Being a long time Habitat fan, I was keen to hear Tom Dixon speak. His designs are always identifiable. They are perforated metal or twisted and welded metal, in the modernist tradition. His pendant lights which are rather more like geometric lanterns or upturned burnished copper urns, have formed the ‘look’ of Habitat lighting as …
Habitat “Momo” living room sofa armchair set
Very tempted by this petite set.
On the trail of Papa Hemingway – The Saratoga Hotel, Havana
I was offered a cigar and a mojito. I had only arrived. I had not even left immigration. A beautifully harmonised live band plays you salsa at the airport’s baggage claim area in arrivals. These are the done things. These mean you’re in Cuba. Read more about our girl in Havana…
Home Library and Study Room Interior Design (or How the Bookish Escape)
On a winter’s night, with the fire crackling and a great book, it would be a magical place. Spoiler alert: may contain books. If you hate books, look away now. Click this page to see the Sherlock Holmes wood-panelled library cum study room in words and pictures.
Memories of China: British Chinese Workforce Heritage exhibition, Horniman Museum
On a bitterly cold evening of Thursday 15 January I attended this elegant event and ate some dim sum provided by the Good Earth restaurant. They could not have chosen a prettier and more apt venue than the Horniman, where we are members. A little disappointed at the display as there was not quite enough …
Is Pasar Bella, the ‘beautiful market’, more ‘beautiful’ than ‘market’?
I love getting ideas when I am travelling. There is nothing like experience for experience. Pasar Bella in Turf Road, Singapore, is an interesting concept, albeit all fake. As I am not a foodie, I don’t mind that: it is a bit like being in a theatre, entering a world. Here the world is the …
Hammersmith Apollo – Where David Bowie brought the curtain down on Ziggy
…in 1973… on Rock’n’Roll Suicide. I had a wonderful opportunity of visiting this great Art Deco monument on Wed 11 June 2014 for a gig. It has only been reopened since September last year as it had gone through a £5m face lift and had been shut for nine weeks (only nine weeks! It looked …
Protected: Wolseley Road photo diary – Fri 4 and 11 April, 2014
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
2013 London Open House Weekend
I actually went for a job interview at Foster + Partners 17 years ago. Hester Road = memory lane. Luckily I have not been to Battersea Police Station for any reason except Open House. A handsome Victorian building, it is being shut down permanently, and to be demolished to make way for a block of …
Nicky Haslam for OKA launch of new collection
I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of this most whimsical and delightful collection by the multi-talented Nicky Haslam (should be knighted, shouldn’t he?), the high priest of interior design whom I’d always wanted to meet. Born 1939, he is also a writer of two interior design books and an autobiography, a recording …