It's Friday!

Happy Friday to everyone! It's a long weekend here in Hong Kong, so I'm off to Macau for a few days of sitting by the pool, reading, eating and drinking too much sangria. Can't wait!

Despite the fact that its 31 degrees here today (89 F) I just bought a beautiful wool coat, it was an absolute bargain! My husband doesn't understand...Men! I guess probably because we very rarely get overcoat weather here...but I'm telling myself its for if we ever move home to Melbourne - or London, or New York...

Glamorama!

I was leafing through my copy of Elle Decor's 'The Grand Book of French Style' last night and came across these images. How glam is this bathroom! It says it was designed by the Compagnie des Arts Français in 1930 at the French Foreign Ministry buiding, for the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain.


The roman bathtub is covered in silver mosaics, and surrounded by a shattered-glass panel by Labouré. The white leather stools were designed by Adnet, and the white swan (barely visible in the left niche) is by Lalique. The walls feature a shattered-glass stud inset.

I love this mirror, how fabulous it would be to have something this size in your bathroom when you're getting reading for a night out.

The first thing I thought of after seeing this (other than how fabulous it is!) was that it reminded me of a bathroom by Andrée Putman that I saw recently (see earlier post)...I wonder if she was inspired by this vintage French bathroom?


Image from Bella Magazine (Australia).

It ain't easy being green...

Green is definitely my favorite colour, I'm not entirely sure why, but I'm drawn to anything green time and time again. I guess it's not too difficult to analyse why I like it, or why so many other people do too. It's ubiquitous in nature, and maybe that's just enough said. But these days 'Green' means much more to people than just a colour name. It's taken on a whole new meaning, one which is different for each of us depending on our level of understanding of the environmental issues our planet faces.

I for one am willing to publicly admit that I don't do nearly as much as I could, and my level of understanding of these issues, as much as I recognise them, is not clear. So today I wanted to show my appreciation and say thanks to the eco-chic bloggers out there who are sending us - as consumers, and some of us as designers - information about ways we can stop contributing to these seemingly insurmountable problems - i.e. contributing to landfill, global warming, depletion of the ozone etc. etc. So, if you haven't already checked out the eco-chic blogs I have listed on my site, please do so!


Images from the Laura Ashley Colour Book

Roman Thomas

I am in love with New York based furniture company Roman Thomas. Their range is made up of what I would call 'new classics'. Very simple profiles, great proportions (from what I've seen from photos!) with a nod to the past but still very au courant. The luxurious materials they use (such as vellum, horsehair and shagreen) lend an historical quality. I love these images from their website, especially the horsehair covered cabinet (bottom left).

Today I'm loving...

This bed is perfect! It's got just enough deco-inspired details to make me sleep easy, not too feminine - so my husband will be happy, and I love the upholstered headboard. I usually like a matching endboard, but I love the feet and base on this design. I want one!



Images are from a promotional brochure for the fabric collection from Larry Laslo for Robert Allen. Not sure if the bed is a Laslo design, but I aim to find out!

Demilune shades

I think these demilune (or half) shades are a wonderful decorative option for wall sconces and lamps. Its a nice idea especially for sconces that don't protrude far from the wall , which usually have glass or metal shades. I think they look fabulous on the two antique sconces below (the first one is in a Fortuny fabric), and add a touch of authenticity to them.

This image is from the 'small space style' post I did a little while back, but never noticed that there was a half shade on the lamp (top left corner).

This is my favorite image. I quite like the juxtaposition of the modern shelving and accessories, the oak panelled walls and those neo-classical lamps with half shades. Very chic!

From my scrapbook

When I first started this blog I intended for it to be a visual reference of my inspirations. I've been so caught up posting new images til now so today I thought I might post an old one from my image files. I can't remember where this image came from - I think either Vogue Living or Belle - it's about 5 years old, but I still love it just as much as when I first saw it. I think this is an example of how a neutral colour palette can work. I love the combination of the classic looking sofa (love that fabric too - have no idea where it comes from, so if anyone recognises it please let me know!), the trunk coffee table, vintage chair to the left, and that solid timber mirror. It's a room I certainly wouldn't mind coming home to each night.

Marvelous Milly

After I finally got over the shock of seeing my name in print, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of this months Elle Decor. Particularly the apartment of Michelle Smith (front cover image). This apartment has already been blogged about - see Habitually Chic - so I wont go on, but I just cannot say enough good things about this apartment. It's so refreshing to see an interior that doesn't look contrived or too perfect. The apartment itself looks amazing, which certainly helps, but I love pretty much everthing in it!

I heart Elle Decor!

I had just started devouring my October edition of Elle Decor this morning, and was very nearly about to brush over the letters to the editor (they are so often from some whiney idiot who complains about the cover of last month, or the amount of homes of gay couples) when I found this! I can't even begin to explain how excitied I was (...actually, still am).

Also, I want to apologise for any of the other great blogs that I now read on a daily basis for not mentioning you! I wrote this letter back in June when I just started reading/writing blogs, and have discovered so many more since then (see my fave list of blogs). Thanks to Elle Decor for publishing my letter...if I wasn't your number 1 fan before, I definitely am now!

Fairfax & Sammons

"Traditional architecture for the modern world" is the motto of Architectural and Interior Design firm, Fairfax & Sammons. Anne Fairfax and Richard Sammons are a husband and wife team, based in New York, who have created some wonderful homes around the world. They have a talent for creating traditional-modern interiors inside classical architecture. These are just a few of my picks from their portfolio..

There are many more images on their website if you're interested, plus a great interview of the couple on the NYSD website where they showcase their own lovely West Village home. Check it out!

CL Sterling & Son Lighting

We just received some new brochures/catalogues in the office today, one of which is from the lighting company CL Sterling & Son. They're a US company, but they have offices in most regions. I think they might only sell to the trade though..

Here are a few of my selections from the catalogue:

I love these pendant lights, they are also available with a cloth shade. I think they'd look fantastic in a modern kitchen, or in a library/study. I wouldn't mind one of these myself...

Love this lamp. Yes, again with the deco references...

This sconce is a little more modern and minimalist than I would normally go for, but it looks very versatile.

Great classic looking ceiling light. Again, I love the clean simple lines of this (I really need to expand my vocabulary..), I could see it working in a lot of interiors.

Love this exterior pendant - a modern take on a classic style. Would love the space to use this in too!

EJ Victor Furniture

I came across the Randall Tysinger furniture collection for EJ Victor over the weekend and fell head over heels for a few of the pieces. My favorite ones so far are:

Love this armchair. I think the lines are great, and the legs, and I'm always a sucker for studding.

What a fanastic china cabinet. I need something like this at home. It's quite grand looking, but not completely over the top.

This is a great sofa, very grand looking, but with a few cushions could be quite comfortable in a library room perhaps.

I think this loveseat is so pretty. It's very feminine and elegant, and would look fantastic in a powder room. It's also available as a single chair.

I like the simple clean lines of this ottoman, and the oval shape is something different. Upholstered in a soft fabric it would also provide extra seating when needed.

I LOVE this table. I guess you probably all know by now that I love anything deco looking...

I like the idea of this tiered table, not sure how you'd go putting a lamp on top, but in the right room I think it would be a great side table. Could look great as a nightstand in the right bedroom too.

Pascal Van Der Kelen

I discovered the work of Belgian Architect and Interior Designer Pascal Van Der Kelen today. I just had to share this image of a living room he created. I love those deco inspired chairs, and that cabinet - the woodwork is amazing. I also think the colour palette is very warm and inviting, while to some it would be a little too neutral.

There are lots of great images on his website, most of his work is very minimalistic - which is pretty typical of modern flemish design - so it may not appeal to everyone.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Today I'm loving...

..these new Art Deco inspired "Strande" bathroom accessories from Restoration Hardware. They're made from glass and polished nickel, and I really want a set for my bathroom!

Ellie Cullman

I received an email update today informing me that Ellie Cullman is Frette's designer of the month. I had not heard of her before, but I love the bedroom she has created.

"Searching for the ultimate signature pieces" and "maximizing the functional possibilities of a space" are among the most exciting aspects of a project for Ellie Cullman. The flair and pragmatic approach in Ms. Cullman's elegant interiors have made her one of New York's most notable designers. She has also been named one of Architectural Digest’s “Top 100”.

I can't find a website with her portfolio, so if anyone out there in the blogosphere has more info on her I'd be interested to see it!

Kelly Wearstler update....

I just read on Kelly Wearstler's website that she has teamed up with Bergdorf Goodman to create a retail store for her new home accessories line - due to open on October 19th!

I feel another trip to NY coming on....

Small space style II

I found these images of Roger Lussier's Boston apartment in the House Beautiful book "Decorating for Small Spaces", from the library in my new office. Interiors from this book have been blogged about a few times, including interiors by Greg Jordan and Miles Redd (both by Peak of Chic), but not this one (to my knowledge). I love the simplicity of the colour palette, and how he has displayed his art collection without worrying about lack of wall space. Very chic indeed!

A little night music...

A post on one of my favorite blogs, Things That Inspire, last week on the Tate Modern Gallery in London got me thinking how much I regret not going when I was there a few years back. Our visit to London was at the end of a 3 month trek through Europe and my husband and I had seen just about as much art as we could possibly deal with. Had I known at the time though, that the Tate houses my favorite painting, by one of my favorite artists, I would have been there in a flash. "A little night music" (above) was painted by Dorothea Tanning in 1946. I've always been a fan of the surrealist movement, and have recently discovered other female surrealists whose work I admire. For anyone that might be interested, there is an amazing gallery in San Francisco (never visited, but have spoken to the gallery owner on the phone) - they are one of the only - if not the only - galleries worldwide to specialise in female surrealists. Frey Norris is definitely worth the visit if you live in or are visiting the area.

So thanks to Sarah for the inspiration - I have been checking out cheap flights to London ever since and am happily thinking of our next trip!

Ralph Lauren Home - the new collections

I was taking a look at the 3 new home collections from Ralph Lauren over the weekend - has anyone else seen them? I'm usually so excited by all the images that they put togehter, they have such a creative team - many of whom go on to become respected interior designers in their own right - but this season was a bit of a disappointment for me. All of these collections look like they're a pastiche of recycled looks - particularly "St Germain". Perhaps I'm being too critical, I'm sure it would not be an easy task to create 3 new collections per season (? or biannually - not sure), but this collection looks so re-hashed to me. Apart from the name, there is nothing that stands out as being french to me about this look either. It looks tired to me. Anyone else have an opinion about the new ranges?