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

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.

Yes, The Future IS Perfect

 ceramics, craft, decorative, Designer-Maker, homewares, interiors, lighting, nice things, product design, shopping, shops  No Responses »
Apr 092013
 

Future Perfect Yes, The Future IS Perfect

On a recommended tip by a now-native New Yorker (thank you, Liz!), I made sure that I fitted a trip to The Future Perfect in Manhattan. It wasn’t a venture wasted. In amongst a good list of interiors stores in the SoHo/ Nolita area, this by far was my favourite design shop, and the closest to my own personal taste. Nicely laid out, there were little treats to be discovered in all corners of the store, from well-known companies to lesser-known designer-makers. It was also nice to see a large range of products from my own London favourite, SCP (and no shortage of Donna Wilson‘s knitted delights). Royelyn (the shop attendant) indulged me a small tour of my favourite goodies, and also a discussion on slang and the linguistic differences between Brooklyn, Manhattan and London. Good times. Here are my top 9 items (international shipping available).

1.) Reunion bowl, by Pieke Bergman, $165, 2.) Mirror standing shelf, by Garth Roberts, £3,650, (this is far more amazing in person than you can see from the photos. It’s gorgeous), 3.) Bluff City pendant light, £750, 4.) Moon Dance Rug Small, Domestic Construction, $63 (sale price), 5.) Watering Can, Copper, Paul Loebach, $99 (available from May), 6.) Facet Bowl, by Piet Hein Eek, $956, 7.) Tree Trunk Chair in Green Velours, by Piet Hein Eek, $2,858, 8.) Crescent Brass Bottle Opener, by Oji Masanori, $60, 9.) Glacier Double Old-Fashioned Glass, Purple, for Artel by David Wiseman, $439

BlogTourNYC: No.5

 architecture, collaborations, decorative, Designer-Maker, events, furniture, homewares, inspirational, interiors, product design  No Responses »
Apr 052013
 

No5 BlogTourNYC: No.5

1.) Brooklyn Bridge in all its glory taken whilst traversing it over to its namesake, 2.) the foyer at the 68, Jay St., Brooklyn studios where Eric Manigian creates his furniture magic, 3.) the only way to take a shower is with Mr Steam. Luxurious showering with steam therapy (complete with aromatherapy, music and lights), can be yours with just the installation of a small generator. Sounds like my kind of shower, 4.) Manhattan skyline taken from the Brooklyn bridge, 5.) Fifty Five Washington Street was the first stop-off for the Brooklyn Design Tour, to see the studios of interior designer, Chris Coleman, and to hear about BKLYN Designs. An interiors show that’s been very busy putting Brooklyn’s talent on the map (thanks to Karen Auster from Auster Agency), 6.) Jenn Air‘s Floating Glass Series, inc.; French door refrigerator, TriFecta™ Dishwasher & Double Wall Oven with V2™ Vertical Dual-Fan Convection System, 7.) a pile of timber at carpenter, Mark Jupiter‘s studio, 8.) the bathroom wallpaper at the Standard Hotel, NY, 9.) the lady of Liberty at sunset during our marvellous BlogTourNYC finale evening boat tour of Manhattan, courtesy of Mr Steam. Thank you!

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

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

Nature, Woven

 architecture, Art, collaborations, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, fun things, inspirational, interiors, nice things, product design, shops, textiles  No Responses »
Feb 052013
 

Chinoiserie Nature, Woven

We’ve all been interested in all things Chinese at some point or another and no more so than the French in the 18th century. Chinoiserie emerged in the mid 17th century and could be seen influencing all areas of art and design; from your common porcelain plate to large architecture pagodas in gardens, and whilst it may not have maintained its popularity throughout time, like all good trends, it keeps coming back. And here it is, and this time also embracing the other current popular trend, pastels. This Chinoiseries collection of rugs is designed by Ramy Fischler for Tai Ping, the custom carpet company. Inspired by natural forms, these rugs conjure up romantic ideas of moving water, pebbles and earth in delicate pastel hues all of which are handmade from wool, silk and flax. Like the nature these rugs seek to emulate, their design is raw and natural, escaping the norm (squares and rectangles) to break new ground and escape parameters allowing the design to include unusual shapes and edges reflecting the modulating personality of the world around us.

Rugs featured: 1.) Orléans, 2.) Condé, 3.) Berri I, £POA, Tai Ping

A Modern Day Periwig

 Art, colour, craft, decorative, Designer-Maker, fashion, inspirational, nice things, product design, textiles  No Responses »
Jan 162013
 

SincerelyLouise A Modern Day Periwig

Your eyes do not deceive you. These are indeed knitted wigs. London-based photographer and creator of these marvellous wooly hairstyles, Louise Walker, has beautifully crossed over craft, fashion, art and photography into this series, called ‘Woolyhead’, of glamorous yet practical headwear. All in delightful pastel hues, choose a different glamour-puss to suit your mood thus rendering bad hair days a thing of the past. The best addition to any wintery day. Fabulously creative and a lovely idea, this is sure to be a hit and deservedly so. Beautiful photography too.

Our Feathered Friends in Print

 animals, Art, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, illustrators, interiors, nice things, paper, texture  No Responses »
Dec 062012
 

Fanny Shorter Our Feathered Friends in Print

Another favourite from Cockpit Arts has to be these splendid little bird prints by illustrator and printmaker, Fanny Shorter. They are printed to scale using silk-screens, and represented here are some of the world’s smallest birds, and gosh, aren’t they teeny tiny? Bless ‘em. Makes the Finch look like a right little porker. The birds are printed in coloured layers, so each little bird comes alive after 5 or 6 different pulls of the squeegee. Their feathers are represented with different patterns making these truly lovely works of art. Utterly charming.

Get in touch with Fanny Shorter for a full list of birds and prices on 07890 920136, or via email at fannyshorter at gmail.com

Alternative Wrap

 Art, collaborations, colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, illustrators, London, nice things, paper, pattern, shopping, shops, stationery  No Responses »
Dec 052012
 

YCN wrap1 Alternative Wrap

On a post-lunch stumble with my jolly good friend Elias from Social Nesting, he took me to his new favourite treasure trove, YCN. Oh hello. A lovely mishmash of stuff, all beautifully designed and presented, you’ll be finding yourself craving all sorts of things you never knew you wanted. I think that’s the best sort of shop. I like to be surprised and fear predictability like I fear getting old. If you’re on the look out for some tasty wrap, and I don’t mean lunchables, then here’s the place. Three different designs by three different designers, you’ll bound to coo over at least one of them, if not all. I love ‘em all. At the top is ‘Cyclists’ by Evgenia Barinova, in the middle is ‘Stationery’ by Jamie Brown, and last, but not least, is ‘People & Animals’ by Daniel Frost. Lovely stuff.

A single sheet of wrapping paper is £2.50, A2 in size and printed on a 130gsm Cyclus Offset stock, available on-line and in-store at YCN, 72, Rivington Street, London.

pixel Alternative Wrap
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