This might just be me but I keep seeing window displays where the head of a model has been substituted by a giant ball of foliage or flora. I don’t know wether they are a deliberate homage to the famous Salvador Dali picture below or just an unconscious dream.
I find them a little unsettling, what do you think?
Floral head display at Other Criteria, New Bond St, London W1, May 2011
Topiary heads on display in Yumi, Mortimer St London W1
Salvador Dali 1937 Untitled ( woman with flower head)
Easter at Cannizaro Park
April 25, 2011
Its one of my favourite parts of London and at this time of year the blooms are out in full.
I love walking around Cannizaro Park and the weather this Easter has been perfect, rather than joining the motorway madness as the masses head for the beaches I just pop up here for an hour or two and it feels the same as a day in the countryside.
Friends Of Cannizaro is a non profit organisation that cares for the park throughout the year, they always welcome new members who appreciate the gardens to their fold.
The park is set on hillside and as you wander around there is everything from Pine trees at the top of the hill, through rhodedendron glades in the middle to primeval swamp ferns and huge green triffid style plants at the bottom.
Best of all its completely free. The attached Cannizaro Hotel does a great tea on the terrace too but there’s always an ice cream van out the front for those on a budget. I regard it as my own personal Stately Home from home, I know the grounds so well now!
There are masses of bluebells at Cannizaro, so beautiful.
The ferns are unfurling at Cannizaro Park
Wonderful vistas of colour upon colour on sloping ground at Cannizaro Park
Wafts of jasmine as you pass strange trees in the landscape from the towering bushes
The mighty rhodedendron bushes are blooming too
Beautiful washes of colour are throughout the park
Photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
Petersham Nurseries opens in Selfridges London store, Country style in the West End.
January 13, 2011
On Monday the fantastic Petersham Nurseries opened a concession shop in Selfridges lower ground floor.
All their key items are here including the retro feather duster sticks, the Ilse Crawford laced wellie boots, Murano glass vases, candelabras, organic household products, vintage watering cans and one-off pieces of antique furniture, hand-picked and sourced by in-house stylist Ronny de Koning and gift items galore.
The area manages to keep the relaxed country vibe of the Nurseries and is not as brightly lit as the rest of the store which gives it a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere and encourages you to browse for longer. Now what about the cafe too!
Entrance to the new Petersham Nurseries in Selfridges lower ground floor
Wonderful bird houses at Petersham Nurseries in Selfridges
The interior has managed to keep the atmosphere of the original Petersham Nurseries
Collections of glasses and vases for great gifts
Indian cotton patchwork quilts in vintage prints
Retro looking tin box of children's baking equipment
The exterior wall with distressed window through to the shop
15 Christmas wreaths from the streets of London for Xmas 2010
December 15, 2010
As it says really, I am always overwhelmed at the range of wreaths that appear on the doors of London at this time of year, so many, so different.
Here is my selection from the streets of West London, this years new shape appears to be the red heart. Sweet.
Red hearts are popular this year for Christmas Wreaths
Pine cones are always traditional
Love the hanging pines on this one
So chic for the grey front door
Primary brights for a jolly wreath
Modernist and simple chic
Homespun styling
Classic Holly wreath
Unusual red heart wreath
Red heart variation wreath
Unshowy and classic wreath with cinnamon sticks
Over the top styling fruity wreath
This is my favourite, willow and frosted berries
Star struck wreath
Pomp and Circumstance wreath, very grand but what's with the clogs!
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
A reminder to visit the Summer Pavillion at the Serpentine
August 18, 2010
This year’s striking Summer Pavillion at the Serpentine Gallery by Jean Nouvel will be taken down after the 8th October. It is well worth a visit. I think it is the most visually pleasing pavillion so far and I love the intense contrast of the red and green planting which has been complemented by grasses and flower beds at either end of the open section in dark browns and oranges.
Now is a great time to visit, the weather is cooler and the crowds have gone, with luck you may even be able to bag a hammock for half an hour to relax in, leave it too late into September and the rain will be here.
Graphic back view from the Serpentine Gallery
A lucky few get to try out the hammock
View of cafe from the flower beds
Red glass ensures a warm glow throughout the interior
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
Hans-Jörgen Hansson has worked as a designer for Ikea in Malmoe Sweden for many years and now has started his own line of kids T-shirts featuring strong graphic images in good quality cottons EGGKIDS
With a quirky feel to the graphics its no wonder that they have taken off in Japan as well as his hometown, their logo is “smile together” and they do have a friendly air about them for sure. Look out for the cute dog toy too.
Eggkids Dog T-Shirt
Eggkids yellow dog T-shirt
Eggkids - Elliot Lovedog toy
I am also loving the photo of tulip fields from his blog on the same site
Tulip fields from Eggkids blog April 2010
all photos by Eggkids – all rights reserved
A flowering Easter at Petersham Nurseries
April 2, 2010
Good Friday, a great day for a cup of tea and cake at Petersham Nurseries and to check out their Easter display.
As always there is a wonderful planting in all the vintage urns and market boxes to be seen and an unusual Easter tree decorated with blown eggs stencilled with the alphabet.
I thought I would also check out the new WordPress slideshow option below which seems pretty cool and which I will use for catwalk reports in the future.
Happy Easter everyone.
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
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