Interior & Architectural Design

Côte d'Azur • London • Los Angeles • New York • Paris

Seaplane!

Leaving a freezing London on Monday night (-8 with windshield factor) Andrew and I arrived in Inverness to a almost balmy -2 degrees to start a 2 day meeting with a new client in Elgin (whisky country). More that 40 distilleries within a 20 miles radius. This bodes well for future client meetings.

Seaplane at Loch Lomond (image sourced: devere-hotels.co.uk)

Cameron Hotel (image sourced: devere-hotels.co.uk)

This part of Scotland is breathtakingly beautiful and I really wanted to share a fantastic and sloppy idea for any of you hopeless romantics out there. Whilst driving to the clients home, I saw this incredible seaplane swoop along side us to land on Loch Lomond. That in itself was a jaw dropping moment at close proximity. The client told me that you can take this luxury seaplane and fly over the highlands to the historic braes of Balquhidder to have a sumptuous lunch at the award winning Monachyle Mhor Hotel.

You are welcomed at the top of Loch Voile’s shore with a champagne reception and then ferried for a gourmet lunch by celebrity chef Tom Lewis.

Tom Lewis (image sourced: list.co.uk)

Following lunch one boards the seaplane to go to The stunning Cameron House Hotel for cocktails and dinner in the Boat house on the shores of the loch. Bliss. Get those tickets booked! http://www.lochlomondseaplanes.com/book-a-flight/fly-to-lunch.html

Scottish Salmon is great at Mhor Hotel

Loch Lomond (image sourced: devere-hotels.co.uk)

Côte d'Azur • London • Los Angeles • New York • Paris

The First Salon

We work for some amazing clients – a truly bright and eclectic bunch. We also have a great network of past clients and want to encourage them to meet each other at events at the studio. “Salon” will be held at the studio several times a year. Whilst each event is about introducing people and quaffing wine and canapés, we will have something different happening at each event. Up and coming events will include a “blind” wine tasting, a galloping Private View and a tour of Clerkenwell design week. More information and explanations coming soon!

Salon at Callender Howorth with Generation Rwanda

Our first event was held on Wednesday night and got us off to a flying start with over forty past and present clients at the studio. We had a talk by Generation Rawanda – an inspirational charity that helps young people in Rawanda gain education and give them life skills to help regenerate the country, check www.generationrwanda.org .

We will keep you updated on future events and hope to see you there.

Salon at Callender Howorth with Generation Rwanda

Generation Rwanda helps young people

Côte d'Azur • London • Los Angeles • New York • Paris

Rocksalt Restaurant rocks!

Rocksalt Restaurant rocks! This architectural gem is leading the way in the regeneration of the Folkestone harbour docks. So following a site meeting at Saltwood House, a listed manor house overlooking Saltwood castle, the team and I headed straight to the docks for lunch.

Saltwood House exterior

The de Haan family, founders of SAGA, are putting money where their mouth is and are committed to creating a “Padstow effect” regeneration of Folkestone.

Rocksalt is the anchor of this regeneration and the stunning architecture by Guy Holloway Architects feels more California that Kent. The design is awesome. Large glass sliding doors allow uninterrupted panoramic views of fishing boats at high tide and sandy shingle flats at low tide. From the restaurant’s interior a cantilevered balcony, with a glass balustrade and curved soffit creates a wow factor view and ambience. The restaurant is located on the harbours edge, adjacent to its working slipway where local fishermen unload their catch, delivering fresh fish to the restaurant daily. So I can guarantee that the food was great and the best seafood I have had in UK – watch out Rick Stein.

Rocksalt restaurant exterior

Beautiful smoked klipper starter @ Rocksalt

‘Picture’ of the food making @ Rocksalt

Art is very much a part of the regeneration programme. The Creative Foundation is a charity that is truly spearheading all the arty stuff in Folkestone. The Folkestone Triennial – has become a much-followed event on the art circuit and is leaving some memorable and curious art in Folkestone (mermaid). Many local ladies “auditioned” to be the face of the mermaid and whilst not as grand as its Danish inspiration it certainly has character and a sense of humour.

Folkestone has a way to go –but I don’t mean that in a bad way – it is inspirational to see a commitment to this coastal town that is definitely going to become a place to be. With Ashford International only 15 minutes away and the connections to St Pancras, I think that we are going to be hearing lots more from Folkestone.