Iced Vo Vo's

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS.... TEXTURAL IMPACT

2014-09-03T11:51:00.000+01:00

(images via Pinterest)

Helen Amy Murray, Tropical wallpanel

Ever wondered how to turn a very boring neutral room into something special, if you don't want to use colour?

... by using texture in the same hue.

Make an impact to a beige or neutral coloured room with

a beautiful detailed leather upholstered chair, from UK designer Helen Amy Murray, or an incredible textural leather wall panel.

Or how about with an organic pattern, such as this leaf motif on a grey concrete wall.

It's interesting how something so raw can be softened by organic patterns inspired by nature.

APARTMENT IN ROME

2014-08-11T23:58:00.000+01:00

I just had to share this apartment with you.

When I read the caption " Rome wasn't built in a day: Neither was Achille Salvagni's Apartment" from the Interior Design Magazine, I just had to have a closer look.

Mismatching different styles from different era's is done beautifully in this apartment, but Salvagni himself is never quite satisfied with how things are in his own apartment and constantly has the urge to change things around ....

CLICK BELOW TO SEE AND READ MORE

With works from Gio Ponti and Paolo Buffa being present, Salvagni also has pieces from his own limited edition collection that he has designed for Maison Gerard in New York, also scattered throughout the apartment.

Noble material, such as bronze, marble, alabaster and onyx predominate.

circa 1830 plaster bust with swimming goggles

Photo by Matteo Basile dominates the entry

A limited edition chandelier by Archille Salvagni hangs over a bronze edged glass table top

Bespoke side table in marble and bronze

1930s Murano glass sculpture sits on a Paolo Buffa cabinet

Carrara and Belgian marble define the kitchen

Oil paintings on panels commissioned by Paolo Fiorentino

Custom silk rug featuring a map of San Felice Circeo, Italy

custom brass handles on sliding doors of the dressing room

All images photographed by Eric Laignel for Interior Design magazine

BLACK + WHITE WEEKEND INSPIRATION

2014-08-03T06:39:00.000+01:00

Tom Ford Winter 2013

Moroccan dishes

Hyuna Shin

Some black and white images inspiring me this weekend.

BEDROOM INSPIRATION

2014-06-24T04:28:00.000+01:00

(Pinterest)

Minimal with a high impact wow factor.

What's not to love about this mezzanine bedroom?

*the simple, but very effective lighting and fireplace, creating beautiful ambience

*the amazing high gloss chevron floor and headboard

*the extra high ceiling and abundant light

*the amazing four poster bed on casters

*simple crisp white linen

Simple and Stunning!

INSPIRATIONAL ROOM: LONDON TOWNHOUSE

2014-06-18T09:29:00.000+01:00

(as seen in Luxe Living UK May 2014)

I'm really loving this classic, urban room from a South London townhouse,

with its mid-century pieces, such as the Barcelona chairs and the Castiglioni Arco lamp,

plus the sputnik inspired chandelier.

A wall of books .... and I'm sold!

TRAVEL DESTINATION: HONG KONG AND THE UPPER HOUSE HOTEL

2014-06-13T08:41:00.000+01:00

(all photos © Iced VoVos)

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes" - Proust

For me as a designer, travelling always keeps the eyes twinkling and the mind inspired,

and as many have said, 'Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer'.

Click below to continue reading ....

I had never been to Hong Kong before and even though everyone told me it is a shoppers dream, it wasn't the shopping that inspired me, but the food, the architecture and the culture.

Plus the fact that I fell totally in love with the beautifully designed luxury boutique hotel The Upper House, which we stayed in.

The Upper House is located high above the Pacific Place complex in Admiralty.

Not only was it beautifully designed by Andre Fu with every attention to detail perfectly executed, but the generous size of the minimal and understated room with a 'wow' view all across Victoria Harbour really felt like you were living in your own private residence and being discreetly looked after.

I can't speak more highly of the extraordinary service the hotel staff provided us, throughout our stay.

The paperless entry foyer that whisks you up the escalator through "Lantern' to the lobby space on level 6, where you will find a quietly perfumed sitting area and a glass door that leads you outside to 'The Lawn', a secluded outdoor space where you can relax and enjoy a drink or snack ... or even a complimentary yoga session on a Saturday or Sunday.

Each level looks down through a central 40 metre high atrium to a calming water installation below, or upwards towards the enormous roof window.

The wall of the atrium is clad with a wire art installation by Hiroshiwata Sawada

From there we were then whisked by an elevator to the 47th floor. We stayed in room #4708

The hotel did not have or need a spa, as the bathroom in our room was worthy of one. With it's bathtub 'with a view', it had everything you needed to relax and pamper yourself. From the bath salts and Moroccan Rosebath oil to the chemical free REN skincare range when you stepped into the walk-in rain shower.

The spacious bathrooms are sized over 300 sq feet and come furnished with sparkling Italian Perlato Svevo natural limestone floors and Beige Turkish Terre d’Oriente limestone walls.

There is also a luxurious walk-in dressing area and study area, which houses complimentary mini bar, snacks and coffee machine.

Just like you would decorate your home with curios, the hotel is decked with

sculptures and artwork by Asia's finest artists. A few that were in our room ...

The cherry on top of the cake is found on level 49, when you exit the lift onto the candle-lined Sky Bridge, which leads you to the Sky Lounge on one side and the beautiful Cafe Gray Deluxe restaurant and bar on the other.

(entry to Cafe Grey Deluxe)

(Cafe Grey Deluxe - image via Google)

(Sky Lounge)

(all other photos © Iced VoVos)

Do yourself a favour.

If you are planning a trip to Hong Kong, I would highly recommend The Upper House and if it's a bit too pricey for you, then at least consider a drink or dining at Cafe Grey Deluxe restaurant.

You won't regret it!

Thank you Upper House for an outstanding stay.

VIVID SYDNEY 2014

2014-05-31T12:55:00.000+01:00

(all photos © Iced VoVos)

Vivid Sydney is a unique annual event of light, music and ideas.

Architectural buildings, sculptural pieces and innovative installations scattered throughout Sydney are magically transformed using a kaleidoscope of colour and music.

BATHROOM DESIGN - SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL BAGNO 2014, MILAN

2014-05-27T04:48:00.001+01:00

(all photos © Iced VoVos)

Some highlights from the bathroom designers at the 2014 Salone Bagno in Milan from the likes of Scavolini, Falper, Mastella Design, Tubes, Zucchetti, Kartel and Gessi to name a few.

MISSONI: i Salone del Mobile 2014

2014-05-25T10:12:00.000+01:00

(all photos © Iced VoVos)

If you love colour, then you can't go past Missoni Home.

Having lived in Europe for five years and since returning home to Australia, this year was the first time I visited i Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy.

(by clicking READ MORE below)

Their flagship store on Viale Elvezia was a feast for the eyes during the design fair and the installation event by Richard Ginori in the Brera area entitled 'Missoni Wonderland', showcasing the new Missoni Home crockery collection, was a representation of the Mad Hatters tea party, inviting guest to sit down on the zig-zag covered bean bags and relax by looking up to the installation.

(all photos © Iced VoVos)

Colour your world with Missoni!

THE OLGAS (KATA TJUTA): NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

2013-12-18T05:26:00.000+00:00

©Iced Vovos

Kata Tjuta, meaning ‘many heads’, is made up of a group of 36 conglomerate rock domes that date back 500 million years. To Anangu (Local Indigenous People), it is a sacred place relating to knowledge that is considered very powerful and dangerous, only suitable for initiated men. These rocks are found 40km west of Ayers Rock (Uluru).

Click on the link below for more ...

All images ©Iced VoVos

From the moment you fly into this sunburnt landscape, the two sandstone monoliths of Uluru and Kata Tjuta can easily be picked out in the distance. You don't actually appreciate their size until you are up close and personal and then you are overwhelmed by their beauty, size, colour and texture!

I took hundreds of photos and really couldn't pick which ones to use, each has its own beauty, the colours of these magnificent monoliths change constantly with the changing light from the sun.

I hope you enjoyed a snippet of what was truly a magical experience for me.

If you missed the Uluru post, click here.

TRAVEL DESTINATION: ULARU & KATA TJUTA, NORTHERN TERRITORY AUSTRALIA

2013-12-16T13:59:00.000+00:00

©Iced VoVos

(this photo I manipulated using the App ColorSplash)

One of the most magical and awe-inspiring places you must include on your bucket list of places to visit, is Uluru (otherwise known as Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (aka the Olgas). Situated smack bang in the middle of Australia, this semi-arid desert will weave it's magic spell on you and will somehow lure you back ....

CLICK TO READ MORE BELOW

As an anniversary present, my husband surprised me with this 3 day trip and we went all out by glamping at the luxury resort Longitude 131 (I'll do another post on the hotel).

All photos belong and are ©Iced VoVos

Next post will be images of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

HOME IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

2013-11-30T22:49:00.000+00:00

©Iced VoVos

Wow, it's been over a year since I last blogged! A lot has happened in this last year and the biggest change in my life was helping half my family move back to Australia (earlier in the year), while I eventually joined them 6 months later. It was a challenging time for all of us, but we made it and are now all back together in our hometown of Sydney ....

So what better way to kick start my entry back into the blogosphere, than posting some photos of Sydney's iconic structure ... the Sydney Opera House.
She also turned 50 this year, which is a milestone in itself ... I can never tire of her beauty!

Inspirational aboriginal art inside the Sydney Opera House.

Photos © Iced VoVos

Last night we had the pleasure of eating at the beautiful Guillaume restaurant at Bennelong, sadly before it leaves the southern shell of the Sydney Opera House at the end of this year!

If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen my journey over the last year.

It's great to be back home, but London will always have a special place in my heart.

Damien Hirst: Butterfly Inspiration

2012-08-07T11:29:00.000+01:00

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting the Damien Hirst exhibition at the Tate Modern, London and was blown away by the butterfly rooms.

This is one of his Spin Paintings, where each canvas is spun on a turntable while different coloured paints are poured on top, resulting in works that are a celebration of the pure joy of colour!

Here Hirst has arranged butterflies into complex patterns reminiscent of medieval stained glass church windows

This one is called Black Sun 2004, where the black surface is densely covered in clusters of dead flies (yes, you read that right!). It is monolithic in size, placed against the vibrant beauty of the butterfly paintings. To see the actual size click here. The butterflies carry religious associations of resurrection, while the fly motif conveys a more sombre association of death and decay.

If you get a chance to visit, do so, as Damien Hirst always makes an impact, even though some people find his work 'difficult to take!'

The exhibition runs until 9 September 2012 at the Tate Modern, London.

{all images belong to Iced VoVos}

Jacquard and Retro prints ... Do you dare to wear?

2012-08-03T10:39:00.000+01:00

Etro

Jonathan Saunders

Louis Vuitton

Miu Miu

Prada

Smart, colourful and vibrant prints

Friday fashion inspiration.

Have a wonderful weekend all!

{all images photographed by Nick Knight for UK Vogue Sept 2012}

xx

Elounda, Crete: Greece

2012-07-28T08:27:00.000+01:00

This is where I've spent the last 10 days ...

Ipanema Beach Bar, Elounda, Crete

Plaka, Crete

View from Plaka over to the island of Spinalonga (former leper colony)

Spinalonga, Elounda, Crete

Art installation @ Spinalonga Island

Shopping through the narrow streets of Plaka, Crete

Agios Nikolaos, Crete

View from Elounda Island Villa's looking back onto Elounda

View overlooking Elounda, Crete

A lovely greek taverna in Agios Nikolaos, Crete

Hello everyone!

It's taken me a week to post these shots, we had such a lovely time in Crete and arrived back in London to glorious weather.

Did you watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony last night?

What did you think?

I'm so excited to be attending a few Olympic events in the coming days.

Wishing you a wonderful Olympics and a great weekend!

{all photos belong to Iced VoVos}

We're all going on a summer holiday ...

2012-07-13T06:00:00.000+01:00

sunday, we're leaving the dreary rain that has become the constant topic of conversation here in london,

... for some beautiful sun in crete, greece.

some fabulous inspiration to get me in the mood

i'll be back in 10 days!

{images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Liberty of London

2012-07-11T15:01:00.000+01:00

Yesterday with all the rain that London's been having, I decided to pop into Liberty (my favourite shopping destination)

Couldn't resist snapping this room with all the fabulous mixed prints

... and isn't that vaulted tutor ceiling amazing!

Loved this area with all the beach accessories (even though we haven't had much of a summer yet!!)

Loving the stripped privacy tent!

... also loving the kooky mug display

... and these fabulous 'love' neon lights

... and finally, I snapped up these limited edition Chris Keegan screen prints, titled 'Eye Life' and 'Lizard Eye' , which I've propped up on my window sill ... and yes the sun has finally come out for me to take a snap shot of them!

Let's see how long it lasts!

They were reduced from £120 to £30 in the sale.

... and 'Wireman' I picked up for a steal (£18)!

{all images belong to Iced VoVos}

xx

Anyone for movie night?

2012-07-04T14:12:00.002+01:00

popcorn

low lighting

comfortable seating and cushions

Isn't this a fabulous idea for a summer movie night in the garden?

click on my Facebook Page for credit

San Giorgio Hotel, Mykonos

2012-07-03T11:55:00.000+01:00

an amazing hotel located between Paradise and Paranga beaches,

san giorgio mykonos is the brainchild of Design Hotels™

described as " ... like visiting the summer home of your coolest friend"

it's already July 2nd ... and no hint of summer here in the uk

please, take me away ....

Summer Stripes ...

2012-06-29T11:44:00.000+01:00

Dreaming of my summer holiday ...

Have a fabulous Friday!

Tranquility ...

2012-06-22T19:41:00.000+01:00

A beautiful holiday lake house in Sweden by John Robert Nilsson.

Amazing views, infinity pool and I love the outdoor, in-ground seating area.

Enjoy your weekend!
xx

Bathing beauties ...

2012-06-20T09:38:00.000+01:00

Isn't this Vogue photo amazing?

Also loving this series of artwork by American artist Alex Katz entitled 'Eleuthera', 1984 showing at the 'Give Me Tomorrow' exhibition at the Tate St Ives, Cornwall UK.

It's on until 23 September 2012

A little project ...

2012-06-14T13:48:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd share a little project I've been working on recently.

Only a ~~little~~ big colour change was involved ... and trying to deal with the client, painter/handyman on the other side of the world!

You see, I live in London and the beautiful Victorian terraces are in Sydney, Australia.

It all started with a leaky veranda roof ...

We (the clients and I) decided to change the bullnose roof to a new Colourbond roof in Monument and also paint the existing roof in the same colourway and replace the gutters. This you might think was the easy part, but it took over six months, as council permits (for scaffolding erection), utility permits (because of the electricity cables that fed the house from across the street) all had to be obtained before anything could be started!

The clients then decided to paint the property and wanted help choosing the colours.

I suggested they try and convince the neighbouring property owner to get on the bandwagon to paint the house in the same colour scheme to give it a bigger impact. This part was easy, as there was total agreement from both parties.

Then the fun part started ... choosing the colours.

This is always the hardest part, as colour can either make or break a place/room etc.
As the properties are situated on a fairly busy road and are constantly subjected to all the Sydney road grim, I suggested a very dark grey for the walls, which would one, keep the properties looking clean and fresh (no more grim on the beige walls) and two, bring them into the 21st century by giving them a fresh modern feel, but still retaining their Victorian characteristics.
I proposed a quick photoshop render of the properties and sent it across to the clients:

Working with Dulux colours and my handy Dulux colour palette fan for professional use, I suggested a few choices of grey and a wonderful red. What I didn't realise was even though Dulux is available world wide, not every colour is available in every country ... or thats what my painter would email me very early in the morning (arrrghhhh!)

I know if I were in Australia, this wouldn't have been a big problem, I would have sorted the colours out a lot quicker, but when you live on the other side of the world and when you take into account the time difference ... everything becomes a major issue ... plus I'm not there to see the actual colours in person.
The great thing was my painter (bless him) sent daily update photos and was quite wonderful and very professional about the whole job.

As I madly researched RGB values of the colours chosen and placed them into Photoshop for a simulation of what the desired effect would look like for the clients, we all agreed on:

Dulux Monument on the masonry walls (to match the roof colour) in a low sheen,
Dulux black for the windows, trims and ironwork, in a high gloss
brilliant white on the facia boards and
WATTYL - Delicious Red in a high gloss for the door

The details (fretwork) on the walls, the windows, the 'eyebrow' details around the windows and all the iron lace work I decided to paint a high gloss black to frame the properties and guide you in towards the door. It wouldn't have looked quite as effective, if only one of the properties was done this way. Now there is complete symmetry (except for the doors).

The inspiration for the red door colour came about from all the wonderful bright coloured doors you see everywhere here in London. It also gave the properties an instant pop of colour, against the very dark grey walls. Above is a Photoshop render I was proposing, using a number of different shades of red.

The house numbers were also changed to a rather modern look, using stainless steel numerals that sat 15mm off the wall.

The red door completed .. now to change that not so appealing glass!

The terraces completed!

I have suggested white plantation shutters for the windows just to give the terraces a polished look... and some greenery, in the form of a row of hedging to complete the look...

but I'm sure that will entail another rather long argument with the local council!

I am pleased to say the clients were thrilled with the end product!
What do you think?

xx

Colour inspiration ...

2012-06-12T11:46:00.000+01:00

image belongs to Iced VoVos

Today I'm inspired by the colour combination in this photograph I took last October when I visited the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech

... the beautiful gardens were designed by the French artist, Jacques Majorelle in the 1920's and 30's

and later owned by Yves Saint -Laurent and Pierre Bergé

image on left via , image on right taken from Ballgowns book

The colour combination reminds me of the beautiful 'Rumina" dress created by Erdem for Fall Winter 2008, which I recently saw at the V&A Ballgown exhibition.

I wonder if Erdem was inspired by the same gardens?

Have a great Tuesday!

xx

V&A Ballgown Exhibition, London

2012-06-08T14:23:00.000+01:00

Ballgowns, " ... remain a special part of a woman's wardrobe" - H.R.H Princess Alexandra

They are the highpoint of a designers seasonal collection requiring creativity and many labourious hours in craftmanship to produce.

This post is dedicated to my good friend Virginia from Glamour Drops who would have loved to see it in person ... you still have plenty of time for a visit Virginia, it's on until January 2013!

Erdem's 'Rumina' silk with appliqué, quilting and beading

Photograph by David Hughes

This Erdem creation, I must admit was my favourite. The fabric, appliqué and beading towards the bottom of the skirt was exquisite!

The exhibition is displayed over two levels of the newly revamped fashion galleries of the museum.

As you enter the ground floor of the exhibition, you are immediately struck by Yuki's raspberry-pink silk chiffon kaftan dress (1972) on the left.

Continuing around the ground floor, creations from the '50's up to the turn of the 20th century are displayed, from royal ballgowns including the "Elvis dress"designed by Catherine Walker for Princess Diana, to a large number of posh formal wear, created for débutante balls by the likes of Hardy Amies, Zandra Rhodes as well as royal couturier Norman Hartnell.

However, the new upstairs mezzanine level featuring 21st century British designs displayed in the brand new crinoline-like domes were the highlight for me. You were able to get up close to the gowns to see the exquisite details ... and some of the mannequins were on rotation.

Designers on show included Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Gareth Pugh, Mary Katrantzou, Giles Deacon, Roksanda Ilincic, Craig Lawrence, Mark Fast, Hussein Chalayan and Stella McCartney to name a few.

Unfortunately photography was not allowed in the exhibition, but I did manage to take photos of the revamped fashion gallery around the exhibition below. This part of the exhibition is free.

Images of the gowns were projected on the ceiling alcoves around the exhibition

Christian Dior

Ossie Clark

images 7-15 belong to Iced VoVos

If you can't get enough and would like to see more of the Ballgown exhibition, head on over to Fashionista Barbie's Facebook pages for lots more images.

Or better still, if you can get your hands on Ballgowns British Glamour since 1950 by Oriole Cullen and Sonnet Stanfill ... the photographs by David Hughes are spectacular!

I also picked up Twentieth Century fashion in Detail by Claire Wilcox and Valerie D. Mendes ... a must for any fashion enthusiast, showing lovely close-up photos of detailed seams, gathers, pleats, bows, applied decoration etc.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Iced Vo Vo's

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS.... TEXTURAL IMPACT

APARTMENT IN ROME

BLACK + WHITE WEEKEND INSPIRATION

Hyuna Shin

**BEDROOM INSPIRATION**

INSPIRATIONAL ROOM: LONDON TOWNHOUSE

TRAVEL DESTINATION: HONG KONG AND THE UPPER HOUSE HOTEL

VIVID SYDNEY 2014

BATHROOM DESIGN - SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL BAGNO 2014, MILAN

MISSONI: i Salone del Mobile 2014

THE OLGAS (KATA TJUTA): NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

TRAVEL DESTINATION: ULARU & KATA TJUTA, NORTHERN TERRITORY AUSTRALIA

HOME IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Damien Hirst: Butterfly Inspiration

Jacquard and Retro prints ... Do you dare to wear?

Elounda, Crete: Greece

We're all going on a summer holiday ...

Liberty of London

Anyone for movie night?

San Giorgio Hotel, Mykonos

Summer Stripes ...

Tranquility ...

Bathing beauties ...

A little project ...

Colour inspiration ...

V&A Ballgown Exhibition, London

BEDROOM INSPIRATION