PATTERNS

Most amazing use of patterns, in Henry Wilson's London home.  Does it surprise you that his stencil of magnolias was developed into a wallpaper range for Osborne & Little?  Glorious.
   

Scan from World of Interiors, December 2009.

Interrogation

Had to scan these images from the January issue of World of Interiors. Can you believe it's actually the Copenhagen police headquarters? I've been bad this year...can someone please send me here to be interrogated?

Built in the 20s, it strikes me as a bizarrely wonderful twist on neoclassicism. For example: check out the "fingerprint" smudges on the floor.  I'm also infatuated with the larger than life shell, marble pilasters, chairs with giant tassels, velvety green paint...

All scans from World of Interiors, January 2010, "Arresting Offices." Photography: James Mortimer.

Faucets in Space

Scan from World of Interiors, May 2009.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who found this market story particularly humorous. Yeah, kitchen hardware in itself doesn't really float my boat, but hey, at least it floats in space, courtesy of The World of Interiors.

Two questions.

1. Why is it that faucets-as-satellites in orbit around Earth are so much more interesting than their silhouetted-against-a-white-background counterparts? Something to consider.

2. What substances were the editors that produced this using? Please inform, I would like some too. And send some over to the U.S. while you're at it. Our shelter mags are in need of it.

Yours truly,

XX Lauren.

The Old Hatter

Images from February 2009 World of Interiors

Right after I made my last post about boiserie, I happened upon this example in February's World of Interiors. The building was formerly the P&C Habig hat shop in Vienna, designed by Holzmann and Adam in 1896. Seriously, what's not to love?

• Red and blue crests are reminiscent of Fabergé jewels. They look delectable; I want to eat them.
  
• Ditto for the porcelain white walls paired with the worn antique gold latticework. My mouth is watering as I type this. Ideally, this is what a cake should look like.
  
• I. Love. Hats. I also love the idea that at one point in time, people felt that hats were of great enough import to warrant such a grand space.
  
• And what about the contrast between the ornate Beaux Arts style and the weird "Taraxacum" chandeliers by Flos? I think what makes the effect is that they vaguely replicate the light refracting effects of a traditional chandelier.
  

The only thing I'm not entirely sure of are the secretarial/dental looking Jasper Morrison work tables flanking the room. I suppose the bizarrely sterile touch has something to do with the fact that this building now houses an events planning firm. I can't decide if I love them or hate them (although this usually indicates that I will slowly, or quickly, tend toward the former).