Birthdays at home... Effortless Saturday night sophistication for a family birthday dinner...
Carrara
We have recently specified a porcelain Carrara tile for a clients five bathrooms.
Authentic Carrara marble is quarried in the Italian province of Carrara. It is a gorgeous stone used to make tiles, tabletops and countertops in homes around the world.
Carrara marble, like other marbles is porous. Because of its light color it is more likely to show stains than other marbles and stones. It also needs regular care in order to maintain its beautiful surface. In addition, cleaning Carrara and other types of marble must be done properly with a pH-balanced stone cleaner.
We love the look, but is the maintenance worth it? The obvious solution is to opt for a faux Carrara porcelain tile. The options here are endless and the quality is supurb thanks to recent advancements in technical manufacturing.
A faux marble is an intelligent choice.
The look is stunning. Carrara is timeless and elegant. It transcends period style and can work effortlessly in a modern or traditional scheme.
Bramante's Tempettio
High up on the Gianicolo, on one of the spots where St Peter is believed to have been crucified (St Peter's is another), San Pietro in Montorio conceals one of Rome's greatest architectural jewels: the Tempietto, designed by Donato Bramante in 1508 for Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere.
Considered the first great building of the High renaissance, I had been inspired with the little temple since I began studying architecture in my early twenties. During my first visit to Rome I made the pilgrimage to Montario to marvel at its beauty first hand.
It is architectural perfection. It has a circular interior surrounded by 16 columns and is topped by a classical frieze, an elegant balustrade and a proportionally perfect dome. The small circular structure, with its Doric columns, has classical symmetry that was subsequently imitated by many architects.
The Tempettio remains one of my favourite architectural icons, along with the work of the great Andrea Palladio (who's Italian country villas are of similar architectural perfection). Its understated elegance continues to inspire me today.
Compassionate Voices an exhibition
Compassionate Voices is a unique collaboration between Voiceless, the animal protection institute; Koskela – Australian furniture and homeware designers, and a collection of 31 innovative Australian artists and designers united by their vision of a world where animals are treated with compassion and respect.
Opening night of Compassionate Voices will be a special evening of art, advocacy and creativity in support of Voiceless. Held on 14 August, the gala evening will feature Dr Charlie Teo AM as master of ceremonies, Christie's auctioneer Ronan Sulich, live entertainment and delicious cuisine from Kitchen by Mike.
Curated by Liane Rossler, and part of Sydney Design, a cutting-edge design festival produced and managed by the Powerhouse Museum, the exhibition will feature artwork and design objects spanning multiple disciplines and a specially commissioned centrepiece by sculptor, Anna-Wili Highfield. All works are available for purchase and will be displayed from 9 August to 7 September at Koskela’s Rosebery exhibition space.
Roos 2013 by Anna-Wili Highfield
Airstream
In 1931, Airstream began with Wally Byam’s dream: to build a travel trailer that would move like a stream of air, be light enough to be towed by a car and create first-class accommodations anywhere.
When it comes to Airstream trailers, I am totally smitten. I dream of the day that I own one myself. It could be a second home, an office or vehicle for luxury travel. It would be custom designed, new or old with a classic, refurbished interior and a gleaming, metallic shell. The shinier, the better.
Dreaming of your own polished aluminum quarters? Here are some classic midcentury examples that have been inventively restored and put to use as hotel rooms, guest houses, home offices, and in a few cases travel vehicles.
Above: A 1952 model renovated by a yacht interior designer functions as a hotel room at The Hotel Daniel in Vienna.
Above: One of many restored Airstreams seen on Vintage Seekers via Design Sponge.
Above: Landscape architect Andreas Stavropoulos transformed a 1959 Airstream trailer into a fully functioning office.
Above: The accommodations at Atlantic Byron Bay resort include this fully equipped Airstream imported from America.
Above: In Albany, California, just north of Berkeley, is Flowerland nursery with a trailer coffee shop featured on Gardenista.
Above: Vancouver's Le Marché St. George café and grocery crew often picnic and camp out of their 1969 Airstream Land Yacht.
Above: A 1965 Airstream Safari recast by Area 63 Productions and interior designer Caroline Brandesfor rent on her property in Big Sur, California.
The Sir John Soane Museum
When he wasn’t designing notable buildings (among them the original Bank of England), Sir John Soane (1753-1837) obsessively collected art, furniture and architectural ornamentation. In the 19th century, he turned his house into a museum to which, he said, ‘amateurs and students’ should have access. The result is this perfectly amazing place.
Much of the museum’s appeal derives from the domestic setting. The modest rooms were modified by Soane with ingenious devices to channel and direct daylight, and to expand space, including walls that open out like cabinets to display some of his many paintings (Canaletto, Turner, Hogarth). The Breakfast Room has a beautiful domed ceiling, inset with convex mirrors. The extraordinary Monument Court contains a sarcophagus of alabaster, so fine that it’s almost translucent, that was carved for the pharaoh Seti I (1291-78 BC) and discovered in his tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. There are also numerous examples of Soane’s eccentricity, not least the cell for his imaginary monk ‘Padre Giovanni’.
I was lucky enough to visit the museum on one of my trips to London. Situated just out side of the city at number 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The museum itself is a succession of remodelled town houses, purchased and adapted by Soan over a period of 50 years. One particular room, my favorite, is devoted to his historic architectural model collection. Breathtaking but fragile in its original state, the room was closed for several years. It has been recently restored and will soon be reopened to the public.
Kitchen Styling.
Every now and again I am given free reign. It happens often enough when doing commercial work, styling for photo shoots or visual merchandising. But the real thrill is being able to style a clients home, knowing that it is permanent styling to be enjoyed longer term.
This kind of styling must be sympathetic to the design scheme we are implementing for the overall property. In the case of one of our current projects, it certainly was. We added another dimension to the homes modern country interior by layering rustic textures and aged finishes. We used a range of eclectic vintsge objects and authentic country items to achieve this.
We loved the result..
An exhibition
Cafe de Beaumarchais is proud to present an exhibition of drawings and paintings by Melbourne interior designer Justin Bishop.
The works, which pay homage to the great Hollywood portrait photographers of the 1930's and 1940's, will be on display from the 12th of April to the 31st of May this year.
From an early age, Justin has been fascinated by the imagery of the 'silver screen'. He has found himself mesmerised by the glamorous, theatrical and provocativly dramatic portraits of the major film stars of the era. These portraits have been the inspiration for this collection.
Through his highly detailed mode of illustration, Justin produces large photo realistic portraits, layering a variety of mediums, in an exquisitely distinctive style.
This exhibition is the first time Justin's works have been on public display. Included in the collection are a handful of pieces that Justin created as a child.
Large original works will be available for purchase, with smaller limited edition prints available. Justin is also happy to discuss commissions.
Cafe de Beaumarchais
372 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd
Sassafras, Vic.
03 9755 1100
12 of April to 31st of May 2014
8am to 5pm 7 days.
PAINTINGS
Last year, I looked back at my art work from my college days.
I was reminded of my passion for painting, drawing and illustration. I had forgotten how diverse my skills were, how I loved to experiment with techniques and different drawing styles.
Assuming I still had those skills I picked up some pastels and began to draw. It became apparent after five minutes that they had diminished - my techniques had become rigid and flat.
Unperturbed, I enrolled in a weekly illustration class determined to regain my skills and techniques. I began to free up my hand. I began to remember tone and texture, highlights and shade.
Thankfully, my skills returned.
After class, in my own studio, I began to paint again and I have since completed some big works. As in college I am using a mix of mediums - paint, charcoal, pastel and pencil. I am working mostly on large 900mm x 1200mm canvases (I love this scale as I can really focus on the finer details of my subjects). I am enjoying the results.
I thought I would share some finished pieces here. An exhibition is now on the cards.
Sydney favourites The Country Trader
Many years ago, I lived in Paddington, in Sydney's inner east. One of my favourite memories while there, was walking along Glenmore road, past grand sandstone terrace houses, through Fiveways and out to Oxford Street. On the corner of Glenmore and Oxford was The Country Trader.
It was a store like no other. Long before vintage French provincial antiques became overly fashionable and garishly reproduced, this store was the real deal. I visited it often. It was at this store that I first remember feeling a wonderful sense of creative inspiration.
With the philosophy 'Anything is Possible', The Country Trader specialises in new and antique furniture and furnishings from the provincial to the opulent, as well as custom, architectural and interior design, restyling and restoration.
In recent years, The Country Trader has found a new home in the pyd building in Surrey Hills in Sydney's inner south (an area that has rapidly become the hub of interiors 'fashion forward' enthusiasts).
Whenever I am in Sydney I am compelled to drop in. The Country Trader continues to be one of my favourite stores. The stores owner, Geoff Clark, travels the world in search of antiques and one-of-a-kind finds, allowing Sydneysiders to the chance to take a treasure home for themselves. This applies to breathtaking furniture and woodwork, stunning pieces of art, collectors' items, and much, much more.
Walking around the store is overwhelming, yet thoroughly inspiring. The large space is filled to the brim with fabulous items and wonderfully theatrical visual merchandising - yet is it not cluttered or claustrophobic. You'll find items of various styles, from eclectic to traditional. Along with beautiful furniture and lighting, you'll find the unexpected, collections upon collections of breathtaking object d'art.
To seal the deal the store also houses a selection of the Ralph Lauren furniture range, costly but totally desirable in all it's magnificence.
The Country Trader
pyd Building, 197 Young Street, Waterloo, New South Wales
