Change to the Lycra brigade
So our TTP Try It campaign has really made an impression on our MD Simon. From his gardening ventures and walks at midnight, he’s now progressed to various cycling exploits and after much denial he has joined the Lycra brigade!
He was a seasoned off roader, with not a piece of lycra in site, but he has now sampled both the fixed wheel terrors of the Herne Hill Velodrome (and has the FHHV top to prove it) and the twisting hill climbs and speedy descents of Mallorca… all in the space of a month! Neither put him off… if anything he’s been hooked… he’s already signed up for another session at the Velodrome on the 24th July and he’s managed to get a place on the Prudential Ride London – Surrey 46 on the 30th July (read more about this here). We’ll update you on his exploits in future enews!
The Japanese house exhibition
In order to get out of the sweltering heat last Thursday, our designer Lizzie went to the Japanese House exhibition at the Barbican. After visiting Japan a few years ago and admiring the buildings, she was intrigued to learn more about the history of the architecture.The Japanese have a clean approach to design, utilising space and keeping only the necessities of life…If only everyone could do that! The hand drawn blueprints showed the care and attention to detail they bring to their projects. But the exhibition isn’t just about the architecture, there are small insights into the Japanese culture through short video clips and even a rather unusual jacket, lined with old newspapers!
The exhibition has been well thought out and the second part enables you to walk through life size replicas of houses, varying from the traditional to the ultra modern…and you can even go up into a tree house! A designer is always looking for new inspiration and there was plenty of it here…from simple drawings to the form of the buildings. Lizzie’s favourite being the seat in the bath!
The exhibition runs until the 25th June 2017, and even if you’re not that interested in Japanese architecture, then it’s still worth a visit to the Barbican. A brutalist, yet beautiful building, especially when the sun is shining!
Made for Chelsea!
So it’s not been off our TV screens for long but we did find the Chelsea flower show a great place for inspiration. From rusty drinking troughs with water that performs to the reverberations of sound, to life size animals made of drift wood or old horse shoes, the creativity goes beyond just gardening.
The designers bring space to life with the marriage of natural flora (and some fauna) to unique and unusual textures, colour, structures and even sound. These spaces inspire people, promote health, well being, mindfulness and as a result are increasingly becoming part of not only our home life but, when possible, our work space environments too. Why not put some life into your space…
Merge
Earlier this month Rosie popped along to the launch of Merge, Bankside’s annual arts, music and performance festival, organised by Better Bankside and Illuminate Productions.
The launch event was a great taste of what to expect throughout the festival, with Drive Dead Slow: Dodgems of the Mind taking centre stage and providing a immersive performance art experience, as you drove a bumper car as you’ve never driven one before. Food (crisp sandwiches) and drink (glow in the dark g&t’s) were provided by Bompas & Parr, leading culinary experience providers.
Merge is on until 4 June, so check out what’s on and pop along before it finishes – you won’t regret it.
Brighton Festival
The Brighton Festival will be coming to an end this weekend. So if you haven’t checked out the acts or atmosphere at the Spiegeltent then this weekend is your last chance. Fingers crossed for the weather though!
Alternatively if you want to take the kids to see some outdoor comedy then take them along to the Warren, like a little mini Glasto on the London Road, there’s something for everyone. Be prepared for the odd avant-garde act though which will get parents raising a few eyebrows, well it is Brighton!
Whilst you’re at it, if there are any print or typographic lovers amongst you, just a stones throw away in North Laine is the wonderful ‘Magazine Brighton’. Be careful though, in that what can feel like 5 minutes flicking through printed literature, actually turns out to be an hour.