Tuesday 29 September 2009

Absolute Zero Degrees*


Mmmm, how cute are these wallpapers and fabrics. And on my favorite chair, the Eames RAR rocker [I think it was vintage]. Taken at the London Design Festival, surface design by Absolute Zero Degrees.

Sunday 27 September 2009

Yura Kim bubble lights - London Design Festival



Today was the last day of the London Design Festival 2009. My favorite thing at 100% Design was Yura Kim's colourful resin Bubble light. The product was launched at the festival - the pop colours are so cheery and cast beautiful patterns when lit.

Friday 18 September 2009

I heart Canteen, Spitalfields*




London Design Festival starts today, woo hoo. Lots and lots and lots to see. Which means, must think about places to rest weary sneaker feet in between shows. It's not hard in Spitalfields, home to Canteen, my favorite restaurant in the whole wide world. You can go there day or night and find something nice and tasty and British to order. Breakfast is good on the comfy green banquettes with a hangover, brunch is fun on the perky blue, red and yellow stools looking out on the market [great for watching the London people go by], or when the light outside goes, dinner is intimate under low level Bestlites.

Universal Design Studio are clever people - the materials they chose [oak benches, marble clad walls, cork flooring, tweed upholstery] are solid and reflect the honest British food on offer. The interiors are inspired by mid century design ideology - everyone can have their victoria sponge cake and eat it together - democratic dining. The twist of genius is how special the design makes you feel when you sit inside.

Create the look at home with Windmill Furniture, Bestlite and Bute fabric.

Thursday 10 September 2009

Kvadrat Clouds*




I was walking to the studio this morning through the leaves. Autumn is being sneaky and is creeping up on us. It's time to put away the zingy yellow throw on my bed and put on something more cosy.

Textiles on the wall is a less conventional way of adding warmth and depth to a room, and has the added benefit of helping the rooms acoustics. I love the new 3D fabric 'Clouds' by the brothers Bouroullec and made with fabric from Kvadrat. There is something very romantic about piecing together a cloud on your living room wall. It is so decorative, it takes away the need for an artwork or picture. Cloud tiles are available in the UK from Kvadrat or Ligne Roset.

Monday 7 September 2009

La Braderie flea market












What is a girl to do to get original pieces for her interiors scheme? Take a Eurostar to Europe's biggest flea market, that's what. La Braderie is over 100km of trincket* treasure heaven. Locals empty the contents of their houses onto the streets of the city and set up stalls alongside antiques traders and dealers with specialist pieces. So it's possible to pick up trinckets for as little as 1 euro or splurge on a unique piece at the dealer stall next door.

Me and Janie exhausted our feet and French haggling skills over two days and came away with two cases full of treasure - from 50's ceramics and glass, to decorative tins, industrial lighting pieces, cutlery and some quirky paintings. When we were done with trincket* hunting it was time to add our moule shells to the piles outside the restaurants that line the city and enjoy the local beers. The Braderie runs from 2pm Sat all night to 11pm Sun every year, one weekend in early September. Take a big case - and lots of stamina

Friday 4 September 2009

Whitechapel Gallery*




The Whitechapel Gallery reopened in Nov 2008 and it's beautiful. The delicate stone plant work on the building's exterior hints at a world far away from the edgy, urban grime of Whitechapel High Street and Brick Lane around the corner. Me and my friend Knowlesy went inside to see paintings in various styles [Elizabeth Peyton was the star] and lots of interiors inspiration [the building is Arts and Crafts style]. And it's free. Go!

Tuesday 1 September 2009

Panton Junior chair*




My nephew is a very lucky boy. He'll be getting a Panton Junior chair for his second birthday. What mini person isn't going to love a bright plastic chair that looks like a slide? Better to start their design education early, that's what I say.

Available in 6 colours from Utility Design, Vitra or Nest and retails for around £115, although I have seen them for £82 at Utility.