Brand on a roll

How cool is this rolling pin by Kathleen Hills.

Design Food UK
09/12/2010

Now you see it

I have spotted a Bonds pop up concept in various Myer stores over the past few weeks. Designed by Sydney architect Kelvin Ho, the spaces have been created using recyclable cardboard including pizza and shoe boxes. Selling a casual range of grey, white and black pieces designed to be worn by either men or women, apparently these temporary stores will disappear just before Santa pops down the chimney.

Myer Fashion Melbourne
09/12/2010

Bespoke bulbs light up the Barbican

One of the fun things about blogging is that you make new friends and have email chats with people from all around the world. Whilst I have never met Ramzi Haddad from PSLAB in Beirut, I woke up this morning to find these wonderful pics of their latest project waiting in my inbox. It made my day (and it was only 6.30am!). PSLAB is a multi-disciplinarian team of over 80 architects, designers, engineers, technicians and artisans who dream, design and build site-specific lighting that is an integral part of an interior or overall design. The Barbican Centre is home to the London Symphony Orchestra and has been given a complete overhaul by SHH Architects. Stripped back to its original wall textures, ceiling and fittings, it is now an honest palette of concrete, steel, brick and glass. I particularly love PSLAB's use of the olive jars with energy saving light bulbs as a reference to the food. Oooh I can hear the sounds of 1979 in my head, I think it was The Clash who sang London Calling.

pslab Food London
06/12/2010

Oh! Ko Ka Ko

My mate Murphy keeps me posted on the Kiwi food scene. He just sent me some pics of his sustainable festive-season foodie gift boxes that he's shipping around NZ and over to Oz. He is such a nice young man I thought I'd share them with you. If you're a Kiwi living in Oz and haven't yet posted a pressie home, Mike will arrange to have a gift box of his organic coffee, hot chocolate, a limited edition tea towel and some organic sweet treats delivered to your family and friends in NZ. (BTW you don't have to be a Kiwi to order some organic KokaKo gift goodness).  If you get in quick these boxes of limited edition yumminess can be flinging across the Tasman in time for the 25th (orders close Thursday 9th Dec for shipping outside NZ ).  Friday 17th Dec is the cut off for gift goodies going to the North or South Island. Email Mike directly if you want to place an order, find out about shipping costs, or thank him personally for solving your last minute gift idea dilemma. mike@kokako.co.nz

KoKaKo Food Auckland
06/12/2010

What’s in the box?

Terrific tapas and a minimalist decore, featuring striking blue and white bespoke tiles, is what you will find inside Pandora's Box. Tucked just around the corner from its sister establishment, Orange, on Chapel Street Windsor, my delightful dining companions voted the Scotch quail eggs with salted cod and the tuna pinxto with pickled cucumber the menu standouts. They also marvelled at the amount of good food and cool Melbourne restaurants they have discovered over the past few months since they moved here from London. Ah, don't you just love Melbourne. Pandoras Box, 2 Duke Street, Windsor.

Hire one ladder

Sydney based Jo Neville is an artist who works with paper. I love the simplicity of her Xmas install for a local craft fair. Who would have thought a hired ladder could look so good?!

Design Paper Couture VM
06/12/2010

Barbagallo does the business

I've made at least half a dozen attempts to dine at Barbagallo over the past 12 months ... yesterday I finally got there and it didn't disappoint. Pietro Barbagallo has come a long way from his first pizzeria, the loveable higgledy piggledy kooky and quirky East Brunswick outpost, I Carusi. The food is still to the same high standard that made Carusi a stellar success in the 'new pizza' stakes, it's just delivered in a sophisticated salon suited to the suits. Barbagallo Trattoria e Pizzeria, 103 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Lime drops in

Local label, Limedrop, pops up somewhere in the city approximately every 6 months. They have gone with a garden greenhouse theme for their latest temporary store. You can find them at Melbourne Central right in front of Stephanie's Kitchen Garden (see story below). It will be there until the end of December.

Kitchen garden

GPT is a first mover in the industry when it comes to sustainability and adopting the 'town centre' approach to shopping centre design (think Rouse Hill). They have formed an association with foodie legend Stephanie Alexander and her inspiring Stephanie's Kitchen Garden foundation. I spotted this garden at Melbourne Central yesterday. Making the most of the currently inactive 'Myer' link bridge, GPT has created a green oasis to provide shoppers with a sunny spot to stop and smell the oregano whilst they take 5 from the crazy Christmas shopping scene.

Hoop-la

Country Road's Christmas windows are always very good, as is their seasonal packaging. This year's design doesn't disappoint.
Country Road VM Fashion
02/12/2010