Ghost Town. Or how nature decorates...

One website I often found myself going back to is Fast Company. This time what got me clicking their link is a story of this Ghost Town in Nambia called Kolmanskop. German miners settled there in the early 1900's following a "diamond rush". But it only lasted about half a century... as the resources disappeared, the town was slowly abandoned. So from 1956, the desert, the sand, the dunes just moved back in.

The result of time playing on the architecture is amazing. Aside from this incredible story, it's the fabulous light, the colours, the texture of the walls that grabbed my eye. I just wonder what the interiors would have looked like in their glory days. At the same time, the glory days maybe now... Aging gracefully, letting Nature take its course. 

These stunning images from French photographer Romain Veillon are a wonderful record of the ephemeral nature of what humans build and a reminder that if we let it, Nature will know how to take over.  

Hope you enjoy.

Anne-Claire

Via: Fast Company & Romain Veillon

The poetry of wooden hands

A little while ago as I was casually (to be honest, it was probably frantically!) browsing the internet, I just kept stumbling upon images of wooden hands. Although hands are often seen in styling props, I really like the warm texture and mechanical aspects of these ones. As it happens they are also part of the range of one of my favourite design firm: Hay. There's just something quite poetic about them... Whether they're the main decorative element or mingled among other objects, they have a lovely, soft presence. 

J'aime beacoup. 

Anne-Claire

images via: 1- commodoos 2- a. Petra Bindel photographer b. Bubbelsoda 3- House & Hold 4- La maison d'Anna G 

5- a&b. Petra Bindel photographer 6- a. Bubbelsoda b.The Design Chaser

This "plant thing" is growing on me...

Over the last year or so I have found myself getting into something new for me: plants in the house. Of course it's nothing "new" but it is a shift for me. Never thought much of plants in an interior and also because I was a bit of a notorious plant killer, I never thought I'd bother. Until I moved to my new apartment which has plenty of day light, a great vibe and I got one plant... yes I know: radical! But it grew... not died! And I liked it... the plant, not just the fact that maybe I wasn't a brown thumb after all. 

So little by little I got a few more and their presence in my home has really grown on me and now I seem to be looking at interiors with greenery in a very different light. Still... no need to get carried away: they have to be styled, edited and placed tastefully around the house.

Images: Left to right, top to bottom: 1- Nicole Franzen photgraphy via - 2- TDF Home of Kassandra Karinski - 3- via - 4- TDF Home of Kassandra Karinski - 5- via - 6&7- TDF Home of Simone Haag (a personal favorite) - 8- via - 9- via

Phileas floor cushions - the twins!

Nice and plump, they are new and ready to go travel to their new owner... Not bad for cushions inspired by the old suitcase... These two are going in a kids playroom, pretty special!

Bon Voyage!

Anaca Studio's Phileas floor cushions: more size and specs here

Zoe table - House&Garden June issue - "9 by Design"

Media update - Zoe table as featured in the June issue of House&Garden magazine. You can see it on the website here where you can download the brochure. Check also the Furniture and Project pages on the blog for some lovely insitu images.   

Elliot coat stand - a hallway necessity!

I took this quick Instagram snapshot whilst assisting the very talented Interior Designer Chelsea Hing in the styling of one of her recent project. Showing the Elliot coat stand in situ. Perfect hallway piece.

anaca studio's Elliot page here.

Creative work space

As usual I haven't really made any new years' resolutions... However, they are plenty things I want to do but they're more plans rather than resolutions. 

So, first thing I plan to do is to clean up my work space and make it an inspiring room, not just for me but also for anyone else looking in as an outsider. It will probably involve a trip to Ikea... for the basics (storage boxes/containers, folders, mag holders...) and then collect a few nice designer's objects and products. I need a bit more colour, a couple more artworks/picture frames, a light/lamp and mostly I need to new pin board which I probably will have to have made myself as I can't find anything big enough. I might even bring a plant! Since greenery is suppose to improve concentration... although I might need a whole tree at the moment. Anyway, the above images are suppose to give me a little inspiration... and motivation!

1- My Scandinavian Home 2-The Design Files 3- Petits Papiers 4- 12Pieces 5- Style Files 6-The Design Files

Black & White Monday

B&W... More than an amazing interior, piece of furniture or a detailed object it's an emotion I think that is created by the contrast of Black and White. I very often get drawn to these strong graphics. I give you that: sometimes it may be a touch cool and sterile in some interiors, but it doesn't take much to warm it up, the soft neutral tones of a beautifully detailed timber floor, a small vintage item, maybe a bunch of flowers or an indoor plant... 

Selection of Interiors...

Here is a selection of a few interiors that make my heart go "boum" (listen here, it's a great tune for a Monday!). Warm tones of wooden beams / travertine / copper, great rugs, sense of casualness and simplicity, that bed with beautiful linen, mix of colours with Black & White and I'm loving the style on the last picture (and the cute dog). "Boum-boum"... Happy Monday to you. 

All images via Dust Jacket (great blog!)

My pick from Est Mag latest issue...

Quick post to share my selection from the latest Est Magazine. From colours to styling or just inspiring spaces and objects, here are a few things that have inspired me... (includes Henry Wilson's Anglepoise Lamp revisit)

Kitsch in Collingwood... Brunch at Bluebird.

Going through a few furniture shops yesterday in Collingwood, looking for breakfast bar stools, my friend Sonna and I (needing an early break) stumbled across this sweet little café on Johnston Street, east from Smith Street. Not much going yet in that area but a few quirky shops are starting to appear. 

At Bluebird, some little plastic soldiers hanging from the door frame welcome you as you come in. No waiting to get our coffee and they were really good ones. The menu is simple with a few variation of (perfect) poached eggs on fresh bread, avocado "smash", chorizo, mushrooms, feta, banana bread, muesli... it's all there. We decided we would have to come back to work our way down the list, it all looked so delicious and we weren't disappointed by our choices. But beside the amazing food, friendly and quick service, this is another one of these place that makes Melbourne. As a foodie and a designer, I love these cafés. Some super kitsch picture frames decorate the walls (check their twitter wall too!), recycled glass bottles for water, vintage desk lamps and chairs, recycled counter top and the fake grass bunny take the seriousness out of the place. But there is still great attention to details with the menu, the quality of the food, the cute logo and these beautiful tulips throughout the place. If you are in the area, take a walk away from the Smith Street crowd, you won't be disappointed. 

Kantha Quilts - Bring colour to your life!

Ok this post is very colourful in contrast with the subtle neutral tones of last week post... but, "c'est comme ça..." 

Maybe some of you have already seen it, but Temple & Webster (top image) have a Kantha quilt sale and it seems that they've sold like hot cakes because by the time I got to it, there weren't that many left. The two first shown above (front and back) are currently still going... If you've missed out on your favourite one, I've just found The Family Love Tree, they have an amazing collection AND some very pretty styling in case you're not sure how to put it all together. The bottom 3 images are from their website and there are many more to check there. Being so colourful and bringing so many patterns together, I'm not even game to take that step lightly but I love them, they'll add a touch of "bohemian" look to your home...

Neutral Palette Interior - Marseille

Now here is a beautiful and low key interior... Designed by Maurice Padovani in Marseille, France, it's an ecclectic mix of industrial, recycled, vintage and modern. The mix of natural tones in the blond timber creates a balance with the steel used in the Jielde lamps, the stairs, the window frame, the industrial upright heaters... The soft, plump sofa, the bean bags and the curved DCW contrast with the angular shape of the stairs. 

I also found the use of particle board on the walls a really interesting texture, beautifully subtle with the lime wash finish, as opposed to the amazing strong graphic component of the stairs. I just love how these raw materials have been put together in a way that is seemingly effortless and how they somehow gained such a sophisticated look. Thanks to yooko blog for bringing this interior to my attention.