"From Process to Pattern" at ATELIER DESIGN...

 

 

 

 

 

I tried to cut down the images for this post, honest, I really did (there were 254, all in!)... but there's just too much goodness to share, so I just had to show all our favourites!

This past month, we've had an exhibition on at Atelier Design, one of our lovely Interior Stockist, in Belfast city centre called "From Process to Pattern". Against the backdrop of their stunning Interiors & Furniture show room, the display housed our abigail*ryan fabrics, wallpaper and cushions, along with some of our original design drawings, wallpaper strike offs, fabric colour-sampling and inspiration boards... we had a lovely opening night a few weeks back, so a big thank you to all who came along.

As a little bit of back-ground to Atelier Design (one of our most favourite spots in Belfast to shop in, browse and feel inspired!)... it's a gorgeous top-floor show room on Wellington Street, and the dream-child of Architect James Fairley, and Interior Designer, Victor Branco. Together, they have established themselves as ones of Belfast's leading Interior Design studios, and also deal in high-end Mid-Century furniture with a custom design service. Victor & James create an incredible haven of the very best in contemporary Interiors, along with their carefully curated vintage finds. Together, it makes for a beautiful signature style that the design duo have succinctly and accurately coined "Urban Luxe". We are so in love with their ever evolving space, we would move in in a heart-beat... it is elegant, beautiful, luxurious, contemporary and edgy, all at the same time. They have the BEST taste.

Additionally, James & Victor are two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet, and it's always a pleasure being in their company!

The next Art at Atelier opening is on the 5th of June, and will showcase the beautiful Ceramics of Rebecca Killen. Do pop in and say hello.

A HUGE thank you to James & Victor for putting on such a beautiful show, and so tirelessly promoting and loving our brand!

Abigail@a*r

MAVEN, Belfast...

I have finally picked up a new laptop charger, so one week late, I am delighted to share these beautiful shots with you from the opening of Belfast's newest, and most gorgeous, retail emporium!

MAVEN, located on Maryville Avenue, just off the famous Lisburn Road in Belfast, opened with a bang - and a beautiful canape and fizz reception, catered by the lovely ladies at The Belfast Cookbook Club - on the 15th of November. From the buzz and wonder in the eyes of the design-savvy crowd that amassed for the opening, it's fair to say, Maven is going to be a roaring success!

Run by two lovely sisters, Patricia and Catherine McGinnis, who have years of Interior Design and Event management experience between them, they launched Maven to bring a dedicated Home and Lifestyle presence to Belfast. Focusing on contemporary, fresh design and new-to-Belfast brands, Patricia and Catherine have put together a beautiful curation of products which, frankly, make you want to give them all your money (!!)... such gorgeous surroundings, and such beautiful wares, make for a very dangerous and delicious shopping experience.

We are proud to add Maven as our very FIRST Belfast retail stockist, and we rushed through our brand new Collection to get our new Cushions on the shelves for their Launch... Apart from with us, Maven is the only place in the UK you will find our new textiles this side of Christmas! So, get shopping people!!

Along with abigail*ryan, you will also find lots of other home-grown talent at Maven, including Donna Bates Parlour Lighting, Jude Cassidy woven textiles and Maven's own line of Candles (which are divine. Their scent Cosy is the epitome of Christmas!). It's so exciting to see covetable brands like Marimekko, Muuto, Colonel and Hay mixed in with beautiful Ercol pieces, too.

Okay, so you all know where to go for your Christmas shopping, right?

Follow MAVEN - facebook, twitter, pinterest.

Good luck ladies, and thank you for having us!
A&R

Bubbacue, Belfast... a review!

Today, Abigail and I were lucky enough to be invited along to Bubbacue, Boojum's sister pop-up restaurant, so, along with my parent's, we aimed to sample everything on the menu- for purely journalistic purposes, of course!

Strictly a meat-lover's joint, the main focus of the menu is the pork and beef prepared in the, shipped over from America specially, smoker. Each option, except the ribs, is available as both a platter, or a sandwich- embracing the same stripped back menu style that enjoyed such success in Boojum. As manager Fiona said, by reducing the options, they can specialise, focusing their attention at being the very best at what they do.

As you can see (hopefully!) from the photo's above, prices here are slightly higher than the usual for lunch in Belfast, with sandwiches being around £6, and platters being around £10, making it a bit more of a consideration than just nipping in for a quick bite. However, in exchange, you do get to sit down, enjoy the ambience, absorb the paired back, rustic decor, and relax...which on a bustling, hectic day like today, in Belfast, was a huge perk!

So, the food?

Well, this was a very difficult review to write...I don't ever want to be in the position of not being able to get a table, so I don't really want everyone to know just how good it was!

The pulled pork was as moist, tender, flavourful and delicious as that we've seen on "Triple D", the brisket was, again, moist, tender, and served in thin, juicy slices, but with a bit more chew than the pork- for those who like their meat with a bit of bite. The other option we sampled was, in our opinion, the absolute star of the show- the Barbeque Ribs.

These were, simply, incredible. Glazed and sticky with a sweet, subtly smokey flavour, the meat just fell from the bone in moist, intensely savoury mouthfuls of deliciousness.

As a sandwich, your choice of meat comes in a soft, floury bread roll, with a mound of coleslaw, a crisp, sharp counter to the rich meat, and a slice of dill pickle. In platter form, your meat comes with coleslaw, richly spiced and moreish baked beans, intensely cheesey, creamy mac & cheese, and, our other star, some astounding corn bread...cornbread so good that, instead of dessert, one of our (rather sweet-toothed) party ordered more!

The portions aren't huge, but certainly satisfying, and for those who are extra hungry, the cornbread, mac & cheese, and coleslaw, are all available (in larger portions than those served with the platter), along with skinny-cut french fries and chicken wings, as sides.

The two options for dessert, in true american style, were pies!

The key lime was fragrant, fresh and zesty, with just the right amount of sweetness, while the Mississippi Mud was dense, creamy, and gorgeously chocolately. Either option acting as the perfect complement to what has gone before.

In all honesty, Bubbacue does what it sets out to do with great success. The atmosphere is laid-back and comfortable, and the food, all the way down to the four special sauces, is delicious. It may not be the cheapest option for lunch, but, from what we've experienced, you're ensured a fantastically tasty meal and great, helpful, service in a central location. Only guaranteed to be there for the next three months, Abi and I recommend you get down to Callender Street NOW!

r@a*r

A wonderful Monday!

Ryan and I were in town yesterday, and had something lovely to celebrate, (we will share more on that soon!) so we walked around in the glorious sunshine, had cocktails and lunch at the Fitzwilliam hotel and Ryan got shorn in to a new man ;)

Here are a few shots from our day!
Xo