Happy Christmas and I wish you a wonderful bespoke 2016 ......

Mark Herald-Art and Illustration

I have just visited the wonderfully refurbished York Art Gallery which now featured the very talented and more than a little eccentric Mark Herald as the artist in residence. Mark has also curated The Lumber Room: Unimagined Treasures, a room full of miscellaneous stored objects and artifacts from the stores of the Yorkshire Museum and York Castle Museum as well as the York Art Gallery. His choices include textiles, costume, oil paintings, and works on paper, furniture, and taxidermy, many items of which have not been on public display before, this quirky collection is well worth a visit.

Mark Herald studied illustration at Glasgow College of Art and then completed an MA in Natural History Illustration at the Royal College of Art. Taking his inspiration from the flora and fauna of the British countryside, Mark works across a number of mediums, producing limited edition lithographic and linocut prints, unique paintings, collages and hand-painted ceramics. Just wonderful as an unusual gift.

Mark has recently completed commissions for Faber & Faber and Tate Museums. A children's book illustrated by a series of Mark's unique collages was published by Walker Books in 2012.

There is something very contemporary about Mark’s work but also at the same time I feel that it reflects a different time, nostalgic and very British. I love the distinctive images, wonderful colour’s and the fact it always puts a smile on my face.  Great fun!

Mark’s work is available through many Museum shops nationwide or via the website below:

 www.stjudesprints.co.uk

Wonderful Lifestyle Shops…

Rialto Living, Palma

I found this wonderful shop by accident, I do have to say this is certainly the beautiful shop in Palma and one of the most lovely shops I have ever seen anywhere in the world. The building is stunning a perfect blend of new and old and the wide range of products on sale totally desirable. Fashion and accessories, home ware and interiors, art house, lifestyle and interior design books, unique stationery, toys, perfumes, home fragrances etc. There is an in-house florist as well as an interior design service. The room sets are a world apart, I could happily move in. The Rialto Café serves drinks and food throughout the store’s opening hours, a relaxing sanctuary from the bustling city, the relaxing décor reflects the store’s distinctive style. There is a dedicated gallery space which displays contemporary art and photographs and private views and events are held. Friendly, helpful staff and a calming environment make this a perfect shopping experience.

 In 2007 Klas Käll (one of the three founders and designers of the global Gant brand) and Barbara Bergman opened their Rialto Living lifestyle concept store in one of Palma’s previous cultural centres. They sympathetically converted the former Sala Rialto theatre and cinema to launch it as one of Europe’s most exciting lifestyle store.

Rialto Living doubled in size from its original 800sqm, following its expansion into Can O’Ryan. When the owners bought the property in 2012 it hadn’t been renovated since 1911. Their 21st century renovation included the restoration of some of the original architectural features of this Baroque-style property, creating a superb setting for their enlarged range of departments and products.

The publisher teNeues in their book Luxury Stores, Top of The World, featured Rialto Living see below an extract:

"Since the first hunter-gatherers, humans have sought out things of beauty and excellence - a quest epitomized by the elegant stores displayed in this sumptuous 396-page volume which is packed with hundreds of stunning photographs, as well as informative texts. Each can be considered a pinnacle of the shopping experience. With a carefully chosen selection of goods and services located all over the world, these shops do indeed cater to every whim. Combining the aesthetics of high art with service worthy of royalty, everyone is an experience to treasure."

If you are in Palma you must visit, but be warned you might not want to leave…

C. SANT FELIU 3

07012 PALMA DE MALLORCA

INFO@RIALTOLIVING.COM

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA- Body and Home

Beautiful fragrance for the body and home can lift your spirits and enhance your well-being. One of oldest artisan makers still makes wonderful perfumes favoured by the rich and famous and stylish, worldwide.

Officinal Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is one of the world's oldest pharmacies. It was founded in Florence in 1221 by the Dominican Friars; they started making herbal remedies and potions to use in the monastery. Soon their reputation became world renowned and sponsored by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the pharmacy opened to the public in 1612.

Many of Santa Maria Novella’s wonderful products have become a part of history. The first “Eau de Cologne” was created in the 1500’s for Catherine de Medici. This was called “Water of the Queen” and featured citrus and bergamot scented water. Its popularity in France lasted into the 18th century.

Giovanni Feminis, took it with him to Cologne and began to make it there, renaming it Acqua di Cologne or Eau de Cologne as a tribute to the city where it was produced. Today the same formula is still used and is called Santa Maria Novella. It is the signature fragrance and the most sought after of all of their scents.

Many of the oldest products from Santa Maria Novella are still popular. The Almond Paste is an excellent rich cream made from almond butter. The Rose Water can be used on the face for washing and removing make-up. The Pot-Pourri is still hand-made and left to ferment in large terracotta jars. The Milky Soaps, scented with their own fragrances are made with whole milk to protect and soften skin. Scents use: Honeysuckle, Rose, Iris, Patchouli, Jasmine, Violet and Lily of the Valley.

The Pharmacy is run by Eugenio Alfandery, who has kept the tradition and legacy of the brand whilst updating the old methods and procedures. All new products keep to the Santa Maria Novella philosophy of quality and precision, mixing old world formulations and expertise with modern mastery of current technology. Local ingredients are used whenever possible and the products are never tested on animals. Each batch is hand-made in Florence and supervised according to age old recipes and artisanal methods.

 For details view www.santamarianovellausa.com  

 

Sara x

The Perfectly imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman

I have a question to ask, should the perfect home be perfect in every aspect or is the perfection in the imperfections?
In this wonderful book by Deborah Needleman she raises this issue.

 Deborah writes that the point of decorating is to create a background for the rest of your life, that decoration should be life-enhancing, making a charming and happy home. Beauty and comfort should sit side by side. A stylish home is highly functional and enhances your sense of wellbeing. Luxury cannot be defined by expense or by grandeur.

I remember when selling furniture been told that how comfortable a sofa was didn’t matter it was simply about how it looked. I feel that the point of a good design is not only about the look but how comfortable and practical the design proves to be. A chef can make a wonderful looking plate of food, but if this is inedible, how can it be successful as the taste of food is a key factor in the enjoyment of the diner.

Quoting from the Grand Dame of interior design Dorothy Draper, No room can be called perfect unless it has real comfort.

Deborah stresses the importance of paintings and drawings on the wall, a home needs these to finish off the look. I would also say that these give personality to a room.

Henry James writes; Houses of the best taste are like clothes by the best tailors- it takes their age to show us how good they are.

What makes a home feel alive? Strong pieces that make comments, Items with a history, objects made by hand, bespoke or well- loved collected items with give stability.  Many items get richer with age; rugs, textiles, furniture and antiques. I think that is echoes the sentiment of this blog.

Do read this lovely book as it’s an entertaining read and Deborah makes some very interesting points for design lovers. 

Sara x