Good old fashioned artwork
Brilliant drawings and paintings from Indian born, US based artist Sangram Majumdar. Wonderful colour palette of blues, orange and peach in the paintings and a fabulous amount of detail popping out in the pencil drawings.
Decorative tiles…
pictures by me
I never thought I would say this having grown up in a house with a horrible linoleum floor…but, I want a decorative tile floor so badly! Granted, I have some time to think about this as even the thought of owning a place is so far off for us. First it was the anthropologie on kings road, whose entrance with teal tiled border made me swoon and then in the CÔTE cafe down the street from our house where we had our breakfast. I completely abandoned my eggs benedict to snap shots of it. That’s when you know you’ve fallen in love.
Selling Seashells by the Seashore…
Well, it’s not like I could have paid the bill, but I’m still a bit sad I missed out on the Coast magazine auction benefitting the UK charity the Marine Conservation Society. “The British coast never looked as good as it did on the old classic seaside posters, so at Coast magazine, we thought it was time to reinvent them’ by asking seven artists to come up with new images advertising their favourite resorts, which were sold in a charity auction on ebay.
My favorites seemed to be the favorites of the rest of the general public as Angie Lewin’s ‘Salthouse‘ three-colour linocut on fine Japanese paper went for a staggering £2,272.22 while the Lovely Rob Ryan’s ‘Rye print‘ went for £1,379.00 ! I must admit if I had the pennies I would have been all over it…I have a soft spot for Rye…aaaand Mr. Ryan.
“Do you remember when we walked around the small cobbled streets arm in arm, the sun high and hot on that August afternoon? that belonged to us and us alone.
Do you remember the small shops we visited and the lunch we shared that day will stay with me forever, I think we could be happy here you said not realising that we already were in Rye.”
Its like I could have written it myself…except I’d be less poetic, charming and lovely. If I did come up with something myself, well it would be…hmmm, well I’m not sure what, but it’s time I figure it out as Coast is also hosting a poster design contest with the winner taking £500 of Pride of Britain gift vouchers (and some runners up prizes of watercolour sets). I have until July 5th to be inspired…
Double the Pleasure…
Double the pleasure of not just beautiful ilustrations but fabulous typography as well. Hmm, maybe it should be triple as the colour palettes are also spot on…
Designs & Illustrations are the creation of Andrew and Matt McCracken, who together make up Doublenaught. Best part is you can own some of their work for a very affordable amount of Canadian dollars..check out their shop for prints and tshirts appear to be ranging from 20-35 Canadian dollars.
Pale, Interesting & Springy
Oh the simple pleasures… a single piece of greenery (probably a free growing weed) in a glass jar and I’m completely in love. There is all sorts of springy loveliness at Pale & Interesting– a fabulously curated British online shopping boutique full of ‘the functional, beautiful and out-of-the-ordinary’ with a philosophy ‘all about mixing it up, teaming old with new, contrasting rough with smooth and pairing femininity with utility’. Can I justify buying 50 glass jars by blaming it on some sort of compulsive condition? Because I’m pretty sure everything we own would look better in a home of glass…
Makebetter Project: Ercol Chair Covers
I’m on a roll lately, FINALLY ticking some ‘makebetter projects’ off of my todo lists. Of course as they go off, others go on…no wonder my to do app never drops below 30 items. Anyway, last May I purchased a pair of ercol chairs off ebay. One move and living room palette change later, I’ve finally recovered them to a more suitable light aqua. If you remember my inspiration for the room (oh that lovely Anthro aqua chesterfield!) I had previously decided what I wanted to do with the chairs, but spent months searching for someone to make them for me. I finally relented and bought a sewing machine.
all images by pillarboxpost
I honestly feel like the room feels less cluttered without the pattern! It was my first ‘upholstery’ project and i used a new sewing machine that wasn’t quite up to the job of thick fabric, and I can find lots of flaws BUT they are done and I’m happy! They have already had coffee spilled on them, been washed and are back on, so I think are settling into our place quite nicely!
Want to see the rest of our flat and where we live?
Pick Me Up…Revisited
photos by pillar box post
I have only myself to blame. A few weeks ago, I was complaining (shame on me) about the fact that the weather was so nice, but I really wanted to catch the “Pick Me Up” art fair but couldn’t bear to shut myself indoors. Mother nature complied and winter has fallen on England. Slightly dramatic, sure…but not really unrealistic, it was 8 degrees celcius yesterday. on the 8th of May. But on the bright side, David and I could happily (and guiltlessly) bundle up and head over to catch the last few days of the graphics fair at Somerset House last weekend. I really enjoyed it, and can’t believe I left without a goodie, as surprisingly it was actually affordable and some stellar pieces of work. James Joyce definitely caught my eye as well as a few others…
Work above from James Joyce // Claire Scully // Mr. Bingo
photos by pillar box post
I chickened out and didn’t introduce myself to Rob Ryan, *double curses* who had moved his studio, presses and all into the fair. Instead, I silently crept around his temporary studio sucking in all the inspiration on the walls, the cutout in progress and his screens. It was quite successful it seems, as his area was crammed with people who all seemed to be absorbed in the process. Except of course the woman who was dragging her dirty little mitts over the giant paper cuts on display. Now I know they didn’t put these things out thinking nothing would happen to them, but I was still near panic attack watching this several thousand pound piece of work being groped. I tutted, but surprisingly to no effect. Maybe if I write my story of heroic policing to Mr. Ryan he’ll throw a pretty print my way?
You can see Mr. Rob himself, in the white apron in the shots above, right next to the picture of a coffee jar that happens to be filled to the brim with used scalpel/xacto knife blades. I think they missed a trick, that would have been a fabulous party game…Guess how many blades are in the jar and you win yourself a print. I guess 8,616…so who is going to count them now?
Manly Shoes
Ugh, I already have a pair of brogues, but these are so beautiful I’m secretly, or not so secretely, hoping my pair bite the dust in some horrible cobblestone accident so I can indulge in a second pair. I’m actually wishing they were more expensive so I wouldn’t be so tempted. That tough canvas texture, subtle two-toning, wooden heel and that beautiful patina. Mine feel like they are part of a halloween costume now!
Kameryn canvas brogues from Topshop £55
Also on my list are these fabulous high top deck shoes which I very nearly brought home with me the other day. I think there is a strong possibility that I’m being drawn to men’s inspired shoes in styles that I wish the mister would wear (but won’t) to satisfy the urge. I’m warning you now–if you won’t wear them…I will!
Desert from Bertie £70
They’ve got mail…
Yay, I was starting to think that no one else recognised the gloriousness of the pillar box, but Canterbury based Nancy and Betty have some adorable stationery in store including writing sets, 60’s flashcard gift tags, and other cuties like pillar box postcard bunting!
Exhibit A: Floral prints
I am not a floral person. I don’t like pink & I don’t want a girlie frilly bedroom. However, I love the idea (it’s only an idea and not a reality because we can’t hang any artwork in our rented flat) of a wall of artwork that is full of different styles and mediums. One of the styles I would love to have on there is a specimen chart or Audobon style print of possibly a bird or a flower. As my imaginary wall will be full, I reckon I’m going to need to source some affordable pieces. Well, The Royal Horticultural Society offers prints starting from £15!! which is pretty amazing, and features horticultural illustration dating back to the early 17th century to present day and include drawings, paintings and printed illustrations…yay! I’m loving some of the colour combinations of lime green and deep purples… and the wildflower composite with handwriting!
Pillar Box Post 