Hi, my name is Suzy, and I'm a chairaholic...

My latest bidding...10 hours left to go on these 1940's Ole Wanscher armchairs...fingers crossed!

Chanel Mobile Art

The Zaha Hadid desiged, Chanel sponsored, temporary Mobile Art container is in Hong Kong until April 5th. If you haven't already bought tickets then you are out of luck I'm afraid, its been a complete sell out. For those of you around the world, take note - book early! The exhibition leaves here for Tokyo and then heads to New York, London, Moscow, then Paris. I saw the exhibition yesterday. I recommend you check it out if you have the chance!

Ready for the long weekend..

I picked up a stash of magazines for tomorrow...I've got:

Belle (from Australia)

my favorite...Elle Decor.....
House Beautiful (USA)....

AND a new book to read (except that its all in French....so maybe just to scan for now).... can you guess how happy I am? - not to mention the fact that it's my hubby's turn to make breakfast this weekend. YAY!

I'll be back posting on Tuesday, enjoy your weekend folks!

Today I'm loving...

The new home fragrance line by Barbara Barry. A different fragrance for each room, along with coordinating soaps or candles, they're available online through her website. The bedroom scent consisting of vanilla and nutmeg would be my choice.

Bright young things

I am craving some pure unadulterated colour today, so I thought I'd post some pics I found from an Australian fashion shoot - set in an equally colourful interior. Enjoy!

Photos by Sabine Villiard, for Marie Claire (Australia)

François Catroux

I've had all things French on my mind for the past week. After posting about a Jean-Louis Deniot designed apartment in Paris filled with contemporary art it left me thinking of other amazing apartments filled with wonderful treasures, and lead me to a London townhouse decorated by another stellar Parisian, François Catroux. The owners - Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie Chantal of Greece (the former from the Miller family of Duty Free fame, whose family commissioned a Palladian style Villa in Hong Kong by NY based Fairfax & Sammons) - have a stunning collection of art which Catroux has worked his magic with. The Princess claims their home took 3 years of serious house-hunting to find, but I think it was worth the wait...

A Hervé van der Straeten chandelier hangs in the entrace above an English Regency mirror and a c. 1917 Viennese ebony & silver bench.

In the main living area antiques such as the Viennese ebony chair and a Regency mirror mix harmoniously with more contemporary pieces such as the Hervé van der Straeten designed lamp and cabinet, a Christian Liaigre side table, and custom pieces designed by Catroux. The Flowers painting above the fireplace is by US artist Donald Baechler.

A Jean-Michel Basquiat painting provides some colour in the otherwise neutral library. The custom sofa and chairs are by Catroux, the coffee table is from Christian Liaigre.

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings designed dining chairs by Saridis around a Catroux designed dining table. A custom Claude Lalanne chandelier hangs above and a Hervé van der Straeten mirror sits above the fireplace.

All photos from House & Garden November 2006, photography by Robert Wyatt.

Martin Grant

One of my all time favourite fashion designers is Paris-based, Australian-born, Martin Grant. And its not just because we went to the same University! He always uses such beautiful fabrics and creates pieces that are elegant, feminine but also ultimately wearable.

Here are a few of my picks from his latest collection...

Hong Kong Artwalk 2008

Tonight is the night of one of Hong Kong's only annual art events, Artwalk, and I can't wait.

"Now in its eighth year, ArtWalk is Hong Kong's biggest charity art event. The ArtWalk benefiting charity for 2008 is, as last year, the Society for Community Organisation (SOCO) - who received a donation of HK$539,000 (approx $69,000 USD) raised from tickets sold from ArtWalk 2007."

This year, 55 galleries (an increase from last year's 50 and 41 in 2006) will open their doors between 5 pm to 12 midnight tonight for participants to view an array of art in galleries in the SOHO, Wan Chai, Sheung Wan, Central, Aberdeen, Causeway Bay, Tai Koo Shing and Happy Valley areas of Hong Kong Island.

A great way to check out local and some international art, as well as enjoy great food and wine from the nearby restaurants of Hong Kong's SOHO, all in all a fun night!

Xintiandi

One of my favorite places to visit when in Shanghai is Xintiandi. A former residential area, which has since been redeveloped - Xintiandi has not only allowed for the preservation of beautiful orignal "Shikumen" buildings (a type of residential architecture unique to Shanghai), it has also created a hub of dining, retail and entertainment for locals, expats and tourists alike.

Xintiandi is not far from the Times Square shopping centre - so if you are visiting Shanghai soon, this is one part of city you should add to your itinerary!

Villa Harteneck

Model, Wife, Mother, Entrepreneur and now Blogger, Kathryn Bishop (for Conde Nast, no less!) put me onto one of her favorite design resources in Germany - Villa Harteneck. Located in an actual Villa (pictured below) in Berlin - how stunning!

Here are a few pics from their lovely website - which covers interior design concepts, furniture, lighting, outdoor decorations, flowers and accessories - as well as events. There are lots more beautiful images on their website, so if these are your kind of eye candy then I recommend you check it out. I'm thinking I'll have to add it to my itinerary for my next trip to Germany...

P.S. I'm off to Shanghai for a few days, so excuse the lack of posts from me. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Just Andersen

I have recently become a little obsessed with the beautiful works of Just Andersen (1884 - 1943) - a Danish sculptor and silver smith. He is best known for his neoclassical Scandinavian style pieces for everyday use in pewter, brass, copper, bronze and "Disko". Disko metal is an alloy of lead and antimony, Andersen's own creation, which he named after Disko Bay (in Greenland), where he grew up. It was used to produce "Bronze" items, such as candlesticks, vases, lamps and sculptures for 'common people', because it was cheaper than true bronze. After being cast, the pieces were patinated as bronze, copper or brass. I absolutely love the elegant simplicity of the forms he created. Here are a few of my favorites that are currently available.

Disko metal accessories - 1st image (candelabra & bowl) available from 1st Dibs, 9th image (bowls) available through artnet, all other items from Gallery BAC.

Three pieces made from Pewter, all available from Gallery BAC.

A selection of lamps, all in Disko metal. 1st pic available through 1st Dibs, last 3 items available at Gallery BAC.

Today I'm dreaming about...

These Bounkit earrings from Vivre...LOVE them!