Cool teal tones wash over every surface in the butler’s pantry

of “Swan House” in Atlanta, massive covered silver platter …

This has such an “Upstairs Downstairs” look about it,

very “Gosford Park”…

If you haven’t already seen this film, its kitchen scenes are my favorite…

You’ll want to soak up every “British Country Manor” interior feature…

and then scurry down to your scullery to order your cooking staff to

whip up these gratifying doses of high grade chocolate. Or if you’ve

benevolently given the staff a few days off, try it yourself.

Molten Chocolate Puddings

5 1/4 oz dark chocolate

3 1/2 oz unsalted butter

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

1/4 cup caster (superfine) sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

thick (double) cream to serve

Preheat the oven to 355°

Place the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat and stir until the chocolate is melted

and smooth. Place the eggs, yolks and sugar in a bowl and whisk until pale. Gently fold in flour

and chocolate mixture and spoon into 4 lightly greased 1-cup capacity ovenproof dishes. Bake

for 12-15 minutes or until the puddings are puffed. Top with the cream to serve. Serves 4.

These individual ramekins were purchased from

Sur la Table several years ago when I first tried this recipe…

You’ll want to get at the 8 ounce size.  Incredible dessert.

Double Chocolate Cookies

4 1/4 oz dark chocolate, chopped

4 oz unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour, sifted

1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

9 3/4 oz dark chocolate, extra, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 320°

Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir

until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside. Beat butter and sugar for 8-10

minutes or until light and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat another 3-4

minutes. Stir the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and melted chocolate. Add the

extra chopped chocolate and stir to combine. Roll tablespoons of the mixture

into rounds. Place on baking trays lines with baking paper, allowing room for

the cookies to spread, and flatten slightly. Bake 10-12 minutes until slight cracks

have formed. Cool on wire racks. Makes 16.

*

Both recipes by Australian based author, food stylist, editor,  Donna Hay

who will soon be launching an online shopping site…

Vintage wide teal silk ribbon on blue striped grain sack, scrap of discolored Bella Notte

quilted toile I over-dyed teal and backed with Belgian linen to make a extra long pillow.

This is the time of year I want to back away from the crowds, simplify, order the necessary

gifts online, pull out the recipe books and sewing machine…and stay calm.

Wishing you as much peace and joy, warmth and kindness

as humanly possible in this holiday season.

*

Southern Accents Nov-Dec ‘06

Donna Hay magazine

]]> http://trialsandtribulationsofacitygirl.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/mondays/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:13:36 +0000 Toria http://trialsandtribulationsofacitygirl.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/mondays/

Today is literally the worst day of the week. I have little to no motivation and all I want to do is go home and curl up in bed with a cup of tea and Gossip Girl. It also doesnt help the motivation levels that I have beautiful clean sheets on my bed, that the house is tidy and it a bit of an overcast day.

Tonight Im putting up my christmas tree…. well its not really a tree, more like some twigs with baubles and lights. I found a pile of beautiful twigs realdy to be thrown away outside a homewears store a few weaks ago and ive been waiting patiently to be able to decorate them for christmas. Shall post a picture tomorrow if it works out as planned!!

Love V
xx

Groovy graphic printed Canvas totes and screen printed Tea Towels seem to be frequently popping up in magazines of late, here are a few that I think look particularly cool!

1. Lola & Bailey

(photos from lolaandbailey.com)

Apparently these super cool typographic tote bags have already been featured in Vogue! Available in every letter of the alphabet – a black flocked letter no less! – printed on heavy duty canvas. The bags can be purchased from the Lola&Bailey website (what a groovy website!) for $39. Great pressie idea!

2. Bagladies

(photos from bagladies.com.au)

These uber-cool totes were featured in both Home Beautiful and InsideOut’s latest issues so I’d be assuming their online stores will be running hot before christmas! they also have a range of super cheap (think $7.95) shopping bags with great graphics like ‘this is prolly my most fabulous handbag’ etc… fun!

3. Kikki K

(images from kikki-k.com.au)

I grabbed this great bag a couple of months ago when I got some things there for Jez’s birthday at Kikki K (in an endeavour to become more organized!). At only $9.95 who could resist plus

“$1 from the sale of this bag will be donated to Climate Positive, a not-for-profit organisation working to reduce global warming through carbon reduction measures for individuals and businesses” kikki-k.com.au so you can feel even better about your purchase!

3. Materialistic

I LOVE THESE Materialistic Tea Towels… probably because this is me down to a ‘Tea’ Check out this website for beautiful hand screen printed tea towels, cushions, aprons and loads more including these cute little puppy toys for kids!

(photos from materialistic.com.au)

4. Third Drawer Down

Third Drawer Down is just such an amazing company! I’ve loved their tea towels for years and who wouldn’t when they commission renowned Australian Artists, such as David Bromley (oh how I love his paintings…) to do limited edition designs just for them! There is an immense range to choose from, available from their online store or homewares stores such as Remedy

You know how Stewart the Cat kinda runs this family. . . not really, but
we pretend he does … I decided just to put a little table tree up
that i had already decorated and stored, since the boys will be
out of the country this year traveling for the first time. I decided
to take a break on bringing out all the decor, ornaments and big tree.

Yesterday I decided to tackle finishing up the entry hall,
mantle and den – early for a change!
Well, just as luck would have it, my “old quilt” tree skirt must
have looked awfully appealing to ‘ole Stewart. He has decided
to just scoot a few of my decorations out of the way for
his new sleeping berth!

Seeing him resting on top of this dresser today, I decided
he would, again, make a fitting model for this years
Christmas Card! He is AWFULLY cute though,
isn’t he ???

]]> http://littleframebigwall.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/my-dream-shop-comfort-station/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:02:45 +0000 littleframebigwall http://littleframebigwall.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/my-dream-shop-comfort-station/

i’ve had a book called Fashion Market on my bookshelf for a couple of years now…it contains interviews with 16 London artists / designers from the fashion market. Although the whole book is really inspiring the real reason i totally had to own a copy was due to the interview  with designer maker Amy Anderson creator of the brand comfort station. Amy’s shop is featured on the cover below and is an eclectic mix of styles with a range of really beautiful products  – accessories,  belts, cuffs and jewelery. What i’m drawn to is the amazing interiors of the shop and the brand in general…stunning…

comfort station images from the book fashion station by Yi-Yang Wang

Scottish architecture firm Rural Design have completed a small timber house on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Called Fiscavaig Project, the two-storey residence is raised slightly above the ground on short wooden columns. The building narrows towards the north facade, which is entirely glazed to provide views over the surrounding landscape. The entrance is reached by a small wooden bridge.

from the architects:

–

This small holiday house, located in the township of Fiscavaig on the western side of the Isle of Skye, deliberately eschews convention due to its unusual site. Indeed on first visiting the site it was difficult to see how any proposal could succeed if it disrupted a landscape that did not lend itself to intervention. The decision to lift the building off the ground on small piloti released the design from convention and allowed it to relate to the wider context – the views to the north and the sun from the south. The form of the house deliberately narrows to the north, reducing its surface area, and leans into the weather. The entrance bridge lifts one off the landscape and immediately upon entering one is connected with the view through the fully-glazed elevation to the north. The other windows are secondary and draw light into the two storey volume. Simple timber construction reinforces the character of the house as a visitor in the ancient landscape.

-

via dezeen

(photos from fleurwood.com)

Oh how I love this place… My sister Mad and I had a long weekend in Sydney recently, on the Monday we caught the ferry from Watsons Bay into Circular Quay, then had an hour to shop before we met our other sister Mez for lunch… we headed straight for The Strand Arcade – the most heavenly arcade running between Pitt St Mall and George Street. It is so lovely window shopping through stores like Alex Perry, Lisa Ho, Zimmerman, Akira, Alannah Hill, The Corner Shop, Gary Castles and my faves – Funkis Swedish Forms, Seed and Fleur Wood! 

The Fleur Wood store is a new addition since I last had the pleasure of visiting The Strand and WOW what a beautiful store, from the vintage ballerina wallpaper to the antique display cases, not to mention all the beautiful clothes, everything has been thoughtfully arranged and layed out. We got a small gift to thank Mez for having us – a gorgeous little sky blue lotus tea light candle holder, but I could have gone nuts in there…. right down to the little kids tutus and bathers…. divine retail heaven!

The count down has begun…T minus 1 week and 6 days till I officially have my Interior Design/Architect degree and am ready to practice in Portland…Crazy (just have to find the job first)!!  Until then (as I am sure you have already noticed) the posting will tend to be far and few between as I am finishing up final projects.  Ultimately there will be some quick posts with things that make me smile because in the next 2 weeks smiling shall be imperative for my well-being and those around me!  Enjoy and wish me luck!!

love this…eclectic textures, clean lines, almost achromatic and all over calm and intriguing at once.

I’ve just fallen in love with David Wiseman’s branch chandelier… so pretty.  Just one of many beautiful pieces on his site – check it out.

123

If you’re looking for a great gift idea for a newborn or for a useful baby shower gift look no further than a baby blanket by David Fussenegger or for a more neutral look theres the Natures Purest Organic Bamboo bassinette blanket.

We now have four David Fussenegger blankets and we’re onto our second Natures Purest blanket (we lost our first one in Rottnest… cry)

David Jones & Babyland both stock the Natures Purest range, or its also available from a few online stores. The Bamboo knitted blanket 60cm x 80cm (1.) is lightweight, yet really warm and perfect for both summer and winter, it feels divine against baby’s super soft skin.

Cradlerock have a huge range of Fussenegger blankets… (2.) is my fave at the moment and I think this one (3.) would look fantastic on my couch!

I was in Sydney last weekend for the Britney Spears concert with my sisters! We went for a spot of shopping at the glorious Westfield Bondi Junction! There was a beautiful installation ‘pop up store’ by Printdolls. I’ve been in love with these bus and ferry scrolls for ages now, I’d love one for my house to remind me of my past life as an interior student in Sydney!

after coming wednesday, my fleur-de-lis; an emblem resembling a lily or iris wall will be gone because of some renovation works.

including my maple wood table. snapping pictures of them before they’ll be gone forever. i still love them all. *sigh*

ciao all and hi to a new place soon. *feeling nostalgia*

I’m sharing this because I want to ensure that this magazine continues to adorn our newsstands.  Not that it is in any danger but, like climate change ( we’ve got to be vigilant) to ensure it does not disappear completely into cyber space.   So, I’m aiming at starting a small groundswell of followers who will adore and cherish this print publication.

And it is… Habitus – living in design

Firstly thing you will notice is the  physicality of Habitus  which hints at the experience awaiting you on the pages.  The cover is just so tactile – I find it most soothing just to sit and stroke it a few times before I slip into another article! The mix of paper stock takes your fingers though a journey from the raw and earthy to the luxurious. 

The articles span art, architecture, furntiture design and interiors, dipping in and out of the lives of Australian and international artists and designers.  You feel like your peering behind the scenes, uncovering secrets,  sharing an intimate view of their lives and inspirations. 

The writers and photographers who contribute to Habitat are well chosen, the words are insightful the images are beautiful.

Cruising through the ‘news’  section I can quickly see the ‘must haves’ for my little nest, the SUSHI Collection by Moroso for starters (issue 05) or the Lamp No. 1 by Nicolo Taliani. ( Issue 05). 

Okay so I’m gushing, but you know there is so much terrible media out there today, no depth, no respect for you the reader, the viewer, the customer.  It is just wondrous to find a magazine like Habitat that converses with its readers.

I won’t take you through my favourite articles because you need to buy it and read it yourself.   I’m treating myself to a subscription for Christmas!   I’m thinking you should too! 

Visit Habitus to subscribe

If you run Large, Small, medium resturant or a 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 star hotel in Pakistan and need creative images of your food presentations and interiors of space, contact me. Check small sample of my work by clicking this Link. Best images are backbone of advertisements if they are boring and life less no one is going to attract. So Contact me using Contact form or give me a call at +92 0 3455400315 and attract more customers. Or simply use images to archive your services !
I do my work up to client’s satisfaction while working on single project at a time to deliver project in time.

Next Friday, December 4th, is our 1st Anniversay or Nest. Before we crack open the champagne, here’s a look at our grand opening last year:

Someone told me recently that they were thinking about only drinking champagne from now on.

They reckoned that, because they didn’t drink as much and as often as some other people,  they could justify only having very expensive champagne when they did decide to partake.

I think there is an element of genius in there.

St Pancras Champagne bar is one of my favorite places to go. You sit along side the Eurostar trains under the awesome pale blue roof and catch snippets of french from fellow champagne enthusiasts.

I say ‘fellow enthusiasts’, I know nothing about champagne, apart from I like it.

It’s Christmas at 3 Fine Grains…

Top of the line, inimitable purveyor of authentically antique, stenciled German

grain sack pillows, upholstered furniture, wall hangings, shopping totes and accessories…

Based in Thousand Oaks, California, mother of 3 beautiful daughters who she refers to as

her “3 fine grains”, Kymberley Fraser has worked tirelessly to produce the most charming

“European Primitive” gifts and keepsakes and indulgences just in time for Christmas,

in addition to more of the outstanding stand-out designs she creates using the

very tactile, worn, patched and one of a kind found textile treasures.

Joy to the World

2009

Birds, stars, and hearts…

The ornaments are $10.00-$23.00.

Stockings hung by the chimney with care…

flounced or striped on deeply cuffed top

Stockings are $65-$75 each.

Rare German grain sack pillows, in organic hemp linen, were individually marked a

century ago, if not more, using a tar based stenciling with last and first names of the

owner, his title, the town they lived or worked in and usually the year.  Not only is

the fabric antique, but the stencil is original to the product, making it a more rare

and valuable textile.

The “Darn” pillows are made using the patches from the German grain sacks and priced from

$195.00-$495.00 each. Just love the primitive design of the horse,

the ruffle, and the deft stitching of the patch.

c. 1908

c. 1911

German pillows range in price from $250.00-$625.00 each.

They look great with mixed nubby tones, and mixed font…

All the vagaries of antique typography on display!

Love. them. all.

The authenticated German grain sacks that Kymberley uses date back nearly a century or more.

They were used by farmers, merchants and soldiers from all over Germany dating back to the

early 1800’s. Made from pure organic hemp linen, the fibers were naturally homegrown,

home retted (in local lakes and ponds) and woven all by hand. Farmers and merchants used

these sacks to carry grains to the local mill. The useable oats and flour were placed back into

the sacks and returned to their owners. Back in the day these sacks would be found on the

back porch of a farmhouse, restaurant, hotel, or in a soldier’s wagon. Over 100 years later

these have become so rare they are now found hidden underneath the floorboards of an

old farmhouse or in the dowry chests of fine ladies from long ago.

French tote bags are $125.00 each.

Made from early to mid 1900’s fabric…

Perfect for the Farmer’s market or Flea Market…

or hung on a hook on the back door above your muddy Wellies

The French pillows like the French postal sacks and french storks are in the $300.00 price range.

Flax and teal with just a touch of coral…

Antique chair that Kymberley refinished, with a German grain sack seat that

features a wreath and a crown and a boot from 1864.  This chair is $1495.00.

Another key to the appeal of these authentic pieces is their durability. Having stood the test

of time and heavy usage, softened with age, they are extremely sturdy and uniquely tangible

antique textiles. The drama of the piece is in its worn irregularity, the beauty of its stenciled

provenance. Her signature wing back chairs start at $4350.00 each. Most of the framed

German grain sacks are in the $1900.00 price range.

Close up on patch and nail head detail on chair,

huge skeins of linen…

One of a kind doggie bed….

I had done earlier posts on “Working Paris” here and “New Old Things” here that explores the

appeal of the humble beauty of “working man” antiques. Words, letters, numbers, initials on

French linen, London train stops, French letters, Belgian hatboxes, and German grain sacks

connect us to the everyday man (and woman) that went about their days, worked their jobs…

and though not intending to create art, did leave the art of their lives behind. For those of us

that appreciate the nuances of hand woven and hand stitched antique textiles, these pieces

represent a way to layer a piece of this history into our homes.

.

Kymberley’s Facebook page here is the most up to date source for her newest stock.

Available to the trade, or you can contact Kymberley directly for pricing information

and any question at (805) 630-3727 or via email: kymberley@3finegrains.com

*

If you’re really lucky you can just drop in to Bungalow Antique Shop

in Agoura Hills, California to see (and feel) her collection in person.

There really is no substitute for the real thing.

*

Update: Willow Decor also has a post on 3 Fine Grains today

visit her here for info on 10% off

]]> http://ameubanks.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/eero-saarinen-finnish-american-architect-product-designer/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:00:37 +0000 ameubanks http://ameubanks.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/eero-saarinen-finnish-american-architect-product-designer/

I’m thrilled about my visit to NYC in December and I will be visiting the:

Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future Exhibit

at the museum of the City of New York.

You should too!

This week, The YOO Insider gathers answers to all your queries from designers at our London studio

Q. I have a run-down bathroom in a Victorian cottage. It has high ceilings and a manky rolltop bath – what would YOO do, and would you get rid of my bath?
Budget: £20,000

A.    YOO’s Mark Eacott says: “This sounds like a fun project – with half of the fun in discovering what original features might still exist beneath the surface!

“Assuming that you uncovered an original timber floor, healthy exposed roof joists and a fireplace – I would set about a renovation project to create a fresh eclectic style with lots of inherent character charmingly restored with a contemporary edge.

Eacott advice: restore and enamel your Victorian rolltop bath

“Work would include sanding back the floor and painting white, knocking out the suspended ceiling to open the roof void, treating and exposing the timber roof joists, some white brick tiles on the walls, a large walk-through rainforest shower – and of course to keep the freestanding bath and have it restored and re-enamelled. “Furnishings would include some vintage shopping for a large standing mirror, an old club chair, a quirky restored chandelier and Berber rug.”

Q: I have a three-bed terraced house in Willesden Green, London, and it’s in dire need of a makeover – what rooms should get most of my budget?

 Budget: £50,000 

A.    YOO’s Julieann Humphryes: “I’d put skylights in straightaway if they aren’t in already and most of my budget would be reorganising partitions to get a good flow of spaces. I’d then move on to the bathroom and kitchen, which I’d open out to a main space.”

Q. I live in Brighton and can just about see the sea from my balcony on the sixth floor of a stuccoed apartment block. I want to add drama to my large open-plan living/dining room but the balcony doors in the room are ugly and modern and I never go out because of the traffic. I love red and also YOO’s “culture” style. Any ideas – and should I change the doors?

Budget: £30,000

A.    YOO’s Michael Delaney says: “You mention the sea but you don’t mention the sky. At six storeys up, you must have the most incredible sense of light and sky – the balcony doors are the windows to this world.

“Invest in the best pair of doors possible – they should be full-height pivot doors, with as much uninterrupted glazing as possible, with clever shutters that can open up and close down depending on what the sky is doing and how you want to enjoy it. I’d also encourage you to be inspired by James Turrell, an artist who sculpts from light. (Spend: £15,000)

“Any outside space is valuable so upgrade it, even if it just creates a beautiful view from your living room. This depends on size-versus-materials-versus-planting on the terrace. And invest in earplugs for when the weather’s nice, you won’t be able to resist! (Spend: £5,000)

Simply red: light design artist James Turrell puts light in a new context

“You have £10,000 left to invest in your living room – what about a beautiful chaise longue upholstered in red for you to relax in while reading the Sunday papers and enjoying the sky? Upgrade the floor to Steamed Beech from the YOO “Culture” palette if you have enough money left over.”

Q. We’ve had an airy kitchen extension done but which designer should I research for a really contemporary look?

Budget: £28,000

A.    YOO’s Mariana Tubertini says: “I’d get inspiration from Richard Rogers – it would be a sleek functional object sitting in the room rather than a fully-fitted room.”

Q. I’d like to add some “drama” to a loft conversion that was done before I bought my house. It’s got good ceiling height but no character and the only window is in the en-suite shower. Should I move the shower or put another window in the loft?

Budget: £20,000

A. YOO’s Constanza Collarte says: “Since there’s only £20,000 to be spent, I think the best place to start is with the bathroom. It’s in the loft so I imagine that being exposed is part of the charm.

“What if you open up the bathroom by introducing more glass apertures or if you’re okay with a bolder statement, adding glass doors/partitions instead of solid walls where possible? This will allow natural light from the glass bathroom to spill into the rest of the loft.  

“As for the character, I would try to preserve and highlight whatever features the loft has that would be worth saving – ie. if there’s brick, perhaps covering with a glossy paint (which always helps with light/reflection). Or if there’s wood flooring using a process that exposes its natural beauty.”

For more case studies and brilliant ideas from YOO’s designers, look out for INTERIORS BY YOO by Philippe Starck, Kelly Hoppen MBE, Marcel Wanders and Jade Jagger. YOO’s first book  out now – priced £20 or pre-order online at www.Amazon.co.uk for £14!

I’m sharing this because I want to ensure that this magazine continues to adorn our newsstands.  Not that it is in any danger but, like climate change ( we’ve got to be vigilant) to ensure it does not disappear completely into cyber space.   So, I’m aiming at starting a small groundswell of followers who will adore and cherish this print publication.

And it is… Habitus – living in design

Firstly thing you will notice is the  physicality of Habitus  which hints at the experience awaiting you on the pages.  The cover is just so tactile – I find it most soothing just to sit and stroke it a few times before I slip into another article! The mix of paper stock takes your fingers though a journey from the raw and earthy to the luxurious. 

The articles span art, architecture, furntiture design and interiors, dipping in and out of the lives of Australian and international artists and designers.  You feel like your peering behind the scenes, uncovering secrets,  sharing an intimate view of their lives and inspirations. 

The writers and photographers who contribute to Habitat are well chosen, the words are insightful the images are beautiful.

Cruising through the ‘news’  section I can quickly see the ‘must haves’ for my little nest, the AT-AT laptop desk from Roethlisberger Kollektion for starters (issue 04) or the Lamp No. 1 by Nicolo Taliani. ( Issue 05). 

Okay so I’m gushing, but you know there is so much terrible media out there today, no depth, no respect for you the reader, the viewer, the customer.  It is just wondrous to find a magazine like Habitat that converses with its readers.

I won’t take you through my favourite articles because you need to buy it and read it yourself.   I’m treating myself to a subscription for Christmas!   I’m thinking you should too! 

Visit Habitus to subscribe

habitus, living in design