By Nicole Solis  October 27th, 2009 11:34 am  |  Comments (0)

A double-cloth wool blanket by Eleanor Pritchard

British textile designer Eleanor Pritchard finds inspiration in limitations. That’s one reason she’s so drawn to dobby weaving, a simple weaving technique that uses a limited number of colors and small repeated patterns.

Within these parameters, the bold geometric patterns and vivid colors of her double-cloth wool blankets and cushions are free to pop. Though her designs are modern, the textiles are produced using traditional weaving techniques by a Welsh woolen mill.

If you’re in London, see Pritchard’s work at these upcoming shows:

• November 15: Midcentury Modern, Dulwich, London
• December 4–6: Christmas Open Studios, Deptford, London

[Hat tip to Tea for Joy for reminding me of Pritchard's lovely work!]

By Derk Richardson  September 14th, 2009 1:51 pm  |  Comments (2)

Heap spun the globe before recording Ellipse.

Imogen Heap’s albums don’t sound like “world music.” They don’t obviously tap tribal rhythms or incorporate traditional ethnic instruments. But the British pop artist took a page from Afar (unwittingly, I’m sure) when seeking songwriting inspiration for her new CD.

Tapping the same impulse that drives Afar’s Spin the Globe department, which sends a writer on a spontaneous journey at a moment’s notice, Heap cast her muse to the wind before recording Ellipse, recently released by RCA and already a top 5 hit in the U.S.

“I didn’t want to be in London, where I’d be doing my washing,” she told the Wall Street Journal’s Jim Fusilli.  “I got my laptop, went to Google Earth and spun.” Her spin took her to Hawaii, Japan, Australia, China, and Thailand, and provided fodder for a dozen compositions.

Fusilli (@wsjrock on Twitter) compares Heap’s “smart, textured modern pop” to that of Kate Bush and Annie Lennox. Ellipse certainly won’t make you think of Oumou Sangare or Asha Bhosle.

But the album is global in its own right, full of geographically untethered soundscapes that blend acoustic guitars, piano, and electronics plus found sounds from Heap’s family house in Sussex, England.

An active Twitterer with more than a million followers, Heap told Fusilli, travel “put my brain in an interesting space.” That’s what happens when you spin the globe.

By Nicole Solis  September 8th, 2009 10:11 am  |  Comments (0)

The Economist just launched “Doing Business in London,” the first of 30 new guides for business travelers. Covering key business etiquette (such as whether your colleagues will be wearing ties, how to shake hands, and the importance of being on time) and the quick  things travelers can do while frantically trying to get a taste of a new city between meetings.

But it doesn’t take a great deal of time to see a more authentic London. Check out “A Local’s Take on London,” with some great restaurant recommendations and even a spot to “hot-desk” (the Britishism for working remotely or from a temporary space).

Photo by henrybloomfield, CC 2.0.

By Jeremy Saum  August 10th, 2009 5:24 pm  |  Comments (1)

Nonvirtual bog snorkeling

After you’ve read James Sturz’s feature on the World Bog Snorkeling Championships in the premier issue of Afar, try the BBC’s virtual bog snorkeling game. Be sure to read the tips on how to play. You’ll experience all of the frustratingly slow progress, none of the water scorpions.

Photo by Rud-gr.

By Nicole Solis  July 27th, 2009 9:59 am  |  Comments (0)

Konstam at the Prince Albert, King's Cross, London.

In Afar’s premier issue, Sophie Howarth, founder of London’s School of Life, shared her favorite places in her East London neighborhood, pointing out the best spots for street photography, the most marvelous-smelling mushrooms, and the most peaceful spot to grab a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning.

When I talked to her in February, right after London’s big snowstorm, she enthusiastically recommended several other places just beyond the East End that she often passes on her bike en route to work.

King’s Cross

The Hub
34B York Way
+44 (0)20 7841 3450

“The Hub is sort of a new phenomenon in shared office space in London. You don’t have to be from London to use it, and you can work in this incredible environment where people are interested in sustainability, social entrepreneurship, etc. It’s a great alternative for travelers, when you don’t have anywhere to hotdesk beside your hotel room. They host loads of interesting events.”

Konstam at the Prince Albert
2 Acton St.
+44 (0)20 7833 5040

“The chef, Oliver Rowe, sources all his food from London or the London Underground network. He only uses things you can get in season from London. It’s has a knock-out interior, designed by Thomas Heatherwick. We host our conversation meals there.”

Bloomsbury

Ben Pentreath
17 Rugby St.
+44 (0)20 7430 2526

“Ben Pentreath, which sells things for the home, is absolutely tiny, the size of most people’s toilets. He’s got this wonderful collection of hardly anything, but you want everything.”

Charlotte Mann mural at the School of Life

The School of Life
70 Marchmont St.
+44 (0)207 833 1010

“We’re now getting pretty close to the School of Life. Ask to see downstairs because that’s where we have these fabulous murals by Charlotte Mann.”

Elsewhere

Guerilla Gardening

“Richard Reynolds, who is London’s guerrilla gardener, goes out by night and plants flowers and bulbs in the most surprising (grimy) places, the center of roads, roundabouts. It’s become a big movement. Lots of people go out together and guerrilla garden. This could be something your readers could do, sign up on the Web site and guerrilla garden.”

Moro
34 – 36 Exmouth Market
+44 (0)20 7833 8336

“There’s a fabulous restaurant called Moro, by Sam and Sam[antha] Clark. It’s pricey, but if you can nip in there, you can always have tapas at the bar quite cheaply. Exmouth Market is one of those streets that have that European idea of where people go for a stroll at 6 pm. You can happily while away a nice afternoon of reading there.”

Konstam photo by Ewan-M.