Hitting the ground running.....

Sorry not to have blogged the last couple of weeks.... I have been on vacation in Costa Rica. WOW. It was amazing, rainforests, luxury resorts, a volcano, jet skis.....

I was in a taxi on the way back from the airport and a client called.... wants to do a little shopping today.... back into it already!!

Loving it though.... vacation now a distant memory ;o)

One of my projects

I've been blogging for a couple of months now and thought it was about time I showed you some of my designs. Or at least one room. So here goes.

I started this project last September. My client is a world traveller and I wanted to reflect this in the design - hence the Asian console with marble inlay, Zanzibar coffee table, and the use of my clients' antique framed maps, etc.

The palette we chose was inspired by Autumn. I used a burnt orange paint suede-effect in the alcoves (either side of the fireplace), the walls are a grey/green and look like wintery skies. The rug had lots of Fall colours too.

The floor mirror is an art deco bevelled mirror and absolutely gorgeous in person (the photo doesn't capture the detail):

Gorgeous aged leather armchair:

The Asian console with marble inlay. Of course, I loved the antique map of England:

Here's the African metal coffee table - it has beautiful antique maps inside the drawers:

I would love to hear your thoughts on this room.... please leave a comment.

Outdoor living spaces

I'm really enjoying the beautiful weather we're having here in San Francisco, but I just cannot relax in our garden..... it needs a major rennovation and we just haven't had the time (or money) to do it... although we are now making tentative plans... so with this in mind, I'm looking for inspiration.

We have French doors leading out to a deck and then a three tiered grassy area. I'd like to create different areas - a casual seating area on the deck, with the BBQ - maybe.... then a hidden area right at the back with a kind of Provencal seating table and a fountain....

When it comes to planting, I want to fill the garden with fragrant blooms and herbs.... doesn't that sound lovely?

OK - where's the spade? Or rather, where's the Yellow Pages - I need to find a landscape designer ;o)

Feeling homesick

I normally go back to the UK every Summer but this year I decided that maybe I should stay in the US.... plus I am working on a project which requires a lot of my time. That said, I'm still homesick.

Whilst day-dreaming of England, my mind wandered off to a weekend I spent in Rye, East Sussex many years ago.

The whole weekend was planned for me - I didn't have to do a thing - just turn up at the train station and enjoy!

We stayed at the Mermain Inn. One of England's oldest and loveliest inns, with Norman cellars dating from 1156, the Mermaid, rebuilt in 1420, offers tradition and charm in abundance. I would really like to go back there again some day.

Here some photos of the hotel and surrounding area:


The lounge area and bar in front of a lovely inglenook fireplace:

A view of the surrounding countryside:

A couple of their rooms with four-poster beds:

If you are ever visiting England and want a romantic getaway - I highly recommend it. They also have a fabulous restaurant.

http://www.mermaidinn.com/index.html

Lighting up the room!

I absolutely love lighting. To me it can be a bold statement, a piece of eye candy, art.... whatever you think.... it's worth the investment.... ambient lighting is a must in a space.... many clients think it's not needed, but I try to get as many table, floor and overhead lights as possible.... I like to spend a late afternoon styling their home and leave all the lamps on..... to just have them come home to this.... well - it works!

Here are a few of my faves:

John Nouanesing

I came across this fabulous, young and talented French designer....

This table is called Paint or Die But Love Me.... John just presented it at the IMM in Cologne and, I believe, it's going into production:
Here are some more of his designs:

For more information, check out John's website:
http://www.johnnouanesing.fr