America the Beautiful

...even in the rain.

Somewhere near Dillard, Georgia, May 31st, 2010

Happy Memorial Day!

Omm

One of my favorite things about Barcelona is that every era of architecture and design is celebrated. You can visit the carefully preserved ancient city dating from 600 A.D. in the morning, a Gothic palace at noon, an early 20th century Gaudi masterpiece late in the day, and then retreat to a post-modern hotel for the evening.

Here are some images of the Hotel Omm, winner of multiple design awards and a prime example of how Barcelona's architecture continues to flourish beyond the ages.

The Omm Lobby doubles as swingin' bar and lounge until late in the evening. Great for multi-cultural people watching!

Many of the guest rooms look out on Barcelona's L'Eixample district, brimming with 18th and 19th century architecture. The hotel lies within the famous Quadrat d'Or (Golden Triangle), with what has been called the world's greatest living museum of turn-of-the-20th-century design.

Other guest rooms overlook the quiet courtyard, which serves as a garden for the hotel's restaurant, Moo. The glass boxes are actually skylights which naturally illuminate the restaurant below.

Moo has a Michelin star and the cuisine looks as contemporary as the space in which it is served. Just about every meal we had in Barcelona was unbelievable.

The Omm's rooftop terrace has a view of the top of Gaudi's biomorphic La Pedrera, built between 1906 and 1910. Gaudi made even the ventilation towers look interesting.

Another picture of the roof with Philippe Starck Bubble Club Chairs in the foreground and Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia in the background. I am pretty sure a crane or two was photo-shopped out of this picture, as the Cathedral has at least another sixteen years before the next phase will be complete--just in time for it's hundred year anniversary.

And finally, we have the view from the street and the visitor's first impression. The limestone facade looks like the pages of a book being opened. I think that is an appropriate metaphor when visiting any new city, but especially one as rich in design history and inspiration as Barcelona. Hopefully we will return one day--perhaps to see how La Sagrada Familia's construction is coming along.

Beautiful Barcelona

Finally, something to blog about! Just got off the plane, but thought I would post a few photos from our trip to Spain before I try to catch up on my sleep. That damn Icelandic volcano had me tossing and turning all night, but all turned out well. Barcelona rocks! More to come...

Right on the Mark

Digging these retro guest bathrooms at The Mark. Fresh off a redesign by Jacques Grange, they include my favorite new bathroom accessory...Disappearing Mirror TVs!


I know there has been a lot of discussion as to who actually watches these things, but I am sure I would. Blow drying and straightening my hair can get really boring. And now that I know that sitting and watching TV can increase your death rate, it makes sense to view those thoughtful programs while engaging in another activity.

Also loving The Mark's chic website & illustrations.

Inventive II

Speaking of innovative bathroom ideas...


They have "Vanishing" Mirror LCD TVs at the new St. Regis Atlanta. I want one.

It Must Be Nice...

To be Jasmine and Philippe Starck. A glimpse into their fabulous & delicious summer as provided by the New York Times Magazine. Article & photographs here.

Ranch Dressed

When I think of chic getaways, Central Florida does not immediately spring to mind. However, the Creek Ranch on Lake Hatchineha puts a Babe Paley-esque spin on the swampy south. Since the early 1960's, this 400 head cattle ranch has been in operation, but only recently has it become available for group rental. Anyone up for a blogger convention?

Among the accommodations is "Fanny's Room", named for Atlanta art supporter and local flea market founder, Fanny Floyd Cocke. Her family now runs the ranch and leads year-round outdoor activities for visitors including cattle driving, horseback riding, bird watching, fishing or just lounging in style. If you must, the theme parks of Orlando are also just an hour away.

There are too many fabulous images to try and post, so for a for a full gallery of accommodations, visit here. Happy trails!

Update: Thanks to a tipster, we learn this bedroom "wallpaper" is actually upholstered fabric, "Fretwork" by Michael Devine.

Spoiled

I want to be here...

Reading this....

With este lugar as my home for the weekend...
All photos with the exception of Caitlin Macy's Spoiled from the Viceroy Mayakoba, opening in 2010.

Bond on the Run

This Friday, James Bond is back with his passport full of exotic stamps. I am usually not an action movie goer, but 007 films with their beautifully shot destinations are the exception. Quantum of Solace lists seven different countries in the film location credits and will take place mainly in Europe and South America.

In the meantime, I will soothe my vicarious vacation lust with Concierge.com's list of James Bond's Greatest Travel Moments. Never mind that they forgot to include one of my favorites...

Daniel Craig as James Bond in the Bahamas for Casino Royale.

Shocked

For the past decade, Southern Accents has presented us with a pretty, but somewhat sleepy selection of pale blue and beige bedrooms. Imagine my surprise to turn the page and discover this high contrast, David Hicksian wonder by Atlanta designer Barbara Howard.

The bedroom was designed for the Showhouse at Reynolds Plantation, part of Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. I had to do a double take--this room belongs to a lake house in rural Georgia? The times are a-changin'.

The featured fabric pattern is "Zimba" by Schumacher. The rest of the home is more typically Southern and subtle in palette, but has a few quiet nods to 1970's design. Click here for the tour.

Even though Lake Oconee is only 1.5 hours east of Atlanta, I have yet to visit. One of these days, I am going to hop over for a day of pampering at The Ritz Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation. For the time being however, I am staycation city.

Interiors photographed by Keith Scott Morton for Southern Accents, November/December 2008.

What is Swanky?

How design fabulous was last week's "Jet Set" episode of Mad Men? I was lamenting the fact that there are no good photos of the Palm Springs interiors until I found a this delicious assortment on Hatch (posted by fellow Atlantan, The Bubb Report). I am seriously crying over the fact that there are only two more episodes to go until the season ends.

According to commenters, "The Jet Set" could have been filmed at Frank Sinatra's former Palm Springs home, Twin Palms. This could also be totally wrong, since mid-century modern architecture can start looking overly familiar to my untrained eye. Still, it is fun to imagine. Take a photo tour (or rent it for the weekend) here.

Poolside at the Twin Palms, then and now.

Update: The "Jet Set" house is not Twin Palms. It was designed by California architect Ed Niles and it was built in the late 1990's in Malibu. Whatever--it is still makes for an awesome backdrop.

In other Mad Men news, the show will be a featured category on one of my longtime TV favorites, Jeopardy, this Friday night. It will be a perfect storm for this television nerd.

Going South

Come on, you know you want to visit Atlanta--especially after last night's shining endorsement of our city.

Well, if you were not scared away by the suburban bling and brawls, you can always get a room at the new W Hotel Buckhead designed by our favorite "Queer Eye", Thom Filicia.



According to Filicia and the Starwood Hotel Group last year, the design plan would combine "urban style with the city’s deep history and culture" and "traditions of Southern hospitality". I am not sure how much of this concept made it to the final reveal, but it looks fun and colorful in an Adler-esque kind of way. Even with the rash of new hotels opening in Atlanta this year, we don't have anything that looks like this.

Madeline and the Cats of Rome

Orange Beautiful used the original Madeline Book as part of her adorable, lavender nursery.

While I know most of the cats running around Rome are generally of the mean and mangy variety, the concept for this new book warms my heart nonetheless.

Madeline, the first of a series of books about an adventurous little French girl, was originally written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans in 1939. Almost seventy years later, Bemelmans' grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano continues the family tradition with Madeline and the Cats of Rome, published this month. Even though Marciano never met his famous grandfather, he based his illustrations on the pencil sketches Bemelmans left behind.

Since 1947, Madeline fans have been flocking to The Carlyle Hotel, where Bemelmans Bar features a mural by Ludwig Bemelmans and a weekly Madeline Tea. The deco-style room was recently restored in 2002.

Befriending a gattino randagio, Italy 2005.

As a lover of cats, Italy and mid-century children's book illustrators, I know this book is going on my wishlist.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

...because we know it's not blogging. So, here are a couple of things that I have been up to so far this summer:

1) I Netflixed My Kid Could Paint That. At first glance, it's a documentary on four year old painting "prodigy" Marla Olmstead. (Photographed above). What it soon becomes is an unsolved mystery and a fascinating commentary on what defines abstract art, creative genius and adult greed.

2) I visited what is slowly becoming my favorite beach destination within driving distance from Atlanta: Amelia Island, Florida. Please don't tell the usual masses that are out to ruin my peaceful beach vacation with loud country music and drunken Pro-Kadima.

3) I met Top Chef-testant, Richard Blais after having a meal his Atlanta restaurant, Home. His elegant, Blaisian version of "Shrimp and Grits" with slices of citrus, chorizo and she-crab butter was to die for. My mouth still waters. Even if you didn't win, we are still rooting for you Richard!

4) I picked up my newly recovered chairs from the upholsterer. The commitment-phobe in me decided that natural linen was the only fabric I wouldn't regret six months from now. Next plan is to add pillows, perhaps with a cool fabric from Of The Young and the Restless.

5) I helped my grandmother celebrate her 80th birthday. This is her posing on the cover of Davenport Steward's 1950's literary masterpiece, "No Time for Fear". 58 years later and she still looks great (much better than the tattered book jacket remains which I have framed on my wall).

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer as well!