Victoria & Albert: Royal style-collecting

When lacking in inspiration, go back to the royal collection. The V&A Museum website is treasure-filled and makes your head spin with the amount of visual info tucked away in their cyber-cupboards. I suggest going straight to the sitemap and going from there, if you can't think of the right keyword to use to search their (extensive) online gallery. Plus there are fun things to do like design your own Renaissance room, or create an art noveau-style tile, or even dress your own Kylie paper doll. Chinoiserie beauties I scored...

Close up of the chinois mirror angel-topper

Some textiles I designed at a booth when I was actually at the V&A Museum on 15/10/07, and emailed to self.

Shine Furniture

Thanks to Elements of Style, I have been shown the light. US-based Shine Furniture might be the answer to my style-impaired life. However as a pillow is at the USD650 mark, my style-pimping will be resigned to my online existence. Gimme gimme.

SD for h~ fh

Catherine Martin

Its about time someone has challenged the Florence Broadhurst stronghold on Australian interiors. Why didn't someone tell Catherine Martin earlier she'd be perfect for the job? Set/production/costume/art designer (someone obviously didn't tell her it isn't humanly possible to do everything either) for Moulin Rouge, Romeo&Juliet, Strictly Ballroom and the upcoming Australia. The stories didn't have that much of a hold on me (sorry, Baz) but the sets were riveting and lingers on your mind. There are features of her and her amazing home in this month's Australian Vogue Living and Home Beautiful. Look out for her stunning black "Lace" wallpapered entryway - it's a religious experience.

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Her designs made by Designer Rugs. "Pheasant" and "Acacia"

"Lace"

"Feathers"
"Peony"

Catherine Martin at home, with Nicole Kidman's costume in the background. First image below is from Home Beautiful, following images from Vogue Living.

Must we burn Babar?

Interesting (but long: 4 pages of expounding) article on the meaning and artistry of classic children's character Babar, and suggestions Jean de Brunhoff''s creation was all just a bit of imperialistic propaganda. The article found in The New Yorker, written by Adam Gopnik, Freeing the Elephants: What Babar brought.

Jean de Brunhoff’s dummy for the cover of “Histoire de Babar,” the first book in the series, published in France in 1931. Courtesy the Morgan Library and Museum
My favourite page: “Babar says to her, ‘Thank you, Ma’am.’ Without wasting any time, he goes into a big store. It is such fun to ride up and down in an elevator.”“Babar leaves the forest and comes to a town. He is amazed because this is the first time he has seen so many houses.”

All © Librairie Hachette 1939/Hachette Livre 2006

Maria Grossman

Newly found blog Hidden in France featured German artist/photographer/stylist Maria Grossman and I'm in awe of her images. Her restrained, thoughtful and -truly, not just to annoy you as you wander aimlessly- interactive website has such charm and poise I couldn't have said it better than HIF:

"Look how the objects are gathered, look at the choices she made. Open mail, medication, aging potatoes and cheese and crumpled plastic wrap. But it works! It works! The photography is superb of course, but still, there is such dare in those images I have to re-thing what a stylist is, what a stylist does."

TA for h~fh

Revolutionary French ideas...for my kitchen walls

Coldplay's Viva La Vida album not only stands out for the evocatively moving title song, but also for their choice of beautiful album art, "Liberty Leading the People"by Eugène Delacroix, found at the Musée du Louvre, Paris.

I somehow draw parallels between the Delacroix and these delightful little works of 'kitchen' art. There's a connectedness in visual beauty, undertones of subversiveness, quiet yet strong images. Or maybe I just like the baking-related images cos I've just decided to learn how to.

Images thanks to Paris Breakfasts.

TA for h~fh

A little Paris Breakfasts everyday, merci

Several weeks ago I came across Paris Breakfasts and it changed my world into a better place. Something about the wonderful photos and a distinct view of Paris by this watercolour artist makes me bubble with pleasure everytime I visit.

Reasons why I love PB:

1. Her (slightly unhealthy) obsession with miniatures.
2. Her obsession with Macarons and Laduree boxes.
3. Her (probably unhealthy) obsession with sweets, cakes and baked goods in general.
4. Her artist's eye photographs of shopfronts and window displays.
5. Her persistence to NOT follow the rules and snap a good interior photo of any snobby cafe she damn well pleases.

I found PB whilst doing research for last year's Tony Duquette windows at BergdorfGoodman. She has numerous beautiful close up views.

FP for h~fh

I *HEART*HATE* Paperwork

I hate paperwork, but doing it would be so much nicer with these filing boxes from US store Horchow. I especially heart the floral design.

Also from Horchow, these mirrors. I like the symmetry created by the use of double mirrors, but the unusual design keeps it interesting.