Store Tour: Jamie Oliver's Industrial Italian

I've long been a fan of Jamie Oliver's relaxed approach to cooking; his kitchen ideology sort of matches up with the way I like to decorate - have fun with it and express the things and people you love through your decor choices. Well, as the Olympics are due to kick off this evening here in London I thought it would be fitting to give you all a tour of Jamie's new restaurant, Jamie's Italian, which is located right next to the Olympic Park. The interior was designed by Blacksheep and they've worked stacks of decorating features into the industrial space that are perfect for introducing back at home. If you have an open plan kitchen-dining area, why not zone the dining area with a chequerboard tiled flooring? Or, if you can't change the flooring, you could use subway tiles or wood panelling on the walls for a rustic-industrial look. One of the main things to do when decorating industrially like this is to work some warmth into the scheme, otherwise it can feel cold and overly harsh. At home you could do this with some tactile linens or textiles - soft drapes over the windows, or a linen covered cushion pad along a bench by the table. It's a good idea to work an accent colour into the space, too. Here, exposed wooden beams and patterned tiling have been anchored by a strong burnt orange hue. Are there any elements you would work into your home?
// Photography by Gareth Gardner | Interior design by Blacksheep

Store Tour: Union Jacks, London

Interior design by Black Sheep | Photography by Gareth Gardner | Products: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Following the success of his Jamie's Italian restaurant chain in the UK, Jamie Oliver is rolling out a new restaurant brand, Union Jacks. Designed by Black Sheep the restaurant uses the elements of service, food, theatre and ambiance to create a unique dining experience. Personally I love the subtle nod to yesteryear and references to post-war nostalgia, including beralware-inspired plates (that read "stop looking at my bottom" when you turn them over!). Another standout feature of the design is the graphic neon multicoloured 'Union Jacks' sign that sits above a large vintage cinema style menu board. The colour palette combines muted blue, brown, grey and pink with primary brights and pastel hues. These colours are broken by graph paper printed on counter tables, which are accompanied by school chairs. In the downstairs area there antique TV screens that link to cameras in the kitchen so that diners can see the chefs at work - how fab! A mix of colourful and nostalgic elements make this restaurant design a hit in my book. What's inspiring you about the space?

Jamie Oliver: JME Summer Collection

JME | one | two | three | four | five | six

I've been watching Jamie Oliver's 'JME' collection grow over the past few seasons, and I'm glad I kept an eye on it because his latest is the best yet. Simple striped linens, quirky glassware and colourful storage all make an appearance in this summer lifestyle collection, all of which has me longing to throw a summer BBQ party! I really like the glazed rim ceramics, but the 'bottoms up' carafe wins out for me! Which market pick from the latest JME collection is your favourite?