Maentler's Blog - Interior Design, Decoration, Inspiration

Best wishes...

2012-01-17T22:58:00.001+01:00

The "Chairman" surfboard, powered by Grace

2011-12-11T11:15:00.001+01:00

At some point, when you live in Biarritz, you've got to try surfing. So, after a few surf classes, your objective is usually to find the right surfboard. And that's not an easy task: you've got to learn about the technical aspects of the object, get some advice, and, obviously, work on the aesthetics.

Regarding the technical aspects, m+d was lucky enough to meet legendary australian shaper Phil Grace. Problem solved.

On the aesthetics, well that's our business. Colors that will fade with time, sun and salt... And this 50's touch represented by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen 'Organic Chair' (a true design revolution when presented at the New York MoMa in 1940, later industrially produced in the 50's), at the nose of the board. Kind of an unusal detail in the world of surfing... and an easy given name raising expectations: the "Chairman" board!

This custom 7'9'' Big Boy thruster surfboard was shaped by Phil Grace and is m+d's latest creation.

Will need a little bit of practice to deserve to ride the 'Chairman' board now...

Uah

2011-10-18T14:50:00.000+02:00

Just discovered this shop a few weeks ago: a perfect mix of Carouge (Geneva) and Tortoise (Venice, CA) japanese design shops, with more of a pop culture take on the interior design, and in Paris! Design lovers and japanese food aficionados should run and visit the Uah store, http://www.uah-paris.com !

Lyon Satolas

2011-08-24T18:56:00.000+02:00

Images of the Lyon Satolas train station, designed by Santiago Calatrava...

Les Couteliers Basques

2011-08-18T20:32:00.000+02:00

Attracted by the look of the building, I recently discovered this brand and its products, made and sold by passionate Rachel and Pascal Exposito in Bidart. Premium handmade knives made in the Basque country, presented in a modern interior architecture... Definitely worth checking out!

Around Bordeaux

2011-08-15T18:21:00.006+02:00

Strolling around the beautiful area of Bordeaux, here are two delightful places anyone interested in interior design, well-being and haute cuisine (who's not?) would love.

First one is Les Sources de Caudalie, right next to the famous Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. It is home to a five-star hotel and spa, and a one-Michelin-star restaurant directed by chef Nicolas Masse.

Above the water stands the fantastic "L'Île aux Oiseaux"suite designed by Maison Martin Margiela

La Maison du Lièvre

Sculptures by Nathalie Decoster

By the spa

Hotel reception

Le Lavoir

Sculpture by Barry Flanagan, at the entrance of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

Not far from there, in Bouliac, is the 2-Michelin-star Restaurant and Hotel Saint James, where famous chef Michel Portos welcomes you with a beautiful view of Bordeaux city. The hotel was designed by Jean Nouvel, and inspired by the tobacco drying barns of the region.

Interior & Elephant Chair by Bernard Rancillac

Building architecture by Jean Nouvel

Even food meets high design requirements :-)

Terrace view

La Cité de l'Océan et du Surf

2011-06-26T16:57:00.004+02:00

Some pics from the just opened "Cité de l'Océan et du Surf" museum in Ilbarritz, Biarritz! The building architecture was designed by Steven Holl and realised in association with local architects Leibar & Seigneurin. It is three quarter buried to reach temperature autoregulation, and its shape is a free interpretation of "under the sky - under the sea"... The museum is dedicated to explaining all oceans' interactions with our environment, economy with a specific focus on climate change and a brief part on surfing. It includes a bar and a restaurant, The Sin, with a beautiful view on the ocean.
This is definitely the birth of a new icon of architecture in the existing landscape!

11 rue de Sèvres

2011-06-12T21:02:00.002+02:00

Ex-Lutetia swimming pool transformed in a state-of-the-art Hermès flagship store. Designed by RDAI agency (Rena Dumas), opened end of 2010. Just amazing...

LACMA

2011-05-22T22:34:00.000+02:00

A few pics from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, with the new Broad Contemporary Art Museum building by Renzo Piano (2008)... Some of the most famous sculptures and paintings from Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons are the museum's main attraction point, but there are many other incredible pieces of art.

Broad Contemporary Art Museum

"Kellogg's Corn Flakes boxes" by Andy Warhol

"White Painting" series, Christian Eckart

"Last Chance Lost" by Bruce Nauman

Art Deco staircase of one of the museum's buildings

Streets of Bayonne

2011-04-12T22:38:00.000+02:00

Just a few pics of some lovely places in Bayonne...

Bayonne's "skyline" :-)

Atelier Astuguevieille

L.Raux Patisserie

Bayonne's Cathedral

L'Epicerie shop, near the cathedral

L'Atelier de Monsieur Jacques is online!

2011-02-23T22:00:00.000+01:00

Here's an event we've been waiting for months! Our friends Aline and Florian just launched their website L'Atelier de Monsieur Jacques, offering a selection of 50's, 60's and 70's vintage furniture for kids. Chairs, lamps, bedside tables are all there at your design-addict's fingertips! Check it out! At Maentler's blog we love it!

Chronicles of Down Under part 4: Sydney Shops and Hotels Interiors

2011-02-20T01:24:00.000+01:00

Let's have a look at some inspiring Sydney interiors now!

Taj's Blue Hotel in Woollomooloo, an impressive warehouse transformed into a 5-star hotel

The Westin Hotel entrance, a nice mix of old and new

Aesop's Strand Arcade shop and its beautiful tiled wall

Peter Alexander shop... twisted!

Wheels and Doll Baby boudoir shop... a hint of burlesque!

Detail of a "kinda-cute" Paddington shop's wall

Chronicles of Down Under part 3: Sydney Architecture

2011-02-20T00:55:00.003+01:00

Let's continue our journey through the city of Sydney, with a focus on it buildings and architecture!

Starting with the skyline view from Taronga Zoo...

...Hanging around Central Business District...

...Visiting the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, designed by one of the most iconic Australian designers, Harry Seidler...

...Looking up at the impressive Goldsbrough Mort woolstores next to Darling Harbour...

...and at Renzo Piano's Aurora Place tower (left) and Denton Corker Marshall's Governor Philipp tower (right)...

...Walking through the Royal Botanic Gardens, past the Government House...

...On to Bronte Beach's beautiful houses...

...And to Bondi Beach Icebergs Club bar...

...Walking up to North Bondi Italian Food restaurant...

...Or even driving to the Hunter Valley wineries!

Chronicles of Down Under part 2: Sydney Opera House

2011-01-22T14:20:00.002+01:00

Following my journey to Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road, I stayed in Sydney and the Sydney area. First things first, I'll start with the quintessential element of Sydney's architecture: the Opera House.

Built between 1959 and 1973, its construction faced a series of unprecedented technical and political problems, including its architect's, Jorn Utzon, resignation in 1966. It cost 102 million dollars instead of the initially forecasted 7 millions dollars. Today, it is a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage site and one of the most emblematic buildings of the world.

Below are some pictures I took from outside and inside. The last two pics are those of the latest room designed by Jorn Utzon (the "Utzon Room") and completed in 2004.

Chronicles of Down Under part 1: Melbourne

2011-01-15T16:47:00.006+01:00

After a stop in Dubai, I continued my journey and flew to Melbourne, Victoria, in Australia. Melbourne is probably Australia's most creative city, and the diversity of its architecture reflects the interest of its inhabitants in all forms of music, fashion and art. First group of pictures refers to Melbourne's diversity, second group focuses on a must-see hotel, the Crown Metropol, and third group is about the Melbourne Museum. Enjoy!

Melbourne Convention Center, Flinders Station, Federation Square, street art in CBD, Circa restaurant at the Prince (St Kilda), and an abandonned house in Carlton. From the Yarra riverbank to Fitzroy and St Kilda beach, Melbourne's architecture is definitely made of contrasts !

Located in Melbourne (Southbank), Crown Metropol hotel is a design lovers' delight. Featuring a wave-like exterior with reflective skin, a luxurious top-floor day spa and pool, and Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant. Architects: Bates Smart.

Mixing contemporary and historic architecture, the Melbourne Museum is a beautiful building that has plenty of inspiring design details. Architects: Denton Corker Marshall.

If you leave Melbourne and drive to the Great Ocean Road, you will see a beautiful nature, some of the best surf beaches of Australia, as well as some incredible houses with an ocean view...

Dubai: City of Superlatives

2011-01-13T20:05:00.000+01:00

Biggest, highest, richest... Dubai is also one of the world's best architects playground. Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa are two of the best examples of what can be called superlative architecture. Below are a few pictures from my Chrismas trip there.

The new metro line, along Dubai's main road

The Burj Al Arab tower is Dubai's iconic building. Built on an artificial island, it is 321 meters high, and was the first seven-star hotel in the world. Architects: Tom Wright and Atkins consultancy.

Wave shaped Jumeirah hotel next to Burj Al Arab

Looking like a spaceship, the Burj Khalifa tower is currently the world's highest building, culminating at 828 meters above the ground. Architects: Skidmore, Owings and Merill.

Next to it are some smaller towers that are nonetheless "highly" interesting, as well as the Dubai Mall, the world's largest mall with 1200 shops and 1,1 million square meters...

Happy Holidays !

2010-12-25T17:33:00.000+01:00

Maentler Aménagement d'Espaces wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Swiss made

2010-11-07T22:19:00.004+01:00

Pictures of my recent trip to Switzerland, with a selection of the places I like, that inspire me or remind me good memories!

Typical Geneva architecture

Le Soir restaurant and its nice "cow table"

Le 7ième Etage fashion shop, one of my favorite shops in Geneva

In-store exhibition and windows by Ruben Toledo

Meubles et Cie furniture shop, Geneva

Arpa, antiques and design shop in Geneva

Views of the typical Zurich architecture

Streets of Lausanne

Public bench in Lausanne

Interieur 2010 design fair, Kortrijk

2010-10-24T17:19:00.000+02:00

Milan's got its Furniture fair, Paris its Maison & Objet fair... but the smaller city of Kortrijk (Courtrai) also has its own design fair, Interieur ! Taking place every two years, this fair exhibits slightly less "mainstream" designers and furniture publishers. That's why I decided to go. And I actually saw some published furniture pieces and some design students projects that were really off the beaten track.
Here is just a selection.

"Trends" area

Modular lighting company's booth, in the shape of a giant pinball

"Dwelling Lab" by Patricia Urquiola and Giulio Ridolfo for Kvadrat, Flos and BMW

Ronél Jordaan's wool pebbles wall

Design student projects

"Picnic Family" chairs (Living Divani) by Junya Ishigami, guest of honor of the fair

A day in Lille

2010-10-23T16:45:00.001+02:00

This week I stopped on my way to Kortrijk's design fair (more details in my next post) in the beautiful city of Lille. Locals are know to be nice and welcoming, and I must say it's true. Here are a few pictures of what caught my attention or inspired me... as well as some good addresses you should visit if you go there!

Lille's typical architecture

Just a beautiful door...

Le Petit Souk, a really nice shop for kids furniture, accessories and apparel

Méert pastry shop (since 1761), where you can get the famous vanilla waffle...

Ombres Portées, a very chic and hip perfume shop

Brocante in Ahetze

2010-10-18T21:28:00.000+02:00

Every 3rd sunday of the month, the Brocante d'Ahetze (between Saint Jean de Luz and Biarritz) offers a wide variety of antiques, creations and second hand products. Here are just a few pics of last sunday's...

Two places really caught my attention. First one is a booth held by a couple who assembles different objects to create unique ones, especially lamps. They're called "La Belle Etoile".

Second place, "Relook' meubles", had really nice furniture from the 50's on, and the man in charge was pretty welcoming and passionate about his products. Go check it out yourself next time you're around!

AMuseum

2010-10-17T23:28:00.002+02:00

AMuseum is an M+D project based on a simple statement: art is everywhere, not only in museums. Subsequently, YOU can even be a masterpiece!

Museum wall labels are one of the most recognizable codes of a museum, to the extent they can actually MAKE the work they present a "work of art". These wall labels, placed in random places around Biarritz, suddenly make the people looking at them the main character of the installation.

The name of the project, A-Museum, refers to the privative "A" prefix, intended to deny the "Museum" name. Funily enough, it can also be read as Amuse-um, as this whole project is about fun, amusement and second degree!

Curiosité éphémère - Ephemeral curiosity

Humain debout de dos - Standing human being

Humain allongé - Lying human being

V Workshop in Barcelona

2010-10-14T23:34:00.000+02:00

Wether you're looking for good illustrations for your magazine or your brand, or just wandering around the streets of Barcelona, here's a good address: -V-Workshop. V stands for "vecinos", spanish word for "neighbours" and that's how Joan Tarrago Pamplona and Marga Lopez - as neighbours - get to know each other before they created their dream : -V- workshop. With the aim of building bridges between art, design and fashion, they work on their own art projects as well as on different brands' projects.
Their shop and workshop is a welcoming little room built in the old walls of a building of the Borne district in Barcelona. There they draw, design, print, engrave and sell all kinds of products, from paintings to t-shirts, pillows or engraved skateboards, everything bearing their unique style. Visit http://www.vworkshop.com to learn more about them!

Joan & Marga, congrats my friends!

Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine

2010-10-03T18:04:00.002+02:00

While the Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine just closes its doors, I just wanted to share a few pictures with you. This festival promotes Latin America's culture and cinema, and the Festival's "village", located in the Casino, also highlights music, photography and craftsmanship.

Beautiful view on the rooftop terrace, where you can eat delicious quesadillas and empanadas

Photo exhibition by Jacques Borgetto

Mexican craftsmanship

Café Victor, Biarritz

2010-09-29T20:15:00.002+02:00

Just opened this week, new Biarritz restaurant Café Victor is worth a visit. Wether you just want to have a drink or eat there, you'll be surprised by the quality of the wine, the freshness of the food, and the welcoming interior design. Located at 10 avenue Victor Hugo, close to Maentler Aménagement d'Espaces, what strikes first is the beautifl alignment of Tom Dixon's Beat Light lamps... come in and enjoy, you won't be disappointed. One of my favorites restaurants in town!

Best spots of Abbot Kinney, Venice, CA

2010-09-05T15:01:00.003+02:00

Let's take a glance at what's happening in California these days, and more precisely on arty/boho Abbot Kinney Blvd, in Venice Beach. Lots of healthy restaurants, bars, fashion and furniture designer shops... as well as beautiful people and expensive cars! Here's a recap of my favorite spots:

Abbot Kinney Blvd

Gjelina restaurant and its vintage furniture, wooden ceiling and bricks floor

Beautiful shelves and furniture at A. Kinney Court

Designer objects at Altered Space Gallery, between function and pure aesthetics

The A+R store has all kinds of unseen-before minimalist objects to decorate your home

2 pictures of this mirroring window hit by the sun, hiding the best store of Abbot Kinney.

Won't tell you more, you have to visit it ! If you like Japanese design,

Tortoise and Tortoise Gallery are your new favorite places.

And they are my favorite places for sure !

Bonus post: Miles away from Abbot Kinney, way down the Pacific Coast Highway, if you head South, you'll find the Shorebreak hotel: surf art everywhere, nice furniture and a beautiful view on the Huntington pier. Worth a little ride!

Biarritz art & design galleries

2010-08-15T22:03:00.002+02:00

There are several art galleries around Biarritz, but H Room and Galerie 13 Avril are probably two of the most interesting ones.

If you're fond of industrial design, vintage 50's to 80's furniture, as well as contemporary art, head to Galerie 13 Avril (22 avenue Montjoly) where you'll be welcomed by Arnaud Caffort in a friendly atmosphere. He'll tell you all about the works of Zako, Hervé Perdriel, Olivier Catté, or Andrea Ellis.

If you like avantgarde design, LEDs and photography, you'll be amazed by the chandeliers, sculptures and furniture by host Philippe Hérault, as well as by François Delebecq and Vanessa Héry Fortuné's pictures: they're all at the H Room gallery (83, Avenue du Maréchal Juin).

Check them out!

Les Prés d'Eugénie

2010-08-08T15:54:00.000+02:00

No this blog is not about gastronomy. Yes this is another article about a famous chef's restaurant and hotel, nested in Eugénie-les-Bains, a spa town near Dax. Les Prés d'Eugénie, owned by celebrity chef Michel Guérard and his wife, is a farmhouse hotel and spa. Its interior decoration is a mix of european 19th century furniture and oriental inspiration, while food represents the best of traditional French cuisine.

The ultimate experience in San Sebastian

2010-08-06T09:48:00.001+02:00

Reserving a table at Akelare may be an event in itself, as this restaurant has been 3-star rated in the Michelin guide... but not as big an event as actually eating there! Chef Pedro Subijana is one of the best and most famous chefs in Spain, along with a few other Basque chefs like Martin Berasategui or Juan Mari Arzak (also based in or around San Sebastian). His restaurant is a supermodern building standing at the edge of a cliff, offering a panoramic view on the Cantabrian Sea. The food mixes top quality products and avantgarde cuisine techniques, the result being a -delicious- balance between tradition and what is called "molecular" cuisine. A must.

Oh, and while you're in San Sebastian, don't forget to go to Noventa Grados, probably the trendiest fashion concept-store in the whole area: the windows, the interior architecture, and the products are really worth seeing!

Keep the - Basque - country country

2010-08-03T10:40:00.001+02:00

Not far from Biarritz there's a little oasis, with full 180° view on the hills, delicious food, and a warm and quiet atmosphere. It is called "L'Auberge Basque". Based in Saint Pée sur Nivelle, this typically basque shaped house is actually enhanced by a very contemporary design, and a state-of-the art cuisine by Cedric Bechade. Spending some time here is one of the most relaxing experience around.

What's up in Biarritz ? Stylish stores for design lovers...

2010-06-27T21:49:00.000+02:00

Lots of new shops openened for summer in Biarritz, some of which have particularly nice interior/window designs!

L. Raux, the famous Bayonne pastries

Negozio, a new restaurant next to the Casino

Renouard Maroquinerie

Lamanda femme fashion shop

In the Middle, probably the hippest fashion store in Biarritz now!

Some slighlty older shops or bars also opened a few months ago:

Palacito bar

Passage Jourdan Antiques shop, on the Halles square

The Café de Paris bar, restaurant and hotel

And soon:
- New restaurants around Les Halles in Biarritz
- The Cité de l'Océan in Ilbarritz (by architect Steven Holl)

Cool places in Brussels

2010-06-14T22:00:00.003+02:00

In Belgium again for a little tour of the capital, Brussels, and its cool fashion and furniture stores.

In the Dansaert district, one of the best furniture shop in Brussels: Espace Bizarre

... and right next to it, definitely the best fashion store around: Hunting & Collecting, with an awesome space and a selection of the hippest designers in the world

For sneakers lovers, this is the place to be!

Stefantiek is an amazing place to look for vintage furniture and objects. Don't get lost, it's huge!

Street art next to rue Haute

Architecture contrasts at L'Orangerie

Rue Basse and its 50's furniture shops

In Woluwe, the Cook and Book concept store has an avant-garde interior design

City inspirations: Amsterdam

2010-05-16T15:01:00.000+02:00

Just a quick report on Amsterdam's cool (and rainy!) atmosphere, with a special focus on the best 2 design shops of the city: Droog Design (yes, the company publishing some of the most famous Dutch designers) and The Frozen Fountain.

Droog Design shop

The Frozen Fountain shop

Doktor Faustus art gallery

Biarritz interior design : sneak peek

2010-04-26T21:59:00.002+02:00

Time to present pictures of my latest interior design project in Biarritz. More to come on my website soon!

Les Collines Sauvages

2010-04-24T23:28:00.001+02:00

Here's one of my latest projects, a wine bottle label for a winery based in Grambois, France, Côtes du Luberon. This wine will soon be available in all good wine stores!

Mega-cities design: Tokyo and Hong Kong (2)

2010-04-18T21:47:00.000+02:00

Some more pics from my trip to Asia... After Tokyo, these ones are focused on Honk Kong.

Foggy HK lightshow, every night at 8 p.m

Beautiful skyline from the Peak

Some nice chandeliers

The Grand Hyatt Spa

Installation in a mall

The famous HK double decker tramway

History and modernity

History and modernity... again!

Brand new 60's chairs

2010-04-08T17:24:00.005+02:00

A pair of old 60's chairs that were going to be thrown away: rusted chrome legs and ripped black polyurethan seat covers... turned into a nice white and grey chair matching perfectly the famous Saarinen Dining table! They just needed a little work. Cheap and easy!

Jewelry design by M+D

2010-03-23T22:39:00.001+01:00

Inspired by the places I liked, these bracelets and brooches are made of pearls and charms I collected during my trips (lately Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo). Every bracelet comes in a lovely little origami paper box, and refers to a place, a memory, or someone it was offered to. Check these out, hope you'll like them!

Mega-cities design: Tokyo and Hong Kong (1)

2010-03-17T15:55:00.067+01:00

After a mind-blowing 10-days trip to Tokyo and Hong Kong, I had to gather my pictures and thoughts and write a post about it! Those two mega-cities are actually very different from one another: Tokyo is very clean and avant-garde, buildings are low, shops visual merchandising is breathtaking... while Hong Kong has an incredibly high skyline overlooking the sea, with contrasted views of dark streets and sparkling malls. In both cases streets are noisy and crowded though! Here is a little summary of what struck me most. First, pictures of Tokyo:

Shop window and staircase in Harajuku

Freaks Store shop in Shibuya

Louis Vuitton store's translucent facade in Ginza

Similar concept, different treatment for Dior's 'perforated' Ginza building

Senso-Ji temple in Asakusa

Buildings in Shinjuku

Building detail in the center of Tokyo...

...not far from the Imperial Palace gardens!

Ice blocks at Tsukiji's fish market

Small temple in Akihabara

View of Daikanyama and Ebisu neighbourhoods

Roppongi design center

Streets of Shibuya

Maison & Objet Paris Jan 10

2010-01-30T22:57:00.000+01:00

The European design and decoration tradeshow not to miss!!! Huge venue, full of brands, designers, architects... and ideas! Here are a few pictures of the products I liked most. Enjoy.

Just a nice wall ;-)

Tables published by Ligne Roset

Shelves designed by Philippe Nigro, in the NOW! area

The Muuto booth

Tiles by Pop Corn: every tile has a specific function

Soft wall by Molo Design

Detail of a storage system designed by Matali Crasset

Mezzanine by Constance Guisset

Berlin Bread & Butter Jan 2010

2010-01-24T21:22:00.001+01:00

Visiting one of the biggest fashion tradeshows in Europe in the most "arty" city of the moment was an enriching experience. Store merchandising ideas, a great amount of street art... see for yourself!

Bread & Butter tradeshow

Wrangler booth entrance

Adidas booth

The Bread & Butter "Saloon", a giant circus-inspired restaurant

Wood Wood fashion shop in the Mitte district

Schoenhauser design shop

Anne Frank's street

Ultimate graffiti experience!

Printed tiles detail in a Ben Sherman store

Lego-shaped lighting system in the LEGO shop

Cotton field in the main hall of the KaDeWe department store in Charlottenburg

Typical Berliner architecture in the Prenzlauerberg district

Paris inspirations for 2010

2010-01-03T14:37:00.004+01:00

A little tour of a few places that I particularly liked during my stay in Paris last week. I wish you all a happy new year. May your wishes come true in 2010!

First things first, the Eiffel tower!

The Nomiya restaurant, designed by Laurent Grasso, on the roof of the Palais de Tokyo

The Musée du Quai Branly designed by Jean Nouvel

Nice boat house on the Seine river

Lamps by Silvain Willenz for Established and Sons, at the Merci store

Entrance of the new L'Eclaireur shop in Le Marais, thought as a piece of art, and created by Arne Quinze

Window of the L'Eclaireur shop, with the beautiful Vortexx chandelier by Zaha Hadid

Clocks and chairs at the Printemps du Design, inside the Centre Pompidou

Vases by Jaime Hayon

VIA 3.0 exhibition at the Centre Pompidou : Shelves (prototype) by Philippe Nigro

VIA 3.0 exhibition at the Centre Pompidou : Chair (prototype) by Ammar Eloueini and François Brument

"La Maison du Fada"

2009-12-22T10:40:00.043+01:00

Funny nickname indeed, given by the Marseille inhabitants to this revolutionnary building built in the 50's by architect Le Corbusier. La Cité Radieuse - that's the actual name of the building - is made of "living units" (flats) using the Modulor measures. Each level is called a street, one of which has shops, a bar and a restaurant. And the penthouse offers an unforgettable view of the Marseille bay...

View from outside...

... and from inside

Stijn Ruys furniture at 3ème Rue Galerie inside La Cité Radieuse

Lampes Gras exhibition at the 3ème Rue Galerie

View of the Mediterranean sea from the rooftop

Waffles, Design and Fashion

2009-11-03T22:07:00.007+01:00

Not even reaching 500 000 inhabitants, Antwerp rivals the biggest European capitals in many fields, among which are design, fashion and culture. Spending this week-end in Antwerp was a good occasion to discover a truly amazing city, its history, its architecture, beautiful shops and delightful hotels and restaurants. A few pictures and inspirations I'd like to share...

Antwerp's cathedral...

...and typical town center buildings...

... often contrast with the port's industrial landscapes!

Banks Hotel lobby

Matelote's Hotel room detail (yes it's a mirror ball!)

Verso Café, nice and cosy design

Light suspension at the Hippodroom restaurant

Ann Demeulemeester's shop

"Walter", Walter Van Beirendonck's concept store

MoMu (Mode Museum), Antwerp's Fashion Museum

Antwerp's Fashion School students projects

Emery & Cie handcrafted tiles showroom

Luxury and Rebellion

2009-10-23T22:02:00.002+02:00

Take a monument of fashion - a famous British tartan, and a mythical rock'n'roll icon - the Marshall amp, put them in M+D's oven for 45 minutes, put it on the floor and add a few pins on top!
Now you can either use it as a cool stool for your interior or... plug your guitar and play "God save the Queen" ! So classy...

New York City inspirations

2009-09-17T21:41:00.001+02:00

Pictures from my July 09' stay in NYC: product and graphic design everywhere, street fashion's latest trends, architecture projects in progress... and a head full of ideas on the way home!

The High Line

Wall art in SoHo and Williamsburg

Sculptures by Tom Sachs and Roxy Paine

Light and contrast, Fifth Avenue and Broadway

Derek Lam shop designed by SANAA architects

Ron Arad's MoMa exhibition of furniture and art

Detail of Tara Donovan's installation at the Lever House

Williamsburg's arty neighbourhood, Brooklyn

Manhattan architecture

Stickers for your home

2009-09-15T20:04:00.008+02:00

Wake up with a world to conquer ("The sky is the limit" - bedroom sticker), and dress up with style and humour ("French Dressing" - dressing room sticker)!

Origami garland

2009-07-14T12:30:00.012+02:00

Paper garland made of colourful origami stars or windmills, like a rainbow after the rain. Soothing...

SKVIII

2009-07-11T09:52:00.019+02:00

What makes a nomad become sedentary? Wouldn't it be its rites, history and culture? Here's an illustration of that, when a skateboard meets a Louis XV chair, and give birth to a convenient hybrid stool/ottoman/coffe table...