The thing I love about this neighborhood is all the cool places cropping up all over the place. You can’t go a month without some cool new hangout opening it’s doors. Yesterday on a sweltering afternoons walk back from the park with the two M’s we ran into a place called Lardo, Less than 5 mins from home its the most perfect place to hang out after a 13 hour day at the desk, sip a cocktail and eat a pizza. Summer in the city pretty, pretty darn cool.
Talking of cities on Sunday morning I fly out to NYC so limited blog posts next week as I have a fairly busy one work wise. Will attempt to write the odd post, usually jet lagged and awake and jogging round the streets at 3am, so it should work out. Do you know that NY has the fattest rats; last summer they completely freaked me out zooming and darting across the pavement as I pounded by. Anyways apart from the plane journey (which I dread) very excited to be going and launching the DESIGN SCHOOL Stateside. We have a whole bunch of press; a camera crew and I cannot wait to meet all those attending. BTW almost forgot to say on the day I’m taking lunch at The Breslin (most likely at the chiefs table, just in the middle of co-ordinting that part) so if any of you guys fancy joining me do let us know, the guys will be emailing you all the info today (re prices, menus etc to co-ordinate) oh and to celebrate the launch of the school in NYC at the very end of our day some sparkling vino for us all to drink. Exciting!
Not so exciting is the fact I am about to leave Mung’s, we are rarely separated and because of his problems (he was a rescue and has separation issues) he literally follows me everywhere. Can’t leave the room without him following, to the loo, to answer the door, to just literally cross from one side of the studio to the other , up he gets and follows me. Being still a baby (just over one year) and the hugest Mummy’s boy on earth, not quite sure how he, or I for that matter will cope (now who’s the baby hey)! Enough about my worries and dilemmas ,could keep you here all day with them.
Down to biz, one of the easiest peasiet decorating tools around and one of the most transformative things you can do to a place is get the lighting right. Accessorize with more lights than you think you need, floor, table, pendant, wall not to mention a ton of candlelight to ramp up the style ratings! Don’t eliminate shadows (they add intrigue)_ and don’t use low energy bulbs. if you’re worried about the whole eco, green, pc thing – do a trade off with something else like not eating meat, or biking instead of driving, or sharing the bath water WHATEVER you need to do! Little pools of soft glow are what we after, vary the heights, vary the style, play around with scale and you will have on your hands one pretty handsome interior as seen below. Various lamps at various heights are essential, no matter what the paint colour, be that dark, cocooning and beautiful or pale and boring (whoops sorry) I mean pale and simple, lighting is key.
Photography Rick Schltz
Gotta run being photographed this morn and there is a ton of clearing up to do to get this house in order. Wasn’t that the name of a TV programme and didn’t I co-present it? Whatta you know!
Hi Abigail
Great tips as usual!! Have a fab time stateside , i love, love, love NY, sounds like its gonna be hectic but lots of fun!!
Re Mung leave him with something of yours in his bed, like an old cardigan or woolly. I know he’s still at home but if something smells exactly like you it’s more comforting for him. I hate leaving my rescue dog as well, he stays with friends in their home when we go away, I couldn’t face putting him in kennels!
All the best in NYC
Esther
Good plan I will, both Mung’s and Maud are home half the week and then for the remaining part go to my parents. Sure I am just being a baby but its the thought that no one can quite love them like you do. Anyways you are right on the kennel front couldn’t imagine.
Oh how I cheered when I read your professional anti low energy lighting advice . I have an ongoing battle with Mr H about them, in that he is pro and I am most certainly not. I will be sharing your professional designers comments with him as soon as possible!
Love those dark rooms too and it just makes me want to paint my living room black right now!
Best of luck with NYC it all sounds super exciting!
Thanks for the continued inspiration.
Sarah x, now badly craving a cocktail!
Thank you x
HI Abigail, Just a quick note to say that i adore your blog but i have one request. All of the homes you show (including your own) are quite big in size (or seem to be) and i always wonder how that much furniture and dark colours would work in a regular UK flat or regular even smaller US city apartment? On your return from the magnificent city i was thinking that maybe you can show some smaller spaces? Enjoy your trip.
Good point, although I should say my rooms are Victorian and apart from the lower floor which is knocked thru all the other rooms are very small but certainly take your points on board and when small will mention
Love this dark room, cant wait to meet you in Melbourne
Thank you see you in Melbourne, can’t wait either
So looking forward to meeting you on Saturday at Design School in NYC! Hope the jet lag is bearable.
Hi Abigail & All,
I need some help. I’m almost finished with our bathroom yet lightling is the one thing I’m struggling with. The ceiling fitting is on an angle, henced fixed pendants don’t work, but I don’t want one of those horrible fixed bulbs that looks like a public loo. Do you know where I can get a decent / different pendant on a flexible cord / chain? The bathroom is modern victorian in style.
Any suggestions appreciated!
Lucy
It really depends on your style regarding lighting fittings – Conran, Rocket St George, Anthropologie, West Elm, all have modern lights – whilst 2 columbia road, Atomic interiors, Fandangio, and the french house all have cool vintage ones.