The Curious Eye

Illustrated book of the week "Tumbling Old Women"

2012-01-19T14:18:00.000Z

This little gem of a book was a gift from dear friends, Sue, Matt, Molly and Thomas.

Not much to say about the text, it was written by early soviet era Russian, surrealist absurdist writer and poet, Daniil Kharms.

Joanna Neborsky can be found through her website

GOUDEMALION

2012-01-14T18:54:00.000Z

Yes another trip down memory lane. This time a treat from the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. A sumptuous retrospective of the work of Jean Paul Goude. Famous world wide for his colaboration with (some would say, creation of) Grace Jones.

Above is Goudes spectacular post modernist maternity dress for Jones.

The steam locamotive that fills the main hall of the exhibition was a 'prop' that lead Goudes parade for the 200 year celebration of the french revolution. It looked amazingly real but is actually made from wood.

An automated head of Grace Jones that spirals as the mouth opens as if screaming.

Goude pionered a technique where he cut up slides to exagerate his subjects forms and expressions.

Here Jones' body is elongated and contorted into a physiclly impossible possition, for the cover of her 1985 album 'Island Life"

A costume from the 1989 Bastille day parade .

Page from Goudes' sketchbook.

These machnical dresses also glided down the Champs Elysees for the same celebration.

The show goes continues till 18th March so if you're in Paris it's well worth the detour.

Methods of Dance (a small collection of 80's electro vinyl)

2011-12-14T15:48:00.000Z

I was having a bit of a clear out a few days ago when I came across a large hefty envelope, further investigation revealed a collection of early 80's electro albums and 12 inches.

Yes this seems to be all that remains of my vast collection, the rest of which has just disappeared. The selection is pretty eclectic and obscure but would almost certainly be considered gold dust to any number of my Dalston hipster neighbours.

I thought I would share the art work . If you want to check out any of the tracks most of them can be dug up on youtube. The album above is a compilation including the likes of B.E.F, Devo, Heaven 17, Japan and Magazine. The back cover features a long and wordy sleeve note from Paul Morley.

Technodelic the 1981 album by Japanese hipsters Yellow Magic Orchestra.

'Looking for St Tropez' by the obscure belgian trio Telex.

This is so obscure I can't even remember anything about it . I think I probably only bought it for the cover, which used the incredibly desirable and oh so unobtainable for me at the time, Sony Walkman. (back cover below)

Riuichi Sakamoto previously member of YMO , then became famous for the music of the David Bowie film 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence'

Sparks a 12 inch from their fabulous 1979 'album no.1 in Heaven'

this is actually made from yelow vinyl (see below)

and now for the rather large collection of Visage ephemera, here their 2nd album cover photographed by Helmut Newton dressed by Anthony Price and 'presentation' by Peter Saville. (below inside cover)

12 inch 'Mind of a Toy' (back cover below)

12 inch 'The Damned don't Cry' again Hemut Newton photography and Peter Saville design.

Tombées du Camion - Paris

2011-12-01T15:24:00.001Z

I discovered this cute little boutique whilst visiting Paris at the end of the summer. It is tucked away in one of those wonderful arcades known in France as Passages (of course must be pronounced with thick French accent) One often comes on them completely by accident when wandering the Sentier area, where traditionally all the rag traders are based. This one is grandly called the 'Passage des Panoramas' and contains a selection of inviting french bistros old jewellery shops, and and odd selection of dealers in themes varying from art to military mementos.

This little gem of a store specialises in job lots of flea market ephemera, the kind of thing we would call dead-stock, and evidently the owners manage to source plenty of these small treasures as they have 3 shops in Paris, one of which can be found in that mecca of all flea markets the 'Marché de Puces de Clignancourt'

I found the displays especially pleasing like 3d collages creating repetitive patterns that would easily translate into superb textile designs. The name of this shop literally translates as 'Off the back of a lorry' I'm not sure if the meaning translates in the same way, but this is surely in one way or another 'Hot' merchandise !

Why not make a trip to visit them when you're next in Paris .

Tombées du Camion

Shiver Me Timbers !

2011-11-27T15:29:00.001Z

Earlier this year The Curious Eye paid a visit to Conrwall , we stayed with our dear friends the Johnstone-Clarkes' (see last year post on their fabulous house) Being fellow junk enthusiasts the trip included some visits of second hand and junk shops, but nothing prepared us for this gem, as Sue nonchalantley proposed a visit to some crazy place a little futher up the coast. The day was as can only be expected from an early summers one in the UK, rather grimm with a chilly breeze and the wet mizzle that seems to personify Cornwall was blowing in from the sea. After a few wrong turns and and rather fruitless visit to a midweek car boot sale we drew up out side 'Shiver Me Timbers' . Well fellow enthusiasts you can see why we hesitated and procastinated before posting this treasure, the simple fact is we weren't sure we wanted to share it. It is however a long drive from the grimey streets of London so if you're prepared to hit the road you're welcome to visit.

The whole place has a rather bizarre atmosphere, a mix of the usual architectural salvedge like old fire places, banister rails and the suchlike, then a selection of oddities that look like they come from stage or film sets, and even stranger some constructions seem to suggest at one point the place was a kind of home made pirate theme park !

This hoard of pirated treasures can be located at Long Rock , just a stones throw down the coast from Penzance.

And Stret-c-h

2011-10-29T12:00:00.000+01:00

Some domestic problems are hard to solve. How often have you wondered how to get those pesky Chateau Lafite stains out of your white cashmere carpet? Or the most efficient way to clean your priceless antique crystal chandelier?

Most common of all - how do you stop your freshly laundered doilies from shrinking and losing their shape?

Reader - we have a solution.

Simply purchase a vintage Pinabord Doily Stretcher and misshapen doilies will be a thing of the past. Place your doily on the board, use the highly mathematical grid to pin it into the correct shape , spray on some starch, et voila!

(NB. Strictly for domestic doily use only. Antimacassar stretching should only be attempted by qualified professionals.)

The Knitterati

2011-10-22T14:11:00.001+01:00

We at The Curious Eye have always considered ourselves above discussing celebrities to boost our exposure. However in this case we feel we must make an exception.

After all, how are we supposed to resist this?

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you - it's a knitted Bette Davis as "Baby Jane" doll. You have to admit, the resemblance is uncanny.

Baby Jane is not alone, she is part of a cache of fabulous celebrity knitted dolls from the 60s and 70s found by our dear friend Sean Barnett (and currently for sale at his stall at Ezra St Market, just off Columbia Rd).

Here we see Frank and Peggy Spencer, the ballroom superstars of their era.

Max Miller, The Cheeky Chappie (poised to offend with his 'blue book' of jokes).

And the other Max - Max Wall, looking very dapper.

This lady has caused some debate, is it Hermione Gingold? Danny La Rue?

No. After a lot of research, I've come to the conclusion that it's Phyllis Diller.

(If it isn't the resemblance is uncanny)

Last but not least - everyone's favorite musical genius (and comedy straight man) Mr André Previn.

Which gives me the perfect excuse for us all the enjoy this...

The best part of this whole thing is that Sean not only has the dolls - he has the pattern books for them too - the creator of these little gems (the aptly named Dolly Robertson) actually wrote down how she came up with her designs, presumably so that future generations could knit obscure characters from the 70's too. So if you ever feel the urge to knit yourself a miniature Molly Sugden, or a tiny Windsor Davies, or even a Pam Ayres of your very own - now's your chance.

For the patriotic amongst you - here's a sneak peak of how to create a scale model of everyone's favorite heir to the throne.

Time to get the knitting needles out!

The dolls (and other delightful goodies) are available at Seans stall, every Sunday on Ezra St, E2.

How curious eye is this ?

2011-10-03T22:25:00.001+01:00

Lille installations

2011-09-18T10:32:00.000+01:00

Some of the displays I saw wandering around the Lille flea market were like unintentional art installations. Here are some of my favorites.

Lille Accumulations

2011-09-17T21:04:00.000+01:00

Well it has to be said Lille was a bit of a washout ! after a huge storm on Saturday night I arrived on the train from Paris to a sodden rainy flea market on Sunday morning. Despite not making a single purchase, I did manage to take some nice photos. In this first post proof to the notion that you can't beat a nice collection of something to make a top display.

Lille next weekend

2011-08-26T10:38:00.002+01:00

Next weekend is the grande braderie de Lille , I'm going to be in Paris so I'll be heading up by train, it's only and hour away, also about and hour from London by Eurostar. Ever since last year I have been dreaming about this work bench I saw there ! it would have been perfect for my new kitchen. Even if by some weird stroke of luck I find it again this year I still wont be able to take it home on the train !

Illustrated Book Of The Week : Shop America

2011-08-24T14:45:00.002+01:00

If you put all my favorite things into a pot, stirred them up and made them into a book. You might well get this.

Shops! America!! Mid Century Design!!! Who could ask for anything more?

Shop America is a large format collection of 'style suggestions' for shop design from the Thirties and Forties. Idealised images of dream stores from one of the most romantic eras of design in the Twentieth Century.

Everything from sporting good shops and pharmacies

to cosmetic stores and opticians

The use of colour is particularly inspiring - just look at the tones suggested for a supermarket (Much as I love Waitrose, this is far more alluring, isn't it?)

And the illustrations are incredibly stylish - even the sweetshops have a hint of 30's pulp fiction..

Others are straight out of classic film noir. I could swear that this woman is about to pull a revolver out of her purse and shoot the other chick dead. I've watched enough Joan Crawford films to know, eyebrows like that can only mean one thing...

...Trouble.

Shop America: Mid-Century Storefront Design, 1938-1950 Edited by Jim Heimann, with an essay by Steven Heller is available from Taschen Books

Stijl-ish

2011-08-17T13:40:00.002+01:00

It's amazing how really inspiring exhibitions just keep on, well, inspiring.

It's been nearly eighteen months since I saw the van Doesburg exhibition at the Tate Modern (I've already written about it here) - but I'm still feeling the after effects today. A couple of new acquisitions have brought it back to mind.

Like this.

Which really makes me think about some of the less well known artists that were shown. I'd never heard of Ilya Bolotowsky before, but his use of colour is very exciting. Paintings like this one take the classic forms of 'De Stijl', but elevate them with a very sensual ,stimulating palette

This blanket has an equally compelling colour range. Lilac, yellow and two tones of brown? Very unusual. The man I bought it from claimed it was Scandinavian, but I think it's probably a classic American camp blanket. Wherever it's from, it's a beauty.

Then there's this little darling.

Which totally reminds me of some of van Doesburgs archectural projects, like his design for the cinema and dance hall at, L'Aubette in Strasbourg.

It's actually a card table that has had lino inset into it. I've never been much of a fan of lino - as it has too many bad connotations of damp loos and shabby kitchens circa 1974 - but I may have to rethink that. The work on this table makes me want to start creating 30's inspiring patchwork lino floors in my bathroom, cubist lino-covered furniture, linoleum light fittings...

Stop! I'm getting carried away. I need to calm down and have a cup of tea.

I'm not sure that van Doesburg would approve of that pompom though...

Madame Grès : Couture as Sculpture

2011-08-14T16:11:00.007+01:00

Last weekend The Curious Eye made a little pilgrimage to the wonderful Madame Grès exhibition in Paris. This elegant artful mid century couturier has been overshadowed by many of her contemporaries, but this exhibition has launched her amazing creations back into the fashion headlines. Mounted in the museum which houses the sculptures of Antoine Bourdelle, the choice of venue takes an already stunning collection of dresses to the next dimension .

Hurry if you want to catch this delightful show. It has been extended till the end of August.
Musee Bourdelle

A Malarky on Redchurch Street

2011-08-10T15:23:00.004+01:00

A Sunday stroll in the east end now obliges a swagger down Redchurch Street, especially when, as was the case a few weeks ago this provides an opportunity to dip into the last days of the sales. Although there was not much remaining a few super-discounted items were purchased, but far more exciting was the discovery of this sumptuous piece of wall are signed Malarky .

Malarks' blog

Bloglefields

2011-08-05T21:55:00.004+01:00

As devoted readers of this blog will know, if there's one place in London that regularly inspires us at The Curious Eye, it's Spitalfield's Antique Market. For a unique mixture of eccentric junk, unlikely treasures and interesting characters, it just can't be beat.

Are you one of those unfortunate people who cannot make it to the market every week- perhaps through misplaced priorities (work commitments, demanding small children, lack of geographic proximity, etc)?

If so - do not fear. All is not lost. The magic of the internet can provide you with a soupcon of the Spitalfields experience - as an increasing number of the traders at the market have their own blogs.

'Little' Jo Waterhouse is an excellent example. An unashamed lover of decorative junk of the finest sort (and sometimes of the crudest sort), her blog celebrates her fancies in a thoroughly charming and engaging way. From strange festivals in sheds to peculiar characters she comes across - "Toot as in Foot" chronicles them all. We particularly enjoyed seeing her extensive collection of Constance Spry style vases, and were rather jealous of them.

Jo also gets full marks for living on a narrowboat while sporting the surname 'Waterhouse'. Well played, young lady.

Another envy inducing blog comes from the ever excellent David White - whose business 'Ragtop Vintage', is probably the best place in London to source antique American menswear. His blog of the same name is full of inspiring pictures of people looking cooler than you ever will, wearing clothes you can only dream of. Interspersed with this celebration of American style are some great shots of Dave's star finds. A very hard blog to look at without wanting to throw all your existing clothes away and wear only classic US workwear from now on.

If the allure of 1950's Americana is not your thing - perhaps we can interest you in a more idyllic, throughly British lifestyle? If you buy something from Andrews of Arcadia, you're not just buying some vintage fishing gear, you're buying a quiet morning by a dawn lit river or a calm moment of contemplation deep in our great countryside. The blog itself reflects everything that is good and proper in this nation of ours. Makes us want to eat a Ploughman's lunch just looking at it.

Barry 7 - (No relation to Joe 90, apparently) - is a scholar and a gentleman, who manages to find objects that are interesting, confusing, bemusing - or ideally all three. His tumblr feed, "Seven's Yard" shows a good selection of the strange and wonderful things he regularly comes across.

And finally - talking about strange and wonderful - our dear friend Stephen Sorrell indulges his absurdist streak on a regular basis as the founder,publisher, editor, copywriter, cub photographer and tea lady of "The Bognor Bugle". A man of excellent taste, profound knowledge, good character and great wisdom, Steve displays absolutely none of these qualities on his blog, which takes whimsy to a whole new level. Recommended for when you just want to read something really silly (and see the odd bit of fabulous junk, when he pulls himself together).

Spitalfields Antiques Market runs every Thursday from 10am - 4pm

Monastic Fantastic

2011-08-02T12:12:00.003+01:00

The other day, a good friend of mine described some of my recent purchases as 'monastic' - and I was delighted. As every good modernist knows, if form follows function, then monks are probably the most modern thinkers in the world. These guys make the Shakers look like they're overdoing it a little. If it weren't for those ridiculous haircuts, they would be the last word in chic.

Minimalism is something of a dirty word right now - a throwback to the Nineties when it suddenly seemed like a great idea to live in a grey concrete box, with just a futon mattress and a single perfect feather suspended from the ceiling as decoration.

Still, there's still something very appealing about a spartan aesthetic, and a simple white vessel never loses it's poetic charm. I'm not going to start writing a haiku any time soon, but I'm sure you know what I mean.

This enamel coffee cup is a great example. Simple design, elegant use of material and perfect proportions.

As is this cutlery drainer. A little more soulful than something plastic from Ikea.

And the ceramic bowl at the top of this post? Well, if it seems a little sparse for your liking - a few nectarines take it from Norman Monastery, to Provencal Farmhouse in no time at all.

A Clean Sweep

2011-07-12T14:38:00.003+01:00

I have friends who claim that they love to clean. They talk about the 'meditative quality' of washing dishes and the 'profound satisfaction' that they gain while thoroughly scouring the inside of their ovens.

I am not one of those people

If it's up to me, I'll take the meditative quality of watching something lowbrow on television, and the profound satisfaction of a large roast dinner. Cleaning, for me, is a necessary evil.

However, it must be done. So, In an attempt to build up my enthusiasm, my solution is to make it as aesthetically pleasing a task as possible. If I need to sweep up rubbish then I'd prefer to do it with a beautiful vintage brush, with a classic maroon/cream colourway. If I have to dust the shelves, then at least I can enjoy the look of my classic ostrich feather duster while I'm doing it.

Now if only I could find a way to make doing my tax return a more beautiful experience...

Garden Nets

2011-07-07T14:58:00.003+01:00

My Mum always says you can judge the quality of a restaurant on the cleanliness of it's curtains, judging on the condition of these I would eat at this gardeners table any day. I spotted them on a visit to some open gardens in Hampshire a few weekends ago. These folks had the thrifty idea to use their old net curtains to protect their fruit bushes from greedy birds, I think they were blissfully unaware of the art installation they had created .

Between Art and Functionality : Corso Como

2011-04-27T08:56:00.004+01:00

I was charmed by this collaged wall in the exhibit of Kris Rhus' work at the Galleria Carla Sozzani, situated as part of her famous shop 10 Corso Como. It displays working sketches along with black and white photos of the work in progress.

Galleria Carla Sozzani

Aspesi Window

2011-04-22T12:52:00.005+01:00

This cardboard Milanese street scene graced the window of the Aspesi Clothing store in the world famous Via Montenapoleone, It is wonderfully naive and hand made and I wish I had made it myself !

Pallet Masks

2011-04-17T18:36:00.004+01:00

These charming masks were exhibited at Promise Design , an exhibition of over 40 Israeli designer in the Ventura Lambrate area. They are made from bits and pieces of of packaging pallets, and are created by Yaacov Kaufman.

www.yaacovkaufman.com

Flip Flop Story

2011-04-15T11:49:00.003+01:00

This is the first of a few posts on the exciting things I've seen this week at the Milan furniture Fair, all loosely based around craft and hand made.

This project by Diederick Schneemann of Studio Schneemann, presents designs made from from recycled Flip Flops, they have been washed up on the shores of Eastern Africa, many drifting in on currents from the far east, Diederick has them shipped over to his studio in Rotterdam where he sands, them cuts them into squared pieces and glues them together to create these bold patchwork designs

www.studioschneemann.com

Emma Newton - True Romance

2011-04-11T13:04:00.004+01:00

Spitalfields never ceases to impress us, here at the Curious Eye.

Our latest romance is with the delightful stall of Emma Newton - and 'romance' is the key word here. There is a delicacy and femininity in Emma's offerings that is extremely romantic. Not in a soppy way - there is nothing cloying or naff about Emma's taste. It's just that her wares are always so simple, beautiful and well chosen, that you get the feeling that she finds everything she sells at dawn on a sunlit beach, as she steps out of her driftwood shack, wearing a muslin shift.

We haven't asked her if that's true, but we are almost sure that it is...

Emma's stall can be found every Thursday at Spitalfields Antiques Market.

Illustrated book of the Week : Le Vodou un art de vivre

2011-03-11T13:35:00.000Z

I discovered this amazing catalogue at a brocante in Paris. It comes from a swiss exhibition of Haitian voodoo objects, the pieces are arresting, alarming, intriguing, and full of dark creativity.

Wall Art

2011-03-07T10:38:00.002Z

I spotted this fabulous colour combination in the entrance of a closed theatre on Charing Cross road, unfortunately is was too firmly stuck to the wall otherwise it would be over the mantle piece in my sitting room by now.

A Pendleton Rub Down

2011-02-07T20:14:00.003Z

Here at the Curious Eye we have long been fans of vintage Pendleton shirts, many of which we've purchased from Dave of Ragtop, but it was at Maison et Object that I discovered that the Pendleton Blanket came first. In fact, Pendleton started out weaving blankets for Native Americans and 'The Beach Boys' were originally called 'The Pendletones' . Pendleton have become aware of their popularity with 'style afficionados' and are now launching their homewares on the European market. We love these towels that are copies of traditional blanket designs.
Pendleton homeware

Down on Jollity Farm...

2011-02-01T23:13:00.004Z

Our South coast Correspondent writes...

"A recent find at my local carboot were these delighful 1950s lead painted figures by Britains Ltd. To some they might look like a load of chipped old toys only fit for the bin, but to me and my hopeless romantic imagination they conjure up all sorts of things....

Rural England between the wars (Kent or maybe Suffolk?), the poetry of Betjeman, the early films of Powell and Pressburger (A Canterbury Tale perhaps?) and the artwork of Ravillious and Bawden.

I also wonder how todays younger generation would react if these were in their Christmas stocking, or given as a birthday gift instead of the latest games console or smart phone. I think we already know the answer to that!"

Words and images by 'The Pride of Bognor' - S & E Sorrell.

A Perfectly Kept House Is The Sign Of A Misspent Life

2011-02-01T18:17:00.002Z

Today we relaunch our lapsed section ' illustrated book of the week' prompted by the discovery of this exciting tome yesterday, in the Regents street branch of Anthropologie, they alway seem to have a small selection of books that you cannot find elsewhere. This is certainly one after our own hearts. The sub-title is ' How to live creatively with collections, clutter, work, kids, pets,art etc.... and stop worrying about everything being perfectly in it's place.' Author Mary Randolph Carters' only serious omission is not to have included our own curiously cluttered spaces!

Mary Randolph Carter

Enigmatic Masks

2011-01-25T15:28:00.003Z

I was on my biannual to Paris' Maison et Object trade fair, and as happens quite frequently some of the most inspiring things I saw were outside the enormous halls of the exhibition space, on the northern outskirts of the city. Like these expressively beautiful 18th century Correan Masks at the spectacular Musee Guimet . The museum houses the national collection of Asiatic art, and was renovated in 2001, the combination of exquisite objects, beautiful architecture and sensitive lighting make the museum well worth a visit, especially when it's to escape the dryness of a trade fair.

Musee Guimet

Flag It !

2011-01-10T16:58:00.002Z

I bought this collection of cardboard flags at the 'grande bradderie de Lille' in September. I was seduced by their curious pop art aesthetic, they are mini pop tableaux in the tradition of warhols' tins of soup and brillo pad boxes. As a little new years quiz see if you can name all 11 counties, to help you out the are all European or close neighbors (answers at the bottom of this post.

countries from top to bottom, UK, France, Turkey, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Austria,Greece, Ireland, Denmark

Tons of Tins

2011-01-07T22:25:00.004Z

Our new roving reporter, Steve Sorrell, just sent us this delightful collection of receptacles. He tells us the story...

"It all started with a text message on a damp gloomy afternoon. A house clearance friend of ours was having a bit of a clear out and wondered if we would be interested in buying a few bits and pieces?

On past experience we knew that he'd have one or two interesting things so the following day we hot footed it over to his house. The first thing he produced was two rather large cardboard boxes of old tins; they looked promising, so we bought them without really bothering to inspect the contents. It wasn't until we arrived home and started to unpack them that we realised just how wonderful they all were.

Each one is a minor work of art. The type, the artwork and the colours are just beautiful. Who could resist the charms of Zig Zag polish or Boots chest and lung wafers? And as for Dilly Duckling cough pastilles, well...............

Steve and Edele's little collection of tin treasures will be available to purchase for your very own from this Thursday at Spitalfields Antique Market. Hurry! Before Dilly Duckling sells out!

Museum of Everything

2010-12-30T18:00:00.002Z

On Thursday 23^rd December, The Curious Eye interrupted our Christmas preparations to visit The Museum of Everything’s 3^rd exhibition, with the knowledge that it was to close the next day. The visit was a mix of emotions, thrilling and exciting to see the fabulous collection of granddaddy of brit art Peter Blake , but there was also a twinge of sadness as it was too late to pass on news of this gem. We knew our fans would LOVE this show.

Today however we discovered due to public demand the show has been extended for 5 weeks from the 5^th of Jan. We suggest you all make the pilgrimage ASAP !

http://www.museumofeverything.com

El Soumaie : Akmem Hand Made Cloths

2010-11-11T05:18:00.004Z

Anwar Ayed Ghobran doesn't know exactly how long his family has been weaving on these looms, a least as far back as his grandfather, but I would guess many generations before that. I spotted a loom through an open doorway after we visited has ramshakled fabric shop, of course I couldn't resist a tour.

Based in the Nile side town of Akhmen in Upper Egypt, about 250 km north of Luxor, this technique of weave has obviously remained the same since the mists of time. I'm no weave expert but the amazing way of storing the warp on these enormous bobbins is something I have never seen before.

Objets n' Art - Chez Sorrell

2010-11-09T12:48:00.006Z

Have you ever wondered what would happen if an antiques dealer with artistic leanings married an artist with a penchant for collecting? And they moved to the seaside?

Well, gentle reader, wonder no more.

Regular visitors of this blog will be familiar with the names of Steve and Edele Sorrell as being one of our favorite vendors at Spitalfields Market. Their stall is always guaranteed to be filled with delightful objects, always displayed in a most creative fashion, just waiting to be taken home for a modest fee.

Which is why I was very excited to receive an invitation to visit their home in the charming seaside town of Felpham. To say the least, I was not disappointed.

'Eclectic' is a horribly overused word nowadays, but there really is no other way to describe the Sorrell's taste. Minimalist art sits next to ornate Victoriana, strict Modernist forms live happily next to groovy sixties dolls.

It's a thoroughly personal mix - but one that never looks overwrought or affected.

For me, the star attractions were the two art pieces by Bob and Roberta Smith - a perfect combination of all the things that the Sorrell's love. These pieces take found objects, hand made signs, and a quirky sense of humour and elevate them to a higher level.

With Edele's training as an artist and Steve's love of old things working together, this is as much an artistic installation as a home. It's like a gallery that you can live in - with the art and objects ever changing and evolving. A thoroughly stimulating and inspiring place to visit.

Upholstered Bike

2010-11-08T16:16:00.001Z

The Woollen Yarn Spinners of the Nile Delta

2010-11-07T21:12:00.003Z

Better than Brimfield, Lilles' 'Grande Braderie'

2010-10-19T23:13:00.004+01:00

After ploughing through endless blogposts on the marvels of Brimfield , we thought it was time to blow our own trumpet a bit. Well not exactly our own but that of our dear French neighbours. I visited northern Frances’ ‘Grande Braderie de Lille’ which is held every year over the first weekend in September and literally takes over the whole town for about 48 hours. It really is a must for all those lovers of French linens, pastel enamels and all those other typically ‘frogie’ items, that make Paris’ flea market a must on any visit to the Capital.

For this post I’ve focused in on all the fantastic graphics and patterns on offer. I was travelling by train so was not able to make any major purchases, but looking back at all these photos is almost as satisfying.

Eyes on the Pies

2010-09-06T15:17:00.003+01:00

There are certain things that are so self-evident, it hardly seems worth talking about them.

The sun is hot. Water is wet. Enamel pans are lovely things. All of these things are pretty obvious to me.

After all, what's not to love about enamel pans? They're classic pieces of design, incredibly hard wearing and practical, and add a charming burst of colour to any kitchen.

I've lost count of the number of times that I've used the phrase 'enamel pan colours' to describe a certain mid-century palette. Those milky tones that are so much more vibrant than pastels, but which still have a classic English feel to them. Blues, creams, minty greens - these are the sort of colours that make me want to pop on my slippers, warm up some milk for my Ovaltine and settle down with some A A Milne.

Which is why I was confused (yet thrilled) to come across these amazing enamel pie dishes in a completely new set of enamel pan colours. Chocolate, avocado and tangerine? Sacrilege!

Yet strangely alluring...One of the most exciting colour ranges I've seen in a long time. And also handy for co-ordinating pies. Which makes me wonder - what would chocolate, avocado or tangerine pies actually taste like?

Fluro Food

2010-08-17T04:44:00.002+01:00

Saw these eye popping popadams being cooked in the market yesterday. As each little pink disk was dropped into bubbling fat it would burst into these lurid crispy snacks.

Nepalese Handloom Blankets

2010-08-14T12:58:00.003+01:00

These woolen blankets are woven by the Gurung tribes people they are known as Rari. They are probably the oldest recorded export from Nepal. Trade with India has been noted as far back as the 3rd century ad.

I was lucky discover a little shop selling them in Kathamndu and a have purchased one. They are hand woven in strips then stitched together and are fabulously heavy somewhere between a rug and blanket.

Undesigner Furniture

2010-08-03T16:38:00.006+01:00

I have to admit, I'm something of a design snob. An inverted design snob, that is.

The minute that I find out that a piece of furniture that I am admiring is by a 'name designer' or 'collectable', I immediately lose interest and move on. Mostly because those pieces are out of my price range, but also because 'designer' pieces, by their very nature, aren't unique. Having an original Le Corbusier Chaise Longue may signal your great taste and wealth, but with thousands of them in circulation, it's hardly a reflection of a singular vision. (See? I told you I was a snob).

However, when it comes to a beautiful piece of design that has no pedigree, background or provenance - I'm all ears. In fact, if the object happens to have been crafted without much of a conscious design - better still.

Here are three examples of what I mean. All come from Spitalfields Antique Market.

This little treasure was found at Andrew Coram's stall - who couldn't tell me much about it. Apparently it came from a house filled with props - but there's no indication of how it came into existence. I've never seen anything quite like it.

I particularly love the 'Eiffel' style construction, and the faded yellow/red colourway. Take that, Ray and Charles Eames!

And speaking of excellent modernist design couples, Steve and Edele Sorrell (aka the Eames of Bognor), sourced this simple yet effective picnic table for me.

The real beauty is in its elegant way of folding up. The perfect way to travel in style.

Finally - a 'copyist's stand' from Jamie at Fish island Antiques. Not only very practical for transcribing music or copying documents - scanners are so bourgeois, non?- but also a gorgeous piece of wooden sculpture.

Big names (and the big prices they fetch) are all very well, but for me, 'Undesigner furniture' is a far more satisfying and soulful way to kit out your home.

Bi-King

2010-07-30T22:55:00.003+01:00

When we visited the world famous Central/St Martins art college degree show a few weeks back there was no that much that caught our curious eyes. The project however clearly stood out for its clever aesthetic and beautiful craftmanship.

The designer Sung Kug Kim describes the project as a 'more enjoyable and artistic way of transformation of everyday product into an art' with which we couldn't agree more. Well done Sung, you brought a smile to our faces.
www.designkug.com

Barbara Hepworth Sudio

2010-07-24T08:29:00.003+01:00

In our opinion any trip to Cornwall will be incomplete without a dip in the sea, it was pretty chilly, but thoroughly invigorating. The second must is a visit to Barbera Hepworths' studio in St Ives. This is a magical spot left almost as if Barbara has just popped out for a cream tea. Time has been suspended in an appealingly mid-century modern period with bits and pieces of desirable 50's furniture, and the luscious garden is carefully tended and enshrines many of her favorite sculptures.

Don't bother with the Tate but make a beeline to Barbaras' Studio, before or after the required Pasty on the beach (beware killer seagulls)

Chez Johnstone-Clarke - Creative Chaos in Cornwall

2010-07-16T10:22:00.003+01:00

Minimalists look away now!

As you probably have gathered, we at The Curious Eye like strange and interesting objects. We enjoy scouring our local flea markets and car boot sales for quirky finds and once we have amassed such treasures, we like to display them in exciting and unusual ways. We like to think that we're pretty good at it, too.

However, next to Sue Clarke and Mat Johnstone, we are rank amateurs.

Mat designs gardens and Sue is a highly regarded illustrator, and although they work in different fields, they both share a similar approach. Both use multiple layers of colour and texture in highly complex ways. Modern and traditional elements are fused together and strange juxtapositions are created, with the best possible results.

Which is exactly the same approach they have taken to decorating their home in Cornwall.

What's amazing about this place is that although it is absolutely crammed with stuff, it never feels cluttered or messy. Everything works together to make a harmonious whole, and there's no feeling of sensory overload.

I'm sure they decorated it keeping Nietzche's philosophy in mind and remembering that 'Out of Chaos comes order'.

Or they just moved everything around until it looked good.

Whatever they did, the incredible eclectic mix works, and just goes to prove - sometimes, more IS more.

Magic!

The Zuider Zee Museum

2010-07-02T21:06:00.005+01:00

Last Monday on my way back from a beautiful wedding in the North of Holland, I visited this charming museum, a whole fishing village has been rebuilt on the banks of Europes' largest lake the Ijsselmeer. The lake was created in 1932 when an inland sea, the Zuiderzee, was closed by a 32 km dam, and the museum was conceived to preserve the culture and traditions of the local inhabitants.

Over the past few years the museum has started to commission contemporary dutch designers and their work is exhibited in selected houses in the village. Making a wonderful surprise when entering some of the houses and discovering a Studio Job stained glass or the retro/modern delft blue and white stencils of Hugo Kaagman (above and below)

Dotted around the village are traditionally dressed 'locals' going about their daily lives, making lunch, repairing fishing nets washing laundry, all adding to the feeling of stepping back in time .

I took these photos on my iphone hipstamatic app, which creates this delightful aged effect.

The Zuider Zee Museum

Bloody Good

2010-06-28T10:14:00.004+01:00

The sun is shining, the skies are blue, and it's time for the graduate degree shows - how inspiring!

By far the best graduate show that I've seen this summer is D&AD's New Blood showcase - which highlights the most interesting new talents in advertising, design and illustration from around the country. It's always stimulating to see what the new generation is producing, and the direction that they are taking - and this year there was a particularly strong group of work that fused retro and modern styles to make work that was completely contemporary.

Take Matthew Bromley's work. Elements of skate-punk, graffiti and comic strip are mixed with a mid-century palette and graphic style to make something very fresh.

Plus - he made life size masks. Always a winner.

Then there's the more obviously retro-referenced work of Robert Fresson and Edward Tuckwell (both graduating from the exceptionally good Illustration BA at Falmouth).

Robert's work is beautifully intricate and very English. This image immediately makes me want to go on a picnic.

On the other hand, Edward's pared down graphic style pays perfect homage to Film Noir.

This book jacket of his is so beautiful I'd like it on my wall.

Someone else obviously inspired by classic Americana is Aaron Alexander from Staffordshire University - this packaging for fireworks may well have been my favorite thing in the whole show. Far too nice to blow up.

Finally - huge compliments to Simon Cook (that's his stand at the beginning of this post). His website Stone and Spear is packed with fantastic things. Charming, naughty and with the most brilliant use of colour - his work gives me the thrill of the new that you always hope to get at graduate shows.

With talent like this, blogs like grain edit are going to have the time of their lives. I can't wait to start seeing these guys work on billboards, books and products.

Vintage Transformation

2010-06-20T18:47:00.003+01:00

I passed this shop three times on three different days last week, before finally and excitedly finding the door open. Yves Andrieux and Vincent J Albert have been busy opening their second Parisian boutique, on the left bank. While this one which also houses their atelier is in the Rue Charlot. They specialize in transforming all kinds of vintage textiles into tempting goodies, from mens and womens wear to accessories and home furnishings.

Gaudy printed 50's curtain fabrics are contrasted with military surplus, all around the atmospheric boutique the raw materials are piled up and used to create levels to display and frame the innovative products.

These Patchwork floor cushions and tote bags are made from old army kit bags.

A collection of t-shirts with appliques of chunky vintage lace and crochet. Unfortunately (for me) they only come in womens sizes.

for more information www.yvesandrieux-vincentjalbert.com

Heucheraholics

2010-06-09T15:26:00.002+01:00

I can't find out much about Heucheras, but each year at Chelsea Flower Show these seem to be more amazing colours, these ones were all snapped at Heucheraholics stand, for which they won a silver guilt medal this year. They only sell these amazing colourful leaved plants. I though it would be very cool to plant a whole bed of different colours to create a colour range in the soil !

Fooding Milan cont.

2010-06-06T08:01:00.003+01:00

Our second foodie post from the Milan furniture fair, are these two contrasting but equally gorgeous table services. The dutch 'total table project' presents two design visions for contemporary dining,on the left by Scholten & Baijings and on the right by our friend Kiki van Eijk. To realize the designs, the Audax Textile Museum Tilburg (table linen), Royal Leerdam Crystal (glassware) and Koninklijke van Kempen & Begeer (cutlery) joined forces to present a complete table setting.

Stitch by Stitch - The launch

2010-05-29T22:38:00.002+01:00

Followers of The Curious Eye will know that I have spent quite some time in India over the past year. I have been developing a collection of home textile products with an association of women embroiderers based in Gujerat. Now the results are going to be launched in a public sale in Paris from 5th to 13th June. I have been invited to take part in the annual Heartwear sale in the offices of Li Edelkoort. Anyone who is in Paris should come and have a look, also on sale will be other products from like minded projects. Heatwears' new indigo collection from Benin, and other textile items from India, Tunisia and Columbia.

5 to 14 June 10hrs to 19hrs weekends and 13hrs to 19hrs weekdays, L'Usine 30 Bvd. St. Jacques, Paris, 75014.

Accidental Sculptures

2010-05-23T19:47:00.004+01:00

When is a sculpture not a sculpture?

When it's also a wooden coat hanger from Porte de Vanves 'Puces' in Paris.

Or a test-tube holder from the Jeu de Balle Flea Market Brussels.

Or an amazing kid's chair from the ever-excellent Steve and Edele Sorrell at Spitalfields Antique Market.

I'll never know the anonymous designers who created these beauties, but each of them give me the same thrill that I get from modernist sculpture. Who needs a Brancusi with finds like these?

Getting to the Point

2010-05-21T16:12:00.002+01:00

And the collections begat collections...

I was in Paris a few weeks ago, and came across this classic needlepoint picture of a salty sea tar. How do I know that it's a classic? Well, because about five years ago, I bought exactly the same image as a needlepoint cushion in a flea market in New York.

This was a perfect addition to my bearded men collection (remember this?) - or so I thought.

However, the longer I spent in Paris (and then later in Brussels) - the more I noticed exciting examples of needlepoint, and came to realize how fantastic and underutilised they are. The use of colour and texture combined with the graphic quality can look very stylish, without any of the fusty echoes of 'handicrafts'. Best of all, they're so out of fashion, you can pick them up at flea markets for next to nothing.

So - now there's a new collection in town - and I'm aiming to fill a full wall of the studio entrance with needlepoint.

Wish me luck!

Coming to Chickenshed Theatre 2-4 June

2010-05-21T00:25:00.004+01:00

www.chickenshed.org.uk

Hot Buns and Apple Tarts

2010-05-10T14:30:00.003+01:00

Much of what was fresh and exciting at the Milan Furniture fair revolved around food and the shared experience that eating and cooking together involves. Public Pie was one of the first exhibits I saw in Milan, prominently placed out side the main exhibition spaces at the new Ventura Lambrate area. The idea is pretty simple, Maaike Bertens and Marieke van der Bruggen have created a transportable wooden bench with an oven underneath, around the bench is an area on which to make Apple Pies. while you pie is baking you can sit on the bench and warm your buns !

Check out their website for a diary of their next appearances www.publicpie.nl

Stijl Style

2010-05-03T14:15:00.003+01:00

It's all getting very Bauhaus at my house.

I've always liked De Stijl, but it was probably the amazing van Doesberg show at the Tate Modern that pushed me over the edge into loving it. Eleven rooms of modernist graphic masterpieces will do that to a person.

I think it's the highly refined simplicity of the work that appeals. An elevated take on the functional, pared-down industrial style that I like so much.

Which is why, more than ever I'm becoming interested in objects and furniture that combine simplicity, graphic elements and elegance.

Take this stool for example. Probably my favorite buy of the last six months, it originally came from an old mill (via Jamie at Fish Island Antiques). The proportions and the construction are as simple as you get, but it works completely harmoniously. It's the sort of object that an industrial designer could spend months trying to get completely right, so the fact that it was probably just knocked up in a few hours by a local joiner only adds to its beauty.

(in case you're wondering - it was originally lacquered brown, but I've given it a few licks of blackboard paint to emphasise its fantastic graphic quality)

My other Stijl-ish buy of recent weeks are these enamel bowls from Merci in Paris.

I've been buying enamel for over a decade now - mostly old pieces that end up being well used in the kitchen. Modern enamel rarely does it for me, it's usually too badly made or it looks like a pastiche of the original vintage style. But these bowls really give me a thrill. Everything about them is right - the depth of colour, the shape and size, the quality of the materials. They're just about perfect.

I'm sure Theo and Piet would approve.

Van Doesberg and The International Avant Garde show is at Tate Modern for two more weeks (ends May 16th).

Highly, highly recommended!

Stella Blunt - Colour Me Beautiful

2010-05-01T20:17:00.003+01:00

It's amazing to me that after over a year of blogging we still haven't featured our old mate Stella Blunt. A shocking oversight!

Regular readers of The Curious Eye will know that there's nothing we like more than people with taste. It may not be exactly the same taste that we have, but that doesn't matter - if we walk into a place and it expresses a singular point of view, it immediately piques our interest.

Stella certainly has a particular taste, and very interesting it is too. Extremely feminine, without ever becoming frilly; modern but not hard-edged; charming but never cloying - it's a fine balancing act that she achieves brilliantly.

The other marvellous thing about the lovely Ms Blunt is that she's something of a bellwether for future trends. She moved into her home near Columbia Rd when it was still an obscure East End market. She opened her shop in Broadway Market just before it became the ultimate nexus of all things hip in London. She's always one step ahead of the rest of us.

So, it's always stimulating to see what Stella is selling in her shop. And right now it's all about colour.. Painted vintage furniture, objects from the 40's, 50's and 60's, even the shop walls - they're all singing with saturated hues.

It's a very unusual palate, and I'm finding it hard to describe. Deep Citruses? A More Muted Miami? However you look at it, all that rich colour is inspiring. And, knowing Stella, will probably end up filtering through to the mainstream in a few years time.

Always worth a visit - Stella's shop can be found at 75 Broadway Market E8 4PH

Dedicated Followers of Fashion

2010-04-29T07:06:00.003+01:00

Nepalese men young and old are all about working a look ! These guys spotted on my recent trip to Katmandu, have just about as much sense of style as any self respecting Saturday Broadway marketeer !

...and it's appears this is not just a trend right now but these menfolk have always loved to don a robe.

Illustrated Book Of The Week : Let Me Drive

2010-04-25T09:49:00.008+01:00

What do you want to be when you grow up? A fireman? A nurse? A fairy princess?

If, even now, the answer is "a railway driver", then we have the book for you.

Brian Fawcett's 'Let Me Drive' is the ultimate 1950's how-to manual for the junior steam engine fanatic. It's not really a story book, more a beginners guide to the technicalities of working on an 'iron horse'.

Opening a page at random you're informed that "Mid Gear keeps the valves covering the steam ports to the cylinder, and can be used to stop in the event of a Regulator Rod breaking when the valve is open..."

Fascinating.

Still, even if the text is a little dry, it's the unusual combination of 'Boys Own' type illustrations with technical drawings that makes us want to jump aboard and stoke the engines.

Time to go into the attic and dig out the old Hornby set, I think.

Removed

2010-04-23T12:36:00.003+01:00

There was quite a bit of consternation earlier this year when Bates the Hatter closed their doors. One of the classic Jermyn Street gentleman's establishments, Bates was a shop that seemed completely displaced in time. Throughout the narrow interior, dark wood shelves were crammed with every sort of old school chapeau, from Panama to Homberg via Boater and Fedora. This was the sort of perfect Victorian interior only ever seen in Dickensian adaptations and slavishly retro bars in Brooklyn.

Sadly, it's another victim of 'regeneration' (ugh). The shop has been shuttered, and the business has moved into a shared premises with Hilditch and Key. But fear not, decor fans! I'm glad to report that most of the shop fittings have found a very good home.

They've been salvaged and re-used by our old friend Nathaniel at M.Goldstein, who is happily displaying his wares from them in his shop in Hackney Road. As far as hauls go, this must be one of the all time greats. Not only was Bates legendary, but the fittings sit so perfectly in the space that they almost look made to measure. A few of the salvaged pieces are for sale, and I'm desperately racking my brains for an excuse to buy the awning for the studio - if only I could think of a canny way to re-purpose it for interior use.

As if the furniture wasn't amazing enough, some of the shelves' interiors have great bits of ephemera attached, adding extra flavour.

Always nice to have royal approval...

Farewell Malcolm

2010-04-22T12:12:00.001+01:00

Juxtapositionings

2010-04-21T16:22:00.005+01:00

I just thought I'd throw in a few detail shots of the set ups in the studio at the moment. Unpacking all my stuff and rearranging it has thrown up some interesting juxtapositions.

So, we have a D-Torso cardboard cat (a gift from my mother - thanks Ma!), on two stacked Ercol coffee tables, next to some vintage knitting magazines found at Norman's stall in Dalston.

A set of 1950's sci-fi classics found on the Suffolk Coast slotted into a 1930's American shop fitting brought over from Chicago.

I particularly like the interesting colour mixes of these - army green and turquoise, violet blue and baby pink - very inspiring!

And finally, a fast growing collection of wooden clamps, a Sussex church pew, a miniature wooden bench and an Art Deco Rug.

Putting it together is like having a giant junk jigsaw which needs a bit of thought before it all fits together nicely. It's a game of mix and match that is going to keep me amused for many years to come.

Setting The Scene

2010-04-20T16:11:00.004+01:00

So, one of the fantastic things about having a huge space is that it allows you to indulge every decorating whim at the drop of a hat. But, of course, that can be a dangerous thing too.

Suddenly there are no limits to the amount of objects you can justify purchasing - nothing is too big, too awkward or too eccentric to fit into a space like this - no collection is too quirky or overwhelming. Now I know how Augustus Gloop must have felt when he walked through the doors of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

It's all good fun until you get sucked into the river of chocolate. Or in my case, shop like there's no tomorrow and end up living in a junk shop. So I'm trying to practice being moderate.

Still - while I try my best - I can't resist playing around with a few areas and creating some little sets just for fun.

Just keep an eye on this blog, and if in a few years time you can no longer see the studio for the weird objects - then leave a comment with the words 'Augustus Gloop' in it, and I'll check into some sort of rehab.

Gymtastic

2010-04-13T10:29:00.005+01:00

I don't know about you, but I find the thought of my new studio space ever being a gym quite hard to imagine.

At my school, the gym was housed in a 70s pre- fab box so ugly that it would have made Le Corbusier weep and question his whole raison d'être.

So the idea of hundreds of children doing push ups and star jumps in a Victorian vaulted hall, filled with decorative tiles and classical mouldings seems slightly odd.

However, there are still a few pieces of evidence to prove its former usage.

The floor is marked out with a fully sized badminton court. Always fun for those who like a shuttlecock.

The floors are scattered with metal repositories for nets and other equipment.

Heavy duty hooks on the ceiling, presumably to hang ropes off of. (How I hated climbing up ropes - those rope burns on your thighs after sliding down were pure evil).

And finally, a place to put the school flag. I must admit I am tempted to fly a personalized flag from these. But that's just a hop skip and jump away from having your own coat of arms designed and putting a monogram on every shirt that you own, and I'm not quite at that stage. Yet.

I wonder if my childhood gym was as inspiring as this I would have been more excited about PE class. Probably not, but at least I might be able to cartwheel properly. And this space certainly makes me want to do cartwheels...

True Story

2010-04-11T11:05:00.003+01:00

Once upon a time there was a Happy Little Blogger.

The Happy Little Blogger would sit at his computer and write happy little blogs about all the things in the world he liked. Sometimes he wrote about interesting objects, other times he wrote about inspiring places, and once in a while he wrote about ideas that he had.

One day, the Happy Little Blogger wrote a blog post about 'School Style'.

"...it's quite amazing how fascinated I am by educational style" he wrote, "I dream of modelling a room after a 1940's school gym - filled with leather mats, metal lockers and a sculptural wooden pommel-horse as a centrepiece."

Now, it just so happened that the Magical Blog Fairies were surfing the web that day, and came across the Happy Little Blogger's post. "What a happy little blog" they said to one another "Let us make his dream come true".

So, it came to pass that, about two months after he wrote that blog post, the Happy Little Blogger found himself in the gym of an old Victorian school. It was more beautiful and exciting than he could ever have imagined. He gathered all his money together and bought the gym, making him the happiest little blogger that ever there was.

The End.

Actually, that's far from the end of the story, because buying the gym was just the beginning of a massive adventure. The space is incredible - huge and stunning and full of character, but the work and renovations have been so all-consuming, I've been completely unable to blog for the last few months. So I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the Magical Blog Fairies for the lack of recent attention and thank them very much for granting my wish.

It's not exactly the dark wood and leather space that I had imagined - but soaring vaulted ceilings, amazing daylight and loads of period features more than make up for it. I haven't bought that pommel-horse yet, but give me time...

Built in 1906 in East London, it's part of a classic Victorian red brick school. Originally used as a gym and assembly hall, it has functioned as an artist's studio for the past 40 years. Now I am lucky enough to be the latest occupant.

I'll be blogging the progress that I make, and sharing some of the wonders of living and working in such a special building.

Watch this space...

Dhakar Weavers in Katmandu

2010-04-04T02:56:00.002+01:00

Today I visited some of the Dhaka weavers living on the outskirts of the beautiful town of Bhaktapur, just next to Katmandu. These weavers are displaced from the north of Nepal, and live in tiny rooms with their bed, loom, and cooking pots. I am hoping to be developing some new products with them through the organization, SABAH Nepal. Who have invited me here to look at collaborating.

The patterns are all made by placing the yarns in by hand, and the motifs are keep in each womans mind. They follow no designs or charts.

Jantar Mantar 18th Century Observatory Garden

2010-03-31T06:34:00.002+01:00

Jantar Mantar

The Micro Embroidered World of Naqsh

2010-03-30T06:08:00.004+01:00

Yesterday on a little shopping outing to the cool and elite complex, Santushti,Delhi. Which by all appearances seems to be based in what used to be an airforce barracks, the shops are all in small huts which must have been 'dorms' in their previous lives. The area is beautifully landscaped with gardens and lawns which give a 1930's home counties atmosphere. In this complex I had the great fortune to come across the Naqsh, and meet the owner Nazir Wani and his son and daughter Suhail and Sumiya. As we got talking, Suhail began to tell me of their family buisiness, and the intricate embroideries they have been doing for 100's of years. Originating in Iran but then moving on to Cashmere. Then he bought out these samples. They are the families sample books and you can make an order for the finest embroidered pashmina you can imagine. The stitches are so fine that you can hardly see them all with the naked eye.

These are the real thing. The family has the yarns spun and fabrics woven and then can be embroidered, Nazir himself was a master embroiderer, but find now he does not have a steady enough hand. I saw one shawl that he had taken three and a half years to embroider. The work is simply breath taking!

One of these pashminas with an embroidered border will cost around £1000 and take about a year to make as the stitcher can only give the required concentration for about an hour a day.

Naqsh have also been putting their efforts into preserving the Kashmir crewel work and have a surprising contemporary line with pieces base on artist like Klimt and Miro.

Contact Nazir Wani

Long Time - No Blog

2010-03-29T21:09:00.002+01:00

As you may have noticed, it's been quite a while since my last post on here.

But I have an excuse - honest!

Stay tuned to see what I've been up to. And in the meanwhile - here's a visual amuse-bouche to whet your appetite...

A few treasures from the National Museum of India, New Delhi

2010-03-23T15:32:00.003Z

National Museum of India

A Visit to the Ghandhi Ashram

2010-03-21T15:46:00.002Z

On my fourth visit to Ahmedabad I finally found time to spend a quiet morning visiting Ghandhis' Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati river, just out side the city. It is the community that Ghandhi founded shortly after his return from South Africa, and presents now 2 exhibitions one in words one in pictures that give a good insight to the life of this great man.

for more information on the Gandhi Ashram

A Nomadic Camel Train

2010-03-18T09:50:00.002Z

These nomades are making their annual journey from the Gujerati region of Kutch to the more fertile lands of the south. We spotted them casually wandering down the main A road from Ahmedabad to Kutch, with their huge heard of sheep, as if out for a Sunday stroll.

Blackboard Beasts

2010-01-25T09:32:00.005Z

Paris always provides lush hunting ground for street art, this weekends visit to Maison et Object was no exception, I spotted these ephemeral chalk creatures in the achingly trendy 'haut marais' habitat of paris' Dalston/Hoxton crowd. The whole quarter has been rapidly overtaken by cool galleries and quirky boutiques. Those of you whose fashion memories go back to the 80's, will spot this shopfront was home to no other that Le Garage shirts whos' bold printed shirts were a must have to any fashion student circa 1988

These intricate fauna are signed Phillipe Baudelocque, and his website provides a more detailed view of his oeuvre. Which we're sure all you Curious Eyes will love !
Phillip Baudelocque

A burning beacon in winters' darkest moment

2010-01-22T13:46:00.003Z

Another timely post from the Venice Biennale. I thought I would share Marco Lodolas' installation for the Italian pavilion, to brighten up our horrid winter skys.

Lodoland

Mandvi Ship Building

2010-01-14T13:54:00.003Z

The northern Gujerati town of Mandvi has been a centre for ship building for over 4 centuries. What was astonishing to discover was that this thriving industry has remained virtually unchanged since it's beginnings. These wooden ships take about 2 years to complete and as far as we could see the skilled workers had no plans to follow. The tidal creek was scattered with these majestic elegant vessels in various states of completion. Which we were told are built for clients from all over the globe.

Another attraction to this far flung corner of India is the Mandvi Beach Resort Which provides an agreeable stop over in luxury tents on the edges of the vast beaches.

Wild in the West - Outsider Tart

2010-01-10T15:34:00.003Z

West London. The very words strike fear into the heart of us East Londoners. Talk to anyone in our neck of the woods, and the same words come into play. 'Yummy Mummies', 'Yuppies','Sloanes''...It's a world away from the fiercely individualistic, artsy crowd that reside in the east of the city.

But is this reputation well earned? Or are we all just a bunch of inverted snobs? In an attempt to broaden our horizons , we decided that we would take a trip into the heart of the beast. Yes - without prejudice, we would discover the joys of Chiswick.

At first, things didn't look good. It seemed like the residents of Chiswick like nothing more than to sit in their Fired Earth tiled kitchens, sipping tea from Emma Bridgewater mugs, while deciding which Farrow and Ball colour they should paint the nursery for little Chloe. So far, so conventional.

But then, just as we were about to accept that there was nothing more interesting to see than a Cath Kidston apron; like manna from heaven, we came across 'Outsider Tart'.

Outsider is right. There's nothing typical at all about this bakery.

Run by David and David, two expat New Yorkers, Outsider Tart is the fusion of highly delicious baked goods and highly unusual naive art. If you've ever fancied eating a muffin while admiring a family of 4 foot tall bunnies (constructed completely out of bottle tops) - here's the place.

Plenty of museums and galleries serve tea and cakes - but this is the first tearoom we've been to that actually is a gallery. Hobo art sits next to brownies, automatic drawings compliment the carrot cake. It's a thoroughly quirky and individual experience.

Chiswick may not be brimming with crazy characters and creative flourishes, but places like Outsider Tart make the west a little bit wilder - and long may outsiders like these thrive.

Happy Birthday Curious Eye

2010-01-07T14:09:00.004Z

Today is The Curious Eyes' first birthday, in celebration we purchased this Mickey Mouse fireguard panel this morning in Spitalfields Market.

Illustrated Book Of The Week : They Put out To Sea

2010-01-02T11:08:00.004Z

It's been quite sometime since the last appearance of our occasional item 'Illustrated Book of the Week' This one however seemed to fit in quite well with our recent travel posts. The bright colours and boldness of the plates put a smile on our face.

Giacomo Costa

2009-12-30T14:31:00.002Z

Today 3 weeks of Indian warmth and sunshine have been replaced by grey, wet and cold Hackney. As I gazed out the kitchen window this morning, onto my mid-winter garden. I was reminded of this work, I saw at the Venice Bienale earlier in the Autumn. Even the in dullness of December the urban garden has a certain beauty. Perhaps Giacomo Costa wanted to portray this in his 'Private Garden' an installation of 24 lightboxes. Placed on 2 rows opposite each other creating an alley with a glowing etherial allure.

Giacomo Costa

Indian Graphics

2009-12-27T12:44:00.004Z

The Juna Mahal Palace

2009-12-22T16:42:00.003Z

I am visiting this amazing palace for the second time this year, and I can't believe I didn't get round to blogging it yet. It is breath taking, 9 stories high over 700 years old in parts, and best of all no tourists, today my parents and I were there alone, it was divine.

and to crown it all a visit to the adjacent Udai Bilas Palace hotel is a necesity

Udai Bilas

Gujarati Folk Dancing

2009-12-20T14:05:00.002Z

PINOCCHIO

2009-12-11T17:25:00.003Z

Now showing at the Chickenshed Theatre untill Jan 16

www.chickenshed.org.uk

Dutch Design Week : Goodpoint Jam

2009-11-14T09:04:00.001Z

Hilbert Tjalkens and Vera Teunen created a pixalised wall image of an open mouth shouting 'think what you eat'

As you approach the wall, it becomes clear that this is a shelf and it is filled with 1500 jars of home made jam, compote and soup. Each Jars contents are a delicate shade of peach,orange, yellow, brown or cream and carefully placed to build up this picture. The pairs objective with this wall is to create a starting point for a discussion about what we eat. Each jar is sold with instructions to preserve your own food, so th jar can be used again.

To buy your jar or a piece of the wall itself