Weeks after watching Still Bill, the documentary about soul legend Bill Withers, we’re still going on about it at Avocado Sweet: the ineffable cool of the man, the rare, unshowy approach to performance, the inspirational speech he – a lifelong stammerer – delivered to a group of children who stammer, the catchphrases – ‘stop crying start trying’ – is one that stands repeating, and, of course, the music. A highlight
No, it’s not Treetops in Kenya, it’s The Treehouse Restaurant in Northumberland. There’s a log fire in the centre of the room and trees growing through the floor. It’s open at weekends for dinner and for lunch the rest of the week but it’s advisable to book and check opening times before you go. It’s part of Duchess of Northumberland’s vision for Alnwick Garden which she started just ten years
When it comes to design, the same places seem to crop up over and over again so it’s refreshing to come across the work of South African label Skinny laMinx. From her little shop in Cape Town, Heather Moore produces crisp, summery fabrics and household linens in cocoas, grass greens and sparkling blues. International customers can purchase Skinny laMinx products from the label’s Etsy shop. Tea towels start at about £12,
Lucy Moose on STV’s The Hour from The Neon Hive on Vimeo. From her lovely but draughty converted pub in Auchtermuchty, Fife Lucy Turner, otherwise known as Lucy Moose, turns doodles into amazing 3D figures made from recycled fabric. As well as regular commissions for TV, Lucy’s creations have played a part in various family dramas. She’s replaced much loved toys which have gone missing, recreated a little girl’s dog
Artist and photographer, Janne Parviainen,from Helsinki, Finland specialises in light painting photography. All photos are straight from the camera with no post-editing of any kind, so whatever you do, don’t mention Photoshop. His favourite foods are lasagne and sushi. Prints start at $18.95 for the smallest size.
‘Your face, your wall. If you don’t like the way it looks, take it up with God (or your parents).’ So runs the feisty marketing pitch of Four Eyes Furniture who make these great portraits from furniture grade plywood with a hand rubbed oil finish. California-based Four Eyes is the project of C Sevin Salomone who, as well as the ‘It’s You’ series, makes gorgeous wooden tables which are completely customisable.
Your kids dinner money is enough to get you into a knitting group at The Woolly Brew. Everything is £1; £1 for coming, £1 for a cup of tea and £1 for a piece of home-made cake. Other more formal workshops might cost a bit more than this bargain price. Fiona Wright (left) and Karen Grant host groups in their yarn shop which opened in Pittenweem, Fife, December 2011. The idea
Today is World Poetry Day so we’ll expecting you to speak in rhyme until bedtime. To mark the occasion we’re featuring a poem from our part of the world. The brilliant Scottish – indeed Fife – poet Kathleen Jamie wrote this when she was expecting her first child and unsure of how she’d feel about the new arrival. The Tay Moses What can I fashion for you but a woven
No need for coasters when the coffee stains are this impressive. Artist Hong Yi painstakingly created this portrait after being inspired by a song by Jay Chou that starts with a line about a coffee cup. Apparently instant coffee is much better for portraits, if not for drinking.
Taking her inspiration from British culture and a selection of good old basic biscuits, Dundee based Nikki McWilliams has produced a delicious range of cushions you won’t know whether to snuggle or bite into. All of Nikki’s products are handmade in Scotland using locally sourced materials. Prices start at £28.