Do you say Fall, or is it Autumn?

And… suddenly it’s Fall.

I don’t know about you, but those last few days of summer felt especially poignant this year. Soon we’ll be well and truly bundled up, socially distancing outside, but until then there are still a few softening glimmers of sunlight to remind us of warmer days.

Cheers, Arren


Despite, well, the way things are Paris Design Week still managed to inspire earlier this month. I totally stan for India Mahdavi, and this wildly bright, fun and entirely OTT space from her did not disappoint. You’ll most likely know Mahdavi’s work by Sketch restaurant in London, but puh-lease don’t judge her for it’s pretty-in-pink Insta success.

Here she’s altogether more esoteric and artistic, mixing Chris Wolston’s utterly crazy/fab anthropomorphic Nalgona Colombian wicker chairs, fabric from textile artists Les Crafties, lighting by WonderGlass and a tile-topped table from Maximilien Pellet. It’s basically a fever dream of design fabulosity.

Photo: Nicolas Lequeux

Photo: Nicolas Lequeux


I spent a thoroughly fascinating time peeking behind the curtain on the work, inspirations and point of view of design firm Campbell-Rey today when they were interviewed by M. Emilio Pimentel-Reid for Interiors Academy. Helmed by Duncan Campbell and Charlotte Rey, the young award-winning firm tackles both interiors and product design with aplomb.

Their Francesco side table is definitely deserving of ooh-ooh-aahs with it’s mix of Connemara green marble, yellow travertine and patinated brass-on-steel legs. First commissioned from Campbell-Rey by interior designer Francis Sultana, the pert piece is now part of their ongoing furniture collection, which they let slip in the interview they have plans to grow.

Oh, and that snap below? Well, let’s just say that paired with The Rug Comapny’s Key Shadow carpet, the Francesco table looks all the more stunning.

Watch the IGTV interview here.

Photo: Campbell-Rey

Photo: Campbell-Rey


Post-reno we’re in the midst of rejigging our double-height gallery wall. The walls are freshly painted (hello Benjamin Moore White Dove) but the question is, what will stay, and what will go, and what could replace those bits and bobs that have fallen out of favour? Definitely these!

The items in question are Abstract Masks from People of the Sun, an award winning social enterprise in Malawi that connects traditional artisans with a world wide design audience. A collab with designer and artist Julia Gamborg Nielsen, these stunners are a graphic interpretation of African masks, skillfully woven of palm leaves. I. Want. Them. ALL.

There’s lots more must-haves from People of the Sun to check out right here.

The full Abstract Masks collection

The full Abstract Masks collection

Elizara, one of the master weavers behind the Abstract Masks collection

Elizara, one of the master weavers behind the Abstract Masks collection

Yes to letters, no to pom poms

I was oohing and aahing over the graphic fairground lettering on Emily Peacock's needlepoint tapestry Hug and Kiss pillows the other day - all very cool since the do-it-youself kits are available here on Etsy - and then I realized that the finished product had pom poms. That's a slight problem. Spot, our handsome 9-month old Whippet, has a bit of a thing for pom poms. In fact the little so-and-so has already managed to gnaw off something like 7 of them from our Home Sweet Home pillow from The Rug Company. Anyways, I thought I'd share a great snap of the Hug pillow, and also the Home Sweet Home wall hanging, which we might have to consider if Spot takes any more of a liking to that Rug Co pillow, lol.

The one that almost got away

The week has just run away with me, and where are we? Thursday? Sheesh... It has been bananas with propping for shoots, deadlines for a few different projects and puppy pre-school for Spot. Our car is crammed full of props including a bunch of bathroom mirrors, a sink and other random bits and pieces, all of which have to be returned before the end of the week. Anyone have a magic wand handy?

I can identify with anyone who descibes herself as a magpie, which is one of the reasons I wanted to share fashion designer Alice Temperley's very eclectic looking studio space. I have a feeling it doesn't always look as beautifully styled as this, lol, but can totally imagine her working away on a collection here. That bombastic rug is one of Temperley's designs too; Ophelia from The Rug Company. For even more inspiration, check out the We Like section of her website, which includes a cool video tour of Portobello Road Market (one of my most favourite places in London). [Image: Rachael Smith. Via the Guardain]

Trash talk

Today is a busy one - Meetings at Flare this morning about the October issue and upcoming features, a couple of last minute questions about Style Scout for the National Post this Saturday, and then shooting for the new season of The Style Dept (debuting on HGTV this Fall). Phew. In the meantime there's a couple of minutes to squeeze in lunch and a quick post...

As a kid I trained in fashion and then eventually segued into decor, so I always enjoy a hot bit of fashion-y craziness, especially when it translates into interiors. This Aubusson style flat-weave wool rug by Vivienne Westwood for The Rug Company shows, basically, Dame Westwood's trash. Now that's some design chutzpah.

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