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My Design World

Latest Stylish Hotel Design in Madrid 18675

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The Principal Madrid,
the latest five star hotel to successfully combine classic architecture with stylish, contemporary interiors … the result being pure luxury.
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A club like feel with dark and moody interiors, edgy wing backs and back lit bookcases.
So inviting … so unlike a hotel !!
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Fabulous period detailing, high ceilings and large windows contribute to the luxurious ambiance.
Intimate spaces .. far from the madding crowd.
Guestooms are a perfect combination of glamorous Parisian style french doors with iron balustrades, and sleek, contemporary, almost masculine furnishings. The classic butterfly chair in leather and up to the minute designer lighting of course add to the elegance.
So simple yet so right !!
Designer: Pillar Garcia-Nieto and Barcelona based studio Luzio.
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My Weekends

Bowral weekends … the new design hub 2141

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Bowral in the Southern Highlands now has its very own ‘design hub’. The once neglected bottom end of town is becoming ever so fashionable. My favourite … rabbit trap timber, has a new, larger home that shows off their gorgeous rustic yet contemporary style to perfection.
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Full of recycled and environmentally friendly pieces, the design aesthetic is very much of the moment but with its own unique stamp. Such an interesting mix of beautifully designed furniture and homewares … and found objects.
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I feel I need to keep an eye on the changing scene at rabbit trap timber but look forward to exploring this end of town further next weekend.  In the meantime … back to Sydney !!!
My Design World

Salone del mobile 2014 … the very best of 2490

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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 
My Design Tips

5 favourite upholstered furniture pieces … and finding interesting homes for them 2504

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1.  the footstool … the perfect addition to any seating group but extremely practical in a bathroom … as big as will fit the space without cluttering it.

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2.  this buttoned armchair works well anywhere … lovely in the bedroom or as a pair in a quiet corner of a sitting room or study.  I do love the idea of a pair of these (or one plus ottoman) in the corner of a large country kitchen … for that quick cup of tea.

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3.  a buttoned chesterfield or even chaise is the ultimate … anywhere, anytime.  Looks fabulous in anything from an exquisite velvet to a vintage linen.

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4.  the rolled back armchair is a classic design that can be positioned in a classic or contemporary setting, depending on fabric … I love the slightly higher version around a dining table.

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5.  these squishy daybeds as a pair, are perfect for that covered verandah with view of the garden … just curl up with a book and throw rug.
My Weekends

Amangalla ….. gracious elegance 2249

Another wet weekend indoors …. the bonus being the time it has allowed me to peruse my inbox in slightly more detail than normal.  In the process I was delighted to find that the latest Habitus Living online magazine had arrived. It’s images of Sri Lanka’s Amangalla I thought worth sharing.

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I quickly became lost in the world of Old Ceylon and the grandeur of this retreat … so very Aman.

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Dating back to the 1600’s these grand old structures have had a number of incarnations …. the New Orient Hotel, an icon in Galle and the hub for passengers from the P&O and Dutch East India Company vessels. In another life …. the Dutch governor’s residence and army barracks.

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The current Amangalla retreat captures it all …. large timber shutters on windows, wide timber floor boards, huge chandeliers hanging from the 6 metre ceilings, cord pull lights and the most fabulous and interesting solid timber furniture !!  They certainly have captured an era …. so pared back and yet so elegant. My favourite pieces …. the gorgeous wicker recliners !!

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They could so easily have thrown masses of colour into the interior …. very brave not to …. the vision being ‘to allow the centuries-seasoned building’s soul to shine’.

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I have always had a fascination with Sri Lanka …. just to explore the different regions…. the beaches, the tea plantations …. and maybe even a visit to Amangalla.
My Design World

Mercedes benz furniture launched in milan 2077

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Really not sure about the range of Mercedes Benz furniture….their first !!!!

It is being launched as we speak at the Milan Furniture Fair.

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In their own words they are describing it as dynamic, futuristic and having nice form and lines……and I am sure the ergonomics are brilliant, however it really just doesn’t look terribly comfortable. 

Perhaps, the statement piece in a Mercedes Benz showroom or state of the art harbourside apartment !!

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The collection comprises chairs, chaise lounge, dining table, shelf for the home theatre system, drawers and bed. 

No doubt the quality is impeccable, however I suspect the prices may be approaching that of the smaller cars in the range.

Food for thought…..I don’t think so.
My Week in Sydney

James salmond style 2641

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It was with much pleasure that James Salmond launched his latest collection of exquisite furniture pieces this week.  Classic and contemporary is his trademark and doesn’t he do it so beautifully.  The thought he puts into each piece is very evident……his wonderful style shining!!

He is always on the hunt for original bits and pieces that he can incorporate into his designs or take inspiration from in some fashion.  The cabinet above has been designed around his collection of small stone bottles….only James could create such an elegant piece with the choice of timber and design complimenting the warmth and earthy texture of the bottles.

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James explains that this classic chair covered in gold with stud trim is the perfect size, height and proportion to have as a pair with side table in any room adjacent to the dining room…..simply add them in to your dining room setting for extra seating. All furniture is custom made to order with of course your favourite fabric.

 I do have to say that James has impeccable taste and style when choosing the perfect fabric to suit his pieces of furniture.  The fabrics in his showroom currently are particularly fabulous……grey, gunmetal and gold…..the future direction we are told.

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images: tess brennan

The tall bookcases above show his fine ability to combine classic elements yet create a contemporary piece…in fact a piece that would be at home in any interior…as long as you had the ceiling height!!

These bookcases were my favourite pieces in the showroom.  When I mentioned this to James he replied “you know you have created something special when you want to take it home” …I guess they are a favourite of his too.
My Design World

The sartorialist does navy, black and tan 2108

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Image: The Sartorialist 

Why is my eye always drawn to these colours together.  I think it is just so smart to have the subtle black, navy combination with a luscious tan contrast bringing it all to life.

Tan has been big in Europe this winter but I love it anywhere, anytime.  I was thrilled when I did my dark inky blue woollen armchairs in our sitting room to then find divine tan suede Mulberry cushions to contrast. These, apart from the timber furniture, were the only colour in the room as the walls are the same inky navy blue.

I also love the colour that the natural IL Bisonte leather bags and diaries go after using them lovingly…..tan !!

One of my favourite projects recently was a Polo Clubhouse/Bar Lounge where I did large tan leather armchairs and sofas with brass studded trim ….. and chocolate and cream tartan woollen cushions.  It looked fabulous…..the building itself was spectacular….lots of dark timber rustic panelling, natural stone fireplaces and very large terracotta flagging.

I still miss the greatest source of woollen fabric ever ……. yes mainly shades of tan, coffee and caramel……Fabric Fantasy in Commonwealth Street, Sydney.  Sadly now closed.  It stocked bolts of Italian suiting fabric bought out from the mills at vastly reduced prices.  I couldn’t stop buying it to cover furniture, make bedheads and valances and even tablecloths.  The colours were a dream !!
My Design World

Where it’s at……hotel 27, copenhagen 1916

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I keep reading about Copenhagen and thinking what a truly stylish city it is. Danish design has always been at the forefront ….fashion, furniture, architecture and interiors not to mention the arts.

Hotel 27 is in the centre of the city…..a heartbeat from where it is all at…..both culture and shopping !!

As you know, I have more than a passing interest in hotel guestrooms having spent a large portion of my life as an interior designer working on their design or redesign.  Hotel 27 has the hotel guestroom sorted.  The timber floors underpin the use of colour in the furniture itself… so different to the standard hotel guestroom. So simple, elegant and so well designed.  The colours are gorgeous…..slick, young and fresh. The attention to detail is brilliant.

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Hotel 27 has the warmth and comfort factor so often missing in a lot of inner city hotels.  Designers put together a lot of hard finishes and think that opulent furnishings will be the icing on the cake…..so often the spaces may have the initial wow factor but are simply not inviting.

The Danes do timber well.  The use of either timber flooring, panelling or furniture (or all three) creates warmth and gives a space a certain character.

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And now for some really vibrant Danish design…..iconic furniture combined with gorgeous fabrics for the Bar….only in Copenhagen !!

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My Week in Sydney

Chairs in underwear from the country trader 2318

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The Country Trader has done it again……the most stylish range of classic furniture !!!

Just when we thought we knew the showroom so well. This is a range of custom made furniture designed to look like it has been stripped and recovered many times…..that beautiful distressed and aged feel.

The styles themselves are divine…the sort of pieces and styles that are normally quite difficult to find….the classic lines and proporton of the furniture makes it unique.

These chairs and sofas can be left to look as though they have been handed down from generation to generation or be reupholstered to capture their former glory !!!!

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