the red thread

LOVING :: Emily Winfield Martin

14 June 2012

I'm a long time fan of Emily Winfield Martin's and I'm totally smitten with her new series of portraits. They are, in Emily's words:
Flower portraits, meaning portraits of girls/ladies with flowers, but also loose personifications of the flower itself (or what I imagine my favorite flowers might be as a human girl.) These are inspired mostly by my own flower garden and my mother's garden, pretty girls, WPA/1930's & 40's oil portraits I admire, and though the execution is different, the idea surely has something to do with C.M. Barker's Flower Fairies, which I've loved all my life.

Images: Emily Winfield Martin

You can see Emily's works in progress on her blog, The Black Apple, and purchase her previous work from her Etsy shop.

Exploring Tokyo :: Ebisu

13 June 2012

These photos were taken around Ebisu on my trip last month. There are some lovely little streets to wander around in and sweet little shops to be found. A word of warning though if you're heading to Tokyo armed with shopping directions from blogs: make sure they are current, or be prepared for the possibility that shops have closed or moved. I spent hours walking around with various maps and directions (in other parts of Tokyo too) and didn't find a single one of the shops I'd hoped to visit... not because I'm directionally challenged, but because they weren't there! Once I got over my frustration I did enjoy Ebisu though!

ART :: Andrew McNeile Jones

06 June 2012

Beautiful contemporary still life paintings by British artist Andrew McNeile Jones.
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My Home :: Doors - Before & After

05 June 2012

When I bought my apartment the lovely old double doors that divide the living area from the bedroom had reproduction stained glass panels. If you're unfamiliar with this sort of glass, it's basically glass with a design printed on the back - made to look like stained glass, but actually fooling no one.

I looked into replacing it with a translucent glass with a simple beveled edge, but it was ridiculously expensive. So instead I had more budget friendly glass installed (less than half the price) and covered it with Emma Jeffs' beautiful Otto window film. And I think that the result looks so much better than the plain/expensive glass would have. The white walls and doors also make a big difference - previously the walls were pale blue and the doors were cream.

I'm so happy with how it worked out. The window film was really easy to install and it's added a contemporary look with a nod to tradition. It looks different day and night and still lets light through while maintaining privacy. Emma Jeffs window film is available in a variety of designs and you can purchase it directly from her online shop, from Ella and Sofia in Australia, and 2Jane in the US (they will ship to Aus too).

I highly recommend it!
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If I had a staircase...

I would want it to look something like this:

Image: Patrick Cline for Lonny magazine

Love the multiple monochromatic patterns stencilled on the rises. The rest of the decor totally suits the locale, but in my house the wall up the stairs would be empty and the railing white.

This lovely staircase is part of the Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech. The May issue of Lonny has lots more images of this absolutely stunning guest house as well as some gorgeous images of Marrakech (somewhere I'd love to go), shopping tips and Moroccan recipes.

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