Vintage Ads

just because old advertising can be interesting for all kinds of reasons. This was found on flickr, dates from 1960

We enjoyed one of the best week ends of the year weather wise down in the west country with friends in the forest of Dean. This great view is from Symonds Yat, reminding me that this country has some fantastic scenery. A walk in the wood and a Sunday lunch overlooking the river Wye was a welcome respite from a busy week in London

Bum Candy!

I am loving both these ideas seen on designspotter.com

Mademoiselle is a stackable chair. The structure is made in chrome and the seat - in Metacrylate with or without silkscreen.

Designer: Stefano Bigi (Italy)
Manufacturer: eXde by Cattaneo (Italy)

LED illuminated acrylic bubble with stainless steel ring and fixings. Engraved INSA artwork. White fur cushion for comfort

Designer: Rousseau x Insa

lets hear it for the boys

sometimes design can have a confused sexuality but there is no such issues with the work of ANTREPO which is unashamedly masculine even with something as feathery as a pillow. The clock is somewhat elegant too

Architecture

It seems no place is a destination these days without a landmark signature building. Bilbao has Gehry's Guggenheim museum , Paris has the Pompidou Centre. But my childhood home town of Gravesend in Kent does not boast many attractions. The burial site of Pochahuntas and the new Ebbsfleet station being the main tourist pulls!... until now that is. Plastic Architects have put the town on the cultural map and built probably the most stylish public toilets in the county if not country with this impressive new build in the Parrock Street car park.

Portraiture

Being a Spurs fan the name of this photographic duo caught my eye while strolling around my old manor Ezra Street but Hott & Tottenham Photography is a new Public Gallery and Portraiture Studio dedicated to portrait photography. Some familiar locals have already has their souls captured to make interesting viwing on the website.

http://www.hottandtottenham.com/

In their words "From fine art print sales, bespoke portraiture sessions with award wining fine art photographers Hott & Tottenham to enjoying our 18 years of knowledge, experience and dedication Hott & Tottenham is committed to offering expert advice and professional service in a welcoming environment. The Bookshop stocks a discriminating selection of photography books with an emphasis on portraiture and fine artists, including some collectable and rare editions. Come and enjoy photography and complimentary tea in our intimate studio, gallery and bookshop space furnished by the creative force behind The Trois Garcons."

DIY stripes

while away those hot summer evenings designing your own pattern with this fun, stripe generating tool at stripemania.com