Good Bye….

I started writing this blog in 2013, it has been great fun to write and I hope enjoyable to have read. However, like most people I am re-examining my social media activities; with two blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instragram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Google +, two online shops, a website and countless other online groups I need to refine and reduce these so I have time for the other things in my life. 

https://createdcuratedbysarabrown.wordpress.com/ is a website which also includes a blog as well as showing my design work.

My warmest regards and love

Sara x

Troll Beads- Your Unique Jewelry

I prefer to write about smaller design companies rather than high street brands but once in a while a larger brand can have a unique product. I have had some involvement with the Danish company Troll Beads. I do have to say I was surprised at both the quality and design content of their products, which does feature one-off unique beads.

Their story started in Denmark in 1976. The first bead, which later gave name to the Troll Beads collection, was a small bead decorated with six faces of trolls. It was designed by Søren Silversmith and sold from his father Svend's jewelry shop in central Copenhagen. The beads were created at a time where it was fashionable to have a silver bead hanging on a leather thong around the neck. But instead of letting the bead hang in an eyelet, Søren wanted to let the leather cord go through the bead. Later on, Søren's sister, Lise, began to put the beads on silver bracelets, one on each bracelet, customers then started to request extra beads. Until the year 2000 the family designed the full range. However, to increase the diversity of the collection, ten famous Danish jewelry designers were invited to make a signature Troll Bead and today many of these designers still continue to work with the company. In 2001 the first glass beads, made of Italian glass where featured and have since built up a huge following worldwide.

From this original starting point the collection has grown to include; bracelets, charms and beads, bangles, necklaces, rings and earrings. The concept of personalised jewelry where you can add your favorite beads to your jewelry pieces has continued and been copied by many other well-known retailers. Today Troll Beads are sold in more than thirty countries. The full collection features over 600 different beads designed by ninety internationally renowned designers in collaboration with the Nielsen/Aagaard family, who are still actively involved in production and the design process.

Many customers have become quite serious about their Troll Bead collections and have formed clubs and hold online forums. An annual design competition enabled customers to design a bead which is then put into production and sold in the collection.

Despite the growth of the business, they have stayed true to both the original conception and the needs and wishes of their customer base. Creativity and the chance to experiment and change your jewelry easily, is as true today as it was in 1976. I think this is something quite rare and to able to continue to produce a well-designed product with love is unique in today’s climate.

 Have fun creating….Sara x

Natura- Shopping with Authenticity

I love a really good excuse to go shopping and one of my favorite shops is Natura, their branches are in Spain, Portugal and Mexico so I can only shop when on holiday….

Natura stands for authenticity, excitement and positive attitudes. The aim of the company is to awaken the senses of their customers. The first store was opened in Barcelona in 1992 expanding two years later throughout Spain. Operating a slow but safe development policy they have chosen to stay as a mediuem sized company, so in many ways are a best kept secret.

A beautiful, peaceful shopping space is created with every outlet having its own unique style. The clothes, accessories, gifts and books are chosen with great care, even the wonderful music and lovely fragrances add to the general feeling of calm. You always feel better for a visit to one of their stores.

Despite this, there are aware of the social responsibility of the business, been committed to lessen the environmental impact due to the production of their items by not working with large factories  and giving priority both to little workshops/small shopkeepers. These means that they know the people they work with and try to find out as much as possible about the production process, labor conditions, etc.

Their aim is that in buying in Natura is synonym of love towards nature and respect towards life.

In order to achieve the balance between principles and profitability they back projects such as the Natura Award, with which has donated more than 1.5 million € since 1994. Also the Agua por Agua campaign, with has raised 123.416 € and built 133 wells of drinkable water in Burkina Faso, an African country in Sahel (www.aguaporagua.org). The Natura award actively collaborates with social projects, protecting the natural environment and the provision of humanitarian and development aid.

Since its creation in 1994, this award has recognized and appreciated the work of many people and organizations with more than 1.7 million Euros. Hence, when you buy in any Natura store, you are contributing with this award in many ways.

I think its important today to feel that you can help someone less fortunate when supporting a company, my finial words are a quote from Natura.

We believe in a better world. Thanks for being part of our dream.

https://www.naturaselection.com for more details

Sara xx

Club Suau-Bespoke Brandy

On a recent visit to Mallorca, I came across Bodegas Suau and I was very kindly shown around and told the fascinating history of this company, its products and how Brandy is made. The attached museum is also very interesting.

 The Suau winemakers are true Mallorca ambassadors: ‘‘We want people to order a Suau brandy knowing that it is the best in the world, and that it is made in Mallorca.’’ The company has been approached by various national and international brands, but the family hopes to maintain the product’s Mallorca nature and dreams of it one day making the front page of the New York Times.

Brandy is a drink associated with luxury; held cupped between the fingers and palm of the drinker´s hand, it’s brought to its optimal drinking temperature by the warmth of the human body. If the pleasure of drinking brandy stirs your senses, you’ll be in your element at the Bodegas Suau, where it’s possible to become the personal owner of a barrel of this aromatic liquid gold.

Bodegas Suau was originally founded in Cuba in 1851 by the Mallorca tradesman Juan Suau, and became the property of the Barceló and Mora families after the Spanish Civil War. It’s now located in a former flour factory. The company premises are surrounded by a 1.8 metre thick exterior wall, providing protection from outside pollutants such as noise and smells and thereby creating a microclimate in which rows of barrels full of this handmade brandy are housed.

The Suau club was founded in 1992, by Angel Zuasti. He launched a private club initially called ‘Amigos de Suau’ (Friends of Suau) so that brandy lovers could enjoy their own personalized version of the spirit. Each member of the club buys a barrel with a capacity of 32 litres; these barrels guarantee a better quality final product than larger ones because a higher proportion of the liquid is in contact with the oak. Their brandy is then stored in the Suau cellars. Only the owner of the barrel and the producers themselves are authorized to handle the individual stocks, and only eight bottles from each barrel can be extracted in any one year in order for the brandy to meet the Suau brand standards. In this way the brandy ages approximately a year, every year. The brandy, a spirit obtained from the distillation of white wine, with an alcoholic content of between 36% and 40%, is aged in American oak barrels. One of the exclusive privileges of membership is that every bottle is numbered and personalized with the name of the barrel, its owner, the intended recipient and the bottling date. 

Juana Barceló, the company director, tells us: ‘‘every brandy and every bottle here has its own particular qualities: there are barrels which are 19 years old and others only three years old.’’ The brandy itself is 15 years old when it is transferred to the barrels. Members can choose when they take home their eight bottles: some take them all at Christmas; others take them at intervals, believing it is damaging to the barrel to take them all out at once. This of course means that every brandy is different and exceptional.

 The winery also makes sure it replaces any brandy lost during the evaporation process so that it always continues its slow maturing process. The company keeps strict records and has established a ‘numerous clauses’ with a maximum of 500 club members. Currently, 448 of the barrels have been assigned owners, and number 449 is about to be sold. Barrel number 500 is reserved for the winery to be auctioned for charity. The club is made up of many different nationalities some of the members are quite famous but they remain secret.

A visit to Bodegas Suau is a wonderful journey into the history of Spain and the New World. By combining its age-old traditional techniques and modern technology, Suau has created a particular style and a new way of understanding and enjoying the luxury and sensual pleasures of brandy. I love the idea of a bespoke brandy and creating something unique.

Bodegas Suau

Carrer Cabana, 12, Pont d'Inca

www.bodegassuau.com

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Half-Way Point….

June already so it’s half the way through the year. Many people have told me that they feel there is more movement in 2017 and that in 2016 they felt very stuck. I don’t know if this is true for you, I hope all is going well? Is there more flow this year? Are changes easy or hard?

I have just returned from two months in Spain and I return again for three months in July. Our relationship with the rest of Europe faces an uncertain future but I do hope that we can continue to see ourselves as part of Europe and not isolate The UK, this would such a huge step backwards.

Serious stuff over, I have seen some wonderful artisan makers, beautiful shops and unique businesses and I hope to tell you about these in the next few months…

Take care.

Sara x

Happy New Year in February

To start: two things to mention a belated Happy New Year, in truth I can’t believe it is February already) and secondly my fullest apologizes for the lack of blog posts in 2016. I spent quite a lot of the year travelling and working on a new design range and as the saying goes “Time flies when you are having fun”.

In several cultures the New Year starts in February rather that January, I much prefer this concept. January always seems like the end of a year rather than the start of one. The weather is terrible, shops are full of the stock no-one wanted and decorated with awful red sales signs, you have no money to spend having been overindulgent during the Christmas period and spring and summer seem a long way off.

Quite depressing and a good excuse to stay in bed really…… However, on a more positive note this is also a good idea to re-organize, throw out anything you don’t use or need and in general have a really good think about what you want to achieve in the New Year.

I found a wonderful little book in the library called L’art de la Simplicite (How to live more with less) by French essayist Dominique Loreau. Having lived in Japan, Dominique advises to simplify your home, empty your wardrobe, abandon compulsive purchases and buy less and only better quality items that you love. This wonderful mix of Japanese Zen and French style was an inspirational read and did make me re-think my clutter and the deeper meaning behind having lots of things I don’t use or  even need.

I think that returning to buying fewer items and concentrating on buying hand-made/crafted unique items rather than high street items is essential to the survival of galleries, crafters and design makers. Having had a fairly ruthless spring clean, I have realized how many cheap buys I have never worn or worn once and the fit was wrong or the quality was poor and fell apart after one wash. Also, I don’t think we can ignore the implications of cheap clothing and how these items are manufactured by paying low wages and even using child labour (which should have no place in the modern world).

If you do get a chance to read this book I thing you will enjoy it.  I am not too sure about only wearing Black, White or Beige clothing as a little bit of colour in life can be very uplifting particularly  during  the grey days of British  wintertime, but overall the suggestions are practical, helpful and easy to achieve.

Good bye for now.

Sara x

Wonderful Shops….

La Galeria Elefante- Ibiza

Most people spent their holidays on the beach or by the pool or visiting museums or famous landmarks. I prefer to look for wonderful shops…..

La Galeria Elefante is a concept store housing a collection of unusual pieces and crafts, every piece is collected with love (many items are one-offs) by the store creators from around the world. Based in Ibiza, the store has at its heart the values of the White Isle which is known around the world for its eclectic nature.

 The English owners Sharon and Victoria both live on the island of Ibiza and travel extensively as part of the Elefante journey. They support both charities and the global craftspeople that provide many of their products, which are two more reasons for visiting 
them.

An Aladdin’s cave of colour, pattern and lovely things, you could spend days going through the store. This is also a meeting place of music, writers and artists and has an outdoor bar and café area and Yoga rooms to relax and unwind.

So, if you find yourself on the White island and need a retail fix or a break from the sun, do try this out.

La Galeria Elefante

San Miguel 3.2km, 07814 Santa Gertrudis, Ibiza,

www.lagaleriaelefante.com

Enjoy Sara x

PURNIMA-Wonderful Shops

I love looking for unusual shops selling unique products. Whilst on holiday in Ibiza I came across a wonderful bead shop called Purnima. 

Alessandra, the Italian owner and her family spend 6 months a year travelling through Europe and Asia looking for amazing unique items to sell in their shop. The service is knowledgeable and passionate, and everything is available to make one-off jewelry.

PURNIMA (meaning the full moon in Sanskrit) is a jewelry store with a difference stocking individual beads from Thailand, jewels and gems from Milan, semi-precious and precious stones from Laos and gold and silver from India. It is like going on a journey across the world without having to travel. So if you do visit Ibiza do have a look but be warned you may not want to leave….

Purnima - Calle Bisbe Azara, Ibiza

Happy shopping x

Wonderful Shops…

A Shopping Oasis located in Santa Maria del Cami in Mallorca

In 2015 a Majorca Townhouse from the 1700s was turned into a concept shop and bistro called LIVING DREAMS. This wonderfully restored building houses a shop: stocking furniture, accessories, design and art from around the world, a bistro, vinoteca, lounge and event venue for private parties.

 Living Dreams was founded in Switzerland in 2002 by Nicole Hoch when she discovered the beauty and craftsmanship of furniture from Asia. Their production includes custom-made dining tables, chairs and lounge furniture in solid wood, all of which are also available with a burnt finish, weatherproof garden lamps as well as numerous, beautiful decorative items for your home and outdoor spaces.  Living Dreams specialize mainly in large tables and lounge/outdoor furniture and can also produce bespoke furniture made to measure.

The in-house bar Bistro 19 is wonderful for relaxing and stocks an extensive selection of wines and a varied menu of Mediterranean fusion cuisine with emphasis on market-fresh products. The stunning indoor and outdoor areas can be hired for private events.

I love the unique mix of products, well planned, stylish room layouts and great use of the outdoor space. The location is pretty and worth making a special trip to view. I have posted a selection of images but these don’t really do justice to this beautiful store.

Contact details:

Plaza Hostals 19

Santa Maria de Cami, Mallorca

 www.livingdreams.es

Authentic Shopping….

I have been travelling around Spain for five months and during that time I have spent a little bit of time (well quite a bit really) looking in traditional shops rather than the high street shops. It is possible to shop in many of the same shops as in the UK; even Primark has come to Spain. But the question I ask is why would you want too?

 I have found some wonderful authentic shops selling baskets, hats, ceramics and so much more. I think to buy a product which is locally made by hand is a very special thing. By doing this it ensures the survival of rural crafts and supports local business. Unfortunately in Britain we have started to lose my traditional crafts and young people are not learning these skills, this is such a huge loss on many levels.

So please next time you are on holiday buy something made locally…

Sara xx

Wonderful Shops-La Boheme…

La Boheme is a beautifully restored Mallorca townhouse (in wonderful artisan Sollier) with a French soul.

An Aladdin’s cave of color, texture and style with beautiful costume jewelry, handbags and scarves.

The latest Parisian fashion and accessories are stocked as well as second-hand clothing from Cinema and TV productions. Wonderful, unique clothes at affordable prices, too good to miss.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, a romantic patio which houses a café, is a lovely place to sit amongst pretty flowers and relax and have a coffee or something sparkling?

I love this theatrical, whimsical shop run by two very talented and stylish artists. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and I just love it, I am sure you will too.

Calle La Luna 14, Soller, Mallorca, 07100

http://www.labohemesoller.com

Enjoy. XXX

Interesting Shops….

& Other Stories

I much prefer one-off and specialist shops to larger chains, but whilst in Madrid I discovered & Other Stories which is part of the H&M group. I must I was impressed by the stock, great looking shop and display and brilliant customer service. So the High street can get it right, lets hope that other brands take note and follow suit. At the moment the branch openings are in selected areas and each store has a unique quality so you get the feel of an exclusive boutique.

& Other Stories is a fashion brand offering women a wide range of shoes, bags, accessories, beauty and ready-to-wear to create their personal style, or story. Our creative ateliers in Paris and Stockholm design diversified fashion collections with great attention to detail and quality at an affordable price.

Today, a woman with a love for fashion creates her own style.

I am totally converted and I am due in Malaga in May so I will be paying a visit.

Happy Shopping

http://www.stories.com/gb/ for more details

Sara x

Happy Valentine's Day...

I was checking my feed on Pinterest and came across a couple of vintage valentine cards, in general I think that many of the cards on sale are just awful. I much prefer the vintage version..

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

Happy Christmas

I love Christmas and can't wait until the start of December until I can start to decorate.

These are some of my favourite images.

Pinterest is wonderful for ideas and lovely ideas to try or just admire.

Happy Xmas

Sara x

Wonderful Shops

One of my favourite shops for luxury and great design is Liberty, in Regent Street in London. Probably one of the best loved and recognizable department stores in the world

Founded in 1875 by Arthur Lazenby Liberty, it originally sold imported goods from the Far East. As the son of a draper, following in his father’s footsteps he was an apprentice to a draper at 16, going on to work at the Great Cloak and Shawl Emporium on Regent Street. Arthur Lazenby Liberty was to become the manager of the Oriental warehouse, a mecca for pre-Raphaelite artists. He had a passion for the products he sold and soon become a friend of many leading artists of the time; William Morris, Edward Burne Jones and Dante Rossetti. After 10 years he asked to become a partner in the business, when this was refused he set up on his own, using a loan from his father.

This became known as the East India House, originally dealing with fabrics and silks from China, Japan, India and Persia, gradually more goods were added such as ceramics, Japanese fans and object d’ art. This was at the height of the aesthetic movement and along with his friend’s, he was to change the taste of fashion and decoration. His early passion for eastern arts and the desire to educate, keen eye for style and astute business brain made Liberty a leading retail tastemaker at the time.

A sociable man, he moved in artistic circles as well as making influential friends amongst the wealthy. He started using British manufacturers to print fabrics, and Liberty prints are still popular today. Where possible he tried to promote British Craftsmanship.

 In 1870, Liberty and Co, as it was now known, underwent rapid expansion and purchased 140-150 Regent Street. In the 1890s Arthur Lasenby Liberty built strong relationships with many leading English designers. Many of these designers were key figures in the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements and Arthur Liberty was instrumental in the development of Art Nouveau through his encouragement of such designers.

Arthur Lazenby Liberty’s intuitive vision and pioneering spirit led him to travel the world looking for individual pieces to inspire and excite his discerning clientele. Liberty is not just a name above the door, its Arthur Liberty’s legacy, which stands for integrity, value, quality and above all beautifully designed product. This vision and spirit continues today within the same iconic Tudor building.

 

Sara x