Moleta Munro Blog

Joy and good cheer to all!

It's unseasonally mild across the UK just now, so the prospect of a white Christmas seems slim. Mind you, a couple of weeks ago things were pretty different. Here is a snap I took whilst driving through Glen Shiel, on a return journey from Skye. Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our customers. Many thanks for your business during 2008, we hope to see you return in 2009. Have a wonderful break over the holiday season.

Buildings suitable for Bond

With the recent release of Quantum of Solace Bond, feverish Bond mania has gripped the nation. It's fair to say I have willingly been sucked into all of this. I have whiled away hours greedily devouring programmes on the life of Ian Fleming. The fact that another local contemporary furniture business has actaully supplied many pieces for the film has lent an element of jealousy in all of this. But Bond has remained at the forefront of my mind. Thus, when I came across these buildings I naturally thought of him. They perfectly encapsulate the two diverse sides of Bond's character: modern glamour and old school charm. The modern masterpiece, Villa MRMM, comes to us courtesy of Jurgen Mayer H. and the turn-of-the-century grand hotel, Waldhaus Sils was built in 1908 by Josef Giger and his wife Amalie. Both seem very fitting for use in a Bond film and should any location scouts want to thank me, you know where to find me! Justin

Covetable new products from Normann coming soon

It might be utterly impractical but there is something captivating about Normann's new product, the moon plate (£45.50). It is one of a number of fabulous new products being launched by Normann Copenhagen over the autumn - expect stock instore soon. This piece makes a holey focal point on dining tables or sideboards, and can be beautifully complimented with fruit.

Rent our Skye retreat for a holiday

It has taken nearly three years for our self build holiday home on the Isle of Skye to be completed. A few white hairs might have sprung up in the process, but the emotional highs and lows have finally paid off with a stunning home. The build was only complete a few weeks ago and we have been booked out since. If you fancy breathing in the fresh air and enjoying a contemporary home far from stresses of modern life, it is available to rent from Wilderness Cottages.. The weeks are disappearing fast, so hurry and make that booking.

Swiss Miss captures Calder beautifully

For some time now I have been thinking about mobiles, usually in the 30 seconds before I fall asleep after a day of work and an evening of trying to settle little people. It may be the fact that we have just moved house and there is plenty of opportunity for aerial decorating, or the pure escapism that is encapsulated by a mobile gently rotating above, but they just keep cropping up in my mind's eye. Consequently, I was delighted to discover this shot by design blogger Swiss Miss in a Flickr photo gallery. For those of you not familiar with her design blog, it is a great, and thoroughly recommended, read. It never fails to captivate my attention and it has been something of an inspiration over recent months. Feed your mind at: http://swissmiss.typepad.com/

A rug that you might love on your walls as much as your floors

I have to say I am a bit biased having stocked Michelle's products over the course of the last year, but I am, obviously, a fan. This progression into flooring is a stunning one. With this felted floor rug, you may be tempted to hang it on the wall as much as placing it on the floor. I am convinced that if you stare at it for long enough you will be taken to a higher state of consciousness. It is made from 100% wool and it comes in black and natural cream(no dyes). The rug measures 1.2 m in diameter x 6 mm thick.If you fancy seeing one in the flesh, make your way to the Grand Designs exhibition at Excel. Of course, we may be tempted to start stocking them here, too!

From illustrating our shop wall to solo exhibition

Her work has been aired on our shop wall for nearly a year now, but with a forthcoming solo exhibiton at the Open Eye Gallery, illustrator Alexa Cameron is about to gain much greater exposure. We have, obviously, always been big fans of her work and can't wait to see the exhibition which runs from the 29th of March until the 15th of April.

Sculpture with a practical edge

For some time now, I have been travelling around with Mari's business card stuck in my wallet. No, it is not the fact that she is the designer of the pebble vibrating "toy" that explains its presence. I met her at a trade show, and was inspired by her sculptures and more practical seats. There is something about their organic form and simplicity that is utterly captivating. They are largely inspired by her own observational drawings and photographs of fruits, vegetables, landscapes, bones and the human form. I can already foresee a desire to invest in some of her pieces with the creation of a sculpture garden at our retreat on Skye. You can find out more about Mari here.

OK so it’s been a while since there has been any blogging and that would appear to contradict the very purpose of blogging: giving up to the minute news and views.

What can I say, it’s been a whirl of business and pleasure over the last few weeks. Maison & Objet in Paris, trailing round Oslo, and skiing in Trysil (Norway). I won’t bore you with trade fair finds – they can follow in another soundbite, but I must say what a drag it was trying to get into Maison & Objet. First there was the scrum down to get on the free bus from Charles de Gaulle airport (including barking bus driver). Next there was the traffic jam on the motorway only to be surpassed by the ridiculous queues at the venue, and that was just to register. I could go on moaning about lack of organisation, missing staples, and no maps, but some might say a little bit of Paris has just come home with me!So it’s onto to Norway. Great place. However, I must recommend visiting when you are feeling flush. Despite the feeling that my bankcards were melting whilst I was over there, I have to say that the skiing at Trysil was superb. I have never experienced so much snow in all my life (nearly 2m depth when I was there). Also, owing to the prevailing cold conditions there is little in the way of snow melt, so powdery snow remains in a pristine state for longer. And after skiing, what better way to relax than with a beer in the sauna?Justin

Possibly the best galoshes in the world

Perhaps it’s the recent flurry of snow that has hit Scotland, I am not sure, but my mind had turned to thinking about galoshes! Before you start worrying I am not a rubber fetishist. I was introduced to the company Swims through a Norwegian friend, only recently. What can I say…they are modern, practical, colourful and, bearing in mind their rather geeky purpose, amazingly stylish. Considering the Scottish climate, I guess I may resort to purchasing some promptly or, even better, I will stock them in the shop. Check out their site here www.swims.no it’s worth it for the photography alone.Justin