Design Diary - December

Design, antiques and arts events in London and across the UK. Make sure you don't miss out.

Clifton Christmas Market, Clifton Villas, London W9 (first three weekends in Dec, open Fri 12-5.30; Sat 10-5.30; Sun 11-5. - Clifton Nurseries is especially atmospheric at Christmas time, and this year (and in association with The House Directory) they are hosting their first Christmas market. Among the companies taking part are our members Emily Readett-Bayley, Prometheus Bound Books and Runaway Coast. Entry is free. For more info see www.clifton.co.uk

Alfies Antiques Market Christmas Party (8 Dec), Church St, London NW8 - Celebrating 35 years of trading. www.alfiesantiques.com

Potterton Books London' Christmas Extravaganza (opens 8 Dec), 93 Lower Sloane Street, SW1 - An exhibition and sale of original artworks by Gail Brodholt, Paul Catherall, Angela Harding, Mark Hearld, Michael Kirkman, Ed Kluz, Rob Ryan and Emily Sutton. www.pottertonbookslondon.com

Selvedge Christmas Fair (10 Dec), St. Augustine's Church Hall, Langdon Park Road, London N6 - Peruse the stalls of thirty designer-makers, get creative at the bookbinding workshop and enjoy refreshments from High Tea of Highgate. www.selvedge.org

Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays (7, 14 & 21 Dec). The small independent shops on Columbia Rd and Ezra St (normally only open on Sundays for the flower market) will open on Wednesday evenings (5-9pm) - English and Italian delis, furniture and vintage shops, terracotta pots, festive food and live music. www.columbiaroad.info

‘Christmas Past': 400 Years Of Seasonal Traditions In English Homes (until 8 Jan) Geffrye Museum, London E2 - Each year the museum's period rooms are decorated in appropriately festive style. It's a fascinating insight into how Christmas has been celebrated in English middle-class homes from 1600 to the present day. www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

A Celebration of the Big Top (until 16 Dec), James Harvey British Art, 15 Langton St, SW10 - A collection of works to celebrate the vibrant world of the circus from its origins on London's South Bank almost 150 years ago. www.jamesharveybritishart.com

The Cook's Kitchen: Culinary Silverware and Gifts for Epicures (until 28 Jan), The London Silver Vaults, Chancery Lane, London WC2 - A selling exhibition of Georgian, Victorian and 20th century silver items and gadgets, both practical and beautiful. www.thesilvervaults.com

MAKE (until 2 Jan), Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, Devon - This Christmas exhibition brings together 50 of the best regional and national contemporary craft makers. www.crafts.org.uk

Dazzle (until 8 Jan), London National Theatre, Olivier Foyers, South Bank, London SE1 9PX - A contemporary jewellery selling exhibition, with dazzling work by over 80 leading designer-makers from all over the world. www.dazzle-exhibitions.co.uk

Postmodernism: Style & Subversion 1970-1990 (until 15 Jan), Victoria & Albert Museum, London SW7 - What does postmodernism mean, and where did it come from? www.vam.ac.uk

The Way We Live Now (until 4 March), The Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1 - For Sir Terence Conran's 80th birthday this major exhibition explores his unique impact on contemporary life in Britain whilst also showing his design approach and inspirations. The exhibition traces his whole career from post-war to the present day. www.designmuseum.org

December 2011