John Lewis & Partners are excited to announce the launch of Room for Living, providing a fascinating insight into how Britain lives today. Room for Living is an interactive installation showcasing five different Living Room spaces, situated in the retailers’ Oxford Street shop.
Each room has been developed as a result of bespoke research commissioned by John Lewis, as well as customers shopping habits that show how the nation is living. John Lewis has also teamed up with experts to add their own unique touch to each living room and show how they would live in the space. Each expert will be hosting an exciting series of events and workshops that kicked off on Monday 18th March 2019.
Room For Flexibility: Editor of the Happy News, Emily Coxhead. The weekend of 17th March 2019
Emily Coxhead ran a thriving business from her tiny rainbow-filled home office in north west England. Creator of The Happy News, she was perfectly placed to share tips and advice on how to successfully work from home.
Designer, illustrator and happy-thing maker, Emily graduated from the Manchester School of Art in 2015 and quickly decided she wanted to spread some happiness. She writes and illustrates The Happy News, an inspiring newspaper jam-packed with positive and uplifting stories from around the world. She also creates stationery, gifts and greeting cards.
Emily hosted two classes on 22nd March. For her first event, Emily shared her philosophy on wellbeing, and ran a workshop where you’ll find out what a “happy jar” is before making your own. For her second event, attendees enjoyed a glass of fizz with Emily and heard her share how she started her newspaper, and how making small changes to your day can have a positive impact.
Room For Family: The Geffrye Museum of the Home. The week of 25th March 2019
Uniquely placed to share their knowledge of the history and evolution of the living room, the Geffrye Museum of the Home organised collections, exhibitions and events centred around one question: what does home mean to you?
The Geffrye Museum of the Home is based in 18th century almshouse buildings and surrounded by tranquil gardens in vibrant Hoxton, East London. As the Museum of the Home, it’s the go-to place for inspiration and debate on the universal subject of home. The Geffrye is currently closed as it undergoes a major transformation and is due to reopen in spring 2020.
The Geffrye Museum of the Home will be hosting events on 28th & 29th March. Customers will meet the Geffrye Museum of the Home team who will bring the family room to life with personal stories, photographs and historical facts, highlighting how this is not just a physical space, but a mixture of evocative memories, relationships and experiences. Brave the ‘scratch ‘n sniff’ station to unearth the mysterious and sometimes surprising scents of spring-cleaning through time.
Room For Entertaining: TV presenter, AJ Odudu. The week of 31st March 2019
AJ is a seasoned entertainer. Well known as a TV presenter and DJ, she knows how to create the perfect ambience for a good night in and will be sharing her top tips on how to entertain at home.
AJ Odudu is currently presenting The Voice UK and The Voice Kids UK as their new digital host for ITV. On 4th April, join AJ to find out why staying in is the new going out. Listen to her perfect party playlist and enjoy rum cocktails. On 5th April, you can join AJ for a glass of fizz while she answers your questions about her varied career. Learn all about her experience across presenting, DJing and fitness.
Room For Expression: Artist, Morag Myerscough. The week of 14th April 2019
Contemporary artist Morag’s mantra is ‘make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come’. Creating work that’s bold and vibrant, Morag is the perfect person to inspire us to express ourselves through design and creativity.
Morag is known around the world for her distinct approach to making large scaffold structures adorned with neon geometric patterns and shapes, often incorporating positive messaging hand painted onto plywood.
Morag will be hosting two events on 18th April. The first will be a talk on belonging. Learn about how important your surroundings are and how to build a sense of belonging in communities. For the second event you’ll be able to join Morag for a creative pattern workshop, where you’ll get to create a colourful pattern and then add it to a larger, collective piece.
Room for Living launched on Monday 18th March at John Lewis Oxford Street. Additionally there will be an evening of events taking place on 28th March in John Lewis shops nationwide. For more information and a full list of activities, please visit: https://www.johnlewis.com/content/the-residence
