Capella Shanghai

 We are focusing on Shanghai this week. Home to one of our offices and this week, the host of Asia’s biggest design event, Design Shanghai. It will be exciting to see the designs and talks across multiple categories, including contemporary, classic and luxury design and listen to the insights into the innovation and craft behind some of the latest materials and objects.

2017 saw the opening of the iconic Capella Shanghai, with BLINK as interior design partners. We are reminiscing on this exciting time and the creative moments shared with the team at Capella. Situated in Jian Ye Li, The Capella has conserved the last remaining cluster of shikumen townhouses in the Xuhui District. In the design, we wanted to preserve and evolve the beautiful sense of history, and our concepts naturally developed from the heritage and character of this historic site.

“A haven crafted of authenticity and luxury, The Capella Shanghai is a truly unique hotel of serene sophistication.”

Rengy John | Managing Partner

BLINK designed 55 villas and 40 residences and facilities including, The Capella Library, a French brasserie, the Auriga Spa, and the retail Gallery.

RETREAT HOME LIVING

It is true that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way we live and work, and many people have had to adjust to new lifestyles as a result. The idea of a retreat home, which provides a peaceful and secluded space for relaxation and rejuvenation, has become increasingly popular as people look for ways to cope with the stress and anxiety of the pandemic.

As for the design by 6pm IDEAS, it is difficult for me to comment on it without knowing more details about the project. However, I can say that good interior design can have a positive impact on our well-being and quality of life, especially in times of stress and uncertainty. A well-designed retreat home can create a calming and nurturing environment that promotes relaxation and self-care.

Overall, adapting to the changing world and embracing new lifestyles is important in order to thrive in the midst of the pandemic and beyond. Whether it's through a retreat home or other means, finding ways to prioritize our physical and mental health is key to building resilience and staying healthy

Villefranche-sur-Mer.

One of the world's most exclusive private holiday homes, this piece of paradise comprises a beautiful villa, surrounded by water on three sides, as well as an infinity pool that seems

to stretch right to the horizon at Villefranche-sur-Mer.

• Set in a waterside garden on the edge of the Mediterranean, and framed by two dramatic headlands, this enchanting property is at once separate from its landscape, yet also an integral part of it.

• Offering five bedrooms, with room to sleep up to 10 people, the villa includes six bathrooms, a kitchen, a salon, a dining room, and a utility room, and there is also

parking.

• Fitted out to the highest specification, the property features a high-tech audio-visual system, air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi, as well as a security system.

• For the ultimate in luxury, the villa also comes with its own private chef and butler, as well as an optional concierge service.

• Last but not least, this picture-perfect property offers private access by steps to the sea - ideal for a relaxing dip at any time of the day.

Park Hyatt Paris

French couturier Jeanne Paquin’s erstwhile Parisian dressmaking space lives on in the exquisite Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme

By Nolan Lewis

Set on rue de la Paix, steps away from Place Vendôme, five Haussmann architectural-style 19th century Parisian buildings were unified by architect Ed Tuttle in 2002 to create one of the French capital's most celebrated luxury hotels – the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. The address used to be an 1891-vintage headquarter for dressmaker Jeanne Paquin. With France winning the FIFA World Cup 2018 this summer, followed by the Tour de France in July, the hotel is a bubble of activity. Despite the flurry of celebrity check-ins, the entrance is deliberately discreet even though Paris' hotels are accustomed to boasting grand lobbies. Dignitaries even access the private back-entrance, preferring to enter incognito.

French Baroque with Asian Influences

French décor is usually ultra-femme, and among Paris' revered list of luxury hotels, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme can be considered the most masculine and understated. Tuttle has emboldened the public areas in dark wood paneling, gilded accent moldings, limestone walls and marble flooring. The precedent architecture's manifold pillars and colonnades preserve a palace courtyard feel. In line with the unassuming entrance, the property skips the intimidating protocol typical of five-star establishments by maintaining the concierge at the entrance, while reception is laid out in an inner atrium of the hotel – luring guests to experience the brilliance of the hotel, before they check-in.

Seattle-native Tuttle spent a majority of his early experience in Asia before settling in Paris in 1977. His repertoire includes the fabulous Asian resorts for the Aman Group that he is most famous for; including Asian outposts for the Sheraton, Hyatt, Intercontinental and Hilton Group and private residences for designer Kenzo and artist Brice Marden. His Asian influences become evident in the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme's 153 rooms and 43 suites' plain beige and dark-brown colour palette, with ornate golden touches – the insignia for Asian nobility. Tuttle's architectural-line fabrics – Rue de la Paix, Vendôme and Chenille Canvas – custom-designed for Jim Thompson are used throughout the hotel. Tactile, a juxtaposition of contrasting warp and weft colours using chenille yarn in silk and cotton, the fabric line lends dimension, richness, exoticism and iridescence to the interior's French Baroque architecture.

Art At Every Corner

The lush Presidential Suite has its own in-room spa, while each of the five Ambassadors suites have been peppered with modern art pieces. In fact, this Hyatt property immerses you in art: Roseline Granet's bronze signature sculptures include the door handles in your bedrooms, the dimly-lit Le Bar's mahogany wall panels has seven canvases by Ed Paschke. Sens' bistronomy showcases vivacious artwork by Christiane Durand and there are also paintings by the Indian abstract artist Viswanadhan, collages by New Yorker Nora Speyer; artworks by Llyn Foulkes, Sideo Fromboluti and Irmgard Sigg, across the hotel.

Blaise Mautin: The Scent of a Hotel

Perfumer Blaise Mautin titillates your olfactory senses with a seductive fragrance concocted exclusively for the property – Russian leather, powdered patchouli, Floridian oranges and hints of vanilla intoxicate you across the hotel's ambience, as well infused the bath products. At Le Spa, another Mautin scent made of East-Indian verbena, eucalyptus and Brazilian orange is sprayed throughout and blended into the massage oil. The intimate basement space that houses the spa is built from Paris stone, has a balneotherapy and whirlpool area, a steam-room and sauna, a hi-tech gym and treatment booths, including one designed for couples.

Michelin Stars and Celebrity Hair Dressers

La Terrasse, the al fresco restaurant's tables are well shaded by olive groves, the perfect counterpoint watch the busy rue de la Paix. Chef Jean-François Rouquette's Michelin Star Le Pur has carved a reputation for itself within the iconic hotel for its superlative French gastronomy. To enter, guests must walk past a small gallery past a 6m. wine wall that not only serves as the hotel's cellar; but also as a cigar-cum-cheese cabinet. The tables are placed around a raised silver-leafed dome in the centre of the room, which is surrounded by a colonnaded rotunda. Breakfast is served at the Les Orchidées, a breezy orchidarium with a glass ceiling, while La Cheminée is a cosy salon with a see-through fire place. The décor at Suite 101: Hair Room Service by John Nollet reflects the hair stylist's edgy urban persona.

Tuttle says that Hyatt's aim for the hotel was "to build a palace, a really luxury new hotel," using beautiful furniture, luxurious fabrics and design to accentuate the basic element of the historic building. He talks about the Hyatt coming into the business, "with that extra creative stimulus."

The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme hotel was developed by the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, one of the world's leading hotel and hospitality companies. The hotel is part of the Park Hyatt brand, which is known for its luxurious properties and personalized service.

While the developer behind the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme is Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the architectural design of the hotel was done by Ed Tuttle, an American architect and designer. Tuttle's design for the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme combines contemporary style with Parisian elegance, creating a sophisticated and intimate atmosphere for guests.

The architectural design of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme was led by renowned architect Ed Tuttle. Ed Tuttle is an American architect known for his work on luxury hotels and resorts around the world. He is particularly recognized for his expertise in blending contemporary design with traditional elements, resulting in a timeless and elegant aesthetic. For Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Tuttle aimed to create a luxurious and intimate ambiance that reflects the romance and sophistication of Paris. The architectural design features a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary elements, with a focus on high-quality materials, refined details, and a sense of understated elegance.

The interior design of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme was led by renowned designer Ed Tuttle in collaboration with the renowned hospitality design firm, Didier Gomez & Associates. Didier Gomez is a French interior designer known for his refined and contemporary design approach. The interior design of the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme reflects a combination of contemporary elegance and timeless luxury. The spaces are designed with a harmonious blend of high-quality materials, rich textures, and sophisticated furnishings. The design emphasizes a subdued color palette and subtle lighting, creating an atmosphere of understated elegance. The interiors of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme feature luxurious details and bespoke elements, including custom-made furniture, artwork, and intricate finishes, creating a sense of exclusivity and refinement. The overall result is a sophisticated and inviting ambiance that reflects the essence of Parisian luxury.

Hotel Castello di Reschio: The remarkable Italian castle hotel a millennium in the making

 I hadn’t planned to write anything for LUTE this morning, but I was then reminded that Reschio Estate opens today in Italy and found myself daydreaming about the property. Resorts like this don’t – can’t – come around frequently. And while we might all be stuck at home just a little while longer, the imagery below made me want to immediately want to plan a trip to Italy.

Short story: Reschio occupies a thousand-year-old castle that stands on a 3,700-acre estate in Umbria, a two-hour drive from Florence.The building was bought by Count Antonio Bolza in the 90s and his family have been busily restoring the surrounding grounds since 1994; restoring the castle alone has taken four years. The hotel’s current custodians are Antonio’s son Count Benedikt, an architect, and his artist wife Donna Nencia. The couple lived in the castle for years with their five children. The restored building will now operate as a 36-room hotel, with an emphasis on slow, laidback living and immersion in the surrounding landscape. 

Slightly longer story: Count Benedikt took personal responsibility for every architectural decision relating to the conversion of the estate into a resort, with that remit extending into interior design, garden and landscaping design, and the creation of bespoke furniture, lighting and accessories. 

I can think of a few hotels where their rich owners have taken a similar approach and it doesn’t always end well, but things seem to have turned out beautifully here. The family enlisted local artisans, carpenters, stonemasons and tilemakers to assist with the build; heirlooms, artefacts and original features found throughout include stucco work, stone-carved fireplaces and antique artworks. Italian linens are used throughout, furniture is handcrafted, open windows look over the central courtyard garden and the valleys that ring this hilltop property. (If they don’t wish to stay in the castle, guests also have the option of staying in one of nine former farmhouses, spread across the estate and now available to hire as holiday homes.)

That surrounding landscape will also provide much of what guests will consume during their stay. Reschio’s farm-to-fork approach means most produce will be sourced from the estate’s organic garden, vineyards and beehives. They’ll enjoy “traditional dishes eminent of a bygone era at Ristorante Al Castello”, while the more modern, glass-walled Palm Court and adjoiing bar will serve afternoon tea and cocktails. Il Torrino, an old watchtower near the swimming pool, will serve a casual all-day menu; Ristorante Alle Scuderie offers simple Italian staples. 

It’s hard to have a bad meal in Italy, so that all sounds really promising, but I like the look and sound of The Bathhouse too. Within an ancient vaulted wine cellar, Reschio’s spa was inspired by Roman baths and features a salt-water plunge pool, hammam and sauna. Those who book treatments in its Private Room will have exclusive use of its tepidarium, steam shower and two tubs (and staff will be happy to light the fire in its old fireplace too). 

Outside, there’ll be hiking and cycling trails to explore, and tennis to play; nature walks will be led by the estate’s game keeper; clay-pigeon shooting and truffle hunting will be possibilities. A secluded lake will welcome wild swimmers. More unusually, the estate will also feature an equestrian centre, home to some of Italy’s most capable dressage horses. Guests can book lessons or attend evening performances to see the animals in action. 

It all sounds very special to me, and is one of many new knockout properties emerging this summer that will provide an enticement to return to Italy “as soon as it is safe to do so”. Three hours south of Reschio, near Rome, Palazzo Fiuggi is launching this summer as one of the country’s most advanced health resorts. On the Amalfi Coast, intimate Borgo Santandrea extends down a cliff face and offers incredible sea views from its 45 bedrooms and suites. In Tuscany, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco reopens on June 2 with 19 new private suites and a renovated restaurant. In Palermo, Rocco Forte Hotels opens Villa Igiea in June; also in Sicily, Four Seasons is expected to open its San Domenico Palace property, housed in a 14th-century convent in Taormina and overlooking Mount Etna, in July.