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My Week in Sydney

Lighting dank street … my edit 3303

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So exciting to receive news of the arrival of Parterre Garden to Dank Street. Such an appropriate addition to this well known strip in Sydney’s Waterloo.
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Over the years I have made a practice of visiting Parterre Garden regularly to keep up with new shipments. Almost always it is the lighting that I fall in love with … either a stunning table lamp or chandelier. This is some of my favourite lighting from Parterre at the moment.
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I feel each works equally well in either a contemporary or classic setting. The gorgeous french wool basket lampshade at top, is from The Country Trader just around the corner.  Parterre is in very good company. 

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Such are the advantages of owners who travel, source and choose the very best on offer… these gems often requiring extensive refurbishment/reconfiguration to bring them to their finest.
My Design Travels

Ham Yard Hotel London … modern British style 3642

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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 Weekends

Bowral weekends … the new design hub 2916

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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

10 iconic objects of desire … my edit 5218

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 !!
My Design World

Weylandts … their autumn lookbook for your interior 3675

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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.
My Design Travels

Loving london’s boutique hôtels 2014 2950

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The Pelham Hotel in Sth Kensington is, for me the perfect location in London.  A short stroll to the V&A or along the gorgeous Walton Street to Harrods … more specifically, their Stationary Department.
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Kit Kemp the designer has created a luxury town house style hotel, the interiors ‘a tailored version of grand English style’.  I love the idea of individually designed bedrooms, and there are 52 to choose from.
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What sets these hotels apart is the unexpected … the combination of antique and contemporary furniture … quirky lighting and modern art set within a a wood panelled drawing room or library … it is perfect.
My Week in Sydney

Felix forest photographs at becker minty 3505

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Another stylish soiree at Becker Minty on Wednesday evening with the opening of the exhibition of Felix Forest Photography.  The opulence of the store a perfect setting for his photographs (a curated collection by Becker Minty) which sparkled amongst elegant homewares, jewels and fashion.
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Felix has photographed interiors around the world for private clients and magazines. This exhibition is showing throughout April at Becker Minty.  Photographs are available in varying sizes and framed or unframed … they are beautiful !!
My Design Tips

5 ways with dark colour … timeless 3971

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1. dark colours on walls really let the furnishings, artwork and in fact, anything else in the room, shine !!

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2.  dark colours on walls work particularly well with polished concrete floors and sisal flooring in natural tones

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3.  dark walls show the richness of timber and leather

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4.  dark walls are timeless … and classic style

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5.  dark colours are inviting in winter but equally so in summer, teamed with crisp white and pale timber … enjoy creating your own stylish interior.

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My Weekends

My gorgeous lunch with gervasoni 3272

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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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