When I was a girl growing up in the north of England, dining alfresco was sheer luxury. My area has the highest rainfall in Europe, and even though this allowed us perfect rosy complexions, outside rooms were not the norm. As soon as the sun poked through the clouds, my mother would drag out the kitchen table, throw on a checkered tablecloth and shove a bunch of garden flowers into the milk jug. Nothing was better than having lunch outside.
Now, wherever you visit in the world, the millisecond the weather even suggests summer, the patios, balconies and terraces are full. This trend for relaxed outside entertaining has evoked its own lifestyle, and with it the choices for furnishings and accessories are nearly as vast as for our interiors. (more…)
While there are hopeful signs of new modernism around the city, there also are some flops
If you had asked most architects 25 years ago whether modern architecture could make a good city, the answer would have been a rousing “no.” Wounded by spiritless steel-and-glass boxes and the social tumult at notorious public housing projects such as Cabrini-Green, the dominant style of the 20th Century was in full retreat, even in Chicago, the nation’s pre-eminent stronghold of steel and glass.
Today, however, modernism is back, powered not only by the shifting winds of architectural fashion but also by things that have precious little to do with high design, including the drop-dead views — and higher prices — that floor-to-ceiling glass makes possible. Yet this revival, it turns out, is far from triumphal. (more…)
Driving down U. S. Highway 71 Business, it’s hard to tell where Rogers ends and Bentonville begins. And with so much growth, very few original structures remain on South Walton Boulevard.
But hidden between the new banks, strip malls and towering hotels, three stone buildings are standing tall — a rocky reminder of Bentonville’s past.
Once hidden in an overgrowth of small trees and shrubs, the two stone houses at the corner of South Walton and L Street now resemble a French farmhouse surrounded by a vibrant old-world garden. (more…)
Your home may be attractive, but is it safe? Seniors, the disabled and wheelchair-users have additional needs to be taken into consideration when it comes to creating a safe home environment such as ensuring clear pathways and plenty of lighting. If the task sounds daunting, not to worry – interior designer Kenneth Dean is teaching free classes on creating a safe home environment through College of the Canyons.
“My class is about creating a safe home environment, basically for senior citizens. However, this class is open to anyone. It covers a barrier free environment to all accessibility areas of the home dealing with space planning and safety,” Dean said. “College of the Canyons asked me to create this class and I felt it was a good concept as there is no class like this at the college. There is a need for this type of design in today’s world.” (more…)
One of Los Angeles’ most recognized landmarks is set to unveil its complete transformation as the new boutique hotel property, Hotel Angeleno. After a six-month renovation process, Hotel Angeleno opens the doors to a casual, yet luxurious Westside destination complete with the city’s newest Italian steakhouse, West, 209 redesigned guest rooms and some of the best panoramic views in Los Angeles. Owned by an investment group led by GH Capital LLC, the hotel is the first Southern California property to be operated by San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre Hospitality.
“Our vision to take one of the most recognized buildings in Los Angeles and update its contemporary design to match the quality of the surrounding neighborhood has been realized with Hotel Angeleno,” said Gregory Perlman, Principal of GH Capital. “We’ve incorporated the city’s trend-setting demeanor with a warm, casual Hotel Angeleno touch that is displayed in the new design, expanded amenities, and most importantly, our attention to service. We welcome all Angelenos and visitors to our city to come and experience the new Hotel Angeleno.” (more…)
