The Knitterati

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.

London Design Week Top Five: miller goodman

You know that feeling that you have when you find the most fantastic kid's toy? The way that your brain immediately runs through its mental rolodex, desperately trying to think of someone 'age appropriate' to buy it for. So that you once you have given it to them, you can immediately steal it and play with it yourself?

That's exactly the feeling that miller goodman's wooden toys give us.

Like all great toys - they are as simple as can be. The ShapeMaker is a set of 25 wooden blocks that can be arranged or rearranged to make countless different faces. Or animals. Or birds. Or...well, check out this little video and you'll see what we mean.

Fun!

Their new toy - Playshapes take the concept to a more free-form place. Wooden pieces of different sizes and shapes work together to allow creativity to blossom.

We're not sure what we like better, the fact that the possibilities are endless - or that everything created looks like something out of a mid-century modern illustration.

If they ever start manufacturing the jumbo size ones, we'll be first in line. Whether we know a kid who wants it or not.

See http://millergoodman.blogspot.com/ for more details

Lapin & Me - A Particular Taste

Here at The Curious Eye, we're very fussy. We don't like people with too much good taste (as they're generally rather boring). We don't like people with too much bad taste (because vulgarity only goes so far). What we like most is finding people who have particular taste.

Which is why we were very happy to discover Lapin & Me, just off Colombia Rd in Ezra Street. The minute you walk in, you can see that someone with very distinctive style has created the space. In theory it's a kids shop - but I have a strong feeling that there will be just as many adults who appreciate the merchandise as their children. 

The whole space feels like a tribute to sixties graphics, french retro style and a touch of japanese kookiness. One corner displays Little Golden Books, another homes a wild selection of vintage dolls, and there are toys and clothes that manage to be cute without being cloying. Somehow it manages to be both quirky and chic at the same time - quite an accomplishment.

How appropriate that the owner is called Madeleine - a name that takes me back to Bagpuss and childhood dreams of magical toys. Lapin & Me is highly recommended for the next time your inner child needs a treat. 

Lapin & Me , 14 Ezra Street, E2 7RH  www.lapin&me.co.uk

'Number 76' - Romantic Minimalism in Brussels

Recipe For Good Design

Take one classic Belgian House. Add one part of quirky Englishness and one part French cool. Throw in a large handful of nostalgia and a good pinch of modernism. Stir well and serve.

If you follow this recipe correctly, your result should look something like this.

I was very lucky to spend last weekend in this fabulous house in Brussels. It's owned by Justine Glanfield, a multi-talented designer (of, amongst other things, knitwear, children's clothes and interiors) and her husband Vincent Fournier - a brilliant photographer, whose strange and wonderful images fill me with awe.

It's an amazing place. High ceilings and large windows let the soft grey belgian light flood in, which perfectly compliment the interiors,. Justine has created a home filled with a sort of romantic minimalism - where the empty spaces are as beautiful as the furnishings. It's calm and evocative and very lovely.

'Number 76' can be used as a photographic location, and also functions as a B&B for the design savvy. It's website can be found at www.number76.be.

Paris: Wild Sales Display