For Sale: 70 metre Luxury Yacht

Happy New Year!

In case anyone had any spare cash remaining after Christmas or simply fancied treating themselves to a belated Christmas gift.....or perhaps you just have some cash to splash and no ideas what to splash on......




Numptia

Numptia - A Super Yacht. Custom Made. Opulent, decadent, indulgent, excessive, crass? You decide.....

The Magic of The New Forest....

Just spent a wonderful weekend at Chewton Glen and therefore feel compelled to blog about it! Three words: luxury, comfort and ambience. For anyone seeking some real R&R, this is the place to go. I even indulged in the Sunday papers. Complete with pianist. Of course.

See for yourself.......

Inspirational Lofts...

Petersham Nurseries

Quick! Before the sun completely disappears - you have to find a reason to go to the Petersham Nurseries Cafe. It's quite simply the perfect place for eating delicious (Michelin starred) food as well as enjoying an afternoon tea or equally spending hours admiring the plants and flowers. I have to admit, the day I went, it was pouring with rain...but that actually didn't matter. Proof that the Great British weather can't ruin everything!

The Walls of the café are adorned by Indian paintings, whilst the mismatched wooden furniture is quite charming and sits comfortably alongside the terracotta pots.

The abundance of greenery together with the use of wood, glass and clay, makes this a marvellous restaurant in a delightful setting.





rustic dining with a *

"Architecture cannot save the world, but it can set a good example...”

Alvar Aalto, Finnish Designer & Architect, once said “architecture cannot save the world, but it can set a good example...” What a magnificent statement. Nature provides such beauty. If man is going to build, it might as well be inspiring, functional and beautiful, inside and out!

Some of my favourite Aalto pieces:    

iittala Aalto Vases

Golden Bell Ceiling Lamps



On my shopping list....

I want these ottomans, in this fabric. I do fear that this is going to turn into an obsession, but I do hope you will agree with me as they are just so "fun"!

On the subject of fun, I am also putting this chair on my shopping list. I can imagine sitting in this chair. In fact I would definitely associate this chair with fun and frivolity and everyone needs something that represents fun and frivolity in their homes.

The Queen of Design...

I have decided to dedicate this blog entry to my favourite female designer Patricia Urquiola. Born in Spain but living in Milan, Urquiola trained with Castiglioni before setting up her own business.

Whether it is furniture or interiors, Urquiola’s attention to detail and outstanding use of colour, texture and pattern, are quite literally commendable.

Take for instance the recently opened W Hotel in Vieques Island, located off the south-east coast of Puerto Rico. A combination of her own iconic furniture designs, together with a palette of discernable colours and patterns, work to create extraordinary interiors and exteriors. The hotel surroundings have been carefully considered and woven into the essence of the design work. Consequently, every element blends beautifully into the surroundings.

In my opinion, this is a great example (if not the greatest) of how pattern and colour can be used to create an interior that is so easy on the eye and immensely inviting….this place is at the top of my wish list….

Patricia Urquiola is also the mastermind behind The Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona.

Another incredible design.