Here at Crown we love a bit of recycling, especially when something old can be given a new lease of life and made to look completely brand new. It’s this that’s making us so excited about our newest project with the RCA and Graham and Green– the Crown Brantiques!

Last summer, we partnered with Graham and Green to set the RCA students an innovative new challenge:  designing a range of furniture to be ‘upcycled’ using our primers, undercoats, Gloss, Satin and Matt paints for wood & metal. The results were astounding, and after much deliberation, the winners were selected as: 1^st) Sarah Seaton Burridge, with her convention subverting chair design, 2^nd) Laura Amstein, with her psychedelic, retro sideboard and 3^rd) Emily Murray, who envisaged a quirky, textured look range of chairs and drawers.

Sarah and Laura’s designs have since been brought to life by talented artist Tabitha Riley and will be available to purchase from late February in Graham and Green’s Notting Hill store. Emily’s designed will also be produced and retailed later in the year.

For further information on the Crown Brantiques why not take a look at this entry on Display Case – a brilliant lifestyle blog from journalist Kasia Maciejowska:

You’ve entered in your droves and now the day of reckoning is finally upon us. Today we’re heading to Manchester to judge the competition to find the soundtrack to our new ad. 

 

Working with top music blog www.anewbandaday.com we’ve been unearthing the hottest sounds from the music world as we uncover new talent to work with, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the quality and number of tracks received.

 

It’s been a difficult task even getting to a shortlist, but we’ve been lucky enough to have a helping hand from some of the industry’s finest including legendary band maker James Endeacott – who signed The Libertines and oversaw The Strokes’ UK career – and Wayne Hemmingway, local fashion label genius.

 

We’d like to give you a sneak preview of some of our favourite tracks, so if you click this link you can listen to the shortlist while we get on with our judging.

http://soundcloud.com/crownpaintsmusic/sets/crown-paints-music-shortlist

 

We’ll unveil the winning act here tomorrow, so watch this space!

At Crown we believe in being inspired and because of this, we’re launching a search to find out what inspires the whole of the UK. We’re looking to discover what’s personal to each and every one of us and what it is that drives us to get creative. Perhaps it’s a cherished keepsake, a car or maybe even another person? Whatever it is, we want you to tell us all about it! We’ve created a site where anyone can come along and tell us what personally inspires them. We want photos too, so feel free to upload away! By doing so, you could win an exclusive home makeover and even the chance to inspire the creative of our brand new advertising campaign. So, if you’re feeling inspired by this, then why not visit http://www.whatispersonaltoyou.com/Prize.aspx now and show us what’s personal to you?

Unfortunately I’m writing this a few days after the event, but I’m still going to say ‘WOW’ what a night! I’m talking about the Orange RockCorps gig at Manchester Apollo last Thursday which featured Mr Hudson, Vampire Weekend, Tinie Tempah and mr Snoop Dogg himself!!

For those that haven’t heard of Orange RockCorps, it’s a partnership between RockCorps; a social production company, and Orange, who use the power of music to inspire young people to volunteer just 4 hours of their time in their local community. Projects in Manchester ranged from a youth centre in Ordsall to an adventure playground in Moss Side. And the reward for getting involved? Gig’s and events like last Thursday’s which are absolutely, totally and entirely free!! Basically, ‘Give and Get Given’.

The reason I’m talking about all of this is because Crown Paints donate the paint that’s used in all the UK projects. This is our first year being involved and allows us to work with a really fantastic, UK wide community project, whilst also being a much more environmentally friendly way of using any of our damaged or end of line paint. So simple yet so effective for all involved.

And honestly, I’m just a little bit inspired to pick up my paintbrush and spade and get involved myself…

Sally x