How can an young contemporary artists make their work available to people, except through a gallery? For collective CommonRoom the answer has been to experiment with making artist’s wallpapers. Launched by artists Kate Hawkins, all four of the papers in the range are made in the UK. Want a look?

This design by James Ferris references 1950s salad recipes, although it looks to me more like a celebration of post-gender relationships. Right on. (more…)

Princess and the pea

First off, thanks for all reader and Twitter follower comments on whether or not an iron bedstead is comfortable. The verdict broke down pretty well 50/50 so I’m not really any further on… However I think my decision is to buy one, and if it’s totally awful I will palm it off on those unfortunate […]

This Valentines…

…I’ll be at home watching The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant, a film about ‘the intermingling of love and hate.’ What about you? I’ll be updating my interior decor and clothing accordingly. The mural is of Poussin’s Midas and Bacchus. Surface View could do me something similar. Massive white shag pile – will try […]

Ladies who garden

Goodness knows I always wear a head scarf with my conical hat when I’m dead-heading the roses. But that’s not a selfie. It’s a photo of Lady Birley – Rhoda, if you’re feeling familiar – tending to her grounds at Charleston Manor, taken from gardener and photographer Valerie Finnis’s book Garden People. It’s also part of […]

Readers – are iron beds comfortable?

Dear My Friend’s House reader. I need your help. I’m doing a straw poll, a wisdom of crowds type thing. Listen up: It’s not new, it ain’t a trend, but for ages I’ve wanted a black iron bedstead. But here is the thing. I like to sit up and read in bed. And sometimes eat […]