Abigail Ahern is the business…

Tags

Abigail, Abigail Ahern, Boris, Design, Dogs, food, Islington, Lighting, London, Ottolenghi, Travel, vegetarian, Yotam Ottolenghi

Way back in March, I wrote about the fabulous Abigail Ahern bulldog lamps (read about it here) that I so coveted…

Abigail Ahern
(Image from here)

Famed for her edgy, eclectic taste, Abigail runs her super funky North London design school & boutique, Atelier Abigail Ahern, in between blogging and creating amazing spaces. She is a total design ‘it’ girl, and funny and warm to boot. I was lucky enough to attend one of her recent Design School sessions in Sydney and it was fab’ (but that’s another story).

Anyhoo, as you can imagine, I was most excited to have the opportunity to visit Atelier Abigail Ahern in Islington while I was in London. So, under the guise of a dining experience at Ottolenghi (conveniently located just across the road), LM trooped out to Upper Street for a wee look-see at Abigail’s flagship with me…

I was not disappointed. However, I did not walk away with one of the bulldog lamps. No, I did not. Rather, after falling madly in love, I am soon to be in possession of a most gorgeous Mungo Bulldog Lamp. I have named him ‘Boris’ – in honour of our recent trip to London.

Mungo Bulldog Lamp from Atelier Abigail Ahern
(Image by TSL)

I gotta’ say – the lovely Ainsley and her pooch, Bailey looked after us so well. ‘Boris’ is being shipped to us here in Sydney, along with a couple of other wee treasures. AND, when Ainsley heard we had some time to kill before our dinner, she sent us off to ‘The Bar With No Name‘ at 69 Colebrook Row for a wee beverage. If you are ever in the area, take it from me, it’s well worth a small detour…

AND, Ottolenghi was everything I had hoped to experience and more. I have long been a fan of Yotam Ottolenghi’s food since acquiring his vegetarian cookbook, Plenty. It is sublime (and I am no vegetarian). If you are not already a convert, I encourage you to check it out.

I leave you with a wee shot of Bailey on the couch at Atelier Abigail Ahern…

Bailey
(Image by TSL)

Atelier Abigail Ahern can be found at 137 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1QP. Ottolenghi can be found at 287 Upper Street, London, N1 2TZ.

The One About Spring Being Sprung In Sydney…

Tags

Clovelly, Dogs, Gustav Mahler, Henry Ward Beecher, Photographs, Poodles, Quotes, Robin Williams, Samuel Butler, Spring, Sydney

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” (Robin Williams)

A beautiful spring weekend here in Sydney – people outside enjoying the sunshine everywhere. Bella (the poodle) was beside herself with all the ball action she received – both at our local park on Saturday and at Clovelly on Sunday…

Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.(Gustav Mahler)

The dog is the god of frolic. (Henry Ward Beecher)

Dry Paws…

Oh look! I found water…

Yeah, yeah. I know I had a bath yesterday…

Wet Paws…
(All images by TSL)

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. (Samuel Butler)

Clovelly Beach, Sydney
We weren’t the only ones enjoying the sun
(Image by TSL)

Pooh and Tigger and Star Signs and Thanks and Blog Friends and More…

Tags

A.A. Milne, Art, Australia, Blog, Blog award, Blog Awards, Books, Christopher Robin, culture, Design, Dogs, food, Illustration, Kenzo, Literature, New Zealand, Piglet, Poodles, Pooh, Shoes, Sketches, Slow Food, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh

Into The Sunset With Pooh and Piglet by E.H. Shepard
(Image sourced from here)

Back in April, when I wrote my Oscar speech, I mentioned that I had held off responding to a couple of blogging award nominations because I found it much, much easier to write or post about almost anything other than myself. Well, it appears it hasn’t got any easier with time and I am well overdue again. How rude of me! 

“Oh Tigger, where are your manners?”

“I don’t know, but I bet they’re having more fun than I am.” – A.A. Milne

So, as with Tigger and his guilty conscience, I apologise for my tardy response, and I now give you a wee post to say thank you to a few of the lovely people out in blog-land who have nominated This Sydney Life for a few more blog awards.

First, there is Life in Relation to Art with the One Lovely Blog Award. Next, Simple Cherishes with a double banger – the One Lovely Blog Award and The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Finally, my Polish blogging bud’, Layyla Over the Rooftops of the World with The Versatile Blogger Award. To you all, I say a very heart-felt ‘Thank you!’…

(Image sourced from here)

Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. – A.A. Milne

I don’t think I’m a terribly naïve person. Truly. And, I’m not a girl who follows her horoscopes, either. But, it has been mentioned, on more than one occasion that I may be a typical Libra. This is possibly a good thing given my birthday is in October! I did a quick google search and it turns out that, with one or two exceptions, that could be correct, too*… A Libra loves art, is a slight perfectionist, is charitable, can be bossy at times (LM nods head), enjoys a debate, dislikes ugliness (who doesn’t?), and apparently can’t take criticism.

Anyhoo, all of this is a long-winded introduction to me attempting to inarticulately express how much I’m getting out of this blogging gig, which in turn seems to tick a lot of those ‘Libra boxes’** So much more, in fact, than I ever could have imagined. And, that is almost entirely due to the connections blogging has provided me from around the globe. This includes the comments I receive about my wee shares and finds – mostly, but not always, from fellow bloggers who have stumbled across This Sydney Life; and also, the bloggers I meet through reading their blogs – some often, and others more intermittently.

I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen. – A.A. Milne

Without exception, my experience in ‘starter blog-land’ has been a welcoming, friendly and supportive adventure. It has surpassed all expectations. My wee band of subscribers is growing, so I must be doing something right. Best of all, I have a legitimate outlet for all those little design-oriented finds I want to share. How lucky am I? 

If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear. – A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

One of the great things about the blog world is that you can find a blog about just about any subject you can imagine. And, because blogs, by their very nature, are not like committing to a novel, you can dip your toe in the water to see if you like the temperature before subscribing. And, they’re free. Yeah, Baby!

So, just for a bit of a gas, I thought I’d randomly choose some topics that interest me right now on this Sunday afternoon and google them to see if I could find blogs on these subjects. Here’s what I found:

New Zealand Design: Fancy – a yummy looking blog featuring awesome design stuff from New Zealand & around the world. But mainly NZ. I am now a fan.

Australian Design: ModaMuse – modern Australian and New Zealand designers, artisans and crafters. Oh, yes please

Shoes: All That Shoes – I’m a girl so it follows that i like shoes. Check out this tumblr site for some oh-so-sexy shoes… Don’t even get me started on the last pair I purchased – orange patent Kenzo heels, no less! 

Slow Food: Red-Tail Blog – Slow food in Australia that is good, clean and fair. I wish I’d found this one much earlier. GREAT blog!

Poodles: The Poodle & Dog Blog – a blog to celebrate the remarkable, the ordinary, and the very funny dogs that share our world. Enough said.

Sydney Eats: Grab Your Fork – Sydney eats, tasty travels and a feast of photos. Helen has been writing this award-winning blog for a while now. There’s a reason it is so popular…

I love the inter-web!

I think I’ll sign off now. I’ve rabbited on for long enough. But thanks again, to all of you, who pop in to This Sydney Life. I appreciate it. Every time.

TTFN. Ta Ta For Now! – A.A. Milne

* If you happen to be an expert on horoscopes, I haven’t done an in-depth study on my Ascendant sign or Moon sign. I readily acknowledge I am no professional in these matters.

** ‘Libra boxes’ – perhaps not the most appropriate term I could have chosen, hmmm?

Frederique Morel Creates Otherworldly Tapestry Creatures

Tags

Art, Colour, Conceptual Art, Design, Dogs, France, Interior design, Mixed media, Needlework, Paris, Passe-Murrailes, Shopping, Surface Design, Tapestry, Taxidermy, Textile, Textiles, Venus De Milo, Vintage

Inspired by the memory of her grandmother’s tapestries, Frederique Morrel has created a new world out of tapestry with a contemporary spin. She uses vintage fabrics – particularly tapestries – to create her one of a kind products. She, along with her husband, and sometimes with the help of the trusty Maggie and Goddard, the Jack Russels, have now exhibited around the world.

The ‘Frederique Morrel’ Family in full tapestry regalia!
(Image sourced from Frederique Morrel)

…and, Maggie & Goddard, also in full tapestry regalia!
(Image sourced from Frederique Morrel)

Based out of Paris, the company is comprised of Frederique Morrel (who is a native Parisienne) and her husband, Aaron Levin (originally of Topeka, Kansas) who met at a conceptual art exhibition in Paris in the 1980′s.

The images of the Passe-Murrailes collection I am showing below may bear a strong resemblance to hunting trophies, but their creators insist that they are living creatures that are like friends of the family who have unexpectedly poked their heads through the wall to deliver their personal stories to us.

Made from polyurethane taxidermy molds, covered in the vintage needlework and finished with real antlers, each piece is unique and made by hand. Imagine having one of these poking their heads out over the breakfast table… I quite like their kitsche-yet-quirky nature!

‘Venus De Milo’ by Frederique Morrel
Mixed Media: foam, fur, horns, tapestries
(Image sourced from Frederique Morrel)

‘Ma Biche’ by Frederique Morrel
Mixed Media: foam, fur, tapestries
(Image sourced from Frederique Morrel)

‘My Dear’ by Frederique Morrel
Mixed Media: foam, fur, antlers, tapestries
(Image sourced from Frederique Morrel)

‘Vermeer Half & Half’ by Frederique Morel
Mixed Media: foam, fur, tapestries
(Image sourced from Frederique Morrel)

The Frederique Morrel team are animal lovers. According to their website, “We occasionally speak to animals in their own language”. As I sometimes feel that I speak ‘Poodle’, this resonates with me!

Frederique Morrel’s work also includes life-size deer sculptures, a series of life-size human sculptures, not to mention poufs, cushions, footstools, lamps, trays and other accessories! Go and check out their fabulous website here.

Jonathan Adler – fabulously fun but perhaps not quite quirky!

Tags

Arts, culture, Cushions, Design, Dogs, Furniture, Homewares, Interior design, Jonathan Adler, Lifestyle, Peru, Rugs, Shopping, VAses

I know – his work is perhaps a tad too mainstream to be considered quirky, particularly for you Northern Hemisphere dwellers, but hear me out… I spotted these Jonathan Adler Williamsburg vases the other day and added them to my wee list of ‘things I like’.

As with so many things, when you change the context, you introduce a new perspective.  Forget they are a fabulously-fun-yet-not-quite-quirky Jonathan Adler design… NOW, might they look the teeniest bit quirky?

Jonathan Adler Utopia Williamsburg Vase
A little bit of whimsy for US$38 for the pair
(You can buy them here)
His and hers, no less!

Following on from that find, I thought it only reasonable to take a decent squizz at the flamboyant Mr Adler’s site.  You know what? – he’s got some funky stuff. If its been a while since you popped your head in, let me share a few things that tickled my wee fancy….

Jonathan Adler Zebra Rug - in orange
Hand loomed llama's wool rug from Peru at US$995
(You can buy them here)
Who knows where I would put it but its ORANGE!!! (or black, pink, red, turquoise, green...)

Jonathan Adler leather Terrier
Handcrafted from full grain leather at US$695
(You can buy them here)
Or, maybe you'd prefer a hippo' or pig or elephant or rhino'?

Jonathan Adler embroidered 'Specs Case' - in green
Handmade wool needlepoint for US$42
(You can buy them here)
I suspect it makes me officially old that I even need to consider a specs case...

Jonathan Adler Walnut Claude Special Edition Gossip Bench Set
You can stack or reconfigure to your hearts desire. This one for US$1,890
(You can order one here)
These are limited edition collectors editions and - forget the exorbitant shipping costs - I have no-where in my home to put one. DAMN IT!!!

Jonathan Adler Mod Love Cushion
Spread the love with needlepoint at US$175
(You can buy them here)
This design is also available as a footstool. Perhaps not together, though... too matchy, matchy, matchy!

I even quite like the Jonathan Adler manifesto.  Who doesn’t appreciate a brand that has the audacity to state, “We believe that when it comes to decorating, the wife is always right. Unless the husband is gay.“? Or, what about, “We believe tassels are the earrings of the home“? What do you reckon’?

Clax – not sexy but I’m a convert…

Tags

Apartments, clax, Design, Dogs, Farmers Market, food, Free range, Industrial Design, Interior design, Market Trolley, Markets, Nana Trolley, Orla Kiely, Outdoors on Parade, Shopping, Shopping Trolley, Sydney

If you are a follower of my wee blog, you will know that I am a regular at our local Farmers Market. Every Saturday we tootle off to pick up our organic and free range produce direct from local farmers.

I love it.  Bella (the pooch) loves it. LM tolerates it. He tolerates it because he’d rather be asleep. He tolerates it because he knows he will eat well all week.  And, he tolerates it because he knows it makes me happy.  Naturally, I give all my purchases to him to carry so that I can keep my hands free.  This means he is very quickly laden with produce.  It (apparently) gets h e a v y fast.  Admittedly, we do buy quite a lot!

On many occasions, I have suggested we invest in a ‘Nana Trolley‘ (otherwise known as a shopping trolley).  Not the most attractive, I grant you.  It would provide LM’s arms a rest, though.

Outdoors On Parade offer a nautical-inspired, striped number….

I’m partial to a gorgeous Orla Kiely version, although perhaps a little OTT for the Farmers Market…

LM categorically refused a Nana Trolley.  In his mind they are for Nana’s, he won’t be seen pulling one, and all the produce at the bottom gets squashed.

Then, a few weeks ago we saw a family with a trolley he did like. One he would happily be seen pushing. One which folded up neatly in the back of the car.  One which would prevent produce from getting squashed.

That LM-approved trolley was the Clax…

I know, it’s not sexy. BUT it is incredibly practical. Really. If you’re still with me, some of the Clax features are:
– it can be unfolded easily with one hand at the push of one button
– it is easy to maneuver with swivelling front wheels
– it comes with one folding box which can be secured to the top platform (we ordered a second box for the bottom)
– it features a block brake that is initiated with a foot-click (allowing for lengthy chats with stall-holders and dog-owners)
– it is not heavy (when folded the trolley is less than 7 kilos/15lbs)
– All heavy items can be placed in the bottom box freeing up the top one for breakables (like eggs!)

I could have done with a Clax when I lived in an apartment.

I do accept that some may suggest that with its industrial lines, this trolley is even more ‘Nana‘ than the forbidden Nana Trolley. What can I say – it is designed by clever Germans – efficient, practical but not sexy…

(Images sourced from Outdoors on Parade, Style Hive and Design Quest)

Adults Only: Balloon Dog Lamps

Tags

Art, Dogs, Interior design, Jeff Koons, kitsch, Lighting, Photos, Porta Romana, Shopping, style, tongue in cheek, United Kingdom

Jeff Koons is well-known for his reproductions of banal objects – case in point, his balloon dog works. Some see Koons as a pioneering artist of our time, while others dismiss his work as nothing more than kitsch.

Me, I love a bit of what I am calling, up-market kitsch. Others may call it something else! I especially seem to love it when coupled with dog images incorporated into lighting (I refer you to this post, here!). Strange but true!

My latest up-market kitsch find is that of Porta Romana’s Balloon Dog Lamps. Just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek quirk combined with style…

This lovely wee number also comes in black. You can select your own lampshade colour.

Andrew and Sarah Hills founded Porta Romana in 1988.  They are a UK-based atelier “devoted to creating objects of beauty”. 

Paulo Haubert Has a Thing for Poufs…

Tags

Design, Dogs, Fun, Furniture, home, Interior design, Orange, Photos, Poodle, Pouf, Retail, Shopping, Space Furniture, style, Sydney, Textile

The most expensive dog bed in the world!

You know those silly stock questions that are often asked? Things like, “If your house/flat/apartment was burning down, what three/five/ten things would you grab?” What the asker really means is, “Are there any (material) things that you are especially fond of?”

On my list (which possibly may have more than ten items), would definitely be my orange Rasta Pouf designed by Paulo Haubert for Avec Arcade. Hand made in Brazil, the Rasta collection of poufs are aesthetically fabulous, fun and it seems that everybody loves them.  Including poodles, toddlers and my Mum.

I got my Pouf a few years ago from Space Furniture in Sydney at 84 O’Riordan St, Alexandria, NSW 2015, but I’m sure the team at Arcade would be more than accommodating if you needed to locate a retailer in your neck of the woods!

(Blue Rasta Pouf images sourced from here.)

Sydney’s Bay Run (in my case, walk)

Tags

Australia, Bay Run, Bondi, Bronte, Dogs, Inner West Sydney, Iron Cove, Photography, Photos, Run, Sydney, Travel, Vitamin D, Walk

If you live in Eastern Sydney, you have the world-famous Bondi to Bronte walk. It’s all along the coast and, if you’re a visitor to Sydney, you should definitely put it on your list of things to do.

If, like me, you live in the inner west and don’t want to battle Sydney’s traffic or the cross-city tunnel, you get the Bay Run Walk.

The Bay Walk is a 7 kilometre (that’s  just under 3.5 approximately 4.3 miles for those who think the old-fashioned way!) track following the natural course of the Iron Cove.  What makes it particularly lovely is that you’re never more than 20 metres from the water AND the walk is bike, pram and dog-friendly with lanes for walkers and cyclists.

There are also a couple of (as yet untried) cafes along the way if you get desperate for a caffeine injection.  Not too far off the beaten track, there’s also a dog park WITH a dog café.

The pooch and I try to get out for our vitamin D injection on the Bay Walk 2 – 3 times a week.  These were taken yesterday…

For those of you who know Bella, she managed to lose her ball, roll around on a dead rat while off the lead (BLECH!!!) and go for a swim after having her pic’ taken yesterday. One happy dog!