Stunning Savoir Faire

It is no secret that I like Art Deco, Architecture and good cuisine. I have always been impressed by the grand dining salons that graced the great ocean liners of the period between World Wars I & II, not only by the their stunning design, but also for the reputations they had for being some of the best restaurants of the world. It was said that more seagulls followed the French Liners than any other ships, just for the scraps that were thrown overboard.

I have always longed to dine in such spaces that take us back to another era. In Montreal we have Eaton’s 9th floor restaurant, which is sadly off limits to the public, just waiting for someone with the imagination and funds to turn it into something truly spectacular. See http://david-toms.blogspot.com/search/label/Eatons

While visiting Australia in March this year, the opportunity to dine in such a space escaped me as I just ran out of time. Neil Perry of Rockpool fame opened his new Rockpool Bar and Grill in the City Mutual Building in Hunter Street Sydney.


The City Mutual Building is an incredibly fine example of Art Deco Architecture in Sydney, considered one of the finest in the country, and the transformation of the interior into the Rockpool is nothing short of fabulous.

The space is pure elegance and Art Deco fabulosity, framed under two-story marble columns with stained glass windows, all trimmed in dark wood panelling. This space recalls the almost shrine like atmosphere that reigned in the dining salons of the Normandie and Ile de France. The space is also a thrilling mix of art-deco savoir faire with sleek understated modernism, enhanced by the sculptural display of thousands of Reidel glasses.

One of the highlights definitely has to be the ceiling in the main space and the bas relief which copies the sculpture from the entrance of the building of a couple sheltering themselves from the ashes of Pompeii. (Rather apt as City Mutual was in the Insurance business).

I know next time I am home in Australia I am making a bee line to this temple of cuisine, to savour my surroundings over a good glass of wine.

Suited Faire

Nobody does men’s suits better than the English. With the strong traditions of Saville Row backing you up, you can’t go wrong with a suit from the world’s capital of tailoring. Whether it is bespoke from Gieves and Hawkes or off the rack from Austin Reed you will always stand out as a gentleman.

Here are a few looks to get your work week started, including some shirts from Thomas Pink, because every good suit needs a good shirt and tie to do it justice.

*Gieves & Hawkes

*Gieves & Hawkes

*Turnbull & Asser

*Alfred Dunhill

*Duncan Quinn

*Paul Smith

*Austin Reed

*Thomas Pink

Savoir Faire and The Travelling Blues

Well, the weekend is over and I have the travelling blues. I am in need of a vacation; however I do not have the time available to take one. So hence the travelling blues.

Here are some blue destinations that might just happen to satisfy your travelling blues.

Nobody does blue better than the Greek Islands. Whether it be Mykonos, Santorini or countless other islands, the blues are fabulous. From the water, to the sky to the painted doors and shutters against the white stucco, the blues are stunning.

While having never been to the Blue Grotto in Italy, it looks fabulous. I can only imagine what it would be like swimming in the ethereal blue space in crystal clear water. (Just hoping that it is not too overrun with tourists)

For those that feel a bit of a blue Scandinavian vacation, taking the waters at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland might be just the thing, and besides you could be helping Iceland with their economic blues.

Moving further east to Istanbul the Blue Mosque is just wonderful. While only having blue domes, it conjures up all the mystique and exoticism of the East.

Moving down south to the Southern Hemisphere, travelling through South Africa on the Blue Train, will definitely recharge your batteries watching the landscape just slip away.

Lets zip across the Indian Ocean to good old Australia, where a stay in Sydney at the Taj Blue Hotel will definitely chase those blues away. Built in an historical finger wharf jutting into Sydney Harbour it has the best views of the harbour and surrounds.

Just a short 2 hour drive out of Sydney are the Blue Mountains, so called as they appear blue. The blue tinge is caused by mie scattering which occurs when incoming ultraviolet radiation is scattered by particles within the atmosphere creating a blue-greyish colour to any distant objects, including mountains and clouds.

How do you escape the travelling blues?

Savoir Faire is 200!

It is hard to believe that last year when I started this blog that I would be where I am today in blogging land. This is Savoir Faire’s 200th post, and I am so thankful for all the people that follow Savoir Faire.

So since it is Savoir Faire’s 200th anniversary lets all celebrate with some bubbly.


Douse yourself in Champagne, the YSL perfume that unfortunately had to change its name to the almost un-pronounceable Yvress, due to those damn champagne lobbyists objecting to the use of the name Champagne. Housed in distinctive bottle with a champagne styled stopper, this is a light airy summer fragrance that actually smells like champagne.

Molyneux and Schiaparelli had the endorsement of Mumm champagne in the 50’s to use their name on perfume bottles with their scents encased within. Molyneux chose “Le Numero Cinq” as below and Schiaparelli ‘eau de sport’, proving that it was a celebration to use both perfume and champagne.

Around the home we may like to celebrate sitting down on this fabulous stool made to look like the wire of a champagne cork.

At the dinner table these quirky little salt and pepper shakers in the shape of champagne corks are wonderful.

Dinner could be illuminated via the fabulous lighting fixture commissioned by Veuve.

Although not particularly me, I can see the fabulous design aesthetic behind this wonderfully designed champagne carrier and table. Definitely something to take us into the space age while sipping champagne.

While on the subject of sipping champagne, it was the ultimate in decadence to drink champagne out of a lady’s evening shoe. Christian Louboutin and Piper Heidsieck have been in collaboration to produce this fabulous glass slipper to drink out of with out the threat of any nasties.

Catching the Eurostar to France from St Pancras, I don’t think a little glass would go astray at the Champagne bar at St Pancras Station, just to get us in the mood for the journey.

Once in France a stay at the Hotel Du Marc in Champagne would get you in the celebratory mood.

Or if travelling to the other side of the world, no celebratory visit would be complete with out a visit to the Champagne Pool in Rotorua, New Zealand, a hot thermal spring with bubbles like champagne.

And for the serious, the ultimate in Champagne glasses the Hoffman Series B.

So Ladies and Gentleman, I raise my glass to you all, and say thank you!

Below the Belt

Believe it or not one of my favourite belts and buckles is my old Boy Scout belt. I have been wearing it on and off for about 30 years. It incorporates a two of my favourite symbols, the fleur de lys is encompassed in the centre a reef knot and the Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared” is written above the knot. Everyone should have a motto and I have adopted this as mine.



I recently came across these fabulous Art Nouveau examples from Liberty designed by Archibald Knox and Oliver Baker. Designed at the height of the Art Nouveau movement these encompass all the hallmarks of the era. Silver and the turquoise coloured enamels are a fabulous combination and these leave me swooning.

On the other end of the spectrum these highly colourful resin buckles from Mark Joiner give an unexpected pop of colour where people are least expecting it!

Old Fashioned Savoir Faire

Call me old fashioned, however I always carry a clean pressed handkerchief with me. I am not talking a pocket square here, but actually those that you blow you nose on! (Shock horror). I loathe tissues. A friend of mine here loves the fact that I still use a handkerchief. Every year there would always be a box of handkerchiefs as part of a Christmas or birthday gift from my Grandmother, usually white Irish linen with a big letter ‘D’ in one corner in blue.


I like them plain and usually white. Sometimes a splash of colour or pattern is ok depending on what I am wearing, but usually white is the go.

However I can’t resist these from Thornback and Peel. I love the look and feel of these and the cute little screen prints. Definitely savoir faire here when you whip it out of your pocket.