old and new

The Decanterlights are truly one of a kind, each made from lead crystal decanters that have been hand sourced from antique markets and vintage shops by Broom and his team. Hung together in clusters at Coquine to create a warm glow amongst the eclectic surroundings, the Decanterlights have already created such a stir that Broom has decided to build on the concept to develop a collection that will soon be available to purchase in either clear crystal or with a contemporary polished gold finish.

I have increasingly become a fan of all things old, whether it be clothes, decoration, or interiors.
You cannot question the true beauty of something with a story to tell and had stood the test of time, these things have character something which todays new and mass produced clones cannot compete with.


The use of these sourced items show how well adding these touches can enhance a space massively.

product launches go one steps further

A glass of expensive champagne on a swanky rooftop bar just doesn't cut it in the competitive world of product launches, which are all vying for VIP attendees and press coverage. 

Chanel decided to think outside of the square for the launch of the brand's new perfume, ‘Eau première,’ staging the event at a private Parisian apartment. Chanel recruited acclaimed set, window and interior designer Jean-Marc Gady to create an experiential event for guests, a "scenography" tasked with bringing the new fragrance and the heritage of the brand to life. Gady has created spaces for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon and Apple.

http://www.thecoolhunter.co.uk/article/detail/1387/the-chanel-experience

inspiration starting points

The new Gareth Pugh flagship store in Hong Kong is prime example of the use of contrasts, light and dark feature strongly along with matt and shiny. 
Although not necessarily the most original themes to follow the reflections in materials create confusion and an endless vortex of moving images.


 "Iwan Halstead, Creative Director of daytrip says “early inspiration for the shop came from conversations with Gareth about ‘Witches of Eastwick’ and his work with Showstudio. I showed him a Hype William’s directed Busta Rhymes video and some materials and we felt we had a strong concept that echoed his brand ideology.”"


This is where my interest lies for this store, and maybe controvesially proves more interesting than the overall outcome itself

restored church

a key example of a beautifully and sympathetically restored church in Barcelona, 

more info at  http://www.yatzer.com/2244_dressing_with_light

Le Matignon - Paris

French architect and designer Jacques Garcia has done it again!

A personal favorite has created this exquisite restaurant in central Paris, a place where people are so spoilt for choice when it come to design they prove hard to impress.

Here in my opinion the fabrics speak elegantly and the dimmed lighting creates an intimate atmosphere to be enjoyed by all.

At Matignon, Garcia has created a luxurious mix of eclectic and opulent, subdued and bold, elegant and funky.

 Matignon has no online presence at this time, so the only way to get to know it is to go in person. 

Matignon is located at 3, Avenue Matignon 75008 Paris, telephone : 01 42 89 64 72.

Pictures and some content from http://www.thecoolhunter.co.uk/article/detail/1726/le-matignon--paris

recession killer.

In New York, the most glaring signs of the Great Recession are the stalled construction sites littering the city--boarded up, dusty, and desolate eyesores.

The architecture mega-firm Woods Bagot may have a solution, which they've just unveiled: Temporary, inflatable buildings that let the developers make money while they wait for their finances to shape up. "We tried to re-imagine how you could reuse those sites," Jeff Holmes, the partner in charge of Woods Bagot's New York office, told FastCompany.com. "But it had to be a real proposal. There's been a number of creative solutions in New York and Boston because of the number of stalled states. We took a hard-nosed look at creating something viable."

Stalled sites pose a problem for developers whose financing has dried up in the recession because even when sites lay unused, they wrack up huge tax burdens--as much as $2 million a year. And sites can easily go fallow for 2 to 5 years.

http://www.fastcompany.com/1662273/stalled-sites

Home Office

My Friend Z.T of Zoe-Louise (Bespoke Millinery Service) is currently contemplating the best way for herself to expand her home office, while i know this is definitely not how she intends to have her home office look, it does bring the whole idea of working from home into a new light.

“These SHOPHOUSES captures show the hidden side of working Bangkok few people know: a fascinating world of color, history and industry. I admire Peter Nitsch’s sensitive photography that illuminates historic places that I hope will not vanish.” – Sujata Massey, Author

content from

http://www.dezeen.com/2010/07/14/shophouses-4-x-8-m-bangkok-by-peter-nitsch/

one mans rubbish is another mans treasure.

i am not able to find the website this originally came from but would like to share with you this image i came across earlier today.

always keen on hidden surprises i found this a great example of reusability, the original toilet roll is transformed in to an object of value without added anything at all.

looking at this has made me ponder my final year project starting in sept, and although i originally thought of focusing on a facility to be used along side the 2012 london olympics i am considering taking up the challenge of a compact space, that functions well for its user??