Salone del mobile 2014 … the very best of

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Detail Hermes Silk Fabric
As you can imagine, everyone is talking Milan and the Salone del Mobile Furniture Fair at this time of year.  My inbox is flooded with many versions of the pieces and the designers that have supposedly stolen the show. These are the pieces that stood out for me.
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Hermes Club Bar
The glamour of this drinks cabinet defies belief.
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Alexander McQueen Rug by the Rug Co
Wonderfully over the top … as one would expect.
 
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Hermes Lighting
Never before have Hermes ventured into lighting but here it is, a small and perfect collection. 
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Philippe Starck Folding Chair
I simply love this chair for it’s extremely slick take on a very casual piece of furniture … not to mention the unimaginable quality of the tan leather.
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Brunello Cucinelli
So interesting, the number of fashion houses doing furniture and homewares.
Images: Wallpaper 

10 iconic objects of desire … my edit

Here is my edit of UK H&G’s 50 Iconic Objects of Desire …. most of which you will know so well.  Each is aesthetically beautiful, classic in design and functional.
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the diptyque candle 
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the bialetti moka
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the tolix stool
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the smeg fridge
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the aalto vase
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the louis ghost chair
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the le creuset
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the billy bookcase
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the anglepoise 1227
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the liberty print ….
and of course the list goes on and on and includes many personal favourites like the barbour jacket, chanel rouge noir nail varnish and the burberry trench.  Items one just can’t live without !!

Weylandts … their autumn lookbook for your interior

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Weylandts, Melbourne … the new go-to store for fabulous homewares from Sth Africa.
Innovative, contemporary design, manufacturing and sourcing.
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My pick for an autumn makeover …
the extremely elegant brass pendant lights … and the sparkling glass horlicks jar pendants, so retro …
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these smart black and white side tables … perfect with your winter white bedding
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and an aviator copper coffee table to warm up your living area and reflect that open fire this autumn … so nice to have an excuse to shop for a new look.

Loving london’s boutique hôtels 2014

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The Pelham Hotel in Sth Kensington is, for me the perfect location in London.  A short stroll to the V&A or along the gorgeous Walton Street to Harrods … more specifically, their Stationary Department.
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Kit Kemp the designer has created a luxury town house style hotel, the interiors ‘a tailored version of grand English style’.  I love the idea of individually designed bedrooms, and there are 52 to choose from.
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What sets these hotels apart is the unexpected … the combination of antique and contemporary furniture … quirky lighting and modern art set within a a wood panelled drawing room or library … it is perfect.

Designex14 … fabulous lighting, brilliant design

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What a surprise packet Designex14 turned out to be.  A new location to navigate (while Darling Harbour Convention Centre is being redeveloped) caused no hardship.  Glebe Island with easy parking and smart temporary buildings was more inviting by far than the tired Darling Harbour venue we were accustomed to.
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The diversity of both exhibitors and products was impressive and all with exciting new products to launch. The latest lighting was exceptional. A clever floorplan enhanced the design experience, with fabulous cafes and pop up bars adding to the buzz !!
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I have come away inspired … as well as having a bag full of new contacts and new product brochures. It is easy to find a reason not to visit Design Fairs however Designex14 with all it had to offer under the one roof, was worth well worth the time.
images: from the top, about space, duncan meerding, porcelain bear

Felix forest photographs at becker minty

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Another stylish soiree at Becker Minty on Wednesday evening with the opening of the exhibition of Felix Forest Photography.  The opulence of the store a perfect setting for his photographs (a curated collection by Becker Minty) which sparkled amongst elegant homewares, jewels and fashion.
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Felix has photographed interiors around the world for private clients and magazines. This exhibition is showing throughout April at Becker Minty.  Photographs are available in varying sizes and framed or unframed … they are beautiful !!

Parisian fabric houses to peruse

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To stumble across such jewels … only in Paris.  The cobblestoned streets of the Left Bank lined with the prettiest shop windows.
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Jim Thompson … one of my all time favourites.  What a joy. These windows were a spectacle.
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Pierre Frey … always so smart and shades of colour to die for.
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Nobilis is pure elegance.
Just take the time to explore at leisure … fabric houses for more than just fabrics. Cushions, trims and throws to play with alongside antiques and designer furniture. Shop after shop … names you have only glimpsed in beautiful magazines.
And when it all gets too much, just pop into Laduree for a restorative pot of tea and delicate macaron.

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