Inspiration for a Tea Room.

Hello after such a long hiatus. Everyone has their own dream. The epitome for me would be to design and own a hotel but for now, a Tea Room and Lounge would be fun. So I have put together my own inspiration board. Having said that, of course, there are a few missing items like how the counter will look like or the right tables. This is as close as it will get.

This will run from 1/4 below the counter and the whole floor. These lovely concrete geometric tiles are from Granada Tiles from the Echo collection.

The back wall behind the counter will be with White Carrara Marble Beveled Subway (Metro) Tiles.

Overhanging the counter, these vintage "Mayday" Lamps with wooden handles will hang. These are mounted onto an old pallet which makes a great statement piece especially when storing stuff on top of them. These are from Typewriter Boneyard on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/TypewriterBoneyard)

Part of the counter will incorporate an old haberdashery shop display cabinet. This one is great as it has

a combination of drawers and a display shelf. The bar counter will be marble topped, with a 3/4 wood base and 1/4 geometric tile like the flooring.

These lovely brass and marble stools will be at the bar counter as seating. These are from Rhaspsody Attic from Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/RhapsodyAttic)

I would have gotten bistro table version of this lovely Carve table by Bethan Gray (http://www.bethangray.com

For seating, Thonet's Bentwood no. 14 or now known as 214, in beechwood and rattan like above. 

And of course a couple of these Thonet no. 9 or 209.

For a long dining table, a Muuto Adaptable table in Oak and Grey would be my choice. (http://www.muuto.com)

Will also be a Daybed One by Another Country (http://www.anothercountry.com) but upholstered in Liberty Upholstery Fabric, Kate Nouveau Print Linen, together with  Bethan Gray Carve rectangle coffee table.

A Paper Mache Carousel Horse from Rhapsody Attic sits in the corner.

MilkBar

Recently, I've been missing in action on this blog due to work and personal constrains, however, my time in 2 weeks time may be more free. I am about to embark on a new adventure or venture. I am starting an online shop named "MilkBar". It is an ode to slow food made by hand, from scratch, in small batches and with the finest ingredients. Having said that, I will also have more time to blog on "Strathmore Living". Till then, take a peep at these sites.

MilkBar on Facebook.

MilkBar's Invisible Store

Case Study Houses.

Since young I always knew what sort of houses I would like to have if I could build one from scratch. As I have mentioned before, one of my favourite houses is the Farnsworth House at Piano. It is a fine example of mid twentieth century architecture. These case study houses which were sponsored by Arts and Architecture magazine in the late 1940s to early 1960s started as an invitation to major architects to design and build inexpensive and efficient homes during the housing boom after WW2, and the return of millions of soldiers.

Out of the 35 designs, only 24 were built and out of that 24, 2 were demolished and another 2 were remodeled. What a pity. The most photographed and iconic one must be Case Study #22, Stahl House by Pierre Koenig. It is at West Hollywood and is a cantilever house over a cliff. However, my favourites are Case Study #9, Entenza House by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen (which has been remodeled as a guest house or annex to a bigger house) and Case Study # 21B also by Pierre Koenig.

Case Study #8, Eames House by Ray and Charles Eames.

Case Study #9, Entenza House by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen.

Interior of the Entenza House.

Blue Print for Case Study #18A, West House by Rodney Walker.

Case Study #21 By Pierre Koenig.

Case Study #22, Stahl House By Pierre Koenig.

Thakoon Tasaki Jewellery.

I love pearls and that's not a secret. When I first laid eyes on Thakoon's collection for Japanese jeweller, Tasaki, it was love at first sight. I love how simple the pieces are yet they bring upon a little funk to a classic "string of pearls". My favourite piece is the necklace.

Quoted from Thakoon:

“I really wanted to just go back to the DNA of what Tasaki’s about, which is beautiful pearls, beautiful materials and beautiful diamonds,” Panichgul said during a press presentation at the Grand Hyatt. “It’s working with the materials, making them feel a bit more sculptural as well, and modern. I wanted to put some youthful spirit into pearls.” “There’s a tradition here, and they respect that, but they want to move forward as well and make it very modern,”

His pieces can be bought online through Colette.

Emeco 111 Navy Chair.

Emeco's original 1006 Navy Chair is so iconic and not forgetting eco-friendly. It is made of 80% recycled aluminum. The new 111 Navy Chair follows in its "daddy's" footsteps being made from 111 recycled plastic Coca Cola Pet bottles to form 1 chair. The price is around half the price of the aluminum one and it comes in an array of colours. My favourite has got to be the red as well as persimmon. They make great chairs for an outdoor dining area or even in cafes.

Red.

Snow.

Persimmon.

Grass.

Flint.

Charcoal.

Inspiration for Casual Dining Room.

I've put together some pieces which I would love to have together for a casual dining room. The dining area would also have a corner for folks waiting for dinner to be ready, and also a console table that would also double as a bar or buffet. I have selected vintage chairs for their simplicity and beauty. The Arne Vodders would flank both sides of the length of the table and the Grant Feathersons would be at both ends of the table. Above the Concorde table would be the Nautic Portreath pendant lamp. The reason why I picked the Concorde table was that usually the casual diner would be near the kitchen and it could also double up as an extra prep/pastry table (being marble). The decanter lamps would be hung above the console table.

I think that a casual diner should always fun and different without all the chi chi stuffiness that is usually in a formal dining space. It should be a space that people want to hang out in, sometimes even do work in. Something to think about. Enjoy.

Nautic Portreath Pendant Lamp.

Poliform Concorde Table by Emmanuel Gallina.

Arne Vodder Dining Chair in Teak.

The Arne Vodders to be re-upholstered in a purple tweed.

Grant Featherson R152 Dining Chairs.

Lee Broom Decanter Lights.

Another Country's Console.

Ercol Studio Couch.

James & Tilla Waters Ceramics.

The older I get, the more I learn to appreciate certain smaller things in life like ceramics. I especially love the grey and orange range that James and Tilla Waters has. My favourite has got to be the deep bowl. There is something so simple yet beautiful about their pottery that appeals to the senses. You just want to feel it, smell it, eat from it or even just look at it.