LONDON IN SNAPSHOTS

IMG_0106In case you didn’t get the gist from my previous post, I took an unforgettable trip to the UK in April. I thought I’d share my view of London and beyond through random photos I took. Most of these wouldn’t make it in a travel book. Instead, they’re what caught my eye as I roamed the city.

COLOR
My love of bright colors (see: orange kitchen in Lori’s home) kept me snapping pictures left and right. A few highlights include:

Flowers | I had the freakishly good luck to experience a sunny, warm London for most of my trip. Almost everything was blooming, as well. As a former botany student, I love all things flower, but what really struck me was the graceful layering of color and structure found in many of the gardens and parks I visited. The image at the top of this post was taken at Hampton Court Palace.

IMG_0840Fashion | I’ll delve into my passion for Liberty later, but their mind-boggling collections of fabrics were a bonanza of inspiration. Additionally, I indulged when I located a jacket that managed to combine three of my loves (jacket + purple + Pantone) into a heritage brand tog. Can I abstain from buying anything Pantone? No.

Doors | I have a thing for doors. In any city, I constantly find myself taking pictures of doors. Not only are their shape and doorknob/window/knocker placement interesting to me, but I think it is very telling what color someone paints their door. These doors were found in London and Bath. I think the yellow just might be my favorite, but it has the unfair advantage of the pretty circle details in the transom above.

IMG_0560Sigange | The advantage of visiting somewhere with so much history is that you are truly immersed in it, wherever you go. When you think of history, Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London are more traditional, but there are so many details to see! This vintage sign and decorative vases were found in Bath. I love these colors, fonts, composition … and of course, film cameras.

PATTERN
Interiors | Yes, I enjoyed the Rosetta stone. But what really caught my eye? The patterned, arced ceiling of the Great Court in the British Museum. Its clean, simple lines were modern yet timeless. These views really got the wheels in my brain turning!

Exteriors | Hampton Court Palace’s Tudor wing is a testament to the appeal of symmetry and repetition. Its gorgeous style hides an important lesson in restraint, though. Some of those beautiful windows are actually trompe l’oeil. When the building was originally constructed, it fell in due to too many windows and not enough support. Everything (including pattern) in moderation.

DETAILS
I could peruse Liberty department store’s fabrics and notions, gift room, or kitchen and cooking supplies for years. But, it was the actual building that really struck my fancy. In a “they don’t make ‘em like they used to” example, this structure is brimming with beauty. And any store that has animal finials will always have a place in my heart. Sadly, this attention to detail and lasting decoration is rarely seen in today’s buildings. But, I’m taking it as an excellent reminder to pay attention to details in my design and writing. You never know what small element will delight your audience.

SUSTENANCEIMG_0129
Because I can’t design on an empty stomach, I leave you with the most delicious Black Forest tart imaginable.

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