HD Talks Blog

Hong Kong Highlights

I just came back from Hong Kong, my first trip to the Far East (insert gasp!), and even though it was technically vacation, I could not help checking out a few of the newest and greatest spots. There's just something about this city—a feeling/vibe that's hard to put into words. Here's a quick rundown:

• The new W Hong Kong's nature-inspired design courtesy of Glamorous and Co. in Japan and Australian firm g+a definitely ups the ante (butterflies hang in the lobby living room, the restaurant is dubbed Fire, and the glass elevator is backed by tree branches) . What I couldn't get over were the views of the harbor and the Hong Kong skyline—that were everywhere. From floor-to-ceiling windows in the guestrooms, fitness center, and Bliss spa, to the pool (infinity edged) situated on the 76th floor.   
• Another place that is all about the views is Sevva (pronounced Savour) in Hong Kong. Located on the top of the Princess Building, its wrap-around terrace is a perfect spot for sunset cocktails and watching the city's "Symphony of Lights" show (at 8:00 pm each night, the city's buildings light up in various colors as though they are almost teasing each other). Dining inside is just as much of a treat thanks to owner Bonnie Gokson and designers Calvin Tsao and Team HC. There are five areas, each with its own personality (from glam to modern). My favorite: the lounge, with its living vertical garden wall.  
• And I had to see the view-of-all-views: the Felix at the Peninsula. Philippe Starck's white minimalist design from the mid-90s hasn't aged a day (and is truly Starck), and the floor-to-ceiling windows (even with the blinds) didn't disappoint. But in my opinion, the best views in the house were from the relaxation room at the breathtaking spa, designed by Henry Leung. For more on the hotel's newest addition, basement boite Salon De Ning, also by Leung, check out the September issue of HD.  
• And yes, in Hong Kong, there are quite a few great places without views. Take French fine dining restaurant Cepage, for instance, first Chinese outpost from Singapore-based Les Amis Group. Dining there is an intimate experience not only for the quaint size of the space (even though it is three stories, each story is modest in size) in the stylish Starstreet precinct, but also thanks to the French villa-inspired design by Tan Kay Nee (you guessed right: wood paneling, crystal chandeliers, rich colors). The only view at Pawn—a restaurant and bar housed in four Guangzhou-style balcony shophouses in Wanchai—is a view out on the trolley carts on the street. But here everything that is new is old again in Stanley Wong and Idiom's creation, from the distressed wood, worn leather furniture, old Pawn Shop signs, and even the roof garden. And even though Zuma in the Landmark is a year-old, Super Potato's glowing, stone-filled space is one to see—and be seen. The best part (besides the fantastic sushi) is the curved, illuminating center staircase, that hangs by cables and connects the upstairs bar and lounge to the downstairs dining room.  

 

Turgut from the Block

Last night I had the pleasure of checking out the newly opened Bar Luna on the Upper West Side. And though Chef Jacques Belanger had me at white truffle pizza and niçoise crostini, and having an excuse to hang out with NRN's Bret Thorn always puts me in a good mood, I must admit Glen Coben did a nice job creating a solid neighborhood spot. The 90-seat space is designed "to feel like sitting on a wooden sloop sailing the waters of the Mediterranean or Aegean." 

Interesting back-story to the restaurant, as the owner, Turgut Balikci, opened Bella Luna at the corner of Columbus Ave. and 88th St. 20 years ago. So now with five restaurant partnerships under his belt (Pasha, Bodrum, Bella Sguardo, Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar), his latest venture is a nod to his original in both name, and location (Amsterdam Ave. and 85th St.). 

Stop, Collaborate and Listen

By Jana Schiowitz

Barclay Butera has been a bit busy these days. The lifestyle designer has not only continuously filled his Los Angeles, Newport Beach, California, and Park City, Utah showrooms with new furnishings and accessories, but has also recently launched new products for his home brand (a new line of fabrics) and has even wrote a book to tell just how he does it all, Living in Style, featuring a glimpse inside his classical and timeless work. And no, I'm not done! Now, Butera has teamed up with fabrics company Kravet Inc. and its Kravet Collections division to introduce new luxury fabrics line, his first for Kravet. How do you find the time to do it all Butera?

The collection is reflective of the designer's style: clean and full of great detail mixed with contrasting colors and a love of fashion and travel. And of Kravet's focus too: to offer a wide range of traditional and contemporary designs, colors, patterns and textures for designer-inspired collections.  

 

The line has three lifestyle books all named for the places the designer likes to spend his time: Beach (Butera is based in Newport Beach so this is an inspiration must), City (where he has lived), Mountain (where he likes to relax on the weekends), and Town & Country (a vacation favorite with patterns shown below). Also mixed in is some European, American, and Far East flair along with a blend of warm and neutral colors. 

Want more? How about some rugs for Tufts by Kravet Carpet. The hand-tufted, textured rugs also designed by Butera and featured below follow the same inspirations and shades of color as his fabrics line for Kravet. 

Now that's teamwork!

Windy CitySCENE

In this economy, what's better then cocktails, food, and networking? Enter Hospitality Design's (HD) CitySCENE: Chicago. For the first time, HD brought its next generation networking party to the Windy City, and it was a huge success. More than 150 designers, architects, purchasers, and owners (numbers are still being calculated) converged on the rooftop called Vertigo Sky Lounge of the one-year-old hip dana hotel and spa (we published it in September). A big thank you to the sponsors for making the night happen: CDI (Contract Decor International), Jane Hamley Wells, Moore & Giles, Soho Myriad, Shaw Hospitality, and Symmons.

Some highlights: the sky parting and the sun peeking out just what seemed like minutes before people started ascending on the indoor-outdoor space; the diverse group of people who attended—from the impressive group showing of Rosemont Project Management/Hyatt and Gettys, to Looney & Associates, InterContinental, VOA Associates, Simeone Deary Design Group, SOM, HOK, Strategic Hotels, and the list goes on; the fried rice station; and of course, the impressive views from the 26th floor (once again, thanks to the weather reading our minds).

What's even better: first off the well-dressed attendees (it was great eye candy and moments of jealousy where you wanted to ask 'Where did you get that?'). But more importantly, hearing conversations turn from the economy to actual current projects; from talking about work to real-life. It's building relationships that last through the economic ups and downs that matters most these days.

Look for more photos in the July issue.

Serene in Soho

I'm not sure if it's just me, but every time I speak with Clodagh for more than five minutes I leave wanting to simplify my life. Clean out my closets and files, start wearing only black, become Vegan, get a cool brogue...but alas, the spell inevitably wears off, and I'm back under a cluttered inbox, a pile of clothes, and a rather nondescript New York accent in no time. 

Well the "queen of serene" strikes again. This time I met up with her for a walk-through of her latest, Yoga Work's new Soho location. Clodagh, sustainable materials, and a yoga studio? My inner hippie didn't stand a chance! I'm pretty sure I left this amazing space with some sort of promise to sign up for 200-hour teacher training, an appointment with a psychic, and I must admit, my aura is feeling particularly cleansed. 

Clodagh has paid attention to all the details here: ceilings were really important, as many has been the time that a student needed a pleasant distraction from Plow Pose; transitions were honored throughout; and I wouldn't be surprised if many New York City women sign up for this place just to get ready in the the locker room (or retreat, as they call it). 

   

From the Stage

 We were very proud of this year's HD Award festivities.  The presentation came off almost without a hitch (I said "almost"--see below), the party had a great buzz, and the after-party, thanks to the generosity of the owners of the Aspen Social Club, was extended until the early hours of the next morning.  A few memories, from my onstage perch:
•    The sweet graciousness of the student winner and finalists, all from Iowa State. 
•    The delighted crew from Citizen M Hotel in Amsterdam, coming up three times to be honored for their work.
•     Another three-time crew: the Design team from Morgans Hotel Group, led by Mari Balestrazzi, and their group exuberance
•    The graceful impromptu minuet by Drew Nieporent and Stephanie Goto to celebrate winning Best Fine Dining Restaurant, their collaboration, Corton
•    Eric Suquet's great animated graphic segment that opened the show with incredible finesse
•    The number of significant younger designers who were honored, suggesting a new generation of creative, experimental spirits coming into their own.
  Greatly missed were Andree Putman, a finalist for her redo of New York City's Morgans Hotel and Clodagh, winner of Best Luxury Hotel Guestroom/Suites for Miraval in Catalina, Arizona. (She also took Best of Show.) Putman was unable to make the trip from Paris, but she'll be with us in spirit in our August issue when she'll be among our HD 13--a baker's dozen of intriguing industry folk.  And Clodagh was in Fort Lauderdale, launching her new W hotel, a totally understandable excuse.   As for what didn't go right was the omission of a handful of people who should have been called to the stage, but were not, thanks entirely to my myopia.  I beg their forgiveness, and list them here for all the world to see. 

Orit Kaufman and Anurag Nema, NEMA Workshop

Peter Bafitis and Carmi Bee, RKT&B Architecture

Sorry, folks, and congratulations.  See you all next year!  

p.s. And thanks again to Jana for all of her very hard work in making this such a success.

Top Honors

By Jana Schiowitz

Our 5th annual Hospitality Design (HD) Awards honored the best of the best on Thursday, June 4th at New York City's Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel. The fun-filled evening sponsored by Mark David and Interiors From Spain, with awards created and provided by UltraGlas, included an awards presentation followed by a night of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and networking starting at the hotel and continuing into the wee hours of the night at the HD Awards after party held at Aspen Social Club and sponsored by Hampshire/Vikram Chatwal Hotels, Alcatel-Lucent, Stonehill & Taylor Architects and Planners, and the venue itself. One of the biggest highlights of the night was the award For Best of Show. And the award goes to? Interior design firm Clodagh Design, architecture firm MITHUN, and owner Miraval Holding, LLC for Miraval, a resort in Tucson, Arizona, which had taken home top honors in the luxury guestrooms/suites category.

 

Posing for a photo with the Best of Show awards in hand are Clodagh Design guest Amy Lee; Antonio Pares, principal, MITHUN; Tom Dunlap, senior vice president for development, Miraval Holding, LLC; John Henderson, Executive Director, Clodagh Design; and Rachel Massey, project director, Clodagh Design.

 

One of the guestrooms at Miraval.

Our awards were judged by Peggy Leung, Studio Gaia; Matt Harvey, Joie de Vivre Hospitality; Ali Honarkar, Division1 Architects; Russell Groves, S. Russell Groves; and D.B. Kim, D.B. Kim Design.

Congratulations to all of the honorees!

Bringing Sexy Back

I had a chance to check out the newly revamped Sidebar in San Diego. For those of you who don't know, Sidebar upped the ante in the downtown area when local nightlife impressarios EnDev opened it roughly six years ago, as it was the first chic upscale nightspot to offer VIP service. And now, thanks to new management (local businessman David Laurent and managing partners RMD Group) and a $1 million sexy, edgy overhaul by designer Davis Krumins it sets a new standard once again. What I love is that there's something for the eye at every turn. From 30 red birdcages hanging at different levels from the lofted ceiling and black painted brick walls covered with provocative nude paintings in the lounge, to the red leather booths complete with storage units for purses and removable cushions for dancing and chandeliers made of backlit acrylic images of an Asian woman in the club. But my favorite highlights: the needed-to-be-touched raised velvet damask wallcovering and the DJ booth which is really an oversized birdcage. Who said San Diego is a sleepy beach town? --Stacy Shoemaker Rauen

Do you have what it takes?

Posted by Jana Schiowitz

Have a cool design for a chair or table? If so, then it's time to enter the 9th Andreu World International Design Competition. All design students and professionals are eligible (no age restriction). To enter, just submit a new seating design (main material should be Beech, Oak, or Walnut woods and upholstery is optional) or table design (may be veneered board or plywood with the main material also being one of the woods mentioned previously). Entries will be judged on innovative design and the how well technical specifications including quality, functionality, and versatility, were achieved. Sign up on the Andreu World America website for complete rules and guidelines. Two winners will receive cash prizes. Get those design juices flowing as the submission deadline is September 14th. Good luck!

Hungry in Hoboken

Posted by Jana Schiowitz

Across the Hudson in the hip town of Hoboken, New Jersey, is the newly opened Zylo at the W Hoboken Hotel & Residences. A Tuscan steak house, Zylo offers everything from a softshell crab appetizer to gnocchi with lamb ragout and roasted fennel to bronzino with tomato and black olive salad (all unbelievably tasty). And the design is just as delicious. Bentel & Bentel Architects/Planners designed the fun 50-seat waterfront space, which is filled with elements including leather upholstery, blackened steel and bronze accents, back-lit glass walls, and colorful artwork. As I sat there and ate the amazing food, I couldn't stop running my fingers along the bristled broomheads that were stacked on the wall behind me in the main dining area nor could I stop touching the green, velvet-like upholstery on the banquettes. The views from the restaurant are great. I'm a people-watcher, so this restaurant is just my style. Frank would be pleased.