London design festival 2012 sweeps the city

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Team Wallpaper have captured the essence of The London Design Festival 2012 with their people combing the width and breadth of London in search of all that is new … launches, installations and exhibitions everywhere !!

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 These are a few of the standouts for me …. designer Lee Broom above and below, transformed his studio into an old grocery store complete with timber panelling, wooden crates, sawdust on the floor and 200 crystal bulbs.  I adore the juxtaposition of the glamorous crystal bulb hanging on your basic cord …. in a rustic grocery shop … absolutely divine.

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This elegant stacked desk by Rolf Sach for Linley again is a contradiction … the extremely refined workmanship (no nails or screws) … with the design based on the concept of stacking timber to dry.

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I adore this high back reading chair by Amos Marchant for Lloyd Loom. I can picture this in any number of exotic locations !!

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While on wicker … these lights by The Andes House are fabulous … singular or as a group … I am loving the warm glow.

The south place hotel London … glamorous and hip !!

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Described as the Shoreditch end of the City of London … this is the part of London where it is all happening.  Every new bar, restaurant and hotel that I read a review of, seems to be in this locale.

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The very smart Conran designed guestrooms appeal to both business and leisure travellers.

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The first hotel venture by the D&D London group, this hotel has 80 guestrooms, two elegant restaurants, three bars (one secret garden bar), roof top terrace and sponsors its own art prize !!!

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… and so much to explore beyond the confines of the hotel.

Paper passion …. perfume for booklovers

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Another find in Wallpaper magazine … source book for the very best in design. A collaboration between German publisher Gerhard Steidl and perfumer Geza Schoen, with packaging and name chosen by Karl Lagerfield .. the scent of a freshly printed book, Paper Passion.  I have to admit I can’t really imagine wearing this scent as a perfume !!!

Schoen …. iconoclastic perfumer specialising in conceptual scents

Steidl … the publisher of high end art and photography books

Lagerield …. with a passion for fashion, art and music. His vision, a real book with pages and cut out for the perfume bottle.

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The book does include essays on the subject of paper by each of those involved including Wallpaper Editor-in-Chief, Tony Chambers.

Available online, in selected concept stores, bookshops and perfumeries across the world.  I look forward to tracking this down, it has me intrigued … how appealing is the scent of a freshly printed book and would you actually wear it as a perfume.

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David jones sydney … spring flowers spring fashion

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What a spectacular entrance to this annual event at David Jones, Sydney. I love the reference to the spring fashion direction with their theme ‘fleuressence’.

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Having said that … I am not sure that I can embrace the whole fleuro fashion statement … maybe a scarf.

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However … the idea of bringing fleuro into the home as summer approaches is a fun concept.  It need only be a vibrant cushion, vase, platter, towels or flowers !!

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Each year, the ground floor of David Jones is transformed into a floral fantasy for the start of Spring. I have such fond memories of the trip into the city with the express purpose of viewing the ‘David Jones Spring Flowers’ and can’t recall ever being disappointed.

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Chanel’s little black jacket

 

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The exhibition everyone is talking about …. Chanel’s The Little Black Jacket.

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This project by Chanel’s creative director Karl Lagerfield, along with former Paris Vogue editor- in-chief Carine Roitfeld, made its debut in Tokyo …. gathering force as it swept on to New York, Taipei and Hong Kong.  Next stop London …. (the Saatchi Gallery of course) and Moscow !!

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Coco once said  “fashion isn’t just present in dresses  … fashion is in the air, it’s borne by the wind, we sense it, we breathe it, it’s in the sky and on the tarmac, it’s everywhere, it comes from ideas custom, events …”

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For an update on how to incorporate your Little Black Jacket …. Marie Claire’s September Issue (page 56) gives you some suggestions …. it’s timeless !! 

 

10 tips for a spring makeover

 

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1.   It is all about de-cluttering … possibly even a spring clean.  The first hint of colour again in the garden is usually enough to get you going.

2.   Bring spring inside with bulbs planted into pretty containers … vases filled with bunches of freshly picked daffodils or branches of blossom.

3.   Cast off those woollen throw rugs and replace with cotton knits … think faded chintzes, a softer or neutral palette of linens, cottons and canvas.

4.   Loose covers give a lighter feel to furniture with winter weight fabrics. The solution is to have two sets of loose covers … winter and summer.

5.   Buy a new set of crisp white bedlinen or at the very least new pillow slips to smarten up the bedroom.

6.   Longer daylight hours and spring sunshine mean entertaining … plan a meal around new season produce. Smarten up the outdoor furniture and make or purchase a new outdoor cloth.

7.   Apply the less is more principle … spring is all about fresh air rather than cosiness. A more dramatic move might be to remove curtains so you can enjoy the view.

8.   Stand back and look at your rooms with a fresh eye.  A change in accent colour can lighten your look … simply change cushion covers, tablecloths and other decorative items. Group items with similar colours.

9.   Splash out on new towels and bath mat in fresh spring colours or even better white on white. New tea towels in checks and stripes will give the kitchen a new lease of life.

10.   Think about a change of room fragrance and scented candles.

 

Laduree sydney … still coming but not open yet

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Yes I did go in search of Laduree this week, however in vain I am afraid.  It will be situated in Westfield in the Sydney CBD … Level 3.  To my disappointment it appears that it will be situated in an external space (think walkway)… similar to the area used for the pop up champagne bar at Christmas.  I had hoped for a gorgeous little cafe along the lines of the one in Paris (Left Bank).

So far we have a designated space and sign.  Hopefully it will open soon and surely it will be as beautiful as we are all anticipating.

I will keep you posted !!

Chinoiserie wallpaper past or present

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Chinoiserie wallpaper has always had a very special place in my heart.  I love the delicate nature of the pattern … almost a work of art.

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I do associate it with exotic rooms in rambling historic houses and castles.

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Chinoiserie wallpaper seems at home in any room of the house really.

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Whether traditional or a slightly more contemporary take on it …. it oozes character and looks divine in any colourway.

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Chinoiserie has a story to tell.

de gournay wallpaper is available through milgate, sydney

 

Dreaming of warmer weather and summer holidays …. corsica would be nice

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Nothing like reading Garance Dore’s latest blog about her holiday in Corsica to pick you up. Especially  when the wind is howling and temperatures freezing in the Southern Highlands. It is about now that I start to get itchy feet.  Longing for the warmth, the sun, the summer clothes …  for a start.

I just love this interview with Aurelie … hearing all about her summer essentials.  It does get you in the mood … her Liberty print shorts for summer on the Mediterranean (made for her in Paris of course), her Gap cargo pants and white T shirt but best of all, her divine vintage white peasant blouse above.  Have noted the white Acne skinny jeans and Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunnies as essentials and are on the list already.

Have also done my research on Corsica … only 1.5 hours by plane from Paris or by ferry from Tuscany 2.5 hours.  All very achievable once over there … there being Europe, the centre of the universe.  Well it is for me, sitting here at the extremity !!

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The photo above, is one of my favourites. It captures a moment !! I can feel the heat coming off the sand as I lie under the shade of the cabana. Oh yes and the water would be the perfect temperature as well.

Meanwhile back in the Highlands ……

Weekend reading … pure and general … celebrating one year

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Pull out your ipad over coffee at your favourite haunt this morning and savour this beautiful book from Pure and General.  Page by page of mouthwatering images that really only confirm what we already knew … this store/emporium is a triumph … and has been rapturously received by all over the last 12 months.

Leaf through Pure and General’s diverse and exotic product range … but fall in love with their merchandising !!! This is the magic of Pure and General.

‘approach … tactile     textured    sensual    bespoke’

Refer my blog May 22 2012

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