Kate Spade's London Pop-Up Shop

Do you find there are some things in life that you just get? The Kate Spade brand, for me, is one of those things. Their first ever European-based pop-up shop has opened it's doors in Covent Garden, London and let me tell you, it is a treat for the senses. Preppy bright stripes welcomed me as I passed a lofty bunch of bright red balloons swaying gently in the wind, almost waving passers-by to come inside. Once through the double doors, I was greeted warmly by upbeat, knowledgeable and helpful sales assistants, who felt more like friends than staff. I've said it before: American companies know how to do retail. Properly. I was encouraged to relax and take in the space, so I spent time chatting to the staff about the previous evening's launch party. A band called The Like performed; backed by Mark Ronson, they have a cool garage, rock-pop sound. Check them out!

The attention to detail throughout the pop-up shop - which has been designed to look like what Kate's place would look like should she live in London - continues to surprise with each new room. From yellow colour blocking in the living room to chic matt green hues in the bedroom, the visual merchandising is as stylish and iconic as the brand's product assortment. There's even a photo booth which you can jump into and have six snaps taken as a free memento of your in-store experience. The pop-up shop is open until 10th November after which the brand will open a permanent retail space in Spring 2011. If you are in London then I would thoroughly recommend you pop in - the hour I spent inside the shop yesterday was the best fun I've had shopping in a long while. Well, with that utterly fabulous grey sofa, how could it not be?!

images and layout by Bright.Bazaar | album cover via The Like

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Home Tour: Palm Springs on the 5th Arrondissement

In a week where I've been longing for a trip to Paris - tweets from the front row of Paris Fashion Week haven't helped - you can imagine my delight upon discovering this visually arresting Parisian apartment. Colour blocking. Fifties furniture. Herringbone floors. Hello, interiors heaven! Jean-Christophe Aumas' space is created with a mix of muted neutrals, poppy brights and intriguing artworks.

The fireplace alone makes a dramatic statement in the main living space, but Jean-Christophe's addition of theatrical-style lighting, pillar candles and the over sized glass dome vignette only adds to the mystical atmosphere. As for the painted logs, well, they were made for Mr. Bazaar, no?!

Each of these four snapshots demonstrates the excellent level of execution that the interior of this apartment delivers. A mirrored, brass sideboard gently tans the reflection of the herringbone floor as it dances off into the distance. The artwork, effortlessly placed upon it, echoes these decedent hues. Meanwhile, in the shower room, a block of sea green turns the most basic of shower fittings into a striking statement.

Elle Decoration | Didier Delmas

To me this is apartment is a lesson in how to use brights: make a statement of an otherwise straight forward feature, table legs and shower fittings for example, and then block out parts of a main wall to add your accent shade. Stick with calmer shades in the surrounding furniture and collections and you'll be onto a winner. So, folks, if I disappear I think you'll know where to look first...

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