armani
Wallpaper magazine’s September issue has wonderful reading on Italy’s design dynasties and their empires. Images from design archives cover their history …. as well as a who’s who of the reigning generation of family members.
marni
Think fashion and furniture …..
poliform
Armani … B+B … Etro … Poliform … Ferragamo …
molteni
Flos … Marni … Kartell … Minotti …
etro
Missoni … Molteni … and more.
etro
Why have they kept it all in the family ?
missoni
Only in Italy !!
I first heard about container homes and the creative things people were doing with them, a few years ago. I listened with great interest … fascinated to think of the challenge and the potential !!
All they require are windows and doors…of any size or proportion and a coat of paint.
They can be joined together side by side or on top of each other ….
Somehow they suddenly become a design statement ….. minimalist and state of the art. I just love the way they seem to nestle into their environment.
Another week flashes by, the Olympics have come and almost gone …. nothing is forever it seems. When I read this news of the beautiful and iconic Hermes with its strong (and long) family history, I did hope nothing was about to change.
Every girl should own at least one Hermes scarf (or even better two). Beautiful and stylish women all over the world have been photographed wearing theirs … think Grace … Jackie and probably Audrey.
So many ways to wear them … so much fun to be had … the perfect accessory !!!
For some time I have tried in vain to find somewhere super stylish for overseas friends and colleagues to stay while in Sydney. I have written about so many gorgeous places in the Uk and Europe but struggled to find anywhere in Sydney that excites. That was until I was taken by a friend to see the Harbour Rocks Hotel, tucked away, yet right in the heart of Sydney’s historic Rocks precinct.
This is one of the early buildings in the Rocks …. possibly one of the many bond stores. The architects and designers have captured the feel with exposed sandstone, bricks, and beams …. the entrance sets the scene. Set back from the street one enters through large black doors …. what awaits is more stylish than could be imagined. The lighting, the bookshelves and the gorgeous Gervasoni seating in the Lobby give one the feeling that they have arrived somewhere quite special.
Reception is discreet …. in fact it is an extension of the Bar. I think what works so beautifully is the scale of the spaces. These spaces and finishes have an inherent warmth and glow … all so very inviting.
Guestrooms are simple and elegant, yet cosy. The finishes and furniture stylish. Yes, it is the attention to detail that you don’t find large hotels.
This restaurant is beautiful !!!! The lighting is perfect. The clean and simple lines of these chairs and texture of the banquette seating …. a lovely juxtaposition with the sandstone.
I guess it was always going to be easy once you inherit the bones of this magnificent building. Not so easy to get it this right and they have.
I will certainly be finding an excuse to book in for a weekend. The location is a gem and I look forward to exploring the Rocks (not just for tourists now), spending time at the Museum of Contemporary Art, walking round to the Opera Bar to enjoy the sunset and a glass of prosecco and trying some of the many fabulous new restaurants and coffee shops in this part of the world.
We eagerly watched as very smart chocolate brown, heavily panelled doors were installed. What was going to open in this tiny little space in Macleay Street, Potts Point ?
Coffee tea and me sounded familiar … yes they have an even smaller outlet in Redfern. While Redfern is rustic to the max, their new cafe in Potts Point is stylishly rustic. Shades of Argentina I felt !!
Cute seating options and only a couple of tables but fabulously welcoming.
Very good Campos coffee which isn’t normally a favourite. Excellent bagels and terrific choice of sweet treats …. they really have the food side of things covered nicely …. simple, fresh and delicious.
Now this is innovative !!! and I just fell in love with the newspaper holders below.
There is definitely a place for this little cafe in Potts Point …. coffee capital of Sydney.
Not sure which was more exciting …. sitting up on Level 1 right opposite the famous Coca Cola sign …. so Hollywood !!! or the size of the screen we were watching the Olympics on.
Such an iconic part of Sydney perched at the top of William Street …. not to mention the Kings Cross Hotel itself with its colourful history. It’s current configuration does not disappoint.
After a weekend glued to the television watching the Olympics it was fun to be out …. still watching the Olympics but with others … all cheering for Australia.
I am sitting here in Sydney full of Olympic Spirit …. no not in London !!! Tickets scarce and crowds crazy, so very happy to travel when London returns to normal. However should I be over there, I have decided that the Firmdale Hotel Group do have the most exciting properties to choose from …. and in all the right locations …. Covent Garden, Haymarket, Soho, Knightsbridge, South Kensington and my favourite Dorset Square. What could be more divine than this Regency terrace overlooking a leafy square.
Kit Kemp loves colour and plays with fabric in a very adventurous way. Each property is unique … in fact, each guestroom is unique, from what I can see. She combines slick contemporary with traditional pieces and details, very brave indeed.
Firmdale call it ‘fresh contemporary English style”. I have to say that I have not always been sure that it all works but looking at the newest addition in Dorset Square I have been won over. Either my taste has changed or I have taken time to ‘just get it’.
I acknowledge they are quirky, however the attention to detail is exceptional, the furniture and furnishings are beautiful and I am sure the experience would be pure 5 star.
Dorset Square is where I would be staying … just a short walk to Marylebone High Street, an area I love with its gorgeous shops and cafes … oh so civilised compared to the rat race of Oxford Street not so far away.
Would love some feedback on any of the Firmdale properties ….
I love this fashion shoot by Tim Walker for Mulberry … I also love this wild colour !!! Fabulous in winter. Do look at the Mulberry Blog … it is worth subscribing to. Great way keep up to date. I first discovered Mulberry in Harvey Nichols in London in the early 80’s and have been addicted ever since. I am also a regular visitor to the Mulberry store in Westfield CBD which, by the way, has a very good sale each season.
Another wet and cold weekend in the highlands. Whatever has happened to our sunny winter days and crystal blue skies. My memories of winter are those of finding a sunny spot in the garden to sit with a tray … pot of tea, a slice of boiled fruit cake and papers to read … absolute bliss. Not this year !! I watch from the window as the first sign of bulbs appear under the trees and yearn for Spring. Even our sasanqua camellias have rebelled with very few blossoms on show. I am looking for a lot more colour with the Japonica’s.
images:remodelista
Instead we are cosying up inside with woolly blankets, throw rugs and open fires.
I do love the old fashioned check blankets and seek them out in antique shops. I found some gorgeous ones at out local antique emporium that had come from Scotland … such interesting colours and so homely. More than anything I love a blanket stitch edge. Even more homespun !!
Cath Kidston does wonderful things with vintage blankets … she makes cushions with them and even covers wing back chairs with one or a number of check blankets in patchwork . They look fabulous.
Maybe our cold wet winter will inspire some of these creative activities … in the meantime I will just bring out that scarf that I started to knit last year but didn’t finish. No doubt Monday morning will bring the sun !!
The Hotel Lancaster in Paris is without doubt the prettiest hotel in Paris. An extremely chic boutique hotel …. is this not just exactly what one would expect when we think of Parisian style.
I adore the simple, pared back elegance which allows the architecture to shine.
This is the most sophisticated use of colour …. so subtle, yet only for the brave. Shades of lavender, lilac and aubergine teamed with shades of grey, crisp white and hint of gold …. how divine ! Not as easy as it looks to achieve the perfect balance.
I have always loved the tile and marble combination in a bathroom … somehow it creates character. It is so much more interesting than head to toe marble which is an easier option by far. How decadent to have your own dressing table and in the bathroom… only in Paris !!
This interior is timeless … classic and contemorary all rolled into one. Their collection of artworks and antiques complimented graciously by the sumptuous colour palette and subtle attention to detail.
Having said all that, how inviting does that sofa look. Perfect for putting your feet up after a day shopping in Galeries Lafayette.
I knew I was going to fall in love with this hotel when I spotted those lavender grey striped awnings and gorgeous flower boxes.
