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Important 2021 Service Update

International Orders and COVID-19 Restrictions Update

Working Cogs
Photo by: Josh Redd from Unsplash

In light of current situation with Brexit and the new strain of COVID-19; bringing itself new higher level restrictions across Scotland and more widely, the UK. We have had to adjust our operations very swiftly and as accordingly.

As a creative and a design business, this has been proven tough to juggle and predict and has had quite the impact on all area of our small operation. We are still open and trading, in spite of the restriction brought upon by Brexit and COVID-19. However, this operation will be limited until further notice.

  1. International Orders & Deliveries Suspended (until further notice)

    Regretfully, we currently have had to stop any international orders and deliveries until we can figure out what the best way forward is, following Britain’s exit from the EU and whatever implications this may impose on the business. We are anticipating in resolving this towards late January to early February 2021. So, for the time being, all orders through the website are limited to UK only.

  2. COVID-19 Restrictions on Courses and Events

    > Long and short courses that run in groups are suspended until further notice.

    All of the long and short term courses have stopped since the pandemic started last year and in light of the current situation and restrictions, we have decided to not resume the courses for the time being, we will review this situation again at spring time.

    > 1:1 courses are suspended until restriction changes.

    Our 1:1 courses will still be available for booking as soon as the restriction level is reduced and it is safe for us to resume this, perhaps much sooner than spring time, perhaps end of January, who knows? We’ll just have to wait and see. The safety of the community and of you and I are the most important thing and it’s not something I take lightly.

    > Direct (face to face) events and exhibitions are suspended until further notice.

    This applies to direct/ face to face events like open studios, exhibitions, studio visits, etc. We’re still working on new ways to connect and show you exciting work, however this is something we’re still trying to figure out as well, so check this space! Or you can sign up to our mailing list or follow us on social media to receive any updates.

The Only Way is Up
Photo by: Nick Fewings from Unsplash

Gift cards, (including e-cards) are available immediately; the perfect present for a discerning design devotee or budding print maker. Our gift cards may be redeemed on any of product or service offered on our website, i.e. bespoke services, courses, products, although some many not be available until all government restrictions are lifted. Please contact us if you have any questions about what is currently available. Your support is a lifeline for us in continuing with our craft during the pandemic.

Thank you so much for your continuous support of the arts and independent business like ours. Stay well and stay safe!

Much love,
Eliza
Designer/ Maker  & Owner of Moody Monday

This announcement was posted on: Tues, 5th January 2021

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COVID-19 Service Changes

We’re still open!

As a small, independent, creative business, all of our design-led products have been crafted in small batches. As many are made to order, these products have primarily been created in isolation in our Edinburgh studio.

The Handcrafting Process
The Handcrafting Process

With this in mind, only one person has been preparing, crafting or hand finishing the handcrafted products at any one time. This has always bided well in maintaining control over the quality of our work, and now has the added benefit of working within government COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

Additional measures have also been introduced within our studio & creative practices during this challenging time in order to protect everyone, and to adhere to government advice and guidelines. Our studio is still be operating, albeit on a reduced scale, and this is what we have put in place:

  1.  Temporary suspension of all activities which involve face to face or direct contact with one another, i.e. courses, open studios, site project visits and meetings, shows, fairs, etc. We will review this situation on a week-to-week basis, in accordance to government guidelines.
  2. We have put all of our custom made products and services on hold until lockdown is eased or lifted.
  3. Orders and deliveries of products will only be available on the interior accessories range, of which we have existing stock of already, i.e. coasters, placemats, selected cushions and samples. These products are all available online through our website.
  4. Orders placed for available products will be prepared in isolation in our studio, adhering to our updated hygiene protocol of:
  • All processing and packaging will take place within a regularly cleaned/ sterilized preparation area
  • Regular hand-washing
  • Regular use of hand sanitizers
  • Gloves and face masks will be worn during processing and packaging
  • Products will be dispatched and delivered using no-contact services available through the Royal Mail and selected courier services.
Additional safety measures
Photo by: Branimir Balogovic from Unsplash

Due to the current limitations, we are asking for your patience while we try to deliver the best service we possibly can under the circumstance. However there may be unforeseen delays in these delivery times.

Patience
Photo by: Michel Porro from Unsplash

Gift cards, (including e-cards) are available immediately; the perfect present for a discerning design devotee or budding print maker. Our gift cards may be redeemed on any of product or service offered on our website, i.e. bespoke services, courses, products, although some many not be available until all government restrictions are lifted. Please contact us if you have any questions about what is currently available. Your support is a lifeline for us in continuing with our craft during the pandemic.

Gift Voucher Card
Gift Voucher Card

Stay well!

Much love,
Eliza

Designer/ Maker  & Owner of Moody Monday

This announcement was updated on: Tuesday, 27th October 2020

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How to: Handmade and Screen Printed Products

What exactly are handmade & screen printed products?

Handmade and Screen Printed Nebulae Linen Coasters
Handmade and Screen Printed Nebulae Linen Coasters

The video at the end of this post is a behind the scenes look at our screen print and handmade process, from preparation to the finished product of our Nebulae linen placemats and coasters.

We have had so many people asking us about what it is we do in the studio. People want to know how our beautiful designs are made and produced. Firstly, they are designed in our Edinburgh studio, by myself, and then screen printed onto either a wallpaper or fabric of the client’s choice or ones in already in our collection. It is then handmade or hand-finished resulting in an end-product that we are very proud of.

However, I still often get a puzzled look from them.

Designing

Designing can take time, as it involves researching the subject or theme of your choice.

There’s then a bit exploration to do after that. This tends to be in the form of drawings, sketches, cutting, pasting in the sketchbook, or on various sheets of paper, card.. or whatever appeals to me at the time.

I might do a separate post from this in the future – just for the designing – several posts perhaps?

Screen Print & Handmade: Eliza in the designing and drawing process
Screen Print & Handmade: Eliza in the designing and drawing process

Preparation

Then there’s the preparation stage, which is 90% of where the production perspiration lies.

We first prepare the fabric or paper that we are going to print on. Then we prepare to translate the designs onto the screens, so that it’s ready for printing.

Screen Print & Handmade: Eliza in the screen preparation process
Screen Print & Handmade: Eliza in the screen preparation process

And then there’s the ink preparation.

Firstly, one must match ones ink to the design or colour swatches one has in mind with lots of mixing and ratio calculations, etc. These inks are then tested in small samples to ensure that they come out in the finish and shade that was planned.

Also, testing for wash-fastness (for fabric) is definitely a must!

Screen Print & Handmade: Ink mixing and testing
Screen Print & Handmade: Ink mixing and testing

Each of the above stages could probably take several blog posts or videos to explain on their own. They are all very time and labour intensive in reality.

But today, we are focusing on a summary only. This will give you a taste of what it looks like in the studio while the making process happens.

How does handmade and screen printing work?

Many have requested how to and behind the scenes videos to explain this process a little better. It is only recently that I have managed to get things going on the video front. So I have decided to make one to demonstrate of how we make our handmade and screen printed coasters as a starting point.

I have been making an effort to remember to record some footage when I am at work in the studio. Footage showing me making and working on the products we have on offer. This has proven to be a great challenge to do. Especially, when you’re so focused on practicing your craft and trying to do a great job, video-ing your process is the last thing your think of.

And now that I have had a stab at video editing, I can say that the footage I have taken from last year has finally made it out to see the light of day!

Here’s one for the curious minds..

I hope this helps in explaining further about what we do and how we do it.

I look forward to all of your constructive feedback. Please let me know what you think so we can come up with more and better videos.

Have a great week everyone!

Eliza

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Interior Showroom Launch, July 2017

A (big) room for show

We are delighted to announce that after a few years of working together with Holster upholsterers, collaborating with them on a number of projects, they have now launch their first interior showroom House of Holster in Edinburgh.

Photo from the showroom launch: Eliza (of Moody Monday) & Jane (of Jane Nelson Interiors)
Showroom launch: Eliza (of Moody Monday) & Jane (of Jane Nelson Interiors), Photo by: House of Holster, 2017

And the best part of this? Moody Monday is a part of that showroom!

Showroom launch: Nebulae Velvet armchair. Photo by: House Of Holster, 2017
Showroom launch: Nebulae Velvet armchair. Photo by: House Of Holster, 2017

You can now browse through our fabric and wallpaper collection in this new showroom, where our complete collection sample books are there at your disposal.

Our soft furnishings from the new fabric collection, i.e. armchair, cushions, foot stool is now available for you to try out and have a feel for them in the flesh. When being bowled by the beautiful pictures just isn’t enough anymore!

Nebulae Velvet Armchair and Footstool
Nebulae Velvet Armchair and Footstool, Photo by: Daniel Dabrowski, 2016

They have been such a great partner to Moody Monday over the years. They have been fully responsible for our Nebulae velvet armchair turn out. The armchair+footstool has been such a hit with the New York design crowd. They have been a hit in every location wherever these stunning pair had landed on really.

You should visit them when you get the chance to. They also provide curtain making service and have worked with high profile clients like the G&V Hotel Edinburgh and Harvey Nichols to name a few.

House of Holster

31 Albion Road
Edinburgh
EH7 3QJ

+44 (0)131 652 1415
info@holsterdesign.co.uk

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DECOR Kitchens and Interiors, Feb-Mar 2017

DECOR Kitchens and Interiors, Feb-Mar 2017

I would like to thank DECOR Kitchens and Interiors for featuring our new star Aquila Hand-printed Wallpaper in their February/ March 2017 issue. It’s lovely to see that Irish interiors appreciates a little bit of contemporary too, this just makes me all warm inside!

Press - DECOR Kitchens and Interiors, Ireland, Feb-Mar 2017 - Featuring Aquila hand-printed wallpaper from our most recent studio collection in contemporary design.
Press – DECOR Kitchens and Interiors, Ireland, Feb-Mar 2017 – Featuring Aquila hand-printed wallpaper from our most recent studio collection in contemporary design.

It is the highlight to my day. Also, not forgetting to mention that Camerons in Ballymena kindly made such an effort to post this magazine over to the studio, due to not being able to find this magazine stocked anywhere in Edinburgh. I have excitedly received this in the studio today – I can’t find a website for them, so the hyperlink leads to their Facebook page instead. Thank you so much!

 

 

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Office design icon: chairs

No matter what our office environment looks like, whether we work out of our home or within an open plan space in a corporate building, we all experience a lot of sitting at our desks.

Comfort and practicality remain some of the key factors in choosing an office chair, but that doesn’t mean that design has to suffer. Here we take a look at some iconic designs across different eras:

The ergonomic HÅG Capisco designed by Peter Opsvik. ‘The Saddle Chair’ – was designed modelled on the horse rider’s dynamic seating position.
The ergonomic HÅG Capisco designed by Peter Opsvik. ‘The Saddle Chair’ – was designed modelled on the horse rider’s dynamic seating position.
The iconic Aeron chair designed by Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf. Photo: Herman Miller.com
The iconic Aeron chair designed by Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf. Photos: Herman Miller.co.uk

 

Described by Herman Miller as “a true machine for sitting”, the company’s Aeron office chair was designed in 1994 by Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf. One of America’s most famous products this best-selling chair now sits in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

herman-miller-office-chair-dezeen

The Aeron was designed according to what the body needs, not what the eye likes, resulting in a chair that looked more engineered than designed.  In technology, design has to continually evolve to keep current. In furniture, not so much, however in this instance Herman Miller have just last month launched a re-design.

“One of the concerns, originally, was we needed to preserve the iconography of the chair,” Chadwick says. “It has such a strong visual personality that there was reluctance to changing it very much.”  It retains the shape and size of the original back frame. In the new version however, the real difference is in the chair’s mechanics. Consider the tilt function. CEO Brian Walker compares the tilt on a chair to the engine in a car—and an engine from 2016 will undoubtedly boast better performance than one from 1994.

 

The Z9R typist chair by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, as seen in an original 1970s advert (Photo © and courtesy www.storiaolivetti.it – Associazione Archivio Storico Olivetti, Ivrea, Italy)

The Z9R typist chair by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, as seen in an original 1970s advert (Photo © and courtesy www.storiaolivetti.it – Associazione Archivio Storico Olivetti, Ivrea, Italy)

Among the most fruitful collaborations between an industrial concern and a designer was that of Ettore Sottsass and the Italian office equipment manufacturer Olivetti. Appointed by the company’s founder Adriano Olivetti to work alongside his son, Roberto, and the engineer, Mario Tchou, together they developed a series of technically innovative and visually seductive office products including the jaunty Synthesis 45 office chair which, with its bright colours and chunky silhouette, was intended to appeal to younger office workers and truly epitomises 1970s style.

 

Office chair, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1904. Photo@ V&A Museum
Office chair, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1904. Photo@ V&A Museum

Given the bespoke nature of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs his furniture was available to only a small number of clients until late in his career. But unlike Arts and Crafts designers, Wright saw the value of machines. He extolled their ‘wonderful cutting, shaping, smoothing and repetitive capacity’, which could master, with ease, the signature square-section spindles of his chairs, beautifully brought to light in this office chair from the turn of the 20th century.

So a very brief look at the development of the ‘humble’ office chair, from crafted, individual pieces to more mass-produced items which, as the Aeron chair, continues to sell millions across the world. What has not been compromised however is the attention to detail and design inspiration behind each chair, resulting in these once practical and essential items of office furniture becoming part of our design history.

Which era or chair design icon, best suits your style ethos?

Sources:

Wired/Dezeen/Creativereview

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New Lighting trends

As the night’s are drawing in, it seems a perfect time to focus on the work of some innovative lighting designers.

I was able to take a personal look at some of their work, and trends to look out for, at the ICFF contemporary design showcase event earlier this year.

This combination of walnut sits well with the unique excavation technique employed by New York based In.Sek. Designer Ashira Isreal adds quartz crystal to specially blended concrete, creating a torn window effect for the shade, which in turn casts a sprialing light and soft glow across any space.

In Sek Design, New York, Excavation Dune Pendant
In.Sek Design, New York, Excavation Dune Pendant

Created from painted stainless steel mesh, the apparent simplicity of these Arturo Alvarez designed lamps belies their delicate crafting. Fine pleats form two overlapped layers creating two different lamps full of dynamism – two lively shapes born from one, creating the same movement yet at a different tempo.

Tempo Vivace pendant lamps designed by Arturo Alvarez

I particularly like how Iranian-born designer Ali Siavoshi works with everyday objects, transforming them into light fixtures, whilst injecting a sense of humour into these stylish and innovative displays.

Ali Siavoshi lamps on display at ICFF 2016 New York
Ali Siavoshi lamps on display at ICFF 2016 New York

Another designer who creates extraordinary pieces of art and lighting from ordinary “up-cycled” everyday glass bottles, is Altanta based Kathleen Plate. Her innovative techniques and sophisticated designs sit well within contemporary and stylish restaurant and hotel groups.

Smart Glass Art (SGA) custom chandelier designed by Kathleen Plate
Smart Glass Art (SGA) custom chandelier designed by Kathleen Plate

Zac Ridgely is a trained artist who uses his talent in the medium of light, son of a famed Canadian architect he quickly learned how to navigate his way through architectural drawings. The CRISS-CROSS series was created from a genuine desire to blend art with lighting, and this sculptural piece of cut steel rod is carefully arranged and welded in a seemingly random pattern.

Zac Ridgely's Criss Cross wallsconce

Zac Ridgely’s Criss Cross wallsconce

I hope these inspirational creations will give you some ideas for transforming your living or working spaces.

Moody Monday offers a bespoke design service to complement any projects you might be considering, and I’d be happy to discuss these further, Eliza.

Sources: www.insekdesign.com

www.arturo-alvarez.com

www.alialiali.com

www.sdgconstructiontechnology.com

www.kathleenplate.com

www.ridgelystudioworks.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TheMART, an Inspirational Design Center

We recently wrote about innovative co-working and maker spaces, and the impact they can make not only to boost creativity but with added benefits to health and wellbeing.

Today we expand on the theme, with focus on theMart, the world’s largest commercial building and design center, a truly inspiring center for design professionals and customers alike.

The Merchandise Mart on the Chicago River photo@Mike Boehmer, Flickr
The Merchandise Mart on the Chicago River photo@Mike Boehmer, Flickr

This art deco building has been an icon in Chicago’s history since the 1930s. It still remains a landmark hub for design, innovation and business, and the impact it has made on the surrounding area, with resulting buzz and connectivity for the community around the Chicago river, can not be underestimated.

TheMART building Chicago Photo credi:pixabay
TheMART building Chicago Photo credit:Pixabay

 

Developed by Marshall Field & Co to create a central marketplace where retailers could come to buy their wares all under one roof.

Sitting across two city blocks, and with twenty-five storeys of innovation and culture, it is visited by an incredible 25,000 people each day.

Its Design Center, across four floors, is home to hundreds of tenants and offers a space for leading manufacturers with over 115 showrooms, showcasing over 2,500 products.

TheMART also serves as a business hub for interior designers, architects, contractors, business owners and buyers, as well as hosting several trade and consumer conferences and events each year.

 

 

 

Vornado Reality Trust and New York-based A+I unveil transformative renovations. Photo source: Huffington Post/Building Design
Vornado Reality Trust and New York-based A+I worked recently on some stunning architecture renovations for the building. Photo source: Huffington Post

With such an amazing choice of luxury and contemporary design on offer, we’ve space today to highlight just one of the amazing showrooms within theMART.

Cia Mooney at theMART photo:ciamooney.com
Brayton showroom,  Cia Mooney (designed with Robert Leonetti) at theMART photo:ciamooney.com

We particularly like this approach of industrial designer, Cia Mooney, who worked with the design team at Brayton to create this showroom. Using a limited budget, it still creates a huge impact with the space allowing the craftmanship of Brayton’s upholstered and wood framed furniture to take central stage.

Which designer wouldn’t love the opportunity to be included in such an innovative and creative design center?

Contact us at: https://www.moodymonday.co.uk/bespoke/

Sources

TheMart.com

Designcenter.com

Huffington Post.com/amanda schneider

Business of Furniture

Ciamooney.com

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Christmas gifts for the style hunter

We’re delighted to announce a new stockist for Moody Monday’s stylish homeware products. Perfect for that special Christmas gift for friends and family.

The UK’s largest art, craft and design gallery, set in Newcastle’s cultural quarter, the Biscuit Factory, will stock a selection of our cushions, coasters and placemats in it’s cutting-edge store next month.

Stylish contemporary placemats bring a touch of class to any table this Christmas.
Stylish contemporary placemats bring a touch of class to any table this Christmas.

Choose from a delightful range of luxury cushions with the most original decorative patterns. Durable, opulent and exquisitely made – our cushions are the perfect accessories for the stylish, self-assured home owner. Available in sumptuous velvet or practical cotton, in a range of patterns and sizes.

Vulpecula cotton cushions, with Nebulae fabric featured (available in velvet cushions to order)
Vulpecula cotton cushions, with Nebulae fabric featured (available in velvet cushions to order)

What colours and trends will you choose for your table decor this Christmas? We predict contemporary graphics, set against classic glassware and cool white crockery will bring a simple, yet elegant look to any festive occasion.

Our tableware range has been designed to add a touch of luxury to any dining table. Mix and match individual pieces for a polished contemporary style. Super stylish and luxurious, yet practical for everyday use, these eye-catching coasters and placemats make an immediate statement.

Blackkeys design coasters
Blackkeys design coasters

img_7986_web

For those closer to our Edinburgh studio, we continue to work with the Scottish Design Exchange, Ocean Terminal, Leith as well as Concrete Wardrobe, Broughton Street. Pop in and check out our products, or take a look at all our ranges and order online at https://www.moodymonday.co.uk/product-category/boutique/

Biscuit Factory Newcastle

scottish_design_exchange_edinburgh

concrete-wardrobe

The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle http://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/ products available in store mid-November

The Scottish Design Exchange, Ocean Terminal http://www.scottishdesignexchange.com/

Concrete Wardrobe, Broughton Street, Edinburgh http://www.concretewardrobe.com/about.html

Moody Monday UK, order online at  https://www.moodymonday.co.uk/orderingdelivery/

(Gift cards also available)

 

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Inspirational Offices – co-working and maker spaces

As the trend towards co-working spaces continues to grow and expand across some of the world’s most vibrant and creative cities, we take a look at some inspirational creative hubs, offices and studios.

These all feature innovative design; converting and reimagining former office blocks, warehouses and factories.

New York – Coworks, Brooklyn.

Leeser Architecture has inserted angular and brightly coloured stairwells into an ageing industrial building in Brooklyn to create a vibrant office for creative professionals and entrepreneurs.

Coworks facility, Brooklyn, transformed by architects Leeser.
Coworks facility, Brooklyn, transformed by architects Leeser. Photo: Leeser Architects via Kontor

To create visual continuity, the firm used brightly coloured angular forms throughout the building, most notably to enclose stairways that connect each floor. Referencing origami, the stairwells feature sharp folds and bright colours – Yves Klein blue on the exterior and teal on the interior.

Coworks - on one floor, the backside of the stairs – a space not often utilised – merges with a large communal table.
Coworks. On one floor, the backside of the stairs – a space not often utilised – merges with a large communal table. Photo: Leeser Architects via Kontor.  Source: Dezeen

 

London – Walthamstow Central Parade, built in the 1960s first served as council offices.

Inspiring Offices, co-working space designed by Gort Scott
Walthamstow Central Parade, a co-working space designed by Architects Gort Scott Photo: Dirk Linder

Architects Gort Scott worked on restoring the unusual façade details, including the wavy concrete canopy, painted yellow, and the decorative tiles, both of which provided design cues for the interior and new signage.

Interior Walthamstow Central Parade, shared work space and bakery, Photo: Dirk Linder
Interior Walthamstow Central Parade, shared work space and bakery.  Photo: Dirk Linder

Mid-century-inspired details and furnishings pay tribute to the building’s heritage, while utilitarian elements suit its more functional new use. (Source: Dezeen)

Edinburgh – The Biscuit Factory, Leith, is an arts & fashion hub housed in the former Crawford’s biscuit factory built in 1947.

The Biscuit Factory, the former factory converted into a 7,500 foot venue/gallery space
The Biscuit Factory, the former factory converted into a 7,500 foot venue/gallery space

Housing a selection of established and up-and-coming designers, photographers, and creative businesses it epitomises the perfect urban re-development and offers up a new prototype for living and working.

The Biscuit Factory, arts hub and home to photographers and designers, offers the perfect backdrop for pop-up events.
The Biscuit Factory, arts hub and home to photographers and designers, offers the perfect backdrop for pop-up events.

Dundee – Fleet Collective is based on the top floor of the grade A listed Chambers East building of the old Royal Exchange.

The old Royal Exchange was designed in the 1850s in the ornate Flemish Neo-Gothic style by the famous architect David Bryce, in order to house the Chamber of Commerce.

Fleet Collective Dundee, a community of artists and designers, is housed in Chambers Building.
Fleet Collective, a community of artists and designers, is housed in the Chambers Building.

Transformed into a light and practical working environment, it now exists as an important creative hub in Dundee, whose model as a collective has been commended and internationally recognised.

Fleet Collective, Dundee, an open plan working space, incorporating practicality with fun and quirky elements.
Fleet Collective, Dundee, an open plan working space, incorporating practicality with fun and quirky elements. Photos: Fleet Collective

These innovative design elements, combined with opportunity for more social interaction, also create a sense of wellbeing with proven health benefits for those working in these and similar spaces.