Jona Hoad Design

It's hard to pick out favourite images from the imaginative works of Jona Hoad. The design company based in London has a unique technique, illuminating carved or etched surface to produce feature screens, lighting fixtures and stunning artworks.

The bathroom image above also features their IlluminArt as a backdrop for another of our favourite artists Jeff Bell who casts the wonderful glass baths.

Still Fabulously Floral

The new rug patterns from design house Vanderhurd have a beautiful depth, and take strong inspiration from Mashrabiya fretwork. For us however, the Fabulous Floral range from 2005 still gets our pulse going! In particular Flower Power and Deliriously Daisy have a fresh quality and yet are still vibrant enough to create a strong feature in a room with a quiet palette.

Petit point rugs are also such a rariety with a contemporary design, it's always fantastic when a modern design house can explore traditional techniques.

House of Bling!

The National Trust have a fantastic exhibition at Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire; "The House Of Bling".

The castle has literally been taken over by contemporary artists to create a stunningly elloborate showcase of work.

Each piece is installed within the rooms or grounds of the castle, with the aim to directly engage the visitors who will be able to get up close to the installations and even interact with the art itself.

Keen visitors can inlist as volunteers, perhaps as exhibition guides or to help install the artworks alongside the artists. Workshops are also running throughout, truely worth a visit!

From Sat 8th August to Sun 23rd August 2009