Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城

Our sojourn in The Middle Kingdom, Beijing 2011

in your Face!

Location:  Tamaraw Beach, Puerto Galera

Window Seats Give U the World

A Surreal Collaboration

Luggage specialist Alstermo Bruk (est. 1804) makes exclusive limited edition designs for 5th Ave Shoe Repair, Autumn 2010, Sweden...

Skew Case

 Typewriter Case

Fifth Ave Shoe Repair  //  Alstermo Bruk

Chanel's Mobile Art Pavilion in Paris

Sitting Pretty at Le Matignon

Just opened il ya deux mois , Le Matignon concept resto + bar + lounge, is The City of Lights' latest dilettantish hotspot.  Founded by Gilbert Costes and Cyril Peret Paglinghi, its plush presence and grandiose ambiance was conceived by Jacques Garcia (Hôtel Costes, Paris & Hôtel Métropole, Monte-Carlo).

Drenched in a decor of subdued elegance, the sumptuously romantic and opulent space is located just off the Champs-Elysees at 3, Avenue Matignon, 75008 PARIS.

  LUUUX

A Peak At Hollywoodland

Bay Arch's impressive concept + vision for its boutique hotel on Mount Lee may be the key to preserving and reviving Los Angeles' Cultural-Historical Monument #111...

I can't even begin to imagine the countless evenings of revelry and merrymaking which would be realized atop the highest peak of la la land (undoubtedly propelled by our unrelentingly hip young Hollywood crowd)! Alas, perhaps this could be a new backdrop for Entourage (I'm so there!)?
Haute.

Bay Arch

Barcelona and Its New Obra Mestra

Located on the most expensive street of Spain in the city's most important shopping hub, the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona captures the imaginative art of maximizing space.  Built within the walls of a 19th C bank, the new luxury hotel boasts 98 rooms designed by Patricia Urquoila (B&B Italia).

Have a quick swim at the rooftop pool and while you're at it, map out your stroll through its bird's-eye view of the iconic city's cornerless carrers ~ from being entranced by the grandeur of the massive cathedral Segrada Familia (expected completion 2026), to being mesmerized by the fantastical modernist buildings along La Manzana de la Discordia (Casa Lleo-Morera, Casa Amatller and Casa Batllo).  Perhaps take a walk down the somewhat cheesy tourist attraction of a street called Las Ramblas, have tapas + aperetivo in one of the many vibrant bars, then top your evening off with al fresco dining at the hotel terrassa.

Last but not least, head back to the sexy suite and freshen up before starting your night out in one of Europe's Top 10 Party Cities (#4!). What happens in Barcel, stays in Barcel ♥

Mandarin Oriental  //  Patricia Urquiola  //  B&B Italia

16w21, NYC

Fashion turned interior designer Zac Posen (also a food enthusiast launching his own furniture collection) continues to reinforce the theory of the leisure class and has collaborated with renowned architect, Morris Adjmi to develop a 14-story white glass building in the Flatiron district of NYC.  Units at 16 W. 21st Street, which boasts 8 ft. tall windows, will cost up to $6 mil...targeting the young creative conspicuous consumer.

...Thank goodness my brother wasn't around to see the model versions of the luxury boutique residences.  We all know what he would've made Ken do to Barbie...

MODEL VERSION OF THE LOBBY

MODEL VERSION OF THE KITCHEN

MODEL VERSION OF THE BATHROOM

16w21  //  The Real Deal  //  Luxist