The Red Door today - with a fresh coat of paint to smarten things up for summer.

Back in 1943, while on holiday, Edwin Land's young daughter Jennifer asked "Why can't I see them now?" in reference to the photographs he had just taken. Four years later he first publicly demonstrated instant film at the annual meeting of the Optical Society of America in New York City. The Polaroid was born. Different versions continued to be released; however it wasn't until 1963 that Polaroid released their most popular colour film. After 45 years of instant square-format magic and to much sadness from fans worldwide, Polaroid announced it was ceasing production in 2008.


Now two entrepreneurs, André Bosman and Florian Kaps have brought the machinery from Polaroid's film factory and are bringing back the long lost friend, the magic of instant photography. Documented as the Impossible Project the new film, now called PX Silver Shade is "not only referring to the beginning of the grand history of the beginning of the Polaroid, but makes it again possible to take breathtaking, monochrome, classy looking instant pictures, which feature a surprising potential of characteristics, tones, moods and astonishing results". And we are over the moon to have it available to buy here at The Red Door Gallery.

Michael Bywater reporting for the Independent spoke true when he stated that Polaroid is "more than any other photographic medium, the Polaroid is real. What comes out of the slot with its pretty whirr is a thing. You can pass it from hand to hand instantly. You can write on it. As a physical artifact, the Polaroid has an inherent texture which is slowly leaking away in the digital world: infinite reproducibility, but always on-screen". He ends by asking "How many of your photographs do you print?" and many of us would have to agree that most snaps taken now never become real objects to treasure in our hands.

PX Silver Shade, the new monochrome Polaroid, is a breath of authenticity, a symbol of living in the moment, a testament to the wonderful creativity and drive of Edwin Land, who answered his daughter's curiosity all that time ago and who ultimately made photography more beautiful and lots of fun for the world wide over.


Pictured top to bottom; Polaroid 600 camera, Edwin Land, PX Silver Shade available now in store at The Red Door Gallery, The team at The Impossible Project, The wonderful Edwin Land with his original creation.

Today is a glorious SUNday in Edinburgh. The sun is out again, people are smiling and the rays even seem to be making their way into the shop. Happy days all round!

More new things are arriving daily which is pretty darn exciting for us. Yesterday we got to unravel these bright and cheery 'Bear Prints' from Justin Wallis. Can't wait to see what goodies we open this week.

Two new animal based screenprints have arrived instore from new Red Door artist Verity Keniger. At £16 for the deer and £30 for the rabbit, these are the perfect way to brighten up your day.

As a self confessed 'Cosby Show' fan, I was nearly bowled over when I saw this cut out and make Clare Huxtable via GotaGirlCrush. Genius!

Ooohlala - these are so beautiful that we are tempted to keep all the stock for ourselves. All the way from Melbourne, there delicate necklaces from A Skulk of Foxes are about to hit our shelves.

A brand spanking new print from Seymour of some smashing poodles just arrived instore. Titled 'Oh Wien', this editioned, giclee print measuring 17.5cm x 19.5cm is ready to be taken home for just £70. We think its pretty darn great and cannot wait to see what else Seymour comes up with for his show at The Red Door next month. More to follow on that later in the week so watch this space.

After going through a pile of emails from this week, we discovered a lovely mailout from design company Cavern who create some seriously amazing wallpapers and textiles. Based out of New York and LA, these guys know how to pack a punch with their off beat, artistic patterns. The library design from above is a winner in our eyes and would look amazing covering one of the shops walls. If only we had more space to play around with.

To continue our love of tea, we are now stocking some precious minatures from Glasgow based Rebecca Little. We have a lovely range of teapots, cups and saucers and even a mini singer sewing machine. This lovely range of earring and necklaces are priced between £18 and £32 and available while stocks last.

Having a bambino as part of The Red Door team means we get to browse through lots of lovely children focused websites without feeling like the broody females that we are. Todays find is some wonderful book plates to smarten up that reading pile. The lovely Helen Dardik has posted these for you to download for FREE and use in whatever way you see fit. Thanks Helen for making our Friday even better!

One of our lovely artists Hannah Waldron has been busy this week in the studio printing some more wonderful rooftop posters, one of which we have recently had framed for all to see. Here are a few more of her geometric patterns which we just love!

A new batch of Belle and Boo cushions arrived today to refresh our cushion stocks. We had forgotten how cute all four of the 'My Favourite Spot' series look together and are seriously tempted to buy the set for ourselves, especially when they look as good together as above.

New to our ever growing pool of talented jewellery designers is Clarice Price Thomas. Clarice's latest collection called 'encapsulated' is a collection of jewellery inspired by being able to encapsulate objects to keep forever.............

"Growing up by the beautiful North Norfolk coast has inspired my work, as well as my intrigue with bits and bobs! Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been fascinated with jewellery and now at the age of 19 have started making my own collections. I work from home in my little workshop out in the garage, which is piled high with old cabinets full of things I've collected. These pieces will trigger memories and act as keepsakes. Transparent lockets that tell stories of history and mystery. Reminders of the past for the future. The glass domes, some of which are up to 200 hundred years old would have originally been used for gentlemen’s pocket watches. In this collection they contain handmade vintage lace, old pearl buttons, rusty keys, stamps and shells that have travelled far and wide".

As well as the stunning collection available now at The Red Door, Clarice is also very happy to do commissions. Just ask in store for details.

One of The Red Door team is lucky enough to be having a visit to Berlin, which has meant another excursion to what we consider one of the best cupcake shops around. If you ever find yourself in Berlin, make your way to Cupcake in Friedrichshain where amazing flavours await you - mini carrot cake flavor seems to pretty much take the cake in our books. Time for another?

Tea lovers be warned - we have some tantalizing treats here at The Red Door that will have you downing your hot brew and racing for Victoria Street! The busy fingers of Emma Ferguson have been stitching up some terrific 'I heart Tea' purses with their very own little cup and saucer on the zip... for those private tea emergencies! Now you can keep your coinage or tea leaves safe in handmade-style for only £22, or grab a I Heart Tea Necklace or pin brooch for £20. We are not the only ones to have fallen cup over saucer for her works, have a peep at this month's Make Jewellery Magazine and you'll find a glowing article devoted to the talents of Emma!

Holy smokes hep cats.... it's the Spring Time Jamborie! Those lovely Glasgow gals at Made in The Shade have pulled together their gang of creative kooks and are moving into Edinburgh's own Roxy Art House for one day only. Better pop on your bobby socks and swing on over to catch some of the West Side designers, makers and creative shakers showing their well made wares under one roof on Saturday May 5th - its free too, so no excuses!

Look what has just floated in the door - this delightful print of summer-time freedom is fresh off the press from Freya Cumming and it is her most recent addition to her collection of Hot Air Balloon inspired prints. Titled Horizons, this piece demonstrates Freya's tuned technical skills as she's married together a broad range of printmaking techniques and styles into one very deceptively simple looking image - you really have to see these in the flesh to enjoy their subtleties. So please pop in and enjoy them .. but make haste with the speedy skates...there will only ever be 30!

A couple of new Shinzi Katoh posters instore for you all to have a peek at - big, bright and ever so cute!