Savoir Faire in Blue

While not particularly me, you cannot deny this sofa has some serious savoir faire and style going on!

Monday Savoir Faire

After posting on the Balenciaga and Saint Laurent men’s collections last week, which I was extremely disappointed with, thought it would be nice to start the work week off with some clothes that I would actually purchase and wear!

I have soft spot for that veritable French House of Carven. Little known these days and just a shade of its former self the house has struggled over the last decade or so to find a niche and survive. Founded in 1945 by Madame Carven who turned 100 last year the house has gone through several reorganisations over the last couple of years.

Now concentrating on ready to wear and under the directorship of Guillaume Henry, the house has refined its direction in tune with the 21st century.

The winter 2010 collection for men is simple paired down classic elegance which is instantly wearable. This is for the man who appreciates good quality and modernity without going over the edge. Good essentials to mix and match, however I do think a little splash of colour wouldn’t go astray, as some of it is a bit too muted, however will let you be the judge.

Savoir Faireaway Winners!!

Congratulations to Will of Bright Bazaar and Jason of Night is Half Gone as the winners of the Savoir Faire Giveaway! Will has won a cake of Shaving Soap from Pecksniff’s and Jason has won “King of Fashion”, Paul Poiret’s Autobiography.

Jason and Will please email me at davidtoms01@gmail.com with your details and your prizes will be dispatched post haste!

Depart With Savoir Faire

There used to be nothing like departing on an ocean liner, either for an Atlantic Crossing or a cruise around the South Pacific. These were occasions when family and friends armed with streamers, bottles of champagne and fruit would come down to the wharf to see you off. Before security, family and friends were allowed on board to help you settle in your cabin and explore the ship before the gong sounded and the cry of “All ashore who is going ashore”



If you were lucky enough to be crossing the Atlantic on any of the French Line Ships such as the Ile de France or Liberte, corridors and public rooms would be filled with red uniformed bellboys delivering flowers fruit and champagne to your cabin as a last minute gesture of goodwill from your friends and family.



I always remember as a teenager and a youngish adult whenever in Sydney going to the Overseas Passenger Terminal to see the liners and if lucky enough to see one depart. My best friend and I (with the blessing of parents) would take the overnight mail train (a journey of eight hours) to spend the day in Sydney. Late afternoon before our return journey back home would see us armed with bags of streamers, down at the wharf seeing off the Fairstar (even then a bit of a rust bucket) with 100’s of people throwing streamers and shouting farewells to those on board. It didn’t matter that we didn’t know anyone, we considered ourselves incredibly sophisticated and world wise for seeing a liner off.



We would all hold on to our streamers until the last one broke and the liner slipped away to the cheers of the crowd on shore and on board!






Nowadays liners slip out of ports with no fan fare and it is just another departure. It is just another cruise or holiday, when before it was the start of a big adventure, with a suitable fanfare.

Savoir Faire in Blue and White

All too often we see photographs of either fashion or décor in magazines or on the internet and we swoon and gasp and wish that we could achieve the same look for a fraction of the price. However keep your mind open, that what you see should serve as inspiration only. We don’t want to create looks or rooms that seem as if they have stepped out of the pages of a magazine. Take elements of what you see and incorporate them into your own life.

For example a couple of weeks ago I did a post that features a little hand painted blue and white box from Peru, that can be purchased at Ten Thousand Villages along with a matching tray.

Yesterday, while doing some research I came across the below table and mirror in almost exactly the same design, however this time the design has been created with inlaid mother of pearl and no doubt costs a fortune. The other thing here is that with so much pattern happening, I think it does look a bit overdone; however this is open to reinterpretation for your own interiors.

So of course we all want the mirror and the table and few of us can afford it or have the right setting for it, however there is no reason that with the Lucite chair, and white side table, glass lamp and said box and tray that we can’t achieve a similar look for a fraction of the price! A vintage mirror with a periwinkle blue frame would set it off perfectly!

Have Fun!

Savoir Faire in the Can

I just couldn’t resist this selection of watering cans below. I need to get a new one as my vintage galvanised tin one is on its last legs. However I do think I need something a bit more practical that some of the ones below.

I am a bit partial to this green vintage for everyday use. Looks practical too as the spout is long, just right for getting underneath bushy plants.


The crème de la crème of the bunch are these two. The first being sterling silver by Christopher Dresser for Liberty and Co back in 1910, and the second being a stainless steel number from Anders Ljunburg. At first glance it is not evident that it is a watering can which is why I like it so much.

The wonderful Victorian silver and brass would be just perfect for you to water your parlour palms in the breakfast room.

Finally this modern design from Pascal Charmolu is just a masterpiece of design with the handle and spout being one!

Saint Laurent Miss!

What are they doing in Paris? Menswear collections for 2011 from the major houses are just not pushing my buttons. First we had Balenciaga with few pieces that I actually liked and looked more like it came from H&M, and now Saint Laurent, with a silhouette that is hardly flattering.

It seems that they all must have got together before putting pencils to sketchpads and agreed on a few things, like high waists, thick belts or cummerbunds and pleated trousers. I wonder if they all just tossed a few ideas into a hat over drinks one night pulled some out and said, ok are we all in agreement?

I am sorry all you hip young guys out there, but pleated trousers are just not flattering! Believe me they are not, no matter how many times you see them on the catwalk! There a re a few elements harking back to menswear of the 1930’s otherwise I am sorry to say, I think it is boring.