AndeL's Hotel

More and more boutique hotels are getting hip and better than some five star hotels..From the design, to the service, and more. It just gives off a different feel. But this is no boutique hotel, its Andel's Hotel in Łódź, Poland. Its the fourth designer hotel from Andel's chain but the first 4-star deluxe design hotel in the area. With 278 rooms and suites, great conference areas, located on the grounds of the Manufaktura Art and Culture Center, its a brilliant melange of quirky modern interiors designed by Jestico + Whiles. Located in what was a former textile mill, once the place of Polish textile magnate Izrael Poznanski, following strict orders of historic building preservation, its gives off this lofty historical industrial feel with the exposed brick walls, the cast iron and steel around the place, combined with modern designs, creating a unique experience for hotel guests.


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Mirrored Treetop Hotel

For the savvy adventurer and hotelier who loves to try new experiences..head to Harads, Sweden (the north of Sweden), where you would find treetop hotel suites, a concept for a tree hotel by Architects Than & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter to be ready by next year. By raising the Eco-tourism to new heights, these treetop suites are actually lightweight 4x4x4 meters aluminum boxes clad in mirrored glass, and built around tree trunks. What seems camouflaged in its own surroundings, its a peaceful retreat above the grounds in a modern way for those who seek the high life unique hotel experience.


photocredit: dezeen

A Journey of Tastes

Ah yes..now tis time to do some travel tasting across the countries. It's all about the teeny tiny things that makes a difference. Now if I just had the time to do so..where would I go?

First of all, on the start of my travel, something that I would probably take along with me though this may sound crazy, is this Mypressi Twist, the world's first portable espresso machine. Just add the coffee and hot water, with no external power needed, there's espresso ready anytime..The reason being is that sometimes you don't come across a good shot of espresso (thankfully I've come across many good ones ;) ), and that's why you can have your own portable machine, with your own choice of espresso beans, and you're done.

I'm off to Paris..now I'll have to stop by La Grande Epicerie..mmm tasty treats all around but that's not what I'm here for, I'm here for the Photography Exhibition Le Goût du Luxe (Taste of Luxury) of fashion made with food. On display until May 17, so hurry!
Next stop, the Dammann Tea House in Place des Vosges. Dammann Freres teas date back to 1692, and house rare offerings of teas such as "Pu-Erh", a fermented tea with a deep aroma produced in Yunnan. There are tea tasters and wine tasters, etc. and this is a great tea tasting trip to make.

Over to New York, the Momofuku (meaning Lucky Peach) Milk Bar, the recently opened bakery in East Village, opened by chef-entrepreneur David Chung. A mix of American cuisine with Eastern influences united together. Banana green curry bread, marshmallow cookies, luscious cakes and icecream, are a few of the creations offered by Pastry chef Christina Tosi.


to be continued..

Sevva - stylish in Hong Kong

An eclectic lounge and tapas bar, with vibrant colorful vintage and custom furniture. The pony-hair cushions, moroccan cushions, horned legs for stools, etc.

Party themed gouaches at the entry's corridor by fashion illustrator Gladys Perint Palmer.

A 46 foot long embossed fabric panel by Ruth McDermott, back-lit with fluorescent tubes in the casual dining room.

The more formal dining room, with a built-in banquet seating, and modern bergeres. A Candida Hofer photograph hangs above them.

Views from the terrace



A 24/7 informal club/restaurant. Sevva- located at the W hotel in Hong Kong. An eclectic designed restaurant by Tsao & McKown Architects.




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Grandeur Overload! A Mad Hatter's Home

Lavish Luxury Glamourous Extravagant Artistic Modern Unique Stylish

An eclectic mix of styles from contemporary to baroque to modern, with vibrant colours, a style reminisence of old hollywood glamour including cutting edge design. A frenzical place you could call a mad hatter's home, dressing up for the tea party - all creating a bomb effect of glamour with a capital G.

This is the G hotel, a stylish boutique hotel located in Galway, Ireland. G stands for Glamour and Galway. Designed by the famous Philip Treacy (native of Galway). The hotel has this mesmerizing effect to those who immediately enter the hotel and gaze at this wondrous wonderland of plush lavish high extravagance. To say the least, he has amazed us with his ability to make you feel special.

" After all a good hat, no matter how much it costs, has the ability to make the wearer feel like a million dollars" says Philip Treacy, " Walking into the g has the same effect. It is like walking onto a film set. Each guest will respond to this experience in a quite different way but, for each of them, it is their moment on the red carpet".

Tube Etiquette

Tube etiquette and subversive signage:

1. Uses of intriguing and interactive graphics to help make the tube a nicer place.
2. Highlighting the safety and social problems.
3. Personal responses to universal problems that help social problems.


All by London graphics and communications designer William Shaun Bartlett.
Brilliant!!

A Hidden Retreat in Ombrie

It took 6 years for a keen restoration of this given up Italian masonry in Ombrie, a secret yet close friend of its famous neighbor Tuscany, in Italy. The land is a small place with majestic green valleys, corn fields under the sun, narrow curvy roads lined with cypress and oak trees leading to quint villages with a minor population, its a secret and its beautiful!
Dazzled by the site, two globe-trotters found this abandoned masonry building through dirt roads with a tower sitting high above the large wild valley of Carpini. They had a dream to turn this into a future home through some good rehabilitation (which took six years).

The couple's design created a bridge between the centuries. Mixing the old with the new, but with a alluring sense of purity and freshness blending with the picturesque views of Ombrie.
They've created the place with cement walls, medival stones, glass and iron, large open spaces, an industrial kitchen, minimalist furniture, stages of gardens, shaded terraces, mazed pathways, and 360 degrees of refreshing open panoramic views. The best part? you can stay in this retreat!


Torre di Moravola
Moravola Alta, San Faustino, 06014 Montone, PG Italia,
Tel.: 00 39 07 59 46 09 65.
Seven days, starting from 300 € with breakfast.



via Côté Sud Octobre / Novembre 2008

Superyacht Range Rover..

These count for true luxury beauty..
a combination between yacht designs and a car!!
This collaboration between Edmiston and Range Rover means that you can now get the feel of the high seas on dry land. Together, Edmiston and Range Rover held a competition in August asking the world's seven leading Superyacht designers to customize a Range Rover. The cars should match the luxury of a yacht. Complete with teak decking, reclining seats, and of course compartments for champagne.

In turn, the winner Andrew Winch's " Sea Rover " was announced at the end of the Monaco Yacht Show held in September. He said ‘As always I approached the challenge from a lifestyle and client point of view, so the car will stand out in the Cote d’Azur, yet work in harmony with our beautiful sailing yacht designs. It is the only mode of transport from private Winch jet to Winch yet.’

The good news is that each of the seven designs are being made to order. The prices for these range from €200,000 to €800,000. The delivery time takes about 3 - 6 months.

I have always loved Range Rovers, this goes out to the designers with their innovative Ranges.

Pic 1: Tim Heywood's design

Pic 2: Terence Disdale's design

Pic 3: Inspiration from Redman Whitely Dixon's design came from Eames' 670 lounger.

Pic 4: Ken Freivokh's design

Pic 5: Martin Francis' design

Pic 6: Bannenberg's design, with a boot that opens into a bench for a quayside drink

Pic 7-8: Winner! Andrew Winch's Sea Rover

All designs are available to order through rangerover@edmistoncompany.com.

www.edmistoncompany.com

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Pedestrian Walk Design

"Human experience in a common space shows greater diversity of expression"..

What do you say when you see something like this on the road? From what was a form of activism to art..expression on issues today is a form of cultural art.

by Roadsworth

Pictures:
1. Bullets for oil
2. Cardio Crossing
3. North American Footprint
4. Pulling the Plug
5. Exclusive