Bisazza Beautiful




 

  











Soho showroom



All of the above images are from the Bisazza showroom in Soho.
It's amazing what can be achieved with a mosaic tile and some creativity.

Hotel de Russie, Rome
Image via luxuryonline.it



W Hotel Hong Kong
A stunning use of these tiles as a magnificent mural.
The tiles have been used in the pool as well.
Image via luxurysociety.com



I'd heard of Bisazza tiles before my New York trip, but I had not ventured into a tile shop to actually look at them.  As I strolled the streets of Soho, I spotted the Bisazza showroom and quickly crossed the street for a closer inspection.  My excitement was contagious as I squealed with delight and ordered my mother and sister to join me in the shop.  My sister has not a skerrit of interest in anything related to interior design, homewares or house related, but even she was enticed by my excitement.  As we entered we were immediately wowed by the intricate mosaic patterns, some with  glimmering gold and silver tiles, some just amazing due to their complicated design.  The showroom was eerily completely empty so our "oohs and ahhs" were echoing around the tiled walls.  I immediately sensed my opportunity to take photos without having to explain myself and whipped out my camera and got some coveted shots of this beautiful showroom.

Since returning, I have been informed that not any old tiler can lay these exquisite tiles - they must be a Bisazza trainer tiler who has been to Italy to receive proper intensive instruction.  I'm not sure if this is folklore from those trying to impress, but if it's true, it makes sense that Bisazza don't want any bozo ruining their beautiful tiles. The W Hotel in Hong Kong is a stunning example of the brilliance of these tiles.  They have been used in the gigantic wall mural which is poolside and they have been used in the pool as well.  The Hotel de Russie uses simple black and white, but the pattern on the floor is gorgeous making this bathroom something special.

I'm off to a close friends house today to celebrate his daughter's birthday. He owns and runs a tile shop in Geelong and while I can't wait to see them and their beautiful daughter (we unfortunately don't get to see each other enough), I'm also looking forward to chatting to someone who actually wants to talk about tiles!

New York's Most Decadent Spa

Some of you may recall that I was surprising my mum on her birthday with some treatments at the Trump Soho Spa.  In a city that oozes money, this spa was recently billed as New York's most decadent spa by Gotham magazine and it certainly lived up to its new tittle.  Handel Architects designed the hotel with the interiors by the Rockwell Group and custom furnishing by Fendi Casa.

The gods were smiling on me as the spa had a student discount special that week and so my sister and I were also able to join my mum.  The glamorous modern Middle Eastern inspired interior of the spa was breathtaking.  My favourite element had to be the stunning abstract chandeliers in the bar area.  Reminiscent of enormous twisted shrubs with glittering lights, they were perfect for highlighting and reflecting the many tiled areas of the interior, particularly the pearlescent tiled roof.  Situated in front of the windows facing the pool area, the abundance of natural light ensured that these show stopping light fixtures are a feature all day and night.

The spa was ultimate luxury with no expense spared in the fit out.  From the draping silk lights and leather Moroccan pouffes to the heated toilet seats and incredibly soft robes and slippers, it was all divine.  We were particularly spoilt on our day as I had told the spa when booking that it was my mum's birthday so we were treated to complimentary Prosecco (normally $25 a glass - eek! and definitely the champagne of choice in New York) and cupcakes to celebrate the day.  It was a truly wonderful experience that I was so lucky to have and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Shabby Chic in Soho

Meandering through the lovely streets of  Soho, I was beyond excited to spot Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic storefront.  Shabby Chic is a term so entrenched in our current vernacular, that many are actually unaware of how it was born and of Rachel Ashwell, it's pioneer.  Of course, not those of you savvy enough to be reading this blog, but there are those out there! The term was coined in 1989 when Rachel opened her first store in Santa Monica, California. 

I was still in high school at the time and had no plans or inclination towards interiors and design, yet I still remember being excited by this new phase of design which embraced the old and beautiful and paired it with washed out pastel colours and crisp white backgrounds.  It was such a change to the bold brash style of the 80's and I loved it.  I've always been drawn to the romantacism of this style and it's a true testament to its popularity that over twenty years on, Shabby Chic continues to remain a strong design influence.

Loving New York Design with Jonathan Adler

Images of the Jonathan Adler shop in Soho

I'm finally back from my wonderful trip to New York and Hawaii.  I am so excited to share it all with you and there were so many beautiful things that it was hard to know where to start.  I've chosen Jonathan Adler as I really loved his shop and the people that work there were also lovely.  We had a great conversation about Australian design compared to American design.  My first impression with American interior design is all about colour and the wonderful way they use it.  They are not afraid!  My opinion is that a lot of Australian design (not all) is very neutral and reflective of our natural environment.  Perhaps because New York is very grey with all the buildings, New Yorkers love to use vibrant colour.

Jonathan Adler's shop in Soho (I also went past the one in Greenwich Village) is a joy to walk into.  His use of colour is second to none.  The bold retro inspired designs were refreshing and fun, yet still contemporary and sophisticated.  Take your cue from New York and have a bit of fun with colour - it can really lift your mood.