Madrid - Bridgehampton - Muskoka

Sometimes, while on the hunt for something to watch, you can end up finding an odd little gem. So, when my husband David stumbled on Danger: Diabolik on the Kanopy streaming platform, I knew we were in for a treat. Filmed in Italy in 1968 it’s definitely camp, with its fair share of sexy costumes, overdubbed actors, dodgy special effects and some major eye candy from the sets. While it was trounced by critics on its initial release, it somehow ended up on Empire mag’s 500 Greatest Movies of All Time back in ‘08. Take a look at the preview here.

Cheers, Arren

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So, we’re in the loft of my latest design crush, photographer Manolo Yllera who, along with shooting fab interiors, definitely has an eye for design himself. Hidden in an old Madrid neighbourhood, between a printer’s and an auto repair shop, it boasts 5 metre high ceilings and is crammed with a wild selection of major design pieces. Lordy.

I’m GAGGED, I tell you. Just look at that chair on the left, it’s a Tre Pezzi by Franco Albini for Cassina. Designed back in 1959, this particular one is a limited edition in Mongolian goat. Could you even?

Styled by Amaya De Toledo, this shoot just popped up in AD China, but you’ll also find more pics on Yllera’s Insta feed.

Photo: Manolo Yllera

Photo: Manolo Yllera

Photo: Manolo Yllera

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From Madrid to Bridgehampton, and a veritable design one-two punch, with an interior by Timothy Godbold, styled by Michael Walters.

Godbold’s look is right up my street, always making space for the crazy cool. Ergo, that eye watering Martin & Brockett console moment in the front hall. Pop into the library and you’ll spot a pair of Maralunga chairs by Vico Magistretti upholstered in shearling (it’s deffo a Cassina day). Creep the rest of the interior on Domaine.

Walters’ Instagram (check it out here) is a must follow for interior inspo seekers and midcentury lovers alike. Catch a peek of his projects, plus a slew of fab Palm Springs pics that obvs got me wanting to get back to PS, one of these days.

Photo: Alec Hemer

Photo: Alec Hemer

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Having shopped flea markets in Paris with designer Montana Burnett, I know what a good eye she has. Monty just posted this snap; a throwback back to last year’s Muskoka pop-up for her online design shop SALT by The Caza Project. Think textured, natural and handmade, all in a pared-back palette of neutrals, black and white. Love. And I have to say, if this is her take on a lakeside cottage, then I’m there with flip-flops on. Roll on summer.

In praise of knots

The Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs was jam packed during the recent Coachella fest (click here to see the arty goings on over on Poppytalk), but I'm wondering, did anyone stop to check out the hotel's cool macramé installation? The knot-tastic curtain was created by designer Michael Schmidt - who's perhaps better known for his wardrobe work with the likes of Gaga, Fergie and Madonna - out of about a mile of cotton rope. And why not? It's definitely high time for macramé to come out of the dusty 70's craft closet and be re-imagined for today. To show that there's a bit of a thing happening with cord, rope and knots, take a look at Urban Outfitter's Beaded Treasures pillow as well as the rather stunning Pleats-Pleats sofa by young Swedish design and architecture studio, Imaginary Office. [Images 1,3: courtesy Michael Schmidt]

California dreaming

Right about now, at the tail end of winter, I'm at my wits end with the cold and the grey and my dreams turn wistfully to California. I'll noodle through real estate websites and find Palm Springs gems like this and this that I've been trying to talk friends into buying. Then reality sets in, and the sun - thankfully - comes out.

But it's good to dream, and it's extra good to dream on a blurry post-Oscars® Monday morning. So, when I found this gorgeous Santa Monica home splashed across the glossy pages of the LA Times Magazine, I knew I had to share. The home is owned by photographer Dewey Nicks and was designed with a nod to mid-century California style by architect Barbara Bestor. The interiors are smashing, and shake together kid-friendy glamour with a keen vintage eye by designer Paul Fortune. Maybe the Nicks family needs a pool boy?

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Hey, where did the shots go??? Well, I got a rather nasty legalese e-mail regarding copyright infringement, so they just had to come down. Sucks, huh? And the first time that I've ever been asked to do that too! In the meantime I'll be checking in with the Barbara Bestor to see if she has any shots available (check out the rest of her firm's portfolio here, it's brill). If you fancy scoping out the original LA Times article, click here.

Living the (fantasy) life

Palm Springs. Can we move there? I get almost compulsive about a place one we've visited, constructing a fantasy life that involves buying a place, settling in and becoming a local. Lisbon and Rome are on the list, but it's Palm Springs where I practically lost my marbles - It's cool, quirky, and about as laidback a place as you can find. Other than emptying that imaginary bank account, the closest we'll get to moving down there is scoping the interiors of the Parker Palm Springs hotel (designed by Jonathan Adler, and which has a lobby I'd happily try and cram into my carry on, take a look below).