The patterns of Wat Phra Kaew

Searching for some pattern inspiration, I came across these photos that I took at Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok’s Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Wat Phra Kaew is located in the historic centre of Bangkok and is considered the most sacred temple in Thailand. It really is a feast of Thai workmanship.

Amongst the gold and mosaic was a wall of these beautiful jade hand painted tiles.

It seemed every surface was embellished with tile, mosaic, paint or gilt.

The temple consists of over 100 buildings within the precincts of the Grand Palace which covers an area of 234 acres. We visited some years ago now, but I recall it was a welcome tranquil retreat from the chaos of Bangkok.

A definite source of inspiration and a must see if you are ever in the locality.

Black Edition by Romo

I love the sophisticated weaves and delicious prints from Black Edition the new brand from Nottingham based family business  Romo.

Unveiled at Maison et Objet, Black Edition derives it’s influence from 20th century abstract art, folk embroidery, Indian ikat designs and Byzantine glass mosaic.

There is a sense of faded grandeur running through the collection but the vibrant colours and subtle metallics keep the overall feel sophisticated and modern.

A rich colour pallette is combined with sumptuous velvets and silks giving warmth and luxury.

Stunning digital prints of large scaled florals are combined with embroideries and tactile weaves and velvets.

I love the fresh prints and sumptuous textures in this collection, particularly this combination of fabrics above. Roll on summer!

All images thanks to Romo Black Edition; www.blackedition.com

Off the scale Tretchikoff

At InteriorsUK I was halted in my tracks at the sight of G Plan’s stunning exhibition space including this amazing supersize mural by Vladamir Tretchikoff.

Hmmm I had a feeling I had seen this somewhere before…

Wayne Hemmingway’s home featuring Surface View mural. Image thanks to http://www.hiddengarments.cn

Yes, in none other than Wayne Hemmingway’s home.  But all was easily explained. Iconic furniture makers G Plan have collaborated with the celebrated Hemmingway Design team and John Lewis to produce G Plan Vintage  a capsule collection of five furniture ranges, each inspired by one of G Plan’s originals from the 50s, and all handmade in Melksham, Wiltshire.

I like Wayne Hemmingway’s approach, can’t get enough of vintage G Plan, and have a bit of an addiction to John Lewis so I am very excited about this elegant, iconic, British made furniture range.

The Fifty Three. Image thanks to http://www.gplanvintage.co.uk

The Fifty Five. Image thanks to http://www.gplanvintage.co.uk

The Sixty. Image thanks to http://www.gplanvintage.co.uk

The Sixty One. Image thanks to http://www.gplanvintage.co.uk

The Sixty Seven. Image thanks to http://www.gplanvintage.co.uk

Each style is named after the year in which it was originally released, and all are available in a selection of 17 textured fabrics. For more information visit G Plan Vintage’s website.

On a related note, Hemmingway Design collaborate with Surface View to produce a cracking range of customisable products and murals available to buy, including this supersize Tretchikoff.

Designersblock & Co

What an unexpected treat Designersblock & Co was at Interiors UK this week.

Plumen lighting

Designersblock & Co

Penned as ‘The department store you will never see’ the event included a mix of exciting finds sourced from Designerblock’s network of new designers and makers.

Designersblock & Co at Interiors UK

Myung Nam An ceramics

There were some beguiling displays including experimental technology kits from Technology Will Save Us, wall mounted ceramics from Myung Nam An and Tartan Paint, which I am still pondering.

More comprehensible were the collectable edgy ceramics from New English who hail from the old potteries of Stoke on Trent, the china crockery from Max Lamb also made in Staffordshire and the experimental embroidery from Coralie Bonnet.

New English

Crockery by Max Lamb

Embroidery by Coralie Bonnet

Lighting by DeGross

Rebay lighting by studiojonmale

Sustainability was  a big theme, I liked the innovative approach of DeGross who create thoughtful and sustainable, yet beautiful products on a small-scale including these lamps made from glass bottles. With a similar approach, Jon Males ‘Rebay’ upcycled lights are built from materials from yes, ebay.

I think my faves were The Three Bears from Cristiniana Ionescu. Despite manufacturer’s obsession with bright coloured plastic, I think most small kids would prefer these tactile and versatile objects over cold hard plastic ride on toys. I also liked the laser cut Lovelace light from Elsa Sandy inspired by lace wallpaper from the Victorian Arthur Silver Studio.

Three little Bears from Cristiniana Ionescu

Paper Knot-Wood by Helen Dugdale

Elsa Sandy Lovelace Light

I loved the potential of Paper Knot-wood from Helen Dugdale. This is a new hard material developed from waste coloured paper. It can be used like wood but each piece can be made in bespoke colour patterns dependant on the paper used. It can be used for any kind of surface coverings from furniture to accessories and changing the direction of the cut reveals different layers of colour altering the grain pattern of the material.

A bedroom with four legs and wings

A current real life project that I have on the go is to design a bed and accompanying bedroom scheme.

The evolving design is based around a bespoke upholstered bed influenced by the winged furniture of the 1930s. The overall line of the bed is contemporary with a reasonably low base and I rejected a french curve to the top in favour of overall clean lines. The features that really make this bed sing are the luxurious deep buttoned upholstery and curved wings which create a statement in proportion to the space. The effect of the upholstery can be seen in this photo taken from another design project I undertook a while back that incorporated an upholstered wall.

Bedroom scheme

Button upholstery

Elevation drawings

Imogen Heath Rosa cushion

Harlequin Clarissa Hulse wallpaper

Off the shelf curtain panels

Table lamp from BHS

Clarke & Clarke fabric

Velvet would have been the obvious choice as an upholstery fabric, but I wanted to add a fresher and slightly rustic edge to the bed so instead have chosen a hardwearing linen. The bed contrasts against the adjoining wall which I am proposing is covered in this Harlequin Clarissa Hulse paper. The brighter plum shade in the bedding makes the scheme pop. The beautiful Rosa fabric by Imogen Heath pulls together the colour scheme and is married with this stripe from Clarke & Clarke in the blind.

Fabrics

Sorry for disturbing you Bert

Proof you can’t get anything done with a dog around…although he does coordinate rather nicely!

Tulips from Jane Packer at Debenhams

Zinia wallcovering from Romo

Shell braid from Osbourne & Little

My proposal is to include accessories and trimmings that add further accent colour and glimmer whilst a dressing table is to be set off against this small scale geometric paper by Romo providing further interest and contrast. I am loving the way this scheme is coming together, but still lots to do.

Hopefully, if Bertie allows, this will be a scheme I will have ‘after photos’ for sometime this year!

A wedding planner’s home office

I was pleased to recently be asked to design a home office for a wedding planner. Kerry Louise Clarke* has a wedding planning business which is really taking off. She creates amazing wedding themes and makes them happen working with a host of other professionals to deliver dream days.

*OK, before we go on I must admit that this time it is not actually a real-life brief, more of the KLC sort. Never-the-less I find it helps to keep a real client in mind, so…

Kerry’s home office is currently a shambles. She needs a productive office space that she can invite potential clients to, that also acts as an occasional guest bedroom. But to me when interpreting this brief, the first and foremost requirement was that was an impressive consultancy space that wows as much as the weddings she creates, one that wins business and facilitates productive meetings.

With this in mind, my conceptual musings were based around Kerry’s clients. What would impress them when seeking their perfect big day? I defined some words to drive the concept; modish, effervescent and romantic. I then chose concept images to drive the visual direction of the design (excuse the istock comps).

Concept and initial drawing

Lots of thought was given to the practical and functional aspects of the design, experimenting with various layouts. The resulting plan is a step away from the usual home office, it places consultancy seating in prime position in front of a real fire (for the many winter consultations) a coffee table for inspecting  sample books and wall mounted screen for viewing photographs and presentations.

Perspective on entering the room

Plan

The mid-century style furniture was chosen to add a modernist twist to the classic symmetrical layout and the plush of cotton velvet and shimmering linen add luxe and lift the scheme.

The colour scheme of taupe, grey and pink was chosen to evoke contemporary romance and is helped along by this effervescent artwork by Loughborough University graduate Georgina Vinsun. The modish geometric wallpaper by Osbourne and Little works with the larger scale graphic rug and finer scale voile to add pattern and textural interest throughout the space. The grey wooden floor earths the scheme.

The oval chandeliers sourced from Franklite act as decorative and accent lighting, adding sparkle and drawing the eye to the focal wall.  Additional concealed rope lighting runs around the upper edges of the room providing soft general light. Task lighting is provided by Original BTC, the etched mirror reflects daylight and a love poem.

Upholstery

Art lighting and mirror

Occasional guests are accommodated in a bespoke sofa bed. A modular coffee table on wheels becomes two bedside tables and the chairs push aside. Bedding and guest supplies are stored in alcove cupboards.

Practical work space is not forsaken, work takes place on this large bespoke sized desk by Dare Studio. Office devices and files are concealed in a wall of storage that is broken up with a display area.

Desk and storage

Window treatment

The project is still work in progress, I need to do a few more sketches, draw in the dreaded office chair plus some accessories and do a bit more scheming for the adjoining hallway. And then final presentation to my client Kerry Louise… ahem, I mean KLC.

Choccywoccydoodah and sociable pendants

If you ever manage to find Chocccywoccydoodah’s  London Secret Room, then you are in for a treat. Although just off Carnaby Street, this decadent chocolate shop is quite innocuous with its black facade and elusive signage.

Choccywoccydoodah

Clusters of shades in Choccywoccydoodah

But inside is a wonderland of chocolate sculpture and luscious rococo furnishings set against a dark chocolate and raspberry backdrop. Aside from the chocolates, what really caught my eye were these convivial shades clustered together in the centre of the shop.

This got me chewing over the idea of friendly groups of shades and pendants. How scrumptious are these vintage shades in Kit Kemp’s Crosby Street hotel? Together they add an eclectic charm and an eye-catching focal point.  This chummy group of woven shades from Jenny Bland blogged about at Radiance lighting work together in a similar way but are gathered into one point.

Crosby Street hotel designed by Kit Kemp

Spun shades from Jenny Bland

It is not just fabric shades that get on well together. These expressive globe chandeliers at the Arla restaurant in Toronto designed byMoooi look like fireworks exploding and create a dramatic effect.

Arla restaurant Toronto designed by Moooi

Firefly lamps from CB2

Whilst the modesty of these Firefly pendant lights fromCB2 add an understated glamour to this dining setting.

What’s more, it is relatively easy to create a unique cluster with vintage shades or new fittings, with shapes, textures and colours chosen to suit your space. Take a look at these beauties for inspiration…

1. Smoke Mini Crystal from Tigermoth lighting; 2 Concorde Hangar light from Trainspotters;  3 Rippled glass pendant from Lighting Styles;   4 Beat White Stout pendant by Tom Dixon for Heals;  5 Shelby pendant by John Lewis;  6 Stanley large pendant by BTC at Lighting Matters;  7 Rodeo pendant by Dar Lighting; 8 Chloe pendant from BHS; 9 Closed Flower lampshade from Radiance lighting; 10 Alida Ball pendant from BHS.

Gardenista

What a great piece about the subtle colours used in English country estates by Kendra for Gardenista. I was very happy to provide my photos of Cottesbrooke village hall for the article.

Gardenista together with sister blog Remodelista form a transatlantic design blog reporting on trends, interiors and gardening. Gardenista was named as one of Time magazine’s top 25 blogs.

Check it out to see why…

A tale of two Christmas fairs

In a bid to locate some festive spirit, a couple of weekends ago I squeezed in visits to two very different Christmas fairs both in beautiful locations.

It was a late, crisp Saturday afternoon when a friend and I meandered through the lanes to Cottesbrooke Christmas fair, this tiny Northamptonshire village really is off the beaten track (although admittedly we did take a wrong turn). Despite being famed for Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens  the village is home to only 144 residents, so it is unsurprising that the community village hall is a modest affair. Built for the Coronation in 1952, the building has a real post war charm and many of the original fixtures and fittings are still intact including these robust mid-century chairs and tables sitting out front. Standing back to take a photo I also noticed this menagerie of chairs stacked to the rear of the hall, what events and celebrations these chairs must have seated people at over the years…

Cottesbrooke village hall

Stacks of chairs at Cottesbrooke village hall

Robust mid century chairs

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and festive and there was produce on offer from purveyors of household goods Ancient Industries. Their simple useful products were apt for the location, I particularly love their enduring scissors, sturdy kitchen textiles and fun children’s goods.

Ancient Industries decorations at Cottesbrooke village hall

Scissors from Ancient Industries

Twine from Ancient Industries

Textiles from Ancient Industries

Pet bowls from Ancient Industries

Also on show was beautiful work from local artist Annie Shrive, whose nature inspired lino cuts are printed onto fabric for additional vibrance. Annie creates bespoke prints to order and her contact details can be seen in the image below.

Prints from Annie Shrive

Prints from Annie Shrive

Print by Annie Shrive

In contrast, the next day I took a family trip to the well oiled visitor machine that is Lincoln Christmas market. This four-day event attracts up to 250,000 visitors each year, and is run like clockwork by the thousands of stewards who guide you to and around the event. Our journey began on a park and ride where we claimed the best seats on the double-decker (top front of course) providing a panoramic views across the countryside as the bus wallowed into the city.

On disembarking, we quickly located the  fun fair, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and joined the river of people heading for the historic centre passing by the santa hats and candles.

Star lamps for sale

With 250 stalls, it was tricky to fit it all in, but for us, the best part was the calmer medieval market held in the atmospheric grounds and dungeons of Lincoln castle where cloaked men and women sold masks, goblets and herbs. The castle dates back to 1215 and is home to the Lincoln Magna Carta as well as the Charter of the Forest.

Then onto stare in awe at the magnificent gothic cathedral with its many gargoyles and Lincoln Imps, and to the main square where stalls nestle beneath the backdrop of the castle walls.

Finally we found ourselves climbing up and down the cobbled and highly inclined ‘steep lane’ before being kindly stewarded onto the bus home, festive spirit well and truly installed.

Happy Christmas!

A shady business

Last Christmas, I decided a shady corner of my home needed an additional hit of colour and pattern. So began my  ‘research’ into DIY lampshade recovering. I am normally quite handy at this sort of thing, but this project foxed me (and my very helpful daughter).  One rather sticky ruined lampshade later, and a house with the lovely aroma of Copydex glue,  we concluded an off the shelf patterned lampshade would be a great idea.

I was disappointed at what was available for sale at the time,  but a recent design project has had me scouring the market for a patterned shade again and there is much more choice now, both from artisan makers and the high street.

Graham & Green

Timerous Beasties

Parris Wakefield

Wintersmoon

Anthropology

Helen Minns

Clarissa Hulse

Treehouse from St Judes

Orwell Goode at Rocket St George

Scion from Heals

Laura Oakes at Rocket St George

Decoration from Rocket St George

Animal lampshades from The Shady Lady

Although they take up a small area, lampshades are a great way of introducing pattern, character and interest into a dull area. For those who are nervous about using colour and pattern, they can also be a safe inspirational starting point for a colour scheme that can be built on over time.

I particularly love the bold geometry of Parris Wakefield,  the rustic sweetness of Helen Minns and the quirky graphics of the shade from Laura Oakes. Perhaps there is a shady corner in your home that could sport one of these?

If you are feeling brave, you could try to better my attempt at covering an existing shade with either fabric or wallpaper. The number of tutorials out there reassure that it can be done with the right tools. Take a look at this one. Alternatively you can use a linen shade as a canvas and stencil or paint on decoration with acrylic paint, cut out fretwork decoration or apply appliqué fabric decoration; something I am currently considering. Oh will I ever learn?