Tea Tuesday : (Well, Coffee today...)

Coffee : Poker Chips Espresso set

 A change from the normal 'Tea Tuesday', today it's coffee. An Espresso in a Poker Chip set that I purchased in a beautiful interiors boutique in Mauritius.

 The set is by 'Bruno Evrard Création', a French family company specializing in the creation of 'arts of the table'.

Espresso Set : Bruno Evrard Création

Town Hall Hotel : East End Deco Hotel

A refurbished Council Town Hall : Town Hall Hotel, London E2

 I recently stayed at 'Town Hall Hotel' in Patriot Square, London E2. This is a grand hotel, very modern but also very true to it's Edwardian and 30's Deco roots.

The building was originally opened in 1910 in the stylish Edwardian era, when Britain as a country was at the height of it's power. The council could afford to spend out on fine architects and craftsmanship. The hotel has successfully kept and showed off this unique style.
 Further building was added in the 1930's - another stylish era where Britain trail blazed a stunning design aesthetic.

The Rooms:

 The hotel has mixed modern with vintage in such a tasteful manner - the rooms are a unique blend of one off pieces of vintage furniture, sat back with glass, metal and high sheen white finishes.

 I stayed in a 'Signature Suite' - an enormous, high ceiling room with wooden fireplace, and antique furniture. Then, unusually - a built in, made to measure glass and white 'pod' containing sleeping area, bathroom, kitchenette and storage.

 This mix really works, the room feels homely and comfortable and is still slick, modern and stylish - it has separate areas that work individually from each other, but it is all still held together by the modern 'pod.

 Another unique feature is the quirky details that are scattered around the hotel. From hanging rugs with antlers, to unique sculpture all set against the original design aesthetic. I spent a lot of time just wondering around the corridors, discovering new things...

Overall, a truly unique stay.

Town Hall Hotel
Patriot Square, London. E2 9NF
Website : Town Hall Hotel
Phone : +44 (0)20 7871 0460

Chase and Wonder : Shopping

Chase and Wonder : Fine design with British Personality 

 A while back I discovered the brand 'Chase and Wonder' at Pulse, London. (see previous post here)

 Recently, I spotted a street scene on a TV trailer for the 'London 2012 Paralympics', it was old London style with a beautiful green wood 'Paul Smith' store on it. I searched it's location down to be Park Street in South London, near to Borough Market.

 This Paul Smith store is a kind of concept store, quite unique in it's design and the goods it sells. To my surprise I found a 'Chase and Wonder' pencil case - the first time I had seen their goods for sale out of the trade show.

 I quickly snapped it up, starting up a conversation with the store manager about the brand - it had been selling well, and after our bigging the brand up, she said she'd be straight on the phone to the buyer to secure more stock!

 Park Street is a wonderful slice of old London town, with fresh produce shops, restaurants, wine bars and a couple of trendy shops.
 Immediately adjacent to Borough Market, and overlooked by the ultra modern 'Shard' building - it's a great cross section of London life.

 Pencil Case : Chase and Wonder
 Stockists : Paul Smith

Chase : Elderflower Liqueur / Rhubarb Liqueur

Chase : The finest Liqueurs

 A while back I discovered Chase Vodka (see previous post here) 

 Since then, I've been on the look out for other unique spirits in Chase's range. I've now added two of their finest liqueurs to my collection:

 Chase & Elderflower - The finest Elderflower Liqueur

 Chase & Rhubarb - The finest Rhubarb Liqueur

 Both are made using Chase Vodka - the finest potato vodka in the world, with the addition of the true rich flavours that come from Chase's beautifully ripened and carefully selected fresh fruit. There are no artificial flavours nor heat methods. They are the perfect compliment to champagne or cocktails.

 I came across these new additions to my liqueur cabinet whilst over discovering Borough Market and the surrounding area. Laithwaite's Wine is a cavernous wine cellar stocked full of interesting wines, champagnes and spirits. 

The spirit section at the back quickly drew my attention, mainly due to the vast amounts of interesting spirits piled high on tall wooden shelves...

 I'll be back at Laithewaite's Wine soon to stock up on some more interesting spirits, and make some inspiring cocktails too.

 Laithewaite's Wine : Stockists

 Chase Distillery : Home of 'The World's Best Vodka'

Stay : Town Hall Hotel

Preview of 'Town Hall Hotel'

 This weekend I stayed at the 'Town Hall Hotel', an East End boutique hotel on Patriot Square, London, E2.
 It's an amazingly well converted council town hall, where they have kept the stunning Deco interiors and added an ultra slick modern touch - along with a touch of humor.

 Full photos and review to follow...

Tea Tuesday : Bistro Tea

Bistro Tea & Coalport China

 I spotted this beautiful Edwardian Coalport tea set in the William Weston Gallery in Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street.
 I love the bold black and white stripes against the delicate flowers - the emerging Art Deco style, against traditional Edwardian details.

 Set of six Edwardian decorated tea cups and saucers. Made by Coalport and with their mark underneath, and also the old Harrods mark which is where they were originally sold. c.1905/1920's.

 I first discovered Bistro Tea whilst staying at Majeka House, in South Africa. The simple, effective packaging doubles as a new smart tea bag design.

 As stated by Bistro Tea, this newly designed tea stick enables proper dosage without wastage, it does not drip, neither does it need wringing. It is also a well designed stirrer.

 They do great tea blends: Fruit Berry, Red Tea, Herbs n' Honey, Green Tea & Black Tea.

Website : BistroTea

Tea set : Bernice Weston, Antiques and Decorative objects
@ William Weston Gallery, 7 Royal Arcade, Albermarle Street, London W1S 4SG

Construct : Cocktail Sunday

Cocktail Sunday : Classic Champagne Cocktail

 A simple, yet elegant and impressive cocktail - that depends purely on it's ingredients. Champagne, A sugar cube and Bitters.

 An elegant Champagne I discovered whilst in France : Canard Duchêne - Grand Cuvée Le Victorieux - Charles VII. An impressive bottle; a complex, refined and elegant Champagne.

 
 Bitters: A great travel kit to ensure perfect cocktails on your travels, containing 5 different bitters. I used 'Jerry Thomas Bitters' - these bitters reveal citrus and dried fruit aromas which unite with the spicy flavors of cloves, angostura bark and cinnamon.

 Classic champagne cocktail recipe in 'Make - Guides & Recipes'

 Champagne
 Website : Canard Duchêne 
 Bitters
 Website : The Bitter Truth
 Stockists
 Website : Selfridges