1.04.08 NEW YORK // Chelsea/Soho/Greenpoint

{martyn thompson & muriel brandolini}

I’ve become completely enchanted by this photograph by lifestyle photographer Martyn Thompson—the crimson wall, the billowy silk curtain, the flower pattern on the black chair cushion—there’s a moody, mysteriousness about the scene, as well as a painterly quality that Thompson is famous for.

Martyn Thompson was born in London and raised in Australia, where he studied English Literature and fine art at Sydney University, designing his own fashion collection after leaving college. He would go on to open a store with a group of friends, where he began photographing the clothes and fabric. Three years later, Thompson returned to London, where he expanded his portfolio with the portraiture and still life compositions that he is known for today.


Over the holidays, I was in a beautiful dressing room with suede-covered walls the colour of chocolate, and have since been in love with the idea of fabric on walls. I once heard that the singer Luther Vandross used cashmere on the walls in his home.

The deep-hued walls in interior designer Muriel Brandolini's study (above) are coated in an indigo corduroy fabric, and the dining room (below), are hung with an incredible bespoke silk design that was hand-embroidered in Vietnam.




{all images by Martyn Thompson; images 2 & 3: British Vogue February 2007 as photographed by Martyn Thompson}

Yardley, PA // Dear Ridia

{happy new year!}

Hope everyone had a spectacular time ringing in the New Year . . . I'm still dreaming of champagne and lobster bisque, but all good things must end, and 2007 will always be one of my favourite years, but we have a new beginning to look forward to--a brand new year to fill with new adventures.

I begin every year with a new day book, for although most of my life is organized on my BlackBerry, I still like pen and paper to dream and plan and make to do lists. After the agenda, the second thing I like to do is plan journeys and explorations, and I recently came across this beautiful luggage by Globe-Trotter and was reminded of all the wonderful, exciting, undiscovered things that the new year holds . . .

{Beautiful black tartan broadloom in the London shop.}

12.31.07 PHILADELPHIA // Making Time // Newest Member of We Are Scientists

Langhorne, PA // A Girl from NYC