HBL Book of the Week: Creative Walls

Selfridges' home buyer Geraldine James decided to write Creative Walls: How to display and enjoy your treasured collections (Cico Books, 2011) because "a lot of people are quite daunted by that blank canvas before them" when they begin to decorate their home.

Through seven chapters, 224 pages and hundreds of colour photographs (mostly taken specifically for this book), James explains how to adorn, personalise, and make the best of the walls in your home. Ideas include chalkboard displays, wall-mounted lizards and ethereal painted silhouettes - an eclectic but inspiring mix.

HBL Retail: Kochhaus, Berlin

With increasing competition from online retailers, bricks-and-mortar brands are having to make the experience simpler and more efficient for the consumer. The mantra here is: be useful.

HBL Retail: DVF at Selfridges

Due to the success of Diane von Furstenberg’s home collection, Selfridges is launching the autumn winter 2011/12 range. The collection includes new duvet covers featuring prints linked to Diane von Furstenberg’s ready to wear and accessories collections. 

9/11 Memorial Time Lapse Video

New York City is preparing for the opening of the 9/11 Memorial this September, marking the tenth anniversary of the tragic attacks. A time lapse video made over the last eight years shows the progress of the memorial site.

HBL Blog of the Week: The Dieline

If you have even a passing interest in packaging design, you should bookmark The Dieline. Widely recognised as the best packaging blog out there, it covers student projects, new launches, and any beautiful examples of packaging that catch the team's eye. Founded by Andrew Gibbs in 2007, the blog has now branched out into books, an awards program, and a design conference.

HBL loves: the clear categorisation of the site. You can search by the industry you're interested in (from beauty to technology) or by substrate (from paper to tin).

HBL Analysis: Japanese brooms

WGSN-homebuildlife visited a traditional Houki broom store in the port of Kyobashi in Tokyo to find inspiration and learn about the ancient craft of broom making.

Furniture by David Ericsson

Swedish designer David Ericsson created a series of seven pieces of furniture and lighting using just two materials: beech, and vegetable tanned leather. A skilled carpenter, Ericsson created the pieces by hand and left joints and construction details exposed so that users can appreciate the craftsmanship involved in the making process.

HBL News: BBC and V&A announce major partnership

Two icons of British culture have announced a major, year-long partnership to promote and celebrate the British craft industry. The BBC reports that it will join forces with the Victoria & Albert Museum in a programme entitled Handmade in Britain.

HBL Retail: Mary Portas and House of Fraser

Mary Portas and House of Fraser

Retail expert and television personality Mary Portas is partnering with House of Fraser to launch a fashion, gift, home and food collection. The concept store within House of Fraser’s Oxford Street branch was launched on 18th August and sees Portas curate a selection of products from independent British designers such as Lisa McDonald, Becky Baur, Naomi Ryder and handmade cards from Art House Meath - a social enterprise celebrating the creative talents of adults living with epilepsy and learning difficulties.

Cassina launch limited-edition Tre Pezzi Wool armchair

Tre Pezzi Wool armchair

Originally designed in 1959, Franco Albini's classic Tre Pezzi armchair is to be re-released by Cassina in a new version which is perfect for winter. The updated chair will be upholstered in white Mongolian goat hair, complemented by a black tubular frame. Cassina's first re-release of the chair was launched at this year's Salone del Mobile, where it was exhibited both in its original red fabric finish, and in leather and woven fabric finishes. The wool version, meanwhile, will be released in time "to snuggle up in this winter".

WGSN-homebuildlife subscribers can read our recent report, Classics redesigned, for more design classics which have been updated for today's market.

HBL News: The People's Supermarket to open second store

Community retailers The People's Supermarket, pioneers of an alternative food buying system that allows customers to exchange labour for supplies, are set to open their second store. The Grocer reports that, following the success of the first store in Bloomsbury, the London-based organisation will open their second branch in Hackney - with three sites currently being reviewed for the purpose.

Kate Bull, Chief Executive of the company, said: “Social enterprises have been mistaken for operating only in the voluntary sector, but it is a way of doing business that goes much wider, across all industries and sectors."

Artefacts by Nick Gentry at Selfridges

From 22 August, artist Nick Gentry will be showcasing a nostalgic exhibition in London's Selfridges, created with painted floppy disks, VHS tapes and cassettes. Entitled Artefacts, the exhibition draws inspiration from the sociological impact of internet culture, in an effort to make viewers think about obsolete media formats.