We’re well into september, the temperature has dropped quite significantly, it’s monday and we have another my library post!
Next week sees the beginning of the london design festival, the most anticipated design festival in any designer’s calendar. The festival guides are out and i’ve already got my copy and am getting rather excited.
In addition, the hot of the press, spanking brand new london design guide 2014-2015 edition is about to hit the shops. Some of you might know my friend max fraser. He’s the founder of spotlight press, an independent imprint that publishes the london design guide and other titles. He’s also the deputy director of the annual london design festival.
We have a running joke that i’m his number one fan. To get in on the joke, read my interview with mr fraser here. Btw, the girlfriend has now become the wife, so hands off all you lovely ladies!
The very first london design guide was the 2010 edition. Next came the 2012-2013 edition which is now superseded by the new 2014-2015 edition.
Isn’t the cover great? It’s designed by hannah waldron. Max commissioned beautiful covers for each edition. I see my guides more like collectors items.
So what is the london design guide i hear you ask?
It’s filled with great content on the city’s design retailers, galleries, museums and bookshops. This third edition features details and reviews of more than 150 new and established hotspots across the capital. You’ll even discover where to eat or have coffee. There are detailed maps to show the various neighbourhoods. Whether you’re a tourist or a londoner, you’ll find this guide invaluable and will want to have it to hand anytime you are looking for design related inspiration.
Additionally you’ll also find interviews and themed essays with shop owners on their views of the future of bricks and mortar retail. I can’t wait to dig in properly and look forward to discovering new gems and new destinations.
Now, i’ve got my signed copy but max has very kindly signed another one and sponsored this giveaway. The guide is officially available from the 12th september but you can win it right here, right now!
These are the rules: one winner will receive a signed copy of the london design guide. To win you have to leave a comment, tweet about this giveaway and why not tell us what you love best about the design scene in london. The giveaway is worldwide and will stay open until thursday 12th september 2013 at 6pm GMT. The winner will be chosen by random.org and the book will be dispatched the next day.
Good luck.
We have a winner. No.7 won. Gerard – Congratulations.
Everyone else – thank you for entering. I hope to see some of you during the Design Festival.
14 Comments
Oh yes pleeeeze!!! I’d love to win this one! It wouldn’t even have to travel far 😉
Oh yes, may Fortuna be on my side! I’d love to win this book because I think the London design scene is the most vibrant and creative one in Europe!
Fingers crossed! My coffee table selection could do with an injection of colour!
The design scene in London is magical. All cultures seem to marry in a way that no other city is lucky enough to experience. It’s all so exciting, bright and energetic.
Looks like a super book. Breaking it down into neighbourhoods is the only way I can tackle the overwhelming vastness. Triciax
Me! Me! If i get this one I’m coming over!!
How great would this guide be when visiting London. What a gem.
London is the design capital of the world. Full stop. I love the varying pockets of design that you find across the city and I’m especially fond of Clerkenwell & Marylebone. It’s an eclectic scene… plenty for the serious design aficionado & casual passerby.
Congrats to Max on the third edition. I’ll be honest… the cover is still growing on me. Edition 2 is my fav cover so far.
Gxx
I have been 3 times already this year to London! I would probably come a fourth with this guide 😉
Tina, you are so updated with all the press and literature, just great!
Ha, I can’t tell you what I love most about London’s design scene because I don’t really know it – the last and only time I’ve been to London was 18 years ago as a highschool student. But from what I’ve seen on your and other blogs it’s very colourful, diverse and exciting. Time for me to see it with my own eyes! Plus: My brother, who even is a (shoe-) designer lives in London and I’ve never visited him there. Shame on me. I’ll schedule a trip very soon.
What a giveaway! Tina, you’re so generous 🙂 I would LOVE to win this one! Which reminds me, I have to buy the Berlin Design Guide soon…
Xx.
Oh Tina I wish I could go to The London Design Festival so winning this guide would make feel much better about not going! Tweeted! Mel x
ooooo…. my heart is in London with my sister and her little baby that I have not seen yet ;-(( . But London has an old world charm that I don’t see in Asia now where I live. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE !!! Tweeted !!
I have to disagree with Gerard, because the current edition’s cover is CLEARLY the best and vastly superior to the 2nd edition cover 🙂
I haven’t been to London in ages, and my only vaguely design-oriented guide book was more about style and fashion … and it’s from the early 90s, as far as I remember. I don’t think any of the recommended places even exist anymore, apart from the V&A 😀
Looks like a fantastic edition.