Retail Love...

Have I told you lately that I love Liberty...the store I mean...and I suppose the sentiment too. In the three weeks I spent in London, I was there enough that the ladies in the home department actually got to know me.

For those of you who haven't been, Liberty is more than a department store -- it's an experience. Think Anthro on steroids and with even better buyers.

Case in point: The Liberty Love Wall where they've invited their customers to post anonymous love notes.
|

Inspiration 10.27

Today is my last full day in London, and while I can't wait to get back to DC, I'm definitely a bit sad to leave all of my new friends behind...not to mention the amazing shopping.

The weather has been appropriately gloomy for my final week, and I'm longing for a little jolt of happy color.

Enter this cute little kitchen styled by Londoner Selina Lake. A little hot pink and shimmer is exactly what I need right now, and I also love how accessible this is. No fancy cabinets or appliances here, just a few simple tweaks that could make any standard issue condo kitchen feel like home.

Inspiration 10.26 (Emma Cassi Styling)

As promised, here is a little peek into some of the styling work Emma Cassi has done (many of the photos are actually from her own home). Per usual, everything has that distinctive British style -- clean, homey and warm (even with all of the white).

I seriously think they pump something into the water here...

Emma Cassi: The Jewelry

Okay, kids, it sharing time again! Another one of my favorite London discoveries is the multi-talented Emma Cassi -- blogger extraordinaire, maker of exceptionally beautiful jewelry and brilliant stylist.

I'll have more on her styling later, but first -- the jewelry. Intricate, beaded pieces with an ethereal, lacey quality, they are some of the prettiest pieces I've seen...well, ever. They will certainly be making appearance on my Christmas wish list. Shop here.

Love: Stuart Gardiner Tea Towels

I have discovered so many amazing product lines since I've been over here in the UK, and can't wait to fill you in over the coming weeks. One line that especially caught my eye, were these awesome --and educational-- tea towels from Stuart Gardiner. The seasonal food calendars are especially clever.

Wondering why I would consider the 'drop scones, not bombs' towel, educational? WELL, apparently:

"Drop Scones are a type of small pancake originating from the north. ‘Scone’ is pronounced as per ‘gone’ and not as in ‘cone’. Say it that way and you're quite wrong."

See? You learn something new everyday.

Scenes from Sunday

Ed Note: When you're done here, be sure to check out the 10 Things that Make me Happy over at Sacramento Street!

Hello from London, week two! I can’t believe how fast time has passed, and I’m drowning in pictures and cool products and artists I want to share. I thought I would start by sharing a few snippets from my Sunday.

I kicked off the day by grabbing a little brunch with the talented and lovely designer Heather Jenkinson at Albion, in hipster-y Shoreditch.

We both loved the modern English country kitchen feel, the gorgeous task and pendant lights throughout and the comforting sense of abundance you get from rows and rows of uniformly chic jellies and jams that line the front of the café. The food and the service...not so much love there.

Fortunately, the conversation more than made up for it, and we made a quick stop into Caravan around the corner. At Caravan, you get the feeling that you’re raiding your grandma’s attic for treasures…and your grandma is really, really cool. Vintage glassware, quirky ephemera, Jielde lamps, Deborah Bowness wallpapers and these fantastic silver roses that I’ve never seen anywhere else before.


Afterward, I set out with every intention to go to the Tate Modern, but was foiled by the heinous weekend public transportation and my complete lack of any sense of direction. Human compass I am not. Fortunately, my failed attempt to get to the museum took me on one of those fun and random wanders where you end up seeing important landmarks you hadn’t actually intended to, and come across unexpected surprises. One of my favorite discoveries was the Christ Church Greyfriars’ garden, built on top of the ruins where part of the church was destroyed in World War II.

So those are the highlights! As much fun as I’m having, I do miss DC a ton. What did you guys do this weekend?

London Blogging

Sooo, that fun news I was planning on sharing with you all is that...I’m in London for three weeks! I arrived around 6am Sunday morning, checked into my hotel, slept for a few hours, and then revived myself with a shopping trip. I checked out the London Anthro – which has a three-story living wall, and had a life-changing shopping experience at Liberty. Seriously, it was revelatory.

Anthropologie Regent Street's living wall.

The Scarf Room at Liberty

I’ll be doing my very, blogger best to keep you all updated on my little adventure, but I’ll have to ask you to bear with me if posting is (even) slower than usual. I’m here for work, which has a tendency of cutting into my blogging time J, and I’m unable to get Internet access from my hotel room – which means a great deal of my blogging will be done from the hotel business center – glamorous, I know.

Since I trust no one’s taste more than all of yours, please go ahead and tell me what to do in the comments!

Top photo from Twig Hutchinson

MODERN HOMES - MAJORCA + SINGAPORE + LONDON

Images provided by SHOOTFACTORY
View the complete inspiration library of images as a slideshow

Thanks to amazing blogs out there like one of my new favorites by Justin Anthony of materialicious he shares with readers his amazing sources on residential architecture, design, craftsmanship, materials and products. An excellent resource. Featured on one of his articles is an amazing company SHOOTFACTORY based out of the UK. "shootfactory is a full-service location agency, representing UK and international properties, studios and venues for TV, film, photo shoots, product launches and events. With over ten years’ international experience in our respective arenas of photography, styling, location management and production, we are committed to providing our location owners and clients with the best service, advice and support." Shootfactory is great option for clients to consider to turn their vacation properties into a source of income while not in use.

Here are a few examples of the many amazing interiors Shootfactory features. My top cities for modern inspiration MALORCA + SINGAPORE + LONDON.

MAJORCA - "Modern lifestyle studio in SE Mallorca (Majorca). Superb daylight. Open plan. Internal and external studio spaces. Props and lighting."

SINGAPORE - "Spread over 3600 sq ft, the indoors and outdoors merge seamlessly in this open plan apartment. Custom made furniture by the designer mingles with modern classics, industrial materials with soft textures."

LONDON - "Striking architect designed and photographer owned timber house. Bright and minimalist rooms with large expanse of glass. Stylish diner-kitchen room with outside space. Parking. Loading gates." The amazing architecture of David Adjaye

MODERN TRANSITIONAL - KELLY HOPPEN

Feature Interior Design Firm: KELLY HOPPEN
Location: London, Britain and Paris, France
Specialty: high-end residential, commissions including hotel, restaurant, office, aircraft
Project Highlights: Private Residences, British Airways, Royal Mougins Golf Club, Cartier
Photography by: Thomas Stewart, Vincent Knapp

I am inspired by world-renowned British designer KELLY HOPPEN, whose work over the years has motivated me to pursue my love of interior design as a profession. I admire Kelly as an excellent role model for her ability as a talented designer and creative stylist to turn her passion of design into a successful business. The Kelly Hoppen signature style has transformed the art of consulting into a brand of it's own. Recently, the firm has re-launched the KH website to feature the KELLY HOPPEN HOME line with BHS. Kelly now leads a team of 30 with offices based out of London and, more recently, Paris. I am excited to see her signature line of product accessible to a client market that has long admired her sophisticated sensibilities and approach to design. Kelly has been highly-influential in my career as a source of inspiration and as a professional leader.

INTERIOR LUXURY - KELLY HOPPEN

London is a beautiful source of inspiration for me. From the modern minimal architectural details of my favorite architect JOHN PAWSON to the interior styling of one of my favorite interior designers - KELLY HOPPEN. Her amazing signature style with the skill of layering luxury materials, rich textures fabrics with dark woods ... her eye for creating and incorporating the craft of cultural artifacts and amazing merchandising ... repetition, balance, symmetry, organic mixed with solid forms, bold shapes and surfaces ... the difference in her style is the refinement in her presentation and the combinations she brings together - love reading her new book STYLE - THE GOLDEN RULES OF DESIGN. I share with you some of my favorite examples of her work.

MODERN MINIMALISM - JOHN PAWSON

MODERN MINIMALISM ISN'T THE COLD INTERIORS THAT MANY INTERPRET AS BEING UNLIVABLE, LET GO OF THE CLUTTER AND OPEN YOUR MIND TO A WORLD OF AMAZING DETAILING ... THIS IS WHERE YOU REALLY COME TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF NOT JUST GOOD DESIGN BUT AMAZING DESIGN ... HOW OUR ENVIRONMENTS MOLD OUR LIVES IN SUBTLE WAYS THAT MAY NOT BE CLEAR TO US ... THERE'S A REASON YOU WALK INTO A SPACE AND FEEL REFRESHED OR EXCITED OR MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT LIES AHEAD ... TAKE TIME TO BREATH IN YOUR INTERIORS AND YOU WILL FEEL WHAT REAL DESIGN IS ALL ABOUT. SOME DESIGN MAY JUST BE OVER THE TOP YET LEARNING TO APPRECIATE THE POWERFUL MINDS THAT ARE BEHIND WHAT MADE THESE INTERIORS MAKE US STOP TO SAY WOW - THAT ALONE MAKES ME PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND US AND THE PEOPLE WHO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO PARTICIPATING IN SHAPING A BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR.

INSPIRED BY THE GREAT WORKS OF MODERN MINIMAL LONDON BASED ARCHITECT - JOHN PAWSON -
JOHN PAWSON RECENTLY UPDATED HIS WEBSITE AND EXPANDED HIS PORTFOLIO ON LINE. THIS IS A WEBSITE I OFTEN REFER TO FOR INSPIRATION AS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF MINIMAL ARCHITECTURAL DETAILING.

MODERN TRADITIONAL - LONDON

MODERN CONTEMPORARY - LUXURY GLAMOUR

Residential Interiors

The above portfolio images reflect modern contemporary designs that allow the detail of traditional refinement be combined with modern applications for the upscale, established clientele. Masculine colours accessorized with a feminine accent of crystal and silk. Combining rich textures in fabrics and finishes through out in deep colour palettes create a luxury interior. Sophisticated, refined, elegant timeless interiors created by London based firm Candy & Candy.

Developments Projects such as 21 Chesham Place
Architect: Foster and Foster