le truc, proudly shows off their new patio for outdoor dining. The choice of places to eat in San Francisco is outstanding and there will be reviews of a couple of stationary restaurants at the end of the week but le truc looked fun particularly if you are able to hire it for private parties. Here's how the owners describe what they are trying to do; "There is no law
San Francisco company, modern-twist brings art to the table by collaborating with local artists and designers to produce these table mats. Like all clever ideas it seems obvious once someone has thought of it; using silicone to manufacture place mats. That means they are heat proof up to 250 Celsius, they are thin, flexible, easily lifted, non-porous and waterproof. Parents and kids will be pleased to hear they don't slide,
San Francisco's stunning de Young Museum, designed by Swiss Pritzker Prize winning architects Herzog & de Meuron, is located in the city's beautiful Golden Gate Park. The museum describes the architectural concept: 'Constructed of warm, natural materials including copper, stone, wood and glass, the new de Young blends with and complements its natural surroundings. Ribbons of windows erase the boundary between the museum interior and the lush natural environment outside, and
A trip to the cinema doesn't usually involve lederhosen, a blond wig and breaking into 'The hills are alive with the sound of music…' That is unless you are at a screened sing-along version of the Sound of Music at The Castro Theatre in San Francisco. Classic musicals such as Mary Poppins, Evita and West Side Story feature the lyrics as subtitles for those members of the audience who are less than word perfect. The costume contest
This week we're wearing flowers in our hair as we head west to San Francisco. From the high camp of the Castro Theatre to the cultured cool of the de Young Museum, we'll bring you some of the most interesting things going in this most laid back and creative of American cites as well as recommending delicious Californian wines so that you can enjoy a taste of the west coast wherever you
by Nicki Slater, The Imagination Workshop So the house smells like moist compost and all available floor space has been taken over by small green things which we have to be careful not to step on – makes hoovering tricky (shame)! All the seeds I planted in pots and trays are now showing their first leaves. The runner and borlotti beans are growing incredibly fast. I think if I watched them
No matter how discerning we like to think we are we all have our guilty secrets – little lapses in taste we don't want to share but won't let go. Do you hanker after a big faux leather recliner or do you – deep in some hidden corner of your soul – think a toilet roll cover is actually quite a good idea? We'd love to hear your guilty design pleasures so come
Despite being named after an uncomfortable bed that was popular in the 1980s, The Futon Company sells a range of well-designed, attractive and good value furniture. The furniture is cleverly made to fit into small spaces; many items are streamlined, can be folded away or are dual purpose. The Oak lean-to desk above, priced £179, complete with shelves takes up less space than many others and the console table below,
J Irwin Miller's home in Columbus, Indiana, a modernist masterpiece designed by Eero Saarinen in 1953, opened to the public on the 10th of May 2011 following a three-year refurbishment. The house was gifted to the Museum of Indianapolis in 2008. Thanks to J Irwin Miller, Columbus is not your average mid-west town: it has over 70 buildings by noted modern architects with an elementary school designed by Richard Meier, a library
If for you holidays are escapes from the humdrum and the familiar how about booking your next break in a stone pineapple or pretending you're a Daphne du Maurier character in a sea lashed castle? The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity which gives historic and architecturally interesting buildings new life as unique holiday accommodation. Its aim is to 'promote enjoyment of historic buildings by enabling as many people as possible