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!

Today I'm loving...

...the idea of faux exotic finishes on walls. I'm not sure I can think of anything more luxurious than being completely surrounded by tortoiseshell, ivory or horn. Don't you think? And the bonus is, there is absolutely no guilt attached!

A study decorated by the late Randall Ridless which was apparently inspired by Billy Baldwins library for Cole Porter. Looks like the perfect place to curl up with a pile of magazines and a cup of tea on a cold day!

Photographed by Simon Upton for the March 2005 issue of Elle Decor.

A bedroom by Miles Redd, with faux ivory (walls) and faux horn (cornices). Just stunning, and so clever.

Photographed by Thomas Loos for the July 2009 issue of House Beautiful.

Feather your nest!

We received a new wall covering sample book today at my work, and I could not be more excited. The new "Nest" collection from Schumacher is made up of 12 designs, each hand crafted from natural bird feathers. They are so stunning that I'm a little lost for words. They are definitely the most beautiful new samples we've received for a while. My favorite would have to be the design "Waldon", made from quail feathers (below). It has almost a tortoiseshell appearance to it. I'm dying to use it in a project now, especially in something like a library...what do you think folks?

Paint & Paper Library

Habitually Chic posted this week about the launch of the new book "Paint and Paper: In Decoration" by fellow aussie David Oliver, founder of the Paint and Paper Library. I've had these tear sheets of the London home he shares with his wife and business partner Sophie, for 4 years. I've been meaning to post them because their living room is still one of my favorites, so now I have a great excuse to share them with you.

In 1996, from their Chelsea apartment basement, David and Sophie developed a range of paint colours that they hoped would reflect the 20th century. They very quickly developed a following by local designers and in 1998 they introduced a range of wallpapers they had designed, along with designs by Emily Todhunter and Neisha Crosland. Needless to say, neither of them knew they were creating what would be a leading company in the international interior design scene.

These interior shots are of the victorian terrace house they renovated and restored over a two-year period, that they now share with their two children (Edward and Cosmo) in West London.


The 70's sofa in their living room was a hand me down from Sophie's parents. Regency style armchairs to the right are covered in fabric remnants David had found years before.


A little difficult to see in these pictures, but the wallpaper and rug motif are the same, "Liberation", which was designed by David.


Sitting on top of the side table by Ashley Hicks is a glass match-stick striker (similar ones available from Nina Campbell).

This living room is still one of my favorites. The combination of colours and furniture styles is so warm and inviting. It has a range of historical references as well as many personal touches that make this ultimately a wonderful family home.


Wallpaper panels are Neisha Crosland's "Willow". The Art Deco desk and 60's pewter desk-set add character to their study.

All images from Vogue Living (Australia) August/September 2003. More images can be found on the Paint & Paper Library website - here.

Tall, Dark & Handsome

I'm not sure if its because the weather is getting cooler and I feel like hibernating, or if it's because I just can't seem to get the Steven Gambrel interior from the latest Elle Decor out of my head, but whatever it is I'm in love with dark walls at the moment. They aren't particularly practical in some rooms, but living in a city that is known for its small dark apartments, using dark colours doesn't necessarily combat this problem. But hey, if you can't change it, work with it!

I love how dark walls make a room feel instantly warm, comfortable and inviting. The complete opposite of some rooms I've seen that are all white. I also love how artwork looks against a dark backdrop. I'm sure I'll get into trouble for saying this, but I think most art looks better against black.

So, to help me get over this feeling of wanting to hibernate I'm going to share with you a few of the images I've been inspired by lately.

The two rooms by Steven Gambrel from the Nov 07 Elle Decor that got me on this...

Just lovin these sexy black walls - from Aerin Lauders home in the Dec 07 House & Garden

Interior by Australian designer Greg Natale

Dark walls in a Nate Berkus dining room

Charcoal library by Todd Alexander Romano

Image from KM Design

interior by Australian design firm Hecker Phelan & Guthrie

Dark walls by Thad Hayes

Another Thad Hayes room - love these colours together

The other master of dark colours, who practices what he preaches - Philip Gorrivan's own living room

A Miles Redd bedroom - another stunning colour combination

Federal blue walls by Markham Roberts

Another room by Markham Roberts

Hunter green walls by Darren Henault

Smouldering dark bedroom walls by Eric Cohler

More chinois chic

Here are a few more 'chinois chic' images that I've had on my mind lately. This interior belongs to the Melbourne manager of Brunschwig & Fils. It has a masculine feel about it, and I love how he's mixed styles as well as the origin (some of the furniture is Japanese, some is Chinese).


Bedhead is upholstered in Gaston y Daniela's "Tap Astorga", wallpaper is "Orientala on Bamboo & Cotton" also by Brunschwig & Fils.

Bedroom chair is covered in "Bandipur Silk Texture" from Brunschwig & Fils.

Chair is covered in "Balthazar Silk Velvet Stripe" Brunschwig & Fils, cushion is "Leopardo" by Rubelli, and the stunning wallpaper behind is "Yunnan", also by Brunschwig & Fils. This is probably my favorite of all the images. The combination of the wallpaper, chair (and those fabrics) and the chinese cabinet is perfection.

Chinois chic

I've had this image in my mind lately, even though it's quite old, because I've been thinking about whether or not (and if so, how much) I would incorporate a chionois style into our decor when and if we buy a place here in Hong Kong. I think this is a great example of how chinois style can be done tastefully. I love this combination of colours too - so I thought I'd share!
If anyone is interested, the wallpaper is "Loyang" from Brunschwig & Fils.



Image from Vogue Living (Australia) September 2005.

Diamonds are a girls best friend

One particular design feature/motif that I particularly like, and one that I never seem to tire of, is diamond buttoning on upholstery. I'm not sure what it is about it that I like so much - maybe its the fact that it seems to give a piece instant history (or suggested history), or maybe its the fact that it makes furniture look so plump, comfortable and therefore inviting. I found plenty of images around of old and current examples, so I decided to do some reading about the history of diamond buttoning. My trusty library very rarely fails:

"Diamond buttoning has been used since the Victorian era (circa early 1800's) to fix and decorate fabrics into chair seats and backs. During the 1950's buttoning became fashionable again, partly as a decorative feature, and also as a method of holding fabrics into a compound shaped piece". - from 'The Upholsterer's pocket reference book', by David James.

A few recent examples I found were from the new collections of Poltrona Frau, and the Spanish designer Jamie Hayon. I love their interpretation of a modern take on a traditional style.

Poltrona Frau - Regina chair

Jamie Hayon sofa for BD Showtime collection

These images show the resurgence of diamond buttoning as a decorative feature and as a method of attaching fabric to curved shapes, dating from the 1920's to 1950's. I particularly love the Edward Wormley slipper chairs and the headboard. Such timeless designs.

Edward Wormley slipper chairs, from 1st Dibs

1960's Slipper chairs from 1st Dibs

James Mont armchair from 1st Dibs

Tufted settee (source unknown)

French Canape from 1st Dibs

Andre Arbus Dining chair from William Switzer


Ottoman (source unknown)





1920's leather settee from 1st Dibs



1940's silk headboard from 1st Dibs

Diamond buttoning as a motif has gained so much popularity that textiles and wallpaper designs have been produced with a faux-buttoning design, I'm guessing mainly as a buget option for a look that can be labour intensive, and therefore not cheap. I love the wallpaper. I saw a photo of it used in a very girly boutique in Sydney, and it looked fabulous.

Fabric from Kravet (pattern 9091)


"Harlow" wallpaper from Evans & Brown

These interior shots, to me, prove that diamond buttoning never goes out of style. Miles Redd is the master, of course!

Interior image from Beach Studios



Interior by Nicholas Haslam



Image from Kor Hotel group



Interior of Miles Redd's Living room

Lacquered walls

Has anyone else noticed the growing trend of lacquered/glossy walls? I must be a bit slow, because I thought gloss paint was only good for trims until recently. So many designers are using lacquer/gloss as a finish on walls, and I'm starting to think it can look amazing, especially when it's a dark colour. Not only does it give a wall some interest, the way it reflects light seems to brighten up a room, as opposed to matte finished walls that just seem to suck it all up!

Lacquer has been around in China and Japan since 7000BC. Traditionally, lacquer was made from natural resins, and was used on different artifacts because of it's durable, waterproof and beautiful finish. But these days there are many aritficial resins that are used to create lacquer, as well as wallcoverings and paints that acheive a similar, if not the same, effect at a much lower cost.

A few sources that I've managed to find of roll-form wallcoverings that have a lacquered look are: Valtekz - 'patent', Stark - 'delfo', Phillip Jeffries - 'lacquered walls', Donghia - 'lacquered walls', and Robert Crowder - 'lacquers'.

High-gloss paint can also acheive a similar look, most paint companies offer a high-gloss finish. Fine Paints of Europe has a product called Hollandlac that also gives the high gloss look of lacquer, and comes in two varying degrees of gloss.



Chocolate brown in an interior by Jeffrey Bilhuber.


Forest green walls in an interior by Darren Henault.

High gloss teal in a Miles Redd room.


Feature wall panel in a bedroom at Kip's Bay 2007 showhouse by Jamie Drake.


More chocolate brown, this time in a room by Markham Roberts.

High gloss ceiling in a Philip Gorrivan interior.


Lipstick red in a Steven Gambrel living room.


More glossy red walls, this is a living room by Todd Alexander Romano.