While on holiday in New Zealand recently we visited Mac’s Brew Bar in Wellington. The bar and restaurant is imaginatively decorated and I just loved this collection of vintage and retro lampshades grouped together.
Author: harveywhitedesign
I'm an interior designer based in Ramsgate and London. I work on mostly domestic interiors, handling everything from planning permissions, drawings and sourcing through to project management.
Wimbledon Art Studios
Last week Wimbledon Art Studios had their spring Open Studios and I happened to find the work of Linda Smith.
Her canvases, in a variety of shapes and sizes play on the form of mens suits and physique. She then takes the contrast of tone between the shirt, tie and lapel and translates that to landscape and structure. Her use of colour is bold and full of contrast. I’ve come home with two of her paintings and now want more!
Luckily they have another Open Studios in November…
Lighten Up
As ever a trip to Conran reveals so many ideas to inspire, cherish and steal. My favourites right now are the ‘free-form’ lights. Naked bulbs that are just more decorative then they ever used to be and that wonderful chunky rope – sculptural and functional all in one.
Homebase – homerun?
To be fair, Homebase (http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/homeware) is pretty great at having a general selection of handy items for the home, but when I saw this, I had to laugh!
Does this make you want to ‘take one home’? No, me either!
Kaori Collection – Designers Guild
I have to admit to an enduring love of Designers Guild. It’s about the use of colour, bold and restrained at the same time. There is a cohesion to each new collection that suggests an edited approach, one that is considered and decisive. I drifted into the showroom last week for paint samples and as ever got completely sidetracked and came away inspired.
Sitting Pretty
It sounds like the weather over Easter is going to be good – and of course that means spending time outdoors. These little chair and table sets from The Dulwich Trader, 9 Croxted Road, London SE21 8SZ, (http://www.rigbyandmac.com) add a pop of colour and wit with their quirky retro styling. All they need is a comfy cushion and a glass of Pimms – is it too early for Pimms?
Hurricane Hat-Stand
I happened to be in Conran http://www.conranshop.co.uk yesterday and was charmed by this hanging rack laden with Hurricane Lamps. Look closely, they’ve filled them with plants, candles and trinkets. I’d add shells, pinecones and pebbles for an indoor nature corner.
Clapham Old Town goes retro
Dezanne, 31 The Pavement, Clapham Common, London SW4 0JE has a fine selection of collectibles from the 50’s to the 80’s and I couldn’t help but admire these wonderful scaffold board shelves. They create such an interesting feature wall and the perfect place to house your retro finds. Made by Woodworks 1066 http://www.woodworks1066.com/#!retail-shelving/zoom/c1jxp/image248, I love the honest utility of this style.
New Collections
Ever popular Emma Bridgewater – and long a favourite of mine for her sponge ware crockery – has produced a collection of wallpapers and fabrics for Sanderson. They are charming, lovely colours, pretty prints, witty pattern and also a number of quite sophisticated designs to appeal to the less country oriented. I know that the samples are available from next month, so now is the time to feast your eyes and start making plans! http://www.sanderson-uk.com/emma-bridgewater-prints-coming-soon.aspx
