Firenze Mi Amore

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I’m sharing pictures from my last visit to Italy today. Despite my incessant scheming, I have not been able to manage a visit to either Florence or New York this summer. I can’t explain how this happened; ordinarily my scheming vis a vis holidays never fails. On the other hand, it’s all worked out really well because I’ve been able to put AlaraApothecary on a firm footing, so s’all good. Besides, there are still three months left in the year….. hope springs eternal in the heart of the desperate traveller. It’s probably a good thing that I haven’t been able to travel anyway. I discovered that I don’t even regard trips to NYC or Italy as holidays anymore. It’s more like, ‘why can’t I go home?’ That is deeply disturbing, not to mention spoilt. One shouldn’t suffer from separation anxiety because you can’t visit a country you’re not from. A reality check is in order. In this new spirit of relentless sobriety, I share with you my favourite maxim of the week, courtesy of Mike Tyson, ‘Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth’. Tru dat.

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New kids on the block

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The skies are grey, it’s raining and the design shows are all over (sob).However, the leaves are turning, you can go back to wearing cosy woollen jumpers, and drinking hot chocolate is practically a human right; for the next six months anyway. You’ll notice that I’m being careful not to mention Christmas….. The secret to Christmas is to be radical and actually treat it as a celebration of the nativity of the Messiah, as opposed to a mental-breakdown and poverty-inducing binge-fest. Alaraapothecary- we solve all your problems 🙂

The shows were a bit odd this year. I have to admit to being discombobulated by the location shift of 100% Design. Omitting to read my ticket or any of the 5000 missives sent to me, I went to Earl’s Court first, in full homing pigeon mode. Imagine my consternation upon finding that I then had to trek to Olympia as the Earls Court site is being redeveloped to provide more flats that Londoners can’t afford. (Don’t even get me started. I know it’s a free market but that doesn’t mean I have to like it).

I think this may have messed with my mood but i wasn’t enamoured of Olympia at all. Tfl had also cancelled all District line trains to the station for the duration. Excellent joined-up thinking there. The space lacks the intimacy they managed to contrive at Earls Court but the exhibitors were as nice as ever and there were some really nice pieces. It’s the first year, I’m sure it will be awesome next year. By the way, that lurid red carpet causes hallucinations. You may want to tone it down.

My favourites were the beautifully made furniture by Jointed+Jointed collective, and the wallpapers and fabrics from Mitas & Co. The latter should be better known. Find them at www.mitasandco.com. The quality of surface materials and flooring was also really good. Ceramic tiling design is really amazing at the moment. I particularly liked the selection at Blueprint ceramics. The metal mosaics are just the thing if you need to introduce some bling into your life, and who doesn’t?

(photos: Hive mind wallpaper, Mitas & Co; Aponi side cabinet and bureau, Jointed+Jointed; Foxcat design light; Tramonti Art design light: Tiles & Mosaics by Blueprint ceramics)

 

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