15 Sept 2012

Z Movie Set

North of Bastia (Corsica) is a kitsch seaside hotel with a colourful and eccentric reputation that goes beyond its love affair with concrete posts and crazy paving. Its grounds double up as an alfresco impromptu modern art centre, with upcycled consumer waste, weathered raw rusty sculptures, metal wreckage, junk and debris. There is an air of neglect and abandonment that confer it that lived-in feel. Facts and fiction blur further as you venture deeper into the lush semi-tropical swampy gardens. The mind boggles and you start wondering whether what you see is meant to be showcased or you have actually entered a parallel universe... Is this a military testing area, an abandonned Soviet bloc resort, a failed Tiki trove, a jumble sale gone wrong or a (Rob) Zombie film set?


Across from the hotel, the pier is a crazy architectural feat, with totems, rusty sculptures, plaster figurines and incongru artefacts flirting with art from afar, broken down by shots of colour, incrustations and mosaics. It seems whoever concreted and partitioned off the creek with the pier had some fun and games trying to liven up the utilitarian look. You either get it or you don't. If in doubt ask the loyal crowd of afficionado hotel residents for their view. What is certain is that you will not remain indifferent to the rawness of it all and that's the name of the game!


The Festival d'arts "Singulièrement Brut" art fest has been in residence at the Hotel Caribou, 20228 Porticciolo, Cagnano, Corsica every Summer since 2006.

Source: All photography © Mirabelle Design Inspiration.

22 Apr 2012

Calling the Shots!

It's not difficult to understand why Spring is our favourite season: nature wakes up, temperatures warm up, daylight stretches up and, wahey, Summer's the next best thing around! So what better way to celebrate such an upbeat time of year than with our selection of colourful aromatic drinks and appetisers that make up a wonderful excuse for impromptu alfresco entertaining!


Sources: Forget those savoury herby appetisers, and pop garden herbs in your drinks instead! Wow your friends and get the party started! (1) The 'Blackberry Sage Cooler' from Scaling Back Blog is cool, refreshing, alcohol-free and child-friendly although you could always add a splosh of sloe gin within reason to make it an adult's drink, should the occasion lend itself to it. (2) You've heard of (and maybe even sampled) the standard Mojito: fresh mint added to Cuban rhum, cane sugar, lime juice and soda. Now how about the 'Basil Raspberry Mojito' from A Spicy Perspective? This is a case, ladies, of bringing sexy back to your glasses with the perfect colour combination of passionate pinks and deep greens, tchin tchin! (3) Meanwhile thyme kicks off a winner in this 'Iced Tea with Plums and Thyme' by Real Simple. Peaches are not in season right now but when they are, remember us! (4) Meanwhile anything more refreshing than this 'Lemon Verbena and Orange Blossom Fizz' by The Kitchn will be hard to come by! (5) If you are fortunate enough to live in Mediterranean climates, elderflowers are now right for the picking! 'Elderflower Cordial' is with Pimm's Cocktails what British Summers are meant to taste like: sweet, light and floral, almost like orange blossoms. The cordial is so easy to make, there is no need to bother with the shop-bought varieties. Just follow the foolproof recipe from Delicooks, surprise your friends in the process and get ready for the encores! (6) If the herbs in your drink are not enough, munch your way through a plate of those appetising Swiss Chard Tarlets with Aniseed ('Tartelettes de Blettes à l'Anis, en Croûte de Millet') from (French) Marie Claire.

21 Apr 2012

Plants, Illustrated

Mirabelle has always been fascinated by the botanical plates, prints and illustrations produced by those unsung artists and acute observers with an eye for detail and a propensity for translating the object of their desire realistically in photograph-like accuracy. More often than not, those illustrators happened to be biologists. This post is a tribute to their art and an opportunity for us to rediscover their often-overlooked talents.


Sources: (1) 'Citrus' print (1770-77) by artist John Miller (1715-1794), part of the Victoria & Albert Museum Collection, in London. According to the V&A: 'Miller's book, An Illustration to the Sexual System of Linnaeus (1770-7), was an attempt to explain and promote the system of classification devised by the famous botanist Carl Linnaeus. This was based on the number and relation of the reproductive parts of flowers. The book was published in various combinations of plates, coloured and uncoloured. This is one of several proof plates, printed before the lettering was added. Miller's publication gives in a single plate a complete account of the plant's habit, structure and life cycle. Linnaeus himself praised the illustrations extravagantly as 'the most beautiful and accurate . . . since the beginning of the world'. (2) 'Plumeria' (Germany, 1744) by Georg Dionysus Ehret (1708-70), watercolour and bodycolour, available to purchase from V&A Prints. (3) 'Papaya, Carica Papaya' (1726), hand-coloured engraving by Maria Sybilla Merian (1647-1717), 'a respected scientist, artist and explorer in what was very much a man’s world'. © Natural History Museum (London). (4) 'Orchid, Dipladenia Crassinoda' (1837), by Samuel Holden (active 1830-50), watercolour, available to purchase from V&A Prints.

8 Apr 2012

Poolside

If like Mirabelle you are blessed with Mediterranean living conditions, Summer's now just a stone's throw away and already you are able to enjoy what the sun has to offer. However if you live much further north, odds might be against you, so we thought you are due a little visual heart-warmer. Enjoy, this is just for you!


Sources: (1) Michael McLaughlin, 'Beach, Rio' (2002), via 1stdibs (Robin Rice Gallery Fine Photography). This is an open invitation to blue yonder! (2) Via Fancy: 'Naka Island Resort at Phuket'. (3) Emily Summers's California Desert Retreat, via Architectural Digest. Mid-century and Californian desert can only mean Palm Springs! (4) Fancy (via) and (5) Touzet Studio Design & Architecture. You can only feel 'vacational' once you picture this residential jewel on the waterfront. One of Miami Beach's latest additions, La Gorce Estate was designed with clean lines in mind. Le Corbusier springs to mind, but the brief couldn't be more eloquent: "There was a threshold restriction that the layout of the residence and its placement on the site were to follow those of a residence the client had once owned. That property was a 1926, Mediterranean-style estate built for Carl Fisher." (6) 'Moving with the Music' (2009) by Brian Auer, via Fine Art Photoblog: 'A shot straight into the sun capturing people dancing at a drum circle in Venice Beach, California.' (7) Sunkissed, but neither shaken nor stirred by the evening breeze: 'The Escape' by Rickard Sund via Agent Molly. (8) 'Another Day Ends...' (2008) by Brian Auer: Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego, CA. (9) Via Tumblr, although the exact picture source remains unknown. The Boho Chic look complements admirably a poolside cocktail.

13 Mar 2012

L'Odyssée de Cartier

May I have your attention please, Ladies and Gentlemen... The latest television advertising campaign by Cartier, the renowned French jewellery house, is an effects-packed film featuring its panther mascot packing a punch with its core brand values: luxe, elegance, feminity and travel, punctuated by a handful of carefully-chosen landmarks associated with the history of Cartier, including the famous Place Vendôme in Paris... So may I assure you to prepare to be spellbound!



Source: Cartier's 'L'Odyssée de Cartier', includes extras, such as the making-of, the music and... the panther sections (in French).

7 Mar 2012

Wide Open Space

High ceilings, perspective and the clever use of natural materials and relaxing colour schemes confer these rooms their grand, lofty, airy feel. Take in the views and a deep breath and rest assured: claustrophobic, you won't feel!



Sources: (1) Both the residential and commercial portfolios of celebrated interior designer Kelly Hoppen are to die for and the Ski Chalet at Megève (France) is no exception! Earthy tones, wooden ceilings, polished rusticity and unusual touches like the antlers chandelier make the chalet homely. The living quarters are articulated around a central fireplace. From the open staircase one can appreciate the height from the slopy ceilings down. (2) If you fancy the idea of a home bathed in light, with floor to rooftop bookshelves and a statement fireplace, look no further than this Stockholm loft featured in SpyHomeDesign (via From London with Love). (3) and (4) Le Journal de La Maison. (3) 'Visite d'une Maison à Bali' (Nov 2011), photo by Jacob Termansen. This Balinese house is like a cathedral in the Tropics with its tall ceiling. It is also the happy mix between old (reconditioned traditional joglo panels from Java used here for the facing wall) and new (waxed concrete sink). Industrial-style lighting and teak furniture complete the offer. (4) 'Une Maison de Vacances en Bois et Indigo' (July-August 2011), photo by Adriano Bacchella/ Photofoyer. Set in the exclusive South Corsican resort of Sperone, this wooden house enjoys natural light aplenty and killer views over the Med. The nautical theme is well present throughout, with the lounge set in what looks like a lower deck area, recreating a yacht interior. The sloping ceiling carries the idea of openness to the elements.

26 Feb 2012

Hit the Road Mac!

When we all despair about engineering and manufacturing taking the easy route down China way, there are reasons to be cheerful right here right now with Mac Motorcycles taking us down the fast lane in a sleek, designer-led classic British fashion. Those bikes were born to be wild, man: Captain America and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club would do them justice, while Britannia can rightly claim to rule the roads once more, and that does us proud, yeah!


Sources: (1) to (4) All photography by Mac Motorcycles, via Carefully Considered. (5) The aforementioned Captain America (Peter Fonda) and Dennis Hopper revisit the American dream on Harley Davidson in Easy Rider (1969). Check out the 'Top 10 Memorable Movie Motorcycles' compiled by Time Entertainment. (6) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (the band that took its name from the Marlon Brando film).

24 Feb 2012

Baby Pink Shower

It's all or nothing: if pink's the colour, it's gotta be baby pink for me baby!



Sources: Baby pink is good clean fun and more grown up than we'd imagine, so go on, give it a go! There's a colour dedicated to teasing the clouds, poking the sun, melting the snow and leading you gracefully all the way to Spring! So why resist such feelgood factor? (1) The dahlia 'Fiona Stewart' featured on Gardeners' World's 'Pinks and Purples' Gallery (photo by Jason Ingram). (2) Pink flower magnet by ilovehearts, via Not on the High Street. (3) 'Color Puff' by Design Seeds. (4) Marshmallow Body Butter by Mor Cosmetics, via Lineaspa. (5) 'Lollia' Relax Hand Creme, via Anthropologie. (6) and (7) 'Louise' leather shoulder bag and 'See by Chloé' leather and wood sandals, both by Chloé, via Net-à-Porter. (8) Fondant Fancy Party Cake by Betty's of Harrogate.

Tickled pink? More pinkiness here and there!

23 Feb 2012

Caught in the Pacific Trash Vortex

Images speak a thousand words as documented by visual artist and social activist Chris Jordan who has been following the fate of albatrosses on some of the remotest islands on Earth, the Midway Atoll... Ironically what should be paradise is nothing more than paradise lost... in plastic!


Source: All photography by Chris Jordan. Midway displays signs of human civilisation in all its tangible horror, where plastic fantastic is an aberration of pharaonic proportions. In this part of the world, the trash vortex - a superposition of plastic debris swirling around and causing devastation and suffocation not only to marine life but also to sea birds - is the size of Texas, itself slightly bigger than France... Where better to look out for proof than in the stomachs of decomposed corpses, so no need for NCIS to get their shiny dissection instruments out to determine the cause of death. Oh, and while we're at it, enjoy your dinner! Now according to Bag It (Jim Hurst) who's also been involved in the Midway Project, 'In the United States alone, an estimated 12 million barrels of oil is used annually to make the plastic bags that Americans consume. The United States International Trade Commission reported that 102 billion plastic bags were used in the U.S. in 2009.' Makes you ponder, doesn't it?

12 Feb 2012

Pantone All the Way

From the moment Mirabelle got immersed in the Adobe world over a decade ago, Pantone has been it: an ode to colour, a trend-setter, a rainbow-grabber, a tone fetcher, a testament to shade and nuance, a practical answer to every hue under the sun, a technicolor promised land, a graphic designer's reference, an insider's omnipotent mot du jour and the pride and joy of every stylist of every denomination! Here's a book that capitalises on everything Pantone and that will give you added credit the moment you own it:
PANTONE The 20th Century in Color

Source: Chronicle Books.

9 Feb 2012

Sweet Valentine

Without faffing about and without flinching, while floating like a cloud in a flurry of flimsy fluffly fickleness, I found a way to express how much I love you, how deep I care, without even writing the word down or saying it face to face; I just took advantage of the fact Valentine's Day is Lovers Day to express my feelings for you! Tomorrow is bright.


Sources: (1) Leave out the words and say it with hearts instead, you cannot go wrong if you go the pared down way, with this simple yet message-effective letterpress Valentine notecard from Claire Short @ Shortgrassdesigns via Etsy. (2) Bring sexy back all the way from Ukraine with this naughty bookmark with 'Personalised Valentine Tattoo on Sexy Butt', from Olena Mysnyk @ MyBookmark via Etsy. (3) Playing with old tin has never been so much fun for jewellery designer Kate Hamilton-Hunter, turning the mundane into the costume piece, like this 'Floral Romantic Bracelet', available to purchase from her site. (4) Keep it odd (as a number!) and decorative with Hotel Chocolat's 'Dark Lemon Truffles Keepsake Heart'. (5) Intellectualise it if you may with some poetry; here an extract from Pablo Neruda, via Department of the Interior. (6) And finally picture it and show it off! Photography love duo Bryan and Mae pictured by Bobbi + Mike, via Style Me Pretty. Love ain't dead baby, it's only the beginning!

But hang on, love wouldn't be so without its share of pain, right? 'Love Hurts' by Incubus:



'Love hurts...
But sometimes it's a good hurt
And it feels like I'm alive.
Love sings,
When it transcends the bad things.
Have a heart and try me,
'Cause without love I won't survive'.
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