viceroy anguilla...

I came across these stunning images of Kelly Wearstler's interiors for the new Viceroy Anguilla via Dale's Hospitality Design Inspirations.

I love the Wishbone Chairs in white and Wearstler's paired back, almost minimalist (for KWID, anyway) interiors.

If only I could work out exactly where Anguilla is...

Ian

PHORM a weekend in Sydney...

working...Sydney Gift Fairs (yikes!!!)

playing...lunch timeMISSION RESTAURANT & BAR - CHIPPENDALE 3 Little Queen Street Chippendale Sydney

Dinner: Toko 490 Crown St, Surry Hills, Sydney. "The food starts arriving; first the sushi and sashimi, followed rapidly by the crabs. All three are excellent, the sushi a satisfying explosion of flavours, the sashimi meltingly fresh. The tiny crabs are crispy but not oily, the wasabi mayonnaise kindly subtle". writes Elizabeth Meryment

staying...The Diamant, Kings Cross Road - Potts Point Sydney .au (courtyard suite)

eleanor, from bed linen to painter

A dear friend 'the artist' Eleanor Millard emailed me today (to say hi) and I wanted to share a couple of her wonderfully, individual pieces of art.
Eleanor was a successful, .au award winning bedroom linen designer (we own lots of her linen and 1 of her early paintings - still a fav) who took a punt on her talent and is doing fantastic things in Melbourne VIC .au. Everytime I catch up with Eleanor, I feel a sense of balance for those with an artisic outlook...she is living her life and doing her art...simple. She is also one of the few people I can laugh with til I cry...Steven

phorm interiors in latest vogue living...

phorm studio window

i me you we them...

Regular blog 'readers' will be familiar with the work of our friend Krista Berga.

I ME YOU WE THEM - Mantras for the broken hearted or jaded among us - opened last night at the State Library of Queensland.

Characterised by the brevity, brutal wit and underlying melancholy, Krista Berga's works for refrains, songs, secrets, mantras told to us of failed relations and broken arrangements.

The work explores constructions of self and other, of identity and identification, and explores notions of authenticity and originality.

nicholas and oskar...to blog or not to blog

This entry has nothing to do with interiors or architecture, but everything to do with friendship.
As spelt out in one of his daily entries (featured below) in a 365 day 'online' photographic account, Nicholas (old friend) and I meet again after the longest time. Wanting to feature this on our blog speaks of the value I place on friendships and how, after not seeing someone for 12 years and finding a certain familiar ease with that person is one of the 'great' things (not to mention the cutest shot of our puppy Oskar). Thanks Steven
"My friends are my estate."- Emily Dickinson


"Day 176 of 365.Great night last night. Caught up with and old friend that I hadn't seen for more than a dozen years or so. Lots of laughs. Lots and lots of excellent white wine, predominantly from NZ. Met loved ones and partners and puppies and friends of friends too. And laughed and drank some more. And realigned philosophies and compared life's highs and lows and nicks and knocks. Remembered when. And how and who. But never too much to bore everyone else. Because there were new connections there as well. Old friends connected us to new. Circles were completed. Passions revealed. And over pizza and more wine, old friendships were resealed."

more shots of phorm's latest work...

phorm's latest work...

Here are some of the first set of photographer Kylie Hood's images of a project we completed prior to Christmas 'o7. 

More rooms to come...

Ian

a dogs breakfast...

I came across Vancouver's  Opus Hotel via Dale's Hospitality Design Inspirations (thanks Dale) and besides being a stunning hotel with great bathrooms they offer a Dogs (Bed and) Breakfast Special.

'He fetches, barks and loves you unconditionally. What have you done for your dog recently? (OK, apart from the costly raw diet, daily visits to doggie day care and monthly trips to the urban pet spa). From the doghouse to the Penthouse, pamper your pooch with 'a dog's breakfast' package. Package includes a night in a stylish guestroom, hearty Yalestown breakfast for two, plus doggie treats, toys, plush pet bed and a complimentary copy of Modern Dog magazine. We'll even provide the earplugs if Spot Snores.

After a restful nights sleep, sneak out and enjoy breakfast in Elixir so you can let your sleeping dog lie (in).'

Our dogs are so spoilt they would probably complain about the thread counts...

Ian

hotel cool pools

Images courtesy of The Cool Hunter.

amazing home theatre...amazing home

This home has to win the prize for Coolest Home Theatre category.

Forget those basement/underground darkened rooms filled with stale air.

This is just the ticket for relaxed outdoor fun...

As a child I had an uncle who worked as a projectionist @ a drive in cinema.

Often he would get (not sure if he borrowed with or without permission) latest released films and show them on 6 x white sheets lovingly tacked to the back of our home.

Great evenings sitting out back with family and neighbours, who of course all bought a plate. True story; during the viewing of the Posiedon Adventure the weather turned nasty and we (all 25 of us) very quickly rushed inside to get out of the wet.

The weather didn't however stop that boat turning over as we watched the ship move along walls, up hallways and down stairs only stopping when the remaining passenegrs finally saw daylight. What fun!!!

By the way, the rest of this house is spectacular...wouldn't you agree.

TOP 5 - bar stools...

Bar stools are a tough call! They are either too ultra modern, too plastic or just too uncomfortable. This in mind, I have decided to commit to my top 5.

1. Flo Stool by Patricia Urquiola for Driade is is constructed from steel and covered in a lozenges patterned wicker. Available in red or brown it is a great way to add warmth and texture to a more industrial styled design.

2.  Emeco Stool by Philippe Starck for Emeco blends contemporary design with a 1950's            aesthetic. Available with an optional seat pad, we are using this stool on a current                     project and love its subtle detail.
3.  High Stool 64 by Alvar Aalto for Artek is a design icon. Designed in the early 1930's this              natural birch stool is a true classic.
4.   Tolix Metal Bar Stool by Xavier Pauchard for Tolix is a classic French design. Designed        in 1934 this stool is industrial and chic.

5.   Bertoia Bar Stool by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. The Bertoia Collection consisted of 5       pieces designed in 1950 and for me this is my ultimate bar stool.

print dolls...

Marika Jarv and Alice Flynn of Print Dolls certainly understand the art of typography.

Their striking black and white prints are inspired by the destination scrolls of old buses and trams.

Available online in Palm Beach; Balmain; Bondi and Manly this 'All Stops To...' print range is both nostalgic and cool.

Ian

tokyo design week - container exhibtion