Sneak peak...
These are some small samples from the print strike offs & design drawings for a new raincoat I have been working on for a Danish company.

I have wanted to do a raincoat for a while now but I have always been reluctant because of the materials involved.

(I am still hoping to find a greener alternative to the PVC film that I currently use for the window film. I am sure I will find something as material development in this area is progressing. Ideally I am trying to find a PET film that is produced akin to the window film, but my search goes on...)

So back to the mac the aim was to produce a raincoat that was practical and stylish but we also wanted to address the process of how we produced this product through the manufacturing process, partners and the materials it was made from.

The project has taken over a year and has involved myself, a Danish design and distribution company, a fantastic UK pattern/product developer and a Chinese manufacturing company who pride themselves in working with sustainable materials and ethical practices.
It has been great working with this international team.

I will post photos of all the finished designs soon and a bit more more about
this fantastic material which is made from plastic bottles.

The " Practicals" range is due to be launched in August at Formland in Denmark and at the New York Gift fair in the US.

Short break last week in South West France in
my home from home where time stands still, no phones, no computers.
Food, reading, cycling, drawing, pondering...great for the soul.

Last week a friend and I went to Charleston , a 17th Century house in the Sussex countryside which was the home of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant who were part of the Bloomsbury Group. I have wanted to visit this place for such a long time. The day was glorious sunshine and we were taken on a magical journey on the sisters tour.

The house is a work of art - it truly captures the creative force and artist lives of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. They moved to this retreat in 1916 and took painting beyond the canvas, decorating walls, doors, furniture, ceramics and textiles. Everywhere you look you see unique decoration, pattern and surface interest. So much to be inspired by!

Unfortunately you can't take pictures inside the house so you will have to visit to appreciate
what I am going on about. My personal favorites are the painted dog and cockerel in Vanessa's bedroom and the stenciling on the Living room walls. If you can't visit this book looks good.

My friend Rachel Kelly and her award wining
interactive wallpaper will be exhibiting at the new
Design Show Liverpool 19 -22nd June - with the
Un-Fold collective of designers, who are based near Kendal.

Rachel and I used to share a studio in London but she
has swapped London for a print studio in the beautiful
English Lake District. Rachel will be showing a new
collection of fabrics for upholstery, alongside her wallpaper.

Be sure to check it out if you are in the area, I think this show
will be a great event.

Another highlight at Pulse was the fantastic lighting by
Jericho Hands. All the lights are made from reclaimed
items. The results create truly unique sculptural pieces
as seen in the Gramophone chandelier.

I visited the trade show Pulse yesterday at Earls Court.
The most interesting area of the show is Launch Pad where
you see many new small companies. Unfortunately
my camera decided not to work so I can't show
how great all the stands were. This image is
taken from Laura Walker's website who was
exhibiting. I am fan of her beautiful buttons.

sneak peak... a new window film.
Delicate black line patterns, onto
a frosted film. Available to
buy online very soon.