What do Mischa Black, Graffiti and Barman have in common?

Moquette! Some may say strangely, but I always notice the upholstery on public transport and have my favourite designs... 

Sadly, the iconic "Mischa Black" moquette, used to upholster
District line trains is being phased out.

"Barman", introduced this year on the Central line. Clever design by Wallace
 and Sewell, depicting famous landmarks, including the London Eye. I love it!

London Midland trains . Green is my favourite colour, thus this upholstery impressed me! 

"Graffiti" designed in the 1990's to deter vandals. A far cry from...
the beautiful and decadent looking "Floral" designed in the 1930's

The London Transport museum sells furniture and homeware using the vintage moquette.

Ti amo!

On the tube from Ealing Broadway to Sloane Square, this comical looking, yet stylish Italian couple sat opposite me. She had the most amazing, bronzed pins. Her effeminate "amor" spent the entire journey animatedley and tunefully chatting on his mobile whilst trying not to neglect sulky signora. (It looks as if she caught me snapping her, but I pretended I was texting!!)

Mr Cornrow and his beautiful blooms!

I recently stumbled across one of the best florists in London...in Liverpool street station. As I later mused to anyone who'd listen, I was actually mesmerised by the stall...not only by the variety, scent and colours of the blooms, but by the strapping chap, wearing his hair in cornrows, who took exactly 3.5 minutes to produce the most beautiful and inexpensive bouquet! Floral porn at its finest!!

Coincidentally, I've needed a quite a lot of flowers lately, but unfortunately on my latest trip, Mr Cornrow wasn't there, although his hat wearing colleague was! (Pic to be updated in due course ;-)

Ghost car

I noticed this in the paper today. After my spin in an open-top Citroen 2CV recently, I'm still lusting after an old fashioned green Morris Minor. Failing that, I quite like this 1939 Pontiac Six. Dubbed the "Ghost car", the transparent vehicle was built over 60 years ago using a special type of perspex by General Motors. Lush!

Harrier Hawks and Jaguars

The Duveen Galleries at Tate Britain were the incongrous back drop for these decommissioned fighter aircraft, transformed by artist Fiona Banner. I stumbled across the planes en route to the Rude Britannia exhibition. 

 

The shiny, mirrored surfaces reflect the audience.

The Jaguar lying belly up on the floor like a submissive animal

The suspended Sea Harrier transforms machine into captive bird