Black and white geometric patterns

When I walked into this room at the Argentine Ambassador’s Residence my breath was almost taken away. It was the modern geometric patterns against the traditional greys of the room - there couldn’t have been a better setting. But would you believe it, the tablecloths and ceramics aren’t by the same artist - but how well do they go together?

The main event here for me really is the ceramic sculptures. They’re by Björk Haraldsdóttir and it’s not only the strong patterns but the shapes of the pieces which fascinate me. I’m not sure I could choose a favourite piece, though the pair on the left of the photo below would be high up on my list.

Yes, these two.

It’s a pipe dream though as they’re out of my price range, but a girl can dream right?

And those tablecloths? They’re by Colour Squatters, which if I’m honest look great with these but are also pricey for tablecloths. But such a great match, and an expensive dream!

After the taking of tea

Remember my visit to the Ambassador’s Office during London Craft Week, well today I’m sharing one of the exhibits, and it’s the most divine tea service. Made all the better I think for the way it was displayed - and what better way, than on a dining table?

The pieces are by Charlotte Hodes and they are hand cut enamel transfers on chinaware. What appeals to me is the pattern, how they’re different but clearly related. The informality of them, but the formality of tea - and the quotes around the edge.

The broken tea cup though admittedly has much less real use, but just look at how the design flows between the oblong plates below.

AT THE CENTRE OF AN UNCERTAIN AND POSSIBLY ILLUSIONARY UNIVERSE THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE TEA.

And can you imagine a world without tea? No, me neither. MOH declared this week that it’s too cold for water and has upped his already considerable and much appreciated tea making duties.

TEA TO THE ENGLISH IS REALLY A PICNIC INDOORS

And I love the quote on the piece above, do you think it is?

The Library at Greenway

It was great to head down to Devon last weekend to see family. Family that we’d not seen since before lockdown - we were due to visit in April 2020, but clearly that didn’t happen. When we’re there we have a few favourite National Trust properties which we visit in turn. On this visit we headed over to Greenway, Agatha Christie’s holiday home in Brixham. It’s a great house, and the gardens are pretty spectacular too.

Today I’m sharing pictures from the library, and unusually there’s relatively few books in my photos.

During the Second World War Greenway was requisitioned by the US Coast Guard and one of the men stationed there left ‘a unique memento’ in the Library. It’s not the first time I’ve seen the frieze, but it’s something that doesn’t disappoint on any visit.

The freeze is on all four walls and there’s 13 murals in what was the ‘mess room’ with a bar set up in the alcove. The murals are painted using just four colours - blue, khaki, black and white and shows incidents that occurred during their eleven months’ journey to Greenway.

When the house was decommissioned and returned to Agatha Christie, she was pleased to see that little damage had been done but was “somewhat surprises to find the graffiti left in the library.”

The commander wrote offering to have ‘the fresco’ painted out and, as her autobiography records, she quickly wrote back that “it would be an historic memorial” that she was delighted to have.

It’s really quite special, so if you’re in the area it’s definitely worth a visit. But make sure to book your parking in advance.