Worker Sofa and Chair By Vitra.

Another fine example of functional art meets furniture. Hella Jongerius of Jongerius lab designed these for Vitra's 2006 collection. Her style signature is distinct; a mischievous play of different materials, textures, colours and manufacturing technics. In this case, you can see the mixture of aluminium and wood, prints and solid colours, and if you look close enough, you will notice parts of it are machined and handmade.

The little details like the choice of different kinds of wood matched with powder coated aluminium joints, the handles on the top of the seats, the backrest in a contrasting material, the simple back brace and also the front legs being so different from the back legs. I am a lover of thoughts. It intrigues me that so much thought has been put into designing one single piece of furniture. You can simply stare at the piece and never get quite sick of it. I assure you, this is not just an artwork, it is also a very comfortable chair.

Vintage Plant.

Vintage Plant is a Swedish store set up by two graphic, interior and product designers, Byggstudio and Markus Bergström that sells vintage plant clippings which are donated. These clippings usually have a history tagged to them; belonging to families for decades and many clippings of the parent plant are shared among the family, themselves. I think this is a wonderful idea to share something which matters to you. However, it is also sad that most people have lost touch with nature and do not get their hands soiled with gardening.

I, for one am a fond lover of heritage plants, fruits and flowers. If we were always just to plant the main stream commercial varieties, we will not be preserving our world well enough for our future generations. They will not be able to learn, taste or see varieties which are not commonly found. As it is already, most of us who buy store produce, have no idea what these heritage varieties are like. Food for thought, saving the world is not just recycling, reusing or reducing. It is also preserving what we have.

A Hibiscus clipping.

The proud gardener/donor.

The parent plant in his dining room.

A Pelarginium bush clipping.

The parent plant with the proud donor.

The bushes that line his balcony.

Happy Haus.

Happy Haus is an Australian company that believes in housing that is well designed, sustainable and efficient. Pre-fabricated houses are more clean and faster in terms of construction. A pre-fabricated house can be built within 4 to 6 weeks and it only takes days to install it on the site itself.

I love the idea of a house that is transported to the site and in the case of the Donovan Hill House, it was craned to the exact site that it would sit on, then the amenities were hooked up. Happy Haus can also come furnished. They can include furniture built into them, so that when your home is installed, it is in a "move-in" condition. How much would a pre-fabricated house set you back? Starting prices are AUD$ 99, 000 onwards excluding delivery and installation.

The delivery of part of the house.

Craning the house to the site, so not to spoil the natural foliage.

Views of the house from the deck.

Side view of the house.

Different options for the DHAN series.

The new white series home. I think it's stunning.

Limited Editions.

I came across the Limited Edition Fortuny Lamp done in silk taffeta. I love the beautiful purple folds which Mariano Fortuny has made famous. He was remembered as a dress and fashion designer, but he was also an engraver, painter, photographer, architect, lighting technician, set designer, inventor and impresario. That's why this lamp encapsulates what makes Mariano Fortuny, him. Simply Inspiring.

For some reason, I thought of the Limited Edition Eames Egg Chair as well which was reproduced by Fritz Hansen did for the 50th anniversary of the chair. This chair ranks rather high on my list of favourite chairs. Many people don't know that Eames was a smoker, and because of that, on most of his chairs, you would be able to balance an ash tray on its arm. Why I love this edition? The dark leather, matching suede underside and the cooper legs makes this chair so sensually inviting. Gives an old chair some form of grandeur and a new lease of life.

Tableware from Toast.

I love to entertain and naturally, a lovely table setting is essential. Table settings set the mood for a lovely afternoon lunch or a soiree. After all, we are all sensual creatures, therefore the lighting, music, tableware, place settings, flowers, drinks and food are all important. It is also because of that, the room adjoining the dining area, in the best scenario should not include a television. Televisions are mood spoilers, at least to me.

Anyhow, I love some of the new tableware from Toast. I am in the mood for aubergine, mustard and greys in simple structures at the moment. The last item, is a happy hour kit from Wu and Wu. It includes flamingo stirrers, paper parasols, paper peacocks and goldfishes. This would be fun for pre-dinner drinks. The guests can opt to make and decorate their own cocktails or the hosts can prepare the drinks with a little surprise in them.

http://www.toast.co.uk
http://www.wuandwu.com/

My Perfect Friday Evening in Solitude.

It's Friday and I am in the mood for a very quiet evening of drinking a bottle, maybe a crate of Krug from a Christofle Iriana flute, in a long Alexander Mcqueen dress (it's anyone's guess which I might choose) and reclining on my Eames La Chaise, listening to the beautiful and soothing songs from Casa (by Morelenbaum and Sakamoto), ending with a late night soak in a Duvalli egg shell tub with more Champagne at hand, undisturbed by the busy world.

Thatched Cottages

There's something very whimsical about thatched cottages. It almost feels as though it belonged in another world. It's less harsh compared to the modern glass and steel structures that we are accustomed to. In fact, these houses fuel the imaginations of Enid Blyton lovers. It makes you dream of what you might find in your gardens; gnomes, elves and pixies. Surreal.

Inspirations By a Soulmate.

This is my pictorial ode to one of my soulmates; a tribute of sorts to a friendship that I am missing immensely.

Veuve Cliquot La Grand Dame.

Bell and Ross BR01 Orange Edition. It was designed after the clock in a cockpit of an airplane.

Back of the Watch.

Porsche Turbo in Speed Yellow.

Bags by Maison Martin Margiela.

Leica Digilux3.

Torre Di Moravola, Italy. A 12th century watchtower restored with just 7 rooms. Perfect for an escape.