Picture this usual historical romance novel scene: The roguish yet loveable hero sits smouldering (and, most likely, smoking) in his leather wingback chair in his study staring unseeingly at the blazing fire in front of him brooding on how to win the Love of His Life who has a mind of her own and refuses Read Post
Should You Splurge for Dinesen Flooring or Go With Dinesen Flooring Alternatives?
Ever wanted something beautiful for the home but just couldn’t budget its price tag? Unless you are seriously wealthy, of course, you have. That’s usually the case with Dinesen flooring, a Danish family-run business, beloved by architects and interior designers for their outstanding quality and appearance. Dinesen flooring is beautiful but all that gorgeousness comes at Read Post
Spanish Design at Clerkenwell Design Week
Unlike the Spanish economy, Spanish design is going gangbusters. Several Spanish products caught my eye this week at Clerkenwell Design Week. You know how I love concrete tiles, right? I was delighted to find these encaustic concrete tiles from Entic Design which are handmade in the south of Spain using a traditional 19th century technique. It’s Read Post
Designer Spotlight: Paula Gowar
I met Paula Gowar, the founder of Balance Design, on the Living etc House Tour when she was present for the open house of her own home. Tall, slim and gorgeous, the former model-turned-designer has a beautiful home (and family). Clearly she has a lot going for her, but she has worked hard for her Read Post
Grand Show Gardens
Did you have a chance to see the show gardens of the Garden Awards finalists at Grand Designs London 2013? Four garden designers were chosen as finalists by Kevin McCloud for their innovative use of a 40 s.m. (430 s.f.) plot. So basically a small garden which is what most of us in urban areas have Read Post
Grandly Designed Rooms
Did you get to Grand Designs London this year? As ever, it was a massive event. The Grand Interior Room Sets, are one of the highlights of the show. The room sets were put together by interior designers Jo Bailey, Kate Monckton and Lizzie Chambers, who were asked to reflect three principles: mood, personality and Read Post
Living etc House Tours: Get the Look
Did you like the look of the homes in my previous Living etc House Tours posts? Here are some of the products featured in the houses: Create outdoor rooms with living room style such as this plastic Kartell Bubble Club Chair designed by Philippe Stark The incredibly versatile Tulip Table by Saarinen (seen in all of its iterations, Read Post
Clarkson on Interiors, part II
So what was my favourite part of Shaun Clarkson’s house? I love the mirrored conservatory at Shaun’s house. It takes up the whole backyard of the house and the original structure was put in by the solicitors’ office. No worries about planning permission then. Shaun has glamorised the structure with lots of glass, mirrors and Read Post
Clarkson on Interiors, part I
Shaun Clarkson, that is. Residential interior designer, bar and club designer, owner of the store, Pitfield London, and the hometels, Carrington Hose and Cliff Barns. He’s responsible for the look of some of the coolest eating and drinking establishments in London – Dukes Hotel, Oxo Tower, Del Aziz, The Albion and the Atlantic Bar and Read Post
Happy Chic in London
I was pretty sure I was going to hate Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Accessorizing just because of the bright cover. I can’t do Miami brights in London. It’s just a bitter reminder there are people who live in sunny climes. It was Jonathan’s dog, a Norwich terrier called Liberace, on the cover that lured Read Post
