Visiting Montreuil Pas Calais : A town full of character, faded grandeur in old house facades and beautiful painted shutters.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Monday, 18 June 2012
French Manors
Chateau de Montreuil
Hotel & restaurant in historical town
'Chateau de Montreuil' is a charming hotel and restaurant in Montreuil Sur Mer.
Once the country retreat of the Rothschild family, this manor house now combines English charm with Fine French dining, all within a stones throw of the Channel Tunnel.
Take lunch outside on the terrace, next to the small pool, with views down the lawn towards another majestic french manor full of faded grandeur.
After a relaxing lunch of typically gourmet French food - you can take a stroll around the town ramparts and visit some of the interesting vintage shops scattered around town.
4, Chaussee des Capucins,
62170 Montreuil
France
http://www.chateaudemontreuil.com/
Friday, 15 June 2012
White wine : Air & Display
White wine needs aerating too.
Menu Cool Breather Wine Carafe for White Wine.
I just bought this in a great wine shop in France. I've always found that when I open a bottle of white, the wine I drink the next day always tastes better.
So, I started to open a bottle, and then leave it to drink the next day - not the easiest way to enjoy wine when sometimes you just want to open a bottle and drink it...
This stylish designed Carafe will aerate and cool the wine ready for immediate enjoyment.
The cool stick is stored in the freezer, the wine poured into the Carafe
via a special 'aerate' attachment, the cool stick inserted into the
carafe to keep the wine cool...
...then ready to drink white wine is ready
to be poured into your glass.
Needless to say I tested straight away, and it certainly works.
I would recommend.
Available in UK from Wineware
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Vintage Art Deco Rolex Travel Clock
I just recently purchased this vintage Rolex piece.
It's a stunning Art Deco travel clock. This is Swiss made by Rolex and features a manual wind movement. There's very few about, so naturally it's quite rare to see these- especially in such good condition.
The casing is silver and features enamel inlay, with initials 'ELT' again in the silver, on the front in classic deco writing. The back features some intricate pattern detailing.
There is a very clever mechanism for opening this up from pocket fob style to travel clock - by pressing the button on side, the clock face slides up from it's casing and then turns and rests back on itself to stand as a travel clock.
It's a beautiful example of a vintage Rolex piece and a welcome addition to the collection.
It's a stunning Art Deco travel clock. This is Swiss made by Rolex and features a manual wind movement. There's very few about, so naturally it's quite rare to see these- especially in such good condition.
The casing is silver and features enamel inlay, with initials 'ELT' again in the silver, on the front in classic deco writing. The back features some intricate pattern detailing.
There is a very clever mechanism for opening this up from pocket fob style to travel clock - by pressing the button on side, the clock face slides up from it's casing and then turns and rests back on itself to stand as a travel clock.
It's a beautiful example of a vintage Rolex piece and a welcome addition to the collection.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Pulse : London 2012
Pulse at Earls Court, London showcases new design product in Home, Gift, Fashion, Accessories & Wellbeing. They also have a 'Launchpad' area for new and upcoming product designers.
Two brands that caught my eye:
Tori uses 100% Merino wool to create woven fabric based on her fine art designs. The fabric is woven in Lancashire, washed & finished in the Yorkshire Dales, and finally made into product in Nottingham.
I particularly love the throws - in giant hand drawn linear checks, they are absolute British luxury. The touch of these hand finished throws is sublime, the quality of hand finishing and age old British craftsmanship is apparent throughout.
Tori Murphy
www.torimurphy.com
info@torimurphy.com
Two brands that caught my eye:
Tori Murphy
Woven & Made in England
Tori uses 100% Merino wool to create woven fabric based on her fine art designs. The fabric is woven in Lancashire, washed & finished in the Yorkshire Dales, and finally made into product in Nottingham.
I particularly love the throws - in giant hand drawn linear checks, they are absolute British luxury. The touch of these hand finished throws is sublime, the quality of hand finishing and age old British craftsmanship is apparent throughout.
Tori Murphy
www.torimurphy.com
info@torimurphy.com
Chase and Wonder
Fine design with British personality
I was drawn to the Chase and Wonder stand by a fine art print stating: 'A man who lives within his means lacks imagination' - a great Oscar Wilde quote.
Chase and Wonder's mission is to bring fine design with British personality back into peoples homes - they do this by producing high quality hand pulled screen prints, cushions and other home accessories alongside a range of stationary - all made in Britain.
Chase and Wonder's new A/W 2012 collection features beautifully handcrafted stationary:
My two standout pieces are:
Hand Letter Pressed 'A Gentleman's Writing Set' : Absolutely luxurious hand pressed writing paper and envelopes in a hand crafted wooden box. True Gent's British sophistication.
'Sophisticated Animals Card Set' Boxed Assortment of 6 hand screen printed cards " Featuring lovingly illustrated whimsical animal portraits on greetings cards, all presented in a hand crafted wooden box.
All proudly made in Britain...
Chase and Wonder
Monday, 11 June 2012
Vinophile : Montreuil sur Mer
Vinophile - Wines, Champagnes & Liqueurs
I visited Montreuil sur Mer (pas de Calais, in the north of France) and discovered this charming wine cellar. It's a boutique wine shop, in a modern vintage style. This shopfront speaks a thousand words...
Montreuil sur Mer is a historic town; the buildings are all very minimal in style with beautifully painted shutters and contrasting paintwork details. (I took loads of photos and will post some examples of the window shutters shortly)
Seeing this sign to the shop on the classic French Grey building was very in keeping with the town style. Then, when turning round the corner, you're greeted by the bright neon pink signature 'Vinophile' and an inviting entrance.
Inside featured shelves, nooks, dug outs all filled with specialist champagnes. Limited editions; (Andy Warhol X Dom Perignon) Magnums; Ruinart for Euro 71 (about £57, compared to £80 in UK) and gift sets featuring branded glasses and Champagne stoppers.
The back of the shop featured a cellar like area stocking a massive range of wines
This wine cellar also had an extensive range of bar ware and unusual liqueurs. I purchased some 'Creme De Mure des Roncieres' and 'Creme De Frambois de Bourgogne' to add to some champagnes - I'll add some shots when I try them out.
Vinophile
2, Rue du Grand Sermon
62170, Montreuil sur Mer
http://www.vinophilie.com/
I visited Montreuil sur Mer (pas de Calais, in the north of France) and discovered this charming wine cellar. It's a boutique wine shop, in a modern vintage style. This shopfront speaks a thousand words...
Seeing this sign to the shop on the classic French Grey building was very in keeping with the town style. Then, when turning round the corner, you're greeted by the bright neon pink signature 'Vinophile' and an inviting entrance.
Inside featured shelves, nooks, dug outs all filled with specialist champagnes. Limited editions; (Andy Warhol X Dom Perignon) Magnums; Ruinart for Euro 71 (about £57, compared to £80 in UK) and gift sets featuring branded glasses and Champagne stoppers.
The back of the shop featured a cellar like area stocking a massive range of wines
This wine cellar also had an extensive range of bar ware and unusual liqueurs. I purchased some 'Creme De Mure des Roncieres' and 'Creme De Frambois de Bourgogne' to add to some champagnes - I'll add some shots when I try them out.
2, Rue du Grand Sermon
62170, Montreuil sur Mer
http://www.vinophilie.com/
Friday, 8 June 2012
Bedroom interior
Newly finished bedroom. The finishing touches have just been put up - Deco style Parisian scene prints.
The aim was to keep the bedroom feeling fresh, clean and calm, but also stylish.
The aqua duck egg blue color is used as a highlight against cool coloured metallics; featured in the Biba wallpaper and silver grey velvet quilted throw and cushion.
The black lamps and frames, along with the grey illustrative bicycle conversational add a masculine touch.
Wallpaper: Graham & Brown
Prints: All Posters
Illustrative Bicycle Pillow: The Farmer's Daughter
Bedsheets: John Lewis
Silver Velvet Throw and Cushions: John Lewis
The aim was to keep the bedroom feeling fresh, clean and calm, but also stylish.
The aqua duck egg blue color is used as a highlight against cool coloured metallics; featured in the Biba wallpaper and silver grey velvet quilted throw and cushion.
The black lamps and frames, along with the grey illustrative bicycle conversational add a masculine touch.
Wallpaper: Graham & Brown
Prints: All Posters
Illustrative Bicycle Pillow: The Farmer's Daughter
Bedsheets: John Lewis
Silver Velvet Throw and Cushions: John Lewis
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