Reclaimed Timber Interior Design

I am about to start planning stage two of design and decoration for long time clients house. Just over a year ago we started on a barn conversion and extension down stairs and is job is now 80% complete. We just complete a bedroom with new enclosed balcony, floor sanding and waxing, and adding new skirting and architraves. We will then start on upstairs bedroom, bathroom and study/lounge. I am so excited to be doing the design planning over the next few weeks.  A extensive amount of reclaimed timber was used in the house for stage one and one of my greatest influences in the design world for this scheme was the very talent Architect and Interior Designer Bobby Mc Alpine. Below are a few images of rooms I only just found today where timber has been used as key element in the interior design of a house. We will be doing a similar thing on my job also. In fact the soft neutral palette with be almost the same. I think perfect for a barn conversion.
Enjoy the Photo courtesy of the very talented Bobby Mc Alpine.
Have a great week.
Warm wishes,
Daryl x

Love the raw feeling of the timber on the ceiling, doors and floor. All slightly different in colour and tone but so look right together.

I really warm to the use of linen, and other tactile materials in this room, it feels so relaxed, calming but at the same time very elegant, classic, contemporary and sharp.

Again such great use of timber on the ceiling and walls. Such wonderful simplicity but sophistication with the stone bench/slab, metal look vanity basin and antique oriental pot and mirror.

Paris January 2013 The Palais Royal Musee du Lourve

Photo or the Palais Royal Musee du Lourve July 2011

Winter, the rain and cooler weather has had me thinking of our trip to Paris in January this year and so I am posting a few photos. 

Where to start on the 5 week trip I took over 1800 photos, (not all in France I might add). So I thought I would start in one of the most recognisable places and names in the world, "The Louvre" namely The Palais Royal Musee du Lourve to be exact.  

On entering the forecourt of the palace from the east you are over whelmed and at the same time surprised at how simple the entrance structure is. 

Now a little history:

A Steel and Glass Pyramid structure by Architect I. M. Pei stands over a new entrance (since 1988) in the main court. Since the construction of the Lourve Pyramid and its newer galleries, attendance has doubled since completion, (2002). 

New administration under the guidance of two directors since 2001 and the latest director Jean-Luc Martinez, (April 2013)  has given the museum greater independence over its administration and has achieved 90% of galleries to be open daily as opposed to 80% previously. They over saw the creation of extended hours and free admission on Friday nights and an increase in the acquisition budget of new works per year to $36 million US dollars from $4.5 million US dollars in 2013, quiet an achievement. 

Now with the addition and opening of the New Louvre Abu Dhabi, this alone as initial cost to the Sheik Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan of $1.3 billion US dollars, (prior to opening) and a further 400 million euro over the course of 30 years for its use of the museum's prestigious brand. The deal with France also includes the rotation of between 200-300 permanent artworks during a 10 year period, provide management expertise and to provide four temporary exhibitions a year for 15 years. 

The Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world and is the worlds most visited.

The future of the Louvre Museum looks very rich, very positive and very interesting indeed. 

Have a great week, enjoy the photos and more on Paris next  Monday.

Warm wishes,

Daryl x

Close up of I. M. Pei's glass pyramid structure looking down into the entrance gallery.

Another Close up of I. M. Pei's glass pyramid structure.

On entrance to the Palais du Louvre courtyard, the glass pyramid entrance to the far right.

A few metres closer.

View from the one of the smaller satellite pyramids

Leather Chairs and Sofa's

Yesterday I set a vintage leather wing back chair in our store window. Then today I had a meeting with a new design client who I am helping with her home. She just so happens to love old leather sofas and chairs and wants to introduce these to her home to give it a more masculine feel as she has 3 young adult boys and her husband with whom she share's a house. She has felt in the past her other houses have been far to feminine for the 3-1 ratio and it was time to turn the coin over and embrace a more masculine type of decor. It has got me thinking as I am not naturally drawn to leather in furniture particularly sofas as they are extremely difficult to accessorise with cushions, (as they keep slipping off ) and I personally always find them hot and sticky in the summer and cold and slippery in winter.
But give me a arm chair, a wing back or even a deep buttoned Chesterfield and that's totally another story. A good aged leather chair or sofa can look so settled in a room and really make it feel grounded bringing a organic relaxed feel to a space. The more patina on the chair the better. I have posted a few photos below of leather chairs with my thoughts on each. If you have time let me know what you think. Might be time to give leather some thought when using it in your home or even office as see how amazing it can really look.

Have a great week.

Warm wishes,
Daryl x

These aged leather wing backs look fantastic in a neutral interior adding texture, tone grounding substance to the space. A very rustic, not overly contrived room but definitely not to masculine either by using the velour/chenille fabric on the sofa and the floral tapestry on the ottoman/coffee table.

This room looks so refined, so elegant, so masculine and rich a perfect mans study or office to escape to  and do some serious work or relax and read a book by the fire. I just love the two different colour leathers used, so unexpected. 

This one is so very preppy, so very Ralph Lauren, what I would call "controlled rustic industrial". 

The look would work really well in a quite minimal interior to give it a "edge".

What better than a pair of old leather wing-backs, instead of a big sofa in this space. They look just right for this room, not too heavy, not too masculine, not too old but really ground the room and give it a "history" the decor deserves.

The two leather chairs in this room have been successfully introduced with other more feminine elements to really visually soften the space. The wall paper, the orange book, velvet cushions and even the coir rug soften the masculine look of the leather wing-back, (by the way I have found access to these wonderful chairs here in Australia should anyone "just have to get one").

Simple, classic and beautiful detail in the stud work the well kept but worn patina make this chair a sort after piece for any room.

Ideas for Mothers Day 2013

I thought today I would post on gift ideas for Mother's Day as so many customers this week have come into the store searching for ideas. So for all our customers too busy to get out and look, we have narrowed the field via the Internet and are hoping we may help via our blog and instagram,
(so please check out instagram for lots of ideals each day).

Perfume, always is a classic and welcomed Mothers day Gift:
Fragonard is one of our favourites.

The Perfumer Distillery and Head Quarters in Grasse France

The store in Avignon-et-Provence France

The House of Fragonard, a story of perfume making

A passionate dedication

It was shortly before the First World War that Eugène Fuchs, an entrepreneur at heart who had already been seduced by the magic of perfume, decided to set up his own perfumery based on the novel concept of selling perfumery productsdirectly to the tourists who were beginning to discover the French Rivera’s charms. Parfumerie Fragonard was opened in 1926. Eugène Fuchs chose to name it after the famous Grasse-born painter, Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806), as a tribute to both the town of Grasse and to the refinement of 18th-century arts. Similarly, the choice of name expressed his desire to run his business in accordance with traditions.

This spirit has been loyally perpetuated by the three succeeding generations who have run and are still running the company. At their instigation new productionplants and sales outlets have opened in Grasse, Eze and also Paris.

It was under the tenure of Jean-Francois Costa that the Parfumerie Fragonardwent through a rapid expansion and modernization. As an avid art collector, during the 1970’s he amassed a large and unique collection of antique perfume related items that has both enriched the Fragonard and given the town of Grasse a new cultural dimension.

Today, Jean-François Costa's daughters, Agnès and Françoise preside over the perfumery's destiny, and are as concerned as the preceding generations with continuing to build the company while adapting it to current market needs and desires.

Some notes from the French Perfume House Fragonard.

Fragonard's stunning Moment Vole Eau de toilette was originally created for exclusive sale in the Jean Honoré Fragonard museum in France! 2012 saw the fragrance released to the world! This fragrance features rich notes of ripe berries, precious floral accords of damask rose, iris and violet and a base of velvety amber. Made in France and exclusive to only two store in Brisbane, available in 100ml bottle as shown above.

Top note:Ripe berries
Heart notes: damask rose, iris and violet
Base note: Amber

From the wonderful Grasse region of France comes Fragonard's iconic Caresse Eau de Parfum. Re-created from a historic Fragonard perfume, Caresse is a sweet harmony of Mediterranean flowers and fruits. Features delicate notes of rose, jasmine, orange blossom, mandarin, peach and apricot. Made in France and exclusive to only two store in Brisbane, available in 50ml bottle as shown above. 

Re-created from a historic Fragonard Perfume, Fragonard's Billet Doux Eau de Parfum pays homage to the most beautiful flowers of the French Riviera: Sweet William carnation, peony and frangipani blended with bergamot, lemon and mandarin on a background of cedar and smooth vanilla. Made in France and exclusive to only two store in Brisbane, available in 50ml bottle as shown above.

Top notes: lemon, bergamot and mandarin
Heart note: sweet william carnation.

Base notes: cedar, vanilla and musk

Another favourite gift idea for Mother's Day is anything from the French Laguiole Brand, Laguiole ticks all the boxes on style, prestige, quality, price and French artisan craftmanship.

Some notes from the French Artisan Cutlery brand,

Laguiole Jean Neron.

Hand crafted in France since 1829, these Laguiole pieces are of exceptional quality at remarkable pieces. Each piece features the trade mark Laguiloe Bee, home ware items can only be labeled Laguiole if made in one particular region of France by French artisans, (beware of copies). All pieces are crafted of quality stainless steel and resin, giving them a lovely weight in the handle. Pieces are elegantly gift boxed in wood. Incredible value for a French made product with a single cheese knife starting $19.95.