Get The Look of the Olive Exclusive Hotel in Nambia

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Sara Bliss

Pairing traditional African style with contemporary design, the  Olive Exclusive Hotel in Nambia is the vision of South African photographer Micky Hoyle. The 7-suites, a blend of rustic and glamorous design elements, are some of the most alluring hotel rooms I’ve seen. So many wonderful design ideas to crib here:

RUSTIC LIGHTING: One of the things I love best here is how a basic design footprint is tweaked slightly from room to room in terms of palette and materials.  For example, the two bedrooms above are illuminated with a dazzling display of pendant lights, but one is crafted out of rustic wood carved tables, while the other set is made from woven African baskets.

USE EVERY INCH: A brilliant small space solution here, a small dividing wall doubles as a both a desk and a perch for a flatscreen TV. The wood beams on one side add a dose of rustic cool. The mirror brings more light to the space and tricks the eye into thinking the desk is larger than it is. Very clever.

BLUE AND SILVER: There is something about blue and silver with white that just makes a room glow. It’s a sophisticated palette that has a wonderful softness to it as well. Love how it is done here with dusty blue walls, chic silver accents, and a white shag carpet and sofa.

PAIR MASCULINE WITH FEMININE:  The beiges and browns in this suite’s palette automatically give off a more masculine vibe. But the floral print and contemporary floral applique pillows, along with the soft curves of the rustic wood coffee table, provide an exciting tension between masculine and feminine that keeps the room interesting.

ART SETS THE MOOD: Photographer Micky Hoyle incorporated his own work into the space. The photograph above, featuring two girls decked out in traditional African accessories, is, like the design of the hotel, an intriguing blend of tradition with contemporary. In a dining space filled with contemporary furniture, the photograph serves as a reminder of the region’s rich culture.PS-How amazing is the photograph of the trees on the ceiling?

RUSTIC MEETS REFINED: A ceiling pendant with wood branches and a wall of exposed traditional construction with interlocking wood branches, is in perfect contrast to the boxy modern tub.

GET THE LOOK:

Woven rattan Boja lamp from IKEA

Teardrop Light from Tucker Robbins

Treestump sidetable in solid cypress by West Elm

Hammered metal coffee table from Victoria Lyon Interiors in Greenwich

Amorphous wood coffee table from Treetables.com

Faux fur throw from Poshpelts

Ankasa pillow

Deconstructed Rose Pillow from West Elm

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Christene Barberich Checks Into Matachica

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Sara Bliss
When I started out in publishing in the late 90s, my first “articles” were 100 word news pieces at House Beautiful where I was an assistant editor. Of course, I wanted to be tackling bigger word counts and cooler topics (for a while I covered not-so-exciting subjects like the Hearth Expo and new roofing materials). Thankfully, I connected with Christene Barberich who was then an editor at the very cool downtown magazine City. Christene was amazing at spotting the latest trends in design and fashion, as well as finding emerging talent. In fact, my first  freelance assignments  for City were interviewing up-and-coming young designers like Lulu DK, Christopher Coleman, and John Robshaw all of whom were about to be big stars. Fast forward to today and Christene’s knack for spotting emerging talent and being ahead of the curve  is in full display on the amazing fashion and shopping site Refinery 29 where she is the Editor-in-Chief.
I asked Christene to give us the scoop on her favorite hotel right now knowing she would steer us towards a very cool under-the-radar destination, . Christene didn’t disappoint with the  why can’t I be there now? fabulousness of Matachica in Belize. The beachside resort boasts 22 thatched roof casitas overlooking the beach by the Belize Barrier Reef.  Read on for my interview with Christene about Matachica:
How did you discover Matachica?
Our VP of advertising, Alison Koplar, mentioned it to me in passing that a friend of hers had just been and it was amazing. I was hankering for a truly relaxing put-me-in-a-coma vacation, and as soon as I saw the images of bright primary-colored hammocks outside each cabana, I was sold.
Who did you go with?  My fiance, Kevin Baxter. He’s an architect at the New York-based firm, Ennead.
Was Matachica all that you hoped?
It was pretty wonderful and seamless all around. Ambergris Caye, where we were in Belize, is fairly remote, and you have to take boats if you want to leave the island and venture out. Luckily, sitting on the beach for hours, reading, or getting a massage was all I had on my agenda, so this brand of isolation was perfect. And the proprietor, Daniel Lighter, really appreciates how important excellent service and attention to detail is. When we arrived, there was a gentleman waiting for us on the dock with freshly made margaritas. And every evening, there were fresh flowers on our bed. The food was pretty spectacular as well…really fresh and simple, which is always what I want on a beach vacation.”
What did you like best about Matachica? The beds. I slept like it was my job.
What was your room like?
A great combination of rustic and luxurious. The cabanas have thatched roofs but the furnishings are all very cozy and decadent. It’s really the best of both worlds.
What is your favorite space in the hotel and why?
Probably, sitting on the steps of our little hut and looking out at the ocean. It was dreamy.
What was the highlight of your trip?
Seeing the Mayan Ruins. It took a whole day from boat to plane to boat, etc., but it was so well worth it. The structures are just awe-inspiring. In general, Matachica offers loads of fun activities for guests, from scuba diving and snorkeling to treks in the jungle…you can experience a lot if you want to, or just dial it down.
What is an insider tip that you would give to someone staying there?
Not so much a tip, but a suggestion. Matachica has a pretty low-key vibe, so it’s ideal if you want to really escape with someone special and just have some alone time. But I would imagine it would be great to go back to Matachica with family or friends, too. The environment is all about reconnecting with nature, yourself, and the people you’re with–so go with people you really enjoy being with.
Images courtesy Matachica and Christene Barberich

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Is there travel in your future? Travel Psychic Linda Lauren has the answers

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Sara Bliss

Are you going to be traveling to far flung destinations this year? Would you be happier booking a trip to Mumbai or Manhattan? What date and time should you book your flights to avoid delays, cancelations,  and bad weather? If you’re looking for answers to any travel-related questions, psychic Linda Lauren has the answers.

I have to admit I was slightly skeptical when I got an invitation to interview Linda, who is promoting her paranormal time travel romance novel Hostage in Time and has trademarked the term Travel Psychic.  But Linda, who can do readings based on handwriting samples, photographs, and voices, won me over pretty quickly. Right away she pinpointed a family issue I’m dealing with, as well as some work projects I’ve been keeping under wraps until they come to fruition. It was impressive. There was no way she could have known about either one. In terms of travel Linda sees me going to California and Florida this year. No plans for either, but I will keep you all posted!

So what exactly is a travel psychic? Linda who is a 4th generation psychic medium, says that during her regular readings she quickly found that she also had a gift for accurately predicting travel issues and helping her clients avoid potential pitfalls. Travel predictions make up about 30% of her business. Clients who are afraid to fly will often run their travel plans by Linda to be reassured that they arrive safely. Clients who are trying to choose between a few different destinations or hotels ask Linda for her advice on where to book. Worried about traffic? Bad weather? Crazy airline passengers? Unstable governments? Linda says she can help her clients avoid travel nightmares and enjoy traveling again. Here is a link to a story Nightline did on Linda’s Travel Psychic abilities. In these hectic times Linda has clearly tapped into an interesting niche market. Food for thought when you are planning your next vacation.

Happy Travels!

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DESIGN LESSONS FROM THE SAGUARO

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Sara Bliss

The vibrantly hued Saguaro in Palm Springs is proof that color can totally transform a space. Formerly a bland Holiday Inn, the 70s motel is now thriving in its reincarnation as a hip hotel (it was the hot place to stay for Coachella). Architects Paul Aferiat and Peter Stamberg chose 12 brilliant hues found in native desert wildflowers for the hotel’s eye-catching palette. For those of you faced with uninspiring spaces, there’s lots of fun design ideas here as well as from the sister hotel the Saguaro in Scottsdale, Arizona:COLOR BLOCKING INTERIORS:  The colorblocking trend that’s been happening in fashion is successfully translated to interiors here. It’s proof that unexpected combinations, like the red, yellow and purple lobby lounge, can bring a bland space to life.  This would be a great palette for a room with little natural light–a basement or a mudroom would look great in this vivid color combination.

COLOR PUNCTUATION: Brightly colored upholstery pops against a neutral backdrop of light wood planked walls. But it is the charcoal ceiling that gives the space a more sophisticated spin.  Also note the wall collage of mini mirrors–a fun and inexpensive DIY idea.

NATURAL INSPIRATION: I recently interviewed a decorator who said that colors found in nature can’t clash, and the above space is proof of that. The open plan in the suite above lets you peer from living to dining to bedroom, going from red to pink to lavender. It’s a combo I would normally steer clear of, but given that Aferiat Stamberg got their palette from local wildflowers, it somehow works.

 COLOR WALL: When you want to use an especially intense color on the walls, painting   just one wall is a safer way to go. Especially in a small room like the this one, having the whole space be hot pink would be dizzying. But done on one wall it jazzes up the room distracting the eye from the small square footage.

STRIPES PULL IT ALL TOGETHER: When you are using several strong colors in one space, it’s helpful to have one print or pattern with those same hues to pull it all together. Here, throws with orange, purple, and pink stripes unify the room’s quirky palette.

BRIGHT EXTERIOR: When you have 70s architecture to contend with, your best bet is to mask the problem with bright color. Especially in a tropical setting, vibrant color combinations like pink and orange are awesome when used on a building’s exterior.

Happy poolside chic.

Photos: Tim Street Porter Courtesy of the Saguaro

 

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Virtual Vacation at the Viceroy in the Maldives

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Sara Bliss

With almost 1200 islands in the Indian Ocean to choose from, it seems like all of the major resorts are staking out their own private islands in the Maldives. The Four Seasons, Shangri La, One & Only, the W, and Six Senses have all recently built glamorous island retreats there (some like the Four Seasons even have multiple islands and outposts). The latest arrival to the scene is the Viceroy Maldives which opened this month on a gorgeous 17 acre paradise island called Vagaru.

Designer Yabu Pushelberg merged hip contemporary design with tropical island style for the 61-room resort.  Thatched roofs are given a modern makeover, while interiors boast sculptural furniture and mod lighting. Yabu is also the visionary behind The Public in Chicago and the Waikiki Edition in Hawaii.

The Treehouse restaurant specializes in North African dishes and features low platform beds with cushions for seating.

Each room has their own private plunge pool, hidden gardens, and ocean views. The Beach Bungalows, shown above, also boast their own stretch of sand.

Love the white fretwork, and the quiet palette, (floors not so much).

Floor to ceiling glass walls blur the lines between indoors and out. From your bed to the couch, the interior layout is all about taking in the sweeping views.

Lovely.

Ditto.

If you are interested in going to the Maldives, don’t miss The Island President, a fascinating documentary about former president Mohamed Nasheed’s attempt to save the Maldives from being washed away by sea levels rising due to global warming. 

Photos courtesy Viceroy Maldives and Chiara Goia

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