RODERICK ROAD HOUSE, THE MODERN HOUSE

All photos property of The Modern House, See the original post here 

DESIGNER DIARY : JOSEPH DIRAND

Dirand's bedroom exemplifies the cornerstone values of his style ideals 

Hotel Habita, Monterrey 

All the designers that I've covered for P.F.F are truly artists and masters of what they do. But for me, Joseph Dirand has something that really takes me by the heart and soul. Like all matters to do with design and art, the feeling you get from looking at their work is almost impossible to describe. It's ineffable, beyond words. I guess that's how I would describe Dirand, his work is simply ineffable.

"What really matters to me, a lot more than the interior, is light. Light is what makes architecture alive. Wherever I go, especially my studio, my apartment, and the places I live, I have to see the sky" source    

Dirand's career reads like a textbook. Simple, one way and undeterred by most of the hurdles which cross regular folks like us. Born in Paris to an architect father and fashion designer mother, his first commission came before he even graduated from design school. After the redesign of the Balmain store located on Rue-Francois-1er, often dubbed 'the most beautiful fashion store in Paris', he established himself as being one of the most sought after and talked about designers in Europe and abroad. 

Monsieur Bleu, Paris 

Pucci Store, New York City 

Ranelagh, Paris

When asked to describe what his style is during an interview with Design elements blog, he cites that he keeps trying to find his own style but cannot and hopes that he never will. It seems hard to understand this answer when looking at his work as evidently, there are themes and colours which string all of it together. But maybe what's more important is that there's still mystery and elusiveness in the entire process. It's when we know too much and become formulaic that alarm bells should ring.

"Already as a child I got inspired by a lot of things like the Garden of Versailles, Japanese architecture or sculpture by Joseph Beuys. All of these things provoke so much emotion, that they become addictive, like a drug" source 

Dirand's work has been a favourite amongst fashion houses including Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, Chloe and Givenchy and it's a no brainer why. Stylish, effortless and chic for days, it's the perfect setting for a once in a lifetime purchase in a once in a lifetime designed interior. There is absolutely a sense of movement in his design and artist countability. Never ending learning and discovery is a part of his mission in achieving ever higher feats in his artistic endeavours. “I always want to get inspired by different things and I realise there is no end to learning”.

Dirand's own home in Paris 

Details from his own kitchen

Loulou restaurant, Paris 

Chloe store, Saint Honore 

Dirand does away with the demand of having a stock definition for his style. What really drives his work is an instinct, an impulse which ultimately triggers the motions of creativity leading the finished product to look organic and effortless - as if there were almost no designer behind it at all. A collection which formed itself out of a natural order. 

"I don't care about style anymore, in a way I hate style, I hate design... it's about life, and generosity" source 

I've always had a belief about what we do in life. If we love it enough, if doing it isn't a chore and we're all about it, it starts to take us to other places. No single discipline or focus in life is simply of itself. Everything that we choose to learn and do takes us to other places we had no idea was possible. For Dirand, this is clearly the case as well. It's not about design or style for him, it's simply a way of organising, responding and living. Here's to all of our callings which take us above and beyond. 

Avenue Montaigne apartment, shot by Martin Morrell for NYT

La Flandrin, Paris 

Varenne, Paris 

Le Mas des Oliviers, Ramatuelle

"Les Idees Claires" 

I Mahal Bath, Paris

An update that's long overdue

2018... everyone had something to say about it. For me? It wasn't so much as anything eventful or dramatic but a hurdle that had to be jumped over. I finished my Marketing diploma, quit retail forever and got my dream, full-time job being the marketing co-ordinator for one of the most amazing interior design shops in Melbourne, Safari Living. It's the end of an era for me. I feel like a lot of things will be very different next year, the kind of different where you transform entirely. You just know inside of you things will be different, it's a very hard thing to describe. I've been desperate for change for a while and I think it all centered around work and finding meaningful work that mattered to me. I think a lot of it has to do with luck because for a long time, I was doing the right thing and getting absolutely nothing. Anybody would have gone crazy in my spot as well. I'm truly thankful to be out of the woods in that respect.

I kept P.F.F because I actually like this blog. I like the taste of the blog.. my own, haha. I never deleted it or even thought remotely about deleting it because I knew eventually, I'd take it back up again. I feel more confident about doing it next year because of having two key interior design names under my belt. Safari and Est, who I still write for and have no plans of leaving. I made some really ambitious goals for P.F.F at the start of the year, 3 posts a week is great but became impossible to do when studying full time and since I'm going to be working full time as of next year, I'm going to limit the blog to one post per week. It'll be the same things as it used to be. Pages of beautiful rooms, items and the occasional random post about what's happening in my own life ( shopping hauls ) Anyway, keep checking back once a week to see what's happening here. Hope you all have the most amazing and wonderful 2019

Y xx

My 2018 in a snapshot 

Best Cafe : Workshop bros, Southbank location & Bentwood 

Best new brands : CUUP, WithJean 

Best Instagram : Sporty&Rich 

Favourite thing I bought : Google Home Mini, Ryder 'Chloe' pants and
Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer & Diptyque candle in Jasmin 
Favourite dish : Plain pasta with butter, salt and truffle oil 

New Artists I discovered : Hologram Plaza, Macross, Kendrick Lamar

Biggest news : Kanye west running riot at TMZ offices, Kate Spade's death, Rookie magazine closes down 

Best moment : Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next 
Coveting : Smeg Toaster in Cream, Calvin Klein Bra

*
This year I learnt that ... Things indeed can change
I will never forget ... how there's never regression in life, just when you think things couldn't get more intense/weird, it does
If I could go back I would ... Work harder on some of my university assignments, try to relax a bit more.. possibly those two are related
Next year I hope to ... Achieve and succeed in my new job, go to Korea, live alone again, make more friends and be more assertive
I couldn't of done it this year without ... The very few friends I have
All in all, it was ... kind of average LOL!

WHITE ROOMS AND INTERIORS

So its finally happened. The colour lover has been well and truly converted into a white, no-nothing minimalist. It's not a change that happens overnight though as our choices in furnishings really represent the type of person we are inside. I can't begin to tell you how many changes has happened in my life since I last posted. For one, my intense love for colour and pattern has dwindled in the interiors sphere but still alive and kicking in all things clothing and accessories though. I'm embracing white and minimal so much these days. My pinterest boards absolutely reflect this too. 

The best things about white? It's all the usual stuff that you and I can repeat like a well versed song. It's clean, breathable, spacey and serene. Stuff we want more of in our lives. It also makes rooms appear larger too, a total bonus. For me, white is honesty and I love that because there's no hiding from white. There's no way to keep it clean unless you are clean and I love how the colour ties in with the morals of things as well. 

I love the combo of sun room wicker chairs with this white mod dining table. Shows how eclecticism can really work even in the most unlikely of spaces.

It's truly details like this beautiful curvature of architecture that makes interiors special. I am a true virgo in the sense of appreciating all the finer, smaller things. 

I love a white sofa and this corner sitting area with those plump white cushions are so welcoming and bright

LATEST PINS ON PINTEREST

Instead of making you guys go to my Pinterest ( you really should though, I'm starting to use it a lot more 😀) I thought it'd be way easier for me to compile my latest pins into a post here that's easier to show and share. Let's get right into what's getting my heart beating that much quicker.

Glass, sparkle and mirrored surfaces. It's how to do sparkle and shine in a sleek and inoffensive way 

ORGANISATION INSPO 

Absolutely dreamy as dreamy can be wine cellar ( or maybe wine room in itself since the sizing is basically that of a small bedroom ) 

I've recently become very obsessed with all things organisation. The spark moment was when I went into Office works to get something photo copied and I sort of wandered my way into the baskets and trays section. I remembered my pens drawer was a mess at home and I thought the most logical thing to do was to sort that out by putting the pens into a tray as a start. What was once a gross mess is now organised and neat with old pens not working chucked out and everything that was saved as working and ready to use. Organisational freaks know what I mean.. when you open up a neat and organised drawer you get that 'rush' which is kind of addictive. 

Meyertotaal I like the mix of silver and glass in these roll out drawers 

Ballard Designs ( One of my favourite podcasts comes from this brand! ) Another goal for the future is a beautiful laundry and towel closet like this with wicker baskets and colour co-ordinated towels 

Glamshelf One day, I'd love to have a pantry as functional and attractive as this. I'm not a good cook at all and admittedly look toward the task with extreme laziness but maybe something as pretty as this will motivate me to start? What makes this pantry organisation so great is the silver steel. It's clean, simple and boutique all in one. 

The key to a perfect plates and cups drawer is to pick with one style of cup or plate and to stick to that 

Having plates and cups stand up vertical adds an extra special touch 

Homes to Love Love how neat and aligned everything is on this beautiful white and bright shelf 

World-Real-Estate Getting ready in the morning or un-ready at night is a real treat with all your goods and accessories laid clearly and neatly in front of your eyes

SPACES 

Journelles.de

You can really see my taste transition from what it was as recently as three or four months ago into the bright, white and light rooms that are here. It's all about light coloured wood features, wide windows with light flooding in and clean and smooth surfaces. Dining areas were my focus this time around. I love a dining table with minimal decor and high ceilings abundant. 

Mechant Design ( A new blog discovery that I'm super pleased about stumbling upon )

Becki Owens A proportionate delight 

BEDROOMS 

Wish I knew where this stunning bed frame came from, some pins don't have links back to the original post 

Gravity Home The lamp is the perfect touch of playful cuteness without compromising the nordic elegance here 

OUTFITS 

Style Du Monde  Another new stunner of a website I've bookmarked

Lou Doillons shirt is gorgeous. Reminds me of a mix of that metallic material that was around a lot in the sixties and seventies mixed with a slight asian vibe. Soft and discreet yellow makes for the perfect undertone too.

Who, What, Wear 

I'm a big fan of wearing one colour in an outfit and Kate Moss has chosen classic black and navy blue here. My favourite piece would definitely be the satin shirt ( still searching for my perfect one ) and the casually tousled hair. We love you Kate!

Y