Funky Buddha

Kelly Hoppen meets Translucent Buddhas!

Murano Chandelier

A recent purchase from Brussels. To be installed in the re-modelled hallway!

Shop Fronts..

I hate to admit this.. but I quite admired this shop front .. Can you work it out? Its floor to ceiling with old Singer sowing machines! Quite eye catching.. small problem is that this All Saints Store has ripped out the heart of Portbello Road and plonked itself there... gone are all the cool antique stores, the chance to find that rare treasure... the chance to browse and while few hours. Oh well there is a protest group on Facebook - DO SIGN UP and stop the rest of the street being taken over by chains!

Doors..

When walking in Shoreditch, London, I noticed this the Beautiful door with intricate iron work.. I would like to have this painted in Gun Metal grey and live behind it!

Minimalist Christmas Tree

Not really a tree BUT still my attempt at Christmas. It was the centre piece of a Xmas drinks party, complete with Polaroids .. pegged to the branches as the evening progressed.

Prints in Putney

This Knitwear designer has a wonderful collection of Art in her hallway. I like the way they are displayed in a row, evenly spaced out with the downlighters bringing out these prints. The Oriental prints are 18th Century Japanese and the ladies are Victorian. Something to make the guest pause, to entertain and to amuse, just as they arrive into the Flat.

Chinese Stick Men

Originally, they would have been buried with the dead and with replica clothes... over time these would have rotted away.. along with their wooden arms. Note that they are anatomically correct! Still they are a striking presence in this Chelsea Bathroom.

More guardian figures.. and quite fierce.

A Sunday Night in the Bathroom

It started with this recent purchase... I found it in Bikaner in Rajasthan - its an old Haveli Window, painted with Italianate Castle.. Just had to buy it and lug it back London. At about 8.30 pm, the hammer and nails came out.. Sorry neighbours (I live in a flat). Fixed. But that meant moving some of the others around...

Always loved boats and the water.

The complete picture, after a frentic 45 minutes of re-arranging.

Also mean I could hang this little beauty that I picked up years ago when Mr Jones and I went for a walk between Rapallo and Santa Magherita Ligure (Ligurian Coast, Italy). I love the light blue frame.

These guys I could not resist - found them yesterday on Portabello Road. Possibly 19th Century and European despite the Indian outfits. Still they add some zest to the bathroom.

Vintage Bags & Clothes

Loving the Gold against the grey 70s sofa.

I have always thought Vintage has a particular charm and of course individuality.. in anycase a dear friend of mine has just lauched a Vintage & Retro Clothes & Accessories business and borrowed my 1930s Singer Dummy.. I like how it wears the dress! Normally it sits in the corner of the room in its "nude" state.

And how about a button clutch... again the colours against the grey. I love grey as a colour. So much depth..

Men's bedrooms

A dreamy bathroom

Out in E1, in an Early Victorian Terrace, this Australian IT Consultant has thought nothing of sacrificing a whole room to the luxury that is Bath time.

Original Victorian Stained Glass leading up to the bathroom.

Antique Dresser/Mirror.

A very neutral and masculine Bathroom is brought alive with a touch of the exotic - deep blue paisley patterned wallpaper on just one wall complete with a old fire place. A perfect place for a deep soak!

Vintage Photographic Collection

This is the sort of pad I want to have when I grow up. To me it exudes sophisticated sexiness whilst still being livable. The City Financier's passion is Vintage Photographs - some dating from the 19th Century, that he has hunted and rummaged for in flea markets and more upmarket galleries.

Some of his collection have have been silk screened by Laura Berens into very sexy glamorous cushions and prints.
Vintage photo of Geisha girls has been blown up into a bigger print and simply framed. Love the juxtaposition of the Skull - life, death,art.
Vintage 1950s coffee table found in an Antique fair in Battersea piled with vellum bound books dating from centuries past.

19th century photo of Arab Prince turned into a cushion.

Vintage Mirrors & Chandelier

I love what this Media Maven, who lives in a chic part of West London, has done with the cool colours on the wall. Yet she has thrown in hints of warmth with the gold 1950s mirrors and the Cognac coloured chandelier. A mix of two different periods that work well!

A City Broker's tasteful pad

Opposite of the previous post - this City Boy has chosen a couple of tasteful paintings that reflect his tastes in the Antique and modern, the portrait and the landscape. By allowing just one painting per wall, the viewer's attention is undivided.

Note the patination of the elegant table.

Collecting Pictures

Do you display one or if you have a passion for paintings and live in a flat, do you throw them all together? Do you mix genres? Anyway here is a little Dutch 17th century painting.. Is it lost amongst the others or do you yearn to search it out, study and savour it all the more..

Slice of Africa in North London

The carefully collected pieces do the talking.  Solid Victorian Table with carved legs, simple white walls and a beautiful South African tribal themed painting.

Art Noveau fireplace supporting a painting bought in Zimbabwe.

A Collector's pad

Antique Chinese Proclain Parrots in a Modern Birdcage, Porcupine lampshade, 1950s models of the Chrysler building and Eiffel Tower thrown together. Against a neutral Dove grey wall!

Books complete the home, 1950s Danish Chair to sit & browse.

Art Collector

Paintings covering all wall surfaces - Pugin Red Walls.

Ming Dynasty Buddha and French Gilt Lamps - Orange Walls!