It was a glorious autumnal day in London on Saturday, the perfect opportunity to stroll through St James and drink in all it's brilliance. My favourite City at my favourite time of year.
All images: BigJon
]]>
Regular readers will know I have a mild obsession with doors, well I can now confess that I have a similar fascination with windows. And a recent trip to France almost tipped me over the edge. Even if you're not into them before you go (especially the fermé variety), I reckon you could be licking them by the time you're safely back in the tunnel. Viva La French Windows!
All Images: BigJon
]]>
We visited the Ai Weiwei exhibition at The Royal Academy this week and came away thoroughly inspired. Catch it while you can.
Above: Acrylic on Han dynasty vase.
Image: BigJon
]]>
"Provence is a country to which I am always returning, next week, next year,
any day now, as soon as I can get on a train."
Elizabeth David
All images: BigJon
]]>All images: BigJon
]]>We took to Pinterest for some colour inspiration this week and came across this perfect combination. Vogue US September 1987. Photographer Irving Penn. Model: Linda Evangelista. See it over on the BigJon Pinterest Colour Board and get inspired!
]]>
We stumbled across these wonderful little phrase books by the excellent Herb Lester Associates at the weekend. Just 7cm x 10cm - the tri-fold wallet holds "three guides to translate the most common and confusing menu items". Just 24 pages each and no bigger than a credit card they'll make eating out in France, Italy or Spain a lot easier and heaps of fun. Total perfection, Don't leave home without them!
]]>
"I like boring things." Andy Warhol.
All images BigJon.
]]>BigJon the store. Can you imagine it? I can, and often do. In fact I have every single thing about it all sorted - in my head.
OK, so I know it's probably barmy to even think about opening a bricks and mortar store these days, it seems that all that are thriving are hairdressers (which I've no need for anymore) and coffee shops (need). And that chain of stores 'ToLet' are booming aren't they? I have no idea what they sell, and they never seem to be open but they must be doing something right.
A BigJon store in the perfect location is still something I think about when I'm grilling a tomato or watching the show jumping. I know the music that will be playing (loud), what the staff will look like (handsome) and the stuff it will be filled with (handsome).
Earlier this week I was in need of an inspiration day, the fans among you will know that this is something I get pleasure from and need on a regular basis to keep me sane. These were some of the stores that caught my eye. There's a theme emerging don't you think?
Here are my top 10 store front must haves & maybes:
1. A little bench outside so I can tut at people who linger.
2. A bike for no reason other than it will look nice.
3. Definitely a black or dark, dark, dark, exterior colour.
4. Overall aesthetic - simple but not too stark.
5. Perfectly cosy lighting in the evening so revellers make a note of popping in when we're open.
6. Some low maintenance flora and fauna.
7. A large nose friendly window.
8. The number of the shop spelt out in letters AND numerals - any excuse for some typography action.
9. Architecture should be period or ultra modern, nothing in between.
10. A gorgeous pied-a-terre above it and a perfect little atelier at the back of it.
What are your ingredients for the perfect store?
A massive thumbs up to all those independent and creative businesses that have taken the plunge. Thank you, you are an inspiration.
DON'T FORGET! Our Summer sale is now on - get ANY 6 cards for £10 - yes you did read that right - (includes UK P&P).
All images: BigJon
If you're clever enough to follow BigJon on instagram then you'll have spotted that last week we were in Corsica, and what a delight it was. Sometimes holidays come along at just the right time and this one was no exception. It's been particularly busy at BigJon Towers the last few months and so a break from routine (if you can call it that) and a chance to clear heads and generally regroup was most welcome.
If you haven't been to Corsica - go! It's only 2.5 hours away but feels like a world away and really does tick every box. At least it did for us. The pictures above are a just a tiny flavour of what this gorgeous mediterranean island had to offer.
All images BigJon
]]>
Calling all BigJon fans based in the USA! Wedding season is in full swing and we've teamed up with the good folks at Pink Olive to give away their glorious wedding card box featuring our very own 'Best Day Ever' gem. To win the contents of this magic box simply post a comment below telling us which celebrity you'd like to say "I DO" to.
Entries close midnight Wednesday June 24 (GMT). Pink Olive will deliver the winning box on our behalf to one lucky US residents.
Featured designers:
yeppiepaperjen | pinheelprintshop | slightlystationary | paperparasolpress | mydearfellow AND yours truly!
]]>"Love is in the air, everywhere I look around."
Is there a better time of year to get excited about blousey blooms? Peony season is in full swing, the birds are singing, the sun is shining (on and off) and here at BigJon Towers we're mainlining hydrangea.
This selection of wonderful, timeless Irving Penn images taken over seven summers for US Vogue (1967 - 1973) are all the inspiration we need for our very own summer of L.O.V.E. 2015.
Love BigJon x
More flower love here.
]]>
Join the thousands who already follow @bigjonthings over on Pinterest where I caught this delicious lot.
]]>Who doesn't love a slice of pattern?. This week we are giving the stuff away. Picked at random by a diligent dalmatian this is your chance to WIN 10 of our wonderfully patterned pieces. To enter just follow BigJon on instagram and tag a pattern loving pal. Good luck!
Winners are drawn at midnight each day Tue-Fri. Competition ends midnight Friday May 8 2015.
All images by BigJon.
]]>I'd recommend staying at Riad 72 (above), wonderful hospitality and the perfect location
(Above) Ben-Youssef Madrasa
(Above) We spent our last day relaxing at the sublime Beldi Country Club
Above: Ben-Youssef Madrasa built in 1570
(Above) The outer wall of Jardin Majorelle once home to Yves Saint Laurent
"Marrakesh is simply the nicest place on Earth to spend an afternoon." Winston Churchill.
]]>Stockholm Guide: Herb Lester Associates
Florist attached to ilcaffe.se, Södermannagatan 23
Stockholm Public Library designed by Gunnar Asplund.
Fotografiska (The Swedish Museum of Photography)
The Martin Parr exhibition at Fotografiska was brilliant
Perfect for a pit stop Snickerbacken
Last week Lady BigJon and I celebrated his birthday with a return trip to Stockholm. Regular viewers will remember that I fell in love with Stockholm when I visited for the first time last year. I'm happy to say that second time around it did not disappoint. If you are lucky enough to go then here are some top tips (from a couple of bona fide fusspots) which of course are mainly based around eating.
Hotel: Nobis - brilliant location, gorgeous staff, delicious breakfast, perfect bar and best of all great price.
Lunch YumYums that get the BigJon thumbs up: Urban Deli, Ostermalm Food Market, Broms (just don't have the burger), Riche,
Supper YumYums that get the BigJon thumbs up: Sardin, Restaurang AG, B.A.R, Matbaren, Kommendoren
Places that have been recommended but not visited (yet!): Shibumi, Sturehof, Prinsen, Nybrogatan 38, Volt, Fotografiska Cafe
Mooching and buying things you don't need: Grandpa, Svenskt Tenn, Garbo Interiors, Asplund, Cards & Things (I blogged about this place last year), Design Torget, Moderna Museet Shop, Skansen (a must see place overall)
Have an eggscellent Easter people, or as they say in Stockholm Glad Påsk!
BigJon x
]]>
They're here! The wait is over. Press Here and Fantastic Man are now available in glorious technicolor. Who's team are you on?
]]>If you follow me on instagram you'll know that last week I was staying down on the coast; house sitting, dog sitting and working, not necessarily in that order. Apart from the obvious - the love of a brilliant dog for seven days, I got to break up each afternoon with a spectacular walk along the beach. Today you can walk with me, just remember to bring a poo bag and some treats, they're for the dog not me.
All photos: BigJon
]]>