In honour of the olympics, i’ve decided to stay with the theme of london for a bit.
Is there any end to exciting events happening in london in 2012? We’ve had the diamond jubilee. We’ve celebrated an incredible opening ceremony and are in throws of the olympics. In september we can rejoice in the fantastic 10th year anniversary of the london design festival, this year to be bigger and better thanks to the lovely max fraser. You may have heard by now that the blogtourldn list of bloggers was chosen. Congratulations to all of you. We look forward to hosting you in this great city.
Continuing with everything that’s bonkers, eclectic, different, diverse and wonderful about london, today is about new architecture and a bit of fun!
I’ve been pondering a lot about london, why i love it so much, and why it’s so special to me. In an email from the lovely nicola of the unique teaandgee, where we discussed the opening ceremony amongst other things, she summarised it perfectly:
“I had watched the flame leave hampton court palace early that morning and there was a mini-pageant following behind to see it off. It struck me just how truly eccentric we all are. I think that’s why we absorb other races and creeds into our society because if you feel a bit of an odd-ball in your homeland it doesn’t really notice here. And then the eccentricity continued through the evening.”
That’s exactly how i feel about living in london. Being a sort of an odd-ball, i personally call it ‘eccentric’, is a compliment to me and i’ve always felt completely accepted for who i am. How wonderful is that? It’s a true blessing and has given me tremendous freedom to explore and feed my insatiable curiosity! Thank you london!
I digress, back to architecture. So, some of you know that i spend quite a bit of my time viewing properties. I’m always out and about, doing my thing, looking at buildings, new developments and generally checking out the scene. When i look at buildings for home finding purposes i observe different aspects. For today’s post i was looking at patterns, materials, lights, shadows and composition. I hope some of these images inspire you and if you squint, you’ll see some shapes and patterns that could be applied to any interior, drawing or painting. I did have a go myself a little bit further down!
I like the various different styles and am all for some sort of outside space in new-build developments. It makes a huge difference to mind and soul!
As a bit of fun, I decided to take it a step further and churn out some really simple posters. It’s purely to make me look at shapes and patterns and different colour ways. It’s interesting how the texture changes on some of these images. Anyway, they were done in a short space of time so for all the perfectionists out there, i know the shortcomings:) I’m a perfectionist myself but am trying hard to ‘just do’ and allow myself to make mistakes. It’s quite liberating! Anyone here relates to this?
What do you think of the architecture or patterns? Any favourites? How do you like the quick transformations into posters? Any thoughts or comments?
If not from london, how does this compare to the architecture of where you live? Have a great weekend and I see you here on monday! Good luck to all individual teams but of course, for me, it’s ‘go team gb’.
25 Comments
That is another crazy aspects of Olympics – the quick birth of new buildings. All this looks stunning – one can see the attempt to combine functionality with some aesthetic approaches in modern architecture. I particularly like the color added to the facades to make them look a tad ‘happier’…so clear, right? LOL
Igor, by now you are firmly on holidays! Enjoy….
I’ve been snapping some more interesting architecture. Maybe there’ll be a part 2 soon…
Colour is always best, right? Right!!
You guys have had a huge year this year it’s been great. I like the building with the colour also, this post has really made me think about shapes & colour and how things are designed, just hope that when the Olympics are finished these buildings will be put to good use. I’m enjoying your view on the Olympics Tina keep it coming.
Thanks Catherine. It gives me great pleasure to share our great moments with you guys. Real pleasure indeed!!! x
I love looking at all your architectural patterns. It reminds me that I should take notice of my own patterns around my parts. Though, I fear it wouldn’t be half as interesting as your view since I live in the ‘burbs. Hm, you never know. I definitely have some interesting homes in my neighborhood. (You might have just inspired a homework assignment.;)
I like how you turned your photos into posters. Sometimes it’s nice not to over think things and just let the ideas flow. I especially like how you lined up the words “quirky” and “bonkers”in the last one (which is also my favorite). Great type treatment!
Have a wonderful weekend! Knowing you, it will involve something very interesting.
Oh good:) always happy for someone to get inspired when reading my blog!
Thank you T. Know you like typography:)
What a great idea to create posters! I really like the structures and colours of the first one “Olympic Games 2012” 🙂
Thanks Toni, looking back now not sure why I released them… was just a bit of fun?!
Too modern, too New Yorkie for me though NYC isn’t anywhere’s near this colorful.
Love you pictures!
Merci Carol. I know what you mean. I love a lot of the colour ones:)
the architectural patterns are incredible! i’m loving your coverage of london and the olympics. you are rockin’ it honey!!
Ohhhh, as I said to Catherine, I’m really enjoying to share all of this with you guys. It makes me very happy you like it. What am I going to do after the Olympics???
Oh yes, we have the London Design Festival coming up in September:) xx
LONDON rocks and I am gutted I haven’t been there for all these amazing events in 2012 (or even living there again:))
Love these architectural pics Tina – they are fab. I like architecture, old, new, derelict – anything that catches the eye.
Enjoy and we too are rooting for the brits. (hubby fond of the cycling)
Happy weekend
Ax
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN????? Why aren’t you here?
Yes, team GB, you rock!!!
hi tina, i love your photos! some of the buildings remind me of the artist mondrian’s work. blocks of color and asymmetrical. i’ve never been to london, but that accepting eccentrics part is wonderful. your posters are fine. i like them all! happy weekend, n
Yes, you are right. Mondrian, that’s it!!
Thank you Noreen, much appreciated. I hope that one day you will visit our chores x
amazing photos! And the posters! How creative you are 🙂 I really love London Rocks and Olympics London 2012. As for the top images, The first one draws me right in – mesmerising!
As I read what you and Nicola were chatting about, I couldn’t help but notice I had those exact same feelings about Berlin – like whoever I am, or whoever I’d like to be, Berlin would be fine with it. It gives me a sense of open possibilities and experimental freedom. Miss it so much.
Great post Tina. Have a great weekend, doing your Tina thing, in your beloved city xoxoxo
Ta, love!!
Exactly my point. I’ve always seen Berlin as a mini London and absolutely love it! If you ever move there, create a Tina room.
I’m being serious, it would become my home from home xx
xxx
I concur, the Olympics London 2012 poster is the one. All your other images are lovely – great photography 🙂
Thank you Geraldine. So nice that I’m now responding to someone I had tea with yesterday:)
As a British-born Nigerian, I was definitely considered an oddball “back home”. I suppose some Brits see me as one but as you say, they’re much more comfortable with the quirks of humanity and celebrate uniqueness much more readily than a lot of Nigerians.
Great photos, Tina – pattern and inspiration is everywhere and you’re so very good at taking time out to notice and document it!
Architecture where I live is a mix of the pretty, the pretty mundane, the grandiose and the downright ugly. There’s quite a buzz at the moment, though because our Town Centre will soon be presented with one of those seemingly obligatory identikit leisure centres complete with 7-screen cinema and chain supermarket – ugh!
From one oddball-eccentric-perfectionist to another, I LOVE all your posters because you had the courage to “just do” – wise words, indeed!
😀
P.S. I’ve been thinking about your cousin’s twins. I hope Kfir Chaim is getting stronger. x
OH NO, 7-screen cinema – vile!!! Where are they putting it?
So get the oddball thing Nicola was talking about. She puts is so elequent and articulate and it makes complete sense. I’m proud of being different and the UK embraces that!
Here’s to our fine country!!!
Thank you love. His name has changed…. don’t ask:) today he was breathing on his own for the first time xx
Awww! Fantastic news! Glad to hear he’ll be home and reunited with his family soon. 😀
Tina – I’m so chuffed you quoted me! From such an eloquent writer I am truly honoured.
Love your images and posters, particularly the focus on balconies and the rhythm of the slats.
I love the first poster’s image view and graphic and obviously I love the ‘quirky bonkers eccentric’ quote. It sums us – you, me, the Olympics, Brits – all up! x
London is a melting pot of different kinds of people and you can be who you want to be and no one cares. I think that’s why I love working there so much, it’s very different to the North of england where I’m from.
I love the photos, my favorite is the one you used in the first poster, it’s really interesting how the shadows create patterns, aome look almost like tartan, such a beautiful building and photo.
It’s great that you came home and did something with your inspiration, I love your posters, obviously I like the first because of the image but then the bright yellow one is brilliant and the London Rocks one with the quirky text and bright green and pink, is also fab, so I will make it easy and just say them all!
Reading all the olympics coverage makes me really proud to be a Brit 🙂 xx