Urban Lace - eco-chic jewellery

Urban Lace has launched a fantastic range of jewellery and belts made from all things - recycled from bicycle inner tubes! 

The five-year old label started in the garage of designer Barbi Touron in Portland Oregon.  She would cut out the inner tubes of bicycles into interesting shapes.  Urban Lace also has a shop on ETSY.

Kim Chi Korea!

My last two weeks were spent in Seoul Korea, undertaking an assignment for work.  For those who haven't been to Korea you'll find it quite a surprise.  Sophisticated, calm and wordly.  This time of year is Cherry Blossom season, so I'll let the photo below speak for itself.

Cherry Blossoms come to life - how beautiful!

Koreans love colour - this garden is typical

How cute is this?  My host Myunghee's nephew...posing as a bug

One thing I couldn't get enough of is coffee shops!  There is one on every street corner - Caffe Bene, Five Monkeys, Starbucks however my favourite was Paris Croissant.  Beautiful ambience, food and coffee.  The popularity of the "Paris Baguette" brand reflects the high level of food manufacturing companies in South Korea. The country has the highest level of the most select levels of Korean fusion baguette, croissant, cakes, bread and confectionary.

The other thing I enjoyed were the windows in stores as my taxi zoomed past them.  One store - called Bean Pole - had the most interesting window display.  I had to get photos...!

Green Mid-Century Modern - my sister's moodboard!

Soothing peaceful green

I've convinced my sister that the Hollywood Regency style would suit her and the way she likes to entertain - casual, comfortable elegance.  So Susan - here you are...now all that's left is the buying!


Also - how could I forget Florence Broadhurst prints which she covets.

Circles & squares - Florence Broadhurst

Love the chair in Schumacher's Imperial Trellis

Imperial look coffee table

Florence Broadhurst

Zebra skin rug - sublime

Fabulous skins in all hues of blue

Florence Broadhurst print

She already has this geometric green fabric

Black,white,orange & turquoise with a twist

This stairwell is magnificent - alive with pattern & colour

Cherry red and tangerine

The ultimate must have chandelier

Chinese motif chandelier

Animal print feature chair

Orange fretwork carpet

Mosaics - picture of colored pieces paints a thousand words

I love mosaics.  Maybe because I grew up in old fashioned pubs with tiled bar counters, floors...it was the high traffic answer to decor back in the Victorian era - tessalated tiles and ceramic mosaics.

Although I have a definite leaning to the clean look of black and white I also appreciate and covet the colourful porcelain and glass mosaics made famous in the Roman bathhouses and Grecian courts.

The tiny coin tiles which remind me of an Australian 50 cent piece are just so.  Very dinky, although I believe much harder to keep clean.

Don't you just LOVE grecian key?

This is like checkerboard with a floral motif

Good old no nonsense checkerboard

Moroccan mosaic

Greco Roman mosaic

Simple floral motif is really effective

Casablanca and the mystical Moroccan influence

Imagine the blend of African, Berber, and Islamic culture. Cold colourful tiles underfoot and plush cushions in richly textured fabrics lie on cedar moucharabi furniture. Pierced metal, coloured glass and brass lamps hanging overhead. Seating, tables, and accessories are shaped in hexagonal, octagonal and arched forms and patterns.

Terrace fountain

Soothing turquoise of these tiles

John Paul and Talitha Getty in Morocco

 I was always fascinated by John Paul and Talitha Getty.  They lived the absolute hippy lifestyle of the rich in Morocco entertaining the jet set and indulging in everything that the 70s had to offer - sex, drugs and rock & roll.  Sadly, Talitha died of a heroin overdose. However I thought she never looked as stunning in this Lichfield photograph taken on the rooftop of their home in Casablanca.

Beautiful tilework around the pool!

Blue on blue....very soulful

Modern twist on the Moroccan theme

Island style...designed to stay awhile

My number one dream is to end up somewhere with a view of the sea.  My desk is placed exactly under a window with a full 180 degree view of a seaside vista.  This room would be decorated with comfort around the window canvas.

These pictures from Coastal Living got me to thinking how I'd decorate a place by the sea.

Chippendale dining

Plantation shutters with a splash of blue

Verandah dining

 

This would be my room with a view - how divine.