Fluted plasterwork

I was recently looking for some reference images of fluted plasterwork for a project I'm working on, and I came across these little beauties. I have to say I'm quite taken with the idea, and I love how each of these designers has used it in a different way...

In a Living room designed by Miles Redd, featured in House Beautiful.

A Dining room by Jean-Louis Deniot, from Architectural Digest.

A more modern approach by Stephen Sills.

And a lovely example by Timothy Whealon, from Veranda.

Enjoy the weekend folks!

Boundary Space

One of the unexpected advantages of writing this blog is the many wonderful and talented people I have met, either in the real world, or the online one. Thomas Furse-Roberts of Boundary Space is one of those people. If he hadn't sent a lovely tweet about the blog I wouldn't have even known they existed. Although considering their talent, I'm sure I would have discovered them myself eventually. Boundary Space, in case you don't know, is a small architectural and interior design practice based in Fulham, London, specialising in creating one off residential projects with interiors which reflect the personalities of their clients and the spirit of the project's location.  The company was founded by Thomas Furse-Roberts and Graeme Martinow, and with them both being Architects their projects tend to have a strong architectural leaning with an emphasis on detail and materials. Details and materials. Two of my favorite things.

Mr Furse-Roberts has been kind enough to share some photos of a recently completed project in Notting Hill.  He says of the project, "It was a traditional London town house in which we tried to create a beautiful architectural 'white' box in which pieces of art and furniture could be shown off. In order to create the modern open plan living space within the existing house, which our client required, we demolished walls but chose to retain and restore ceilings, cornices and architectural detailing in a period manner so that the house is both contemporary but aware of its historic context."

Just fablous. And check out those materials and details. That last photo almost made me do a backflip... 

Gubi

I've been a fan of the Gubi bestlite's for a while now. In my humble opinion, they are a design classic and will work with pretty much any interior.  Previously only available in black or white, they are now available in combinations with brass, or just solid brass.  LOVE!

Gubi is available in Hong Kong through Eclectic Cool.

Hip Hispania

I just spotted some images online of a new restaurant in London called Hispania, designed by one of my favorite Spanish designers, Lorenzo Castillo. I noticed he has used some fabrics from his newly launch collection with Gaston y Daniela, which I happened to see for the first time in person yesterday.  I'm not loving some of the prints, but the geometrics are fab, and in some pretty unusual colours too. Hispania is set to be the UK's largest restaurant and store focusing on Spanish cuisine. Consider it added to my list for next time!



Hermes textiles

Love, Love, LOVE this fabric pattern from the Hermes textiles collection. "Marquetrie de Paille" is of course based on the straw marquetry pattern that was so beloved of Jean-Michel Frank. I am now dying to use this for something, somewhere...

as easy as A, B, C...?

I'm not entirely sure why it has taken me so long to write a post about AB Concept. Not only are they one of Hong Kong's preeminent design firms, they happen to be the first design firm I worked for in Hong Kong.  If you haven't heard of them before, you're sure to very soon.  They've just published their first monograph - "The Language of Luxe" - covering the last 10 years of their work, some of which I was involved in.  Very sweetly, my name features in the list of dedications at the back, along with all past and current staff.  Its available now for pre-order on Amazon, and is already in bookstores in Hong Kong.

 

One of the many finished projects featured in the book is the somewhat recently completed Shàng-Xí restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel, Shanghai. Its a good example of the level of detail and refinement in their designs and the selection of unusual and luxurious materials.  Its been forever since I was last in Shanghai, and its definitely on my list of places to return...so I might just have to make a special trip to check this place out...





I particularly love the use of real bird feathers here, I have wanted to use those on a project since I first saw them.