Tablet-Magazine-studioannetta

Classic 'Candice' tortoishell sunglasses, from Oliver Peoples

Wide brim 'Lola' hat from Vivre

When I was 13 a friend of my mother's told me that black really suited me (I was dressed head to toe in it), much to my mother's chagrin. Being an impressionable age, I took the compliment to heart and have been pretty much obsessed with black ever since. Living in Melbourne, which is the Australian equivalent to New York - it looks like a sea of black and grey in winter, certainly helped.

One of my all time favorite interior designers is Barbara Barry. My current obsession with American interior design all started with her. I remember searching for every scrap of info, any photo I could find and was thrilled when her website was created. In my opinion she has created some of the most beautiful and elegant interiors, and some even more beautiful furniture and product designs. She was my idol. Well, she still is really, but let's just say I've branched out. Not so much moved on, but I'm exploring other options. Since I started reading blogs and I started my own I've discovered so many other talented designers around the world, but mostly in the US, and have been a bit neglectful of my original mentor. So I thought it was about time that I paid tribute to the woman who got me started on this journey. Here are just a few of my favorites...

Last night I saw the last in a series of eight BBC (UK) documentaries called The Power of Art, presented by Simon Schama. As with most things, I've missed the first 7 of them! The one I did see last night was about Mark Rothko. An artist that I did not know much about previously, this was a fascinating insight into an extraordinary man. The presenter was a little pretentious, and there were a few too many knowing glances at the camera that lasted a little longer than necessary, but it was a pretty good show nonetheless. The first seven shows were about Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso, Turner, Bernini and David. I was wondering has anyone else seen any of these? If so, what did you think? I might have to track them down on DVD.

*UPDATE*, I've been informed that the DVD is available from amazon. I also discovered the book version - also available through amazon, or for other Hong Kongers, its available at Kelly & Walsh bookstore, Pacific Place.

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, of Toronto based design firm Yabu-Pushelberg have created some of the most luxurious, elegant and timeless hospitality and retail spaces that I've ever seen or had the pleasure of visiting. A mulitple award winning firm that has been inducted into the Interior Design hall of fame, regularly commands a fee of more than 1 million USD$, and has worked on some pretty impressive and high profile projects over the 30 years since the company formed. The luxe factor that they create for their high-end clients has had some pretty amazing effects on sales (check out this article in Canadian Business online) - which I guess helps them justify their astonomical fees! Their clients to date include Bergdorf Goodman, W Hotels, Lane Crawford, Tiffany & Co. and Carolina Herrera - just to name a few. Here are a few of my favorites...


Lane Crawford, Hong Kong

While I spend today hanging out on the couch nursing a red wine induced hangover from our Australia Day celebrations last night (it's okay, I don't expect any sympathy), I've discovered a few new blogs - this one in particular caught my eye...check it out!

I don't often do non-design/style related posts...but I couldn't resist this one. If you aren't already familiar with this website, check out the blackle website...please.

My first purchase from 1st Dibs, very exciting, is a classic 50's Robsjohn-Gibbings slipper chair that is in need of a little help....look at it...its a bit sad really - don't you think? (This one DEFINITELY needs recovering, as well as a new cushion)

This renovation from an industrial warehouse to an uber chic bachelor pad in Melbourne had me swooning! If I was to renovate an old warehouse, this is pretty close to what I would do myself. The former 1 bedroom apartment owned by Steven Quigg, Melbourne based Interior Designer has been transformed into a 4 bedroom space with a study. Normally you read about people buying apartments and knocking down walls to open it up - but not this time. I'm a big fan of walls, and I actually like having rooms, so I appreciate what Quigg has done here. With a mix of high and low, old and new, minimal and decorative, he's created a space that he calls international, yet feels very Australian. Painted brick walls and highly polished concrete floors mixed with Ralph Lauren wallpaper (Ashfield Floral in Gunmetal) create a stunning backdrop to a collection of period and custom made pieces. Its cool and cozy.


Sorry, bad scanning quality here, but these images are of the open living dining area. The sunburst mirror was purchased while the owner was living in New York. An antique Empire sideboard sits behind Jardan sofas. A 19th C French chandelier sits over the custom reproduction dining table. The 50's French neoclassical dining chairs are covered in a pearlescent vinyl and backed with black dyed springbok. The large canopy chair (on the right hand side of the 2nd image) is covered in cowhide.



The painting at the end of the galley kitchen is by Peter Walsh.

Photographs by legendary Australian photographer Bill Henson line the length of the open study.

A custom made lampshade by Quigg adds a bit of glamour to an antique lamp base. The painting beside it was commissioned by Quigg.

A custom made mirror panel head board adds some light and a bit of glitz to the bedroom.

All images from Belle Feb/Mar 2008, photos by Shannon McGrath.