It was a blustery and busy February – we managed the take a family trip to the Design Museum, and reflect on some of our favourite design concepts like legacy and delight – but we didn’t manage to get this posted… so a little bit late – here is our (slightly belated) February edition.
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This month I:
Abigail was dazzled by the (sold out) Dior show at the V&A. Not very hard to see why she couldn’t keep her hands off the incredible wall coverings.




Rachel got a little bit homesick reading about an exhibition at the Harry Ransom Centre in Austin, Texas. This WSJ article on “The Rise of Everyday Design: The arts and crafts movement in Britain and America” was right up our street.
Good Design / Bad Design
Abigail was thinking about the idea of ‘legacy’ in buildings, inspired by this incredible story from Oscar de la Renta’s new showroom in Paris. And we ask the question, how can you have a conversation with the past and the future in your buildings?
Rachel has been walking past this piece of public art in Victoria and thinking about good and bad public art.

Conclusion: Good public art engages you and possibly speaks to the story of the place and the people. Bad public art is an afterthought, or even the dreaded ‘hand prints’ to demonstrate that the people really OWN this public art…
We also talked about this amazing clip of world famous violinist Joshua Bell in the Washington Metro. Do you stop to listen to buskers, or do you keep walking?
Also – is it only men who play the pianos in public spaces? Answers on a post-card.
The Design Museum
We had a family trip to the Design Museum’s Home Futures exhibition – get in quick it closes 24 March 2019.
This exhibition was amazingly interactive and enabled both the grown-ups and the kids to have a fantastic time. There was also a kid’s room with an activity to engage both the parents and the small people.



We also reflected on whether or not optimal living was joyful living. Like this modular apartment in Hong Kong by architect Gary Chang.
And finally… how to Americans boil water without an electric kettle? Would you have an external kettle element?
Next month we will…
… Finally have our design consultation with friend of the show Hayley. She’s having her kitchen and bathroom re-done. Can Rachel and Abigail help her design happiness? Find out next month!