Angus & Celeste – Made in Australia for Kiwis Who Love Pohutukawas

Tags

Angus & Celeste, Artisan, Arts & Crafts, Australia, Ceramics, Dandenong Ranges, Flora and Fauna, Flower, Garden, Jewellery, Melbourne, Pohutukawa, Victoria

Botanic Vases by Angus & Celeste
(Image from here)

I have a wee Angus & Celeste botanic bottle which puts a smile on my face when I look at it. I choose to think it has pohutukawa flowers on the front. The reality is that they are actually flowering gum (native to Australia, not NZ). But, it is my vase. So, they are pohutukawa flowers…

Just as the Angus & Celeste team suggests, it is perfect for a small bunch of flowers picked from my garden, especially when my pohutukawa is in bloom.*

Pohutukawa Botanic Bottle by Angus & Celeste
(Image from here)

Angus & Celeste are a design partnership from Melbourne Australia. Keir Angus MacDonald and Asha Celeste Cato met in 1997 while studying Fine Arts at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. With backgrounds in ceramics, printmaking and sculpture the designers began collaborating and by 2005 Angus & Celeste was born.

The duo are based in the lush Dandenong Ranges in hilly outer Melbourne, which is described on the Angus & Celeste website as “a fertile and picturesque area surrounded by tall gum trees, ancient tree ferns, and flower producing market gardeners. Winter engulfs the hillside in thick clouds that bring some of the best rain in Victoria. Spring is heralded in by shocks of yellow wattle and striking red Grevilleas. Wild flowers grow along the road side and rhododendrons are in full bloom. With the heat of summer there is a constant awareness of the possibility of bush fire.

The changing seasons and moods serve as constant inspiration and are reflected in many of the designs. Their creations meld art practices, traditional craft techniques and modern design principles into a unique fusion. The end result is a timeless but recognisably modern product range, with a distinctly Australian feel.”

Banksia Petit Vase by Angus & Celeste
(Image from here)

Hanging Gum Botanic Vase by Angus & Celeste
(Image from here)

Magnolia Bulb Vase by Angus & Celeste
(Image from here)

In addition to their lovely vases and bottles, Angus & Celeste also have a range of ceramic jewellery and hanging planters for your garden…

Ceramic Rings by Angus & Celeste
(Image from here)

Hanging Garden by Angus & Celeste
(Image from here)

Angus & Celeste ship all around the world. With Christmas just around the corner (I know – but, it is!) you may like to check out their website here.

*I was going to take a happy snap for you, but my camera didn’t want to oblige. Sorry.

Dog Wisdom IV

Tags

Charles M. Schulz, Charlie Brown, Dog, Dogs, Pets, Photography, Poodles, Quotes, Reflection

Bella 
(Image by TSL)

Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There’s so little hope for advancement. (Charles M. Schulz)

 

Sculpture By The Sea 2012, TSL Style

Tags

Art, Australia, Bondi, Bondi Coastal Walk, Exhibition, Photographs, Sculpture, Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney, Visual Arts

‘The Travellers Have Arrived’ by Gillie & Marc Schattner (New South Wales)
bronze paint, fibreglass
(Image by TSL)

Sculpture occupies real space like we do… you walk around it and relate to it almost as another person or another object.  (Chuck Close)

LM and I were up bright and early on Friday morning to check out the sixteenth annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition on the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. It is a spectacular example of how to successfully make art accessible to everyone and is now one of the most significant sculpture exhibitions in the world.  The fact that it is a free public event makes it even more impressive, I think.

If you ever find yourself in Sydney in late October, it is definitely something for your ‘to do’ list. Until then, here are a few happy snaps…

‘In Search of the Sea’ by Peter Tilley (New South Wales)
cast iron, corten steel
(Image by TSL)

I think this is ‘Wave Pending’ by Carlotta Brunetti (Germany)
tree branches, vines, string, wire
(Image by TSL)

‘Intercut Head Hand and Figure’ by Terry Stringer (New Zealand)
bronze, bolts
(Image by TSL)

‘Where Do The Children Play?’ by Warwick, Ben & Sam Orme (New South Wales)
100 toys, bamboo, cord
(Image by TSL)

‘Knot Standing?’ by Paul Trefry (New South Wales)
steel, aluminium
(Image by TSL)

‘Together’ by Elaine Clocherty (Western Australia)
found local natural materials
(Image by TSL)

View’ by Dave Mercer (New South Wales)
powder coated stainless steel, acrylic
(Image by TSL)

‘Transition’ by Greer Taylor (New South Wales)
plastic, powder coated steel
(Image by TSL)

‘The Optimist’ by Stephen Marr (New South Wales)
styrene, epoxy resin, gesso, oil print, urethane glaze, polymer
with Cave Urban’s wind-driven installation ‘Mengenang’ (Memories) behind
(Image by TSL)

‘Came Back’ by Hiroaki Nakayama (Japan)
black granite
(Image by TSL)

‘Invasive Colonisation’ by Alex Goad (Victoria)
fine white earthenware clay, glaze, wire, stainless steel cord
(Image by TSL)

B.O.B. – Best of Britannia, with lashings of ginger-beer…

Tags

Age of Reason, Alex Moulton, Arts and Crafts, Clerkenwell, England, Farmiloe Building, Field Candy, London, Moulton Bicycles, Rudyard Kipling, Sadlers Keepsakes, St John Street, Tusting, UK Manufacturing, Wallace Sewell

When you’ve shouted `Rule Britannia’, when you’ve sung `God save the Queen’, / When you’ve finished killing Kruger with your mouth. (Rudyard Kipling)

Only companies that support UK manufacturing are selected to show at the B.O.B. (Best of Britannia) event and all products on show have been made in Britain. Exhibitors range from the long-established heritage brands to more recent start-ups; all of them have one thing in common – they believe in supporting the manufacturing skills that still exist in the UK.

We were lucky enough to be in London while the 2012 B.O.B. was held, so we popped along to see what the fuss was about…

The exhibition was held in the seriously cool Farmiloe Building, a Clerkenwell landmark that was once home to George Farmiloe & Sons merchants, and central to London’s heritage of trade and commerce. Of the finest Victorian architecture, completed in 1868 by Browne & Robinson, the Farmiloe building features an Italianate palazzo-style frontage, executed in Portland stone and polished Aberdeen granite inside. Victorian warehouse floors – built as the strongest in London – extend from a spectacular glazed atrium revealing distinctive interiors, typified by exposed wrought-iron beams, aged paintwork, panelled offices, hoists and safes. It is gorgeous.

The Farmiloe Building
(Image from here)

This was one of my highlights of our time in London. Meeting the artisans at their stalls and talking to them about their products is just about one of my favourite things to do. Here are some of the stand outs for me…

Animal Farm Tent by Field Candy
Limited Edition of 295
(Image from here)

Field Candy exists to inject colour, creativity and fun into the camping space by offering a range of totally unexpected designs. They aim to delight their customers and excite anyone who sees our products. I reckon they succeeded with me!

www.fieldcandy.com

Mackintosh the Bear from Sadlers Keepsakes
(Image from here)

Sadlers Keepsakes was established in 2011 by mother and daughter team Sue and Niki. Together they have combined their creative skills, along with an eye for detail and a love of vintage fabrics to design and make a range of unique teddy bears, collectables and brooches.  Their main focus is on producing fantastic quality, hand-made, bespoke  items, all which can be kept as personal keepsakes for many years to come.

Mackintosh was a cushion cover and the stuffing from the cushion itself. He is a cheeky little character.

www.sadlerskeepsakes.co.uk

God Save the Queen Pocket Square Scarves by Age of Reason
(Image from here)

The team at Age of Reason believe that scarves should never be boring. Every fine silk scarf they make combines a playful design with ultimate luxury, beauty and elegance. Striking colour combinations bring to life irreverent prints and make their slightly warped and twisted imagery refreshingly wearable.

And, the Age of Reason website is very cool…

www.age-of-reason-studios.com

Harrold Wymington Briefcase in Deep Green Polished Calf Leather by Tusting
(Image from here)

Tusting is a family firm based in the heart of the English countryside, with its roots deep in the English leather and shoe trade. The fifth generation of the family is now at the helm, following a long line of Tustings who have been tanning, grading and trading the world’s finest leathers for over 130 years. Their current workshop lies close to the original tannery founded in 1875 by their great, great, grandfather and is home to the latest new generation of highly skilled craftsmen.

www.tusting.co.uk

Double Pylon by Moulton
(Image from here)

Dr Alex Moulton pioneered the small wheeled bicycle revolution nearly 50 years ago. All of today’s small wheeled cycles owe a debt of gratitude to the original Moulton ‘F’ frame design which not only introduced and proved the concept of full-size bicycles with small wheels, but also, right from launch in 1962, have utilised front and rear suspension systems for improved comfort and performance. The Moulton bicycle has been developed and refined constantly ever since and is held in high regard throughout the world.

So much so, that LM came extremely close to buying one…

www.moultonbicycles.co.uk

Scarves by Wallace Sewell
(Image from here)

Wallace Sewell is a highly individual woven textile design studio, established by Harriet Wallace-Jones and Emma Sewell, after graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1990. The studio’s motivation is to design innovative woven fabrics exploiting industrial techniques, the collaboration thriving on a vibrant exchange of ideas from the dual perspectives of creating textiles for fashion and furnishings.

The studio works closely with a mill in Lancashire which weaves the larger pieces and batch production. The studio also works closely with a finishers in Huddersfield – W.T. Johnson & Sons – who draw their water from their own bore hole in pursuit of the softest and purest water, perfect for textile finishing.

www.wallacesewell.com

The Farmiloe building is located in London, EC1M at the Smithfield end of St John Street, next to the famous St John restaurant and a two-minute walk from Farringdon station.

New Dates are yet to be announced for Best of Britannia 2013.

So much more than a rat with a cuter outfit, S.J.P…

Tags

animals, Australia, London, New Zealand, Outdoors, Recreation, Sarah Jessica Parker, Squirrel, Travel

A squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit! (Sarah Jessica Parker)

We don’t have squirrels here in Australia. Nor did we have them in New Zealand. The animal that comes closest, for me, is the possum. Australia protects possums. I have no idea why – perhaps because they are native to here. In New Zealand, they are considered vermin. Some enterprising Kiwis make hats and gloves out of their fur. It’s very snuggly.

My first encounter with squirrels was as a teenager. My family had travelled to Frankfurt for a white Christmas with my German Grandmother. My wonderful Omi would feed the birds and the squirrels in feeders outside the large picture window in front of her garden. The squirrels would appear from the eaves and shamelessly watch us from the safety of the other side of the glass. They fascinated me. I spent ages looking out for them. I have had a soft spot for them ever since.

O sweet September, they first breezes bring dry leaf’s rustle and the squirrel’s laughter, the cool fresh air whence health and vigour spring and promise of exceeding joy hereafter. (George Arnold)

I suspect Londoners laugh at tourists taking happy snaps of the squirrels while wandering through Hyde Park, but that didn’t matter to me as LM and I encountered this little guy during one of walks…

Hyde Park Squirrel – take I
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take II
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take III
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take IV
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take V
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take VI
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take VII
(Image by TSL)

Good Bye Mr Squirrel…
(Image by TSL)

 

Squint – the Willy Wonka of Furniture!

Tags

Bespoke, British Design, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Colour, Furniture, Furniture Design, Interior design, London, Patchwork, Roald Dahl, Squint Limited, Textiles, Willy Wonka

Good morning, starshine… the earth says hello! (Willy Wonka)

Since I brought up the ever so fabulous Abigail Ahern and her funky Atelier yesterday, it seems only fair that today you get a few happy snaps from our visit to Squint Limited.

I wrote about the eclectic and quirky world of Squint Limited back in February (here, if you’re interested). It has been a small dream of mine to go and visit ever since I discovered Lisa Whatmough’s colourful world of textile-centric home-wares.

For me, it was like visiting the Willy Wonka factory of bespoke furniture and I was just like Charlie with his golden ticket. The joy of all that colour is so infectious – the hardest part is working out which piece is your favourite. Especially when LM suggested I should pick something out for my birthday!!! Definitely a golden ticket day for this girl!

Squint Limited – Bedside Side Table & matching Stag Lamp
Two-tone cobalt blue velvet
(Image by TSL)

Squint Limited – Marble Lamp & Bespoke Lampshade
Hand made in the UK using a dry marble process and part of the new lighting collection. I know not what he is called, but he weighs a tonne!
(Image by TSL)

Squint Limited – Mirror & Wallpaper
I think this may be the Carved Crown Mirror (but then again, maybe not), beside some of the recently launched Squint Limited ‘Flowers’ Wallpaper
(Image by TSL)

Squint Limited – the Chesterfield
How gorgeous is this sofa?
(Image by TSL)

Squint Limited – Table & Desk Lamps
I fell in love with these two-tone velvet covered pieces
(Image by TSL)

Squint Limited – Mirror, Chest of Drawers, Two Lamps AND another Mirror!
THAT rusty orange two-tone velvet…. sigh
(Image by TSL)

Squint Limited – The Curved Sofa & Alphabet Cushions
Not all Squint furniture is a riot of colour,. This sofa sets off the Alphabet Cushions beautifully…
(Image by TSL)

Which one is your favourite?

The very lovely Catherine took great care of me as I tried to make a decision on just which piece I should choose – and, then just to confuse me even further, there was the process of choosing fabrics. I had to go away for a day to think about it! I’ll take some happy snaps when my birthday present arrives.

Squint Limited can be found online, but it really is not the same. Go and visit if you are in London – Squint Limited Shoreditch, 178 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6HU or Squint Limited South Kensington, 1 North Terrace, London SW3 2BA (Just around the corner from the V & A).

Abigail Ahern is the business…

Tags

Abigail, Abigail Ahern, Boris, Design, Dogs, food, Islington, Lighting, London, Ottolenghi, Travel, vegetarian, Yotam Ottolenghi

Way back in March, I wrote about the fabulous Abigail Ahern bulldog lamps (read about it here) that I so coveted…

Abigail Ahern
(Image from here)

Famed for her edgy, eclectic taste, Abigail runs her super funky North London design school & boutique, Atelier Abigail Ahern, in between blogging and creating amazing spaces. She is a total design ‘it’ girl, and funny and warm to boot. I was lucky enough to attend one of her recent Design School sessions in Sydney and it was fab’ (but that’s another story).

Anyhoo, as you can imagine, I was most excited to have the opportunity to visit Atelier Abigail Ahern in Islington while I was in London. So, under the guise of a dining experience at Ottolenghi (conveniently located just across the road), LM trooped out to Upper Street for a wee look-see at Abigail’s flagship with me…

I was not disappointed. However, I did not walk away with one of the bulldog lamps. No, I did not. Rather, after falling madly in love, I am soon to be in possession of a most gorgeous Mungo Bulldog Lamp. I have named him ‘Boris’ – in honour of our recent trip to London.

Mungo Bulldog Lamp from Atelier Abigail Ahern
(Image by TSL)

I gotta’ say – the lovely Ainsley and her pooch, Bailey looked after us so well. ‘Boris’ is being shipped to us here in Sydney, along with a couple of other wee treasures. AND, when Ainsley heard we had some time to kill before our dinner, she sent us off to ‘The Bar With No Name‘ at 69 Colebrook Row for a wee beverage. If you are ever in the area, take it from me, it’s well worth a small detour…

AND, Ottolenghi was everything I had hoped to experience and more. I have long been a fan of Yotam Ottolenghi’s food since acquiring his vegetarian cookbook, Plenty. It is sublime (and I am no vegetarian). If you are not already a convert, I encourage you to check it out.

I leave you with a wee shot of Bailey on the couch at Atelier Abigail Ahern…

Bailey
(Image by TSL)

Atelier Abigail Ahern can be found at 137 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1QP. Ottolenghi can be found at 287 Upper Street, London, N1 2TZ.

TSL est de retour de vacances!

Tags

Big Ben, Borough Market, England, Holidays, James Weldon Johnson, London, Rodney Dangerfield, Sydney, Travel

I thought of Paris as a beauty spot on the face of the earth, and of London as a big freckle. (James Weldon Johnson)

Hello to all you loyal TSL readers who have hung in there during my hiatus from blog-world! Thanks for sticking around and I do hope you are all well! I’m looking forward to catching up…

LM and I have returned from the northern hemisphere. As one might expect, we over indulged and had four weeks of excess. It was wonderful!

Back to reality in Sydney, and also the start of summer (Mango season has started – yay!) We tootled off to the farmers market yesterday. Great to be back but perhaps not quite as extensive as Borough Market in London…

Borough Market
We’re not in Redfern now, Kylie…
(Image by TSL)

Borough Market
Enough to tempt even the most stoic of those attempting a dairy-free existence…
(Image by TSL)

Borough Market
One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish…
(Images by TSL)

Borough Market
A rainbow of offerings…
(Image by TSL)

Borough Market
I’ve never seen this in Sydney…
(Image by TSL)

Borough Market
Anybody for pork pie?
(Image by TSL)

Borough Market
It’s enough to make even the most anti of mushroom eaters reconsider…
(Image by TSL)

Borough Market
Care for some truffles with your mushrooms…?
(Image by TSL)

Borough Market
Or, perhaps you’d like to select your jamon of choice…?
(Image by TSL)

Borough Market
Cheerio, Borough Market…
(Image by TSL)

My cousins gay, he went to London only to find out that Big Ben was a clock. (Rodney Dangerfield)*

*No reason for the quote. Just tickled my fancy, although I do have a gay cousin! Pretty sure he already knows Big Ben is a clock…