Countdown is progressing..

Oh it certainly is, it is literally weeks now until final hand in and end of year show (Eeek!) There goes 3 years..of hard work, learning, dedication, stress, weakness, challenge and breakthrough. Also 3 years of feeling that I am totally doing the right thing, progressing something which I find interesting and amazing with a passion!

As I reflect back over this time it is astounding how far I have come, how much work I have done, the places of inspiration that I have visited. It is amazing to see how I have developed personally and academically.

I took time out earlier this week to treat myself to a 'day out' somewhere, where I just get on a train and spend a day in a place of my choice, walking around, taking in the architecture, finding a good coffee, doing a bit of shopping etc..This time I chose York, after a recent visit I fell in love with the city. As I now have a new found appreciation of architecture, history and beautiful buildings I was totally inspired by the place. Here are some of my favourite pics of the day..

 Stunning Victorian architecture with gothic influences at Grays solicitor's

A beautiful curved Georgian period property adds to York's eclectic architectural  landscape

York Minster, a stunning example of early English gothic style of  architecture 

1.  Curved buildings feature quite heavily in Yorks city, and add intrigue and interest

Eroding stonework outside the Minster

Light and shadow highlight the different textures within the minster's construction,  including stone and marble

Prayer chairs in one of the Minsters transepts

Ornate early brass engraving adorning one of the minster's columns

The headless figures of the 12 semaphore sisters

The Great East Window - an example of early 15th century medieval stained glass and one of the largest stained glass windows in the world

Some of York's many independent colourful shop windows

London Design Week 2017

Well back to London for me..and i'm not complaining as London is officially one of my favourite places on the planet. This time I was visiting London Design Week held at the design centre, Chelsea Harbour. As a budding interior designer I am familiar with the design centre and many of the brands and designers available there. I thought a visit would benefit my knowledge of the design industry and also maybe offer some much needed creativity and inspiration for my last few months of college and project final. It was a little journey from Kings Cross..but any journey in London is filled with such interesting sights, sounds and goings on that the travelling is as very much a part of the experience, if not more so than, the arriving.

It wasn't quite what I had expected, but the building was definitely interesting, and also to see so many design names that I have only ever read about, under one roof was great. My highlight was going into 'The Original BTC' lighting shop. I did not realise until after my visit that there was a whole host of talks and workshops available covering interior design, to hand drawing, weaving to gin masterclass's. Oh well..i'll just have to go back again next year..darn.

Development, reflection and transport outside the design centre, Chelsea Harbour.

Bookshop Window

Colourful fabrics in Colefax and Fowler

Palm prints and the colour green were everywhere!

As I was saying..

Original BTC lighting shop

Central atrium and bistro

A weekend in the city..

Further to the David Hockney exhibition I also had a good look around the newly developed area around Kings Cross station. On a Friday afternoon it was positively buzzing. Here lies the head offices of Google, the beautiful restored German Gymnasium and of course the architectural splendour of St Pancras. Twinned with the ebb and flow of worldly commuters and hipster work force, I could have quite easily have stayed there for an hour or two just watching the beautiful world go by.

Chequer board style facade in London't Millbank.

The Houses of Parliament

More contemporary/ Bauhaus architecture in Covent Garden

The beautiful and yet simple facade of Aesop in Covent Garden

Green Victorian tiling - Splendid!

The German Gymnasium - a beautiful Grand Cafe near London's Kings Cross.

Original Victorian detail in the German Gymnasium

The interior design is by Conran and Partners

Reading material 

A view onto the side entrance of Kings Cross station

I Love London..!

March is officially the start of Spring (Yay!)  and spring is, for me, a good time to visit the capital. Fortunately a planned visit to stay with a good friend coincided with the showing of the David Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain. So with ticket in hand I visited on the Saturday morning. I wasn't disappointed. Although the exhibition was extremely busy (too busy infact, how anyone actually stops and contemplates the works of art without distraction and disruption is anyone's guess) but anyway, I made the very sensible and rewarding decision to hire an audio guide..and BINGO!! I was able to cut out the background noise from the other visitor's  but not only that...the running commentary on the different rooms gave an interesting and often humours account of the different stages within Hockney's creative journey.  It told me about the idea's behind the paintings and how they coincided with things happening in Hockney's personal life. Hockney himself talked also about his works and influences, in his beautiful down to earth West Yorkshire accent. To hear him speak of his work whilst looking at his paintings was deeply moving, and often I laughed out loud. As I watched the other audio guide less visitors huffing and puffing at been jostled due to the lack of space, thought streams interrupted by loud conversations and crying children, idly looking at paintings and wondering 'what on earth is that about?'  I thanked the heaven's above for my audio guide. It brought a third dimension to my experience, it left me laughing and also crying. It helped me understand Hockney much more than I did before I went. Vivre la audio guide! Once of the most surprising elements of the exhibition was how I loved his iPad work (yes me..sympathiser of the pen and pencil..doubter of technology), I found it very moving.

Tate Britain - situated in London's Millbank. The original exterior was designed by Sidney R. J Smith and includes a classical portico. The gallery opened in 1897 and received Grade II listed status in 1970. The facade features bomb damage from WWII.

 Queuing in the spring sunshine.

The David Hockney exhibition...don't forget your audio guide!

BBrrrrrrr!!

Bleak mid winter prevails..although I have noticed that it is ever so slightly lighter in the morning, and this realisation brings about a small McFlurry of joy..at the prospect of lighter longer days, new shoots peeping through and maybe some more sunshine. On a deeper level it makes me think about our relationship with light, and how we are automatically drawn to light, and how we feel better in the light and so on, it is a very primal state of affairs, like our relationship with colour. We are not sure why we react to certain colours in the way in which we do..we just do. All the same, an important topic for interior designers to take on board.

Project work is continuing...although slowly, as I realise once again how long the creative stuff takes, and how disappointing it is when you have finished and it looks so amateurish. Guess this is all part of the 'creative process'. A little bit of book buying has taken place as I hope to extend my knowledge of the Bauhaus design movement which I find really interesting, and also my knowledge of some of the iconic designers such as Ray and Charles Eames and Alvar Aalto. All good inspiring stuff to curl up with (I don't have an open fire..but some tea lights almost do the trick) . Keep warm, keep dry and remember...winter spell is almost over.

  It's still cold and icy...BBrrr

The creative process..testing rendering techniques and processes 

 At my drawing board - not sure Renzo Piano needs to be too scared :)

 Design Icons..

The Bauhaus design movement..the cover of this book says it all..

Books, Colour and Reflection

Reading week this week and next, a time for college to close it's doors to lectures, for lecturers to mark interim assessments and for students to stay home and study hard. If only..I have managed to draw half a floor plan. Choosing instead to meet up with friends, take opportunities to make new contacts and to just go outdoors, walk and grab a coffee. Staying positive however, I am focusing on the few good things that have occurred and not the lack of work achieved. One of these good things was having the chance to meet up with Michiel Brouns from the company Oricalcum, (Pronounced Ori-Kal-Kum). Oricalcum is a red gold which originates from the Mayan and Inca period. Unbeknown to me they are based locally in beautiful Belvedere house looking onto the Stray. The company distributes and supplies  2 types of  paints, Emente and linseed oil paint, from Belgium and Sweden respectively. They are very clean, eco friendly and offer outstanding performance benefits compared to synthetic alternatives. The natural pigments used provide beautiful depth of colour and are suited to period property schemes, although are perfect for more contemporary projects too. Oricalcum have been involved in a wide range of awe inspiring projects including Chatsworth Estate, Tatton Park and a gorgeous venture in London at the Garden Museum.
Given I have just spent the last 4 months reading avidly about colour I found Michiel absolutely fascinating. It is always one of life's small pleasures to talk with someone who shares a passion for a subject, and is very knowledgeable and engaging! See their website for more info https://oricalcum.uk
Thank you Michiel 😀

I also had coffee with a fellow mum who has a career in design and a passion for textiles, once again this was a really uplifting conversation as we discussed career plans, contacts and where our passion for craft, design and architecture may take us.

It was with this in mind that I have decided to embark on compiling my personal details, CV etc and to start further networking. Something that stood out from the the mass of junk mail which lands on my door mat, was some marketing from moo. Moo supply business cards and stationery which are more thought provoking than the general offerings. https://www.moo.com/uk/

Oricalcum Linseed Paint colours

Emente natural paint colours

A Sunday morning walk across the Stray. 

Insider recommendations -fascinating books to buy..well it is reading week. 

Funky embossed business cards from Moo.

Happy New Year!

May it be filled with challenges overcome, a fitter, healthier you or just a place of acceptance with whom you are and what you are choosing to do. I have just counted that I have around 20 weeks left of my degree, which is both exciting and petrifying at the same time. Once my degree is complete it is time to take stock of the situation  and my position, and consider further education? employment? or heaven knows what? (Step in the Universe and some kind of divine ordering :)) Anyway, Christmas was a busy time filled with family, tradition, excess, fun, kicking back and travelling. I know January can be a challenging month, people are involved in New Year resolutions to eat better or less, get fitter, set new challenges, give up bad habits etc.. Also generally everyone has overspent. I have decided this January to:

1) Love Winter and all that it brings. Be it blue sky, frost and Robins, or wind, rain and wellies. Get wrapped up and get out...then get back in and curl up with a warm drink, a cosy jumper and some candle light or a real fire. We can't change it..so we should just go with it!

2) Be Kind to yourself. I know this is the month of resolutions but no Red Wine on Saturday night? Is this really sensible? Everything in moderation. I am still picking off chunks of my Panettone and opening a bottle of Red at the weekend.


3) Set deadlines. The end of May will soon come round. To avoid a bottle neck of stress I have laid out a time plan which I intend to stick to. Don't do my 'To Do' List..then don't get my treats! It's a good way to get the work done. Do a little something everyday, do the things you like least, first, give yourself a treat to look forward to once your tasks are done (A nice coffee, a magazine, an hour with a good book/ good film? whatever it is you fancy).

I have included a few pictures of seasonal shop windows which I mentioned in my previous post but didn't get time to upload, and also some pics from my time spent in Amsterdam, which was just fabulous. See You Soon!

Amsterdam, Dec 2016.

Enjoying a Coffee in Bar Botanique

Vintage style Barber Shop Window

Sunny view of Oosterpark from Generator Hostel

Vintage bar stools in Bar Botanique

A Beautiful boutique interior in Jordaan, using vintage cabinetry.

It sure is! 

Funky furniture in Generator  Hostel 

Ornate ironwork on staircase at Generator  Hostel

Beautiful period features in the lecture theatre and bar area

Back to school - Generator's bar in the old lecture theatre

Colourful bespoke wallpaper and Anglepoise lamps, comfy beds too! Chocolonely from the USA (gorgeus!)

Christmas Windows Dec 2016

Christmas table in the Bartlett house