design

Pouffe! Household furniture thing of beauty

You can have the world at your feet….. or take the weight of the world off your feet… with this pouffe.

Hot air balloons, butterflies and rivers are just some of the intricate patterns on this pouffe designed by Kristjana Williams.

KSW_pouffe_Lundunar_Kort_L_Shopify_1024x1024

Picture from maker’s website: https://www.kristjanaswilliams.com

One of her largest scale commissions was a theatrical light projection for the Rio Olympics – for the beach fronted hotel Belmond Copacabana Palace.  Inspired by mapmaking and butterflies, it raised a spontaneous “wow” of delight and applause.  Before it appeared, there were butterfly balloons and kites given out on the beach.  (see a glimpse of it in this brief and beautiful one minute video).

Inside the hotel also contained more of her work, behind the reception desk and concierge desk:

COP-OLYM-07web_1024x1024

If you’d like to see more of Kritjana’s work – or even, buy some – her website is:

https://www.kristjanaswilliams.com/

 

 

 

Scandinavian home craft

Lotta Jansdotter has a worldwide reputation for handprinting patterns which are used on textiles, notebooks and household interiors.

“Can’t find what you want?  Make it!  Don’t know how?  Learn it!” is how her website describes her pragmatic approach, much of her printing based on simple potato cut prints, in repeating patterns.

Screen shot 2017-06-21 at 11.28.44.png

Her fabrics are stocked by Windham Fabrics but you can learn the techniques of (more…)

Keep CALMomile and Carry On

Hot news expected from Buckingham Palace? – simply a retirement announcement – no problem.  Sit down and have a cuppa.

5765_1.jpg

Christopher Dresser design – V&A

Can you date the design of this British made teapot?

Perhaps surprisingly, it is over 130 years old – from the Victorian era.

Christopher Dresser designed it in 1879.  It was a prototype and was purchased by the London design museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, in 2006.

 

Here is his design for a toast rack – so startling and yet functional that, 100 years after his death, Alessi made it and it is still available on their online website: £135.

2006AY8607_jpg_ds.jpg

Photo by V&A

Good design keeps going.  And, of course, the tradition of tea and toast sails on, regardless.

Getting Mentors – don’t ask!

Here’s a great piece of lifetime advice (among many) by Pentagram partner, Michael Beirut:

“People always want to look for mentors – then they say “Will you be my mentor?” Do NOT do that.  You don’t need their permission you don’t need to tell them they’re your mentor.”

“Anyone you know could be your mentor – you just need to start listening, be curious and paying attention.  You don’t even need to meet the person – a TED talks person could be your mentor – you can have as many as you want – I’ve had hundreds of mentors – it’s free for the taking – just don’t tell them, that’s all!

Fun shopping list

When is a list fun?  When it’s not a list.

 

Shop_list_main_pic_1024x1024.jpeghttps://harringtonandsquires.co.uk/collections/magnets/products/shopping-list-magnets

But when it’s magnetic fridge badges.

The one downside of this list is that you can’t easily take it shopping with you, whereas a handwritten scribbled list on a piece of torn off notebook will happily travel in your jeans pocket – or your butler’s apron – whichever way you shop.  I guess for online grocery shoppers it will do well – just put your computer within sight of your fridge door and use the info colourfully displayed.

Fun idea for a housewarming present.  Or an anytime gift for fans of Smarties sweets.  (price £22 for 35)  There are also separate sets for herbs and spices, if it becomes an addiction.

Harrington & Squires Ltd
136a Fortess Road
London
NW5 2HP
+44 20 7267 1500