Tag: Design

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University of New South Wales spotlights 10 landscape architecture and design projects

A desk that transforms into a space for quiet review and a vessel that allows persons grow mushrooms at residence are bundled in Dezeen’s most recent faculty demonstrate by the College of New South Wales.


Also included is a task that explores the rewards of maritime habitats and farming, and a different that seems to be at the regeneration of Sydney’s Bays West Precinct.

School: College of New South Wales
Courses: Landscape Architecture, Industrial Style and Computational Design and style

School assertion:

“At the University of Designed Surroundings, we shape long run cities – towns that are resilient, sustainable, linked, nutritious, smart, habitable, and inclusive.

“We target on the worries of metropolitan areas at each scale, from industrial made products to the architectural style of structures and landscapes, as a result of to city and regional coverage and planning.

“Our training and research respond to the altering wants of the professions though also anticipating the upcoming troubles modern society faces.

“We acquire skilled and imaginative graduates, with conscience, who can positively have interaction, adapt and style and design our future cities for the advantage of all people today, with the earth firmly in head.”

An illustration of a post-industrial landscape, which supports ecological and urban growth

Butterfly Knot: Connecting Human and Non-human Ecologies by Yee To Ng

“Butterfly Knot is a undertaking that explores the regeneration of Sydney’s Bays West Precinct into a write-up-industrial landscape that blurs transit-oriented growth with ecological and urban expansion.

“Relatively than positioning transportation as an ‘other’ to ecology, it investigates prospects of ‘fluttering’ concerning the two programmes.

“The impression depicts a hybrid room programmed with a operating port, a butterfly pollination zone, and a pedestrian-helpful precinct.

“How can we as landscape architects and brokers of improve exam strategies to style and design the urban realm to be just one of both equally human and non-human equality?”

Pupil: Yee To Ng
Class: Bachelor in Landscape Architecture
Tutors: Patrick Franklyn and Mike Harris
Email: toto9829[at]gmail.com

A visualisation of a city with aquaculture elements throughout

Kelp! I am Drowning by Shirelle Altona

“Kelp! I’m Drowning! concerns the layout of aquaculture in the public realm.

“Can aquaculture offer you resilience in town-creating to sea stage increase? What if internet site limitations come to be prospects for regeneration? How can poisonous soil and h2o regenerate intertidal habitats?

“If marine habitats and maritime farming intersect with the community realm, can they offer food, ecology, squander management, joy, and attractiveness?

“From metropolis-scale to algae-scale, this job not only gives choices deeply related to the internet site, but w(h)ets the urge for food for hope.”

College student: Shirelle Altona
Program: Bachelor in Landscape Architecture
Tutors: Patrick Franklyn and Mike Harris
Email: shirellealt[at]gmail.com

A visualisation of a vibrant green space

Lusty Avenue Reserve, Bardwell Valley Parklands Eco-friendly Grid Priority Corridor by Zhiyuan Wu

“This job demonstrates the vital intersection of a ‘natural inexperienced corridor’ with a freshly developed urban vitality centre.

“A vibrant city environmentally friendly place, integrated into a finish environmentally friendly corridor program, serves as an crucial connection level for going for walks and cycling network in the region.

“It is entire of preferred recreational possibilities to improve the everyday living high quality and wellbeing of the local community.”

Scholar: Zhiyuan Wu
Course: Grasp of Landscape Architecture
Tutors: Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard and Lee Roberts
Electronic mail: wzy19970527[at]qq.com

A visualisation of Turrella Station North Park, Bardwell Valley Parklands Green Grid Priority Corridor by Yudi Li

Turrella Station North Park, Bardwell Valley Parklands Eco-friendly Grid Priority Corridor by Yudi Li

“The web page is surrounded by gentle industrial, business buildings adjacent to Wolli Creek and Turrella North train station.

“Flooding is a person of the crucial concerns in this area of the Bardwell Valley Parklands eco-friendly corridor.

“The layout proposes to increase the connections, safeguard and increase the natural environment. It also seeks to preserve tradition and heritage, and deliver amenities for leisure and recreation.

“Turrella Station North makes a lively leisure community for surrounding and foreseeable future inhabitants. At the exact time, this riparian area mitigates the flooding brought on by potential sea-amount rise.”

Student: Yudi Li
Program: Masters of Landscape Architecture
Tutors: Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard and Lee Roberts
E-mail: udi.landscapearchitect[at]gmail.com

Photographs of

Expanse Robotic Business Home furnishings by Anthony Franco

“In tiny workplace environments, space and privateness are a top quality.

“Open up-prepare business office designs give improved assist of collaborative jobs at the expense of concentrated, personal individual perform.

“Expanse permits end users to opt for when they want to do the job collaboratively or privately by enabling a small desk room to rework into a private enclosure when required.

“When Expanse is open, it not only delivers visual and sound privacy but also functions as a social barrier as it visually communicates that a person is accomplishing targeted work, building a tradition of respect for the privateness demands of men and women.”

College student: Anthony Franco
Training course: Bachelor of Industrial Structure
Tutors: Andrew Simpson, Gonzalo Portas, Christian Tietz, Belinda Dunstan and Oya Demirbilek
Email: avfranco98[at]yahoo.com.au

A photographer of Mycelia Houses: Mushrooms Within the Home by Caitlin Duffus

Mycelia Residences: Mushrooms Within the Residence by Caitlin Duffus

“Mycelia Household is a useful, wonderful, and uncomplicated vessel that showcases the elegance of mushrooms and supports its progress in just the home.

“It aims to reconnect us with our innate mother nature – our human mother nature, through the show, caring for and nourishment of mushrooms as a living entity and as a food items resource.

“As we have advanced to live in urban places and are at the moment experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a disconnection and are craving a deeper partnership with ourselves, the all-natural world, and our each day routine.

“We request solutions that we can hook up and emotionally relate with. With developments arising in the localisation of foods production and Diy options, as well as a really like for houseplants, the notion for mycelia residences was manifested.”

College student: Caitlin Duffus
Training course: Bachelor of Industrial Design
Tutors: Oya Demirbilek, Rina Bernabei, Gonzalo Portas and Andrew Simpson
E-mail: caity.duff[at]gmail.com

A photograph of Lever Weeder is a specialised weed management solution

Lever Weeder: Bush Regeneration Resource by Sabrina Piro

“Lever Weeder is a specialised weed administration alternative for the manual removal of crowning grasses.

“Intended to be applied by bush regenerators, this remedy fulfills specialised requirements for targeted software and strong features, which are lacking in presently employed wide-spectrum equipment and domestic weeders.

“It gives a uncomplicated leverage-based resolution that eliminates crowning grasses at a decreased strain on the human body, minimised disturbance of encompassing land and eliminates use of herbicides.

“The products facilitates use by a wide variety of folks, which includes the huge number of landholders and volunteers who do not have herbicide certifications.”

Scholar: Sabrina Piro
Training course: Bachelor of Industrial Style and design
Tutors: Gonzalo Portas and Andrew Simpson
E-mail: pirosabrina1998@gmail.com

Ubiquitous Cities by Anthony Franco

“The computational design and style program introduces and critiques discourses, guidelines, and scenario examples of regional and world wide electronic, ubiquitous and wise metropolis considering and initiatives.

“This know-how further more informs an exploration of the software of computational imagining and procedures to urban and spatial evaluation, and the creation of design jobs that adopt principles of actual physical computing, conversation style and human-equipment interaction. This is demonstrated in the Ubiquitous Towns task.”

Pupil: Anthony Franco
Study course: Computational Layout
Tutors: Nicole Gardner
E-mail: a.franco[at]pupil.unsw.edu.au

UrbanAI by multiple students

“Urban heat islands in cities is a international dilemma but a major problem for Western Sydney.

“Listed here, pupils worked in direction of translating the phenomena of photo voltaic radiation and visualising the effect of various surface components on the air temperature.

“Students utilised voxelization to visualise how air temperature alterations and change in the course of a working day relying on the floor temperature.”

Pupils: Several
Training course: Computational Design
Tutors: Daniel Yu and M Hank Haeusler

CoDe Graduation Venture by Garry Zhang

“In partnership with industry companion HDR Sydney the graduation task investigated the improvement of a Transit-Oriented Growth Assistive Interface (TODAI).

“Zhang investigated and design a authentic-time TOD (Transport Orientated Advancement) planning city kind that updates alone primarily based on enter and analytical reporting on population density, progress density, city blend index, amenity index and walkability.

“Zhang could acquire a TOD Arranging Support prototype in Grasshopper natural environment, has implemented techniques to displays on essential metrices important for TOD improvement, provided a set of instruments as a result of simulation, optimisation and equipment discovering to provide brief layout interactions – all to aid the final decision-building method of city designers.”

Scholar: Garry Zhang
Course: Computational Style and design
Tutors: Nicole Gardner, Ben Doherty, Daniel Yu, and M. Hank Haeusler
Email: g.zhang[at]college student.unsw.edu.au

Partnership content 

This university show is a partnership among Dezeen and the University of New South Wales. Find out additional about Dezeen partnership articles listed here.

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Endless assortment, eye for design leads to growth for Forth Worth retailer

Fort Truly worth, Texas-dependent retailer There is No Put Like Home Furniture is opening a second shop this month.

FORT Value, Texas — In a minor extra than two a long time in organization, owner Abby Slayton-Tobin has built her shop, There’s No Put Like Residence Furnishings, like no location in Fort Value.

For starters, Slayton-Tobin has merchandise from some 800 distributors accessible via her retail outlet, which features circumstance items, upholstery, mattresses, rugs, lighting, décor pieces, wall art, residence office environment, outside and a lot more. It also presents comprehensive interior design and style services with degreed designers on staff members. It’s gotten recognized, as There is No Place Like Home has received honors for best home furnishings retail outlet in Fort Truly worth for 12 years operating. The keep is also increasing, as There is No Put Like Residence Two (Two, as it is acknowledged colloquially) gentle-opened on Dec. 18.

So how does a retailer showcase solution from that several suppliers in a footprint of close to 4,800 sq. toes?

“We have the most choice of any home furniture shop in Texas,” Slayton-Tobin told Home furnishings Nowadays. “What we do is present one particular sample piece from each individual producer in our showroom so folks can see the excellent, the development, the aesthetic of that business, but we can source everything from any of people producers.”

Slayton-Tobin mentioned, with relationships in place with so lots of suppliers, her store hasn’t been squeezed as really hard by supply chain constraints. Buyers have comprehensive access, and any merchandise purchased are fall-transported.

“We buy direct from the company. For the reason that lead instances are gradual appropriate now and stock is a pressure stage with furnishings, because we have so a lot of strains, we have a whole lot more resources to locate that piece of home furniture the purchaser needs that is in stock and prepared to ship,” Slayton-Tobin claimed.

“We can convey to them up entrance the specific a single they want may well be eight months out but we have seven extra that are identical or identical that we can get within 4 months. That cuts the hold out time down mainly because we have so quite a few manufacturers to supply from. For the reason that we really do not continue to keep stock, our rates are likely to be lower than a regular household furniture retail keep. We don’t have that overhead of stock.”

The employees designers operate with clientele at home and in the retail store, and get extensive notes and photos to create types and look books. Their comprehensive notes arrive in helpful for people shoppers who want to do a venture space-by-place alternatively than in one particular shot.

“Nothing’s as well modest, and nothing’s also big. We can do in-house design and style visits for our consumers, and our designers can set jointly a glimpse reserve for every single space,” Slayton-Tobin stated.

She observed layout small business and customers routinely arrive from all throughout the area. Underscoring that place, she explained that modern deliveries have incorporated Houston and Tulsa, Okla. “We have consumers who come from all about the condition.”

Whilst the to start with There is No Place Like Home, located at 855 Foch St., has come to be a thing of a spot, Slayton-Tobin is hopeful that Two, which is at 4854 White Settlement Road, can realize a equivalent standing in its neighborhood. So significantly, Slayton-Tobin said there are two present organizations there, but it’s attracting loads of new inhabitants, which bodes well for likely expansion.

“We’re in a pretty chaotic spot our first site is kind of a location location. We’re surrounded by museums and are living new music venues and a large amount of new household substantial rises. We’re exceptionally hectic here,” she claimed. “There’s a new place that is up and coming, the River District, and there are a whole lot of ideas for that location. I can envision, in a calendar year or so, obtaining a whole lot of foot site visitors and new individuals to the space in strolling distance from the new retail outlet. I’m seeking to support build that place up.”

And though Two will be about 50 percent the size of the authentic retail outlet, Slayton-Tobin feels that will not be a hindrance, only due to the fact she’s obtained a strategy that functions.

“The dimensions doesn’t make any difference since of all the distributors and lines we have, we’ll have the exact sum in the lesser store,” she mentioned. “Even even though it’s scaled-down, the availability of objects will be specifically the exact.”

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The art of design: Hotel Indigo infuses spaces with unexpected design details inspired by neighborhoods – 2021 – News & Media – Newsroom

Hotel Indigo illuminates the world within its neighborhood through authentic and unexpected design details.

The boutique hotel brand from IHG Hotels & Resorts blends design inspired by neighborhood nuances and bespoke touches from local creators to ignite guests’ sense of curiosity and discovery.

With a design-driven ethos rooted in the art of storytelling, Hotel Indigo is a force in illuminating the world within its neighborhood. Each hotel is inspired by its own unique story, thoughtfully infusing details to spotlight the authentic and the unexpected.

A locale’s distinct style and architecture, rich history, colorful personalities and culinary culture come together at Hotel Indigo, creating an aesthetic that stirs curiosity and discovery from the moment guests step inside. Just as no two neighborhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo hotels are designed alike. Every property is intended to inspire connection among visitors and locals alike, with stylish yet approachable gathering spaces that spark conversation. Signature to Hotel Indigo, local creators are meticulously woven into both the interior design and the experience itself to bring the neighborhood to life within the hotel walls.

Whether exploring the destination through the lens of a local, popping in for an after-work aperitif or staying on a brief business trip, the artful local touches imbued into these properties from Miami to Adelaide will make finding a reason to travel again simple and, perhaps, inspire you to discover your own neighborhood at home with new eyes.

Hotel Indigo Lower East Side – Lobby Artwork

Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell – Guest Room

Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell in Florida

Situated in Mary Brickell Village, the new Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell tells stories of its neighborhood, where a symphony of Latin, Spanish, Native American and American folk influences are embraced and celebrated. The neighborhood itself is a mosaic of old and new – from ancient treasures to gleaming high-rises nestled beside bungalows. Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell was designed by internationally renowned architect and fashion designer Angel Sanchez of Coleman+Sanchez Studio. Guest room artwork and circular rugs draw inspiration from the Miami Circle, an archaeological site considered to be the only known evidence of an ancient structure built by the Tequesta around 2,000 years ago.

Hotel Indigo Lower East Side in New York

The Lower East Side is one of New York City’s most storied and dynamic neighborhoods, enriched with the culture of its first immigrant inhabitants passing through Ellis Island as well as the music, art and dance legends who have come to define generations. It is the birthplace of vibrant graffiti art that covered city streets in the 1980s and 1990s, including the works of legendary graffiti artist and Lower East Side native Lee Quinones. Music icons, including Blondie, the Ramones, Madonna and the Rolling Stones, have all spent time, gained influence and made an impact on this bold, energetic neighborhood. Today, the Lower East Side continues to inspire visitors and city dwellers to explore, play, create and thrive.

Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York’s design captures the vibrant, edgy and artistic spirit of its surroundings. Graffiti, found objects and street art motifs are infused throughout the hotel, just as they permeate the neighborhood. Upon entering, guests will be met with impactful sculptural art and intricate ironwork.

The hotel commissioned street artist Lee Quinones to help bring the distinctive neighborhood to life in the hotel experience. Quinones is one of the originators of street art in the 1970s and was instrumental in bringing the movement above ground. From a custom life-sized mural on the ceiling of the 14th floor sky lobby to the unique wall art within guestrooms and elevator lobbies, his work vividly brings the storied past and present of the Lower East Side to life.

Mr. Purple, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant designed with an artist-loft ambiance, pays homage to the artists and musicians who took up residence in the neighborhood in the 1960s, transforming it into a realm of art and creativity.

Hotel Indigo Belgrade – Brutalism-Inspired Guest Room

Hotel Indigo Stratford Upon Avon – Guest Room

Hotel Indigo Venice-Sant’Elena – Savor Restaurant and Bar

Hotel Indigo Belgrade in Serbia

Like its Old Town surroundings, the recently-opened Hotel Indigo Belgrade’s architecture showcases the mishmash of cultures and styles born from the city’s fascinating history. Serbia’s capital sits at the meeting point of the Sava and Danube rivers and was historically a highly connected crossroad between east and west Europe used by traders, missionaries, tourists, ambassadors and craftsman. Landing in Belgrade, travelers from various empires, including the Romans, the Goths, the Huns, the Ottomans and the Austro-Hungarians, often left their own particular imprint on the city.

Hotel Indigo Belgrade’s 46 boutique rooms feature two distinct design styles. Drawing inspiration from the Brutalist architecture found in the city, the hotel’s Brutalism-inspired room style has concrete walls contrasted by unique artwork and textiles with unusual geometric shapes. The second room style was designed to evoke the Art Deco period of the city, with muted pastel colors and arches in the headboard mimicking the design influence of the era.

Guests are greeted by an eye-catching reception specially designed to mirror the shape of a local monument, Knez Mihailo, with locally made Serbian rugs hanging above. The use of gold throughout the lobby, reception area and elevator reference the nearby National Museum, originally built as a bank. Those who look closely will notice the elevator walls are covered in hidden poems by some of the nation’s most famous poets. The hotel’s living room pays homage to the union of trade routes with an eclectic mix of styles through the ages, from Pirot rugs, a national treasure from Southern Serbia, to 70’s inspired floor lamps.

Hotel Indigo – Stratford Upon Avon in the UK

Paying homage to the town’s heritage and a slice of bygone England, Hotel Indigo – Stratford Upon Avon thoughtfully infuses classic English materials such as wool and raw wood into the interior design of each guest room. A combination of antique furniture pieces and modern fixtures create a contemporary space that celebrates the past with a modern twist. Guests will also discover a carefully curated selection of contemporary artwork, murals and, as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and home to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, artifacts inspired by Shakespeare throughout the property.

Hotel Indigo Venice – Sant’Elena in Italy

Venice is filled with beauty and history, but despite its immense popularity, there are still pockets of the city yet to be discovered. The Sant’Elena neighborhood is a global hub for modern art and culture, nearby the Venice International Film Festival, the Murano Glass Factory and the Giardini della Biennale, a year-round hub for modern art and culture that truly comes alive during the Venice Biennale.

Hotel Indigo Venice – Sant’Elena, a converted 1930s monastery, is nestled among the palaces, cathedrals, and museums of its fairy-tale city. The hotel’s interior design and bespoke touches speak to the historical importance of the building and its surroundings. This peaceful sanctuary is composed of two wings joined in the center by a former chapel and boasts an interior courtyard and large windows with high ceilings, evocative of the neighborhood’s existing architecture.

Hotel Indigo Venice – Sant’Elena’s interior design blends the building’s original features with oriental influences inspired by local tradition and history, with touches of modern elements contrasting the classic Venetian style. Sumptuous velvet pillows are layered atop leather seating while brass lighting scattered throughout the hotel plays contrast to the deep wood paneling of the lobby walls and the emerald green marble bar top. Public areas are dotted with ebru paintings, a reference to the city’s history of introducing the marbleized papers into their famed repertory of woodblock prints, copperplate engraving and book leather binding.

To the delight of diners, Savor Restaurant and Bar calls upon the 16th century trade relationship of the Venetian and Ottoman Empires with handmade Les Ottomans wall plates adorning its walls, depicting figures of Ottoman Empire royalty.

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown – 10th Floor Hallway Artwork

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown in the United Arab Emirates

An art and design-lover’s paradise, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is perched along the banks of Dubai Creek, just minutes from the glitzy, avant-garde Dubai Design District. Historically, Dubai has grown in parallel with the development and extension of the Dubai Creek. The Creek’s journey is a story of the transformation of Dubai from a trading post to the city of the future, which has influenced the hotel’s architectural and interior approach.

Every detail of Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown has been thoughtfully designed, with striking works of art showcased throughout. The hotel features over 200 curated pieces of art with the intention of building a collection that helps tell the hotel’s neighborhood story. It has partnered with local creatives through associations with the Alserkal Cultural Foundation, Tashkeel and XVA gallery, and each floor is dedicated to one artist, giving guests an opportunity to enjoy the art on the way to their contemporary rooms. Featured artwork is not only from local artists, but also from Dubai-based expatriates who have drawn inspiration from the city, the Emirati culture and the heritage of local vernacular.

Each of the four food and beverage outlets showcase dynamic works of art as well. The Bakala Jooos juice bar and concept store is surrounded by creative artwork, from a printed wallpaper commissioned by artist Daniel Wegera to woven tapestry rugs. Open Sesame, the property’s social eatery, features a breathtaking entrance with fabrics designed by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix. The result is a modern take on Emirati heritage with souk-inspired stalls and embroidered abaya patterns in the entrance.

Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets – Brick Archway

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora – Lobby

Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park

Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets

Marking the brand’s Australian debut, the 145-room Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets welcomes visitors with deep connections to the neighborhood and intriguing design features. Housed on the site of a former textile factory, the property’s “Raw and Refined” design ethos celebrates the neighborhood’s commercial past with an exciting blend of heritage-listed and modern architecture as well as eye-catching contemporary details throughout. The hotel’s public spaces feature striking brick archways mimicking those in Adelaide Central Market circa-1900 grand façade, colorful street art-inspired murals by acclaimed Australian collage artists, including Tristan Kerr, and an exposed terracotta brick feature wall etched with intriguing neighborhood references such as “Six o’clock Swill” and “Mad March” – the name given to Festival month in the city. Continuing its cultural tribute, exclusive Adelaide Festival-inspired poster art is featured in the corridors and rooms, while a rotating selection of artworks create an engaging, ever-changing backdrop in public spaces.

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora in Japan

Hakone Gora is a town of two tales. In its 100-year history, Japan’s intellectuals and socialites have escaped from bustling cities to experience vibrant nature and pastel-colored onsens (hot springs) while creating a modern neighborhood filled with contemporary museums, digital art and the perpetual draw of the cherry blossoms. These stories form the Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora neighborhood experience, where guests can immerse in the history through the hotel’s artwork and design.

The hotel’s interior design is influenced by Hakone Gora’s past. Ancient patterns from local Yosegi-zaiku woodwork have inspired wood patterns throughout the hotel’s lobby while parquetry woodwork decorates the ceilings and guest rooms. Contemporary artwork references Hakone’s nature through ukiyo-e paintings, fireflies, fallen leaves and mountainous landscapes. Nostalgia and novelty sit at the core of the guest room design, with playful headboard artwork from Studio Café SHIMA that reflects the early Showa-period scenery of Gora. Photography features quirky motifs, including a courier dressed in traditional costume holding a ‘selfie stick,’ a classic bus painted with the Yosegi-zaiku pattern, soccer players, and a UFO or drone mid-flight.

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora offers a modern twist on the onsen ritual with traditional wood finishes reminiscent of the Meiji-period bathhouses contrasted with a dramatic digital art wall installation. The installation represents Hakone’s four seasons with rotating expressions of warmth, new life and the location’s natural landscape through colorful digital lighting.

Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park in Malaysia, Opening Fall 2022

Hotel Indigo will make its debut in the heart of Malaysia’s capital city with a 180-room property located at the base of the picturesque Bukit Nanas. Kuala Lumpur’s multicultural influences will be embedded in the hotel’s DNA through a visionary design that captures the historical cham of local heritage buildings and the breadth of nearby modern architecture. With greenery from one of the country’s oldest forest reserves woven throughout the hotel to bring the forest inside, memorable features include an interactive Green Wall in the lobby and a spot of quiet serenity amidst the bustle of the city found in the concrete sky jungle and a Secret Garden. From the use of distinctive local ingredients in its dining selection through to graffiti walls made in collaboration with local artists, Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park promises to provide guests with an inspiring mix of cultures and experiences.

Hotel Indigo Suzhou Grand Canal – Lobby

Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City – Lobby

Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City

Atop the commanding heights of Dukezong Ancient Town, Hotel Indigo Diqing Moonlight City takes its Neighborhood Story inspiration from Shangri-La, epitomizing the legendary lost paradise of idyllic beauty and tranquility. The ancient town of Dukezong, with its labyrinthine lanes laid out in the shape of an eight-petal lotus flower, is one of the oldest and culturally rich places in Shangri-La. Shaded by sensuous greenery that’s symbolic of the surrounding nature, the hotel entrance features a ceiling with a hollowed design by which natural lights collect and illuminate the hotel lobby to reawaken the esoteric tales of the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Hotel Indigo Suzhou Grand Canal

As the first Hotel Indigo in China’s Jiangsu province, Hotel Indigo Suzhou Grand Canal exudes its own distinctive ambiance that encourages guests to explore and experience the surrounding neighborhood – a rich blend of vibrant modernity together with the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The hotel’s charming interior design concept by HBA Design-works is inspired by Prosperous Suzhou, a renowned 18th century masterpiece painting depicting the bustling urban life of Souzhou. The meticulous interior further draws upon the deep architectural and cultural influences of Suzhou’s history and fuses them into a characteristically contemporary style.

Continue the art and design journey on Instagram at @HotelIndigo or through Hotel Indigo’s newest and upcoming properties, including Hotel Indigo NYC Downtown – Wall Street, Hotel Indigo Omaha Downtown in Nebraska, Hotel Indigo Vancouver Downtown – Portland Area in Washington, Hotel Indigo Bintan in Indonesia as well as Hotel Indigo Karuizawa and Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden in Japan.

To learn more about Hotel Indigo, visit www.hotelindigo.com.

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Everything You Need to Make Over Your Backyard, According to a Landscape Design Firm

What if interior design was also exterior design? That’s the philosophy behind Manscapers, the New York– and Los Angeles–based landscape design firm that’s so much more than that. Founded by Garrett Magee, James DeSantis, and Mel Brasier, the firm helps tired outdoor spaces turn over a new leaf.

Garrett Magee, Mel Braiser, and James DeSantis, cofounders and leading team members of Manscapers.  

Last week, Manscapers released their first book, Take It Outside, which offers a treasure trove of tips for taking your backyard from “blah” to “beautiful.” We asked them to give us the scoop on some of their favorite furnishings and outdoor decor—scroll on to see their picks!

“We are all about using modular furniture for outdoor spaces, like this pouf from Nordstrom that can be used as a stool or as a small side table.”

Blackhouse Diamond Pattern Pouf

For a pop of pattern and boho charm, this tufted pouf is shaped from hearty woven cotton with a striking geometric motif in black and white.

“Using textiles and layering different patterns and materials is a fast and easy way to get a lived-in, cozy vibe, especially on those cooler nights. This Pendleton throw is the perfect blanket to curl up by a fire pit with.”

Pendleton Rio Canyon Fringe Throw Blanket

A Pendleton throw done in a geometric jacquard weave with earthy colors brings the trademark traditional Western look to your home decor.

“Mixing and matching pots is a great a way to make your space feel more worldly. You can get the high/low look by mixing some inexpensive terra-cotta pots with a few high-end pots like this one.”

Terrain Barnacle Olla Pot

A fantastic addition to your garden, each of these weathered planters features a distinct maritime texture.

“Everyone needs a good pair of pruners for an outdoor garden. Whether working with a small space or a large garden, they are our most used tools—and we love this pair.”

Berger Angled Pruner

With an angled cutting head that’s gentle on the wrist, these pruners offer a mid-way lock position ideal for trimming small vines and buds. Chrome plated steel blades resist corrosion, while ergonomic handles are well-suited for smaller hands.

“Instead of bending over to pot plants, consider this teak potting table. If you have the space, this practical piece is both useful and beautiful—and it will save your back.”

Terrain Gardener Teak Potting Table

A practical piece for the outdoor kitchen or potting shed, this multi-use table features a wide work surface, slatted shelf below, and smaller shelf above.

“You don’t have to compromise style with this beautiful chiminea—it’s great for maximizing outdoor space into the cooler months.”

Terrain Weathering Steel Pular Chiminea

A ideal addition to the patio for entertaining guests through the seasons, this chiminea features a storage space for wood below the firebox.

“We love to add a whimsical touch to any outdoor space. Parks Project’s hammock can be a permanent fixture in your backyard, or a travel must-have on all of your wilderness explorations.”

Parks Project Shrooms Two Person Hammock

Whether you’re deep in the wilderness or just relaxing in your backyard, this mushroom-print hammock from Parks Project will add a whimsical touch to any hang.

“We are the queens of indoor/outdoor design! We love these pillows that can transition with the seasons. This color blocking print can work in most spaces, and they are crafted in a Fair Trade–certified facility.”

West Elm Variegated Block Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Pillow

An updated take on stripes using color blocking. Durable and water-resistant for any weather. Keeps 38 water bottles out of the waste stream. Crafted in a Fair Trade Certified facility.

“This recycled glassware set is the perfect way to finish any chic table setting—it’ll add an old-fashioned touch to your outdoor celebrations.”

West Elm Recycled Mexican Glassware (Set of 4)

Created in collaboration with Diego Olivero, these drinking glasses are made from environmentally friendly recycled glass.

“We are completely obsessed with this outdoor rug collection by Turkish designer Begüm Cana Özgür. The magical quality of the gradient woven colors creates an instant soothing effect in your outdoor (or indoor) space. Place this rug near a water feature for the ultimate relaxed vibe.”

Nanimarquina Shade Outdoor Rug

The Shade Outdoor Rug by Nanimarquina brings a soothing essence to exteriors through the soft, flowing gradient on its surface and handmade authenticity. Created by Turkish designer Begüm Cana Özgür, this rug inspires a magical quality as it offers a comforting and durable foundation for gathering.

“The Sill is the ultimate in indoor plants, and we love love love the monthly plant subscription they offer. Their vibrant plant selections paired with chic ceramic planters can turn any novice into a green thumb.”

The Sill Pet Friendly Plant Subscription

Doting pet parents can be thriving plant parents too, with our monthly pet-friendly plant subscription box. Subscribers receive a new non-toxic plant and chic ceramic planter delivered to their door every month.

“After a long day of working with our hands, nothing is more soothing than a luxurious moment of self-care. That’s why we love this gift set from Aesop. Their products elevate any sink space (indoors or out!) while they cleanse and nourish the senses.”

Aesop The Advocate Gift Kit

Comprehensive care for hands and body: formulations that cleanse, nourish and lightly scent skin from neck to toe, housed in a recycled paper pulp case. Contents: Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, Citrus Melange Body Cleanser, and Rind Concentrate Body Balm.

“The doormat is the first thing your friends and family see when they come to your home. Why not make it fun and festive with this adorable holiday-themed welcome mat?”

Anthropologie Gingerbread House Estate Doormat

When decorating for the holiday season, start from the ground up! Our holiday-themed doormats are a perfectly cheerful way to warmly welcome friends and family into your home.

“These dip-dyed vessels are perfect to use in the garden as planters, or inside as decorative objects. We love this combination of color and texture.”

Serena & Lily Dip-Dyed Planter

For a play of color and texture, we glazed the upper portion of our planter and left the bottom untouched. Side handles are a nice detail and let you move your potted plant with ease. Includes drain holes for planting directly into the vessel.

“We love to decorate for the holidays (or any time we can find a reason to celebrate), and no tablescape is complete without the perfect candlelight twinkle. These Japanese-made tapered beauties add such a fun detail to any tabletop!”

Takazawa Nanao Japanese Candles

Named after the city where Takazawa Candle is situated, the heart of the glorious countryside, this set of five candles has a different motif for each one, representing a plant that grows in the Noto Peninsula.

Take It Outside: A Guide to Designing Beautiful Spaces Just Beyond Your Door

From the hosts of Bravo’s Backyard Envy comes a beautifully photographed guide to converting your outdoor space into an enviable oasis, whether you have a backyard, brownstone patio, or three-season porch.

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Tiffanni Reidy Uses Design to Transform Restaurants and Residences Into Welcoming Spaces

Reidy was able to work with Plauson’s builder on design challenges, such as where the kitchen sink should be placed, moving the master bedroom door, and how to set up the bathroom in the diminutive home, which was completely gutted.

“She navigates difficult times with a lovely, calm focus and gracious presence,” Plauson says. “What I appreciate about her is that she is always the most creative person in the room but also the most focused…and is the first to solve seemingly intractable problems.”

When Reidy works with clients, she meets with them to find out their ideas and intentions and then comes up with conceptual boards and 3D models to guide the project. “A lot of my job is education,” she says. “There should be reasons we’re making design decisions, not just that it looks pretty. It should have meaning behind it.”

Her background in computer graphics and photography often comes into play in her work. She encourages her commercial clients to determine what their branding is, so they can decide on what kind of design they want.

“The more they know about branding the more I can bring that to life in their space,” says Reidy, who has experience with logo and website design. She credits photography with giving her insight into the composition of a space. “You want to capture it from many angles, especially when you’re in a restaurant space. You don’t want people to think it looked great when they walked in, but once they sat down, it’s [just] okay.”

Reidy is currently working with Chelsea Gregoire, the managing partner at the yet-to-open Church bar in Old Goucher. Reidy describes the multi-room space as a “long, older home with front patios, decks, a vestibule, bar, kitchen, and a main area” with each sector having its own feeling and mood. “Chelsea is my ideal client,” Reidy says. “Chelsea knows what their business is and what the brand is.”

Gregoire didn’t want to discuss specific details about the layout and decor, but says that Reidy is helping with finishes, furniture, and designing a space that “fits our concept and the spirit we want to create for the community,” a place where people will gather and feel welcome and comfortable.

“I’m really thrilled about Tiffanni being part of Church,” Gregoire says. “At the end of the day, there’s no one more talented for this project. She goes above and beyond what is expected.”

Reidy knew from the time she was a child that she was interested in art. “That was the thing that really made me happy: drawing and painting,” she says. While she says her two younger sisters are also artistic—one is a musician; the other dabbled in visual arts—she notes there is no one in her family who was an artist role model.

“I think it’s more an influence of being given the space to create versus saying, ‘I want to draw like this person or paint like this person’ as a child,” she says.

Reidy is an avid farmers market-goer, supporting the 32nd Street Farmers Market in Waverly, the Baltimore Farmers Market & Bazaar, and the Hamilton Farmers Market near her home. “My neighborhood is like a mini-Baltimore,” she says, referring to the many restaurants and businesses located in Lauraville-Hamilton.

Favorite spots include Red Canoe Cafe and Silver Queen Cafe for dining out, Walther Gardens for plants and crafty things, and Cloudy Donut Co. for vegan pastries.

When she’s not working, she maintains a large organic garden, where she grows eggplants, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans, blueberries, and flowers. “We eat a lot of what we grow and give away produce,” she says. “I live in my garden all year.” This summer, she made a “tremendous amount of pickles,” she says.

Reidy follows her own design mantra at her 1920s home, keeping the public spaces minimal, though she admits her office is cluttered with work-related and other paraphernalia, from boxes of tile samples and paintswatch books to gardening seeds and props like glassware and gold flatware. “There is always chaos in the room,” she admits.

She prefers “simple colors” such as green, gray, black, blue, and purple for her house. “Paint is easy to change,” she says. She doesn’t use a lot of patterns except for accents like wallpapering and tiles and is a big fan of African mudcloth with its intricate designs.

 

“IT’S REALLY ABOUT MY APPRECIATION FOR CLEAN LINES. THERE’S NOT A LOT OF FLUFF OR EMBELLISHMENT,” SAYS REIDY.

 

A recent design project was particularly near and dear to her heart. Reidy designed a playroom for her daughter when she was 3, detailing the project in her blog, “The Tea,” on her website. “She can go in there and make a mess,” Reidy says. “If we need to have company over, we can shut the door.”

The room’s walls are painted a periwinkle with ample space for hanging Autumn’s artwork, while a colorful rug in periwinkle, orange, and blue makes the space pop. There’s a kid’s kitchen set, art tables, and a pillow-filled seating area.

“We tried to upcycle things and not spend too much when we thought she really wasn’t going to keep it for a long time,” Reidy says. To fashion the creative play zone, Reidy shopped at Target, Ikea, HomeGoods, and Burlington. “It screams kid space but remains modern, and, thankfully, not full of primary colors,” she says.

This is another one of Reidy’s talents. The inveterate bargain-shopper and collector actually likes to find ways to save money. “I love thrifting,” she says. And not just for her own clients. So far, her own keepsakes include about 25 teapots and several matching cups; more than 100 Pez dispensers, which she stores in a box; a growing batch of enamel pins; and all manner of tin cans with food-related themes. She’s also known for her exuberant earrings.

“It’s great,” she says. “But sometimes it’s a problem where to store them.” As such, Reidy can relate to her clients’ storage needs. “Through Tiffanni, I found Mathew Laflamme at Robbins Custom Builders, and together we created the kitchen of my dreams in an extremely tight space,” says Hampden homeowner Plauson. “Perhaps my favorite discussions with her were about paint, wallpaper, and lighting choices. She has such a wonderful eye.”

Reidy often develops close relationships with her customers. “I get to know my clients so well,” she says. “I’m about building a sense of friendship.”

One of those friends is Amanda Mack, who owns the bakery Crust by Mack with her husband, Jarrod, in Whitehall Market. “I met Tiffanni through Instagram, and we met at a coffee shop before I had a storefront,” says Mack. “She was trying to figure out how to get into designing small businesses and focusing on the food and beverage industry.”

When Mack decided to open a shop in the former mill, she turned to Reidy for advice. “I like her aesthetic and attention to detail,” Mack says. “She knew the history of my mission in Baltimore. She was involved from start to finish.”

The outcome is a gleaming sweets shop with a pristine, white quartz countertop and dusty-rose paint accents to showcase Mack’s baked goods, which often sell out early in the day. “I’m over the moon with the result,” Mack says. “Tiffanni helped personalize the store, so things would flow well in the 453-square-foot space. She helped make the space feel like you were going to an intimate setting instead of an 18,000-square-foot market.”

Reidy’s seemingly total takeover of Whitehall Mill continues. She was also involved in another Mack project there, a 3,000-square-foot event space called Layers the Loft, where she created architectural drawings and 3D models as well as recommending finishes and fixtures. She also worked with owner Jasmine Norton on the design of The Urban Burger Bar in the mill market. Outside the market, she was instrumental in designing the recently opened Vegan Juiceology, a storefront on Howard Street in the city’s Market Center-Bromo Arts District.

Though quiet by nature, Reidy is a fierce advocate for her charges. “She is sweet and introverted, but when it comes to business, she is a monster,” Mack says. “She makes sure her clients get what they need.”

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Watercrest Myrtle Beach Assisted Living and Memory Care Honored for Outstanding Creative Landscape Design by the City of Myrtle Beach

The exterior landscaping of Watercrest Myrtle Beach boasts a PGA-worthy putting green with purposeful awnings for shade, and individual gardening stations to appeal to horticulturists and nature lovers alike. The illuminated walking paths are surrounded by lush lawns and interwoven amongst rock-scaped ponds and gorgeous arbors to create destinations and relaxing gathering spaces.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the City of Myrtle Beach for the exceptional landscape design and aesthetics at our newly-constructed Watercrest Myrtle Beach community,” says Jeremy Cairns, Vice President of Construction Management for Watercrest Senior Living Group. “We are grateful to all of our partners for their hard work, particularly to Gregory Duckworth with Environmental Concepts for our award-winning landscape design.”

Ideally located at 6151 Colline Verdi Way, Watercrest Myrtle Beach is a 98-unit, luxury senior living campus comprised of 76 assisted living and 22 memory care residences with resort-style amenities and exceptional care.  The comfortably, classy design includes a stunning promenade, fireplace, signature water wall, cigar and scotch lounge, multiple dining venues, Southern style outdoor living spaces, Art Studio and Gallery, and the coveted Spa W. The community offers residents world-class wellness amenities including a resort-style pool, light and salt therapy, state-of-the-art fitness and physical therapy center, beautifully landscaped walking paths, therapeutic live moss walls and a putting green.

Watercrest Myrtle Beach will be open for tours and holiday festivities as the team prepares for the arrival of future residents. The community is hosting a Christmas Jubilee on December 16th with lunch served at 12pm. Reservations are requested, please contact the community at 843.936.4020.

With multiple senior living projects in development throughout the southeast, Watercrest Senior Living Group is setting new standards of quality for seniors and their families in the development of upscale senior living communities.  Watercrest Myrtle Beach is one of two senior living development projects partnered between Watercrest, Corecam Capital Partners, and Peninsula Alternative Real Estate.

About Watercrest Senior Living Group
Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. A certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders.  For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com.

About Corecam Capital Partners
Corecam Capital Partners is a Direct Investments Platform focused on Private Equity, Real Estate and Venture Capital. Corecam Capital Partners targets private investment opportunities alongside its investors and provides access to its proprietary deal sourcing. All investments are structured in-house by a team of investment professionals located in Zurich, Vienna, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.

About Peninsula Alternative Real Estate
Peninsula Alternative Real Estate (“PARE”) is a leading private equity firm in the Student & Senior housing space and a vertical within Peninsula Investments Group. PARE provides equity and mezzanine financing to leading developer-operators in the student housing, senior housing, and multifamily space following institutional quality processes developed over the last decade.

SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group