Murray Fredericks

Under The Influence

Love these still life images from Under the Influence Magazine, Jewellery with an African Twist.

Photographed by Benjamin Bouchet & Styled by Julie Nivert.

Sourced via,

Under The Influence Magazine

Read All About It

I love books, it would be so wonderful to have my own library but with a built in database that curates your books according to the choices you put in and of course then delivers them to you onto your coffee table with a butler to make you drinks.

Back to reality, I have selected a variety of choices all of them which intrigue me for different reasons, some for its images others for their design aspects, others to learn something and some are from my favorite Authors. There are so many to choose from so am sure I will do several of these postings.

All books are available at the following sellers,

www.amazon.com

www.rizzoliusa.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

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Arrivederci Capri

Caesar Augustus Hotel Anacapri, what a view!

And another view from my hotel

Charming Saints protecting the houses

Hats off Capri Tiberio Hotel

La Terraza of a Private home

Via Tagara

Colour Burst

Back streets of Capri

Beware Jewellery Galore Everywhere..love all the gold on tanned skin.

Leaving La Fontinella with the little yacht called Rising Sun in the background..

Crisp and fresh Italian Rosé

Caesar Augustus Anacapri gorgeous hotel .

Carthusia Parfumeria di Capri, great gifts .

Beautiful staircase at The Capri Tiberio Palace decorated by Giampiero Panepinto

Sunset drinks at la Piazzetta

Love Poems by Pablo Neruda on the Arco Naturale Trail

The view from Punta Tagara

Il Riccio Dessert Room..heaven

Yumm

Full moon view from my balcony

Wonderful invite for the opening of Faraone Mennella’s jewellery shop in Capri.

Now back home , am feeling blue after the magical time that I had in the Isole delle Sirene called Capri. I can hear their call, myth or not, just as Roman Emperors Caesar Augustus and Tiberius did amongst many many others.

You are hypnotized to eat like you have never eaten before thinking you will not eat again after your last amazing meal in one of the wonderful restaurants, and guess what? Hours later you are hungry again and running to another restaurant...so Capri is a lot about its delicious and fresh food , but the good thing is that you have to walk everywhere there are no cars on the island, as its a maze of narrow paths.

There are amazing walks like the Arco Naturale trail, but make sure you wear comfortable shoes on this one, we didn't it thanks to my spacey local friend who forgot how long the trail was. Should have paid attention to the receptionist of the hotel when she looked at us in horror when we left the hotel, we climbed over 400 really huge and steps on our hands and knees after having all ready walked 45 minutes in espadrilles and wedges for her, oh and I was wearing a dress ...wanted to kill her by the end we were soaked in sweat with makeup running down our faces, branches in our hair and it was dark by the time we got the to the restaurant Il Grotelle, but don't let that put you off...its spectacular the walk in running shoes and shorts. We did laugh and almost cry too... and then I had a huge plate of spaghetti Aglio e olio and lots of wine to calm my self.

 Yes eating is the favourite sport here and crazy romantic or challenging walks...but the best walks are done around the shops, Linen shops, handmade sandals, jewellery galore, cashmere, scents and more. You know you are in Italy when the men's shops are better than the women's ones..

At sunset there is always amazing outdoor concerts, classical, Neapolitan, or even Kazakhstani , you can hear the music flow all over Capri, it is so beautiful, or the outdoor cinema to watch old Italian movies. Also visiting or staying in Anacapri is essential, very different to Capri, the air is cooler, crispier and the views are spectacular. Its like being in the countryside of Capri. My favourite thing to do there is go to the Caesare Augustus hotel for sunset drinks, just heaven..I will stay there for a few days next time, want to get know this part of the island better and with that view!

Or if lazy just hire a boat to take you around the island stopping off to swim in beautiful bays, look at incredible boats anchored of the island or got to one of the beach clubs to hangout and yes eat again and even day excursions to Positano or Nerano.

I could go on and on, obviously I love Capri as do many others. Thank you my friend for giving me a wonderful holiday in your childhood island. Can't wait to go back, I can hear the Siren's call..

Till we meet again xo

All Pictures taken by Vision of Splendor.

COFFEE BREAK

Now that's what I call a Pumpkin Meringue Pie...

Source PINTEREST

Amaridian

Amaridian is the symbolic combination of two words, the Zulu word " Amadlozi" meaning "Ancestral Spirit" and the word "Meridian" the imaginary lines that traverse the Globe.

This wonderfully named Gallery by South Africans Mary Slack and Fraser Conlon is based in New York city. Their vision  educates us on the immense talent of the African Continent, very tribal yet modern at the same time.

Anyone who has ever been to Africa falls in love with the place, the magic, the people, the colours, the animals, the music and now you can also fall in love with these artists thanks to Amaridian.

Thank you Africa for all your wonderful gifts. xo

All Photos  and more information on all the artists via,                   www.amaridianusa.com

Cabin Fever

Snow Cabin via Sister Himalaya

Winter Home via Architectural Digest

Modern Mountain home via Pinterest

Rustic Bathroom via Pinterest

The Peak of Rustic Chic Idaho via Elle Decor

Rustic Bathroom via Sisson Designs

Jackson Hole , Wyoming via Elle Decor

Le Chalet Chatel via Les Fermes de Marie

Wild White Horses via Sister Himalaya

Chalet Table scape via Pinterest

Fairy Trees in The Snow Via Pinterest

Am off to the Swiss Alps for a couple of days to enjoy some Nature and fresh Air, can't wait after 2 months in the city.

Yodel Away xo

PAVILLION OF ART & DESIGN LONDON 2012

Guy De Rougemont~ POP Sculpture Lamp~ Galerie Diane DE Polignac

Francis Sultana

Mattia Bonetti Colour Ball Armchair~ David Gill Galleries

Chanan Gallery

Lustre de Virevolte ~ Herve Van Der Straeten

Herve Van Der Straeten PAD Paris 2011 Stand

Mattia Bonetti~ David Gill Galleries

Karry Berreby Paris PAD 2011 Stand

Bulgari three gold watch circa 1980~ Karry Berreby

Galerie Hervouet

Francois_Xavier Lalanne~Gorille Console 2005~ Ben Brown Fine Arts

Galerie Jean-Louis Danant

Astrid Koch~ Sky 2012 Fibre Optic Tapestry~Galerie Maria Wettergren

List of Exhibitors PAD London 2012

Its arriving next week, the Fairs of all Fairs! Pavillion of Art & Design London Edition.  For me is the most elegant and beautiful of them all. All my favourite galleries under one roof, with impeccably curated stands. I go several times during the week even if its not large to take it all in and eye pieces that I can dream of owning one day, or just feel good after seeing such beauty.

If you have never been go and if you have go again.

Oh C'est Beaux xo

PAD LONDON

10-14 OCTOBER 2012

BERKELEY SQ

LONDON W1

Website for more information on the PAD FAIRS and Tickets,

www.pad-fairs.com/london/en

Michael Aram

Fan Coral Sculpture

Tortoiseshell Shell Candle Holder

Fig Leaf Serving Bowl

Pomgranate Nut Bowl

Honey Pot with Spoon

All Photos from Neiman Marcus

We could do with a Michael Aram Shop in London. Love his work and they make great gifts.

http://www.michaelaram.com

Big In Japan : Kaikado

The History of Kaikado

Kaikado was established in 1875, shortly after Japan opened its doors to the rest of the world. With civilization came the import of tin plate from England. Tin was used for the plating of steel, and was considered a fashionable foreign-made item. In the Edo era, canisters made from tin were a commonplace means of storage for tea, as were jars made from china or earthenware. It was the company's founder, Kiyosuke, who first designed the tin tea caddy and made it into a commercially available item. His aim was to provide a well-designed, functional tea caddy capable of storing the type of tea leaves commonly sold by dealers. Showing sympathy for local traditions, Kaikado designed a product that would leave a lasting impression on the discerning Kyoto locals. A great many orders were received from tea dealers and hardware merchants alike. The tea caddies were tailor made to the requirements and needs of each and every store. In a time before the invention of the refrigerator, air tightness was key to maintaining the flavour and quality of freshly picked leaves for a period of one year.

Kaikado's tea caddies were a blessing in disguise to tea dealers, in particular in terms of their functionality. Before long, there was an increase in the number of stores supplying the tea caddies, in Kyoto and throughout Western Japan. A manufacturing process that involves anywhere between 130 to 140 steps, the hand-made tea caddies have virtually remained true to the designs established by Kaikado's founding generation. The die and mold used in the early years of the company is still in use today, whilst some shapes of tea caddy used 130 years ago are still in production today.

In 1916, the company was succeeded by Otokichi. The second generation, Otokichi was said to be the most able craftsman of all generations. The third generation, Hikojiro, successfully led the company through difficult times in which, preceding and after the 2nd World War, materials were scarce and tools also had to be sent away in the name of war. The period of economic growth that followed the war years, saw the advent of cheaply made, inexpensive tea caddies. Dissatisfied with this, the fourth generation successor, Shouchi, continued to make tea caddies in the traditional manner, at the same time developing a caddy made from copper. The fifth generation, Seiji, started producing tea caddies to sell to the general public and for this purpose introduced a portable caddy suited to the individual user. Seiji also developed a caddy made from brass. The sixth successor, Takahiro, developed a two-tiered tea caddy. He initiated the first ever collaborations with tea brands, and marketed his caddies abroad. Whilst maintaining tradition, Takahiro set his sights on the global market. Adding a new element per generation is a tradition that Kaikado has carried throughout its history.

Even as its horizons widened, Kaikado has made the same tea caddies it has always done. Doing away with excessive detail, the caddies are based on the pursuit of function. Their simple forms are overflowing with functionality. Each time a Kaikado tea caddy is handled, it develops a unique sheen specific to the type of material from which it is made. Witnessing the changes in color that develop over time will surely bring great joy to the person wishing to nurture their caddy over time. A tea caddy that has been filled with the memories of 100 years can be passed onto the next generation to treasure. With the hand-made materials and methods that comprise Kaikado’s selection of caddies, one can enjoy the expressions unique to each and every tin caddy, or the rapidly changing appearance of copper, or the mellow changes of color that make the brass tea caddies so unique. These qualities forming an important characteristic to its tea caddies, Kaikado have selected only materials with which this can be achieved.

The precision inherent in the hand-made process of the tea caddies is also unique to Kaikado. The double-walled construction guarantees excellent air tightness and will protect tea leaves from humidity whilst helping them to maintain their scent. In addition to being used for storing tea leaves, the caddies be used to hold a wide variety of foodstuffs. They can also be used to store English or Chinese tea, as well as coffee, spices, pasta and grain. We are confident that our customers will not only enjoy the long-lasting quality of our tea caddies, and the scents that arise with each removal of the lid, but experience the difference in function between our caddies and standard containers or boxes.

Having spanned 130 years of history, it is our wish to maintain the art of and passion for our tea caddies for future generations to enjoy.

Love the story of Kaikado, wonderful craftsmanship and design, you can have them customize your logo or any design on them and combine the brass, silver and bronze together, they are also useful for to store other ingredients like herbs, pasta and coffee. For more information and ordering please visit their beautiful site. Your kitchen would look magnificent with these caddy's gleaming. 

Utsukushii xo

Pictures sourced via,

www.kaikado.jp

www.designboom.com