Category Archives: Travel & Places

TRAVEL | 9HOURS HOTEL JAPAN

2 July 2016

9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting
 

After letting off some steam about Brexit on the blog yesterday I feel ready to move on and back to more inspirational content and the 9hours Hotel in Japan fits the Stylejuicer values perfectly.

With it’s simple, modern design this chain of urban hotels strips back all the fluff and upsell like spa, dining, bar and expansive lobby to concentrate on the basics: take a shower (one hour), sleep (seven hours) and get yourself dressed and ready for the next day (one hour). Aimed at travelling business people and overnight stay nine hours is all you need to reset your day.

I like the concept in theory and absolutely adore the simple graphics and monochrome look but I wonder if I would feel slightly claustrophobic in these honeycomb pods where the noises of the other guests might keep me awake all night. Then again it might be quite a comforting feeling knowing that you’re sleeping in a big group.

I guess there’s only one way to find out. Book me on the next flight to Japan!

 
9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting

9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting

9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting

9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting

9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting

9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting

9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting

9hours hotel, japan, urban, basics, travel, places, business people, overnight stay, concept, design, simple, modern, style, trend, monochrome, claustrophobic, honeycomb, comforting

 
MORE INFORMATION | 9hours Hotel

 
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BREXIT | IT’S BEEN A FUNNY FEW WEEKS

30 June 2016

funny few weeks, brexit, britain, british, public, vote, referendum, european union, devastated, scared, culture, mix, hodgepot, tolerance, individual, critical, speechless, anglophile, integrated, humour, leader, sheep, eccentricity, quirky, rituals
 

Moving house, designing a new AW collection for Wild Boys & Girls and the decision by the British public to exit the European Union has had me paralysed. Sort of like a sudden death where you want to hit the reset button so everything goes back to how it was before. I just can’t believe this actually happened. Brexit? WTF!

I haven’t felt like posting and writing about my inspirations. It felt wrong and meaningless. Truth is: I’m devastated and scared for our future. I made a choice to live and work in this country nearly 20 years ago and have embraced the British culture and people with enthusiasm becoming a real Anglophile.

I love the sense of humour, the famous stiff upper lip, the British eccentricity and quirky rituals. The fact that they don’t mind making a fool of themselves – how ironic! The mix of cultures from around the world and the diversity that comes with it makes this society rich and colourful. I feel completely accepted and integrated into this hodgepot which I put down to a deeply ingrained sense of tolerance and championing of the individual. Britains are critical. They question authority. They are not sheep following a leader. This is what I love about Britain.

So what happened? Has this nation collectively lost their marbles? I’m speechless.
 

funny few weeks, brexit, britain, british, public, vote, referendum, european union, devastated, scared, culture, mix, hodgepot, tolerance, individual, critical, speechless, anglophile, integrated, humour, leader, sheep, eccentricity, quirky, rituals

 
TIMEPIECE | The Fifth
PHOTOGRAPHY | Annie Kruse
 
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PALMA | HIDDEN TREASURES

11 April 2016

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish
 

You may have noticed my absence on here over the last week or so but we went on a much longed for Easter break to one of our favourite places: Palma de Mallorca.

Not everything turned out as we expected – I’m going to spare you the details of our filthy townhouse and the stress it caused – but you’ve got to look on the bright side and not only did the boys love their unbridled time on the beach but Mama also got some precious time to herself and met up with local resident Mary whom I met on Instagram just over a year ago.

It’s always a little nerve wrecking to meet people in real life whom you’ve only ever shared friendly emojis and some jokes with but we got on great straight away and arranged to meet up at one of Palma’s cutest little coffee places, La Molienda.

Just a short stroll north of Placa del Rei on the corner of Carrer del Bisbe Campins is this tiny corner cafe with some shaded seating outside and a large antique sofa and some stools inside proudly serving Palma’s best coffee. I can absolutely vouch for their quality coffee and was totally enchanted by the stripped back white washed interior with a touch of industrial lighting and gorgeous original floor tiles.
 

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

Mary runs her own online store Es Bolic and I figured out pretty quickly that we share a common aesthetic and love for everything interior related and artisan so she showed me one of her favourite haunts hidden away in the old town in a back yard of old garages that house a mix of small businesses from yoga studio, art gallery and bike repair shop to the enchanting ViVeCa with their selection of antiques and handcrafted textiles, ceramics and furniture.

It’s an amazing treasure trove of unique finds and carefully curated mostly Spanish goods run by sisters Camilla and Carla. But ViVeCa is much more than a shop it’s a concept that also offers location finding and restoration services as well as landscape design, be it in Palma’s city centre or in the country. Check out their Instagram account to see some of the gems they come across.

I loved their selection and whilst Mary and the girls had a chat in what sounded extra fast Spanish I couldn’t stop myself from snapping away.

If you’re ever in this wonderful city make sure you stop by.

 
Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

Palma, palma de mallorca, hidden treasures, viveca, concept store, la molienda, coffee shop, plamas best coffee, aesthetic, interior, style, styling, trend, antiques, handcrafted, craftsmanship, artisan, location finding, restoration services, industrial lighting, stripped back interior, white washed, spanish

 

 
MORE INFORMATION | La Molienda coffee shop, ViVeCa Palma concept store
PHOTOGRAPHY | Annie Kruse
 
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TRAVEL | THE ESTATE TRENTHAM, AUSTRALIA

13 January 2016

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend
 

Continuing with my current obsession of monochrome / browns / natural materials combo I found this gorgeous weekend retreat just outside Melbourne. The Estate Trentham has been lovingly restored and beautifully furnished by interior stylist Lynda Gardener and is set amongst orchards and herb gardens.

Lynda loves discovering treasures at fleamarkets and vintage shops and the house features an eclectic selection of her quirky finds. I’m swooning over the perfect mix of industrial and rustic with concrete floors and worktops in the kitchen, open wooden shelves and lots of weathered wood. Whites, greys and chocolatey browns in combination with lots of cozy textures give the place a relaxed calm feel – ideal for kicking back and taking a digital detox.

If you’re lucky enough to be living nearby take note, you can rent The Estate Trentham here. And you can enlist Lynda’s services via her agency Gardener & Marks.
 

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

the estate trentham, australia, melbourne, lynda gardener, restored, vintage, reclaimed, industrial, rustic, concrete floors, eclectic, quirky, fleamarket, whites, greys, chocolate brown, relaxed, calm, weekend retreat, style, styling, stylist, trend

 
MORE INFORMATION | The Estate Trentham
INTERIOR STYLING | Lynda Gardener
PHOTOGRAPHY | Lisa Cohen
 
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TRAVEL | OUR TRIP TO COLORADO

8 October 2015

Colorado-July2015-by-Stylejuicer-01
 

Now the weather is turning autumnal here in the UK I thought it was time to recap on our big US adventure where we hardly saw a day below 30 degrees – quite an appealing thought right now (she says clinging on to her hot cuppa).

Funny how quickly I’ve forgotten about the discomfort heat can bring, the whining of the kids, the car turning into a motorised oven, the swollen feet, the inability to think straight or make decisions and the sheer effort it takes to move your body from A to B, let alone 2 additional smaller bodies who have a will of their own. Well we managed with the help of ice cream, swimming pools and that marvellous invention that’s called air conditioning otherwise I would have camped out at Whole Foods.

We started off with a trip to Aspen which gave some comfort temperature wise but not surprisingly the combination of altitude and jet lag was a killer. The scenery was breathtaking and the drive across independence pass even gave us glimpses of snow patches.

But for me Aspen’s highlight was the Aspen Art Museum designed by Japanese architects Shigeru Ban and opened just over a year ago. I loved the innovative woven wooden panel facade connecting outside and inside through it’s loosely woven structure. And I could have stayed at the top floor cafe for hours watching people and light streaming through the artful ceiling structure but a number of tantrums and a spilt hot chocolate brought me back down to earth and off we went to the playground to let off steam.

 

Colorado-July2015-by-Stylejuicer-02
 

We spent nearly three weeks just outside Denver and when we weren’t hanging with grandma and grandpa The Cowboy tried to give us a good overview of where he grew up with visits to Boulder, Golden, Lookout Mountain and Buffalo Bill’s museum which we all loved. Union Station in downtown Denver ticked the boxes for everyone with fountains to play in, a fabulous ice cream parlour, some aesthetically pleasing redevelopment of the station (guess who was into that!) and that much needed aircon which cooled heads and temperaments.

Long trips away need time to digest and I can honestly say that my European mind was blown away with the sheer size and unexplored natural beauty of Colorado. The stark contrast between the vast flat plains and the mountainous expanse of the foothills and the Rockies rising out of the ground was stunning and superlatives don’t seem to do it justice.

Maybe awesome comes closest.
 

Colorado-July2015-by-Stylejuicer-03

 
MORE INFORMATION | Aspen Art Museum
PHOTOGRAPHY | Annie Kruse
 
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