Decor

around the world

February 2, 2021

Herewith, my first weekly roundup of some of the beautiful, curious and wonderful things that have caught my eye lately.

Freshly washed carpets laid to dry on a mountain near Tehran. Photograph by Thomas Abercrombie.

Christiane Spangsberg at work on her bold, Picasso inspired lithographs.

Multi-coloured houses in Qaqortoq, South Greenland. Photograph by Freddy Christensen.

This fabulous house in  Labastide-Villefranche, France. Just look at the al fresco bathroom!

Grete Andrea Kvaal’s delicate images of the transformation of the Germini flower.

Lichen on tree bark.

Tete-a-tete chairs by Warren McArthur (1930).

A woman hanging her laundry in Glencaple, Scotland. Photograph by Edwin Smith.

Sigourney Weaver’s pearl gloves.

And below, fish, lemons and crab claws at a market in Marrakech shot by husband and wife photography duo, Dylan and Jeni.

desert rose

January 26, 2021

It’s called Clay House, and I can see why. Everything about this interior is soft and tactile. The walls remind me of Marrakech, where everything’s the colour of pink sand. I love the brass taps, elegant olive trees and plump, creamy cushions strewn on the banquette. Have a look at the firm’s other projects, all very thoughtful, with playful nods to a variety of cultures and styles. The space is small, hence her clothes hanging from the ceiling, but it’s delightfully compact with everything this gal seems to need.

pink

January 21, 2021

It’s not just because the sofa is pink that I love this room. The herringbone floor and strawberry sorbet walls are lovely, too. I like the clash of pink and orange, and that densely patterned rug in the middle of the room. It seems like light pours into every room. The etched glass in the entryway is delightful, as is that plant filled terrace. The house is in Amsterdam, and no doubt on Airbnb if you’re ever heading to the Netherlands.

chaises and armoires and mirrors, oh my

January 19, 2021

Antiquing is one of my favourite pastimes. Before we had children, it’s how Jason spent our weekends, scouring antique shops in search of a gem. Our home is littered with relics from that life; vintage chairs, lamps and teacups. I could spend hours on 1stDibs fantasy shopping for velvet chaises and rococo mirrors, and recently, I discovered L’antiques in the U.K. I love this Swedish cupboard and this 19th century clock. This 19th Century Lyonnais bistro table (spotted in the home of fabric designer, Emma Grant) is a dream. I imagine long, decadent dinners and fried, morning after breakfasts around this table. Don’t you?

garden party

January 16, 2021

Don’t these hedges look they just popped out of jelly moulds? Or fancy copper cake tins? I’m waiting for a Tim Walker dream to take place here. I know topiary is a bit pompous, but I do love it. How about a Gugelhupf in the garden?

paper chase

January 14, 2021

In the last twenty years, I’ve written upwards of twenty stories on wallpaper. “Wallpaper makes a comeback!” “Out of the doldrums with a splash!” “Getting the hang of wallpaper!” It’s one of those decor trends that sticks around. And with fabulous reason. Wallpaper is divine. It broke my heart to peel away the poppies from Luma and Antimo’s room when we renovated our home. I even framed a square of it for posterity. And when we moved back in, I watched with glee as a wallpaper I have adored for years went up in the guest loo. Loos are the best place for a decadent wallpaper, because you get to sit there (preferably, alone) with time to contemplate the room around you. Loos are also small, which makes the experience rich and intense. There’s a dizzying array of papers out there, and many are cheap as chips. But if it’s a small wall you’re decorating, I say, splurge. Pierre Frey makes beautiful papers, as does Le Manach, the 18th century French fabric house Frey acquired in 2014. This short film is captivating, as we watch the many steps involved in making the wallpaper, the traditional techniques, the history, and the number of hands that work on every roll. Of course, they make it look easy. And the classical music helps it all feel like a dance.

teatime

January 6, 2021

Once you’ve drunk tea from a handmade mug, no ordinary, mass made one will do. I came across Beth Katz’s beautifully hand-carved mugs today, (this one looks like a Doric column) and I want one. I like the simplicity of Michelle Organ’s mugs, and Laura Wolfgang’s earthy coloured glazes are lovely, too. These rainbow hued mugs from Knotwork L.A. are charming, as are the mugs over at Franca NYC. The shape on this Whiskey and Clay mug is kind of perfect, and I like the size and shape of this lovely mug from Parkway Pottery. So many mugs, so much time to drink tea. Now, be a dear, and put the kettle on.

colour story

January 5, 2021

I happened upon this image of a woman arranging dahlias in the 18th century Tangier home of architect, Roberto Peregalli and I was struck by the deep red of the flowers against the watery blue of the housekeeper’s uniform. It’s a regal colour combination, and one we don’t see nearly enough. The entire house is featured here, with Tuareg blue, inky blue and vermillion weaving its way throughout.

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the clash

January 5, 2021

I’ve admired Anna Spiro‘s bold sense of style for years. A true maximalist, the Australian designer has a flare for mixing pattern and colour. She is playful, daring and original in her approach. “Nothing in my world matches: everything clashes,” Spiro tells House & Home. Her Brisbane cottage –– think Tiffany blue walls covered in hand painted crockery, floral drapes, vases bursting with tulips and peonies and a Persian, Ikat or Suzani on every surface –– is a delight and an inspiration. Spiro is a maverick at mixing and matching; her spaces are a carefully considered hotchpotch of gorgeous fabrics, vibrant paint colours, art, antiques and bric-a-brac that come together in a way that feels natural, effortless and unpretentious. “It’s the imperfections and surprises that make a space interesting.” If you have a moment, mosey through the images. I’m potty about that shrimp pink sink in the guest loo.

verdant

December 16, 2020

I love the colour green, all shades of green, and this London home with it’s bursts of emerald, sage and avocado, jumped off my screen this morning. The pistachio paint around the Crittall windows is superb, as are the dark muddy green walls in the dining room. The antique chair, upholstered in moss green velvet caught my eye, as did the eucalyptus, hydrangeas and leafy plants throughout. The greens pop against an otherwise subtle palette. It’s all quite lovely and calm.

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