The colour red

I want to start today’s post off by saying how sad I was to here of the death of fashion genius Alexander McQueen. He was our first ever customer and to get an endorsement by him all those years ago was something I shall never forget. He followed his heart and passion, steered away from convention and delighted and enchanted women around the world with his incredible designs. I have been utterly inspired by his work and in my own small way will follow his mantra.

Being valentine’s weekend I was thinking we should all try and introduce some splashes of red into our homes. Flowers, cushions, little red pots whatever you like as long as its red. Red like no other colour gets the pulse racing particularly when partnered with dark sludgy walls or inky floors. Its an intriguing colour which demands attention, plus its energising so you could infact burn calories by simply looking at it (how exciting is that)! I shall leave you with two images and wish you all a very happy valentine’s weekend. Graham and I are taking it easy – back to back weekends in Paris & NY (as glam as it sounds and it wasn’t honestly) have taken their toll – both of us have colds and are feeling a little under the weather. I am planning to plough through inspirational gardening books and cook from my latest cook book buy Rustica, Spanish traditions and recipes. Lovely! xx

Photography Damien Russell

I want I want I want these chairs for my garden this summer, totally, utterly love them.

How cool is this space – it wouldn’t look half as glam and cool if it wasn’t for those wonderful splashes of red!

Animal inspired interiors

I am a little obsessed by animals not just by my very own Maud who I might add is nearing 9 months and beginning to find her own voice (she has started throwing little tantrums when she doesn’t get her own way) reminds me a little of me oh dear!

Animals as I have said before give instant personality to a space and turn it from something formulaic to something playful.  There are so many prissy, sterile, interiors out there that take themselves too seriously most of which seem to be in American Elle Décor  - odd. Anyhow there is hope Meryl Smith a NY artist has a very eclectic boho pad and whilst we may not all adhere to the eclectic ness of it, its far from boring and her wonderful animal sculptures, animal cushions lighten the mood no end. As I recently wrote in the Telegraph newspaper good taste is all very well but utterly pointless without a sense of fun. Happy Thursday – today is a working from home day which translates to big fires, endless cups of coffee and mounds of paperwork all stylishly and professionally undertaken in thick, snugly tartan pyjamas. Heaven.

Unexpected, quirky and with an element of fun – everything an interior should be.

Breaking News

Very excited to announce that we are opening a Flower shop within our Atelier but with a difference. All the blooms will be fake, YES FAUX I know I know there is a right old stigma attached to fake flowers but I tell you I am in love, totally and utterly in love with these ones.  Think hand tied bunches of beautiful and unusual flowers in an array of incredible colours which will change seasonally alongside a phenomenally interesting array of vases. Whilst I will never stop buying fresh ones for the table or bedside cabinet  I can now fill the house with faux and fill like a movie star!

Hotels to inspire

When in NY (and this is the last post I will do about the city as am sure I am boring the pants off everybody) I discovered an area I had not previously known before. The bowery previously ungentrified gritty and grimy all the things I love has now gone all upmarket helped by the opening of the Bowery Hotel. Think high end boho – tatty gorgeous tapestry rugs, zinc bars, high backed chairs, andcarved panels think shabby English country pad It all felt very homely and snug, whenever I am in a city I love snooping out the newest and latest hotel to get ideas and inspiration. Not so sure Graham was on the same thought path but some super doper cocktail after a day pavement pounding was just what the doctor ordered for the pair of us.

Enough yabbering from me am late already – check out this place indisputably chic – you want to linger for several rounds, people watch, read the NY Times and do anything to stay as long as you possibly can. Does anyone need anymore convincing about how dark spaces are really the only way to go?!!

New York tales

Apologises for lack of posting last week – experienced the worst jet lag I have ever experienced waking up in NY at 2am no matter what time I went to bed.Spent the early hours each morning jogging around the meatpacking, watching rubbish TV or working – the only consultation being our room looked over the Hudson and the skyline of the city as dawn broke each morning was mesmerising. Whilst Stateside I happened across Bloomingdales who were running a big window challenge – 3 designers each made over a window utilising Bloomingdales furniture. I fell in love with the one below it had that comfy squishy contented feeling – gentleman’s club meets library meets anthropology Designed by Maxell Gillingham Ryan (he of apartment therapy fame).  If I was going to complain I would say it’s a smidge granny esq. would have preferred a little more personal funk – but than that’s pretty unfair of me seeing all the stuff had to come from Bloomingdales.

Happy Monday -  we are on the last stage of revamping our website with lots of new and exciting things happening in our NEW section – will give you guys a sneak peak as soon as we are ready to launch.