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On September 25th, 2011 by Pippa Jameson.
My favourites from Decorex 2011… Key trends from the show: mustard, purple, wood, Danish design, wool, graphic, wallpaper, pattern, retro
Credits: Charlotte James,Pinch,Maze Creative Concepts, Harlequin wallcoverings, Calvin Klein Rugs, Barneby Gates, Crafted, The Rug Company, Arabella Mcnie homeware, Aram, Louise Body, Moroccan Tiles & Interiors
Credits from top: Aram, Louise Body, Pinch
On September 24th, 2011 by Carrie Graham-Clarke.
The skull is an internationally recognized symbol for death and mortality; a sign of warning and the fragile nature of life. It’s cultural context varying around the world. It can be a sign of solidarity and unity for the outcast tough guys; pirates, Hells Angels and even Nazi’s. A connotation of melancholy for Shakespeare and his contemporaries. A symbol for the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. Or even an Elizabethan emblem for bawds, rakes and prostitutes that would be worn as rings. Which ever way the skull has been depicted over the years, it has become an icon in itself.
In recent years the skull has escaped it’s sinister association to become a thing of beauty. The late Alexander McQueen revitalized and re-introduced the skull to current popular fashion in the early 2000s. The provocative skull imagery sweetened with bright colours and silky fabric sent fashionistas wild, itching to get their grubby hands on his skull-jacquard silk scarfs or Britannia skull clutch bags. Damien Hirst furthered the lust for skulls and proved his status in the arts world with ‘For the Love of God’ – a diamond encrusted platinum skull that sold for a spine tingling £50 million! Damien Hirst’s diamond skull became hypermodern and Dwell quickly copied, making an affordable diamante encrusted skull statement centerpiece for the home – it’s no pocket change at £199. Skulls, bones and even organs have been transformed in to a variety of house hold pieces in materials that you’d never expect. Below is my pick of the best anatomically inspired home-wares.
Various Mugs, all Kuehn Keramik
Pavilion of Natural History vase (left), Skull Candle holder (right) – all, Virbent
Supermodel Plates (main image), Inkhead Plate (top right), Anatomica Plate (bottom right) - all, The New English
Flower Pump – Veneri Design
‘Souviens toi que tu vas mourir, fiberglass chair’ – Pool (left). Glass Skull Pen Pot – Graham & Green (right).
Wig Vase – Tania da Cruz Design
Beware of the moon, bronze flock skulls on oil slick wallpaper. Rockett St George
Vintage Rose Skull Tapestry Cushion Kit, Jan Constantine (left). Skull Stein Glass, Heals (right).
Up-cycled Vintage Skull Teacup (left), Up-cycled Vintage Skull Plate (right) – all Melody Rose
On September 23rd, 2011 by Pippa Jameson.
Here are some of my favourites from designersblock: 22-25th September, the farmiloe building, 34 John St, ec1.
On September 21st, 2011 by Pippa Jameson.
Enter a world of drama, passion and excitement where exuberant colour, glittering display and joyous music meet exotic cuisine to create a truly unforgettable dining experience. Sarastros restaurant on Drury Lane is where I met my aunt and sister for super last night and I had forgotten how fantastic it was. I last went about 10 years ago and it’s still as magical. “It’s like walking in to the most amazing theatre props cupboard” said my auntie, who’s an actress.
You have the choice of sitting downstairs in one of the many booths or upstairs in a box. The whole place in decorated to within an inch of it’s life with random props such as witches, costume jewellery and fake fruit hanging in every conceivable corner but somehow it works. Best of all they have performances on Sunday and Monday that consist of violinists and opera singers. They put on an amazing show with lots of humour and involve the audience. I can’t say too much otherwise it will ruin the surprise, you really must see for yourself. Oh, and the food is lovely too!
On September 15th, 2011 by Carrie Graham-Clarke.
In recent months there has been a real surge for raw, imaginative and free illustrations, and in my eyes, one of the leading designers in this category is James Ward of Jimbob Art. Ward honed his skills in illustration whilst studying at Westminster University, London, where he developed a love for working in pen and ink. After a recent vacation to Sweden, Ward came back to England truly inspired; inspired by their use of natural history design and the range of products or surfaces that features them. It’s from this point that Ward began using ceramics as a medium to display his range of animal characters.
‘I feel drawing anthropomorphic characters can describe so much about human emotions and personalities with the juxtaposition of the animal’s expression against his clothing, an item or text.’ – James Ward
I am enchanted with Jimbob Art’s selection of ceramics and the beautiful illustrations that cover them; they’re so playful and humorous. The bright pops of colour on the monochromatic designs bring the illustrations to life and add to their charming nature. Each individual illustration is hand-drawn with on-glaze ink on to dishwasher proof white porcelain. All of the ceramics will look not only brilliant as a table setting, but great on display; perhaps on a welsh dresser or kitchen shelving. My personal favourites have to be the El Guapo plate, The Dominator plate, the Owl in Pants teapot, and the Tea Defender Mug. It’s probably too early to be writing a ‘Christmas Wish List’, but these will definitely be going on it!
On September 14th, 2011 by Pippa Jameson.
I came across these new illustrations today whilst on my way to work. They were all around the Redchurch street area. Funny how I now call it ‘art’ rather than graffiti, I think it becomes art when it is a commissioned piece; which a lot of these are. I really like the one below (on Chance Street, E1) where they have used a mixture of paint and paper to create a montage effect; birds and tropical flowers are so popular in fashion and interiors – paradise trend. Almost every building in this area has wall art now, something that many people still find hard to appreciate. Personally, I like it. I think it suits the area and above all it’s so colorful. I know a lot depends on the quality of the piece but generally they’re all of a pretty high standard.
Redchurch street itself is changing so quickly. My husband used to have his office there about 5 years ago before the likes of Shoreditch House and the Boundry, now you can’t move for Galleries, cafes, uber cool clothes shops and wall art. It’s great, I love seeing the area change. It’s going to be crazy there in a few weeks during London Design Festival with the Shoreditch Triangle.
On September 12th, 2011 by daulex.
Last week saw us styling for the Figleaves A/W and Christmas press show at the gorgeous Powder Rooms in Soho. It was quite a challenge due to the budget we had but we we did it.
A huge thank you needs to go out to ChristmasTimeUK.com for their press loan. What a fantastic array of products! If you need ANYTHING in terms of Christmas styling then this is the place to shop, thanks Jules! Tel – 01427 667270
Another big thanks has to go to the lovely Katie at DZD who kindly provided all of our Autumnal props (also suppliers of Christmas).
Below are some of Figleaves gorgeous slippers form their new collection – I am loving the red ones, and the grey ones and the beige ones, ahhh, I want them all!
Finally, we are working flat out ready for the launch of a new service on the blog. I am so excited but it just can’t happen soon enough!
On September 1st, 2011 by Carrie Graham-Clarke.
It’s impossible to believe it’s already September, the prime season for trade shows is here! In anticipation, here is a small selection of the shows I’m most looking forward to and which exhibitors I’m excited to see…
Origin – the contemporary craft fair
Ontwepduo is dutch for ‘design duo’. Designers Tineke Beunders and Nathan Wierink work closely together to create inspiring creations such as the above Light Forest (left) installation. Their products have a brilliant industrial edge which is spot on at the moment. The award winning Shan Annabelle Valla is the next exhibitor I am looking forward to seeing. The collection of playful decorative curiosities take a twist on the normal, highlighting the everyday beauty. The above Itzy Bitzy Ditzy vases (right) have a fantastic texture which you wouldn’t expect from porcelain.
Top Drawer – design-led gifts, lifestyle and fashion accessories.
As a cookie extremist I instantly fell in love with Nikki McWilliams scrumptious cushions and homeware accessories (left). I’m looking forward to seeing the tea time treat creations, such as the above Tunnock’s Teacake and Bourbon cushions. Next on my list for Top Drawer will be Fifty One Percent, a colourful company which offer a great selection of folksy tableware, bedding and textiles. All in bright and bold colours.
100% Design – cutting edge, contemporary interior design
& Then Design (left) is a creative venture of Nottingham based furniture designers Samuel Wright and Jamie Bowler. Their pieces are intelligently crafted and full of character. The overall look is effortless and perfect for both at home and the workplace. London based Ochre (right) create subtle yet sophisticated designs that embody glamour. The craftsmanship is to an exceedingly high standard along with the materials used. The ‘Arctic Pear’ table lamp pictures above (right) is a personal favourite.
© 2011 Pippa Jameson Interiors
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