If you are thinking of heading down to South Jersey with dreams of snagging a hot dog rocking chair or wonder bread seat at a Wawa convenience store – sorry for the tease, I’m talking about a different Wawa.

Circuitous world that the Internet is, the reason I’m writing about couches is that I saw Liberty London Girl’s excellent post about the Columbia Road Flower Market. Wherein she teased me with a link to an item on my own personal wishlist-Wawa’s leather briefcases. 

 (Travel tip: if you are visiting a market in London (e.g. Portabello Road). I advise against the thin buffalo leather bag that is ubiquitous throughout the stalls- the stink takes forever to go away).

When I hit the jump, instead of leather briefcases, I found to my delight, Wawa’s handmade designer couches.

The vintage tufted Victorian sofa that I snagged at Housing Works has torn upholstery. I’m debating the expense of redoing it, and comparing it to the cost of buying a new one altogether. But here’s my dilemma. While there’s nothing wrong with barcaloungers, and pastel flower print couches, once you’ve seen how a unique, vintage, of one-of-kind design masterpiece can define the character of a room, it’s hard to well, go Pottery Barn (again, not that there’s anything wrong with that). It takes forever to find an affordable couch that truly makes a space pop.

Wawa was launched in 1998 when Richard Ward showcased his furniture designs as part of Hidden Art Open Studios . The showing was so popular that Richard’s studio and workshop became the permanent Wawa showroom. His sofas are designed and made in the UK, using materials and techniques that are built to last.  They are also custom designed for you and surprisingly affordable with some pieces starting in the $500-$600 price range.

Just another reason to get to London’s East End, and rent a space in a shipping container to get all the good stuff back.

Images and inspiration from Liberty London Girl and Wawa.

                                                                                                                                               If you’re a design geek like I am, you’ll dig this.  Glasgow School of Art is known for cranking out Turner Prize winning artists, renowned animators and even a rock musician here and there (Franz Ferdinand’s own Bob Hardy went to school here).   In short, GSA attracts some of the most creative and innovative artists around.   Most notably, the one and only.  Wait for it. Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Glasgow School of Art is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its world-famous Mackintosh building.  It’s hands down the best known and most widely regarded of all Mackintosh’s buildings.  For its 100th anniersary, a £100 bill from Clydesdale bank and films about the art school will be projected on to the side of the building.  The school will also unveil a centenary scroll and commemorative door plaque.

The school’s library is a true highlight.  I took a tour of the school last year and it’s no wonder why they keep it for the end.  Yeah, it’s dark and a little musty, but the detail is incredible.  And you can clearly see the Art Noveau meets Japanese influence along with touches of the Arts & Crafts movement.  Ahhh, I’m feeling inspired!