Valance, Magnolia, it is called valance!

Different cultures, different languages, sometimes it is such a confusion in my mind. I had to find a solution to cover the footboard of a bed. I didn't know the name of this sort of bed linen and after some unsuccessful internet research, I  decided to go to some shops to see what I could find. 

I tried to explain to different salespeople what I wanted: A slipcover to hide the footboard. Four people couldn't understand what I was looking for and stared at me like as if I was an alien. Then I went to Laura Ashley and explained again what I wanted and a smart lady told me that what I needed was a valance. 

Ahhhh, valance, Magnolia, what you need is a valance, an ornamental drapery hung across a top edge, as of a bed, table, or canopy. Laura Ashley doesn't sell valances anymore but now that I knew the name, life was much easier. I googled again and discovered that Marks & Spencer and even John Lewis (one of the shops I went to) have it! 

According to Wikipedia, a valance or bed skirt is a piece of decorative fabric that is placed between the mattress and the box spring of a bed. The purpose of a bed skirt is to give a stylish appearance to a bed without exposing the sides of the box spring or any space under the bed that may be used for storage. Historically, bed skirts were used to block draughts, which could chill the undersides of beds.

Valances are useful if you want to add some romantic style to your bedroom. It is like icing on a cake, not necessary but gives a final touch to it. It hides feet board and storage under your bed - and reduces the amount of dust that can accumulate under it. If you want to make a valance yourself, I have found a very simple design which provides a clean and modern look.

Image sources via my Pinterest board: Bed skirts or valances 

Going back to Switzerland

When people ask me if I am looking forward to going back to Switzerland I always answer with a half-hearted smile. Not that I am unhappy about it.

The problem is that I am looking for a home in the Swiss Confederation and it has been hard to find it. First of all, properties had their prices doubled in the last few years. 

Secondly, I don't like the new buildings in Switzerland. In my opinion, they look like boxes and have no character. 

Don't get me wrong, I also like modern projects but it has to have a touch of elegance that not all architects can reach: they are more concerned with getting enough room in a such small country and then forget about the welcoming feeling a home should provide.

I might be a naive romantic but I still prefer houses with personality. 

Image sources via my Pinterest board: Dream home

Leaving England

It is now official: we are leaving England soon. I would like to thank to all the friends I've made in this country for opening their hearts. 

Magnolia Brussi

I had a great time here and was delighted to live in such a beautiful and charming place. It has been a great inspiration that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  

A little bit of São Paulo

I met Karina in the 90’s when we both used to live in London. In those days interior design was not yet popular in Brazil but she had already worked as an interior designer in São Paulo.  

Looking at her work, you can feel São Paulo’s pulse - a city  which never stops, and the worldwide influences that the cosmopolitan centre receives. 

Karina loves using Italian nero stone, red bricks and beautiful wood flooring. A well planned lighting is also very important for her. She combines practicality and elegance.

I love the huge fridge. It reminds me of the times when I used to live in this amazing city. In such hot summers there is a need to keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator. Something that I rarely do in Europe.

There is a lot of romanticism in her bedroom creations: flowers, stylish french furniture, cute mirrors and frames.

The Buda figure appears in many of her works, bringing harmony to the ambience.

 Would you like to know more about Karina? Click here.

Where Is Your Muffin?

Cappuccinos and muffins are perfect for Mondays. What about a Coconut Cappuccino Muffin? I know, there is no time for baking on the first day of the week. However, having a look at this picture, makes the troubles of a Monday look less bitter. Have a wonderful week! 

Norman Parkinson's Century of Style

It is amazing how Norman Parkinson was able to mix humour and glamour in his pictures. In the 40‘s, he revolutionised  British fashion photography, making it more dynamic. 

He used to say that he was a craftsman and not an artist and remained until his death (1990) one of the foremost British portrait and fashion photographers. 

2013 marks the centenary of Norman Parkinson’s birth and the National Theatre is celebrating it with the exhibition Lifework: Norman Parkinson's Century of Style.

National Theatre

Upper Ground South Bank

London SE1 9PX 

1 March – 12 May 2013 (closed 31 March and 14 April. Mondays 1 April and 6 May, open from 4pm) 

Free

Habitat and the democratisation of design

There are many reasons, why I like Terence Conran. One is the importance of his work to England and Europe.  When he opened his first interior design shop, Habitat, in London in 1964, he revolutionized interior design in Britain. 

Terence Conran and the directors of the first Habitat, photographed for the Sunday Times by 

Terry Donovan in May 1964. I particularly love the hairstyles.

Terence was in the right place at the right time. The political and economic stability in Europe created opportunities for new markets. 

Habitat, Montparnasse, the first shop in France, September 1973

The business expanded quickly, in less than 10 years there were 18 branches of Habitat around the UK and with those he single-handedly brought stylish internationally influenced furniture and accessories to the high street, making them affordable to more then just the wealthy. 

The Charles and Ray Eames Chair became a classic. It was introduced in 1971.

Habitat transformed millions of homes in the sixties and seventies. Its interiors were much simpler than hitherto, with Scandinavian, French and Japanese influences. Some design furniture that Habitat introduced became classic pieces like the Robin Day Forum Sofa and the Charles and Ray Eames Chair.

The Japanese Paper Lantern was introduced in 1967 and became very popular. 

These days Habitat doesn’t belong to Terence Conran anymore and last year, it almost disappeared from our high streets as 30 of its stores went into administration. Consumer habits changed and the retail brand failed to keep up. 

Simple product advertising that ran to The Times diary page.

However, it is impossible to deny the impact Habitat caused in middle class homes in earlier days. Habitat democratised good design. 

Pictures from the book Terence Conran, A sort of autobiography

Make Great Use Of The Attic!

When I was a child, the attic of our house was used as a storage. It was a kind of magic place as we children were not allowed to go there (probably because the Christmas presents and other secrets were hidden in that room).

Nowadays, many owners have started to explore the beauty and romantic feeling of the top floor, converting it into wonderful ambiences. After all, the attic is a inspiring room!

First and foremost, space is a luxury these days. Creating an office or a guest room in the attic is a clever way of enhancing space in your home.

Attics can also help control temperature in a house by providing a large mass of slowly moving air. In recent years many attics have been insulated to help decrease heating costs since on average. Uninsulated attics account for 15% of the total energy loss in a typical house. 

Make great use of your attic! Image sources via my Pinterest board: Attics

Spring has already arrived!

I went to Manchester centre city yesterday with the impossible mission of finding any gloves left. Although it is still wintertime, the shops have already started selling the spring collection and there is nothing left for the next cold months. And then the temptation: cheerful fashion in soft fabrics, announcing that weather is a state of mind. Here I am, there is a beautiful new dress in my wardrobe, waiting for sunshine to be wore... Would you like to see the new tendencies? I am just showing you some of my favourites labels at the moment:

Max Mara Spring Collection  2013 

I particularly find amazing the blue tone of this Max Mara dress. The orange bag looks great!

Michael Kors

Pinko is an Italian brand, which is fresh and elegant at the same time. You can find it at Harvey Nichols in Manchester. 

Pinko

The espadrille reminds me my adolescence in Brazil during the eighties. By the way, the style was revived in the 1980's due to the success of the american series Miami Vice - Don Johnson, the main character used to wear it.

Michael Kors

I adore Hugo Boss, specially Boss Orange with its hippie style. It reminds me a lot of Brazil - the way Brazilians dress themselves. 

Boss Orange

What about you? Which are your favourite labels? What are you wearing this spring? I hope you enjoy this post. 

Having an 'eye' - by Terence Conran

Image source

Terence Conran is a well known designer, restaurateur, retailer, publisher and also a successful businessman. It was a pleasure to read his biography, an unusual one but good fun to read. Look what he says about having an 'eye':

I think to some extent 'having an eye' comes with the genes. But it can also be developed like other forms of intelligence and sensitivity by education, practice and passion. If children are encouraged to be interested in visual matters, it is amazing how often such latent skills can be prodded into action. 

Being receptive to the influences of other people is part of what having an 'eye' is all about. In my case, it happens all the time and I can't really identify one single most rewarding example, unless you count 'France', which I learned to love through the incomparable eye of Michael Wickham, or 'Italy', which I discovered through the eyes of Eduardo Paolozzi. 

What has changed as time goes on is my breadth of interest. When I was younger, I tended to be pretty selective about what I liked. As I got older, I saw the beauty in many more things. I remember that I used to hate Gaudi's buildings, but now I see the aesthetic point of his wild, quirky structures. 

Terence Conran