Before & after: a mini makeover

It's amazing how different you can make a room feel with just a little rejigging. I've had the sideboard in the living room arranged like this for ages. But I've always felt that the print on the left, a piece I love by the artist Claire Scully, got slightly lost.

You'd be hard pushed to see that it depicts a giant squirrel climbing an urban tower block. The whole corner had also started feeling a bit cluttered as I filled the rest of the room with more stuff. But stuck for inspiration, it remained pretty much like this.

And then three new things came into the house. One bought by me, one bought by my boyfriend and one revamped from the house clearing I did after my dear gran died last year. But before I get into those, here's how the sideboard looks now. Much cleaner and a bit more grown up I think. What do you reckon?

So the largest of the new things is the print on the left. It's from the south London art gallery, Peckham Space, but via the design website CultureLabel – which, if you don't know, you should: incredible for presents, though dangerous for window shopping.

The print is called the Black Music Map of South London and I wrote about it on Below the River, the other website I edit (where you can also click to enlarge it and have a proper look). In short, it is a Tube-like map featuring everything from significant street corners to legendary record shops and the locations of often obscure RnB and dancehall nights. Many of which I've been to. So. I had to have it.

But, largely because it cost £85 that I didn't really have going spare, it's something I looked at for ages and didn't buy. I kept thinking about it, though, and telling people about it and eventually realised that I loved it enough for it not to be something I'd buy and then get sick of (and on the Shopping Justification List, that comes pretty high. Here's another one, in case you get shopping guilt too: if a close friend buys something they also can't justify/afford at the same time as you do, it cancels out the cost of your purchase. Honest).

The second new thing is the lamp. Well, new/old, as it was my gran's and I've just had it rewired as you can see. You might have read the post about all the things I brought back from her house a while back. (And I should take some photos of what's happened to all the other stuff too.) Looks a bit perkier now, doesn't it? I got the brilliant neon wire from Fabric Cable – initially though, being three-core (made up of a trio of strands) it was too thick to go through the holes in the arm. The electrician cunningly stripped it down to two where necessary and bingo.

Finally, this beautiful sculpture completes the new arrangement.

It was made by our very talented neighbour Emma Broughton (see the tour of her lovely home here). I took my boyfriend to her private view in the summer – to mark the end of her stint as a fellow at the prestigious City and Guilds London Art School – and we both fell in love with her strangely poignant series of pigeon sculptures. She depicts the birds as battered by urban life, as they are, and yet dignified and full of character. He bought one of them on the spot.

In fact, he bought Emma's time making us a new one as none of the ones in the show were available. And, below, you can see how this one took shape.


Emma currently has a piece of work in the Mall Galleries, where she's up for the dizzyingly impressive Threadneedle Prize for sculpture and painting. If happen to be nearby today, there's still time to vote for her work to win the People's Choice award. Meanwhile, I'm now looking at the rest of my living room and thinking that looks a bit tired too – I think my one-corner makeover is going to spread.

The Threadneedle Prize, Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD. Entry is free. Voting before 5pm, and the £10,000 prize winner is announced at a party between 6pm - 8pm. And you can see more of Emma's work at Emmabroughton.com


Post by Kate

Karin Akesson: gifts for drinkers and marriers

And while I'm at it, another typographical print that I have been drawn to today.

While there is such a thing as too much typeface on one's wall, there are also the good and the twee – and I think this one falls into the former category. Well, it made me laugh.

Alcohol print, £25 (30cm x 40cm – so fits into a nice off-the-shelf frame), from CultureLabel.

The print is a limited edition, and is by Karin Akesson. I quite like Karin's nice Love Birds I, too (above). It sweetly has a partner piece, Pair of Love Birds; where the print you can see here shows the birds on separate branches, "meeting and falling in love", the second one shows them happily perched on a branch together. As she suggests, a good wedding present – and also priced £25 for the same size print.

Camille Walala: exclusive prints

The weather's getting worse! And I've got a horrible cold! I can't say I'm looking forward to those long rugged cliff-top walks planned for this weekend's jaunt to Cornwall. In fact, I'd rather stay in and eat cake for three days in front of the wood-burning stove in the cottage we've hired.

But the tiny hound needs his walks come freezing fog or icy winds. Anyway. I'm digressing because what I wanted to share are these antidotes for winter.

I love Camille Walala's excellently joyful work. It's not for everyone, and if you stare at it too long it does make your eyes go funny, but her clashing patterns and primary colours and smiley messages make me very happy. 

A massive one of these on my bedroom wall, as the first thing I'd see each morning? YES. That'd set me right up.

And if they don't cheer you up, go with the cake option too. A radiator would do... These three prints are for sale exclusively at CultureLabel, and prices start at £30 and go up to £60 for each, depending on which of the three sizes you pick.

Against a plain background is how I'd do it. It's not, as you might imagine, how Camille herself, below, would do it. I'm not sure I could live in a whole Walala house... could you?

See more of her interior design and all the other mad colourful things she sells on the Walala website.

More Katy Leigh ceramics

So after this morning's post about her romantic egg cups, here is some more about the ceramicist Katy Leigh, whose work I think is really special.

Katy takes inspiration for her secondary career (she was previously a picture editor and also an illustrator for magazines) from her hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, in the heart of the north Staffordshire pottery region...

Soaring Bird plate, £40

Recalling artistic childhood memories, Katy says: "I remember obsessively drawing my parents' Royal Doulton figurines, shortly followed by the characters from my brother’s 2000AD comics, shortly followed by pictures of Nick Kershaw..." Haha. Would have loved to see her Kershaw drawings, especially if they were anything like the stylised faces she conjures up on her plates and cups and prints today (see below).


Turquoise Stripe plate, £20

Since then, she continues, "My subject matter has changed, but not the love of drawing." After completing a BA and MA in Illustration she went back to her roots; growing up in 'The Potteries' (not the shopping centre of the same name, of course) and the bulk of her illustration now adorns ceramics. And aren't they beautiful?
Flying Bird cup and saucer, £20

Portrait egg cups, based on drawings at the Potteries Museum, Hanley, £20 a pair

You can also buy Katy's illustrations in print form. See the full range of Katy Leigh ceramics and prints at CultureLabel, or check out Katy Leigh's own website to see the extended range (which includes her excellent face bowls the gorgeous 'Rear Reclining Nude' print and some funny faced her salt and pepper shakers, not part of the CultureLabel range).

Valentine schmaltzentine

My inbox is drowning under deeply naff Valentine PR missives. (And that's not even including the heart-shaped egg poachers or smugly personalised 'destination prints'. Noooo!)

My antidote is something that you'd use all-year round – because it's useful. And, yes, a little bit romantic: Katy Leigh's lovely, lovey egg cups...

Aren't they sweet? I love Katy's quirky ceramics, which you can buy via CultureLabel.

But if you're a really cynical bugger, send a Modern Toss card...

How to do Frieze, by Culture Label

Whether you want to find the next big thing, or browse work from some of contemporary art's biggest names, the Shrigleys, Emins and Blakes, the annual Frieze art fair – which is on this week – is the place to be.

But in case you're not part of the London art and media clique (good for you!), you can also see – and buy – work by many of the exhibiting artists online. CultureLabel is one of my favourite online shops, as it specialises in promoting new as well as established artists and pumping its profits back into supporting their work. Below, some of the Frieze highlights that caught my eye from CultureLabel, whose collection of exhibiting Frieze 2012 artists features limited editions from Jeremy Deller, Callum Innes, Takashi Murakami, Eva Rothschild, Mark Francis and Kathy Prendergast – starting from £125. Also, their along with their expert tips on buying artwork online.

'Martha' A3 giclee print, £20, by Wild Child, aka young, London-based illustrator, Bryony Lloyd. 

I also like her Tretchikoff-ish 'Virgo' print, same size and price as before. 

'Gymnast', £180, by Eva Rothschild. Snap up affordable work by this acclaimed contemporary artist while you can.

'Museum of Everything' poster advertising Exhibition #3 by Peter Blake, A3, £250. The print is one of a limited edition of just 100, and is a piece of history – so a solid art investment. You can read a bit about the exhibition, which was on a couple of years ago and curated by Sir Peter, in this Time Out review

Untitled, Rachel Whiteread, £600. A great chance to buy work by the Turner Prize-winning artist, part of the YBA movement that also spawned Damien Hirst, Tracy Emin and Jake & Dinos Chapman. This image, part of Whiteread's series photographing dollshouses to explore space and the domestic environment, is one of a limited edition of 50, each signed and numbered. It is just £60 per month via the Own Art scheme.

Still from 'Radio Shaman', Marcus Coates, £95. 

I actually prefer the idea of a Marcus Coates performance than prints of him in action; he is known for taking audience questions and referring them to the animal world, with which he says he communicates. Eccentrically excellent. Read more about Coates' extraordinary art/act in this archive interview in the Frieze magazine and see his other, wildly different, work at the Kate McGarry gallery.

This image is taken from Coates' film documenting a Norwegian radio interview where he takes on the role of a shaman and attempts to help the people of Stavanger deal with an influx of Nigerian immigrants. But the man is so worth checking out in person:

From the 'Mumuration' series, by Rinko Kawauchi, £150. This image of flocking seagulls came about when the acclaimed Japanese photographer – who was shortlisted this year for the Deutsche Borse Photography Prize – was asked to make works about Brighton for the Brighton Photo Biennial, 2010, curated by Martin Parr. One to watch.

CultureLabel's tips for buying artwork online

Explore the greatest gallery of all "With more and more artists using the online space as an alternative to gallery representation, the online world is a rapidly becoming the greatest art gallery in itself. The major advantage of art buying online is the anonymity of browsing which enables you to build up a privileged, key-holed view into galleries, artists and work before you actually commit to a conversation. Seek out the best online galleries & artist websites that appeal to your taste and join their communities to engage with their journey as an artist and their artistic process."

Let online curators do the hard work "With the online space offering so much, seeking out artists and work that you love can also sometimes be an overwhelming experience. Take advantage of expertly curated websites that do the hard work for you by picking out the best collections from leading galleries and artists from around the world; a process that would cost you serious money and time as an individual.

Use Own Art Online "Own Art Online is a brilliant scheme from The Arts Council & Creative Scotland that enables art buyers to spread payments of their art purchase over 10 months, completely interest free (0% APR Representative). The scheme is available exclusively through CultureLabel.com on works priced between £150-£2000 from leading galleries such as Whitechapel Gallery, Saatchi Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy and artists such as Martin Boyce, Marcus Coates, Pure Evil and Sir Peter Blake."

Curate your own personal collection "Every time you see something you like, use a wishlist or moodboard site to track what you've found and start to build up your collection online. This will allow you to build up a broader sense of your art preferences and spot the themes running through your pieces. It's also a great reference to share with friends and other aspiring art fans online."

Be Brave "I have fallen in love with as many pieces online, as I have in galleries and studios – if you have strong connection to the work, there is a chance that it has struck a nerve and can add a new dimension to your life. Be brave, take some risks and remember that contemporary art is by nature seeking to challenge. Trust your instincts entirely and soon you'll start to understand more about your personal artistic tastes and build a truly unique and memorable collection.

You can also find out more about what Frieze is all about in this feature by my colleague at the Independent Magazine, Charlotte Philby – which appeared in print last Saturday.

Dog dinner

Pug salt and pepper pots: what's not to love?

They are £20 from CultureLabel, and designed by Maiden, whose weird but (I think) wonderful animal egg-cups I've previously featured.

Now that's what I call bunting

I'm not entirely convinced by bunting. The Jubilee has really helped it jump the shark, and it can look terribly twee.

But I loved this reincarnation of bunting, seen at the launch last night of Josie Da Bank's new picnic range.

 

Nice, isn't it?

The launch was on the top floor of Selfridges, one of the outlets where Josie's stuff will be on sale – and the whole place had been transformed, Bestival style with quirky, colourful decor; Josie, as you probably know, is the other half of Mr Bestival, aka Rob da Bank, as well as being producer and creative director of the festival, along with its family-focused sister, Camp Bestival). The cups on a wall were an interesting idea, too. 

I can't decide if I loved them or found them strangely creepy in an Alice in Wonderland way... 

So here is Josie's new picnic set: as you'd expect, joyful, bright and covered in her own lovely illustrations. 

It is available to pre-order on CultureLabel for delivery mid-July. By which time we might even have some picnicking weather.

Two plates from the range: the small version costs £8 and the large, £10. The rest of the range starts at £4 for one of the short tumblers.

Meet Rosita Bonita

A real treat for you for the bank holiday: be very inspired by the work and wonderful home of Rosita Bonita. I totally love her busy, colourful, collector style...

Rosita Bonita makes striking and unusual jewellery, which she sells through one of my favourite online shops and big supporter of new creative talent, Culture Label. 

From left to right: gold leather rose lapel brooches, £59; gold foil embossed printed horseshoe pin badge, £19; gold leather heart earrings, £39

And looking at her home you can really see where she gets her inspiration for these pieces. 

Where do you live? In a lovely rented flat, but I’ve been here for about six years so it feels like home.

What does it say about you? We don’t have a living room. What used to be the living room is our studio, so I suppose that reflects how much of my life is work!

Tell us a bit about you and your designs... I started producing jewellery under ‘Rosita Bonita’ in 2009. It’s a fusion of illustration and jewellery design. I print designs onto leather shapes and assemble them with chains and findings. I make everything here in my home studio. I have also produced limited editions of framed artwork (from my jewellery collections) and hand-printed and stretched lampshades. My design work is heavily influenced by the things I collect and surround myself with.

What do you collect? I’m a big fan of jumble sales. I tend to buy a lot of printed ephemera, picture frames, jewellery, clothes, tins, toys and trinkets. I love to make collages out of the various bits I've collected. I have a big box-file full and every now and then, when I have a spare day, I’ll get everything out and spend hours laying things out to fill a frame. It’s often my reward after a deadline. Some things I have for years and years until I use them.

What don't you collect? I always go with my gut instinct. there are no other rules.

What are your rules for arranging all your stuff? I’ll often use colour as a common thread, or a theme (eg. teeth, spain, cats). sometimes this is perhaps a little tenuous (to other people), but feels right to me. little stories/moods pop up when you put certain groups of things together, even if it’s a bit abstract.

Talk us through some of the things in your home... I’m very attached to all my things. There is a picture of a Victorian circus pop-up book (well, half of it) that I’ve had since I was very small. I only realised a few years ago what a strong effect it had had on my visual tastes. It’s beautiful – it unfolds into a whole big top ring, with the crowd and performers all folding down.

Next to it is one of the first big collages I made (see above), which includes cigarette cards of soldiers uniforms, various postcards and flyers collected in different places over a number of years, and some holiday photos. That’s next to a photo of my new-born boyfriend with his mum and a beautiful chameleon postcard, which also represents him.

The red plastic mermaid comb (above and below) is one of my favourite objects. I found it in a jumble sale. My new collection is about mermaids.

I have a few of my lampshades around the house. I made the first ones to light a market stall I did last summer at some festivals, and had such a good response to them that I made some more for a pop-up shop I did at Christmas. I’m now just making them on request. The one on the mantelpiece (below) has a print of a nymph in a clam shell, that I print on the pouches for my jewellery. That's next to my collection of flamenco Avon perfume bottles.

Where do you shop? eBay is a source of many of my treasures. Fantastik is a great shop in Barcelona (they ship to the UK) full of the world’s finest trash trinkets from China, India and Mexico etc. I recently got a great little tin bandit badge, and they do some lovely homewares. I also go to a lot of charity shops and jumble sales. My faves are the Saturday flea market on Kingsland Road, for vintage postcards and photos, and the Sunday jumble at Princess May school, Dalston (both northeast London), for unexpected delights. 

Happy subversive Jubilee

Brit readers, are you sick of seeing tacky Jubilee souvenirs? Then you will love photographer Alison Jackson's trademark subversive take on the Queen's big day, which comes in the form of an amusing range of limited edition china. These plates are my favourite...

Alison Jackson Jubilee Teaplate Set, £120, Culture Label 

...and 'Ma'am' popping into William Hill surely the best of the trio. The plates are part of a limited edition of just 60, and you can get a discount if you order within the next six days. The set is fine bone china and edged with burnished 22kt gold. There are several other humorous products in Jackson's New English range, including tea-towels for £11.95.

Queen Mug, £20, also from Culture Label

Less subversive, but still a million miles from the acres of schmaltzy, bunting-y, twee, tat on offer hoping to earn its sellers a throwaway buck, is this mug. This Whitbread Wilkinson creation works year round, and what a brilliant design: it holds biscuits in her crown. Genius.

Happy long weekend all!

Four ways with photos

My photographic wall sticker fox, £24.99 from the Binary Box (including a free – 2D – squirrel) hasn't garnered many fans since he appeared above the TV, on my sitting room wall a couple of months ago. In fact, I think I'm the only one who likes him, which just makes me like him even more. I'm all for niche taste.

But he got me thinking about how much I love photography on walls. Here are some of my current other favourites, in frames, on stickers and airbrushed approximations of photos...

This fantastically stylish and intriguing image of Claudia Cardinale, Burt Lancaster and director Luchino Visconti, was taken in 1963, during the filming of The Leopard. It is on sale for £99 from CultureLabel. I'd love to see it, huge, somewhere unexpected, like a kitchen wall, where it'd get the attention it deserves.

The film of the Leopard was based on the 1958 book by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa about an aristocrat in Sicily during the 1880s Risorgimento, became Italy's best selling book ever.

It's a bold look, but in the right setting, a fantastically unique way to transform and personalise a room. A vast array of photographs (and non-photographic images) are available as customised blinds from 55Max. Prices from £139 for a 60cm x 80cm standard sized blind. What a boudoir.

A very different wall sticker to my fox, and to the ubiquitous graphic styles out there, Hotel Sports, taken in 1958 by Slim Aarons, is a Getty Image in the Just Stick It Up range from Surface View, priced £55. As the name suggests, you simply stick it on your wall as is. In a tidy wall in a small space (a black-painted or bright white downstairs loo?) this could be very striking.

Syd Brak's classic 1980s photorealistic airbrushed posters were big sellers in Athena, for those of you old enough to remember. Folio Collection is selling limited edition prints of some of his most famous works, like this: Wired for Sound, £120 (A2 size).

Interesting Brak fact: the artist took his inspiration from late 1970s punks, and decided to re-imagine them as if they'd been styled by an Italian fashion designer.