New V & A Museum Furniture Gallery

For those who share our passion for furniture design throughout the centuries, the new Furniture Gallery at the V&A Museum is highly recommended.

Table from Warwick Castle, English, circa  1670-80 .
Image courtesy of Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

The Gallery displays British and international furniture from the C15th to the present day and explores design, construction and decorative techniques over 6 centuries.

There are over 200 pieces of outstanding furniture on display, with designers ranging from Thomas Chippendale to Tom Dixon. 25 or so of the pieces are arranged in chronological order, with other pieces being arranged by technique. There is a clear emphasis on how things are made and the skills of the designers and makers. It is amazing to see centuries-old techniques still in use today.

Chair for the Ward Willets House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, USA, 1902
Image courtesy of Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

Follow the link for more information: V & A Furniture Gallery

Irreverent architect Frank Gehry celebrates 84th birthday

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao: Image via anaru

This week, on 28th February, architect and designer Frank Gehry celebrated his 84th birthday. Whilst best known for his architectural designs- including the Dancing House in Prague and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao- Gehry, like many architects over the centuries, is also a respected designer of furnishings.

Easy Edges Wiggle Side Chair (1972):
Image via patrickd

Like his architectural designs, Gehry's furniture is visually striking, often using unconventional materials such as corrugated cardboard (Easy Edges, 1969-73).

The relationship between furniture and architecture has been a consideration throughout the centuries. In England during the C18th the importance of this relationship grew considerably and influential architect/designers such as Robert Adam emerged. Classical architectural design is evident in the work of furniture designers such as Thomas Sheraton (1751-1806), reflecting the emphasis which was placed on this topic during a designer's training and education.


Architects across the centuries who are also renowned for their furniture designs include Robert Adam (1728-1792), Augustus Pugin (1812-1852), Frank Lloyd-Wright (1867-1959) and Gio Ponti (1891-1979).

Many C20th furniture classics have been designed by architects, including the Barcelona Chair (Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, 1929).

Listen here to architects, along with designers and curators, discussing some of the most outstanding furniture designs over the centuries: www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/audioslideshow/2012/nov/27/v-and-a-furniture-gallery-slideshow

New biography explores Sylvia Plath's life before Ted...

On the 50th anniversary of her death, a new biography explores the first 23 years of Sylvia Plath's life.

Andrew Wilson's biography 'Mad Girl's Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted'  draws on previously unavailable documents along with interviews with Plath's friends, boyfriends and family. It describes the world of Sylvia Plath before the night in 1956 when she met Ted Hughes.

I have many fond memories of reading Sylvia Plath's work. As a young woman in my early 20s, I found myself drawn to the tragedy of her life and untimely death and to her painfully personal confessional poetry.

In my early 30s, I spent the whole of a two week holiday Majorca in 1999 with my head buried in  'Birthday Letters', the collection of poems by Hughes depicting his turbulent relationship with Plath.

I read Plath's  'The Bed Book' over and over again to my two children when they were young. The Tank, North-Pole and Elephant Beds were firm favourites!

Wilson's book  is a compelling read, refreshing in its avoidance of the Ted/Sylvia soap opera. And for those who prefer to put their feet up and just listen, you can tune in to Radio 4's Book at Bedtime each night this week for readings from 'The Bell Jar'.

Industrial chic

The prevailing trend for all things industrial is currently taking inspiration from... ..Arthur Scargill! Or, at least coal mining. This recent article in the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/19/working-class-hero-miners-fashion describes the influence of mining on industrial design trends in clothing and art, as well as furnishings.

With their practical, utilitarian design, industrial furnishings are ideal for hard working rooms such as kitchens, offices and bathrooms. Their simple, often angular lines and metallic materials also have enduring aesthetic appeal. Large-scale industrial lighting can make a bold statement and is perfect for large rooms or open spaces. Hanging three or more lights uniformly creates a striking look which is very pleasing to the eye.

The industrial look works well in loft apartments,  where it makes appropriate links with the former use of the space as a warehouse or factory. However, it suits most types of homes with industrial lighting perfectly complementing the high ceilings of Victorian houses or the open spaces of modern barn conversions.

Keep an eye on our website for industrial lighting coming soon...