T2 or Tea for Two ?

Stacking shelves has never looked so appealing!

So last Sunday I met up with a friend for a bit of a wander down Redchurch Street near Brick Lane. I hadn’t been for a while but there was a couple of new places that had opened up including an amazing new teashop. It was so beautifully put together from the tea leaves in little copper pots to the modern and bright packaging to the perfectly formed tea cups and other paraphernalia. I couldn’t stop looking at everything.

T2 – Minimalist Packaging
Bright floral teapot anyone?
Bright floral teapot anyone?

Everything was just so bright and bold. I liked that everything was pared back with black which was actually a refreshing change to the white you usually see in retail spaces. Surprisingly this didn’t make it feel serious or imposing just made the colours pop even more. I did fall in love though with Barry (never thought I’d say that!) the most perfectly formed mug. The shape just made you want to hug it with two hands and fill it with comforting soup or hot chocolate. Will definitely have to buy some when I get my new place!

How can something so perfectly formed be called Barry?
How can something so perfectly formed be called Barry?
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East London Comic Arts Festival 2014

Poster by Chris Ware for ELCAF 2014
Poster by Chris Ware for ELCAF 2014

A few weekends ago I went along to the East London Comic and Arts festival in Hackney. I heard about it from a couple of different friends. Not a particularly big fan of comics but I do love anything that is creative especially graphic arts. It was very busy with a large queue so my expectations and excitement levels were very high.

ELCAF exhibitor hallI

I was interested in looking for some new and exciting prints for my flat. I was not disappointed! Here are a few of my favourites….

European Children's book publishers.
European Children’s book publishers.

Planeta Tangerina are a European children’s publishers with a lovely list of writers and illustrators.

They had a selection of books but what really stood out was this bright swimming print from Madalena Matoso. It reminded me of my sunday morning swims in London Fields Lido. Her work has a bold graphic handwriting. I would recommend you check her books and illustrations out. 

Madalena Matoso - You're Gonna Win
Madalena Matoso – You’re Gonna Win
London Fields Lido on a Sunday morning.
London Fields Lido on a Sunday morning.

Philippa Rice is an illustrator and comic book author that I also want to highlight. Particularly her new comic Soppy which is due to be published by Square Peg imminently.

by Philippa Rice
by Philippa Rice

I really love her simple use of and black, red and negative space. It has a strong visual aesthetic whilst cleverly subtly expressing emotion and lots of character.

Page from Soppy
Page from Soppy

I ended up buying the last one of her prints for my flat. I couldn’t resist! It is now hanging above my desk.

Perfect above my desk
Perfect above my desk

Let me know if you attended ELCAF and your thoughts?