A trip to Berlin has inspired a German twist to this week's posts. Today we highlight the design joy that is Berlin's Jewish Museum while Wednesday shifts the focus to Ostalgie, the bizarre nostalgia for the good old ways and styles of the GDR. On Friday we look at some interesting developments in German architecture and, this might not be one for the wine snobs out there, recommend a decent German wine to
What is it about Mother’s Day that imagines lobotomised, chocolate-obsessed, flower sniffing, Harvester munching sentimentalists in need of a day’s attention from the very people who should know them best? Give your mother a break with something that’ll make her laugh or something she may actually want, or just give her a break. She may aspire to be less domestic saint and more Stifler’s Mom – shop accordingly. [Oh – and a much deserved happy Mother’s
What’s especially likeable about mid price Edinburgh eaterie The Dogs is that it hits the mark between considered style and a forced, concept driven look. It’s unpretentious and simple with just the right nod to the dog concept. There’s a blow up of a crazy looking hound behind the bar and a few quirky canine motifs scattered around but the interior is a long way from being themed. Mismatched wooden chairs and china, scrubbed tables and worn floorboards
We look forward to the opening of the Anthropologie store in Edinburgh this summer, the first branch to open outside London. In the meantime, the King’s Road, London branch launched the workshop style decorator shop which will host regular classes with design experts.
On the day we bid a sad farewell to Elizabeth Taylor, one of the all time great pin ups, it’s fitting that we feature this cheeky range of gifts and homeware from Crumpet and Skirt. Created by erstwhile actress Elizabeth Pinnock the range includes cushions, cards, mirrors, mugs and wrapping paper all adorned with juicy 50s starlets in vampish poses. The products are available to order online from the Crumpet and
If the red nose look isn’t quite you, you could try bidding on these great Mini Modern mugs being auctioned on Ebay for Comic Relief. Made by Nice People, they normally retail at £8 each. Bidding ends on 23 March so you have plenty time to do your bit while adding a splash of colour to your morning coffee. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Set-Mini-Moderns-DESIGNER-Mugs-Comic-Relief-/330542770971?pt=UK_HG_Crockery_RL&hash=item4cf5e26b1b
Nathan Furniture new range has been inspired by scandinavian-style designs from its own 1960s archive including the Citadel sideboard below. Citadel 21 sideboard based on Nathan’s original design from 1963 Making munitions boxes is a diversification that probably most contemporary furniture makers haven’t contemplated. But that’s exactly how Barnett Nathan supplemented the income for the handcrafted furniture business he started in 1916. The current economic climate is tough but spare
This recently launched Sanderson 50’s collection combines original 1950’s designs from their archive with designs from contemporary artists who have taken inspiration from this era. We’ll be seeing a lot of 1950’s inspired design this year as the South Bank Centre celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain. But then 50’s design never really goes away between revivals. Would we have Orla Kiely’s current designs without those avant-garde
Little bit of prejudice coming out here but I don’t immediately associate Florida with cool. Shows what I know because Winter Park Florida is where you’ll find the very cool Rifle Paper Co run by Anna and Nathan Bond. The couple themselves have been featured in various blogs and journals because they are so beautiful and creative and happy but lifestyle envy demands that we gloss over all that and focus instead on their lovely products.
Every year product and graphic designers use calendars to show off their talents, coming up with ever more ingenious styles and formats. Perhaps they’re all trying too hard because this simple concept from Coco Barclay really does the job while managing to be an attractive piece of wall decor. It’s a brushed aluminium grid which overlays an A3 pad of monthly calendar pages (12 of them!). There’s plenty of space to write and