Sunday 19 September 2010

Curiosities and cabinets of wonder



After browsing the website, I was excited to see in the flesh what treats Curiosity had in store for me. They were just adding the finishing touches when I arrived but as I hovered, taking in the thoughtfully crafted display, I was reminded how much I like this space with its whitewashed walls and high ceiling which may feel stark and cold to some but to me feels thoroughly cleansing. 


The display of items from the hand bound, fabric photo albums of Tamasyn Gambell to the decorative window films of Emma Jeffs draws from not only the concept of the old British curiosity shop but also very much from the Cabinet of Curiosities, a term used to refer to a personal collection of man-made and natural objects selected to provoke wonder in the viewer. Although the popularity of such cabinets or 'Wunderkammer'(Cabinet of Wonders)as they were also referred to began to wane after the 17th century, our desire to collect beautiful, unique objects has not as I am sure Catherine Hammerton, the visionary behind Curiosity will vouch. There are cabinets and drawers bursting with treasures made of all manner of mediums and adorned using a variety of techniques, check out the fun, sculptural balloon lights from Jenny Beardshall and the whimsical hand screen-printed wallpapers by Lizzie Allen. With both a vintage and contemporary feel displayed in two and three dimensional forms, I am sure this pop-up shop will offer a little addition to anyone's personal 'wonder-room'! 


                                      Windows 'dressings' by Emma Jeffs

Saturday 11 September 2010

My newest 'bright find'


See the cute little orange desk lamp above, as featured on the homepage of furniture boutique Lulu Bright.... this has become my newest 'bright find' to use the term so perfectly coined by Lulu Bright for the selection of carefully chosen but affordable vintage pieces sourced from a variety of locations. Although the majority of  pieces sold by this outfit are for those with much deeper pockets than me, the Bright Finds section offers something that is missing from the majority of furniture design outfits I have visited and most definitely just browsed longingly!


Unfortunately their 'pøp üp butik' closes at the end of today but all products will still be available via their online store: www.lulubright.co.uk


Check out the quirky, multi-coloured sewing storage boxes which are my personal favourite.


With London Design Week officially beginning tomorrow, pop-up shops are literally springing up in unexpected locations all over London offering both an insight into up-coming, independent design, and also re-juvinating empty commercial space. As Lulu Bright closes it will be replaced by Curiosity, a pop up shop which showcases the work of 16 established and upcoming designers who collectively seek to manufacturer all their work in Britain. Check out the recycled scarves by Tamasyn Gambell(www.tamasyngambell.com), and the beautiful 'dressed' chairs by Korean designer, Soojin Kang (www.soojinkang.net)


For further information on the artists/designers represented at Curiosity check out their website -  http://www.curiositylondon.com/