Rough Guide - Kensington and Nottinghill area.

I am exploring the area of kensington for my first theory project, I will be    looking for Primary research.
For example,
Speaking to shop keepers,
People who live in the area,
Market stools,
and people who are passing.

Firstly I decided to ask a lady who I have always seen for many year in the same place at kensington high street tube station. -

Her name is Helen and she works at a stool called Karmarama and has done for the last ten years!
I ask Helen a few questions about the area,

• What has the area been known for in the past and present?

     The atmosphere and Hyde Park and the old Kensington market.

•  What is the main attraction in visiting the area?  

            The shops and Westfield's, however westfield's has taken
            alot of bossiness away from the small shops in the area and
            alot of people have moved away.

•   Changes and disadvantages of the area?

           In the winter there is less business for Karmarama, especially
           now Westfields the big  shopping centre has moved to the area, 
           being inside and Karmarama a outside stool has more appeal to
           cold customers so people are now shopping in the big shopping
           centre as its warmer.
    
           Also.. this year there are not as many tourists possibly due to the
           economic climate. There also used to be Music stores on the High
           Street, however now they have all moved away.
           

•   Who lives in,works,visits the area ?

            The people who live in Kensington normally work in the area too.




            Jeffrey from Care Charity
    
            I repeated the same question with the shop keeper Jeffery.

•   What are the main attraction ?

            The boutiques and food shops.

•   Who lives in the area ?

             A Lots of affluent people, mostly unfriendly.


            Rob from fresh flowers:

• How long have you lived and worked in the area?

            Two years

•   What is the area best known for?

            Princess Diana and Kensington Palace, shops and museums.

•   Whats the area like and who live hear ?

            Wealthy people live in the area, it is also an expensive area ! 

•   Who works and visits the area?

            Tourists and city workers.


            Daruis - big issue worker.


            2 weeks worked in this area

•   Who lives hear ?

             Old people

•   What is business like for you in Kensington ?

            Tourists do not buy the big issue from his , he always gets regular
            customers




             Mark - Books and media

•    Whats the area best known for?

              For its shoes and shop, and the palace.

•     Is the area changing and how ?

              "There is a hell of a change " big shops closed down and more banks.
              Westfield's has taken alot of business away from the small shops.

•      What kind of people live in this area ?

                Its a affluent area and the people are mostly friendly. 


Looking at three objects from around kensington.

Object No.1

This is a old fashioned pencil sharpener that I found in a second hand antique shop in Kensington, the reason why I picked this is because I thought it was really unusual and its not something you see every day. At first I did not know what it was I thought It was something you might look through, perhaps some kind of telescope, however It is quite the opposite. I also love the shape, when picking it up it was incredibly heavy, it is coated in a very thick black Matt finish with brass finishings.I think this piece is very versatile depending on its market it could be placed in a museum and would be very admired but at the same time it could also be found in a old boutique, and market. I don't know how well it would sell in a more modern shop I think it would be out of place personally, as the modern day sharpener is very cheap and easy to carry around unlike this one. 

Object No.2 



The great Bed of Ware 

This is an absolutely incredible piece found in the VICTORIA and ALBERT

 museum, when I saw this ornate piece of furniture I was really intrigued

by it.This bed has been famous for about 400 years for its size.The Tapestry is the chief element of furnishings, although the most impressive element is the heavily calved wood. The colouring of the material is very extravagant and smart, it is a very eye catching upholstery.This piece I do not think would survive as well in any other condition than a museum being exhibited, also because it is such an important historical artifact it would not be seen any were else but a museum, if it was not of any historical value and just a normal bed I think it would be out of place in a market and would take up all your market stall.Picturing this bed in a average department store were these type of beds are unheard of would be difficult, people want cheap easy to move and convenient,which is not this bed. This bed is defiantly more of  a show piece and to be admired.

Object No.3 

This ring stands out I absolutely love the Aqua Marine stone and with diamonds set around it.Obviously I associate this ring with woman, but I think it is more or a special ring, perhaps an engagement ring. It has such a eye catching quality. I found this in a jewelry boutique on the way to Notting hill from Kensington High street. When I look at this object i think of a high quality feminine extravagant piece of design work, I think that if you were to exhibition this in a gallery it would look really good and be appreciated were as if you found it in a market you would think it was out of place and not appropriately priced or to over priced for a market pieces, and possibly it could loose its quality if not displayed properly, and just chucked in with a bunch of other ring.

Work from the rough guide project

                                                                                                   Patterns and drawings taken from fibers and material  found from around   kensington and Nottinghill.