Slim line stems

A narrow footpath and frontage doesn't deter this florist from making a colourful statement that tucks neatly into the shopfront. When closed you have no idea it transforms into such a charming street statement. Spotted in Paris.

Design VM Paris
30/11/2010

Uber Zuber

Zuber is a French brand established in 1797 that is still producing the paints, woodblock printed wallpapers and furnishing fabrics as they have done for the last 200+ years.

I discovered their tiny shop as I wandered the streets of the Left Bank. Upon stepping inside, and not being familiar with the brand, at first I was not  quite sure what the offer was all about. Stackable glass sample pots that look very like a range of high end nail polishes, a dark and moody space subtly lit with chandeliers, an antique chair and Chinoise screen ... it could have been a perfumery for all I knew. A quick chat with the charming interior designer and I soon discovered I was a long way from the paint department in Bunnings.

You can find Zuber at 12 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007.  It is just a stones throw from the Seine.

Design Zuber Paris
30/11/2010

Designer doilies

It's a white Christmas with a delicate doily overlay at Chanel this season. Spotted at Chadstone.

Chanel VM Fashion
30/11/2010

Seasonal simplicity

To put it simply,Target's Christmas VM is effective and right on brand.

Target VM Melbourne
30/11/2010

Le Bon basket

This story should have followed directly after TRES BON so now you are reading it in the wrong order (The lead story can be found below if you click the links or scroll down a bit further).  Whilst I was sniffing out the good stuff in Le Grande Epicerie the lovely Solenn Gubri kindly selected a small basket of products a Parisian might take home for dinner and some special items a tourist might take home and give as a gift. Olive oil packaged like perfume, a delicate peppermint Kusmi tea, handmade Financiers, berry jam packaged like your Grandmere had just made it, French sea salt, a selection of local speciality cheeses, divine pesto, the best spanish jamon and a gift box of Daniel Mercier's delicious chocolate.  Special thanks to Solenn and LBM's PR team who were so helpful during my visit to Le Bon Marche.  Merci beaucoup!

Le Bon Marche Food Paris
30/11/2010

Belle-connen

I popped up to Canberra to lend Westfield a VM hand last week. The Design & Leasing team take it to the next level with every project and I was super impressed with the contemporary casual ambience and 'community' cluster they have created in the heart of their new fresh food zone (how nice is it not to have a pop pink ice cream kiosk plonked in the middle?!). A stand out store for me was Ziggy's. Exposed brick, warm wood and a stencil celebration of their valued suppliers form the bones of this great looking store. Combine that with quality fresh produce and excellent merchandising and you're highly likely to be on a winner. The centre is due for completion in March 2011 The locals were loving their first taste of it last Thursday and I'm sure they will be more than delighted with the finished product. Westfield Belconnen.

Westfield Food Canberra
29/11/2010

Capital Christmas

Capital Kitchen is a treasure trove of fab finds for gift giving this season. I'd buy something just for the gorgeous packaging (but then again I'm like that). It's right opposite the new GAP store at Chadstone.

G P Oh!

POD has re-purposed acrylic battons from a previous installation, configured them into a completely different format, added some traditional 'bauble' shapes, and really punched up the brand colour at Melbourne's GPO to create a contemporary Christmas ambience.  We're loving the look of our Scandinavian style 'mobiles' connected with metres and metres of super wide red ribbon that float over this grand white gallery.  Why don't you pop in for a peek at our handy work if you're in the city this season!

Chat noir

Pussycat Black has opened a 2nd store right next door to AFTER (directly opposite the Deli Hall at Queen Vic Market). Supporting local and Australian artists with an ethical backbone, PCB offers a selection of indie fashion, accessories, stationery and ceramics. I was tad smitten by this kitten who is the perfect neighbour for the philosophically aligned AFTER. You can find this quirky cat at 105 Therry Street Melbourne.

It’s a sign

Sole Devotion is a vee cool shoe shop with 3 outlets in Melbourne and one on James Street in Brisbane (just look for the large orange monster decal). I first reported on their groovy jolly green giant store that appeared on Greville St a few years ago. Since then a women's shoe store has opened on Degraves St (signposted by a red monster) and this 'blue for boys' sign signifies the men's store at 326 Little Collins Street. I like the exposed lightbox / decal combo.