Presentation, presentation, presentation is vital to every finished dish. . . the taste of the dish is very important but the presentation speaks a lot also. Setting down a creative, well laid-out dish will give your eager diners the opportunity to fall for your meal before they’ve even taken a bite and a great looking meal should taste great too because we first see the food before we get the chance to taste it.

There are many shops that carries a wide range of exclusive dinnerware, all designed to make your food look as good as possible. From large serving plates for your risotto to small, angled bowls perfect for a ball of your homemade lychee sorbet or Jamaican tiramisu, beautiful dishes make your food look great

Once you’ve got your culinary masterpiece and your perfectly matched plates, how do you create the best presentation?

Superstar chef Gordon Ramsey, in an issue of the BBC’s Olive magazine, offers this advice:

- > Keep your presentation clean and simple.

- > Never go for looks rather than flavour, this includes the use of herbs as a garnish, unless they go with the meal you are cooking.

- > Use an odd number of ingredients on the plate to avoid symmetry

- > Add hot sauces right at the end, as they’ll affect the appearance of the other components on the plate

-  > Avoid moving things around once they’re on the plate, as this will simply make a mess

- >  Visualise what your dish will look like before you start arranging it on the plate

-  > Don’t clutter the plate

- >  Cut things in half if they look too big in relation to the other components on the plate

-  > And, of course, don’t serve the food cold because you spent so long dressing it.

By simply giving some consideration to the presentation of the meal as you plan it, and to the plate on which it will be served, you’ll be creating your own innovative masterpieces every time.

Here are some lovely tableware that can help to make your presentation very pleasing to the eye and set your food off to a tasty start.

We all love beautiful displays and beautiful things and Christmas is the perfect time when entertaining, having friends and family over to enjoy the beautiful things we want to share.

A Very Merry Christmas To All From Andreafay Interior Design and Andreafay Coffee.

ANDREAFAY is an interior designer and coffee importer that can be contacted through her web site: www.andreafay.co.uk, eMail:andrea@andreafay.com and Skype: andrea.mundell

Luna Faucet

I love the sleek elegance of this faucet, look at where the nobs are placed also!

A to die for view with a Luna Shower

Designer Gaff got her inspiration from a New Moon as you can see by the shape of these faucet and shower .

This blog was written by Andreafay, ANDREAFAY is an interior designer in London, she writes blogs on interior design, architecture, life styles and home improvements.

Andreafay lives in London and takes commission around the world.

Simply Beautiful!

A wonderful day and weekend to all in the world and our Great Universe. I want to give thanks to all my clients, my friends and my family for their love and support and

to say we should all show our love and appreciation for all, tomorrow is not promised to anyone – we should live and love like it is our last day. Give thanks to our

Universe each day and be kind and caring to all.

Make an effort to reach out to someone and make a difference in there life.

Blessings to you and yours from Andreafay Interior Design . . .

ANDREAFAY is an interior designer based in London, Andreafay works on commercial and residentral projects in and around the London area and globally you can contact Andreafay by email or telephone.

]]> http://andreafay.co.uk/blog/1776/we-should-count-our-blessings/feed/ 0 http://andreafay.co.uk/blog/1761/luxury-diamond-jubilee-gift/ http://andreafay.co.uk/blog/1761/luxury-diamond-jubilee-gift/#comments Fri, 25 May 2012 13:14:06 +0000 Andrea Mundell-Bowen http://andreafay.co.uk/blog/?p=1761

Whiskey by Johnnie Walker and Sons

Welcome!

Well I am about to post another blog . . . I did not want this one to go by without me daaing this to my web site, I just have a passion for all things luxury and while looking on the Internet for luxury Diamond Jubilee I came upon this beautiful timeless luxury.

I am so totally into all things lux and adore this so very much and want to share it with you . . .

A whiskey made to mark the 60th year of our Queen Elizabeth II is on sale for a mere £100,000 a bottle and I am sure it will find a buyer.

No doubt it’s a great sip. . . only 60 bottles of this Diamond Jubilee were made by Johnnie Walker unit of Diagep PLC from a blend of whiskies distilles in 1952.

If wishes came through, I would be enjoying a sip of this premium whiskey while celebrating Her Majesty’s 60 years of reign in Great Britain.

For everyone have a super wonderful time and remember be safe and ENJOY!

ANDREAFAY is an interior design company in Muswell Hill, North London. Andreafay works on commercial and domestic properties and she also write blogs on interior design, architecture and lifestyles.

North London Interior Design, Muswell Hill.

Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth11

Queen Elizabeth11, our Queen on England has reigned for 60 years. She was crowned on February 6th 1952 and has been the Queen since then, this year she will celebrate 60 years as our British Monarchy.

Our Queen in the early days

The many roles of our Queen

Our Queen Elizabeth11 and The Duke of Edinburgh

The Bride

The Mother

The Queen as Mother with her two sons Charles and Andrew

Queen Elizabeth 11

The  Queen of England

The Diplomat

Here’s hoping everyone will have a wonderful and safe time during the celebrations of  The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, enjoy and be safe!

Congratulations from  ANDREAFAY interior design to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth11 on Her Diamond Jubilee( 60 years ) of reign as Queen, may she have many more wonderful and happy years with us.

ANDREAFAY interior design is an interior design company based in Muswell Hill, North London, Andreafay writes on what’s current in interior design,  life styles and architecture.

The key to make your home a wow factor to attract a buyer’s offer is to infuse it with a large dose of yang chi (vibrant energy) both inside and out. The goal is to hold the potential buyer immediately by invigorating the home with shimmering, welcoming energy that mesmerizes and inspires the sale.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS GO A VERY LONG WAY, remove all clutter from the driveway or walkway. (This includes the garbage cans if they are placed in view). Clear the pathway up to the front door. Place bright sweet smelling flowers on each side of the front door in pots and keep the front garden perfectly
 pruned and tended to. This front space of every home is called the BRIGHT HALL and it represents luck and success. All dead energy here must be removed. Fresh paint at the gate, a bright new welcome mat, squeaky clean windows all create the aura of a vibrant home well cared for and loved.

BRING IN PLENTY OF SUNLIGHT throughout the entire home with lights if the sun is not shining. Take down dingy drapes. Tie clean perfectly fresh curtains back to reveal the graceful energy of the cosmos. Use the morning sunlight to enervate the home and fill it with light. If your entrance is small, paint one wall a bright different color using taste and panache. Make sure there is one room close to the entrance where the buyer can experience a wonderful positive energy. Remove excess furniture and do not overdo things. Quiet elegant simplicity goes a long way. A couple of unique art pieces, statues, plants or bowls embellish any space and make it richer and unforgettable. Make the house look twice as big by removing half of the normal furniture. Place the bed in the master bedroom against the main wall and keep the room fresh, crisp, and smelling sweet. Before the open house, use a singing bowl or ring metal bells in every room to awaken the sleeping energy. Go around the windows, doors, bedrooms, and bath to clear way negative vibes or illness that may have settled. This habit of space clearing is powerful and potent and should be repeated before every showing.

NOTHING SAYS STABILITY like a gorgeous well oiled, perfectly sized sturdy front door. Feng shui philosophy pays enormous attention to the front door, the mouth of chi, as it is the entrance, the major attraction that sets the stage for all the players to come inside. It is a good idea to change the main door handles so that the serious perspective buyer opens the door and connects to the home with his/her own fresh energy. Freshen your door with a new coat of paint. Oil it so there are no squeaks and remove anything (plants, shoes, tennis rackets, etc.) that might be blocking the incoming path of energy. Stand inside the door looking out with your compass in hand and determine the facing direction of your front door. Energize your main door. If your door faces South, use a bright light shining downwards towards the door. If your door faces North, place a 6 rod wind chime there. If your door faces East or Southeast, place a water feature near it. If your door faces West or Northwest, place golden rocks near the door. If your door faces Northeast or Southwest, place crystals, lights and a chandelier there to attract good fortune.

KEEP A LIGHT TURNED ON in the SOUTH corner room that greets the visitor. Lights are wonderful feng shui enhancers. Flower lights, uplights, sconces and lamps all work their wonders. Also, light up the corner diagonal to the entrance door. This light beckons the buyer in and has a powerful pull and attraction. Hang a six rod metal wind chime here as well. If you have them, place one, eight or nine horses (statues or pictures work perfectly) in the SOUTH of the entire home. With a compass, locate the SOUTH location and place your symbolic horses there to activate robust and auspicious energy.

CLEAR THE HOME OF PERSONAL MEMENTOS like photographs. Hide private items and release new welcoming energy so that a buyer can feel comfortable and cozy taking up the space. Depersonalize the space and allow it to be released to someone new. Sometimes a conscious intent (either spoken aloud or whispered quietly) works wonders. Make up your own or use a favorite of mine, “Today I gracefully and gladly relinquish my desires, memories, attachments to this home and offer them up to the Universe so that I can move on with my life” .“Today I gracefully and gladly relinquish my desires, memories, attachments to this home and offer them up to the Universe so that I can move on with my life” Try these simple and easy feng shui practices and watch what happens. You will be amazed how positive, quick and easy selling your home will be. Greet your buyers with warm welcoming chi and remember to relax and let the enhanced power of the Universe work it’s wonders.

De-clutter, depersonalize, think positive and great joy will be with you.

Thank you for reading and following my blogs,

ANDREAFAY is an interior designer in Muswell Hill, North London. Andrea writes on interior design, architecture, designs and lifestyles.

Red Dupion Silk Curtain

Happy Saturday morning everyone, so nice you have tuned in to read my blog again. . .

I am sipping on a cup of lovely Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee before getting ready to go to the Tomfoolery 18th birthday celebration in Muswell Hill, North London.

My blog today is about curtains and curtain styles that will suit any room in you home or office, as we all know the windows are the eyes of the room and the curtains the focal point, so NEVER underestimate their impact. A window treatment that harmonizes with it’s surroundings will always be the most successful when deciding how to curtain a window, choose a style that – in addition to flattering the shape of the window and complements the architectural style of the room or other important elements within it, which may be the wall coverings, the furniture or some of the accessories. However eclectic the assortment of furnishings and possessions in the room,there is almost always a strong stylistic theme connecting them that gives each room it’s character. Identifying that essential character and you have the clue to the type of window dressing and even the type of fabric the room needs.

Here are a few curtain and drape styles that would look lovely in any room of your home.

The Living Room Curtains

These curtains are from ceiling to floor and falls in a slight heap on the floor giving it an elegant look and also creates height in the room.

Swag and tails

These Swag and Tails Drapes are custom made and are a wonderful and perfect fit for the windows and the room . . . you cannot beat the look of a custom made to a factory made set.

This set says luxury!

Crystal Curtains

A fun way to separate tables in a commercial setting, these Crystal curtains will sparkle and shine in the light of the room and reflect different colours as the light catches it.

Muslin with Trimmings

These sheer set of Muslin curtains are a good set for a bedroom or living room that does not need a heavier set, it allows some light to come in while still giving the occupant pravicy.

Two Toned With Contrast Colour

Neat pencil pleated curtains with contrast borders to add interest to any room.

Curtains protect your furnishings in your home from the sun also and gives privacy and charm to a room and remember there is none other like  made to measure curtains to add elegance to any room.

Thanking you again for reading my blogs,

ANDREAFAY interior design is an interior designer in Muswell Hill, North London. Andrea writes blogs on interior design, architecture, soft furnishings and life styles.

Interior Designer, North London

Improving your home by adding an extra room is what most people are doing these days especially since the property market is not as it should be at the moment, rather than going through the upheaval  of moving can be an attractive proposition especially if you are also running out of space, maybe you have an extra member in the family or simply just want to add more space.

A conservetory is an addition which will provide a pleasant dual-purpose room. Or you might prefer to add an extension at the back of your house to enlarge your kitchen or living area, or to provide a new kitchen, utility area, a separate dining room, green house or a playroom.

It is a wise investment to any property and the look can be very impressive if designed to a modern architecture. Glass or glass and wood are my favs, depending on you budget one can be simple and modest or more extravagant.

We enjoy adding extensions as it allow us to get very creative and go as far as building permission permits.

Enjoy these images and please feel free to share you ideas and images with us.

A Fab Glass Addition By Andy Martin-London

A Wooden Conservetory

A Family Home Conservetory

Modern Glass Architecture

Modern glass architecture can not only add value to your property but can also give you a life style of luxury, joy and comfort and not to mention lots of light and added space.

The designs, looks and styles are so many and it is wise to get an architect and a designer that can draw up the floor plans and even deal with the planning permission for you.

Contact your interior designer to help yo with all you need for such projects.

I enjoy writing each blog and hope you enjoy reading them as much!

ANDREAFAY is an interior designer in Muswell Hill, North London. Andrea writes on interior design, architecture, modern interior design and life styles.

Crystals are like diamonds but more affordable! Crystal shines, crystals sparkle . . . They are luxurious, glamorous, sexually attractive, Radiant, elegant, beautiful, delicate, bling eye candy that can be used in the home on furniture , architectural hardware  or as accessories on cushions, throws curtains and tie backs, clothes, luxury hand bags and just about anything your heart desires.

Crystals in the home says elegance and luxury and they are affordable luxury every girl should have if she wants to embrace her femininity and style. Here I have  collected some images for you to enjoy the use of crystals elements in the home.

A Crystal Tie Back for Curtains

Swarovski Crystals in Chair

A Sideboard Covered in Crystals

An absolutely beautiful piece of furniture that would be a pleasure to have in your home. Beauty, glamour and elegance!

And how about this faucet made by Giulini with Swarovski Crystals? Lovely!

Or this floral design with a feminine touch!

You know Crystals are to die for . . . it’s ALL about Crystals now.

Elegant Crystal Mirror for A Girly Girl That Knows She is a Princess

Well this is a lovely piece that would be for sure a focal point in any ones home.

I would say this piece would be a lovely focal point that will start a conversation in your home. This one is for the boys. . .

Crystal Elements can be adorned in just any object and are fab and luxious in any home. I adore Swarovski Crystals and have found a wholesalers not very far from my studio. I will enjoy  making things for my home or my client’s home with Crystal Elements from Stephen Arnold Crystals, so please look out for more exciting news and items on Ceystals.

Thank you for reading my blogs, I love posting them for you to read so keep reading and look out for more from me or a member of our team at ANDREAFAY Interior Design.

Cheers and have a wonderful weekend,

ANDREAFAY interior Design is an interior design firm in North London, England. Andrea writes on interior design, home improvements and life styles.

Happy Anniversary Prince William and His Beautiful Wife Kate

Today Sunday 29th April 2012 marks a year of marriage for our Duke William and Duchess Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge. It has been a year of excitement and love from everyone to our Duchess.

I myself  love to see her as she is so beautiful and gentle in her manner and her looks and I am so very happy for her. Every girl should get the chance to feel like and look like a Princess and it brings tears of joy for her success and beauty.

Congratulations to Kate and William!

A Public Kiss from Her Prince

Meeting with The Obama's

Her Beauty and Her Elegance

A Happy Couple

Love Is A Wonderful Thing!

A True Elegant Lady

The Duchess and The Queen of England

We Are Proud To Have Her As Our Future Queen

She is truly blessed and I am happy for Her

Kate Middleton-Phillips - Her Royal Highness - The Duchess of Cambridge

It is every girl’s dream to find and marry her Prince, Kate has found her Prince and she deserves Him. . .

Many wonderful years Kate and William!

ANDREAFAY Interior Designer enjoyed writing this blog and hope you enjoyed reading it and viewing the wonderful pictures of our Duke William and His wife Kate The Duchess of Cambridge.

ANDREAFAY Interior Design is an interior design company based in North London, England.