Last Post 2012

Although I experienced this blog some two weeks ago, with running the shop over Christmas  I haven’t had the time to put pen to paper until now – better late than never.

Just before Christmas we were in London to view the Maison Scotch, Scotch & Soda, R’Belle & Scotch Shrunk denim range for autumn/winter 2013.  As usual the collections were strong, and didn’t disappoint – the designs were pretty cool, making it extremely difficult to make the final selection while staying within budget.  I know it’s a long way off with spring/summer stock yet to arrive in store, but we are really excited about the autumn/winter range, as we know our customers will love it. 
Before heading back to Paddington to catch the late train home we had three hours in central London absorbing the Christmas atmosphere and do some present buying.  

First port of call was Marylebone High Street, a favourite haunt of ours as it offers an interesting mix of shops, great places to eat or drink.  I have to admit to being an absolute ‘chocoholic’ and Rococo is just one of my favourite brands.  Although they have three stores in London I always head for the Marylebone store.  It’s small & pretty with helpful friendly staff.  Rococo boxes are very distinctive in white ground with blue images of antique chocolate moulds, in fact being a hoarder by nature I can’t bear to throw the boxes out.  Although I will ‘eat’ everything they produce my present addiction is their organic chocolate Wafer Thins – either Rose or Sea Salt.  As the chocolate melts in your mouth the sensation is orgasmic, unfortunately one wafer is not enough to satisfy my craving.  Also in Marylebone High Street is Daunts Books – a really beautiful store with a period interior, here we found a good selection of interesting Christmas cards.  As we headed over to Manchester Square we brushed shoulders on the crossing with John Galliano, he looked so chic wearing a long tailored coat, natty cap and carrying a Gladstone style bag.  Having never seen him in the flesh so to speak, I was surprised how petite he is.

Selfridges

Selfrdiges was our final destination – very busy as one would expect.  This store has a very positive energy – good upbeat music pounding away – not every to everyone’s taste I know, but it does create a great atmosphere for shopping.  The choice of products is endless, perfect for buying as all tastes are catered for.  I did treat myself to a signed copy of Ben Pentreath’s English Decoration book; this will be added to my already large collection of interior design books.   Though I have to say in Ben’s case the interiors photographed have not been seen before unlike a lot of design books where interiors are duplicated.

It was now time to head back to Paddington, but not before taking one last glance at the wonderful Christmas light decoration in Oxford Street.

Bonne année !

Colin Holding His Christmas Goodies!

One Last Glance At Oxford Street

Sunshine After The Rain

Sunday morning in Tetbury marked a respite from the torrential rain we have endured over the last week – we thank ourselves lucky we not too have suffered the flooding and devastation it leaves behind.  The gutters on the property were unable to cope with the exceptional heavy rainfall and the water cascaded over, finding its way into the property with the odd leak appearing, not unusual in a property dating back to 1713.  As much as I didn’t want to it was time to get the ladders out and clear the gutters of leaves and debris.  The roofline at the rear of the property is at odd angles making balancing on a ladder quite precarious to say the least, with Gary leaning against the bottom rungs up I went to investigate.  Gutters now free of leaves and twigs the water was able to flow freely.  As the weather remained dry we decided to head over to Painswick for the afternoon.

Painswick is a half hour drive from Tetbury via Stroud; it sits in the Cotswold Hills surrounded by some exceptional countryside – just perfect for walking and enjoying the views.  The town is exceptionally attractive with quaint winding streets lined with properties of some exceptional architectural merit; it was at its height in wealth in the 16^th/17^th century due to the cloth and wool industry which it was then famous for.  Sitting squarely in the town is the church of St Mary, the churchyard is famous for its 99 clipped Yew trees (legend has it that a 100^th won’t grow).  Equally notable are the grand table top tombs erected in memory of wealthy wool merchants.

Colin & Hettie

Each time we visit its incredibly sleepy, you can meander through the streets and see no-one!  Could Painswick be the place to live if you crave peace from the rat race?    

Magazine Addiction

I have to admit I am an absolute sucker for glossy magazines – sadly it’s an affliction I have suffered my entire adult life!  For many years I carted around boxes of magazines that I could not bear to part with, and after 14 house moves fate decided to take a hand.  Unknown to us, the then house had a natural spring under the garage floor, after an autumn of several weeks of rain the spring spouted forth!  The boxes holding the magazines were soaked leaving a proportion of the collection ruined.  As disappointed as I was it was apparent that I finally move on and stop hoarding.  A major clear-out was in order, surprisingly the experience was very therapeutic, plus we suddenly had a garage.  I still buy more magazines than I should, but the only title I now keep is ‘The World of Interiors’.  Other titles are passed on - better someone else enjoys the pleasure. 

Last weekend I was in Bath and bought a couple of the quarterly mags, issue 7 of ‘Port’, a global publication that mixes the traditional and contemporary, it is marked as ‘Intelligent’ magazine for men, yes it is very slick with well written and researched articles proving a very eclectic mix.  This issue has an interiors profile of the late ‘Joseph Ettedgui’ known as the creator of modern retail and who built the eponymous chain of ‘Joseph’ shops.  I have to say his stylish west London penthouse that he shared with his family is the model of elegant restraint as were his clothes.  The magazine’s editorial is different – one article that stands out is ‘Corpses’ a letter from New Orleans, recounting the problems of burying the deceased!  The closing page interview with Philip Parker, MD & head cutter at Henry Poole & Co in Savile Row is enlightening.

My other purchase was issue 14 of ‘Acne Paper’, published bi-annually by super cool Stockholm based fashion label Acne.  Initially it reminds me of the original Andy Warhol ‘Interview’ mag in format.  This issue is totally dedicated to the Manhattan district of New York, it’s a fairly weighty coffee table style book, printed on matt tactile paper.  The photographic layouts are absolutely superb.  There’s a funny and honest interview with ‘Simon Doonan’ creative ambassador for Barneys department store New York, his window displays always have the ability to shock and inspire.  Photo essays of New York movers & shakers by Brigitte Lacombe, a feature on the delicious Manhattan Cocktail, beautiful fashion shoot in Central park by Andreas Larsson.  There certainly is a lot to read in this gorgeous publication, plus it offers a wonderful insight to life in New York.