KBB 2010
The Kitchens Bathrooms and Bedrooms show this year was held at the NEC at Birmingham.. I went along on the 24th March .. last day of the show..
what can I say about this particular show? well although all exhibitors worked hard to design their stands and the lay out was impressing and easy to follow… I was really dissapointed to find that there were actually no Bedroom stands except for one small 4 sided effort stuffed in the middle of the Kitchen section???
Now I did expect to see some more bedrooms and my clients were expecting some fantastic inspired ideas on my return.. luckily I also needed to research kitchens too…
there were some fantastic bargains to be had if you knew the right place to go, worktops were in abundance and samples to be had from all angles!!!!
there were not many visitors at the show on the last day and there was plenty of space and time to talk to traders … we learned so so much.. (myself and Kath)..
so without further adue, here is my little photographic contribution..
to find out more about the show and who exhibited visit http://www.kbb.co.uk/index.html
this wall was designed for the exhibit, but so much interest has been generated they will now be creating it for sale!!
display of worktop materials
leather retro oven front - I LOVE IT
A 3D image of Marilyn Monroe by a young Italian Artist
Im not really sure what this was about because they couldnt speak English????!!!
and of course... it wouldnt be a show without me finding something with a union Jack to interact with!!!! xxxx
Perfect end to the day…. difficult to keep interested and there were plenty bog standard bathrooms – nothing too inspiring.. I don’t think i will be visiting KBB again when its in Birmingham.. I may attend next year if its in London… but will be checking there are bedrooms next time for sure!! xxx
1 Unique bookshop
Me Time on a Saturday morning
The Dorset Bookshop
Its Saturday morning and I’m not feeling too much like my usual self… (for one reason or another!) I have already arranged to meet my good friend for a coffee in the ‘half a crown’ Cafe before she visits the hair salon for a well deserved pampering, after a little while of catching up, boredom of sitting there with our cold coffees sets in, so I decide to show her a little haunt of mine, having lived here for ten years – she’s completely oblivious to what she will find in The Dorset Bookshop, East Street, Blandford Forum….
Whats so special about this bookshop?
Well, I have a passion for the nostalgic, I also have a screen in my home where I like to collect old postcards and display them… this is the ideal place to find such memorabilia!!
1950's, 70's, screen memrobilia and colour images
Black, white & Red - Art Deco & beyond
The Dorset Bookshop is situated in an old Georgian building (as all the buildings along East Street in Blandford are) built in the 1730’s and bearly changed to this day.. inside there are three floors – the ground floor has modern New books for sale, but as you climb the old, black wooden spiral staircase, you find yourself in a whole new world, to the left on the 1st floor are 2nd hand books as well as up along the staircase and on the landing far wall, books such as annuals from bygone days… up an even smaller and windier staircase are typographic books of all types and all 2nd hand, BUT to the right, on the 1st floor – is my absolute haven!!! surrounded by old novels are two comfortable Georgian chairs, a coffee table and a coffee machine with the din of Classic FM playing quietly in the background, what better place to hide away on a rainy wintry day… I often come to this place when Im feeling uninspired, or when I just want to spend some ‘alone’ time… there is an old victorian sideboard which houses the coffee machine, it has 3 draws, the top two are full of old photographs and postcards that are sent or sold to the shop from house clearances … not a loved piece of furniture by any stretch of the imagination! as you manage to yank the top draw open, cards and photographs, released from their squeezed environment, pop out at you.. a missmatch of everything, all stuffed in, no particular order, just waiting for you to grab a pile and rummage!! it can be a very sombre moment when you come accross a whole family of pictures from the early 1900’s, photographs of someone’s daughter, son, mother, father, uncle (and so on – you get the idea!) just sitting in these draws, lost forever..
There are also times when I will laugh so much, I am pleased there are not too many people lurking around up here!! giggling away to myself after reading a messages on the back of an old postcard, and how it depicts life as it was…however, looking through these holiday snapshots of peoples lives, the weather in the UK has never been that of a fantastic summer and many a card mentions the terrible lack of sun!!!
i.e., an extract from a London postcard posted on 18th June 1962 ..."to auntie and uncle, just a few lines letting you know I am on Holiday this week and that I am in London today, I will be going to ascot tomorrow and thursday, it has been raining very hard here but I think it will brighten up later... love from D xxxxx..."
I digress!! my main aim is to find images from the Art Deco era, the 1970’s or prints of famous artists works to plant on my black screen… its taken me a while to build up a collection of images, mostly found hidden within these draws on a wet wedensday afternoon or a dreary Saturday morning… but I am nowhere near finished in the search for my collection! (I do have some London prints that I have also collected when visiting the capital)..
luckily there arent many people who know or take advantage of this time warped room and for those who come across me rummaging, seem very interested as to what purpose and what I’m hoping to find in this ’special’ place… its a well kept secret to those in the know, and I’m in the know!!!
Art Deco Postcards
Today, my finds were from the Art Deco era and I’m very pleased with them…. I just had to share this little secret with you xxxx
Focal Point
What is Your Focal Point?
This is not a lesson on concentration!! A focal point is the place where the eye naturally gravitates within a room. When designing, it is important to choose a focal point for the room before you start thinking about anything else. The room’s best qualities should help to choose a focal point that you enjoy.
Popular Focal Points
The first thought for a focal point is an architectural structure. It could be a fireplace or a built-in bookcase. In the case of the family room, you might consider a fireplace/television alcove combination.
suspended fireplace
When determining the focal point of any room, you’ll want to start big. When entering a room, our eyes begin high and steadily move downward. The largest thing in your room may be the fireplace. In that case, use it as the focus of your room.
Focal points can also be created. In homes with rooms that have no distinguishing architectural features, you can choose what you want as the focal point. Add a bookshelf, a large piece of artwork or a big screen television.
When all of the walls look alike, use paint to distinguish your focal point. Paint one wall in a similar, but lighter shade than the other three. That single wall becomes the focal point for your room. You may also do this with some of the fantastic wallpapers that are available on the market right now.
Always use something big. A focal point should be something interesting to look at, something colorful or texturally and visually appealing. Small items in the room can be engulfed by other features and not be seen as a focus for anything, if they even catch the eye of your visitor at all.
Enhancing Your Focal Point
Why is it important? Having one outstanding feature in each room, makes that room interesting. It gives the room character so to speak. It also gives you a place to begin when deciding how to adorn the rest of the room. For instance, the furniture can be gathered around the focal point.
For some, it is not the center of the room but it is a main feature. Leave room in front of the fireplace or the bookshelf for admiring by visitors and friends and of course yourself!!. The furniture can then be centered in front of the television on a shorter wall.
If a window with a fantastic outdoor landscape view is the focal point, arrange the furniture’s orientation inside to take advantage of the window area, don’t forget the outdoor furniture which you should also orientate to enhance the view.
Use accents to spruce up your focal point. Family pictures can be hung on the wall around the fireplace (using this as an example). Flowers, antiques and other items that are precious to you add to the eye-catching nature of this element in your room. Resist the urge to junk it up. Less is always more especially when it comes to accessorizing around the rooms of your home.
Lighting is the best enhancer of any focal point. ie, use a picture light fixed to a painting or wall display, a track light with directional lighting, or wall washer to light up the wall display.
Sum up:
- Having a focal point in a room makes the room easier to decorate and even more lovable.
- You can work everything else in the room around that one feature.
- Make your visitors’ attention immediately go to the focal point in the center or simply dress your focal point up to make it stand out with curtains or fantastic art.
- If you don’t have a natural focal point, use furniture such as bookshelves, television stands, etc. to create a focus for the room.
- make sure your focal point is the ‘first thing’ you see.
Photographs – a new look!
Living with prints
As the emphasis this year is on creating spaces within our homes that are unique to us, how more intimate and personal can you get than with a photograph, whether it be of people who are close to you or places you have visited, whatever it is – the photographs are unique to you.. here are some top ideas on different ways to utilize photographic prints into your home and create a wow factor at the same time… (click on the images to take you to the manufacturers websites)
- Personalise soft furnishings – with images on cushions, shower curtains and headboards (this is a trend that is becoming increasingly easier to access).
Personalise cushions
- fabric prints – cover a piece of furniture or create a blind
printed chair back
- personal images blown up onto different types of surfaces ie plywood or perspex
perspec actylic photo print
- Modern murals open up a space, panoramic scenes are best for these types of murals, printed onto bespoke wall paper images such as waterfalls, skylines, mountains etc..
New York wall mural
- tiles – bespoke tiles in your bathroom, kitchen splashbacks or used as unique flooring
Digitile - bathroom bespoke tile design
- Hang photographs and images from a specialy made tree or a purpose built clothes screen, a speedy way to display and change whenever you feel the need
fotofalls photo tree
- Office files – spruce up boring looking filing systems by enlarging a photograph with a photocopier, cutting a template of the spine of the files and splitting the image up, once displayed the picture is brought back together again.
fair trade image
- Peg lines – by hanging picture wire in rows on the wall, photographs can be hung with coloured pegs giving a washing line effect – (use uniform sizes and colours to create classy displays)
idea taken from the old way of drying kiddies paintings
- For a costly but very effective way of displaying beautiful images – invest in a projector and project onto a flat wall..
projecting an image on a larger scale from a projector not a phone would give a beautiful landscape image with high res
TOP TIPS
- Dont print human faces on upholstery – there are some times in life when you dont want to be face to face with someone!!
- Stickers are a stylish alternative to wallpaper, they can be peeled off without damage and can be bespoke made from companies such as Brume
- cover a wall with vintage or foreign newspaper pages, sheet music or inspiring clippings from magazines, stick with PVA and cover with clear varnish to prevent fading, scuffs and to ‘flatten’ surface for a smooth finish (magazines and photos can be varnished directly, however paper (non-waterproof inks) need a coat of Shellac to prevent bleeding),
The Sleep Event
In addition to the exhibition, the Sleepotel was also set up as a virtual hotel environment and gave everyone the opportunity to walkthrough and experience the latest in hotel design concepts.
The conference centre was packed full of interesting seminars and fabulous speakers.. these seminars ran throughout the two days of the exhibition, the programmes included senior representatives from major hotel groups, leading architechts and design practices.
The Sleepotel entrance was designed by Atelier Nini Andrade Silva, this company thought of leaving planet earth and how the different surroundings would force them to leave everything that is normal.. this new environment was aimed at encouraging travelers to ‘feel’ and ’see’, the design concept is based on the idea of the planet Krypton and the form of stalactites and stalagmites, like a magical cave, visitors experienced the sound of water falls within a cave, the floor was carpeted but had sensors beneath the carpet that triggered an image projector above – this made the floor look like you were walking on water and it rippled as you stepped onto it.. the large reception desk housed a giant ipod touch type screen where self booking was available and interactive images of each room, where you were a able to choose the one you liked.
the reception entrance to Planet Krypton!!
Ninin Andrade silva has carried out numerous projects throughout the world.. the latest is the outdoor furniture inspired by the rocks of Madeira – Quote “…I address my subjects with the memory of a history my own history from the island Madeira and also that of the young boys of the pebbles, as far back int he previous century, barefoot over pebbles covered in salt and spray…” Nini A. Silva.
here are some images :
Big Pebble.. dimensions 2066x2100x1897
A few more images of their designs below, you can find out all about Nini Andrade Silva at www.niniandradesilva.com
Hows that for pure class and luxury!!!!
Moving on…. a fabulous glass and porcelaine structure from Petrweigl.. hand made and a snitch as approximtely £10,000.
find more like this plus the other bespoke collections at www.petrweigl.com
Petrweigl wall art
The Quilted wall – amazing quilting for a new dimension by taking quilting off the bed and onto the walls and furniture with their bespoke quilted walling… any shape, any size.. visit them at www.thequiltedwall.co.uk to see more images and details of their products and services…
And in my known tradition (as it has become) I seeked out… a union jack!!! this piece of furniture is a bed settee.. not the most comfortable to sit on.. but it looks pretty impressive…
The Coach House – is a trade only supplier based in Lancashire.. the range is absolutely fabulous… from over 18,000 products in their catalogues.. if you have the money to spend.. spend it here.. just a few images of their stand at the sleep event.. their catalogues are packed with affordable luxury… a CD is also available rather than holding the catalogues (there are 5 in all and very heavy to send through the post… the coach house online is available at: www.coachhouse.com
Thats my lot, if you want to find out more about the Sleep Event or the exhibitors – you can find them available now at www.thesleepevent.com
review… although the images I have posted here show the event to be rather classy and amazing, in reality it was a bit disappointing, it was very small and although those exhibitors that did attend had very good stands etc.. there just didnt seem to be anything ‘different’ to the interior exhibitions I have visitied lately.. We didnt stay long, about 1-2 hours max… the seminars were costly so we didnt book for any of those which I am pleased about now.. as a good day shopping down Carnaby St, Regents St and Oxford St was much more fun!!!!!
Jayne xx
“70’s Style & Design” book
WOW
published by Thames & Hudson, compiled by Dominic Lutyens and Kirsty Hislop, this book is awsome for all 1970’s enthusiasts.. being one of my favourite eras next to Art Deco.. this book sums up all that is the 1970’s and what came before..
70's style & design
I bought my book at Amazon.co.uk
a snitch at £17.47 down from £24.95… a bargain I ensure you.
the contents page consists of:
‘from pop to postmodernism’
‘belle epogue’
’supernatural’
‘avant garde’
so if you are inspired by pluralism, playfulness and originality then this book is definitely for you.. it is definitely for me..
from the eccentricity of Bowie, B52’s style, SEX everywhere, pop art and plastics, to a complete Deco-mania revival…
Im loving it…
EXTRACT FROM FRONT COVER
“The book puts under the microscope an era that united such defining trends as the Art Deco craze of the 1920’s and 1930’s and the pop movement of the 1960’s and continues to influence today’s trendsetting taste makers…… from artist Duggie Field’s eye popping flat to album covers of new wavers like the B52’s and the glam rock’s David Bowie, from the slick advertising of Italian fashion house Fiorucci t such seminal book cover as Germaine Greer’s The Female Eunuch……70’s Style & design is sure to inspire everyone from dedicated followers of fashion to even the harshest critics of the decade……”
Grand Designs Live 2009
October 2009
NEC Birmingham – Grand Designs live -
wow – took me 5 hours to get there, the traffic on the M42 was horendous! but I finally made it for 12.30.. missed the seminar I wanted to attend so enjoyed an hour or two browsing the Grand Interiors section..
was a far cry from the trade events that I usually attend.. lots of marketing and sales talk from the exhibitors, trying to sell the general public their products, it was very much like a market in a few of the areas..
I sat in on the Eco debate with Kevin McCloud and also listened to George Clarke (from the HOME SHOW on Channel 4) seminar on ‘dont move – improve’ that was fun as he showed us his house from before he moved in to as it is now and his future plans, picked up few ideas along the way and said “Hi” to Kevin and George – got the photo too:
George Clarke and me!
A great day allbeit an almightly long journey there and back. but worth it to see it all. I dont think I will go next year though.. a bit too far for what was on offer..
Link to the website for this year: http://www.granddesignslive.com/home
There were lots of products on sale VAT free so going shopping for that special thing would be an excellent day out to Grand Designs Live, in the Grand Build section there was a specially designated area where you could speak to the professionals about all sorts of building / designing queries etc.. I didnt manage to find this particular area, had I arrived at 10am as intended I may have been able to work my way around the entire show…
The food hall was fabulous, there were stands gallore – plenty to choose from to eat and drink.. only managed a coffee here too on the way out.. it closed at 6pm and that is the time I left, I browsed again around the market stands and bought Philippe Stark’s lemon squeezer! something I have always wanted… ! looks fab on the kitchen worktop!
100% Design
September 2009
100% Design – for the Product Designers – fabulous also… very eco this year.. the cast of Philippe Starks BBC2 programme ‘Design for Life’ were also showcasing their original designs that gained them entry to the programme..
an excellent section on University students work, here are a few that inspired me:
Glasgow Uni
Two young lads in their final year at Glasgow University came up with this bench… one of the lads sat on the feet and introduced me to do the same, I did and it fell over..!!! he then apologised as he wasn’t able to find sand in time to fill the bottom that would ensure it stayed stable!!!
This young Mexican Student created these chairs.. the one that looks like a ghost behind the brown is actually there and is fairly solid to sit in!!
young female Mexican product designer - water fabric (plastic moulded)
Last day of this event and we visited in the final few hours. next year am going to ensure I go there earlier so that I have time to brows properly.. a thoroughly long but enjoyable day out.
Decorex 09
September 2009
The Event of the Year!! Decorex held at the Royal Chelsea Hospital.. as part of London Design Week.. an array of fantastic stands at the exhibition.. which included all the high end retailers.. my favorite was the Andrew Martin Stand – with its custom made retro / memorabilia furniture, cushions etc.. a must see – Union Jacks being the icon design of this time, and of course matched my jacket!!
Arne Jacobsen Egg chair
union Jack chair
link to the site: www.andrewmartin.co.uk Also saw the fantastic patchwork sofa which was ever so comfortable!!
Ginny Avision Designs
Link to their website: www.ginnyavison.co.uk
fantastic presentation of fabrics – unique and inovative..
fantastic exhibit of fabrics!
Only spent half the day there… before I had a chance to look around, I attended the BIDA Breakfast Launch where I was suppose to enjoy a croissant and coffee, unfortunatley – and a trait of mine! I was late and only managed a coffee.. however I did have a lovely pencil to take home with a Lladro porcelaine dove on top..
the talk was titled ‘Chic to Chic – crossing the Pond’ and the speakers were:
Gareth Devonald-Smith : www.garethdevonaldsmith.com/
Harry Schnaper : www.harryschnaper.com/
A very Inspiring morning that ran over slightly.. was great to bump into Simon Hamilton who was speaking on the Monday which unfortunately I wasnt able to attend..
great weather – so sunny xx
Lutron exclusive showcase
July 2009
I was invited to an exclusive showcase of Lutron’s new window systems at the Imagination Gallery off the Tottenham Court Road in London, Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs was also in attendance and offering a personal insight into the importance of good lighting within the home..
discussing good lighting, enjoying a nice glass of wine.
The evening comprised of Welcome Introducitons, a Drinks reception, canapes and a fashion show, the show was amazing as the models were wearing clothing made from the blinds material.. which they then stood next to during the evening…
Kevin spoke and once the show was over everyone mingled and networked, this was a small event of approximately 60 people, the weather outside was absolutely atrocious, but inside I had a fabulous evening and tried a few things I may not have eaten before..!!
link to Lutron website: http://www.lutron.com/
link to flikr of the fashion show: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40902203@N07/?saved=1
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