In addition to the lighting already featured, furniture and accessories worth noting included: Axel Schoenert Architectes Associés, a well established practice based in Paris, showed furniture for the new 61 Paris Nation Hotel, a four star hotel due to open next year. As you can see, it gives a more than a nod to mid-20th Century style. […]
One-minute blog of interesting things
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As a working contemporary artist I visit many exhibitions and shows, but sometimes it is the things I see that are part of daily life that capture my interest. My one-minute blog of interesting things reflects the fact that although we are increasingly time-poor, there is creativity all around us. Email me at info@carolinebanks.co.uk with your name and email to receive a weekly post that only takes 1 minute to read.
Now! le Off, Paris Design Week – Part 1
I did try to fit the full show into one minute but there is too much so it’ll be in several parts. This new show had a few gems including folded lighting by Well Well Designers. I loved their pop-up range as well as the architectural Monumento and Cloud City lights. Héloïse Piraud and Antoine Bécognée, the two designers, weren’t on […]
Château de Gizeux, four years before World of Interiors
I sent my images of Gizeux to World of Interiors magazine over 4 years ago and they featured it only this month. I’m well used to being ahead of the curve and sure enough, it has happened again so I’d like to share some of my photos of this wonderful château from May 2008. I hope the […]
rAndom International at Carpenters Workshop Gallery – Paris
I’ve no idea why but I often arrive just before the official openings at Carpenters Workshop Gallery. This time they were still mopping floors and adjusting components as I wandered round which I actually preferred. You can see how rAndom International’s pieces interact as seen in my photos below I really like the echo of the […]
Valentin Loellmann’s furniture family
I came across Valentin Loellmann earlier in the year and was impressed by the elegant proportions and irregularity of his furniture. Each piece looks as if it has been lovingly worked on over a period of time with rich layered finishes. Even the burnished metal looks warm. Each year 10 designs are added to the growing and maturing “family” with a palpable difference and increasing […]
Thomas Heatherwick at the V&A
After visiting this I’m now even more of a fan of the Heatherwick studio. Before entering, turn the handle of this machine to get a guide. The show covers Thomas Heatherwick’s early college work going right through to the new red bus, already on London streets, and the London Olympic cauldron. One of the pleasures was to see some of the beautifully detailed models […]
Sarah Turner Lighting Design – see her at Tent
I came across Sarah Turner a little while ago and loved the quality of light that her lamps produce. I also completely agree with her comment that, just because something is made from what is considered rubbish, it doesn’t need to look like it. By selecting her materials carefully for their innate qualities she achieves the desired results, […]
Lindsey Lang design at Pulse
Kansas-born, London-based Lindsey showed her cushions, kitchen textiles and tiles at Pulse recently where I caught up with her. I’d already noticed her distinctive prints at Home earlier this year so was interested to see how the collection had progressed. This time she’s added concrete tiles and kitchen items to the range. I was particularly intrigued by the “hot […]
Bureau of Trade with online shopping for boys
Another good idea, again aimed at men. The Bureau of Trade team, based in the US, search Craiglist and Ebay choosing a theme which they present and email each day to registered users. Aimed at a very specific market it comes up with items from cars to handkerchiefs and I enjoy their suitable/unsuitable comments as much as the items they select. […]
Plastic Fantastic – DIY upcycling from Supercyclers
Sometimes a thing comes in that just catches my eye: such a one is Plastic Fantastic ( Liane Rossler & Sarah King) with charming little containers made from thin plastic bags. featured on the Supercyclers’ website. They are a collective of designers producing collections with sustainability at their core. Please click here to see more. You can, in theory, make […]