THE IMAGINED ABODE

INSPIRATION

Firstly, while it’s unlikely that I have a hoard of dedicated followers (as opposed to a few sweetly supportive friends) who are particularly disappointed by my lack of recent posts, I do apologise for being absent from The Imagined Abode for so long. But I have some exciting news that goes some way towards explaining my distraction: on the first of September the bear proposed to me in the suitably stylish Parlour at Fortnum & Mason (that’s an ice-cream parlour by the way - all the better!), in true Sex and the City fashion with my best friends springing out to surprise me and celebrate with us. We are getting married next year. So I have been busy planning a city-chic wedding with my betrothed over the last couple of months. But we have now found and booked our venue, and discovered some new interiors inspiration in the process. 

YORK & ALBANY, LONDON

The York and Albany is a John Nash-designed townhouse turned bar, restaurant, and boutique hotel, just a giddy hop across the road from Regent’s Park. The slick service and excellent British fare (supplemented by scrumptious stone-baked pizzas from Nonna’s Deli, adjoining) are as you’d expect from a venue under Gordon Ramsey’s wing, but there’s no snobbishness or ceremony accompanying this smartness: this place is a lesson in how to be laid-back but well turned out. The period grandeur of the rooms is complimented by tranquil and elegant hues (think Farrow & Ball shades of beige and blue), vintage furnishings such as wing-backed chairs and fish-eye mirrors, the odd flash of clean, modern elegance in sophisticatedly structured lamp-shades, and just a touch of the urban in the bare brick walls of the Regency Room. All bask in the light that floods in through the huge sash windows. 

THE BAR

Where we will toast our nuptials with Prosecco and tuck into pizzas, sliders, Scotch eggs and charcuterie boards:

        

        

THE RESTAURANT

Opening out onto a little walled garden dotted with fairy-lights:

        

NONNA’S DELI

Pop in to pick up a picnic hamper or pull up a table for an intimate and informal supper:

                   

REGENCY ROOM

Where we’ll be dancing the night away:

        

THE SUITE

Make that the honeymoon suite!:

        

        

        

DELUXE ROOM

Bagsy this one for the mother of the bride: 

        

        

THE RENTED

THE DETAILS - KITCHEN

Short of permission for a paint job, there’s very little you can do with a rented kitchen, and they’re seldom the stuff of dream houses. The Haven’s isn’t bad, but, as ever, good accessories make all the difference.  Gorgeous tableware is always an investment as it’s something you can take with you; it makes the already wonderful experience of eating just a little lovelier; and it’s better out than in!

We bought this stainless steel shelving unit for a bargainous £8 from Ikea to display all our pretty crockery such as these sundae bowls from The Three French Hens:

       

The plates are from Zara Home along with the little shot glasses which we use to serve a mini Bloody Mary as an apperitif; the egg cups are from Habitat; and that’s me and my big bro in the photographs:

      

Sitting aloft our (rather pathetic) collection of cookery books is this gorgeous grey clay ash tray which we bought in Marrakech. Buying it for me was the bear’s penalty for having a cigarette!

                             

Also from Morocco are these lovely tea jars with coloured tassels, and these silver-decorated tea glasses. I got totally hooked on Morocco green tea with fresh mint and sugar. The teapot is Habitat’s Bistro range, and just seen is a pot of home-made chilli jam (right) given to us as Christmas present. Love it!

      

My mum bought the bear and I these Eco Cups for our on-the-way-to-work morning coffees, and I got the sugar shakers from Ikea: 

      

I adored all the richly-coloured glazed and silver-trimmed crockery in Morocco so came back with a stash from the souks. The little bowls worked out at about £1.50 each and brighten up the dining table beautifully:

      

Our landlady added a steel shelf above the work-top to store pots and pans as it’s a petite kitchen without much cupboard space. I’ve adorned it with my collection of Habitat Heidi cups and jugs in pale and dark greys - there’s something really satisfying about the shades and texture of these - and the bear has filled them with the champagne and prosecco corks that he’s saving to make a cork board:

       

This zinc ‘A’ is from my favourite Chiswick interiors shop, Abode (also in Brighton), and it’s accompanied by a bowl (or rather Habitat egg cup) of yellow dice:

      

Another trinket from my travels is this Indian elephant which keeps our post in place, and we added a couple of photo frames to the work-top to add a personal touch. Kitchen’s can be too clinical:

      

Ikea’s white milkshake beakers make great containers for chopsticks and cutlery, and also make cute vases (peonies preferred):

      

There’s a shop in Winchester called The Hambledon which is filled with fabulous housey stuff and beauty bits, including this butter dish:

      

The bear bought me this little paper-bag effect porcelain piece from FCUK’s home range. Lovely and fragrant filled with eucalyptus:

      

My latest Liberty’s kitchen accessories shopping spree saw me returning with this Jonathan Adler message block and Liberty-print pencil. It’s the little things that bring me joy:

      

Also from Liberty’s this glorious paint-splat tea towel. Who knew an object so dreary could be so beautiful?:

      

And finally, hanging on one of our little Habitat self-adhesive pale grey wall hooks….

      

…is this fabulous Frida Kahlo pinny, adding a touch of exotic glamour to the kitchen:

      

THE IMAGINED ABODE

A GRAND ENTRANCE

First impressions count so The Imagined Abode needs a hallway to set the tone for the rest of the house, and ideally induce a “wow!” or an “ahh…”.

INSPIRATION

The sheer scale of this staircase makes a big impression, though perhaps smacks more of a Habitat store than a home:

      

This Kelly Wearstler designed hallway packs an opulent punch with emerald green and glossy black on richly-corniced white:

          

47 Park Avenue creates drama with a colourful splash of modern art, a stuffed zebra head (though I don’t think I could bring myself to go there), industrial dresser and distressed glass panelling. It feels a little cramped to me though:

      

A fabulous and huge illuminated vintage sign makes a feature of the humble hallway:

      

BLACK AND WHITE

I’m very fond of black floor-boards and stairs (also 47 Park Avenue). Oh, and a statement light or chandelier is a must:

    

In fact, black all over, including this glossy studded door, is tempting for a really decadent feel - here with an expansive lighting fixture and a floral rug to add some light to the shade:

                                      

But seductive as black is, the lovely light of a white hallway is delightfully welcoming:

     

So white with black features might be the best balance. You gotta love Jenna Lyons’ elegant entrance hall: 

                                

Classic monochrome:

         

For modern monochrome, this floor flooded with high-gloss black is gorgeous:

    

And I love a low platform to prop frames on for a gallery-style art display:

     

Jim Lambie’s installation takes monochrome to a whole new level with this vinyl tape floor. Amazing!:

    

ON THE TILES

But I’ve long been imagining a miss-matched tile floor, inspired by Chiswick’s High Road House & Brasserie, and I like the idea of gradually collecting tiles from our travels:

     

Owen Jones’ designs for mosaics, 1842:

     

Damask mosaic tiles:

                                                        

Lovely little tiles at Door Sixteen:

      

Perhaps we could even add our initials at the entrance from Rory Dobner’s letter tiles:

                 

COLOUR

I do also like a pale grey or taupe in a hallway (or generally on a wall, for that matter). The gold lift interior at Hotel Hospes Lancaster in Paris adds contrasting glam:

     

Glossy pale grey stairs with lucite hand-rails:

     

For a little more colour, there are all sorts of ways you can paint or paper stairs. A painted runner adds a gentle pop of pastel blue here, with brass touches to keep it grown-up:

           

But I still feel that the bravery to flood walls - skirting boards and cornicing ‘n’ all - with a single matte colour, brings bold and beautiful results:

      

Front doors really are a whole other topic, but of course the back of a door is another opportunity for colour and detail. I love this midnight blue door with it’s big central brass door-knob:

     

WELL HUNG

Vitra’s mulitoloured Hang It All coat-rack by Charles and Ray Eames adds playful pigment (below), but is also available with pale spruce wooden knobs against red-coated wire, as well as in black beech, or walnut:

                                  

Or spread your hooks more sparsely with these hanging dots (and I know I said that doors are for another post, but how lovely is this textured, pivoted wooden door?!):

               

The Haven hallway features this vinyl wall-sticker of a coat-stand which I picked up at Graham and Greene. Comes with male and female accessories that you can dress the stand with as you choose. And you can peel them off and take them with you when you leave:

               

ON THE HUNT

iPHONE CASE

I realise this isn’t technically part of my abode, but it is an extension of my style and it’s all about good design. I have been carrying around my iPhone sans case so far as I haven’t seen one that I feel really adds anything. 

The first ones that I spied and fancied were these simple, strong, walnut ones:

I prefer the walnut finish, but when wood is also a camera, it does have an advantage as it’s so apt for snap-happy me:

But I fancy something more colourful and, unless it’s acid yellow (which I’m struggling to find), then I’d prefer a pattern. I adore this Kate Spade gold diagonal design, though she only seems to do cases fitting the iPhone 4 model (or version thereof), and I’m afraid mine’s a lowly 3, currently:

                                    

I quite like her leopard print too - more subtle and textured than most, and would clash nicely with my new tan, brown and black leopard-print heels and loafers:

                                    

Blissful Case (another American brand) do striking geometric black, white and pastel prints:

But I’m really taken with the (also American - irritating, isn’t it?) Uncommon bespoke iPhone cases: their website lets you upload an image or choose one from their library and position it as you like on the appropriate case. Below is my design using the Test Card:

                                                            

Yellana James’ Allusion design for Uncommon:

                                                            

And my probable Uncommon purchase, Marco Cibola’s fresh, graphic Hare design:

                                                            

WISH LIST

JONATHAN ADLER

In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a big fan of Mr Adler’s wares: the man knows good form, revels in a touch of mid-century modernism, and injects a dose of animal-loving joy and humour into his designs. There are plenty of high-street shops stocking his stuff already (including John Lewis and Heal’s) but he’s also an interior designer and he does put a room together very nicely indeed (if a little eccentrically - and I say that as a good thing), so you’ll excuse the excitement at the recent opening of his first UK studio in Sloane Avenue. It promises to be a visual feast!

Here are a few of my most-coveted pieces…

FURNITURE

The Lampert sofa in Brussels Charcoal tufted velvet is my ultimate for an elegant entertaining space: 

The Mrs Godfrey chair in Cashin Ocean is a modern classic that smacks of California cool:

 

The quirky clean lines of this Claude walnut dresser equal mid-century chic:

The earthy Moko table is hand-made in Peru:

I adore this Nixon end table - classic Adler pattern in glam gold:

ACCESSORIES

The Nelson Minor lamp is the kid brother of the Nelson. Gotta love those curves:

Never shy of a simple, bold, graphic pattern is Mr Adler. Richard Nixon throw in orange and natural:

Zig Zag grey and natural cushion:

The large bird bowl now comes in lovely jade:

Adler adds function to the form of his signature textured/patterned pottery with this peacock match-strike:

The Pill Carafe comes in an array of poppy colours, but I love this sophisticated smokey shade that contrasts its playful form:

The gorgeous texture and stoney colour of the Brasilia range makes me physically itch with excitement!:

Plant-like elegance with a hint of the Oriental in the Relief teapot in Midnight:

A gritty texture and off-key, earthier hues in the new Lava Bud Vase Set:

Adler’s Lacquer Hexagon trays are really quite pricey for what they are, but those simple, glossy shapes in such delightfully bright colours are just irresistable (and I do particularly like a pop of Tiffany blue!):

INTERIOR DESIGN

And to give you a taste of the whole package, here are a few shots of Adler’s New York residential interior design projects, starting with some gold curtains that take some serious flair and more than a little courage (but I love them!):

LATELY LOVING

ANGULAR POTTERY

It’s the perfect way to add a little edge while retaining a glossy finish, rather than shabbying the chic. I fell in love with these striking but delicate little cups in the shop of Kubista gallery in Prague, and I still regret not getting one (for use as something other than a tea-cup, you understand - I was thinking it would be lovely brimming with my bangles or collected match-boxes):

London-based designer Phil Cuttance created Faceture, a range embracing colour as well as gorgeously detailed geometry:

Urban Analog’s Polyhedran candle-sticks are satisfyingly solid:

Jonathan Adler opts for some serious studding in his Charade range. My favourites are his square-studded box and his slightly subtler octagonal pyramid-studded picture-frame:

And the Luca tea-set from Zara Home mixes it up while keeping it bargainous, as ever:  

FASHION AS ART

PRINTS

The fashion world is awash with bold, vibrant, and often clashing prints. All rules have been thrown out. In fact, the breaking of them is being utterly embraced. Tarty tiger-print? The bolder the better. Mis-matched patterns? The more, the more sartorially splendid! And interiors are equally as adventurous. I have relinquished minimalism and monochrome and invited an array of pigment and pattern into my wardrobe and wider home.

FLORA AND FAUNA

My first rainbow floral fashion purchase was this Mary Katrantzou blouse designed for Topshop, but I think that the Designers Guild Orangerie cushion may have beaten it across the threashold (less scary for one’s sofa to wear a new trend than oneself!):

Love these tiles adding a hard-edged geometry to the classic floral still-life:

Carrie Bradshaw’s bold blue apartment is brought to life with the rich floral fabric of her sculptural little sofas:

I have long coveted this Paul Smith Birdie Blossom cushion (which, incidentally, made it onto Ms Bradshaw and hubby’s couch in the second film…):

Love the tropical glory of the Charlotte Olympia perspex clutch and Martinique banana-leaf wallpaper:

ANIMAL PRINTS

Leopard is my choice of print (on pony skin for a little textural authenticity). I have just invested in a pair of killer heels as well as a some slippers in leopard print, both from Dune. The shades of tan, chocolate and black go with my signature black liquid eyeliner and dip-dyed brunette-to-caramel hair. But I think I’d go for the dramatic monochrome of zebra for the home (to be accentuated with pops of colour, of course):

 

Zebra print as a pop of colour:

Subtler shades can be found in deer hides and similar, or for a really bold but more rustic statement, try a good old cow:

For harder surfaced accessories and a rock-chick edge, there’s always snake-skin:

And then there are prints of animals, as opposed to animal prints:

How cute is this doggy print powder room?:

This flamingo scene wallpaper adds a delightful playfulness to this girly bathroom:

TRIBAL

The earthiest of prints adds a little rough to the luxe:

MOORISH DELIGHT

Since my Morrocan travels, I can’t get enough of these monochrome but exotic patterns:

 

I adore all things Adler, particularly his modern take on Moorish shapes:

GEOMETRIC

For something graphic and fresh, and with its sharp lines lending itself beautifully to this season’s softer pastel shades, go geometric:

Ferm Living is my go-to for geometric accessories such as the Remix cushion: 

Love the Folk Collection by Sylvain Willenz:

Conran’s serene Geometric bedding for M&S:

Mattie Luxe’s customisable lucite trays:

Or you could always do it yourself with a pot of paint and a stencil:

 

STRIPES

Not necessarily new, but getting bolder by the day, the classic stripe, creatively employed on these American Apparel lace-ups:

Diagonally adorning the floor of Cecconi’s, London:

Most dramatic in chunky monochrome: 

Christian Lacroix’s abstract and zingy chartreuse take on the stripe:

THE PAINTED

A crafty splash of pigment makes for a striking, loose, and rebellious pattern:

Sydney Albertini creates bespokely decorated ceramics:

The Ink-blot napkin at Pigeon Toe.

THE CLASH

Soft against sharp, glossy on raw, vivid or pale - juxtapose contrasting print shapes, textures and colours for the most rich and dynamic effect:

ON THE HUNT

PLACE-MATS FOR A FRENCH CLASSIC KITCHEN

My landlady asked me to keep an eye out for place-mats for her highly-polished oak dining table. It sits in her French-classic-feel kitchen which is decorated in neutral colours, with deep brown/aubergine work surfaces, and features an AGA and an grey antique French dresser. Doesn’t that sound beautiful?! Well I did say she had good taste…

My first thought was Zara Home who have an array of delicate country-chic cotton, linen and lace linens for bed and bath. My favourite is Mary - sooo pretty!:

For something more unusual, there’s Magdaline:

For a clean-lined linen in grey, there’s Limpta:

For a slightly more formal vintage feel, there’s Davina’s distressed, classical pattern in white on beige:

But I’d be tempted to add a spot of delicate pigment with these fresh and painterly Watercolour mats (good for a creative soul):

Disappointingly, I wasn’t taken with any of Laura Ashley’s offerings on this front, but I do like the simplicity of these hand-hem-stitched Lucerne table mats from The White Company:

These Francesca place-mats from John Lewis seemed particularly apt as they share their name with my landlady’s little girl. The openwork border and beige embroidery are lovely:

Finally, picking out the aubergine of the kitchen’s work-tops, are these Zara Panadamus mats made from plaited plant fibre:

THE RENTED

THE DETAILS - ORIGAMI

It all started with the v. stylish wedding of the bear’s interior designer cousin. She had made a thousand origami cranes - a traditional Japanese wedding blessing - with which she decorated the beams of the beautiful converted barn where her and her new hubby held their reception.

I bagged a few of these and they now adorn our kitchen window:

Imagine my glee when I discovered the Origami jewellery range! There’s a menagerie of animals (and non-animal shapes) in finishes including silver, rose-gold-plated, and coloured enamel. I’m still tempted by the dangly crane earrings, but I couldn’t resist the yellow-gold-plated swan pendant:

Also in the fold, Naoko Kanehira’s Kura paper shade, designed for Habitat. The contemporary origami design of their pendant and table lamp shades add a clean oriental edge to our bedroom (and our loo):

For a more colourful alternative, these Cachette paper lights come in seven shades:

THE IMAGINED ABODE

JACK AND EVELYN

Let me introduce you to our imagined offspring, Jack Albert (after our respective grandfathers) and Evelyn Indiana (after my grandma, and the bear’s hero, Indiana Jones - got to encourage the adventurer in our little girl). 

THE ROOMS

Black and gold elegance with a touch of vintage (well, if it’s good enough for the grown-ups…):

Bright and a little bizarre, but surely that only feeds little imaginations:

The bold bedroom of Jenna Lyons’ little ones:

A touch of Grandpa chic:

For the discerning young gentleman:

Moroccan pretty:

Girly glam:

The sleep-over suite:

THE WALLS (AND CEILINGS…)

Tiger-print wallpaper for the wild child:

A colour-drenched wall (though orange might be best kept out of the sleepy-time space!):

Cute and creative colour pops:

Vintage-wallpaper-print animal stickers:

Looking up to love:

THE FURNITURE

The Ubabub pod cot:

The teepee den:

The Ovo high chair:

THE DETAILS

Franck & Fischer at Nordic Kids (also a fab website for cute and funky kids’ clothes) do the cutest of soft furnishings:

The Donna Wilson owl cushion (the children are just an excuse to get this one, you understand!):

Jonathan Adler’s Menagerie Elephant Bank (if my baby gets Adler before me, I’ll be v. jealous!): 

Kay Bojesens’ teak and limba monkey for Rosendahl (one for the -out-of-reach shelf rather than the toy box methinks):

THE EDUCATIONAL

The Ferm Living Molecule building set:

And finally, vital for the baby brain, the A to Z, with a grown-up graphic twist: