Something for the weekend: Artists Open House, Brighton

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It's the 30th Year of the Brighton and Hove Artist Open Houses project this year, and last weekend we popped down to see some of the 250 houses and galleries on the first of four weekend openings in May. 

You know what we're like. Yes, we went to see the art, but really we are nosy cows and went to look inside everyone's houses and gardens. And what nice houses they are too, owners are incredibly patient and let whole hoards of visitors traipse through to see the art and craft work that has been carefully and lovingly displayed. All interiors have been tidied and buffed up and gardens weeded and tamed. Names of plants and sources of antique furniture were discussed enthusiastically as tea was sipped and cakes munched (they sure can bake down in Brighton and many houses were offering cakes).

We saw lots of fabulous craft work too, almost too much to mention, but if you get a chance to go to Into The Woods (8 Grantham Road) check out the lovely blankets by Woodchild and the wonderful quirky fox scarves by Mia Underwood. We also loved Sylph Baier's house, filled with her ceramics (we loved the fruit colander) and Sarah Lock's wood plates and bowls. Sylph rents out her sweet one bedroom flat, kitted out in beautiful retro style for holidays, if anyone is visiting.

The Flower Emporium had provided beautiful flowers for a few houses, which we were very taken with and quite the BEST display of kitchen merchandising (nicely displayed cakes and drinks) was at Adam Johnson's house, where we bought great cards. Altogether a great (and fabulously sunny) day out which made us want to live in Brighton.

There are three weekends left in the programme, but do check out the website as not all houses are open on all the weekends. 

Brighton and Hove House Festival, Artists Open Houses, weekends 7-29 May 2011. Houses open 11.00am to 5.00pm

www.aoh.org.net

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Woodchild's woolly blankets of distinction, all made in Scotland.

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Next winter, don't wear real fox, wear a knitted one from Mia Underwood (or a wolf, or swan, or badger…check the website)
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Sylph Baier's lovely ceramic fruit and veg collanders.

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This was the best merchandised kitchen we saw…..at Adam Johnson's house.
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Aren't these lovely? Simple but fab displays from the Flower Emporium.

 

1 Comment

  • I do like an artist's open house event. Dulwich had one on last weekend – I just go to have a nosey other people's houses! Like that fox scarf.

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