Unspoiled Laos

While I’m coping with the cold and wet West Coast winter, my other half is currently visiting his homeland of Laos this week. Unfortunately I could not join him, and I have never been to SE Asia, but I’m researching and dreaming of this amazing and unspoiled land, and in particular the Alila Luang Prabang resort in Laos. Simple, colonial, tropical, and peaceful. Must be nice! I have many similar traditional Lao textiles like this at home which I drape over various tables and even artwork.

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows

New York’s 5th Avenue always has amazing Christmas window displays, but I’m really impressed with Bergdorf Goodman’s “Wish You Were Here” themed windows for 2010. Talk about amazing, fantastical displays! Not visually what you might typically think of as “Christmas” or “Holiday” like, but definitely evoking the feeling of wonder and fantasy the holidays bring. Too bad I can’t see these works of art in person.

“A Guided Tour””Day Tripping””Full Speed Ahead” “Ready For Takeoff” “The Scenic Route” Photos courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Packing a Punch in 150 Square Feet

Who would have thought a 150 square foot, sub-terranean art book store in Greenwich Village New York could look so good! This is the OhWow Book Club, and it just goes to prove that small spaces can definitely benefit from bold colour, bold pattern, and lots of contrast without making the room look small.

Designer: Rafael de Cardemas

Modern Ski Luxury

As the first snowfall of the year hits Vancouver (a rare treat), everyone is dreaming of the upcoming Christmas season and all things winter. I came across this new stunning hotel, called The Cambrian, which is located in Adelboden in the heart of the Swiss Alps. With a traditional chalet style architecture, the contemporary twist on Alpine design on the interior is really complimentary and stunning. There’s always something so warm and inviting with modern rustic interiors. An Amazing view from the lounge

The 2 storey loft suite penthouses are amazing. The beams ovehead contrast with the

Luxury means relaxation in this setting!

Like a Kid in a Toy Store

As thoughts of Christmas begin to infiltrate everyone’s thoughts, I digress and think of Childhood memories of visits to the toy store where I could pick out all the toys I wanted to receive as gifts.

How fun is this new toy store, called Pilar’s Story in Barcelona, Spain? It’s nice to see that not all toys are still electronic these days. This space is colourful, imaginative, & exploratory. What more could a kid want?

Designer: Elia Felices

The Newest Oldest Candle Store

Cire Trudon is a Parisian candle making company that dates back to 1643. They’ve recently opened their second retail store (after a few hundred year hiatus) in New York’s Nolita neighbourhood. What has made the product still successful and relevant is their original use of the highest quality wax, which is made from rice, soy, and coconut oil.

The store’s design is interesting. A scattered antique Parisian feel seems to be the theme. Like you might be walking into Marie Antoinette’s poorer cousin’s abode, after it has been ransacked, leaving only the flea market find curios and candles behind! I always love cheeky design that creates the mood of a story instead of being an obvious to its purpose.

A colorful variety of tapers, and the gorgeous individual scented candles that are perfect for gift giving.

A Napoleon Bonaparte bust Candle would be my pick

The Blackman Hotel, Melbourne

The third hotel in Australia’s Art Series Hotels has just opened.  The Blackman  is a 207 room hotel in the heart of Melboune.  Like the other Art Series (the Olsen and the Cullen – see an older post I wrote here), inspiration is taken from an artist.  This time Charles Blackman.  There are 3 more Art Series hotels scheduled to open next year, so many more posts on this group to come!

Work from Charles Blackman

The rooms are quite large, and they all have balconies and kitchenettes, which are really added luxuries considering the building is a new build and so close to the CBD of Melbourne.I especially like the mixture of furnishings and pops of bright colour (I’ve been in a bright pink mood lately).

The Morning After Treatment

The Location: Corridors to treatment rooms at Hard Rock Hotel Spa

The Designer: Mark Zeff

The Effect: Pretty cool and unusual and the opposite of what you would think of in a spa environment.

The Opinion: Probably appropriate for rockers covered in tattoos in need of a massage or new manicure and jet black nail polish top coat. But would their pounding heads be spinning seeing this after a night of partying? That is the question.

The Soure: Interior Design Magazine

Knit Rugs & Poufs

Spanish superstar designer Patricia Urquiola has designed this new wool area rug and pouf collection called the Mangas collection for Gandia Blasco, and I am in LOVE! Obviously inspired by current knit wear trends in fashion, these pieces would make the perfect warm, cozy, winter accents. The colours are amazing, and the rugs and poufs come in amazing shapes with cheeky references to socks and mittens. Please Santa can I have one? (no seriously...if you exist, I would REALLY like an area rug, and my two dogs would each like their own pouf).

Whack That Light Out!

Are you ever too lazy to get up and go over to your table lamp to turn it out? Are you frustrated and have pent up aggression and just wish you could just shoot that lamp? Then you need the Bang lamp by Bitplay

Sure it’s a little wacky, and I don’t condone violence, but after all, it’s Friday! Time to have a little fun. Happy Weekend!

Mirror of my Heart

I am in love with this mirror from Jake Phipps. I love how the individually cut mirrors are cleverly placed together to create a faceted diamond effect. Anyone will look good in this mirror!

Griffins’ Steakhouse Extraordinaire

This steakhouse in Stockholm is a really cool because of it’s in depth story behind the design. As a guest of the restaurant, you are in fact the guest of an imaginary couple. The Griffins. They have peculiar interests. They’re well travelled and dabble in Alchemy. What a fantastical, old world charm, interestingly detailed spot to have dinner!

Eclectic mix of furniture and styles. Very “homey”.

A cool Bar

This hallway almost reminds me of a train carriage hallway

Are you eating in a old style butler’s kitchen? A subway station?

Leather and wood create a warm library feel

An alchemist’s curious collection is shared and on display Designers: Stylt Trampoli