Showing posts with label London. Show all posts
Showing posts with label London. Show all posts

Saturday, May 24

Shopping on Saturday

With summer approaching I have been thinking and dreaming about garden urns and decorative lawn decor - not pink flamingos - but beautiful aged pieces that reflect French summer homes. Appley Hoare Antiques, a well established shop on Pimlico Road in London, is the place to shop for just such items. Daydreaming is always an option as well. Disclaimer - I have no personal hatred of pink flamingos.

A beautiful hand carved wooden table lamp with aged creamy paint and distressed patina. Made in Italy.

English 19th century cast iron urn on original pedestal.

A large French iron wine bottle dryer on original wheels. Cica 1910

Pair of 18th C Cotswold stone spheres/finials.

Wednesday, March 12

London Photo Tour

Chihuly's enormous glass Chandelier under the dome of the main rotunda entrance at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Internationally celebrated Seattle artist Dale Chihuly is a by-word for all that is spectacular and exciting in contemporary glass. Much is owed to the grand and historic tradition of Venetian glass, with rich colors and extravagant shapes prevalent in his work.

Dinner at the Running Horse in Mayfair (Monika Biegler Eyers, now the London Contributing Editor for Domino; me; Michael Devine; and my hubby). The gastropub has a great atmosphere, which can be summed up as equal part neighbourhood restaurant and traditional English pub. Excellent food, a cosy atmosphere with an open fire and reasonable prices make it a great little find in Mayfair. According to my husband, the squid is particularly good.

Drinks at the Savile Club in the heart of Mayfair. The club was established in 1868, occupying a beautiful 18th Century house. Champagne is always a great way to start the evening. Michael made the drop and I now own the beautiful Gramercy fabric!

My visit to The Rug Company was one of the highlights of my trip. I have long been a fan of their beautiful rugs, but photos do not do justice to the gorgeous colors and textures. Everyone I met was gracious and very knowledgeable, truly a great group of people.

Fun, fanciful and colorful wall hangings. What sets The Rug Company apart is their Designer Collection by well known designers such as Paul Smith, Diane Von Furstenberg and Allegra Hicks among talented others.

Stunning is the only word to describe the work of artist Ewan Gibbs. Ok, it's not the only word, but it's an apt one nonetheless. My husband and I are both absolutely smitten with his work and the best part is the artist himself. On Monday we meet with Ewan and Joanna Thornberry, Associate Director of The Timothy Taylor Gallery. Afterward we had drinks with Ewan at a local pub. Not only is he hugely talented, but he is a super nice guy.

The Timothy Taylor Gallery opened in 1996. Since opening, the gallery has presented an ambitious programme of exhibitions by internationally recognized contemporary artists from Britain and abroad. The gallery supports and showcases younger less-established artists and is one of the leading venues in London for contemporary art.

Kelly Hoppen's designer emporium on Fulham Road. A great shop with a little bit of everything, including her own medley of ceramics, furniture, and original accessories.

Out and about in South Kensington, sandwiched between the Knightsbridge and Chelsea. Beautiful architecture and fabulous shopping!

Case in point...

Rupert Sanderson started making shoes under his own name in 2002, and now produces two full and two pre season collections a year. Rupert spends four months of the year in Italy refining each shoe with the artisans in and around Bologna, where he designed for Sergio Rossi and Bruno Magli after learning his craft at the Cordwainers College in East London.

We a fantastic dinner our first night in London—a glass of Pol Roger, a bowl of steaming mussels with fennel and spinach in a saffron laced broth and a plate of delicious smoked fishcakes were the main attraction. Tucked away between Fulham Road and Kings Road, The Builders Arms is an attractive Georgian building. The quaint pub features a spacious interior with comfy leather sofas, velvet flock wallpaper, a fireplace and bookshelves.

Wednesday, February 20

Genevieve London


Hat designer Genevieve Weaver arrived in London in 1953 and started a small shop in 1963 on King’s Road in London to sell furniture and accessories she found on her travels.

In 1963 Genevieve’s shop was at the “wrong” end of the King’s Road and the rent was £7 per week. Today it is a much different story and the shop is very much on the “right” end of the street. King’s Road boasts many great art galleries, restaurants and interiors shops.

Now run by her two sons Kevin and Marc Weaver, both travel around the world several times a year to source unique furniture, accessories and textiles for the home. Their journeys take them to North Africa, the Indian sub continent, Continental Europe, Southeast Asia, the Americas and Australasia. Guinevere has an international, loyal following of private collectors and interior designers.

My favorite finds this week:
Pair of Italian painted carved wood wall sconces, c. 1930

Pair of French floral glass & silvered tole sconces, c. 1940

Mahogany folding coaching table, c1850

Chinese green glazed earthenware garden seats early 20th century