Advice to Kate Middleton: Keep Calm and Carry On
Royal-Wedding Jitters? Let This Ubiquitous British Print Soothe Your Nerves
Lily Gahagan
April 28, 2011
Being a bride is nerve-wracking. You want everything to look just right and come off without a hitch, you're organizing schedules, completing last minute errands and, oh yes, you have to look incredible and ready for the camera when setting out down the aisle to make official one of the biggest decisions of your life. Phew! Can you imagine the anxiety if, on top of that, you had a few million people watching it all go down? More: Our 15 Favorite Royal Wedding Souvenirs
That's what Kate's got to deal with this Friday, and while it will undoubtedly be thoroughly lovely in every way, she's got to have some nerves on the brink of the edge too. If I could tell her anything, it would be to breathe. Relax. And in the words of her government, "Keep calm and carry on."
That's what Kate's got to deal with this Friday, and while it will undoubtedly be thoroughly lovely in every way, she's got to have some nerves on the brink of the edge too. If I could tell her anything, it would be to breathe. Relax. And in the words of her government, "Keep calm and carry on."
Originally produced as a motivational poster for the public by the British government during World War II, this poster was little-known and rarely used at the time. After it was recently brought to light again, it took off in popularity — with every online shop in sight carrying prints in multiple colors.
The design of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster is so simple, and the message so easily applied, it's no wonder that it's found a niche in decor — with companies slapping it on everything from mugs, to tea towels, to tablecloths. I love seeing it blown up on this bright blue rug.
It may seem an oxymoron when done in such a vivid red, but matched up with the door color, it makes for a symbiotic and thus calming effect in this entryway. It's also a good thing to keep in mind as you head out to start a busy day.
For a more soothing approach, a deep blue print against walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Almost Black makes less of a "pop" and more of a subtle note, better suited to the message.
Almost as prolific as the "Keep Calm" prints are derivatives of the saying. Blogger Michelle Hinckley took the basic design and re-imagined it into a helpful reminder in the bathroom...
The bright yellow frame makes it particularly hard to ignore!
While I appreciate the Brits' tendency to keep a stiff upper lip, I think this paraphrase from blogger My Sweet Savannah goes better with my mode of thinking.
For more British-inspired black-and-white art, check out posters inspired by vintage bus rolls. They've got that same graphic element and appeal to typography nuts like me.
Aside from a wedding, no place might be more appropriate for the phrase than above a workspace. Deadlines, you've met your match!
Or rather than directly overhead, go for a subtler look by hanging it just to the side of the desk — right where my eyes tend to wander when I start losing focus.
Reflected in the mirror, the saying greets teeth-brushers first thing in the morning as a reminder for tackling the day. Someone tack this up in Kate's loo, quick!
Looking for you own Keep Calm print? I found a wide selection available here as well as on Etsy. What color would you get?
More royal wedding fun:
Our 15 Favorite Royal Wedding Souvenirs
More royal wedding fun:
Our 15 Favorite Royal Wedding Souvenirs
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I love Keep Clam and Put The Kettle On!!! That's me!!