Tag: Maria Holmer Dahlgren

Designer Desire: Maria Holmer Dahlgren

Montage of Maria Holmer Dahlgren designs

Maria Holmer Dahlgren is a Swedish graphic designer with a distinctive, bold use of colour, shape and font in her creations.

About her city range she says:

The products are my answer to soulless souvenirs of poor quality that look the same wherever you are. Lots of tingles or moose made in China. My souvenirs are filled with personal strawberries and can easily be packed into the cabin bag, flat and durable.

They should be practical utility items at a reasonable price. Folksy and strong without being trendy. Made in Sweden by family businesses. In addition, they are tributes to these cities and my hope is that all the residents of those cities should feel pride, because we live in a fantastic country. The more you travel out into the world and gain perspective, the more you understand it.

She has collaborated with the likes of IKEA and the Tate. Her designs have been used on an array of homewares; serving trays, posters, postcards, notebooks and textiles.

It’s possible to find a few examples of her work available on Abe Books and eBay.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Maria Holmer Dahlgren (@mariaholmerdahlgren)

All image credits: © Maria Holmer Dahlgren

London Calling!

"London Calling" blog banner

detail of vintage Trans World Airlines menu depicting a Coldstream guard

We’ve had this London blog on the back burner for some time – exploring London-related designs in books, ceramics and fabric.

vintage 1960s Beefeater tile designed by Kenneth Townsend

It was in featuring Kenneth Townsend tiles in our last post that brought it back to mind. We focused on his ‘Menagerie’ series of tiles in that blog, but did briefly mention his ‘London’ series.

vintage 1960s city gent tile designed by Kenneth Townsend detail of vintage 1960s city gent ceramic tile designed by Kenneth Townsend

This Beefeater and city gent are two more great examples from this latter series.

vintage Chance Glass dish depicting a double-decker bus designed by Kenneth Townsend

He also did London landmark designs for Chance Glass during the same era.

detail of vintage Carltonware moneybox in the shape of a British Bobby vintage Carltonware money box in the shape of a British Bobby

Carltonware Pottery produced a series of money boxes – also from the 1960s – their Coldstream Guard and this Bobby on the beat are also at home in a London blog.

detail of cover of vintage book entitled 'A View of London' by Edward Pagram showing a Beefeater and a raven

We picked up this copy of A View of London by Edward Pagram in our local book shop. The cover was calling out to us from the window display – when we saw all the sketches inside, it sealed the deal! This is just a small selection:

mosaic of sketches taken from vintage book entitled "A View of London" by Edward Pagram

Another must-have book for the vintage London-ophile is the children’s book, This is London by Miroslav Sasek. His illustrations are truly stunning!

cover of vintage "This is London" boook by Miroslav Sasek

illustration of the Parliament buildings from vintage "This is London" book by Miroslav Sasek

illustration of Smiths the newsagents from vintage "This is London" book by Miroslav Sasek

illustration of an elephant taken from vintage "This is London" book by Miroslav Sasek

illustration of London Underground tube platform from vintage "This is London" book by Miroslav Sasek

illustration of the interior of a packed London Underground tube train taken from vintage "This is London" book by Miroslav Sasek

illustration depicting a ship on the Thames passing under Tower Bridge taken from vintage "This is London" book by Miroslav Sasek

illustration of vegetable traders in Covent Garden market taken from vintage "This is London" book by Miroslav Sasek

This lovely little booklet produced by TWA in the 1950s is full of great advice for the US visitor.

vintage TWA "Travel tips for Britain" booklet with illustration of Coldstream Guard

We found this sweet vintage felt picture on Todmorden flea market recently.

vintage felt artwork of London scenes

detail of felt artwork depicting a London policeman at a zebra crossing between a pair of Belisha beacons

We’re particularly fond of this row of Beefeaters marching in front of Tower Bridge.

vintage felt artwork depicting 3 Beefeaters at the Tower Of London

And what do you think about this fantastic vintage tea towel of Oxford Street and its famous Christmas lights…

vintage tea towel of Oxford Street lights in London at night

detail of vintage tea towel showing Oxford Street lights at night in London

…eager shoppers and famous Routemaster buses.

London design tea tray designed by Maria Holmer Dahlgren

There’s some pretty tacky stuff on your average souvenir stall – but there are some fabulous designs being produced as well. This colourful London tea tray designed by Maria Holmer Dahlgren is one such piece which is on our wish list.

ceramic mug illustrated with the Trooping of the Colour designed by Aldo Cosomati

Or how about this mug from the LT Museum online shop? It’s taken from an original poster designed by Aldo Cosomati in the 1920s.

There’s some really good stuff in both shops – well worth a look!