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May 17

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Bedside vigil

This morning a dear friend of mine died after a four year battle with cancer. Her last 24 hours, I spent at her beside with her closest friend. It was a surreal and intense experience. If I were a writer I’d try to put it into words, but as I am not this sums up what I am feeling.

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The picture above is of a late 17th century house in Spitafields, London, renovated by 6a Architects whose ”trademark style involves stripping old buildings of all extraneous detail in an effort to expose the timeless elegance of the structure.”

Somehow the fact that the building is so old and seen so much, even in its stripped back minimal state it is complex, rich and full of soul.

via Remodelista

May 15

Living with exposed bricks

In Australia in the 1970s, there was a trend to remove the plaster in historic homes in order to reveal the beauty of the original bricks. I am not an advocate of treating old buildings in such a manner, but recently I have been noticing exposed bricks popping up with increased frequency in super-stylish interiors. Take a look for yourselves.

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Ilse Crawford London Apartment via FlickRiver

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Mr WongYum Cha Restaurant via HomeLife

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Michael Graydon Photography via Desire to Inspire

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David Giles Photography

Kitchen-diner

via House to Home

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via ddekor

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via House to Home

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via My Ideal Home

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via Loft Global

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via PaperBlog

May 13

2 Comments

A Sleek White Art Filled Parisian Apartment

I find the houses of architects and interior designers particularly interesting as they are the ultimate showcase of that person’s work. This is certainly the true of the Parisian apartment of Patrick Gilles and Dorothee Boissier who run the the architecture and design practice Gilles & Bossier.

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This minimal white, almost monastic, home honours its history complete with herringbone floors, wooden paneling, high ceilings, large rooms, French windows and intricate plasterwork. And yet, it is a modernist shrine. In many ways, it is a blank canvas for an incredible art collection which mostly leans against walls. Indeed, it feels like you could be in a modern art gallery rather than someone’s home. I love the sparse aesthetic that celebrates art and artisans. The white furniture fades into the background. There is no colour nor patterns throughout the house, yet texture used to create visual interest and warmth.

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There is something incredibly calming and peaceful about what they have created. While I am not sure I would call it inviting, it is certainly inspiring.

photos Birgita Wolfgang Drejer / Sister Agency

via Yatzer

 

 

May 10

Going dark with blackboard paint

As many of you know I love dark interiors. And to make them work, dark rooms need a sense of fun and vitality. This can be achieved by enlivening the room with splashes of vibrant colour, moody lighting and  quirky accessories. Another great idea is painting your walls with blackboard chalk and then doodling. If done well, it can look oh, so lovely. In fact, I love this so much I have posted on this topic twice in 6 months!

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via Vosges Paris

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via Vosges Paris

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Olaf Hajek’s Berlin Apartment The Selby

I love this wall where the chalk badly rubbed off. It’s particularly cheeky with that iconic image of Kate Moss printed on a tank top.

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via ChicCham

Finally, how cool is this magnetic blackboard wallpaper by Groovy Magnets?UrbanKaleidoscopeBlackboards01

Should blackboards be kept to kids’ rooms and the kitchen? Or are they also fine in bedrooms and living rooms?

May 8

3 Comments

A grand, yet relaxed Melbourne Family Home

One of my favourite blogs, The Design Files, featured this beautiful home a few weeks ago. Architecturally it is a grand Victorian mansion complete with its own flagpole. While no expense has been spared on the furnishings an fittings the results are surprisingly relaxed: a sort of high class boho. It’s the work with interior designer, Caecilia Potter who lives there with her husband and two children. Here are my favourite rooms and the living room  is totally divine. I just want to curl up on the sofa with a book and a cup of tea.

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Photos Sean Fennessy, Styling Lucy Feagins

via The Design Files

 

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