Once my sea container arrives, I’ll be hard at work really settling in. Though the house is quite nice right now, it’s not “mine” (which I realize is relative as we’re renting).
One of my favorite ways to make a house more personal is with art. I’ve got some favorite pieces coming by sea, but I’d like to add a few things from London as well. Serendipitously, I discovered Wilson Stephens & Jones on one of my exploring outings: their lovely Notting Hill shop is full of art that will lend a touch of London to my now-bare walls. I’m quite smitten with everything shown here, and they also stock a wide range of Hugo Guinness. Yep, I’ll be back.
henrietta molinaro/cyanotype
fieroza doorsen
from top: fierooza doorsen; ben mclaughlin (2)
all photos by jane potrykus
California-based printer/designer Heather Mitchell is a repository of all things letterpress. Her business, Just Vandy, turns out meticulously crafted paper goods*, and for those of you who are eager to learn more about letterpress and its printers/teachers/designers, don’t miss Heather’s beautiful book, The Vandercook 100. A compendium of 100 artists who use Vandercook presses, the book is filled with profiles, stories, and lots of glorious pictures. Perfect as a resource guide, or simply for glorious snippets of inspiration on demand.
bjorn press/utah
bruno press/minnesota
just vandy/custom design
all images from justvandy.com
there is a just vandy etsy shop which should be relaunching/restocking soon, should you wish to pick up a card or two.
*heather printed my simplepretty + wayfare magazine cards
our house
We’re here; the suitcases are unpacked + I’m starting to acclimate to London living. Thankfully, the weather has been spectacular thus far. Am freaking out a bit about where all of my American “stuff” is going to go once the air and sea shipments arrive, but as we’ll deal with that later. For now, how about a look around my new neighborhood? These pics are all from Instagram* and were taken over the weekend. Enjoy!
daylesford organic was stop number one, and it’s right down the street.
portobello road on saturday morning
cowshed’s café
talkhouse coffee/portobello road
* if you’d like to see more from london, please follow me on instagram: i’ve been on a photo bender with my #exploring series.
all photos by jane potrykus
This week is crazy with a capital C (and exclamation point!) but I can’t wait until Friday morning, when I’m finally in London. One of my first stops is going to be at The School of Life. Long a fan of their class offerings (and their most excellent, thoughtful blog), I’m eager to check out The School’s newly launched stationery range. Cleverly conceived with items ranging from a box of aphorisms (that I need, because day-to-day living is wearing me out at the moment) to a “sceptical” mood notebook lined with Cy Twombly art to sets of 3 philosophy notebooks, the design is a dream and the range is, dare I say, brilliant.
“sceptical” notebook
stoics notebook set: the perfect color palette
aphorisms: set of 20 foil blocked onto grey board
images from theschooloflife.com; layout for photo 2 by jane potrykus
rose 31
Moving to London (and the requisite downsizing) has necessitated a total reassessment of our possessions. Some items were donated, many items are going to storage (which I’m well aware, is the equivalent of kicking the can down the road), but there are certain items that I can’t imagine being without. Souvenirs of the States, if you will, and the friendships I’ve made through this blog.
I asked artist extraordinaire Rae Dunn to paint three watercolors this spring- my sole demand was that she include Rose 31, my favorite fragrance. Happily, she agreed. I’ve long admired Rae’s work with clay and her simple pretty illustrations – if you’re not following her blog or Instagram, you should be: Rae has just returned from an artist’s residency in France and I always delight in seeing what she and her sweet dog Wilma are up to. Naturally, I live for the “friday field trip (from the sketchbook).” posts. I chose to frame the art in simple black – it’s wrapped + ready to go and will have a place of honor in our London home.
Thank you, Rae. I will think of you (and Wilma) every time I look at these beautiful paintings.
tote
orange
photos and layout by jane potrykus
