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What's on in July: Avenues' guide to the best homes and gardens events
What’s on in July
Avenues’ guide to the best homes and gardens events
Chinese landscape
Discover the natural wonders of China at the British Museum. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the British Museum have teamed up to bring plants from south-west China and elements of a traditional scholar's garden together in the forecourt of the British Museum.
The landscape celebrates the two institutions' shared vision to strengthen cultural understanding and support biodiversity conservation across the world, and reveals some of the connections between China's natural habitat and its culture.
China is famous for its classical scholar's gardens – picturesque places suited for social gatherings and silent contemplation. This tradition is reflected in the landscape by the inclusion of a scholar's rock that symbolically evokes the power of a mountain, and a rock inscribed with calligraphy, because no Chinese landscape is complete without a touch of poetry.
Plants have been carefully selected by Kew experts, and include bamboo, (pictured) maidenhair tree and handkerchief tree. The event runs until 27 October 2008 on the West Lawn in the Museum forecourt, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Entry is free, so visit www.britishmuseum.org for more details.
Kew Palace opens its doors
Kew Palace is the oldest surviving building within the Gardens, built in 1631 and was the family home of George III and Queen Charlotte and was the setting for many personal family dramas that made history.
Two of their sons, including the Duke of Kent, father to the future Queen Victoria, were married in the first floor Drawing Room. Most recently the palace hosted the private 80th Birthday party of HM The Queen in April 2006.
The setting for these stories and many more are the ornately decorated and furnished rooms, also home to unique objects belonging to the palace's inhabitants including the remarkable doll's house made by the daughters of King George III, the waistcoat worn by King George in his final years, Queen Charlotte's chair in which she died and a series of items not publicly displayed last year will go on display including an original tea caddy decorated with a painting of the palace.
The Palace has opened its doors to the public until 28 September 2008, so make a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB. Tickets start at £13, so visit www.kew.org for more information.
Making more space
If you are looking to create more room or value in your home, this ‘Making More Space’ weekend on 12 to 13 July will give you inspiration and expert advice on using the space available more effectively.
From loft conversions and extensions to going underground and advice and demonstrations from a team of experts, the National Self Build and Renovation Centre has everything you need to know about creating extra living space.
You can bring your photos and plans along for free one-to-one consultations and get all your questions about maximising space answered.
There are also two permanent show houses, where you can view cut-away foundations, floors, roofs and septic tanks. All of the latest products to enhance your home or renovation project including lighting, sound systems, kitchens and flooring will be on display, and there will be over 200 suppliers in the Trade Village.
There will also be free lectures on topics including planning restrictions, building a basement, loft conversions, building conservatories, space saving solutions and unique storage solutions.
The event is being held at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, Lydiard Fields, Great Western Way, Swindon, SN5 8UB.
Visit www.mykindofhome.co.uk for more information and to register for free tickets.
Hot new interior designers
Are you looking for fresh ideas, exciting new work and young designers who are bursting with talent and energy? Would you like to discover the next Tom Dixon, Vivienne Westwood or James Dyson?
As the only design event to bring together over 4,000 graduates from across all the major disciplines, New Designers will bring you face to face with the next generation of design leaders.
The event will include product design, furniture design, illustration and animation, graphic design and interactive media, photography, spatial design, theatre design and model making.
An exciting programme of talks will be running throughout the New Designers event. These will include Metropolitan Works Talks, Design Nation Talks and the Crafts Council Makers Talks.
The talks will take place in the Gallery Atrium at the Business Design Centre, and the programme is an open forum for graduates, tutors and visitors alike. All sessions are free to attend with a valid ticket to New Designers.
New Designers 2008 will take place at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1, on the 10 to 13 July, and tickets start at £13. Book tickets online at www.newdesigners.com or call the ticket hotline on 08448 480 140.
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