Journals

Synonymous with the quirky and the eccentric, Christopher Duffy’s work is inspired by concepts of gravity, illusion, and geometry. The designer’s brainchild, Duffy London Design Studio boasts furniture wizardry with designs exceptional enough to make one’s jaw drop.

The House Of Things had the honour of curating some pieces from the design virtuoso. But what inspiration lies behind his designs? We chatted with Duffy about his design process, the method behind his madness, and just what makes Duffy London the hippest furniture brand in town.

Q.1 Each of your designs seems to challenge the concepts of gravity and illusion. What does your design process entail?

When considering the ‘design process’ it always starts with the particular illusion or visual effect that we are trying to achieve. We want to make something that we find exciting and that will excite others.
Once we have a visual that explains the concept or idea, we then decide which piece to best adap

Modern art is the creative world’s response to the rationalist practices and perspectives of the Industrial Age at the turn of the 20th century. Artists worked to represent their experience of the “modern” life in innovative ways, defining what exactly art should be and do for a culture.

One of the first artists to step away from traditional painting was Henri Matisse, who led Fauvism in the 1900’s. Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso emerged as masters of modern art – their art inevitably interpreted in relation to their eventful life stories. Infamous as rivals, but more contemporaries in nature, Matisse and Picasso developed a new visual language that gave birth to Fauvism and Cubism – the most popular art movements the world has seen till today.

A LOOK AT FAUVISM AND MATISSE
“To copy the objects in a still life is nothing. One must render the emotions they awaken.”

– Henri Matisse

A philanthropist of wearable and culinary art, Tahir Sultan has had a vivid lineage with feet submerged in Indian and Kuwaiti cultures that have shaped his unconventional explorations on deconstruction and experimentation. The collaborative synergies of different traditions and cultures cede him to constantly push the envelope. His creative olio of mixed and matched elements encapsulate the traditional details and manipulate the preordained notions- both on runways and suppers.

Over a tête-à-tête with The House Of Things, we caught up with Tahir as he took us through his top picks for a stunning table, favourite recipes, and style tips for the festive season.

If you could pick only 3 spices, what would they be?

I can’t. But salt pepper and chilies are a vital part of my diet.

What are

MASTERS OF MODERN ART

Discover some of Astha’s favourites from the origins of Modern Art – from the bold
experiments of Frida Kahlo to the radical innovations of artists like Picasso and Matisse,
encapsulating a defining moment in art history.

Henri Matisse Landscape, Nice, 1919

Jacques Villon with Henri Matisse Odalisque on a Terrace (Odalisque sur la terrasse), After Matisse1922

Pablo Picasso Les Demoiselles d’AvignonParis, June-July 1907

Henri Rouss

With COVID-19 keeping us cooped up at home, many of us are struggling to work productively. Follow our tips to get yourself inspired.

LISTEN

Raw Mango’s nostalgic, lyrical album GHAR proves there’s truly no place like home.

https://music.apple.com/in/album/ghar-sounds-of-raw-mango/1506130461

READ

Demystifying Self-Pleasure And How To Practice It Mindfully

https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/self-pleasure-mindfulness?utm_source=The+Daily+Good&utm_campaign=a8cc52bfc2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_09_08_56&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cfbed2f865-a8cc52bfc2-146545141

SEE

Fascinating virtual tours of some of the best museums and art galleries around the world.

https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/art-museums-art-galleries-offering-virtual-tours/#s-cust0

LEARN

A morning Reiki meditation to move energy in your body.

https://goop.com/wellness/mindfulness/morning-reiki-meditation/?ref=newsletter&nlptrk=Story2-Edit-Wellness-noproducts-morningreikimeditation&trk_msg=8QI82O5P0UK4T1NM7OUR5906C8&trk_contact=BBR807VT8G2OO7BSJGGP32NCU0&trk_sid=OL735F5G6CD0GKLRQ15LH4PD30&emailkey=6543C5C57572C4522428545925&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=WATCH+VIDEO&utm_campaign=20200419-special_send-sunday-readerAll&utm_content=biblio+files

Home has always been our safe space—somewhere we can make our own and nest up from the outside world—and in this moment of uncertainty, we're all feeling that more than ever. We realize how important it is to create a place that uplifts and inspires; we’re here to provide a dose of positivity and inspiration when you need it most.

SLOW DOWN

Slow things down and enjoy a meal without deadlines, interruptions, & technology. Set the table for lazy conversation or a much-needed moment of solitude.

WARM TEXTILES

Fresh, tactile furnishings are a great way to update your home, but they’re also great for keeping you warm on Movie nights!

COFFE

We’re rushing headlong into that time of the year again – party season. We all know planning the perfect soiree is a labour of love. It is important to create a space that’s every bit as inviting to guests as it is comfortable for you. However, there is no tried and true pattern.

Hosting a party for friends or family should feel like a thing of joy, not a chore. It’s an excuse to wind down, and enjoy good company over a delicious meal. But, as every host or hostess knows: good food on a table does not a dinner party make. By opting a style of entertaining that is formal, relaxed or expressive; you can be assured that you will have a good time as well.

Looking for a crib sheet on how to do your home when entertaining? Whether its Thanksgiving dinner or Taco Tuesday, here are a few tips and tricks which should be followed for any occasion where guests come knocking on your door.

INVITATION IS KEY

Balmy summer evenings bring back fond memories of outdoor entertaining under warm lighting, a table adorned with delish food and drinks, surrounded by friends and family. Outdoor space is a rare gem in most cities, and once you have it, plan on taking full advantage by hosting the most stylish do’s of the season. Think endless dinner parties, barbecues, and copious amounts of rosé flowing throughout summer. The next time you fire up the grill for a backyard BBQ, impress your guests with these colourful and creative summertime table setting ideas. Here’s a rundown of all the picks you need for the alfresco dining party of the year.

TABLEWARE

Putting together a gorgeous summer party doesn’t have to be complicated. Your decorating can be simple and your table, anything but basic. Crisp white dishware, modern glassware, and classic cutlery is alwa

This International Women’s Day, we would love to pay tribute to these exceptional ladies who have upped the design ante in the world of design.

GEETANJALI KASLIWAL

Geetanjali Kasliwal, the Managing Director of Anantaya has conceptualised the festival 'Maahi Roj: Earth Day Everyday' based on sustainable practices for the Earth, annually since 2013. A mother of three girls, she actively promotes women’s empowerment and social responsibility while mentoring the next generation.

SARAH SHAM

A far cry from the legacy she was born into – Essajees, a 106 year old, family-run enterprise, Sarah Sham founded Essajees Atelier, which is involved in both commercial and residential proje

The reigning star of Indian heritage textile revival, Sanjay Garg has a very distinctive style – he’s all about resumption, so we wondered…what would the man who loves conscious design as much as him choose from an online design space like The House Of Things? Scroll down for his top picks below.

Make an elegant presentation with this rustic wooden platter, perfect to display an assortment of fruits or even some cheese & crackers.

A globe of etched glass suspended on a stem of brass, this lamp is beautifully minimalistic. The accents on the arm are aged by a patina that i