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.

Nutcracker suite

Wow. Where did February go? I didn't mean to leave you hanging for so long...

I discovered the work of Korean artist/designer, Lee Sang-min over the weekend at the latest Asia Hotel Art Fair in Hong Kong. Delicate, beautifully made, and most impressive of all, totally functional. I would quite like any of these, but was most impressed with the nut-crackers in particular.



Year of the Ssssssnake

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous year of the ssssssnake!

Photgraph by Guido Mocafico

Chalet Chic - part II

My fantasy of a mountain-top retreat has been fuelled this week by more discoveries...

A cottage in Gstaad, Switzerland designed by Thierry Lemaire, from AD France

A family home in Colorado by Studio Sofield, photographed by Scott Frances for AD USA

And yet another Aspen beauty, a home by Atelier AM, photgraphed by Pieter Estersohn for AD USA.

  

  

And, a post on mountain retreats would not be replete without the inclusion of Aerin Lauder's uber cool Aspen home...Love, Love, Love. Photographed by François Halard for Vogue.

Chalet Chic

We're experiencing a very mild winter here in Hong Kong. 24 ^oC is not bad for the middle of January, right? I wish I could say it was the cold weather that has me fantasizing about an alpine retreat, but perhaps its because its not that cold.  I've seen friends posting photos on Facebook of their skiing holidays, and even though I don't ski, I'm a tad jealous. I think I'd quite like to be snuggled up inside some luxe chalet somewhere catching up on my reading and drinking countless cups of tea, and mulled wine.  Perhaps a bit strange for someone like me who group up next to the sunny beaches in Australia, the snowy mountain tops are polar opposite (pun intended).  But you know what they say about opposites...

This Aspen retreat by one of my favorite designers, Peter Marino, could be just the place for me to do that reading and snuggling.  Despite its rather stark, austere architecture, I rather love how minimalistic it is compared to the typical mountain retreat.  And the view from the bedroom...to die for!