Journal
It's quite amazing what you can do in a car park these days. Park cars (of course), build swanky flats on them... or, decorate and regenerate by throwing a two week long party. The clever clogs behind The Book Club - Mothershp Group (who also...
City Notes
Not long after Benji Holroyd had given us a Create GB interview about his design agency SB Studio - masters of sleek simplicity and effortless aesthetic - the Liverpool-based creative was opening the doors of his latest venture, the utterly charming...
Journal
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of the Southbank Centre, and a little bit of a geek when it comes to design, so it came as a big surprise to me to discover a whole area of the Southbank Centre I knew nothing about! I was recently given a tour...
City Notes
Whenever I see the word Soprano, I have to resist running for the Sopranos box-set, or it’s another three days before anyone sees me. And speaking of boxes, there’s plenty on show in this pizzeria/bar in Gavà, Barcelona. These days it seems if...
City Notes
Who doesn’t want to wake up to something beautiful? OK, so you’re not dating a supermodel, but don’t despair, Claudia Schiffer may be out of reach but Germany has more than one statuesque blonde on the market, and this one is asking you to...
City Notes
Combining three of things we like most in life – buildings, beer and Barcelona – we were pre-disposed to liking architect Jean Nouvel’s re-working of an old brewery before we’d even seen it, and we’re happy to report he’s served up a...
City Notes
The word hostel may have you immediately reaching for the insecticide, but it’s time to put aside your prejudices and embrace communal quarters - the number of 'hip hostels' on our radar continues to rise. Have a gander at this re-imagining of...
Journal
The aptly-named canteen-style restaurant, Canteen, now has outlets covering all of London's hot-spots; from Baker Street to Spitalfields. With classic British inspired cooking and award-winning menus you're likely to expect quality ingredients in...
City Notes
Let’s be honest, no one likes the council planning department. They seem to have a rule against everything, with the curious exception of erecting truly hideous houses everywhere you look, which is apparently smiled upon enthusiastically. But if...
City Notes
Travellers to Portugal wanting a taste of boutique hotel at B&B prices are in for a treat when visiting Lisbon’s Casa das Janelas com Vista, located in the hip Biarro Alto district. As the name suggests, the building – a former basketry...
City Notes
If the name of your place is The Martian Embassy, you had better back it up with some outlandish design, and that’s what designers LAVA have done at the Sydney Story Factory down under. Created as a space for creative endeavours, a far out...
City Notes
When eight shipping containers beach themselves outside the Southbank Centre, your first thought might be to call the Environmental Protection Agency. But this is no ordinary jetsam. In fact, Softroom Architects have made old into new by stacking...
City Notes
Interior design studio and creative consultancy Ste Marie has completed Olia Ristorante and Mimi Bar, a pair of hospitality venues conceived as a day-to-night sequence at the base of new residential tower Citizen on Jasper. Commissioned by Corso 32...
City Notes
On a private estate in central Ukraine, YOD Group has reimagined the traditional mazanka — the archetypal rural home — for the contemporary era. These 50 square metre guesthouses reinterpret the vernacular, translating thick whitewashed walls...
City Notes
Situated at the edge of Montmartre, where Pigalle’s energy meets Parisian rooftops, Hôtel Rochechouart is a 1929 Art Deco landmark given a contemporary pulse. Design duo Festen has restored the building’s historic details while threading a...
The Edit
Adrian Cox’s upcoming solo show at Corey Helford Gallery in downtown Los Angeles is one that demands some serious attention. The Well of Dreams, opening Saturday 21 February in the Main Gallery, presents over 20 new works from the Los...
Dispatches
A diamond bracelet is one accessory that always makes you look better when you dress up for a night out or a special event. A nice bracelet can make your outfit look more expensive and classy, whether you're going to a formal gala, a cocktail party,...
Dispatches
Raja Ampat, a remote island group in eastern Indonesia, presents one of the most extraordinary marine regions on Earth. Clear turquoise water, limestone karst islands, and vibrant coral reefs create a landscape that attracts travelers who value...
Dispatches
The Modern Relevance of Timepieces In an age when nearly everyone carries a smartphone, the wristwatch might seem obsolete, but it’s anything but. People still wear watches not just to tell time, but to express identity, reduce digital...
Dispatches
Planning a vacation for yourself is easy. Planning one for a group is an entirely different challenge. The moment you introduce multiple travelers into the equation, everything changes. Preferences collide. Budgets stretch. Wish lists grow longer by...