Welcome to the Liv Design blog, an eclectic mix of great design and quirky finds

At Liv Design we believe a good designer should be able to turn their hand to creating just about anything. Take Stella McCartney for example who has a multitude of non-clothing designs under her belt. Her crystal horse chandelier makes a return to Belsay Hall Castle & Gardens in Northumberland from Easter 2009. Lucky Spot, as it's named, was originally shown as a temporary exhibit back in 2004. Stella McCartney created Lucky Spot following an inspirational visit to Belsay, owned by English Heritage. Her response to this beautiful place with its grand medieval castle and mystical quarry garden was to create something magical, romantic and visually stunning. She designed a jewelled curtain of thousands of Swarovski crystals in the shape of a horse suspended from the ceiling in the Castle's Great Hall.

Here's Liv Design's vote for the best site we've seen in a while. It's for US jeans manufacturer, Prospect denim. We can't work out if it's about to change but check out the retro-americana animated beauty at www.mediaboom.com/prospectdenim

Scott Johnson, Creative Director of graphic design agency Liv Design Ltd, was a special guest on the Morning Show with Frances Finn on BBC Radio Nottingham last week. Scott was invited to appear as part of the weekly Design Heroes series which looks at creative talent within Nottingham. “I was a bit nervous to be honest”, Scott commented. “I’ve been on the radio a long time ago but that wasn’t live. There’s a bit more pressure live on air, I was dreading saying ‘erm’ or being quiet for a long time, or saying something I shouldn’t!” He summed up the interview experience: “It was a great opportunity and I really enjoyed it. I want to go back and do another show now! It was great to meet Frances – she was really nice. We got a few comments texted in on air too agreeing with my opinions which was really good to hear. It makes you feel that the work that we do and what we’d like to see for the future development of the city are important and shared by many people and businesses in Nottingha...