Thursday’s Inspiration ~ Art As Life?

Art can be a way of living, and not only something that you hang on your wall or display proudly on a plinth. The way people choose to live is an art, the way people choose to eat is an art, the way people choose to dress is an art….all of which are forms of self-expression. Life style choices, in all their varying forms, are also seen in the countless ways people choose to furnish the spaces they live in.


{Lee Broom design for Coquine}

I firmly believe that design is completely subjective (although there are many that will argue against this notion), we are all unique in our tastes and preferences and that is why some places appeal to our senses and others do not. Exploring these nuances and preferences is intimate and personal, by tapping into our responses whether consciously or through our senses is almost, in a way, tapping into the very essence of that home or place that stimulates you, as these places are themselves a fine evocation of a certain way of living and being.


{Lonny mag, Sept-Oct ’11 issue}

The desk above is actually two blond wood desks pushed back to back, which gives the owner ample space for files and to work, but you would never say that this is a utilitarian space, would you?  The assortment of personal objects transforms the space into an artistic expression of the desk owner’s personality.

True beauty as expressed by uniqueness and freedom can be found anywhere, and I urge you to seek it out at every opportunity throughout your daily life.


{Cate Parr}

I am in love with these ethereal watercolours by fashion illustrator Cate Parr. They are dreamy and beautiful, and I find they draw the eye because they have a darker undertone that adds gravitas and stops them floating off on their beautiful colours. What else do you see when you look at them?

What do you find beautiful?

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Thursday’s Inspiration ~ Lights will guide you…


{
via Alissa Bell}

How inspiring is this bar? If you ever happen to find yourself Stateside and in the kooky city of San Francisco, stop by at Chambers Eat + Drink and allow yourself to be amazing. I hear their drink #2 bramble is particularly good…

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Tuesday’s Design Detail ~ Another drop please, sir…

I was having Sunday lunch at the weekend at one of my favourite local gastro pubs, and they served us our table water in these clever glasses.

 

We were enraptured with such a simple thing! How ingenious to recycle old wine bottles as water tumblers?

 

 

They just felt right to drink from, alongside a long glass of Merlot and sitting on top of a reclaimed antique farm house table.  The weight of them in our hands, the smooth polished rim, the pleasure of the undulating form at the bottom at the base (I’ve checked with our resident wine expert, and that feature of a wine bottle is called a ‘punt’…I didn’t know that either!).  All it needed was a slice of cucumber, and it has become my favourite thing.

Often, it’s the smallest details that delight the most. What’s your favourite small detail?

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Wednesday’s Spotlight On… ~ What are your design values?

In my last post I mentioned the trade show, Decorex. For you that are not familiar with it, it is essentially one of the foremost design shows in the UK, if not Europe, for the highest quality artisans in the world of interior design. Not only does it host the world’s best craftsmen and tastemakers, it also showcases lectures from design luminaries from around the world.

I was lucky to attend one such lecture by Michael Parry, of Morris & Co who so expertly spoke of the history of that magical company Morris & Co.

William Morris was a truly exceptional man, one who strove to break free from the binds of class structure and the expectation that comes with it. He was a true luminary – he designed fabrics, wallpapers, wrote extensively, started a printing press, created businesses….he was an entrepreneur before the concept was officially branded and bandied about.

Morris

A theme that wove throughout his work and his life was the idea that he wanted to create interiors and art for all, not just for the elite who could afford it. Sadly, due to the pricing of the highest quality items that his stringent standards demanded, the true manifestation of this reality eluded him to his death.

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