The Ciclotte

Leave it to the Italians to come up with a newly reinvented, very sculptural stationary bike. Rethinking traditional cycling aesthetics, the Milanese designer Luca Schieppati has come up with a bike that combines aesthetics and function. His design looks like a large sleek monocycle.

It's crazy expensive, but it screams to be seen.  This pretty machine will show off your modern design style and is surely is not the ugly piece of gym equipment you hide in the basement. Available colors: carbon black, silver or purple.

Getting in shape never looked so cool.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Ciclotte

Motorized Window Treatments

Most luxury homes today have motorized window treatments.

Smart homes are easy to incorporate into a Lutron, Crestron or Savant computer system (electrical systems that run entire homes using ipads and iphones).  But if you are working on a renovation or a home without a smart system, then you can simply install an electric outlet on the top of a window and purchase an electric rod which will come with a battery operated remote control.  You can also have the motors hardwired to an outlet so that the window treatmenst can be opened at any wall switch, just like turning on a light.

When you have huge windows that are too tall to open (such as in double tall living areas), when you want comfort (in a master bedroom) or when you want drama (like in a media room), electric shades or curtains are the answer.  

Get motorized!

www.motorizedwindowtreatment.com

Sophisticated Man Caves

Is it a contradiction of words?  Sophisticated Man Caves?

Not really.  More and more men work from home so they are taking an interest in design.  More and more upscale man entertainment spaces are popping up in today's homes.  Wine rooms, wood burning ovens and extensive grilling areas, full on media rooms and game rooms and indoor golf simulators are all part of this trend. Motorcycle rooms, collector car garages and gyms are commonly designed in luxury homes.   And lets not forget the electronics and tv systems that can accompany all of this fun.

Gone are libraries and sewing rooms.  Today, the man cave is a reality!

FIREPLACES

As temperatures start to drop and the season changes, I start to think of snuggling next to a fireplace.  

Fireplaces are the perfect place to unwind and get cozy and there is just nothing like a crackling fire. The smell and soft bouncing light, creates a romantic warm feeling in any room.

Traditional and modern architecture both embrace fireplaces.  They have been the gathering place of humanity since the beginning of time. Fire pits were the predecessors and were built in caves. We may not need them to warm our homes or cook with like in the old days, and many of today's fireplaces are gas or electric simply for mood and decor.

Are you a fireplace fan?

 

Nikki Beach

Nikki Beach, the world class beach clubs are popping up all over the world.

Miami Beach, St Barths, Marbella, Cabo San Lucas, St Tropez, and  London are among the sophisticated, party, beach clubs where the fabulous and beautiful hang out.  Nikki Beach combines the beach, lounge concept with great food, drinks and party atmosphere.  They always have events and DJ's or bands to keep you in the mood.

And of course, if you happen to be in London during the Olympics this coming week, and don’t have event tickets , Nikki Beach has you covered and has set up big screen tv’s and will be hosting Olympic beach parties.  A must!

 www.nikkibeachclub.com

POOL TABLES

No matter what your style, no matter what your taste, somewhere out there  a pool table is waiting for your game room.

The fact that we can custom make, design and create any style we want, makes pool tables the ultimate conversation pieces and the funnest piece of furniture in a home. If you can dream it, someone can make it and there are some wild ones out there.

I don't play pool.  So why this blog entry today?  Because I am doing research and selecting a table for an interior design client and I came upon these fun pieces that made me smile.

http://www.mitchell-custom.com

Wooden Bath Tubs

Some people don't have the luxury of taking a bath every day.  But for some, the ultimate luxury of a wooden tub awaits anytime.

Wood is a natural material that works beautifully as a bath tub.  Most commonly used are prefabricated molded tubs or marble tubs.  But the warmth of wood is actually the best heat retention material for a bath.    Like a wooden boat, a wooden bath tub will require some finishing maintenance and a good finish on it.  

I stayed a great hotel in Nha Trang, Vietman called Six Senses.  I had an incredible old wooden tub that overlooked the ocean and I used it every day.  And I promise, once you have used one, you will never like the feel of cast iron again.

 

The Chairman

Most of us are happy with our disposable iPhones & Blackberry's.  But for those who need more, Ulysse Nardin has created it's first android smart phone called "The Chairman".

Ulysse Nardin, the maker of fine luxury watches, uses timepiece details in the Chairman’s sophisticated design. The volume controls looks like watch buttons and the crown between them can actually be wound to generate power for the device. The phone features a kinetic rotor power system visible through the back plate.

The first impression when you get your new  "Chairman" Smart Phone is wow - the docking station is amazing!  Crafted in wood, the lacquered docking station features over 260 hand assembled mechanical parts and is set in  leather. The sophisticated  docking station houses a cradle which lets you charge the phone’s battery along with backing up and restoring data on its 32 GB memory stick. When docked, the phone can be used in the microphone and speakers mode to leave your hands free as you multitask. You can playback high quality music using the Bluetooth streaming via the speakers. 

At $ 50k, not the kind of phone you loose or leave at the car wash!

http://www.uncells.com/

The ICON A5

The new Icon A5 is  the coolest designed airplane ever-- love it!

Everyone who knows me, knows I'm a huge fan of helicopters and airplanes, so it's no surprise that I was so excited when I first heard about this amazing plane.  It is a newly designed light sports aircraft that only requires 20 hours of training.  It is so versatile and amphibious that it can land in lakes, rivers, grass strips or regular airport landing strips.  And when you are done flying, at the push of a button, the wings can fold for storage.

The 2 passenger Icon A5 is being called the Apple of air crafts because it is so user friendly. It has sparked huge interest and has already sold over 150 units which will be available in 2013. Actor and pilot John Travolta said about the A5, "This thing is awesome!  It has my name all over it!"

 I want one too!

Diamonds In Glass

DIG ( Diamonds in Glass ),is an Austrian company that came up with a way to suspend and insert genuine cut diamonds in borosilicate glass.

Their "Imperial Champagne Glass", prices at $ 85,000 usd per piece, is the most expensive champagne flute in the world.  It gives the term "dressing the table" a whole new meaning.  

Not the kind of glass you toss in the dishwasher!

http://www.diamondsinglass.com

 

Comfy Airport Lounge

Nothing is more boring than waiting at an airport for a connection.  Most airports are old, ugly and the lounges are dated and stinky. 

But the trend in First Class lounges has been to create luxury spaces for V.I.P. passengers to wait in and be entertained before hopping on to their destination. Beautiful interior design and creative spaces in lounges has become the norm for frequent flyers to hang out in.  The Emirates Lounge in Dubai is a new example, as is the SLOW lounge in Capetown Ainternational.  But one of my favorites has to be the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow, because it has a great bar, bubble chairs and a pool table.   Helsinki's Finnar Lounge is not far behind with a spa overlooking the runway.

Luxury airport lounges are just one more reason why not to fly back of the bus....

 

Crazy Cool Screens

The crazy cool tv screens of today are not your dad's tvs.

Not only have the quality and size of tv's increased, but today's large screens are so thin they even look pretty when they are off.  They can be mounted into any wall and create the ultimate viewing experience.

So which are the best money can buy?  According to my clients and electronics guru they are:  The Sharp 108” LCD screen and the Bang & Olufsen Beovision 4-103.  Both cost over $100 k and are one of the electronic luxuries all men want.

How big is your tv?  Yup - size does matter.

DESIGNER TOILET PAPER ROLL COVERS

Jonathan Adler is a very successful interior designer and has made his mark on almost everything in home products from stationary, salt and pepper shakers, vases and now toilet paper!

Yup - designer toilet paper.   Cottonelle &  Jonathan Adler have teamed up to create and produce designs for a new line of   limited edition  designer toilet paper and holders.   "Part of my passion for design is taking everyday objects and turning them into eye-catching conversation pieces and, until now, toilet paper has been a relatively untouched canvas," says Adler.  

Quirky but cute.  I am sure this will be a success.

 

 

My Morning Coffee

Everywhere in the world, maybe except for in tea drinking Tibet, people wake up and need their morning boost of coffee.

So what is the best coffee machine out there? It's debatable and I have had this conversation with many clients.  Some people prefer pod machines such as Nespresso or Keurig,  But my all time favorite and the personal choice is the Miele integrated coffee and espresso mchine.   It comes in 2 formats, one with pods or one with whole beans.  I prefer the whole bean option so that I can buy different coffes and just put the beans in my machine vs having to buy preselected pods for my machine.  I find the pods limiting.

We gladly pay $ 4.50 for a "cup" of coffee at Starbucks.  But we all complain about a" gallon" of gas costing $ 4.00.     So do the math...what does a gallon of coffee cost?  Coffee really has become our morning luxury and having a great coffee machine to enhance the flavor is essential!

Good morning!

 http://www.miele.co.uk/coffee-machines/coffee-bean-machines-range/cva5060-152/

An Hermes Scarf

Every girls need an Hermes silk scarf.  But wait, you say - no one wears printed silk scarves any more. Its dated, right?  Well ... kind of.

It's not fashionable to wear fancy scarves around your neck anymore, but there are so many ways to accessorize with beautiful unique printed silk scarf. Hermes makes unique, collectible, seasonal scarves that can be used in so many ways.  You can simply tie one around your Berkin bag handle, or you can tie it around your waist as a belt. But as an interior designer, one of my favorite ways to use these incredible square pieces of fabric is to make throw pillows out of them!  I have used them in bedrooms and created outstanding statements of style and really showing off the design and detail that goes into the creation of each of the Hermes collections.

This idea can be used with any vintage silk scarf to create a similar feel.  So rush to your grandmother's house, raid her closet for scarves and make up some beautiful and unique throw pillows!

 

DESIGNER OFFICE SUPPLIES

Designer Office Supplies?  

Oh give it up.  You can smile at work. Stop being all serious and have some fun.  And that is exactly what designers like Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, and Jonathan Adler  are doing.  They are creating fun, playful and kitchty office supplies that will lighten up the mood on your desk. These designers are bringing their sense of humor to office supplies and making it ok to smile a bit more at work. Don't you smile when you see a blinged out mouse pad?  It's silly and cute. Borderline ridiculous. Never the less it's funny. 

Isn't an office full of happy smiling people the ultimate luxury?

 

Time is the Ultimate Luxury

In our amazing, fast paced world, time is the ultimate luxury!

Every day you listen to the news, get stressed, check your email, get worried, Facebook, get anxious, work, get mad, get stuck in traffic and get manic. Our lives are filled with activities that over stimulate us to the max.  And no one has time.

When was the last time you sent out a thank you letter or took the time to take a siesta in the middle of the day?  When was the last time you read the books you have on your list to buy?  When was the last time you took a true restful holiday - not one where you spend all of your time packing, unpacking and checking things off your list?  We just don't have time to finish basic projects and do the little things. Forget your watch.  Chopart is NOT the luxury of time.  Its a status symbol.

Love yourself and take a week off of your life. It's your life.  Claim your own personal time.  Take the personal time and be alone and give yourself the greatest luxury in life - time!

I fell in love again!

I am NOT a car person ... really.  But every now and then, not often,  a car will excite me and turn my head, as if it were a piece of furniture!

I was sitting in the Los Angeles Aston Martin dealership talking to "Stuart" when all of a sudden, I fell in love again!   There is a new car called the Zagato V12 that is outrageously beautiful.  I'm talking Hudson dinning table beautiful.  It instantly captivated me.  Only 125 of them will be made and only 5 are destined for Los Angeles.

Dear Santa....

http://www.astonmartin.com/cars/v12-zagato

 

Singapore Airlines Cabins

Outside of flying private ... the most luxurious first class cabin suites are on Singapore Airlines.

Going to Asia anytime soon?  Junp on one of the Singapore Airlines 12 first-class suites offering privacy and double beds and large than standard bathrooms.  Singapore Airlines will sell you a double bed, and give you privacy and endless free champagne ... but beware of the bathroom signage because trying to become part of the mile high club on this airline is completely forbidden.

Since the suites and bathrooms aren’t soundproofed, the airline doesn’t want its non-suite passengers to have to listen to the extracurricular activities of other passengers.

This makes me laugh!  :)

So cute, it's huggable!

Have you seen the new Garia golf carts yet?  They are so cute, they are huggable!

I live in a golf cart community and my dogs and I love riding around on our golf cart.  So even though I don't play golf, it's fun to see new models and styles out on the market.   

The Garia is street legal and safe for most roads, not highways.  So apart from using it on a golf course, you can drive around the neighborhood or to the store quickly.  It is manufactured at the same factory that builds the Porsche Boxster and the Cayman.  

With gas prices rising, instead of buying a luxury gas guzzler, maybe we should all buy luxury golf carts!

Bentley Sunglasses

Bentley Sunglasses?  Like the car, Bentley?  Yes !

The luxury car manufacturer has decided to release a new line of high end eye wear ranging in price from $ 11,000  to $ 45,000 offered in white gold, rose gold, and platinum.   They were individually handmade in Germany, come equipped with polarized lenses from Zeiss, and feature the Bentley “B” logo on the temple and are numbered.   And like the car, the sunglasses are made to order and the case can be customized to the match the leather interior of your Bentley. 

These are no ordinary aviators.  Make sure you don't sit on them, leave them at a friend's house or let your dog chew on them!

Porche Baby Stroller

Porche Baby Stroller?  Yup!

In my mind Porche and babies don't quite go together.  But the luxury car maker has designed a new baby stroller that is lightweight and easy to handle for all of those who choose to combine babies and 911's.  The well designed stroller  is constructed of carbon fiber, aluminum, leather and ball-bearing wheels.  And the best part?  It folds easily and fits into the miniscule trunk of the sportster. 

It's not available in the U.S. yet, but for all of you mid-life crisis guys out there who want to marry 20 year olds ... your prayers have been answered!

A hard line...

Do you have a hard line?

With the rapid change in technology it seems smart phones have taken over. It seems less and less people (including myself) have home land line phones. It seems like one additional thing to have and one additional machine to check.  You can Skype from a computer and ipad or you can Face Time from iphones.  You can Facebook and 4 Square everyone.  So really - do you need a hard line anymore? How much more accessible do we need to be?

Are the days of the home phone almost done? 

The View From Above

One of the most luxurious creature comforts?  A helicopter.

There is no cooler mode of trasportation or more stylish way to make an entrance than in a helicopter. And now that Eurocopter and Mercedes-Benz have jointly unveiled a luxury model for business and private travel,  I can't wait to learn to fly. The EC145  holds eight passengers, has all the style and luxury one would expect from a Mercedes-Benz, is equipped with comfortable seats made of exclusive materials coupled with sumptuous wood for the floors and ceiling. 

I love the unique point of view a helicopter offers.  Can't wait to learn to fly one day.

PATIO UMBRELLAS

Ok people! Stop using basic white patio umbrellas!

Live a little and go wild outside!  Today there are lots of choices and fun patio umbrella designs that can enhance the style of your outdoor space.    Even through patio umbrellas are utilitarian, they can have have pizzaz and character. The market umbrella is not the only available design.  You can now find beautiful modern shapes and have custom sizes made.

European love their striped umbrellas.  Asians love their floral parasols, and Americans - well we have been bland until now.  Find your style, have a custom painted umbrella design, add color, add a banding or a contrast interior,  create a new shape.  Its up to your imagination and creativity to incorporate something new to your patio.

Flat Screen TV's above Fireplaces

Because of the flat screen tv, one of the biggest trends in home design has been the combination of fireplaces with tvs above them.

No matter what style of decor, modern or traditional, it has become easy and acceptable to have a flat screen television on top of the fireplace.  Until very recently, it was socially unacceptable to watch tv in a living room and impossible to put a deep tv over a fireplace. Most people had built in cabinets or armoires to house large televisions.  But now it seems flat screens go in every room and on top of every fireplace.  No denying - we all watch tv!

Electronics are changing our life and design is changing to suit our needs.

 

I've been in a men's bathroom!

I admit it ... I have been into a men's bathroom - for the sake of design!

I was in Hong Kong several years ago at Felix Restaurant on the top floor of the Peninsula hotel and everyone was talking about the view from the men's room.  I couldn't resist. After a few bottles of Crystal, my friend Justine & I summoned up the courage to go for it.  We counted the men going in and out and found the perfect moment to run in and take a peek.  And wow!  There was a floor to ceiling glass window and the urinals were placed directly in front of the glass so that the person relieving himself was in essence peeing into Hong Kong!  Once again, Philippe Starck entertained me and made me laugh.

Since then I have been collecting funny men's bathroom photos and I'm sharing a few from my file. I hope they make you smile. 

Philippe Starck "stuff"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

“There are already millions of excellent chairs which are very comfortable, lamps which provide light, and so on. Is it necessary to create any more? "  Philippe Stark 

I am happy to live in today's affluent times where we have the luxury of letting  creativity flourish.  A time when, in his own words Philippe Starck says " useless stuff" is created for no other purpose than marketing.  A time in which open minds are able to get passed the conventional.  

No matter who you ask, you are going to get a lot of  opinions when discussing French designer Philippe Starck's products. People love or hate his "stuff" but, like all good art,  it always causes a reaction. Until recently, almost all of Starck's products were well designed, mass produced items that were accessible to all.  He creates stylized, streamlined and organic things constructed of unusual combinations of materials.  But he is moving forward and now has a luxury line of furniture made of teak and aluminum, available to the trade at the David Sutherland showrooms.

Yes - I caved in and purchased some of it for my terrace.  Are you a lover or a hater?

 

 

Whale Watching in the Sea of Cortez

I love being out on the water and I had an amazing weekend whale watching on the Sea of Cortez. We took a few friends out on the El Discovery and the whales all came out to show off.   There was breaching, jumping and splashing all over the place.  I never get tired of watching them play and I find them to be such gentle giants.

There are 3 types of whales that swim down from Alaska each year to the Baja to have their babies in these warmer waters.  They start arriving in December and they head on back to Alaska at the end of March.  It's kind of like their winter getaway and our gift to have them here.

We also saw thousands of common dolphin and schools of manta rays.

Thank you Captain Jeff for another memorable day!

Bubble Tents

Oh, no, no no!   Me Camping?  Not happening.

However, I recently learned about a very cool clear bubble tent Created by French designer Pierre Stephane Dumas.  His outdoor structures are inflatable and feature wardrobes, sofas, shelves and even electric lighting.  The tent is easy to assemble and can quick to set up. It maintains its bubble shape with an airlock at the entry and a noiseless pump that maintains a constant pressure within the walls. It's environmentally friendly and  made out of recyclable material.  Sunglasses are optional since the plastic material is designed to protect you from the UV rays. Very cute and fun. Great party concept.

Would you camp or spend the night out out in a bubble tent?  Drawback:   there is no room service and people who live in plastic bubbles should stay far from camp fires!

 

Crocodile Skin Football

Does your man love football?  Got an extra $5k for a gift?

A pricesless creation by Santiago Gonzalez (son of incredible handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez) is sure to get your crazy football enthusiast jumping.  This Caiman-skin football gives a subtle touch of class and is hard to resist.  

When is David Beckham's birthday again?

DOGGIE BLING

Every dog has its day, and that day has come for the pampered pooch.  One of the most dazzling pet products I’ve ever seen, this super blinged out Swarovski bowl with a skull bone design in the front can only be described as the ultimate doggie dish.   So I broke down at Circa on Robertson and bought one as a gift for my pet friend Buddy. 

 Super flashy, super girlie and super fab.  

http://www.phyllismorris.com/ 

 

Towels on a Stool

Creature comforts can be achieved very easily with tiny little touches.  In this beautiful photo, designer Lola B shows that by just adding a tiny wooden stool and stacking neatly folded towels on it next to your tub you can create warmth and detail.

We all need to be pampered a bit.  Isn't the tub the perfect spot?

"Sandra Espinet Home Couture" Candle

There are so many way you can spoil yourself with simple creature comforts. One of them is to simply light a beautiful scented candle and enjoy the romance and simplicity of something so basic. There are many candle manufacturers that I like. And one of my favorites is my own "Sandra Espinet Home Couture" floral scented candle.

Have you tried it yet?