I learnt two new words this weekend. Chromophobia and Chromophilia . A fear of colour and a love of colour. I also went to an art exhibition called The Way We Live. This extraordinary soft sculpture was part of the exhibition.
This work is by Do Ho Suh, a Korean conceptualist who creates the homes or parts of the homes he has lived in. With sculptures created with paper or semi- transparent polyester.
Now I would always be considered a Chromophile. Colour is my thing. But this pale green and red hallway is an exact replica of my hallway at home. Never in a million years would I paint it pale green and bright red.
In my hallway I am a Chromophobe, the only bit of giddiness is glitterball.
Braver than us, we have neighbours who own one of my Mackerel paintings. They are going to pick out the colours of my Mackerel to decorate their hall, which is also identical to the soft sculpture by Do Ho Suh.
The hallway depicted in the sculpture was a home of mulitiple occupancy that Do Ho Suh shared in New York. Which really fascinates me. Around the world these staircases, although essentially the same and about 150 years old, must have so many different artistic and Interior Design differences.
A local favourite of mine is in an old nightclub. The building had been left empty and neglected for some time but is undergoing some much needed renovation and preservation. I photographed it when it had recently been released from the fate of becoming a mega church. At the time it was pretty smelly, damp, verminous and maybe a scintilla of urine. But the layers of paint and general shabbiness were accidentally beautiful.
Of course had I known all those years ago that I would be writing this I would have included the handrail.
I was last in the building in the summer, this was a back stairway and is now closed off as an unsafe area. At the time I visited previously it looked like the scene of many an illicit historic rendezvous or hook up during the buildings Night Club years. The stories these stairs could tell…
One last ponder on my own Chromophobic staircase. When our house was still a New Build. This is what the women of the house would have worn. What ever would they have made of the glitter ball.
Staircases, they make you think.
The Way we Live Exhibition is at The Box, Plymouth until the end of February
Plymouth Art Weekender Saturday was perked up , if perking were needed, by glorious weather.
Jackie has written a great article out of a lovely afternoon natter about our two year redevelopment of the old cottage and the adjoining mortuary. What is only touched on briefly, but is the absolute core of this build, is the amazing quality of work of the tradesmen we used. Both creative people, we knew how we wanted the cottage to look but not how it could be achieved.
Jason and Dave, Wayne, Pete and Justin listened to our ideas, many of them mad, and used their skill to achieve what we wanted where possible and found great alternatives when things weren’t possible. We had concrete wall desires that would have cost us a fortune if we’d used the same techniques as Tate Modern. Together we worked out how to get the same finish at a fraction of the cost. 
Wayne was tasked with painting the main room of the house in a dark granite grey. ( Farrow and Ball Railings) . I think he had doubts but then came up with the brainwave of painting the banisters white with a black handrail. It looks epic.
Pete put up our eclectic taste in light fittings including the legendary neon and Justin had the unenviable task of putting up tiles in a herringbone pattern. All these lovely men came to us via http://www.superfit.uk.com/
My first visit to New York and the photo I choose to publish is not iconic. I’ve taken loads of iconic photos but this one sums up my feelings so far.Writers and artists have sought to encapsulate the essence of New York with words or images for 400 years. Here’s my attempt.
Yesterday the stylehounds of theoldmortuary. design went to the new extension at Daylesford Organics in Moreton- on-the-marsh. For me and the hounds it was a first although I regularly visited the Marylebone branch. However whilst working in Cheltenham and living in Gloucestershire Hannah had hunted down the rural base in search of coffee and decided we should all visit. 
What a feast for the eyes. Daylesford Farm Shop takes pretty to a whole new level. There was texture and colour, perfume and chatter. We came away inspired and happy.
The stylehounds are in Cheltenham today seeking out the best design and style that Cheltenham has for theoldmortuary.design.
