From Finland to Dulwich Modern Show

L-R GA3 Teapot by Ulla Procopé; Fish Trivet/Chopping Board/Cheeseboard by Kaarina Aho; 'Mushroom Bowl', graphics by Esteri Tomula, bowl shape by Kaj Franck. All 1960s original from Arabia, Finland.

Hi everyone.

Three more days and it's Dulwich Midcentury Modern Show once again.
Today, I've been mainly packing items and it suddenly occurred to me that I was handling timeless, iconic pieces which are intrinsically related. The designers of these items all used to work together in the same factory, same office, same team and I can just imagine them now huddled up working on their next project in the 1950s-1960s. Team Kaj Franck participated in all design competitions held in Europe and in the USA with great results.

L-R Ulla Procopé, Kaj Franck, Esteri Tomula; no photo Kaarina Aho. Photo credit Wikipedia

Finland, as part of Nordic countries practicing Scandinavian design, has produced many influential designers. Scandinavian design conveys simple beauty inspired by nature and items needed to be accessible to all. It is our aim as traders of mid-20th century Nordic homewares to share that passion and life motto with you: good design is not exclusive. It is for everybody.

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See you all at our stall, Alex Drake Vintage, Lower Hall, Dulwich.

Last minute discount tickets can be found here: http://modernshows.com/the-shows/dulwich-nov-2015/

love,

Colour Therapy Nordic Style

'Shelf-iesh, moi?'

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you're all well.

With our seven days and seven nights of rain recently, I wouldn't be surprised if you're all fed up by now. Just like me.
In between though, I've kept my spirits up by re-arranging my shelf displays.

This made me understand a little bit more as to why Nordic people on Instagram love to take photos of their shelves full to the brim of gorgeous, colourful enamel, ceramic, plastic homewares. Besides their collectability value, they lift moods up thereby sustaining motivation for daily work or chores.
Happy to say it worked for me.

We've also been busy sourcing awesome items for you so it would be great to see you again at Dulwich College for the Dulwich Modern Show on Nov 22. Be there or be square! 

Available at our stall, Lower Hall, Dulwich

Save the date for Nov 22. 10am - 4pm. There are over 60 midcentury and modern traders of furniture, lighting, homewares and textiles within 2 buildings so you'll need comfy shoes!
Early bird discount tickets are available via http://modernshows.com/the-shows/dulwich-nov-2015/

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Alex Drake Vintage will be at Lower Hall, Space 12, Dulwich College.


love,

From Berlin to Erno Goldfinger's Haggerston Modern Show

Vintage fabrics and these fun egg cups were best sellers.

 Hi all.

Hope you've all had a great Summer. I know. I know. It's Autumn already and I've just resurfaced now. We've been working away hence the super late post. I just wanted to say thanks to all who said hello and/or bought pieces from our stall at Erno Goldfinger's Haggertson School. Our Berlin haul is now gracing wonderful homes in the UK so I'm honoured you've chosen to source from us,  Alex Drake Vintage.

Original 1960s poster from our favourite Danish graphic designer, Ib Antoni.

This massive poster is now a new addition to a buyer's home studio. See us in Dulwich next month for more.

 

Saying goodbye to our regular pieces.

 

Missed yesterday's Midcentury East Modern Show?
We will be the Dulwich Modern Show on November 22, 2015 with our Copenhagen haul.
Save the date folks.
Check out http://modernshows.com/the-shows/dulwich-nov-2015/ for more details and discount tickets. 

More Scandinavian homewares on show at Dulwich on Nov. 22, 2015.  See you there!

 Have a great week everyone!

Love,

SS15 - More Eyescandi Please

This time, Finel and Krenit bowls stole the show.

Sunday, May 17th saw us trading at the recent Midcentury East Show hosted by Modern Shows at Erno Goldfinger's School.

I've never met enamelheads/enamel converts before who literally couldn't face leaving our stall for fear of going home with a negative bank balance. (Well, thank you folks!) for purchasing our items first. This is not to brag about how well we've done selling our stuff. It's more to state my personal satisfaction in seeing buyers buy their items because they love what they see. I'm happy to be told that they've searched high and low in the UK for quality pieces and found them in my stall.

For those who missed us, we'll be back at Haggerston in October and Dulwich in November.
So plenty of time to plan and save up. (Our website will be updated too so you can directly purchase our enamelware from there. Don't forget, we ship worldwide).

One last thing. The danger of trading in a high-calibre Midcentury Modern Show is that you never really get to keep your sales. I blame this wonderful piece below.

Sir Terence Conran's shelves now finally in our home.

Have a lovely week, my friends.

love,

Eye Scandi

Art + Design = Scandi sweetness

Happy Saturday, everyone!

For quite sometime I used to buy and sell mid-20th century furniture. About four years ago, I realised vintage design has finally gone viral. I knew then it was truly thriving and will do so for a long time. I hope.

Amongst my collection, Scandinavian pieces are always popular, just after Americana. I believe it's because they are organic, useful, and radiates unparalleled elegance and simplicity.

Kathryn Tyler's kitchen

❤ Furniture

Last week, I sent an email to Kathryn Tyler, a young interior designer whose Falmouth home was featured a year ago on Channel 4's Grand Designs. Originally, I was going to ask her a few questions as part of my blog Q & A. She replied to my email immediately but politely declined because she's been constantly subjected to similar things,  presumably as an aftermath of her TV appearance. Nonetheless, she was happy for me to have her home photos shown here.

Kathryn's Corkellis House

Kathryn's house — which she designed herself and project-managed — exudes magnificent sense of space, fluidity, and freshness. Thanks to her understated aesthetic ideals and her choice of Scandinavian furniture.

Sweden's Acne Resort Collection 2012 via blogg.flingly.com

❤ Clothing

When it comes to fashion, Scandinavian designs are now getting more noticed. With their history of producing high-quality textiles, it's no surprise that the next logical step is to create clothing designs that are well-researched, well-constructed as influenced by their love of architecture, and are  affordable.

Finnish brand Marimekko SS11 via 2pintaa.com

Marimekko has been one of the leading textile companies since the 1950s in Europe and now that vintage is back, they're stronger than ever. Spots, stripes, and big flowery pot prints are their trademark and they've never stopped re-inventing them. 

Image from Vogue.it, Black Noir, Henrik Vibskov, Moonspoon Saloon, Peter Jensen, Vilsbøl de Arce, Wood Wood

From furniture to clothes, Scandinavian design is true to its roots － minimalistic yet sophisticated, luxurious yet functional, and ethical (as in not a 'rip-off' like most fashion brands we see globally).

I personally would wear any Scandinavian clothing, anytime.

How about you, any thoughts on Scandinavian designs? Are you a proud owner of their clothing lines or using their furniture in your lovely home? I'd love to hear from you.

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Credit:

Jobingco.com for Kathryn Tyler's house 

Linea-Studio.co.uk Kathryn's design studio

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