If you are lucky enough to have a home theatre, most of us would be
happy with a projector, surround sound and perhaps a comfy sofa or two.
Not so for these homeowners.
Pentagram Architects
partner James Biber has designed this home theatre in Montauk New York,
taking inspiration from Radio City Music Hall and 2001: A Space
Odyssey. The theatre has a series of round arches, which house 600
five-watt dimmer-controlled light bulbs that provide a soft ambient
light for when you need to find that elusive remote control. And as in
the Music Hall, the lights are positioned to glow away from the viewers
– because we all hate to have lights in our eyes when watching the big
screen.
Biber has designed the theatre to function like a TV room, in that it
is comfortable and intimate enough for a romantic night in with a
bottle of red and a Hugh Grant movie, but can also easily accommodate
up to ten people to watch the big game, or perhaps a slumber party with
the girls.
All of the surfaces in the room are covered in orange felt to help with
the acoustics, and seating on the floor has been taken care of by
Edelman Leather who custom made the beanbags.
This house, which also boasts a large private outdoor space looking
onto the Atlantic Ocean, recently won an American Architecture Award
for distinguished buildings and a Citation for Design in the AIA New
York State Design Awards. By Brendan McKnight
Our first book, the World’s Coolest Hotel Rooms, will come out June 1.
Published by Harper Collins Publishers (US) and designed by the Sydney
based War Design, the inaugural Cool Hunter book will soon be followed by the next volume, the World’s Coolest Houses.
To make that happen, we are on a furious hunt for supremely cool
projects from beach homes, country homes and city pads to holiday
houses and ski retreats, we want to know where the coolest houses are.
We are looking for the most unique houses from Sao Paulo to Sydney.
Slightly cool, standard-issue luxury won’t do it. The houses we want
must think like Zaha Hadid who said “I like architecture to have some
raw, vital, earthy quality.” So, if you are an architect of such a
house, please submit your project for consideration or if you're a
photographer who has photographed such a house, please get in contact -
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
We always thought that fables
anthropomorphized animals, plants and inanimate objects, giving them
human-like character. For us, the word fable evokes thoughts of rich,
organic colour - a sort of Cirque du Soleil Varekai world. So when we
heard that the new office of the Amsterdam-based UXUS Design was inspired by the fables, we expected a riot of colour.
Instead,
we saw a predominantly white interior with transparent walls, white,
gauzy drapery and residential-style floor lamps. A few wall graphics
and some organic furnishings do give a nod to nature and, without
doubt, the office is a cool background for colourful ideas. It is a
stylish base for UXUS, founded in 2003 by USA-born co-creative director
Georg Anthony Gottl, Costa Rica native Erica Gottl, and French-born
co-creative director Oliver J.P. Michell. Their collective experience
spans the globe and their work includes interiors, architecture,
retail, hospitality, identity, graphics and packaging projects for
clients such as Levi's, Nokia and Adidas. By Tuija Seipell.
For eons, walls of greenery have surrounded people and creatures living
in jungles, rainforests and other lush places.
Ancient Asians and
Europeans since Roman times have paid gardeners to create green art and
sculpture for their gardens, from elaborate topiary sculptures and
mazes to vine-covered walls.
And, of course, we’ve seen inventive uses
of built outdoor space — including rooftops, patios and balconies — as
places to bring more green into our overly concrete-covered lives.
Smudging the line between indoors and outdoors, and playing with the
illusion of greenery where it doesn’t really belong, are also the basis
of some recent installations that we like.
Mass Studies, founded in 2003 by Minsuk Cho in Seoul, Korea, has produced some great examples of this. Among them is Ann Demelmeester’s store (pictured above) in Soul. It is one of only four concept stores showcasing the fashions of the Flemish designer.
Green walls are not just visually interesting and environmentally
beneficial, they add a sense of calm and peace that is difficult to
achieve by other means. The inclusion of real, living plants on a large
scale in places where you don’t expect to see them, also adds other
sensory elements — the scent of the greenery, the sound of water,
perhaps the feeling of humidity around the installation. The organic
texture invites touch and inspires conversation — how was this
installed, how is it cared for, who did it?
We’ve found some interesting green installations, such as this school
in the UK and a hair salon in Japan, but we’d love to see many, many
more. We think there’s room for much more creativity and daring in this
arena, so let us know if you spot remarkable and unusual examples. By
Tuija Seipell Send to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Inspired by the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, US$1.5 million Lamborghini Reventón
was unveiled. If numbers mean anything to you – the new supercar is
powered by a 650hp 6.5L V12 engine, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just
3.4 seconds and has a maximum speed of over 340 km/h. The
Lamborghini design team used the technical base of their Murcielago
LP640, compressed it and then amped it up. As with other current
models, the Reventón is defined through its sharp edges, smooth
surfaces and aerodynamic lines. Tempted as you may be, put away
your cheque books and credit cards, all twenty models that will be
manufactured are taken as the Lamborghini brand reinforces its
legendary status. By Andrew J Wiener
For many of us, taking our cars to the garage can be a daunting
experience. Feeling anxious and uncertain over the price and duration
over jobs, use of technical jargon and the like. This may soon be a
thing of the past, thanks to the launch of the major rebranding
programme for car care network HiQ, starting with their new concept
centre opening in Nottingham, UK.
The aim was to revolutionise the way fast fit car care is delivered and
to develop a fresh retail concept that would set new standards in this
sector. And it looks like they have come up with the goods.
Designed by the London team at Fitch, the brand has been repositioned
by using simple language, illustrations, and the centre itself has
clever features like glass walls that allow customers to see onto the
garage floor for themselves.
We have seen this uncomplicated, tell it like it is mentality popping
up all over the place, especially as banks try to re-align themselves
with their customers. It is now nice and refreshing to see this
evolving into other touch points of consumers' lives. I wonder if this
approach would make going to the dentist any better? By Brendan McKnight
When it comes to entertaining with style, we at TCH wouldn’t lead you
astray. Old school gaming is back in sleek stainless steel and is
certain to be the perfect accessory to any cool modern home, workspace,
studio or bar.
Loaded with PacMan, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Space
Invaders, Frogger and 44 other pre-installed timeless games, the 80's Gaming Table is
a modern take on an old classic. The new Gaming Table’s compact size
(800x760x700mm) (manufactured in Australia) and durable construction can double as a coffee table,
dining table, desk, bar, or even dance stage. It will complement
your home, entertain and stimulate your co-workers, impress your
friends, appease your kids and even bring out your own inner child on
occasion.
And now that we’ve got you hooked – how do you get one for
yourself? The 80's Gaming Table can be purchased
through us for £1500. For those of you looking
to make a profit, for an additional £140 you can add a fully
operational, jam-resistant coin mechanism. If mobility is a priority
for you, the table can either be fitted with heavy duty castors (£20)
or castors designed specifically for timber floors (£30). And while the
Table connects to Australian standard 240V outlets, power requirements
can be altered for international orders. Finally, for £100 the Gaming Table can be altered to your desired colour/finish.
Whether you’re looking to bring family, friends and other people in
your world together for collaboration or for competition the classic
video arcade game works every time - we say, Game on! By Andrew J Wiener
Don't you hate it when you see something and think 'why wasn't this around when I was a kid?'.
Tantrum
is the UK's first dedicated children's hairdressing company and has
just launched their first of many salons on the oh-so chic Kings Road
in London.
Catering from newborns to 15 years olds, this is a hairdressing haven
for everyone – especially parents who are pretty much guaranteed a
tear-free experience. And why would you cry, when you are the hippest
kid in hip-town.
The salon is separated into two sections. The first, 'Moon' is for
children up to the age of 7, and is set in an enchanted forest
complete with its own locomotive train that runs around the styling
stations. Children get their hair cut in a variety of vehicles from a
Mercedes to a plane and also have individual flat screen TV's to keep
them entertained.
The second zone, 'Vogue' is a bit funkier and is for 7-15 year olds.
Looking something like a mix between a pop stars' dressing room and
backstage at fashion week, this is sure to bring out the inner diva in
any older child. Coupled with a games room housing a huge TV with a
Wii/PS3 and their very own juice bar to sit at, your children may never
want to leave.
What we especially love about Tantrum though (and yes there is more to
love), is that to finish off the experience, children can have their
photo taken with their new 'do, which is emailed to the parent and
displayed on the celebrity wall at the salon ready for the child to
sign on their next visit. How cool is that! By Brendan McKnight (spottted by TCH reader -Ned Gammell)
We have found a candidate for the winner in the Coolest Home Theatre
category. Just short of being a drive-in, this outdoor home theatre
surpasses the stinky basement family “media room” by close to a light
year.
Glass walls, clean lines, uninterrupted space, uncluttered rooms,
expensive detailing — the hallmarks of a modern, upscale classic are
all present in this stylish residence. Why anyone in possession of such
an amazing home with such breathtaking views, would want to watch
movies at home, is beyond us, but let’s just say that we wouldn’t mind
being invited to a screening or two. The terraces, patios and the 65-foot infinity pool and spa will keep
cinematically uninterested guests entertained as well. And we’ll all
stay at the separate guest house, of course.
But we must admit we are still lacking an invite to the
5,800-square-foot Skyline residence overlooking Hollywood and downtown
LA. The visit is up to the owner of the home, architect Hagy Belzberg,
a Harvard graduate (1991) who interned in Frank Gehry’s office.
The opulent home was designed by the entire team of his Santa Monica-based, 13-member Belzberg Architects that the now 43-year-old Hagy Belzberg founded in 1997. By Tuija Seipell
When you tire of the endless sandy beaches and azure waters of warm
climates, but you are not quite ready for space travel, head to Lapland
for a dramatic, mystical getaway. The snow igloos that pop up each
winter to complement the 20 spectacular glass igloos and 31 luxury log
cabins at Kakslauttanen resort in Saariselkä, Finland, are definitely cool in all meanings of the word.
You can lie in your bed under the glass ceiling of your glass igloo,
cozily covered by thick down duvets, and watch the snow fall gently in
the light-blue air of the endless night. It is surreal and magical. You
actually do forget that it is cold and, in fact, you are not cold. The
duvets and clothing provided ensure that you are really feeling cozy.
There is also a snow chapel, the world’s largest snow restaurant for
150 people, a Finnish traditional smoke sauna, an eight-meter-tall
glass tepee (designed to resemble the typical Lapp tepee called kota)
for cocktail parties under the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights,
revontulet in Finnish), and a honeymoon suite or two. You guessed, it,
this place is hugely popular for fairytale winter weddings.
Snowmobile safaris, ice swimming and other frisky activities will keep
you and your guests entertained for days! You can start your Finnish
lessons with Hyvää päivää, which means hello, or literally, “have a
good day.” By Tuija Seipell
The much awaited, fabulous, 6,000 square-foot M.A.C Pro
space has just opened in New York. Occupying an entire floor at 7 West
22nd Street, the new facility is divided into two separate sections,
each with its own entrance: A retail/studio and a training area. Unlike
other M.A.C Pro stores around the world, this is a full-blown studio
and experimentation facility for make-up artists and beauty
professionals. With its dramatic open layout, the space is a true feast
for the eyes.
M.A.C Pro’s New York store is completely dedicated to serving the pros.
At the mixing station, they can hone their skills, test samples and
experiment with the product with all of the tools of the trade nearby.
The reference library is stocked with books, magazines and other
reference materials for those who want to learn more or do research. At
the photography studio, they can record their processes and their
results. A separate training area, a kitchenette and bathrooms with
showers make this an ideal space for some serious learning.
Makeup Art Cosmetics (M·A·C) launched in 1984 when two Canadians,
makeup artist and photographer Frank Toskan and beauty salon owner
Frank Angelo, opened a single counter in the basement of the
now-defunct Simpson’s department store in Toronto. Staffed by
professional make-up artists, determined to become the ultimate color
authority in make-up, and blessed with an outrageous sense of drama and
theatre, M.A.C gained huge popularity among professionals and
consumers. The Estee Lauder Companies bought 51 per cent of M.A.C in
1995 and the rest of the shares in 1998. Sleek stores, a vast array of
color options, and a sense of professionalism and artistry are still
the hallmarks of M.A.C that now has more than 750 stores in 50
countries. By Tuija Seipell.
The beds have been made, the concierge desk polished and the piano
in the lobby has been tuned. On its tour around America, the Stoli
Hotel has set up shop in Miami where it will host a variety of invite
only music, fashion and sport events over the next two and a half weeks.
Designed by creative architecture agency Pompei A.D, the 10,000 square foot hotel-themed space is inspired by the iconic Hotel Moskva which features on Stolichnaya's labels.
"Each facet of the hotel has been carefully selected to incorporate
Stolichnaya's authentic heritage, while drawing upon the modern day
qualities that top metropolitan hotels possess" says Adam Rosen, Senior
Brand Manager of Stolichnaya vodka.
Guests can browse (but not sleep in) rooms designed
around Stoli blends, enjoy Stoli cocktails and indulge in manicures,
facials,
scalp treatments and chair massages.
You are, however, going to need to be wearing some serious bling if you
want to enter the elit suite. Paying homage to Stoli's high-end range,
it is only open to celebrities and VIP's.
Heading over to New York next, the Stoli Hotel adds yet another
milestone to Stolichnaya's unique history of innovation and championing
all things Russian. By Brendan McKnight.
Delicious
Technorati
Digg
Stumble
