Latest Stylish Hotel Design in Madrid

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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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The new neutral interior … how to create this look

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The new neutral is really just a combination of black and white, grey and timber … think Scandinavian and pared back design.
It is natural, organic and calming.
The perfect backdrop for vibrant colour, should you desire it.
To achieve this look, your first stop should be Ikea for wall hung storage in all shapes and sizes.  This helps create a sense of space and clean lines. 
For ‘modern classic’ timber and painted furniture, visit Thonet.  Bentwood always works and you can customise your colours.
The choice in pendant lighting is endless however Huset will give you an overview of the different styles.  Once you have decided on your look … and budget, you can start shopping.
Koskela is all about thoughtful design … rugs, fabric and homewares, followed by lunch at Kitchen by Mike, under the same roof.
  

My tips for a cosy southern highlands winter

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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.

Indigo … the colour everyone is talking about

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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.

Bowral weekends … the new design hub

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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 !!!

10 iconic objects of desire … my edit

Here is my edit of UK H&G’s 50 Iconic Objects of Desire …. most of which you will know so well.  Each is aesthetically beautiful, classic in design and functional.
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the diptyque candle 
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the bialetti moka
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the tolix stool
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the smeg fridge
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the aalto vase
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the louis ghost chair
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the le creuset
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the billy bookcase
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the anglepoise 1227
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the liberty print ….
and of course the list goes on and on and includes many personal favourites like the barbour jacket, chanel rouge noir nail varnish and the burberry trench.  Items one just can’t live without !!

Weylandts … their autumn lookbook for your interior

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Weylandts, Melbourne … the new go-to store for fabulous homewares from Sth Africa.
Innovative, contemporary design, manufacturing and sourcing.
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My pick for an autumn makeover …
the extremely elegant brass pendant lights … and the sparkling glass horlicks jar pendants, so retro …
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these smart black and white side tables … perfect with your winter white bedding
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and an aviator copper coffee table to warm up your living area and reflect that open fire this autumn … so nice to have an excuse to shop for a new look.

Designex14 … fabulous lighting, brilliant design

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What a surprise packet Designex14 turned out to be.  A new location to navigate (while Darling Harbour Convention Centre is being redeveloped) caused no hardship.  Glebe Island with easy parking and smart temporary buildings was more inviting by far than the tired Darling Harbour venue we were accustomed to.
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The diversity of both exhibitors and products was impressive and all with exciting new products to launch. The latest lighting was exceptional. A clever floorplan enhanced the design experience, with fabulous cafes and pop up bars adding to the buzz !!
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I have come away inspired … as well as having a bag full of new contacts and new product brochures. It is easy to find a reason not to visit Design Fairs however Designex14 with all it had to offer under the one roof, was worth well worth the time.
images: from the top, about space, duncan meerding, porcelain bear

My gorgeous lunch with gervasoni

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I am sharing images of my favourite pieces of Gervasoni furniture, above and below.  I had the pleasure of meeting Michele Gervasoni last weekend at a gorgeous lunch overlooking Balmoral Beach … a sunny winter’s afternoon … perfection.

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It was interesting to hear how he and his brother, the third generation to manage this beautiful Italian furniture company, have expanded their market so enormously … and without any compromise. Their passion for attention to detail and use of natural materials always the hallmark of Gervasoni products.

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The fabulous Gervasoni website is a must and their collection extensive.  It is available in Sydney through Anibou.

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