Amazing Creatures

 Sadly as there are no quirky antique or vintage shops here of the kind that are found in the US and UK I window shop every other day on 1st Dibs. Here is my selection from the 'Wild Kingdom' search along with Porta Romana's 24 carat Duck Feet lamp which fits in so well here.  Note the Goose Feather shade!

20th Century pair of Verdigris seahorse shaped lamps, limited edition from a 1940's design, at Linda Horn via 1st Dibs

 

24 Carat Gold Leaf
Limited Edition Duck Feet Lamp with Goose Feather shade at Porta Romana

Pair of Boxed Rainbow Tiger Lobsters, USA 1980's at Gustavo Olivieri via 1st Dibs

A Syrian carved sandalwood table modeled as standing camel with an hour-glass shaped table top 1880's, Kentshire Galleries at 1st Dibs

A large floor standing head and shoulders of a Giraffe, Africa, early 20th Century at Jamb via 1st Dibs, over 8ft tall

Charming Seated Camel Stool, USA, mid 20th Century at Regan and Smith via 1st Dibs

Take a leaf out of my book

I am not one for trends or what is in or out.  I much prefer beautifully made objects and craftsmanship that lasts, however there are two recurring themes at the moment in decoratorland, mauve and large botanical leaves. 

Here is my contribution to leaves of any kind, mauve to come later

Christopher Farr Brisa cloth

 

 

Bill Sofield Lotus Table at Baker

Farrow and Ball Lotus paper

Ochre Eucalyptus wall lights

More Important Things

Typcut

Poster art relief for Japan click the designer's name to donate

James White aka Signalnoise

Rob Dobi

Steve Schiavello

Kevin Alves

British Red Cross click here

The Bridge School

The Li Xiaodong Bridge School in Fujian Province, China has been featured in magazines and on television several times before.  Once again in World of Interiors April 2011 and with great attention to detail in the article itself.  A wonderful example of modern architecture with enduring quality and a must read exposé

Alternative walkway under school

Slide for the children

Tiles, Ceramics and Stoneware

Last year, on another assignment to find tiles I came across the collection of one of my favourite British designers Neisha Crosland.  Her collection in collaboration with De Ferranti of handmade and handpainted glazed terracotta tiles, some based on her well established fabric and wallpaper designs, have a beautiful aged and dry finish with wonderful dusty colours.

Neisha Crosland's Navajo Collection at De Ferranti

More tile designs from Neisha Crosland

 Another great US find, discovered recently, is Ann Sacks and her Zig Zag encaustic tiles, one of many many fabulous designs

John Stefanidis scheme above as featured in House & Garden June 2010 with hand painted Douglas Watson Studio geometric tiles

Tangiers tiles from the Douglas Watson Studio

1930's Villeroy & Bosch stoneware vase at 1st Dibs

Shezad Dawood @ Art Dubai

A thoroughly uplifting and refreshing hour and half - could have spent much longer - at Art Dubai.  Coming from the UK and being spoilt for choice there I didn't expect such an edgy and up to date show.  Purse permitting I would have walked away with a few pieces under my arm and if I had to narrow it down to one it would be Shezad Dawood's Flow My Tears The Policeman Said presented by Paradise Row. Shezad Dawood is also a recipient of this year's Abraaj Capital Art Prize for his New Dream Machine Project

 

 

Flow My Tears The Policeman Said, 2010, Acrylic on Vintage Textile, 190 x 126 cms

 

 

I am by no means and expert but the few pieces of art I own have in common that I will never tire of looking and starring at them and Dawood's piece is certainly one I would appreciate forever

Snob: Acronym of sans noblesse, of the Latin sine nobilis, without a title or not from the nobility but one who apes to be

A Kufic Qur'an Folio at Christie's

Still incensed by A.A. Gill’s nasty article about Dubai for snooty Vanity Fair.  I am the first to believe in criticism of oneself, of a nation, self-deprecating humour and I love generalisations of a people, mine and others, they make me laugh, but quite frankly this was just offensive.  It might easily have been a humour filled piece but for the author’s bitterness and total lack of respect for others.  I have learned nothing reading this article.  An accomplished writer he certainly is but the bitterness of the content permeates through to leave a nasty, sour taste and who needs that?  Dubai is as dazzling or deficient as London, Paris, or New York, having lived in two and visited another often I would rather be here a million times over than looking out over my shoulder for the local asbo, drug addict or loony.  Gill knows and understands nothing of the culture of the region let alone the UAE and so I conclude the article is not about Dubai it is about Arab bashing.

I hope he is banned from here, and that is one of the many reasons I choose and love to live in Dubai