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HOTEL JUNKIE: The Liberty Hotel - Boston, Massachusetts 3/30/2011
The Liberty Hotel blows my mind away. It's another hotel that really makes me wish that I had just done more research during my time in school. My projects could have been ten times better had I been influenced by the amazing design details of the Liberty Hotel.
Before I start delving into all these amazing design details, I would like to note that everyone should visit their website. The time-lapse flash videos are definitely unique and sets them apart from other hotel websites!
First off, did you know.... that the Liberty Hotel was originally a prison?! It cost roughly $150 million dollars to renovate this building that was constructed in 1851! It's so shocking, I know! I seriously love historic buildings and think that it is always in our best interests to cherish (and enjoy!) what still remains from beautiful, well thought out architecture. These days almost all architecture that's going up feels so rushed and cheap!
You can't help but smile at the play-on-words name of the restaurant "Clink." There's also Alibi and the Yard. Very cute! Whoever thought that someday the "vestiges of original jail cells [could] create cozy nooks"?
I am definitely loving the overall look of the Liberty! Maybe it's just these images, but I'm getting a very positive vibe from this hotel. I love how the designers retained the original rough brick of the prison and mixed in contemporary fabrics and furnishings. I think that the Liberty provides you with an unexpected experience, surprising you with such a happening environment in what was once a prison for hard criminals! Not only do I love the design of this hotel, but I admire their efforts to be a part of the artistic culture of Boston. Every Thursday night, the Liberty hosts a fashion show called.... wait for it... "Fashionably Late"! Seriously, who thought up these names?
As exciting as the hotel lobby and restaurants can be, the suites upstairs offer a more relaxed environment with a calming, neutral color palette. The Liberty is all swank, no pretentiousness! This hotel faces the Charles River and I wonder what the sunrises look like... They must be breathtaking.... One day Boston... One day, we shall cross paths!
HOTEL JUNKIE: Mystique Resort - Santorini, Greece 3/28/2011
Sooooooo... it's been quite awhile now, hasn't it? Well, it wasn't my intention to stay away for so long, but I guess I just haven't been feeling the love lately. Recently, however, my appetite for design has been whetted and I now spend my lunches and late nights perusing my design mags and cruising the many design websites out there. I came across this little gem via Daily Candy; it's the Mystique Resort.
Now, I'm not sure what it is about Mediterranean locations, but the blues suddenly seem bluer. Greece is no exception. If anything, Greece seems to embrace the blues even better than any other Mediterranean country.
Speaking of color, when the color white comes to mind, what typically comes to mind is cold and contemporary. The Mystique Resort, though, with it's white washed walls and natural stone comes across as warm and yummy. (I say yummy because the walls remind me of marshmallow fluff.) Even the exterior appeals to me because of its softened edges and natural look. Makes you wonder.... how on earth do they keep it so clean?
What is interesting about this resort is that every single suite and villa possesses an amazing view of the volcano, the ocean, and maybe even the pool. This sounds and looks like a great place to just get away from it all, doesn't it? Watch out Santorini! Someday, when I get the funds, I'm totally comin' for you!
Don't Lift A Finger! 1/26/2011
While this doesn't have much to do with interior/architectural design, I thought that this little number here was just the niftiest darn thing I've ever seen! I want one so bad!!!
It comes from the MoMA Store which also has loads of other really awesome little knick knacks! At only $7 dollars and a variety of THREE different colors, it seems that I get these sooner rather than later!
The Most Interesting Collection Of Things I've Ever Seen 1/21/2011
The Future Perfect is a strange website... You'll cruise through their "Objects" or "Designers" and wonder to yourself... what is the purpose of The Future Perfect? Then it'll hit you. Kooky! They just wanna be kooky silly billies! All of their items are quality pieces, but err on the side of a bit stranger than the things you'd normally find at say... a Bed Bath & Beyond. According to their website, "Most things at The Future Perfect are charming and unique," and I can't agree more. The Future Perfect has a wide assortment of knick knacks, furniture and dinnerware, all to cater to the kookier side of ourselves!
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| Glacier Glasses by David Wiseman for Artel |
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| Box Sofa by Autoban built by De La Espada |
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| Float Magazine Rack by J-Me |
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| Silver Playing Cards by Unknown |
A.P.F. Munn 1/20/2011
Really, almost all mirrors look the same don't they? They come in the standard shapes of rectangle, square, or circle. Occasionally, you'll come across an interesting mirror with an amazing trim or maybe the mirror is an antique mirror and that really spices things up, right? Well, at A.P.F. Munn, they sometimes deviate from the standards and create something that is not only unique, but drop dead gorgeous!
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| Spa Crystal Mirror |
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| Primitive (Nope! That's not a doorway! It's just a mirror!!) |
Lusive Decor 1/19/2011
It has been nearly a year since I first met a designer from Lusive Decor, a company that was virtually unknown. Recently, I received a little note from one of my email threads about Lusive Decor and I decided to take a look at what they have to offer. Let it be known... I was blown away! So many awesome pieces that I could have implemented in my school projects.
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| Mon Choux |
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| Chiari Pendant |
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| Angelica Chandelier |
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| Avera Sconce |
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| Artesia Chandelier |
With such a variety of lighting ranging from contemporary to traditional, I think Lusive Decor might just be one of the best custom lighting sites that I have seen!Photos courtesy of Lusive Decor.
William Yeoward 1/18/2011
William Yeoward has some of the most refreshing selection of furniture, case goods, and upholstery that I've seen in ages. His pieces are definitely the show stoppers in each room. I love that little bit of bling that each piece brings. Two of my favorites are the Arley Mirrored Sideboard with beautiful chestnut wood and the Marcel Lamp with it's unique hourglass shape that definitely gives this lamp some va-va-voom!
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| Arley Mirrored Sideboard |
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| Detail of Arley Mirrored Sideboard |
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| The Marcel Lamp |
Photos courtesy of William Yeoward.
The Sony Vaio Signature Collection 12/29/2010
I believe that the time may have come for a new laptop...
...and I think the arabesque curls on this GOLD laptop is sorta kinda catching my eye!
The Ideal Bookshelf 12/28/2010
The Ideal Bookshelf is a nifty little creation by Jane Mount from New York, NY.
My favorite is tied between the Harry Potter book set and the cookbook set. Ms. Mount paints these booksets for clients as gifts and I think these are beautiful and very thoughtful!
Photos courtesy of The Ideal Bookshelf.
