Enchanting Architecture

The Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) is a concert hall designed in the Catalan modernista style by the architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner. It was built in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, between 1905 and 1908 for the Orfeo Catala.
The design of the Palau is typical of Catalan modernism in that curves predominate over straight lines, dynamic shapes are preferred over static forms, and rich decoration that emphasizes floral and other organic motifs is used extensively. In contrast to many other buildings built in the modernisme style, however, it must also be said that the design of the Palau is eminently rational.
The rich decoration of the façade of the Palau, which incorporates elements from many sources, including traditional Spanish and Arabic architecture, is successfully married with the building's structure. The exposed red brick and iron, the mosaics, the stained glass, and the glazed tiles were chosen and situated to give a feeling of openness and transparency.
The concert hall of the Palau, which seats about 2,200 people, is the only auditorium in Europe that is illuminated during daylight hours entirely by natural light. The walls on two sides consist primarily of stained-glass panes set in magnificent arches, and overhead is an enormous skylight of stained glass designed by Antoni Rigalt whose centerpiece is an inverted dome in shades of gold surrounded by blue that suggests the sun and the sky.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

This is not a stage from a show on Broadway nor is it a movie set. In fact it is a wedding I designed last year in February. I know this might seem slightly unusual to many people, but this is how weddings are mainly done in the Gulf region.
The main stage is called a “KOSHA” in Arabic. The Kosha usually consists of one sofa in front of the guests where the bride reigns queen for the night, as female guests congratulate her, take pictures with her and observe her beauty.
This is a tradition carried out, as women have their wedding separate from the men’s. After all the dancing and celebration nears an end, that’s when the groom comes into the reception hall, takes his bride by the hand and leaves with her for their honeymoon.
This wedding in particular, is a close one to my heart. I designed it for my best friends sister’s wedding. She wanted something extremely magical and romantic. Something out of a fairytale and that’s exactly what she got!
The mood was inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream, Narnia, and Lord of the rings, with elements of Art Nouveau.
Thousands of roses and flowers were flown in from Holland to bring this fairytale into reality. A tree sat on to the side of the stage as its branches and leaves canopied the 15,000 Swarovski crystals encrusted sofa. Peal chandeliers cascading on the other side of the stage, within layers and layers of greenery.
The catwalk, where the bride walks on as she enters and exits the reception hall is also a dance floor. It was covered entirely in a custom printed damask vinyl, and the sides were printed in a lace motif. We also built a small stage to the side of the main stage “KOSHA”, where the harpist played as guests were arriving.
The tables were covered in coral velvets, and on top sat bronze centerpieces, with the most spectacular flower arrangements in roses and orchids in yellows, corals, and reds. The final result was mesmerizing.

Sex and the City Part 2???

Ok the title is slightly deceiving:) The television show and film have had phenomenal success all over the world, and more so the styles and fashion worn on the show and film alike. When people say Carrie, they immediately think a huge flower, and when they say Big, you think a polished suit or a tuxedo.

Therefore I designed two chairs (HIS & HERS) paying homage to the greatest love story on television.

The two chairs were upholstered in a grey pinstriped wool, very luxurious.

Carrie's chair has a pink velvet trim, with buttons covered in the same wool fabric and hand sewn individually on the trim, which alone took a week to finish. The flowers are all in silk chiffon with feathers.

On Big's chair, I added a touch of purple in silk satin, which was pleated on top of the white silk satin applique. The buttons were covered in black silk satin as well, which was also used for the trim and bow tie.

Here you have Carrie and Big!

The Mood Board

Carrie Chair

Mr. Big Chair

Stewed, screwed and tattooed

Ted Nemeth discovered his love and talent for leather furniture when resorting an old motorcycle seat. He expanded into custom leather furniture, bags and accessories. His style is deeply rooted in the chopper Hotrod culture of the 50s and 60s. Totally unique and beautiful creations with a bad attitude. Ted has mastered the fine art of hand tooling leather.
I came across Ted’s work a year ago, and just had to get my hands on some of his works of art. When I first contacted him, it was an instant connection and understanding on how we would work together.
Christina Aguilera is a client, and Nemeth recently completed pieces for the new nightclub at the Las Vegas Hard Rock and is currently working on a bar owned in part by Tommy Lee.
Here are some of his incredible pieces, and the custom designed piece for Burlesque aptly named “The Dubai Chair”.
Notice the distorted proportion of the chair frame, the stingray skin “Fleur-de-lis” on the back, the butter soft embroidered leather, the authentic pirate jewelry hanging from the sides and back of the chair, and to top it all off, the patent leather corseted back legs of the chair with feathers peeping through!

The Dubai Chair

The Throne

The Engine Coffee Table

The Dragon Coffee Table

The Outlaw Chair

The Great White

MONA WHO?

The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the history of art. The painting is a half-length portrait that depicts a woman whose expression is often described as enigmatic. Few other works of art have been subject to as much scrutiny, study, mythologizing, and parody.
I personally never understood the fascination which the artistic world had for this painting, until I saw it in person....Its something indescribable! From that moment on, I couldn't wait to get started on my own take of this fascinating woman. A year later, the Mona Who collection was born!

La Gioconda (The Original Mona Lisa)

Mona Elizabethan

Mona Yehe Nara

Mona Antoinette

Mona Balqis

Mona Geisha

Alice in Wonderland is here!

I have to apologise for not posting any pictures of Burlesque! To be brutally honest, I just needed to get the hang of blogging. The thought of it terrified me. So here's my second attempt:) Enjoy!

The Entrance "THE RABBIT HOLE"

The Candy Room

The Great White Room

The Cabaret

The Tattoo Parlor

The Gentleman's Room