Category Archives: Design

Elizabeth David’s illustrators

I’d like to get some prints of the original illustrations and dust jackets that were done for Elizabeth David’s books. Is there any way of doing this, besides buying the books and butchering them? A first edition of A Book … Continue reading

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Kitchen chairs with rush seats

I’ve just bought six chairs with rush seats from eBay for my Halsey Street kitchen.  Or perhaps I have bought a blue motorbike.

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Salome and John the Baptist

I found a Sticklebrick head in the toy box at my mother’s house. The lack of any body parts put me in mind of John the Baptist. Then I had to make a Salome to hold up the platter. Have … Continue reading

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Halsey Street Kitchen in words

I’ve been re-reading Artemis Cooper’s biography of Elizabeth David, and there is a good description of the Halsey Street kitchen on page 147, and a black and white photo dating from the mid 1950s. To summarise: wooden parquet floor electric … Continue reading

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Bearing fruit

I have an idea for a new Tiny Mistakes video. To be made this weekend. I’m writing the script now. Now now.

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Palchinsky principles

I’m trying to think of a way forward with Tiny Mistakes. I’ve just read Tim Harford’s book, Adapt, in which he outlines three Palchinsky principles: develop new ideas and experiment (variation) make failure survivable get feedback and learn from your … Continue reading

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Ladies Lavatory at the London Library

My new design obsession is the Ladies Lavatory on the second floor of the London Library. It can’t have been redecorated for at least 50 years – think subway tiles with grey grout, pull-chain cisterns, white painted panelling, beehive handles, … Continue reading

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Tax-tastic

I finally submitted my tax return today. Hooray. One of the fat toads squatting on my life has been driven off. I have also bought a pine plate rack as part of my Halsey Street kitchen, to be installed in … Continue reading

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When I am very rich

When I am very rich, I will collect vintage ski posters like this one: There are 245 of them for sale today at Christie’s in South Kensington, and I have been poring over the catalogue. One day.

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Reading music for beginners

I am struggling to learn the piano at the moment, grappling towards grade 2. I was trying to work out why it is so very difficult, when pressing a series of keys in a designated order by itself isn’t that … Continue reading

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