Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from a beautiful, snow covered Switzerland...

Lasting Impressions

The perfect chair to 'bum around in'...

I was just flicking through latest edition of Living Etc UK and came across these quirky chairs from Milk Concept Boutique. I think they would be a fantastic feature piece in so many different interior settings - from a creative boardroom to a residential dining table or dressing room.

I'm also loving the Nemo Chair by Fabio Novembre. Such a striking and theatrial piece that acts as a fuctional piece of art...

For more inspiration before the working week begins, check out Milk Concept Boutique.

www.milkconceptboutique.com

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

Over the weekend, I began my Christmas set up for Mufti - a bespoke furniture company located in Notting Hill.

Mufti may be a little store but it definately has a BIG reputation, with clients being drawn to the 'relaxed sophistication' of their original designs.

Everything you see is hand crafted and made only of natural materials...

When planning my Christmas set up I wanted to ensure that I wasn't taking away from the raw aesthetics of each unique piece. Subtlety was key - making the Mufti accessories the heroes amongst all the glitter and feathers...

(In the image above, the mirrored tray beautifully displays a selection of gift ideas).

(One of the many 'mini displays' I have scattered around the store).

If you are the one hosting Christmas at your place this year, why not try this cute little idea...

Instead of giving your guests their gifts as they arrive, why not turn them into their place setting! Here I have chosen these gorgeous leather cuff link boxes. What I love about these is that women can use them for their precious pieces of jewellery too. Each box is wrapped with some ribbon and finished with a leather ornament that could perhaps have the persons name embossed on it.

Another really simple idea to dress up your Christmas dinner is taking a beautiful dyed or embroidered piece of silk fabric and wrapping it around your chairs. To create the effect above, simply tie the fabric around the chair, gather the top and secure it with ribbon. Then all you need to do is pick your favourite ornament and attach it to complete the look.

There are plenty more Christmas ideas to come so stay tuned for those but until then, please take a look at the Mufti website for some more fantastic Christmas gift ideas:

www.mufti.co.uk/shop

Or you can visit the showroom:

Mufti

25 Kensington Park Rd

Notting Hill W11 2EU

Alvin Booth

Another artist that has grabbed my attention is Alvin Booth - an Englishman who first started out as a hairdresser before moving to New York in 1989 to pursue a career in photography.

The sculptural form captured in each shot is mesmerising. Each photograph is printed and toned by hand, giving these modern methods an old world look which I love!

His fascination with the human figure is shown using many techniques but the most striking for me have been the more abstract ones where the silhouette has been diffused and reduced to bare lines.

To create this contemporary concept, Booth has used latex, leather, metallic oils and gold powders. This simple technique highlights the curvature of the bodies beautifully and is further enhanced by his labor-intensive technique of producing grainy sepia-toned prints that have been detailed with burn marks and other calculated 'distress' effects.

If you are interested in taking a closer look at Alvin Booths body of work, pick up his book 'Corpus'.

Michael Wolf

Since I last posted, I have been working on a number of different exciting projects that have introduced me to an array of amazing suppliers and designers here in London and abroad.

Majority of my time has been spent sourcing artwork which I have always found a challenge as it's so subjective! One artist that I have completely fallen in love with though is Michael Wolf.

This very talented German photographer grew up in America and has spent the last 10 years or so working as a photographer and author in China.

What I love most about his photography is that it's both intimate and removed - one photo in the series will show the exterior of a massive city building with the next capturing the raw emotion of a commuter in a packed subway.

Each shot is raw - taking the responder inside an improvised senario that highlights the 'complex cultural identities' of the location. They truly make you think and you can't help but get lost in all the small details that have been cropped and presented to you.

For more of Michael's work visit www.photomichaelwolf.com

Window Shopping - London

With Christmas fast approaching, London city is being transformed into a shopping wonderland with amazing window concepts popping up in all areas of town.

Here is just a taste of what's in store this festive season...

Everything is so 'larger than life'. And I'm not just talking about the oversized objects but the way in which the entire window is executed. Every time I walk past one of these displays I discover something new...

This last image is definately a favourite. I can't believe that an entire piano was completely reconstructed out of old cassettes! I can only imagine how long that would have taken to put together...and all for only a couple of weeks on show. wow!

Environment vs Economy

This months edition of Wallpaper Magazine is making us all rethink "The New Sustainability". Inside, there is a completely to-the-point, non cryptic article that reiterates the effectiveness of the cradle to cradle approach of reusing old objects and materials to create new products.

The writer here, John-Paul Flintoff, delves into the past and looks at how we have evolved from a world where 'frenzied consumption' was encouraged to create a productive economy - seeking satisfaction both mentally and physically when embarking on a ritual to spend.

For manufacturers, planned obsolescence was the key. First they would design their products to eventually fall apart and then they moved to altering the aesthetics in order to entice customers in buying the gadgets with all the latest features. But now that we are all so consumed about the well-being of the planet, where does this leave the economy?

Today, all of our emphasis seems to fall on conservation. As designers, and even consumers, we are all far more conscious of the impact our choices make. If we stop buying though, we will be pushing ourselves further into debt. But if we continue to manufacture with the intention of creating products with a short life span where does that leave the environment?

Just a little something to ponder as you head to the shops this weekend...

London's Design Mecca

As a designer in Australia, I always found it a challenge to source the latest European products for my clients. Our stores and international reps are somewhat limited and mentioning a 16 week lead time to a customer never really went down well!

After stumbling across Chelsea Harbour Design Centre the other day, I have realised that this is what all designers back home have been craving - a one-stop-shop that houses only the best in Interior Design and Decoration.

When you visit Chelsea Harbour, you will be able to flick through fabrics at Fox Linton, Chase Erwin, Lelievre and Pierre Frey and enjoy the furniture eye candy that awaits you in Interior Supply, Anna Casa and Clive Christian just to name a few.

Shopping with my client was definately a lot more stress free knowing that everything we needed was right at our fingertips.

Happy Pedlar

Ok, so I think I have stumbled across the most amazing homewares line around. It is everything that I have ever dreamt of and love in the one store...

The name is Pedlars - where happiness is all they are after.

This small family business has everything covered with a look that screams British retro. After being first established 12 years ago, this humble little concept has turned into 13 stores, with one of them located in the entrance of the Vulcanise London store in Tokyo!

Founders Charlie and Caroline are constantly on the lookout for new stock - travelling to such places as Milan, New York and Paris as well as reading up on all the latest blogs and magazines. They just never know when they are going to come across the next big thing which is why this is a hobby as much as a job for them.

Each item is then rigorously tested by them and their 6 children...so when you buy something from Pedlars you know it's going to stand the test of time!

If you are currently planning a trip to London, I definately recommend visiting their Notting Hill store which serves an amazing coffee. If not, check out their website and purchase all your favourites online www.pedlars.co.uk

London Calling

As a born and bred Sydney sider, I have been overwhelmed by the diversity that London has to offer...

Apparently it is impossible to experience all of London in just one year. So, I have decided that in order to make the most of my stay here, I need to visit a new place every chance I get! Whether it's grabbing a sandwich from a little deli in Notting Hill or rummaging through a box of old records in Soho, I want to be able to say that I saw the 'real' London when I eventually make my way back home.

Today, the plan is to hit the streets and get my wardrobe winter ready as the cooler whether has already begun to kick in! At the moment I am loving the new W10 collection at Pull and Bear (pictured above). This funky little clothing store was estabished in 91 with an aim to bring together international trends and create a style that is comfortable and easy to wear.

I've also become a new fan of Urban Outfitters who have a similar vibe to General Pants back home but with the inclusion of a homewares line and vintage section. Their stores have an amazing layout - mixing their clothing with their quirky homewares brings the stock to life and makes you want to purchase everything you set your eyes on...very dangerous!!!

Window Shopping

This is for Team Visual back home...

I loved that they incorporated audio visual with their static displays. Passers by were fascinated by the models talking and trying on the outfits that were featured on the rack...very clever!

It's hard not to be overwhelmed by the enormity of some of the windows...especially when they are filled with Louis Vuitton handbags! Such a simple concept of layering swatches of leather on top of each caused this window to be the stand out on the Avenue Des Champs Elysees.

Keeping everything white made these shoes the heroes.

Lighting also played such an important role in most windows - either to display the name of the store or to highlight a single 'standout' piece.

Parisian Cuppa

To avoid frizzy hair one rainy day in Paris, I decided to seek shelter in a little cafe called Tea By The. The aroma as soon as I walked in was incredibly enticing,making it extremely difficult to pick off the menu!

What I loved most about the space was not only the contemporary take on your typical Parisian colour pallet but the way that the tea was served. Behind the counter were oversized glass pots of tea filled with all the different flavours. Such a simple idea yet it was such a talking point as everyone lined up to order.

If you, like me, find that the tea alone just won't cut it then you need to make your way to Pierre Herme. You can find these guys in Galleries Lafayette near the shoe department.

Now, I've tried a lot of Macaroons in my time but none quite like this. They are simply melt-in-your-mouth goodness! I personally recommend the Chocolat and Jasmin flavoured ones. Yum!

Objects of My Affection

2010 is the beginning of a new decade where designers are looking to the future head on. After an era of overexposed and excessive design, we are all craving a more simplistic approach that is far more soothing on the eye and brings back a sense of comfort and privacy.

The simple home has come a long way. Gone are the days where every room has a door and one purpose only. We have now become accustomed to an open floor plan where every room has been stripped bare for all to see. In order to attack this lack of privacy, designers have been forced to create sanctuaries within large spaces. The need for soft furnishings and warm colours and textiles have returned to soothe and provide a sense of security.

So, what you all want to know - Trends for Autumn 2010.

Designer are taking a 180 degree turn and going back to a more natural habitat - a complete contrast from the ultra-modern interiors we have seen in the last decade. So, you are going to see lots of wood and stone in both interiors and furniture design. These materials provide a great sense of warmth and are the perfect canvas for naturally toned fabrics and textiles. You will also be seeing a lot of different animal skins and clay, which is a combination I really love!

Man is well and truly on the search for serenity and comfort, causing designers to invent more artistic and functional objects that have poetic dominance but at the same time can become invisible within a room. I hope you enjoy the following sneak peak into Maison and Objet...

Relocation Frustration

Packing up and moving is always a difficult task...but to do it in a country that you have never stepped foot in before is a WHOLE new challenge!

After a whirlwind couple of days in London, I have finally settled into my new home and am ready to report back on what I saw at Maison and Objet as well as introduce you to some fabulous places I stumbled across in Paris...

but first I must catch up on some sleep!