Anni Albers at Tate Modern

Galleries and museums didn’t show textiles, that was always considered craft and not art. When it’s on paper it’s art. Anni Albers 1984

Anni Albers, one of the foremost textiles designers of the twentieth century, is finally getting long overdue recognition in a major exhibition of her work at Tate Modern. Three hundred and fifty items will be on display including drawings and prints. Her weavings, often referred to as ‘pictorial weavings’, played an important role in re-defining craft as an art form.

Anni Albers Study for Unexecuted Wallhanging, 1926 © The Josef & Annie Albers Foundation

As a young female art student at The Bauhaus School in the 1920’s, with a preference to becoming a painter, she was encouraged to take up weaving, then perceived as women’s art and therefore a more suitable course for the female students, textiles would become her key mode of artistic expression.

Anni Albers Card Weaving at Black Mountain College © State Archives of North Carolina

Many of her designs were inspired by the work of her teacher, the artist Paul Klee and fellow student & husband, Josef Albers. Ironically her woven wall hangings, shawls and blankets became one of the most successful products to come out of the school.

Josef Albers

Paul Klee

Josef Albers

Her truth to materials, adherence to hand-crafting traditions combined with her modernist geometric patterns and the inclusion of the new synthetics also informed a more aesthetic approach to mass production.

Anni Albers Intersecting, 1962 © The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation / ARS / DACS

Anni Albers - Orchestra fabric

Anni Albers - E wallpaper

Anni Albers - Temple fabric

Albers was fascinated by the traditional uses of textile and thread-making yet while adhering to traditional techniques she was also keen to produce items that combined aesthetic appeal with functionality.

Fabric: Anni Albers at Christopher Farr Cloth - Sally Smith Design

Fabric: Anni Albers at Christopher Farr Cloth - Galapagos Furniture

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Mass produced furniture and textiles play an important and essential part in our domestic lives, but the ancient arts of weaving and hand production are becoming ever more popular and a number of manufactures, artisans and craftspeople are responding by revitalising these traditions.

Angie Parker Textiles

We took a look at some contemporary furnishings and fabrics currently available - many of which are inspired by Anni Albers and by traditional creative processes - and how we can integrate these ideas into our own interiors.

Bristol based, Angie Parker weaves intricate rugs, on a Glimakra Floor loom, she describes her beautiful rugs as ‘floor art’ and we have to agree, they are meticulously woven in re-claimed wool in a palette of unashamed bright colours. Watch her video below.

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Christopher Farr Cloth designs bespoke fabrics using both digital and hand printing techniques drawing inspiration from a variety of creative sources including among others the design influence of Anni Albers.

Christopher Farr Cloth

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We particularly like the textiles from Royal College of Art trained artist, Margo Selby. Weaving and high quality fibres are at the heart of her gorgeous textiles which include furnishing fabrics, rugs, art pieces and accessories all of which can be integrated into both traditional and contemporary interiors

Margo Selby

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All of the designs from Eleanor Pritchard are woven by highly skilled British weaving mills. Many use traditional shuttle looms in Lancashire, West Wales and Bute off the coast of Scotland. Like the Anni Albers designs many have a strong graphic quality with pared back geometrics using inky tones and occasional sharp accent colours, and again, work well in both contemporary and traditional design schemes. An exclusive granite colourway of Eleanor’s Dovetail Design has been made especially for the Anni Albers retrospective at Tate Modern.

Eleanor Pritchard’s Dovetail Granite blanket for Tate - Photo: Elliott Denny

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Anni Albers is at Tate Modern until 27 January 2019

Click here for more information

Anni Albers Untitled, 1941 © The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation

Decorex International

London Design Festival 2018 is taking place between 15–23 September at a number of venues across London. It encompasses exhibitions, events and installations as well as being a showcase for some of the most talented and innovative designers. 

Decorex International is a Partner Organisation of The London Design Festival. It’s a little further out of central London than many of the other contributors, but it’s definitely worth the journey to see so many brilliant designs in the gorgeous surroundings of Syon Park. Here were some of the exhibitors who caught our eye…

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Jonathan Rogers - STAND K54

Rogers creates glass vessels using traditional blowing and finishing techniques, the finished pieces are understated and fluid, beautifully reflecting colour and light.

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Bethan Gray - STAND B29

Bethan Gray’s design philosophy draws on various cultural references, combining contemporary practice with classical craft traditions of the East and West. Her signature style includes the use of luxurious materials with purity of line. 

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Amy Kent Bespoke Rugs - STAND E40A

Amy Kent’s range of bespoke rugs is a beautiful collection of hand-made rugs, crafted in India and Kathmandu. The range combines a look that is both classic and contemporary, fitting in with either modern and more traditional interiors. 

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Blackbird - STAND F28

Alongside an eclectic collection of lighting, mirrors, tables and home accessories, Blackbird is launching a new bespoke range at Decorex this year.

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Paint and Paper Library - STAND C31

Paint and Paper Library offers a fabulous, carefully curated palette of over 180 unique colours, including a traditional, historical and a contemporary range to which they have added a range of wallpapers. 

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A Rum Fellow - STAND A41

Finally we enjoyed what A Rum Fellow have to offer this year as we love their ethically produced artisan rugs and textiles which blend with both contemporary and traditional interiors.

Find out more about the London Design Festival here.

Shoreditch Style

Ahead of the London Design Festival 2018, we took a look at some of Shoreditch's creative companies, a number of whom will be exhibiting at this years festival. 

In recent years the remains of Shakespeare’s Curtain Theatre have been discovered. Historically Shoreditch was known for its links with theatre, entertainment and a thriving textile trade. Although much of this disappeared, the area is again a hub of creativity with many independent manufacturers, bars, restaurants and shops. Here's our favourites, which you can visit in a day enjoying the area and all within close proximity to each other with plenty of cafes and eateries for a quick refresh.

Check out The Clove Club in Shoreditch Town Hall for modern British cooking in an elegant interior.

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Claybrook recently moved into their new studio and showroom in Shoreditch. Across two floors you’ll find their gorgeous range of floor and wall tiles on display. Advice and samples are readily available. Here are some of our own favourite looks from the range...

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Unto This Last  takes its name from an essay by John Ruskin, a leading Victorian art critic and patron, champion of the Pre-Rahaelites and supporter of the Arts and Crafts movement. The company operates a unique open studio from their Brick Lane premises, producing their furniture and products in full view of the customers. Their process allows them to cut down on costs by eliminating transport, warehousing and packaging costs - delivering direct from workshop to customer. We love the clean, simple lines of their hand-produced furniture and accessories.

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20 years ago British Standard started out with a unique ethos, the name referring to exactly what they produced; primed ready to paint, standard sized cabinetry which can be fitted and painted by the customer in whatever configuration they want. Their design team help you every step of the way to achieve the kitchen or storage space you need. They've now added bespoke kitchens which they can install for you. We particularly like the simple understated designs.

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As well as being a working studio, offering high quality restoration and re-upholstery, Shoreditch Design Rooms also offers accredited courses and individual classes, if you want to try your hand at a traditional craft. Shoreditch Design Rooms has established itself as the most innovative and successful upholstery training centre in the country, offering small class sizes and expert tuition.

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For a truly unique shopping experience stop by Boxpark Shoreditch, the worlds first pop-up shopping mall. Constructed entirely from re-fitted shipping containers, the mall has everything from popular street food and global brands, to clothing and individual homewares suppliers. 

Originally an on-line store, Decorum now have a presence in Boxpark... this homewares store stocks an eclectic mix of vintage, modern and contemporary items and supports new and up-and-coming designers and artisans.

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Labour and Wait is another shop with an interesting name which this time takes its inspiration from a poem by Longfellow. Their approach to the selection of items on sale is based on simplicity, functionality, and endurance - items which mellow over time and are not discarded but improve with age. Trading for over 18 years, they are housed in a former Victorian pub, with branches in Dover Street Market London & New York and Sendagaya Tokyo.

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Don’t forget to stop by Luna & Curious, an independent miniature department store owned by three creatives with a vision to offer a wonderful mix of products focusing on British manufacture.

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Well made in England and designed for you, is a key concept of Kent & London. Their custom made crafted furniture and kitchens using English woods are hand-built to last and become an integral part of your lifestyle. Pop in to their large airy space in Shoreditch to see their range of kitchens, furniture and homewares.

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Monologue London is a contemporary concept store on the popular Redchurch Street in Shoreditch. They focus on conceptual design, emerging designers, interiors and homeware. Monologue carries an exclusive selection of curated items for the home and a handpicked range of design accessories and furniture. 

We'll be reviewing the London Design Festival 2018 taking place this September.

Summer in the City

Now that summer's really here we’re heading outdoors... London's art galleries and museum spaces such as Somerset House, The Royal Academy and Tate are taking advantage of the summer months and providing outdoor activities including theatre, film screenings, food vans and urban beaches.

Lombok

For those lazy days and evenings when you just want to relax at home we had a look at a few ideas for transforming our personal outdoor space into a cool and calming urban retreat. We love Lombock’s Sambala Collection... perfect for outdoors but just as beautiful inside if you want to create a garden atmosphere or use in a conservatory. The range is part of the Trees4Trees scheme - with every item purchased from the Sambala collection, a contribution will be made towards planting new trees in Indonesia. Each piece is handcrafted from reclaimed Indonesian teak which is then distressed by hand, enhancing the natural characteristics of the wood. 

Lombok - Sambala Collection

With London’s microclimate, tropical plants can thrive, and just a few grouped together, either in borders or containers around a carefully curated seating or dining area can create the illusion of a tropical retreat. Urban Tropics based in London’s Highgate, show us how to transform even the smallest patio or balcony into a green haven, including advice on bursts of tropical flowers and plants which can thrive in the city.

Urban Tropics

Urban Tropics

We were delighted to discover East London Parasol Company - each of their parasols is traditionally handcrafted. The company maintains an ethos of producing ethical artisanal parasols and textiles. Many of the processes can't be mechanised, and if they were, the beauty and personality of the fabrics would be lost. 

Their textiles and cushions range can transform the most English garden into a tropical retreat.

East London Parasol Company

Opium in Chelsea’s Worlds End is a treasure trove of Indian artifacts including antiques, furniture, mirrors and screens alongside contemporary crafts from India including these hand-made bamboo screens which could be used to create a shaded and secluded area, either on a balcony, patio or greenhouse.

Opium

Use an antique mirror to reflect your greenery and add a sense of space and vista to an area of your garden, or place a carved screen against a wall for an instant transformation.

Opium

Vintage throws on a chair or sofa, and the addition of candles and small artifacts completes the effect.

Opium

Here are some other ideas to complete the look... 

Go Modern

Zara Home

The Conran Shop

French Connection

The Conran Shop

India Jane

Even if you don’t have an outdoor space you can still create a cool green oasis indoors. The benefits of indoor greenery go further than the purely aesthetic. Plants are known to provide cleaner air by removing pollutants and can act as a mood enhancer. Patch will source and hand-deliver indoor plants suited to your environment and provide handy tips for easy plant maintenance.

Sweetpea & Willow

Neptune

Neptune

Sweetpea & Willow

Neptune

Patch

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For more garden inspo take a look at our previous Frida Kahlo blog. 

Urban Tropics

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2018

"It's a celebration of making stuff!" Grayson Perry RA.

The Royal Academy 250th Summer Exhibition is in full swing until August 19th. As the largest open submission exhibition in the world unknown, emerging and lesser known artists have the opportunity of seeing their work displayed among the work of the famous.

© Royal Academy of Arts

The summer show has run continuously for 250 years and this year proves to be one of the most colourful shows so far... as we would expect having been coordinated by Grayson Perry RA.

© Royal Academy of Arts

Looking around  at the eclectic selection of painting, sculpture, film and prints which are highly representative of what is happening in the contemporary art world, I wonder what early critics would have made of today’s selection! 

Joana Vasconcelos - ROYAL VALKYRIE - on display in the Wohl Central Hall

It is hard to believe that in the late 1800’s the then rebellious young Pre-Raphaelite painters were vilified by the press and public. Even the great writer Charles Dickens, railed against their "wasted talent"! When Millais’ painting of Ophelia was displayed in the Summer Exhibition of 1852 critics slated it, now of course it is one of the gems of Tate Britain’s collection. The two buildings of the Royal Academy were recently united with a new corridor where Millais' paint palette is on display. Clearly, he was eventually forgiven!

John Everett Millais - OPHELIA - © Tate

Millais' palette in the Royal Academy

The artworks spill over into a greater area than in past years, and as this is a celebratory year there are plenty of other activities, talks and workshops taking place. Don’t miss The Great Spectacle or the Friday Lates when the gallery stays open until 10pm, and enjoy music and a cocktail in the courtyard from the comfort of a deckchair.

With so much on view it’s hard to make a choice... we’ve made a pick of some of our most coveted from around £400 to £50,000.

Sonya Howie

Susan Wilson

John Maine RA

Kim

Leonard McComb RA

Joe Tilson RA

Fiona Rae RA

Vanessa Jackson RA

Stewart Geddes

Diana Armfield RA

Paul Huxley RA

Leonard McComb RA

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THE 250TH RA SUMMER EXHIBITION 2018
AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY NOW UNTIL 19TH AUGUST
READ MORE HERE

Mallorcan Ikat and Mediterranean Inspiration

'Ikat is an artistic technique that is quite remarkable, exciting and transcendental' - Pablo Picasso, 1957

Mallorcan Ikat has become emblematic of the artisanal heritage of the Island and is its unique version of Central Asian Ikat fabrics. Weaving and ceramic production are of great historical importance in Mallorca, and the skills and individual variation of styles have been handed down through several generations. 

© Teixits Vicens

Ikat is known on the island as ‘the cloth of tongues’ (llengues) because of the impression of a flame created by some of the patterns. 

© Teixits Vicens

There are three families of textile producers of Ikat fabrics, each with their own unique style and products. It's possible to take fascinating guided tours and watch the ancient weaving and hand processes they employ. One thing they share in common, as well as following a centuries old tradition, is that they all take inspiration from the mediterranean.

© Teixits Riera

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Teixits Riera is a family based artisanal textile workshop founded in 1896. Based in Lloseta, the company is dedicated to a manufacturing process which follows a time-honoured process handed down through generations of their family and nurtures a high regard for preserving the artisanal heritage of Mallorca. Their textiles are inspired by their proximity to the Serra de Tramuntana, the mountain range which cuts across the Island revealing incredible vistas of sea and mountain peaks. These vistas are reflected in the patterns and motifs of their designs. All Teixits Riera fabrics are of natural material... here are some of their colourful designs.

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Teixits Vicens. At a young age and working from the notes left by his textile weaver father, Martí Vicenç went on to dedicate his life to continuing the family traditions, developing his own style of ‘llengües'. He expanded the classic patterns using traditional colours of dark & light blues, greens & yellows, combining new colorways and creating a freer style incorporating multi-colours, plains and stripes while staying true to the hand-made production ethos of his family. Inspired by nature and natural objects he also became a painter. His tradition continues and you can visit the factory in Pollença which also produces ceramics.

Here is our pick of the range on offer... sadly the adorable dog is not for sale!

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Artesania Textil Bujosa founded in 1949 and located in Santa María del Camí just 15km from Palma, is a family-run business managed by a third generation of artisans. Alongside the iconic Ikat ‘telas de lenguas’ they also produce a range of silks, cottons and linens using traditional craft techniques and natural hand-dyed colours in stripes and plains.

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While putting together some interior ideas inspired by the Ikat principles we were delighted to discover A Rum Fellow, a London-based design studio dedicated to artisan textiles and a desire for beautifully crafted homewares. Calling on artisans and weaving cooperatives discovered on their worldwide travels, the collection embraces a fine balance between heritage design and a contemporary lifestyle... an ethos which very much reflects the design principles of Devas Designs. Here are some examples from their range.

And here are some further Ikat and mediterranean inspired designs.

Designers Guild

Graham & Green

West Elm

West Elm

Cox & Cox

Cox & Cox

Zara Home

Zara Home

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To find out more about the Ikat process watch this short video from the Teixits Riera factory.

Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up // Summer Inspiration

On 16th June 2018 the Victoria and Albert Museum will present a new exhibition, Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up, with a focus on the artifacts, textiles, clothing and personal items of Frida Khalo. More than 200 items will be on display which have previously been sealed up for over 50 years in the Casa Azul, the home she shared with her husband Diego Rivera in Mexico City.

Frida Kahlo drew inspiration both for her lifestyle and her art from her vibrant Mexican culture. This self portrait called The Frame is a good example, as Frida has included mixed medium in bright colours to combine Mexican Folkloric traditional techniques.

This love of tradition even spilled over into her garden. Frida loved her garden at the Casa Azul, and with Diego Rivera, transformed the courtyard garden into an oasis of flowers which included oleanders, marigolds, geraniums, lilies, cacti and foliage. Tending her garden was integral to her life. She would incorporate this passion into many of her paintings by the inclusion of fruit, flowers and foliage alongside other Mexican folkloric symbols.

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With the summer ahead this is the perfect time to prepare our own outdoor space, however small. If you don’t have a courtyard, garden or balcony, it’s still possible to create a table setting to reflect a summer theme. We looked to Frida for our inspiration. 

Milagros is a Mexican shop in the heart of London's famous Columbia Road flower market. Working directly with individual artists, makers and workshops in Mexico, Milagros imports hand-made Mexican products... perfect for a summer garden or table setting.

Montes & Clark, based in Tisbury, Salisbury, is a partnership of two friends both who share a passion for textiles and embroidery. They work directly with women-led cooperatives in Mexico using traditional crafts to produce inspiring and beautiful contemporary pieces for the home.

Frida felt that colour had the ability to express emotional truths. While her palette often contained bright pinks, purples, yellows, golds, and bright flowers popular in the decorative arts of Mexico, as well as this vibrant colour palette she would often switch to pastels and whites to express differing emotions and responses.

In this self-portrait Frida used warm hues and white flowers as an ironic sign of her sense of separation from Diego. The soft pastel hues and warm colours in this painting of her friends' young daughter Mariana, give the work tenderness and the inclusion of leaves was a symbol of protection in ancient Mexican tradition.

These warm and pastel hues from Anthropologie and Zara Home create a perfect summer table setting evoking the colours in Frida’s portraits.

Anthropologie

Zara Home

Frida was just as much in love with her white Calla lillies, magnolias and cactuses as she was with bright colours. She painted this portrait (below left) of her younger sister Cristina in the Renaissance style, which is reflected in the colour palette and compositon.

The all-white magnolia flowers (below centre) are inspired by the work of Georgia O’Keefe, by adding the short-lived cactus flower in the centre Frida has alluded to the sensitivity of life. The Calla lilly was a favourite of Diego Rivera.

Frida has depicted herself in a traditional white Mexican blouse (below right) favoured by Diego. She would go on to adopt the traditional Mexican style of dressing for the remainder of her life, with the addition of bright textiles and flower head dresses.

If an all-white palette is more your style, you can still get the full Frida effect with these gorgeous accessories from The White Company. At Devas Designs we love the simplicity of all-white. 

Why not include all-white flowers, simple greenery or add brilliant pops of colour with bright floral arrangements. Take inspiration from Rebel Rebel florist from Hackney.

THE EXHIBITION
FRIDA KAHLO: MAKING HER SELF UP
AT THE V&A FROM 16 JUNE UNTIL 4 NOVEMBER SEPTEMBER 2018
READ MORE HERE

Frida Kahlo in blue satin blouse, 1939. © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives.

Clerkenwell Design Week 2018

This will be the ninth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), now established as a vibrant annual focus for designers. 

'Behind Closed Doors' installation by Hakwood - fabricated by Shape London

Clerkenwell’s unique historic buildings have been transformed into a wealth of architectural, design and creative practices... and with its long history of traditional craft workshops, has become one of the most influential design hubs in the world. The practices of independent producers, traditional crafts-people such as bookbinders and jewellery-makers combine with international brands.

Way-finding sculpture by TDO Architecture - fabricated by Bakers Patterns

This year CDW have partnered with Chelsea College of Art students who have addressed the issue of sustainability by offering an up-cycling installation outside Farringdon Station where visitors can bring their unwanted tote bags for an instant makeover... with the proceeds going to charity.

Millie Gray

Erica (Tse Chiao) Chao

Arnis Putnins

Showroom Partners include established companies such as Ercol, Cappellini, Domus Tiles, Walter Knoll, and one of our favourite kitchen companies deVOL Kitchens. They will be throwing open their doors and many will be hosting workshops, talks and special installations. Some will be offering drinks, refreshments and music - alongside fringe events and guest contributors.

Ercol

Domus Tiles

Walter Knoll

deVOL Kitchens

Cappellini will be presenting a three day programme that explores the use of colour in design.   

Cappellini

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CDW’s exhibitions are hosted in distinctive spaces around the area linked by a route running through the centre of EC1. There are seven exhibitions, each with a different curatorial focus, ranging from cutting-edge International Design, to emerging talent, lighting, luxury interiors and The British Collection. 

The British Collection is showcasing once again in the Crypt of St James’s Church on Clerkenwell Green - here is a roundup of some of our favourites.

Pluck kitchens are based in Brixton and all their kitchens are made on-site. Alongside an ethos of sustainability, the kitchens have a freshness of styling and colour palette. The simplicity of their kitchen range relies on meticulous attention to detail.

Adventures in Furniture create pieces which are made to last both structurally and aesthetically. They have received numerous awards for their responsible production using 100% FSC certified and recycled timbers. Here are some key items from their range.

Benchmark Furniture was co-founded by Terence Conran and Sean Sutcliffe. Craft and design-led, with a strong stance on sustainability, using FSC certified timber, their pieces are lovingly crafted to create furniture with lasting value. They will be launching their new collection at this year's Clerkenwell Design Week.

Clerkenwell Design Week 2018 is from 22nd until 24th May.

It's free to attend, simply register here and bring your badge.

Omega and Beyond

Omega Workshops and The Bloomsbury Group

"It is time that the spirit of fun was introduced into furniture and into fabrics." Roger Fry

Charleston interior  © The Charleston Trust

Omega Workshops opened in July 1913 - the artists involved were members of The Bloomsbury Group... Vanessa Bell, Roger Fry and Duncan Grant. They were inspired by the work of Arts & Crafts pioneer William Morris, and like Morris, wanted to combine art with design, reject the new mass production and remove the separation between fine art and craft. 

Vanessa Bell

Roger Fry

Duncan Grant

Following in the Arts & Crafts tradition they felt that a well-crafted chair or a beautiful textile design was every bit as important as a fine painting, their work also grew out of a love of nature and a desire for their designs to sit alongside their paintings.

During its short lived existence Omega Workshops produced a range of objects for the home including ceramics, furniture, rugs, glassware, and even clothing - all incorporating bold colours, geometric forms and abstract patterns. Sadly it’s closure was due to what Fry described as ‘public indifference'. It’s hard to believe when today we place so much importance on our home and many of us, interior designers and home-makers alike enjoy the creative challenge of curating a personal environment.

Monk’s House, East Sussex, the home of Virginia Wolfe, sister of Vanessa Bell, decorated by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.

Omega Workshops radical approach to home interiors and design went on to have a far-reaching effect on decoration as seen in these homewares from Anthropologie.

Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant eventually set up home at Charleston Farmhouse near Lewes in East Sussex... in May a festival takes place in celebration of their ethos and working partnership.

The garden at Charleston  © The Charleston Trust

Cressida Bell is the granddaughter of Vanessa, and while her work reflects the influence of her famous heritage, she has created her own take and unique style across a range of gorgeous decorative items... from textiles to ceramics and lamps to bespoke cakes! Samples of her beautiful work are shown below - you can also visit her workshop in Hackney.

Madeleine Bradbury is a Brighton-based painter who creates hand-painted lamps, furniture and accessories inspired by the work of Omega Workshops. We have selected a number of items from her range with more than a hint of The Bloomsbury Group.

For a romantic bedroom inspired by the soft pink hues in the guest bedroom at Charleston (below left) we looked to Cox & Cox for their washed linen bedding and soft velvet chair.

We went in further search of some designs which reflect The Bloomsbury Group ethos and decorative styling. Here is a selection from Sandersons Bloomsbury Canvas Prints and Embroideries, complemented by their Bloomsbury Canvas wallpapers.

Farrow & Ball create wallpapers and richly pigmented paint colours which can be matched to any look or style you want to create. For further inspiration in-line with the design ethos of Omega Workshops we chose these colours from their colour range. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHARLESTON

Charleston

The London Original Print Fair

"This is the golden age of prints - from the traditional technologies to the latest digital works... print and printmaking weaves its way through our culture." Chris Orr RA

The London Original Print Fair will take place in the Royal Academy of Art’s beautiful main gallery space. From 3rd to 6th May international art dealers, galleries and studios will display original prints alongside daily specialist and artist’s talks. We took a sneak peek at what’s in store and selected some of our top desirables.

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Peter Blake is often called the Godfather of British Pop Art... as well as a fascination with popular culture, his work expresses a love of the beauty of everyday objects and surroundings. His collaboration with CCA Galleries (stand 22) has resulted in this beautiful collection of three, limited edition, silkscreen prints. Blake always liked Gertrude Stein’s quote, ‘A Rose is a Rose is a Rose’ and having also named his own daughter Rose, he took joy in developing these prints, each taking on the subject of a rose in his signature collage, pop art and watercolour style.

Galerie Boisserée (stand 9) will be showing a selection of prints from Picasso to Louise Bourgeois. We particularly liked the signed limited edition aquatint and woodcut by George Braque, a major 20th century French artist acknowledged for his role in the development of Fauvism and Cubism.

Les Amaryllis

Vol d'Oiseaux Noirs sur Fond Rosé

Martinez D. (stand 48) will be showcasing a selection of Matisse lithographs featuring his paper cut-outs. During the last decade of his life Henri Matisse starting cutting painted paper with scissors to create complex and vibrant images of dancers, plants, animals and figures, a method he had previously used as a technique to plan out large scale environments and murals. 

Gilden’s Art Gallery (stand 26) have a selection of hand-signed original lithographs and silk-screened prints - some under £500.

David Hockney

Marie Laurencin

Georges Braque

Joan Miró

This year Eames Fine Art (stand 29) will be exhibiting exciting works by Ross Loveday, Victor Pasmore and John Hoyland among others. Rebecca and Vincent Eames are History of Art graduates with a passion for 20th & 21st century art. 

Ross Loveday

Victor Pasmore

John Hoyland

The 1930's lithograph below, from Osborne Samuel (stand 10) is by Vanessa Bell, titled 'The Schoolroom'. As well as being a painter, Vanessa Bell was also an interior designer for the Omega Workshop and part of the bohemian Bloomsbury Group. Vanessa lived in East Sussex at Charleston - alongside other members of the Omega Workshop she decorated the house in their unique style and created an idyllic English garden, both of which you can visit.

THE LONDON ORIGINAL PRINT FAIR 2018
VIEW THE CATALOGUE HERE

Inspired by Picasso

Tate Modern is currently staging its first ever solo exhibition of Pablo Picasso. The show focuses on works he produced in 1932, and includes over 100 paintings, drawings and sculptures plus family photographs as well as three paintings of his lover Marie-Thérèse Walter, produced in just five days.

Many of the paintings are voluptuous and curvaceous, and include elements of both cubism and surrealism, while the colour palette veers from dark reds, blues and greens to soft yellows and lilacs.

We couldn’t resist putting together some interior inspiration reflecting Picasso’s use of colour and forms... we also went in search of the perfect red chair!

Be Seated

Parabel Table - Eero Aarnio

Soho Home

He often referenced harlequins in his work including this painting of his young son. These geometric patterned rugs create a striking centre piece using a subtle harlequin motif. 

MADE

Maisons du Monde

Cushions, throws and soft furnishings are a quick and easy way of introducing a new thematic colour scheme, or for a seasonal update to your interior... we have selected three fabrics reflecting the mood of these Picasso paintings.

CB2

Designers Guild

Designers Guild

Farrow & Ball create wallpapers and paints based around historic colours, and have produced artist inspired schemes for a number of art galleries... we chose these colours in particular as they reminded us of Picasso's 1930's colour palette. 

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Alongside the exhibition, Tate Modern is serving a special artist-inspired menu and we’ve picked out a few table setting ideas which we think would do justice to a Catalan menu... not forgetting the classic striped napkin in honour of Picasso’s love of the Breton T-shirt!

LinenMe

Anthropologie

The Conran Shop

LinenMe

THE EY EXHIBITION
PICASSO 1932 – LOVE, FAME, TRAGEDY
TATE MODERN UNTIL 9 SEPTEMBER 2018
READ MORE HERE

Affordable Art Fair and Ceramic Art London 2018

Two upcoming fairs to watch out for in London this March are the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea 8th – 11th March and Ceramic Art London at Central Saint Martins 23rd – 25th March.

The Affordable Art Fair is an opportunity to find contemporary art for your home for all tastes and budgets. Inspiring work in a variety of mediums will be on display ready to buy and take home with you. It should be a fun way to browse, as well as the art  on show, there will also be plenty of creative inspiration with free talks and interactive installations.There are over 100  galleries on show and  there will be expert gallerists on-hand to guide you.

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The Craft Potters Association will again present Ceramic Art London hosted by Central Saint Martins. Over ninety of the world's most talented ceramic artists will show and sell their work and for the first time students of CSM will host a ceramic studio where they will make new work in front of the live audience so we can see just how it’s done! This will be a truly immersive experience as visitors will also be allowed to comment on the direction the pieces take as they are made. Here is our own preview of some of the very covetable items you can expect to find.

Carina Haslam Art Stand E5. We loved Alison McWhirter’s studies of flowers, she often mixes paint directly onto the canvas, which adds to their sense of vibrancy and spontaneity.

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Edgar Modern Gallery Stand H10. We have selected a number of artists represented by the gallery which we found particularly appealing.

Henrietta Dubrey describes her work as abstract, gestural, and autobiographical... and can’t wait to see them at the Fair

Jessica Cooper RWA. Jessica's work relies on economy of detail - objects and shapes are represented in their essential outline. We love their immediacy and sense of vigour.

Mhairi McGregor RSW uses a limited palette of colours, layering the paint to create these inspiring landscapes.

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Grandy Art Stand 5, will be showing a collection of new work by their portfolio of emerging British artists. Here are some which caught our eye.

VJ Keegan has earned a reputation for her fluid painterly style evident in her beautiful still life paintings.

Stephen Palmer paints directly from the local landscape, we loved these French and English scenes. 

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As well as some very beautiful ceramics on show and to buy, there will be a programme of ‘Claytalks’ starting on the opening day with contemporary artist and Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry’s talk, ‘My Cup of Tea’.

Talking of 'My Cup of Tea'... Sue Pryke creates affordable, functional ceramics using studio slipcasting inspired by the everyday intuitive decision-making we all make on a daily basis when choosing what cup to take from the cupboard for a cup of tea.

Hyu Jin Jo creates a basic shape and then adds intricate textures to the thrown piece. This gives the pieces individuality while incorporating a sense of Korean traditional craft skills. 

Jaejun Lee

Akiko Hirai

Jill Shaddock

Sasha Wardell makes individual bespoke vases, bowls, lighting and tea ware that combine her beautiful craft-making skills.

Rhian Malin's elegant hand-painted porcelain vessels with cobalt-blue decoration are inspired by Willow Pattern. 

Lisa Hammond

Jack Doherty

Lisa Hammond

The Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park is open from 8th until 11th March.

Ceramic Art London at Central Saint Martins is open from 23rd until 25th March.

Visit their websites to find out more and to book tickets.

Justine Allison

The New Kettle's Yard

'A living place where works of art could be enjoyed... where young people could be at home unhampered by the greater austerity of the museum or public art gallery.' Jim Ede.

Kettle’s Yard house and gallery in Cambridge has just reopened after a two year make-over and extension to its site, it now includes a café and gift shop. However, the original building remains the same and the eclectic collection of its founder Jim Ede is still displayed exactly as before.

Kettle's Yard

What makes Kettle's Yard so unique and magical, setting it apart from any other gallery space, is that the modest row of interconnecting houses remain set up as a home. The style is simple and unpretentious, just as when Ede lived there, with sofas, tables, chairs and bookshelves and his collection is displayed without curators notes or labels.

Kettle's Yard

Originally, the now iconic Kettle's Yard, was a row of small dilapidated workman’s cottages which Jim Ede, a former Tate curator, acquired and converted into a home for himself and his art teacher wife Helen in 1956.

Ede was an avid collector of modernist British and European ceramics and artworks and amassed a collection which includes paintings by Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Christopher Wood, David Jones and Joan Miro, as well as sculptures by Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth.

Alfred Wallis

Julia Ball

Winifred Nicholson

Jim Ede would display a simple swirl or dish of pebbles with as much respect as he displayed a precious piece of pottery, displaying art and non-art pieces alongside each other.

Kettle's Yard 

Later he donated the entire collection and the house to Cambridge University, at which time its reputation as a place to visit with reverence grew. His style was based on simplicity and he aspired to create for each room "an atmosphere of quiet and simple charm". The house retains that charm alongside the history it carries within the carefully curated objects. 

Kettle's Yard - Edmund de Waal

Kettle's Yard - Lucie Rie

We love the effortless style of the home Jim Ede created and the skill of the curators eye which he transferred from his time at the Tate gallery to his own home. We can all use our creativity to curate personal collections or memorabilia and, as Ede has shown in his shell and pebble collections, it’s often how we choose to show those items that is as important as the items themselves. Curating your own collection and changing things around regularly not only brings out our creativity but can make us see things afresh – we may not all own a Lucie Rie dish or a Miro painting but here are a few key ideas to get things started!

The White Company

Jeannett Stevenson

West Elm

For a contemporary take on Jim Ede’s rocking chair and upholstered furniture, try Arlo & Jacob...

Kettle's Yard

Kettle's Yard

Arlo & Jacob

Arlo & Jacob

We really love the way the paintings and prints are grouped together, sometimes in quite unexpected places, and framed in simple wooden frames allowing the pictures to stand out and also unifying them. Try framing family photographs and prints in matching frames and creating your own gallery to add interest to a stairway or hall for example.

West Elm

Kettle's Yard

Habitat

For its clean lines and simplicity, the Galvin Brothers handcrafted furniture is traditionally built but with a contemporary twist.

Galvin Brothers

Galvin Brothers

Have fun curating your own items, and if you want to collect on a shoestring try Habitat for very affordable studio-style pottery or for the real thing go to Maak who will be holding a contemporary ceramics auction in May (online preview from 27 April).

Habitat

Maak - Hans Coper

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Kettle's Yard, Castle Street, Cambridge

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

Kettle's Yard

Interior Inspirations for 2018

A new year calls for fresh inspiration and new ideas, and what better place to start than in our home. Whether grand or modest, small or large our home can be our sanctuary and also a place where we can express our creativity.

Houzz, the home improvement and interior design site which brings homeowners and professionals together, is always full of innovative, creative ideas. Their latest brilliant pop-up is Houzz of 2018. 

From 26th until 31st January Houzz has completely taken over a stylish five-story house in the heart of London’s Soho. This exciting pop up will be crammed full of interior design inspiration and ideas for 2018 from leading suppliers and manufacturers in a uniquely accessible way.

The great news is, it’s all completely free to enjoy, and don't forget your complimentary cup of Nespresso coffee. With a variety of workshops and talks from Candle Making to Japanese Flower Arranging, some of which, like the Cocktail Making Class, are also free ... we can’t wait!

In the meantime take a look at what to expect and see some of our ideas for achieving some of the predicted looks for 2018 ...

Houzz of 2018

Never underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep, especially during cold winter months. Houzz have chosen to showcase handcrafted beds from Swedish bed company Hästens. Hästens beds and mattresses, are made from ethically-sourced, organic and natural, hypoallergenic materials. Their iconic blue check cover is instantly recognizable, but they also make a beautiful range of headboards, valances and bed linens in a variety of colour-ways. Here are some of our favourite looks from their range.

For another option that doesn't scrimp on comfort and luxury, take a look at these similar styles from Vispring beds.

For their bathroom, Houzz has partnered with Aston Matthews, who have been trading in London since 1823 and are known for their iconic cast-iron freestanding baths. Alongside their traditional range they have also introduced contemporary styling with the same attention to tradition and craftsmanship.

For similar looks try Ideal Standard who have produced a number of freestanding baths with a modern twist, and also produce both contemporary and traditional bathroom furniture.

Benchmarx Kitchens will be showcasing its Sherwood kitchen. The kitchen cabinets are in classic Shaker style with the feel of painted wood, but are in fact synthetic making them durable and easy to clean. Interestingly the colour range is in line with Dulux colour predictions for 2018.

For a similar look head to Harvey Jones who have been creating bespoke kitchens for over 30 years with Shaker-style being one of their most popular looks. As you can see from the photos below, the cabinets can be painted and re-painted in any shade you choose as mood and fashion predicts. 

For Harvey Jones 'trend watch' colour advice click here.

We created this Shaker-style kitchen and dining area for our client’s house on the West Coast of Ireland. Its proximity to the sea is reflected in the colour scheme, and the choice of traditional styling added a sense of time and history to their newly built house.

Devas Designs

Devas Designs

Dulux have unveiled their Colour of the Year 2018, called Heart Wood. Described as a calming hue, ‘warm neutral with a hint of heather’, theming the home as a sanctuary.

You can still echo their 2018 colours in your interior without the need to change your entire colour scheme, by adding accents of colour through cushions, throws and accessories. 

West Elm

Designers Guild

West Elm

John Lewis

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Here are some more top tips, colour inspiration and designs ideas for 2018

It seems Scandi style is definitely still with us. For a distinctly British take on the Scandi look check out The White Company. They have also teamed with Galvin Brothers to produce a beautifully crafted range of handmade, timeless pieces direct from their Yorkshire Workshops.

The White Company

We love these lush velvets and bold colour predictions.

Made.com

Swoon Editions

Made.com

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HOUZZ OF 2018 is open from 26–31 January, 11am–6pm daily

at 19 Greek Street, London W1D 4DT

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

London Art Fair 2018

The 2018 London Art Fair gives access to an incredible collection of modern and contemporary art and a unique insight into the international art market. The fair has been running for over 30 years and has become a recognised destination for museum quality work.

The Fair runs from 17 January 2018 and we took a sneak peek at what's in store from some of our leading art dealers and collectors.

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ALAN WHEATLEY ART | STAND 32

The Alan Wheatley Gallery is just a stone’s throw from the Royal Academy and situated in the heart of St. James’s at 22 Mason’s Yard, SW1. The gallery offers a diverse collection of British and International Modern paintings and sculpture from the latter half of the Twentieth Century with a particular emphasis on Post-War British Art.

L-R: Bridget Riley, Ivon Hitchens, Patrick Heron

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BERNARD CHAUCHET CONTEMPORARY ART | STAND G35

Bernard Chauchet, based in London’s Hollywood Road, specialises in contemporary paintings and sculptures with artists from across Europe and the USA. As well as presenting established 20th and 21st century painters, Chauchet also promotes the work of a younger up-and-coming generation of artists.

The work of Gioacchino Pontrelli was of particular interest to us as he often draws on images taken from interior design magazines, which he re-interprets onto canvas.

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BERWALD LONDON | STAND 26B

John Berwald has been dealing in Chinese Ceramics for over thirty years from his New York and London galleries. He also has a very select stock of Modern British paintings and sculptures, and the juxtaposition of these two very different cultures and eras is something we found both fascinating and very much in line with our own ethos of mixing antique and contemporary.

We were particularly impressed to see the vibrant work of John Hoyland juxtaposed with antiques and traditional furnishings.

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JOANNA BRYANT & JULIAN PAGE | STAND P18B

Joanna Bryant & Julian Page individually support and represent carefully selected contemporary artists working in London. Since 2015, they have been frequently working in a collaborative partnership by presenting their artists’ work alongside more established artists. By representing emerging artists alongside such famous names as Tracey Emin and Peter Blake, they are also able to offer a number of highly affordable original artworks many of which fall within £1,000-£5,000 price range. Here are some which particularly appealed to us and fall within this lower price bracket.

Ruth Solomons is a British artist, who uses materials which to many would appear to be simply discarded items from her studio. She transforms these pieces by creating collages incorporating paint-splattered pieces of wood and fragments of old paintings adding her unique painterly gestures, creating pieces which have their own history.

Another artist who utilises found objects is Spanish artist Silvia Lerin, who lives and works in London. Her work stems from an interest in the relationships between shapes, volumes, colours and textures and their resulting presence. Inspiration may come from found objects and remnants of objects that carry stories.

The abstract works of Chris Sims, draw inspiration from the English landscape. Using inks, paints, charcoal and other mediums, he utilises a dynamic layering technique resulting in highly emotive and evocative work.

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CRANE KALMAN GALLERY | STAND 25

The Gallery in London’s Brompton Road was originally established in 1949 by Andras Kalman who felt strongly that art should intimately move and nourish the viewer. As interior designers we value the importance of key artwork to provide a focal point and personalise an interior.

Sally and Andrew, Kalman's children, continue to run the gallery along with Robin Light who joined the business in 1986.

Sonia Delaunay

Winifred Nicholson

Jacqueline Marval

Kate Corbett-Winder

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The 2018 London Art Fair runs from 17-21 January at Islington's Business Design Centre.

Visit the website to find out more and to book tickets.

Festive Interiors for Christmas

It’s the festive season and the perfect excuse to get creative with decorations and table settings. Our own signature style at this time of year usually focuses on green white and silver or gold. By having a fresh, neutral theme as a contrast to the colourful food and drinks on offer, it can go some way to creating an air of sophistication even if the mood gets distinctly party!

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MAY ALL YOUR CHRISTMASES BE BRIGHT…

By contrast we have also been inspired by the modern trend for mixing up colours, and Jasper Conran’s Christmas theme particularly caught our attention.

Brights like these work in both a traditional home and also a modern, pared-down interior, as long as they are used against neutrals or white as a backdrop and are not jostling with other colours and patterns.

You can get the look with these party decorations from the Conran Shop.