Stuffy Beauty...

Since we redesigned the booth and let ourselves dive into those deeper colors and slightly old world inspiration I've still not fully satisfied my recent affair with old, aristocratic interiors.  Mind you I couldn't actually live in them but the theatrics of it all make me swoon right now.  Curiosities, framing clusters, aged & framed images, dark and moody environments, musty surfaces, oppulence, 
We are preparing for our inspiration trip to Hong Kong on Saturday as well.  These interiors are chock full of Chinese influence and the interesting relationship that used to occur because of European fascination with Chinese interiors, art and traditions at the turn of the last century.  I think I probably get more inspiration from interiors than perhaps any other source. (If I wasn't designing for PAPAYA I'd probably be designing spaces.)  
I'd love to know much more about this topic. I look forward to seeking out the visual delights of old Hong Kong and of course be looking for new ways to interpret them back here.  I'm stuffing my notebooks full of magazine pages and scouring favorite books for new ideas to unlock while we are there. Sources: Upper two images from Romantic Homes, all others from the lovely book, Rooms by Derry Moore. 
Along the same lines I'm dying to get my hands on a copy of this book.  If anyone has it let me know what you think.  It seems like a realistic and beautifully photographed source!  Flowers for the Home.  

Comments

[DinDin]

Oh my, you're coming to HK next week ~ wow. You must visit the older districts such as Sheung Wan (HK Island) and parts of Mong Kok (Kowloon). Also an adorable little shop called, la belle Epoque, in Tai Hang on HK Island which sells handmade items by local artisans. BTW, is there any store carrying papaya goodies in HK? I don't seem to find any here. Have a great trip!

[DinDin]

I forgot to leave you the info for la belle Epoque, http://belle-epoque-hk.blogspot.com/. The blog is in Chinese do they do speak english.

[anahata]

Thanks so much DinDin!!! It's my first trip and I am really getting excited. It's always wonderful to get insider tips!

[Sabri Sa]

Very nice blog :)

Laboratorio Delle Fate

[Kathelene Foley]

A year or two ago you were selling a white opaque Sakura pen that was only available in Japan. Can I still get that through your website. If so, can you direct me to it?

[Renee Troy]

So beautiful and I can easily live in any of the settings. I think if I were to live my life over I could indeed become an interior designer. The thought of spending money on wonderful items to make beautiful spaces is ideal.