Now, this is what we call a tree house! This wood house design by Seattle-based Finne Architectsembraces its forest roots, but with refined flair. The cabin-style design boasts natural-finish wood and a stone fireplace feature anchoring the “great outdoors.” Skylights flood the two-story living areas with natural light while providing a view of the surrounding forest. The kitchen and adjoining living area is a certain hotspot in this house. The interplay of the drastically different types and textures of wood clad walls, ceiling and cabinets have stolen my heart. This eclectic look is complemented by subtle industrial-chic details, like the countertop supports and the under-counter mini potlights. Another favorite in this house is the bathroom, featuring more gorgeous wood, windows and mirrors galore. The bathtub is nestled in a glass-wall corner; you’ll feel like you’re bathing in the great outdoors. Interior glass walls maintain an open-concept feel, but with the benefit of a little privacy.
Located on the Grand Canal, Palazzina Grassiis a luxury five-star hotel, lovingly restored by entrepreneur Emanuele Garosci. Once home to generations of noble and haute-bourgeois families and a Roman spa, the building now invites guests to feel temporarily Venetian. The interior has been beautifully designed by Philippe Starck with traditional Venetian materials and decorations, including mirrors, mahogany, glass and old bricks combined with innovative contemporary design. Each guest is pampered with 24hour services aimed to bring the fantasy of Venetian life to fruition. This includes the exclusive Krug Lounge (the second in the world) where guests can taste vintage Krug champagne combined with typical cicchetti – Venice’s version of tapas. The PG’s Club Restaurant offers a tailor made ‘experience with the chef’, which begins with shopping at city markets and ends with a dinner cooked with a chef at a seven-meter long show kitchen table. Guests can also choose from dinners in the homes of Venetian nobles, a guided discovery of the city’s best-kept secrets, picnics on the islands in the lagoon and many other personalized ‘Venetian experiences.’ Continue reading “Palazzina Grassi: Venice, Italy” »
Salvatore Ferragamo has finally exported his exquisite model of hospitality, Lugarno Hotels, beyond the walls of Florence and into the Eternal City, Rome. Portrait Suites, located on Via Condotti in the heart of the Italian capital, boasts views of the Spanish Steps, the Quirinale, the Pincio and Monte Mario.
The innovative hotel was designed as an Italian luxury townhouse in which the intimate hospitality and warm, welcoming atmosphere allow guests to feel extraordinarily at home. Even the name, Portrait Suites, bears witness to the made-to-measure hospitality, as though the hotel is a reflection of each guest and his desires.
Situated in the same elegant palazzo as the Ferragamo’s Men’s store, Portrait Suites’ décor is importantly associated with the concept of a fashion designer’s atelier. The hotel’s 8 studios, 5 suites, and penthouse are handsomely endowed with the most comfortable of contemporary conveniences and are all afforded with ample living and breathing space. Designed and decorated once again by Michele Bönan, the hotel, constructed with only the finest materials and the most elegant furniture, provides the ideal location from which to see the best of this magnificent city and to appreciate its rich history, the fruits of its traditions in craftsmanship, and of course, its luminary hospitality.
On one of Barcelona’s most emblematic streets, Passeig de Gracia, guests will findEl Palauet Living Barcelona, a collection of 6 exclusive double suites each grazing 150sqm. An eccentric blend of modernist architecture and structural ornamentation with the simple grace of contemporary and classic design and luxury, visitors to El Palauet Living Barcelona will undoubtedly have a unique experience. Each spacious suite is endowed with a dining room, office, lounge area and terrace, fully equipped kitchen and 2 suites, as well as every technological amenity that a business or leisure traveller might desire. The Tibidabo double suites additionally offer bathtubs with colour therapy and terrace views of the Pompeya Monastery and the Tibidabo Mountain. Guests are invited to unwind in the private spa, lined with local stone and a delicate glass and steel framed roof that sports a Finnish Sauna, massage room and relaxation areas. A personal assistant with a fresh and cool attitude is available to take care of any logistical arrangement, maximizing the comfort of an individual’s stay and minimizing the hassle of everyday life. El Palauet Living Barcelona is located in the city’s most prestigious central spot, offering guests access to the best and most vibrant of this incredible Catalan city’s soul.
On the occasion of the next Milan Design Week (April 12 – 17 2011), Aliantedizioni will present for the first time Cup-puccina borosilicate glass, stackable cappuccino cup and saucer designed by Alessandro Loschiavo. Cup-puccina was created for all the lovers of this tasty drink and also to all the people that use it as a pretext for a ‘deserved’ break or for a chance meeting. Both cup and saucer are shaped via the hot working of transparent cylindrical semi-finished components. As known, borosilicate glass is perfectly able to sustain major temperature changes, is microwave safe, fit for frequent washes in the dishwasher and completely recyclable.
This season, Brazil-based Stone Bonker‘s men´s collection reinforces the style of a self-assured, yet coolly confident man. Taking inspiration from the film world, more specially the Nouvelle Vague and travelling back to school to study the 7th art. The “École Superieure Stone Bonker de Cinéma” is the scenario for the characters of this collection.
Focused on fitted tailoring, leather jackets and plaid shirts with a retro feel; silver accessories like cufflinks and tie pins add to the polished, yet comfortably cool look of the Stone Bonker man. Sweatshirts with suede or leather details are another high point of the collection. The t-shirts are inspired by Nouvelle Vague and classic French movie icons: Truffaut, Godard, Belmondo and Anna Karina, to whom the brand once again pay homage. The shoe line is reinforced this season: corduroy sneakers, oxford suede shoes and a leather boot.
The color palette was crafted to blend perfectly with the shades of fall: bordeaux, dark blue, moss, brown and honey mustard are the main colors chosen to bring warmth along with a touch of energy to the collection.
Coming from the creative minds of Jonathan Wilkinson and Christian Orsted of Rotten Fresh is their latest collection titled ‘Golden Ratio’, inspired by the phenomenal ration that can be found and defined in all aspects of life. “In mathematics and the arts, two quantities are in the golden ratio if the ratio of the sum of the quantities to the larger quantity is equal to the ratio of the larger quantity to the smaller one.” Through out the collection you’ll see methods include incorporating hand drawn illustrations, unique washes and special hand screen printing techniques. Resulting in unique hand made t-shirts and jewelry.
George James Cox established his footwear company in 1906, in Northamptonshire – the tradition home of England’s finest shoemakers. Having first produced brothel creepers in the 50s and winkle pickers in the 60s, the company gained notoriety in the 70s when these looks were resurrected by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren to become the uniform of a generation of punks. The close and longstanding relationships formed with innovative independent retailers, combined with an unrivalled variety of lasts and patterns, continual product development and home-grown creativity have helped the brand gain a niche global position.
The George Cox for oki-ni exclusive Low Creeper Boot for spring/summer ’11 – seen here in sand and grey suede. The Low Creeper Boot features silver d–link eyelets with thick rope laces and weaved toe cap detailing. The Creeper has and a thick gum midsole and sole.
‘When George Hamilton Cox made his first ‘creepers’ in 1949 it caused a few raised eyebrows. It’s a fad, some people said. It’ll never last. Over 50 years later, George Cox are still making creepers.’
Heritage always plays a huge role and factor in any business setup. Red Wing produced a series of videos showcasing what goes into crafting a pair of their classic boots. The first video in this series features the company’s shoemakers Red Wing’s famed Plant II in Red Wing, MN. Since 1905, these craftsmen have been piecing together Red Wing boots and shoes using the same techniques, and four generations of shoemakers have been responsible for upholding Red Wing’s standards of quality, durability, and style.
The spring 2011 Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, will be on view May 4 through July 31. The exhibition will celebrate the late Mr. McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion. From his Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection in 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010, Mr. McQueen challenged and expanded our understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. Continue reading “‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ Exhibit at The MET” »
