Mechanical Splendor

http://www.nowness.com/media/embedvideo?itemid=2120&issueid=1987

Through A Glass Brightly directed by William Snieg for Nowness.

Saluti da Capri

Arrivo!! Photo via Google

Ave Ceasar Photo Vision of Splendor

Il Mare Slim Aarons

Love the signs...One of these is my Hotel.. photo via Tumblr.

Capri Style 1970's by Slim Aarons

Pink Heaven photo via Tumblr

Mama Mia the best plate of Pasta in the world! Photo by Vision of Splendor

Long beautiful walk to Marina Piccola Via Krupp..

Nothing to do with Capri...but David Gandy looks Italian and dresses beautifully like the men did in the past..and basically no need to explain. Bello

A room with a view, blue and green...photo by Vision of Splendor

Bella Marisa in Capri 1970's by Slim Aarons. This is how I wish I looked on the beach.

Capri Traditional "gozzi"...me on this very soon.

Arrivederci London! On my way to the magic of Capri sun, sea, beauty, Amore and mangare mangare and mangare. xo

Masterpiece Fair London 2012

Carpenters Workshop Gallery: Citylight LED Chandelier by Studio Molen, Taj Mahal Table by Studio Job and Fragile Future by Gordijn & Nauta.

Hamiltons Gallery: Dahomey 1967 Irving Penn

Made By Meta : Diamond's Are A girls Best Friend I by Matali Crasset, Brass and Steel Side tables by Gabriella Crespi, Diamon's A Girls Best Friend I Scones by Matali Crasset.

Masterpiece Interiors

Based Upon : Westminster & London on Liquid Metals and Resins.

Swarovski : Iris & Tord Boontje Blossom Chandelier.

Masterpiece Fair

Masterpiece is London's most spectacular Fair now in it's third year, here Traditional, Ancient, Contemporary and Modern meet. Showcasing the best of craftsmanship and culture. The Exhibitor's create incredible stands from a vast selection of Art, to Metalwork, Decoration, Photography, Jewellery, Classic Cars and more. Not only is  there such a large amount of variety but the actual exhibition space  is beautifully put together.

A Big Tent that actually looks like you entering a beautiful mansions, with high airy ceilings, cream coloured carpet, massive flower arrangements. Urban Caprice catering from some of my favourite London Restaurants, Harry's Bar, Scott's, Mount Street Deli and Le Caprice where my Sister and I could not get a table get a table for lunch as it was fully booked with a 1 hour wait!! Amazing but we had plenty of other choice only at Masterpiece could you find this. I choose just a few images of some of the work at the Fair that really stood out. I will do more posts on each one as they have such incredible talent in their books.

London knows how to put on a good Fair and Masterpiece is the most elegant in the world followed closely by PAD in October but that's another story. You will have to wait till June 26th 2013 for the next Fair so plenty of time if you want to visit or maybe try and get a space to exhibit.

Bravo London xo

All photos taken by Vision of Splendor except image 12 and last image sourced via Masterpiece.

More info on these links,

www.carpentersworkshopgallery.com

www.basedupon.com

www.masterpiecefair.com

www.madebymeta.com

www.hamiltonsgallery.com

Jewelled Splendor

Marisa Berenson New York 1970 Photo by Bert Stern

Violet Desert via Sister Himalaya

 Venus Necklace by Fabio Salini

Yellow & White Gold Ring by Carrera Y Carrera

Indian Ceremonial Hair Piece via Vogue Gioiello

Cuff Bracelet by Jaipur Gems

Choker by Anmol Jewellers of India

Peacock Brooch by Jaipur Gems

Matthew Williamson Peacock Skirt

Revelation Sapphire and Diamond Earrings by Jewellery Theatre

Sapphire and Diamond Ring by Tiffany's

Blue Waterfall by Sister Himalaya

Art Deco Waterfall Earrings by Cartier

Photo by Fabrizio Ferri Vogue Italia 1989

Gold and Mother of Pearl Earrings by Fabio Salini

Black and White Diamond Mosque Ring by Sevan

Zebra Diamond Brooch by Jar

Pearl and Diamond Necklace Source unknown

Diamond , Pearl and Gold Ring by Sylvie Corbelin

Gold and Black Mosque via Sister Himalaya

I love Jewellery!  No need for an explanation or a story, the pieces speak for themselves.

Bling it on xo

Some Sources

www.vogue.it

www.fabiosalini.com

www.sisterhimalaya.tumblr.com

Acrylicious

 Modern Acrylic Designs by Alexandra von Furstenberg

1970's Lucite Game Table via 1stDibds

Pair of 1950's Lucite and Wood End Tables via VandM

Lucite X Chair with Clint Greggory Cushion via VandM

Triangle Lucite Lamp with Zebra Shade by Clint Greggory via VandM

Set of Albrizzi Ice Buckets via VandM

1960's Lucite and Black Patent Leather Dinette Set via 1stDibs

Shades of red and pink Screens by Emmanuelle Moureaux

Kodachi Aroma Sticks Stand by Emmanuelle Moureaux

"There Is No Chair"  Red Chair Quan via Jia Moderne

1970's Italian Lucite Candle Holders via 1stDibs

Acrylic , there seems to be so many different types of names for this plastic , Lucite being my favourite,  something to do with the quality and colouring and how wears with time, that is why I leave the technical data to the experts.

What I do know is that here are so many beautiful ways to use this material as shown above, I always like Lucite/Acrylic for its light but yet durable quality. The way it reflects light and seems to be complimentary to finishes like brass, leather , wood to name a few, or Just with bold colours that offset strong lines in a modern design. It inspires me, maybe ill contact one of these designers to customize something for me.

Plastic is fantastic xo

Resources.

www.alexandravonfurstenberg.com

www.1stdibs.com

www.emmauelle.jp

www.jiamoderne.com

www.vandm.com

Cabin Fever

Snow Cabin via Sister Himalaya

Winter Home via Architectural Digest

Modern Mountain home via Pinterest

Rustic Bathroom via Pinterest

The Peak of Rustic Chic Idaho via Elle Decor

Rustic Bathroom via Sisson Designs

Jackson Hole , Wyoming via Elle Decor

Le Chalet Chatel via Les Fermes de Marie

Wild White Horses via Sister Himalaya

Chalet Table scape via Pinterest

Fairy Trees in The Snow Via Pinterest

Am off to the Swiss Alps for a couple of days to enjoy some Nature and fresh Air, can't wait after 2 months in the city.

Yodel Away xo

Peter Fetterman Gallery

Macaroni Penguins in Zavodovski Island, The Sandwich Islands by Sebastião Salgado

Church Gate Station, Western Railroad Line, Bombay, India by Sebastião Salgado

Kafue National Park, Zambia [lion-two brothers] by Sebastião Salgado

Menatwi Man Indonesia

Arizona, USA by Sebastião Salgado

Bryce National Park, Utah, USA by Sebastião Salgado

Cactus:Trichocereus Schickendantzii, San Martino, California by DonWorth 1977

Miconia Magnifica, California by Don Worth 1977

Succulent: Agave Victoriae-Reginae, Mexico by Don Worth 1975

Succulent: Echeveria Subrigida Hybrid, California by Don Worth 1968

Tropical Leaves, Fittonia Agyroneura, California by Don Worth 1958

Succulent:Agave Parryi Var. Huachucensis, California by Don Worth 1969

Peter Fetterman Gallery Santa Monica, CA

The only reason I ever go to a Contemporary Art Fair is to see the Photography. To me it marries the visual with the traveler and the storyteller.

I found these amazing works while browsing 1stDibs as I do religiously every week and fell for The Peter Fetterman Gallery. They have incredible Artists on their books and these two immediately stood out.

Sebastiao Salgado was born in Amoires in the state of Minas Gerais Brazil, he started his career in Economics and began his serious  photography in 1973.

Sebastião Salgado has been awarded numerous major photographic prizes in recognition of his accomplishments. He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and an honorary member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in the United States.

Sebastiao and his wife Leila Wanick Salgado formed their own press agency Amazonas Images. Together, Lélia and Sebastião have worked since the 1990’s on the restoration of a small part of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. In 1998 they succeeded in turning this land into a nature reserve and created the Instituto Terra. The Instituto is dedicated to a mission of reforestation, conservation and environmental education.

Don Worth Iowa USA 1924-2009  Went to Julliard School of Music and Manhattan School Of Music. In 1949 he began professional photography and assisted Ansel Adams for several years. Worth's childhood on an Iowa farm sparked a life long interest in horticulture and he designed and maintained a large subtropical garden at his home near San Francisco. Most of his photographs use plants as their subject matter. He has traveled widely in order to photograph. Don Worth's photographs  made, generally, with large format cameras, have an incisive clarity and quiet meditative mood. Many images involve enormous spaces, and often use the transformative power of fog, mist and other atmospheric conditions.

Love his vision of plants , especially the huge range of Cactus, one of my favorite type of plants. I find them so sculptural and mystical and his images of them spectacular. Would love to own some of his pictures one day.

http://www.peterfetterman.com/artists/sebastiao-salgado/

http://www.peterfetterman.com/artists/don-worth/

http://www.1stdibs.com/

Big In Japan : Kaikado

The History of Kaikado

Kaikado was established in 1875, shortly after Japan opened its doors to the rest of the world. With civilization came the import of tin plate from England. Tin was used for the plating of steel, and was considered a fashionable foreign-made item. In the Edo era, canisters made from tin were a commonplace means of storage for tea, as were jars made from china or earthenware. It was the company's founder, Kiyosuke, who first designed the tin tea caddy and made it into a commercially available item. His aim was to provide a well-designed, functional tea caddy capable of storing the type of tea leaves commonly sold by dealers. Showing sympathy for local traditions, Kaikado designed a product that would leave a lasting impression on the discerning Kyoto locals. A great many orders were received from tea dealers and hardware merchants alike. The tea caddies were tailor made to the requirements and needs of each and every store. In a time before the invention of the refrigerator, air tightness was key to maintaining the flavour and quality of freshly picked leaves for a period of one year.

Kaikado's tea caddies were a blessing in disguise to tea dealers, in particular in terms of their functionality. Before long, there was an increase in the number of stores supplying the tea caddies, in Kyoto and throughout Western Japan. A manufacturing process that involves anywhere between 130 to 140 steps, the hand-made tea caddies have virtually remained true to the designs established by Kaikado's founding generation. The die and mold used in the early years of the company is still in use today, whilst some shapes of tea caddy used 130 years ago are still in production today.

In 1916, the company was succeeded by Otokichi. The second generation, Otokichi was said to be the most able craftsman of all generations. The third generation, Hikojiro, successfully led the company through difficult times in which, preceding and after the 2nd World War, materials were scarce and tools also had to be sent away in the name of war. The period of economic growth that followed the war years, saw the advent of cheaply made, inexpensive tea caddies. Dissatisfied with this, the fourth generation successor, Shouchi, continued to make tea caddies in the traditional manner, at the same time developing a caddy made from copper. The fifth generation, Seiji, started producing tea caddies to sell to the general public and for this purpose introduced a portable caddy suited to the individual user. Seiji also developed a caddy made from brass. The sixth successor, Takahiro, developed a two-tiered tea caddy. He initiated the first ever collaborations with tea brands, and marketed his caddies abroad. Whilst maintaining tradition, Takahiro set his sights on the global market. Adding a new element per generation is a tradition that Kaikado has carried throughout its history.

Even as its horizons widened, Kaikado has made the same tea caddies it has always done. Doing away with excessive detail, the caddies are based on the pursuit of function. Their simple forms are overflowing with functionality. Each time a Kaikado tea caddy is handled, it develops a unique sheen specific to the type of material from which it is made. Witnessing the changes in color that develop over time will surely bring great joy to the person wishing to nurture their caddy over time. A tea caddy that has been filled with the memories of 100 years can be passed onto the next generation to treasure. With the hand-made materials and methods that comprise Kaikado’s selection of caddies, one can enjoy the expressions unique to each and every tin caddy, or the rapidly changing appearance of copper, or the mellow changes of color that make the brass tea caddies so unique. These qualities forming an important characteristic to its tea caddies, Kaikado have selected only materials with which this can be achieved.

The precision inherent in the hand-made process of the tea caddies is also unique to Kaikado. The double-walled construction guarantees excellent air tightness and will protect tea leaves from humidity whilst helping them to maintain their scent. In addition to being used for storing tea leaves, the caddies be used to hold a wide variety of foodstuffs. They can also be used to store English or Chinese tea, as well as coffee, spices, pasta and grain. We are confident that our customers will not only enjoy the long-lasting quality of our tea caddies, and the scents that arise with each removal of the lid, but experience the difference in function between our caddies and standard containers or boxes.

Having spanned 130 years of history, it is our wish to maintain the art of and passion for our tea caddies for future generations to enjoy.

Love the story of Kaikado, wonderful craftsmanship and design, you can have them customize your logo or any design on them and combine the brass, silver and bronze together, they are also useful for to store other ingredients like herbs, pasta and coffee. For more information and ordering please visit their beautiful site. Your kitchen would look magnificent with these caddy's gleaming. 

Utsukushii xo

Pictures sourced via,

www.kaikado.jp

www.designboom.com

Duvet St Gallen , home Switzerland .