Modern Madrid: Hotel Selenza

Next July will mark our fifth wedding anniversary and Fabian and I plan to take another big trip to celebrate. As you know by now, we both fell completely in love with London when we visited a couple of months ago and have been itching to go back ever since. However, I have also been dying to go back to Spain with Fabian since I visited in the summer of 2008. We will most likely combine the best of both worlds and pay a visit to both London and Madrid. I know it’s still pretty early to be planning a trip, but I have already started looking into flights and hotels. Earlier this week, I came across the new Hotel Selenza in Madrid and I had to share it with my fellow design-lovers!

The hotel is filled with thoughtful details and modern touches. The hotel’s design was carried out by the Italian architectural firm, Aplomo. The hotel’s dining room features pretty moldings by Lovitex, Zeppelin pendants by Flos, and a giant Venetian-mirrored ceiling. The clean lines of the furniture work perfectly with all of the flourishes in the room.

This part of the lobby, along with many of the common areas, features beautiful Sicis tile with a pattern designed by Aplomo. The Skygarden light fixtures are from Flos and the beautiful three-dimensional mural is the work of artist, Javier Madrid.

The guest rooms are sleek and modern and feature touches like whimsical Lucite chairs from Aitali and wallcoverings by Evans and Brown.

The ensuite bathrooms feature the same thoughtful, modern touches that can be found in the rest of the hotel. I love the mosaic tile, modern sink, Molton Brown toiletries, and the fabulous tub!

Ten Things I Can’t Live Without: Eddie Ross

I am so excited to kick off my new “Ten Things I Can’t Live Without” series with none other than Eddie Ross. Let’s face it, he doesn’t really need an introduction. Eddie’s incredible talent and undeniable charm have made him extremely successful in the blog world and design industry. He is  such a sweet and funny person and I am so glad that he decided to start his blog in order to share his ideas with us. I’ve certainly learned a lot through reading it. I know that Eddie is a favorite of many, so I am sure that you will enjoy reading about some of his favorite things that he just couldn’t live without.

1. Carnations are inexpensive, last forever and when you group them together; they make a beautiful arrangement that’s really a bang for your buck.

2. CB2 Glasses are light & thin, and can go with anything from casual to formal.

 

3. Black Candles are edgy & elegant. They add haute couture to any space.

4.  Kiehl’s Coriander Body Wash smells clean and delicate. Perfect for waking up, winding down & it lasts forever!

5. Target’s Hemstitched Napkins are timeless, inexpensive and come in the perfect colors. For casual occasions, I like to wash & dry them and use as is. For more formal occasions, I’ll iron them nice and flat.

 

 

6. The New York City Flea Market is full of unique finds and pleasant dealers. It is the perfect activity to do on the weekends and is also a nice time to visit with friends.

7. The support from my best friend & partner Jaithan. The blog—and my life—would not be possible to run without his love, talent, and creativity.

8. Maas Metal Polish is a one-stop polish. It works on everything, (my old favorite was Gorham which recently went out of business).

9. The obsession to collect antique tableware, (which might be a small problem). I have many different personalities- definitely when it comes to setting a table, so I like to have countless beautiful options & since antique tableware never loses its value, it is also an investment!

10. 71 Irving Place House Blend Coffee is bold but not bitter. The smell is amazing to wake up to every morning and their decaf blend is the perfect way to end a dinner party.

This Week’s Quote

My husband and I picked up a stomach bug this weekend and both spent yesterday feeling miserable. I think I may have gotten a total of two hours of sleep last night because I couldn’t keep anything down. To say that I feel miserable this morning would be an understatement. I just had a scrumptious breakfast made up of a piece of dry toast and a Sprite over ice and I’m crossing my fingers to be able to keep it down. Needless to say, I probably won’t be doing another post today, but be sure to check in tomorrow when Eddie Ross officially kicks off the new “Ten Things I Can’t Live Without” series. Have a great Monday!

Fabulous Room Friday 11.13.09

This week’s fabulous room proves that styling and accessories can make an enormous difference in a room. If you are a design-lover, chances are you want to change everything in your house constantly, but of course, that can get expensive. In his own living room, designer Gary Spain shows us how one can make an enormous impact simply by changing out the accessories in a room.

The images in this post are of three incarnations of Spain’s living room. The first, pictured above, is more minimalist in style. You’ll notice the sofa and table are the only constant elements in the room, but he plays upon them beautifully. Here, he pairs an oversized industrial lamp with an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair. A huge antique clock serves as the primary focus in the room. Spain channels Domino Magazine in the second incarnation of the room. This is probably the most eclectic version of the room with its horns, crystal chandelier, and luxe meets flea market vibe. I love that he has infused the room with bright colors and graphic patterns. The plaster bust is from an antiques shop in Petaluma, California and the various prints are vintage. Notice that the seat cushion on the sofa has gone from grey to a damask pattern, like the chair.

The third version of the room is the most sophisticated and refined of the three. There are noticeably fewer accessories than in the second version. This time, Spain drew inspiration from abroad, using a Moroccan rug, gold pouf, and royal patterned pillow from Krimsa. The gorgeous French Provençal chairs are beautiful with their brown and white striped upholstery. They add the perfect graphic impact to the room. This time, Spain rounded out the room with an abstract drawing by artist Peter Foucaultand and an oversized pendant lamp from CB2.

I honestly cannot decide which version of the room is my favorite. I think they each speak to my taste and personality. I love the clock in the first version, the accessories and overall vibe of the second, and I think the third room is the most edited and sophisticated. I keep going back and forth! Which version of Gary Spain’s living room do you prefer?

 

Image Credits: Gary Spain and California Home and Design Magazine

Seeing Red at the Urban Market

This past Sunday, Fabian and I spent part of our afternoon browsing at the Urban Market. I feel very fortunate to live in a city that puts on such a great antiques market several times a year. Jackie Sharbrough and all of the vendors always do such a wonderful job.

This time around, there were two things that really stood out to me and they were both RED! The first is the beautiful, feminine sofa from Janet Wiebe Antiques pictured above.

It’s a dead-ringer for the sofa Elizabeth Mayhew used in this living room, don’t you think?

Although this red sofa is nothing like the other two, I thought the sofa at the Urban Market had a very Miles Redd vibe. The whimsical shape, bold color, and nailhead details of the sofa seem to fit right in with his aesthetic.

That same booth also had these gorgeous red chairs! I love the classic shape and details along with the bold color.

 

They instantly made me think of the gorgeous chairs that Suzanne Kasler designed for Hickory Chair.

I would have loved to have taken the sofa and chairs home with me, but alas, it wasn’t in the cards that day. I hope that whomever was lucky enough to snag them will be as inspired by them as I was.

Image Credits: Paloma Contreras, Elizabeth Mayhew, and Miles Redd

The Eternal City

Last week, I finally had the chance to see Valentino: The Last Emperor. I had been wanting to watch it for a good while, so I was happy to see that it was available to watch instantly on Netflix. I thought it was touching, poignant, and funny. It was fascinating to see the ins and outs of Valentino’s empire and to learn that every one of his garments has always been made by hand. The beauty and craftsmanship of each garment is truly incredible. His relationship with Giancarlo Giametti, which has spanned four decades was just as interesting. Their dynamic is both hilarious and touching.

A great deal of the film takes place in Rome, which I had the great fortune of visiting three Christmases ago. Since watching the Valentino documentary, I have had the Eternal City on my mind and have been longing to go back and experience la dolce vita yet again. Rome is a city filled with history and wonder. Beauty can be found in almost every corner, even the dusty ones. A couple of days after watching the film, I came across Francesco Lagnese’s absolutely stunning portfolio and was elated to see that he had several gorgeous images taken in Rome. Brilliant!

If you haven’t seen Valentino: The Last Emperor, I am sure this trailer will make you want to see it immediately!

Ten Things I Can’t Live Without

Now that my “Personal Style, Defined” series has come to a close, it’s time for a new, exciting series! Next Tuesday will mark the official debut for the newest series on La Dolce Vita, “Ten Things I Can’t Live Without”, which is inspired by Shortlist, one of my favorite features in ELLE DECOR. The bloggers who will be participating in this series all seem really excited about it, so I think it will make for many fun reads.

Before Eddie Ross officially kicks off the series next Tuesday, I thought I would share my own “can’t live without” list with you. I hope you’ll comment and let us know what you absolutely cannot live without!

1. My husband is not only the love of my life, but he is also my best friend. He knows more about me than anyone else in the world. He knows how to get under my skin, but he also knows how to make me laugh and feel like the most special woman in the world.

 2. Travel feeds my soul. I have a major case of wanderlust and am constantly dreaming of our next trip. I find so much inspiration when I travel, whether it is to a brand new place or one that I am already familiar with. There is something so special and exhilarating about being removed from your usual surroundings. I love nothing more than walking through the streets of a beautiful city and taking in the sights and sounds.

3. To-Do Lists: I make one nearly everyday because they keep me organized and I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I am able to cross something off of it.

4. I absolutely adore beautiful flowers, but then again, what woman doesn’t? My absolute favorite are pink peonies, whether in a bright magenta or a soft blush tone.

5. I cannot imagine my life without blogging. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that my blog would allow me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. I have grown so much as a result of my blog and have explored new interests because of it. It is ingrained in me and is most definitely a part of my everyday life.

6. My Heritage: I have grown to love my heritage (Mexican and Spanish) more and more as I have gotten older. I am so thankful that my parents taught me to speak Spanish. I think that helped inspire to study other languages and cultures as I have gotten older. I cannot imagine what it would be like not to delve into the wonderful history, food, art, and literature of these wonderful cultures.

7. Good food and wine are always better  in the company of good friends! There is nothing worse than wasting calories and money on less than thrilling food.

8. Inspiring Interiors are a huge part of my life and my blog. I love looking at a room in a new light or being inspired by a lamp or a rug. I absolutely love interior design, so when I see a new space that inspires me, it makes for a bright spot in my day.

9. I could not live without antibacterial gel! I am a major germophobe and I still work with students, so I am constantly washing or sanitizing my hands.

10. My puppy Tate has become a huge part of our lives. My husband and I always joke that he is like our first-born child. We adore him with all of our hearts and have spoiled him rotten. He always manages to put a smile on my face, even if I am in a rotten mood.

 

Image credits: Paloma Contreras, Francesco Lagnese, Kate Spade, Mark Lund, ELLE DECOR, Francesco Lagnese, Richard Fulsear, Miles Redd for Domino, Bath & Body Works, Paloma Contreras