Code Kurkku this is love.

When a musician and record industry entrepreneur collaborates with some of the best to create an urban space, with restaurants, bars, lush landscaping and live music, the result is sublime. In Yoyogi Village, Code Kurkku is the cherry on top.

Entering the village at night is magical. The lush palms, fragrant garden, candle light and music will draw you in.

Once inside the dramatic interiors will have you looking to the roof almost immediately – to the soaring ceilings and captivating lighting detail. The architecture and interiors are sleek perfection. Marvel at the horizontal garden, then turn left for the chic music bar, right for dinner, or both in succession!

We experienced immaculate service, warm with flawless attention to detail. The meal was lovely, complemented by a satisfying fine wine selection, and the live orchestra during dinner was just breathtaking.

Thank you Takeshi Kobayashi. This is love.

JW xo

Environmentalism and the hipster set. Tokyo does it best.

The Yoyogi Village is nestled away in an indescript side street. At first it appears to be quite a random selection of artisan stores, with a bakery, a coffee shop and a bar or two.

Every detail of this eco-conscious village was overseen by Takeshi Kobayashi, collaborating with Shinichi Osawa. Far from random – everything from the architecture, the landscaping and the interiors, is curated.

The abundant and wild landscaping, the handiwork of Seijun Nishihata, counters the shipping containers, mesh wire and glass used for the structure of the village. Huge trees, cascading hydrangeas, tall grasses and palms: the space is immersed in nature.

By day it’s a relaxed ramble of flowers, trees and artists. By night it turns into a magical escape, with musical and culinary delights on offer (see JW article Code Kurkku this is love).

It’s an inspired idea, incredibly smart use of space, light and landscaping. The concept gives the eco-unfriendly alternatives a run for their money.

Architectural contrast and a delightful champagne brunch!

Melbourne is rich with architectural contrasts. The perfectly appointed Victorian terrace, home to The Kettle Black, is a lovely example of how Melbourne embraces diversity and juxtaposition of difference.

While you wait for your first (or second) espresso of the day, a champagne, or perhaps an order of the deliciously famous hot cakes – look up! The building in situ, the light, the contrast, it is all a feast for the eyes.

Your patience for a seat inside will be rewarded with perfect Scandinavia inspired interiors, palms, pastels, metallics and austere lighting.

Enjoy! We certainly did.

To every continent and over the oceans…

When I started this creative collaboration I never imagined that interest would come from every continent, and places where I have only dreamt of travelling to.

In only a few short months there are over 1000 of you that now inquire, create and explore with JW.

This is quite remarkable to me.

I hope that one day I will publish in many languages. In the meantime, from the bottom of my humbled heart thank you…

… shukran, Շնորհակալություն, gràcies, M̀h’gōi, tak, dank, kiitos, merci,danke, ευχαριστώ, mahalo, .תודה, dhanyavād, grazie, arigatô, 감사합니다, choukrane, Благодарам, grazzi, Xièxiè, Баярлалаа, takk, dziękuję, mulţumesc, спасибо, xвала, Ďakujem, hvala, gracias, tack, nandri, kop khun, teşekkür ederim, Дякую, diolch, a dank & ngiyabonga.

To every continent and over the oceans … thanks for all the love x

Feeling a little cheesy.

For cheese lovers living in Melbourne the establishment of Milk the Cow is a welcome addition to the varied and inspired range of Fromageries throughout the city.

Nestled in St Kilda at the quiet end of Fitzroy street, with cheese flights, a divine and evolving menu, private functions and fun filled foodie events – this little boutique has it all.

If you can, ask for a seat along the cheese bar – the charming little stools will hands down give you the best view in the house.

As the chill sets in, we strongly recommend taking a night out to indulge. This is one of our all time Melbourne winter favourites. Here are a few JW photographs to give you a little taste…

Enjoy! We do (quite frequently in fact)!

Geometric precision, contrast, texture and light.

March brings the domino of fashion week around the globe and a dedicated celebration of design, new and old. The fundaments of fashion, style and grace may evolve ever so slightly with time… however they do not shift.

Fashion can be so much fun, so liberating and such a varied mode of expression and delight: for all ages and all cultures.

The perfect silhouette combines geometric precision, contrast, texture and light. These details are some of our favourite snippets from some of the classics, history that has been made.

Enjoy.

The rainy day treasures of the Centre Pompidou.

The Centre Pompidou offers a welcome retreat from rainy days. Grab a bite and some bubbly at Georges and watch the clouds roll over the rooftops, then submerge yourself in the art.. oh the art!

Here’s a small selection of our favourites; travelling back in time from the 1960 to early 1900s. Our humble snaps don’t really do any of these pieces justice.

Simon Hantai, Meun, 1968 – Hantai used his famous folding method to create this masterpiece. His works capture absence and isolation; using white space and colour in powerful and larger than life statements. The colour and size of Meun is piercing and brilliant.

Jackson Pollock, Number 26 A, Black and White, 1948 – This piece was completed during his most significant few years of creative genius. 1948 consolidated the effectiveness of the ‘drip technique; transforming American art in the twentieth century. Huge, striking and utterly engaging.

Joan Miro, Baigneuse, 1924 – Miro is said to have approached the creative process like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music. This piece was early in his career and was the start of forty years of artworks conceived with fire in the soul but executed with clinical coolness.

Pablo Picasso, Le guitarist, 1910 – This piece is so absorbing. At the early stages (some say the start) of the cubist movement, the approach taken here underpins this significant time in moden art. This is the piece that will cause you to fall utterly in love with genius of Picasso; and provide context for the rest of his broad and magnificent collection.

Steal away out of the rain and enjoy.

A little luxury… how lovely!

We adore a little bit of luxury around the home. Candles bring ambience, a little bit of sparkle and romance.

There are so many beautiful soy and honey wax products available (absolutely no excuse for using the old smokey nasties of the olden days). Thanks to Cote Noir for your beautiful selection.

Just lovely!

The language of flowers.

Fragile, perfect and simple. Flowers are timeless when it comes to matters of the heart. Fragrance triggers memory and elevates mood; the fleeting beauty of the gesture is extravagant.

The traditions of exchanging and displaying buxus, lavender and bay leaf wreaths and bouquets to mark significant events passed through generations dating back to Ancient Rome. Arrangements were used to convey messages between lovers with the colours and form of the arrangements brimming with meaning. This expression developed into more structured displays and arrangements during the Baroque. Then later, sweeping and luscious examples emerged during Impressionism and Expressionism movements.

Across cultures and continents, the art and tradition continues to this day.

The preparation and gifting of flowers has always been a deeply personal and intimate ritual. While we now have florists with exceptional skills and techniques to prepare displays for our events, kitchen tables and loved ones… the ritual remains personal… the gift remains intimate… and flowers do and always will remain an utterly exquisite expression of love.

With love from us to you.

A bitten foot has never been so captivating!

The Italian masters ability to make marble appear soft and supple as silk or skin baffles the mind. It is an artist accomplishment, and the pieces are utterly timeless.

The work of Lorenzo Bartolini is no exception. He trained in Paris with Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825), alongside Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780–1867) and Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret (1782–1863). His working studio was at the Convent of the Capuchines on the Rue de la Paix. Lorenzo established his skills training and working Paris for over 15 years; with commissions directly from Napoleon I and family.

The Nymph with a Scorpion (1843–44) will take your breath away; cradling her foot so naturally, and with her skin so supple and soft. Acquired by the Musee du Louvre in the early 90s, this magnificent work and others are available for all to see. Or you can enjoy JW black and white stills below.

The piece is really oh so exquisite. Enjoy.

Jen and Willa

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