Botanical wallpapers by Miller Harris

Floral patterns are generally something I stay away from as I often find them fussy and old fashioned even when many designers have given them a more contemporary twist. However, the new wallpapers by my favourite perfumer, Miller Harris, in collaboration with wallpaper designer Karen Beauchamp, of wallpaper company Cole & Son, take beautiful 18th century botanical illustrations and classic designs such as the damask and update them in the form of simple repeats and flashes of colour. Of the 3 different prints developed all available in three different colour ways my favourite has to be the triple sea fig (below), the delicate florals set in a simple graphic repeat and offset against a muted dusky yellow backdrop; perfect for bringing colour and the illusion of light and warmth in a small space or basement flat with little natural light. 


I was reminded of the buttery yellow used in the famous 'Yellow Room' originally created in the 1950's by Nancy Lancaster and John Fowler, of Colefax & Fowler, one of the foremost English decorating firms of the 20th century. Colefax and Fowler have recently recreated this iconic room with the help of the World of Interiors editor, Rupert Thomas, photos of which can be found in the December issue of the magazine along with a sensitively written article not just about the visual appearance of the room but Nancy Lancaster personality which are intrinsically linked. 


For further reading on Nancy Lancaster and her work it is worth taking a look at the richly illustrated title, 'Nancy Lancaster. English Country House Style' by Martin Wood. You can purchase it at this link: http://www.pottertonbookslondon.com/epages/BT4004.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT4004/Products/384

Triple Sea Fig

Pomflower Damask

To view the full collection of Miller Harris wallpapers or order a sample visit: www.millerharris.com or to experience the wallpaper in situ visit the Miller Harris tea room at the flagship store on Bruton Street, Mayfair.

The Bestlite

Although I have been reading a great deal recently my drafted blog posts have not come to fruition partly because my art history degree has left me with an inability to write concise snippets of information rather than rambling and going off on tangents. My lecturers despaired at times as did I but I have now decided to use my blog to overcome this and begin a little project I have been meaning to feature on my blog for some time now, hopefully improving my writing at the same time.


As I frequently browse design boutiques and websites I thought it would be fun to begin a wish list feature to record all my findings for future reference ( when I eventually begin my interior design course) and share interesting and beautiful finds with all of you. This is not an original concept but after finding the hastily scribbled note books I kept during my previous job at an interior design firm, I felt a desire to continue this former habit even if my surrounding have changed. 


After picking up a beautifully produced catalogue from Danish firm, Gubi, I think I will begin with what the Architects Journal proclaimed to be the first example of Bauhaus design in the UK.


Conceived in the 1930's by industrial designer, Robert Dudley Best, the aptly named Bestlite is a series of lighting configurations for table, floor and ceiling. The Bestlite took inspiration from its German counterpart, the light fittings by Christian Dell, the simple, functional design and monochrome finish of both the Bestlite and the Dell Lamp Type K reflecting the Bauhaus desire for both functionality, adaptability and beauty, compounding both machine based mass produced objects and fine arts in order to bring art back into contact with everyday life. 


Such a practical approach to design stemmed from the goals of architects and artists during the Arts and Crafts movement emphasised in William Morris's lecture 'The Beauty of Life' where he declared that if art was to begin in the home you must have "nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". Modernist architects such as Bruno Taut continued this, urging designers to re-consider all elements of the domestic interior from the positioning of walls and furniture to the placement of lighting. 


Although the Bestlite didn't initially become a celebrated feature of the domestic modernist interior, more likely to be seen in the vicinity of a Royal Air Force base, it is now featured in many contemporary design stores such as Aram, the main UK stockist, the Best name, associated with both product and manufacturer (Best and Lloyd) still a household name in the world of design and interior decoration. The atmospheric black and white photos found in the Gubi catalogue, now manufacturers of the Bestite beautifully situate the Bestlite variations in the clean, functional spaces so synonymous with the Bauhaus period. I included my favourite shots below.

For further reading or to purchase your very own Bestlite:


www.bestandlloyd.co.uk
www.aram.co.uk
www.bestlite.dk
(Quote and information on William Morris taken from Charlotte Gere's new book, 'Artistic Circles - Design and Decoration in the Aesthetic Movement' - a fascinating book on how the idea of the artist was transformed and the interior decorator was born during the mid 19th century. I might do a post on this book when I have explored it further)

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

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/

'Nam' swatch

Patterns for scarf - mark 2

Model of stool courtesy of www.foldschool.com and the talents of Nicola Enrico Staubli. I love the way he provides templates for the consumer to construct themselves.

This model is constructed out of card and covered in patterned paper of my own design. My aim is to scale the template up so it will hopefully be suitable for adult usage. I will keep you posted.

Preliminary ideas for a silk scarf

'Tissues' - patterns for paper

Hopefully these will be printed for use on notebooks

'Rope' swatch