In Old Montreal, near the Old Port, stands the newst addition to the Scandinave Spa group - Les Bains Vieux-Montreal.
12 000 square feet, and the first urban undertaking of the Scandinave brand, the space occupies the ground floor of a former warehouse.
Designed by acclaimed Montreal powerhouse, Saucier + Perrotte, the spaces are open and expansive, with masses of marble, glass, slate and limestone.
There is a great breakdown of the spa - from concept to construction - located on the architects website.
~Images via The Cool Hunter
Shanghai has a campaign - become a globally important creative and cultural centre by opening 100 museums in a decade. So in pursuit of this campaign, last week saw the launch of the shiny new Museum of Glass.
German architectural firm, Logan, handled the architecture and exterior of the museum. Germany’s Glashütte Lambets supplied the enameled glass used for the museum’s façade inscribed with glass-industry terms in ten languages.
Coordination Asia was in charge of overall museum concept, art direction, design and supervision of the museum interior.
Coordination’s Tilman Thürmer tells TCH that they used black lacquered glass for the interior (cases, floor, furniture, walls), but left the existing structure untouched. The museum building is a former glassmaking workshop.
The black, sleek glass of the interior reflects the LED lights and screens positioned throughout the space, creating a shiny and glittering multi-dimensional feel. This emphasizes the interaction, interdependence and influences of periods, continents, materials and peoples involved in the art, craft and industry of glass.
The design of the space and exhibits and the use of various media help create an interactive and participatory museum experience where the visitor is directed through the story of glass.
~Images via TheCoolHunter
An exceptionally quick and short post - snapped this picture while out shopping, then promptly bought 2 of the vases (one for work, one for home, you understand.) Snapped covertly with my phone, so it's a little dark.
This is what my wedding table would look like. Don't worry K, there are no set plans yet ;)
~Image by Luxe
Shanghai. Ah, what a marvelou place. No, I've never been, but in my imagination, it is marvelous. Plus there is an awesome place in Parnell, Auckland called Shanghai Lils, so Shanghai itself must be fabulous if that is anything to judge by.
Yucca is a new restaurant and lounge concept by David Laris, a Greek Australian chef and founder of DavidLarisCreates living in Shanghai. He has a few award winning establishments to his name, and believe me, the awards are well deserved.
Yucca draws inspiration from Lucha Libre Wrestling, 1960's Mexican Cinema, and the voodoo and religious superstition interwoven in the Mexican psyche.
The lounge is located on the third floor of Mansion 26F at Sinan Mansions, and serves an amazing array of alternatve cocktails and Yucca-twist mexican food.
The design itself is done by Shanghai based interiors firm Lime 388. By the way, if you ever want me to come work for you, I am so there.
All images via Yucca
The Rainbow House. Oh my.
Imagine if you let your inner child design your house. Go on. Close your eyes and have a think about it.
This place comes pretty darn close, right? Amazing!
Situated in London, this beautiful Ab Rogers Design house is a fun, colourful, living artwork.
The master bedroom boasts a circular bed that rotates so you can enjoy views from every window, and a trap door that pops open to reveal a shiny silver slide to escort you to the living room below, where a 12x8 metre space of yellow plushness just begs you to sleep, play, live.
The entire house is built around a beautiful bespoke spiral staircase boasting steps in every colour of the Rainbow. Every floor is influenced by the hue of the steps leading onto it, and skylights in the roof drench the whole house in warth and light.
This house makes me want to smile. I want to laugh. And skip. And run. Does it tickle you too?
~Images via Ab Rogers Design
Just had to share these phenomenal bathrooms. I swoon.
Room #04
Room #55
~Luxe
~Images via Longman&Eagle
So. I'm crap at updating. I warned you!
But, it's going to be better. Because this is a resolutions post. And blogging makes the list!
1. Project fat-girls-don't-go-to-Paris.
Or rather, girls with faces like mine are not fat in Paris.
That's right ladies and gents, the boy and I are headed to Paris in October! So exciting! But it also means my soft volumptuousness needs to become...hmmm...less soft volumptuousness?
2. More blogging, more design.
I need more design in my life this year. As much inspiration as I can stand. MORE than I can stand. I'm in my final year this year, and even though I'm still debating whether I'll be going ahead with study this year (for certain reasons, another post if it happens) I do love being so ensconsed in the talet and creativity of my fellow designers and design bloggers.
3. Photography and french lessons.
Not that I have the time. But I'm going to try and teach myself as much as possible.
4. Register my business and have stationary done.
I have my ABN. Just need to register my business name.
And if I get around to it:
5. Come up with a plan for my business.
6. Be more organised (in my room, the spare room, the shed, and with my tafe work)
7. Get a kitten. Or a goat. I haven't decided yet.
~Luxe
I have been so very lax in updating, however! I've compiled some things that I've loved this year for the holiday gift giving season. Only part one...you understand.
1. Elk Ceramic Baloon Brooch (also available in a necklace) $55
2. Have You Mean Miss Jones mini owl in Bone China $12
3. Meadowlark Belt Bracelet in Silver $460NZD
4. Robert Gorden Australia Ceramic Gift Tags $9.95 assorted
5. The Small Stakes Exhibition Poster $30USD
6. Meadowlark Apple Charm (I'm not looking up the price for this as I was given this as a gift from the boy xo)
7. Ego Cognac Glasses from Top 3 by Design $79.95 a pair
8. Anthropologie Enchanted Woods Ipod Dock $99USD
9. Anthropologie Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Radio $178USD
10. Tivi SS Ring with Small TigerWood Inlay $54.95
~Images via the linked websites
Scrolling through real estate (as one does) I came accross this beauty for rent.
It's located in Toxteth Road, in the Inner West suburb of Glebe (my old stomping ground) in Sydney.
I managed to track down the architects - OCP Architects - and found their wonderful product sheet (click here).
Here is the blurb from the real estate website, but I really don't think it does the building justice:
An inspired recreation has transformed this historic church hall c1898 into a unique living space. Combining designer aesthetics with environmental efficiency, this exceptional residence sets a new benchmark for contemporary living in a key location.
Versatile residential and creative business possibilities
432sqm with private leafy gardens and entertaining spaces
Upper level living spaces feature open lounge/dining areas
Sunlit pavilion style room integrated with a wide terrace
Deluxe CaesarStone island kitchen with Miele gas fittings
All bedrooms feature customised built-ins and study nook
Superb master suite with luxury spa bath ensuite
Mezzanine home office with kitchen and bathroom facilities
Double rear carport, air conditioning, good security system
Design principles with watertank storage and sky windows
The house boasts 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and 2 carspaces, for the paltry sum of $2150AUD per week. I think I also spotted it for sale somewhere for $3.9million.
Here's the link for renting the property, for now!
Images via realestate.com.au
