Side Table from Tucker Robbins

Spider's Nest Stool

Tucker is an outstanding furniture designer, and he is one of the first who introduced these wood-carving Spider's Nest Stool from the hill tribes of Cameroon. These can be used for side table or stool, and the big one as coffee table. I love browsing at Tucker's showroom and his warehouse, I always come across something interesting and exotic. Tucker never tired of explaining the story behind of each piece, and he always has so many stories to tell about his traveling. He is always working on something new, full of energy and ideas. Very inspiring indeed.

Now, Tucker has reinterpreted these into Peruvian porcelain, it comes in various colors. Brilliant idea! These are functional and yet fun, and bring an additional color and texture for an interior.

For more information

contact
www.tuckerrobbins.com


Home

You might also like
Bruce Frank Gallery
Bungalow Side Tables

Julie & Julia

I can't pretend I was a fan of Julia Child, though I watched a few of her cooking episodes on TV. I was looking forward to see the movie because I am a great fan of Meryl Streep. As soon as the movie opened, I took Friday off and went to see the afternoon movie. I was amazed to find out the cinema was filled up! The acting was superb. I loved it!

Julia Child's energy in the movie was great! She never gave up! I loved the scene when she practiced chopping onion in her kitchen ... and having a loving and supportive partner, she was very lucky!

Snowstorm in New York City

Summer in New York City

Today the temperatures soared to high 90s F in New York City. It was hot and humid in Manhattan, it was not pretty at all! I am not a big fan for this kind of hot and sticky summer weather, guess that was why I left Malaysia at a tender age.

I am thinking of snow today. Showing some pictures of snowstorm in New York City 3 years ago may cool down this nasty temperature! lol A friend from London was staying with me, all airports shut down, offices and banks and post offices closed, many restaurants and supermarkets closed, the whole city was shut down! Everyone has a day off from work!

We went to explore Central Park's snow scenes, playing snowball fight, sliding on the snow, left our butt print on the snow! lol It was really fun! Despite the fact I knew Central Park so well, with 26" of snow on the ground and the snow kept coming down fiercely, I nearly lost in the white white world!

The snow storm at Central Park was so beautiful and surreal.

click image to enlarge

Limoges, France

Le Poudrier
87000 Limoges
The express train from Toulouse to Limoges was very comfortable, and along the way, there were so many picturesque country views, making the whole journey so pleasant.

click on image to enlarge

Limoges is a tiny town, and it was known for its medieval enamels, for its 18th century porcelain and for its oak barrels which are used for Cognac production.

When I arrived Le Poudrier, my eyes and mouth were wild opened, and my heart was singing. This was a charming french country that I have been dreaming for years!

click image to enlarge

It was such a beautiful and quaint country ... you could hear birds chirping, the trees ruffling in the air, the humming sounds of the close by stream formed a background melody, occasionally you could hear soft voices talking ... that moment,...
I wish I could be a painter, put on a painter cap and coat, stretched my easel and brought out watercolors and brushes, and started to paint. Or I could be a writer, set up a little wicker desk and chair under the tree, an old typewriter and a pot of tea, and began writing a great novel or a huge movie script! Well, none of the above, my head was light and I couldn't suppress my excitements further, I was dancing with butterflies and birds, flowers and trees, and summer breezes in the garden. And later plopped on a garden chaise, indulged myself basking under the warm sun and sipping my wine away!

Susanne, I met her on the trip and I called her sugar because she told me most people and all her grandchildren called her sugar. She was a lovely charming lady from Houston, we became best friend since. She traveled with her elder son, Jeff, who also became my buddy. Susanne always impeccably dressed at breakfasts, luncheons and afternoon teas, and of course at dinners; she was no doubt a classy lady from the South. I simply adored her!

Lunch was served outdoor, the running stream created a very lively musical notes; sipping wines, eating cheeses, pates and baguettes. Life was simply great. I had "confi de canard" for entree, a little heavy for lunch but hey, my appetite became so good in this fresh country air! And of course, I would never skip my creme brulee and coffee either!

for more information

www.le-poudrier.fr

Home
You might also like
Cameron Highlands,
Malaysia
Bonjour Paree!
Kelantan Market,
Malaysia.

Turn the time backs to the 70s !!!

Growing up in Kelantan, Malaysia,
I was naive and too young to understand anything in the 70s ...
I remembered seeing many bell-bottoms and Farrah Fawcett's hairdos.

This Italian diva may just bring you back to that era!
The choreography, the dancing and the costumes
making me laugh.
It is quite adorable indeed!
When I have a not-so-good day,
I watch this and just follow them dancing
I feel good again!
Trust me, give it a try!



Home

Oh, divine chocolate!

Oh, divine chocolate!
They grind thee kneeling,
Beat thee with hands praying,
And drink thee with eyes to heaven.
- Marco Antonio Orellana, 18th century

There are many great chocolatiers in Manhattan, but there is one that I am very fond of, La Maison Du Chocolat. Making chocolate is an art and French knows how to make the fine fine chocolates!

There are now 3 locations in Manhattan, Madison Avenue, Rockefeller Plaza and Wall Street; the one at Madison Avenue is the one that I patronize often.

Whether you are doing shopping on Madison Avenue or after a leisurely stroll through Central Park or seeing an exhibit at Met Museum or Frick Museum, don't forget to enjoy yourself the decadence European sweets at this New York outpost of France's premier chocolatier. Especially in the winter time, you can have a seat at the tea room and enjoy a cup of aromatic hot chocolate, catching up with friends while you attack a slice of chocolate cakes and cookies. On your way out, you can taste more chocolates and pick up some more of those heavenly chocolates and the world-famous macaroons home for yourself and your loved one.

for more info on La Maison Du Chocolate
www.lamaisonduchocolat.com

1018 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10021


You might also like
Afternoon Tea
SconesLondon

Elements oF Style: Dining Chairs

Seating Design

Seating design is very important for every space, for aesthetic and functional reasons. When I need dining or side chairs or sofa for any project, first place that comes to my mind is Artistic Frame. The company started in 1927, the range of chairs to choose from is very broad, from classic to contemporary. My salesperson, Natalie, is always cheerful and on top of my order.


A few of dining chairs shown below are very elegant and appealing from Artistic Frame, you can use any fabrics, various wood finishing options to choose from, and if you want to rush the order, you just have to pay for the surcharge. However, Artistic Frame only deal with Trade, that's mean you can only purchase through your interior designer.

click image to enlarge

Artistic Frame

(212) 289 2100

Fragrance: Pomelo

an invigorating citrus aroma would burst into the air, a delicious promise of all good things to come …

The pomelo, a delicious and refreshing citrus fruit, is abundant in Malaysia and used especially for festivals. The city of Ipoh is known for its pomelos, available in red and white. My mother would decorate the pomelo with a strip of red paper outlined the pomelo, she gave an extra touch of festivity by adding a Chinese character of “Xi” cut out from red paper, meaning “double happiness”. When it was time to eat the pomelo, the rind was peeled, an invigorating citrus aroma would burst into the air, a delicious promise of all good things to come.

This candle will illuminate and inspire your private moments, home and dreams.

Made in France
60 burning hour

click below for other candles

click belowThese items are available at

www.christopherong.com

Takashimaya New York
693 5th Avenue
NY NY 10022
212 350 0111

Launching Event at Takashimaya

click on image to enlarge

Art oF Living : Entertain at Home

The rush, the crowds, the traffic, the city!

New Yorkers, Parisians, Londoners need not forget about the ART oF LIVING at home
City Dwellers need not be intimidated by doing it yourself
Surprise your loved one with creativity in your kitchen, terrace, fire escape, floor
Pay attention to details and you can accomplish the ART oF LIVING on any budget:

~ SPLURGE ~

Vietri

Seashell dinner plate $48.00
Starfish side plate $38.00
Starfish water glass $34.00
Starfish wine glass $34.00
Total for 2 = $320.00 US (approx)

~ RECESSION PROOF ~

Pier 1
Maria dinner plate $6.00
Maria Salad plate $5.00
green leaf bowl $6.00
Green plate $5.00
Tall tumbler glass $3.00
Total for 2 = $30.00 - $50.00 US (approx)

click on image to enlarge

Text Paul Bilson
Photograph Steven Speliotis
Thanks to Michelle Revere's hospitality and using her terrace for photo shoot.


Home

You might also like
Afternoon Tea
Furniture & Couture & ArtYSL Moroccan Gardens