Happy Weekend With Sweet Paul

Sweet Paul's Summer issue is finally out and I am going to make sure to relax and read every single page this weekend. I adore this magazine and this issue is insanely gorgeous. What's even more special is that my friend Will Taylor aka Bright Bazaar debuts as Market Editor and he sure does a fab job.

Well done Paul Lowe and team for another fantastic issue!

Fun styling features by Paul Lowe. Photography: top spread Alexandra Grablewski, bottom spread Susanna Blaavarg.

Pretty Vintage styling & photography by Dietlind Wolf.

 Just a few of the great shopping pages by Mr Bazaar!

Yummy recipes with colours to die for... Photography: top spread Hector Sanchez, bottom Linda Pugliese.

Milano Design Week 2012 Fuorisalone Part Three

Following on from my previous posts, here are some more highlights from the Milan Design week. A mix from Superstudio più and Most. Enjoy :)

Gorgeous marble sculpture called Love's Gazebo by Werner Aisslinger.

Fantastic stairway at Superstudio Più.

Here was the perfect place to relax a the Alcantara installation. Time out was needed!

Kusch + Co, Past Present Future, project by Atelier Bruckner.

Stunning lights by Nendo supported by lasvit.

Etch Light Web from Tom Dixon.

Etch shade by Tom Dixon, so very futuristic.

I always love SCP's bright furniture pieces.

Fun knit stools at Designers Block by Claire-Anne O'Brien.

One of the most beautiful buildings in Milan, Museo Nazionale della Scienza. This is where Most was held.

Create your own Gelato at Most!

Tom Dixon any one?

Milano Design Week 2012 Fuorisalone Part Two

Day two in Milan was very full on, it was a matter of squeezing in as much as possible. After Breakfast I headed towards Tortona. Overwhelmed to say the least, there were just too many things to see and take in. Here are a few snaps of my journey...

Heading towards Tortona.

 Fab fab wall clocks from Doppel designed by Bruno Novo Verschleisser.

 Drip Lights by Gemma Fabbri for ex.t

Cool installation at ex.t

I also enjoyed the installations at Wrap spaces - so fun!

 Funky pouffes from 13 Ricrea.

Bead heaven at Atelier Del Cima... Look at the gorgeous array of colours!

These pretty letters by Chiara Bet Decoration caught my eye

An absolute classic! Love the old fiat 500!

Next stop was Superdesign and Most! Part three to follow...

Milano Design Week 2012 Fuorisalone Part One

What a couple of days it has been in Milan wow! Too much to see in so little time. I was blown away by so many fab installations... Here are just a few highlights of mine...

It wasn't the best of days and thunder was well on its way, but that was going to dampen my spirit. Off I went to Ventura Lambrate..

My first stop was to Lee Broom's Public House. It was lovely chatting to the man himself and I absolutely love his new lights, Crystal bulbs. Available to order from his website at £109 each.

I am a big fan of Jaime Hayon so a stop to see his work was an absolute must for me. 

His new chair design was on display, designed for &tradition.

How cute are these Bazkit chairs by Fermetti? Very handy to say the least, perfect for picnics I say...

Colourful Polyfloss was fun to see... It is basically a common waste material called Polyprpylene which is transformed into an easily transformable recycled material known as Polyfloss. This allows any skilled maker to create fantastic objects from a free material!   

Chairs by Maarten Baas, downstairs by Bertjan Pot, lights by Fabien Dumas.

Again downstairs by Bertjan Pot - absolutely love these!

Love this courtyard in Lambrate.

 Blub Lights by Fermetti, love the shape and wood finish of these.

Lots more to come in the next few posts and some really fun installations & products. You have been warned...

Day Home Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

While it's dark and thundery here in Italy, I thought I would immerse myself into something more inspiring and appropriate for the upcoming season. I am dreaming of those summer evenings, relaxing with friends on the beach and enjoying their company. Therefore it is perfect for me to share some images from the Spring/Summer Day Home collection from Birger et Mikkelsen. Earthy, whimsical mixed with some Scandinavian chic -it really is oh so dreamy!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter my lovelies, I hope you have a fabulous long relaxing weekend! Make sure to take time out of your busy schedule and enjoy every moment with loved ones, I know I will. See you next week!

Clockwise: Pottery Barn; Stylizimo; Sweet Paul; Martha Stewart.

You Inspire Me - International Women's Day

It's International Women's day today and so what best reason to dedicate a post to the top 5 women in the design community who I truly find inspiring and who in some way have inspired me to have achieved what I have today...

Holly Becker

A truly inspirational woman who had a dream and has made it into a reality. After quitting her job and managing her blog full time, Decor8 has become a runaway success. Now she is author of Decorate, one of the best selling design books of 2011 and is also busy working on a second book. Oh and did I mentioned she is just the nicest person you could ever meet! Holly is a true example of that dreams are made of.

Barbara Chandler

Her enthusiasm and vigour are truly one of a kind. I'm in awe of her energy and knowledge which she loves to share. Barbara  Chandler is a journalist like no other whom I look up to so very much. She is also an incredibly talented photographer where all of her inspirations are captured through her photos. Her Book Love London is a great example of the kind of woman she is.

Maryam Montague

Human rights and democracy specialist, writer, photographer, designer.... Is there anything this amazing woman cannot do?! I was lucky enough to meet Maryam in Marrakesh last year as I stayed at her boutique guest house, Peacock Pavilions. knowledgeable, funny and warm are 3 words best to describe her. I hope to meet up with her very soon as she really does transmit such positive energy. Look out for her new book Marrakesh by Design released in May.

Sania Pell

Talented stylist Sania Pell is another woman whom I feel terribly inspired by. I have always loved her work and find her creativeness one of a kind. I was lucky enough to visit her home and it was so inspiring to notice so many objects she had made herself. After spending a day with Sania, I felt all creative and inspired to really try and push boundaries. Her new book The Homemade Home for Children is out in April.

Abigail Ahern

Abigail Ahern is a force to be reckoned with, full of personality and one of my favourite British interior designers. Definitely not one to shy away from bold colours is what I admire most about her and I absolutely adore her take on design and her no nonsense attitude.  With a style of her own, Abigail is someone to feel totally inspired by.

Images: Holly- Thorsten Becker, Maryam -Carole King.

Today I'm Loving... Ninainvorm

Last week I stumbled across Nina's blog and what a pleasant surprise it was. Nina is a 29-year-old Dutch designer, art/craft lover and maker. She sells beautiful handmade ceramics in her Etsy online shop. With Spring and Easter coming up they are just perfect and really sets the mood!

Real Homes: Modern & Vintage Curiosities

People sometimes assume that Italian design is only crisp, white, modern lines but on the contrary they are also big lovers of vintage too. Here homeowner Alessandra Santi immediately fell in love with her 1930's home in Milan. A lover of art, photography and travelling her home is a nest of interesting curiosities. Modern twists with vintage pieces fills this place with so much personality. Totally inspiring don't you think? 

All images from At Casa, photos Cecilia Frattini