Spellbound~Michele Ong

Colour Me LULU

Should your glance on mornings lovely

Lift to drink the heaven's blue

Or when sun, veiled by sirocco, Royal red sinks out of view,

Give to nature praise and honour.

Blithe of heart and sound of eye,

Knowing for the world of colour, where its broad foundations lie.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The lovely Lulu de Kwiatkowski, She paints, she designs fabrics,wallpapers, dinnerware, pillows , rugs, bedding and my favourite of all are her collages that she transformed into a handwritten and hand painted journal, travelogue, bio, titled LULU all created on from her kitchen floor.

All this amazing work and a mother to three boys, I should have paid more attention when we were in art an sculpture class together at school!

To view more of her work go to her website and wonderful blog where I was inspired to do this post,

Brava xo

www.luludk.com

Images via Luludk, 1stdibs & ClicGallery

Tales From A Reading Room

Transport yourself back in the days of the Nabateans on their Spice route or Marco Polo on the Silk Road. Here on both of these incredible roads is how traders, merchants, nomads and royals would move spices, silks, silver, incense to and from faraway lands . This is what Australian designer Camilla Franks collection Tales from A Reading Room makes me dream of the weaving of storytelling from all these journeys. Ancient mystical nomads on their caravans adorning themselves as they cross over foreign lands and cultures. 

Camilla Frank has captured it so well, the colours, the styling, the jewels , having grown up in Theatre herself she would transform her own costumes  to give life into them. Doing this manifested into  a whole line of Kaftans and from there she expanded into home ware, jewellery, accessories, children's line and more. A Modern Nomadic Merchant. 

Her online shop is full of merchandise but sadly they only deliver in Australia  and where she has a whole list of boutiques. For ther rest of the world there is stockist list on the site.

I want the whole package must be my multi cultural blood. xo

All images sourced via Camilla 

Happy New Year 2012

A new dawn is here, may it be  blessed, may you have the strength and courage to make the changes you always wanted to make, may your dreams come true and your spirit soar. Remember you are not alone, 2012 here we come! Happy Happy New Year to you all! With Love xoxo

"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."

Rumi

Sinatra's Twin Palms

One fine day in May 1947 Frank Sinatra walked into the office of Architect E. Stewart Williams  and stated that he wanted him to build him a house but it had to be done by Christmas, and wanted to be done in a Georgian Style. This style was not suited to the Palm Springs climate, so Stewart Williams presented him with two designs one in the Georgian style he had requested and another more modern, low built, that blended in with the Desert surroundings and colours.

Thankfully Sinatra choose this design and incredibly Williams built the House in time for Christmas, it was the family run firm Williams, Williams & Williams first private home commission and would become the house to set the trend for architecture in Palm Springs.

What a great history, would have loved to have been at one of Sinatra's Legendary parties in that house, as we all know that Dean Martin, Ava Gardner and all of Old Hollywood would come and stay, he would cut some of his records there using the wonderfully named Valentino Electronics of Hollywood.

The Twin Palms Estate as it was named can be rented, shame Frank Sinatra and friends don't come with the house, those were the days.

That's Life, xo

Sources via,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avU2aarQUiU

www.sinatrahouse.com

www.beaumondevillas.com/california/palm-springs/twin-palms/index.html

www.flickr.com

www.wikipedia.org

Steel Vision Maria Pergay

Moldovian born Maria Pergay's first collection of stainless steel furniture, including the 'Ring' chair and the 'Flying Carpet' daybed was exhibited in 1968 at Galerie Maison Jardin, under the direction of decorator Jean Dive. Her success was instant, and Maria was quickly sought after by sophisticated collectors for private commissions. In the 1970's Pergay went on to work in Saudi Arabia where she designed palace interiors for the Royal family. In the late 80s thru 1990s, Pergay worked on several important commissions in Russia. Throughout these years, she continued to pursue her innovative work in stainless steel. Since her groundbreaking show of new work in 2006, Pergay has exhibited internationally, including Paris, Korea and London. She has also focused on private commissions and is working with Demisch Danant on her catalogue raisonné which will be released in 2011. In her 80th year, after a half century of creation, Pergay continues to surprise both herself and her collectors. She resides in Paris.

Text by Suzanne Demisch

Photos sourced

www.demischdanant.com

www.admagazine.fr

www.nytimes.com

Vision of Ibiza

Photo Ibiza Town via White Ibiza

Photos via Amante Beach Club

Photos Via The Giri Residence and Cafe

Photos El Chiringuito via White Ibiza

Photo Es Vedra

Photos Ibiza Beaches

On my way to Eivissa as they say in Catalan the local dialect, for a little holiday.

Hasta la Vista!

The Imagination of Olivier Mourao

Artist, Collector of Antiques, Painter, and Brazilian born Olivier Mourao is a man of many talents.

Ibiza has been Olivier's vacation spot since the early 70's, first he lived in a penthouse in town with his friend and fellow artist Prince Tomasz Lubomirski One day he fell upon a Mediterranean style house designed by Spanish Architect Carlos Larios Matinez which was the perfect canvas for Olivier's incredible creative eye. They purchased the house and with the collaboration of Brazilian Architect Perla Stefani they created a dream home.

Filled with incredible pieces from a 18th century Francis Assisi santo to Ibecencan ceramics, 19th century Indian furniture amongst other surprises. The garden which Lubomirski oversaw the design of, can host parties for about 700 guests sprinkled with cosy nooks, and alfresco dinning under the citrus trees.  Love how they have created such an elegant home on island renowned for its parties and basic living.

Island Elegancia xo

All photos via Architectural digest.

Paintings shown by Olivier Mourao

www.oliviermourao.com.br

Photography by Xuebing Du

Instagram: xuebing.du

Martyn Lawrence Bullard

I am a big fan of Martyn Lawrence Bullard  a very diverse decorator with incredible attention to detail, who connects with his clients personalities and then translates it in their homes.

No two homes are alike and you feel as if you have travelled all corners of the earth when you view the pictures. He also produces his own fabrics and furniture.

The homes are beautifully put together but yet are very welcoming and warm and have a sense of humour. Just like Martyn as you can see from the picture of him being goofy in front of an amazing painting by Keith Hering and now we can all watch him in action in the fun show Million Dollar Decorators. Hopefully it will air in England soon. I am hooked, Martyn, darling do you need an assistant?

All Photos via www.martynlawrencebullard.com

Oh Herve!

I would kill for a Herve Van Der Straeten piece, I know its a bit extreme but anyone that sees his work feels the same way.

Studied painting at Le Ecoles des Beaux Arts, he started his career with jewellery design which am a collector of and always get such nice compliments on. His jewellery have a very architectural and geometric look to them , made of bronze or gold which give a beautiful glow against the skin.

He then transitioned on to Furniture and lightning , made in house by his highly skilled craftsmen , with such exquisite precision and meticulous attention to detail , I am sure that his work will be a future classic.

Herve has received numerous awards including the esteemed Chevalier des Art et des  Lettres and the L’Entreprise de Patrimoine Vivant .

His line is represented by the wonderful Ralph Pucci International with location both in New York or LA, or you can make an appointment at Herve Van Der Straeten Gallery in Paris. For the Jewellery you can buy it at Neiman Marcus , Bergdorf Goodman in the USA or Erickson Beamon in London.

Just Splendid xo

Image Sources and where to buy,

www.vanderstraeten.fr

www.ralphpucci.net

www.bergdorfgoodman.com/search.jhtml?N=0&Ntt=Herve+Van+Der+Straeten&_requestid=1541

www.ericksonbeamon.com