Seeing cherry tomatoes grown through hydroponics, brings back good old memories of school and us having our own hydroponics shed. AeroGarden is an intelligent little box that tells you when you have to "feed" it and it has different computerised settings for different types of plants. It also has a light box to simulate sunlight.
I think this would make a great clean herb garden for any home. You can grow them right in your kitchen without worrying about dirt and watering them.
The new range of Twelve kitchens by Varenna are designed by Carlo Colombo who had the idea of making the kitchen an evolved yet informal living concept. Did you notice that with the kitchens, informal dining areas are built into them? Expect handle-less design, touch opening, and high quality gloss finishings paired with wood or steel.
I've always loved the clean finishing of Varenna kitchens, although I must admit that they make great dry kitchens or show kitchens rather than a functional kitchen.
Vintage globes have a certain nostalgic charm about them. Their colours a little faded and the palettes used, beautiful. It's amazing how much over the years, what we have discovered about this planet we live on. Here are some lovely photos of vintage globes and what others have done with their collection.
I saw this great idea of what to do with a gorgeous Hermes scarf that you can't see yourself wearing anymore. Frame it! It looks great on the wall of this living room. It can be your little ode to a special season of your life.
Nothing unwinds you more than a couple of drinks out in the open, looking out at a beautiful city and taking it all in. Rooftop bars are definitely my choice for a chill out place with a group of friends or even to cosy up with that special someone. Not sure if it is the nice wind in the hair, or the bright lights of the city that never fails to put me in the mood.
Sevva in Hong Kong Island.
Penthouse at ME, Madrid.
Splash at Oscar, Madrid.
Rooftop Bar at Hotel Urban.
Rooftop Bar and Cinema at Limes Hotel, Brisbane.
Sky Lounge at Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Loof at Odeon Towers, Singapore. Firstly, I must admit that I used to in so enamoured of this place until they decided to put a plastic canopy over the open area. This picture was before that was fitted on.
Plumo reminds me a little of America's Anthropologie. It has quirky little things to buy and see. It makes a good place to shop for that unique gift for a special friend. Here are some of my choices for interesting gifts.
Copper Scissors. Aren't they pretty? It would look good used or displayed.
The first time I heard the words she said in the beginning, I thought it was such a poetic way of saying goodbye. This short clip reaches inside of me. It reminds me of how beautiful love is. The way it takes us by surprise, it sweeps us off our feet, makes us lose rationality, how fragile it can be, how turbulent, obsessive, addictive, unique, passionate and heart wrenching our moments are. And if all these are not ever any of the words that can be used to describe that love affair, it is nothing. Nothing but a painfully, aching, irrational and vile waste of time that you will still subject yourself to over and over again even if at the beginning you know that there is no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. Ain't love grand?
"There are times when life calls out for a change, a transition. Like the seasons. Our spring was wonderful, but summer's now over, and we missed out on autumn. And now, all of a sudden, it's cold. It's so cold, everything is freezing over. Our love fell asleep. And the snow took it by surprise. But if you fall asleep in the snow, you don't feel death coming. Take care."
Not too long ago, there was the revival of knitting. Recently, there has been hype about needlepoint tapestry. I used to indulge a lot of time doing those saccharine sweet Precious Moments designs when I was younger, then it came to a point when I realised that as much as I loved doing needlepoint, I didn't know what to do with the designs because they were far too girlie and sweet for me.
Recently, in June, I did a review of Emily Peacock Tapestry's designs. They are more vintage American. Felicity Hall's on the other hand, is more British. I like the green cuban car set on a background of what conspicuously looks like "Paul Smith" stripes. This is great as a nice touch to a guest room to give it a homely feel and a great way to consume time while unwinding.
During my last trip to Hong Kong, I was mesmerised by the beautiful French encaustic tiles that adorned the floor of Agnes B's Le Pain Grille Cafe. It has such a lovely colour and matt finish. They add character as well as makes the room a little more special and quaint.
Encaustic tiles are tiles that have patterns on it and they are not the product of glazing but the different colours of clay that are used to make those patterns. They range from 2 to as many as 6 different colours on a single piece of tile.
I love those salvaged vintage encaustic tiles from France and Belgium for their lovely colours and patterns. Some of them are as old as 200 years. They have been lovely salvaged off the floors of old homes, restored and cleaned up. These are then ready to be re-installed in a new home. Alternatively, you can always purchase new tiles which with a little hunting, you might be able to find at your local specialised tile shop.
The Agnes B. Shop with the lovely tiles. The little shop's colour theme of white, grey and wood is so me. Love it.
A closer look at the tiles and the edge.
Another Agnes B. restaurant in HK.
A closer look at the encaustic tiles. These and those in the shop are new, not salvaged.
The Peacock Chair was introduced to the world at this year's Milan Furniture Fair by Cappellini. It is designed by New York based Israeli, Dror Benshetrit. I love the chair's construction, check out the last image on how the lovely rich wool felt is pleated near the legs. The chair is made with two pieces of felt (to create a rich colour on one side and a muted grey on the other) and pleated lovingly into shape. Look at the way the backrest meets the seat, so orderly and perfectly in place making it aesthetically provoking yet charming.
Vivienne Westwood, best known for her British inspired quirkiness, has collaborated with Cole and Son ( the folks who have manufactured wallpapers since 1875) to design a collection of wallpapers inspired by fashion. Personally, I love the Union Jack wall panel (270 X 150cm) and the Trompe l'oeil Drape wall panel (270 X 270cm). They are so dramatic and definitely screams Vivienne Westwood.
Jack of all trades, mistress of none. However so, I hope to inspire, remind and evoke. Enjoy my little deposits of thoughts in this bank of inspirations.
Sevva in Hong Kong Island.
Penthouse at ME, Madrid.
Splash at Oscar, Madrid.
Rooftop Bar at Hotel Urban.
Rooftop Bar and Cinema at Limes Hotel, Brisbane.
Sky Lounge at Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Loof at Odeon Towers, Singapore. Firstly, I must admit that I used to in so enamoured of this place until they decided to put a plastic canopy over the open area. This picture was before that was fitted on.
Copper Scissors. Aren't they pretty? It would look good used or displayed.
Danish Sugar Spoons.
An Old-Fashioned First Aid Box.
Fabric Hooks. Aren't they just precious?
The Agnes B. Shop with the lovely tiles. The little shop's colour theme of white, grey and wood is so me. Love it.
A closer look at the tiles and the edge.
Another Agnes B. restaurant in HK. 
A closer look at the encaustic tiles. These and those in the shop are new, not salvaged.
A closer look at the French tiles.
Some ideas of what to use the tiles for. I would also recommend using them as a splash back for your bathroom sink or in the kitchen.
