Harry and Sal's Design Blog: June 2007

SAL: I've been looking around for some modern bedding recently, trying to get away from the plain white classic look, which is my comfort zone. I've written about the lovely prints at Amenity before, which are gorgeous, and there are some striking designs out there from Jonathan Adler and West Elm right now, but those are a little too geometric for my taste. Trust Dwell to come to the rescue. I adore the Choiserie Pearl duvet set pictured above, it's unique, but accessible. Perfect.

Labels: 711, Textiles

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/30/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: The weather is so perfect in LA right now. I just want to be out in it all the time. Of course, that is not always possible - there are floors to be washed and clothes to be folded. But there are also picnics to be planned. Japanese designer Takeshi Nii designed this elegant portable chair in 1958. He called it the NY chair. When folded it stands on its own and is only 5.5 " wide. Love it. Will Rogers State Park here we come.

Labels: Furniture, Seating

posted by cerentha harris at 6/30/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: When it comes to soaps and lotions, you know you deserve only the best sweet-smellin' stuff for your delicate skin. Saipua (which is apparently Finnish for soap - who knew!?) is a small family-run business operating out of Hudson Valley NY. Take a look at the range of soaps available at their online store - which features everything from Gardeners Soap - with rosemary and mint, to Peppermint Pumice and Mango butter - I feel fresher already!

Labels: BedBath, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/30/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: No, this isn't a print. Although I guess you could frame it. It's a teatowel and I do love a good teatowel. It must to be absorbent - I hate the ones that just seem to shift the water around. And it's a plus if it also looks good. These cotton French ones look absolutely luscious. A perfect injection of colour into an all-white kitchen. At $18 they wont break the bank either.

Labels: Dining, Kitchen, Textiles

posted by cerentha harris at 6/29/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: As a Brit, living in the US, with many friends in Australia, knowing the time around the world is important to me. Bar visiting the inelegant, but functional World Clock site, I really don't have a very good solution. So imagine my delight at finding Charlotte Van Der Weels compact and clever desk clock, available from the folks over at Good. As the description reads The clock "has 12 sides, each with the name of two major cities. Altogether, the 24 cities represent the 24 global time zones. To find the local time in another time zone, roll the clock so the city representing that time zone is on top." A simple solution to a complex problem. Great design.

Labels: Tech

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/28/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: We finally made it to the renovated Getty Villa yesterday. They've added a massive modern building that's stepped into the hillside and includes a cafe and store. I liked the mix of concrete and timber. Very nicely done. The villa is wonderful to wander through - we've decided every house should have reflecting pools and a garden filled with sweet-smelling herbs. The art collection is not as compelling. I guess I'm not that interested in ancient pots and marble busts. I did find this rather elegant horse at the shop. It's inspired by an ancient Greek child's toy. If only all the toys my children have amassed were that simple and easy on the eye.

Labels: Harry, Kids

posted by cerentha harris at 6/28/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Frazier and Wing have an interesting portfolio - featuring collections of brightly colored cushions on the one hand and these whimsical mobiles on the other - and yet, somehow it just all works! For even more funky mobile designs check out the Hanging Mobile Gallery for ideas.

Labels: Ornaments, Seating

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/27/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: This portable ligh t would actually be just as good inside as out. Designed by Stefane Barbeau and Duane Smith it's made of water-resistant plastic and has rechargeable batteries. I love the colour. I can just see that warm yellow glowing on a lawn at twilight.

posted by cerentha harris at 6/27/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: I have to admit, I've always been somewhat of a pleb when it comes to wine, kind of comes down to, if I like it I'll drink it. However, that being said, a recent birthday gift turned me on to the value of decanting your pour before imbibing. It rounds out the edges and has proven well-worth the effort with vintages of every caliber since. There is a huge variety of decanters out there, it seems I'm not the only one to have cottoned on to this idea! Suede Box, above, have an elegant solution, but it comes at a none too elegant price at $250! I found some equally attractive alternatives over at Crate and Barrel and Clio has a beautiful selection also.

Labels: Dining, Eats

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/26/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: Tse & Tse is the brilliant collaboration of French designers Catherine Levy and Sigolene Prebois. Not only do they have the best dinnerware on the planet (check it out and see if you disagree!), they also have a very cool and whimsical website. So French. So very desirable. Right now my favourites are the Hungry bowls followed closely by the Thirsty Stemmed Glasses (the white ones lined with gold).

Labels: Dining, Kitchen

posted by cerentha harris at 6/26/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: You heard it here first people - it's the IT accessory this summer - the Panama Fedora hat - recently spotted on a host of it-girls, from Keira Knightley in London, to Cameron Diaz touring Machu Pichu in Peru. Believe it or not, it is a small town in Ecuador, the town of Montecristi, that has the reputation of producing the finest quality hats. However, if you're not really up for traveling that far, a fine selection can be found online at Brent Black.com

Labels: Style

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/25/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Blogging about what you like soon reveals your passions, as certain themes return again and again. One thing I'm drawn to, is how we record and save our memories, be it through photography, scrapbooking, or creating memory books. As our world goes increasingly digital, I find myself looking more and more towards the traditional. And so of course, I instantly fell in love with these notebooks highlighted in this month's Cookie Magazine - the classic Moleskine notebook - cut and paste - old school.

Labels: Stationery

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/25/2007 1 Comments

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HARRY: Philippe Starck has come up with a range of plastic dinnerware. The clever platter has a spike that holds glasses and bowls in place. Sleek and durable they come in gold or silver. I love the idea of packing a summer picnic and using these stylish utensils. Thank you Daily Olive for that great find.

Labels: BBQ, Dining

posted by cerentha harris at 6/25/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Continuing my rug theme for this week, I came across the wonderful work of Emma Gardner whilst in the delightful Weego Home store in Santa Monica today. Emma's work has a distinctly Japanese influence, which I love, but within a decidedly modern aesthetic. Her rugs can be found at Weego if you're in the neighborhood, or you can find a limited selection at Unica Home. Check out her website for the full selection and other retailers.

Labels: 711, Art, Floor, Floral

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/24/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: I regularly check out the NYT's real estate section online. The page design is not great - way too pretty busy for my taste. But if you scroll down to the multimedia section you'll find wonderful slideshows of amazing homes. I'm lusting after this apartment in Florence. They'll have 36 apartments available in spring 2008. Probably not enough time for us to save up but the interior shots are so inspiring. I like the clever mix of old and new. Also there's a great vineyard in Portugal and a little shingled home on Martha's Vineyard. I love this site!

Labels: Architecture, Furniture, Lighting, Windows

posted by cerentha harris at 6/24/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: I think I'm becoming a little obsessed with rugs recently, it's becoming a fetish. Ah, so soft, so smooth, but I digress... Thanks to Design*Sponge for highlighting the new selection of Thomas Paul rugs at Velocity. The one pictured above is called the Love Birds Tufted Pile Rug and comes in two color combinations: Corn and Cream - above - and Powder and Cream.

Labels: 711, Floor, Textiles

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/22/2007 3 Comments

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HARRY: OK, so here is another family member with a great eye for design - my brother. Sam is a cabinet maker and works with some of the best architects in Sydney. He also occasionally makes furniture for his bossy sister. He has finally put together a website. I love that he graduated from Sydney University after majoring in psychology and philosophy and then ended up working with his hands. This is a pic of my old apartment in Rushcutters Bay in Sydney. My husband and I decided to renovate when I was pregnant and I think Sam was still working on it as I was driven home from the hospital with Jack! Phil Moore, a lovely Sydney architect, did the design. We moved to a house in Leichhardt when Jack was around 2. I was so sad to leave that lovely little apartment. (My dad made the dining table...but that's a whole other story!)

Labels: Dining, Furniture

posted by cerentha harris at 6/21/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Take a moment to explore Citizen-Citizen a truly avant garde selection of objects, some for sale, some to just enjoy. Browse via the store or the gallery to discover such gems as this - a typical British school desk - complete with grafitti and gum - but in metal. A snip for $9600! Take a moment to stop and browse - it'll blow your mind.

Labels: Art, Furniture

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/20/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY My good friend and cousin Jules (actually she is married to my cousin so I guess she's my cousin in law) sent me this link. Jules is an interior designer and has a great eye. She also just renovated her house and I'm hoping when I get back to Sydney she'll let me post some pics of the redesign on this blog. In the meantime check out this great kids bedding designed by Anki Spets.
In fact I really like this whole site - Design Public. It's so nice to come across a group with such a consistent contemporary aesthetic. I just wished I lived in San Francisco so I could take advantage of their factory outlet.

Labels: Kids, Textiles

posted by cerentha harris at 6/20/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: I can't believe I've only just discovered Angela Adams - and she being a Mainer and all! A friend has decked out his daughter's nursery to vibrant effect with one of her rugs and I was smitten. Unfortunately, it looks like that particular design is no longer available - but the "Mammy" pictured above is equally as exotic!

Labels: Floor

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/20/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: New at A+R store, I spotted Tord Boontje's decorative wall hangings. They come as modular panels, 7" x 11", and you get six to a box for $60. Not bad! Available in brass or silver they are cut from plated steel - simply stunning.

Labels: Floral, Ornaments, Walls

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/20/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: One of the things I will miss about Los Angeles is the great shopping. I was at HD Buttercup today (returning a birthday present) and it is packed to the rafters with great homewares and furniture. And such good prices. The wonderful old factory in Culver City is now filled with over 50 manufacturers who sell directly to the public - they call it manutailing. Not particularly catchy, but a good idea. Cut out the middleman and keep prices down. I love the furniture at Floor-Model - you can see from the pic that it's lots of mid-century Danish and Swedish stuff. They also have great sales - check their website for details.

Labels: Dining, Furniture, Outdoor, Seating, Vintage

posted by cerentha harris at 6/19/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Amenity's Spring/Summer range is now in and it is beautiful. Simple botanical prints in monochromatic striking designs. All the bedding is organic cotton and at 320 thread count you're not skimping on the luxury. I especially liked the Cream & Cocoa Organic Willow duvet - cosy!

Labels: 711, Textiles

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/18/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: I am now old enough, as I edge toward 40, to own a real salt mill and pepper grinder. Those little ceramic pots I use now just aren't cutting it. I've got my eye on these pieces from Stelton. They're the kind of thing that will outlast us and get passed onto the kids. Investments really. I'm also keeping my eye on ebay but they don't seem to have much Stelton. Anyone got any other places to look?

Labels: Eats, Kitchen

posted by cerentha harris at 6/18/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: Just a quickie - check out this baby suit from rock poster artist Leia Bell (via super cool Babywit). I LOVE it. Makes me want to have another baby...3 kids?! Maybe not.

Labels: Art, Kids, Style

posted by cerentha harris at 6/15/2007 1 Comments

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SAL: Yes, yes - I am well aware Friday night may be a touch late in the game for writing about Father's Day ideas - but hell - get the Phaidon Color Library Series anyway - just because it's gorgeous! And I quote: "Each volume contains an introductory essay, forty-eight full-page colour plates, accompanied by extensive notes, and numerous comparative illustrations in both colour and black and white." And it will look divine on the shelf! Available at Auto.

Labels: Art, Books

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/15/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY We will renovate out house when we get back to Sydney. We already got the plans through council and just need to scrape the money together to do it. I've been buying books with the reno in mind, looking for things that inspire me and this book on Japanese style is my latest acquisition. Incredible photography and lots of interesting information, but it's not beautifully written (to be fair you get the feeling English is not the writer's first language). Where's the A. A. Gill of interiors? Why does almost all writing on homes come across as pandering, simpering rubbish. Where's the poetry, where's the joy, where's the creativity so manifest in the work being written about? Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Labels: Books

posted by cerentha harris at 6/15/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: I've mentioned before how I'm drawn to black and white - combined with strong colors to offset, its use can be very dramatic in the right room. This divine object caught my attention on UK site Rockett St George, which hosts an eclectic collection of homewares and jewelry featuring some of the UK's most interesting up-and-coming designers. Featured above is Susan Bradley's white creep shelf - even the name is sublime!

Labels: Art, Ornaments

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/14/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: We moved to LA two years ago and lugged all our cook books with us. Which ones do we use? Bill Granger's. Every single one and we've got five. The recipes are reliable, the food is fresh and unfussy and - best of all - delicious. I came across Bill's website recently and found a whole bunch of his recipes online. So if you don't have the book(s) you can get the chocolate pudding recipe right here! Try it...you'll never want another dessert again. An added bonus is the beautifully designed website and it's great photography...I've long admired Petrina Tinslay food shots. Delicious.

Labels: Eats, Kitchen

posted by cerentha harris at 6/14/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: I've been ogling this table and chair combo over at Room and Board for a while now. The table, called Andover, comes in Walnut, White Oak or Cherry - quite reasonable at $1299. The combination of the Walnut with the classic white molded Eames chairs is very dynamic and fresh looking. whilst you're there grab one of the Eames rockers - now I'm in heaven!

Labels: Dining, Furniture, Seating

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/14/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: Sal inspired me to look around for some cool baby stuff. I stumbled across Polly Tod. You choose the image and then match it to a t-shirt. I love retro robot (it also comes in a onesie for really little ones). I also like the Liz Taylor and Warhol soup can. I'd seen the ABCD take on ACDC around but these guys have got lots more. Check out the political ones - Bill Clinton for First Lady is soooo good!

Labels: Kids, Style

posted by cerentha harris at 6/14/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: The cover of the latest DWR catalog is a luscious Airstream caravan. So perfect for their market. It has been fitted out with all the cool gear and yes, I want it bad. I don't camp, have never towed anything behind my car and don't want to spend any time in a trailer park. But I love this silver bullet. The DWR version comes with a hefty price tag (around $49,000) so I turned to ebay...some nice choices there. Like this truly enormous one for around $18,000. If it's gone don't despair - there were 5 or 6 others that looked just as good. And just for the hell of it check out Airstream's site - you'll be a convert within seconds.

Labels: Outdoor

posted by cerentha harris at 6/13/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: Alright, I'm going to stop after this one. But this little piece is divine. It's designed by Laura Baxter. Love the way the twig sits on the thread and the little 18k blossom. It's a shame about the pic. All her stuff is slightly out of focus. Annoying. But still you get the idea.

Labels: Jewelry, Style

posted by cerentha harris at 6/13/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: For those of us who spent time in Europe in the 80s... come on, I know you're out there! The Espadrille. along with the somewhat classier Supergas, cannot help but conjur up those long forgotten lazy summers spent hanging with the locals. Check out these cool little numbers, new in at Basic French - together with the cute little tote that comes with them - Oh La La!
http://basicfrenchonline.com/htm/product_info.php?products_id=100

Labels: Style

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/12/2007 0 Comments

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