I'm back...

Thanks to those of you who emailed me over the last couple of days to kindly let me know that my blog was down. It actually made me feel like I might be missed if I stopped writing this blog. As you will notice, my header is missing (still working on the technical stuff) -but you should also notice that the blog address is now my own domain name, but no need to change any existing links as it should re-direct automatically. Now...back to posting!

*UPDATE* my header should now appear as normal. If anyone else out there in the blogosphere needs help redirecting their blog to a new domain name, let me know and I'll try my best to help!

Double take...

I saw these cool Italian 1950's chairs on 1st Dibs this morning and realised they looked familiar...

I found this chair on the Williams-Sonoma Home website a little while ago and fell in love.

The originals are $7600 (US) for the pair...the WS version....a mere $995. They're pretty close...don't ya think?

This is what I found at lunchtime...

OK, so I went looking for it, it wasn't like I accidentally stumbled across this abandoned early 1900's (apparently haunted) mansion. I read about it in a recent HK Magazine and decided I should go check it out at lunch time because it is so close to my work. This derelict building is actually classified with the Antiquities and Monuments office of the HK government....amazing! Sorry for the sarcasm, but you wouldn't even know it existed...there are barely any buildings of notable history left. In true HK style, this building has been privately owned by a developer for 20 years, but is still sitting empty. This may have something to do with the fact that its rumoured to be the most haunted spot in Hong Kong. There is very little information about what is called 'Nam Koo Terrace' - on Ship Street (for anyone else in HK who wants a sneak peek!) on the internet. Apparently it was used during the Japanese occupation as a 'comfort house'. I'm not entirely sure what that means...but I think I can make a good guess. It's also very close to a set of tunnels that were carved out of the side of the mountain to be used in case of an air raid. Loads of interesting history (most of it hearsay mind you, but I'm sure the facts are just as fascinating), and its gorgeous. It's a freakin' crime that its sitting there empty!
I did read though that it was propsed by the developer to be knocked down as part of a new hotel complex to be constructed in the area, but thankfully the nearby residents opposed it and now its apparently going to be preserved and opened to the public. I'd love to be the one to restore it to its former glory!

Melbourne

OK, It's official. I miss Melbourne. I've only been back in HK a week and I'm homesick already...I guess its natural for people to love their home town...but I REALLY love Melbourne (yes, okay, just a tad biased here ;)!

Here are my top 10 reasons for loving Melbourne so much:

1) Best food in Australia, bar none (sorry to the rest of oz!),

2) The arts and cultural capital of Australia,

3) Within 1-2 hours drive of several great wine regions (Mornington Peninsula & Yarra Valley in particular),

4) Great shopping - fashionista's love Melbourne. There are so many great shopping precincts it's hard to know where to start! - But here are a few to get you started...city centre (especially the old GPO), Chapel St -Prahran, Acland St - St.Kilda, Brunswick St - Fitzroy, Bridge Rd - Richmond, Queen Victoria Market, etc. etc.,

5) Fantastic architecture. Where else woudl you find these 4 buildings on just one street corner?

Flinders Street Station

Federation Square

The Young & Jackson Pub

St. Pauls Cathedral

6) It's within a few hours drive of some of the best beaches in the world (13th Beach, Bells Beach, Point Addis, Fairhaven...and the entire Great Ocean Road),

7) Outdoor cinemas - there are tonnes of them in and around the city over summer

8) Great festivals (see below)

9) The coolest and funkist bars (tucked away and hidden in the central business district laneways - half the fun is finding them! - check out Deck of Secrets if you're interested),

10) The Laneway Commissions - temporary art installations in the CBD laneways - comissioned by the city of Melbourne.

PLUS, there is something on pretty much year round (although it usually centres around summer)...check this out:
January - Australian Open Tennis tournament

January - Big Day Out (alternative music festival)

January - Midsumma - Melbourne's Gay & Lesbian festival

January to March - Moonlight Cinema in the botanical gardens

February to March - Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

February - Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival (wine and jazz amongst the vines)

February - St.Kilda Festival (music, food, arts etc.)

March - Melbourne Fashion Festival

March - Formula One Grand Prix

March to April - Melbourne International Comedy Festival

July - Melbourne International Design Festival

July to August - Melbourne International Film Festival

September - Australian rules football (AFL) Grand Final

October - Melbourne International Arts Festival

November - Melbourne Cup and Spring Racing Carnival

December - Boxing Day Cricket test match

All year round - National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre, National Theatre, and Princess Theatre, Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Aquarium and if you are a gambler; Crown Casino.

There really is something for everyone in Melbourne (and I'm sure I've missed out heaps of stuff). Just in case I've inspired any of you to visit in the not too distant future there are tonnes of great guides to help you navigate the wonderful city I call(ed) home. Deck of Secrets, Melbourne Design Guide, Luxe Guides, Lonely Planet, Visit Melbourne, Only Melbourne, That's Melbourne. Enjoy! P.S. please feel free to email me if you are planning a visit...I'd be happy to make some more recommendations! P.P.S. if anyone else wants to share their top 10 reasons for loving their home city I'd love to hear them!

Mary McDonald...

It's been a while since a magazine spread has made me gasp out loud. Am I alone in thinking that too many magazines are featuring boring, thoughtless, characterless, uniform apartments? the magazines in Hong Kong seem to only feature dreary white boxes...no sign of human life, (or of any taste for that matter...). I only read a few of the US design mags, one or two from the UK and 2 from Australia. Some of them (there are a few exceptions) are starting to look much of a muchness to me. This is a subject that I've spoken to friends about...but clearly not many of them seem to pay as much attention to this as I do. Lucky for them. Because I'm getting fed up! Does anyone else feel this way? Maybe the blogging community needs to circulate a list of recommended monthly reads...

Anyway, I do digress a little. The spread that made me gasp was from House Beautiful - an LA home by none other than Mary McDonald. She has an amazing eye for colour and a talent for mixing beautiful pieces - a combination that makes each of her interiors colourful, chic and livable - as well as looking like they have a history!

Perhaps I'm just fed up with the mostly Asian negative attitude towards vintage and antiques - or anything with history. Maybe I should just stop complaining and do something about it!

Sorry for the rant folks, but I feel better now. All images from House Beautiful Feb 08. More details about the feature here.

My latest purchase

This lovely pair of Swedish Biedermeier stools (c.1850) now has a new home...with me! I've had my eye on them for about 6 months now, and managed to snatch them up at half price yesterday. They're from one of the only mid-centry furniture dealers in Hong Kong - Manks - which happens to be located in a charming 1930's shophouse with all original fittings and features (pretty rare here). But don't fret people, that rather nasty looking fabric will be gone...just as soon as I decide what to replace it with...

Forthcoming book launch

I received a personal email during my holiday from Steven Salny, author of the book about Frances Elkins, (I did a post on it late last year). His upcoming book about Michael Taylor is due out in a year. Quite timely information considering the spread on the late designer in the recent House Beautiful. I for one am certainly looking forward to learning more about such an influential taste maker!

Images from House Beautiful, January 2008.

The best of NZ

Seeing as you were all so patient with me, ta da! Here it is, one of the articles from Urbis that stuck in my mind most. This twin set of houses, identical in mirror image, designed by David Ponting is located in a lovely bay setting in Auckland. The thing that struck me most, apart from their use of mid-century furniture, and the great design - is just how well each of the dwellings lets in the amazing southern hemisphere light - something I, as an antipodean, only really started to appreciate when I moved to Asia.

The client brief's main specification was regarding the close proximity of their neighbours....hence the high walls to the side of courtyards. I think he's delivered pretty well here, and some.

Even though the space is probably a bit more modern than I would want to live in, I really do love how he's created a light-filled space that is more than just a boring white box (a subject I could write a whole other post about!). Most of the furniture was sourced from Auckland based Flaunt ID - a company founded by an NZ interior designer who has returned from a 7 year stint working as an interior designer for various firms in New York. Basically, she fell in love with American mid-century design, realised there was a lack of said furniture in her home town, so did something about it. I feel another post coming on...

I realise this many not appeal to everyone, but I hope you enjoy!

A Minotti sofa mixed with vintage Milo Baughman chairs and sideboard, vintage horse head (all from Flaunt ID), an Armani Casa side table, and other contemporary accessories make for a fresh modern room with character. Love it!

Together, a Curtis Jere wall sculpture (also from Flaunt ID) and a Frame Lounger in rope by Paola Lenti create a a casual outdoor living space.

From the opposite 'dark' apartment. Chairs by Flaunt ID, along with contemporary rug and a head sculpture in a perspex box. I love the timber panelled feature wall - and that fireplace would be nice and cosy on a cold night in Auckland!

Vandyke dining table from Minotti, vintage french chairs from Flaunt ID, and a Caboche pendant light from Foscarini in the same space.

I really cannot speak more highly of the design industry in New Zealand, and have been inspired to either subscribe to Urbis, or hunt down a retailer here in Hong Kong. I hope to be able to show you guys more of what's coming from the southern hemisphere in the future!

Love this!

These pendant lights by Pluma Cubic are made from 4000 goose feathers - all individually hand sewn - and I think they're fabulous! I would love one for the entrance hall in my house in Melboune...(yes, the one I don't actually live in) ;)

Truffa-riffic!

Be patient with me folks, I know a few of you have requested to see some of the inside of the lovely Urbis magazine I posted about yesterday, and that is on my agenda for tomorrow. Today I want to share some images from the Portuguese furniture design company Truffa. They don't have agents internationally as far as I know, but they do ship overseas - if you get desperate. I pretty much love everything they have produced...I just wish they'd include some casegoods to their collection so I have something else to drool over!

Spa - I love the lines of this, a bit of mid century glam...

Pandora - a bit more mid century glam here...I like it!

Mr.Tom - Super elegant, I love the painted legs to match the upholstery too. I'd love this as a slipper chair in my bedroom actually.

Miss Moon - a little reminiscent of the Eileen Gray classic, updated. Super chic.

Lound - super classic shape, ultra simple lines, this would work in most interiors.

Frame - this is a shape that's been inspiring designers of late - as we've seen in Kelly Wearstler's installations in the Viceroy Santa Monica.

Diva- a classic shape that is calling out Billy Haines! I love these slipper chairs, so classic.

Club - another great shape. And I think it's perfect in white.

Happy New Year!

It's good to back posting again after my short hiatus. Thanks to everyone for your lovely comments while I was away. I had a lovely holiday and am feeling very rested and ready for the new year ahead. I'm now looking forward to catching up on my favorite blogs, so bear with me and my lack of comments over the last few weeks.

I have a few posts planned for the week, so stay tuned. In the meantime I thought I'd take this opportunity to mention a magazine I rediscovered during my holiday - New Zealand based urbis is an old favorite. In fact, I'm not sure why I stopped buying it (perhaps it has something to do with it not being available here in HK!), but my first resolution is to buy a subscription. The New Zealand design industry is pretty amazing for such a small country, and is producing some cutting edge architects and designers of all disciplines. Urbis features a a great range of local grown talent that is just as creative as their international counterparts. I highly recommend picking up a copy if it's available where you live, or check out their website - they post some of the articles featured in the magazine online. It may not replace House & Garden, but it might help sate my magazine addition...for a little while anyway!

Happy Holidays!!

This is where I'll be spending the festive season with my family and friends this year - Airey's Inlet - on the stunning Great Ocean Road in Australia. I'll be away without internet access until January 7th. So to all my readers - have a great festive season, and happy holidays! Thanks again for visiting my blog and for your comments, it makes it all wothwhile.

See you in 2008!