Thai Flying or Sky Lanterns

Last night after dinner we all lit sky lanterns and sent them off with a wish. Dear friends are moving away and we all were wishing they will be back very, very soon. In the dark night sky this is one of the prettiest customs Thailand has. New Years Eve here the sky is filled with lanterns and wishes. At weddings, birthdays and any other momentous occasions people light the lanterns sending them up with all their wishes to the sky.

Hooray!

Here's just a quick thought... these very funny tea towels were featured on The Bottom of the Ironing Basket, from all tea towels. Just about ready for a dinner party tonight and the sentiment feels perfect.

I'd love to order some of these but, here in Phuket the maid/housekeepers are from a culture that doesn't seem to understand the 'cycle of cloths' and a great tea towel like this has a very short life.  I was raised in the fifties and early sixties, my mother and grandmother lodged in my 'cleaning psyche' the use of various worn out pieces of clothing and towels etc that make excellent cleaning tools. In turn you would have your linen tea towels forever, and they were perfect for shining your crystal and drying your silver as they became softer more absorbent and just nicely faded. This sequence of training of course was coming from their own mother's teachings learned during the great depression and war years. Women of this era were great recyclers before the term ever was used.

Underwear usually, 100% cotton is soft and gentle on your mahogany with lemon oil, threadbare towels are great for cleaning silver etc., when the cloth was on it's very last legs it would go to the men for cleaning bikes, lawn mowers etc. then it was finally disposed of.

Well after ten years here, I just about given up on ever having proper tea towels. Finding a maid cleaning the loo with your favorite tea towel (when you only have 2 left) can reduce one to tears or  a screeching fit according to your hormone level of the moment. Here is what most of mine look like, new or old, this is a good one, no horrible stains in addition to holes. I have two brand new ones hidden away in my dresser, rather like good lingerie, a gift from a very thoughtful friend. I think they may not see the light of day until I live in another country. My darling daughter #3 thinks I am quite insane, of course her good cooking knife is hidden when she is away as my husband treats knives, as the maid does tea towels but that's another story.

Celebrating Thai Style

More tropical pinks, ( blues and flowers etc.)  in design here in the tropics.
I'm sorry I missed this fabulous projection display in Bangkok this past fall. What a way to temporarily redecorate! Designed for the 20th year celebration of King Power stores business electronicmiracles from Melbourne did this incredible installation that was viewed by thousands of city residents for three months! These pictures are just a few on the many images that were constantly projected each evening.

Ummm - Happiness is.....

Happy  to be  enjoying a spot like the bottom picture - feeling spoiled as the cold snap goes on and on in a large part of the world.

This is London last week, photo from thebottomoftheironingbasket and one of Slim Aaron's iconic pool images of the '70's.

Giving Back with Some Design Style.....

Here is a clear vision of using nature's bounty to provide us with building materials. Rintala Eggertsson architects of Norway travelled with a group of architecture students  from home to the northern Thai/Myanmar border area. Here the group lead by Sami Rintala built a two story library building at the Safe Haven Orphanage in a very short two week period. The group built a pretty little building that quietly sits in the landscape while answering and providing a number of solutions in learning for the 42 Karon children housed at the orphanage.

Utilizing local materials of lava stone from the site, bamboo, concrete bricks and wood the structure was designed to take advantage of natural airflow for ventilation and over hanging eaves and full pole bamboo screens were developed to provide cooling shade.

The main level of the library is equipped with shelving and a computer area. The mezzanine level provides a cozy area for enjoying the books and lounging.

All pictures from rintalaeggertsson architects

A New Upstairs Downstairs?

My youngest son is part of the crew on this fabulous new super yacht. Just launched this past summer the yacht is spending the winter season in the Caribbean before heading back across the Atlantic to the Med and then off on a tour around the world. There is lots and lots of polishing for the crew shown lined up a la Upstairs - Downstairs. The yacht is owned by a self made gentlemen who is helping the economy in a big way. I am hoping for some interior shots soon to show you. Yachting is an amazing industry with some quite fabulous interior design slowly developing away from the excess interior styling of yesteryear. 

The Elandess has very classic, understated exterior styling however there are some fairly exciting designs out there. For instance artist Jeff Koons painted the exterior of Greek art collector Dakis Joannou's yacht,"Guilty". Many thought it was an homage to Roy Liechtenstein however it is a  very contemporary interpretation of a traditional camouflage used during World War 1. Mr. Joannou could not resist purchasing Sara Morris' text painting 'Guilty' for one of the bedrooms after the yacht was launched.


Philip Stark also has designed a yacht that pushes the boundaries. I was surprised to locate this newer ship (2008) as after designing the interiors of a fairly classic super yacht he had stated he felt the industry was not something he wished to be involved with, seeing it as excessive and wasteful. Obviously he had a change of heart. The 'A' owned by Andrei Melnichenko is 119m in length and many claim Stark has done it again, turning yacht design 'on its head' with the superstructure making the yacht look like an overturned keel.To read more check Monaco eye

Sunshine Returns

Hope you all have a restful weekend!

The Library at Night!

The Library ..... more of this gorgeous minimalist designed resort... calm, soothing and restorative,  the way an island holiday should be!