postcard from negombo, sri lanka

I’ve been a bit offline these days-been chilling in Sri Lanka where the internet connection is patchy to say the least.  I realized there is a difference between hotels that advertise internet connection and places that advertise internet connection that actually works.   Oh well, I have some now even though it is really, really slow.

Negombo is a town on the coast just outside Colombo.   A walk along the beach revealed quite a traditional lifestyle, though lined with hotels, the beach is mainly unspoilt with fishermen working the sea.   The fishing boats provided lovers with the opportunity to spend some quality time with each other while enjoying the crashing waves.

We stayed a the Jetwing Lagoon- which was a great place to unwind and with a cool 100m pool.  The rooms were spacious and the breakfasts delicious.  I especially enjoyed my share of string hoppers- rice noodle cakes topped with freshly grated coconut and palm sugar.   The local curries were packed full of flavours and the seafood as fresh as you could hope.

Cool…tiong bahru, singapore

One of Singapore’s oldest housing estates, Tiong Bahru was famous for its low rise apartment blocks that used to house many a rich man’s mistress.  Now it is the home of some of Singapore’s quirkiest independent stores and cafes.

Nana & Bird has cool clothes by Singapore designer, Aijek and the most beautiful fine necklaces by Japanese designer, Yuki Mitsuyasu, inspired by the designer’s travels to Nepal.  Tucked away on side street, the jewellery collection alone is well worth a look.

I was also impressd with design store, Strangelets collection.  I love Astier De Vilatte’s piece of porcelain.  Strangelets selection was quite varied and put Lane Crawford’s to shame. This is where you should go if you can’t make it to Paris to pick up pieces.

Two book stores are worth mention: Woods in the Books and Books Actually.   Woods in the Books is a picture book store, but it’s not just for kids- a cool selection of graphic novels make fun for the hipster adult.  Books Actually has books of course, but we more more excited over the vintage bits and pieces in the back- piles of pencils from the 60s as well as great stamps and clips, Pez dispensers etc- this is a collectors heaven.  Don’t forget to pick up a Marginalia  cahier by Birds and Co.  Individually typed and stitched little books  with famous quotations from artists, philosophers and writers.  I can’t tell you how cute they are.

After all that shopping, don’t forget to get your cup of kopi at Aussie style cafe 40 Hands.    The cakes were delicious.

Our new store front

We had a lovely Chinese New Year break, despite a bad cold which I am still trying to fight off.   However, we are full steam ahead in the store and are busy restocking with new products and showing more of our furniture collections.  In addition we have revamped our store front.  Isn’t it cute!

Come in and take a look at our Eclectic Cool range of linen.   We have them in stock in around 8 colours but we are able to order them in around 23 colours.  Our napkins are HKD90 each, runners HKD 210 and tablecloths HKD 845.    We also have some cute fabric baskets that are great for inside or outside alike.  Fill with bread and fruits for a casual al fresco lunch , or use to store veggies in the kitchen.  The small is HKD 135 and the large is HKD 255.

They will be able for purchase on the online store very soon.

See you at the store!

Cool…apartment redesign

Hong Kong spaces are nothing if not small.  One thing that you have to understand that the listed size of an apartment may not actually be the correct size: when renting or buying  an apartment make sure that you ask what is the ‘saleable’ size, rather than the gross size.  The saleable size takes out the common amenities and actually indicates space.

In Sheung Wan, where the stop is located, even over the last 3 months that we have been here, I have seen the quick gentrification of the area, where locals who have lived here for years are being pushed out by high rents.   I guess it is not the first city where this has happened.    Now, you often see expat faces, climbing the stairs of traditional tong laus.   We are increasingly getting a lot of work from clients who are looking to redecorate these small spaces.   Some forward thinking types have managed to buy whole buildings and are turning them into multi level homes.

The project at 226 Hollywood Road, designed by Ilse Crawford, gives some indication of the possibility of these spaces.   From the glossy charcoal grey tiles to the lush walnut cabinetry that takes advantage of the view of the park (in HK called an ‘outdoor seating area’)  opposite.   Something like this project, does seduce you with the idea of downsizing your life and moving to a smaller and more central, space.

Cool…simple interior apartment design

This interior shows how easy it can be.   A combination of a simple palette, furniture choices that use form as its main adornment. The addition of some natural textures- the wooden bowls and marble  mixed with some great lighting and of course the addition of some natural light &  you have an interior that is stylish and easy to live & with.

Some key pieces that make this interior:vintage Jielde lights, both freestanding and wall mounted.   Eames chairs which are simple & sculptural. The Muuto dots hanging in the bedroom & some great graphics. You can look on Etsy for something similar.

All it needs is some rugs to soften the hard lines.  I think something in black and white would do the trick or a neutral jute. Check out the rugs in our store.      What do you think?  Too  austere or does this interior have a restrained beauty?

Cool…The 9th Muse

Have you visited the cool jewel store, the 9th muse in Lyndhurst Terrace?   They have an varied selection of fashion jewels and accessories for sale and you will love their prices!

The founders ,Charlotte and Jing, have been friends since university days and dreamed of one day starting their own accessories business.   Their store is the culmination of this dream and the research and work they have put into  it shows!

So many of their pieces are unique and original- just the thing to brighten up a dress for Christmas or just to perk you up today.   They cater to lots of different styles too, you will be sure to find something whether you are boho chic or sleek and sophisticated.

They very kindly interviewed me for their blog (you can read it here)  & making me sound much more interesting than I am.  Thanks girls!

Cool… ANYTHING STATIONERY BY MICHAEL SODEAU

How messy are you when you work?

I have to confess my desk always looks like it has just been through a tornado.  Books, camera,computer(or 2), an assortment of cords, pens, tablets, notebooks, tape measures and the ubiquitous cup of coffee (or 2) litter the surface.   However, I have made a vow to live more neatly, inspired by the new range of desk accessories arriving soon instore by Japanese brand, ANYTHING-DESIGN.   Designed by Michael Sodeau, a British designer who has worked for  Modus, SCP, Gervasoni, Wedgwood and other international brands on everything from sofas and lighting to restaurants and textiles, these pared back designs look good everywhere.

Everything in the range is designed for utility,functionality and beauty.   From the easily recognisable  red, yellow and black hands of the clock, to the scissors in a stand and the beautifully tall tape dispenser, your loved one will be able to staple, cut and tape to their hearts content- & make meetings in time!

The range will be online soon.

Cool…mercado de san miguel

I have been thinking how delicious Spanish food could be, which reminded me of my  recent visit to Madrid’s world famous food market, Mercado de San Miguel.   Filled to the brim with Spanish delicacies as well as a sprinkling of ethnic food, walking through the market is a delight to the senses.

The building itself is also worth a visit.  Recently refurbished, the cast iron and metal structure is laid out in a series of stalls where you can sup on tapas as well as enjoy ice creams and have a drink.

Well, what did we love?  My favourite were the little cones of chorizo sausages, accompanied by freshly cooked potato crisps and little bowls of cold gazpacho soup and finished off with a cup of chocolate with churros.   What do you drink?   Sangria, of course.

Mercado de San Miguel

Plaza san Miguel

Sun – Wed 10:00 – 22:00, Thu – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

cool…inventing the modern world

One of my favourite TV shows of all time is the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South.   Set in the north of England in the Industrial Revolution , one of the best scenes is the the meeting of the main characters at the Great Exhibition of 1851.   Held at the Crystal Palace, a temporary structure set up in London’s Hyde Park, it was built to showcase new technology and processes and included exhibits from all over the British Empire.

The success of this exhibition led to many similar events being held in the latter part of the 19th century.  One of the main ideas was to give viewers a look into how industry and art combine to produce not only technologically advanced  designs but beautiful ones.   A new exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh , entitled Inventing the Modern World, opening on October 12, explores this relationship from the Great Exhibition in 1831 to New York’s World Fair in 1939.   With around 200 examples of the most extraordinary works of furniture, metalwork, glass, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry produced by leading international artists and firms, including Lalique,  Sèvres, and Tiffany some of these items have never been displayed in the US.

I would go just to see Oswald Haerdtl’s 1925 wine decanter for Lobmeyr, a feat of engineering, technology and precision, this delicate glass decanter is finely blown and elegant with a fabulous stopper!

The exhibition continues in Pittsburgh through Feb. 24, 2013, and then moves to the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Mint Museum in Charlotte, N.C.

Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939