SnOOp

I'm bringing out a book for 2012

2011-11-16T09:07:00.000+01:00

Guess where Mikkel Vang and I are at the moment? Yes just another day photographing the book and yes I'm still hiding my banged up face. Three locations to shoot today and then on the Eurostar to London.

I'm bringing out a book for 2012

2011-11-15T19:14:00.000+01:00

Antwerp over and out... Mikkel and I have finished photographing our locations in Antwerp. I have never been there before but wow what a beautiful city. I would love to come back here.

However, I did have a little accident in Antwerp. Memories me stumbling in the middle of the street, hands in pockets, face first on the road. Ouch... Result, black eye, grazed face, massive swollen lips. Not my best look. This is me in one of our cool Antwerp homes hiding my face. I can't show you because it will gross you out. It is pretty hard going into a homeowners house with this banged up face.

I'm bringing out a book for 2012

2011-11-10T21:45:00.000+01:00

Mikkel Vang and I are touring Amsterdam at the moment for the book. This is what we do when the owners of the home duck out for a couple of hours.

I'm bringing out a book for 2012

2011-11-08T09:58:00.000+01:00

An exclusive SnOOp behind the scenes of Mikkel Vang photographing on our first day at our first location in Copenhagen for our new book being launched for Christmas 2012.

Heineken Open Design Explorations Flies SnOOp to Tokyo

2011-11-06T16:16:00.003+01:00

A couple of weeks ago I got to speak at my first Pecha Kuch u in Sydney, Australia. I was the last to speak which meant with no dinner, two beers mixed with nerves and alcohol I was slightly tipsy... Um it wasn't my proudest moment. But then I thought about the space, Super Deluxe where Pechu Kuchu originated in Tokyo. Co-founder, Mark Dytham, from the TED like talks gave me a personal tour when I was in Tokyo for the Heineken Open Design Explorations. The interiors were temporary, fun and had an easy going feel. So me having a good time, being a little tipsy and making people laugh suited the environment the talks begun.

From the street front we walked down a kitch wallpaper stairwell

The warehouse-style-club has a derelict shop feel about it but the folk inside are sporting avant-gard outfits.

The space is used for dancing and thinking

Young local video artists had a craft bag of goodies they put under a camera and used a video mixer to create inspiring images projected onto the wall

One of the cool projections created

Mark blowing into ceramic bird that tweets a beautiful sound

This is me standing in front of the projected ceramic bird. I'm wearing a Cos shirt my new fave high-street fashion brand

Avant Garde womens toilets are not quiet how I would describe them but was worth a visit

To find the smiley face toilet rolls.

The sinks were salvaged from an old school. Check out those taps.

If you go to Tokyo make sure you go and visit Super Deluxe. It was my favourite club visit.

Heineken Open Design Explorations Flies SnOOp to Tokyo

2011-10-20T06:43:00.001+02:00

Before we met up with the chosen Tokyo Designers for the Heineken Open Design Explorations Mark Dytham of Klein Dytham architecture co-founder of PechaKucha and partner for the project shouted myself Robin from Iris Communications and Palo from Cool Hunting dinner in a top secret sushi restaurant only known to locals. I was sworn to secrecy I couldn't reveal the name. It's where all the A-list Tokyo folk go to eat.

Mark is keeping up-to-the minute with the Pechu Kuchu nights going on around the world.

If you have been a long standing SnOOper you will know Japanese dinnerware is my love and passion

Mixing old traditions, crafts and skills with new ideas, vision and technology is the future of good, timeless design.

Tonight I'm going to be one of the presenters at Pechu Kuchu in Sydney Hyde Park at 7.30pm . You can get your tickets here

Editorial meeting #7 - New Online Magazine Launching Soon

2011-10-19T12:36:00.000+02:00

We have come up with a code name for our new magazine : NeWmAg. We are busy having meetings with brands and designers so we bring you the best when we launch. Yes this is another typical day for Stephen Todd and myself.

Heineken Open Design Explorations Flies SnOOp to Tokyo

2011-10-17T12:39:00.001+02:00

I had serious bag envy over this hybrid Hermes look-a-like when I was heading to the hotel to have a little nap before dinner and we headed off at 11pm for our Tokyo nightclub Heineken Open Design Explorations

Heineken Open Design Explorations Flies SnOOp to Tokyo

2011-10-16T14:08:00.001+02:00

When I was offered to go to Tokyo for the Heineken Open Design Explorations I jumped at the chance to go. I was told we would fly to Tokyo and on the same evening we would explore 5 night clubs in one night. OMG! More about this later in the week. To start off the trip we flew Air France Business Class.

I was a little bummed by the toiletries bag provided by Air France. Compared to Virgin and BA it lacked in generosity. I thought the earplugs provided were to help block out nearby snorers but it turned out the electronic chairs were louder than the jet engines.

The colour palette and graphics had a real seventies chic about them

The French are masters in elegance when it comes to design. The storage is understated but reeks of sophistication

What can I say a ten hour flight gets to all of us. And there really isn't anything more delightful than a hot towel on your face during a long haul flight.

What was really fabulous about Air France was their entertainment system. As a passenger you can opt to watch the plane take off and land.

But the best part was the social media channel where you can chat to other passengers on the plane. I made friends with Robin and Andy.

I adore the blocked blue on the uniforms of the Tokyo airport workers. LOVE.

Editorial meeting #6 - New Online Magazine Launching Soon

2011-10-16T02:00:00.000+02:00

Editorial Meeting #6: A week back on the island of convicts and I'm already stealing from the poshest flower shop in Sydney :-)

Editorial meeting #5 - New Online Magazine Launching Soon

2011-10-13T09:28:00.000+02:00

We have found our publisher, production manager, florist and our contributor list is growing all while Stephen Todd sorts out his laundry. All in a days work at HQ. You can watch here

Editorial meeting #4 - New online magazine launching soon

2011-10-11T12:40:00.001+02:00

Stephen Todd and I had a great editorial meeting today with one of our contributing photographers Murray Hilton. Besides coming up with some fabulous features we decided we needed some softer lighting on our HQ desk.

You can watch us here

Achille Castiglioni Taccia Table Lamp from Flos Makeover

2011-10-11T02:46:00.002+02:00

I can't decide if I should have the shade sitting up or down? What do you think I should do?

As you know I have just moved back to Australia and my husband and belongings are all still in the UK waiting for visa's to come through. I thought I could live from a suitcase until my loved one and loved possessions arrived... But not possible. The other day I stumbled upon a fabulous vintage store in Sydney and found a gorgeous avocado coloured light. You know when your heart races really fast when you see something you love and you know you must have well this "big fat green baby"had to be mine.

Within 24 hours the light was shattered on my bedroom floor by my flatmates friends. I will not bore you with the details. All I can say is I was heartbroken. To soften the blow my adorable flatmate has loaned me his Achille Castiglioni Taccia Table lamp from Flos so I can still enjoy the wonderful curvacious kinda survived lampshade. I had it sitting in a traditional manner but then talented Australian designer friend Charles Wilson turned the shade upside-down and made it look like a blooming freesia. So now I have the delightful dilemma of choosing what way to sit the shade.

New Online Magazine - Coming soon

2011-10-10T14:39:00.000+02:00

I'm really excited SnOOper's. I'm launching a new online interiors lifestyle magazine with Stephen Todd. Stephen was launch editor of Numero one of the most important life / fashion magazines in Paris. Our magazine is bringing on board the best names in the business internationally to contribute to help us shake things up and finally give everyone something new and fresh when it comes to a shelter magazine. The name of the magazine is top secret but in the meantime Stephen & I are sharing our editorial meetings with you.

Industrial Revolution 2.0: Murray Moss London Design Festival at V&A

2011-09-21T18:05:00.001+02:00

Wowza! The future is here... And it is going viral... 3D printing have you heard about it? To emphasize the 'viral' nature of this Revolution, New York gallerist and curator Murray Moss has commissioned eight designs from the worlds of fashion and furnishings all sponsored and produced by Materialise. Murray gave me a private tour around the London's V&A museum yesterday showing off his eye-opening, cutting edge exhibition Industrial Revolution 2.0: How the Material World Will Newly Materialise. We started in the Hintze Sculpture Galleries in front of "Bust of Lady Belhaven, 1827', re-imagined with a hat by Stephen Jones. Stephen Jones worked from a 3D scan of the 1827 carved marble bust of a demure Lady Belhaven located on the plinth next to this new sculpture. Stephen manipulated the scanned data of the original bust and 're-designed' the sculpture by adorning her with a remarkable hat. The new bust was then printed by Belgium company Materialise. "I want to start a discussion now while it is peaceful about this technology which is quickly becoming ubiquitous and is permeating, simultaneously, all areas of the contemporary material world, including fashion and domestic furnishings, as well as transportation, medicine and architecture," says Murray.

Murray explained he had every right to be in this historic building with a very controversial process such as 3D printing next to works that have been laboured over for months and years by artists, craftsman and designers whose work sits within the museums walls. Why? Hidden in the depths of the corridors of the V&A rests a plaque titled, 'The Arts of Industry As Applied To War' reads, "The central intention of the Museum's collections was to improve the quality of the "industrial arts" - designed and manufactured objects - in Britain, by placing the finest historical and contemporary examples before the public". Well you couldn't get more contemporary examples.

This amazing dress designed by Iris van Herpen, from the Netherlands was 3D printed nylon built through Additive manufacturing, which allowed for this 'sculpted' ensemble to be produced without an seams - no sewing machine or handwork was employed. "I wanted to go back to the meaning of couture 'custom built for the torso'. Soon our bodies will be scanned and a suit or dress will print out'", explains Murray.

"There will be no shipping overheads because designers will simply send their new designs by USB to shops where they will print out the latest collections". Murray discussed how printing is a green process and will lower carbon emissions. Will it? To be honest I find it a little unsettling. I question if we are able to print what ever we want when ever we want will we not end up with a lot more waste in our landfills? At the moment we can print concrete, glass nylon and resin.

'We are at a tipping point in history where profound and radical changes in how we make things will revolutionise our lives,’ Murray says. 'These are not “futuristic” objects but everyday items – lamps, chairs, tables, shoes, hats – produced today but signalling tomorrow’s processes.’ It is the first time any of these works has been exhibited in Britain and, in most cases, anywhere in the world". The fact is SnOOper's we are on the brink of a new Industrial Revolution and now is the time to get our heads around it. "When I had my 62nd birthday I decided I didn't need to understand the process of a design to exhibit it. This new attitude has been the most liberating in my life", says Moss.

Ron Arad - London Studio

2011-09-20T18:22:00.000+02:00

SnOOper's I feel like I have let you down today. I had the amazing invitation to have a private tour with some London Design Festival VIP's today.... BUT I arrived 20mins late. This meant I couldn't introduce myself to Ron and the people who were there were in a rush so rushed him.

Last night designer Ron Arad was awarded the London Design Medal 2011 at a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the London Design festival. The medal is awarded annually for a lifetime’s contribution to design and the city. The studio is on Chalk Farm Road in North West London. You enter it by way of a flaky blue gate that opens onto a cobbled lane called Old Dairy Mews. You then climb a steel stair and find yourself, with a dislocating sci-fi effect, inside abendy, asymmetrical space where, at first glance, the principal occupants are chairs. Then you note that there are assistants sinking into their computer screens, like Alice just before she slips through the looking glass, but they are outnumbered by chairs and models for other projects.


When I did arrive and sneaked in Ron was showing some amazing video's of his work including the Design Museum, Holon and his Vortex in Seoul, Korea.

When I asked him questions I felt like this stencil found at the entrance of his studio located in a gated muse in Camden. Ron is one of my design hero's and his jumper which had holes all over it showed off the stripes from his top underneath. His hat made from straw was worn at the end and captures what I love about design and fashion at the moment. Imperfection can be so beautiful, creative and oozes a confident attitude of "I don't care".

One of my favourite quotes from Ron is "Some people have hair and some people have hats I wish I belonged to the first group, but I belong to the second". I asked Ron if he would give me a quote for my book and he said send me an email. Damn my heart sunk... It really was a visit that I wanted to be Amazing (AND IT WAS... AND I WAS VERY LUCKY)...but SnOOper's I wasn't my normal chatty self and didn't feel like I connected to my hero.

Perspectives by John Pawson at St Pauls

2011-09-16T15:49:00.000+02:00

British architect John Pawson has installed the largest lens ever made by crystal brand Swarovski in the southwest tower of St Paul’s Cathedral for the London Design Festival, which starts on Saturday. I was lucky enough to have a little SnOOp yesterday so you guys could get an exclusive preview


Perspectives by John Pawson for Swarovski Crystal Palace, ©Gilbert McCarragher. Pawson’s installation marks the 300th anniversary of the cathedral’s completion and remains open to the public until January 2012.

The morning started with a champagne breakfast at Madison Restaurant in One New Change opposite St Paul's. We had a brief presentation by John Pawson, Nadja Swarvoski and Ben Evans. Then we were led to the normally closed to the public spiralling Geometric Staircase that connects to the Dean door on the upper levels of the cathedral. The installation comprises a spherical mirror suspended at the top of the 23-metre tower, mirrored in a hemisphere below the lens at the foot of the staircase to create a composite image of the whole tower for visitors gathered at ground level. To be honest I thought when I was coming to the exhibition it was going to be a hanging piece. However, the more I think about this piece more genius I believe John Pawson is. It has a fabulous 3D quality to the reflection which is breathtaking. John told me "the best view of the lens is from the ground floor looking down". Nadja stated "Perspectives is the most important location we have ever had the opportunity to showcase our crystals. It's a very proud moment." I highly recommend the visit.

Heineken Open Design

2011-08-22T13:58:00.001+02:00

I have been asked to take part in the Heineken Open Design Explorations Project. Heineken is scouting the world for young designers in architecture, interiors, product, fashion, lighting and graphics to co-create a concept nightclub that will be unveiled to the world during Milan Furniture Fair in April 2012.

Keep your eyes peeled about this because there is going to be a lot of buzz around it. This project is super cool and I'm so thrilled to be taking part in helping to decide the final concept.

SnOOp will keep you updated and share the journey of this great project. In the meantime find out more here

TREND ALERT: Urban Sailor

2011-08-19T08:37:00.001+02:00

Fisherman duffel jacket by Italian tailoring company Barena Vanezia

Rope light Atelier 688 Seaside fashion by Italian tailoring company Barena Vanezia

There is one last lady knitting these jumpers - she's in her late 80s, was taught by her mother and knits from experience and memory. This skill may be lost when she dies. LED Rope Lights by Christian Haas

Sailor sewing fishing net Hammock Bed SnOOped via NY Nerd

Seaside fashion by Italian tailoring company Barena Vanezia Rope light Atelier 688

These jumpers were knitted by loved ones from weather-resistant worsted wool. Every coastal village in the UK had its own design and the fisherman's initials were added under the arm. If the fisherman was swept out to sea, the jumper outlasted the body, which could be identified by the initials and pattern. The knitted armchair is by Biscuit Scout

Endgangered Danish Wooden Toys Being Saved By Chinese Woodturners

2011-08-18T10:34:00.004+02:00

Did you know Danish handcrafted iconic wooden toys are now being handcrafted in China? I would like to raise the question: Does an old craft in one country where the locals don't have the craftsman any longer to make the designs become new again because they are now being handcrafted by a different country filled with woodturners who are eager to learn about the quality level and detailed work of traditional Danish craftsmanship?

This subject came to my attention in 2007 whilst I was working on British ELLE Decoration. I was at an event celebrating Scandinavian design and over canapes and champagne the main UK supplier of Scandinavian design, Skandium, told me that Kay Bojesen's hand crafted wooden monkey produced by Brdr. Kruger was endangered in becoming extinct. The reason: the skilled craftsman were retiring or dying and sadly they couldn't find young apprentices who wanted to learn the skill. I was literally devastated and it was the first time it came to my attention how craft in the western world in general was in crisis.

Last year I noticed there was new additions of handcrafted wooden Danish toys appearing in design stores. Well obviously this raised a lot of questions for me. Has there been a Denmark initiative to educate young people in the craft of this iconic Danish skill? Well with so many other countries in the same situation in losing key craft skills I wanted to find out what this initiative was so I could share this with other government bodies across the globe.

I was put in contact with the producer of the Kristian Vedel's Danish BIRDs, ARCHITECTMADE.

Morten Jensen, CEO,from ARCHITECTMADE told me "there are only two professional wood turning companies in Denmark. One who produces the Kay Bojesen monkey and an even smaller one who makes the wooden BIRDs".

With the demand of the wooden toys growing both producers of the monkeys and BIRDs were not able to find extra crafts people in Denmark or Europe who were able to make the their products who were willing to give the time to care about the details to make the wooden animals.

The key to the wooden toys is although the products are handmade you should not be able to see that they are handmade. This is the perfection level both brands strive to achieve.

"We want to be part of pushing the general public away from the use and throw away culture. We hope to make a few, well thought out, products that will last a lifetime," says Morten.

With quality being the main concern for both companies, ARCHITECTMADE and Brdr. Kryger decided to find wood turners in China who had the time to care about the details which many Danish suppliers simply did not have.

ARCHITECTMADE are very proud to be teaching the quality level of high end Danish design to the Chinese craftsmen. Actually they feel that it is their responsibility to do so. "We are working very closely with them in order to insure that the quality is perfect. We have found that these small wood shops in China are eager to learn about the quality level and detailed work of traditional Danish craftsmanship," explains Morten. "It is however necessary that we work closely with them throughout the production cycle which is both challenging and rewarding".

All images of BIRDs supplied by ARCHITECTMADE

"The result has been that, although we proudly explain that some of our products are hand-made in Beijing, nobody can neither tell that they are made outside Denmark or that they are actually hand-made, which to us is a great success, since the craftsmanship is of this high quality".

Duck and Duckling by Hans Bølling from ARCHITECTMADE

ARCHTECTMADE believe well thought out products is what, at least their customers care about. People like their products because they are designed by the most acknowledged architects in the world. Architects who were frontrunners and thereby able to make some items that are so harmonious that you just do not get tired of looking at them.

Isn't it the producers job to make these products in a quality that not only look perfect but also lasts for a very long time? Surely when the consumer picks up the wooden toys in store shouldn't they feel this immediately and then recognise that this is the reason for the price (and that it actually then is rather inexpensive)? Should people care where products are made, as long as the quality on every single product is high? The reality is if it wasn't for the craftsman in China the beautiful wooden toys of Denmark would be EXTINCT but now young children and adults will be able to enjoy a new handcrafted wooden monkey or bird for a very long time.

"I think we are getting lazy in the west! We want everything to be as easy as possible. Learning and perfecting a craft takes time and few people value this anymore. I am sure it will change at some point again though", says Morten. "To me it is important that the skills and the ways of working is kept simultaneously with the benefits of big factory production from IKEA".

With a country like China filled with craftsman who are eager to learn this Danish craft and be trained in the quality of detail that western people are too lazy to learn and now many young designers concentrating in the likes of 3D printing etc is it not a good thing that at least somewhere in the world that you will be able to gather the knowledge of this beautiful craft and hopefully continue to see the evolution of this design continue?

All Duck and Duckling photos supplied from ARCHITECTMADE Beijing wood turner

Morten concludes, "I think a fundamental change in attitude in society is needed so it is cool again to be an engineer and a skilled craftsman. I am confident that at some time it will change back again, which is why it is important to maintain the knowledge till then".

I had the chance to talk about this subject for 5mins during Sydney Design Festival

BREAKING NEWS- SnOOping for Creative Homes

2011-07-21T14:44:00.001+02:00

Photo by Lala Ladcani

Hey SnOOper's I need your help. I am about to begin working on my very first book. It's a dream come true and I'm very excited about it because I have been developing it the last couple of years on SnOOp where I have rediscovered how important our home is to each of us. I now need your special SnOOping skills in letting me know if you or someone you know has a home that makes you feel good.

Ideally, I'm looking for interesting creative people in any industry from architecture to well anything who may have a high spec house which has tackled urban living to a home which has thrown away the design rules.

I'm looking for houses and apartments from all over the globe so if you think you know the perfect place then please email me with pictures, short description and location of home.

Shipping Containers Transformed into Modern Homes

2011-07-19T07:03:00.002+02:00

Could shipping containers be the future of the suburban dream? From $1500 per container suddenly building a house can be affordable. Containers have been a fantastic solution for rescue relief to victims who have suffered natural disasters or have remote land with hard to get too access. However, across the globe people are adapting affordable and sustainable containers and transforming them into award winning homes.

Two of my largest concerns about the the reality of people having their dream home is affordability and space. I really do believe this humble box can be a small solution to a very real problem. What I love about containers is you can gradually extend and moving house has suddenly become a whole lot easier.

Using shipping containers as a long term liveable solution is a brilliant idea but gaining the requisite building approvals under the Australian Building Regulations seems to present a challenge. However the rest of the globe is embracing this form of housing. It's not impossible to have a container home in Australia and here is fantastic example of Australia's largest building made from shipping containers at Canberra's Australia National University

Design Masterclass With Amanda Talbot

2011-07-16T15:42:00.000+02:00

I'm really excited to have the opportunity to hold two design masterclasses in Sydney during August at Coco Republic Design School. I'm always asked how I come to my design decisions and how I choose houses to feature in international magazines. Well folks I'm going to share all. This masterclass is aimed to help you identify your own style and tastes. You need to book now because there is limited space. Click here for dates and times

SnOOp - Australia Update

2011-07-12T09:54:00.003+02:00

On SnOOp I don't usually share stuff about me... But at the moment there is a lot to share. Tomorrow we will be back to normal but for now... My little update about my adventures in Australia.

Well I got married to my wonderful Ollie who flew out with me to Australia. He is back in the UK for work and I'm missing him terribly. I convinced him to wear this bow tie which he looked very cute in. I have been checking out the fashion scene here and trying to get as much beach action as possible. Both are Ah-mazing!

I have been really busy filming Top Design judging some seriously talented young Australian designers. The challenges have been awesome. We have put them under tremendous stress to design interiors for shipping containers, bachelour pads, hotel suites and the list goes on. My fellow judges Jamie Druie and Nick Tobias were so much fun to work with. We didn't always agree but generally I was the one who was always right. If you're in Australia watch us on Channel 9, Wednesday's, 8pm. FYI... check out my awesome shoe collection throughout the show. Not always practical but wow they looked fab!

Other things going on...

On the 29th July at 8am I will be giving a a short 5 minute talk about 'Is Old New Again" at FastBREAK along with Darryl Nichols, Diego Bonetto Emma Elizabeth, Mathieu Gallios

I'm giving a talk 'Preserving the past to Make Our Future Happen' during Sydney Design Festival at The Powerhouse Museum on 10th August at 6.30pm

Fancy doing a 3 hour masterclass with me on Wednesday 24th August from 6pm & 26th August from 10am at Sydney's Coco Republic Design School.

BOOK NOW for the above talks... limited spaces.

Don't forget to Follow SnOOp on Facebook to keep up to date with what is going on

Top Design Australia - BREAKING NEWS

2011-07-06T00:18:00.001+02:00

Meet the contestants of Top Design: Lisa, Dan, Jo, Leigh, Kai, Steve, Dee, Craig, Mary and Robert

FINALLY, FINALLY I can share with you my big news why I'm in Australia. I can officially announce I'm a judge on Top Design Australia along with Jamie Druie and Nick Tobias airing on Channel 9 at 8pm next Wednesday... You can read more about it here.

I can promise you the designs are going to blow your minds!

Remember follow SnOOp and Top Design on Facebook to keep up with all the news

Senior Design Factory

2011-06-30T14:59:00.000+02:00

Zurich-based association the Senior Design Factory  teams up groups of people, young and old, to take part in creative  projects together. The first branch of the project, comprising a studio,  workshop and retail space, opened in March, while the second branch is  set to include a small restaurant and is scheduled to open this summer.

The project is the brainchild of designers Debora Biffi and Benjamin  Moser, who have been developing the concept together since 2008.  Designers taking part range in age from mid-twenties to ninety.

Walking sticks by Omhu

The Factory runs regular knit and stitch workshops where participants can exchange and develop skills, using their new knowledge to create items for the Senior Design Factory's shop. Products on offer include recipe cards, knitted tableware and stylish walking sticks designed by Danish brand Omhu.

How To Live with Colour

2011-06-24T12:32:00.000+02:00

FACT: I love colour... But for me when I use bold colours I like to combine them with natural materials. TIP: I believe by matching loud colours with natural fibers your object or space will not yell but engage.

Egg box by Marie Paysant-Le Roux

Photo by Lala Ladcani

Hanging basket by Smalltown; Future fiber SnOOPed on Laerke Hooge Andersen

What I'm trying to say is natural materials don't need to be in beige. Dulux believes in this colour way so much they have called their shades of imperial purple and peaceful greens Champion, Virtuous, Immortal and Funk.

A wonderful friend of mine who is a superstar makeup & hair artist and was Kylie Minogue's assistant many moons ago recently told me "beige is the colour of indecision". It's my favourite quote of the year so far... POWERFUL!

Prada F/W 2012 Advertising Campaign Inspires Interiors

2011-06-23T10:17:00.000+02:00

So, looking for new inspiration for your next interiors project? 

Well Hello! Check out Prada's new F/W 2012 ad campaign. I love, love the graphics mixed boldly with the clash of patterns and textures. Don't even get me started about how delicious the colour pallete is. Don't you think the silver trimming on the dusky pink walls are a stroke of genius. My advice to you is Be Brave , Be Bold and remember to invite me over for a cocktail when you are done. Happy decorating 

Sensual Home - Working with Natural Textures

2011-05-12T14:49:00.000+02:00

Never under estimate the power of working with natural materials in your designs. A sensual home is made up from leather, wood, stone, natural linens and fur. I'm in love with super talented Australian, Sarah Parkes, from Smalltown who produces to-die-for macrame and rope work.

In a technological driven age more of us are taping into and showing appreciation for traditional crafts and sustainable ethics. Photos by Masahiro Makino

Always opt for timeless products that will last. Online store, Analogue Life, primarily focus on selling Japanese homeware made by artisans and craftsmen who emphasis on simplicity, functionality and good design. Product designer Mieke Dingen shows the inner workings of a coffee maker. This transparent approach to design congers the feeling of honesty.

Natural timbers provide rich natural warmth and balances beautifully with cooling stone and ceramics. Photo by Snowy. You can find similar handmade Yunomi cups from Analogue Life. The cup has a warmth and texture that makes holding it a pleasure

A 'Sensual Home' colour palette is grounded with minimal shades of charcoal, umber and sienna. Off-white and black add sophistication and balance. Untreated wood provides natural richness. Bedroom is by Guilherme Torres and snopped over on Design Crisis

Combine small gestures with large over the top designs to create the perfect mood and feel to your space. The wooden bath with combined sauna is by Anna van der Lei

A simple way to remember to create a 'Sensual Home' is work with opposites. Rough loves smooth, pattern loves plain, perfect adores imperfection and everything natural loves wood. This awesome photo is by Marek Wykowski

Tactile, handmade and one-of-a-kind umbrellas are by KIYATA

The Secret To Good Design

2011-05-09T12:27:00.011+02:00

This apartment is a SnOOP love moment. Why? I can hear die hard designers say "there is no layout, no thought of colour, no this, no that" . Perhaps, but what this home has that a lot of designers lack in their designs is it tells a story.
Take a look and work out who is the person who lives here. What are their likes, dreams, occupation, etc

This homeowner loves to listen to music and read novels over watching television. They want to travel the world and loves nature.
They are a romantic at heart and although they may appear to be chaotic I think they actually prefer things to be simple and uncomplicated.

Photos by Carlota Santamaria

Hello From Australia

2011-05-04T14:52:00.001+02:00

Hi SnOOpers! I'm so sorry for being away from SnOOp for so long. I am in Australia for work at the moment and preparing for my wedding (eek). BUT I have AMAZING news to share with you all very soon. I'm bursting with excitement but I can't tell you just yet but the minute I can you guys are going to be the very first to know.

Please keep checking in I should be up and running again within the week. Meanwhile check out the new catalogue from Rice

Swedese coat stand by Katrin Olina and Michael Young

2011-04-08T02:18:00.000+02:00

Well Hung

Branch out and ditch conventional coat stands in favour of the Tree wall coat stand by Swedese by Katrin Olina and Michael Young. These Trees’s have been around for a while and I believe are a design classic. I own one and not only beautiful in its organic splendor but it's an effective storage solution. visit Skandium for more details

Karl Lagerfeld - House Tour

2011-03-22T01:16:00.000+01:00

One-thousand-eight-hundred-and-twenty-five days is how long it took me to convince Karl Lagerfeld to let the world have a SnOOp inside his Paris home. Emails and phone-calls more emails and phone calls to Mr Lagerfeld's office concluded that his press team, in 2008, ended up feeling sorry for me and decided to mail me the BEST parcel I have ever received. No it wasn't a Chanel handbag it was a disk containing images shot by our generations fashion design icon of his new Paris home.

What Happened This Weekend - Pays Respect To Those In Japan

2011-03-21T01:00:00.001+01:00

"My mother came over and gave me my childhood toy rabbit that I left in my family home. I love this guy,"says artist Mambo Key  

"I travel a lot with my work so when I'm home I like to sit still and make things. I created Dandelion Bottle this weekend," says Daisuke Matsumura

"I decided this weekend I was going to take the time to think and rest. I wore this t-shirt to remind me" says TEPPEI

 "I have got so obsessed with drawing mustache's lately I'm putting them on anything I can get my hands onto" says model Aoiyuu

 "I can't believe how fast my son is growing up. He is like a little man  now and likes to entertain himself at the dining table by reading and  drawing," says Hideaki Hamada

This is a very small mark of respect of the tragic events happening in Japan. "What Happened This Weekend" is the opportunity to celebrate the love people have for their homes.  Some of my favourite contributors over the last year have come from Japan so to think how their lives have be turned upside down and what they are emotionally and physically going through right now breaks my heart.  I know some of our contributors are OK but others I'm not so sure. Please, please support the relief work happening in Japan. 

Here are some organisations providing amazing support

Architecture For Humanity 

Red Cross 

Shelter Box

What I Love --- David Nicholls - Design Editor - Telegraph Magazine

2011-03-20T14:56:00.010+01:00

The Telegraph newspaper is one of the UKs largest selling broadsheets and each Saturday readers look forward to browse through the magazine supplement. As the Telegraph Magazine's Design Editor, David writes about the best design for the home. He is always bang on with his choices.To find out more about Reiko visit here.

This is the end of our series "What I Love". It has been such a treat to have some of the most inspiring editors from the best shelter magazines from across the globe being a guest on SnOOp. This series has gone way beyond the beautiful and pretty. Suzanne, Sam, David C, Michael, Paul, Alice and David N have shared design ideas to provoke us to think, make us aware of tradition and craft and to appreciate quality.

I really hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. As Paddy McGuinness would say... "If you don't likey don't wrtiey"... But if you have loved it then please leave a comment and let us know.

What I Love --- Alice Rawsthorn - Design Critic - International Herald Tribune

2011-03-19T04:00:00.000+01:00

I recently rated Alice Rawsthorn as one of 10 Influential Women In Design so it's a real honor to have her contributing to SnOOp and sharing with us what her favourite piece of design is for this spring. I love how she has chosen a book. To find out where to purchase this wonderful book "I swear I use no art at all: 10 years, 100 books, 18,788 pages of book design" by Dutch book designer Joost Grootens visit 010 Publishing

Tomorrow is our last day of "What I Love Series" and we finish with David Nicholls, Design Editor, from The Telegraph Magazine.

What I Love --- Paul Lowe - Editor - Sweet Paul

2011-03-18T01:00:00.001+01:00

Sweet Paul Magazine has become an online sensation. Beautiful styling combined with great photography, mixed with scrumptious recipes is why we all flock to this free online magazine. Paul Lowe is proof you can make dreams happen...

Hermes if you see this post help Paul out with this bag

Tomorrow on SnOOp is Alice Rawsthorn, design critic of the International Herald Tribune

See Suzanne Imre - Livingetc - Editor - spring favourite
See Sam Grawe - Dwell - Editor-in-Chief - spring favourite
See David Clark - Vogue Living - Editor - spring favourite

See Michael Boodro - ELLE Decor - Editor-in-Chief - spring favourite

What I Love --- Michael Boodro - Editor in Chief - ELLE Decor

2011-03-17T01:06:00.004+01:00

I'm really loving Michael Boodro's editorship on ELLE Decor. He had some big shoes to fill and in my opinion he fits into them perfectly. The magazine and website is looking fantastic. Make sure you visit Bernhardt Interiors

Tomorrow on SnOOp our very much loved Paul Lowe from Sweet Paul magazine will be visiting.

See Suzanne Imre - Livingetc - Editor - spring favourite
See Sam Grawe - Dwell - Editor-in-Chief - spring favourite
See David Clark - Vogue Living - Editor - spring favourite

What I Love --- David Clark - Editor- Vogue Living

2011-03-16T02:00:00.006+01:00

Visit Michael Hansmeyer to see more

I want to take this opportunity to say from the United Kingdom how proud I am as an Australian of Vogue Living. It doesn't matter where I go in the world everyone I know loves this magazine. Architects, designers and photographers all love to be featured in it. It's intelligent, aspirational, confident and balances international and local talent perfectly. I rate it as one of the best interior magazines in the world.

I hope you're enjoying this series. This is such a rare and amazing opportunity for us to have a little insight into the creative personalities who produce our favourite interior magazines located in one spot. One of my goals is helping to bridge the gap between interior magazines and design blogs. I have done the legwork in asking the editors to contribute but it's up to you guys to comment and let us know what you think.

Tomorrow Michael Boodro, Editor-in-Chief from ELLE Decor will be here

What I Love --- Sam Grawe - Editor In Chief - Dwell

2011-03-15T00:01:00.001+01:00

I'm such a huge fan of Dwell magazine and this issue is fantastic. Make sure you get a copy. Something you may not know about Sam... He has a cat called Eero. Want a little more inspiration from British designer, Jasper Morrison? Then check out what's on his blog and make sure you check out this thought -provoking magazine cover by him. Don't forget to check out Magis.

What a treat SnOOpers! Everyday this week editors from some of the world's most loved shelter magazines are giving us some time to share what they're currently loving. Please let them know here what you think of their product choice and let this be a chance for you to shout out to them some big SnOOp love.

Tomorrow David Clark, Editor, from Australian Vogue Living will be dropping by.

Did you catch yesterday Suzanne Imre, Editor from Livingetc, the UK's best selling modern interiors magazine's, choice?

What I Love --- Suzanne Imre - Editor Livingetc

2011-03-14T00:00:00.002+01:00

I don't know about you but I'm already in love with the beginning of this very special series "What I Love". Make sure you check out Livingetc here. You can find your closest Hermes Bleus d’Ailleurs collection here.

All this week on SnOOp editors from some of the world's most loved shelter magazines are taking some time out to share with us what they currently love. Please let them know here what you think of their product choice and let this be a chance for you to shout out to them some big SnOOp love.

Tomorrow Sam Grawe, Editor-in-Chief, from Dwell will be dropping by.

IKEA Livet Hemma

2011-03-13T17:28:00.000+01:00

Did you guys know about IKEA's blog called Livet Hemma? It means 'life at home'. I'm not ashamed to say I love the IKEA brand (designers don't hate me for this statement) because they get how we really live at home and embrace that. They consider the challenges we face when decorating including storage, cost, functionality, mobility and the want to have a modern stylish home. The one hurdle they face is more and more customers want individuality and quality and lets face it you're not going to get that at IKEA. Or can you? IKEA's Livet Hemma want to show us how our mass produced product can be one-of-a-kind.

New York Loft - House Tour

2011-03-12T20:20:00.001+01:00

New York Loft

Photos by Richard Powers

Have you guys discovered Scribd yet? OMG! Super cool. It's a social publishing site, where tens of millions of people share original writings and documents. Scribd's vision is to liberate the written word. The best thing is after you upload your pdf you can embed it to your blog. Check it out and get publishing.

To check out more of Jonny Detiger's designs and artwork visit here.

What I Love --- Series

2011-03-12T13:56:00.003+01:00

Hey SnOOpers... I am really excited about next weeks posts and I think you may be too. Editors from some of our favourite interior magazines will be sharing with us on SnOOp what their favouirte spring designs are.

If you love Australian Vogue Living, ELLE Decor, Dwell, International Herald Tribune, Livingetc, Sweet Paul and The Telegraph Magazine then this is your chance to say hi to the editors of those publications. I promise they will be coming to visit... So shout a BIG SnOOp love to them.... and let them know how we need more support from them.

10 Influential Women In Design - International Women's Day

2011-03-09T00:03:00.006+01:00

Happy hundredth birthday to International Women's Day! Here's some of SnOOps favourite women in design.
This image is of (the wonderful) iconic American architect, planner and teacher Denise Scott Brown in 1966 when
she was (literally) learning from Las Vegas. SnOOped over at Alice Rawsthorn Facebook page.

These days Ilse Crawford is best known as the designer behind Soho House in New York and founding head of Department for Man and Well-Being at the world-renowned Design Academy Eindhoven. Before that she was the pioneering magazine editor, at British Elle Decoration. Ilse brings integrity and humanity into design. Her pioneering vision in combining modern living, emotion and beautiful photography to interior magazines is what made me fall in love and discover the work I do now. She is one of my BIGGEST design heros. Her design values in being fascinated by what drives us, brings us together and ultimately makes us feel alive is SnOOp gospel. AWSOME Ilse is always found wearing heels that even fashionistas envy.

Spanish-born, Milan-based Patricia Urquiola is one of the most active and exciting designers working today. Trained as an architect she has designed some of the most poetic and practical furniture of the 21st-Century. Her designs for B&B Italia, Foscorini, Flo, Moroso, Cappellini, Kartell and Knoll are just a few super-brands under her belt.

Ray Eames is the wife of Charles. I don't think one designer on the planet today can say they haven't been influenced by their work? Charles and Ray designed some of the most important examples of 20th century furniture, they also created ingenious children's toys, puzzles, films, and architecture. SnOOp hopes one day to feature the Eames House. After reading An Eames Primer , by grandson Eames Demetrios, it was obvious Ray was the rock and strength to the Eames family and studio.

Alice Rawsthorn is the Design Critic of the International Herald Tribune and a columnist for the New York Times. This is the lady you want writing about you and your designs. From 2001 to 2006, Alice was Director of the Design Museum in London and, before then, an award-winning journalist with the Financial Times, working as a foreign correspondent in Paris and pioneering the FT’s coverage of the creative industries. Alice over the years has been responsible for introducing cutting edge design concepts into mainstream press, including social design, critical design, design for public services and eco-design to mention a few. She sports the best bob in the business.

The fact is this very cool and super-stylish lady Rossana Orlandi is the woman that can make an up-and-coming designer into a household name. She is owner of Milan design store Spazio Rossana Orlandi - an annual highlight of the Milan fair for editors, buyers and trend-forecasters who find it makes for a somewhat more relaxed viewing environment than the packed halls of the Salone itself. Rossana makes it her mission to discover all that's new and original in the world of design .

If you have a design brand you want to launch internationally or you're a serious design journalist then Judy Dobias, Managing Director, of Camron PR is a very important lady you need to know. . Judy's clients come from many fields: design, interiors, art, food, fashion, publishing, travel and luxury. You could say her agency has design in it's bloodstream and retail on the brain. She has a cracking Canadian accent and is always super lovely to chat too.

Interior designer Kelly Wearstler is queen of colour and has an enchanting take on luxury lifestyle. Her sunny, funny remastering of mid-century modernism has redefined West Coast style. She has become one of America's most influential designers and now the fashion world are embracing her. Kelly's more-is-more vibrant style has overlapped into her fashion taste and she is about to launch her own Weastler Ready-To-Wear collection.

Want your product, book or magazine to express the mood, feeling and emotion you think it deserves then you
need to book photographer Ditte Isager. Her clients include Anthropologie, Gourmet Traveller, Martha Stewart, Gordan Ramsay, Vogue Living and British ELLE Decoration.

One of the worlds most renowned trend-forecasters Li Edelkoort analyses moods, fashions and feelings and translates them into trends. As an industry consultant, she has a huge impact on what the products of tomorrow will be. Li's magazines, View on Colour, INview and Bloom have been highly influential in the creative industries for nearly two decades. More recently, her work has evolved into the realms of education at the Design Academy Eindhoven where she was Chairwoman from 1999 to 2008, humanitarianism within the Heartwear craft foundation she co-founded in 1993, and curatorial work as she delves into the art and design domain, illuminating museums and exhibits around the world.

Who would you include on this list? We would love to know

Joy Of Living by Max Fraser

2011-03-08T00:15:00.004+01:00

It is all about the Joy of Living and in this case giving. Design author Max Fraser has recieved amazing support from the leading lights of the design community with his newest project in helping raise money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres. He has asked new and established UK designers to create artwork that expresses the Joy of Living – all starting from a simple sheet of A4 graph paper. The artwork will be showcased at Somerset House from 15-21 March.

Sir Terence Conran, Tom Dixon, Rob Ryan, John Pawson, Max Lamb, Tord Boontji and Ella Doran are just a few names who have answered the call to action and produced artworks that embody the Joy of Living. All artwork is priced at £250 and is signed but the catch is you will not know if your artwork is a household name or rising star until after you purchase it. Habitat have kindly sponsored frames for the artwork so you will be able to hang your masterpiece straight onto the wall.

This is a highly personal project for Max , “After a very personal, emotional journey as I supported my mother through her six-year battle with cancer, I vowed to contribute in some way to mankind’s fight against this disease. Maggie’s recognises that building an atmosphere of calm and celebrating a good quality of life are immensely beneficial to patients, and I know that my
mother would have benefited so positively from its services. Charity founder Maggie Keswick Jencks once said, “Above all
what matters is not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying,” and this statement has inspired the design challenge and
Joy of Living project.”

Max Fraser said, “The time and commitment that so many designers have already pledged to the Joy of Living project is
truly amazing, and I hope that together, and with the further support of the design industry, we can raise our target funds
to back the brilliant work that Maggie’s does around the country.”

"All I thought when producing these artworks was Love, Love, Love. When my dad was going through everything I know it was the support that mattered the most," Anonymous Designer Until Artwork is Sold.

To know more watch this very moving interview with Max Fraser about the project

What Happened This Weekend

2011-03-07T14:45:00.002+01:00

"I took my daughter to the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition at the V&A and then we made some pancakes" says Karine, Creative Director of BODIE and FOU Photo by: Cortoboy

"My mother came over and gave me my childhood toy rabbit that I left in my family home. I love this guy,"says artist Mambo Key

"I play the drums like I don't have neighbours. I do have them though :-)," says photographer Sannah Kvist

"In London the best place to hang our washing is on the radiators around the apartment. I love it when I put my clean sheets on my bed after they have been drying on a radiator. It's like snuggling into a warm hug. You will always find sheets and clothes hanging out to dry all over the apartment on weekends,"says Yann Faucher

If you would like to take part in this series, What Happened This Weekend, then send SnOOp an email including picture and your news and we will try to include it next week

Tabletop - Casual Dining

2011-03-06T21:11:00.003+01:00

Small details are coming back to how we set our tables. It's all about low-maintenance combined with lovingly handmade - Fabric coasters, placemats and hot pads directly placed onto a wooden or a simple linen cloth table creates what us editors like to call casual chic. WIth more of us cooking from scratch and our growing love for slow cooked meals we are bringing our hot-pots directly from the oven to the table. This woolen mat from Cinq Design prevents you burning the table from your hot casserole dish. It's certainly not about formality it's about showing off how you care about the food you are serving to your family and guests.

What's really interesting is we want to put our homemade food onto products that have had the same care, detail and love put into creating them. We don't want mass produced food and we don't want product that feels like it has been created for the masses. All product by Cinq Design

From Cocon Shop

Photos by Ku Nihto

Photo by Sayaka Minemura

Sustainable Design - Working With Grass

2011-03-02T12:59:00.000+01:00

Photo via MOOD

Market Backpack From Brook Farm

photo by Maria Yastrebova; Bedroom SnOOped via Linen and Lavender

Photo by Nagano Toyokazu

Cinq Design

White, cotton tabi from Nagano Prefecture are fashioned from an American flour sack from Sri Threads; Grass mat by Billet

Bla Bla chair by Marina 68 Studio; photo by Maria Yastrebova

Neon Love Neutrals

2011-03-01T15:10:00.000+01:00


SnOOp's Editor Amanda Talbot shows off her Nike trainers; Shokki collection by Laurent Corio

I'm not going to say sorry about how SnOOp is harping on about the only way to make neon's work in the home is to combine the bright pops of colour with sophisticated neutrals. I promise this will mean by the time this fashion fad is over you will not end up with a space that will be "OMG what have I done".

FOR MORE NEON INSPIRATION CHECK OUT OUR POST ROUGH NEON and Scholten+ Baijings collection for HAY

What Happened This Weekend

2011-02-28T14:05:00.000+01:00

"My son and I made a new coaster this weekend," says Masami Akatsuka founder of Cocon Shop

"This is my new bike and I am in LOVE. The colours are so wonderful. The only problem is I can't keep it outside so I spent all weekend trying to come up with a solution how to store it indoors," says Kate from Chocolatekate

"This weekend was my 30-something birthday party. My house is a long way off finished but I love having friends over to eat, drink and celebrate. It was hard not to snap my friend J looking very handsome in my living room, candle-lit and surrounded by mine and others' art work, says super talented Textile Designer Ruth Singer".

If you would like to take part in next weeks "What Happened This Weekend" please send your picture and quote here. Remember it has to relate to your time at home.

Child's Play by Yusuke Suzuki

2011-02-27T00:59:00.001+01:00

Here at SnOOp we like to challenge and make you rethink how you design a room and challenge a designer to think beyond the country they live in and look at other cultures for inspiration. In the East it's not uncommon for people to prefer to sleep on a thin mattress on the floor that can be rolled away during the day to save on space.

Imaginative photographer Yusuke Suzuki has created a page turner of a bed that looks like an oversized book. At night it is opened up for sleepy heads to sleep in and during the day it is shut closed to create enough space for children to play in their room.

Let's Colour Project by Dulux

2011-02-24T12:37:00.002+01:00

It's no secret SnOOp loves colour and adores an initiative that can change peoples lives and communities. I guess you can call this Power to the People and Power to Paint or for a more official title 'Let's Colour Project' by paint company Dulux. Dulux is working alongside Dulux Valentine, Coral, Flexa and Marshall to transform grey spaces with colourful paint. A mission to spread colour all over the world. The brand is working together with local communities across the globe, rolling up their sleeves to paint streets, houses, schools and squares.

and here it is in action! An incredible initiative captured on film by award-winning director Adam Berg to highlight the journey of colour across the globe as people and colour combine to regenerate public and private spaces... watch and be ...inspired!

Designers Guild - House Tour

2011-02-23T11:27:00.003+01:00

With its plain white walls and bold hits of contrasting colour and pattern, this London home proves that bright can be beautiful. I know a lot of you have seen this house on other blogs but as this was my production that I styled I thought it deserves to be on SnOOp. I hope you don't mind.

The very talented photographer James Merrell and myself went to visit this house a couple of years ago. The owner Lisa Giles at the time worked as senior stylist for the queen of colour, Tricia Guild - owner of iconic British interior design brand Designers Guild.

Liza and her architect husband Matt have embraced Tricia's trademark style of using bold, original fabrics and wallpaper and her extraordinary ability to mix colour and pattern.

Flock wallpaper adds wonderful texture and a little glamour to a space. Liza loved old French fringed window voiles and Twenties fringed lampshades.

Liza's cushions are all made from old English fabrics and toiles which have been collected over time.

Liza displayed Twenties dresses for their sophistication and glamour and she adored the informal geometric prints and colours from the Fifties. She liked to leave them on show in her glass-fronted wardrobe.


Liza liked to create moodboards so she could have inspirational things around her to encourage her to begin those projects that were waiting to be done. Liza loved old mercury glass in mirrors - the more distressed the better. The reflections they give are slightly different to a new one.

From Tree to Home

2011-02-22T19:00:00.001+01:00

wooden cup by Billet; Victorian ash timber and powder-coated spun aluminium light by Coco Flip

Hermes Maison Collection

2011-02-21T19:25:00.001+01:00

Recently unveiled in Paris, European luxury brand Hermès new furniture line Hermès Maison is to feature re-releases of iconic pieces designed in 1924 by late French interior designer Jean-Michel Frank. This is just a sneak peek at just small part of the collection.

The timeless X-base dining table is one of Jean-Michel Frank's pieces to be re-introduced.

My favourite of the collection is the soft furnishings including sumptuous velvet and silk cushions

The exclusive furniture collection Jean-Michel Frank par Hermès will be launching in April 2011 in US stores.

Back To The Future by Irina Werning

2011-02-19T01:18:00.004+01:00

"I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them," explains Irina Werning from Buenos Aires. "Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining
how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today... A few months ago, I decided to actually do this. So,
with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future. This project made me realise Im a bit obsessive..." This photo is INGRID IN 1987 & 2010, Buenos Aires

MARINA IN 1988 & 2010, Buenos Aires

MARITA & COTY IN 1977 & 2010, Bueno

Photographer Irina Werning explores

SnOOp Friday

2011-02-18T19:34:00.004+01:00

Photo by Aoiyuu

1. You can now SnOOp through your Goggle Umbrella | 2. Bulky Tea Sets are HOT | 3. Blue soothes the soul

4 Serious Love For This Throw | 5 Hexagon is the new circle | 6 Fun and Functional

7 Note Design Studio are on the up | 8 Cool Japanese Bag | 9 Seriously expensive... available in a variety of leather colors but each color is an edition of one


10 Barber Osgerby studio \| 11 Stop The Water While Using this cosmetic \| 12 If you're watching time then this is for you \| 13 Chunky Knit Throw was one of my Spring Style Updates For Conran hit the link and come over and say hi... Oh you can see my big old face there too.

Family Portrait

2011-02-16T16:58:00.000+01:00

Photo by Hideaki Hamada

When it comes to your family portrait and your stuck for an idea well how about doing something like this! 

Amanda Talbot (That's Me) Interview

2011-02-15T18:39:00.001+01:00

Todd Oldham's home cinema photo by Richard Powers

I don't share very much with you about my personal life within the design world, my styling or life working on some of the worlds best interior magazines. Well you can read a little snippet about me on website Furnish UK.

Something to share about this photograph. Todd Oldham and his partner Tony were one of the most colourful and fun couples I have ever met. I wanted to create a dramatic shot that captured this so I dragged out the colourful cushions, mixed up the chairs and chose a fabulous, flamboyant movie. Todd's dog, Anne, was a supermodel. Every time photographer Richard Powers took a snap she tilted her head and stole the show.

What Happened This Weekend

2011-02-14T11:42:00.001+01:00

"Russell and I are professionals in how to enjoy the weekend," says artist and musician Joe Howe.

"Now my son's nearly two he's really fun to spend the weekend with. Not doing grand ambitious stuff, just weird little things like playing with mud, jumping off stuff and running around," says Nicolas Roope - creator of the The Plumen 001- the world’s first designer energy saving light bulb.

"I can't believe how fast my son is growing up. He is like a little man now and likes to entertain himself at the dining table by reading and drawing," says Hideaki Hamada

"I took a photo of Agnes on her bed," says freelance photographer Sannah Kvist

"I travel a lot with my work so when I'm home I like to sit still and make things. I created Dandelion Bottle this weekend," says Daisuke Matsumura

If you would like to take part in next weeks "What Happend This Weekend" please send your picture and quote here. Remember it has to relate to your time at home.

7 Ideas For DIY Headboards

2011-02-12T18:13:00.000+01:00

Want to get creative in the bedroom? I don't have a lot of cash to splash at the moment so I'm looking at ideas that are fun, unexpected and has a great end result. This picture was spotted on Swiss Miss

Headboards by Blik

1 | 2

1 | 2

SnOOp Friday

2011-02-11T03:38:00.004+01:00

Photo by Chung lun Wu

Fashion guru Tom Ford shares his recipe for sweet pecan pie with Wallpaper Magazine

Here is your chance to witness what goes on behind the scenes of an editorial shoot with Sarah & Chris Rhoads shooting for Rue Magazine! Go here to find out how!

About time! You can finally keep up to date with SnOOp on Facebook.

Do you love typography? Well you should check out Berlin's Letter Museum

Love food, Love Flowers, Love all things pretty, can't wait for spring and going to be in London? If yes you need to schedule The Folly Bar into your diary.

Getting married and need wedding invite inspiration? Then check WeddingInviteLove.com

Need nerdy gift ideas for Valentines day? Check Nerd Valentine, curated by Amrit Richmond, and you’re all set.

Fancy living in a community of treehouses? You can here!

Great news photographers! A digital Holga is on its way and it's called Holga D

One Tonne Life

2011-02-10T10:00:00.000+01:00

In an extraordinary display of brand collaboration, Sweden’s "One Tonne Life" project aims to enable a family of four to bring down their average carbon footprint of seven tonnes per person, per year, to just one tonne. "The One Tonne Life" project in Sweden, launched on January 19^th 2011 has set out to prove, in an unprecedented fashion, that green living is easy, affordable and desirable. The Lindell family have been chosen to be a test family to show us how.

House specialists A-hus, power supplier Vattenfall and Volvo Cars believe that with the right know-how, the right technology and confident, consistent behaviour it is possible for the Lindell family to approach the one-tonne target figure without departing significantly from their regular lifestyle or standard of living. Much of the technology and the solutions the family will use are already available to the general public or will be in the near future.

The Lindell family were chosen in tough competition with more than 50 other families, and they have now moved into the newly built “One Tonne Life” house on Älghagsstigen in Hässelby, just outside Stockholm. In the unique “One Tonne Life” project, dad Nils, mum Alicja and teenagers Hannah, 16, and Jonathan, 13, will try to live within the limits of one tonne of carbon dioxide emissions per person per year.

The big question is it possible for the average family to make a difference to our planet? "One Tonne Life" is about the search for a carbon dioxide-lean lifestyle that does not require the Lindells to make any major departure from their established everyday lives.

The climate-smart house has been built by wooden house experts A-hus to plans drawn up by renowned architect
Gert Wingårdh. Happily, this technology-heavy home is not diminished by all the gadgetry. Wingårdh has managed to create an unexpectedly luxurious feeling of space inside.

The house’s volume is emphasised by its all-white pine cladded interior, flowing spaces and double height 7-metre stairwell, on a relatively modest 78 square metre footprint. It is, as Wingårdh says, “quite a huge space for a prefabricated, mass produced house.

Hannah was the first to spot the advert.
“It sounded really exciting. Who wouldn’t want to live in a climate-smart house with solar cells, green
electricity and an electric car in the driveway?” she asks animatedly.
The rest of the family immediately caught her enthusiasm.

ICA and Siemens are participating in “One Tonne Life” as industry partners. ICA is handling the family’s food requirements and will also help the family members make conscious choices that reduce their meals’ climate footprint.

Siemens has equipped the household with appliances of absolute world class in terms of low energy and water consumption. Siemens and ICA are contributing their expertise on how the various family members can reduce climateimpact in connection with food shopping, cooking, washing-up and laundry.

The family is able to watch the amount of energy they are using through Smart technology

The Lindell family have left behind their two ageing cars for the brand new a battery-powered Volvo C30 Electric that is recharged using renewable energy

To follow the the Lindell's family progress and find out a lot more about the project, the house and how we can stop wasting energy in our own home then you must visit One Tonne Life

New Textile Trend is Gingham

2011-02-09T14:03:00.000+01:00

Photo by Candice Caballero

Photo by Gaku

Bed photo Snooped on Emma's Blog; Shirt by Cosmic Wonder Light Source

Photo by Sayaka Minemura

When gingham comes up it usually fits with the words grandma and twee. But doing what Snoop does best which is um SnOOping - we spotted this little blue and white check making a sneaky comeback. Perhaps we should start thinking about using words like cheery, graphic, modern and uplifting when we use the 'G' word.

Face Masks by Caitlin MacBride

2011-02-08T15:56:00.002+01:00

Paint inspiration on painted spoons is BORING. At SnOOp we think what better way to encourage the use of natural paints for the home than this. Blending natural pigments, seeds and fruit extracts, New York-based artist Caitlin MacBride has created a colourful collection of portraits in collaboration with photographer Marco Roso.

Taking concepts of beauty into vibrant abstract expressionism, MacBride’s compositions feature thick, textured brushstrokes and seed embellishments.

The full catalogue of images can be seen on Dis Magazine. Why not check out our post New Ideas With Paint

New Scholten & Baijings Collection For HAY

2011-02-07T06:00:00.002+01:00

As the world of design is talking about the come back of beige on beige (yawn) at SnOOp we are going CRAZY about adding zippy neons to the palette. Yes, we covered this way back in August 2010 on our post Rough Neons but after seeing super hot, young designers Scholten+ Baijings new collection for Denmark brand HAY I had to SHOUT about this upbeat look again.

The Scholten +Baijings collection for HAY includes gorgeous bedlinen, beautiful rugs and bold graphic tea towels

Rug inspiration . When I use colour I like it to be unexpected. Why not block a neon on a gradient smokey grey wall? You could even paint this on your floor if you can't get the rug... Oh Yeah!

Did I mention you can now dry yourself off with a towel by Scholten + Baijings collection for HAY ? I'm usually a girl who only allows white towels in my bathroom but in this case I will make an exception.

I promise your guests will NEVER think they have walked into a house from an acid rave 80s throwback. It's graphic, sophisticated and upbeat.

This rug would work in a modern or traditional home.

“For us, it’s about creating something that is done properly and made
with love. We know people appreciate it more if they have a quality
product. We try to come up with nice details and special colours, and
we try to generate beautiful qualities in the product,” says designer Stefan Scholten

SnOOp Friday

2011-02-04T11:51:00.004+01:00

Photo by Aoiyuu

- Designers & Books has answered the question "read any good books lately". This site is devoted to publishing lists of books that esteemed members of the design community identify as personally important, meaningful, and formative—books that have shaped their values, their worldview, and their ideas about design.

- Skandinavian Design Lovers get yourself to London's newest Pop-Up shop. Retailer SKANDIUM have taken over an old Victorian jewelery shop (235 Brompton Road, SW3) and filled it with great pieces by Artek, Asplund, Cassina, Cappellini, Fritz Hansen, iittala, Issey Miyake, Kähler, Kosta Boda, Marimekko, Muuto and a range of other brands. All reduced by 50% to 80%. Be quick because it pops down on the 20th February.

New Blog Love is The Time Hack: One guy trying to create daily unusual experiences. Some of my favourites : Host a Toilet Paper Unravelling Competition, Cook a Meal in a Fireplace, Backwards Clothing Lunch and Have Dinner with a Homeless Person

Need some inspiration? Well there is an app for that! Oh try this app too

- My New Vibe Life is new blog by the fiercely talented American interior designer Kelly Wearstler. (SnOOped it on decor8)

Do you love push bikes and fashion? If you answered yes then two words Common Elite

Darth Vader & Volkswagen Collaborate

2011-02-03T14:52:00.000+01:00

What is a sure way to get SnOOp attention? Capturing real people of any age at home being creative. Here's a great idea by advertising agency Deutsch Inc. with their campaign for the new Volkswagen Passat. It's about a child imagining to be Darth Vader and trying to use 'The Force' around the house. You must watch the video!

found via Notcot

Ongoing Story - by James Balston

2011-02-02T14:00:00.002+01:00

"Well its not a thing of beauty or a very fashionable piece. It falls into the "brown" furniture category with heavy Victorian carvings. My partner can't stand it! So, since this picture was taken, when it stood in our living room, it is now firmly in my study with the computer on it. I'm very fond of it. I remember when it belonged to my grandfather, and it sat opposite my grandmother's desk in their study. They had a farm, so it was a real working desk in those days," says interiors photographer James Balston.

"I inherited a pair of rather fab Crown Devon coffee cups from my grandparents, of which I've since found more on Ebay, and have become slightly obsessed with all things Crown Devon. As a child I was amazed by how huge they seemed, and would watch in wonder as my grandparents drunk from them at the breakfast table," says James.

Please check out James Balston's blog. He is a fantastic UK interiors photographer.

If you would like to contribute to "Ongoing Story..." then email here your pictures of your most loved handed down piece and quote why its so special to you.

Devendra Banhart's - Love-in at Rainbow House - for Oliver Peoples

2011-02-01T14:16:00.000+01:00

Devendra Banhart at Rainbow House from Oliver Peoples on Vimeo.

I'm spellbound by the new 2011 campaign of eyewear company Oliver Peoples. It is simply beautiful, featuring the singer Devendra Banhart and his girlfriend Rebecca Schwartz, who play as a real life couple.

The only orders given to them “Get in the bathtub! Be together!”. The love affair is explored in the Rainbow House of the architect John Lautner. The contemporary California setting proved to be a perfect atmosphere to showcase the natural chemistry of the couple. Produced with the acclaimed photographer and aspiring director Lisa Eisner.

What Happened This Weekend

2011-01-31T13:16:00.004+01:00

"I went and did my latest Closet Visit at costume designer and fashion stylist Alicia Lawhon's house," says photographer Jeana Sohn

"My challenge this weekend was to find a "pillow partner", whom would love to be my sales agent outside Denmark!" shares designer Dorte Agergaard.

"I had an idea..." thanks Oliver from blog Foody Chef

"Here's what I made this weekend. I brought back some lovely little felt balls from a shop called Muskhane in Paris.
It took me 10 minutes to thread them as a bracelet for my daughter. She picked out the colours as I made it.
We were both very happy with the result!" says Jenny Voyce who reports on emerging trends in design and interiors on her blog Trends Voyce

"It's been a great weekend," says Christina Achau from blog Random Panda

"I don't do wallpaper in my house. I have a feature wall that my friends doodle on. This is my latest addition I added on the weekend," says photographer Mark Peckmezian.

If you would like to take part in next weeks "What Happend This Weekend" please send your picture and quote here. Remember it has to relate to your time at home.

Home Traveller by Anne Lorenz

2011-01-30T13:37:00.001+01:00

I have THE most ugliest, nasty, not loved dirty clothes hamper sitting out in open view in my bedroom. Every time I throw my loved outfits into the hamper I promise I can almost here them cry out to me "please don't leave us in this scary place". To be honest the reason why I haven't upgraded is I can't find a hamper I like. When I saw Anne Lorenz's Home Traveller bag it was like an eureka moment. I WANT, I WANT, I WANT. "Please buyers of much loved home department stores take this girl on so I can have a Home Traveller in my bedroom."

SnOOp Love

2011-01-28T12:40:00.001+01:00

I KID YOU NOT: the large and small pedestal by Iacoli & McAllister is turned on a lathe by Emmett Smith, a Seattle based boat builder


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@mruxndesign tweeted yesterday "In Simplicity We Find Beauty". I couldn't agree more. The cool ceramic and enamel is warmed up and breathes character with the weathered and worn wood. My heart aches for all of the pieces.