Colour, comics and cardboard

By Helen Kirwan-Taylor 20.04.09

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Colour: it's one of those things that very few can get right. It doesn't take talent to match up shades of beige, but when you start moving into pinks, blues and oranges, it's a whole new ball game. Knowing this, Aram Gallery has cleverly decided to ask textile artist Ptolemy Mann to curate a show of objects and artworks where colour is the most memorable feature. Called Significant Colour (and sponsored, naturally, by Dulux), it starts on 8 May and runs until 27 June 2009. 'Colour is so emotional,' says Mann, 'and we all respond in different ways.'

The show is a cross-discipline exhibition with some original design finds. I love the work of Spanish print designer Christian Zuzunaga, who is making pixelated blinds for the Aram Gallery, and whose similar Blitz fabric on a Moroso sofa for Kvadrat is now on sale for £7,680. Olivier Droillard, designer of the multicoloured Olympia table with multiple drawers (£1,750), is also a find. Were this a DesignArt gallery, his prices would be ten times higher.

Another favourite object (not part of the show but in the Aram Gallery store) already earmarked for my boys' highly colourful, clashing (their idea) bedroom is the Wired Lamp by Something From Nothing (£175). It comes in green, orange and white, or black and yellow, and is an easy way to start brightening things up (020 7557 7557; www.aram.co.uk).

Speaking of colour, I had to wrangle the preview cards sent from Surface View, depicting blown-up images of famous Marvel Comics characters, from the hands of six male teenagers. Having bought the graphic rights, Surface View has turned images of, for example, the Incredible Hulk into blinds, wall murals or canvases (from £75 a metre). We plan to sacrifice a whole wall in the name of Captain America, but the good news is, the mural comes off with a bit of water and soap (0118 922 1327; www.surfaceview.co.uk).

London-based Christine van der Hurd really does colour. Her diamond, zigzag and striped dhurries (Indian woven rugs) don't get the sort of attention they should here (in the US, though, she is a goddess). She's David Hicks on acid, but it's a treat for the senses. Prices start at £770 per sq m for a dhurrie, all made to order (020 7229 7776; www.vanderhurd.com). It's a bit unfair but Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec just can't stop churning out hits. The Vegetal chair for Vitra, which looks like something that might have grown out of spiky weeds in the garden, has met with unanimous praise. Coming in a choice of six colours, the organic shape seamlessly blends into an outdoor landscape (£278.30, at www.vitra.com).

Miller's crossing

Stella McCartney has a great eye for talent. She discovered Giles Miller, an RCA graduate who works with cardboard, and asked him to make a wall installation for her new Paris shop. Miller, whose work was first intended to help the homeless build temporary homes, is now branching out into eco-inspired design. His cardboard Sidetable-C (right, £49) and corrugated Flute Lamps (from £280) among others show real potential (07780 924 689; www.gilesmiller.com).

Secret service

Leather floors are the ultimate luxury but are laborious to install. Now Element 7, which makes gorgeous wide-planked wooden floors for the likes of Claudia Schiffer, has started to manufacture leather floors. Made of English hide, the tiles weather beautifully and come in (fashionable) large sizes. From £495 per sq m (020 7736 2366; www.element7.co.uk).

THE INSIDER: Kitchen scales

CASH
Above left: A nice set of kitchen scales can set the tone in a kitchen. Hanson scales have an appealing industrial feel. £12.99 (0845 165 6565; www.dunelm-mill.com).

CHEQUE
Middle: You'll want to bake every day with Typhoon's vintage kitchen scales, which come in cream or pink. £19.95, at www.amazon.co.uk.

CREDIT
Right: You won't want to-hide these Salter Sweetie scales away. £44, at John Lewis (0845 604 9049; www.johnlewis.com).