Crazy for Paisley12/8/2014 Paisley is an English term for a design using a droplet-shaped vegetable-cum-floral motif of Persian origin. As Wiki tells us ‘such designs became popular in the West in the 18th and 19th centuries, following imports of post-Mughal versions from British India, especially in the form of Kashmir shawls.’ Although of Iranian and Indian origin, its western modern name comes from the textile town of Paisley in Scotland where these particular designs were woven. Paisley is a classic heritage print and one that that‘s grown on me. It has swirled its way into my wardrobe and now I have a small stash of fine wool shawls. Paisley is perfect for interiors too. I think that one of the reasons why is that this teardrop motif works a bit like a tartan. Tartan is famous its for balance and colour harmony. It can take a lot of colour but in an ordered way. If you used the same number of shades in a print it would look riotous but with a tartan it’s much more rigid. A paisley works in a similar self-contained manner and like tartan, it is wonderfully unisex, as well as cosy and stylish. Designers have also experimented with scale and this design can be any size as long as the proportions are correct. If you’re after paisley perfection then discover de Le Cuona. Here are exquisite wool paisleys made in the same age-old manner that has been used for centuries. It is woven on very old looms in Kashmir and washed by hand to achieve the soft drape and subtle shades. ‘To perfect our paisley for modern tastes we have re-coloured the designs as the traditional palette is very strong. We have used soft colours such as celadon and grey-blues, and have introduced one in chocolate and stone; it makes paisley much more contemporary.’ Bernie de Le Cuona If you would like to win a gorgeous hand-crafted Avignon Woven Paisley throw, you can enter a special competition on de Le Cuona twitter. Link below. https://twitter.com/deLeCuona www.delecuona.co.uk
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A beautifully silly season29/7/2014 Well, they do say August is the silly season… It is nearly the month when newspapers have traditionally concentrated on stories about surfing squirrels. When even the BBC’s Today programme can run segments on whether flip-flops are superior to loafers. Well, at least I know where I stand on that one. Think Grace Kelly in ‘Rear Window.’ The loafers are great. But back to the silly season and I just love Jamb’s owners for their historical correctness and witticisms. The name of one of their new handsome pieces of furniture is of-course accurate but has a interesting twist - the ebonized three-tier ‘Bobbin Whatnot.’ Yes I know it has an historic definition - ‘a piece of furniture derived from the French étagère, which was exceedingly popular in England in the first three-quarters of the 19th century. It usually consists of slender uprights or pillars, supporting a series of shelves for holding ornaments or what not, hence the allusive name.’ But the name still makes me smile, a piece of furniture for trifles or what not. That reminds me I must ask Max Rollitt about the naming of his beautiful primrose-yellow Katzsic sofa and we all should take a leaf out of Simon March’s ‘Colour Makes People Happy’ paint books. Now he is one to resist any dictatorial force. Here’s a name for the silly season and this is the most summery shade in his palette. ‘I will not dignify that with an answer’ Answers on a postcard Jamb.co.uk London Design Festival22/7/2014 The 1950s saw a frenzy of interest in home making and the young were keen that decoration and furnishings should be modern. They were encouraged by a flurry of exhibitions most notably the Festival of Britain in 1951; institutions such as the Council of Industrial Design established in 1944 and publications such as House & Garden, which all promoted a vision of ‘good design.’ Blighty and in particular London continues to push the boundaries of design and the capital is now an international creative hub, a city with a great heart flowing out to communities each with their own unique stamp. Cutting-edge jewellery designer Lara Bohinc celebrates the launch of her furniture collaborations with Lapicida, as part of Chelsea Design Quarter events at The London Design Festival. The new kid on the block is The London Design Festival launched in 2003, an event conceived by Sir John Sorrell and Ben Evans. Building on London's existing design activity, their concept was to create an annual event that would promote the city's creativity, drawing in the country's greatest thinkers, practitioners, retailers and educators to deliver an unmissable celebration of design. If last year was jam-packed (333 projects and events staged by 216 partner organisations) then this year (13-21 Sept) sees even more districts. The sheer scope of the Festival events is fabulous but I wonder if far too much to see and do. Maybe our city is just too big and sprawling for the design cognoscenti to venue-hop. The Chelsea Design Quarter is a partner of the London Design Festival and is one of the design districts to visit. Check out events on the London Design Festival website but a few highlights include: Lapicida Designers In Conversation Monday 15 September, 6.30-8.30pm Roca London Gallery ‘Urban Plunge’ exhibition & panel discussion Monday 15 September, 6-8pm The Rug Company Meet the Designer – Jonathan Saunders Thursday 18 September, 6 – 8pm chelseadesignquarter.co.uk londondesignfestival.com Categories
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