Happy Anniversary to us!

Today is the 6 year anniversary of me starting this blog. I'm struggling to believe it. In some ways I can't get my head around all that has happened in that time, and yet it also seems to have flown by. I've met some amazing people along this incredible journey, some who have become friends, some clients.  Either way, I'm incredibly grateful. Grateful for all of you who continue to read, leave comments and send me emails. So I'd like to mark the occasion with an open question to all of you. You're an incredibly diverse group, although a lot of you are in the design community, located all over the world. I guess what I'd like to know is why do you read this blog? And what can I do to improve it? What would you like to see more of? How would you feel about advertising here, or it turning more into a magazine format? Do you want local content, or do you enjoy the international mix?

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions or feedback is much appreciated, as I endeavour to plan the future of the blog and our studio, and what the next 6 yrs may bring...

Casa Capriz

Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with my regular whining about the lack of vintage furniture in Hong Kong....well no more I tell you! There has been a slow gradual change in this city since I arrived, for the better, and it seems that the options that are available to us have multiplied. We now have a bounty of wonders to choose from, thanks to the arrival of Casa Capriz. A large warehouse space in the eastern island area of Chai Wan, Casa Capriz is a lovely curated space full of vintage finds, mostly of Italian origin. And this is thanks to Italian owner Irene Capriz. A mix of art, vintage industrial lights, armchairs (including a few originals by Marco Zanusso), vintage trunks by Louis Vuitton etc. and architectural elements, Casa Capriz is a real treasure trove. I highly recommend a visit, you just never know what you'll find!

And perhaps you can time your visit with the Chai Wan Mei events over this weekend, held in conjunction with the Art Basel event that everyone is talking about in Hong Kong right now. A mix of studios and shops will be open in the Chai Wan area on Friday and Saturday, so if you've ever wanted to know what was lurking in the old industrial buildings, then now is your opportunity to check them out.

apparātus

Wow. So this morning I totally just fell in love with the ENTIRE collection of lighting from Apparatus. Seriously amazing stuff. Check them out...

I would like one of each please!

Art month

So much going on in the city this week...but it all culminates in this fantastic event. I cannot wait.

Mr Blue

Spotted on Yatzer, the dreamy new restaurant in the Palais de Tokyo, Paris - Monseiur Bleu. Designed by a man who is fast becoming one of my favorite designers, Joseph Dirand. I love his use of colour in this space (I have always loved green, not just because Pantone says so)...and how he's played around with light and dark. It looks fresh and new and so timeless at the same time. If the food tastes anywhere near as good as the place looks, I am making a reservation now!

a Rose by any other name...

 ...may not be quite as stylish as Rose Uniacke.

There was something in the spare interiors of my previous post that reminded me of the work of Rose Uniacke....and that I hadn't written a post about her.

A furniture restorer, gilder and a specialist in lacquerwork in a former life, London-based Uniacke is more likely to be known these days for her incredibly chic interiors that are sparsely furnished with a mix of antiques and 20th Century pieces, as well as her eponymous store on Pimlico Road.  Her own home is a testament to her timeless pared-back style.

The Entry / Foyer

Several views of the Living / Dining room

The Kitchen...love this!

Study, I presume...

Master Bedroom and Ensuite

And the Winter Garden...with lady of the manor...what a wonderful concept...

Loft living

So I've moved into a loft. We've been there about a year now, but I've kept it all a bit under the radar because its not finished...I didn't want to make any announcements until I was ready to show you the finished pics.  I've had such a busy year that I've been my own worst client. I've been delaying having friends over and throwing a house-warming because its not done how I want...and I'm tired of getting those looks that say..."still?"...so I have set myself a goal to get it completed...and when I do I will be happy to share the before and after pics with you (if they don't get published first). 

In the meantime, I am still looking for inspiration for certain areas, and while googling I came across the NYC loft of Harriet Maxwell and Andrew Corrie, the owners of Ochre.  I remember seeing this when it was first published in Elle Decor back in November 2010 and thinking that I loved the colour palette, and just how soft and serene it felt for such a big loft space.  Fast forward a few years, and funnily enough I have painted our walls a similar shade (although more taupe - think the background colour of the blog and you'll be close)...and had started thinking along these lines without even looking at these pics.

I have to say I'm pretty in love with this right now, and am already mentally replacing my sofa, dining chairs etc....

a few angles of the lovely living/dining room...this space is the best in the whole apartment if you ask me...

 

although that kitchen aint half bad either...although ours is rather large, so I shouldn't be complaining...

  

 very pretty bathroom and wardrobe spaces...love, love, love!