"Qui riposa il maestro dei colori"...

Considering I had grounded myself with a scheduled week in the London office anchored to my desk finishing off the next magazine edition (in print as we speak with the lovely family printer in Austria), it's been a wonderfully hectic few days?out and about.?This proves?that I?can't?sit still for?too long?or that I am so easily distracted.?

As regular readers?already?know, I am a bit of an amateur horticulturist with the most densely populated balcony terrace in London – well, that's what the bees tell me. So, as the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show?kicked off earlier this week in London, I made a beeline for a fast pitstop. It was raining, so gladly, I had my Swedish wet-look jacket in a suitable dark vert tone with me.?The show is out of this world, with creative talent pitching the most amazing garden installations imaginable, from small back garden designs to architectural landscapes that evoke the country estate. What's also so magical is the surrounding streets from the tube station to the event, lined with wildflower installations (note to those who dare use plastic - be rightly ashamed). The event is a riot of colours, scents and food for the senses. Note to self: "I must return to a fabulous hideaway wrapped in greens in Norway."

Later in the week, I was heading to neighbouring Pimlico, also in west London, home to a?Wunderkammer?boulevard of interior stores from giant crystals to designer lighting and antiques to the fabulous natural paint?shop. I was there for a?collaborative pop-up and to meet the hosting family, who not only have a fabulous hotel (on my hotlist for some time) but have a?whole boisterous lineup of products that sing from our crafted hymn book, including?floral prints and textiles to a bathing range rooted in a love of nature, to nurturing wildflower meadows. Artistic, creative and just such lovely people; I will be penning many a story about them soon, but for the time being, they shall?remain incognito. I reluctantly left our chat?with a buzzing mindset – I must do more; I can do more.?

The other welcome distraction??Over in east London,?the Clerkenwell Design Week ?was underway?–?a jam-packed design festival consisting of 11+?exhibition venues, 160+ showrooms, engaging installations, topical talks with leading creatives, hundreds of programmed events and fringe activities from local practices.??

Here, I spent a few hours dipping in and out of?showroom?doorways, leaving with the calling cards of an army of creative thinkers who inspire me and whom I want to explore further. One standout installation –?a?fabulistic?coloured table?and?timber flooring that both use?magnets??–?was created by Kit Kemp Design Studio x Schotten & Hansen GmbH , who unveiled the PIT-A-PAT Table and new collaborative?designs as part of the immersive Mythical Forest.?

Read more here >> https://www.schotten-hansen.com/en/company/blog/2024-05-kit-kemp-design-studio-x-schotten-and-hansen/.?

Back in my humble garden, I sat writing this post to you. A bee hovered and gave me a look of 'Glad to see that you are working after all' before dipping into the hydrangeas.?

There was definitely an unscripted schedule to the week, pleasingly infused by creative thought, colour, design, and imagination — the inspiration?behind your Sunday edit of?travel candy (Tuscany to the Monte Carlo of Austria),?interesting folk, and a handful of brands that tickle my fancy.?I will remain in my hive this week, strapped to my desk?in London. Haha, let's see what the coming seven days will bring.?

Hugs Iain &?Co.

PS: As I adore colour, fittingly, I think I will steel the above?epitaph – see who used it first. But don't fret, I not checking out any time soon, I hope.?