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Roland Klein / Fashion, Interior Design, Uncategorized / 9 comments

Citrus Yellow

July 20, 2022

The catwalks have embraced Yellow recently .

So it’s no surprise that the colour that dazzled the interior world at the recent Milan furniture fair – CITRUS YELLOW

YELLOW, the colour of sunshine, symbolise hope, happiness and energy .

Back home, Yellow has spread to London. Grayson Perry’s rooms at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, are decorated in the citrus shade.

The artist Kostya Benkovich, who fled Russia because of his anti-war stance, unveils his sculpture The Suitcase, which highlights the plight of refugees, at the Assembly Gardens, Edinburgh.

Issey Miyake

Yellow the colour of sunshine…

Roland Klein / Interior Design, Uncategorized / 18 comments

Colour Your Life

February 27, 2021

Right now life is throwing up hurdles, but there is no better way to bounce back than surrounding ourselves with dazzling colours and dynamic patterns to make our home a happier place.

Paul Smith

Romo

Lotimena.com

Stella McCartney

Chez Moi in Provence

Colour has a huge impact on our emotions, our physical and spiritual well being. Our colour choice in clothes, as well as in our home, define who we are, offering a playful form of self expression. Bold and vivacious, or understated and demure, colour and texture can create an evocative atmosphere that has the power to soothe our mood or uplift our spirits.

Jane Wachman

For the last few years neutral colours have dominated the colour palettes. Good news now, as vivid colours are back on-trend. Grey has given way to a rainbow generation. Of course, white, neutral, and soft pastels are still around, but we now dare to mix them with bold primaries, offering endless possibilities.

The WARM TONES

suggest this going across, in between the two sets of 6 pictures

Red, Yellow, Orange, Hot Pink and Mauve, are often frightening colours to use. They are associated with sun-drenched hues, fire, exotic spices … They evoke energy.

RED HOT

Red is the colour of blood and fire. It represents passion, lust, and desire.

It is associated with:

Lipstick
Wine
Tomatoes
Roses
The red carpet

And also:

“ In the Red “
“ Seeing Red
“ Painting the town Red “
“ Red herring “
” Red flag “

Diana Vreeland, The Grande Dame of Fashion, at home HAND WRITTEN SINGLE PIC ACCROSS

Vreeland in her Park Avenue apartment in 1979. The designer, Billy Baldwin, was given the brief to create ‘a garden in hell’

HOT SPICES

Cayenne, Turmeric, Saffron, Cinnamon, Ginger, Paprika …

If you are nervous about these colours, try using small accents first, such as a cushion, a throw or a rug. A splash of strong colour will warm up a room, exude rich opulence and create drama.

YELLOW

Van Gogh room in Arles

Claude Monet’s kitchen in Geverny

YELLOW, the colour of sunshine, symbolises hope, energy and happiness

Think:

“ Yellow ribbons “
“ Mellow Yellow “
“ Les Gilets Jaunes “ have been front page news in France in recent
months (not so happy)

Lemon, Grapefruit, Bananas, Sun Flowers, Daffodils, Mimosa, Lichen, Mustard …

MAUVE

The COLD TONES

BLUE

Yves Klein Blue painting

BLUE represents the sky and the sea. It is associated with peace and tranquillity. Therefore it’s especially suitable for rooms to relax in. Cool arctic blue offers a simple, understated feel, while rich tones of inky indigo and cobalt create a dramatic ambience.

The Simple Life

But, blue can be easily warmed up, mixed with warm materials – a wooden floor, a brick wall, a velvet sofa or a leather chair.

Because it visually enlarges a space, it is often especially recommended for small spaces, like bathrooms, kitchen, loos, attics …

For drama, use a warm colour as contrast – burgundy, red, shocking pink, orange, sharp green, yellow, turquoise, or soft pastels.

BLUE associations: See my BLUE post

GREEN

Lotimena.com

Chez moi in Provence

GREEN radiates life, nature, renewal, and energy. Unrivalled by any other colour, it inspires a vigorous environment that encourages a feeling of tranquillity and serenity.

Green is understood to be the most restful and relaxing of all colours.

Blame the climate crisis or the carbon footprint, but Green has been a hot topic recently, and fashion is always a reflexion of what’s going on in the world, be it politics, art, culture or commerce, and interior design trends often follow fashion trends. Green is cool.

Different shades of Green:

Emerald, Sea Green, Forest, Apple, Olive, Lime, Mint, Chartreuse …

Meanings associated with GREEN

“Green fingers“
“Green pastures“
“The grass is Greener“
“Green Revolution”
“Green room”

“Green with Envy”

“Green Parties”

“Green Card”

“Green Salad”

PASTELS

See my post La Vie en Rose

Molly Goddard

Pastel hues embody serenity, restful and a calming haven

COLOUR COMBINATIONS

Andy Warhol

Opposites attract one another. But keep a palette of no more than four colours in a room, and make sure that one of them is white, neutral, or black, which will provide a balance to the others. Also remember, it is easier to associate a warm colour to a cold one than two hot colours.

Here are some of my favourites colour combinations:

Yellow/ Turquoise

Valentino

Green/ Blue

Mixing Green, Blue and Turquoise together represent nature, calm, and tranquillity.

Pink/Red/ Yellow

Chez moi in Provence

Dare to mix Red, Orange, Yellow, or Hot Pink together to bring drama to a room.

Pairing Pink to Terracotta and Brown adds strength.

Pink with soft Grey, Silver and White becomes dusty and romantic.

Blue / Red/ Yellow

Valentino

Pink / Red

Zandra Rhodes at home

Givenchy

I love Pink and Red together. It has an exotic feel.

Navy Blue and White create a nautical palette, associated with holidays by the sea and sailing.

But the list is endless. There are no rules. Try various combinations. Be daring and the end result might surprise you.

PANTONE

PANTNE I suggest putting the text on the sidE

What is Pantone?

PANTONE is the worldwide leader for the supply of colours, for selecting, presenting, specifying, and communicating colours.

PANTONE is the most widely used system for colour communication in the arts industry, as well as fashion, textiles, architecture and interior design.

Whether you are a designer, a manufacturer, a consultant, or simply a client, PANTONE can be used to communicate precise colour to any corner of the world.

Happy Decorating!

Roland Klein / Interior Design, Uncategorized / 0 comments

HOW TO STYLE YOUR HOME/OFFICE

December 7, 2020

ABOVE IMAGE: MY DESK

How can you transform your HOME/OFFICE into a space that encourages productivity, imagination and satisfaction during this time of social distancing?

At the start of the pandemic, we all grappled with a new working home reality. But working from home doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or comfort. More than ever it is important to find positivity and happiness in daily life.

A study by John Lewis found more than 57% of us expect to work from home in the future, with 48% doing so for two or three days a week, and 13% five days a week. Therefore the need to make your workspace both comfortable and stylish is a “Must”.

The right pieces of furniture are essential. Now is the time to invest in big and small pieces that will make your HOME/OFFICE productive, as well as enjoyable.

Here are some of my finds:

1. DESKS

From old kitchen tables to the designer creations, there are multitudes of possibilities.

2. CHAIRS

Finding an office chair that doesn’t take up half the room and upset your decor is almost impossible. Office chairs were generally designed for comfort and support, and disregarded style. But there are modern chairs that are both comfortable and chic.

The Back Shop in London has a large selection of contemporary designs which suit people with back problems … or to avoid getting them.

You shouldn’t be sitting all day in front of the screen. How about the luxury of a lounge chair for your twenty minutes coffee break?

3. BOOK SHELVES

The bookshelf was once a place to store your treasured volumes. Today, the trend has been reversed, partly fuelled by people working from home. Books can be tools of their trade.

And having Zoom calls with colleagues or clients, mean more people are now keen to create the right impression, and therefore have to pay special attention to their background.

4. LIGHT

No one will argue with the importance of having the right light to protect one’s vision, but also to create the right ambiance. Because you are working doesn’t mean the environment has to be bleak and depressing. Good lighting will help.

5. SPACE

Like me, there are people who do not want or can’t, store paperwork, files, plans, sketches … on their computer/laptop/phone. Some space has to be found.

Use your imagination to utilize all the space you have.

6. TV SCREENS

Video conferencing system to include computer, webcam, microphone and display screens.

7. PLANTS

Think Green. Bring the outside in with a few plants to create a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere. As well as looking good, plants are proven to reduce stress and make the air in your space a lot cleaner.

8. MOOD BOARDS and PHOTOS

Depending on your job, a mood board can help your creativity. And a collage of friends and family photographs will certainly bring warm and happy memories of times before the pandemic.

Roland Klein / Interior Design, Uncategorized / 0 comments

BOOK SHELVES

October 17, 2020

Few of us have the luxury of a library in our homes. But books are important and, whether you read them or not, they are an attractive feature in any room.

Recently, watching news programmes on TV, I noticed lots of the interviewees are Zoomed in front of their bookshelves. Many of these people are journalists and books are tools of their trade. They don’t have the time nor the inclination to worry about how the books look on the shelf. But, very often, what sorry sights they are!

It is said “one should not judge a book by its cover”. But that shouldn’t stop one from displaying them in an attractive fashion.

The bookshelf was once a place to store your treasured volumes. Today, the trend has been reversed, partly fuelled by people working from home.

But more people, realising their bookshelves will come under intense scrutiny on video calls, are now keen to impress their colleagues or clients with a tasteful and interesting background.

I read that some charity bookshops have noticed customers are buying books with the intention of displaying according to the colour of the spines. Books with strong block colours seem to be “on trend“ at the moment. The Orange Penguin Classics are popular because clients think they will fit into, and enhance, their home decor.

Some chose natural colours, or uniform height to achieve not just as being well-read, but also to create a fashionable impression.

As we all spend more time at home, it is important to feel comfortable with your surroundings. But, since your home might also be your office, and having Zoom calls with colleagues or clients, it is important, more than ever, to create the right impression.

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‘TV star Ben Fogle was mocked for his bookshelves, arranged by colour’

mimi / Friends, Uncategorized / 0 comments

Dinner Parties – The Gifts

December 2, 2016

dinner parties – the gifts

That classic question –

“Do you want me to bring anything?”

Here are some suggestions that might trigger your imagination, without breaking the bank.

1. the presents

2. the wrapping

“It’s better to give than to receive.” I say, it should give pleasure to the recipient and the giver in equal measure.

Unless it’s 3 dozen roses, a small bunch of flowers bought at the petrol station or a bottle of plonk won’t do.

The Bloomsbury etiquette suggests:

Handmade gift from a french market,
Failing that a Cezanne,
Your manners,
A dazzling wit,
Your latest manuscript,
A thick skin (for criticism of your work)
Gossips, plenty of it.

Well, we live in different time. I say, it’s not about how much you spend – an inexpensive present beautifully wrapped shows that you care and made an effort.

“Think inside the box”

Here are some of my suggestions, for gifts I like to give… or to receive.

1. Bring back memories of holidays in the sun 2. One can never have too much good Olive Oil 3. Homemade jam is obvious – Lemon Preserve is zingy 4. Designer bottles by Basso & Brookes (www.turningleafwines.co.uk) 5. Cocktails, cocktails… cocktails set (www.tigerstores.co.uk) 6. Your very own Champagne, print your own label and stick it on the bottle 7. A very special key 8. Save the host the hassle of having to look for a vase 10. Chocolates are yummy, but Marrons Glaces are much more indulgent (www.fortnumandmason.com) 11. Let them eat cake 12. Apples from your orchard, or plums, or cherries…Metal basket (www.johnlewis.com)

all wrapped up

1. No need to buy expensive paper, newspaper will do, if you wrap it again in cellophane paper, to give it a touch of class.

My tip – pick a page of the newspaper relating to the recipient’s interest- art, sport, fashion…

2. Brown packing paper can be given a makeover with colourful ribbons in velvet or satin. Foliage, a few sprigs of greenery, anything nice from the garden, will enhance the must ordinary brown parcel. Tie it with garden twine for a rural look.

Photocopy some old photographs or old postcards and make a collage.

Buy old stamps in bulk on eBay and stick them on the paper.

3. A single cellophane ribbon can look sad, so pile on multicolour strands for a fiesta look.

4. Fabric can also be used. A piece of hessian or denim will give your parcel a natural look, while a print can say “look at me.”

1. For the stamp collector 2. Cellophane paper (www.amazon.co.uk) 3. To the tea addict 7. For the sewing enthusiast 9. Large selection of wrapping papers (www.paperchase.co.uk) 10. Lace rolls (www.tigerstores.co.uk) 11. To the dog lover 12. Inside out – the gift becomes the wrapping

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November 2, 2016

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Zandra’s Pea Soup Recipe

November 1, 2016

fullsizerender-1

Zandra's Pea Soup

2016-11-01 13:46:55

Serves 6

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

293g

Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 148

Calories from Fat 35

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 4g

Saturated Fat 1g

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 43mg

14%

Sodium 101mg

Total Carbohydrates 11g

Dietary Fiber 3g

12%

Sugars 5g

Protein 17g

Vitamin A

20%

Vitamin C

19%

Calcium

Iron

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Does this look wrong?

Ingredients

1 large pack frozen peas
2 onions roughly chopped
2 knorr chicken cubes
1 small teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon cumin (optional)
Ground pepper and 1 small teaspoon sugar
2 pints of water

Instructions

Put all ingredients together in large pan and bring to boil
Simmer for 10 minutes
In a food processor, blend till soft
Return to pan and add 2 pints of water
Bring to boil and simmer for another 10 minutes
Season to taste
Serve piping hot with dollop of creme fraiche and slightly soft
Blend and taste

beta

calories

148

fat

protein

17g

carbs

11g

Chezmoi.style http://www.chezmoi.style/

mimi / Recipes, Uncategorized / 0 comments

Three Rice and Turkey Salad

November 1, 2016

Three Rice and Turkey Salad

2016-11-01 13:12:32

Serves 6

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

188g

Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 409

Calories from Fat 163

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 18g

28%

Saturated Fat 3g

14%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 12g

Cholesterol 26mg

Sodium 540mg

22%

Total Carbohydrates 46g

15%

Dietary Fiber 4g

15%

Sugars 4g

Protein 16g

Vitamin A

14%

Vitamin C

93%

Calcium

Iron

13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Does this look wrong?

Ingredients

Leftover turkey
70 ml olive oil
200g Basmati rice
50g wild rice
50g brown rice
1 red onion finely chopped
6 spring onions finely chopped
4 mild red chillies seeded and cut into strips
1 handful of coriander, chopped
1 handful of mint, chopped
1 handful of rocket
Salt and freshly milled black pepper

Dressing

The juice of one lemon
30ml fish sauce
30 ml extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Plunge Basmati rice into a saucepan with 400ml of boiling water.
Reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes.
Remove from the heat and leave covered for 10 minutes.
Uncover and let it cool.
Place wild and brown rice in a saucepan and cover with 3 times its volume of water.
Simmer for 45 minutes. If the water runs low, top it up with boiling water.
Drain through a sieve and run under cold water.
In a large bowl, toss all the ingredients together, including the turkey pieces and the dressing.
Mix well.

beta

calories

409

fat

18g

protein

16g

carbs

46g

Chezmoi.style http://www.chezmoi.style/

mimi / Recipes, Uncategorized / 0 comments

Ratatouille

October 31, 2016

Ratatouille

2016-10-31 16:12:06

Serves 4

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

483g

Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 219

Calories from Fat 110

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 13g

19%

Saturated Fat 2g

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 151mg

Total Carbohydrates 26g

Dietary Fiber 10g

38%

Sugars 12g

Protein 5g

Vitamin A

42%

Vitamin C

269%

Calcium

Iron

13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Does this look wrong?

Ingredients

1 red pepper, de-seeded and cut into 2.5cm squares
1 yellow pepper, de-seeded and cut into 2.5cm squares
1 aubergine diced
2 courgettes diced
2 large tomatoes, skinned and cut into 4 pieces
2 medium size onions, peeled and sliced
50g pitted black olives
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic chopped in half
1 bunch of basil torn (but keeping a few leaves for decoration)
1 bunch of rosemary (rinse in cold water and keep it wet)
Salt and freshly milled black pepper

Instructions

Preheat Oven to 220C/Fan 200/425F/Gas 7
Arrange all the vegetables, olives and basil in a roasting tin. Sprinkle the garlic on top. Drizzle the olive oil and toss, making sure they all have a good coating. Season with salt and pepper. Add the bunch of wet rosemary on top.
Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and toss the vegetables. Sprinkle a little extra oil on top, if necessary.
Reduce the heat to 200C/400F/Fan180/Gas 6) and return to the oven for a further 20 minutes.
Serve straight away with boiled rice or couscous to soak up the lovely juices.

Notes

My tip- do not wash the pepper, as it washes away their oil and the flavour. Just wipe them with a dry cloth.

beta

calories

219

fat

13g

protein

carbs

26g

Chezmoi.style http://www.chezmoi.style/

mimi / Recipes, Uncategorized / 0 comments

Bloody Mary Soup

October 30, 2016

Bloody Mary Soup

2016-10-30 11:27:01

Serves 4

It's hot, hot, hot!

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Save Recipe

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

282g

Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 117

Calories from Fat 34

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 4g

Saturated Fat 1g

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 314mg

13%

Total Carbohydrates 12g

Dietary Fiber 3g

11%

Sugars 5g

Protein 2g

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

59%

Calcium

Iron

13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Does this look wrong?

Ingredients

2 400g cans chopped tomatoes
1 celery stalk chopped finely
1 tbsp olive oil
300ml of water
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
75ml vodka
Juice of one lemon
1/2 tbsp celery salt
Salt and freshly milled black pepper
Tabasco to taste
Lemon wedges to decorate (optional)

Instructions

Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the celery for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the tomatoes, water, Worcestershire sauce, vodka, lemon juice and celery salt.
Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the Tabasco, season with salt and pepper.
Blend everything together until smooth.
Serve and decorate with lemon wedges and a twist of black pepper.

beta

calories

117

fat

protein

carbs

12g

Chezmoi.style http://www.chezmoi.style/

Cheers!

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