Category: London


Suzy Hoodless

Unfortunately these days I don’t have much time for reading magazines, that is magazines apart from design anthology. That is except, much like the rest of you probably, when I’m on a plane to somewhere. I picked up a copy of the UK House & Garden on a recent trip – not a magazine I normally read to be honest – but this feature definitely stood out. I felt the need to post it for a few reasons…A) I’ve had my eye on Suzy Hoodless for a while, B) we share the same first name, and C) funnily enough our careers have been the same in reverse – she leaving the magazine world to go into interior design. I enjoyed the mix of elements she’s used…and the study. The study is to die for. With the amount of hours I’ve been working lately I sure would like to have a place like this at home! Enjoy.

 

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Kitchen

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Spinocchia Freund

Sorry for the absence folks…I’ve had a wonderful month away…London and Paris (working) and then a very relaxing 2 weeks in Spain with friends. Sigh. Now, back to reality. Its always hard cleaning out the old email inbox after such a long trip, so its a bonus when one of those emails is full of pretty pictures. One of those types of emails landed in my inbox, so I’m very happy to be able to share these with you all.

This stunning Notting Hill Townhouse has been designed by London-based firm, Spinocchia Freund, (previously known as Bespoke London) which is helmed by designer Brigitta Spinocchia Freund. I love the updated classic detailing, the colour palette they’ve used and that cheeky chandelier (can you see the skeletal hands?).

Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

 

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Sketch

I’m heading to London for 5 days in September and, as usual, all I can think about is all the great looking restaurants that have opened since I was last there. 

The Gallery at Sketch, a collaboration between restaurateur Mourad Mazouzand and celebrated chef Pierre Gagnaire, with interiors by India Mahdavi and art by Scottish artist David Shrigley…that’s a combination that’s hard to resist. I am loving those zig-zag floors…and actually the combination of pink and brass is not too shabby either. Whould’ve thought! This one is definitely on the list…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FBC

I am very excited to be able to share these images with you this morning…the new furniture collection from FBC London. The range is designed by FBC founder, interior designer Fiona Barratt-Campbell, and produced by craftsmen in the North of England. The range of finishes is really quite something (check out the hand applied chipped oak on the City Chest, and the mix of bronze, limestone and oak on the Isabella cabinet!) The range is quite extensive, here are just a few of my quick picks. You can head on over to their website for the rest of the collection and more information.

Byethorne Cabinet
Cheyne Bed
City Chest
Corbridge Chair
Hadrian Console
Isabella Cabinet
London Sofa
Teres Bench

 

Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay

I stumbled upon the work of Henri Fitwilliam-Lay yesterday in the latest House & Garden (UK)…a magazine I don’t typically read. But I’m so glad I picked up a copy. Her spaces are so fresh and so new looking…these images are just the tip of the iceburg…you really need to check out her website for more. With natural talent like this, I can’t wait to see more for her in the future!

Todhunter Earle

I have been a fan of London-based design team Todhunter Earle for many years now, but they had kind of slipped off my radar so to speak over the last few years. So when I saw this image below floating around pinterest over the last few weeks I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was one of their recent projects. I remember their work as being far more traditional in style, so this shift towards something that is more of a mix between the classic English interior, blended with some fabulous 20th C and modern pieces is ticking all the boxes for me. Enjoy!

  
  

 

  

 

Rafael de Cárdenas

I discovered the work of Rafael de Cárdenas this morning through the Dering Hall website…and I’m in lust!

 

Damson & Co.

I’m so in love with these images I received last night of newly opened Damson & Co. in London, designed by Ian and the team at Central Design Studio.

The concept behind Damson & Co is a modern British Deli, focusing on artisanal local produce. And how good does that produce look…take me there now!

The interior is the perfect setting to sample a few treats…very English in a way, with a hint of industrial, which I love.  The furniture was all custom designed for the space, and how great are those light fixtures?

When good friends of ours move back to London next year I am certainly hoping to spend more time in one of my favorite cities sampling the wonderful fare on offer…and this place is definitely on the list.Right, now I think I’d best put the kettle on….

Photographs taken by James Balston, care of Central Design Studio.

Toogood

Studio Toogood, that is.

I don’t know why I haven’t posted this lovely London Townhouse sooner…but my subscription to Est magazine reminded me.

Faye Toogood, previously a marvellous stylist for World of Interiors magazine, has founded her own studio and is producing some wonderful work. And not just interiors. Under her creative direction they also work on projects for branding, art installations and more.

I love this townhouse in London, particularly the Living room and Master bedroom…the colours are slightly ethereal, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record…I love the mix of furnishings.  The bespoke carpet runner down the stairs is a touch of genius, and other elements – like the wardrobe doors – help to make the space feel more youthful and less serious. Its English, but not stuffy. I love it.

a Rose by any other name…

 …may not be quite as stylish as Rose Uniacke.
There was something in the spare interiors of my previous post that reminded me of the work of Rose Uniacke….and that I hadn’t written a post about her.
A furniture restorer, gilder and a specialist in lacquerwork in a former life, London-based Uniacke is more likely to be known these days for her incredibly chic interiors that are sparsely furnished with a mix of antiques and 20th Century pieces, as well as her eponymous store on Pimlico Road.  Her own home is a testament to her timeless pared-back style.
The Entry / Foyer
Several views of the Living / Dining room
The Kitchen…love this!
Study, I presume…
Master Bedroom and Ensuite
And the Winter Garden…with lady of the manor…what a wonderful concept…

Studio Reed

I hope for those of you who get the Easter Break that you managed to have a nice long weekend…I worked, caught up on magazines, and did some baking (who knew home made Hot Cross Buns were so easy, and so delicious!?). 

I spotted this lovely apartment in London by a previously unknown to me designer, Jonathan Reed, in the latest French Architectural Digest.  It seems like such a charming and warm space that I think I would have quite liked to have spent the long weekend here. I love the mix of the industrial elements and shaker-like simplicity of the space, the rich colours, and that copper bath is just to die for, is it not?  Aside from the bath, I quite love how he’s made the bathroom an actual room…I’m also coveting that Fritz Henningson armchair. I’m not sure I would have made it out of the bathroom had I been given the keys for the weekend.

How about you lot…do anything interesting over the holiday weekend?

Photographed by Tom Mannion for AD Francais April 2013
Speaking of holidays…I’m off to South Africa at the end of the year to attend a wedding (very excited!)…and as its our first time, I’d love to hear any recommendations you might have for Cape Town and surrounding areas.

Boundary Space

One of the unexpected advantages of writing this blog is the many wonderful and talented people I have met, either in the real world, or the online one. Thomas Furse-Roberts of Boundary Space is one of those people. If he hadn’t sent a lovely tweet about the blog I wouldn’t have even known they existed. Although considering their talent, I’m sure I would have discovered them myself eventually. Boundary Space, in case you don’t know, is a small architectural and interior design practice based in Fulham, London, specialising in creating one off residential projects with interiors which reflect the personalities of their clients and the spirit of the project’s location.  The company was founded by Thomas Furse-Roberts and Graeme Martinow, and with them both being Architects their projects tend to have a strong architectural leaning with an emphasis on detail and materials. Details and materials. Two of my favorite things.
Mr Furse-Roberts has been kind enough to share some photos of a recently completed project in Notting Hill.  He says of the project, “It was a traditional London town house in which we tried to create a beautiful architectural ‘white’ box in which pieces of art and furniture could be shown off. In order to create the modern open plan living space within the existing house, which our client required, we demolished walls but chose to retain and restore ceilings, cornices and architectural detailing in a period manner so that the house is both contemporary but aware of its historic context.”
Just fablous. And check out those materials and details. That last photo almost made me do a backflip…

Hip Hispania

I just spotted some images online of a new restaurant in London called Hispania, designed by one of my favorite Spanish designers, Lorenzo Castillo. I noticed he has used some fabrics from his newly launch collection with Gaston y Daniela, which I happened to see for the first time in person yesterday.  I’m not loving some of the prints, but the geometrics are fab, and in some pretty unusual colours too. Hispania is set to be the UK’s largest restaurant and store focusing on Spanish cuisine. Consider it added to my list for next time!

London Luxe

I absolutely ADORED this London townhouse in the latest Architectural Digest.  Updated by Francis Sultana for a Hong-Kong based art collector, it is an absolute masterpiece.  I’m putting my hand up if they ever want their HK pad re-done!
Photographed by Luke White for Architectural Digest Feb 2013. 

The Luggage Room

On a corner of the Grosvenor Square Hotel, in the space that used to store guest luggage, is a hidden gem of a bar called…The Luggage Room.  Designed by Fabled Studio, the interior is inspired by classic luggage trunk details and the infamous Bentley Boys of the 1920’s who won the Le Mans race and were renowned for their all night parties on Grosvenor Square.
This is the kind of space that you just need to see in person to appreciate, its so full of thoughtful details and references to the history of the space that I’m sure these photos don’t do it justice. 
Tom Strother, Design Director of Fabled Studio says of the space; “Crafted to charm and delight our Mayfair bar has a nod towards the nostalgia for the past with its feet firmly in the present.”
I must say, I think they’ve executed their intent perfectly, and I now must add this to the growing number of places to visit on my next visit to London!


The finish of the upper walls is somewhat visible here, they have been lined with silk moire, a material that was historically used to line the inside of trunks from Louis Vuitton and Moynat.  What is not so visible unfortunately is the lower walls have a leather dado, and below that a custom embossed and screen printed leather with aged timber ribs, inspired by the protective exterior carcass of old luggage trunks.

All of the furniture was custom designed and made for the space; each of the tables have the initials of one of the Bentley Boys monogrammed on them in the style of luggage monograms.  The metal window screens are inspired by vintage Bentley radiator grilles.
The bar back is crafted from Sapele wood with dusky pink silk velvet and satin ribbon diamond recesses – reminiscent of the Goyard trunks that are plain on the outside but explode with colour on the inside, giving you an unexpected suprise when opened.
Photography by Steve Ryan, care of Fabled Studio.