Loving london’s boutique hôtels 2014
Parisian fabric houses to peruse
Soane britain … for craftsmanship and colour extraordinaire
I am not sure if it has anything to do with the weather, however we don’t seem to embrace colour quite like the English. Think of those cyclamen pink dining rooms that look so fabulous. I am not even sure it works with our sunnier climate.
Hence, my love for English decorating magazines … probably because ‘the look’, (their look !!) is just so different to anything we do here. There is no right or wrong … it is just different!!
Meanwhile, enjoy looking at Soane Britain … a beautiful website with beautiful products. They do ship to anywhere in the world, if you can bear to wait.
Hotel guestrooms with a difference… the siam, bangkok
Without doubt it is the individuality of The Siam that sets it apart. Renowned hotel designer Bill Bensley has incorporated the old with the new and created a unique 5 star hotel, full of charm.
This is not your typical hotel guestroom … with Thai Colonial influences, lamps hanging on black silk ribbons, travel collections … all so very personal.
The elegance of suites with sumptuous furnishings, exquisite detailing and such interesting memorabilia.
Memorabilia that has been collected and sourced for each of the individually themed suites.
Always glimpses to the exotic orchid filled gardens …
Black and white and distinctly Art Deco. Such attention to detail.
I ask the question again, why can’t your average hotel guestroom, or even just the expensive ones, be that little bit more exciting or individual. It isn’t only about the finishes and furnishings … it is about creating spaces that make patrons feel at home or somewhere better than home.
Loulou’s of london … a peek into the latest members only nightclub
Loulou’s night spot is located inside Mark Birley’s 5 Hertford Street …the very exclusive membership club in Mayfair. Opening in the second half of 2012, the wild and wonderful interiors are by the acclaimed fashion designer Rifat Ozbek … with a budget of 30 million pounds !!
Robin Birley is not new to the aristocratic world of the private club, his late father Mark created Annabel’s, Harry’s Bar and Mark’s for the previous generation. Robin named his club ‘Loulou’s’ after his aunt Loulou de la Falaise, the fashion designer.
Spaces for wining, dining, sitting, dancing or just quietly contemplating. The interiors are a celebration of colour and pattern, rich and exotic, vibrant … and always so elegant.
It is this understated elegance that underpins all great design and never more so than at Loulou’s. The combinations of beautiful fabrics, stylish lighting, glamorous wallpapers and extremely interesting painted finishes … and we all thought painted finishes had had their day.
The one colour that seems to add that touch of glitter and wit throughout is ‘lipstick pink’ … it just works. And there is plenty of wit … a bar made of shells, stuffed giraffe’s head and illuminated peacocks !!
A.A. Gill observed of the founder members and carefully invited on opening night “These are the people who are famous to one another – legends of their own clubs – and that has always been enough.”
images: jonathan becker
5 ways with the warmth of wood
1. Timber floors, walls and ceiling create a warm palette, all complimented by the stone clad wall in similar hues.
2. The balance between the texture of timber and stone, and the crispness of the minimal white wall, porcelain freestanding bath and bedlinen, is perfect. Note the contrasting timber shades of the furniture.
3. Beautifully designed timber furniture provides the warmth, texture and perfect scale in this otherwise simple white interior.
4. The contrast between the smoothness of the timber floor and the rustic nature of the timber furniture gives this room another dimension.
5. If you can be bold enough to follow the warm tones of the timber and stone with soft furnishings (rather than contrast with additional colour) the end result will be extremely elegant.
Images: wiesergut hotel, hinterglemm, austria
Loving the langham, london
The Langham Hotel, London … just a short stroll from Oxford Street, Regent Street and Marylebone High Street … shops, shops and more shops. This is a very stylish hotel in a fabulous location.
Classic Room
I love the warmth and attention to detail in all the rooms … from the entry level Classic Rooms to Grand Junior Suite. There are of course larger suites, however I simply can’t imagine needing anything larger than the gorgeous Grand Junior suite … particularly when you are out and about shopping and exploring all day.
Grand Junior Suite
I think what I love most is the interesting use of colour throughout … both elegant and adventurous, to say the least. I don’t know why all hotels don’t do doona’s/duvet’s … they are just so inviting. Well actually I do know why. Changing covers still remains a nightmare for housemaids. (Have to say I find it a challenge and only have a couple to do at any one time.)
Artesian
Lovely to know there is the traditional Palm Court to return to for Tea after all that shopping … or the Artesian for a cocktail before dinner. I do love the exotic Orientalism !!!
A stay at The Langham would not be complete without a stroll through Regent’s Park or a visit to the Wallace Collection (also fabulous Tearoom).
Christmas at smythson … a whistle stop tour of london
Smythson London have a new christmas video (a nile blue christmas) which just makes me want to be there !!!
Watching the video is as close as I will get for a little while, however you never know … there just may be something under the christmas tree from Smythson.
Christmas week in london 2012
Regent Street in London is the benchmark for Christmas decorations as far as I am concerned … and the bar is always set extremely high !!! This is Christmas 2012 and it does not disappoint.
I love the way the smaller street around Regent and Oxford Street have their own theme … Sth Molton, Carnaby etc.
Oxford Street … what fun … and I haven’t even started on the ice skating in Hyde Park or at the Courtauld Gallery as yet.
Well that is London and we are here in Sydney. I am so looking forward to my week finalising Christmas shopping, catching up with friends for some Christmas cheer and reporting on just how festive Sydney is looking Christmas week … watch this space !!