LOCAL MATTER

This past Sunday was such a gorgeous day we took a drive upstate to get away from the city—at least for a few hours. Of course we also took advantage of the day trip to search for some of those wonderful hidden treasures the Hudson Valley has to offer. And what a treasure we found as we walked into Materia Locus (Latin for local matter) — this amazing barn-turned-showroom/gallery with a beautiful collection of furniture, lighting, art and the most incredible industrial antiques from the area. Megan Summerville and Matt Ensner merged their expertise in fashion, movement arts, environmental conservation and landscape design to create this artists' co-op and home design store “born out of their quest for specialized objects that compliment and highlight their eclectic approach to living.” It was truly an unexpected treat to come across this new gem, especially after chit chatting with Megan for a while and getting to know a little bit about them and their cool design vision.

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A WISH COME TRUE

My little Frenchie Oliver has always dreamt of having a little dog house, but living in a 500 square-foot NYC apartment hasn't giving me the chance to grant his wish. But, this adorable dog house set by Six Hands might just do the trick. The house/bed combo is made of Douglas Fir Plywood and a comfy Natural Cotton Canvas. Although both pieces can be bought separately, Oliver thinks they're the cutest when put together. Don't you agree?

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SOUNDS FROM THE PAST

Everything old is new again —a fabulous trend I've been observing everywhere I go. It's sort of a nostalgic movement that celebrates wonderful design and ingenuity of yesteryear. Take for instance this stylish iPad or iPhone sound amplifier designed by industrial designer Matt Richmond. He took inspiration from a 1920s Victrola horn he found in an antique shop to create this super cool Gramaphone for Restoration Hardware. It definitely stands apart from the typical music docks.

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TRAINING IN STYLE

I've always enjoyed working out, especially if I feel extremely motivated by the space I'm going to be spending part of my day exercising in. Most gyms are raising the bar when it comes to their look and services. They're trying pretty hard to make members feel special by creating a welcoming atmosphere. It's not just about how good the equipment is but how stimulating everything around them can be. Architect Andreas Martin-Löf designed this exclusive fitness club in a former post office building in Stockholm. He paid special attention to details to create a homey space where people can enjoy their workout to the max—and making a not-so-enjoyable chore for some more enjoyable. I would join this gym in a heartbeat.

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MIXING AT ITS BEST

Tucked away deep into Segovia's dense forest, this lovely country house is the ultimate example of sustainable construction. The living room, with breathtaking countryside views, is a mid-century modern heaven with clever touches of rustic decor. Many of their beautiful treasures come from flea markets, like the cool desk from the 50s under the stairs. But others, believe or not, come from IKEA, like the red floor lamp, red dining chairs and glossy black kitchen cabinets. Talk about knowing how to be resourceful and mixing styles creatively.

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AN ALPINE OASIS

A destination that's always been on my short list of places to visit is Salzburg, Austria. I guess I've always been drawn to this Alpine city for its history and my love for Mozart. Just an hour away from Salzburg and set smack in the middle of beautiful rolling hills, the Hotel Wiesergut re-opened its doors after a complex renovation and extension by GOGL Architekten. Their goal was to upgrade the existing traditional structure with purist architecture and transform it into a modern retreat that exudes organic warmth and comfort. By using local wood, natural stone, granite, glass and exposed concrete they created a timeless style putting nature at its center. The furnishings were entirely commissioned to Austrian designers who gave a contemporary twist to classic materials like linen and weather-beaten leather, all of which factor prominently in the hotel’s design concept. I'm really impressed with their attention to detail which gives the the hotel its harmonic and elegant overall impression. No doubt Hotel Wiesergut has become yet another reason for me to cross the pond and visit my beloved Salzburg.

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A BRIGHT IDEA

Please don't think I've abandoned you, but between a load of new projects and a nasty cold that hit me right before I left to help my dear friends with their wedding, I haven't had a moment to fulfill my blogging duties. The good news: I'm feeling better and back in action. So having just arrived from sunny Florida, where color abounds, I felt this bright and happy London apartment was the perfect inspiration for the day. Formerly a carpenter’s studio, this charming rental property was designed by Jack Mama and Nina Tolstrup of Studiomama. All the wood and streamline design gives this pad a wonderful Scandinavian vibe—just with the right amount of color splashes to make any stay quite cozy. It's the ideal lodging alternative for those who want to feel like a local.

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CELEBRATING A CLASSIC

The iconic Stool 60 is celebrating it's 80th birthday. Designed by architect Alvar Alto in 1933, the 20th-century design classic is the number one seller of Artek's products and one of the most recognizable designs around the world. To commemorate the special occasion, the Finnish product company commissioned a handful of architects and designers to create a limited-edition stool. My favorite interpretations are Rings (above) by Japanese designer Nao Tamura and the whimsical depiction by Rei Kawakubo, founder of Comme Des Garcons, with black polka dots.

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