These are some of the designs that I like the look of online. I just need to find two big enough pieces with red, green and yellow and not much else in.
10 February 2015
Batik
I need to find some cheapish curtains for the French windows in my kitchen. Time for a trip to the fabric shops in Dalston for some batik, inspired by Kate's kitchen.
These are some of the designs that I like the look of online. I just need to find two big enough pieces with red, green and yellow and not much else in.
These are some of the designs that I like the look of online. I just need to find two big enough pieces with red, green and yellow and not much else in.
8 February 2015
Tom Dixon's designs for Sea Containers
I was lucky enough to take some clients to the new Sea Containers restaurant in the Mondrian hotel on Southbank before Christmas. The food was delicious but I was mainly there to get a look at the decor from Tom Dixon's Design Research Studio. You can see some stock photos below as I wasn't uncouth/brave enough to start snapping myself. The colours and the lighting and the humorous touches, like the Yellow Submarine, really made an impression.
Tom Dixon is a favourite designer of mine (as I have written before) because he is so inventive and down to earth. His lighting is still priced at levels that are within mortal reach and he is very up front and grateful about the fact that his famous copper disco ball lights paid for the growth of the rest of the company. I like a designer who can make their business pay and not just blaze into integrity-filled administration. I saved up for one of his lights last year and can't wait to get the electrician over to hang it.
I have Tom Dixon's 'Dixonary' book which is far more interesting than most designer-authored books. My favourite, quote, about TD's cast iron shoe doorstop, is:
"In the board game Cluedo, domestic objects become murder weapons. I like the idea of objects becoming figurative and not completely reflecting their functionality. Sometimes I get bored of being too serious. The idea of using a show as a doorstop seemed natural, becuase that is what you do with your foot. And you always need a non-specific heavy object at home - to attack a burglar, bang in a nail, crack a nut, or just keep a door open."
Tom Dixon is a favourite designer of mine (as I have written before) because he is so inventive and down to earth. His lighting is still priced at levels that are within mortal reach and he is very up front and grateful about the fact that his famous copper disco ball lights paid for the growth of the rest of the company. I like a designer who can make their business pay and not just blaze into integrity-filled administration. I saved up for one of his lights last year and can't wait to get the electrician over to hang it.
I have Tom Dixon's 'Dixonary' book which is far more interesting than most designer-authored books. My favourite, quote, about TD's cast iron shoe doorstop, is:
"In the board game Cluedo, domestic objects become murder weapons. I like the idea of objects becoming figurative and not completely reflecting their functionality. Sometimes I get bored of being too serious. The idea of using a show as a doorstop seemed natural, becuase that is what you do with your foot. And you always need a non-specific heavy object at home - to attack a burglar, bang in a nail, crack a nut, or just keep a door open."
3 February 2015
Easter in Copenhagen
This is set of photos from a very happy Easter with family in Denmark about two years ago. It involved steak tartar, snaps, 'Bear-beer'and a look through my granddad's old sketchbooks. I found these photos again recently and it just reminded me how seriously my Danish family takes hosting. There always has to be a centrepiece, curly parsley garnishes on the plates and no one can eat without candles lit.
2 February 2015
Persian rug alternatives
I am currently a bit obsessed with Persian rugs and getting one for my front room so that my feet won't freeze on the laminate floor any more. I think they are a great investment and look great with white walls and a few other colours, like here:
More Persian rug porn can be found here.
I haven't found the right one yet, but in my internet travels, I've come across some interesting variations on Persian rugs.
First up, 'war rugs' where Afghan rug makers incorporate images of weapons and tanks into their traditional rugs - apparently this started as a way to increase their appeal to Soviet troops?! These take about a year to make and are works of art in their own right. It would be a bit of a dark thing to have in your home but they are apparently very sought after among American collectors (see an article about them in the Atlantic here)
Secondly, and lightening things up a bit, Hama bead rugs! Christina Puggard from Jutland in Denmark makes big tiled designs from kids favourites, Hama beads. Her 'giga-stor' (mega-big) versions make a real impact. Sadly, she seems to sell them locally and mainly by phone and email but you can see the photos on her Instagram account.
More Persian rug porn can be found here.
I haven't found the right one yet, but in my internet travels, I've come across some interesting variations on Persian rugs.
First up, 'war rugs' where Afghan rug makers incorporate images of weapons and tanks into their traditional rugs - apparently this started as a way to increase their appeal to Soviet troops?! These take about a year to make and are works of art in their own right. It would be a bit of a dark thing to have in your home but they are apparently very sought after among American collectors (see an article about them in the Atlantic here)
Secondly, and lightening things up a bit, Hama bead rugs! Christina Puggard from Jutland in Denmark makes big tiled designs from kids favourites, Hama beads. Her 'giga-stor' (mega-big) versions make a real impact. Sadly, she seems to sell them locally and mainly by phone and email but you can see the photos on her Instagram account.
1 February 2015
Beer bottle art - Mikeller brewery
Mikeller is a Copenhagen microbrewery that was set up by a home brew-loving Danish teacher and two of his pupils. You can drink beer from the age of 15 in Denmark so this isn't necesarily as legally problematic as it sounds. The beers Mikeller makes are tasty and forceful and their bars are fun and full of attractive people. But that isn't what this website is about.
What grabs my attention about Mikeller are their dry-humoured, 2D cartoon bottle labels, designed by a Philadelphian called Keith Shore. It's like a sarcastic Ancient Egyptian discovered neons and Microsoft Paint. They are a thing of beauty and, excellently, Mikeller sell t-shirts as well as beer.
Here are some favourites. They look good and they taste good.
Keith sells some prints of Mikeller posters and if I can work out how to get them shipped over to the UK I am most definitely going to get one. Or six.
Be sure to visit the Mikeller bars if you are in Copenhagen.
What grabs my attention about Mikeller are their dry-humoured, 2D cartoon bottle labels, designed by a Philadelphian called Keith Shore. It's like a sarcastic Ancient Egyptian discovered neons and Microsoft Paint. They are a thing of beauty and, excellently, Mikeller sell t-shirts as well as beer.
Here are some favourites. They look good and they taste good.
Keith sells some prints of Mikeller posters and if I can work out how to get them shipped over to the UK I am most definitely going to get one. Or six.
Be sure to visit the Mikeller bars if you are in Copenhagen.
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