Travel Blog: London!

I was in London recently, spending time in the Chelsea design precinct, visiting stores and suppliers along Pimlico Road and throughout Belgravia. Cox London, Soane Britain, Jamb, Chelsea Textiles, David Linley, and De Gournay, to name but a few. Classic stores that have stood the test of time and continue to inspire.

With current wallpaper orders in at De Gournay, and lighting at Jamb, it was exciting to see our products selections first hand. The bespoke wallpapers at de Gournay are sublime, hand painted and hand embroidered they will be an exquisite addition to one of my current Melbourne projects! The hand made lanterns at Jamb are also stunning and I can’t wait to see them installed soon.

Of course, all of London is inspiring, and I spent time at my other favourite haunts including Marylebone, Mayfair, St James’s Street, Jermyn Street and Saville Row. All thoroughly old school British! Think classic Cigar stores and exquisite gentleman’s suiting!

We were also lucky to experience dinner at the Wolseley, view the paintings of John Singer Sergeant at Tate Britain, and visit Blenheim Place to see the current exhibition “Icons of British Fashion”.

A wonderful week… and never long enough!

OLDE GOOD THINGS

The MOST incredible find in New York!
Olde Good Things salvages amazing architectural items, lighting, and other curios from historic buildings in New York and around the U.S.
Items salvaged from renovations the Plaza Hotel and the Waldorf Astoria were standouts for me, but the entire collection is stunning!

OLDE GOOD THINGS

333West 52nd Street

New York

THE MONASTERY ESTATE

Thank you @monasteryestate.venetianharbor for having us this week. It was a truly beautiful experience.

“The Venetian Harbor building was originally a castle that served as the mansion of a Venetian nobleman during the 16th century, prior to being occupied by a Turkish Aga and his harem.

It is located in a narrow yet picturesque alley, in the heart of the Old Town of Chania.

The hotel was restored by its new owner in 2015, so as to maintain its exquisite architectural features.

The thorough reconstruction process unearthed the ruins of Αncient Roman walls that date back to the 1st century AD. The walls are now exhibited under an extensive glass floor that encompasses over 2,000 years of history.”

Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor

Parodos 4th Kallinikou Sarpaki 40, Chania

Crete

Pineapple Hill

A recent visit to Indonesia and a catch up with Mr Stuart Membery, in his exquisite home.

Tucked away in a quiet gang off Jalan Batu Belig is his private sanctuary “Pineapple Hill’. It is a designers dream, a carefully and artfully directed and curated space. It is a masterstroke in design, showcasing his classic style, and exceptional taste!

A wonderful host, and good friend, an evening at home with Stuart Memberys home is truly inspiring.

A Melbourne Showroom

It is always exciting to be invited to collaborate. Especially when the invitation involves designing a space with total autonomy.

The Australian Moulding and Door Company in Melbourne, are currently creating a ‘High End and Heritage designer showhouse’ to showcase their extensive range of decorative building products, and the work of local Melbourne interior designers.

Approximately twelve designers, myself included, are being showcased. I have been invited to take on the largest space, which I am transforming into a vintage Whiskey Lounge, complete with fireplace, and bespoke club furnishings.

Below are some images, as an indication of what’s to come!

Australian Holding and Door Company.

High End and Heritage showroom

Due for completion February 2024

Embracing the Dark side

While I am known for my penchant for 'white' interiors, I have recently been gravitating toward a darker colour palette in my work.

There is something decadently luxurious about a dark interior scheme; deep natural tones in charcoal, black, chocolate, and tobacco, teamed with deep oak joinery and other timber interior details.

It's a slightly more masculine look, that suggests the feeling of an old school gentlemans office or library.  There are leather bound books, cut glass whiskey decanters and a collection of timber walking sticks.

As the following images suggest, using darker elements in a traditional scheme will not look dated or overly fussy; what we see, in fact, is a slightky contemporary edge.

By using a clever mix of beautiful fabrics, natural timbers, sophisticated colour schemes, and perfect accessories the look can be stunning, elegant, and utterly timeless.

'HOTEL MAYFAIR'

When asked to design the store windows for The English Tapware Company I knew I had to deliver something enduring, elegant and classically sophisticated.

I have long been an admirer of their superb range of tapware and other bathroom items from Perrin and Rowe, The Water Monopoly, and Hawthorn Hill. Many of these products have appeared in my own design projects over the years. My windows needed to reflect the collaborative relationship between myself  and these companies.

My window settings step back in time, to a classic British era, an era of elegant English hotels, luxury country getaways; a well heeled and well traveled gentleman's sensibility.

Set inside the imagined bathroom of a traditional english hotel, “Hotel Mayfair” and styled with luxury bathroom accessories, I chose classic design elements, including architectural pilasters and beautifully profiled paneling. My colour scheme of navy and white, is reflected in my gentlemen's suiting and boater hats, the sporting equipment, and my hand designed selection of furniture items from my own range. (Soon to be released) I selected the Dr Harris & Co Windsor bath-ware collection not only because of its sublime navy and white  packaging, but also because it is just. so. good. I adorned the walls with navy grasscloth wallpaper from Porters Paints and the hand mixed white colour choice is from Dulux.

I hope the windows are inspiring, as good design should always be, and that in their execution, demonstrate my passion for timeless style, classic elegance, and quality craftsmanship.

Both the Melbourne and Sydney stores are now complete!

Visit Melbourne at:
751 High Street, Armadale 

Visit Sydney at:
170 Queens Street, Woollahra 

BILL BLASS - NO 1. SUTTON PLACE, MANHATTAN.

I have always admired the style of the fashion designer Bill Blass - his work was classic and simple - with beautiful detailing and classic tailoring. His apartment in New York, which he designed with the help of Chessy Rayner and Mica Ertugun of the interior design firm MAC II, reflects the same aesthetic. 

Situated at No. 1 Sutton Place, Manhattan, I was fascinated by the interior. I remember the first time I saw it, perhaps twenty years ago. It was timeless, gracious and and it oozed the most exquisite classic style that I had ever seen.

The furniture was very Regency in style and the decorative details were wonderfully quirky, featuring globes, architectural models, and columns. The apartment was masculine, monotone and to me it was... perfection!

I love this quote from the man himself...

"There is a sense of dignity, a simplicity and a classicism in my clothes which can be read into the apartment. As I am surrounded with colours and fabric all day I look forward to a monochromatic home. I work in fashion - I don't want to live somewhere that looks fashionable." - Bill Blass

The Nomad Hotel

JUSTIN BISHOP At The English Tapware Company

STEP INTO JUSTIN BISHOP’S ‘HOTEL MAYFAIR’

Enduring style, elegance and classical sophistication

Hang up your hat.
Put down your racquet.
Splash cool water on your face.

Unlace your shoes.
Liberate your toes.
Pour yourself a drink.

Stretch.

Better yet, run yourself a bath.
Immerse yourself in the Martha tub.
 

Enduring style, elegance and classical sophistication is what Justin Bishop has brought in abundance to The English Tapware Company new showroom windows in Armadale, Melbourne and Woollahra, Sydney.

Having made a name for himself not only in Melbourne but on an international stage, esteemed interior designer Justin Bishop has perfectly articulated The English Tapware Company’s luxury British bathroom collections with a well-travelled gentleman’s sensibility.

The sophisticated retreat is lined in heritage architectural mouldings, wrapped in grass cloth wallpaper and layered with the sensual curves of the Paris basin and Martha tub from The Water Monopoly, alongside Perrin & Rowe tapware with the engineering prowess of a Roger W Smith wristwatch. Hawthorn Hill mirrors reflect light into the distinguished space.

Reach for a towel. It’s cocktail hour.

- Words from The English Tapware Company, March 2023

Visit the window displays at The English Tapware Company between now and the end of Winter 2023.

SYDNEY: 170 Queen Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025 

MELBOURNE: 751 High Street, Armadale, VIC 3143

2023 - A fresh start!

Well, it’s been a colourful start to the year!

After a great Christmas, a road trip began. Travel this year was westward, towards Adelaide, along the coast, flying into Princetown via Helicopter over theTwelveApostles - amazing! From the Coorong we headed north, up and over the Spencer Gulf, to Port Lincoln. We saw beautiful coastline, beaches and seaside towns. As usual, I photographed everything along the way, as I embraced the history, the architecture (original limestone buildings) and the remote wilderness. I even managed a swim with the sea lions off the S.A. coast! An experience I will never forget!

On the return trip, totally unplanned, we hit a roadblock as I suffered a minor heart attack on the Murray River. I was flown by air ambulance from Swan Hill to Melbourne, where I underwent surgery at the Epworth hospital. I’m truly grateful for the amazing medics, and the treatment I received. We indeed live in a lucky country, and I’m am one very lucky guy!

Back home now, after the years bumpy start, I’m trying to reflect on my work/life balance. Last year was indeed intense, with MANY projects on the go, each with their own individual requirements and challenges. I love my work, however this year I may need to consider some moderation.

It’s clearly time to re-evaluate, reassess, and begin 2023 with a fresh start!

Twelve Apostles, Vic, December 2022

‘The Obelisk’ Robe, S.A. December 2022

‘Karratha House’ Robe, S.A. December 2022

Tungkillo, S.A. January 2023

Eucalyptus, Port Augusta, S.A. 2023

Oysters, Coffin Bay, S.A. January 2023

‘Homestead’ Mildura, Vic. January 2023

Perlubie Beach, South Australia January 2023

HEART, HEALTH, AIR, AMBULANCE.

One moment Im standing on the banks of the Murray River, the next I’m being flown by air ambulance to Melbourne.
An insanely busy year, and some self neglect, lead to a minor heart attack. My cardiac history caught up with me, again. Have now had surgery, and a new stent placed in a blocked artery.
So grateful to the team at @ambulancevic , the staff at @epworth_ hospital, my amazing cardiologist, and of course mr @guyreeves1 for everything he does!
Time now to recover, re-evaluate, and renew!