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My Design World

Jasper conran … from fashion to furnishings 4665

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British designer Jasper Conran has more than his share of flair. The son of designer and restaurateur Sir Terence Conran, he last year was appointed chairman of The Conran Shop, the design emporium started by his father in 1973. His aim … to make the stores relevant again and he is already on the move.  This is in addition to his existing empire which includes fashion … couture and department store, luggage, spectacles and homewares.  Oh yes, and he has created costumes for the Royal Ballet and English National Opera.

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Just another string to his bow … his fabric collection for Designers Guild … new interpretations on classic suiting. Flannels and pinstripes in an elegant and restrained colour palette.

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Jasper’s background in fashion clearly influencing this collection in terms of both fabric choice, design and detailing.

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I love the way these fabrics mix and match so easily … very difficult to go wrong here. These suiting shades of charcoal and navy can be punctuated with a delicious olive spot or paisley silk (cushions at top) … which remind me of a beautiful mens cravat.

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It is all about that background in fashion !!!
My Week in Sydney

Manuel canovas … my edit for spring 2456

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This fabric works perfectly in a neutral scheme .. a punch of colour for cushions on string coloured linen sofas … or as lavish curtains.

 

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Note the hint of lime.  Fabulous cushions for a lime sofa !!
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This elegant paisley is a statement.  Look how well the pattern and stripe work with it.
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A fabric which works beautifully on a feature piece of furniture or on mass as upholstered wall fabric.  Perfect in a charcoal room or with pristine white.
The supplier of Manuel Canovas fabric is Colefax and Fowler.
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My Design World

When a rustic interior isn’t all rustic 1924

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There continues the trend for the earthy and rustic, natural materials, texture and a predominantly monochrome colour palette. On closer inspection it is really contemporary with an industrial edge.
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There is a strong emphasis on collections and the owners possessions playing an integral part in the softening of the hard edges.  Ones books, paintings and photographs, the decoration and character, without which would be minimalist.
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A timeless monochrome palette with the addition and warmth of subtle shades of taupe, faded washed out grey, blue and green linens, leather, worn wood and stone.
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There is something rather calming in these modern spaces with vintage detail … the sense that we have been there before.
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My Design Tips

My tips for a cosy southern highlands winter 1957

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Winter in the Southern Highlands .. an easy 90 minutes south west of Sydney (out of peak hour) … is my favourite time of year.  More akin to a northern hemisphere winter and every bit as enjoyable, once you have geared up for it.  I have to admit that I did freeze during my first couple of winters.
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The first step is to invest in good quality blankets ..  and I don’t think you can go past  beautiful Waverley blankets.  They are always coming up with a new collection and the latest colours to feature rather than hide under a bedspread.
My very favourite thing to do when returning home to the Highlands after a trip to Sydney is to make sure that the wood basket is full to overflowing .. even if it means many trips to the wood pile .. quite a pleasurable task.  You never know what you will discover in the garden along the way .. so much can change from week to week.  This week it was the snowdrops …
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Of course a stylish wood basket is a must.  Dirty Janes is a your first stop for a traditional basket or Cloth and General for a more contemporary version.  Koskela in Sydney would offer something creative.
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It goes without saying that an inviting ambience is essential and this is all about cosy furnishings, the right fabrics and of course an open fire.  Don’t be afraid of a little glamour … a chandelier is never out of place.
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And I will end on a practical note .. always have curtains made with a bumph lining (layers of flannelette will do the job).  This will guarantee that the winter chills are kept firmly at bay.
There is nothing like a true winter in our beautiful Southern Highlands.
My Design Travels

Ham Yard Hotel London … modern British style 2731

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Firmdale Hotels has opened another hotel in London this month with Kit Kemp the designer working her magic.  She is renowned for her confident play with fabric patterns and bold use of wallpaper and artwork.
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Kit Kemp is also incredibly clever with the detail.  I have had the pleasure of visiting a number of her other hotels in London … the Knightsbridge, Number 16 and The Pelham and can say that I have loved all that she has accomplished.  She has a signature style … however each property, very much it’s own look and feel.
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At the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, colour and pattern have been taken to a new level. Even though some of her pattern combinations I find almost too bold, they work and I can only marvel at the attention to detail.
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There are areas with schemes such as the Suite above, that for me, don’t work.  There is just one fabric too many !!! and there will be those who think it is fabulous.
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The drawing room, for reasons quoted above, falls into the same category.  However, I do feel that this room is probably a lot more appealing in reality, so will put it down to the photograph … I find it difficult to imagine the very clever Kit Kemp getting it wrong … or am I not fully appreciating modern British style.
My Week in Sydney

Indigo … the colour everyone is talking about 2659

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The colour indigo conjures up images of either the night sky or deepest ocean.
Indigo is a colour that is tranquil. It is not just blue … indigo is a particular shade of blue … it is sophisticated.
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The most exciting thing about this colour is how easy it is to work with. Indigo brings to life any shade of timber from the rich and golden tones to the bleached and lime washed.
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Indigo is at its most sophisticated when paired with chocolate brown, tan or bronze.
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It goes without saying that the combination of Indigo with .. crisp white .. rich cream .. soft dove grey or cappuccino shades, is perfect no matter what the season.
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Introduce indigo into any room that takes your fancy.  Pottery Barn have embraced indigo this season as has William Yeoward with his latest furnishing collection.
My Design Travels

Parisian fabric houses to peruse 1963

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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.
My Week in Sydney

10 favourites from ‘design and decoration 2013’ sydney 1882

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I was daunted at the thought of visiting Design and Decoration at Darling Harbour this week.  This is the trade only exhibition which showcases the latest and greatest in design.  One is usually confronted with a lot of not so good, to be sieved through in the hope of finding the gems.  Not so this year … not nearly as many exhibitors but lots of new and fabulous.  I have to say my favourite stand was the one above .. well done Crowley and Grouch.

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I fell upon this fabric supplier who exhibited the most beautiful range of linen fabrics, both printed and plains … from Sth. Africa.

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This furniture was extremely stylish, the designs just that little bit different … such generous proportions.  I do love stud trim on any piece of furniture !!

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Excuse the out of focus images, however I was really on the run.  Love both the ikat cushions, colours and the metal furniture very different to anything I have seen.

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I first saw and loved similar lamps at Blakes Hotel in London in the late 80’s. I have been trying to source or have made, this style for years … very difficult to get the proportion just right, but here they are.

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Yes, new industrial style furniture is here to stay … and I am dying to use it somewhere.

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Loved these lights.  In fact the lighting was the standout of the event this year.

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This very glamorous African tribal look was rather inspirational !!

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Have wanted groupings of this classic wicker on our verandah (to be moved out into the garden for autumn lunches) for years but never time to make it happen !!  This was so reasonably priced that I wondered why I hadn’t just got on with it.

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For those of you who read my blog on peacock bedheads, you will be amused to see that I have found another supplier.  This colourfully painted (to order) cane furniture was divine .. particularly the oriental style bookshelves. I do have a soft spot for the classic cane armchair and ottoman in the foreground.
My Week in Sydney

Marimekko … all the fun and colour of summer 1949

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I have such fond memories of my marimekko curtains and bedspread, back in the day … it was the 70’s of course.  They were fabulous shades of bright green with large orange tulips.  The look extended  to green heart sheets and a gorgeous white peacock bedhead … all put together by my very stylish mother.

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Brisbane was all the richer for Joy de Gruchy and The Craftsman’s Market, a design studio that stocked Marimekko and put Brisbane on the map. I have adored Marimekko in a nostalgic sort of way ever since.

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How exciting to have our own Marimekko in Sydney … looking resplendent in the wonderful store in King Street. The colour is breathtaking and the space full of light !! Bolts of signature marimekko fabric, fashion and homewares.

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I couldn’t help but pass on my source for peacock bedheads to complete the picture … The Family Love Tree.

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