Friends at Christmas

Today as I was posting I discovered in my file a Christmas picture. I had picked it to inspire a friend I stayed with in London, thinking it matched her living room. Funny thing just as I noted the picture, a Xmas card arrived from the family, picturing her beautiful glowing darlings. She is well organized!

I wonder what her tree looks like?  ( I'm sorry I am not sure where I nabbed this picture)

Christmas Ornaments

One of the lovely things about Christmas decorating for me is rediscovering the ornaments and remembering who, where and why? The memories are lovely ones of children, friends and travel.

The big golden ball hand painted in the style of Miro is the remainder of  a trio purchased in Krakow, Poland one year traveling with a great and dear decorator friend. Unfortunately darling twin boys  of eleven managed to finish off the other two, so this one is very special now!

My six little white dogs purchased in Paris  during a Christmas house exchange in the City of Lights five years ago.  It looks like Paris may have a lovely white Xmas this year, pure magic!

This little fellow should be about twenty-five about now. When the children were young I tried to purchase an ornament or two each year for them to have later when they were settled. Each married

daughter have their little collection however this belongs to eldest son Dave. He's off searching for surf this Christmas.

Little antique styled houses, wooden painted ornaments come from  the the years in Victoria B.C.,

when we lived in a big tudor styled house. I used to spend a week decorating with boughs and trees.

The gorgeous blue glass ball in the centre was a gift  from my next door neighbour who off on a conference in Colorado brought 4 back for me. This was the super mum era when we had small children, full time jobs and DID Christmas! I still remember the scratches and rashes on our arms from tying cedar boughs and holly on our stairways. These fabulous sky blue decorations were picked to go with our dining room that had a gorgeous big fireplace with blue surround. I have treasured them now for over twenty five years....how did that happen? Golden tassels and garlands of beads come from the era of Christmases at the ski area. I used to hand them from the chandelier. The Christmas decorating years in Phuket seem to have lightened the decoration colour pallet considerably..... it must be the weather!

This year I have two small trees, one white, one traditional green, they are both heavily loaded with decorations as my big faux tree died after  almost ten full years of service. This technique of decorating hides the 'mummified' look the tree has at the beginning when lighting wires seem to be everywhere.

This hand embroidered ornament was made for my eldest daughter by her god mother over thirty years ago. There is a set of six and I really can't imagine the time and work she put into them. Sadly we have lost touch over the years as we all traveled and moved around the globe. We went to design school together and it would be great fun to catch up.

These darling handmade hobby horses I have had over thirty years too, made by a friend and neighbour from our early married years in Banff, Alberta I wonder if Pat still has hers?

I Here is the first faux tree we ever purchased being in the tropics. Ten years of fine service. Above is last year, which looks great if you are not too close...below is the tree's first year.

Next one MUST have lights attached!

Seven Days to go....Christmas Decorating in the Nick of Time!

From this.....

A Perfect Combination of Warm and Cold

A quick break from our wonderful tropical weather.... London for eleven days! Beautiful blue skies, a city all decorated for Christmas, visiting old friends and popping back on the plane just before the snow flakes started, it was a treat!

London Inspires.....

This isn't Christmas or Asian related but it's such a fun clever idea especially after the small spaces I just experienced in London housing, it struck me as a very clever new design idea. Similar to my last post of the extractor fan that looks like a very decorative light fixture here's a picture that is really a table! 

Young Verena Lang from Gratz, has designed and is producing this table through her company 

IVY DESIGN

Pop in any picture you desire!

pictures courtesy of IVY DESIGN

Kitchen Planning London Style

Can you believe this one?
Perhaps it's because Christmas is coming....this is the range hood my darling daughter's husband chose today as the grand finale for their new kitchen. Combined with the pure white simple slab cupboard fronts and all appliances built in to blend this wee kitchen should be stunning!

Is it a Trend?

It is always a bit fun to see one is on the right track with an idea. A saki table with 4 extra seats is very handy when big groups descend...I thought I had been fairly original when I had this set done for my living room in white however I have noticed since then ah... originality is an elusive thing.

Taste - Special petite hotel in Phuket City

This is a very cool small hotel smack dab in the centre of Phuket City....created out of shophouses it is a very funky little spot....definitely not your beach side spot but great fun if exploring how real Phuket lives.

Taste is creative and original but unfortunately just after writing this it sadly appears to have closed. I hope they reopen soon as it is a breath of fresh air design wise.

Heading to a Frozen Wonderland

Headed to London this morning for a quick break. I am wondering if I should have a peek at this new Christmas tree installation at Claridges?

'Fantasy, fashion  and frozen wonderlands' is how this tree is described. John Galliano for Dior has created the tree with dragon flies, parrots and a snow leopard and stated it is a combination of 'festive and innovative'. Well, he is Dior's Creative Director!

Photos via http://www.weheart.co.uk/

The Ultimate Xmas Gift for the someone who has just about EVERYTHING!

Ummm... Hermes is involved in design of just about everything it would seem these days.

Eurocopter and designer Gabriele Pezzini join forces with Hermes! Gorgeous interior finishing, just check out the spot for your briefcase.....why oh why can't they do this in my car?

All and all how elegant a toy is this, I wonder if someone will have one delivered with a bow this Christmas?! P.S. I'll start saving now Matt!

Via NOTCOT.ORG from

http://designyearbook.blogspot.com