Butterflies

"May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.
And find your shoulder to light on.
To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond".
(An Irish Blessing)

Inspired by art

{Romantic}: THE new collection Spring/Summer '09 at Hoss Intropia is filled with colours, embroidered details and flower prints. I love the eclectic, boho-chic style.

I picked up one of their brochures on Sunday afternoon at the Regents Street shop, and I cannot stop looking at it, and ....dreaming for the time being!! I actually bought a necklace and a brooch from their sale just about a year ago - and what a great investment!! They never out of fashion and can be easily been worn to add a bit of originality to an old scarf [the brooch] or a bit of colour over a polo neck top [the necklace].

Pictures from Hoss Intropia Catalogue

Hoss Intropia was founded in 1994 by, ex-designer to the National Ballet of Spain, Paloma Vázquez de Castro. Hoss Intropia produce and design all of their own prints, and details are hand-beaded and embroidered. Inspired by Spanish painter Diego Velàzquez, folk art and theater costume, de Castro's collections are eclectic and youthful.

Colour etc.

{Colour}: The use of colour combination is something that this home owner, Clarissa Hulse can definitively master. Internationally acclaimed Clarissa Hulse is well known as designer of luxury homewares, from wallpaper to cushions, throws and lighting.

The hallmarks of Clarissa’s work are her use of colour and natural imagery in conjunction with beautiful fabrics.

Photography Dan Duchars

Venetian Carnival - [ The Spirit of ]

{Celebrating}: Today marks the last day of the Carnival celebration in Venice. The Carnival is a celebration whose origin goes back in time. It is a festival that celebrates the passage from winter into spring, a time when anything is possible, including the illusion where the most humble of classes become the most powerful by wearing masks on their faces, Bei Tempi!!

Pictures - that personal touch!

{Polaroid}: this Parisian flat is a perfect example of how pictures can become the protagonist of a contemporary interior. Pictures not only add a personal touch to a space, but also add an informal elegance to rooms. I love how this Polaroid collection has been displayed in a heart-shape:

Owner Mariu De Andreis has always been surrounded by pictures. Daughter of famous Italian photographer Paolo Roversi she says: "Polaroid pictures are really special, they capture the magic of the moment".

Pictures from ELLE Decoration Magazine.

Mediterranean Inspired - Mini Lemon tree

{Mediterranean inspired}: I always loved lemon trees and the Mediterranean feel they recreate displayed in a terrazza. They also bring a bit of color to a room in their mini version.

This mini lemon tree has been nicely arranged in terracotta pot with succulent plants. The flower arrangement is from City Galton Flowers .

Flowers by City Galton Flowers - Pictures by Mandarine d'Italie

P.S.Yellow, don't forget, represents hope,support and optimism. Yellow is sunshine!! An it is also the fashion colour for the new season Spring / Summer 2009.

{JOY}: Today I found a nice surprise on the post, the new TOAST catalogue. I always enjoy looking through their catalogues for their choice of unfussy clothes and accessories. Well,.. on their new S/S collection there is plenty of yellow (and not only) to choose from... here a quick pick for you.

Pictures from Toast website

Rural Inspired - Hollie Wright

{CRAFTSWOMAN}: Hollie Wright influences come from the smallholding where she grew up in rural Oxfordshire. Using reclaimed wood and fittings, Hollie creates quirky, functional furniture.


Looking at these pictures brings me back to my 'rural origins' and by closing my eyes I can just picture a kitchen where these pieces would look fabulous! Well done Hollie!!


Picture from www.HollieWright.co.uk

Marimekko - Folk Poetry Inspired

{THE KALEVALA}: is a Finnish book and epic poem of the nineteenth century. Its artistic and cultural influences are widespread across Finland, from music to fine arts. Inspired by forest animals from Kanteleen Kutsu (Call of the Kantele) in The Kalevala, is the new Sanna Annukka's new accessories for Marimekko - Kanteleen Kutsu. What a magical world!!

Folk Style Embroideries

{EMBROIDERIES}: Whilst browsing through an Australian magazine I came across textile designer Charlene Mullen creations.Her work combines contemporary themes and traditional patterns, her "inspiration can, and does, come from anywhere - from Victorian Christening gowns to prison tattoos. Nothing is taboo". What a great discovery!! Here I have picked some of her 'art pieces' from her collection 'Folk' and Geometrics', ENJOY IT!

Pictures via www.charlenemullen.com

Madam Butterfly - Oriental Inspired

{Madam Butterfly}: Minghella production of Puccini's Madam Butterfly returns to the English National Opera in June 2009 as a tribute to Minghella himself.

The colourful costumes are designed by Designer Han Feng. Born in Nanjing, China in the sixties, Han Feng was raised in Hangzhou, China’s artistic center and graduated there from the China Academy of Fine Arts, before moving to New York in 1985.

Today's [Shopping Dream Wish List] Oriental - Inspired

A: Tray from Ibride ; B-C: Set of two mugs from Habitat ; D: Shopping Bag from Liberty; E: Dress from Missoni ; F: 'Geta Sandals' from The Japanese Shop.

Brocante Style

{Brocante Style}: Today I am dreaming!!! This 'casa di campagna' (country house) of 1802 reflects my mood today : Romantic, Nostalgic and Serene.
I love the choice of colour and different period antiques combined with objet trouve', a French interpretation of 'Flea Market Style' , love it!!

When in France..... Au Revoir!! ....I'll be back on Monday! Enjoy your week-end!

Pictures : Herve' Hote from Cote' Maison Oct/Nov 2008 www.cotemaison.fr

Flower Power from French La Redoute

{Spring }: Looking forward to the arrival of Spring now!! Today I bring you a quick pick from La Redoute Homeware Spring collection.

La Redoute website www.laredoute.fr

Daddy Long Legs {A Hotel Experience} -Cape Town South Africa

{A HOTEL EXPERIENCE}:Daddy Long Legs in Long Street, Cape Town is one of my favourite Independent City Art Hotel. I love its interior concept. Each room in the hotel have been uniquely decorated by a local artist, poet , musician, designer and photographer. The Conservatory below has been designed by local artists Liam Mooney and Christie Fels at What if the World Design Studio.

Picture via What if the World Design Studio

{AIRSTREAM TRAILER PARK}:More recently the owners of Daddy Long Legs, Jody Aufrichtig and Nick Ferguson have acquired the Metropole Hotel , a historical building on the same street, 38 Long Street. Since its acquisition the Metropole Hotel has been renamed as the Grand Daddy, which roof has been converted in a 'penthouse' trailer park, where 7 American Vintage caravans are available for guests to stay in. Each of the 7 Airstream trailers interior has a different theme and it is designed by local artists. This is something I am definitively going to check out on my next trip to Cape Town!!!

Picture courtesy of Dax at :www.relax-with-dax.co.za/

Picture courtesy of Dax at :www.relax-with-dax.co.za/

Deco Lamps from France - A TIR D'AILES

{DECO}: I simply love these lamps from Franck De Poilly in Roubaix - France. I love the natural finishing and the clean and elegant style. All the lamps are completely hand made and come in different colours.

A TIR d' AILES lamps are sold at some of the finest Boutiques around France.

What a lovely colour range!!

Pictures franckdepoilly.site.voila.fr/index.jhtml

Hassan Hajjaj quirky interiors

I only recently discovered Hassan Hajjaj shop just by walking casually around Calvert Avenue in Shoreditch on a rainy morning. I have been familiar with his artwork for a while, but did not realise his shop it's just around the corner from Bethnal Green!! Well ever since I became a fan of his quirky, colourful and eclectic style; I cannot walk past his shop without stopping by!

{Quirky Interiors}: Hassan Hajjaj is an artist/photographer and interior designer. I love the way he re-interprets Moroccan-style interiors on his furniture and clothing lines. Most of his creations are made from recycled materials - from his recycled metal lanterns to his Coca-Cola crates sofa and many more.

Picture via www.khtt.net/page/5552/en

His design, furniture, and fashion work can be found at his store in Shoreditch, East London. www.hassanhajjaj.com

Welcome to Mandarine d' Italie

Hope you will enjoy MANDARINE D'ITALIE for days to come...!!! I am just starting to get used to the idea of sharing some of my and others thoughts, ideas, photos, decor tips; and many other inspirational lifestyle finds.
I suppose the idea of beginning blogging has been spinning around my head for a while but I never thought that the day will have never come!!!

{UN PENSIERO ...} ' Le ore si susseguono ma non si rassomigliano'.

{A THOUGHT......} ' Times follow one another but they don't look alike'.

{TIME }: Time seems to be flying..... the last time I was in Italy I took this picture at my family home. These two timeless pieces belongs to my grandparents and were 'rescued' during an excursion(!!!) to my grandparents attic. I am always been fascinated by the amount of discoveries I made throughout the years - as a child I will spend entire Sundays afternoon in the attic looking through this fascinating objects full of history.

{ANTIQUES}: The "SVEGLIA ANNI QUARANTA" [40's CLOCK] is still working, although my parents prefer not to charge it due to the noisy sound of its mechanism. I can't believe people were used to bare that 'TIC -TOC' throughout their sleep!! Without mentioning the alarm sound which will make you jump out of bed in few seconds!!! The "MACININO ANNI CINQUANTA" [50's COFFEE GRINDER] was used to grind coffee beans to make home-made MOKA coffee.

{BEI TEMPI}: As a daily ritual, every morning the alarm will go off and many CAFFETTIERE will be filled with freshly ground coffee.... few minutes later, followed by a familiar bubbling noise, the aroma will spread around the kitchen. A routine that many of us still follow nowadays!!

The iconic coffee maker -Moka Express- was invented in 1933 by Renato Bialetti and since then Bialetti has expanded their range and have introduced more contemporary version of the iconic moka.

ENJOY YOUR COFFEE TOMORROW MORNING!!

Picture courtesy of Elisabeth Bjone www.flickr.com/photos/elisabislet/