EVENT | ROGUE OPEN STUDIOS 2014

It's great to get to go behind the scenes and see where creatives work. Open studio events are a special opportunity to see creative processes and practices in action and meet the talented people who dedicate their time and energy to their amazing work. This weekend (19th-21st September) a very special studio is opening it's doors. Housed in Manchester, Rogue Studios is home to a gaggle of over 90 of the north's most creative individuals working across a range of disciplines.

My lovely pal, ridiculously talented maker of the most covetable jewels, Jade Mellor, will be there so go say hi. I challenge you not to desire all her precious gems. 



You can tour across three floors of Crusader Mill, a creative hotspot teaming with ideas and inspiration. Tonight is the launch party so go along and chat to the diverse range of artists, enjoy a tipple and make the most of this opportunity to have an insight into this incredible space. Also, there will be a chance to catch some special exhibitions, collaborations and purchase or commission the unique work crafted in the studio spaces. Go, go, GO. 

Opening Party: Friday 19th September (6-9pm)
Open Weekend: Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st (12-5pm)
By appointment: Monday 22nd – Sunday 28th (12-5pm)

More info here. 

EVENT | HOME IS IN THE NORTH

Ah the North; the motherland, where people can be mardy, boss or kippered but usually with a smile and a joke on hand. Where you can be waiting around like piffy one minute then bounce off down the ginnel to grab a chip barm another. The North has a wealth of creativity and I will leave it at that statement rather than start bangimg on with the music/art/fashion that has come from the upper parts of the UK. In keeping with a long tradition of fostering new creative talent Manchester now welcomes a new event aptly called Home Is In The North, exhibiting the best in new craft and design talent in the North of England.

Launching at Halle St. Peters in Ancoats, Manchester on April (26^th) will feature a some of the North’s most inspiring designers…

In attendance will be my lovely friend, textiles and homewares designer Natalie Laura Ellen draws inspiration for her designs from the things surrounding her Castlefield studio, from her balcony garden to the humble bumble bee, symbol of Manchester.

Also at the event will be Surface pattern designer Annabel Perrin, who uses the contemporary architecture of Salford Quays to create the geometric patterns used in her cushions, footstools and fabrics and continuing the ‘Industrial’ trend is bespoke lighting designer Richard Linford of Greymoose Designs with his upcycled lighting collection that experiments with camera tripods, sturdy steel basins modernised with colourful braided lighting cords. Leeds-based textile designer, Anthony Hughes also incorporates Northern 

industrial landscapes such as pylons, gasholders and railway tracks into his homewares.

They've already set-up some incredible interior pop-ups across Manchester (see images) and they're also hosting a giveaway to win some of Annabel Perrin’s gorgeous cushions. The event’s only £3 which is not much more than the cost of a brew these days (even up North) and there’s a wealth of seminars, showcases, exhibition to get stuck into. So there you have it, peel yourself off that sofa and put those leftover Easter eggs down a minute and check out an abundance of design inspiration. 

 To see a full list of exhibitors and more information visit www.eventsbythesocialbutterfly.com

·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeIsEvent

·         Twitter: @HomeIsEvent

DESIGN | INTERIORS

With some decorating on the horizon, I've been perusing the web for some interiors inspiration. Here's some good stuff that I found...

galaxy carpets by SCHÖNSTAUB via Another

Roshildur Jónsdóttir & Snæbjörn Stefánsson's apartment, Rekkjavik via freundevonfreunden

anita calero’s loft via loft life mag

Via decor8 blog

Future Perfect founder David Alhadeff’s warehouse apartment from  2009 NY Mag via Miss Modular

ARRé Design Insekt Desk Adult Yw by ARRE Design

JOËLLE BATENS amazing home from the incredible eefje de coninck blog

Transportable box bedroom via desire to inspire

ART | MAIKO GUBLER

Maiko Gubler is a visual artist working with digital modeling tools in imagery and sculpture. His intriguing use of luminsce colour and contorted shapes are really striking.

ART | BAUHAUS

The work of Nicholas Alan Cope's is always so striking. Whilst perusing his stunning photographs of American Bauhaus Architecture I remembered that I still need to catch the Bauhaus: Art as Life exhibition at The Barbican before it finishes on 12 August.

A poignant movement post WW1,the Bauhaus school worked to unify art with utility and technology creating some of the most striking design and architecture of the 20th Century. The biggest Bauhaus exhibition in 40 years, this is a must see - so guess I better get a move!