Material Consequences

Moulded leather Acanthus clutch by Katherine PogsonWith London Design Festival now just six weeks away I'm already starting to bookmark some of the events I'm looking forward to.

Material Consequences, an exhibition and pop up shop to be curated and installed at Nancy Victor Gallery, is a collaboration between four designers who met at Bloomsbury creative hub Cockpit Arts, and whose work is united by a thoughtful, innovative and often playful approach to materials.

Reflecting the many techniques and processes involved in designing and making, the exhibition will represent common threads running through the practice of the different designers involved - time and effect, material considerations and consequential discoveries.

On offer will be textiles for interiors, surface design, wall art, conceptual jewellery, hats and accessories made from materials including wood, leather and wool, along with glimpses of silver, linen, silk and felt.

Aragonite scarf by Pinaki Editions

Round ebony cube necklace by Stephanie Ray

Atlas coffee table by Pinaki Editions

Windswept caps by Karen Henriksen

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Material Consequences is at the Nancy Victor Gallery during London Design Festival from 10th - 15th September.

3 ideas for a summer flower feast

Each summer I am full of good intentions of holding a garden party. This year I've had a good excuse for not getting round to it as we are currently in the middle of a garden redesign project and our garden, quite frankly isn't really up to it right now. But I'm looking forward to having friends and family over to enjoy our little outdoor living space once its all finished.

Here are three floral decorating ideas to inspire you to pretty up your outside space for a summer flower feast this month.

1. Create a garland

They aren't just for weddings and Christmas - a pretty garland will create a celebratory mood at any gathering. You can use pretty much whatever flowers and foliage you have to hand in your garden. Hydrangeas will look amazing if you are lucky enough to have a supply but, as their name suggests, they are very thirsty flowers so you'll want to keep them well watered. Spritzing the heads will help, but if you are planning to hang your garland outside in warm weather you'll need to ensure that any blooms have a water source. Using floral foam garland netting is probably the easiest way to do this.

2. Group bud vases together for a quick and easy display

A single bloom placed in a bud vase is always a quick and easy way to create a display - grouped together they have added impact. I love these magnetic vases from Serax, but if you don't have a metal surface to attach them to you could use floristry wire to fix small bud vases to a wall, tree or table leg.

3. Make edible flower ice lollies

Who could resist one of these delectable elderberry syrup ice lollies on a hot day? Made with edible flowers they are a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. The how to is here and the Flower Council of Holland have lots more ideas and inspiration if you are tempted to organise your own flower feast.

PS - I'm also dying to try this courgette flower tempura.

In collaboration with the Flower Council of Holland.

Holiday time | Packing for a beach break

As I write this we’re in the middle of a heatwave in the UK, so I’m not too upset that I have to wait until the end of September for my holiday. It was back in chilly March that I decided I wanted to go somewhere a bit further afield this year and eventually we settled on Bali.

While there’s still two months to go (yes, I’m on countdown) now’s the time to pick up holiday essentials before the autumn stock hits the shops. Here I’ve compiled my ultimate beach holiday wish list.

Above: A sunshine break is the perfect excuse to pick up a new pair of sunglasses. These oversized ruby red glasses from & Other Stories will take you from the beach to the bar in style and will also work for sunny autumnal days come October.

I love the vivid cobalt shade of this classic bikini, which proves that colourful swimwear doesn’t have to be garish. 

A bright beach towel with a playful print adds to the holiday vibe at the beach.

Throw in a stylish hat, such as this classic Panama number, some sun cream and you’re set for the day!

For me, a pair of denim shorts is the ultimate holiday staple. You can wear them during the day or dress them up in the evening. I’m a fan of Gap shorts and this raw edge denim pair caught my eye.

I would definitely team this tank top with the shorts for a laidback holiday look.

Aside from a couple of pairs of sandals I tend to be quite minimalist with holiday footwear. A classic pair of white trainers is my perfect travelling companion and I recently came across Spring Court, a French brand who has been making tennis shoes since 1936. The shoes, available from Toast, come in a variety of colourways but for me it has to be white.

I do also like to inject a bit of fun into holiday footwear and these bright pink espadrilles certainly do the trick. 

I always take a roomy bag for my hand luggage so I can pick up any last minute purchases at the airport. This gold leather bag has just the right amount of holiday feel to it but I know it’s a purchase I’ll use once I’m home.

Another carry on must-pack for long-haul flights is a soft scarf to keep you warm when the air con is cranked up.

As we will be moving around the island and getting lots of boat trips, a bulky suitcase isn’t really practical. My rucksack from my gap year is still in existence but I thought it was time to give it an upgrade. This parcel suitcase by Canadian brand Herschel is a happy medium and will last for years.

For me, holiday make up is all about glowing skin and a slick of summery lipstick once the sun has gone down. This moisturising coral lipstick from Topshop is not too bright and is perfect for sun-parched lips. My final holiday purchase is Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, which I’ve been eyeing up for years. It’s bit a bit of an indulgence but it gives your skin a lovely summer glow and smells divine.

Happy holidays!

Design Hunter loves...

...this sunny yellow inspiration board from Quill London.

I'm signing off for a few days for a summer break, but you can follow me on Instagram if you'd like to.

xx

Clockwise: Christopher Kane AW14 | ornate scissors by Hello Friend | washi tape by Maste | notebook by Lovely Pigeon | heart stickers by Knot & Bow | print by TADA

Holiday at home | 10 outdoor shower spaces

Unless you are lucky enough to own a beach house, a luxury few of us in the UK enjoy, an outdoor shower is probably not going to figure that highly on your home and garden must have wishlist. But it's summer, and we are in the grip of a rare heatwave, so you might like to dream about what your perfect holiday at home might look like. Here are some outdoor shower spaces to feast your eyes on. Couldn't you just dive under one of them right now?

Have a great weekend. x

Above: Sorrento beach house by Shareen Joel (via Share Design)

Above: Concrete outdoor shower - Rockefella Partners  

Above: Australian beach house via Share Design

Above: source unknown

Above: Charleston, South Carolina home designed by Heather A. Wilson

Above: Stone Creek camp by Andersson Wise

Above: East Village rooftop garden by Pulltab Design

Above: Corinne Vezzoni

Above: source

Above: San Giorgios, Mykonos

Postcard from... The Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland

Northumberland is somewhere I've long wanted to visit, but every time we've previously tried to arrange a trip we've struggled to find availability for good quality, reasonably priced accommodation and ultimately opted to go somewhere else instead, so I'd been eagerly looking forward to the opening of the Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland.

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Trendwatch | Tactile textures

This month's trend moodboard looks at the use of tactile textures within the bathroom. Moving beyond the modern rustic style we've seen a lot of in recent years, here things are mixed up a little with the introduction of bold tribal patterns and a darker colour palette.

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