A quick change in the loos

You didn’t think I’d go to The Grosvenor and miss out on photographing some loos, did you? Of course I didn’t. We were hoping our room would be ready (it wasn’t), which was disappointing, but on the other hand it did provide the perfect reason to go on a loo hunt. We opted to head away from the toilets nearest reception on the ground floor thinking that these would most likely be busy, and that seemed to pay off as the loos near the function room were quiet, in fact it was just like having my own space.

The thing that struck me was the door and the corridor leading to the loos, it was the narrowest I’ve seen for a while and loaded up with a bag, hat and brolly, I did well to manoeuvre through the entry challenge. Once in though the room was tastefully and understated, which is just what you’d expect I think. Something that was a bit too way out there, is more likely to jar in this environment.

But it was a space I quickly made my own. Here’s the before shot.

The during, or the takeover shot…

And the after.

A loo series with a difference this time round, but the first with a quick change.

Nice hat missus!

Falling more elegantly than I ever could

At Chelsea this year there were a few sculptures that caught my eye, and while I don’t think I’m in the market for something quite this size (or frankly price) this “Falling Man” by Helen Sinclair* is the style I’d go for if I were.

But as someone who has a tendency to be a bit clumsy, the idea of capturing someone falling appealed. Although I’m sure I never look anywhere near as elegant during a mishap.  That could be when my ankle decides to give way while walking, making it look like I’ve forgotten how to walk, or if I unintentionally knock something on the table and scramble to save its contents spilling everywhere, usually with mixed results!

Wouldn't it be good though if falling (as I’m resigned to the fact it happens to me) looked so classy, all of the time?

FALLING MAN BY HELEN SINCLAIR

* BTW if you’re interested: the sculpture is in bronze and is priced at £14,500.  

My clumsiness is long-standing and resulted in broken bones while growing up. There was the time that I fell down the stairs wearing my new slippers with, as it turned out slippery soles, but with a much wanted “fake-fur pom-pom” on the top (broken arm) and the one where I was skipping alone in the school playground, got tangled up in the rope and fell (broken foot).

So I feel well qualified to talk about falling, let’s hope I’m not about to surpass my earlier attempts.  

Maybe buying the sculpture would be the better option after all...

White and shade, peace and elegance

According to the information alongside this Beautiful Border at Gardeners’ World Live earlier this year, the inspiration for this space came from “the many shady spots that occur in gardens, which can be hard to make look attractive.”

It aims, and I think manages, to take a part of the garden that’s often neglected and unloved and make it lovely and stylish too. It’s simoke colour scheme of green and white, gorgeous tiles and my firm favourite ferns helps create a “magical shady border that really captures the dramatic effect of white and shade.”

It’s also pretty good to look at isn’t it?  I’m imagining a tranquil, urban city space that’s a haven to escape the busyness of life. In reality, this was planted in a small(ish) raised bed outside the NEC in Birmingham, where it rained during our visit - that paints quite a different picture doesn’t it, and if you don’t mind I’m happy sticking with my vision over reality this time round.

What about you?