DESIGNER DIARY : INDIA MAHDAVI

Vitrahaus exhibition 2016 : Originally posted here

Germain Paradisio : Originally posted here
I love the colour of the walls here and how they are curving in and out. The embroidery gives it a folksy vibe which pairs surprisingly well with the animal print flooring 

Boldness and vibrancy are so attractive in a space, bringing joy and happiness which are two of the exact aims that this weeks designer achieves seamlessly. But India Mahdavi is also an emotional decorator ( which doesn't mean she sheds tears at the sight of good patterns although very well maybe) as her work reveals her to be a person who references their own experiences as major catalysts of creation. India Mahdavi is one of the most sought after designers at the moment. Sketch London was her creation ( you know the instagram famous all pink restaurant with velvet chairs and David Shrigley framed drawings? Yep that's her work ) which sparked sensation online that subsequently snowballed the kind of PR buzz most places can only dream of.

“After decades of beige and white, Europeans are finally bringing colour back into their living rooms,”source

Mahdavi attributes her love of colour and vibrancy to her Irano-egyptian heritage and the cornucopia of countries she spent her childhood growing up across including Britain, America and of course, France where a majority of her projects have taken place. It's also where her show room is located, the collectivist space on Rue Las Cases where all her designs are to be found under the one roof.

Thomieux House : Originally posted here 
Delicate and girlish wall paper in this hotel in Paris, I love the colour way a lot 

La Duree Beverly Drive : Originally posted here
My favourite are the criss cross lattice over the walls, it's really the details that go to elevate a space 

La Duree Quai des Bergues : Originally posted here

When talking about colour, Mahdavi gets experimental. “I like to mix and let them insult each other, have an argument" she says in relation to how she places colour and the ways in which she decides what colour goes where and why. Such a playful and young take is refreshing to me as a frequenter of magazines and websites to do with decorating. There seems to be such stuffiness amongst some decorators who are tied hands and heels to tradition and doing what's always been done. Mahdavi is rejecting that notion of traditionalism and safety. Finally a new perspective and some guts.

" The colour of my childhood was strawberry milkshake "source 

Her life is a huge part of her work and it's evident when you hear how she speaks about her life. As someone who learns and attributes meaning in an emotional way, it's reassuring to see other creatives do the same. They link their major creative decisions and theories back to something deeply personal such as a relic or a memory. Something which they've been hanging onto for their whole lives. The idea that Sketch London's colour palette, one of the most recognisable spaces in the decorating world was born out of the recollections of pink milkshakes in her childhood is simply wonderful. A cherished private experience formed the impetus for this grand creation.

Sketch London : Originally posted here

The Cloister here and below : Originally posted here
Gorgeous and ornate flooring. A good mosaic brings an instant Mediterranean, holiday house feel 

Villa Hotel above and below : Originally posted here
I love a bold wall and this marble one is arresting and hypnotising to look at 

Bringing joy to a space is her driving force of inspiration : “What I am trying to do is to bring joy to people’s lives, my work is about happiness. I am part of the entertainment business. I try and bring joy in the best way I can.” It's not surprising that designers get carried away with the text book aspects of the design world out of their need to be 'taken seriously'. But what India reminds us is that our homes should be about providing us with joy and happiness. If our homes can't give us that, then where else can? 

“In fact without knowing it, when you design things you are attached to your own memories, to your childhood and to things that you don’t even necessarily acknowledge because it is your subconscious,” source

In the end, India's entire body of work goes to show that some of the most valuable parts of ourselves just keep on giving for years to come. Our inner sanctums are our biggest resource for inspiration as India has gone to prove with her array of stunning work. It's about joy, deliverance and creatively gearing what we have in ourselves for others in the outside world. 

Condesa DF : Originally posted here
I like the interestingly shaped bar stools here which resemble chess pieces 

Ralph Pucci NYC : Originally posted here
The choice of colours here are so pretty, those chairs are signature Mahdavi creations and it's truly a signature of hers as she's used them in many of her spaces including Sketch as well as the Red Valentino stores 

Memo Fragrances above and below : Originally posted here
I'm pretty crazy for this store front. Painfully chic and beautiful, proving gold and black can be done right when it's done right. A curved edge adds an up market, 70's feel 

Delicate lines and fine edges combined with marble flooring make this a luxurious shopping experience to remember 

Cogolin Carpets : Originally posted here

Vitrahaus exhibition : Originally posted here
A really seventies looking space here.  Dreamy, feminine and sensitive it reminds me so much of Jayne Mansfield's pink house 

Galerie Larry by Gargosian : Originally posted here

India's showroom : Originally posted here
The amount of amazing home wares and decor shops in Paris is actually insane! I wish that I had gone into some when I was last there. When will my next trip be?

Cafe Francais : Originally posted here

Societe des Bains de mer : Originally posted here
Having a space indoor or outdoor done in one colour creates a chic, uniform feel 

LATEST PURCHASES : WRANGLER, COS, UNIQLO, ASOS

 Guys, I know what you're thinking. Yalei has a shopping problem. I totally don't blame you for thinking it but I wish I didn't have this feeling of needing to justify my spending but I swear that my funds are totally under control! Haha, how do I even lead on from here? I decided to go to Chadstone on the Labour day long weekend because Chadstone is seriously one of my happy places. It sounds so silly to have a shopping center as your happy place, but whenever I go there I immediately switch to Chadstone mode which is literally forget your problems, your responsibilities, your anxieties - just browse, look and shop. 

If that isn't the best PR spin then I don't know what is and the funniest thing is, it's totally true. I had one thing in mind when I went there and that was to get the Rayon blouse from uniqlo. This is my FAVOURITE item from Uniqlo. I own three of them now - the light blue, the navy blue and the white. These feel so good on, really silky and slinky and they fall on the body in the most flattering shape. Right now they're reduced to $39.90 so I knew I had to grab the light blue which I'd been coveting for a long time. 

When I find a good print that I like, usually there's a 95% chance of me purchasing. That figure ups to 100% if the cut of the top is good. Good patterns are very hard to find. Usually most of them are either too retro, too naff or just wrong in general. This one was perfect because it's modern and not retro or naff at all. I tried it on and the colour was super flattering as well. I also liked it because it's quite reminiscent of the tie dye tops that Proenza Schouler did as shown here

Although denim is worn by pretty much everybody, it's still a common complaint I hear around with women ( especially, dunno about guys too much ) that denim shopping is a pain in the ass. I get where they're coming from because jeans are very hard to work with and double so if you're trying on REAL denim. For me though, denim is my favourite item of clothing. I think I own around five or six pairs of jeans which I think is a lot but I am definitely looking to start buying more pricey denim because let me tell you, the fit and feel is SO different from regular denim. 

I bought these Wranglers yesterday from Universal store. It was so funny because I went in with no intention of buying anything and ended up leaving the store with these. I don't regret the purchase one bit though because they fit perfectly. They slim me down and make my legs look longer than they are and best of all, they're real denim. It made me see that more times than not, you get what you pay for because these are my most expensive pair ( $140 ) but they feel as if they are.

Asos is like my go to when I'm literally bored and have nothing to do and want to browse somewhere that's cheap and affordable but still has good designs that are gonna look good. I haven't bought from them in a while but its made somewhat of a resurgence for me and this top is the latest item I've bought from them. You can have a look at it here, it's still on sale. I've gotten more into wearing darker colours lately because I've actually been making myself do it. I'm more of a light colours girl - beiges, greys, whites and the like. But dark colours have that instant maturity factor and you know how I'm always on that journey of trying to look older. 

I really love this top for its flowy shape and also the embroidery detail on the front. It's a really flattering top that would suit all body shapes and sizes and looks awesome with just a simple necklace and some jeans.

Denfair design loop is officially on now and I've got some events I'm going to go to for PFF. Keep your eyes peeled next week for those entries! There'll be photos of lots of nice furniture and tapestries and textiles as well. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend

Also, if you're interested here's my latest published piece on Est about A-Place, a new concept air bnb located in Warsaw, Poland 

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PFF OFF TOPIC : OSCAR MOVIES I WATCHED LAST WEEKEND

Peppy Miller in' The Artist ' getting the all star treatment
 Imbd page here

I watched A LOT of films last weekend. Something about the Oscar buzz got my film buff out and I went pretty crazy watching films back to back ( all of them which have either won an oscar or have been nominated ) Its been somewhat of a tradition of mine to watch the best picture that wins every year and the latest Oscar awards reminded me that there was a new one to be watched this year. Let me start off by just saying that I am crazy about movies. Like most other avid film watchers, it's all about escapism. I like to disconnect from the world and get completely lost in a movie. The more emotion or tears involved the better, I live for drama and movement even outside of the decorating world!

The Shape of Water
* * * * * 
Everybody is talking about this film with good reason because it's incredible.

TSOW gets down to to the bottom of you. You are completely immersed in Eliza's journey from the beginning to the end and the most moving part about it, is that her relationship with the amphibian man is so understandable. What they share represents the very stately fact that we develop relationships with all living things no matter their shape or form. Our bonds bears no boundaries. The need for connection trumps everything because it's love we all seek at the end of the day. I watched this twice because I enjoyed it so much and cried both sittings. A real tear jerker and a film that's sure to stay with you for weeks to come after.

The Artist
* * * *
It takes a lot to recreate bygone eras authentically in order to eschew the corniness that's inevitable if you get it wrong. Without a doubt, The Artist achieved credibility in this movie right down to the fact that it's a silent one. At first, it was challenging as a viewer because of my information hungry mindset which speaks volumes about the day and age we're living in, but I soon discovered that words weren't essential to the film at all. The message is carried through by the simple story line proving complexity is absolutely un-essential in making impact. Because it's a silent film, facial expressions and show of emotion was highly dramatised which I particularly enjoyed. Action must speak louder than words since there's an absence of them altogether.

Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri 
* * * and a half 
The first thing I thought of when Frances McDormand accepted her award as best actress was that in some ways, this role was meant for her. It was the unbridled and ecstatic version of who she was so no wonder she was the standout in this film. Her thank you speech revealed a lot about herself. She had a manic energy about her, a woman who's always been irreverent and genuine in who she was. I loved watching her character and thought she was hilarious at certain parts of the movie as well. Un-apologetic, scathing, threatening... but also kind, vulnerable and hurt proving that she was just as much of a victim as a perpetrator. A deeply interesting and thought provoking investigation on the real effects of taking the law into your own hands.

Moonlight 
* * *  and a half 
It's hard to mention this movie without referencing the embarrassing and totally out there reception it received at last years Oscars. In reality, it had won the best picture for the year but the award was mistakenly given to La La land which had to be revoked live in front of millions. I gotta be real, La la land is one of the most hyped up, over rated films in recent years and if you ask me it's not only hard to watch but downright annoying in certain parts.

Moonlight once again put the spotlight back on minorities. It's finally time for the victimised and marginalised to be heard and taken into account. Moonlight affected me because the ending was real. In many ways, there was no ending but rather a hint at the perennial struggle that continues even after racial and/or sexual discrimination end in a persons life. Chiron's reality is one that people living in the real world share and movies like this bring us back down to earth to remind that there's still so much work to be done.

I, Tonya 
* * * *
It really does seem like every single movie I watch with a strong female lead ends the same way. In utter shit. Without going into more in fear of spoiling it for you, I will say that the ending didn't surprise me. Margot Robbie seems to be killing it in every role she's been offered and so far, there's not a typecast in sight. The cinematography is ace and I also particularly enjoyed some of the arty ways they framed their shots. Watching her grow up in a broken family as well as being the under dog in society made her rise to fame and success all the more sweeter.

Birdman 
* *
I'm not sure if I should even include this since I stopped watching about twenty minutes in. The reason was pretty simple, it was unbearably pretentious. I like a good pretentious movie, not an actual pretentious one. The way the characters spoke, interacted and reacted to each other was so sped up it felt like a dialogue between Rory and her mum in Gilmore Girls and on top of that, you felt excluded from the story. It wasn't a movie that was made for entertainment purposes nor was its make supposed to be geared towards us as an audience. This was truly one of those films where the director had the reign and they took it full frontal. But who would ever say no to an offer of complete creative direction? I guess this is to be expected.

Call me by your name 

* * * and a half 
Visually, this movie got five stars for me. That slow, balmy summer lifestyle was depicted on point in Call me by your name. Think old country estates with tapestries on the walls and ice cold salt water pools. I love films like this and I dub them as 'leisure films' because the entire story line is centered around leisure. Having time and money to be able to idle and enjoy life in a slow and restful way. Time and space to delve into one self ( or each other ) and time and space to concentrate on what matters to you. Work and the daily grind are a non issue here.

I watched this as a means of fantasy more than anything else. The story was touching and deeply felt which I know many people will agree with me on, but something about it just failed to really grasp at my heart strings or to leave a lasting impression ( to be fair, after The shape of water things aren't the same anymore ) I thought the ending was very realistic which I liked but at the same time, I forgot the movie quite quickly and automatically slotted it into my 'leisure' films category, rather than 'unforgettable' films category

Have you guys seen any of these movies? Which ones were your favourites?  

THE LUST LIST : CULTIVER LINEN

Linen is fast rising in the ranks of items that I spend less time contemplating about prior to purchase when I'm out shopping. So far, the only things which have made it into this category are food and clothing. I said it before in my most recent recent purchases entry  but bedding is something that touches our skin and that we use every single day. Anything that meets those two categories is well worth the spend.

" We are inspired by a way of life that embraces quality and timelessness in the things we use most frequently" Cultiver source

I'm finding bedding to even be fun to browse and look at when I'm out, something that's only ever been true for clothing and accessories so you can imagine how my interest was piqued when I encountered Cultiver on my instagram feed. Their branding is stunning. I love their use of muted colours, their design and their philosophy which aptly fits into my own in regards to daily use items.

Linen Duvet Cover Sets in Pinstripe & White 

This pinstripe duvet cover is beautiful. I love that it reads as grey but up close it's the classic and versatile pinstripe pattern. Subtle patterns are perfect for bedding because they provide just enough visual texture for there to be something going on, but they aren't distracting or jarring - two things which aren't exactly conducive to creating a relaxing and calm space

Of course I had to include white into the mix as well. A heavy, white duvet is the ultimate winter dream. Waking up to a cold, crisp morning under your white duvet covers to a Saturday of toast, coffee and new youtube videos - this is my idea of heaven!  

All of their Silk Velvet Cushions 

Most of you probably know that I'm a sucker for a pretty pattern and all of these are just gorgeous! Owning a quiet coloured couch is a smart idea when you can dress it up with all these pretty possibilities. Materials wise, they are made of silk velvet so you can just imagine how comfy they are against the skin.

The 'Marais' Robe 

Robes are such a luxe way to look after ourselves beyond face masks and expensive skin care. Nobody really uses them and they're not a necessity but absolutely offer that extra bit of looking after that all of us can appreciate. This one is made of Turkish Cotton and would make the best throw on after a shower or in the morning as you make your morning brew. 

Linen sheet set with pillowcases in White & Ice Blue 

White is the best colour for linen. It exudes cleanliness, minimalism and ease all at once and instantly brightens up any room. I'm a pattern lover for textiles and upholstery but when it comes to bedding, all my money will be going towards white or light coloured bedding. Their linen sheet set comes in a really wide range of sizes ( surprising ) and you can tell by looking at the photos at how satiny soft they'd be in real life

Linen Pillowcases in Sage and Olive

A light green like this one is one of my favourite colours for both the home and in clothing. These pillow cases add some colour without being obtrusive to the eye. They are totally versatile enough to mix and match with bedding you already have as well as this green reads like grey almost.

What do you think of it in Olive? I think it's a beautiful colour way, more moody and masculine looking than the lighter shades. Would look terrific in a grey-blue room or striped wall paper. In this colour way, I'd definitely get it with matching duvet covers as opposed to mixing and matching as I'd do with the lighter shades.

Linen Tea Towels 

These make doing the dishes just a bit funner ( or give you a nice reward for doing them at least with its linen-ey softness to your hands )

The Isobel Throw 

I love the pattern and the oat meal colour way of this throw. I can imagine it being a super elegant piece for a couch or a bed or maybe even a blanket for yourself flying on a plane? Very versatile and beautiful piece. 

It's awesome that they have a real life store open up in Hawksburn, here in Melbourne. Most linen retailers operate on an online only basis which means if you're in Melbourne, you have the chance to test out the linens and to have a feel of them before buying.
Check out their website here for more information 

499 Malvern Road
South Yarra 

03 9827 0781

DESIGNER DIARY : ROSE UNIACKE

Pimlico House Photoshoot : Originally posted here

Pimlico House photoshoot : Originally posted here
 Such a grand and regal living area which has hints to old world salons in Europe but also hooks us back to the present day by the contemporary swing of the coffee table and books 

If Grange's decorating vibes are what P.F.F aspires to be, Uniacke's homes are where we aspire to LIVE. Not that Grange's homes are unliveable, they certainly are however his homes are showful whereas Uniacke's homes are restful in a lay your head after a hard day in your own luxurious world kind of way.

“Pared-down can be cold, but with Rose it isn’t” Chrissie Rucker, The White Company source

Dubbed the queen of serene by The Sunday Times, Uniacke's portfolio of residential properties show us what it means to live well. Living well is a mix of comfort, worldiness and of course, serenity - something that Uniacke has a deep appreciation and understanding of. And what could be more appropriate of an atmosphere to come home to? Being a certified antiques dealer and furniture restorer greatly boosts the power she has to make her visions come alive and she strongly believes in mixing old and new as part of what guides her styling choices.

Pimlico house 2 : Originally posted here
Perfect simplicity - Anymore and this hallway's entire presence would be disturbed. The vases atop of the cabinet is just the right amount of decoration this hallway needs and it adds so much to the entirety of the space, in my opinion 

Pimlico house 2 : Originally posted here
Beautiful shelf space with a true emphasis on liveability. Uniacke's interiors encourage practicality, living in - not just somewhere to admire for its beauty

Her residential spaces communicate clearly to us as inhabitants. Her kitchen and dining areas make me think of private moments at 6am in the morning, knowing the day ahead is coming along and that this is the only time I'll be having to myself before things really roll in. You can imagine the kind of life you'd lead in her spaces. It's all about these moments of savouring, relishing and appreciating. I couldn't imagine anything more ideal for our homes. If we can instil this type of philosophy in our minds through conscious home making, we help ourselves by truly seeing that what we feed our homes, ultimately feeds us. 

Comfort does not mean sloppy. It can be done in irreverence and should be done in this way. Uniacke's rooms are irreverent in the sense that they are not about stimulating the senses. Like Grange's and some of O'brien's spaces, we are given a lot to work with - which is great. Stimulation is equal to excitement which is what draws novelty seekers in like me. But Uniacke's spaces proves colour and movement are not the only ways to create an impression.  

Battersea House : Originally posted here
I love the mix of Antique furnishings with the modernist and straight edged details of this particular apartment. I love a good balance when it comes to mixing and Uniacke absolutely does it in in the beat of her own drum here 

Battersea House : Originally posted here
Beautiful, practical, elegant, stylish - I could go on about how much this kitchen is in my favour. There's the right amount of glasses and objects on the shelves to make this space look homely but still minimal and uncluttered

Battersea House : Originally posted here
I love a touch of yellow in any room especially paired with some green 

Mayfair Apartment : Originally posted here

Mayfair apartment : Originally posted here

I fell head over heels for this sofa and living room space when I first saw it. First of all, the colouring is amazing. The teal and the light beige combine together perfectly. This space is completely about luxuriating in ones own time and privacy. It's a slow paced room that's welcoming to anyone who enters. It has elegance, charm and personality. There's also definitely something British about it which annoyingly, I cannot make tangible in words.

" Rose is equally comfortable hosting a meal on the kitchen table as a party for 150. The house is the perfect backdrop for entertaining because you can roam, sit, talk, relax. Nothing is too precious " Mel Agace, Film Producer source

This is such a 'claim to life' room to me because you can tell so much about the lifestyle and living values of the inhabitants. It's deceptive in its simplicity because it seems like something that anybody can put together. But the choices of colour, ornament and materiality had to have been chosen under a strict code to the initial vision in place.

Marylebone Apartment : Originally posted here

A Godwin House : Originally posted here
There are some spaces that are so stunning that there's no way they can be from the present day. I feel like this bathroom space qualifies as absolutely one of those 

Pimlico House : Originally posted here
 Although not the first word that's probably used to describe Uniacke, she is a bit of an eclectic decorator. She finds different things from a variety of places but which all share some commonality between them 

Pimlico House : Originally posted here

Pimlico House : Originally posted here

Pimlico House : Originally posted here

Uniacke's work is what homes should aspire to have a bit of. It's not about having the most impressive antiques or the most amazing wallpaper. Home is home and it should feel like a place of refuge and where you can escape and just be at the end of the day. It's a reminder that decorating isn't always just about making spaces look gorgeous, it's also about putting our extra hands at work in making a space liveable and somewhere that actually recharges us. Have a look at her shop that's part of her website here for more ideas on how to get some of her world into yours.

All photography rights belong to that of the original publisher. Photography credit is always provided if known