Piero Fornasetti - a design collection

Dear Viewers

I have for a long time admired the designs of Italian Piero Fornasetti - born on 10 November 1913 - and passed away on 9 October 1988. He was a painter, sculptor, interior decorator and engraver.

Fornasetti created more than 11,000 items, many featuring the face of a woman, operatic soprano Lina Cavlieri, whose face fascinated him enormously. When asked about the many variations of her face he stated: “I began to make them and I never stopped.” The “Tema e Variazioni” (theme and variation) plate series based on Cavalieri's face numbered more than 350.

Today, the design collection has been continued by his son Barnaba Fornasetti. His latest collection is based on the opera Don Giovanni. The Fornasetti company have been involved in the development of the stage graphics and this is reflected in the designs.

Below are some photos of the Don Giovanni collection as well as some re-interpretations of Lina Cavalieri's face.

Please also see the link below to a video about the Don Giovanni opera performance created by Fornasetti. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O019bhJ3B3c&feature=youtu.be

PAD London

Dear Viewers

I am greeting you from PAD London today. PAD stands for Pavilion of Arts and Design and is an annual exhibition in London's Mayfair. It brings together rare and bespoke pieces from high end specialty designers. The target is for discerning art and design collectors with an emphasis on furniture, interior design and home accessory items. Partners to the event include House & Garden, Harpers Bazaar, Gentleman's Journal and Mayfair Times. Ruinart champagne house also staged a beautiful champagne bar.

The organisation behind the event is based in Paris, so many of the exhibitors come from there also and participate in the PAD Paris exhibition (as well as in Geneva). However, the participants were from many different countries. Some of my favourites were Garrido from Madrid, Ammann Gallery from Germany and Van Der Straeten as well as Maison Rapin - 88 G from Paris plus Londn's own Gallery Fumi.

I have posted photos of some of the collections below for your enjoyment.

That's all from Berkeley Square in Mayfair. See you gain next year.

Enjoy!

Decorex London 2017

Dear Viewers




It is that time of the year again when interior design shows come to the LDN. I was invited to Decorex between 17th - 20th September in Syon Park, West London to blog about the exciting new furniture and decor styles on display.

It was a great show with circa 400 exhibitors so there was plenty of creative talent in evidence.

One of the trends that they spoke about was metal colours decor and case goods. Colours that are popular include titanium, graphite, bronze gold, rose gold and copper gold and silver.

The upholstery trends were a mix of jewel tones and muted colours to match the metal finishes. This was inspirational to see the design and colour blends to bring the collections up to date.

I hope you will enjoy the pictures selected below from my visit.

They include designers like Boca do Lobo, Koket - originally from the same design collective - and another Portuguese newcomer Castro Lighting. American designer Amy Somerville had two rooms featuring new design. Coveted magazine was featured as a live version of their limited collection form the new issue.

I trust you will like the designs I have captured and maybe see you at the show next year!😊

Enjoy - All the best!

French Couture