Tag Archives: design
The Great Architectural Bake Off
If I had to pinpoint two things I’ve got from my dad, it’s how to stuff massive amounts of sugar in my gob, and a love of architecture mixed with urban planning. So when I caught wind of The Great Architectural Bake Off, I nearly galloped to Fitzroy Square. Continue reading
“Back to the Classics” with Afternoon Tea at The Langham
Newly appointed Executive Pastry Chef for The Langham London, Andrew Gravett, showcases classic recipes with seasonal ingredient, lighter textures and distinct flavours with his new Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood. Continue reading
Win a £150 Gift Card from Pocket High Street for Valentine’s Day
I’ve teamed up with the folks at PocketHighStreet.com again to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a £150 gift card to spend at the best independent shops in London. Continue reading
Win a £150 Gift Card from Pocket High Street
Daunted by the task of Christmas shopping? Hoping to avoid the same old big box retailers this year and find prezzies that are as special and distinctive as your friends and family whom you’re buying for? Have I got a gift for you! I’ve teamed up with the folks at PocketHighStreet.com to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a £150 gift card to spend at the best independent shops in London. Continue reading
Chocolate Week Afternoon Tea at The Langham London
The Langham London’s Executive Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden, has done it again, this time round with a special – and especially chocolaty – afternoon tea for Chocolate Week. Continue reading
Good Stuff #59
Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip, savour and more – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy.
The Langham Children’s Afternoon Tea with Hamleys
Mia – a tikichris contributor, Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef, and mother of a toddler – visits The Langham London with her three-year old son for the launch of its new Children’s Tea with Hamleys – and gives it “triple … Continue reading
Madam Butterfly at ENO
A tearjerker of a show, thanks in large part to a profoundly sympathetic performance of soprano Rena Harms, English National Opera’s staging of Madame Butterfly delights the eyes as much as it moves the hearts of its audience. Continue reading
Wiener Demeanour: Galleries, Art and Design
Schönbrunn Palace … St Stephen’s Cathedral … the Belvedere … the Albertina … even a cursory list of Vienna’s top attractions packs the sort of artful wallop that would delight even the pickiest of culture vultures. And by all means as many of these (and so many other) places should be included in any sightseeing itinerary of the historic Austrian capital. But that doesn’t mean visitors to Vienna must relegate themselves to an urban escape set only in the past. Continue reading
Cork Report | Obrigado
From ancient oak forests south of Lisbon to state-of-the-art processing facilities near Porto in the north, tracing cork’s route from the tree to the finished product turned out to be a fascinating journey across Portugal. Continue reading
Cork Report | Bringing It Back Home
So impressed were we with our cork tour of Portugal that Kemey and I wanted to bring back home with us a more substantial than usual souvenir as a keepsake. Before we knew it we were making plans to clad an entire wall of our house with cork tiles. Having now lived with the tiles in place for several months, our choice seems more and more sensible and aesthetically sound as the days go by. Continue reading
Easter Afternoon Tea at The Langham London
Hop(p)ing for a happy Easter? You’re guaranteed a delectable and playful one with the limited run Easter Afternoon Tea offering by The Langham London’s Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden. Continue reading
Cork Report | So Much More to Bark About
Obviously, cork stoppers are by and far the most likely application for cork. But – as a sustainably harvested crop that’s naturally fire retardant and insulating (thermal and acoustic), flexible, hypoallergenic, and impermeable to liquid and gas – there’s plenty more being done with it. Shall we have a quick look? Continue reading
Infographic: Iconic Furniture in Film and TV
Check out this fun infographic put together by the furniture experts at Oldrids and featuring some of the most famous furniture from the movies and on TV. Set design plays a massive role in creating the look and atmosphere of … Continue reading
The Magic Flute at ENO
Mozart’s fanciful The Magic Flute is on now for a limited run at the London Coliseum with a spectacularly staged production from the English National Opera. I had the pleasure of attending a performance last week and very much enjoyed … Continue reading
Namibia
This was my first time in Namibia, but not the greater southern Africa region. I’ve been heading down to this gorgeous part of the world since the mid 90s (and even lived in Mozambique for about a year) – always encountering enthusiastic folks insistent that I get to Namibia but never quite being able to take them up on their advice. But now I’ve finally made it, and I can see what the fuss had been all about it. Continue reading
Wasokan, Notting Hill: Europe’s First Authentic Japanese Kimono and Matcha Shop
It’s not a likely occurrence that a visit to the launch of a retail space in Notting Hill turns to talk bringing more harmony to the people of Europe. But that was the sort of chat I had with Noriyuki Ikeda at his new kimono and matcha shop, Wasokan, on Westbourne Grove. Continue reading
Coverture Launches Emma Greenhill: A Winning Way to Wrap Up!
Maddie Salters pays a visit to Coverture & The Garbstore in Notting Hill for the launch of Emma Greenhill’s Matchmaker line of scarves. A colourful, pop-art window greets guests at Coverture & The Garbstore, a Notting Hill transplant that has … Continue reading
New for Paris: Frank Gehry’s Louis Vuitton Foundation (OneTravel)
Opened October 2014 in the Bois de Boulogne public park on the western edge of Paris, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is the city’s newest art museum and cultural center – and is making waves more for the building itself than … Continue reading
Good Stuff #42
Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the lowdown on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Jean-Pierre Braganza Limited Edition Sunglasses for … Continue reading
Taking it Easy with an Overnight Spa Break in Bath
Easter week, Kemey and I made a quick overnight trip to Bath for a bit of rest and relaxation with a dash of history and scaled down but nonetheless urban ease. Both of us had been to Bath before but ages ago and not together. We had so much fun during our brief stay in this compact and attractive city. It’s a great place for couples and super easy to get to from London. Of course, more time to explore Bath and the bucolic countryside nearby would have been ideal, but our overnight visit proved to be an amply replenishing pause before having to head back to the London grind. Continue reading
Eastern Exchanges at Manchester Art Gallery
I had a splendid afternoon crashing the press preview of the newly opened Eastern Exchanges: East Asia Craft and Design exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery yesterday. More than a few standout pieces – as well as a chance to peek at a couple of other shows now on and to have a look at the gallery’s impression permanent collection – made my northward daytrip well worth the time on the train. Fans of design would do well to follow suit before the show closes at the end of May. Continue reading
Big Night Out at Balans, Westfield London
Balans is on a mission to revamp its eateries with its Westfield London outlet being the first to receive a spruce up. An invitation to drop by for a look and meal at its updated “Soho Society” digs resulted in a tasty night out for Kemey and me – made all the more pleasant by outstandingly prompt service. Continue reading
Good Stuff
Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading
Win a 600g 50 Flavour Christmas Gift Box from Jelly Belly
Love Jelly Belly gourmet jelly beans? They make a great gift for Christmas! Here’s your chance to win a 600g 50 Flavour Jelly Belly Gift Box featuring a special Christmas Design sleeve that’s a UK web exclusive! Continue reading
A Model Citizen in Amsterdam (The Tiny Traveller)
Remember when my little ‘3D Me’ went to Amsterdam? Well here’s more on that story from my mini travel buddy – business journo, travel writer, city blogger and “model citizen” Josh Ferry Woodard, from his new blog Tiny Traveller: When … Continue reading
The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood
The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood historic home of the afternoon tea – and one of the most stylish venues I’ve yet to encounter in this town – The Langham London has collaborated with leading luxury brand Wedgwood to launch a new afternoon tea featuring a special menu of delectably dainty creations by Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden (one of my London foodie heroes!) inspired by and to be served alongside Wedgwood specialty teas in bespoke “Langham Rose” Wedgwood teaware. Launching across all The Langham and Langham Place hotels and ahead of The Langham London’s 150th anniversary in 2015, new tea offering is available now. Continue reading