Today I'm loving...

...the idea of faux exotic finishes on walls. I'm not sure I can think of anything more luxurious than being completely surrounded by tortoiseshell, ivory or horn. Don't you think? And the bonus is, there is absolutely no guilt attached!

A study decorated by the late Randall Ridless which was apparently inspired by Billy Baldwins library for Cole Porter. Looks like the perfect place to curl up with a pile of magazines and a cup of tea on a cold day!

Photographed by Simon Upton for the March 2005 issue of Elle Decor.

A bedroom by Miles Redd, with faux ivory (walls) and faux horn (cornices). Just stunning, and so clever.

Photographed by Thomas Loos for the July 2009 issue of House Beautiful.

A rose by any other name...

While I was in Lane Crawford on Friday on my tea mission I came across this no so little beauty, by a South African design partnership Greg and Roché Dry who make up Egg Designs. The "Rosette Armoire" as you can see in the below images, is completely covered in copper plated metal roses. The couple say on their website that they came across the roses in a metal workshop in Mauritius while on holiday and then developed the idea further when they returned home.

I'm a bit of a nut for metal anything, so its no surprise that I think this is beautiful!

time for tea

I was on a mission yesterday to buy some more of my favorite tea, which is now thankfully stocked here in Hong Kong by Lane Crawford. Kusmi, short for Kousmichoff, is a 140 year old Russian Tea house that is now based in Paris. I first discovered Kusmi teas in the then recently opened Dean & Deluca store near Tokyo station when I lived there almost 8 years ago. It was like paradise for an expat in a city where "import stores" could be almost an hour away! Ever since then I've been hooked. My husband and I spent hours in the Paris store when we were last in Europe smelling almost every blend and walked out of there with a small fortune that might have once made the East India Company threatened. Well maybe not quite.

Anyway, flash forward to not too long ago and I was having to ship the tea via the US because nobody stocked it in Asia...until now. Thanks Lane Crawford! Our favorite blend of the lot, and trust me when I say we've tried almost all of them, is the Russian Morning No.24 - its the perfect morning tea. Not too strong, smooth, but with a great kick to it. Think I might go make myself a cup now!

looking for something?

After what may have sounded like a negative post on Saturday, I thought that I should add that there are also many wonderful things about this city that I call home, which is obviously what keeps me here. Specifically, Hong Kong has an energy that is really hard to describe to someone that has never been here. It bustles. Literally. There is so much going on, all the time. And for someone like me who is from a city that is so remote, Hong Kong feels like the centre of the world. Well, at least the centre of Asia. And there is something here for practically everyone. Which is what brings me to this post. I've been working in Asia for about 8 years, and for most of that time I've had to source products for interior design projects or for the products I was developing. And now that I'm out on my own I thought that perhaps it might be a good idea to put some of that experience to use as a sideline to my design work. From furniture, lighting, and homewares to art, bedding, fabrics and wallpaper - I have a wide range of sources throughout Asia from low cost to luxury. I know where several high-end household name designers have their products made. I have contacts throughout Asia...of craftsmen and artisans, not just mass produced goods in China. So if you, or anyone you know is trying to source products from Asia, drop me a line at the email address shown and I'll do my best to help!

Architecture is Art

“The mother of art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.” ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

The quote above is incredibly apt for the city of Hong Kong, which is no doubt why it became the tag line for the recent Architecture is Art Festival. While I didn't make it to any of this years events I have to say that festivals like this are so important to a city where architecture and design has become such a commodity and so far removed from something that is an essential part of our everyday existence as humans. Quality of life and living is ignored in favour of controlled land releases, inflated prices per square foot and space "efficiency". “We don’t look at architecture as art anymore, we only look at it as some kind of investment,” says Mathias Woo, the Artistic Director for the event. “All the buildings in Hong Kong are anti-architectural. Architecture is about community… Hong Kong is like an expensive prison.”

We can only hope that events like this one will start a much needed dialogue between the community and the decision makers.....


Photo taken by me from my street looking towards IFC2.

Books and the Beach

Its no great secret that my book wish list is about a mile long. I've treated myself and ordered a few lately in an effort to whittle that list down...although it seems there are more great new books being released than I have the capacity to buy...so alas, the list keeps growing. One that I did order that also was somehow off the radar is Selldorf Architects, the first (that I know of) monograph of the work of architect Annabelle Selldorf. Selldorf's own apartment was featured in the latest German Architectural Digest so if you are a fan of her work like I am, go check it out.

As far as I'm concerned the best place to read said books is a quiet beach - or beach house. I've been fantasizing about the Malibu Beach House that Kelly Wearstler designed for her family and friends, and while I know this has already been blogged about probably a million times already, I just couldn't resist sharing these images that were featured in the Spanish Architectural Digest this month. The beautiful photography is by François Halard, who also did the shoot for the recent Metropolitan Home spread, however some of these images are different.

I'm reserving one of the leather recliners in the living room (2nd image)...now all I need is someone to mix me a G&T!

another update.....

It's official....www.studioannetta.com is live. Its just the bare bones of a website at the moment...and its pretty basic so bear with me while I work with my PR/Marketing team (my darling husband) to help me write a bio and get some project photos organised...so stay tuned!

Oh, and a big thanks to my IT team (Phil & Ross) couldn't have done it without you! xx

website update

I was hoping to have good news about my website today but we are still experiencing some technical difficulties which my darling husband and good friend are working on...so in the meantime the blog has reverted back to the original address - http://studioannetta.blogspot.com/ and www.studioannetta.com will hopefully but available for viewing soon! Thanks for your patience.

HC28

I've been a fan of French designer François Champsaur's interior design work for some time. I waited patiently for his website to be updated...and updated it was, with many lovely new images. And now, it seems my patience has been rewarded ten fold because not only is there a new website dedicated to his new furniture collection - HC28 - there is also a store in Hong Kong! I had the pleasure of checking out the recently opened store yesterday, and it was a real treat.

Above, a mix of residential and commercial projects, from Champsaur's website. And below, just a few pieces from the collection that I saw in store yesterday. Most of the collection is very Asian inspired with simple lines and bright high-gloss lacquer, which is just stunning in person. There are quite a few other more versatile pieces like the sofas that would work in almost any home.

The Bel Air Sofa

Palm Beach Chair

Toy stools - these were available in almost any colour, really fun and versatile

Tree table

Xiang Desk

So folks, if you are in Hong Kong, the next time you are in Ap Lei Chau (yes, I know, a pain to get there) head into the HC28 showroom if you like what you see!

Today I'm loving...

or maybe I should say in awe of...

pretty much the entire collection by Filipino designer, Bea Valdes. Each of the pieces is meticulously hand crafted with beautiful stones and beads. Just stunning.

Some exclusive designs are available online through CoutureLab, or check out her website for stockists.

Oitoemponto

There aren't many things I like more than discovering the work of a new (to me) designer or firm. Which probably says more about me than I should comment on....anyway, getting back to what I was saying...it's exciting to see new work that inspires you and every now and then you see something that takes your breath away. Well that's what happened when I discovered the portfolio of the designers Artur Miranda & Jacques Bec of Portugal based firm Oitoemponto. Miranda, the founding partner, hails from a fashion background, and that is quite evident when you look at his work and marvel at his choice of colours, textures and rich detailing. The flair exhibited in their work is varied, which to me makes looking at their work so exciting. These are just a few of my favorites from their portfolio, there are many more on their website - which is a visual treat unto itself. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did!

The Apartment at the Connaught

I just couldn't resist posting these yummy images of the Connaught apartment, recently unveiled by the ultra stylish David Collins. More photos online, so head on over and check them out.




I might just have to treat myself and stay here when I get back to London again....which hopefully won't be too far away.

Speaking of visiting London...I noticed that the ultra-luxe firm Candy & Candy have added a design school to their list of offerings. They are promising to reveal all in a 5-day intensive class for a group of 10 at a time. So if you are interested in a career in luxury interior design, this might be of interest to you. And...you might just meet me there ;)

Book releases

I love this time of year. Regular readers of my blog will know what a book lover I am, and it around this time of year publishing companies ramp up all their new releases in time for the holidays. The particular new release which I am most excited about is the new book on one of my favorite design firms - Yabu Pushelberg. Written by William Norwich, a contributing editor to Vogue Magazine, the book promises to include photos of many of their stunning retail, hotel and restaurant projects. It's already available for pre-order on Amazon and other retailers...of course I've already put my order in. Can't wait!

Green with envy

Is this not the perfect shade of green? Am I right, or am I right? I so want those walls in my bedroom! If Gambrel keeps this up, I'll give up now and move to NY to join his bottega...

The posts from me might be a little on the light side for the coming weeks while I finish up my full-time job and some other exciting things, so this will have to do you for a while...I promise I'll let you know whats happening when I can! I do plan to get a website together by the end of the year with some project photos, and this blog will be a part of it.

Oh, and in breaking news, my friends Alex & Ellis' new shop 'Moustache' just got a write up in the NY Times T Magazine - how exciting! I attending the shop opening on Wednesday night (such a cute space). So check out their store if you are ever in Hong Kong, or you can also buy online!

Studio Annetta

So I finally decided to take my own advice and live life like there is no tomorrow. I resigned from my full-time job last Friday (eek!) to go out on my own....stay tuned for exciting news and updates!