Isn’t it typical? This is one I can’t get to but that’s why I’m telling you about it. I love having a rummage around retro and pre-loved furniture and accessories, all ripe for the picking and here it is all in one place. Not only that but they also have live music and lovely teas […]
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.
Watteau drawings at the Royal Academy
Some people find Watteau’s paintings a little sugary; I can sympathise with that but strongly recommend this exhibition of his drawings which reveals more depth. I was amazed at how small some of them were with such precision and lightness of touch. His use of only 3 colours: red, black and white might seem restrictive […]
Yohji Yamamoto at the V & A in London
I used to think that fashion was a bit over-rated and still can’t buy in to the frenzy surrounding some aspects but…you know some things are simply beautiful and uplifting. Future Beauty at the Barbican last year (I can’t believe I didn’t report on that one – I have the pictures too!) was stunning as […]
Visiting the Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane
Yes, London is seeing a veritable rash of luxury hotel openings and relaunches: we had the Savoy last autumn then the Four Seasons and the new W in Leicester Square (already up for sale). Later this year the much anticipated St Pancras Hotel will finally re-open. I already love the interior of the Searcy’s restaurant […]
Domestic compost bins in India
I saw these compost bins whilst staying with a friend in Bangalore. They have been designed by Poonam Kasturi in order to reduce domestic food waste, a large component of landfill. The NGO is called Daily Dump www.dailydump.org (remember this is Indian english!) I love the fact that they can just sit outside the house […]
Delhi posting again – carpet at the airport?
The first thing you notice on landing (and leaving ) Delhi airport these days is the carpet. I had already been told about it but didn’t realise the magnitude of the impact until witnessed directly. I know it was a great contract for the company who supplied it ( no names) but why oh why […]
Back in India – the Delhi metro
As some of you know I’ve been in India for a quick trip. The geography of Delhi has changed so much since I was last here with the metro system revolutionising urban travel. I love the ease and speed of this new option: for example I could get from Gurgaon back up to South Delhi […]
Smart flexible gardening: Bacsac
At last! Flexible containers that look good and are useful: two key factors for successful design in my book. French company Bacsac have been making these for a while now and just get better and better. Available in an ever increasing range of shapes and sizes suitable for everything from window ledges to courtyards. Here […]
New furniture from Alki – for working from home
The Landa collection by Alki designed by Samuel Accoceberry caught my eye at Maison & Objet in Paris. Here is a furniture collection for the home which addresses the problems of operating from a domestic environment without dominating a small space. All the office bits can be put away: the laptop slotting into the shelf […]
Atypyk – humour from France
Ivan Duval and Jean Sebastien Ides set up Atypyk 10 years ago, turning quirky ideas into products. They create things that really make you smile – and can also be useful. I saw their dollar note confetti at the Saatchi Gallery a while back but they’re relatively undiscovered in the UK so far. Cockroach fridge magnets, […]