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

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.

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

Rains Down, Down On Me

 Art, collaborations, exhibitions, fun things, inspirational, interiors, London, nice things, random, theatre, things to do  2 Responses »
Oct 122012
 

rain1 Rains Down, Down On Me

So, having got drenched yesterday it seems somewhat pertinent to be blogging about an exhibition about rain which doesn’t get you wet. Yes, people, you read that right. A rain exhibition. You’d have thought that in this country the last thing we’d need is a room of rain. And even more amusingly, the day I went, I had to queue for almost an hour to get in. Laugh, you may, but the last laugh will be on you if you don’t go. Rain Room is the latest project and installation from those clever people over at Random International at the always and forever fabulous Barbican, London. It’s free to get in and on until March 2013. Make sure you get down there. This is art definitely worth getting wet for, or rather, not.

Random International: Rain Room
4 October 2012 – 3 March 2013
The Curve Gallery

Tickets: Admission Free

Times: View gallery opening hours
Open daily 11am – 8pm; Thu until 10pm,
Except Sat 13 Oct: 11am – 4pm (last admission into the queue 2pm)
Wed 31 Oct: 11am – 10pm

The Alchemy of Line and Colour

 Art, collaborations, colour, exhibitions, inspirational, interiors, shopping, shops  No Responses »
Sep 062012
 

Platform Art Habitat The Alchemy of Line and Colour

I think I can speak for many when I say how sad I was to learn about the financial falling of Habitat, whilst by no means the only one, it was one of the ones most dear to my heart. The ‘set’ of my childhood was very much furnished by Habitat, from our childhood beds to a canary yellow thermometer in the kitchen. And I shall be honest when I say that I was dubious when hearing about Home Retail Group’s acquisition, I grieved all over again. However, I am more than happy to put my hand up and admit that I was hasty in my judgement and wrong. It would seem that the Home Retail Group hold Habitat in the same sentimental light as I.
Last night saw the launch of the first of the ‘new’ Habitat initiatives and I’m going to be bold and say that I think they’ve hit the nail on the head. ‘Art Portfolio’ is a renovation of their art section, which was sadly lacking, into something fresh and exciting. Carefully curated by Jenny Blyth, this collection of 16 works by contemporary and iconic British artists, have been made into limited edition signed prints at affordable prices, including Patrick Heron, Bruce Mclean, Clare Woods and Patrick Caulfield, amongst others. This seems to be the epitome of the very fundamental core value of Conran’s original Habitat, good solid art and design at good solid prices. I reckon Sir Conran would be pleased. Well done.

Priced between £300-£350, 100 limited edition prints of each of the 16 pieces, all framed in Habitat’s dark birch frames are available to buy on-line and in-store now.

Cubist Stairs

 architecture, Art, colour, decorative, exhibitions, inspirational, interiors, London, nice things, photography  No Responses »
Aug 302012
 

AugustBreak 300812 Cubist Stairs

A trip to Tate Britain earlier on in the year and this decorated staircase gave me so much pleasure (as did the exhibition that I went to see). This is by architect David Tremlett and his team of assistants took 12 days to colour in the Manton staircase with pastel crayons using their palms. Lovely. Watch a video of the making here

Dear Prudence

 colour, decorative, Designer-Maker, exhibitions, homewares, interiors, London, nice things, paper, pattern, product design, shops, textiles  No Responses »
Jun 282012
 

Rachel Powell Dear Prudence

Looking at her work and her new online shop (went live today), you wouldn’t believe that Rachel Powell only graduated as a print designer a year ago. She was part of New Designers 2011 at The Business Design Centre in London, and this year sees Rachel returning to New Designers (part two) as part of the ‘One Year On’ where she will be launching her new wallpaper collection. It currently features two designs; ‘Woodstock’ (top right) and ‘Prudence’ (top left) available in the colour ways seen in the bottom image. It’s a strong beginning which hopefully signals the way she intends to continue, and strong she will have to be to make room for herself in an already competitive area of design that is filled with numerous well-established designer-maker brands. Not content with playing with wallpaper alone, she also has a charming range of pendant lights and even has a tea towel or two. For those of you looking for a pared-down contemporary take on a midcentury style that’s a little bit more sophisticated and a little less shouty, then this is your gal. I shall look forward to seeing the next range of designs and colours.

‘Woodstock’ and ‘Prudence’ both £68 per 10m roll, available to buy on her website. Rachel also offers a bespoke colour-matching service, £80 per 10m roll, minimum order 4 rolls.

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.

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)

pixel My Bauhaus Is Better Than Yours
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