Now that autumn is closing in and the days are getting shorter, I am trying to fit in a weekend in Paris. It’s at its most beautiful at this time of year as the architecture looking especially incredible in the bright cold light.

One more reason to visit is the opening of Ralph Lauren's new flagship store. Housed in an 18th-century city mansion across the boulevard saint-germain from the café de flore, it was built on the foundations of an old monastery, and with its in-house bar and restaurant sounds an incredible place to rest weary feet in opulent surroundings. J’adore Ralph Lauren!

One of the most spectacular pieces I have seen in a long time has just arrived in the boutique. Standing just under a metre long and half a metre high, the Camel, exclusive to Katharine Pooley Ltd would undoubtedly make an extremely impressive addition to any classic interior.

The Camel was painstakingly hand-crafted in Asia over a period of 3 months and is made from solid sterling silver and teak root wood with the eyes made from exquisite tiger eye stones, known for their mystical and healing properties.

Do pay a visit to Walton Street to see the Camel which has already taken pride of place in the boutique window!

I love one off incredible pieces that you know no one else has. Fabulous antiques or pieces sculpted from reclaimed architectural details are a real breath of fresh air to add to an interior that might otherwise be missing a little individuality or personality. We have some great pieces new in the boutique for autumn – my favorite being this stunning Chandelier and Chinese cabinet from the 1920’s.

I am currently sourcing new products that will be sold in my boutique on Walton Street very soon. It’s that time of year when some of the most creative people get together to show off their fabulous new designs around the markets of Paris. One of my favourite products at the moment is this carved wooden antique bowl, exclusive to Katharine Pooley Ltd. The addition of sterling silver monkeys will help bring any table to life!

On a recent visit to Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera we visited the Ephrussi de Rothschild's Villa and Gardens. http://www.villa-ephrussi.com/en/ephrussi/
With its stunning location and great views we found the property a fine example of a collectors’ love for all things beautiful.

Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, with her insatiable appetite for traveling had been collecting antiques and artifacts from all over the world to complete her Villa's interiors.
Such great inspiration for an equally avid world traveler.

However, the themes gardens where for me were the greatest inspiration. A Stone Garden with arches and columns arranged within exotic planting formed an interesting and intriguing arrangement that so easily could be interpreted in many current outdoor spaces. Not to mention the French Style Garden with it's beautifully simple musical water feature.
Set to classical music, which was played from concealed outdoor speakers, the sprinklers danced in the summer sky creating a truly magical site that was a true feast for all the senses!

I’ve recently specified these gorgeous handles by Eduardo Garza for a project in London. I’m using milky quartz rock crystal points set in gold as the handles on a dark grey shagreen bedside table. This combination of natural materials compliment each other and the gold detail in the setting really make the quartz pop against the shagreen background.

It is increasingly difficult to find a new, luxurious product which is why I always appreciate product designers who will allow me to customize the materials for specific projects. Eduardo makes handles from a variety of semi precious stones and the can be set in 24kt gold, copper or nickel. The natural variation of the materials combined with his willingness to customize make these handles a product that will always be unique.

I’ve been fond of Eric Schmitt’s beautiful objects for many years; the quality of his craftsmanship and dedication to good design never fails to impress.

His latest creations are small but effective. The bohemian hand-blown glass and bronze vases are a pleasing aesthetic to include in any interior. The fragile display of glass offset by the raw patina of the bronze is a stunning combination.

It has been a busy couple of weeks! We have just been installing one of our most exciting interior projects for a private client in Central London. One of my favorite pieces is by the incredible lighting designer Baran Bayler, beautiful and eerily other worldly the large nickel and chain mail ‘Atlantis Suspension’ Chandelier looks fantastic. When all lit up it glistens like a diamond jellyfish – truly breathtaking.

You will probably notice that the elephants have now been all removed from the city and this is because the Elephant Parade Mela is coming up on the 30th June. This is an evening to celebrate the end of this campaign. It will be an exciting evening as it is hosted by Goldie Hawn and 30 very special elephants will be auctioned off.

If you too would like to help out with saving the elephants you are able to log on to. www.helpcloudia.com. Cloudia is one of the elephants that took flight on the London Eye last week to attract signatures for a petition. They have already received 5000 signatures but are looking for more in order to help save the Asian elephants.

It has been a very exciting week here at Katharine Pooley as one of our major projects from last year has been shortlisted and put up for an award, for this year's Daily Telegraph British Homes Awards.

The anticipation will all be over next week as I'm going, with all my team, to a black -tie dinner where the results will be announced. If you would like to read more about the awards, visit the website www.britishhomesawards.com.

I really enjoy escaping London at weekends when the weather is so beautiful. I went to our house in Oxfordshire and couldn’t resist a trip to Daylsford Organic on Saturday. I love cooking but it is not always easy to find good fresh ingredients. Dayslford gets it right in my mind, everything is in good taste- even the outdoor furniture is so comfortable and unusual… We’re off to Kuwait for work today; I’m looking forward to meeting suppliers and finding out how the industry is developing over there.

For those of you who live in London or are visiting the capital during May and June, you are bound to notice the colourful addition of over 250 baby elephant sculptures dotted around the city. The Elephant Parade initiative is to raise awareness for the Asian Elephant

The elephants are on display for two months before going under the hammer at Sotheby’s with the hope of raising £2 Million for the ‘Elephant Family Charity’.

My favourite elephant, which Katharine Pooley Interiors has sponsored is called Arthur and located in Knightsbridge Green, just across the road from Harrods. The elephant is designed by the artist Georgina Barclay and as you can see is a wonderful mix of pattern and colour.

If you find yourself wandering the city and admiring these magical sculptures I hope you will be able to stop by my boutique in Walton St. We have also been nominated for the ‘Great Little Shop Awards’ and your support in the vote would be most welcome, you can vote online at:

http://http://www.thelondonmagazine.co.uk/Offers-and-Giveaways/Great-Little-Shop-Awards.html

Always such a pleasure to be featured in my favorite Interiors magazines. One of my favorite shots in the June issue of Homes and Gardens has got to be of these beautiful Asian gold statues softened with a large bunch of burnt orange blooms.

When I was photographed for the issue I was a little over 8 months pregnant but thankfully due to an artfully placed dog he has disguised my bump nicely!

I adore the works of Line Vautrin, her striking jewellery designs and sculpted objects enchanted with ancient hieroglyphics are each filled with their own tale. Above all, I particularly love the convex mirrors and their distorted finely chiselled frames which to me are the essence of Parisian Neo-Romantic chic; they would look stunning in any interior.

I have currently had a busy week with client meetings – I always serve honey ginger tea at these meetings and my clients look forward to it. This is possibly one of the nicest teas and is incredibly good for the digestive system. It is originally from Korea, it looks like marmalade and now is sold in London’s China Town. Just add one teaspoon to a cup of hot water and it is ready. Enjoy!

‘I was very interested to hear recently at a lecture by the talented jewelry designer Wendy Ramshaw that she has designed a huge 4 piece sliding gate system for Candy and Candy to have at the main entrance to their One Hyde Park Development here in London. Made from intricate metal fretwork I am sure it will be truly stunning - as you can see from the beautiful lapel pins in 18-carat gold pictured above Wendy has an eye for simple but beautiful design.’

I went to my favourite restaurant in Phuket last night... Ka Jok Si. I can’t recommend it highly enough for a truley entertaining evening! You never know what you’re going to see but you can guarantee they’ll get you dancing! My trip is nearing an end. It so inspiring being here and visiting all of my favourite artisans
There are lots of exciting developments on the island since I was last here, it’s amazing how quickly new hotels spring up and the designs continue to impress. The Six Senses hotel group are doing wonderful things using natural, local materials to create luxurious modern accommodation- Yao Noi their new one is really magical, the surrounding area is amazing to take a boat and visit all of the small islands snorkelling- bliss.

After visiting the French Design Forum 2010 last week I was inspired by a stunning Chandelier by Ozone, the Ego Paris outdoors collection and the amazing tiles by Gilles Delfino.

I’m currently in Asia on a buying trip and staying in Thailand at the moment. I love coming back here year after year and never seem to have a problem with the jet lag as it only means you wake up even earlier.

The scuba diving is amazing and Thailand offers a fantastic opportunity to hire a boat and explore all of the islands, above water and below.

My favourite place to stay is the Amanpuri. I’ve been coming here for years and the service and food are impeccable. I highly recommend the BBQ on the beach.

Happily and accidentally happened across the artful work of French designer Christophe Côme; whose objects mix beautifully the different periods of twentieth and twenty-first century design. Playing with industrial sized pieces of glass and iron Côme’s work transpires into refined elegance. His attentiveness to craftsmanship radiates through his furniture and lighting designs, promoting familiar objects into works of art.

Spring is definitely almost here at last, these bright clear mornings with – dare I say it - a touch of sunshine, remind me of why I love to live and work in London. With a new baby boy recently arrived I have been taking time to enjoy the simpler pleasures in life, pause in my hectic work schedule every so often, take stock and breathe in life’s little luxuries and how lucky I am to have them!

Fresh Flowers – by of course the wonderful Robbie Honey – Paper Whites, Lilies, tulips, amaryllis and hyacinths. Bright white with flashes of green brighten your day and their light scent make your home wonderfully welcoming.

Cashmere –much loved and swaddled in finest cashmere, a baby’s life is a lucky one! I favor dusky blues, soft greys and bright whites for the little man. His drawers are full of cashmere pieces from my own boutique!

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