I had a 70’s childhood, you know the one where ‘prawn snacks’ fizzing on heinz tomato soup was A-OK. The cultural highlight of this was my American neighbours where everything seemed ‘Kodak Super 8’: the American fridge freezer, enormous … Continue reading
Christmas is gliding into view, yeah! I’ve got a lot of lists on the go, but the one I enjoy most is a sideline self indulgence, the ME list. My mother memorably made a ‘Present List’ every year, armed with … Continue reading
“Out of Curiosity comes everything”.* Adam and Eve, Painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder 1528 Curious? Well I am, and I think we should start at the beginning, not in the garden of Eden, where curiosity first raised a woman’s … Continue reading
In France this summer I bought a variation on a constant theme, the Grecian urn – going strong since 500 BC and beyond: Mine is a 1950’s French version, it’s a fab jade green – a bit of of fun … Continue reading
How far would you go for dinner? To the end of the road? to the end of the track? to the end of the mountain range? for there…high up in the sky is a farm. Here dinner becomes elemental … Continue reading
Cathay, China, the land of the dragon…has fascinated and inspired Europe for hundreds of years. Chinoiserie is a style created by fable, myth and exotic merchandise. What do I love about it? that it’s in an exercise in fantasy: European … Continue reading
The party of the century, and what did they all wear – masks. Elegant, sexy, tongue in cheek… miaow. At Truman Capote’s black and white ball those SWANS got their feathers ruffled. But the cat who really caught my attention … Continue reading
Billy Baldwin’s stair hall in 1949: Pink walls, white wood work, black floor paint and striking, graphic rugs in black and white. The banisters final curve, in gloss pink I think – don’t you? plays with the console table’s curves … Continue reading
I was totally taken with this exhibition stand for a trade show in ‘ AW 1913’: the clash of prints, intense colour, graphic interplay – really struck me as masterful . I also thought ‘AW 2011’. Most particularly Jonathon Saunders: … Continue reading
A DECORATIVE AFFAIR 