Categories / Books

London Calling: A Countercultural History of London Since 1945 by Barry Miles

London

A recent release that's certain to be of interest to anyone with an enthusiasm for London's 'underground' past – London Calling: A Countercultural History of London Since 1945 by Barry Miles.

It is described as 'a major and definitive history of the counterculture' by a 'pre-eminent chronicler of the cultural underground', written by a man who should know all about it, being the co-owner of the Indica Gallery, founder of the International Times and organiser of the 14 Hour Technicolour Dream event. In terms of content it looks at the counterculture that sprang up in the decades following the Second World War, focusing on the West End and Soho, from the heady days of post-war Soho. the jazz bars and clubs of the fifties, the teddy boys and the Angry Young Men, Francis Bacon and the legendary Colony Club, the 1960s and the Summer of Love, along with the rise of punk.

Out now in hardback, Amazon is selling it for a discounted £12.48.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

Heal’s Warehouse Sale in London – up to 70 per cent off

Heals_sale

We have mentioned it before, but just in case you've forgotten, this Saturday May 8th 2010 should be in your diary, as that's the date of the Heal’s Warehouse Sale in Edmonton, London N9.

According to Heal's, it will run from 9am until 1pm, with up to 70 per cent off ex-display and clearance furniture – sofas, armchairs, cabinets, dining tables, dining chairs and occasional tables are all mentioned.

The full address is Heal’s Distribution Centre, 10 Ardra Road, Edmonton, London N9 OBD. Check out the online store if you want to do some window shopping in advance.

Heal's website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Modernist-style London table lamp by Original BTC

London

We're big fans of Original BTC and here's a new design from the company – the London table lamp.

It obviously takes modernist inspiration, as well as being not unlike the Elio Martinelli Serpente table lamp from the mid-60s. Either way, it's a stylish piece, designed by Charles Bowles and with a spun aluminium semi-sphere shade, solid chromed base and matching cotton braided flex.

John Lewis is the place to grab these, so keep your eye on there for this new arrival, priced around the £350 mark.

Original BTC website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

Limited edition Quilts stool at the V&A

Quilts

The V&A is currently hosting its Quilts 1700 – 2010 exhibition and as with most exhibitions, offering a selection of associated merchandise too. Which includes this rather smart limited edition Quilts stool.

The shape is very much early 20th century (think Alvar Aalto's Stool 60), with the design on the birch veneer top adapted from a patchwork coverlet of printed cotton and linen with appliqué and embroidery, dating from the early part of the 19th century. Just in case you were wondering.

That top is supported by metal legs and the whole thing is being sold as a limited edition, although it's not clear just how limited it is. Reasonably priced though at £50.

Find out more at the V&A website

Categories / Bags, Design and Interiors, Women's Fashion

Orla Kiely sample sale 29 April – 2 May

Orla kiely sample sale

Bargain hunters of London rejoice, as next week brings another Orla Kiely sample sale. Yes, it's the opportunity to snap up some of her distinctive retro designs at reduced prices. 

It's not clear what stock will be included but hopefully it will include of her recent designs like the Waterflower pattern from the Spring/Summer collection shown here. 

The sale opens at Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King's Road on Thursday 29 April at 11am and continues until Sunday at 6pm. Full details of the opening hours are on the Orla Kiely website. Entrance costs £1, with money going to Maggies Cancer Caring Centres. 

Find out more online

Categories / Architecture, Property

To let: 15th floor apartment in Erno Goldfinger’s Trellick Tower, London

Trellick1

It's a building that divides opinion like no other, so some of you might be tempted to let this 15th floor apartment in Trellick Tower, others will no doubt run a mile.

Designed by Erno Goldfinger in the late 60s for Greater London Council (many of the flats still have council tenants), it's one of the finest examples of Brutalist architecture in the UK. Indeed, it is grade II listed because of that very fact, with those stunning views from the 15th floor (over half way up) a rather nice added bonus.

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