Thrilled!

I am thrilled to be recognised as a true collector of Indonesian Contemporary Art by Deborah Iskandar, of Sotherby's. Thank you.

The Perennial Pagoda

There is something about the Pagoda that gets my heart racing; perhaps because I currently reside in Asia, or is it my love of Asian history and maybe because I grew up listening to the many exotic tales from my Grandparents Asian travels. Or is it it's perennial symmetry or the fact it just always looks so elegant no matter what form it takes.

It’s religious and culture significance throughout Asia dates back as far as the 3^rd century BC in India. In time the ‘Pagoda style’ spread throughout the rest of South East and Eastern Asia.

Construction was initially of wood and, as technology advanced Pagoda’s were soon built from brick then stone and later a combination of the two. Most pagodas were built to serve one religious purposes or another with the common religion being Buddhism.  It’s layering style with the very pointy finial on top, also housed many sacred relics and religious writings.

I can remember seeing my first pagoda in Pusan (now Busan), Korea, back in the mid 1990’s whilst travelling by sea throughout Asia. It was amazing and once inside the 360-degree view to the world outside was breath taking.

I marvel at the Pagoda’s architectural style, it’s symbolism and it’s many modern adaptations into furniture and décor pieces. Below are few ‘pagoda’ inspired interiors and décor images I found that have taken my breath away. Enjoy!

As you can see the possibilities with the modern take on the pagoda are simply endless ...

Thanks to the following for their inspiration; my grandparents and their exotic travels, cococozy.com, orangebeautiful.com, wshome.com, houseandhome.com, decorpad.com, stylecourt.blogspot.com, revivalhomeandgarden.blogspot.com, rowlandscontractinteriors.co.uk, zunigainteriors.blogspot.com, pemberleystyle.com

Click!

My dear friend Charmaine is a natural go getter, so it was no surprise to me that she when started to dabble in photography, the results were pure geniuses.  Charmaine is a constant inspiration to me. As her work is true beauty of the lens I thought it would be only fair to share a couple of her images with you all. Enjoy! 

 

 

This is just a little tempter of her work for more beautiful images and to get in touch with Charmaine you can visit 'Charmme Photography' here.

I'm Loving Jade!

Over the weekend I dined with friends at the newly renovated Mandarin Hotel, Jakarta. Xin Hwa was the restaurant of choice and menu was dim sum - which was incredibly delicious with every ounce cooked to pure perfection.
A perennial space, with a modern asian feel, soothing dimmed lighting, dark colours mixed my favourite colour - jade green!  

I love the carpet -based on the chinese cloud symbol which is soft and flowing and used in many ways throughout Asia.

The serving plates are simply to die for - loving the colours and the geometric style .... of course I have ordered them!

Vodka or Not?

Ok I am the first to admit that i love vodka, 

but not so sure of this mix, found in Bali, is for me? 

It is actually a mix of petrol and water and sold as petrol for motorbikes and Vespas.