Design Shack

Well although this collection of gear is meant to represent the British flag, I can think of many other countries that also have red, white and blue as their  colours!! So here's our tribute to all of them! I so want that polo shirt and my partner wants the other shirt! Very cool collection I think. great photo too.

I've never been a fan of the Rolling Stones but their Lips logo has become a timeless iconic piece of artwork. Here's just a small selection of the different items you currently buy that feature this logo. I thought the most amusing one is the children's set of plastic table wear from a company called "Psychobaby".

JOE'S PLINTH

Ok I'd have a giant Doc Martin Boot on the plinth because it's a very British product, Reliable, Strong and Timeless. What do you think?

RIMA'S PLINTH



ONDINE'S PLINTH



CINDY'S PLINTH

Six major British artists are battling for the chance to make their sculpture for the empty fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. Here are 4 of the ideas so far. Yinka Shonibare has suggested Nelson's ship in a bottle with sails made in textiles from Brixton market. The piece, sitting alongside Nelson's column, would reflect the story of multiculturalism in London, he said. Artist Tracey Emin wants the meerkats, popular stars of many a BBC natural history series, saying: "Whenever Britain is in crisis or, as a nation, experiencing loss (for example, after Princess Diana's funeral), the next programme on television is Meerkats United." The other contenders include Jeremy Deller, who wants to present the remains of a vehicle that has been destroyed in an attack on Iraqi civilians. Anish Kapoor has suggested five concave mirrors positioned to turn the world upside down and reflect the sky down to earth. I love these ideas!! I would so like the opportunity to do something myself. My question is what would you put on the empty plinth?

My partner has been raving on about a Swedish company called PANDURO HOBBY for quite a long time. We've just bought there 2007/2008 catologue full of over 2,000 items for creative inspiration. They have materials for Christmas , rubber stamps, card making, scrapbooking, lights and candles, decoupage, paint and glue, artist materials, tilda, paper and presents, Hama beads, fabric and ribbbon, wool and felt, wooden items, yarn, bags, jewellery, soap, brushes, kids collection, the sweet shop etc. Infact almost anything that you will ever need to be creative! The catologue is 3.50 here in the UK and you either order it on-line from panduro.co.uk or buy it from WH Smiths. If you are are into anything creative, even blinging up an old t-shirt or painting a picture this is the place to get your materials. It's brilliant!! Check it out!

We are going through a grey stage, and just love the look of this room. It would have been a look that I would have hated when I was younger, but when life becomes so colourful and busy sometimes it's cool to chill in something that's a bit more relaxing on the eye. The lamps and vases look like chess pieces, in fact the whole setting looks a bit like a scene from Alice Through The Looking Glass. I normally hate wallpaper but I think this is amazing. It's called Terma e Variazoni and costs 60 pounds for one roll!!

I have a pile of cd's and I'd love to do something creative with them, but I can't think what! I was wondering whether to add them to the front panel of my dj kit but have the feeling they'll just look a bit naff. I like these ideas but feel sure they is something even better than any of them. I just can't think what!! Any ideas?

With the kids back at school, students back at Uni, and adults back at work after the summer holidays, it's the perfect time to get some new desk accessories. Funky notepads, staplers, calculators, rubber stamps, paperweights and desk clocks. Check out the green tape dispensor too. Most of these items are from Paperchase, Liberty and the Conran shop.

I'm into sheds, shacks, beach huts and even tree houses. I'd love a beach hut. I think there is something appealing about being enclosed in a small space and the element of being self sufficent and away from the hustle and bustle of real life. Earlier today I was looking at song lyrics for the Partridge Family on Google and this photo of the large lifeguard booth appeared. It' s very much in the same design as the bus used in the 1970's Comedy series. Intrigued by this I looked into other Lifeguard stands and booths and found a great many examples of buildings being painted or designed in an art deco style. It made me think, do we fill our lives with colour? It makes me want to go and colour the garden shed in red and white stripes.

Ever wondered what you could do with all your old records? Well too late coz someone else has already come up with some novel ideas! Coasters made out of the record centre and then laminated, clocks and bowls. The worst idea though has to be the handbags. I can't imagine who'd want to walk around with a bag made out of 2 halfs of a record. I actually saw these in a shop in the States, along witha belt made out of bottle tops and thought that was taking recycling one step too far!!!

Check out the work of Jan Constantine. This range is called Pop Art. To me it has more of a British Americana feel about it. Not sure if British and Americana go together really, but hopefully you know what I mean! The colour and feel of the design are very American, but obviously the Union Jack is British. I think her work is great!

Where else would you see a building like this! Even more amazing than that, it's in a street in the centre of Atlantic City, opposite the Hotel Tropicana. What's also interesting is that there is no grafitti on the building either. I noticed that in the States people seem to care for their property a great deal more than in the UK. Even the most basic of houses will often have garlands and birdhouses and be lovingly looked after. Now could you live in a pink house like this!!

Very much a symbol of the swinging 60's here in the UK, this logo has become a timeless classic! It never fails to look cool and modern, even on a pair of babies shoes!

If motorbikes, scooters and mopeds are your thing then you can now spread your passion from outside to inside the home with lights, clocks, chairs and even the bathroom sink!

When I was at art college Mondrian was one of the artists I studied. What amazes me is how timeless his work is and what an influence it still is on modern design. The panda is based on his painting Boogie Woogie. The simpicity of his work can be created in so many different ways as the above montage proves.

Whether you like it or not Flower Power is back in! Large funky flowers in bright colours seem to be appearing on everything from toilet seats to doorstops! Even appiances like toasters and kettles are being given the Flower Power treatment!