On our last trip to Japan in June, we made sure to book into Hotel Okura before it closed for demolition (the South Tower remains, but the Main Building was where the true magic was).

No word of a lie, as the taxi drove up to the entrance, the James Bond theme song was playing.

The font, colours, signage, MOOD all together was truly so special. Also the nods to a distant past, like the writing desk areas. Too bad they are so quaint and unused nowadays.

L: Taxi drop off/pick up at South Tower (I wish the lights were easier to capture!)
R: Greenery and Mural in the South Tower Lobby

Every detail has been considered, with similar geometric shapes.
Top: Pendant lights, pot lights and sunlights.
Bottom Left: Light wells, and carpets in basement elevator zone, to South Tower.
Bottom Right: Inside the elevator, elevator roof details and font.

Linking the two towers underground is a shopping plaza, yet another reminder of another time. Gift shops, clothing, art and books are all available.

Carpet, Ikebana, Font.

Main lobby at night. Large tree, stone and water installation.

Lobby waiting area. Large scale but intimate.

Love the Smoke Bush.

A more intimate sitting area off to the side.

The Orchid Bar was from another time. Waiters in tuxedos. Classic cocktails. Mother of pearl shell backsplash. Cigarette smoke.

Signage, from when they had travel agents on hand to make arrangements, now done on personal phones and computers.

 

Cloakroom and Kimono.

Hotel Okura selfie.

So many amenities.

Lobby during the day.

Another outside view of the Main Building.

Triangle tile work.

Happy Monday! We got some R and R in thanks to help from the grandparents, who took the kids for the weekend. Every parent’s dream. We hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather too.

We’ve been tiptoeing back into selling rugs, with a limited selection of Kilims and Berbers. Adding texture via carpets is essential to bringing warmth and interest into a room.

Above: Another Rug, in our entryway at home. Absolutely love it!

Another Rug, by All The Way To Paris for &tradition
Manufactured using the ancient Kilim technique.
$650 – 90cm x 240cm runner version in stock, other sizes can be ordered. Unfortunately it’s not yet on our website but we are always available via email or phone.

Black and White Berber rugs, made in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Made to order, prices vary accordingly.

In stock: Black with white, 400cm x 340cm $5440.00

Carpets by Jurgen Lehl
We are honoured to have acquired three from his exhibition back in October 2014. These are some of his last designs.

Handwoven wool rug.
Made in Tunisia.

Above: 84cm x 221cm $2000.00

51cm x 80cm $550

50cm x 102cm $600

Thank you everyone who saw our most recent exhibition with Japanese / Danish enamel artist Kaori Juzu. It was such a pleasure to have Kaori come here all the way from Denmark and allow us to show her incredible works with you.

We are currently working on our new website which will include all of the work that is still available for sale, but in the meantime if you see anything in this post that you might be interested in please feel free to send us an email through our Mjolk address.

This grouping of brooches above are some of my favourite works in the show. They are all visually quite soft and the depth of colour is brilliant. It is hard to imagine some of these shapes (especially the pinched work on the top right) are hand from hammered copper.

A grouping of earrings on the left, and the lovely exhibition catalog in the center.

Very architectural pendant necklaces.

Some of the newest works presented in the exhibition. These are also pendant necklaces.

Tabletop display.

Here is Kaori at the opening reception of her exhibition.