This week I went to London for the day. I wanted to see the Horace Walpole exhibition at the V&A before it ends on the 4th July. I was disappointed. There were some pretty bits in the collection but it was very dry and wordy, I thought it would be a more eclectic mix of bits and bobs. A video of the restoration of Strawberry Hill was playing near the exit, the house looks more interesting than the art works on show. I shall definitely visit when it opens. I did see some of the Architects Build Small Spaces exhibition too which was more interesting than I thought it would be, although the exhibits were a bit hard to find. I would have preferred them to be in one space - but that defeats the object of designing for a particular area.
I also went to Lauren Shanley's shop in the OXO Tower. Lovely, skilfully made items of vintage colourfulness. Lauren was in the shop making things on her sewing machine. Really inspiring - if only I could sew! The OXO Tower itself is really nice. I had never been before, it's a really nice area of individual designer shops and galleries that hasn't been too modernised or over restored.
The highlight of the day was Yinka Shonibare's ship in a bottle on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. It's so beautiful. It has to be the best piece of art that has been on the plinth so far. I loved it.
