Amsterdam Modern

August 27th, 2010

Amsterdam modern in Mohawk General Store, LA

Amsterdam Modern in Mohawk General Store, LA

Amsterdam Modern is the result from the cooperation between man and wife. The man has a business in the import of vintage/classic cars and his wife is selling vintage furniture and lamps that she sources from The Netherlands. Together they’ve created an import platform that is generating cost reduction and efficiency. On the creative side Amsterdam Modern is growing, next to a large warehouse in Nuys, the couple recently opened a satellite warehouse in Phoenix and a shop in shop in the Mohawk General Store in LA. I’ve been visiting the online store of Amsterdam Modern and I’m impressed by its quality in Dutch design furniture. Especially the sourcing for Pastoe design adds value to this smart concept. Here a list of good stuff that are certainly worth considering to buy.

Sixties Slipper chairs

For sale: set of sixties Slipper chairs

For sale: set of 4 Tapiovaara like dining chairs

For sale: set of 4 Tapiovaara like dining chairs

For sale: Cees Braakman for Pastoe chairs

For sale: Cees Braakman for Pastoe chairs

Sold: Cees Braakman table (extentable)

Sold: Cees Braakman table (extendable from 4 to 8 persons)

This table is very simple in its design but ideal to combine with chairs from other design periods.

For sale: fifties Ratan scoop chairs (2x) with coffee table

For sale: fifties Ratan scoop chairs (2x) with coffee table

Cousin Louis

August 26th, 2010

Store front Neef Louis

Store front Neef Louis

Cousin Louis (in Dutch: Neef Louis) is an Amsterdam based address for props and industrial design. Before they moved to an industrial area nearby the docks, Cousin Louis was stationed in an old storage plant that was located nearby a supply route to the city. For the fact that this route is always jammed by traffick, I’ve experienced many moments wondering at their incoming transports. Cousin Louis’s personality is typical  Amsterdam; that is a bit rugged with a dash of creative courage and lots of humour. Have a look at what I’ve found:

For sale desk: probably by Thonet

For sale: desk probably by Thonet

For sale: Philips table lamp

For sale: Philips table lamp

For sale: Swiss stools

For sale: Swiss stools

For sale: industrial fan

For sale: industrial fan

For sale: fifties teak chair

For sale: fifties teak chair

For sale: desk lamp

For sale: desk lamp

For sale: Swiss tool in wood/steel

For sale: Swiss tool in wood/steel

For sale: A.Bonetto desk lamp

For sale: A.Bonetto desk lamp

Eccola

August 25th, 2010

Maurizio & Kathleen Almanza, owners of Eccola Imports

Maurizio & Kathleen Almanza, owners of Eccola Imports

From their house in Rome, Eccola owners Maurizio and Kathleen source their collectibles that they sell in their LA-showroom. A large size of their inventory is to find on their website eccolaimports.com and when you have a moment to browse through their furniture, lamps and decorative objects you will conclude that this couple has a nose for antiques and modern design. Their taste and style is so much appreciated in Hollywood that the producers from Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Ocean’s 11 hired their props in order to deliver authentic film sets. Herewith some smart pieces from their inventory.

1910 Thonet Bentwood bench

1910 Thonet Bentwood bench

Sixties Aldo Frigerio desk with glass top

Sixties Aldo Frigerio desk with glass top

Fifties Kurt Olsen sofa

Fifties Kurt Olsen sofa

Sixties Carlo Campo set of mirrors

Sixties Carlo Campo set of mirrors

Sixties Gianfrance Frattini armchair

Sixties Gianfrance Frattini armchair

Lunel wall mount lamp

Lunel wall mount lamp

Ico & Luisa Parisi sofa elements

Ico & Luisa Parisi sofa elements

Thirties French industrial set of table and chairs

Thirties French industrial set of table and chairs

Franco Albini shelving system from 1957

Franco Albini shelving system from 1957

Nicolas & Alistair

August 24th, 2010

 Showroom Nicolas Alistair

Showroom Nicolas & Alistair

Nicolas & Alistair is the name of an Australian “shop” in vintage furniture, decorative objects and applied arts. After some extensive wondering on their website I was influenced by their enthusiasm. Nicolas Mesiano & Alistair Knight have a passion for rare pieces of international design that they source abroad. Their showroom in Abbotsford (a suburb nearby Melbourne) is open at trading hours. If you want to keep informed about their new arrivals, click here and subscribe for their newsletter.

showroom 14 b11 Nicolas & Alistair

N&A showroom @ 387 Johnston Street Abbotsford, Victoria

showroom 24 b1 Nicolas & Alistair

N&A showroom @ 387 Johnston Street Abbotsford, Victoria

For sale: Carlo di Carli coffee table

For sale: Carlo di Carli coffee table

For sale: Micro lamp

For sale: Micro lamp from an Italian designer

For sale: Italian drawers in oak

For sale: Italian drawers in oak

For sale: Italian rosewood dining table

For sale: Italian rosewood dining table

For sale: Bert England armchair

For sale: Bert England armchair

for sale: Chesterfield in jeans blue

for sale: Chesterfield in jeans blue

On my way to Temploux, the annual Belgium Brocante ( cheap antiques) market nearby Brussels, I’ve made a mental note not to forget and check the newest arrivals at Jean-Philippe Demeyer shop in Antiques and Decorative Objects. 

For sale; folk art bust from 19th century

For sale: folk art bust from 19th century

When I checked , I was impressed by the success of his companies latest search for unique and eccentric furniture & decor items. A big part of Jean-Philippe Demeyer’s new collections has been reserved already. However I managed to find some beautiful pieces that are ready to mix & match with your interiors. Have a look at the newest arrivals.

for sale: a set of Italian ceramic table lamps

For sale: a set of Italian ceramic table lamps

For sale: Italian ceramic lamp

For sale: Italian ceramic lamp

Vogue Living October/November 2010

Vogue Living September/October 2010

Yes, the new issue of Vogue Living is out!

As soon as I’ve received a copy in my post box;

I’ll be happy to show you more.

vogue living september october 2010 Vogue Living September/October issue

What a combination: black & white with signal green, topped of with a zebra print

Hunter Polo Club

August 16th, 2010

hunter polo club italy 2 Hunter Polo Club

Although it’s quite late to book a nice chalet or ski apartment in Switzerland, France or Italy, I’ve taken the time to find the right accommodation in a ski area that has heart and style. This was not an easy project and it ended in Italy, nearby Cortina. I associate this place as a fifties decadent rendezvous for the royalties, rich and famous. Probably you will remember Roger Moore skiing down the Dolomites slopes in Four Your Eyes Only and Peter Sellars being clumsy in The Pink Panther. This castle, once owned by the old Acquerone family,  houses the Hunter Polo Club. It is open for members and lodgers. If you are looking for a grand place to stay with friends and enjoy the Italian kitchen after an intensive day of skiing, you might consider this grand old lady.

hunter polo club italy Hunter Polo Club

The interiors are decorated with antique pieces in a faded color palette with yellows, reds and blues. The previous owners  were fervent hunters and this is to experience in the many hunting trophies decorating this chic lodge. If you have a closer look to the mix and match of colors and fabrics you can image that a design team like Dolce & Gabbana would marvel at this elegant source of inspiration.

polo club Hunter Polo Club

hunter-polo-club-club house

hunter polo club pink suite Hunter Polo Club

You can book an arrangement via, Chic Retreats,  the UK based online platform for small boutique hotels and luxury villas.

Hotel Condesa df

July 28th, 2010

Rooftop Hotel Condesa df, Mexico City

Rooftop Hotel Condesa df, Mexico City

Hotel Condesa DF is housed in a 1928 landmark building that has been named after its neighborhood. Condesa is a green district on the west side of Mexico City centre. An international design team was responsible for the renovation, decoration and visual communication of this part of this Mexican hospitality formula, called Grupo Habita. One member of the design team is India Mahdavi whose style I like. Together with the architects Xavier Sanchez and Waldo Higuerra, she managed to transform this former apartment building into a more than charming hotel with a bar, restaurant, club, rooftop terrace, rooms and suites.

Hotel Condesa patio

Hotel Condesa df patio

detail hallway's hotel Condesa df

Hotel Condesa df detail hallway

Hotel Condesa df Top Suite

Hotel Condesa df Top Suite

Hotel Condesa df Balcony Room

Hotel Condesa df Balcony Room

Hotel Condesa df Bathroom

Hotel Condesa df Bathroom

Hotel Condesa df Boudoir

Hotel Condesa df Boudoir

Hotel Condesa df Breakfast Room

Hotel Condesa df Breakfast Room

Hotel Condesa df Culture room with Eames Chairs

Hotel Condesa df Culture room with Eames Chairs

Hotel Condesa df Bar

Hotel Condesa df Bar
Hotel Condesa df club with Moroso chairs

Hotel Condesa df club with Moroso chairs

the Surf Lodge

July 26th, 2010

surf lodge 6 the Surf Lodge

Jamie Mulholland is originally from a suburb nearby Cape Town and started his bartending career in St Martin 16 years ago. Since then the ‘Zuid-Afrikaner’ worked his guts out in order to become today’s successful entrepreneur in the hospitality business. His latest venture is Surf Lodge located on the east end of Long Island (only 125 miles from NYC!).

the surf lodge the Surf Lodge

the surf lodge 3 the Surf Lodge

Through a small article in this month’s  edition of the British Vogue I became aware of this elegant  lodge that has been decorated with simple but characteristic items like the elephant stools, a few Eames chairs, the photo frames in black & white and the subtle color schemes with tones in egg yolk & ocean blue. All set against a background of white plastered walls, sun kissed timber jetty and rattan.

the surf lodge 4 the Surf Lodge

the surf lodge 1 the Surf Lodge

the surflodge2 the Surf Lodge

I know for sure that I will visit this laid back place with lots of Caribbean- | South-African- | Aussie beach vibes.

Hotel Mamounia

July 25th, 2010

hotel mamounia best resort 2010 Hotel Mamounia

Hotel Mamounia is a Marrakech resort where old and new come together. The renovation of this former palace took 3 years and was managed by the celebrated Interiors & Garden Designer Jacques Garcia.  This French designer  is known for its design of Hotel Costes, Costes restaurants, Hotel Majestic, the redecoration of Hôtel Odéon Saint Germain and many more. His mix of colors, luxurious fabrics, cultural heritage  and artisanal objects is characteristic for his Paris chic style.

hotel mamounia Hotel Mamounia

hotel mamounia 2 Hotel Mamounia

hotel mamounia 3 Hotel Mamounia

From the photo’s and texts of Hotel Mamounia’s site I could see that Garcia spent a lot of time and efforts  in  maintaining the heritage of this Moorish architectural marvel and added the best of its local craftsmanship to it. The hotel is accommodated with suites, exclusive suites and a riad. The letter one I liked the most and the second best in my opinion is the Prestige Suite. The reason for this top 2 is that the interiors of these luxurious accommodations are quite sober for its Arabic taste and probably that of Monsieur Garcia. This ’soberness’ facilitates the beauty of Mamounia’s architecture and the local craftsmanship in plastering| tiling | woodworking.

hotel mamounia suite prestige Hotel Mamounia

Hotel Mamounia Prestige Suite

la mamounia riad1 Hotel Mamounia

Hotel Mamounia Riad

Mamounia is set in a beautiful garden that feeds the daily need in herbs and greens of the hotel restaurants, where every detail of its interiors matches with the former French colonial vibes of this luxurious resort.

hotel mamounia restaurant Hotel Mamounia

hotel mamounia 4 Hotel Mamounia