While I’m talking about artists whose work I greatly admire, now seems the time to mention Nancy Lorenz.  I’m not quite sure when I became aware of her work, possibly when Elle Decor back in 2007 published the home of NY designer Jeffrey Bilhuber, whose bedroom walls feature a custom installation by Lorenz (below). Since then, I’ve been enamoured with her work.

Perhaps its her use of exacting and luxurious materials, perhaps its the fact we both spent time living in Japan. Or perhaps its both of those reasons. Either way, I am totally captivated by everything she creates.  These are a few of my favorite paintings she’s created over the years…

And objet she has lent her hand to…

Totally divine, don’t you think?

There are so many things to love about the Colombian home of handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez that was featured in the latest AD (below). Designed with the help of Jean-Louis Deniot…how can you go wrong?  The serene colour palette, the furnishings, the openness of the space and…the light. Such a delight.

One of the many elements that really stood out to me, was the lovely piece by Gonzalez’s friend, Colombian textile artist Olga de Amaral.

Having worked with textiles for many years early in my career before transitioning to interiors, beautiful fabrics will always be my first love and a passion of mine, which is probably why de Amaral’s work speaks to me.

de Amaral’s internationally renowned work is often in the form of a large tapestries, and she is known for her architectural and sculptural constructions that “turn textiles into golden surfaces of light.” Her always evolving artisanal techniques which incorporate paint and gesso coated fibres, and precious metals, seamlessly integrate art, craft, and design. She is a pioneering textile artist, who in the 1960s helped to turn textile arts from a primarily 2D representational art form into a 3Dl, abstract art form.

These are but a few of her beautiful creations. I would love one of her pieces of my own one day…

If proof were needed that Hong Kong is well and truly on the art, antique and design map, then Gresham’s would be it. Gresham’s is Hong Kong’s only mid-market auction house – a welcome addition, or alternative, to Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

Gresham’s was founded by long-time Hong Kong resident, Steve Freeman, (you may recognise his name from his profile as co-founder of the HK magazine that we all know and love) and opened its doors on June 22 this year.

“In recent years, Hong Kong has become the world’s third centre of arts and antiques—after New York and London—attracting thousands of collectors every year. As a part of that scene, Gresham’s aims to offer the best quality arts and antiques at prices that are affordable to a wider audience,” says founder Steve Freeman.

Categories sold at Gresham’s include contemporary art, western and Asian furniture, ceramics, Asian art, Chinese painting, mid-century and modern design, fine silver, watches and jewellery, carpets, maps, prints, posters and much more. Gresham’s is scheduled to hold Saturday afternoon auctions at least three times a month. Each auction aims to showcase 200+ lots with pre-auction website listings and public viewings available. With two successful auctions already under their belt, the third – scheduled for tomorrow – will focus on Arts of China and Asia.

Doors will open this Saturday 12 noon, with the auction commencing at 3pm at Gresham’s lovely 6,000 ft2 saleroom in Ap Lei Chau.

I have my eye on these lovely silver Chinese miniature teapots. Super cute.

Gresham’s is open for consignments and bidders, and provides free and confidential valuations.

The latest name on the tip of everyone’s tongue in this city is Duddell’s, located in the floors above Shanghai Tang in their new Duddell street manse, was brought to us by the F&B wunderkind team who are also responsible for favorites such as The Press Room group, Jia Boutique Hotels, Duecento Otto & 22 Ships.

Duddell’s 10,000 square foot interior, which is spread over two floors, was designed by the one and only Isle Crawford, who seems to be another favorite around here.

I finally stuck my head in yesterday and can say that the space is rather lovely, and surprisingly quite minimal. The lower level is a Cantonese-cuisine restaurant, while the upstairs bar / lounge area facing the lush looking 2,000 sq ft terrace has more of a private-club-like ambiance. In typical Crawford style all of the spaces are decorated with a mix of classic 20th C designs and apparently custom designed furniture.

In addition to the food and drinks on offer, the space doubles as a space to showcase local art.  They apparently have plans to launch a continuous programme of talks, performances, film screenings and other events and there’s also talk of a rotating, guest-curated exhibition programme, and rumours Ai Weiwei may be a possibility to take on that task.

I think this might become the new regular haunt for dim sum and drinks with out of town guests!

Above, in an anonymous home featured in the Spanish Architectural Digest…

Above, the iconic chair on display in the Paris home of Marco Scarani and Jamie Creel, photographed by Roger Davies for Elle Decor.

Above, Kelly Wearstler poses on her Hiquily chair, and seen below in her living room of her new L.A. home.

The chair is available through Gastou’s galerie in Paris, or 1st Dibs and Ralph Pucci in the US. Unfortunately the limited edition chair comes with a limited edition price tag. I think this one might stay on the wish list for quite some time.

I recently discovered the work of French designer Christophe Côme and am totally enamoured. It seems like I am preternaturally drawn to French design, modern or otherwise, however I’m sure I would have loved Côme’s work regardless of his nationality. His work seems to me to be inspired by a mix of art deco and industrialism and its apparent that I am not his only fan, as Peter Marino has commissioned him for pieces in at least one Chanel store – his beautiful screens can be seen below in the new Shanghai boutique.

If you like what you see, check out Côme’s website for more images and information.

Seems everywhere I go these days there are fabulous necklaces – draped around the necks of glamorous women, or installed as art in equally glamorous interiors.

I spotted these two beauties by Swiss artiste Mattia Bonetti in his new book...

These two fabulous pieces are by designer Jean-Marie Othoniel, who I think is responsible for the pearl necklace installations in the Chanel stores worldwide (please, correct me if I’m wrong). The second image is from a Parisienne apartment decorated by Jean-Louis Denoit…

I thought this necklace inspired light fitting by Dutch designer Rosalie de Kruyf was kinda fun…

And thought this piece by artist Penelope Batley was interesting…

So if a necklace becomes art, what’s next? Earring inspired lighting?

Venerable UK fine arts dealer Ben Brown has opened a Hong Kong gallery, which is good news to me, and to anyone else in here who is tiring of the Chinese contemporary art scene. They have a space above Shanghai Tang in Central, which I’m yet to check out. However, I saw the temporary space they have in IFC over the weekend with an exhibition of Ron Arad’s pieces that will be there until the end of this month. These were a few of my favorite pieces….

Box in Four Movements, 1994-98

Two Legs and a Table, 1989

This piece in particular is quite stunning up close. I might have to put this one on my wish list for my new office!

…biennale that is!

The very first Hong Kong / Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism & Architecture, the theme of which is “City Mobilization: BYOB” (Bring Your Own Biennale), started at the beginning of this month and runs until the end of Feb next year (which is not that far away now, yikes!). The Biennale will be the first international event to be held on the site of the new West Kowloon Cultural Precint – over 46000 m2 of exhibitions and installations with some pretty exciting events and performances planned. Amongst others, Rem Koolhaas is in town for a few events as well as (I presume) the opening of the new Hong Kong office for his architectural practise – Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA).

So make sure you get down to Kowloon or up to Shenzhen for some great art installations in between all the festivities and merry-making!

At the risk of boring you all to death with yet another post about David Collins and Spanish Architectural Digest….I’ll put a slightly different spin on this one. Suffice to say though, I got my fix of both this month. My heart almost stopped when I saw the spread on the latest incarnation of Collins’ London abode. Okay, so back to the spin. The apartment, as expected, has a fabulous assortment of art. One piece in particular seemed quite familiar and then I realised that the same piece is in another of my all time favorite apartments, the Boston residence of designer Frank Roop. The piece I’m referring to is “La Folie” by photographer Didier Massard. There is something a little romantic, and also a little eerie about it – like most of his work. A quick browse through his website and I’m in love!

David Collins’ home photographed by Ricardo Labougle for AD España December 2009.

Frank Roop’s Boston apartment photographed by Eric Roth for Elle Decor November 2007.

Didier Massard’s latest book was released late last year and is available on Amazon. It’s definitely going on my wish list – along with a few of his photographs!