Tiffany .. Old Bond Street, London
London Christmas .. a glimpse .. No 4
Christmas in London .. a glimpse .. No 2
Christmas Windows … Cartier New Bond Street, London
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Christmas in London .. a glimpse .. No1
Christmas in London .. the shop windows !!
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Liberty of London … Christmas windows 2014
I am spending far too much time reminiscing about this time last year in London … the Christmas windows, the shopping, the Christmas lights and catching up with friends !! I couldn’t help but take a peek at Liberty’s windows this year.
Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Fortnum and Mason and Liberty excel with their window display and they simply must be seen to be believed. In Paris it is without doubt Hermes who win the prize.
They sparkle like jewels and are surrounded by crowds of admirers and adoring children, all rugged up against the winter chill.
All this is made that much more atmospheric with the shorter days … the evening closing in by around 3.30pm. This is the cue to head to somewhere smart like Claridges or Browns for High Tea or .. simply champagne.
This is without doubt my favourite time of year to be in London … they do Christmas like nowhere else and I can’t wait to give you a glimpse of London this time last year.
Christmas 2014 is the beach for us … and I can’t wait but am reminiscing !!
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Conserving the history and cherishing the detail …
Mount Street, Mayfair is without doubt my favourite street in London. Its architecture sets it apart from the rest of Mayfair … both its homogeneity and distinctive red brick. New and edgy brands like Aesop (the Australian skincare brand), sit beside some of Mayfair’s oldest.
Aesop’s first London outlet, with interior by Ilse Crawford of Studioilse (who I have written about before), is located in a magnificent Victorian Grade II listed mansion block in Mount Street.
Original parquet floors have been left raw, fireplaces reinstated and tall ceilings exposed. The end result has been widely celebrated.
While soaking up the grandeur of Melbourne’s Block Arcade recently, I was similarly impressed … the extent to which period detailing had been incorporated as a design element in shop fitouts, rather than covered up as once would have been the case.
Very simply put … it is the challenge in the juxtapositioning of old and new … and the delicate balance of getting it right.
Fortnum and mason diamond jubilee tea salon
Very exciting to discover the refurbished Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum and Mason.
Designer David Collins has created a beautiful environment to sip tea or bubbly and enjoy the delicacies …. a tradition synonymous with Fortnum’s.
Since the opening up of the Far East for trade from the west, Fortnum and Mason have sourced the finest teas …. making a choice is the difficulty.
The fourth floor was always home to the St James restaurant … now one can enjoy the elegant Georgian surroundings of the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.
Tea will arrive at your table with a timer that will ring once to indicate that it has reached the perfect brewing time !! and accompanied by the perfect delicate sandwiches and cakes …. linger and enjoy.
The elegance of neutral bathrooms
The simplicity of this bathroom is very appealing. I am loving the neutral tones and finishes…..classic and elegant.
Let the accessories tell the story and create the feel and mood…..what ever that may be. Bring in texture, warmth and contrast.
Natural materials have a natural warmth and texture and require little else. They provide their own contrast and variation within the material itself.
Slick and contemporary or rustic and earthy …. neutral works best.
The White Company London stocks the most fabulous range of everything one needs for the bathroom….online.
images: the style files
French antiques to share
I enjoyed receiving notification of the shipment of gorgeous french antiques from Architectural and Antique Elements in Sydney. It is definitely worth browsing amongst their new collection either for fun or if in search of a specific piece.
My favourite pieces are the french oak haberdashery table above, console and chest of drawers with marble tops, french oak buffet and metal trough.
I do love the scrubbed lighter oak finish and am always drawn to it……it reminds me of Appley Hoare’s heavenly french antique shop in Woollahra….sadly for us, long gone. Since then she has run a very successful antique business in Pimlico Road in London.
For those who are interested Appley Hoare is currently based in the south of France still sourcing unique french antiques which can be viewed online. Of even greater interest is the beautiful house she rents in the south of France.
Daughter Zoe Hoare is now in the USA living and sourcing gorgeous bits and pieces as well. Her beautiful taste can be seen in the Oct/Nov 2011 Vogue Living.
Hunter wellingtons…..why didn’t I
Yes we are all sick of the rain but somehow having the right equipment !! does make it that much more bearable. Definitely a bad call on my part when my daughter offered to send back a pair from London two Christmases ago…..and I said no !!. It seemed such an extravagance at the time …..particularly when I was enjoying heat and sun here and probably at the beach.
Well here we are with the wettest summer in history and I am struggling on with my ballet flats. Yesterday was really the straw that broke the camel’s back. After a morning in the city my ballet flats were awash and my feet frozen …. and I was trying very hard to enjoy my coffee on the way home at our local in Potts Point. My daughter’s toes were of course extremely toasty in her Hunters!!!
These are the Hunter Wellington’s that were purchased in London ….then not able to fit in the suitcase!! Annabel was of course prevailed upon again…. to pack boxes of the remaining everything and ship to Australia. To much excitement and many months later…. they arrived. Just as well that was last year because this year they have not been off her feet.
I notice that Office in the UK have them for 85pounds which is fabulous with our dollar …. and even Nina Leon in Bowral have them…..they did seem expensive last time I looked here from memory. Oh and yes there are the copies !!
After yesterdays fiasco nothing is too expensive and I can’t wait for a shipment from London.
Emma bridgewater hearts on valentines day
It is worth a trip to London to stock up on Emma Bridgewater hand made pottery ……I spend hours in her shops in London. Her glass is also particularly beautiful so very difficult to choose.
My friend Annabel in London has absolutely loads of it all which we admire……gorgeous when mixed and matched. Somehow all the designs and colours do work together.
The clever thing is that the Emma Bridgewater mugs are not too big and still seem elegant…maybe that is an English thing…..all those tea parties etc.
On it goes with bedlinen, fabulous coated fabric, stationary, cutlery and tin…..
and her sales and seconds are amazing !!!
Our only problem is that the cost of freight is prohibitive……so do what I do and load up friends and family on their return to Australia.
