Jo Malone, London ….. Jo Loves

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What a delight to discover that the ground floor of David Jones, Sydney has undergone refurbishment and is now more glamorous than ever.  The style and elegance of the David Jones we all remember is certainly back and just in time for Christmas. I was immediately drawn to the beautiful Jo Malone, London …. yes I do think it is the packaging …. their iconic cream with black edging.

And to think it all started in 1994 with her first little shop in Walton Street, London. Her personal fragrances and delicious scented candles soon became the brand everyone had to have. By 1999 Jo Malone had launched her flagship store in London’s Sloane Street. That same year she was taken over by Estee Lauder.  Jo remained at the helm as chairwoman and creative director until 2006.

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I was thrilled to discover only recently that Jo has launched a new fragrance company – Jo Loves.  She told Vogue “Fragrance is absolutely what I love so I’m excited to be back. This new brand is all about memories – it’s where I am and the person I am now.”

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Jo Loves is available online (sadly no shipping to Australia) … with stores opening soon (probably UK first).

Designers guild …. trimmings and tiebacks

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It’s all in the finishing touch …. the detail, the icing on the cake. Who could resist when you have trimmings as gorgeous as these from Designers Guild to play with.  They are as enticing as candy.

Be brave …. start with trims on cushions.  It is a way of pulling together various elements in a room into a coherent scheme. By picking up the curtain colour in choice of trims on cushions, for example, you immediately bring it all together.  Choose curtain tiebacks that incorporate the shades in upholstery. 

Trims can certainly add a touch of glamour however can also be frivolous and fun.  Who doesn’t love a bit of old fashioned bobble fringe !!

 

Pottery barn, west elm and williams-sonoma headed for sydney

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I have had an interesting but exhausting week in Sydney, doing the rounds of my suppliers in search of just the right pieces of furniture, lighting and decorative items to complete a current project.  The excitement of finding the perfect piece followed by the frustration of not finding another.  However, there is nothing quite like the elation and satisfaction of seeing it all come together at the end … when it exceeds your expectation, when you take photos and when you receive the positive feedback from clients.  It is even better when it exceeds their expectation as well.

In amongst all of that, I did hear on the grapevine that the North American giants … Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma are coming to Australia … and opening under the one roof in Bondi Junction, Sydney.  These retailers offer upmarket quality homewares …. however, sitting below Coco Republic, I imagine.  These companies have not put a foot wrong to date … and are now looking at global expansion.

I do feel for the smaller retail design establishments, particularly in the eastern suburbs, as this will take the town by storm and be a hard act to follow.  Do have a look at the Pottery Barn website as a taste of what is to come …. it is just so extensive!!

Jamie’s italian ….. design that just keeps getting better

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Jamie’s Italian restaurants are opening all over the UK … some 30 of them actually.  Also Dubai, Singapore, Sydney and Perth.  He has more recently collaborated with design company Blacksheep on their design.  There seems to be a trend in restaurant design … it is all about the sensory experience … taking you to a place … a country … it’s not just all about the food.  The fitout is authentic in what they are trying to achieve.  Justin Hemmes in Sydney is on a similar trajectory with each new restaurant he opens outdoing the last in authenticity … think The Fish Shop and Mr Wong.

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For Jamie it was all about the environment having the ‘neighbourhood feel’. Taking inspiration from the Italian Table where one relaxes, shares and enjoys each others company.

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This is modern italian over two levels with openness … broken up into different spaces each with a different dining experience.  I do love these vintage chairs from Tolix … they are everywhere and so ‘of the moment’.  Every smart new restaurant and cafe has them … in one form or another … either vibrant colours or straight galvanized.  They work in any interior … slick, bistro or industrial street furniture.  I love them and tracked them down at Thonet, Sydney.

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Treasures from afar at arida gallery

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In the fabulous gallery space beside the iconic Yellow building (and once Yellow cafe) Arida have opened their new Arida Gallery. This is a delectable combination of the fashion we have come to know and expect of Arida and exotic homewares, furniture and antiques, large and small.

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All just a little bit different …. classic but not !!

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Couldn’t help but think how appropriate it all was for the Potts Point clientele and inner city apartment living.

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Something for everyone and they are still unpacking …

Arida: 61 Macleay St, Potts Point 2011

Arida Gallery: 57-59 Macleay St, Potts Point 2011

PS. The really good news is that next door a little bit of Yellow the cafe may be back … Yellow Pop Up is open for breakfast and lunch and awaiting a liquor license for dinner. (Brass was a bit of a disappointment for the local residents who continue to mourn the loss of their beloved Yellow.)

5 things you should know about kilim rugs

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1.  Kilim rugs with their flat weave (or no pile) seem to sit particularly well in almost any modern interior …. rustic, contemporary, city or country, sitting room, kitchen or even bathroom.

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2.  Their geometric designs are available in a range of colour tones. Kilims add warmth, fabulous colour and a distinct personality to any neutral interior.

3.  Finding a kilim to compliment any scheme or interior is not all that difficult.  From recent experience most rug dealers have a number of kilims to look at.

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4.  The older kilims have the more subtle colours and their size tends to be more rectangular than square.

5.  There is a trend now for kilims to be used as upholstery or cushions.  I love this look. Not sure how I feel about the patchwork kilims ….

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PS.   Don’t forget a good underlay … they do tend to move.

Mulberry moments at london fashion week

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When I awoke to Mulberry’s The Blog …. Fashion Week Moments it was too gorgeous not to share.  It captures exactly that …. the behind the scene moments that most of us don’t get to experience.  These photos for me portray the energy, anticipation, excitement, elation and relief …. probably in that order !!

In Mulberry’s words …. Months of planning go into creating a show for London Fashion Week.  Then the day seems to be over in minutes !

Loving London Fashion Week SS 2013

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Navy is heaven …. and the only thing smarter than navy and white is ‘stone’ (better than cream) and white ….. anywhere anytime.

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Just love the simplicity of Margaret Howell.

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Paul Smith does it again.  I use Paul Smith colours (his patterns, trims and jacket lining) as often as I can …. as accent colours in interior schemes …. cushions etc. These colours always look fabulous with black, navy, cream and white.

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You can pick the striking patterns and colours of Mary Katrantzou’s collection at a glance …. fabulous for the one off designer piece of furniture.

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Pringle of Scotland …. subtle texture, pattern and classic lines ….

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along with a divine colour palette.

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The romantic Christopher Kane.

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Hope you liked my pick of the Parades !!

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