Anni Albers at Tate Modern

Galleries and museums didn’t show textiles, that was always considered craft and not art. When it’s on paper it’s art. Anni Albers 1984

Anni Albers, one of the foremost textiles designers of the twentieth century, is finally getting long overdue recognition in a major exhibition of her work at Tate Modern. Three hundred and fifty items will be on display including drawings and prints. Her weavings, often referred to as ‘pictorial weavings’, played an important role in re-defining craft as an art form.

Anni Albers Study for Unexecuted Wallhanging, 1926 © The Josef & Annie Albers Foundation

Anni Albers Study for Unexecuted Wallhanging, 1926 © The Josef & Annie Albers Foundation

As a young female art student at The Bauhaus School in the 1920’s, with a preference to becoming a painter, she was encouraged to take up weaving, then perceived as women’s art and therefore a more suitable course for the female students, textiles would become her key mode of artistic expression.

Anni Albers Card Weaving at Black Mountain College © State Archives of North Carolina

Anni Albers Card Weaving at Black Mountain College © State Archives of North Carolina

Many of her designs were inspired by the work of her teacher, the artist Paul Klee and fellow student & husband, Josef Albers. Ironically her woven wall hangings, shawls and blankets became one of the most successful products to come out of the school.

Her truth to materials, adherence to hand-crafting traditions combined with her modernist geometric patterns and the inclusion of the new synthetics also informed a more aesthetic approach to mass production.

Anni Albers Intersecting, 1962 © The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation / ARS / DACS

Anni Albers Intersecting, 1962 © The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation / ARS / DACS

Albers was fascinated by the traditional uses of textile and thread-making yet while adhering to traditional techniques she was also keen to produce items that combined aesthetic appeal with functionality.

Mass produced furniture and textiles play an important and essential part in our domestic lives, but the ancient arts of weaving and hand production are becoming ever more popular and a number of manufactures, artisans and craftspeople are responding by revitalising these traditions.

Angie Parker Textiles

Angie Parker Textiles

We took a look at some contemporary furnishings and fabrics currently available - many of which are inspired by Anni Albers and by traditional creative processes - and how we can integrate these ideas into our own interiors.

Bristol based, Angie Parker weaves intricate rugs, on a Glimakra Floor loom, she describes her beautiful rugs as ‘floor art’ and we have to agree, they are meticulously woven in re-claimed wool in a palette of unashamed bright colours. Watch her video below.

Christopher Farr Cloth designs bespoke fabrics using both digital and hand printing techniques drawing inspiration from a variety of creative sources including among others the design influence of Anni Albers.

Christopher Farr Cloth

Christopher Farr Cloth

We particularly like the textiles from Royal College of Art trained artist, Margo Selby. Weaving and high quality fibres are at the heart of her gorgeous textiles which include furnishing fabrics, rugs, art pieces and accessories all of which can be integrated into both traditional and contemporary interiors

Margo Selby

Margo Selby

All of the designs from Eleanor Pritchard are woven by highly skilled British weaving mills. Many use traditional shuttle looms in Lancashire, West Wales and Bute off the coast of Scotland. Like the Anni Albers designs many have a strong graphic quality with pared back geometrics using inky tones and occasional sharp accent colours, and again, work well in both contemporary and traditional design schemes. An exclusive granite colourway of Eleanor’s Dovetail Design has been made especially for the Anni Albers retrospective at Tate Modern.

Eleanor Pritchard’s Dovetail Granite blanket for Tate - Photo: Elliott Denny

Eleanor Pritchard’s Dovetail Granite blanket for Tate - Photo: Elliott Denny

Anni Albers is at Tate Modern until 27 January 2019

Click here for more information

Anni Albers Untitled, 1941 © The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation

Anni Albers Untitled, 1941 © The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation

Decorex International

London Design Festival 2018 is taking place between 15–23 September at a number of venues across London. It encompasses exhibitions, events and installations as well as being a showcase for some of the most talented and innovative designers. 

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Decorex International is a Partner Organisation of The London Design Festival. It’s a little further out of central London than many of the other contributors, but it’s definitely worth the journey to see so many brilliant designs in the gorgeous surroundings of Syon Park. Here were some of the exhibitors who caught our eye…

Jonathan Rogers - STAND K54

Rogers creates glass vessels using traditional blowing and finishing techniques, the finished pieces are understated and fluid, beautifully reflecting colour and light.

Bethan Gray - STAND B29

Bethan Gray’s design philosophy draws on various cultural references, combining contemporary practice with classical craft traditions of the East and West. Her signature style includes the use of luxurious materials with purity of line. 

Amy Kent Bespoke Rugs - STAND E40A

Amy Kent’s range of bespoke rugs is a beautiful collection of hand-made rugs, crafted in India and Kathmandu. The range combines a look that is both classic and contemporary, fitting in with either modern and more traditional interiors. 

Blackbird - STAND F28

Alongside an eclectic collection of lighting, mirrors, tables and home accessories, Blackbird is launching a new bespoke range at Decorex this year.

Paint and Paper Library - STAND C31

Paint and Paper Library offers a fabulous, carefully curated palette of over 180 unique colours, including a traditional, historical and a contemporary range to which they have added a range of wallpapers. 

A Rum Fellow - STAND A41

Finally we enjoyed what A Rum Fellow have to offer this year as we love their ethically produced artisan rugs and textiles which blend with both contemporary and traditional interiors.

Find out more about the London Design Festival here.

Affordable Art Fair and Ceramic Art London 2018

Two upcoming fairs to watch out for in London this March are the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea 8th – 11th March and Ceramic Art London at Central Saint Martins 23rd – 25th March.

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The Affordable Art Fair is an opportunity to find contemporary art for your home for all tastes and budgets. Inspiring work in a variety of mediums will be on display ready to buy and take home with you. It should be a fun way to browse, as well as the art  on show, there will also be plenty of creative inspiration with free talks and interactive installations.There are over 100  galleries on show and  there will be expert gallerists on-hand to guide you.

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The Craft Potters Association will again present Ceramic Art London hosted by Central Saint Martins. Over ninety of the world's most talented ceramic artists will show and sell their work and for the first time students of CSM will host a ceramic studio where they will make new work in front of the live audience so we can see just how it’s done! This will be a truly immersive experience as visitors will also be allowed to comment on the direction the pieces take as they are made. Here is our own preview of some of the very covetable items you can expect to find.

Carina Haslam Art Stand E5. We loved Alison McWhirter’s studies of flowers, she often mixes paint directly onto the canvas, which adds to their sense of vibrancy and spontaneity.

Edgar Modern Gallery Stand H10. We have selected a number of artists represented by the gallery which we found particularly appealing.

Henrietta Dubrey describes her work as abstract, gestural, and autobiographical... and can’t wait to see them at the Fair

Jessica Cooper RWA. Jessica's work relies on economy of detail - objects and shapes are represented in their essential outline. We love their immediacy and sense of vigour.

Mhairi McGregor RSW uses a limited palette of colours, layering the paint to create these inspiring landscapes.

Grandy Art Stand 5, will be showing a collection of new work by their portfolio of emerging British artists. Here are some which caught our eye.

VJ Keegan has earned a reputation for her fluid painterly style evident in her beautiful still life paintings.

Stephen Palmer paints directly from the local landscape, we loved these French and English scenes. 

As well as some very beautiful ceramics on show and to buy, there will be a programme of ‘Claytalks’ starting on the opening day with contemporary artist and Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry’s talk, ‘My Cup of Tea’.

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Talking of 'My Cup of Tea'... Sue Pryke creates affordable, functional ceramics using studio slipcasting inspired by the everyday intuitive decision-making we all make on a daily basis when choosing what cup to take from the cupboard for a cup of tea.

Hyu Jin Jo creates a basic shape and then adds intricate textures to the thrown piece. This gives the pieces individuality while incorporating a sense of Korean traditional craft skills. 

Sasha Wardell makes individual bespoke vases, bowls, lighting and tea ware that combine her beautiful craft-making skills.

Rhian Malin's elegant hand-painted porcelain vessels with cobalt-blue decoration are inspired by Willow Pattern. 

The Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park is open from 8th until 11th March.

Ceramic Art London at Central Saint Martins is open from 23rd until 25th March.

Visit their websites to find out more and to book tickets.

The New Kettle's Yard

'A living place where works of art could be enjoyed... where young people could be at home unhampered by the greater austerity of the museum or public art gallery.' Jim Ede.

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Kettle’s Yard house and gallery in Cambridge has just reopened after a two year make-over and extension to its site, it now includes a café and gift shop. However, the original building remains the same and the eclectic collection of its founder Jim Ede is still displayed exactly as before.

Kettle's Yard

Kettle's Yard

What makes Kettle's Yard so unique and magical, setting it apart from any other gallery space, is that the modest row of interconnecting houses remain set up as a home. The style is simple and unpretentious, just as when Ede lived there, with sofas, tables, chairs and bookshelves and his collection is displayed without curators notes or labels.

Kettle's Yard

Kettle's Yard

Originally, the now iconic Kettle's Yard, was a row of small dilapidated workman’s cottages which Jim Ede, a former Tate curator, acquired and converted into a home for himself and his art teacher wife Helen in 1956.

Ede was an avid collector of modernist British and European ceramics and artworks and amassed a collection which includes paintings by Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Christopher Wood, David Jones and Joan Miro, as well as sculptures by Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth.

Jim Ede would display a simple swirl or dish of pebbles with as much respect as he displayed a precious piece of pottery, displaying art and non-art pieces alongside each other.

Kettle's Yard

Kettle's Yard

Later he donated the entire collection and the house to Cambridge University, at which time its reputation as a place to visit with reverence grew. His style was based on simplicity and he aspired to create for each room "an atmosphere of quiet and simple charm". The house retains that charm alongside the history it carries within the carefully curated objects. 

We love the effortless style of the home Jim Ede created and the skill of the curators eye which he transferred from his time at the Tate gallery to his own home. We can all use our creativity to curate personal collections or memorabilia and, as Ede has shown in his shell and pebble collections, it’s often how we choose to show those items that is as important as the items themselves. Curating your own collection and changing things around regularly not only brings out our creativity but can make us see things afresh – we may not all own a Lucie Rie dish or a Miro painting but here are a few key ideas to get things started!

For a contemporary take on Jim Ede’s rocking chair and upholstered furniture, try Arlo & Jacob...

We really love the way the paintings and prints are grouped together, sometimes in quite unexpected places, and framed in simple wooden frames allowing the pictures to stand out and also unifying them. Try framing family photographs and prints in matching frames and creating your own gallery to add interest to a stairway or hall for example.

For its clean lines and simplicity, the Galvin Brothers handcrafted furniture is traditionally built but with a contemporary twist.

Have fun curating your own items, and if you want to collect on a shoestring try Habitat for very affordable studio-style pottery or for the real thing go to Maak who will be holding a contemporary ceramics auction in May (online preview from 27 April).

Kettle's Yard, Castle Street, Cambridge

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

Kettle's Yard

London Art Fair 2018

The 2018 London Art Fair gives access to an incredible collection of modern and contemporary art and a unique insight into the international art market. The fair has been running for over 30 years and has become a recognised destination for museum quality work.

The Fair runs from 17 January 2018 and we took a sneak peek at what's in store from some of our leading art dealers and collectors.

ALAN WHEATLEY ART | STAND 32

The Alan Wheatley Gallery is just a stone’s throw from the Royal Academy and situated in the heart of St. James’s at 22 Mason’s Yard, SW1. The gallery offers a diverse collection of British and International Modern paintings and sculpture from the latter half of the Twentieth Century with a particular emphasis on Post-War British Art.

L-R: Bridget Riley, Ivon Hitchens, Patrick Heron

BERNARD CHAUCHET CONTEMPORARY ART | STAND G35

Bernard Chauchet, based in London’s Hollywood Road, specialises in contemporary paintings and sculptures with artists from across Europe and the USA. As well as presenting established 20th and 21st century painters, Chauchet also promotes the work of a younger up-and-coming generation of artists.

The work of Gioacchino Pontrelli was of particular interest to us as he often draws on images taken from interior design magazines, which he re-interprets onto canvas.

BERWALD LONDON | STAND 26B

John Berwald has been dealing in Chinese Ceramics for over thirty years from his New York and London galleries. He also has a very select stock of Modern British paintings and sculptures, and the juxtaposition of these two very different cultures and eras is something we found both fascinating and very much in line with our own ethos of mixing antique and contemporary.

We were particularly impressed to see the vibrant work of John Hoyland juxtaposed with antiques and traditional furnishings.

JOANNA BRYANT & JULIAN PAGE | STAND P18B

Joanna Bryant & Julian Page individually support and represent carefully selected contemporary artists working in London. Since 2015, they have been frequently working in a collaborative partnership by presenting their artists’ work alongside more established artists. By representing emerging artists alongside such famous names as Tracey Emin and Peter Blake, they are also able to offer a number of highly affordable original artworks many of which fall within £1,000-£5,000 price range. Here are some which particularly appealed to us and fall within this lower price bracket.

Ruth Solomons is a British artist, who uses materials which to many would appear to be simply discarded items from her studio. She transforms these pieces by creating collages incorporating paint-splattered pieces of wood and fragments of old paintings adding her unique painterly gestures, creating pieces which have their own history.

Another artist who utilises found objects is Spanish artist Silvia Lerin, who lives and works in London. Her work stems from an interest in the relationships between shapes, volumes, colours and textures and their resulting presence. Inspiration may come from found objects and remnants of objects that carry stories.

The abstract works of Chris Sims, draw inspiration from the English landscape. Using inks, paints, charcoal and other mediums, he utilises a dynamic layering technique resulting in highly emotive and evocative work.

CRANE KALMAN GALLERY | STAND 25

The Gallery in London’s Brompton Road was originally established in 1949 by Andras Kalman who felt strongly that art should intimately move and nourish the viewer. As interior designers we value the importance of key artwork to provide a focal point and personalise an interior.

Sally and Andrew, Kalman's children, continue to run the gallery along with Robin Light who joined the business in 1986.

Sonia Delaunay

Winifred Nicholson

Jacqueline Marval

Kate Corbett-Winder

The 2018 London Art Fair runs from 17-21 January at Islington's Business Design Centre.

Visit the website to find out more and to book tickets.

 

 

Impressionists in London

French Artists in Exile (1870-1904) - Tate Britain

Tate Britain’s current EY Exhibition tells the story of the artists who fled to Britain in the 1870’s to escape the Franco-Prussian War and insurrection in Paris. 

When we think of Impressionism, many of us immediately imagine the muted colours of Monet’s Waterlilly paintings, but this exhibition includes not just familiar tones, but also figurative works of London scenes such as James Tissot’s London Visitors (1873) and Monet’s Meditation, Mrs Monet Sitting on a Sofa (1870-1871). 

In many ways their inclusion provides a wider view and a fascinating insight into the connections these artists made with British social life.

A room is dedicated to Claude Monet’s studies of the Thames and the Houses of Parliament, painted in his iconic style.

Further paintings, including a number by Pissaro, who lived in the Crystal Palace area while in London, inspired us to put together our own moodboard to reflect the familiar muted shades we associate with the Impressionist style.

We took additional inspiration from Dulux paints. Changing a wall colour, adding some colour to an otherwise neutral palette or simply changing the colour of a few accessories can really change the mood of your interior.

These velvet cushions and bedding from west elm are ideal for cosying up the bedroom and their crinkle lush velvet cushions could also provide just the right impression in the living room, giving a quick seasonal makeover for chilly evenings. Monet said: “Colour owes its brightness to force of contrast rather than to its inherent qualities” – and this is why he chose to use orange and blue in several of his paintings. These two hues create a vibrant contrast as illustrated on the Grey Hamilton Sofa by flashes of turqoise and orange cushions.

Or try one of their rugs such as Flame or Verve, in a variety of colourways which also echo the hues and textures of the Impressionist style.

Accessorizing with a personal collection such as vases or ceramics which draw on a single colour spectrum creates a focal point - such as this collection from west elm.

The EY Exhibition Impressionists in London is on now at Tate Britain until 7th May 2018

Find out more here

Fashion and Textile Museum

British Textile Design with Wallace Sewell

The current show, at one of our favourite museums, is a 25 year celebration of the textiles of Harriet Wallace-Jones and Emma Sewell. Graduates of The Royal College of Art, their work can now be found in around 300 stockists in 20 countries, including prestigious art galleries such as Tate in London and MOMA in New York. 

Their work echoes the aesthetic and ideology of the Bauhaus movement. Based between London and Dorset, their designs take inspiration from the textures and colours of both the countryside and cityscapes. Their manufacturing methods embrace traditional techniques such as hand-looming while fusing tradition with modern technology.

With colder weather on the horizon what better way to cosy up than with one of their signature pieces, a waffle blanket or a pinstriped lambs-wool or Shetland throw.

We are feeling especially envious of these lambs-wool block throws which perfectly echo the Bauhaus influence, particularly the designs of the female weavers of the movement, such as Benita Koch-Otte but with Wallace Sewell’s modern take. 

Woven Bauhaus textile by Benita Koch-Otte 1923

Wallace Sewell’s collaboration with West Elm, a Brooklyn based company with a strong fairtrade ethos and a commitment to sourcing ethical materials, has produced a very beautiful range of throws, wool dhurries and cushions.

This year Wallace Sewell launched a range of exquisite, hand knotted lambs-wool rugs, inspired by their collection of throws - they work particularly well when incorporated alongside them in an interior.

With Christmas just around the corner, Wallace Sewell have produced a number of items which would make perfect gifts. With scarves, cosmetic bags, coin purses, ties and totes all produced using their iconic textile designs there’s something for every member of the family … Christmas solved! Click here to see more.

Some items have been produced in collaboration with Tate Britain and have a distinctly arty style. The blue tones of this wool scarf are inspired by Whistler’s Nocturne: Blue and Silver Chelsea.

The bright colours of this scarf are inspired by Derain’s The Pool of London, and has been designed by Wallace Sewell specially for Tate Britain’s latest exhibition Impressionists in London.

Wallace Sewell: 25 Years of British Textile Design at the Fashion and Textile Museum is on now until 21st January 2018

Find out more here

London Design Festival 2017

Having just completed its fifteenth year celebration of design, the London Design Festival’s highly ambitious event puts London squarely on the map as a design capital of the world.

The festival was spread across a number of major London venues and offered over 450 projects and events, giving Londoners and visitors alike an amazing opportunity to experience innovative and exciting design.

With such a huge selection it was difficult to make a final choice, but we were particularly impressed with the talents of a number of individual companies, many of whom had a strong commitment to sustainability and the environment, alongside traditional, timeless design and production processes.

Here are just a few who caught our attention ...

MALWINA KONOPACKA

Malwina Konopacka's limited edition hand painted ceramic vases often pay homage to her favourite artists such as Henri Rousseau for her 'Jungle' range.

FLOORSTORY

Floorstory make beautiful rugs with an eye on craft and design. Alongside their own range they also work with like minded designers and can be found in their new retail outlet in Shoreditch.

STOFF STUDIOS

Stoff Studios are a design duo who combine their love of textiles and furniture design. They are based in a Victorian warehouse in London’s Bermondsey. They use traditional methods of production with a very collaborative approach to produce their unique pieces.

CUMULO

Cumulo was founded by Margate based designer Jo Elbourne, she currently sources vintage seat frames, wall-based pieces and found objects, up-cycling and reworking them using traditional woven seating with her own distinctive take.

FOREST AND FOUND

Forest and Found are Abigail Booth and Max Bainbridge, who met as students at Chelsea College of Art. Working in visual art and contemporary craft they decided to set up their studio Forest and Found together in the East End of London in 2014.

MISS PRINT

Miss Print is a talented mother and daughter design team based in Essex They share a strong sense of commitment to the community and use non toxic inks and pigments in their production process.

CHRISTABEL BALFOUR

Christabel Balfour is an artist and weaver living and working in South East London, her work seeks to balance simplicity, detail, and organic form and the variations of the handmade.

LAWRENCE GOODWIN

Based in Buckinghamshire, Lawrence Goodwin is a designer-maker who produces functional and stylish furniture that is tailor-made for today's living. Both contemporary and timeless in design, each product highlights the importance of empathising with British sourced materials whilst demonstrating innovative design.

NAMON GASTON

With a strong ethos based on craftsmanship and bespoke design, Namon Gaston set up his Edinburgh studio in 2005. Gaston merges the disciplines of design and craftsmanship to produce timeless, elegant pieces both in his collection and in commissioned work.

LOUISE BODY

Originally trained as a fine artist, Louise Body now produces wallpaper designs from her studio in St Leonards On-Sea. We were particularly impressed with her bespoke hand finished wallpapers and murals, utilising a choice of stencil, gold leaf and hand painting, which can be supplied in numbered panels making them simple to install.

CATHERINE MACGRUER

Catherine MacGruer graduated from The Glasgow School of Art and opened her own studio in the Highlands of Scotland in 2015. Her work includes textile design, commissions and collaborative projects, as well as her own range. Combined with the highest quality materials, her textiles are made to be treasured, and we particularly fell in love with these bold geometric designs from her current range.

Textiles as Art - Paule Vézelay at Tate Britain

The artist Paule Vézelay has been very much out of the limelight since her last exhibition at Tate Britain in 1983. The current Spotlight show at Tate Britain will hopefully re-establish her place at the forefront of modern art.

Despite her French sounding name she was born Marjorie Watson Williams in Bristol in 1892 but moved to Paris in the 1920’s and the influence of the abstraction of Joan Miro, Hans Arp, Kandinsky, and her partner Andre Masson can clearly be detected in her paintings.

In the 1950’s she also started designing textiles, Tate Britain’s current show only has a few of her textile designs on display, but we were intrigued to discover more about her earlier work and also inspired to carry out some further research on her textile designs for companies such as Heals and Ascher. Her influence on contemporary design is evident, not just in her paintings but also in her post-war textile designs as can be seen in a selection of her bed-linens, curtains and furnishing fabrics below.

Orla Kiely is a contemporary designer whose retro designs are inspired by post-war textiles but with a modern twist. She particularly favours the textile prints of the 60's and 70's because of their resonance with the vitality of modern art of the period.

Orla Kiely Designs

Designers Guild have a selection of furnishing fabrics and wallpapers, with a similar aesthetic but with an updated feel.

Designers Guild Furnishings

A number of artists, including Vezeley, put their art on silk scarves for Ascher from the 1940’s onward, with the idea of combining art with industry, demonstrating the connection between craft and art.

Take a look at our mood board of contemporary designs, textiles and furnishings which pay homage to the inspiration of 20th Century art in modern design ...

Lisa Corti is based in Milan and draws inspiration from the exotic and the painterly style of Matisse for her cushions, throws and bed linen.

Lisa Corti Designs

Maxine Sutton, based in Margate, originally trained as a fine artist and her current studio practise reflects this, she describes this interaction as “Holding on and Letting Go. In between cloth and paper”.

Maxine Sutton Designs

Helen Yardley's painterly rugs bring a living room to life with their vibrant tones. She describes her work as "fundamentally paintings about colour and shape and how they relate in space".

Helen Yardley

The Paule Vézelay Spotlight Display is open now until 5 November at Tate Britain.

Find out more by clicking here.

Breathing Colour by Hella Jongerius

"Colour is a visual experience, not a scientific one. When I look at designers and colour theorists work of the past, the most interesting ideas arose from questioning colour" 

- Hella Jongerius -

Colour is one of the most important aspects to consider when planning our living and working spaces. Whether we are considering wall and textile colours or individual items of furniture and accessories, colour plays a key role in determining the mood and atmosphere we wish to create.

The Design Museum’s current exhibition, Breathing Colour by Hella Jongerius, is a joyful exploration of colour and how it enriches our lives and our environment.

The way we perceive colour can change depending on the time of day and the light available, both natural and artificial. By dividing the exhibits into separate spaces that simulate Morning, Noon and Night, we can see how colours change, subtly throughout the day, emphasising the importance that colour and design share.

Hella Jongerius is an industrial Designer who fuses industrial production with craft, and traditional with contemporary. She pursues her passion for colour in her designs for companies as diverse as Vitra and IKEA and the current exhibition draws on her many years of research.

"My research on colours, materials and textures is never complete ...

it is part of a never ending process”

A fascinating collection of faceted vessels called Colour Catchers demonstrate the way colour changes as light is refracted from the different surfaces and how a new colour is generated by shadows. These Colour Catchers also serve to engage us in Jongerius’ investigation into how we perceive colour.

Not just confined to hard surfaces, Jongerius is also fascinated by the way woven textiles can create an optical blend and a number of her textile explorations are also on display. These act as an explanation of the intricacies of creating colour through the natural warp and weft of woven fabric, and also demonstrate her respect of the rich tradition and history of craft.

"Cultural and historical awareness are woven into the DNA of any worthwhile product"

Hella Jongerius is convinced of the need to weave cultural awareness into her designs and recently worked alongside a theorist to create her manifesto Beyond The New as an exploration of her belief in combining traditional craft and manufacturing processes with contemporary design - read more here.

"Colour, and objects are influenced by the surrounding colour landscape"

As part of our own design ethos at Devas Designs we always start with a mood board which primarily focuses on colour schemes, then furnishings, working closely with the client to assess their requirements, and blending the old with the new.

Devas Designs - Country House in Ireland

This palette of soft hues of green, blues and greys reflects the seascape in this holiday home off the west coast of Ireland. Bursts of terracotta and red provide interest to an otherwise calm colour scheme.

An approach to creating modern interiors which successfully combine classic pieces with a sense of legacy, together with contemporary pieces has become very much a part of our style.

Devas Designs - Townhouse in West London

Sourcing antiques and works of art to enhance a contemporary lifestyle is one of the most exciting parts of Philippa's practice. Often an item of antique furniture, or a standout antique object, will provide a starting point, and drawing on its colour scheme or material can inspire and inform the overall interior.

We love the idea that simply by changing one or two items or adding colour in the form of accessories, an accent wall, or a piece of furniture it’s possible to transform and refresh an interior. While you may not always be ready to change the design scheme completely, it can be easy to ring the changes and add a few pops of colour for a special occasion or a seasonal makeover.

Here is our colour mood-board of ideas to inspire your own breath of colour ...

A stylish flower arrangement may be all you need to create a different mood. Colour doesn’t just mean bright; a calm palette of cream, whites and soft greys, is just as powerful an influence on our mood, and in setting the ambience of an interior.

Devas Designs interiors

Rebel Rebel are a London based contemporary flower company creating bold bouquets and displays. They also run flower arranging workshops - find out more here.

Breathing Colour by Hella Jongerius is on now at the Design Museum London, until 24 September 2017.

Find out more here

Plywood: Material of the Modern World

The Victoria and Albert Museum has been collecting furniture for over 150 years and is a rich source of inspiration for designers. Not to be missed is their thematically arranged collection in the Furniture Gallery. We recently visited their exhibition Plywood: Material of the Modern World which brings together some of the pieces.

Plywood: Material of the Modern World traces the history of an often overlooked material and how it transformed furniture design and the modern world. Who would have thought a material once considered utilitarian could have become such a direct influence on modern design?

Unlike industrial materials, plywood can be moulded in small scale factories using simple tools, and this inspired pioneering designers of the 1930s to experiment with form and shape.

The exhibition explains how plywood is produced, its history, from ancient Egypt, its re-emergence in the 19th Century and finally its role in revolutionising the production processes for an incredible range of objects from planes to skateboards.

1920s Plywood Skateboard, © V&A Museum London

Of particular interest to us at Devas Designs, were the ground-breaking designs by Alvar Aalto, Marcel Breuer and Charles and Ray Eames. Many of their furniture pieces are on display and the exhibits clearly show how the designers themselves have made use of the flexibility of the material and how it has informed their work.

"Form must have a content, and that content must be linked with nature" - Alvar Aalto

Finnish designer, Alvar Aalto was at the forefront of experimentation, manipulating and forming plywood to create his iconic cantilevered chairs. Aalto rejected mass production and embraced the ethos of organic forms created from natural materials, and rejected tubular steel furniture which was popular with the Modernist Movement at the time. The introduction of plywood allowed him to create flowing simple forms which didn't rely on traditional frame construction.

Designs by Alvar Aalto

Ikea is a great source for inexpensive furniture inspired by the classics such as these stacking stools based on Alvar Aalto's design and this simple birch plywood chest.

Ikea's Frosta stools and Moppe chest

"I am as much interested in the smallest detail as in the whole structure" - Marcel Breuer

The architect and furniture designer Marcel Breuer based this birch and plywood chair, below, on an earlier aluminium chair he had produced in 1932. Inspired by Alvar Aalto's use of plywood, and realising the appeal of the soft curves and the warm appearance of wood, Breuer went on to reproduce the design in plywood for the British market while working in the UK with ISOKON. The company is still going strong and a number of Breuer's designs are available to order alongside a number of other iconic designs from the 1930s.

Isokon, based in London's Hackney Wick, also produce contemporary pieces of handcrafted furniture such as this Loop Coffee Table and Bodleian Chair, both are contemporary pieces but clearly inspired by the clean lines and sculptural, organic forms of both Alvar Aalto and Marcel Breuer.

Isokon's Bodleian Chair and Loop Coffee Table - from their contemporary range

"I feel that the knowledge about an object can only enrich your feelings for the object itself" - Charles Eames

Charles and Ray Eames, the husband and wife team who created the Eames Look, with its sleek, sophisticated and beautifully simple forms, were inspired by Aalto and his use of Plywood which they described as ‘a flash of inspiration’. Many of their plywood moulded forms also incorporated their signature chrome tubular frames.

The Conran Shop is always a great source for simple classic styles very much inspired by the work of Eames, Aalto and Breuer.

Conran Shop designs

Finally we also spotted these very decorative vintage posters at the V&A's exhibition, celebrating the progress of new ideas and innovations in the world of design.

Kiki Werth is a London based dealer who has specialised in original vintage posters for over 30 years. We picked some of our favourites ...

Kiki Werth vintage posters

We also liked the Vintage reproductions by King & McGraw which are expertly printed in their Sussex studios, to exact museum conservation standards using inks and papers developed to create a perfect reproduction.

Vintage reproduction posters by King & McGraw

Plywood: Material of the Modern World is open now at the V&A Museum in London until 12 November 2017. Click here to find out more.

Clerkenwell Design Week

"Colour is my passion. My designs are fundamentally paintings about colour and shape and how they relate in space…. Take one colour, add another and there is a dynamic”

Helen Yardley, Textile Designer

Clerkenwell Design Week

#CDW2017

Clerkenwell was a recent hub of creativity as it once again hosted Clerkenwell Design Week. Devas Designs was impressed to see such a diversity of talent and what also caught our attention was the number of designers and manufacturers dedicated to returning to hand-crafting traditions and materials and a commitment to sustainability and ethical production. With this in mind here are just a few who really stood out for us.

Bermondsey based British Designer Helen Yardley, is a graduate of the Royal College of Art, where she studied Textile Design. Helen is known for her painterly style and dramatic use of colour. Initially attracted to designing rugs, seeing them as ‘drawings for floors’, Helen has been producing handcrafted rugs, runners, carpets and wall hangings for over 25 years. Through her process and by manufacturing in Britain she aims to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. 
Here are just a few of our favourite designs ...

We were greeted by a quirky colourful Installation designed by Hakwood flooring, amusingly called Double Vision, which they produced specially for the Event. Hakwood are a Netherlands-based manufacturer, producing environmentally responsible hardwood floors which include reclaimed antique woods.

A wonderful canal-side loft apartment in Amsterdam blends the history of the classic Dutch warehouse with a contemporary feel. This is enhanced by the clever use of different Hakwood flooring to define spaces and incorporates the clients request for a black and white interior theme.

Bute Fabrics is based on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Having established their traditional hand-loomed woollen textile business in 1947, they still share a commitment to serving the community and a reliance on traditional methods of production. The local landscape and the Island’s natural colours, textures and patterns is woven into their designs making them bold, bright and contemporary. 

From traditional tweeds to block colours their range is so eclectic it’s possible to create a bold statement piece like these Twin Tone cushions or something more subdued to blend in with the interior scheme.

Another Country, based in Marylebone, is another design company with high standards of responsibility, only using sustainably harvested timbers for all their furniture. Their designs are inspired by British Country and Shaker style and also call on Japan and Scandinavia as inspiration for their unpretentious forms. Every piece is hand-finished and hand-assembled. The simplicity of their designs and truth to their materials blends comfortably with both traditional and contemporary schemes.

Laura Spring is a textile designer and maker, having graduated from Glasgow School of Art, she now lives and works in Glasgow. Laura uses bold graphics combined with bright colours to produce beautifully crafted products. This, combined with ethical methods of production, are a signature of her beautiful hand-woven rugs, textiles and accessories. She often incorporates traditional tie-dye techniques from Jaipur in her designs. Her enormous love of colour print, pattern and process are evident in these beautiful accessories and furnishings

The British Collection showcased some of the most exciting UK designers latest designs in the unique setting of the barrel vaulted crypt of St. James’s Church on Clerkenwell Green. We were particularly drawn to the Classic English Kitchen on display from deVOL Kitchens who are based in Leicestershire but also have a showroom in Clerkenwell. DeVOL have been creating handmade bespoke kitchens for almost 25 years and pride themselves on their use of sustainable British timbers.

They describe their look as a ‘beautifully considered mix of classic and contemporary design’ and we couldn’t agree more.

This is an ethos which is very much at the heart of Devas Designs, and a theme we aspired to, in creating these classic kitchens for our clients in County Mayo and the Irish countrside.

Josef Frank: Patterns, Paintings, Furniture

“There’s nothing wrong with mixing old and new, with combining different furniture styles, colours and patterns. Things that you like will automatically fuse to form a relaxing entity.”

- Josef Frank -

We recently visited the Fashion and Textile Museum in London’s Bermondsey, to see the work of Josef Frank. This is the first ever UK exhibition of his textiles, furniture and vibrant fabric designs and also includes a collection of his previously unknown watercolours.

Although he was born and raised in Austria, Frank emigrated to Sweden, and together with the company Svenskt Tenn he redefined what is regarded as the Swedish Modern style. His work celebrates comfort, positivity and homeliness, and just taking a look at his work is a wonderfully uplifting experience. 

Josef Frank’s textile designs, his prints of fruits, flowers, trees, and foliage, weave together in a glorious celebration of nature. ‘Himalaya’ was one of his final prints made in 1950 and sums up his love of colour pattern and a perfect world.

After the 1950’s, Frank started painting watercolours. Having used watercolours as his medium for creating his print and textile designs, he was experienced in the technique and went on to produce over 400 paintings. Some of these express his most popular prints such as ‘Tulpaner’, Tulips.

Many of Josef Frank's wallpapers and textiles are still available from Svenskt Tenn Sweden, and even the lower budget IKEA has produced ranges of both furniture and wallpaper inspired by his design ethic. We have put together some design ideas of our own which we feel celebrate nature, pattern, and texture in a way which reflects Josef Franks ethos. A number of our favourite companies include botanical images in their design.

We were particularly drawn to Rose Dust rug by Vivienne Westwood and also The Oriental Bird rug by Paul Smith, both for The Rug Company.

These handcrafted chairs from Sofa Workshop covered in botanical prints echo Franks' emphasis on comfort, combined with floral textiles.

When it comes to wallpapers, we found these subtle designs from Designer Wallpapers would work well as a signature wall covering.

Anthropologie has produced a range of home accessories which call on a botanical motifs. Just a few items from this range could bring a touch of summer to your scheme or liven up your summer table for al fresco dining.

Nisha Crosland is one of our go-to British Textile designers and this rug and wallpaper perfectly complement the blending of traditional with a contemporary feel.

Blending antiques with more contemporary items is a theme we use frequently, and in this Queens Park apartment Devas Designs used a subtle, signature Neisha Crosland Wallpaper to create a harmonious bedroom sanctuary for our client.

We were also excited to discover that Josef Frank was inspired by the work of British textile designer William Morris and his Arts and Crafts aesthetic. In particular his revival of the art of traditional pattern design, and his method of creating pattern repetition, drawn from nature, in order to create a mood of harmony and tranquillity were a source of motivation to Frank. These examples of Morris’s textiles from Cole and Son and an interior by Josef Frank clearly show the correlation between the two designers.

Josef Frank’s design ethos encapsulates the aims of Devas Designs, to provide interior solutions which blend traditional with modern to create a comfortable living space with a distinctive style.

Josef Frank: Patterns - Furniture - Painting at The Fashion and Textile Museum is on now until May 7th 2017.

Click here to find out more.

Eduardo Paolozzi: His Art and Craft

"As an artist it is sometimes difficult

to draw a line between art and craft"

- Eduardo Paolozzi -

Devas Designs recently visited the Eduardo Paolozzi show at The Whitechapel Gallery. It celebrates Paolozzi's love of the creative process  and introduced us more fully to his love of textiles, ceramics, home-wares, furnishing fabrics and wall paper designs. 

Not only did he produce his familiar collages and screen prints, but he also taught textile design at the Central School of Art & Design, many of his prints echoing organic forms and utilising collaged images.

In the 1950's he formed a partnership with the architect Nigel Henderson to create Hammer Prints Ltd. and many of the designs were produced by wallpaper company Cole & Son. Their modern re-imagining of his 1950's 'Cowcumber' design, which features a botanical print, is still produced by them today.

With Nigel Henderson, Paolozzi went on to produce a wide variety of imagery on textiles, ceramics and home-wares. Their designs drew on diverse styles from the influences of the Omega Workshop to Abstract Expressionism and Marcel Duchamp, and combined their own individual backgrounds. They had a shared interest and appreciation of craft, production and the new, post war mass culture. This collaboration resulted in a very unique and eclectic practice, such as this humorous plate, and vibrant textile design.

We were also taken with this curtain fabric titled 'Portobello'. It is based on pen and ink drawings by Paolozzi of antiques from Portobello Antique Market in the early 1960’s and it reminded us of French Toile de Jouy furnishing fabrics.

Devas Designs went in search of decorative items which could echo Paolozzi’s love of form, colour and individuality. We came up with a number of solutions including these rugs from The Rug Company which we feel echo Paolozzi’s love of geometric form and would liven up an interior without compromising the other elements in the design, like this one in a narrow library area. This swirl patterned rug, also from The Rug Company is designed by Paul Smith and is a brilliant illustration of how contemporary and traditional design can be brought together by the clever use of accessories and textiles.

We were thrilled to discover the work of Eleanor Pritchard who designs her textiles from her London studio, the resulting designs are produced by highly skilled British weavers using traditional weaving methods in mills in Lancashire, Wales and Scotland.

This gorgeous navy and white throw, and cushions all made using the hand woven tradition, particularly caught our eye, we feel they reflect the ethos and style of Paolozzi & Henderson and would work well in both a traditional or more minimalist interior.

Despite not having trained as a potter, Paolozzi taught ceramics at the Royal College of Art. We particularly like these silk screened, limited edition porcelain plates which Paolozzi designed for Wedgwood, in the 1970’s which demonstrate his love of geometric forms and this elegant tea pot for Rosenthal.

Lubna Chowdhary is another London based designer we are excited to discover through our interest in the work of Edwardo Paolozzi. Lubna is his former pupil having studied for her ceramics MA at the Royal College of Art. Her ceramics are individually glazed and hand crafted and she draws inspiration from Paolozzi’s exploration of colour on flat surfaces as can be seen on his public mosaics.

As well as large scale commissions, Lubna also produces small scale mosaics suitable for domestic interiors and provide an interesting alternative to a painted canvas. We used a mix of antique and modern to create an atmosphere of light, space and comfort in this apartment for our client in Queen’s Park, London. The addition of cushions with a similar motif to Lubna’s eye catching, Paolozzi inspired ceramics, provides additional interest and updates the theme.

'Eduardo Paolozzi' at The Whitechapel Gallery is on until 14 May 2017. Click here to find out more.

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair 2017

Devas Designs was thrilled to see some regular exhibitors alongside newcomers at The Decorative Antiques & Textile Fair in Battersea Park last week. The fair included a very eclectic mix of stunning antiques and decorative items from France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the UK and beyond. The fair originally started in 1985 and is now a major annual fixture on our calendar, a must-see event which covers everything from textiles, and furniture to ceramics and paintings.

We were glad to see some regulars are back again plus some new exhibitors. The Fair is always a very exciting show and as you will see from some of the items we have picked out, this one did not disappoint.

We were particularly attracted to some of the luminous glass wear from James Miles Ltd such as this blue glass vase and this stunning pink glass dish. We were also drawn to their collection of Poole Pottery.

We loved the elegant lines of this 1958 mid-century chair by Arne Hovmund-Olsen. The graphic impact of this piece is reminiscent of the Vienna Secessionist work of Josef Hoffman.

We were also drawn to this vase from Justin Evershed Martin, crafted by Carlo Moretti who owned an artisan factory in Murano, creating pieces in the traditional manner using glassblowing techniques but adding contemporary design.

Da Silva Antiques are based in London, her selection of decorative items and original vintage pieces is constantly updated. We were pleased to find this eclectic range of cushions using antique fabrics, with such a wide selection we will be keeping an eye open for suitable pieces.

3details is another company which surprised us with this work by British artist Peter Woodward, who is both a painter and print-maker. This arrangement of vessels depicted in neutral tones relies, primarily, on the arrangement of form and texture. He sources antique frames for his work, which he painstakingly prepares, so that the frame becomes almost part of the painting itself. These works would lend themselves to both a modern and a traditional interior.

Finally we were fascinated to learn that 3details hold a unique collection of 'rescued' artefacts from Jim Dine’s former London home. Jim Dine is considered to be a pioneer of pop art and part of the Neo Dada art movement, he currently lives in America. The ‘found’ works, include  memorabilia, and artworks and were only rediscovered recently. This is just a small selection from their extraordinary find. 

David Hockney at Home

David Hockney is one of Britain’s most popular artists, Devas Designs caught up with his latest exhibition at Tate Britain and what a fantastic show it is. It covers six decades of his work from London in the 1960’s, his swimming pool era in Los Angeles, and landscapes of his hometown in Yorkshire. What stands out so clearly is his depiction of colour and light which we can use as inspiration for our own interiors.

We’ve put together some ideas from his paintings to get the 'Hockney Effect' in interiors settings ...

Inspired by his colour themes and swimming pool paintings, why not choose your own combination of Hockney coloured tiles using Johnson’s clever ‘colour genie’, which makes it so simple to get the look. Try the 'colour genie' for yourself by clicking here. Here's our own colour genie result, drawing inspiration from Hockney's swimming pool paintings.

Many of Hockney’s paintings depict friends and family in domestic settings which gives the work added poignancy such as the touching painting of his parents below. 

Sofaworkshop pride themselves on providing the ‘best of British’ craftsman made sofas, their latest collection includes sofas and chairs in vibrant and pastel colours which reflect Hockney's domestic scenes.

If you simply want to ring the changes, take a look at this dazzling array of bright silk or velvet finish cushions from the John Lewis range. At just £25 each you can create an immediate pop of colour for an instant ‘Hockney makeover'! Changing cushions and accessories, seasonally, or as the mood takes you, is a fun and inexpensive way to shake up your interiors and give your home a whole new feel.

The Conran Shop is always a source of great ideas. Jasper Conran, who took over the helm in 2012, has a number of colourful solutions which include mixing colours to break away from a uniform look.

It doesn’t just have to hinge on ‘eye popping’ colours though. A softer approach using pastel hues and elegant flower arrangements are reminiscent of the cool interior of Hockney’s Mr and Mrs Clarke and Percy. He has painted this colourful couple relaxing in the cool interior of their Notting Hill apartment. The painting immediately brought to mind the West London townhouse designed by Devas Designs, shown below.

... And don’t forget to create your own green oasis, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax, as we did here for a London client.

If you want to add temporary colour to your own garden or balcony try a simple row of coloured plant pots with brightly coloured flowers or cactus inspired by Hockney’s garden paintings.

London Art Fair 2017

Alongside our Interior Design services, Devas Designs specialises in buying artwork for clients. Whether you’re looking to start a collection, add to an existing collection or search for that one perfect piece - we have the expertise and contacts to help you.

Naturally we’re always on the look out for new and exciting pieces and visit as many fairs and exhibitions as we can. Last week we took a trip to the London Art Fair, which focusses on modern British and contemporary art. Here’s our top picks from the fair …

Winifred Nicholson at Crane Kalman Gallery

Winifred Nicholson was a colourist and her beautiful impressionistic style has always caught our eye. She concentrated on domestic still life objects and landscapes, often combining the two by depicting nature through a window, for example.

She was married to painted Ben Nicholson who focussed on more abstract scenes. There is a lovely soft quality to her work; both in the colours and treatment of paint. The lightness and optimism created would makes a lovely addition to an interior as tehse qualities compliment an existing colour scheme while adding a splash of colour to the space.

Joakim Eskildsen at Purdy Hicks Gallery

Joakim Eskildsen is a photographer from Copenhagen. His series Nordic Signs was produced between 1989-1994 and resulted from his travels between Northern Europe, featuring Norway, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

In his series, Eskildsen draws out the poetic qualities of these landscapes with an emphasis on the atmospheres created by the elements. They were a collaboration with his wife, the poet Cia Rinne. He was inspired by the way Renaissance painters portrayed light and used some of these techniques in his photographic work. He says these images capture “something that is at the same time wild yet liveable”.

Abe Odedina at Ed Cross Fine Art

Born in in Nigeria in 1960, Abe Odedina lives and works in London. He is a self-taught painter, having trained originally as an architect. A trip to Brazil ignited Odedina’s interest in painting and particularly the the voodoo arts of Haiti and the Painters of the Sacred Heart.

Odedina's work celebrates the use of colour and pictorial statements, qualities in artwork seen on the streets of cities such as Lagos, Salvador and Port-au-Prince. The figures are painted in acrylic on plywood in a bold and stylised manner. He often incorporates text which explores universal themes and believes that art has the power to transform reality.