The Festival of Britain took place from May to September 1951, and was designed to commemorate the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851. It celebrated Britain’s achievements and potential; engaged people with the arts, science and industry; and provided a tonic after the austerity of the Second World War. It was promoted as a ‘national village fete’ or ‘a tonic to the nation.’
Category: Blog
Blog
thinking about :: 2011, the year of hygge
‘Hygge’ (pronouned heu-gah) is a Danish concept. The nearest literal translation into English is ‘coziness,’ but it’s so much more than that. It’s a state of warmth and contentment; a sense that all is right in the world. A freedom from anything that might annoy, worry or overwhelm you. It’s time spent with close friends and family, just enjoying their company. It’s good food and good wine. Its being indoors on a rainy night in front of a log fire in a candle lit room. It’s being surrounded by soft comfortable textures. It’s just stopping, and really enjoying the simple things in life, enjoying the now.
Blog
quirky gifts for the design geek in your life
I’m fed up with buying the same old presents from the same old shops every year. So this year, as well making some teacup candles myself, I’ve spent some time researching unusual and original presents that (hopefully!) will be warmly received and cherished for years to come, rather than swiftly ending up as landfill. Here are the fruits of my labour.
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thinking about :: every chair I sat in today
I read somewhere that the average person sits in seven different chairs every day, and had an idea; to photograph every chair I sat in for a day.
Blog
guest blog:: port eliot festival by clare howdle
Clare Howdle is a writer; a word smith; a self-confessed ‘alphabet floozy’; living and working in Cornwall – and will hopefully be bringing more sneaky peaks into Cornish design over the coming months.
Blog
thinking about :: design democracy
For me, design democracy is sites like made.com and ponoko.com that give users involvement in designing the products they buy, it’s the public day at 100% Design, it’s furniture design courses at CSM, it lets me have not only access to all the glorious design out there, but also the chance to engage with it and even comment on it; to me, design democracy is this blog.
Blog
thinking about :: putney school of art and design
It is a great honour to join this group of people, who gave their time and energy freely, and stood up for what they believed in – to ensure there was an art school there when I needed it; and they still do those things now. I sincerely hope their ongoing work, and my contribution, means it can be there for future generations too.