Taking a break...

To be honest, 2008 has not been the greatest of years for me (I'm sure I'm not alone in that thought) so I'm going to be glad to see the back of it. I'm taking some much needed time away from blogging. I'm not sure when I'll be back, if at all. In the meantime, I'll leave you with this beautiful artwork by artist Nancy Lorenz. I hope next year is a better year for all of us!

Artwork above is "Cill Railaig" by Nancy Lorenz, via PDX Gallery.

Business of Design Week 2008

Well, Business of Design Week in Hong Kong is over for another year. I'm not sure I have the time to do a lengthy write up on all the speakers I saw like I did last year, but I will give you a bit of a re-cap. Holland was the partner country this year, so there was plenty of local and Dutch talent in the city this week. Amongst many others I saw Hella Jongerius, Michael Young, and Rem Koolhaas. Unfortunately I missed out on seeing Marcel Wanders and Renny Ramakers of Droog Design. Rem Koolhaas was incredible, and my writing talents can not do justice to his words. What I will say, is that anyone interested in architecture, town planning or the cities of the future should jump at an opportunity to hear him speak. He truly is a visionary.

Apart from Koolhaas, I found Hella Jongerius' talk interesting and a great insight into her working process - in particular, her explanation of how the Polder Sofa for Vitra came about. Jongerius background and specialisation is ceramics so she was a little confused to say the least when Vitra approached her to design a sofa. She almost turned down the commission! She told them she didn't want to to design a sofa because she didn't like them and actually didn't even own one herself (not sure what she sat on instead!). So Vitra turned around and told her she should design a sofa that she would want at home, and so the gauntlet was laid. This funky shape is the result of a 6 month long design and mock-up process.

The most distinguishing features of the "Polder" sofa is the use of fabrics that are 4 different tones of the same colour, and oddly miss-matched buttons. Jongerius explained the reason for choosing so many different colours on one piece was to make it easier for people to fit this within their home - that it would be easier to "match" the colours with items in their existing interior. As someone who spent the beginning of my career working in fabric showrooms helping clients select fabrics for their furniture - I can personally say that this is a genius idea. I'm just not sure why nobody thought of it sooner. I found myself nodding my head knowingly as she spoke about how it is impossible to carry colour in your memory, and how hard it is to find just the right shade of (whatever colour it is that you're looking for) green, red etc. to work with your (insert other decorative items here) carpet, curtains etc. Time and time again its such simple ideas that make the greatest innovations!

** Oops, I almost forgot to mention that the organisers of BODW announced the new partner country for 2009....FRANCE! Can you guess who is just a little bit excited???

Pecha Kucha

Pecha Kucha night originated in Japan in 2003, conceived by the architects Astrid Klein & Mark Dytham as a place for young designers to meet, network and show their talents. The concept obviously worked well because Pecha Kucha night is now held in 158 cities all over the world.

The idea behind Pecha Kucha is to give each designer a microphone and a slide projector for a limited amount of time, which keeps it concise and allows more people to show their stuff. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, which gives you 6 minutes and 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up!

The term Pecha Kucha is Japanese and translates roughly to "chit chat", but is more accurately an onomatopoeia for the sound of people talking.

I attended my first Pecha Kucha night in Hong Kong last night. Held in conjunction with our annual Business of Design Week, both local and dutch designers were featured. I did not present, in case any of you were wondering - I'm terrible at public speaking! It was definitely a fun night, and a great forum for designers, something that Hong Kong has been desperately lacking.

So, check out the website, and find out where your local Pecha Kucha night will be. Or, if your city doesn't already have one organised you can get in contact with them and maybe start one on your own!

Un rêve d'or

I'm loving this spread in the latest Architectural Digest (French edition). A stunning collection of objet d'or by some of the greatest contemporary designers of our day, I wouldn't mind getting any of these from Santa this year!

The even more stunnng backdrop is the Hôtel Arturo Lopez, just outside of Paris. Built in 1903 by Italian architect Paul Rodocanachi (a frequent collaborator of Jean-Michel Frank), the Hôtel was bought by the wealthy Chilean Arturo Lopez in 1930. Every room has a different theme including a miniature copy of the hall of mirrors from Versailles, and a room entirely covered with shells. At the moment, from what I can make out, this incredible home (which was purchased by the local municipality in 1971) is now being used as a museum. I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I did!


This is probably my favorite pic...how stunning is that marble! The bronze table is by Meret Oppenheim, and the two gold spheres - one resin, the other gold leaf - are by Pierre Giraudon.


The light fixture on the left is by Hubert Le Gall, and the bookshelf on the right is by Vicenzo de Cotiis.

In front of a Herve van der Straeton mirror is a chair by Philippe Hiquilly, on top of which sits a rock table prototype by Arik Levy.

Above a plexiglas and polished pink mirror table by Guy de Rougement is a mirror by Hubert Le Gall.

A small box by Elizabeth Garouste sits atop a piece by Herve van der Straeton.

From Architectural Digest (France) No. 80, December 2008 - January 2009. All photos by Philippe Garcia.

Sale time!

One of my favorite book retailers - William Stout - is having a sale. Between December 1st & 13th you can enjoy 25% off all books on Interior Design, Photography and Decorative Arts. I've never actually been to their San Francisco store, but they have a great website where you can purchase online - and they ship overseas, yay! Happy Shopping!

Art Sunday!

Starting this Sunday!

"Hong Kong’s art and cultural landscape has recently undergone a renaissance, from the art auction rooms to the international acclaim of local artists. Galleries are blossoming and a sense of excitement, long associated with just the hallowed streets of downtown New York, is gathering locally and internationally about Hong Kong’s potential as Asia’s art capital.Now, Hong Kong art galleries in Central have come together to bring a sense of community, education and easy accessibility back into art. Beginning Sunday 7th December, art galleries in Central will open from 11am – 5pm for Art Sunday. This free event will allow families, friends, neighbours and those out for a leisurely Sunday afternoon, to engage with art, chat to their local gallerists, and listen to talks about art and artwork. Children will be able to participate in creative workshops and learn about art in a fun and interactive environment. Local cafes and restaurants will join in sponsoring the event, providing brunch and drinks for local participating galleries. With over 20 galleries and a number of local restaurants participating, Art Sunday guarantees something for everyone and is a wonderful way to support Hong Kong’s art community."

Further dates for 2009 have already been set - February 8th, March 15th, and April 5th. See you there!

Today I'm loving...

...this lovely mirror by French designer Hubert Le Gall.


Hope you all have a great weekend, and my American friends are having a great Thanks Giving weekend. Perfect timing really, I think all of us around the world should be giving thanks at the moment!

A good cause

It's not often you can buy furniture and help a good cause (although most of us don't need the extra incentive) - but when that golden opportunity comes along, you need to snap it up...and now is your chance!

Modern Love's 5th Annual Charity Auction starts on Friday 28th November and will run until December 8th. This years collection includes works by Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Eero Saarinen, Hans Wegner, Jean Prouve, Charlotte Perriand, and many more. As well, some interesting art pieces by Takashi Murakami, Larry Clark, Mark Gonzales, and Jeff Koons are also in the mix. All you have to do to enter into auction is to register with Ebay.

A portion of every sale will be donated to vital funding for cancer research and emotional support programs for those living with the disease. So go on over and check out this years catalogue....HERE.

Welcoming Modernism

As more and more of the shelter magazines continue to bite the dust, MODERNISM, from the auction house Rago Arts is definitely a welcome addition to the fold. If you haven't already seen it on the stand, or the online version - go and check it out now!

Today I'm loving...

I was not really a fan of the Yves Klein tables, but it looks perfect in the living room of Sourth African designer Haldane Martin. And now I think I want one. Via "This is Glamorous".

Carrie Chau at Times Square

Carrie Chau - one of my favorite Hong Kong artists - has a temporary exhibition/installation in the public space in front of Causeway Bay's Times Square.

Starting today until the end of December, this will be on display. If you're in Hong Kong, go check it out!

Yan Descamps

I made another great new discovery over the weekend that I just had to share with you all.... Paris based Yan Descamps. Most of his work is quite classical, but I totally fell in love with this Brussels apartment that he did. I love the bold black glossy trims and the extra high doors (are they double height? it's hard to tell). The colours give it a warm cozy feeling even though its quite sparsely furnished. The bedroom is my favorite of them all...oh to wake up to wall to wall silk carpeting every morning!

I'm all set

...for the weekend. I've got a pile of magazines, including the new Elle Decor, and I'm just praying that the mailman brings any of the 3 books I'm waiting to be delivered. There are still a few more hours of postal delivery service....fingers crossed!

Have a great weekend everyone, whatever it is you have planned.

** Guys, take my advice, and go get yourself a copy of the December World of Interiors (the American design special) if you haven't already. There is a spread on a NY home done by Bill Sofield that just made me gasp out loud. Go! What are you waiting for? (and please, Bill, if you are reading this....why don't you have your portfolio online? I want, no NEED, to see more!)

Aesthetes at home

I am fascinated with how other designers, artists and other aesthetes live - do they always live amongst their own work, and only their work, or do they mix it up with other pieces?

My fascination was recently sated with a spread on Yves Gastou in the October edition of the French Architectural Digest. For those that are not familiar with the name, Gastou is not only a gallerist of 20th Century design; he’s somewhat of an expert having contributed to several books on designers of that era. The photos of his Paris abode affirm for me the theory that I can tell if I’ll like someone by looking at their home (see my previous post on Architect and Gallery BAC owner, Carlos Aparicio) - although I am yet to actually test this theory!

The apartment has fantastic bones, which you would expect for something of its age and location. Without even adding the glorious pieces of design that he has, this is a wonderful apartment. I simply cannot sing the praises of good bones enough….but I do digress. Back to the furniture. And the art!


The living room could be a gallery unto itself…a dizzying mix of styles that somehow seem to work together. Around the 1950’s rug by Jacques Despierre is a white resin sofa and side chairs from the 1960’s - still upholstered in the original silk velvet, two chairs created by Philippe Hiquily for the decorator Henri Samuel, and a blue resin cube by Marie-Claude de Fouquières. Behind the two 40’s desk chairs by André Arbus are a pair of luminous sculptures by César and Jean-Claude Farhi, and a white marble sculpture by Emile Gilioli.


Over in the dining room we have a resin table by Marie-Claude de Fouquières, paired with Louis XVI armchairs. Hanging above is an amazing Venetian glass chandelier by André Arbus. The doors are flanked by a pair of torchères by Poillerat, and in front of the doorway can be seen a sculpture by Philippe Hiquily.

In the small dining room (which is still bigger than my only dining room) we have a table by Osvaldo Borsani surrounded by aluminium chairs by Marcel Breuer. The sculpture in the left-hand corner is also by Philippe Hiquily.

I’m head over heels for the stunning master bedroom and its original wood paneling. Another André Arbus chandelier hangs above and a carpet by Pierre Cardin lies below the bed. The two tables at the foot of the bed are by Poillerat. I don’t know who painted the masterpiece above the bed so if anyone can shed some light on that I’ll be thrilled…I love it!

And last, but definitely not least, the study. This combination of items in here just should not work, but it does here. The yellow resin desk is by Maurice Calka (from the 60’s, if you couldn’t guess) and the lights are by Gilbert Poillerat.

Gastou’s gallery, located in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés, was designed by Ettore Sottsass. Galerie Yves Gastou specializes in European decorative arts from the 40’s to the 70’s. I can’t wait for my next trip to the city of lights so I can check it out in person!

Today I'm loving...

this screen by Boca do Lobo...

...it's très chic!

Tommaso Ziffer

I found some more European talent - in the Italian designer Tommaso Ziffer. I love his confident use of colour, his use of luxurious materials and the wonderful combinations of furniture he uses in his projects, both residential and hospitality. Some of these images have been in my image files for years but I had no idea who the designer behind them was. Now I know. And there are many more images where these came from - his website. So if these tickle your fancy, head on over and check it out.

Hope everyone had a great week, and have an even better weekend!