Category: Design

Featuring three-metre ceilings and views of the estate’s gardens, the property had a lot going for it to begin with. In order to enhance the sense of spaciousness and brightness, the designers merged the kitchen and living room into an open-plan social area, and applied a muted colour palette of light grey and white for the floors, walls and ceiling. The muted backdrop is punctuated by a series of chunky geometric forms sporting kooky patterns and vibrant pops of colours, from green marble and orange terrazzo, to walnut burl veneer, to stainless steel and glass blocks. In the hands of another designer, this excess of textures and finishes may have visually overloaded the space; in this case however they neatly come together, a testament to Mistovia’s spatial deftness and an eye for colour and pattern.

The designers have used a number of cubic forms to mark each functional area. Dominating the entrance, a wall-to-wall built-in wardrobe is clad in a swirly grey wood veneer originally designed by Italian designer Ettore Sottsass for Alpi in the 1980s. A pink terrazzo round table paired with HAY’s Rey lacquered wood chairs, originally designed by Swiss designer Bruno Rey in 1971, conjures the playful aesthetic of the Memphis Group, the design collective that Sottsass founded. Clad in walnut burl veneer, the organic patterns of the floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in the kitchen area are juxtaposed with the brushed steel counter and the black and white terrazzo supports of the breakfast bar by the window.

Bed-Stuy Townhouse is a minimalist townhouse located in Brooklyn, New York, designed by architecture firm Also Office in collaboration with Colony, the co-operative gallery and strategy firm founded by Jean Lin. Headed by Evan Erlebacher, Also Office approached each of the property’s three floors with a varying degree of intervention, ensuring the history of the home was not lost in the renovation process.

The ground level witnessed a complete modern overhaul, complemented by the introduction of a primary bedroom suite, a white oak sunroom, and a garden. The latter is notably designed as an extension of the suite, enveloped by lush greenery. The ground floor also offers a guest suite, tailored to be a soundproof sanctuary for the homeowner’s musical pursuits.

A custom circular staircase made of perforated steel spirals downwards, doubling as both a path to the new terrace on the parlor level as well as a striking sculptural element. The kitchen, living, and dining areas coalesce seamlessly, with Also Office preserving hallmark features such as wood casings and sliding pocket doors. In a delicate balance between the past and present, the wooden elements bear the marks of time, contrasting harmoniously with newly plastered walls and updated moldings.

Colony’s involvement brings a flair of modernity to the interiors. The parlor level, rich in historical accents, now boasts contemporary pieces. Jean Lin’s curation blends both vintage and modern works, and was, “drawn to the thread of time throughout the space, wanting to play a part in unraveling it into the present moment,” says Colony founder Jean Lin. A highlight is the living room, where wall shelves house the owner’s vast record collection, centered around a fireplace that serves as an architectural anchor.

Photography by David Mitchell.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.

Hals’s personal character — or a misunderstanding about it — also had something to do with his wavering reputation over the centuries, said Friso Lammertse, the show’s Rijksmueum co-curator.

One of the central 18th-century art critics, Arnold Houbraken, asserted that Hals was “a riotous drunk,” who spent most of his life in the pub, which is why so many of his portraits feature people clanking tankards or looking inebriated.

“One contemporary called him ‘lustig,’” Lammertse explained, a Dutch word that can mean “lusty,” or merely “merry.” “For a long time it’s been fashionable to stress the moralism of Dutch painting — but that has nothing to do with Hals.”

In fact, very little is known about Hals, the person, Lammertse said. Even the date of his birth, some time around 1582-84, remains a mystery. It’s known that he married twice, first to Anneke Harmensdochter, who died in 1615, and later, to Lysbeth Reyniers. He had at least 14 children, 11 of them with Lysbeth. He died, in his 80s, in 1666.

What is clear is that he spent almost his entire life in Haarlem, where he recorded the local population through 160 to 220 portraits, depending on which biographer you follow. He never painted landscapes, still lifes or domestic scenes, as far as we know — only his portraits survive.

The vast majority of his works were commissioned by his sitters, usually burghers or merchants, married couples, or groups like civic militias or provincial leaders. But about 20 percent of his portraits were not commissioned: He merely chose to depict interesting people from his surroundings.

salud y pesetos pays homage to ancient iberian artifacts

Amid the remote natural landscape of the Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park in Almería, Spain, Jorge Mañes Rubio explores authenticity, myth, and place with Salud y Pesetas. At an off-grid rural farm, the artist presents a series of vessels inspired by ancient Iberian archaeological artifacts, delving into the nuances of ritual power, identity, and culture. Crafted from local clay found on site, the works feature decorations, figures, and symbols, and incorporate esparto grass and contemporary materials including climbing rope, hair extensions, glass beads, and pearls.

Modest in size yet bold in appearance, the vessels emanate a non-tangible vital force, offering a glimpse into a land threatened by abandonment and desertification, acknowledging this remarkable ecosystem and the larger-than-human dimension that defines it. ‘The vessels depict local landscape, flora and fauna together with votive figures: sentinels of local spirits and deities, expressions of an ancestral knowledge that is real and imaginary at the same time,’ notes Rubio.

Visión #2 (Ancestral) at JOYA | all images courtesy of Jorge Mañes Rubio

jorge mañes rubio fuses narratives of authenticity and myth

The conception of Salud y Pesetas dates back to when artist Jorge Mañes Rubio came across the tale of El Corro and El Rosao, two early 20^th-century con artists from Totana who sold hundreds of forged ceramic artefacts to collectors and institutions globally. Their methodology involved combining cow manure and sea breeze to age ceramics with an ancient patina, making these forgeries virtually impossible to distinguish from real Bronze Age ceramics. Following many years of successful business, they came up with their own ‘artistic’ creations, marketing them as extremely rare archaeological treasures from the Iberian Peninsula, though their ambition and creativity quickly led experts to recognize their fraud. In this negotiation of authenticity, through the performance of buying and selling, a very specific form of memory was generated: a load of history, legend, beliefs, and expectations.

Rubio, following in their footsteps, collaborated with local potters in their hometown, blending personal narratives with ancestral Iberian symbols. This exploration of materiality delves into the negotiation and production of authenticity, myth, and place. The project was completed during the artist’s residency at JOYA: AiR, near the end of which he came across a pre-historic rock shelter hidden atop a mountain, only known to a few local shepherds. Its mystical rock art figures suggest ancestral ritual use, while today, the cave is home to the vulture, ibex, dear and the occasional Iberian lynx who roam these mountains. In homage to the site, the artist decided to leave a cache of these vessels inside this cave, where they still remain to this day. After a 2 hours hike with other resident artists, he placed eight pieces at the cave’s deepest end, recording these offerings through analogue and digital photographs as well as with multiple detailed 3D scans, opening the possibility for the ritual to be replicated endlessly on a virtual realm.

Photograph of one of the vessels inside the cave.

Vessels as ritual offerings inside the cave.

Visión #1 (Barranco)

the work features vultures, ibex, dear and an anthropomorphic Iberian lynx

Visión #7 (Astral)

Visión #3 (Quimera)

Visión #10 (Instrumental)

Panoramic view from the cave, undisclosed location, Parque Natural de Sierra María-Los Vélez, Spain.

Rock art figure inside the cave

an artist in residence farm in Parque Natural de Sierra María-Los Vélez, Spain | image courtesy of JOYA AiR

project info:

name: Salud y Pesetas
artist: Jorge Mañes Rubio

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

There is a wide consensus as to what makes a good hotel – convenient or picturesque location, quality of service, range of amenities, comfort – but what makes a hotel truly exceptional? With no universal standard for hotel ratings, travellers rely instead on reviews, national and international classification systems, and, ever more increasingly, best-of lists. In fact, the internet is inundated with best-of lists, both general and specific, from the best luxury and beach hotels, to the best hotels for families and pets, to the best hotels in specific regions and cities. Suffice it to say then that it takes a lot for a new ranking to grab our attention, let alone bring the global hotel community together. And the first edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, which was announced on September 19th, has done just that. Featuring hotels from 35 different destinations across six continents, the brand-new list was created by the prestigious 50 Best brand, known for turning restaurants like Noma into household names.

What makes this ranking exceptional is its methodology; it is based on the input of a global jury of 580 hoteliers, journalists and seasoned travellers who were simply asked to share (anonymously) the seven best hotels they had stayed in in the last two years anywhere in the world. In other words, every hotel was eligible for votes. Europe dominates the list with 21 out of the 50 listed properties, six of which are located in France, with Asia coming in second with 18, boasting four hotels in the top five. London and Paris solidify their reputation as hospitality meccas with four properties each, with Bangkok also sharing the distinction; New York and Marrakesh come second with two hotels each. For better or worse, large hotel groups and luxury brands dominate the list, though several independent venues have made the list, most notably the family-owned and female-run Passalacqua hotel in Italy, which was deservingly awarded the top spot.

Back in 2012, Dan Mazzarini launched BHDM Design, and since has added ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini as a “blogazine” extension of the brand. As Principal and Creative Director, he tells stories through built environments, hotels, restaurants, startups, corporate interiors, single and multi-family homes, and far more. Dan and his team use a “hospitality-forward” approach to projects, creating compelling, unique narratives with elements of surprise and delight throughout the user experience.

“I remember sneaking into the Hudson Hotel, designed by Philippe Starck, a few months after it opened. I was an underaged midwestern kid on a college weekend in NYC – and definitely looked it. I remember taking the escalator up to the lobby, walking through the sexy, moody hallway to the library bar and entering a bustling scene. I ordered a Merlot (can you imagine?!) and stood back and watched… all of it happening. At that moment I realized the importance that design could have on a space, and set my sights on creating spaces that people wanted to be a part of,” Dan said of the moment he knew design was the road he was meant to travel.

Throughout his career, Dan has worked in historic spaces like Grand Central Terminal and the Harvard Club of New York, and helped to create new concepts for Google, One Medical, Hudson’s Bay Company, and Target. He’s also worked with heritage brands such as Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, and Calvin Klein, and has aided in defining new brands like Tend, Real, and Casper.

He’s put in all the work, but there are others who have been instrumental in helping Dan arrive at where he is today. “My parents both supported my creative talent and taught me the importance of ambition and hard work. They both worked full time jobs, and taught me the value of rolling up your sleeves and putting your heart into what you do everyday,” he shared.

“My first bosses, Robin Kramer and Philip Rosenzweig, trusted me with far more responsibility than my experience deserved. They taught me the ins and outs of retail, how to build brands, and how to treat people with kindness,” Dan said. “Robin taught me so much about how I speak about and sell our work. They were the best and most formative people I could have started my career with, and I’m still grateful.”

Last, but not least, “Brian Humphrey, with whom I started BHDM. Brian and I have a 20-year friendship, and I am forever honored to work beside him. He is the most creative and visionary person I’ve worked with – while I can sketch, sell, and do a lot of talking with my hands, he is the superlative at quietly conjuring up images of spaces that are unique, inspired, and beautiful. He’s the best, and I love working with him.”

Now, Dan is bringing his designs, ideas, tips, and favorite essentials directly to you with the launch of ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini, a “blogazine” providing a curated selection of home and lifestyle products, all shopped from his favorite resources. Through ARCHIVE, he’s able to educate, encourage, and inspire a broader network of consumers who want to incorporate luxury to their everyday living.

Today, Dan Mazzarini joins us for Friday Five!

Photo: Amy Neunsinger for Architectural Digest

1. Nancy Meyers Everything

A goddess at her game, I’ve been watching and daydreaming about Nancy Meyers movies for 25 years. She seems to not only capture relatable emotion, but paints the most pitch-perfect settings in all her movies. If I had it to do all over again, I’d love to work with her in Hollywood. Wouldn’t that be the best?

Photos courtesy Hotel Costes

2. Hotel Costes, Paris

I have such fond memories of this space. The Jacques Garcia designed portion was the first hotel I stayed at in Paris (thank you, Ralph Lauren…) and since, I’ve brought so many people that I love to visit. It’s moody and sumptuous, lavish and seductive – so foreign from anything in the States. It feels like it’s been there for a hundred years. Oh – and the candles have become a signature scent, I buy them by the case.

Photo: Dan Mazzarini

3. March, San Francisco

Scatter my ashes at March. While I’ve yet to meet Sam Hamilton, the store’s founder and creative guru, I’m indebted to her vision. NorCal indoor/outdoor meets the peak of chic in the carefully curated finds she brings to her store. Custom splatterware, bespoke flatware, and other tabletop are all seasonally complemented with unique finds and art. And set against a black and white and neutral backdrop? Ooooolala!

Photo: Adam Macchia

4. Michael McGuire’s Art

I met Michael when I was working at Ralph Lauren. He creates beautiful, architectural-feeling line art that I use in our work all the time. It seems to fit in all settings and to top it off, he’s just the sweetest guy.

Photo: Reid Rolls

5. Stan Smiths

I know, I know – everyone wears them now, but I can’t give up my Stan Smiths. I have multiple pairs of a vintage red and white polka dot version by Pharrell (which I have stockpiled from eBay.) They’re comfy and classic, and yes, I wear them with a suit.

Work by Dan Mazzarini + BHDM:

Modern Catskills A-Frame When a young NYC-based couple purchased this treasured Catskills A-Frame, they entrusted BHDM to breathe fresh life into the 1970s home. The two-bedroom retreat, complete with a loft office that functions as additional sleeping quarters, yields contemporary elements while protecting the charm of the original home. Nestled into the snowy Belleayre mountain, the A-Frame is tailored to complement and capture its surrounding landscape. Designed by architect Ikuyo Tagawa nearly 50 years ago, 27 skylight windows are built into the steep-pitched roof to capture glimpses of vibrant foliage and snowy peaks. Newly installed metal and glass framing hone those sight lines without compromising visual and acoustic privacy. The home’s sound bones were left intact, including its distinctive windows and original end-grain floors, allowing BHDM to embrace its quirks with complementary modern additions. As the home was constructed to blend into the landscape, much of the furniture throughout quietly complements the home’s surrounding nature. Photo: Tim Williams

East Hampton Residence For this space, our goal was to create a chic space where our client could work remotely – something we’ve of course seen more and more of over the past few years. To do this, we incorporated dark, textured walls that contrast with the brightness of the rest of the house. Sculptural light above adds interest and modernity, while a textured jute rug anchors the office and softens the overall aesthetic. Photo: Adam Macchia

Hyatt Regency SoMa in San Francisco BHDM envisioned the reimagination of the hotel through an art-centric lens, utilizing a defined palette of textures and motifs while seeking inspiration from its location in the heart of San Francisco’s Art District. Throughout the public spaces, as well as the guest rooms, the notion of an architectural ‘grid’ is a leitmotif, represented in applications from terrazzo floors to ceiling treatments, fabrics, and carpets. Rope and weaving, ceramics and sculpture, painting and sketching, and more are influences found throughout. As art is a defining brand pillar for the hotel, it was important that BHDM incorporated the work of local artists in its design. In forming a partnership with The Academy of Art University of San Francisco, they were able to secure original custom art by local students and alumni. Photo: Reid Rolls

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.