Tuesday’s news: Penguin book illustrations, tessellating furniture and celebrity property scoop 6 October, 2009
Posted by katykimbell in Daily news.Tags: celebrity, how to decorate with white, Penguin books, white lacquer
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Did anyone watch Criminal Justice on BBC1 last night? Although I sat in nail-biting suspense throughout the whole programme, I could not help but notice the stunning interior of the family home where all the juicy action took place. I simply loved the minimalistic use of white and the ultra stylish lacquered surfaces. I’m quite certain that the BBC set designers had sourced their inspiration from mydeco’s guide on how to decorate with white!
Whilst we wait impatiently for the next instalment tonight, let’s keep our brains and aesthetic senses satisfied with the latest news and gossip from the design world.
Wallpaper: Penguin by Illustrators
Image credit: Wallpaper
Most people can remember their first Penguin paperback. Mine was The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and I can still distinctly picture the cheeky illustration of the troublesome protagonist. Over the last seven decades, the Penguin paperback has acquired legendary status with its book cover becoming a showcase for British illustration design. Now you’ve got even more reason to p-p-p-p-p-p-pick up a Penguin as you read Wallpaper’s exclusive review of the newly published book celebrating Penguin illustration.
Wallpaper: Rotterdam hosts the 4th international architecture Biennale
MoCo Loco: L’Eclaireur Boutique in Paris gets a chic redesign
MoCo Loco: Sleek new screw-like stools by Thorsten van Elten
Cool Hunting: Vibrant video introducing iconic designer Sergio Rodrigues
Yesterday Cool Hunting presented the world’s largest lemonade stand, today they showcase the colourful designs of Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues.
In Design Live: Fun Furniture from Zenith
Image credit: In Design Live
Why make furniture boring when it can be so much fun? This is clearly what UK-based furniture designer Jonathan Coleman believes. Doesn’t this photo make you want to play around with the tessellating shapes of the JAKS range from Zenith Interiors?
Design Week: Phillips de Pury auctions design pieces
Design Week: Bojo pushes for custom designed water stations in London
The Telegraph: 10 ways to improve the appearance of your property
The Telegraph: Take off time for Brangelina plus other celebrity property gossip
Image credit: The Telegraph
It’s always fun to keep an eye on celebrities and the property market, and The Telegraph’s latest offering of celebrity scoop is full of surprises. Top story of the day has to be that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie plan to build an airport near their South of France château to cope with the logistical nightmare of moving their burgeoning brood.
The Times: The house that floats above a private loch is up for sale
The Guardian: The Turner Prize Trinity
For once this year’s Turner prize show has brains, brawn and beauty, Adrian Searle plunges in and picks his winner.
The Independent: The ten best power tools
So that’s all for today. Have a good Tuesday and remember that by tomorrow we will already be half way through the week!
Monday’s news: Ron Weasley’s property empire, the cool new camper store and a dazzling diamond light 5 October, 2009
Posted by katykimbell in Daily news.Tags: billy bookcase, celebrity, craft, harry potter, lighting, Madonna, property, star
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Winter may have prematurely raised its head, but who cares? Now you can don your smart winter coat and remain effortlessly dry beneath your chic umbrella. Don’t let a bit of drizzle get you down, bring some sunshine into your Monday and take a look at the weekend’s top design stories.
The Daily Mail: Weasley does it
Everyone’s favourite Harry Potter character Ron Weasley has proved to be no muggle when it comes to mastering the property market. The actor Rupert Grint may only be 21 years old but he’s already the proud owner of two country mansions worth a cool £9.2 million.
Image credit: The Daily Mail
The Times: All the fun of the craft fair, a guide to the latest art and crafts events
The Times: Inside Sol Cambell’s swanky mansion in Chelsea
The Times: The Beachcomber, artistic inspiration from the Kent coastline
Cool Hunting: The world’s biggest lemonade stand
The latest record to be broken state-side is the creation of the largest lemonade stand the world has ever seen. Take a look at Cool Hunting’s video and stand mystified!
Not content with merely selling cool designer shoes, the Camper team decided that they wanted their shoppers to enjoy a cool designer experience. The result is the visually stunning Camper store on Regent Street, which was opened during the London Design Festival.
Image credit: MoCo Loco
MoCo Loco: Diamond Light by Hiroki Takada, a kaleidoscopic triumph
This dazzling Diamond Light will be launched at the upcoming 100% Design Tokyo show. The pendant is made mostly of mirrors combined with high power 20 watt LEDs, the effect resembles a kaleidoscope.

Image credit: MoCo Loco
Design Week: England squad gets bold new branding for Commonwealth Games
The Guardian: Top Craft suggestions
The Independent: Billy Bookcase goes bling
Check out what mydeco’s Annie Deakin has to say about the iconic Billy Bookcase and its brand new look.
Let’s hope that after that news round-up you can continue your Monday with a designer spring in your step! See you tomorrow.
House with the blue door is up for sale 30 September, 2009
Posted by katykimbell in Editors' blog.Tags: blue door, celebrity, for sale, Notting Hill, property
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If I said that 280 Westbourne Park Road was up for sale it would probably mean nothing to you. If I said that the house with the blue door from Notting Hill was up for sale, you may get a teeny weenie bit excited.
So without further ado, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. The iconic house made famous by the highest grossing British film ever made, has just gone on the market for a stonking £2,500,000.

Image credit: London Brick Work
If you think that this celebrated property still resembled the shabby and slightly chaotic house that was made famous in the film, you’d be strongly mistaken. Some snappy editing came into play, and the house that we all know belonging to foppish William Thacker (Hugh Grant) and his skinny Welsh flatmate Spike (Rhys Ifans) was actually filmed on a separate set. Sneaky, eh?
Prospective buyers may be relieved to discover that instead of facing a filthy kitchen as they enter the famous threshold, they will actually be standing in a magnificent converted chapel. In the real world, (that’s the world where nice English boys don’t get to fall in love with Julia Roberts) the house boasts a 1,000 square foot reception room, a galleried mezzanine and a charming courtyard garden.
Back in the day, the house actually belonged to the film’s screen writer Richard Curtis and his lurvely wife Emma Freud. But shortly after filming, the godfather of British rom-coms, decided to cut his losses and leave, selling the house for a measly £1.3 million. Ouch!

Image credit: London Brick Work
When the new proprietors of the famous house were hounded by Japanese tourists tapping at their door with their Nikon cameras, they decided that the only way to get some peace and quiet was to sell the blue door at a charity auction. A black replacement may have brought them some anonymity but we were hardly fooled!
Now they have left, our eyes are peeled as to who’s going to snap up this fabulous property. Who knows if they’re lucky some beautiful hollywood star may come knocking on their black (not blue) door.
Wednesday’s news: UK design winners, scrap funiture and a £4 million hostel 2 September, 2009
Posted by eleanorjoslin in Daily news.Tags: celebrity, design, gossip, news, property, style, trend
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Want to know what luxury accommodation for the homeless looks like? Or the luxury mansions that your fave celebs are languishing in? We do! Which is why mydeco brings you up to date on all the design, property and home interiors news every day. Here’s the latest installment to keep your design news-cravings satisfied:
The Guardian: Britain’s first tailor-made homeless hostel
I wonder if all lodgers have to be homeless? ‘Cos I wouldn’t mind taking a holiday in this swish hostel. From experience, Poland should definitely take note.

Image credit: The Guardian
Daily Mail: £5.5m Poole house that was built in a Frankfurt warehouse
Flat-packed housing anyone?
Daily Mail: Trend – Raiding Granny’s attic
Florals, vintage crockery and kitsch treasures create a look that revives the past.

Image credit: The Daily Mail
Design Week: The design industry and the UK economy is to be investigated
Design Week: Hemingway’s Kioskiosk will be permanent
Entrepreneurial designers look this way – following the success of the nomadic pop-up shop Kioskiosk, three permanent positions will soon pop up and stay. What’s more, they’re rent free – surely the aforementioned investigation can’t find fault with this idea.
Design Week: Three British designers among Sappi design winners
Design Week: The ‘lower-tech’ version of West Brom’s Public Gallery
dornob: New design – Scrap metal furniture

Image credit: dornob
dornob: Trend – bathroom designs
Trendir: Unique design – an unusual sofa from Bla Station
This high-backed formal sofa with comfy cushions for every head-rest position will have you blushing red with desire.
MoCo Loco: Landmark lights series by Sylvain Willenz
MoCo Loco: Bizarre ceramics by Fabrica

Image credit: MoCo Loco
MoCo Loco: Unique design – L.O.F.T. Workstation by Maciek Wojcicki
Interior Design: Abstract tantra art
The Real Estalker: Rihanna is buying
Rumour has it that popette Rihanna is about to shelter a very large and brand new 90210 gated mansion under her real estate umbrella-ella…

Image credit: The Real Estalker
The Real Estalker: Ben Stiller is selling
The Telegraph: Eco houses – Barnsley Hill Farm
The Telegraph: Paint the garden red: how to grow perfect currants
The paintings and sculptures at the Mall Galleries have also been entered for this year’s Threadneedle Prize.
The London Evening Standard: Confessions of an art collector – New Charles Saatchi book
Thursday’s news: Extinct TVs, million-dollar makeovers and brand new designs… 27 August, 2009
Posted by eleanorjoslin in Daily news.Tags: celebrity, design, gossip, news, property, style, Trends
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Once again, the mydeco news hounds have had their ears alert for the latest in design news, property and style trends. Here’s what we sniffed out this morning:
BBC NEWS: End of the line for British TVs

Image credit: BBC NEWS
After a season of Union Jack galore, it looks like patriotic design has been waning in the electronics sector. But as we love all things revival (Take That? Yes please!) hopefully British TV manufacturing will return in the future. Pay homage with our range of televisions, both modern and retro.
BBC NEWS: Campaign to save historic mansion in Wales
BBC NEWS: Picasso gallery to be renovated
The Telegraph: Picasso’s stolen ‘The Naked Woman’ found in Iraq
Long time dead but hogging the limelight – Picasso is headline news today. If you can’t see the real thing due to scaffolding and thieves, buy a Picasso with mydeco.
The Telegraph: $27billion oasis makeover of Saadiyat, an island off the coast of Abu Dhabi

Image credit: The Telegraph
The Telegraph: Mediocre second home or a share in a glamorous getaway
Not a tough decision – especially when you see the gorgeous, sun-drenched properties that could be (half) yours.
The Telegraph: Lofty ambitions for student accommodation
The Telegraph: Trend – Card Sharp sculptures

Image credit: The Telegraph
Cool hunting: Have the iMax video experience in your home with dome screens
This looks super-cool and interactive – apparently it’s as if you’re actually on stage with your guitar heroes, dodging a bullet in James Bond and up close – very close- to Jude Law. It’s on my Christmas list – along with Jude.
3rings: New design – Alexandra von Furstenberg’s Limited Edition Lucite Desks
The Guardian: This chair has still got legs – relaunch of a classic
dornob: New design – Julien and his amazing techni-coloured furniture

Image credit: dornob
Not the most comfortable benches by the looks of them but certainly the most colourful new designs we’ve seen in a while.
Design Week: Winning entries for Design Against Fur competition are announced
Dexigner: Young designer challenge to makeover McDonalds
Homes and Property: The ultimate treehouse

Image credit: Homes and Property
The Real Estalker: Alec Baldwin Seeks to Sell Two at the Eldorado
Metro: Trio sought over Lohan break-in
Perhaps not the only three-way saga classy Lindsay Lohan has been involved in…
The Times: The last Big Brother house
One word: Hurrah!
Tempted by Yves Saint Laurent’s Tangier estate 18 August, 2009
Posted by lucindamydeco in Editors' blog.Tags: bedroom, bedspread, celebrity, country, dining room, English country, lanterns, living room, marks and spencer, moroccan, Tangier, terrace, Yves Saint Laurent
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There aren’t many houses that I would leave my beloved flat for, but Yves Saint Laurent’s might just be the one.

Image credit: The Real Estalker
Following the death of the fashion legend last June, the Moroccan villa he shared with business partner Pierre Bergé is up for sale. And my word is it a beauty.
Nestled by the Kasbah and just 5 minutes from the town centre, the 9,700 square foot Villa Mabrouka boasts some pretty spectacular surroundings. If I did decide to up sticks to Tangier, I’d enjoy stunning views over the Straight of Gibralter. Not to mention 2 acres of gorgeous gardens created by Madison Cox, the landscape designer responsible for the New York Botanical Garden.
And that’s just the outside.
Wander through the Moorish style entry and you’ll find an inspired mish mash of classic Moroccan meets English country. The eclectic interior is the work of renowned interior designer Jacques Grange, a favourite of Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Get the look with Moroccan Lanterns from Crocus and a Country Rose Bedspread from Utopia Soft Furnishings.
In my potential new pad, white washed walls, tiled floors, vaulting ceilings and a mind bogglingly extensive terrace are just some of the traditional Moroccan perks I could enjoy. Other tempting features include a living room with 180-degree views of the sea, a dining room with bamboo walls and two master bedrooms with verandas. Oh, and a heated swimming pool carved out of the rock. Not too shabby.
In fact, I think I’m sold on the idea.
There’s just one snag in my plan to take over Villa Mabrouka: it’s listed as ‘price upon request’. Well, there’s no harm in a spot of speculative ‘requesting’ now is there?
The rise of the mockney boozer 7 August, 2009
Posted by lucindamydeco in Editors' blog.Tags: bed, candlestick holders, celebrity, Georgian, Guy Ritchie, London, Madonna, property, tradtional, wardrobe
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last two months, you’ll know that Madonna is getting to know her new adoptive daughter, Mercy. What you may have missed is that her ex-husband Guy Ritchie has his hands full with a new charge of his own: London pub, The Punch Bowl.

Image credit: Sam the sham
Previously a joint venture with Madge, Guy now has sole custody of the precious boozer, which is fast becoming a favourite with the moneyed Mayfair set, as well as a host of celebs – think Justin Timberlake, Leo, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Spacey and princes William and Harry for starters.
So what’s all the fuss about? Well, it seems that in Mayfair, where the pub is nestled down a quiet mews street, the dazzle of try-hard wine bars and monochrome restaurants is finally starting to wear off. Perhaps seeking a reminder of pre-recession London, drinkers are opting for a good old cockney or ‘mockney’ boozer – a reassuring throwback to England in its glory days. And The Punch Bowl delivers, albeit not as authentically as some of the city’s lesser-known establishments.
Inside, you’ll find dark wooden panelling, a heavy oak frame, traditional candlestick holders and various portraits of 18th-century political figures clustered on the walls, as well as an oil painting of Winston Churchill over one of the blackened fireplaces.
The bad news is that The Punch Bowl is unusual in its roaring trade. A report just out from the British Pub and Beer Association reveals that 52 pubs a week are closing thanks to taxes, the smoking ban, the recession and cheap supermarket alcohol. The good news, however, is that inventive house-seekers are cashing in on the trend, snapping up the properties at a great price. One London pub, The Simon the Tanner is on sale for the cost of a two-bedroom central London flat, but is twice as big!
So, if you’ve landed yourself a Georgian pub like The Punch Bowl and are looking to retain some traditional features, I’d recommend a Georgian Double Wardrobe and 5ft bed, both from Dooleys Furniture and both in white – the best way to achieve old-school charm without overpowering a bedroom with masses of dark wood.
And if you’re still more interested in the stylings of ex-Mrs Ritchie, we’ve got just the thing to tickle your fancy – the inside track on how she’s kitting out new daughter Mercy’s bedroom. Enjoy.
David Hasselhoff stars in ‘Beige-watch’ 6 August, 2009
Posted by lucindamydeco in Editors' blog.Tags: bed, bed linen, bedroom, celebrity, chesterfield leather sofa, David Hasselhoff, kitchen, kitsch, sofa
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Cult icon David Hasslehoff aka ‘The Hoff’ has done it all: donned the famous, red swimming trunks for his spell in Baywatch, battled the baddies in Knight Rider, had a video of his drunken antics go viral – he’s even had a musical made about his life. So when we heard that he was selling his estate in Encino, we couldn’t wait to have a look at how this larger than life character has decked out his home.

Image credit: The Real Estalker
Not so imaginatively it turns out. Sure, there’s a lot on offer for the $4,195,000 price tag – namely five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, a screening room, a gym for maintaining that Baywatch six pack, a ‘gourmet kitchen’ (whatever that means) two guest houses, a tennis court, a pool, a spa and a 5 car garage – but if you choose to venture inside, expect beige meets white meets more beige. Hardly inspiring.
The kitchen (above) is pretty darn dull, with light brown tiled floor and honey coloured raised panel cabinetry topped by sand coloured granite counter tops. I’d overhaul it with some dark wood floors and contrasting statement cabinets in bright orange, as seen in the Moben Zebrano kitchen.
Cream walls, taupe carpets and marble effect floors invade the rest of the house with the exception of the “bonus room” (below) which has a built-in bar and a wall of gold, silver and platinum records from The Hoff’s tongue-in-cheek music career. Kitsch-tastic.

Image credit: The Real Estalker
It’s not all bad, though. The living room is light and airy with glossy hardwood floors and a beautiful, deep brown chesterfield sofa. And the master bedroom (above) does include a super-squishy suede sleigh bed not unlike the gorgeous Milano sleigh bed from Sleepland beds. We’d ditch the caramel sheets, though, and team it with Kelly Hoppen’s super-chic Chalk Stripe bed linen instead.
No need to feel too embarassed though, David – you’re not the only celeb opting for safe, muted hues. Alexander McQueen’s East London pad also houses a simple, unembellished interior – a surprising choice for the hooligan of British fashion. Check out Ellie’s blog post on the 31st July to have a good old nosey.














