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

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.3

 charitables, collaborations, decorative, events, exhibitions, furniture, homewares, interiors, photography, product design  No Responses »
Apr 032013
 

No3 BlogTourNYC: No.3

1.) The American flag, the most common sight in the States, would be my guess!, 2.) The displays at the entrance to the AD Home Design show (which is in part sponsored by Jenn Air) by Devin Delano, 3.) my favourite Barber Wilsons tap, Mastercraft, 4.) Marys and Mimosas, complete with Baked By Butterfield doughnuts. A dangerous (but delicious) breakfast especially when paired with jet lag, 5.) The Architectural Digest display for DIFFA‘s Dining by Design feature, 6.) Victoria + Albert‘s very, very nice Edge 45 basin, 7.) Benjamin Moore’s bright and vibrant display for DIFFA‘s Dining by Design feature, 8.) the latest addition to Victoria + Albert‘s bath collection, the Cabrits, 9.) trade show furniture painted in fabulous New York cab yellow, 10.) the 1890′s with ceramic disc (GCD) tap again from Barber Wilsons

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.2

 collaborations, events, homewares, inspirational, interiors, kitchen, nice things, product design, shops, surfaces  No Responses »
Apr 022013
 

No2 BlogTourNYC: No.2

1.) dinner being made using Miele‘s Brilliant White Plus range by Little Owl‘s chef, Joe Campanale and our very own, Gem Barton, 2.) Joe Campanale’s fellow chefs at work, 3.) Miele’s Brilliant White Plus H 4886 BP BRWS+, 4.) dinner (1 course of 4), 5.) The view from the Miele showroom over East 58th Street, complete Spring blossom and pendant lamps, 6.) Miele’s Brilliant White Plus H 4086 BM BRWS Speed Environment, 7.) our big black stead which took us around New York on the Corcoran Real Estate tour (with thanks to Miele and Corcoran).

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.1

 collaborations, events, interiors, product design, shops, surfaces  No Responses »
Apr 012013
 

DayOne BlogTourNYC: No.1

1.) looking through the Poggenpohl window at Park Avenue, 2.) Poggenpohl logo detail on one of their sleek kitchen cupboard handles, 3.) A section of Blanco‘s beautiful sleek Silgranit II sink in cinder with an iconic New York cab in the background, 4.) a selection of Poggenpohl’s work surfaces including the new ash wood veneer on display at the media breakfast held on the first day of BlogTourNYC, 5.) a variety of Blanco’s taps (faucets) including the new Alta Compact  in four of the 6 available colours, 6.) Silestone by Cosentino‘s worksurfaces in situ, 7.) a branding detail on the Blanco brushed steel plug (stopper), 8.) an excellent choice of quartz surfaces including the 6 new Nebula colour options (suitable for bathroom and kitchen) from Spanish company, Silestone by Cosentino, 9.) Sona Vessel bowls at Michael Aram, 10.) wall detail at Michael Aram‘s W 18th store.

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

Alley-Oop

 Art, collaborations, colour, decorative, events, fun things, homewares, inspirational, interiors, nice things, shopping, shops  No Responses »
Mar 082013
 

Alley Oop Alley Oop

I saw this on It’s Nice That and liked it so much that I thought I’d feature it here too. It’s a collaboration between furniture maker, Eric Trine, and designer and illustrator, Will Bryant. Now, I’d not heard of either (sorry) so I’m rather delighted to have two new people’s work to investigate, especially looking at how super these photos are. Cracking chalky-pastel coloured geometric furniture in 80s album sleeve style set ups. Beeeouuuutiful. Alley Oop is actually a curated exhibition set up of items (which are all for sale), in downtown LA shop, Poketo, possibly a little bit too far to visit during one’s lunchbreak unless you’re in sun-drenched California, so you’ll just have to get your fix from these photos.

Scratch The Surface

 architecture, decorating, decorative, events, interiors, product design, surfaces, texture  No Responses »
Feb 072013
 

Surface Design Scratch The Surface

I have to confess, it was my first visit to the Surface Design Show, how I’ve managed to miss it, I don’t know but I shan’t be again. A really good mix of wall surfaces, flooring and ceiling treatments all on display for our pleasure. It was good for me, because not only was my surfaces folder on my computer’s address book looking a little neglected, I realised that I don’t really know much either off hand. So, it was most definitely a school day for me. These were my top ten bits. Some of them were so splendid that they might well pop up again on the blog, for a more in-depth look, but until then, this teasing taste is all you’ll get. I hope you’ll see something you’ll like. (apologies for the gap in the listings at number 9, I wasn’t paying enough attention and forgot the list the company. Ooops)

1.) Hi- Macs Natural Acrylic Stone 2013 colour range, 2. selection of materials on display at the Scin stall, 3.) unsure due to lack of labelling, but could be Formica Group, 4.) amazing natural clay plaster, in different shades and textures at Clay Works, 5.) pictorial concrete, could this be any more exciting? Well done to Graphic Relief, 6.) I am so smitten with this wall treatment. I would love to have this in my own home. Clever, too. Giles Miller, 7.) Francesca’s Paints, another welcome addition to the environmental independent paint market, with lots of eco-emulsion nice shades on offer, 8.) Bottle Alley Glass, a close up detail of the beautiful effect made from bottle glass, 10.) For all those after painted veneer, Eden Anglo French are your chaps.

The Glamour of the Big Screens

 architecture, decorative, events, fun things, inspirational, interiors, London, nice things, things to do  No Responses »
Dec 122012
 

Barbican Cinema The Glamour of the Big Screens

I’ve been very excited at prospect of a brand new cinema complex at the Barbican. The current screens have always felt a little bit lost and forgotten, and were located at the end of such a long windy corridor that you always wondered if you’d ever make it back out again. Though it did mean that often you’d have the screens to yourself. Mum and I used to go a lot, as it was so close to both her work and our home. Many a tear was shed, a giggle gurgled and ice cream slurped in the quiet plushness of the old screens.
The new screens are splendid, I can tell you, but one mustn’t skip to the pinnacle without describing the ascent, eh what-what? The ‘shop’ front is Edward Hopper-esque heaven and the inside has measures of both 50′s film star glamour and contemporary chic to keep all viewers happy. There are beautiful chairs, mirrored ceilings, burnished copper counters, sweeties in glass jars, old film posters framed and even a wall of film clips montaged interspersed with those scanny-griddy barcode-y things that enables you to download film scripts. The cinemas themselves are simple in comparison, but no less dowdy. Off-setting the lipstick-red leather chairs with a plush rouching of steel-grey fabric encasing the room, you can’t help but feel delightfully cosy. Well, it’s hardly a objective review, but what do you expect from a girl who loves the Barbican. Top marks to Dannatt, Johnson Architects for a marvellous job on the interiors.

Spinning Bowls

 Art, ceramics, Christmas, colour, craft, decorative, Designer-Maker, events, homewares, inspirational, London, nice things, shopping, things to do  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

Sapetra Spinning Bowls

It was the Christmas Cockpit Arts open last weekend at their Holborn studios, and whilst I’ve been to Deptford, I haven’t been to the original site for a good while. I used to work at the opens, sitting on the desk taking the entrance fee and shivering in the cold. But, alas, I digress. There were lots of old friends with new news, and Sapetra is just one of them. Well known for the ceramic ‘Air’ series, particularly the little travel pillows, it was nice to see them nestled amongst new designs. I’d not seen this ‘Spindle’ series before and was rather taken with them. They are a perfect form, that rests on one side of its sloping bottom, allowing a circular movement should you so wish. But the bit I liked the most were the colours and the way the slip had been dribbled in rivulets down the side of the vessel. Lovely.

Deptford Cockpit Arts is open this weekend, and most definitely worth a visit, for original and interesting handmade gifts.

Deptford Cockpit Arts
18-22 Creekside, Deptford,
London,
SE8 3DZ
T: 020 8692 4463

Opening times: Fri 11am-9pm, Sat – Sun 11am-6pm

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