Blog Archives

MARY CHOCOLATERIE

25/11/2014

Ok. I think it's time for Belgian chocolate. Which do you choose in the city of chocolate? Tricky, but let's start with the chocolate of royals - Mary Chocolaterie. In 1919 Mary Delluc launched her handmade chocolate shop in Rue Royale, perfectly placed to attract the King and nobles alike. In 1942 she was awarded the title of "Certified Royal Warrant Holder of Belgium." A title which was renewed in 1990 by His Majesty King Baudouin I, and again in 1994, by His Majesty King Albert II, so clearly Mary's legacy well and truly lives on.

Walking into the Galerie de la Reine shop is a delight. The shop fit out, packaging and delicious little morsels all lined up perfectly, and bursting with colour in large glass bowls. The hand crafted boxes are real treasures themselves, maintaining the luscious plain silk or painted styles of the past, available in all shapes and sizes. The signature drapery is repeated in each shop, and is featured in every gift box, through the carefully folded and delicately placed tissue paper.

Only dilemma is what to choose? The incredible truffles, or perhaps one of Mary's oyster, snail and cat tongue shaped chocolates? Choices also include caramel, fresh creams, pralinés, gianduja, milk & dark chocolates, almond paste, walnut paste pistachio paste, fruit paste, liqueur, and candied fruit. After extensive sampling I settled for truffles, and just thinking about them now drives me crazy with desire for more.

MARY CHOCOLATERIA / 36 Galerie de la Reine, 1000 Brussels / +32 2 511 39 59 / www.mary.be
Images: ℅ Google images

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ARIAN BREKVELD

24/11/2014

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FOUND IN MILAN

Arian Brekveld is a Dutch designer whose furniture and homewares are made from metal, lacquer, ceramic, terracotta and porcelain. His work is simple and uses a range of muted colours (except for his range for BlueD1653), all of which have an alluring charm. He designs, creates, produces and collaborates, producing locally and abroad.

His work includes:
The Bat Trang table ware and vase range
The Saigon lacquer table, candlestick and tray range
The Catu fabric pillows
The BlueD1653 Touch of Blue Table Ware & Blue Collar Bottles
The Shatho porcelain bowl series
The Royal VKB Cup & Store, Terracotta Water carafe, Fresh Traveler, Iso-carafe & Tumblers, Squeeze Bottle
The Oostpool Dinner Service

ARIAN BREKVELD / Insulindestraat 66, 3038JB Rotterdam, The Netherlands / +31 (0) 107370436 / www.arianbrekveld.com
Images: ℅ Google image

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ANNE BLACK

20/11/2014

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FOUND IN MILAN

Behind this quality Scandinavian ceramic design is Anne Black. Based in Copenhagen Denmark, she runs her Anne Black brand, and concept store Black. Lovingly hand crafted in Vietnam, her ceramic collections have a soft, organic sensibility. Working with "handmade passion" Anne Black ceramics have found their way into retail stores in Europe, Asia, US, Australia and New Zealand. "Love what you have and you'll have more to love" are words playing on their website introduction and I wonder whether this was the basis of their expansion. They really seem to be able to create volume without losing any of the hands on care, precision and individuality. The pastel colours and muted tones have such a gentle and soothing appeal.

ANNE BLACK / Gammel Kongevej 105, 1850 Frederiksberg C, DenmarK / +45 35 10 73 27 / www.anneblack.com
Images: ℅ Anne Black website & Google images

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SELETTI

16/11/2014

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FOUND IN MILAN

I've known about and enjoyed Seletti for a long time, and seeing an amazing spread in its home country was a definite treat. The light hearted humour is unmistakable, and seeing a whole series of their products together is really an amusing and inspiring experience. So big are Seletti these days that they have offices in North America, China as well as their Italian head quarters in Cicognara. They have more of a global vision these days choosing to work with young Italian and international designers, as well as looking outside the design world to artists and visionaries with whom this family business are breaking down some barriers, "it leads me to a journey towards the idea of a new beauty" and describe it as a "(r)evolution."

SELETTI / Via Codebruni Levante, 32, 46019 Cicognara di Viadana, Italy / +39 0375 88561 / www.seletti.it
Images: ℅ Seletti website

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TONFISK

9/11/2014

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FOUND IN MILAN.

Simple yet unique. Such an impressive combo right? Well that is exactly what Tonfisk set out to do. Since their inception in Helsinki in 1999, they have followed the philosophy that ‘ form follows function doesn’t mean all objects have to look the same.' Based on what I have seen, all is very much on track. Nothing boring just pure innovation.

Consistant with this is their company name and how it came about. They were looking for a something that conveyed their values 'innovation, personal, Finnish' but chose Tonfisk which is Swedish for tuna fish. Why? Because they liked it, and by chance their office was in Lemuntie (Stinky) Road in Helsinki until 2007. Now that's funny!