I’m just back in London and thought I’d share one last Barbados post with you.

Pistachio is prominent on Barbados island, largely due to Oliver Messel, I imagine – though I can’t confirm. Ronald Tree‘s book suggests that most larger buildings were primarily coral stone and that smaller huts, I imagine, were largely left unfinished.  In fact, the island still is littered with unpainted or half-painted buildings…something to do with property taxes not being charged in full on unfinished buildings? Go figure…

Another Samuel Ward cartouche pinched from Abbott and Holder‘s website (though i’ve changed the colour to suit my needs – is that naughty?)

You can see how Nicky used touches of Pistachio when he worked on Glitter Bay, note the painted picture frames and the chairs. Subtle.

Surely though, Pistachio comes into its own in France where despite Madeleine Castaing and Ladurée it still doesn’t seem overly cliched to me.

This vignette I took of Fustic House is classic Bajan Messel – a delight. Wicker, trellis, ironwork…he put it on everything and everything – the repetition of which keeps it ‘quiet’.

My faux Giacometti white plaster lamp bought on the island looks great seen through a haze of Pistachio.  (Looks pretty good in real life too, though less convincing!)

Nicky and I fell in love with the Voile d’Or in St Jean Cap Ferrat years ago….it’s not to everyone’s taste but it’s a small jewel box of old world charm.  At the moment I only have access to this small internet photo but you get the gist. We did enquire about the decor, which, if I remember correctly was executed by the clever owner and is comprised of limed furniture, Pistachio palettes set off with gold highlights, and a glamorous bar expressed in masses of clear and green tinted mirror. Rooms are not luxe so depending how your tastes run, evening drinks on the terrace may be more the thing.

Years ago, all London Lebanese restaurants were like MY favorite…Al Sultan, sporting white tablecloths, black-suited waiters, bright lights, a rather chilly formality and the optional (but desireable) extra of faux-classical pillars. Al Sultan is firmly old school and is often where I dine before heading to the Curzon cinema in Mayfair.

This shot only to say, despite my 80′s hangover when it comes to things verdigris (eeewww)  I’m actually rethinking this finish when it comes out sun-bleached Pistachio like this, rather than those wretched cheap shades of false teal.  Hmmm – yes indeed.

And lastly, love love love Susie Macmurray, in fact I am the proud owner of one of her pieces, though not these terrific vedigris feather pompoms. So utterly up my alley!! She executed these in Peacock ‘side sword feathers’ -  and I’m sure she wasn’t thinking pompoms…but of course I am!!