Young & Battaglia

 

It’s rare these days that I come across a product which makes me want to reconfigure my home !!   In the case of  Young & Battaglia I liked their Stone Angels wallpaper so much that I immediately found their web-site and . . . guess what  - it seems that ALL of their designs are brilliant.

Trompe-l’œil wallpaper has been a popular trend in recent years – but it’s a difficult design trick to pull off. For me,  simplicity is the key to success, and here, Young & Battaglia really excel. They opt  for  simple white themes, combined with historical patination. Not shabby chic – but something much more versatile and potentially long-lasting.

 

Stone Angels

 

 

Cast Iron 

 

 

Brendan Young and Vanessa Battaglia (who are also the team behind Studiomold and Mineheart) launched in 2010. Their designs can be purchased directly or via the uber-popular Rockett St.George.  Expect to see A LOT of these guys products in the coming months . . .

 

White Bookshelf

 

Posted January 22nd 2012 by simon Tags:
in Trompe-L'Oeil, Young & Battaglia | No Comments »

Exteriors.

 

It’s a trick that is often employed by interior photographers – to take the products ‘outside’. Nothing wildly new there. But the trick is to do it well and even with an element of mystery.

Since 2005, conceptual artist Rune Guneriussen has been working on site specific projects in Norway that combine installation and photography. Most of his installations are not seen by an audience, only photographed.

Inspiring stuff.

 

Posted January 16th 2012 by simon Tags:
in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Lost Things

 

 

Saw this beautiful piece on Atticus and Finch - a great design blog by super talented stylist Emily Blunden.

Just a great example of what you can achieve with minimal budget but a great imagination. Congratulations Angela and Ithyle who shot this beautiful film.

 

 

 

 

Posted December 9th 2011 by simon Tags: , , ,
in Stop motion animation | No Comments »

. . . “Clean Me”

 

 

. . .  ”Also available in white”.

“I wish my missus was . . .  ”  etc. etc.

It never ceases to amaze me that people still write these same old ‘witticisms’ in the dust on dirty cars and vans around town. They must be some of the most repeated and least funny jokes there are.

So –  It’s a cold  &  grey monday morning.  You’re walking on your way to work and you suddenly pass a car or van with these pictures drawn in the grime and dirt or their rear windscreen.

I would defy anyone not to break into a smile and take a second look.

Love it.

 

 

 

Posted November 21st 2011 by simon Tags: ,
in Car Art | No Comments »

. . . Secret Lairs

 

 

Welcome  Mr.  Bond  . . . Bevan.

 

Come on. What guy hasn’t at some stage wanted to feel just a little bit ‘James Bond’?

I was enjoying an early evening walk with my camera  around the beautiful greek town of Nafplion when I stumbled into my very own (sort of)  Bond film.

A quiet path led me away out of the town until arriving at a strange opening in a cliff that over-looks the harbour. I stepped inside, curious to see what, if anything, was there.

Incredibly this long modernist interior stretched out ahead, leading up to a set of mysterious elevator doors. I nosily stepped inside one of them and pressed the only button that I could see  (with no clue as to where it would end up).  ’Q's’  headquarters ?  Blofeld’s  secret lair ?

 

Turns out this is the ‘quiet’ entrance to the casino at the town’s Grand Hotel, built in the ruins of  the 3rd Century BC Akronafplia fortress. An incredible place certainly worthy of a martini  . . .  shaken . . .  not  etc. etc.

 

I was politely and immediately asked to leave.

 

 

Posted November 17th 2011 by simon Tags: , ,
in Greek Casinos, Secret Lairs | No Comments »

First Light

Lucky me . . .
Shooting the extraordinarily expensive and impressive Lexus LFA ‘supercar’ at Silverstone last week. Beautiful dawn light made for a great shoot in front of the fabulous new pit ‘wing’. You’ll have to wait a short while to see the final images – but despite being well out of my usual ‘comfort zone’ it was a hugely enjoyable experience yielding some gorgeous shots.
. . . Thrilled to have driven my clapped out old car around the Grand Prix circuit ( . . . the wrong way – as it turned out.)

Posted November 16th 2011 by simon Tags: ,
in Lexus, Silverstone | No Comments »

Graffiti Philosophy

I have to say . . . I completely agree.

Posted November 9th 2011 by simon in Graffiti | No Comments »

Kate and Pete

Along the same lines as my previous post is Russell Young’s re-working of the iconic mug-shots of the moors murderers.
It’s quite unsettling – and can’t be an image that Kate and Pete are thrilled with (not to suggest that they were consenting in its production.) Russell Young is a former music video director and photographer who kicked off his career shooting the record sleeve for George Michael’s ‘Faith’.
For my money – this image is a little bit of a cheap shot. Five minutes max on Photoshop. But then again – it will probably be an album cover the next time I see it!

Posted October 17th 2011 by simon Tags:
in Kate and Pete | No Comments »

Arresting Portraiture

Recognise any of these faces?

I recently came across these fascinating images of busted superstars (thank you Chase Jarvis.) His question was whether a ‘Mug shot’ is to be considered valid as a ‘Work of Art?’

Personally – I think if an image grabs your attention, makes you think and is held in your memory – then half the battle’s already won. In the case of these exquisite shots – I can easily imagine them hanging on a gallery wall.

Posted July 26th 2011 by simon Tags:
in Portraits | No Comments »

Old Tree

Really missing those beautiful crisp shadows that summer light (normally) provides. I’m bored of the rain and the grey skies now.
Caught this incredible shadow a couple of months ago (surprisingly not in England!!) It seems to have a life and personality all of its own.

Posted July 17th 2011 by simon in Uncategorized | No Comments »

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