Who loves moroccan wedding blanket? Stylish danish designer Marlene Birger does!

Copenhagen - Not only her clothes are stunning... look at her place! Marlene applied to her home the same minimalist concept she applies to her collections, neutral colors and focused on details. White, so much white, to let in as much light as possible (very scandinavian), some ethnic elements mixed with contemporary furniture. Elegant, interesting, no, definitely not a "showroom" where everything seems to be bought at once, but personal, distinctive. Love it! And love the fact that, yes, she does place a handira, or moroccan wedding blanket, over her coffee table! Organic for the wool, chic for the sequins, cultural for what it represents to berber women who have woven them, social for the savoir-faire preservation.

Here some pics I found at http://kristinaliforskandco.blogspot.com/2010/06/at-home-with-malene-birger-in.html

Just loving Juju hats!

Perfect to create an exquisite wall art effect, Juju hats are worn by tribal chiefs and dignitaries in the cameroonian kingdoms during royal court affairs. Prosperity and wealth are represented by the feathers of birds.
I can picture that in a white wall, above the sofa, by the fireplace, at the end of a corridor... A symbolic object to any interior decor, as shown by scoutsdesignsnyc, elementsofstyleblog and the talented photographer Melanie Acevedo, respectively.

White Turkey!

Kar's Hotel in Turkey... Oh, life sweet life...

An immaculate boutique hotel that is at the same time modern and traditional, luxurious and intimate. White predominates in this gorgeous old russian building.

"Kar's Hotel is determined to make you have an unforgettable holiday" is stated at their landing page. Ok, got me, I am convinced, especially now that Geneva surrounding mountains already show first signs of snow.... Temperature must be considerable higher at Kar's...

I love NYC - H&M contest

Loving it!

So worth taking a moment to visit the link "Your Art Here" for window design for H&M's flagship store located at 42nd Street and 5th Avenue in New York City... Amazing artists have entered online H&M's contest (artists can no longer win the contest but can still submit their work). The deadline was october 15th.

What I love about it is that all types of original visual artwork were allowed including industrial design, drawing, architecture, photography, interior design, graffiti, crafts, illustration to name some. So free and soooo rich.

Visitors voted on their artwork of choice and the top ten vote getting artworks compete in a final round where they are reviewed by a panel of judges from H&M and art world personalities, including:
- Thierry Guetta, AKA Mr. Brainwash
- Nancy Barton, Professor of Art and Art Education at Steinhart NYU
- Daniel V, the blogger behind JazJaz
- Adele Treschow, designer and contemporary artist

The winner will definitely get a great amount of exposure in one of the most frequented stores in Manhattan, among other incentives.

I love the idea that anyone could compete. Democratic!

I wish I got one of those for my landing page :-)

Here works from Miranda Maxwell, Richard Ryan, Joaquim Sorro, Lisa Toff, Carolina Mondia (my favorite!), Armondo Williams, respectively. And the oscar goes to....

Santa Teresa - Rio: exotique évasion

A Rio, il y a le carnaval et la plage de Copacabana. Il y a aussi Santa Teresa dont le nom est lié à la histoire de la ville: un ensemble pittoresque de belles demeures XIX colorées, un convent du XVIII siècle, des bicoques et des cafés typiques... Le quartier est populaire mais habité par les artistes, les designers, la jeune bourgeoisie bohème, les Italiens e les Francais a la décontraction innée, les petits restaurants sympathiques. Le Montmartre brésilien..." Coté Sud oct-nov 2010

I love the pics from Hotel Santa Teresa, Relais & Châteaux - www.santateresahotel.com

Rugs and pillows made of natural fiber, cement floor, design furniture from "récup" (recycled material is highly appreciated in the brazilian artistic scene), all mixed with objects from remote regions of Brazil that represent a local identity. Lounge, Spa, Restaurant... Such an indulgence!
I want!

Handiras... I love the organic and glittery touch!

Desing Sponge on boucherouites: on en parle

Let's see how it works :-)

Finally I've got my blog all set up... I mean, almost. Now hands on and come up with interesting readings, Elaine! With so much out there I'd better be creative and fun. Yeah, fun, cultural and beautiful stuff.