Oriental Carpets.....

Well, it's been a busy week in a scatter-brained sort of way! But I'm here now and looking forward to gathering my thoughts on oriental carpets - in a modern setting.  All triggered by a visit to some of the carpet stores down here on Louise (Bruxelles) last weekend with a friend looking to expand on her collection.  I was taken in by the story of each piece and the artisanal history behind the designs. So, here are some thoughts.....

 Some of the images shown are from A La Turca House in Istanbul for oriental antiques - featured in Vogue.  What an intricate way to add color, texture and a story.

There's a certain romance to all these warm colors....

Marquetry or in-laid wood was inspired from the East and has seen a come-back in modern pieces, whether flooring or tables.  But as a collectable, I particularly like the Nepalese door (below left) - can be placed behind a bed or just laid against a large wall as art. All thanks to One King's Lane for these inspiring pieces.  The carved wood table is from West Elm and the fantastic chandelier is Blue Quartz by Marjorie Skouras.

Everyone's mind is on Spring and well, mine is on the Spring collections and all the fabulous colors.  This is from Hermes s/s 2012 - what a cool, effortless number - I for one, can't can't wait to indulge in all that color and letting the legs out, en plein air.

Ok! They have no key relevance except that they are as ever captivating (and completely out of reach) - the Moro and Picasso taken from One King's Lane - I would be happy with the frames, really! Thanks for popping in....

Naturally.....

I'm so affected by these photos created by the photographer Mikkel Adsbøl (again - I can't stop staring at his vignettes) they have such a natural romance about them.  But I had the urge to bring in my favorite bag, this season's Mulberry Messenger Bag - inspired by my darling sister (in-law)'s blog Styles by Ola who just posted Mulberry's a/w collection highlighting some of the best of London fashion week.   

  

Fritz Hansen, Gubi and Fredericia Furniture all feature a fresh look at wood in their latest collections. With a Scandinavian authenticity they remind us of all its endless variations - never failing to inspire.  Photos by Yellows.

Rustic meets Contemporary.....

I have gathered a few key pieces together from ABC Home and Restoration Hardware, with ideas on how to reinvent some of the classics into a contemporary interior.  I think I'm naturally drawn to blues and find some romance in Chinese blue porcelain pieces and dark teak furniture from the East, especially those inlaid with mother-of-pearl.  I don't doubt that has something to do with my mom who gathered keepsakes from her travels around the world and somehow they always seemed so stylish, fitting together seamlessly and altogether telling a story.

The images above are brought together from House Beautiful magazine and vignettes by the great lifestyle photographer, Mikkel Adsbøl.

Naturally, I'd like to buy just about everything from both of these fabulous shops, but for now here are some pieces that bring so much character to any space.....

ABC Carpet & Home: Aquasilk Carpet, Mother of Pearl Chest - Charcoal, Edge Writing Desk, Edge Night Stand, Silk Cushions - Flora & Fauna.

Restoration Hardware: Chandliers (Foucault's Orb Crystal Chandelier, Casbah Crystal, & 19th Cent. French Empire), Peacock Mirror. 

Shades of Grey......

There are so many ways to enjoy grey.  It exudes a certain confidence, a certain understated elegance - whether introduced using soft textiles, wools, cashmeres or for a more industrial contrast with tarnished silver, chrome or stone - it references materials shown in their raw, unfinished state. The layers of different textures can create such an interesting space.  

The restaurant featured below is Kødbyen's Fiskebar in Copenhagen's meat-packing district.  It was one of the first projects I worked on in 2009 while working for the firm Space Architecture & Design.  An informal fish restaurant based out of a former slaughterhouse, the intent was to conserve the memory of the former building while creating a metropolitan bistro feel.  So, the old white tiles, meat hooks and heavy fridge doors were re-interpreted in eclectic ways and the bars were clad with old discarded door paneling from around the neighborhood. 

In an ad showcasing LIGHTYEARS' new Calabash pendant light - the restaurant was featured as a raw industrial backdrop to the curvaceous and iridescent silver surface of the clustered lamps.

I love the photos shown above, taken from the Danish magazine RUM by the photographer Yellow.

Modern Baroque

As promised, Joseph Dirand is back in this post featuring his design of this phenomenal home in the South of France - Le Mas des Oliviers en Ramatuelle.  Not far from St. Tropez it is an idyllic location - Dirand's interpretation is rustic luxury and is simply unmatched in my view.  I find his work and attention to detail compelling!!

There are many ways to capture a little of that glamour....here are some suggestions:

Balmain, ofcourse

Joseph Dirand's BALMAIN flagship shop in Paris.  Is there anything left to say? More on this great architect tomorrow.....

Great Nordic Styling...

Having lived and worked in Denmark for the past three years (not to mention being married to my very own Dane) - I can confirm the following: Scandinavians do effortless, relaxed and homely, so very well.  All along showcasing the best of high design - as it was meant to be - with authenticity and in a daily setting and without much hype.

The sophisticated and understated summer house shown in the first two photos collections, belongs to a couple of Copenhagen-ers, famous for their work in the fashion industry - Uffe Buchard & Kim Grenaa.  Their ability to combine items they have collected from around the world with mid-century classic furniture in a rustic and familiar way fits the simple open wooden house perfectly. The decorative elements are minimal but add texture to the overall warm neutral tones - and maintain a relatively organic yet masculine feel.  

Photographer Ditte Isager (also a Dane) did a series for the British product designer Ochre - some of which are featured above.  Ochre's lighting and furniture pieces are portrayed so effortlessly, it can almost make you forget all that goes into creating a mood that resonates and inspires.  Photographer Heidi Lerkenfeldt, is another whose pieces just make me smile - you can see one of her pieces in the 4th image (left).