Ahem...

Still stuck in London this week, figuratively speaking anyway (maybe its the grey skies and bad weather in Hong Kong ?)  This time with UK based founding editor of Elle Decoration magazine, Ilse Crawford.  Her latest project, the Ett Hem hotel in Stockholm is just lovely.  Created with the mix of new and old that Crawford is known for, and infused with a sense of timelessness. Each of the 12 rooms is slightly different, the library is full of books and a piano, the kitchen is cosy and homely. All adding up to a hotel that looks and feels more like a home than a hotel, which I'm sure was the intention of the designer and hotelier.  It will definitely be high on my list of places to stay if I ever make it back to Stockholm.

How great does that bath tub look??

 

Speaking of Ilse Crawford, she herself will be speaking in Hong Kong next week at the annual Business of Design week, and I for one am looking forward to it.  I saw her speak in Australia just after she left Elle Decoration (must be more than 10yrs ago now?) and she was already talking about emotive design then, so it will be very interesting to hear how her design process and outlook has developed.  I'll be going to BODW with a media pass this year for the first time and am hoping to interview a few of the speakers, so stay tuned!

London talent

With an impressive roster of prestigious projects under his belt already, Aristos Migliaressis-Phocas of A.M.P. interiors, is definitely one to watch. Born and raised in Athens, and coming from a background in Finance, Aristos is now based in London and creates elegant, sophisticated bespoke interiors for clients worldwide.

 

Aristos derives his inspiration from his travels, the places he visits and the people he meets.  His busy schedule has found him in Mexico, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Sydney, Berlin, Geneva, Paris, Milan and Athens in just the last 6 months. Good thing he is inspired by travel!

The photos I am very happy to share with you today are of a recently completed 4 bedroom private residence at One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge. Enjoy!

Eclectic Cool

For those of you in Hong Kong that expressed an interest in our lighting collection, you are now able to buy a selection of the designs at the new Eclectic Cool store in Sheung Wan.  One of our lamps is featured in their new catalogue!

Eclectic Cool, G/F 58 Po Hing Fong, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Open 12-6 Wed - Sun.

Social Media

I finally got with the program and joined the 21st century...I finally networked the Studio Annetta blog with our Facebook page and Twitter account. Quite proud of myself, I must say.  This post is just to let you all know you can find us on Facebook where we plan to provide additional content that won't make it to the blog...so for those of you that just can't get enough of me hopefully that will sate you!

This is making me homesick...

Broadsheet. If you're not reading it - you should be.  Even if you're not in Melbourne. Or the rest of Australia, for that matter.  It's so exciting to see all the great stuff going on in my hometown. It gives you the lowdown on all there is to eat, drink, shop and do in the greatest city down under. Totally making me homesick...

Monday morning

a little Monday morning inspiration for you folks...

Love this chic panelling with gold leaf and antique mirror! From Kelly Wearstler's latest book "Rhapsody", cannot wait to get my hands on copy...

Around Barbara

If you are a fan of the quiet, refined chic that Barbara Barry exudes, like I am, then go check out her newly revamped website. It's divine.

the Studio Annetta collection

OK, I've held out long enough....its finally time to make an announcement. I am very proud to show you the fruits of my labour...a collection of lighting that has been several years in the making.  I finally got fed up with not being able to find lamp designs for myself and for clients, and after sketching ideas for many years now, I produced a collection of my own!

While the inspirations for the collection are a bit eclectic (they vary from 1930s and 40s French moderne design up to the 1970s and more contemporary in style) the pieces are united by the quality of their materials and their manufacture. Locally-sourced materials (including cast bronze, solid marble, exotic skins, lacquer work and local hardwoods) that give a luxurious feel to each piece, are brought together by the hands of skilled artisans reviving skills that not long ago were dying. Each piece is individually crafted, so every piece is a one of a kind and can be customized in size and material if so desired.  I hope you like!

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For more information or sales enquiries about the lighting collection (trade, retail or otherwise) please contact us at products (@) studioannetta.com

Copyright. All rights reserved, Studio Annetta (HK) Ltd.

take me back to Thailand...

If after my last post about Thailand you still need some tips, these are for you!

Bangkok:

This trip we stayed at The Eugenia. It's charming, and a little bit quirky, and we loved it.  Only 12 rooms, all with their own unique mix of antiques and artworks, so its always fairly quiet (a good thing in this bustling city), and the pool is surrounded by palm trees and feels like your own private oasis. We ate at the hotel restaurant the first night and the food was fantastic. I highly recommend it.



One of the charming suites at The Eugenia Hotel, Bangkok

We ate at Gaggan the second night. We were recommended the tasting menu, being first timers, and were not disappointed. We had a 12 course tasting menu and loved every single course...honestly, it may well be in the top 10 of the best meals of my life. I have to say I think the fact the chef is Indian, and the fact they call their food "progressive indian", may be slightly misleading...I think even non-curry lovers will love this place.  Oh, and did I mention the building and interior? Super cute.


On the third night we ate at Issaya. Also located in a charming building, this place is much more colourful, which happens to be a great back drop to wonderful Thai food, a mix of traditional and more modern style dishes. Everything we had was amazing...especially the Passionfruit and caramel cocktails. Who knew those two flavours would work so well together!?

And I finally managed to get my husband to Agalico...a seriously cute tea house just off Sukhumvit Road. My second visit, but I think it may become a regular when we go back. Great selection of tea and cake, and the view of the garden outside is to die for.



Agalico, Bangkok



Apart from eating, we did a fair bit of shopping (I LOVE Bangkok for shopping...seriously one of the best cities in Asia...there is literally something for everyone, and it won't break the bank), and a bit of sightseeing.

We checked out Mr Kukrit's House, which is the home of an ex-priminister that has been maintained for visitors. Each of the pavilions serves a different purpose and all are still as Mr Kukrit left them. The gardens are alsoo quite amazing, and the feeling of standing amongst lush tropical greenery in the middle of a concrete jungle is quite surreal.  Still mostly untouched by the crowded bus tours, this is a nice way to spend a morning...and there's a Dean & Deluca naerby for lunch afterwards...which is exactly what we did.

Mr Kukrit's House, Bangkok



As for shopping...my favorite shopping malls in Bangkok are definitely Emporium and Siam Paragon...even though they are full of a lot of the same brands you see in every major city you still see a lot of stores with local designers.  Also, the department stores inside the malls are great, and carry a great selection of local designers which are very well priced.  I've somehow managed to visits twice during sale time and have picked up some ridiculous bargains.  As well as the malls there are lots of great shops scattered around the city and walking around back streets to find them is part of the fun and the experience of Bangkok.  My tips for furniture and home wares? The department stores I just mentioned, as well as Decor Mart in Siam Paragon (Barbara Barry, Ralph Lauren and many other big American brands not available in other major Asian cities), The Promenade (Christian Liaigre etc.), as well as my three favorite stores in the city: Incredible, Indelible and Unforgettable. Absolutely crammed full of amazing designs, each of them with their own slightly different mix, but owned by the same person. You will find them on Sukhumvit Soi 23. Take your credit card, and a few empty suitcases. They're just that good.

Phuket:

We were in Phuket for a friend's wedding, and while the actual ceremony was held elsewhere, most of the guests stayed at the Sala.  We shared a 2 bedroom pool villa with friends, and it was heavenly. This was our first resort holiday as we tend to be city people and my husband gets bored quickly, but I think this place has converted us.  There are lots of things to do if you want, otherwise they make it very easy for you to relax. We ate at the hotel almost every night and the food was great. I would definitely come back and stay here again.

Sunset on our first night over the pool at Sala, Phuket



Sunset on the beach, Phuket



The wedding itself was at the Sri Panwa resort, further south of the island, set on a cliff with THE most spectacular views. The ceremony was atop a building on the cliff, surrounding by an infinity pool. It was like something out of a James Bond movie, and I'm sure we weren't the only guests half expecting the bride to arrive by helicopter. Just stunning. A bit pricier than the Sala as you can imagine, but so secluded that I think anyone looking for a romantic secluded getaway this would be the place!