My Design Travels

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My Design Travels

The word from the milan furniture fair 2012 via Gervasoni 1791

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I was thrilled to chat with Jenny Gill, Australian agent for the fabulous Gervasoni furniture, on her return from the Milan Furniture Fair. This is the word from Milan.

What were the trends and future direction in furniture seen in Milan ?

loose covers, lots of timber furniture, ‘big’ sofas, the new ‘big look’ for most furniture, shiny fabrics, flokati style rugs and long pile carpet in general, over sized/exaggerated pendant lighting

What were the colours shown for the new season ?

orange, purple, grey and soft grey/green

Which range proved to be particularly popular at the Fair for Gervasoni ?

inout range which is modular furniture for outdoor use and upholstered in waterproof removable covers

Apart from the Gervasoni range, which collection had an impact ?

Minotti’s large furniture range

What are your tips for a visit to Milan for the Furniture Fair ?

it is a distinct advantage to be as close to the centre as possible, near the Duomo and furniture showrooms

Can you recommend a hotel in Milan that you have stayed at ?

the NH President, Milan is where I stayed this trip and it is terrific (4 star)

Any fabulous cafe’s you can recommend ?

bar erri, via durine near hotel

Do you have a final tip for visitors to the Fair ?

a must …. visiting the area where the new designers not able to afford the Fair exhibit ….. Zona Tortona

Retail Showroom for Gervasoni : Anibou, Sydney

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My Design Travels

Home away from home at the greenwich hotel new york 2393

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There is something rather special about boutique hotels like The Greenwich Hotel in New York…..they are so much more homely and inviting than the larger hotel chains….even if they are 5 star !!  The attention to detail during the design process is one thing but the concept of the smaller hotel offering a little more is what really makes the difference to its clientele.

The additional decorative items that you don’t see in the bigger hotels such as the occasional throw rug, coffee table books, magazines….the sort of decorative pieces that you would have in your own home or would like to have, are generously incorporated into both guestrooms and public spaces.

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Having spent a number of years working on the interior design of large hotels and small, there is only so far the big hotels are prepared to go when it comes to individualizing either the guestrooms, lobbies, restaurants or bars.  Yes it is a staffing issue…..after all straightening books and decorative items does take time!!!

The reason I don’t go back to hotels I have worked on is that I have been known to plump up cushions or reposition a collection of items on a coffee table !! I have to say that a large part of the thought process when incorporating all the gorgeous extras is how it will stand the test of time …. and the general public.

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Wonderful boutique hotels like The Greenwich have no two guestrooms alike.  They are elegantly eclectic …. incorporating delicate silk rugs, interesting art collections, glamorous mirrors and libraries of books…and are truly a luxurious home away from home.

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My Design Travels

White on white …… 1952

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images: love french bulldogs

There are so many beautiful books published about a predominantly white interior. The look can be rustic, slick and contemporary, opulent or minimalist.  It also allows you to showcase anything you choose.

It could be bookcases filled with books, artwork, flowers in a vase, baskets, gilt mirrors or picture frames, porcelain ….. patterned, cream or white, architectural detailing or warm timbers.

Everything else in the room will be in contrast or shadow against the crispness of the white.

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My favourite shade of white has never altered…..Dulux White Birch.  It has enough warmth to give the room a certain glow.  For a very polished, state of the art interior I adore Dulux Vivid White !!!

An all white kitchen gives a feeling of orderliness and cleanliness…..an all white bathroom…..elegance and an all white bedroom……peacefulness.

Be bold…..floors can be cream or a light coloured carpet to complete the look. White painted timber floors can be both rustic or contemporary…..rather Scandinavian.

Don’t stop with the fabrics……what could be more divine than cream, white or antique linen in varying textures…..have fun!

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My Design Travels

The unique interior and setting of petersham nurseries cafe, london 1927

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A lot has been written about Skye Gyngell and even more about Petersham Nurseries Cafe including the article last weekend in the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend…..however I have always been more interested in exactly how they marry the plants and the food under the one roof!!

I love the idea of the greenhouses with earth floors….and yes I am sure the heating costs are enormous.  Mismatched tables and chairs, rustic urns with large potted plants or at Christmas time….Christmas trees decorated with their beautiful shiny baubles from India.  All very rustic….stylishly rustic but so atmospheric !!

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My photo source……daughter in London recently (hence grey skies)…..shows the very cute Christmas decorations strung throughout the greenhouse. You must look at the professional web site photos taken at their amazing candlelit Christmas Market and Carol Service.  A must for next year. It isn’t the first time I have mentioned that for me the best time to be in London is the lead up to Christmas…..London does Christmas so well!!

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Apart from fabulous food in this wonderful greenhouse setting, there is the shop selling pots, tools,  antiques and all things garden related…. of course.  Wander around the nursery for inspiration or visit the magnificent garden attached to Petersham House….described as a mad flowering hedgerow !! Not far away is Richmond Park where one can head for a brisk walk….to walk off lunch!!

PS.  As of yesterdays Good Living (Sydney Morning Herald) Skye Gyngell has departed Petersham Nurseries Cafe to be replaced by Melbourne’s high profile chef Greg Malouf !!
My Design Travels

The simplicity of a beach holiday 1993

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We are just lapping up every minute of this !!!!  particularly knowing that it must be one of the few parts of either NSW or Qld with sunshine.

Lazy days starting and ending with a swim, breakfast or lunch out on the deck of this gorgeous Club…..or possibly a gin and tonic watching the sun go down.

One of the highlights has been the early evening storm….so Queensland.

We did notice that the outline of the highrise to the north at Surfers Paradise was no longer visible as we wandered up to the Surf Club one evening.  We had no sooner settled on the balcony….thankfully with cover, when the heavens opened.

Having been caught many an afternoon on my way home from school…. memories of my schooldays in Brisbane….. I was familiar with the occurrence of the tropical storm and downpour….. but this was spectacular.

Even more spectacular given the landing pattern of aircraft on their way to Coolangatta Airport.  Aircraft head up the coast to about Surfers before turning sharply south to start their descent heading for Coolangatta Airport….. at times, over Currumbin!!!

We were treated to the storm and the plane watching…..as the lights of the planes were the only thing visible a lot of the time…..seemingly headed strait for us.

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My Design Travels

More new queensland beachhouses and one old 2327

Apologies to those who didn’t receive the photo yesterday…..struggling with the technology at the beach…..partly rushing to get in the early morning swim…..making the most of it all here !!!  This is the gorgeous Happy Haus I talked about yesterday.

Love the juxtaposition of old and new here !!

Hibiscus bush just down from us with flowers the size of dinner plates.

Saving the best till last…..these gorgeous lattice screens push out to capture the breeze !!!
My Design Travels

The new queensland beachhouse by happy haus 2287

We watched this being put together……a prefabricated architect designed beach house by Happy Haus.  Fabulous to see it finished!!!!! The architecture is brilliant and so suited to the beach lifestyle.

The website does show rural locations looking equally as appealing but with a dark timber exterior.  The interior fitout is very smart !!! Love the windows.

The concept is modular so size starts with a studio and extends to whatever your requirements may be.

This gorgeous beachhouse has a number of pavilions all working beautifully on a very narrow block…..albeit overlooking the stunning Currumbin beach.

The best bit for me….they got the garden right……built around the Frangipani tree and hibiscus under the front window !!!
My Design Travels

The original queensland beachhouse 1972

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We have our beach holiday at Currumbin in southern Queensland……not far over the border from New South Wales.  It is at the southern most tip of the Gold Coast and could be a million miles away from it.

It is……exactly as I remember it as a child……with the exception of the one or two medium rise apartment blocks!!! more importantly there are still the original beachhouses that we all dream of renting for our holiday.

I fall in love with these same cute beachhouses every year……and take photos.  It is as much about the vegetation as anything….always the Frangipani tree….the hibiscus!!!

Their location on the beachfront with only the narrow esplanade between them and the ocean plays a big part in the dream.  In the case of Currumbin you have the lush tropical vegetation rising steeply behind.

What more could you want on a beach holiday……the general store…..the surf shop…..a couple of cute dress shops for the afternoon browse between swims and ……even better Elephant Rock Cafe and The Beach Shack …..yes a choice of two….. for really good coffee!!!!

The surf club (with bar/restaurant)…..is an icon…..perched out over the ocean on a rocky outcrop.  One of the very first surf clubs on the coast it’s location is unique….the perfect spot to chill out at the end of a hard day at the beach !!!!!

PS.  don’t tell anyone about our gorgeous holiday hideaway.
My Design Travels

Liberty london sheer opulence 2308

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Liberty London is unique when it comes to nearly everything in the store !!! Such an Aladdin’s Cave.  This bedside table is covered in the most beautiful velvet.

Such a divine concept…..and other furniture in the collection as well.  Who ever thought velvet would even be available in such cute patterns and colours.

I can’t seem to find out the origin or designer of this range however will be on the case.  More images from Liberty tomorrow…..it is without a doubt my favourite store !!!
My Design Travels

Paris….and apple….how beautiful. 1830

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                 image: via hype means everything

It is no surprise to find the Apple store in Paris in such a magnificent building. Let’s face it….everything Apple does is beautiful….starting with the packaging…..the satiny white bag with the silver apple logo and white draw string, the glossy white box and of course…..the treasure inside.  Apple products look exquisite and feel lovely to the touch…..such beautiful design.

Back to the building……this building epitomises Parisian Architecture.  It is one of the many pretty buildings in Paris that we all drool over and photograph.

And we thought our Apple store in Sydney was beautiful ! Well it is ….. just in a different way.

 

 

 

 

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