Do you say Fall, or is it Autumn?

And… suddenly it’s Fall.

I don’t know about you, but those last few days of summer felt especially poignant this year. Soon we’ll be well and truly bundled up, socially distancing outside, but until then there are still a few softening glimmers of sunlight to remind us of warmer days.

Cheers, Arren


Despite, well, the way things are Paris Design Week still managed to inspire earlier this month. I totally stan for India Mahdavi, and this wildly bright, fun and entirely OTT space from her did not disappoint. You’ll most likely know Mahdavi’s work by Sketch restaurant in London, but puh-lease don’t judge her for it’s pretty-in-pink Insta success.

Here she’s altogether more esoteric and artistic, mixing Chris Wolston’s utterly crazy/fab anthropomorphic Nalgona Colombian wicker chairs, fabric from textile artists Les Crafties, lighting by WonderGlass and a tile-topped table from Maximilien Pellet. It’s basically a fever dream of design fabulosity.

Photo: Nicolas Lequeux

Photo: Nicolas Lequeux


I spent a thoroughly fascinating time peeking behind the curtain on the work, inspirations and point of view of design firm Campbell-Rey today when they were interviewed by M. Emilio Pimentel-Reid for Interiors Academy. Helmed by Duncan Campbell and Charlotte Rey, the young award-winning firm tackles both interiors and product design with aplomb.

Their Francesco side table is definitely deserving of ooh-ooh-aahs with it’s mix of Connemara green marble, yellow travertine and patinated brass-on-steel legs. First commissioned from Campbell-Rey by interior designer Francis Sultana, the pert piece is now part of their ongoing furniture collection, which they let slip in the interview they have plans to grow.

Oh, and that snap below? Well, let’s just say that paired with The Rug Comapny’s Key Shadow carpet, the Francesco table looks all the more stunning.

Watch the IGTV interview here.

Photo: Campbell-Rey

Photo: Campbell-Rey


Post-reno we’re in the midst of rejigging our double-height gallery wall. The walls are freshly painted (hello Benjamin Moore White Dove) but the question is, what will stay, and what will go, and what could replace those bits and bobs that have fallen out of favour? Definitely these!

The items in question are Abstract Masks from People of the Sun, an award winning social enterprise in Malawi that connects traditional artisans with a world wide design audience. A collab with designer and artist Julia Gamborg Nielsen, these stunners are a graphic interpretation of African masks, skillfully woven of palm leaves. I. Want. Them. ALL.

There’s lots more must-haves from People of the Sun to check out right here.

The full Abstract Masks collection

The full Abstract Masks collection

Elizara, one of the master weavers behind the Abstract Masks collection

Elizara, one of the master weavers behind the Abstract Masks collection

Little adjustments

Today I was happy to wear a mask, have my temperature checked, answer a questionnaire and leave my contact info to shop for lighting for a client. Glad to make these little adjustments to my reality as things start to slowly wake up.

And you know what? That’s fine by me.

Cheers, Arren


What’s cooking, Calgary? Well, apparently Jenelle Erickson and Stephanie Smith of SmithErickson definitely know their way around a fab kitchen design.

This first space is giving me all the wows, especially since its a major reno of a ho-hum 90’s home (I’m imagining a dull beige ‘before’). There’s so much great stuff going on here. Not just the colour palette of white, dove and dark grey, but just about every darned thing.

That second kitchen has all of the classics, with the white on white, shaker panels, hits of black and open shelves. But hello, the mitred tiles giving you the frame around the window? That’s the kind of attention to a simple but special design detail that I love - It takes thought, people!

Photo: Michelle Johnson

Photo: Michelle Johnson

Photo: Michelle Johnson

Photo: Michelle Johnson


Okay, so a few folks out there spotted artist Kendra Dandy’s Leopard Coat print in Seana Freeman’s interior, and dropped me a line to say they were longtime fans of Dandy’s work. So, admittedly I have obvs been under a rock!

Yep, you can def call me a new fan of her direct, vibrant and painterly style. But, did you know you can also get her work as wallpaper, too? Check out a couple of my fave florals below, available here through Surface View in the UK. They ship worldwide, so no excuses! With 40 styles on offer, I bet you’ll find one that speaks to you and, as Dandy explains on her Insta, “Getting paid is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Score the rest of her artwork through Society 6.

Image: Watercolour Floral Mural, Orange and Flowers Mural by Kendra Dandy from the Bouffants and Broken Hearts Collection at Surface View

Image: Watercolour Floral Mural, Orange and Flowers Mural by Kendra Dandy from the Bouffants and Broken Hearts Collection at Surface View

Photo: All the Flowers Mural by Kendra Dandy from the Bouffants and Broken Hearts Collection at Surface View

Photo: All the Flowers Mural by Kendra Dandy from the Bouffants and Broken Hearts Collection at Surface View


There are those that can dress a nice table, and then there’s Eric Goujou, the owner of storied tabletop retailer La Tuile à Loup in Paris. For Goujou, the shop’s collection is very much in the vein of that perfect French expression - Art de la table.

With a revolving selection from 30+ French artisans, as well as vintage finds, La Tuile à Loup is a favourite of designers far and wide, and rightly so. You’ll spot Aptware, a classic marbled faience inspired by the coloured soils of Apt, a small town not far from Marseille, as well as painted patterns and splashy, naturalistic designs. Keep an eye out for more loveliness on the store’s Insta, here, which will have you jonesing to host your next dinner party, whenever that might be. Le sigh.

Image: The eye of Tuile à Loup, Eric Goujou

Image: The eye of Tuile à Loup, Eric Goujou

Image: One of a kind marbled dishes

Image: One of a kind marbled dishes