition, which I loved for all its crafty exhibitors but found disappointing due to its heavy fashion emphasis and a lack of homewares. This year, they’ve totally turned it around with more interiors and homewares than you can shake a sheep at. Which is only right, when you think about how much wool is a major player in homewares; from cushions, carpets to sofas and blankets. Very nicely curated, with an extensive exploration across all interior styles and colours. Go in with open eyes and prepare to be amazed. You’ll never look at a sheep in the same way again. It’s a cracker.

Photos from left to right, top to bottom:
Infinity carpet runner by Christian Zuzunaga for Brintons
Arran jumper armchair by Champ Upholstery with Vintage Clothes- seen in the Natural Room by Josephine Ryan.
Fabric walls in Wool Sateen Glace Indigo by Holland & Sherry- seen in the Classic Drawing Room by Fox Linton Associates
Wool lettering detail
Curved Laine, three-dimensional acoustic sound absorbing panel, 100% wool felt, made to order, designed by Anne Kyyrö Quinn- seen in Modern Room by Anne Kyyrö Quinn.
detail of the cloud mobile, custom made for Wool House, by Donna Wilson- seen in Nursery by Donna Wilson.
Leaf, pink acoustic sound absorbing panel, 100% wool felt, made to order, designed by Anne Kyyrö Quinn- seen in Modern Room by Anne Kyyrö Quinn.
Chain carpet, designed by Ashley Hicks, woven to order by Alternative Flooring- seen in Study by Ashley Hicks.
knitted vessels by Hilary Anderson-Barr- seen in the Natural Room by Josephine Ryan.

The Campaign for Wool’s WOOL HOUSE
Wool House, West Wing, Somerset House, London
13 – 24 March 2013
Open daily
Free admission

The Reds, Whites and Blues

 colour, decorating, fun things, inspirational, interiors, shopping  No Responses »
Mar 132013
 

The Reds Whites and Blues The Reds, Whites and Blues

It just so patriotic on here today. Next, they’ll be offering me residency. I’m doing a little American week, as we’re now just under a week away until I fly stateside for BlogTourNYC. The nerves are mounting, the mind has turned to mentally packing and repacking, I’m checking the weather and making sure I know the language. Kidding. I think I may need to turn down the Cockney sparra’, otherwise I may well be repeating myself. Anyway, It’s been a while since I did a paint post, so it was ripe for the picking. The American dream is red, white and blue, and if you’re brave enough, here are a mix of UK paint sellers offering up some of my favourite of the well-known hues. If we could all be standing, let’s hear it for the land of the free, home of the brave.

1.) No Moral Value, £36, Colour Makes People Happy, 2.) Sarong by B&Q Colours, £14.98, B&Q, 3.) Zoffany’s Architect’s White, £35, Designer Paint, 4.) Gauze (106), £32.50, Little Greene, 5.) Isle of White, £19.50, Graham & Brown, 6.) Burn after Painting, £36, Colour Makes People Happy, 7.) Drawing Room Blue No. 253, £34.50, Farrow & Ball, 8.) Cinnabar Red, £31.50, Fired Earth, 9.) Very Well Read, £POA, Paint Library

All prices for 2.5lts tin of matt emulsion

TXT Island

 animation, Art, colour, inspirational, nice things  No Responses »
Mar 112013
 

TXT ISLAND : animated shortfilm by chrisgavin from Chris Gavin on Vimeo.

With a soundtrack more like that of a multi-million dollar Hollywood movie, this exceptional little animation couldn’t have less in common with a blockbuster. Made with, I imagine, very little budget, a staff role of fewer than fingers on one hand and a damn sight more creativity and imagination, this must have been a labour of love, but the world is a better place for it. The originality of the use of a plastic signboard and a new take on the use of the letters, this short story comes to life with passion and aplomb. I absolutely love it and chuckle with pleasure at such brilliance with every viewing. Needless to say, I’m a great fan of this short. A big fat round of applause to north London boy, Chris Gavin.

Soundtrack was created by Russell Pay.

TXT ISLAND was a nominee for ‘Best Short Film’ at the 2010 British Animation Awards.

pixel TXT Island
 Older Entries
%d bloggers like this: