I Heart Shanghai Tang

 

Whenever we head over to South East Asia I love to visit Shanghai Tang for its modern colourful Chinoise style.  Their catalogues are always shot in such beautiful interiors and locations across Asia.  Did someone say Peranakan?  The top several images show typical interiors from houses in the Straits of Malacca, one of my favourite places in Malaysia.  The second series of shots are from a different catalogue which I also love. Look at those beautiful colours and patterns in the clothes not to mention the wall tiles and cushions from the homewares range in the second last image. Lovely...

Bawa Landscapes and Courtyards

Ever since discovering Geoffrey Bawa's work I have found his architecture, interiors and landscapes continually fascinating.  Bawa was not only an architect of enormous talent and insight working in the tropical Asian context, but also meticulously designed the extensive landscapes and gardens surrounding his buildings down to the placement of every exact type of plant. The courtyard houses Bawa is most well known for continue to be relevant in the contemporary context of our desire to merge the line between the internal and external.  Bawa's interiors were no less meticulous with every item envisaged down to the last detail.  His drawings are artworks in themselves and a testament to his attention to detail as well as his grand vision and love for the Ceylonese landscape.


Image source: 
www.geoffreybawa.com

Water Lily

Last month I posted about displaying plants in urns. This beautiful photo was sent to me from Oi Lai of her parents garden in Malaysia. I love the water lily in this photo and the lushness of the garden behind. So green and tropical! If only we could replicate it on our balcony.

Water Garden

I love the display of bright flowers in beautiful urns of water. The lotus blossoms at Thompson House in Thailand contrast so well with the turquoise amidst all the lush tropical greenery. The display of roses in the Hunter Valley Indian Mosaic Tea Garden are also lovely and welcoming at the entrance. I have been on the lookout for an urn of a similar style but have yet to find the perfect one.

Spaces Between Spaces

Two little passageways between buildings of which we adore.  The first photo is the entrance of a little tea house which we came across while visiting Malacca, Malaysia.  The second appeared to lead to the entrance of a house in Kyoto, Japan.

New Prints

Over the weekend Helen and I printed and framed the above photographs which were taken during recent holidays abroad.  The top photograph is of D-Hotel in Namba, Osaka.  Taken from a side street looking up at the rear of the building I was struck by its strong and brutal presence and yet intrigued by its orderly and purposeful composition.  The next is from a temple near Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto; it was winter when we were there and the grounds were lush and cosy.  Kyoto is beautiful, I can't wait to return.  In the middle is a courtyard view of The Datai on Langkawi Island in Malaysia.  If you stay anywhere at Langkawi stay here, it is pricy but is is worth every penny.  The next photograph was taken while cruising around Halong Bay in Vietnam.  This place is spectacular rain or shine.  If you manage to get away from the hordes of tourists it can be quiet, mysterious, somewhat eerie and the perfect place to hide away for a few days.  The bottom image was taken on the porch of Seri Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  One of two buildings in the Carcosa Seri Negara grounds, this hotel is a great place for lunch, dinner or simply for a fine afternoon tea.  We hope to return someday.