Journal
It was back in '98 when Messrs Diamond, Horovitz and Yauch (R.I.P.) informed us that "nothing sounds quite like an 808", and with good reason; they'd been using Roland's seminal drum programmer since the early 1980s to backdrop their deranged...
City Notes
The name of this brasserie in Cape Town, Dear Me, may have come from the numerous frustrating battles the owners and designers Francois du Plessis Interiors had with the South African Heritage Society as they tried to get the place up and running...
City Notes
Brother and sister Adi and Irit Strauss are busy bees; having already created three of Israel's best restaurants they have now branched out into the world of hotels with Alma, in Tel Aviv. The building, which dates back to 1925, lies in the...
City Notes
One of the many notable things about the People's Republic of China is that it's bloody huge, and the cities are no different. The capital, Beijing, is so big it even has a designated art district – the rather coolly-named 798 Art...
Stuff Crush
The Western perception of the Soviet Union was one of austerity, straight-laced, buttoned-down and under tight control for any signs of unorthodoxy. While this may have been true politically, the same can't be said for the architecture of the time,...
City Notes
Until recently, Athens was a city very high on my 'must go' list, yet for one reason or another, I hadn't got around to visiting. I'd been to Greece but - whisper it - like many, had gravitated towards the Islands, opting for sunbathing and beaches...
Journal
You have five seconds to name a Chinese designer or artist. Go. A cursory pat on the back if you came up with Ai WeiWei or Neri&Hu, bonus points for Li Wei, but take a huge bow if you managed any of the names featuring in the exhibition Chinese...
Stuff Crush
There are certainly no frills to this collection of furniture by Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen - it's all about making it minimal, and then trimming a bit more off for good measure. Muller Van Severen's collection of shelving, storage, racks...
Journal
Romance isn't dead, at least not according to American artist and illustrator Andy Rementer. Not dead, but definitely a bit melancholy. Despite the colourful primary colours of his collection, I Wish I Knew, which debuted recently at the Mondo...
City Notes
The British have always liked exporting things to Australia, so it was a well-sailed course that led Sam Rush and Henry Allum to Sydney where they founded clothing brand Handsom (not modest, but better than calling it Ugly). Fast-forward a couple of...
City Notes
‘The Mediterranean as it once was’. Selling countries are the preserve of the tourist industry, and while I somehow doubt the veracity of the Croatian tourist board’s claim, the point is well made: Croatia’s recent history, its decades under...
Stuff Crush
This isn't a topic we've given much thought to, although considering how often we encounter it everyday and how important to our comfort it is, we can't quite work out why. Just one word for you: upholstery. In her work Zieharsofika, Meike Harde...
City Notes
Bringing understated Scandinavian elegance to the edge of Warsaw’s historic Old Town, PURO Warszawa Stare Miasto is the latest addition to the design-led hotel group’s growing Polish portfolio, and possibly their most considered space...
City Notes
In Milan’s ever-evolving Isola district, MOGO has arrived on the scene, offering a destination where music, mixology, and modern Japanese cuisine come together in a high-design setting that will have aesthetics addicts frothing at the mouth. A...
City Notes
Opening its doors in February 2025, Ned’s Club Washington, DC marks the second collaboration between Soho House’s luxury brand and the design and architecture experts at Stonehill Taylor. Set across the 9th to 12th floors of two historic...
City Notes
After a century spent as apartment residences, and following a meticulous two-year transformation, Hotel Granada reopened its Spanish Colonial archways to guests in August 2024. Located at 1302 West Peachtree Street NW, this 120-room property now...
Dispatches
Hard water. It's one of those household nuisances everyone talks about, but what exactly is it, and why is it such a big deal? Essentially, hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These...
Dispatches
For those designing the future, few accolades carry the weight of the A’ Design Award & Competition. With the submission period for the 2025—2026 edition well under way, this international juried competition calls on designers, innovators and...
Dispatches
Running a business in Frisco means keeping your property clean and inviting, which includes tackling the risk of pests before they can cause problems. Frisco businesses stay bug‑free by partnering with local experts in Frisco pest control,...
Dispatches
Moving house? Finding the right moving company can feel like navigating a maze. But with the right knowledge and understanding, you can navigate it like a pro. Between pricing models, service offerings, and trustworthiness, there's a lot to weigh....