A new project looming - wonderful sort of Mallet-Stephens-esque number on the island of Barbados….completely idiosyncratic to the region…in other words…UNEXPECTED!! Also rather unexpected is the Greek blue used on the shutters. What works so well in Santorini for example, does not necessarily translate quite as well to this island. Since we have not even begun our planning and schemes I can’t share those with you yet….but I had some further thoughts on Azure blue.

I adore this ‘map’ of the creative process. I wish it were easier for clients to understand just how much intellectual capacity and time goes into the creative process….and that’s after logistics, planning, contracts, staffing, budgets etc etc are in the works! But let’s get back to Azure blue….maybe I’m feeling a little guilty about eradicating it in Barbados because I’ve been thinking about how wonderful it CAN be.

Obviously anything by Yves Klein can make you a convert….the intensity and saturation of his works are especially alluring. I’m a fan.

Thinking about Azure interiors, of which I have been seeing several lately, reminded me of Roger Hiorns ‘Seizure’ a few years ago. This is the type of ambition I admire. An entire council estate flat was submerged underwater for weeks, bathed in copper sulphate, and azure coloured crystals grew on every surface. When it was drained it was an installation piece like I have never experienced.

That’s the end of the original tub peeking out.

Close up of crystals growing on a pipe on the ceiling.

Legendary interiors like Hearst‘s indoor pool represent the other spectrum.

Most interestingly of all, Nicky and I recently visited the renovations at Strawberry Hill where many of the windows are topped in Bristol Blue glass. Now we both would have sworn away from coloured glass probably but that day really converted both of us. Since only the tops of the windows (and we’ll post more on that later) are blue, it isn’t overpowering and bathes the rooms in the most pleasing of lavender-blue lights. Really worth thinking about.

My dreams will look much like this tonight…hope yours do too.