or maybe I should say in awe of...
pretty much the entire collection by Filipino designer, Bea Valdes. Each of the pieces is meticulously hand crafted with beautiful stones and beads. Just stunning.
Some exclusive designs are available online through CoutureLab, or check out her website for stockists.
There aren't many things I like more than discovering the work of a new (to me) designer or firm. Which probably says more about me than I should comment on....anyway, getting back to what I was saying...it's exciting to see new work that inspires you and every now and then you see something that takes your breath away. Well that's what happened when I discovered the portfolio of the designers Artur Miranda & Jacques Bec of Portugal based firm Oitoemponto. Miranda, the founding partner, hails from a fashion background, and that is quite evident when you look at his work and marvel at his choice of colours, textures and rich detailing. The flair exhibited in their work is varied, which to me makes looking at their work so exciting. These are just a few of my favorites from their portfolio, there are many more on their website - which is a visual treat unto itself. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did!
I just couldn't resist posting these yummy images of the Connaught apartment, recently unveiled by the ultra stylish David Collins. More photos online, so head on over and check them out.
I might just have to treat myself and stay here when I get back to London again....which hopefully won't be too far away.
Speaking of visiting London...I noticed that the ultra-luxe firm Candy & Candy have added a design school to their list of offerings. They are promising to reveal all in a 5-day intensive class for a group of 10 at a time. So if you are interested in a career in luxury interior design, this might be of interest to you. And...you might just meet me there ;)
Is this not the perfect shade of green? Am I right, or am I right? I so want those walls in my bedroom! If Gambrel keeps this up, I'll give up now and move to NY to join his bottega... The posts from me might be a little on the light side for the coming weeks while I finish up my full-time job and some other exciting things, so this will have to do you for a while...I promise I'll let you know whats happening when I can! I do plan to get a website together by the end of the year with some project photos, and this blog will be a part of it. Oh, and in breaking news, my friends Alex & Ellis' new shop 'Moustache' just got a write up in the NY Times T Magazine - how exciting! I attending the shop opening on Wednesday night (such a cute space). So check out their store if you are ever in Hong Kong, or you can also buy online!
So I finally decided to take my own advice and live life like there is no tomorrow. I resigned from my full-time job last Friday (eek!) to go out on my own....stay tuned for exciting news and updates!
I've seen these outdoor chairs by Peter Ghyczy in vintage auction catalogues a few times, but only recently found out they are still in production - and available to buy online. Very space age...(and very Mork from Ork)...but kinda cool nonetheless. Just as much sculpture as furniture, I wouldn't mind a few myself...my only gripe is the limited range of colours! Now if only I had the outdoor space...
Looks like another of my favorite design firms, Shelton & Mindel, has updated their website recently. I am totally lusting after this place which looks like a new addition to their portfolio. I must sound like a broken record...BUT this place does have great bones. And its full of great furniture. Period architecture mixed with 20th Century icons - they do it so well. I want...or at least a small Hong Kong sized version ;)
It's been a while since a furniture collection has "wowed" me, but the range by London based Somerville Scott & Co. did just that. As far as I'm concerned these designs tick all the right boxes for me - they're elegant, well made, beautifully detailed and made from quality materials.
The Sloop club chair - very versatile looking, great lines, and I've always been a sucker for studs ;)
The Minx sofa - so classic! The contrast coloured buttons are super cute, but I have to say I love the brass strip detail along the bottom!
The Felidae I chair is another classic, and again very versatile. Love the detailing at the top of the legs there, just enough to make it stand out from the crowd.
The Precisionist's table is a beautiful combination of brass, walnut and leather - so luxe looking. Great as a desk or a dining table.
The Miss Helen room divider - so simple, yet so chic.
The Curiosity Cabinet I - a mix of brass, ebonized walnut, lacquer and gold leaf. A bit like what I would imagine Paul Dupre-Lafon meets Alice in Wonderland would look like... I've been a bit light on posting lately...not intentionally, I just haven't had much to say, or to share. Truth be told, a few crappy things have happened lately, and that is partly to blame for my absence. My Grandmother passed away a few weeks ago, and I rushed back home to attend her funeral and spend time with my family. She was an incredible woman and greatly influenced my life. I'm sure I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for her. Its been a really surreal few weeks post-Australia, and while I'm glad I got to see my family twice this year, it wasn't really a trip back that I wanted to make. I think I am still in shock and it will really only start to sink in the next time I take a trip home and she's not there. And its quite likely that next trip will be for my little sisters wedding, which will make it that little bit harder. I have to say though, despite her 84 years, and the general "oh, well (she wasn't young...)" reaction I get when I pass on my news, my Grandmother had a lot left in her. She was young. And she was active, fit and healthy, and her partner was 15 years younger than her. No, that was not a typo. 15 years younger. They danced every week up until a little while ago and she was really with it and vibrant. I'm so glad I saw her only a few months ago, but I still can't help feeling cheated. You know? And so I've felt that part of my childhood has now disappeared, and I'm that little bit older - not necessarily wiser, but definitely at a different stage in life.
And then today, I found out that an old acquaintance passed away. At 37. Of Lung Cancer. He wasn't a close friend, but he was a friend of good friends who were in a band together, and he was partially responsible for producing the soundtrack to my youth. So now, only weeks after feeling like my childhood was stolen, I now feel like my late teens and early 20's are somehow tainted or significantly further away somehow.
So, I guess this post is about life. And how short it is. And sometimes its not short, but it can still feel like its cut shorter than it should have been. So for all of us that are still here, we need to make sure that we are doing what we want to be doing, and that we're happy - and sometimes you need to be brave to get out of the rut you might be in. Because you just never know. And I guess we should all be living life like we only have one day left. I know that I'm not. But after today, I'm sure gonna.
While I was stalking, um, I mean checking out Pierre Yovanovitch's website the other day I noticed a few new projects had been added...joy!
These all bear the trademark of Yovanovitch's style - fresh, modern and always, always, full of great furniture. Check out his website for more!
I'm still on the home office train of thought...although now I'm thinking I should put myself and my laptop at a snazzy secretaire in our living room, and leave my husband to wallow in the mess he calls his study at the other end of our apartment.
Love this new one from Armani Casa - looks like its covered in Parchment. The lines are stunning - a little Karl Springer inspired perhaps?
