Taking the long view

Today is the third anniversary of my blog. I thought I'd commemorate it with a theme of taking the long view. In the first two instances, I'm referring to enjoying the view outside of the premises we live in, and incorporating them into the experience we have inside.

These first two images are from the second floor of the castle in Scotland, where we are lucky enough to stay when we want a change of lifestyle. The second two are from the flat we live in more than 30 floors up in Bangkok, of the view of the Chao Phraya river, as it snakes its way towards to Gulf of Siam.

Unfortunately the picture above is now partially obscured by a new condominium development - The Sukhothai Residences, which is nearing completion.

In due course some of the panoramic view to the right of the second photo will be obscured by another condominium development. These changes are the price of progress in a developing country. In a landscape so flat the new additions actually provide a little bit of interest, especially as the new buildings are not too close, and their design and landscaping is easy on the eye. The idea for these borrowed landscapes is not dissimilar to that which the late David Hicks created at his farm in Oxfordshire.*my uploaded YouTube sems to have some audio problems, in which case click on the highlighted link above to watch it instead.

Sometimes blogging provides unwelcome challenges, but the reason to go on, to take the long view, is very much based on the interest shown by so many, and the comments that keep this hobby alive for me. Thank you to those of you who qualify.

And finally it seems only appropriate that I should use the opportunity to remember the terrible natural disaster in Japan, with it's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear explosions. But for this I am also taking the long view. In time these terrible events will eventually heal, although with the bombardment of 24 hour news broadcasting, and repeated images of the horror unfolding, it is hard to imagine how any country, let alone one with such extraordinary wealth, can overcome the difficulties it faces today. The stories are heart-wrenching, but also show the finer side of human nature, and the dignity and stoicism of the Japanese people.

A masterclass in Hicks

These two images are a tear out from House & Garden and demonstrate the finer points of David Hicks's symmetry, and the modern twist he put on classical elements, including mixing in new and unexpected pieces. To my mind they are quintessentially Hicksian and remind me of why I became and remain such a fan.

Shelf life

These two images are examples of the use of similar devices, (wall brackets and symmetry), but with quite different periods of furniture. Whilst I like them both, I prefer the top one, with its infusion of modern elements. It may not surprise you to know that the top picture is of the dining room of Stephen Ryan, the one time protege of David Hicks. The wall brackets here are boldly architectural, inspired by the dentils of classical cornicing, and made to his own design in lacquered MDF. The elongated effect is accentuated by the tall blue and white vases, and the topiaries on top of those.

The wall brackets in the second picture create a similar elongated effect, with the scrolled detail, and complement the long mirror, and work perfectly with the William Kent marble-topped console table, a style that is copied with great insincerity in a genre of (hideous) furniture to be found in palaces of new money throughout the world, and not often a million miles away from where there is a lot of sand, and that black gushing liquid that causes us so much strife.

X man

Well, an X ottoman, by Ashley Hicks, son of the late David, proving that talent can be in the genes. This hand-sewn saddle leather cushion sits on a wooden X frame, elegantly crafted and looking as though it defies gravity. For me it is somewhat reminiscent of an elephant chair (below), from which perhaps he took his inspiration?