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Last week I had the pleasure of checking out the fairly recently opened The Upper House establishment in Hong Kong- the second installment by Swire hotels (they opened The Opposite House in Beijing late last year). Designed by local rising star Andre Fu of AFSO (who will be speaking at BoDW later this week), the spaces are done in a modern Asian style that is simple, elegant and luxurious. I haven't seen the guest rooms yet, but the public spaces are lovely. When I checked out Cafe Gray for both mid-afternoon coffee and a late night cocktail it was jam packed. News travels fast in this city. I have to say though I especially loved the Living Room....complete with an open fireplace (a bit of a rarity in this city) that might just have to be added to my favorites list, see previous post on fireplaces here. What you can't see in this photo is during the day when the drapes are drawn there is an enviable view of green mountain side. What a great place to curl up with a book - any time of the day!

Saturday night was the latest Pechua Kucha night in Hong Kong, one of the Detour satellite events to the BoDW this year. I don't think I could have thought of a better venue for it myself - the old Police force married quarters. While these buildings have been gutted and are probably ready for demolition (they are on prime land after all...) - thankfully someone realised their potential as gallery space in their current state. While the Pecha Kucha speakers were doing their thing, an interesting crowd of people listened on either from the sandy "lawn" below complete with beach balls, or from the balconies of the apartments which housed a wide range of student and local artist installations. It's nights like these, organised by forward thinking individuals, that will help this city reach its full potential and set it apart from the rest of Asia.
Here a few random photos I took of the evening...

My copy of the Kelly Wearstler book "HUE" arrived a little while ago, and it does not disappoint! I have already devoured it and am looking forward to having some more time to savour each and every drool worthy image. It's quite a departure from her past two publications. While there is still plenty of the Wearstler signature saturated colour...there are also plenty of spaces that are decorated in a more easily digested sea of neutrals. Her new home is simply stunning, and is so...well, for want of a better word, eclectic. It's definitely more modern than her previous residence, and actually looks quite European to me in the way that she has mixed sculptural pieces, bold art and lots of disparate elements against the classical architectural backdrop. I wonder how long it will take for her to be bored of it and move on? If nothing else, we can all live vicariously through her. I only hope that the next book doesn't take so long to be published...I feel like I've been waiting on this one for years! Now....go get yourself a copy!

Good weather, great food and cutting edge design are all great reasons to visit Spain, but then who really needs an excuse? The next time I make it to Madrid I think I will have to try and stay at the Hotel Villa Magna. Designed by Spaniard Thomas Urquijo, the Villa Magna is beyond chic. Its contemporary, yet so classic and timeless - my kind of place.

Oh, and I am so in love with that blue sofa/bench in the lobby area I could just die.

Seriously people, if there is anyone out there still not reading the Spanish Architectural Digest, you are really missing out! Month after month it delivers gasp out loud stunning interiors. The latest issue is certainly no exception. I'm totally in love with the apartment featured by Madrid based designer Estefanía Carrero - its just so chic. Check out her website or the magazine for more pics!

All photos by Ricardo Labougle for AD España November 2009.

The mercury has really dropped here in Hong Kong in the last few weeks. At first it was a relief from the hot sticky summer we've had, but now I'm not so sure. I know I shouldn't complain because there are much colder places in the world, but it really seems like winter has done a deal with autumn this year to do a no show. Its around about this time each year though that I start daydreaming about having an open fire. Plus, I love a good fireplace, it usually adds such visual interest to a room, and makes a great focal point. So here are a few of my recent and all time favorite more modern looking fireplaces...


A stunning apartment by Laura Kirar from the latest (and last) Metropolitan Home (so sad!) - photographed by Peter Murdock.

A luxe combination of snakeskin and onyx in the apartment of Jason Pomeranc, decorated by Steven Sclaroff. Photographed by Timothy Kolk for Elle Decor Nov '05.

Black marble in Pierre Yovanovitch's own apartment. Photographed by Marina Faust for Architectural Digest Feb '08.

Sleek and chic by Portuguese firm Oitemponto.

Minimal by Christian Grevstad.

Two marble masterpieces by David Collins Studio - he always does beautiful fireplaces in my opinion.

Vintage goodness by Paul Dupre-Lafon. From the book "Meubles et décors des annees 40" by Anne Bony.

A whole wall of marble in Kelly Wearstler's Malibu beach house - so much more than just a fireplace. Photographed by François Halard for Metropolitan Home and other recent publications.

An over scaled fireplace in the Chakib Richani designed home of fashion designer Elie Saab, photographed by Fernando Bengoechea for Elle Decor Oct '04.

And last, but definitely not least, another over scaled fireplace in a home by David Kleinberg. One of my all time faves. Photographed by Pieter Estersohn for Elle Decor Jan/Feb '09.

...the idea of faux exotic finishes on walls. I'm not sure I can think of anything more luxurious than being completely surrounded by tortoiseshell, ivory or horn. Don't you think? And the bonus is, there is absolutely no guilt attached!

A study decorated by the late Randall Ridless which was apparently inspired by Billy Baldwins library for Cole Porter. Looks like the perfect place to curl up with a pile of magazines and a cup of tea on a cold day!

Photographed by Simon Upton for the March 2005 issue of Elle Decor.

A bedroom by Miles Redd, with faux ivory (walls) and faux horn (cornices). Just stunning, and so clever.

Photographed by Thomas Loos for the July 2009 issue of House Beautiful.