How to celebrate the Royal Wedding... and the Union Flag!

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton next week has created a bit of a come back for all things British, particularly the trusted Union Flag... which goes through eras of being in and out fashion. Coupled with the 60 year anniversary of The Festival of Britain, and the London Olympics just around the corner it's a time to celebrate all things British...

I've always been a fan of the Union Flag and even wrote my final year dissertation all about it - the rise and fall through history, politics, the punk era and right up until Geri Halliwell and THAT DRESS!

The flag, sadly, has no reference to Wales (due to the fact that at the time the flag was designed in 1606 Wales was part of the Kingdom of England). But out of all the world flags this one is surely up there as one of the most iconic and memorable.

So here's your guide on how to celebrate the Royal Wedding in a very British fashion.

Step 1

Take your seats early (wedding starts at 11am) and place your butt on your very own throne from Made With Love... for extra support use a Jan Constantine cushion.

Step 2

Make sure any young guests are suitably attired in a baby sleepsuit designed by Powell Craft and available to buy from Snugg.

Step 3

Serve cupcakes decorated with Hunkydory Home's beautiful toppers...

Step 4

Don't forget the plates - for extra impact go for these original designs from KK Outlet.

Step 5

If the wedding gets a little boring make sure you have some nice prints to look at on the walls, go for a typographic map of Britain by Bold and Noble...

...or perhaps a little twist on the now infamous Keep Calm and Carry On posters by The Contemporary Home. The original posters were designed in 1939 under the threat of war and although a few million were printed they remained in storage through-out the war years and beyond. For more on the history of the poster, click here.

Step 6

Time to wash up some of those many Union Jack and Royal Wedding mugs. There were too many to feature so instead opted for this splendid tea towel by Betsy Bean.

Step 7

The wedding is almost over, time to pack it all away and save all the Union Jack designs for next summers olympics or just kick back and put your feet up on one of these John Lewis trunks...

Step 8

Did it all get a bit much? no fear, make sure you have these Lydia Leith sick bags to hand!

See you on the big day! or if you miss it you can always check out the highlights here...

Love Design - special feature

As promised, That's Nice Design is all about the love today to celebrate Valentine's Day... here's a small selection of LOVELY designs and art. Please feel free to post links to anything else that has captured your heart today...

Print - Johanna Basford

That's Nice Design favourite Johanna Basford has so many fabulous designs to choose from but it's Valentines Day and Love is the word for the day. So let's kick off our celebration with this gorgeous print... Love...

Fashion - Lovebirds

Such a simple design that works so well... two lovebirds kissing in the shape of a heart. And this guy goes to prove it's not just a girls t-shirt. Available as a print or t-shirt from Threadless designed by sockneck (aka Paul Vizzari).

Greeting cards - Kate Jones

The shops are awash with Valentines cards, it was so hard to pick. But these are a little different... designed by Kate Jones for Camden Graphics the range is called 'mishmash' and made from vintage scarves, her grandma's hankies, old maps and a few extra prints of her own. And if greeting cards, patterns and textiles are your thing make sure you visit the Print Pattern blog.

Woodwork - Rob Ryan

Rob Ryan is another That's Nice Design favourite. There were endless examples of Rob's wonderfully whimsical work that could have been selected for this Valentines special but I decided to go for something a little different. The Key to My Heart with little messages of love - how can you resisit?

Film - Blue Valentine

From the reviews I've read this is a brilliant film but not exactly the happiest! The titles are quite beautiful, and shows what you can do just using stills from the film. It's like an understated explosion which I am guessing reflects the film - the ups and downs of love, the highs, the lows and the fireworks which aren't always a cause for celebration. To watch the full video click here to go to Art of the Title website.

Print - Life is Beautiful

I love the simplicity of this print in design and message. Available to purchase from Culture Label for a bargain price of £20.

Branding - Coo

Hofstede Design, based in Australia produced this playful, stylish design for Coo, a company that makes products for young children.

Hopefully this has spread a little design love your way... please post your comments or links to other lovely designs...

Special Feature - Robots are Awesome by Her Art She Loves

In the first of the special features on That's Nice Design I caught up with the self penned "Jane-of-all-trades" over a virtual coffee and cake to discuss her super cute robots.

Based in the USA, Her Art She Loves is an illustrator by day creating stock vector images and reformating genre comics for iphones. But as if that's not most people's idea of a dream job she started turning her drawings of robots into mini works of arts and now sells her masterpieces online at RobotsAreAwesome.etsy.com

"I've worked with polymer clay since childhood, I've made random sculptures off and on for years. When I began drawing digital robots, I tried my hand at making one out of polymer and wire. I really enjoyed making my first robot (pictured below left) and haven't stopped since."

It was probably unintentional but these robots have such a universal appeal, females, males, children, art lovers and yes geeks will all find it very difficult to not full in love with at least one of them. Which bought me to the question:
Have you ever made a robot that you just couldn't bring yourself to sell because it was too cute?!
"Yes, Teal Plumply (pictured above right) He was the first robot that really came together, I love his colors and he inspired me to make more."

The robots creator is a self confessed Star Trek and Doctor Who fan, and has always been inspired by that genre in her work. I asked her if she would like her robots to take over the world but it seems the main aim is for people to buy a robot, place it on a shelf and just make people smile. And with each robot branded with a heart "Because we all need a little heart in life!" it's surely impossible for her mission to fail.

I for one, am a robot convert. I have probably never described robots as awesome in my life until now... awesome, playful, adorable, intricate, lovable, colourful bots... I could go on.


To see more Robots Are Awesome from a very cute bride and groom to a rabbit bot go to the flickr page


What do you think of Robots Are Awesome? comments please!