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]

My sister's fridge

We've been having a shoptastic time and are back in London after a few fab days in Glasgow. I'm working on a lovely London market post as well as a piece on Glasgow too, but while you're being patient for that, here's what I found on my sister's fridge - A gorgeous postcard from Stoke Place. They're the same folks behind the Ilse Crawford designed Crown Inn in Old Amersham (more on that here), so the interiors are just as jammy. Love the dining room below, and make sure to check out the rest of their website for more great shots.

Sneak peek - Anthropologie

Last night was the press preview for the new Anthropologie store at the swanky Shops at Don Mills. Okay, I hafta say it's totally worth cadging a ride with a friend and heading up there. The store is bee-utiful, and crammed with the kind of pretty gear that Anthropologie does so well. My focus was the home goods - there's lots, and they're as colourful, eccentric and playfully chic as always - but the clothes and accessories are obviously boffo too, judging at the number of editors taking notes and tripping along with a hanger or two. I could have bought tons of stuff, but my faves, other than their classic latte bowls (which were only $5, btw), is the stunningly eclectic selection of hardware (click here to take a look) and all the odd and unusual vintage finds scattered about the store. And talking of vintage, just check out that wildly cool giant office lamp below. Anthropologie flings opens its doors for the first time today, and I've a feeling it's going to be busy...

   

Have camera, will travel

Richard Powers thinks he would have made a terrible fashion photographer, funny thing is I'm happy he thinks this, since his interior photography is so delicious. I came across his work on a cool blog called Yatzer, while I was marvelling at an artist's Manhattan loft space that he'd shot (make sure you click on that link, it's a fab place). So I went digging, found his website and dropped him a line asking if he'd mind me sharing some of his work. Luckily he said yes, so here's just a taste.

Richard has shot around the world - you name it, he's been there - and his work has popped up in top o' the line mags like Wallpaper*, World of Interiors, Dwell and Elle Decoration. He's also shot a couple of books worth checking; Beyond Bawa, by David Robson, and Tropical Minimal by Danielle Miller. Does he ever sit still? Probably not, lol. Click here to spend some time checking out his incredible portfolio, and click here to be wowed by, ummm, a mouth-watering library of 56 houses that he's shot in hot spots like Brazil, Denmark, Australia and Switzerland.

      

In the details

After a frustrating week with the new house and a bumper crop of deadlines to get through (look for Style Scout in Saturday's National Post, Post Homes section) I could do with a bit of relief. Lawdy I need this long weekend like nobody's business.

Today an e-mail popped into my in-box from photographer Angus Fergusson, who'd kindly sent me through a couple of detail shots - one of the dresser in the bedroom, the other of a shelf in the bathroom - from the Canadian House & Home shoot of our old place. If you flick through the mag (Feb '08) you'll see they didn't make the cut, but still, I thought it might be nice for them to see the light of day. That mirror has travelled with me since the age of 12, when I first started collecting Art Deco, and the shelf in the bathroom is an Ikea classic (the Lack) that we customized with a piece of mirror.