Green T. House Beijing June 4, 2009

I just wrote a post on my fav blog and furniture store, Brocade Home and wanted to provide a visual application of the Brocade Home style in a tea house in Beijing 北京.   Green T. House was featured for its use brocade design on the Brocade Home blog a while back but in case you did not see it, here is my take on the design.

Green T. House, created by master chef, artist, calligrapher, musician and owner Zhang Jinjie, is an excellent example of mixing the romantic damask/brocade style with a modern twist.  The zen like modern space she has created would tempt the likes of any international jet setter or local Beijing fashionista/design buff to visit the restaurant/tea house for an afternoon or evening of food and tea.  The aesthetic of Green T. House actually reminds me of MoRoCo’s style in Toronto, however Green T. House is more minimalist and MoRoCo more goth glam. 

Green T. House is such a stunning place, I could not not imagine all the great events that will be hosted in the space for years to come.

Green T House info in Beijing:

318 Cuigezhuang Xiang Hegezhuang Cun, Chaoyang District ,
Chaoyang
北京朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村318号

136-0113-7132

Exterior (photo via aerislifestyle)

 

(photo via momist.com)

(photo via City Weekend)

Transatlantic Floral: UK company Mcqueens February 16, 2009

My goal is to keep this blog as international as possible by featuring people who excel at creating beautiful events around the world. 

Today I would like to highlight UK based flower designer/company: Mcqueens.  Kally Ellis set up the company in 1991 with a mission to provide clients with simple, stylish flowers.  Not only has she more than accomplished her goal for the Clerkenwell-based shop  run with the Italian-born florist Ercole Marconi, Mcqueens has a global following, and provides arrangements for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Vanity Fair and the Tribeca Film Festival.  She has also expanded the company to offer an education component, Mcqueens Floristry School, stores, Mcqueens Flower Shop and the ever so lovely candles, McQ.

I find Mcqueens floral designs to be modern, bursting full of colour and elegant.  If you are lucky enough to reside in London, England and are in need of a florist- Mcqueens should definitately make your short list.

Enjoy some pictures:

Mcqueens Flower Shop (photo credit Mcqueens)

Mcqueens Focal Grouping of Flowers (photo credit Mcqueens)

Mcqueens Pink Hydraengea

Mcqueens Red Calla Lily and Rose Table (photo credit Mcqueens)

Mcqueens White Calla Lily Vase

Mcqueens Candle (photo credit Mcqueens)

Modern Bistro Event February 10, 2009

Here is an idea for an at home dining event: Modern bistro dinner party.

I was reading Trendir, a website that supplies an endless amount of interior design/furniture pics/info/trends.  The picture that inspired my post was the one written on Modern Table Decor featuring a sharp, sleek table. 

The moment I saw the picture, I thought to myself how fantastic it would be to add some oversized wine glasses (the ones in the pic are too small!!), maybe a yummy pasta dish or a mix of hors d’oeuvres that could be lined up along the table and shared with friends. 

Modern bistro party

A couple other items I found on the Trendir site that would nicely complement a modern bistro event night are these colourful tea cups/saucers by French design company, Sentou.  Imagine serving hot chocolate, espresso or tea shots out of these (See below)?

Sentou "Ti-cup" As seen on Trendir.com

Then I saw this interesting, fashion forward pattern on a plate set that I thought would pop against the silver table and red chairs called The Cellar “Indigo Collection”

The Cellar "Indigo Bloom" Dinnerware (seen on Trendir.com)

I think a minimalist modern bistro backdrop lends itself to some pattern on the dishes.  For the purist, there is always white geometric shaped dinnerware.