Category Archives: Design
British at heart
I spotted this online and love the retro vibe and cultural references! It’s available as a T-shirt via this link.
Jack Wills’ Cool Brittania
In celebration of the Jubilee, Jack Wills has put together a Cool Brittania collection online and in its U.S. stores.
The collection includes union jack duvet covers, pillowcases and blankets, Queen Elizabeth cushions, T-shirts and mugs.
God Save the Queen, $98.50
Worlington iPhone Case, $29.50
Millway Bag, $19.50
Traffic cones a go go
S3i Group and Heatherwick studios have installed this hanging traffic cone sculpture at V&A Museum. Photo credit: Lise Colyer
Have you seen this amazing art installation at the entrance of the Victoria & Albert Museum, made of traffic cones?
It’s by S3i Group and Heatherwick Studios and is advertising the British Design exhibition, which runs through August 12.
Thanks to my London friend Lise Colyer for snapping this gorgeous photo!
Big Ben print
I kind of like this modern twist of Big Ben, which is selling on Etsy in ialbert‘s shop, based in Didcot, England.
It’s printed using archival pigment inks on heavyweight fine art paper and sells for $25.
(The shop also sells an iPhone case using the same motif!)
Best of British kitchens
Photo credit: Metropolitan Home
Sure, British food has long been the butt of many jokes stateside (despite the fact that most of it is all lies!), but their kitchen design has been head and shoulders ahead of ours. Apartment Therapy has a roundup of the best of the bunch. Thanks to Ally for bringing this to my attention!
Orbit Tower is out of this world
If you haven’t yet seen the AcelorMittal Orbit Tower, take a gander. This feast for the eyes was unveiled last month and may give the Eiffel Tower a run for its money.
At 377 feet high, it’s Britain’s largest work of public art and it’s located in the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, where the Summer Games will be held next month.
So far, the reviews are mixed. Some people love it, some people hate it. Many are wishing they weren’t living in its shadow. What do you think? It reminds me of something you might see in Las Vegas – part rollercoaster, part revolving restaurant in the sky!
God save the Queen (from this pop art)?
My mother-in-law sent me a link to this pop art and asked if it was nice or naff …
What do you think? Tacky or not? Am I crazy for thinking this could possibly be charming in an appropriately decorated shabby chic-style room?
Bright, beautiful London living
When we lived in London over 10 years ago, we rented a tight little apartment (and by tight, I don’t mean “rad” or “awesome,” I mean tight.)
Don’t get me wrong. It grew on us and we loved it like you love a quiet and dependable relative that dons old kaftans, listens to a lot of Carly Simon and smells vaguely of a combination of mothballs and gyros.
And so it is with sheer awe that I viewed the latest house tour on Apartment Therapy – a five-bedroom, 2,250 square foot Edwardian home in West London. The space! The modern conveniences! The child-friendly yet decidedly urbane touches! And in green and leafy Chiswick to boot? Get out of town.
Gum as art
Artist Ben Wilson works in an unusual medium: chewing gum.
Check out some of his art on the Millennium Bridge in London, made of discarded gum (bleeech!) and a little vision! So whimsical!
Happy chic
I was flipping through the February issue of Matchbook Magazine (love, love, love) and inhaled the feature story about designer Jonathan Adler entitled “The Headquarters of Happy Chic.”
He has a great eye for interiors. There’s so much to like, not only in the article’s colorful pages, but on his own retail site including the playful ’60s motif “Carnaby acid”, his British flag needlepoint stool and his gorgeous navy regent arm chair.
It’s all eye candy. Check it out!
BRITRISH.COM 