“Black has always been my favourite colour – or absence of colour,” says Stephen Crafti. The Melbourne based journalist and author of the newly published book Designing with Black describes himself as having always been drawn to black houses, irrespective of the materials they are constructed from – whether they are zinc, timber or simply painted.
Design Hunter is proud to be an official media partner for the May Design Series, a new three day event in the London design calendar taking place at Excel from 19-21 May. With the event now only four weeks away here’s a round up of some of the exhibitors and speakers we are most looking forward to seeing.
After starting out as a six-month temporal destination last summer, San Giorgio Mykonos will reopen in May for its second season. A collaboration between Design Hotels and Thomas Heyne and Mario Hertel (the creative minds behind Mykonos’ infamous Paradise Club), the hotel is a laid back and off radar retreat, designed to be a haven for free spirited and like minded creative individuals. Staying there has been described as like visiting the summer home of your coolest friend.
Dreaming of an Easter getaway? I know I am. When I saw these pictures of Jo Robinson’s visit to Areias do Seixo in Portugal it’s fair to say I was more than a little envious. Jo is an East London designer and creator of HAM – a range of delightfully fun cards, prints and homewares. Maybe you’ve already come across her diving bunnies and partying pigs? They put a big smile on my face.
Design Hunter asked Jo to share her impressions of this charming destination…
by Graham Powell
Gas… Hiss! Electricity… Zap! Water… Sploosh!
Ahh water… the utility that we really value.
Not some silent service that simply turns on the heat or flicks on the power for a myriad of consumer appliances or gadgets. Oh no.
Consider, for a moment the difference in points of delivery; valve? socket? or tap? and the experiential difference between the three; ugly? boring? or expressive? Water commands our respect and so design delivers our expectations.
After featuring Nina Holst’s lovely home last week I promised a glimpse behind the scenes at my own workspace, so this weekend, after giving the place a quick tidy up, I finally got round to taking a few photos.
Dutch tapestry artist Claudy Jongstra has created these painterly wool art installations for Wool House (at Somerset House until 24 March).
The New Craftsmen have curated a selection of products highlighting the makers, materials and skills of the British Isles.
I’m finding myself drawn to black and white a lot lately. I think it’s partly the influence of all the monochrome fashion on the high street this season, but it also stems from a yearning for simplicity.
After last year’s London Design Festival Julie Lasky memorably wrote in the New York Times:
“Apologies to Milan and Tokyo. Regrets to Stockholm and Paris. Forgive me, Eindhoven, Berlin, Barcelona and, most particularly, New York. But London is the design capital of the world.”
This May sees the addition of some exciting new dates to the London design calendar, further increasing the city’s offering. The May Design Series, which will take place at Excel from 19-21 May, brings together the already established shows kbb LDN and The Arc Show with two brand new events – Interiors LDN and DX. I’m delighted to announce that Design Hunter is a media partner for these events.