Design Debate

Martin Reznick has provided the perfect setting for furniture designer Marc Krusin's pieces, moody film noir. Not the usual way to capture a collection but Krusin wanted to commision imagery he could use to promote his beautiful pieces. Reznick had a free-rein and I love what he has come up with. Comfortable with intricate illustrations, Reznick chose only black for his series of drawings. With the feeling of a crime scene, the tables and chairs cast shadows and pieces of everyday life are set for us to observe.  Reznick also created a poster, just to tie the narrative together. A really fresh way to present furniture design. Krusin's timeless pieces brilliantly play their part, rendered with all the nuisances of line.      Originally found at Creative Boom .  

After finding a surprise renovation I looked a little more into The Landmark Trust. Simply put they restore castles, forts, towers and cottages for self-catering holidays. These buildings are really rather special.  The one that turned my head was Astle Castle in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Pretty much a ruin, it took an architectural competition to decide how this house would live on. More a fortified manor than a castle, it had been lived in since the Saxon period. Sadly gutted by fire it was hard to know quite how to breath life into the once significant estate.  The winning bid by Witherford Watson Mann created a modern abode within the ruins, filled with warmth and character. Spacious but still cosy, a clear distinction from the old and new.  I love the delicate bricks, Danish actually, chosen for their subtle shades. The light oak panelling bridges the age gap perfectly. In some places the views are seen through the ruin, like the castle wraps around the...

I came across this woven stool today at A Merry Mishap , and just loved it. Knots Studio from Tel Aviv headed up by Neta Tesler have an intriguing range of homewares, all tightly entwined in glossy fabrics. So tactile and elegant, a real sense of fun.  Inspired by the Mediterranean coast and its nautical heritage, Neta has created a collection that feels undoubtably modern but I feel would look at home in pretty much any space.  Such strokable statement pieces, I would just love them in my home.       

A noble goal, but quite a challenge, UnLtd is a social organisation based in Australia who wanted to created a range of teas to help children's mental health. Perhaps not the most logical fit, youth and herbal tea, but with this generation's mental health at an all time low the not-for-profit wanted to create a positive drinking experience as well as raising some cash for mental health charities. Sidney-based agency Maud came up with some lovely vibrant designs. The teas have names like 'Sweet Lullaby', a blend of Rooibos, liquorice and vanilla, designed to calm and relax.  The illustrations are colourful but definitely reflect the brand name, Mood, each with a distinct feel and personality.  I think it's a great initiative, I'm partial to a cup of peppermint tea myself. There is something quite rewarding taking a moment to enjoy a brew, with an extra layer of comfort knowing it is actually doing you good.  Originally foun...

Book design is something I have always enjoyed, especially children's books. I still fondly remember my favourites, the illustrations are crystallised in my memory along with the pleasure I felt slowly turning pages and sounding the words to myself. It's that quality time with a parent or just enjoying the happy solitude discovering a new favourite brings.  Choosing books for kids today is an absolute pleasure, such a wealth of talent to pick from. For me it is all about the illustrations, bringing words to life and making something I struggled with quite a bit being dyslexic, actually fun.     I shared the work of graphic artist Jorey Hurley  on the Pickle Blog a few years back. The San Francisco based artist creates beautiful artwork, you can really see her past-life as a textile designer shining through. Bold, modern and colourful, they'd look great in a nursery - though grown-ups love them just as much as kids.  Today though I wanted to focus ...

Hello :) Life has been rather hectic over at Pickle Design so Design Debate has sat a little dormant recently. Today however I'd like to share a brand that I came across and loved. Carried out by A Work of Substance, Hong Kong's Mother Pearl is a thing of beauty. The vegan bubble tea bar is perfectly packaged, just as precious as any pearl. The colour scheme is alluring and I love the optical illusion of the logo as well. It reminds me a little of an Art Deco cafe I visited in Prague, the curved lines and waxy deep green.  Terracotta bricks line the walls and reflect the light giving a warm glow. The illustrations on the cups too are delightful. A lovely find, see more at SF Girl .   

What a beautiful building, La Fabrica was an abandoned cement works until architect Ricardo Bofill made it home. The structure is giant, Bofill found the place in 1973 and it's been a labour of love to transform the cavernous space over the years into a home and studio.  Located in the outskirts of Barcelona, this structure resides in a city full of architectural wonders. I visited when I was about 18 on a college photography trip, it was pretty wonderful. Gaudi's buildings seem to organically grow from the pavement, in vibrant fairytale hues, shimmering as if covered in dragon-like scales.    The more traditional gothic architecture was captivating, me and my SLR snapped away, wandering down the narrow streets, filled with the sites and smells of Catalonia. A lovely time that has given me an appreciation for the city and its strong ties with design. The concrete works could be a barren and cold place but with arches softening the vertical lines and greenery cov...