Market or High Street?

Chalk Farm Market; it's name is deceptively rural and conjures up images in my head of prize winning veg, tractors and green fields.

Instead, a weave of narrow lanes lined with workshops and stalls are set back into the old canal horse stables like caves. Most of the buildings around the old stables were preserved 20 years ago and in places it feels like you're back in the 1970's when it was first set up as a market.

Walking through you come across random shops, one, a 'punk rock' shop, has been set up within the red brick arches of the old stables. It's decked out with strobe lighting, 'rave clothing' and mannequins with gills and 'Terminator'-like robotic arms! all accompanied by heavy trance music, it's like walking into another world.



Another gem you might stumble across, even if its only for the ornate carved stairwell, is the Gilgamesh restaurant. Every carving is different and tells the tale of Gilgamesh, a mythological Sumerian King. Actually everything is hand crafted, from the walls to the furniture, even the rubbish bin outside! It unfortunately wasn't open at 11am but I hear its definitely something to experience if only once.



As for what's on sale, everything has so much character and I'm sure I've seen half the dresses there on celebrities spotted around town. For a unique, cheap shopping experience or just an experience, its great.. and I don't think I'll be wading through hords of girls in Topshop again.

Gehry's Magic

The task was to go to an area in London where I haven't been before armed with £10 to find something interesting to buy. After wandering the streets for the best part of the day it ended in a relaxing manner seated underneath a Pavilion, which is the latest star studded 'Architectural' addition to pass through Hyde park. Yes this new Pavilion was commissioned by the Serpentine who "sets out to realise the architect's vision for the project as they conceived it." This whole process took six months from the initial invitation to the on site completion. As I have never been to the Serpentine Gallery before I was unaware that a famous architect/designer is invited every year to contribute. This year Hyde Park has been blessed with a bit of Frank Gehry magic. The American Architect in partnership with Arup have created a de-constructive style pavilion, which is for me an elaborate 'chaotic' statement, that provides visual interest and harmony with its immediate surroundings. The ambient but quiet mood nearly had me falling asleep on the massive sections of built up timber (Maybe because I've been walking around all day) and generally this is a great pit stop for an afternoon tea or coffee. Looking forward to next year already!!!

So, what did i spend my £10 allowance on to encapsulate my experience?

I decided to buy a small book from the Serpentine book shop for £8 and dropped the change in their donations box.

Overall, it was worth all the walking.

Peace

Nice Nest

Nest is a good website that has design style all in one place, so if your looking for indoor or outdoor - Vitra or Tom Dixon then Nest is a good place to start.

Here at The Yard, we'd love to have some Le Corbusier style in the office...perhaps one day!