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Archives for category: Pattern/Graphics
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I spotted this shopfront just off Upper St in Islington, London. I think it used to be an old pub, I have seen many buildings around London called ‘Barclay & Co’, and most are still pubs, all with the signature beautiful tiling on the exterior.
Another photo taken whilst exploring the Islington area in North London. I love this old sign and clock. I think it must have been an old factory, and is now design studios. The perfectly blue sky definitely makes the picture!
Just a couple of lovely images I took whilst in Copenhagen.
If you follow this blog, you may start to notice that, as well as my obsession with colour, I am in love with anything tropical. Be it sophisticated or ever-so kitsch, I love tropicana themed products and prints! A micro-trend related to this obsession that I have noticed recently is pineapples. This trend follows on from the tropical prints and flamingo motifs from the current s/s season.
Pineapples have appeared in ceramics, brass, pattern design and fashion. It’s a fun, young trend which is just around for the summer so enjoy it whilst the sun still shines! Even Rhianna is getting in on the fun.
(When I saw that the lamp was from Zara I though I would get it for my future home, but sadly it is sold out)
A designer which has caught my eye is Kangan Arora. Originally hailing from North India, Kangan is now based in leafy North London. She is a graduate of Central St Martins and now works as a textile designer creating her own home products, and also works as a freelance photographer.
In her own words – “My work draws inspiration from observing the often uncelebrated facets of vibrant Indian street culture to create beautiful, handcrafted textiles and products for the home. Visual imagery is abstracted from the bold, kitsch objects and places of day-to-day life: from graphics on auto rickshaws and highway trucks, benday Bollywood poster prints, holy cows, a carnival of kites, to the ever curious characters in government offices, local markets, bazaars and tea stalls etc.”
It is the vibrant colours and bold shapes that captured my attention. As you all know I can’t ignore amazing colour and pattern. The photography of some of the products is really strong and the striking images have already begun circulating around design forums such as Pinterest. I predict that before long this young creative will soon be a lot more well known.
The website is definitely worth checking out for the beautiful photography, and the textile products can be bought at the Etsy Shop.
For sources please click on the image.
The William Morris Gallery is a well-known landmark in Walthamstow, North East London. This is where the poet, craftsman, designer and socialist spent his teenage years. The gallery is inspiring in many ways. I was expecting beautiful patterns and textiles, but not a lot else. What I got was an insight into a complex and inspiring man who endlessly campaigned for a better world. Many of his quotes are printed on the walls of the gallery, and speak to my own beliefs. He believed that art should be available to the masses, and that a more beautiful world was a better world for everybody.
“I do not want art for a few, any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few.” William Morris 1887
The building itself is immaculately restored, and is the perfect setting for the exhibits. The gallery is split up into the multiple rooms in the house, and this gives the space an intimate feel. For example, one room shows the textiles and techniques used, another has a short film documenting Morris’s social views and tireless campaigning. There is also a space which shows the work of others around in the Arts and Craft era. An example of this is the Stained glass image below. I loved that there were examples of work that were incomplete. Wallpaper designs which were only partially ‘coloured in’. I find this inspiring because it gives you an insight into the process and you can imagine the designer sitting there over a 100 years ago labouring over the work.
I came away feeling that I had learnt a lot about the man himself, as well as seeing many beautiful examples of his (and others’) work. I couldn’t help but buy the book ‘News from Nowhere and other writings’ after hearing about it in the film shown in the gallery. The book contains the ‘novel’ News from Nowhere as well as other written works by Morris including copies of some of his lectures and poems. I was inspired to learn more about his philosophies and views on decorative art after visiting the gallery.
I would recommend a visit, to anymore interested in the decorative arts or socialism. But really, so many different people would enjoy it there for different reasons. It is free entry (donations encouraged), and there is a lovely tearoom in the new modern wing of the building. Many events happen here throughout the year, and I for one have already put the Christmas event in my diary as I feel it would be a magical space in the festive season.
(Singles note – there is a special night here on Feb 14th next year! Let’s hope the setting encourages some nice gentlemen to turn up ready for some good old fashioned courting)
Visiting details can be found here.
A special exhibition featuring embroidery by Nicola Jarvis, inspired by the the techniques of May Morris, is currently on until Sept 22nd but was unfortunately closed for maintenance the day of my visit.
Everyone needs a lightbulb moment every now and again.
I saw this box of lightbulbs discarded on a London street. I liked the way that some were pearly opaque, whilst in the others the filament was clearly visible through the delicate glass. Seeing beauty in unexpected places is a good skill to have, so nurture it. Look for the beauty in your day, whether it is layers of ripped posters on a neglected wall, or the crazy (but strangely inspiring) outfit a stranger is wearing on the tube.
allgreatchanges 