Tag Archives: Places To Go

PLACES TO GO | DO SOUTH SHOP

24 March 2015

For me one of the best things about blogging is to discover and experience new ‘stuff’. Wether it is connecting with people and fellow bloggers who share the same aesthetics, being introduced to new brands, makers and designers or – as in this instance – a furniture shop in Crystal Palace, South London

Maybe the stars aligned or maybe it was sheer coincidence but a few Sunday’s ago Do South shop brought together a bunch of lifestyle bloggers, stylists and one very talented interiors photographer to document a styling challenge in one of the most inspiring places I’ve recently visited.

Do South is an interior shop with a difference and a hip edge that sells a mix of classic Danish designer furniture, one-off vintage finds and some ethnic pieces from Africa through to Australia. I call it modern rustic and it’s bang on trend for me as you can see from previous interiors I’ve featured on here and here and here.

Freddie Oke is the owner of Do South which he opened in 2011 after returning from living in Australia. With a background in music he is an artist at heart and takes the process of selecting pieces for the shop very seriously. Obsessed by detail, material, shape and colour I was delighted to talk to him as we share the same passion for craftsmanship and aesthetics.

Me and fellow blogging buddies Tiffany Grant-Riley from Curate & Display, Sarah-Louise Kilmer from LapinBlu and Cate St Hill from Catesthill meet Freddie over a casual breakfast at the shop before we’re let loose, each in their own distinct corner for a little styling challenge.

I can’t wait to get going and initially find it hard to narrow down my choice as I love almost everything in the shop. Slowly my vintage French workbench styling comes together reflecting the essence of Do South with an eclectic mix of amber glass glassware, a copper candle holder and mustard cushion by Hay and some amazing vintage leather football boots, embossed with Johnny Hancocks name who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

I think I’m speaking for my fellow bloggers when I say that this was pure joy to spend a few hours styling with such a great selection of furniture, lighting and decor as you can see in our results below, all beautifully captured by Kristy Noble.

Curate & Display

LapinBlu

Cate St Hill

Delicious bites by local Thai restaurant Thai Crystal

Meet the team (left to right): Cate St.Hill, Sarah-Louise Kilmer, Freddie Oke, Annie Kruse and Tiffany Grant-Riley

MORE INFORMATION | Do South shop
PHOTOGRAPHY | Kristy Noble

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PLACES TO GO | SANTA CATALINA BY SALVA LOPEZ

15 October 2014

OMG, I was so excited when I came across this gorgeous photo series of Santa Catalina – a neighbourhood in Palma de Mallorca – by Salva Lopéz. [Thank you, thank you lovely Victoria from SFGirlByBay.]

As you might know I’ve got a bit of a crush on Palma and with this dark damp autumn weather I find myself daydreaming about warmer climes and sunshine. The photo series was commissioned by Monocle magazine and you’ll have to buy the issue or subscribe online to find out where all these gorgeous shops, bars and restaurants are to be found.

We’ve visited Palma and Santa Catalina for the first time back in 2010 and have since been back a few times enjoying the laid back Mediterranean vibe, fabulous Spanish tapas bars and restaurants as well as all the hip and quirky little shops. The mix of traditional architecture and modern renovations still gives me a buzz and I love exploring all the little alley ways and back roads. It is this essence and flavour that Salva captured so beautifully in his series.

To me Santa Catalina is an organically evolving neighbourhood that serves the needs of locals and students as well as expats by offering the diversity that I crave.

For more tips on where to go and what to do in Santa Catalina check out my previous post here.

MORE INFORMATION | Monocle
PHOTOGRAPHY | Salva Lopéz

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PLACES TO GO | FRANCO MANCA LONDON

13 October 2014

I’ve never been to Naples – arguably the birthplace of what we now refer to as pizza – but on one of my recent ventures into town I discovered Franco Manca. A pizzeria as close to the real thing as you can get without hopping on a plane to southern Italy.

It’s a small independent chain of pizza restaurants started in 2008 and passion for their product is at the heart of it. From branding to interior design – it’s all about simplicity, no fuss and good honest, quality ingredients.

The secret is in the slow-rising sourdough base (a minimum of 20hrs) which is baked in a wood burning ‘tufae’ brick oven made on site by specialised artisans from Naples producing a heat of about 500C (930F) – the oven (!) not the artisans. This blast-cooking method locks in the flour’s natural aroma and moisture producing a soft, easily digestible crust.

I had a simple Margarita which I watched the chefs prepare and have to say I was amazed at the difference to any other pizza I’ve tasted in the past. It was perfect! The texture, the subtle smoky flavour of some burnt dough ‘blisters’ and the combination of tomato, mozzarella and basil. Heaven is a good pizza – why has nobody made a poster or t-shirt with that slogan yet!?

Their simple and honest concept also translates into their branding which is monochrome handwritten typography and a childlike logo squiggle of what could be interpreted as a pizza, or pizza throwing or a planetary system. Like all good concepts there is total cohesion between the product, branding and interior design which is simple and clean with a few rustic elements giving the wood burning oven pride of place at the centre of the space.

I loved the ‘ouch’ sign on my way to the restrooms, a simple detail that made me feel warm and fuzzy – discarding my natural cynicism for a minute and making me believe that somebody cares for my well-being, or at least wants to avoid a law suit.

A fabulous experience which was made even better when the bill arrived. In case you want proof I’ve included a shot of it below. Just leaves me to mention that sadly you can’t book but don’t worry they turn the tables around pretty swiftly so I hear there’s never a very long wait. Only problem is I can’t go back to our local now I’ve tasted the real deal. #modernproblems

NOTE: Check out Franco Manca’s website to read more about their passionate sourcing of ingredients.

MORE INFORMATION | Franco Mancha
PHOTOGRAPHY | all iPhone by yours truely 😉

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PLACES TO GO | BRUECKE 49, VALS

3 October 2014

Now I’ve written about Bruecke 49 before – the beautiful boutique B&B – nestled in a small valley in Switzerland but their new photography and a chat with the owners has inspired me to feature them again.

I’m always impressed if people leave their career paths to follow their dreams and restoring Bruecke 49 into an intimate yet luxurious and contemporary B&B has been the life-long ambition of Ruth Kramer and Thomas Schacht.

The Swiss/Danish couple opened in December 2011 and as Thomas tells me they have been lucky to attract some wonderful guests who all share the same passions for design, art, literature, music and of course nature. He says:

At our breakfast table we have met rock-stars, some of the most wealthy people in the world, designers, architects, marketeers, artists, writers … and they have met each other. Friendships have been started and contacts made in our small “breakfast club”.

It must be such a satisfying and wonderful feeling to be able to give like minded guests this special blend of contemporary luxury and timeless beauty in a place you love.

The small village of Vals sits at the end of the Vals valley and consists of a small community of only 950 people most of them working in farming or as artisan craftsmen and guests are able to enjoy and buy some of the local products at Bruecke 49.

Surrounded by mountains it’s a hikers paradise but don’t forget to check out the famous Therme – built by Peter Zumthor who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize for his design in 2009 – for some relaxing spa time.

I’m delighted about Ruth and Thomas’ success, a large part of which has to be attributed to Ruth’s skills as an interior designer decorating the place with Danish design classics and eclectic local finds, giving it a warm homely feel.

Seasoned travellers themselves they know what a difference small details make. Individually styled bedrooms, a large living area with design classics inviting you to relax, a library with plenty of books, magazines and newspapers to browse, an outdoor fireplace and BBQ, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a healthy organic breakfast with freshly brewed coffee and of course the smell of freshly baked bread in the morning.

Ah… my kind of heaven.

ABOVE | The owners Ruth Kramer and Thomas Schacht

MORE INFORMATION | Bruecke 49
PHOTOGRAPHY | Martin Kaufmann with kind permission by Bruecke 49

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PLACES TO GO | CLARRODS COPENHAGEN

2 July 2014

Ok, if I could move into this shop I totally would. Not only is it in beautiful design heaven Copenhagen but it also comes with a bar/cafe and will soon be serving food I’m being told by the owner Claus Larsen.

Claus used to have a career in ‘money’ (erm… something lost in translation here but I get the drift) before he opened Clarrods – a fabulous furniture shop selling mostly Claus’ own designs and some hand-picked decorative vintage pieces. He’s also trained as a welder and has two other guys helping him produce a variety of tables and benches with mostly wooden tops on steel frames.

I saw the shots of his store on Paulina Arcklin’s site, a Finnish photographer who now lives in Amsterdam. She was scouting for material for one of her books when she passed Clarrods and took this beautiful series. When I got in touch with her to ask permission she emphasised that nothing is styled in these shots which makes them even more special.

This shop is pretty much bang on my current taste for industrial vintage and I love the fact that Claus included a bar/cafe because ‘it would be cool to try that out and why not’.

I’ve got enormous respect for people who decide to switch careers and – once again – it shows that there’s nothing better than creative fulfilment. As they say if you do what you love you won’t have to do a day’s work in your life.

I hope you’ll pop by Clarrods if you’re in the area and make sure to soak up the atmosphere with a little drink or two. A definite must-see on my own CPH list.

MORE INFORMATION | Clarrods
PHOTOGRAPHY | Paulina Arcklin with kind permission

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