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Parterre garden chandeliers and other pretty things for christmas
Parterre Garden is celebrating 25 years in the business of bringing beautiful pieces large and small for house and garden into our lives. The shop is exquisite. Always another shipment arriving … always another piece to fall in love with.
There is something rather festive about chandeliers. I adore the ones with the small shades and am always drawn to these first. Just when one is giving thought to dressing the house and table for Christmas … oh for a pair of these. Perfect for the Christmas table … along with your finest silver, glassware and china.
I imagine garlands and wreaths … white hydrangeas and creamy gardenias.
More of this to come … but we do have our tree up, looking resplendent, so that is a start.
J. crew style … weekends
This is the time of year to spruce up the weekend wardrobe in readiness for that casual entertaining in the lead up to the silly season. Well actually that season is upon us now. I always give J. Crew a casual glance to get my eye in for the latest look instore. A trip to Zara is just as good … particularly Bondi Junction in Sydney which is slightly more elegant and easier to navigate than the city store.
Feel I am giving away trade secrets here, however not everyone has success with this look. I personally love this smart, with a touch of glamour look …. yes I am drawn to the little jacket with the weather we are having at the moment. Don’t get me wrong … this is not the look for the Christmas party, Christmas drinks or even Christmas day. You will need something far more festive for those occasions. This is just for ‘popping in for a casual drink with friends on a Sunday afternoon’ or ‘meeting your girlfriend for a glass of champagne at the local wine bar before Christmas !!
PS. To all my friends in the rag trade … I am no fashion guru … just know what I like. Maybe it is all in the fabrics and colours … more my expertise !!
Timothy oulton launches at coco republic
Everything Coco Republic does is stylish however the Timothy Oulton launch during the week was above and beyond. Right from the moment I saw the shiny black London cab filled with vintage luggage and masses of red roses I knew this was going to be special.
It was extremely special hearing from the man himself… inspired by the classic antiques of the past, however reconceived from a contemporary perspective.
Timothy Oulton’s collection is all about authenticity, traditional techniques and creating pieces that are cutting edge design, relevant today.
la suite west, london …. the latest from anouska hempel
Anouska Hempel has done it again with La Suite West, a luxurious boutique hotel in a beautiful part of London.
Inverness Terrace is just to the north of Hyde Park’s Kensington Gardens.
I have spoken before of her first beautiful boutique hotel in London, Blakes. There have been other hotels in the meantime, however for me, La Suite West combines the best of them all.
There is something in the way Anouska Hempel places cushions, her lamps in the restaurant, the symmetry of the potted plants in the garden or art on the wall … she has a signature style … and it all started with Blakes.
The combination of sleek lines, an asian influence in the detailing and yes .. the symmetry, works beautifully in this elegant London Victorian terrace.
Her very smart colour palette of ‘black and white’ is complimented by the extensive use of luxurious marble and timber finishes and fine detailing.
La Suite West … Anouska Hempel at her best !!
The country trader, sydney … not just furniture
Recently I was faced with the task/fun of finding gorgeous bits and pieces to turn a recently refurbished country cottage into a ‘home’. As pleased as I was with the initial result … it still lacked something.
I had a flash and remembered the Country Trader … normally known for stylish furniture both old and new. They now have lots and lots of interesting glassware, silver, tortoiseshell, baskets and candles … affordable accessories for the home and table.
Just as you walk in it resembles a fabulous bazaar. I was thrilled to find decorative jugs, platters and baskets for the kitchen … in particular, I loved the vintage linen napkins. For the coffee table and bookshelves I fell upon lovely old sets of books, rustic tins and candlesticks.
With everything now in place, I must say the cottage is looking much less like a house and more a home … full of character and interest. It was a lot of fun searching for and eventually finding just the right pieces !!
Pottery barn, west elm and williams-sonoma headed for sydney
I have had an interesting but exhausting week in Sydney, doing the rounds of my suppliers in search of just the right pieces of furniture, lighting and decorative items to complete a current project. The excitement of finding the perfect piece followed by the frustration of not finding another. However, there is nothing quite like the elation and satisfaction of seeing it all come together at the end … when it exceeds your expectation, when you take photos and when you receive the positive feedback from clients. It is even better when it exceeds their expectation as well.
In amongst all of that, I did hear on the grapevine that the North American giants … Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma are coming to Australia … and opening under the one roof in Bondi Junction, Sydney. These retailers offer upmarket quality homewares …. however, sitting below Coco Republic, I imagine. These companies have not put a foot wrong to date … and are now looking at global expansion.
I do feel for the smaller retail design establishments, particularly in the eastern suburbs, as this will take the town by storm and be a hard act to follow. Do have a look at the Pottery Barn website as a taste of what is to come …. it is just so extensive!!
Treasures from afar at arida gallery
In the fabulous gallery space beside the iconic Yellow building (and once Yellow cafe) Arida have opened their new Arida Gallery. This is a delectable combination of the fashion we have come to know and expect of Arida and exotic homewares, furniture and antiques, large and small.
All just a little bit different …. classic but not !!
Couldn’t help but think how appropriate it all was for the Potts Point clientele and inner city apartment living.
Something for everyone and they are still unpacking …
Arida: 61 Macleay St, Potts Point 2011
Arida Gallery: 57-59 Macleay St, Potts Point 2011
PS. The really good news is that next door a little bit of Yellow the cafe may be back … Yellow Pop Up is open for breakfast and lunch and awaiting a liquor license for dinner. (Brass was a bit of a disappointment for the local residents who continue to mourn the loss of their beloved Yellow.)
5 things you should know about kilim rugs
1. Kilim rugs with their flat weave (or no pile) seem to sit particularly well in almost any modern interior …. rustic, contemporary, city or country, sitting room, kitchen or even bathroom.
2. Their geometric designs are available in a range of colour tones. Kilims add warmth, fabulous colour and a distinct personality to any neutral interior.
3. Finding a kilim to compliment any scheme or interior is not all that difficult. From recent experience most rug dealers have a number of kilims to look at.
4. The older kilims have the more subtle colours and their size tends to be more rectangular than square.
5. There is a trend now for kilims to be used as upholstery or cushions. I love this look. Not sure how I feel about the patchwork kilims ….
PS. Don’t forget a good underlay … they do tend to move.
Mulberry moments at london fashion week
When I awoke to Mulberry’s The Blog …. Fashion Week Moments it was too gorgeous not to share. It captures exactly that …. the behind the scene moments that most of us don’t get to experience. These photos for me portray the energy, anticipation, excitement, elation and relief …. probably in that order !!
In Mulberry’s words …. Months of planning go into creating a show for London Fashion Week. Then the day seems to be over in minutes !
