George Clarke's Amazing Spaces GIVEAWAY

I love watching telly.....I like watching late night murder mysteries, Scandinavian Noir's and silly comedy's...but most of all I love watching programs about interiors and design...go figure!!

I've really enjoyed watching the last season of George Clarke's Amazing spaces....seeing how creative people can be with the teeniest and most unusual spaces, making them into little retreats, workshops or actual homes...

So when George Clarke's publishers got in touch about writing a review of his book from the series, it was a no brainer! Of course I wanted to see all those amazing spaces in print!!

And even better...they've given me an extra copy that YOU could win!!

More details on the giveaway further down the post...

So...George Clarke's Amazing Spaces series has mesmerized me with the wide array of small scale builds, from the quaint and quirky to the avant-guard and ambitious... The creativity and ingenuity of peoples visions, often achieved on very limited budgets and timescales are most impressive....and inspiring... 

The book , illustrated beautifully with pictures from the various projects featured, goes further in depth of each build, and showcases the ideas, the plans and the trial and tribulations overcome to achieve the finished results...

I love that there is little text boxes headlined "Lessons learnt" alongside each amazing space showcased, so that we, the readers , get a feel for the amount of planning, work and thought that has gone into each build... and it is inspiring to see that although it may not have been all plain sailing...the results are still impressive, and sometimes it is the compromises that's had to be made along the way that makes it a success...

Some of the most ingenious solutions for small space living is also explained in depth throughout the book, and serves as true inspiration, a reminder that where there's a will there is a way....nothing is impossible...

With beautifully illustrated floor plans accompanied by gorgeous images of the finished spaces, shows peoples visions come to life...

And of course some of these Amazing spaces makes you dream of that simple life, in rural settings with nothing but the bare essentials...

...Or a space-age modern , urban retreat, where the design is so well thought out that it'll leave you free to just relax....

As with the series, this book  is a true inspiration, and makes you want to create your very own Amazing space...

With plenty of tips and lessons from people who've already taken the plunge....ordinary people, like you and me, who have achieved their dream, by having a vision, hard graft and determination...

IF THEY CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU....AND I!!

Courtesy of Truedor , I have a spare copy of George Clarke's Amazing spaces to give away

So if you'd like to get inspired and see more of the fantastically creative builds featured, simply comment below this post to win a copy of George Clarke's book...just make sure you leave your e-mail address or other means of contact...

The winner will be announced at the end of the month!

Amazing spaces is truly Amazing, and a lovely book to chill out with this autumn, whilst dreaming of that simple life!

design junction 2015

Over two weeks ago, one of the most innovative and creative design shows in the world, Design junction took place in central London. A specially curated design platform that exhibits commercial and cultural design within the unusual and industrial spaces of the old Central Saint Martins college of Art and Design and Victoria House.

With "26,000 visitors through the doors over 5 days during the London Design Festival. With more than 180 cutting-edge brands and shops, a host of striking installations, 10 mouth-watering eateries and flash factories across two Central London locations, design junction 2015 was the most ambitious, challenging and successful edition to date."*

Of course I was there....albeit on a flying visit before heading off to Norway for the WHAT WILL THE WORLD DO NOW charity event...I mean: I had to, not only did I have my own concrete home wares exhibited there (more on that next week) but, with it's reputation for displaying the most innovative of design, I was curious to see what it was all about!

It seems like a lifetime ago now, but better late than never...right? So I am finally sharing the bits and pieces that caught my eye....and maybe some of these will be THE next big thing??

From the wonderfully bizarre sculptural lighting by award winning Arturo-Alvarez, that makes bespoke, handmade lighting ,using handcraft techniques to create a new language with innovative materials....

To the more retro, industrial lighting, so fitting for the old college building by British home ware store  Dyke and Dean...I love that their own brand products encourage British manufacturing and small creative based industry...

Then there was the super modern and super stylish furniture from French label La Chance

La Chance’s ambitious purpose is to provide a contemporary interpretation of the French ornamental and decorative furniture tradition. And I loved how the modern design juxtaposed with the industrial settings....

One of my favourite displays in the old college was the String Shelving....Swedish company String has built its brand around an ingenious but simple modular shelving concept that has long been top of my lust list for the home...

...And of course it helped that the String display was styled by one of my favourite interior stylists of all time, Swedish  Lotta Agaton...

Fun an quirky, and most definitely different from anything else, I also loved the colourful collaboration between UK doodle artist Jon Burgerman and modern textile brand Kirkby Design  for the contemporary design company Ligne Roset....Known for its 

collaborations with the foremost talents in contemporary design, 

Ligne Roset is a creative and innovative brand after my own heart...and wouldn't these cool designs look great in a teenage bedroom??

Over at the Victoria House location of this years Design Junction, where more than 80 independent retailers and designers was exhibiting , there was also a lot of inspiration to be had...

...Of course I have to briefly mention T&Shop, a lifestyle concept shop based in Newington Green, who also happens to be a stockist of my own Concrete home ware range..

I adore founder, Emily Grace Wright's functional and minimalistic aesthetically curated products...but more on that next week....

There was plenty of things to catch my eye, and the geometric handcrafted wooden home ware designs by Another studio, was definitely one of my favourites, displaying just the sort of quirky creativeness that I adore...

I've been a fan of UK based home ware company HAM's cute rabbit and pig illustrations for some time...and was pleased to see their range exhibited at DJ.

It wasn't all home wares and furniture at DJ's market hall in Victoria House...and I fell head over heals with Tom Pigeon's simple and geometric jewelry designs (I also adore his prints)...

And these graphic, mixed media necklaces by Nylon Sky.

My love for the Danish brand HAY is no secret , and I just had to share this super-cool tool caddy  I spotted at Nest, who's entire collection would fit nicely in my dream home ....

Lastly, I wanted to show you these ingenious ceramic planters from London based home ware shop On and On...aren't they just the coolest?? On and On curates products like ceramics, glassware, contemporary furniture, modern lighting and bespoke commissions, among others. But they also strive to find new ways to promote design and  are passionate about introducing new creative talents to brands, the retail industry, interior architects and culture initiatives, providing support for creatives through exhibitions, presentations, sponsored events and publications... A company after my own heart!

There was so much stuff at Design junction that I loved, and would've loved to feature here, but for now, this was my highlights...

I have discovered new brands and shops, makers and designers, found loads of inspiration and got to know some people I just know is going to be the next big thing...

Visiting Design Junction is now a definite MUST for next year!!

*Extract from the website

What Autumn means to me...

I thought I'd share a little post about what Autumn means to me, and the things I'd like to add to my home and life when the weather turns and the days get shorter....

I always get a bit melancholy this time of year...I find that my energy levels drops and the high octane full throttle creativity that defines my summer routines ebbs a bit..

In the words of one of my favorite singer's Ane Brun...maybe I'm just "too Scandinavian".

So I tend to revel a bit in the ascending darkness of Autumn, and instead of fighting it, this year I'd like to surround my self with cosyness...or "hygge" as the Danish say!

Being Norwegian, I like to live with the mantra: "There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes"...so although it may be getting wet and windy outside, I'll still brave the elements and head outdoors:

Wellies, waterproofs and woolly jumpers at the ready...

Makes it all the more nicer when you finally get inside, shivering, wet and cheeks red from the blistering rain.....

Experience has taught me that nothing clears my melancholy head like a brisk walk...

In Norway they have a therm for people who like to enjoy life to the max: "Livs nyter" (:leaves neeter), and I recently realized that I am a "livs nyter" trapped in a workaholic's body....

This Autumn I am planning on working on this, and start living the life I actually want...

So I welcome Autumn, with all it's melancholy and darkness: This time I'll be ready!!

There is beauty and joy to be found in all seasons...and on cold, clear Autumn evenings, I'd love to spend some time in the garden , lighting the fire pit and using the storm kettle to boil up water for a cowboy brew in my Chemex, cuddling up on my sheepskin covered garden chair with Little Miss Moo , trying to spot bats flying around in the dark, eating freshly baked cinnamon muffins....these are the things memories are made of...

So, here's a few of my outdoors Autumn essentials:

Hunter wellies, rain coat and a back pack for Autumnal countryside walks....

And Outdoor party lights, storm kettle, Sheepskin and firepit for cosy evenings outdoors.

I find that the chilly darkness of Autumn is tangible to my senses, preparing me for the even darker winter months ahead...and I hope that actually acknowledging these changes in me ,will help me find a comfort and happiness .....in a way that only Autumn can...

And that spending time outdoors, will  me appreciate, all the more ,the comfy confinements of our home...

So I am stocking up on Blankets and throws...

...candles and books..

To set the mood for cosy evenings spent with music and a warm cup of Chai Latte...(or wine..LOL)...

I would love one of these Cashmere throws to snuggle up in with one of my favorite authors' Frode Grytten's book "The shadow in the river" ...Sipping a cup of homemade chai latte on a stormy Autumn evening, by the soft glow of traditionally handmade bees wax church candles from Watts and co...pulling on some slipper socks before heading to a bed with freshly washed sheets...

Then waking up on a blustering Autumnal Sunday morning, drinking copious amounts of fresh coffee and reading in bed for hours...

But the truth is, it doesn't always pan out like that, and I very rarely find the time to live this idyllic life I set myself up for....but at least I'm all set should the moment arrive and I should ever get an opportunity to spend a day in bed...

Autumn...I'm ready!

THE HANDMADE FAIR 2015

Jessalli Handmade Homewares When I was invited to attend the Handmade Fair, I was in two minds about going...I've always thought that this was a little too twee for my liking, but I was also curious to see what it was like. As it was a beautiful and sunny day, I made my way down to Hampton Court green two Sundays ago, and actually I was pleasantly surprised with the wast array of things on show....and not everything was twee:

Like this wire art from Lucy Elizabeth...definitely NOT twee!

....These colorful and funky storage baskets from the basket room...

...These fun and funky printed tea-towels by Ben Rothery illustrator....

And these macrame plant hangers from my favorite stand at the fair: Geo Fleur:

I loved their little geometric planters and terrariums as well...

And these beautiful handcrafted blankets from Felin Fach made from locally sourced rare-breed wool caught my eye....
Of course, it being the Handmade fair and all, there was also a lot of craft supply stalls....and I felt inspired by the sights of the vast array of fabrics, tools and craft supplies on offer:

Like these tactile spools of hand spun yarn by Blacker Yarns....

...These geometric hand printed Ola Oli fabrics from Maud's Fabric Finds....

...and this tray full of shiny sharp scissors by Ernest Wright
And there was also a wast array of DIY kits in various shapes and forms...

This funky little fellow from The Toft alpaca shop being my favorite! Isn't he just so cool??

There were lots to see, including workshops and talks, but I only managed to squeeze in  One before I made my way home to spend the rest of the Sunday with my daughter:

And I am so happy I caught Lindsey James from Photocraft's talk on styling and photographing products, as I found her advise both down to earth and very informative:

In short, here's her top 10 tips for styling and photographing products:

1: Always use a camera tripod

2: First decide the angle of view of the product, then set the scene around the shot.

3:  Use mobile backdrops to fake the background environment to suit the product.

4: Photograph near the window with the natural light coming in from behind or to the side of the product.

5: Level Up. Make sure any horizontal lines are straight and Don't get too close with your camera, but  stand back and zoom in instead.

6: Only add Relevant props to set the scene: Start with the main item, then feed in props to fill in the frame as you see it through the lens, building the scene through the lens. Add props that show off the scale of your product and that has different levels....place them so they "point" to the main object.

7: Turn off all artificial lights in the room and set your camera to Auto white balance.

8: Use a sheet of white card to reflect light from the opposite side of the light source to make your shot "come alive".

9: Clean the lens.

10: Just shoot, experiment and have fun with it....your skills will get better with practice. 

I'm sure you'll all agree, this is sound advice from someone who is renowned for creating beautiful commercial photography.

Lindsay James runs styling and photography e-courses for bloggers and people who make and sell lovely things....and I may treat myself to one very soon (as, I'm not afraid to say: this is one of the skills I know I really need to work on)...or put it on my Christmas wishlist!

(OMG...I said the C-word....)

Anyway...short and sweet today...I'll be back with a post about my essential Autumn life updates later this week...and finally next week, I 'll be reporting fro Design Junction!

Mindfulness for creativity...

A little more than a book review

About a month ago I was contacted by the publishers of Dr. Danny Penman's new book, Mindfulness for creativity and asked if I'd be interested in writing a review of the book, I thought "Yes" that sounds like a book I'd like to read: 

A book that was especially written to help enhance creativity and improving decision making and happiness at work and home, sounded like it would be exactly what I needed, after what has been a very challenging year for me personally....

But I must admit: I struggled getting into this book at first...found the language difficult and repetitive, and the concept of using breathing techniques and meditation to improve creativity both far fetched and alien....

Still, I persevered, and although, cynical as I am, I'm still not convinced about the benefits of the meditation exercises described in the book, on creativity and productivity

....however the author described some situations that I could really relate to, like my seemingly inability to live in the present...always dwelling on the past or planning for the future....

And I've embraced the "habit releaser" exercises from the book: Making small and regular changes to my routine, to break up my habits and make more time to appreciate the here and now....

Taking the time to go for a walk, somewhere new, appreciate my surroundings and appreciate my senses and take note of my feelings...

And, I've found that giving my mind these little breathing spaces, has, like Dr. Penman states: "given me clarity of thought" and "anchored my awareness"...making me more aware of the purposes of my daily life and in turn, helped me open up to new opportunities and ideas...

Little exercises, like THE COFFEE MEDITATION, where you are encouraged to take the time to truly focus on the experience of something as simple as making and drinking a cup of coffee: Making a mental note of the smells and tastes and sensations involved, also appealed to me....

...as taking such an everyday experience and elevating it to a sensory revelation, not only seemed manageable, but also felt grounded enough for the cynic in me to take on board...

And applying this mindset to more of my daily tasks has made me more focused on what I am actually doing, not just going through the motions of getting things done...

I may not be ready, at this moment in time, to truly embrace the level of mindfulness that this book is trying to teach, but no doubt, it's got me thinking more about the benefits of being more present in the moment and sometimes slowing down to truly appreciate life...

And as for boosting my creativity, I concur with the authors sentiment that hushing down the "noise in my mind", the endless rotation of thoughts and planning that seems to occupy my mental state at all times, would be beneficial to allowing new ideas and thus creativity to blossom:

"To be truly creative you need to master 3 skills: Firstly you need an open and disciplined mind that can gather and then integrate new ideas and information....Secondly , you need to actually notice new ideas as they emerge from the noisy background of your mind....thirdly, you need the courage to follow your ideas wherever they should lead and the resilience to cope with the inevitable setbacks and criticism."

If anything, this book has at the very least made me aware of how I am , on a daily basis, sabotaging my creative life, by being too busy to listen out for the new ideas, that a simple walk in the woods and living in the moment can reveal....

So, maybe I will give Dr. Penman's meditation and breathing exercises another chance...and if you are a little less cynical than me, you may find this book a big help in managing the everyday stresses and boosting your creativity...

It's worth a try? No?

Mindfulness for creativity, "how to adapt, create and thrive in a frantic world" by Dr. Danny Penman is out tomorrow , for sale in all good bookshops.