interiors – The Cultural Exposé

Home life: meet my little workspace

Matilda — Mon, 29 May 2017 17:08:06 +0000

I posted a snap of my living room on Instagram a few months back and the feedback was insane: loads of people really liked my space! Thanks y’all! I haven’t shared much about it since, but the guys at Hubble – a start-up that helps SME’s find their perfect office space – got in touch recently to let me know about their #itsmyspace competition. It sounded brill – it’d be a chance to explain my inspiration and why I love where I work when I’m not at the day job.

When I moved flat, I wanted to create an area that could double up as a chill zone and a functional home office where I could blog, work from home or do the life admin. It had to be light and airy (#noclutter) but bits of visual inspiration here and there was all good. I love black and white photography (in this case, the work of late Malian photographer Malick Sidibe) and of course, I love London – hence all the books! Here are few more tips I followed:

Go grey

I fell in love with grey walls after visiting my brother’s revamped flat (thanks to my design savvy sister-in-law). I also stayed in this gorgeous room at The Laslett hotel in Notting Hill that had a thing for grey too. It’s totally the new white and not only is it a solid neutral basis, but it suggests sophistication and calm (my modus operandi if I say so myself ).

Get plants

There’s something about greenery in a space that just gives it life, right? I plan to get a few more succulents, but in the mean time my plants keep my space feeling vibrant, and this helps me get into work mode when I need to.

Have an ‘optional desk’

I’ve got a “lampstand” in the corner of my room – but technically, it’s a sweet little laptop table from Ikea. I usually work spread out on the couch with Macbook on my thighs, but sometimes having the table helps me to be a bit more focused (and not doze off on the sofa when I’m working late).

Finally, I turned to brands like Made, Ikea, H&M to make it all happen. Who says you’ve gotta splash serious cash to have a nice space?

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Somewhere you should go… Secret Emporium Christmas Market

Jane Duru — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:00:10 +0000

If you don’t like Christmas shopping (and really, who does? Too many people, too much tat and not enough mulled wine to numb the pain) then you’re in for a treat this December. Eschew the usual department stores and swap Oxford Street for Hearn Street where you’ll find Factory 7, the site of the return of Secret Emporium. It’s a Christmas market with a twist, but instead of the usual selection of stollen, schnitzel and bratwurst, you’ll find a showcase of Britain’s best independent designers. If you’re on the lookout for original gifts that are handmade and unique, you’ll be in heaven here.

There’ll be bright geometric print cushions from Camille Walala, an interior designer stocked at fashionista favourtite Darkroom, the new ready to-wear collection from Isobel Webster (designer of outrageous bodysuits for artists including Jessie J and The Correspondents), delicate insect jewellery from concept jewellers Thor & Wistle, and a whole host more. With over 40 designers it’s unlikely you’ll get bored, but just so it’s not all about the shopping, entertainment ranges from interactive performers dishing out hot mulled cider and roasted chestnuts, live music from Secret Garden Party favourites The John Langan Band, The Turbans and wonderful food by Moro. (Words: Jane Duru)

Secret Emporium runs 15 -16 December at Factory 7, Hearn St EC2A 3LS. For more info, visit www.secretemporium.com

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Something you should see… Terence Conran at the Design Museum

Laura Thornley — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:00:02 +0000

The veteran designer and trustee turns 80 this year and what better way to celebrate than an exhibition of his work and all that he’s inspired? It’s no mean feat considering Conran’s sphere of influence encompasses just about everything design since the 50’s. He’s most regarded for starting a design studio, an architectural practice that worked across the globe and being the co-founder of the influential home store Habitat. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg, as the exhibition proves. Off the back of Habitat, Conran acquired an extensive range of high street stores such as Heal’s, BHS, Mothercare – and even had a hand in designing the Concord Room at JFK airport. Add to that his work on the interior of Heathrow Terminal 1, revolutionising restaurant design and opening iconic restaurants across the globe from Paris, London to New York, and it’s obvious Conran’s quite The Man.

Pretty much everything you see is touched by the talent of this national treasure, both in house and out – and for those who don’t know, this exhibition should set them straight. It will also give an insight into the mind of a design genius with a re-creation of his home study and examples of his design legacy through the work of students who have won his prestigious Conran Foundation Royal College of Art Award. Co-curated by the Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic and author and former creative director at the Conran Group Stafford Cliff, The Way We Live is definitely not to be missed. (Words: Laura Thornley)

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