Chocolate
|
Seventy Percent ( www.seventypercent.com)
Website for all things chocolate.
|
Domori (www.domori.com)
Blend No 1 is our favourite for special treats. It can be hard to get in the UK so stock up when you are in Italy.
|
Lindt Chocolatier (www.lindt.com)
70% for everyday eating (yes every day). According to recent studies, dark chocolate is packed with health giving properties. Well that is all the excuse we need to open a bar of Lindt's 70% chocolate.
|
Willie’s Chocolate Shop (www.williescacao.com)
This eccentric entrepreneur came to fame in a TV series following his dream of bringing pure 100% chocolate to a British audience. We love his Nicaraguan blend for making hot chocolate. Just add water & sugar and relax.
|
La Maison du Chocolat (www.lamaisonduchocolat.co.uk)
For perfect cakes (or small works of art) – try the ‘Delice’ its one of our favourites.
|
Coffee
|
Illy Coffee (www.illy.com)
Our favourite espresso coffee. We also love their specially commissioned cups by artists and designers.
|
Union Coffee (www.unionroasted.com)
Brilliant for cafetiere coffee - Sourced from around the world. Hand Roasted in East London.
|
Fernandez & Wells (www.fernandezandwells.com)
For possibly the best espresso in London and scrumptious Portuguese custard tarts.
|
Architects – Past & Present
|
Palladio
The original classical architect.
|
Luis Barragan (www.barragan-foundation.org)
The brilliant Mexican modernist who loved colour.
|
Frank Lloyd Wright (www.franklloydwright.org)
The self styled organic architect. Brilliant and flawed in equal measure.
|
Will Alsop (www.alsoparchitects.com)
Contemporary, colourful and avant-garde. Alsop designed the award winning Peckham Library.
The Ontario College of Art and Design, pictured, was described by the judges of Riba's 2004 Worldwide Award (which it won) as "courageous, bold and just a little insane". Exactly what we need!
|
|
Richard Rogers (www.richardrogers.co.uk)
When completed in 1986 The Lloyds Building was (and still is) one of the most innovative buildings in London.
Inside is cathedral-like and beautifully lit. Always worth a visit on Open House weekend. Also of course famous for the Pompidou Centre in Paris (done with Renzo Piano).
We look forward to Piano’s ‘Shard of Glass’ at London Bridge now under construction |
 |
Claudio Silvestrin (www.claudiosilvestrin.com)
Luxurious minimalism incarnate. He also designed Princi (see groovy places to eat below).
|
Richard Neutra (www.neutra.org)
Groovy mid-20th century Californian villas. The Kaufman House (pictured) in Palm Springs is a perfect example of what is known as the ‘International Style’. It was built for tycoon Edgar Kaufman who later had Frank Lloyd Wright build the architect’s most famous house ‘Falling Water’ for him – what a luck guy he was but you also have to admit he has taste as well as money!
|
|
Tadao Ando (www.minusfive.com)
Poetry in concrete. His aesthetic is pared down and spiritual. The Fort Worth museum of art, pictured, seems to float on a reflective pool. Sadly not much appreciated in the UK. To see more of Ando’s work click the link.
|
 |
Modern Structures /Buildings we love in London
|
Heron Quays DLR Station
Will Alsop designed station in Canary Wharf.
|
Westminster Tube Station Jubilee Line
Like a battleship but in a good way - by Michael Hopkins & Partners
|
Tate Modern (www.tate.org.uk/modern)
The hit of the Millennium - inspiring surroundings for its modern & contemporary collection
|
The Lloyds Building(www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Lloyds_Building.html)
Richard Rogers' magnum opus
|
The National Theatre (www.nationaltheatre.org.uk)
Brutalism newly invigorated at night by terrific lighting.
|
The Millennium Dome (www.theo2.co.uk)
Best seen from a distance, there are great views for the Isle of Dogs in East London. Now renamed the O2 arena and a great venue for concerts.
|
| Beautiful Modern Interiors in London |
Louise Bluoin Institute (www.ltbfoundation.org)
Contemporary interior inside an old facade
|
The Southbank Centre (www.southbankcentre.co.uk)
The Skylon restaurant has a great view of Central London's riverscape.
|
Hakkasan (www.hakkasan.com)
Dim Sum, but not as we know it – in stunningly beautiful surroundings
|
|
The Barbican Centre (www.barbican.org.uk)
Strong aesthetics – retro in the best possible way
|
| Artists – Past & Present |
Caravaggio
A master of chiaroscuro (light & dark) deep shadows in the background and spotlights on dramatic events and figures, making for dramatic and emotional results. The Supper at Emmaus hangs in the National Gallery, London. |
 |
Michelangelo (www.michelangelo.com)
What can you say about one of the most incredible artists of the 16th Century (indeed ever).
Hard to believe but he does have a website and there is a gift shop if you are interested where you can download a free wallpaper for you PC.
|
Richard Serra (www.gagosian.com)
Monumental sculpture in Corten steel. There is a large example of his work at Liverpool Street Station if you want to be astounded by the power of his sculpture.
|
|
James Turrell (www.pbs.org)
Light Sculpture. The site specific installation "the light inside" inspired a blue bathroom we created. IT can be found at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas.
|
Anish Kappoor (www.anishkapoor.com)
Contemporary organic large scale sculptor. We loved his huge piece Marsyas which was in the turbine hall at Tate Modern.
|
Gerhard Richter (www.gerhard-richter.com)
Contemporary and abstract painter. We love the Cage paintings currently in Tate Modern.
|
Howard Hodgkin (www.howardhodgkin.org.uk)
Colourful, emotional memories in paint.
|
Shops We Love
|
I Camisa (www.camisa.co.uk)
Your local italian food store in Soho. Cramped and packed full of delicious goodies from Italy.
|
Daunt’s Book Store (www.dauntbooks.co.uk)
Great books, staff and interior
|
|
Books for Cooks (www.booksforcooks.com)
A gem of a book shop in West London. Famous for the 1000's of cook books in stock. We love their cookery demonstrations where you can eat and drink yourself to heaven!
|
Boffi for kitchens (www.boffi.com)
Minimal luxury.
|
Alternative Plans (www.alternative-plans.co.uk )
For the best in contemporary bathrooms.
|
Bisazza (www.bisazza.com)
Italian glass mosaic tiles.
|
Mor Jewellery
Hand made jewellery, each piece is unique. They can be found in Ganton St, off Carnaby St.
|
Designers
|
Philippe Starck
Possibly the most famous designer in the world.
|
Piero Lissoni (www.lissoniassociati.com)
Design supremo for minimal luxury, subtlety and proportion.
Piero is one of Ruth's heroes and so she couldn't miss the opportunity to have her picture taken with him.
|
 |
Bruno Rainaldi (www.canningsheridan.com)
Funky and brilliant. Designs for Opinion Ciatti, an Italian furniture manufacturer whose products are available from our online store.
|
Paola Navone (www.canningsheridan.com)
Defies categorization, with endless influences - like Lissoni a wide ranging talent. One of her clients is the Italian furniture manufacturer, Gervasoni whose products are available from our online shop.
|
Dieter Rams
Industrial designer par excellance. He is famous for his 10 principles of good design. "Less, but better" sums up his philosophy.
|
Groovy Places to Eat in London
|
Leon (www.leonrestaurants.co.uk)
Organic, tasty and proper fast food
|
Fernandez & Wells (www.fernandezandwells.com)
For coffee – lunch - anything.
|
V&A Museum Café (www.vam.ac.uk)
For inspiring surroundings and a place to rest your feet.
|
Barrafina (www.barrafina.co.uk)
Spanish tapas in very stylish surroundings.
|
Princi (www.princi.co.uk)
Spirito di Milano. Bringing a little bit of Milan to Wardour Street in central London.
This is a fabulous place to stop off for a meal or snack. With a canteen style counter you can choose from a huge range of Italian cakes, salads, hot dishes and great coffee. All this with a luscious interior. This place is Ciao-tastic and definitely not to be missed.
|
Del Aziz (www.delaziz.co.uk)
For Levantine style - breakfast, lunch, drink or dinner
|
Takeaway sausage sandwiches at Borough Market (www.boroughmarket.org.uk)
|
Cinema - Films featuring interesting interiors
|
Bad Education – Dir. Pedro Almodóvar
|
2046 – Dir. Wong Kar Wai
|
Lucky Number Slevin – Dir. Paul McGuigan
|
In the Mood for Love – Dir. Wong Kar Wai
|
| 2001 a Space Odyssey – Dir. Stanley Kubrick |
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
