Category: interiors
I Heart Mr Morris x
But as a rule, it’s been because of his interiors..however..
Nigel Weymouth wearing William Morris Jacket with Rufus Potts Dawson, Amanda Lear and Jess. Photo by Colin Jones 1967.
George Harrison also sporting a fetching number… And the modern equivalents..
Alice and Olive floral skirt. Style.com
Oswald Helgason A/W 2013 Collection..seriously worth checking out.
Crossing the centuries: Maria Sethe.
Which goes to show, when it works..it works.
Laters, Kate x
At the Palace..
Last week I went to Buckingham Palace no less…sadly Queenie was otherwise engaged, but it did mean I could see the ‘In Fine Style’ exhibition exploring the fashion of the Court during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
I have a pavlovian response to this sort of treat…just the thought of finding secrets, and secrets about secrets and the little ideas that will then play in the mind and link up with other ideas already dancing is enough to make me drool.
I love the collar just poking over the top of his doublet. Tres chic.
A later picture, but another lovely, charming collar line with exquisite detail.
The detail on this slashed cuff with the shirt underneath pillowing through?
How much did Nether Stocks wrinkle? And why did Aglets go out of fashion?
There was no impressing discreetly. This was a time when fashion was a huge vehicle for displaying social status and wealth, but as a consequence the quality of the craftsmanship is awe-inspiring. As was the glimpse of the shell pink pink satin in this pocket.
The work on this collar..literally done by the fingers of angels the stitches were so small. The tassels on the end were like a collection of snowflakes hanging impossibly together.
Monochrome has never been out of fashion.
A fine way to tie a cravat..
As was this.
It was sleeve and cuff heaven.
Hows that for a trendy man-bracelet?
So unusual..made of scarlet feathers..and holding?
And all the rooms were in strong, royal colours. The perfect backdrop.
We thought this was for a child. But no. I could literally fit my leg calf ankle in the waist. The cut of the neck..so elegant.
More exquisitly unbelievable detail.
I can also confirm..the royal toilets pass muster..
Laters, Kate x
YSL lives on..
(Photo by Sophie Carre)
Back to reality..almost..
There are certain places I have visited only in my dreams, but one day, one day Rodders, I’ll get there…Coco chanel’s apartment, the Picasso Museum in Antibes..and the Studio of Yves Saint Laurent at 5 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris.
For a lucky few and until the July 21, it’s possible to go on a guided tour of the studio and library courtesy of the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation. The Foundation was set up to share the forty years of accumulated memories and artefacts of this iconic creator with his intimidating reputation for excellence and meticulous sculpting of cloth.
Oh to be a speck of dust. To be still and drink it in.
But if I can’t be there in person. Sigh. There is still the internet – part of the Foundations aims is to promote cultural projects and with this in mind, they are releasing all sorts of wonder through their site which is so worth a visit. For instance, there are the production boards..
Illustrating 1283 production drawings from 81 Haute Couture collections from 1962- 2002. Each garment features a sketch, a sample of fabric from which the final garment was produced, the name of the couture workshop that produced it, the name of the model that wore it and even the order in which she walked during the Fashion Show. It is a little glittering cyber treasure trove…
It’s also possible to buy a beautifully bound four book edition of the Production Drawings. And if I had 2,100 euros handy..I would.
The latest release from the Website is the ‘Paper Dolls’ – Yves Saint Laurent made these beauties between 1948 – 1949 using from amongst other things, cuttings from his mother’s favourite magazines – Vogue, Jardin des Modes and Paris-Match. These fragile works of art are the physical embodiment of his vivid, verdant imagination and somehow make him feel very human..touchable even.
The website allows you to pick a ‘doll’ and then choose her outfit by clicking on it..how super cool!
Hours and hours of nostalgic Haute Couture pleasure…with more than a little bit of fairy dust.
Laters, Kate xxx
‘
Set…Go!!
A huge WELCOME!! to all who come here on this wonderous day of a different kind of blogging..our inaugural BLOG PARTY..come in, have a mojito..
Or something from the strawberry bar..
..take the weight off your feet and have a look around!
Our post today is about our Preview launch on Tuesday 11 June..but before that, here is the list of amazing and eclectic blogs for you to ‘Blog crawl’, visit and enjoy!
First of all we want to add in three extra Blogs because they have kindly posted about our launch and spread the love:
www.thewordgirl.co.uk – a lovely, personal post from a great blog
seventy7q.com – beautifully written
dressing4dinner.com – Manuela will be writing her post very soon
reasonstobecheerfulandsad.wordpress.com
traveltalesbytash.wordpress.com
thevintagetraveler.wordpress.com
rachelfashionblogger.wordpress.com
sarathewindowshopper.wordpress.com
diamondsanddirtdotcom.wordpress.com
We’ll be seeing you all very soon!
Now us..we wanted to do the Blog Party today to celebrate one thing – the first ever Preview of our new label MasonBentley..and here are a few pics from the night..there’s not a huge amount as I hardly had time to have my camera in my hand..but I hope it gives a flavour of what a fun, buzzy night it was!
The night was an achievement in itself..but the reality?
It’s just the starting point…
xxxxx
Ready?!
After a truly hectic week – launch and the aftermath (amazing!) plus teddy bears picnics, Sports Days, school fetes and all the wonderful extras that indicate the winding up of a Summer Term (which I do love..must remember a pirates costume for Charlie on Monday..) it’s time to brush up the Blog for the Big Party tomorrow..the glasses are polished..the buntings up..fresh flowers ordered…strawberries plump and ready from the Farmers Market (with a choice of fresh clotted cream or rose water of course)…So I think we are nearly there…just need to write tomorrows ‘Welcome’ post – always lovely to see when you walk through the door!..but most importantly here is the list of all the wonderful bonkers Blogs that are joining us for the fun..(I am more than happy to update if we get more requests)…this is completely mad! but personally I can’t wait to share a glass of something special with you all tomorrow!
reasonstobecheerfulandsad.wordpress.com
traveltalesbytash.wordpress.com
thevintagetraveler.wordpress.com
rachelfashionblogger.wordpress.com
sarathewindowshopper.wordpress.com
diamondsanddirtdotcom.wordpress.com
I’m aiming to get round the whole list. Fingers crossed!
xxx
It’s Pardy time! (With an update x)
Our big day was Tuesday 11 June when we finally Previewed our First Collection…more on that a bit later – but we’ve been thinking..what better way to celebrate than having a Blog party?!
Lord only knows if it will work!
The plan is that all who want to join leave their Blog addresses in the comments below..then all day on Sunday 16 June (Got to have a bit of advanced warning to get the nibbles in..) We visit each other’s Blogs on the list and share the creative spirit..
Up for it? Or is it utterly bonkers?!
P.S. Little update: The Preview was a BRILLIANT night! Fantastic turn out..very buzzy…and most importantly..SALES!! We are delighted (understatement) !!..I will write more as part of our ‘Welcome to the party’ post on Sunday – but I just want to leave this main post here till then as a point of contact for as many potential party goers as possible..we are so thrilled by the response to this idea! I will post a list of all razzle dazzlers on Saturday evening UK time – whoo hooo! – and update the list on Sunday if nec..we really can’t wait!…
xxx
The Creme de la Creme..
I often wonder if winning the lottery would actually make my life better. It’s a moot point. However I do know it would make my walls so much more fantastic. I apologies for the next pictures..they are pure avarice and excitement and are (cough) ridiculously expensive (a pot of paint and a bit elbow grease won’t rock it with these babies) but they are sublime, aspirational and quite frankly give me giddy butterflies.
These hand painted chinoiserie wallpapers are from the company de Gournay. And looking at them you feel it is the timeless work of centuries of work from old master crafts men passing their craft down from generation to generation. In fact the Company was founded in 1986 by Claud Cecil Gurney. After searching for artisans to restore the antique wallpaper in his own home he discovered the traditional art was on the verge of disappearing. He made it his mission to resurrect it. And I for one am so thankful that he did.
To give you an idea..the paper is so expensive you can have it steamed off if you move… and re-used in your next millionaire mansion!
Laters, Kate x
Black is the new white..
Despite the prospect of summer round the corner I am surprisingly gripped with the idea of turning our front sitting room into a cocoon of darkness..slate grey, deep navy..something with gravitas. I love the way it makes other colours pop but still wants to hug you close..then the next room, the kitchen a complete contrast: white n wood n marble with floor tiles from the previous post..
(Photos courtesy of http://www.Elledecor.com)
A girls gotta dream.
Laters, Kate x
Thing of Beauty 3
Looking at a beautiful floor lets me breathe..it’s like visual porn for the mind’s eye. The best are not glossy, gossip columns but tell a story, wearing their battle scars with pride and an undeniable polishing of age. My ultimate joys are marbled mosaic floors as found in St Pauls Cathedral, the Victorian tessellated floors like those found here in the UK and possibly my favourites: Encaustic cement floor tiles from places such as Cuba, France and Italy..the artisanal flair, patterns and colours are literally chocolate for my soul. I can understand if people find them ‘too seventies’ or too dominant…..but come into my world…see if I can change your mind..
And a true font of knowledge and know-how is an amazing website called Villa Lagoon Tiles based in the States where all the pictures on this post came from. They collect pictures and information and best of all, make these tiles. Go loose yourself in their website..the options and designs are both endless and fascinating..I was lucky enough to order tiles from them for our bathrooms..but I still head back whenever I need a creative fix to see what new ideas they have come up with.They can copy old tiles or you can choose from their classics range..the following are from their Cuban heritage section. I literally die.
Or they have modern options..
I’m feeling the need for renovation coming on..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
