The New Bespoke

I remember seeing this image for the first time in Elle Decor back in November 2007. It took my breath away than, and it still does today. Its the art, the richness of the colours, those textured walls, and above all else the fascinating mix of furniture. The lucky resident of this room is also the designer, Frank Roop, and I have since become a massive fan. Roop's work has been widely published and I've been able to sate my appetite for the visual richness that he puts together so deftly. So, as you can imagine, I'm quite looking forward to getting his first book in my hot little hands.

"Frank Roop - The New Bespoke", will not be like any other design book we've read. Of his first monograph, Roop says "I didn’t want it to be just a portfolio of my work, but a book with a story and a point of view." In a push against today’s mass-produced world, Roop features and celebrates the cottage industry of local artisans who craft his custom furniture that have become such a signature element of his interiors. And with a nod to his past, in specialty menswear, the book features a variety of inspirations drawn from the worlds of art, archticture, fashion and nature.

And I gotta say, if the book is put together only half as well as the homes he creates, its sure to be a best seller. I can't wait for my copy to arrive...

Brazillian beauty

I've fallen in lust with these images that were sent to me of a hotel suite inside the annual 'Casa Cor' show house in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Designed by the talented team Juliana Vasconcellos and Carlos Maia of Vasconcellos Maia Arquitetos Associados, the show house will be open until next month. I love what these guys have done with the space, only 85 m2 and it feels quite spacious from these images.

I wish I could head along and check it out, I've never been to South America and am very keen to go. So if you're in Rio, get on down and let me know what you think!

Yum

I have to say, I think I'm liking this whole electronic magazine thing. Getting a notification in my inbox telling me my magazine has "arrived" is a nice feeling on a Friday...knowing I don't need to run all over town to pick up a copy. And, frankly, I think the images are even better.

The cover story took my breath away - a Paolo Moschino designed townhouse in London. Although, I've never been a fan of using brush fringe on sofa seat cushions like that, but I'll forgive him just this once...

Photographed by Simon Upton for Elle Decor October 2011.

Love, love, LOVED the feature on Adriana Abascal's apartment by Chahan Minassian in the latest AD España, but seriously folks, where is the rest of it? Two good images just doesn't cut it! I don't want to see images of her modelling in front of her art collection, I want to see the rest of the space!

Brassy goodness

I'm a little obsessed with all things made of brass at the moment...well almost all things. In particular, desk top accessories and stationary.

I've just picked myself up one of these brass rulers, from baum-kuchen, from their Brass collection. Its teeny tiny, but I love it.



And I'm really hoping that the brass desk set by Michael Verheyden for Wallpaper magazine goes into production...I'm totally in love with those scissors!

Bellocq

I discovered a new (to me) tea label at Lane Crawford over the weekend, Bellocq. I'm a sucker for nice packaging, and the bright yellow and polished stainless steel canisters definitely caught my eye. I bought myself a tin of their "Queen's Guard" blend, which is a mix of Organic black Ceylon tea, organic rose petals, organic lavender and organic cornflowers. Its a lovely light tea, perfect for the afternoon, and a little sweet (you can definitely taste the rose petals). Their range is quite large, but I think Lane Crawford (Pacific Place) only stocks a few of their blends. I'm keen to try a few more, in particular their Breakfast blend and the Afghan Chai - a mix of Organic Assam black tea, organic red poppy flowers, green cardamon, star anise, ginger, clove and black pepper.... sounds yum!