Category: Ilse Crawford


IKEA + Ilse Crawford = LOVE!

I’m so sorry for the radio silence everyone…I can’t believe its been a few months since my last post. Yikes!

So I know this collaboration between IKEA and Studio Ilse is kinda all over the internet but I couldn’t help repost it. All I’m going to say is that I’ll be lining up over night before it launches here (god, I hope it does make it to HK!)…I’ve started mentally preparing a shopping list already. I’m definitely getting some of those cork stools, probably a few of the low benches, and I’ll definitely be stocking up on all the accessories…loving the glass jars and vessels…and hopefully loving the IKEA price…

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Duddell’s

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!

Business Of Design Week 2012 – Ilse Crawford

Business of Design Week this year (my 8th year in a row now…) kicked off for me with an old favorite, Ilse Crawford.

 

Ilse Crawford needs no introduction to you my dear readers. Founding editor of Elle Decoration magazine (UK), interior and product designer, lecturer at the Eindhoven Design Academy. A woman of many talents and accolades. But then, you knew that, didn’t you…
I had the chance to have a quick chat with Crawford before her presentation, and as this was my first “real” interview, I was a tad nervous.  My nerves were quickly assuaged however, as she comes across as being very down to earth, humble, and interesting. Very interesting. 
 
Crawford is fascinated by human behaviour, and how we are affected by our surroundings. So much so, that she made “emotive design” the mantra of her studio, and has travelled the world championing this ethos. She believes (as do I) that successful interiors allow us to live, thrive, engage and be energised.
 

Crawford’s presentation is entitled “Why Interiors Matter” and she talks to the audience for 30mins about how a good interior can, and should, change how we behave and feel. Interiors are a microcosm of society, a frame, a world unto themselves and have a profound effect on our mental outlook, health and behaviour, but are often overlooked, or the left to the end when there is insufficient budget.

At the end, a question from the audience sparked an almost rhetorical response from Crawford. Everyone these days thinks they’re an interior designer. (Personally, if I have one more person tell me they think they have a calling just because they like to rearrange their furniture, or because they’ve helped a friend buy cushions, I’m going to quit, or give them a job!) Crawford’s insight: everyone thinks they’re an expert in interiors. But do we tell the chef in a restaurant to change things more to our liking? Do we tell a lawyer we didn’t like their closing statement? Better yet, do we argue with a doctors verdict? Disagree with a structural engineer? (Or try and negotiate with any of these other service providers on their fees?). It’s a good point.

The success of Studio Ilse’s latest project in Hong Kong, a low rise residential development – 226 Hollywood Rd (which I posted about here) – in my opinion, is a victory for all Hong Kongers. In a city where most residential developments are quite homogenous, hyper dense and high rise, 226 is a shining beacon. The developers – Blake’s – took a risk. They are the new kids on the property development block, and apparently several other old-school developers who are mentors told them it would never work. All of the apartments sold within weeks. Admittedly there were only half a dozen or so, but I think it still proves a point.  That there is room for differentiation in a city like Hong Kong.

Crawford reiterated that a designer can only be as good as their client allows, and hopefully the courage and tenacity of this developer will be an example to other property developers around the world. To take risks, to do something out of the norm, and to help play their part in making our cities more livable and more attractive, for us and future generations. Buildings last a long time.

Ahem…

Still stuck in London this week, figuratively speaking anyway (maybe its the grey skies and bad weather in Hong Kong ?)  This time with UK based founding editor of Elle Decoration magazine, Ilse Crawford.  Her latest project, the Ett Hem hotel in Stockholm is just lovely.  Created with the mix of new and old that Crawford is known for, and infused with a sense of timelessness. Each of the 12 rooms is slightly different, the library is full of books and a piano, the kitchen is cosy and homely. All adding up to a hotel that looks and feels more like a home than a hotel, which I’m sure was the intention of the designer and hotelier.  It will definitely be high on my list of places to stay if I ever make it back to Stockholm.
How great does that bath tub look??

 

Speaking of Ilse Crawford, she herself will be speaking in Hong Kong next week at the annual Business of Design week, and I for one am looking forward to it.  I saw her speak in Australia just after she left Elle Decoration (must be more than 10yrs ago now?) and she was already talking about emotive design then, so it will be very interesting to hear how her design process and outlook has developed.  I’ll be going to BODW with a media pass this year for the first time and am hoping to interview a few of the speakers, so stay tuned!

Ilse Crawford for Georg Jensen

I’m loving these new designs by Ilse Crawford for Georg Jensen. The “precious” collection consists of bowls, vases, boxes and a candle holder, available in luxe finishes like brass (my current fave, as seen in the images below), copper or stainless steel. Each piece is as refined as the next, and have been designed with the idea of bringing poetry to everyday living. I think I need one of each!

on Hollywood Road

I think I’m as excited about the new residential development by Blake’s in Hong Kong as I am about the new year!

226 Hollywood Road in the old neighbourhood Sheung Wan (just west of Central) was designed by British designer Ilse Crawford and is a refreshing change from the usual character-less high rise apartments this city usually has to offer. This development is unique in many ways – not only are the apartments of reasonable size, the entire project has been designed in a way that retains some sense of the local neighbourhoods original character. And what a neighbourhood! The building is just down the road from the fabulous Press Room (a favorite brunch spot of mine) and the new kid on the block – Duecentotto. No wonder the apartments have sold already!





Oh, and I love the bathrooms too. Grey marble and gold taps. Brilliant.

Happy 2011 to you all!