Talks Worth Spreading | 2.

Jacek Utko Designs To Save Newspapers.
In his work, he's proved that good design can help readers reconnect with newspapers. A former architect, Utko took on the job of redesigning several newspapers in former Soviet Bloc nations, starting from basic principles. He worked closely with newspaper executives to figure out the business goals of their papers, and then radically reformatted the product to fit those goals. (And he wasn't afraid to break a few grids in the process.)



Text from TED Ideas Worth Spreading.

Talks Worth Spreading | 1.

Stefan Sagmeister Shares Happy Design.
He is no mere commercial gun for hire. Sure, he's created eye-catching graphics for clients including the Rolling Stones and Lou Reed, but he pours his heart and soul into every piece of work. His design work is at once timeless and of the moment, and his painstaking attention to the smallest details creates work that offers something new every time you look at it.


While a sense of humor invariably surfaces in his designs, Sagmeister is nonetheless very serious about his work; his intimate approach and sincere thoughtfulness elevate his design. A genuine maverick, Sagmeister achieved notoriety in the 1990s as the designer who self-harmed in the name of craft: He created a poster advertising a speaking engagement by carving the salient details onto his torso.

Text from TED Ideas Worth Spreading.

Romance Is In The Air.

Last Saturday I left the flat quite early to do a bit of windows shopping and hunt for a blog post. Love both: they’re good for my soul and great for inspiration.

I started my walk in Harvey Nichols and, as you probably imagine, finished it there too. They have always breathtaking windows design where I would like to be part of of the set, even if for a moment.
Get inspired! Fall in love!


Pastel colours, chiffon, silk, cashmere, leather clutches and killer heals are beautifully set within a metallic garden of romance and sensuality.


Sloane Street is one of my favorite areas, as it’s not as busy as Bond Street but this last one hosts my favorite brands.



Do you have a favorite windows design which you like to admire the same way you admire a painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir?

Welcome to Spring.

Spring is synonymous with flowers, birds, fresh air and smiles. After a tough winter in London I’ve been deeply looking forward to my favorite season. The idea of rebirth, as I see and feel spring, makes me stronger and engaged with new projects. Welcome Spring.

The following photos are part of my windows design portfolio.

Though I love clothes, I’ve never styled them (professionally). I always found more interesting to style accessories.





Project’s date: March 2003.
(7 years ago? In the design world, this is too long ago!!!)

Related articles.
Welcome to Autumn

A Story by Hermès.

Hermès windows simplicity and playfulness always drives me to imagine the story happening in that little space facing busy and chic streets of the world. They’re always romantic , full of movement and extremely elegant.

The mixed media they used on this one is very inspirational.





The same way Hermès design is timeless, their windows are too. These photographs were taken in Autumn 2006.

To see other project by Hermès click here and here . This one here is one of the most beautiful windows installation I’ve ever seen – Maison Hermès windows display by Tokujin Yoshioka.

Perceiving Beauty.

Beauty "evokes an experience of pleasure”.
Beauty is simplicity.
Simplicity is detail.
Detail is beauty.

This lamp celebrates it all: it’s simple, detailed therefore beautiful.

Beauty is translated to a simple smile.


What is it beauty for you? How do you perceive it? Where do you encounter this moment? Why do we need beauty?

Retro Modern by Marc Newson.

If you’re a regular reader here, you’ve probably realized that everything so far is photographed and written by me. I try to keep truthful to my blog philosophy, but there’s so much out there that I don’t resist the temptation to share and (re)post articles I come across to, like this one.

Marc Newson and his wife, the stylist Charlotte Stockdale’s house. An eclectic and very charmy space.

Click here to read the full article @ T Magazine & to see more photographs.

Little side note:
- Few years ago, maybe three, I went to the V&A in London to hear Marc Newson. He firstly talked about his work and experience in Japan, and finished his presentation talking about this fantastic surfboard project he was working on – something to be used by surfers when exploring waves with more than 6 meters (I’m not sure about the number) high. He explained his design process and team work (with surfers) to come up with the solution for too many surf broken boards. It was indeed a great talk by a great designer.

The Devil Seats On Minotti.

When I was writing ”a sofa is like a pair of shoes” my intention was to illustrate it with the following photographs, but I got so excited that from introduction it became a full article (I hope you’ve enjoyed it).

As they say – the devil is in detail! And it is! Minotti is indeed one of the sofa brands with an amazing eye and precision to it – simple forms, richness in fabric textures, colours and extremely well balanced in material choices… oh, and it’s totally Made In Italy.

Williams designed by Rodolfo Dordoni.

I find the Williams the perfect sofa for the home social room, for an hotel lobby or office if you’re styling one of these.

Hamilton designed by Rodolfo Dordoni.

The Hamilton in indeed the space to sink in. It’s the sofa for the family room to watch movies all night long and probably fall asleep until the day after.

Jagger designed by Rodolfo Dordoni.

The Jagger is the perfect one if your space doesn’t allow having more than one sofa (private / social).

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Inspired By Blue and Gold: Two Royalties.

There’s one thing I really love to do in design: moodboards. I like to start an idea, and at least think I found a solution. Very often, out of the blue I put moodboards together, and since I write this blog, I find even more excuses to design them.
Lately I’ve been very inspired by blue and gold - they’re back on my track.
Get inspired.

Navy blue is a quite powerful colour. Easily we see this shade of blue everywhere like in uniforms, we associate it to sailors, successful business men and royalty. It has an austere aura, though on the bright side we can see it as a very democratic colour too, no?

Side note: Coco Chanel herself loved the classy white and blue stripes.

In interiors I find these two colours very chic and inspiring. They both bring down the skies, the freedom and happiness of thoughts. There are a sense of fearless and power in them.

Touches of gold and brown bring some warmth to blue.

Navy blue and Gold are indeed my colour for 2010.

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A few more inspirational moments
Pink Is The New Black
Welcome To Autumn
Tulle. Black. White. Red
Stripe It Again

A Sofa Is Like A Pair Of Shoes.

Last week a couple asked me advice on how to choose a sofa. My straightforward answer was: a sofa is like a pair of shoes – make sure they’re stylish and extremely comfortable. Funny enough, they both looked down to check what I was wearing… looked up and smile. I think in that moment I conquered their trust.

I’ve said this many times, but once more I want to refer it again: to style a house is exactly the same as styling yourself – the essence is the same. A sofa is like a pair of shoes, armchairs like a bag, jeans maybe like the kitchen table, and look for a cabinet as if your are looking for a jacket to wear with trousers during the week or jeans if you taking a walk to the gallery on a sunny Saturday morning.

I dare to say that by looking at someone, the way the dress and present themselves to the world, I can imagine how their spaces are. Little details are absolutely the key.

I love both: to style people and houses, though spaces are indeed my favorite subject. Well, more than favorite they are my passion.

So, if you’re looking for a sofa, ask the same questions as if you’re browsing for a pair of shoes:
What do you want a sofa for?
- Is it to seat down for hours and hours with family and friends or maybe to watch movies night after night?
- As a decoration object where you (or someone else) will seat once in a while?
- Perhaps to wrap up the office decoration?
- Maybe to seat down your clients when they’re about to close a deal with you?
- For a child’s bedroom? Your bedroom?
- Rather to drop your bag, hat and coat when you get home after an exhausting day at work?
- To write your diary/bog or read your favorite book/newspaper? To surf on the internet…

If you’re looking for THE sofa bear in mind it’s the centre piece in where you’ll spend the most of the time, whether we’re socializing, relaxing or even working. It’s that little space where people will gather, laugh, talk and sometimes even sleep.

I believe my concept is valid to any kind of interior project: residential, hotel, restaurant/bar and of course offices. What do you reckon?

some of my favorite shoes...

So, have you been browsing for a pair of heals, ballerinas, brogues, or trainers?

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