Don’t miss it. Go see the bricks.

Intimate, honest and sometimes raw. The images printed in the relatively new bi-annual interiors magazine Apartamento (issue 7 is on sale now) tell stories of real life interiors and to me, are quite reminiscent of Jürgen Teller’s photography (Teller being featured in this very issue is purely coincidental, I’m sure of it!).

No mis-en-scène, no gloss, no lavish or “casually” arranged minimalistic displays but inspiring interiors from all over the world which in their unique and lived-in state show us that style is at its most natural when it isn’t staged but when it occurs almost haphazardly, from our own particular individuality. Whilst this is not as easy to achieve as you may think, it certainly looks that way on the matte pages of this simplistic publication. Famously described by The New York Times as “the first post-materialistic interiors magazine”, Apartamento shows us that interiors are nothing without the people living inside them.  Strong and fascinating characters such as photographers, authors and other creative eccentrics are the perfect companions in these (their) featured spaces.  A clear emphasis on colour and simple composition, makes for some powerful imagery and brilliant reference material for either domestic dwellers or design lovers. Since its launch in 2009 the Barcelona-based magazine has regularly presented cultural and promotional events in line with its international distribution in cities such as Tokyo, New York, Berlin, London and Milan.

The concept for October’s event in Barcelona was conceived by Ana Dominquez and Omar Sosa and features a unique and exclusive collection of photographs shot by Nacho Alegre, photographer and founder of the magazine. The Apartamento Bricks Still Life exhibition brings to life a basic object like the builder’s brick and turns it into a surprisingly delicate and evocative sculpture. Don’t miss it. Go see the bricks. Go meet the people and get yourself a copy of Apartamento.

Exhibition runs from 29^th September to 21^st October 2011 at Otrascosas de Villarosàs, Via Laietana 65, Principal, Barcelona.

While in Barcelona, go see another honest and intimate gem in the city, White Line Hotels edit Hotel Omm. Don’t miss it.

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Contributing writer: Stefanie Soar

Photos courtesy Apartamento

Living On The Edge: Barcelona: HOTEL OMM’S INSIDER TIPS

Confident, cosmopolitan, and both seamlessly and firmly woven into the local cloth — who better to ask than White Line Hotels edit Hotel Omm where to go for an experience that is deliciously “Barcelona”? Perhaps you? Drop us a line. Tell us which alleyways you slip down when in the Catalonian Capital. Did you find a fab boutique on an evening stroll? Wine so exquisite you had a case shipped home? Or wanted to? Tapas that excited your taste buds and thrilled your eyes? Give us your insider tips and you could be off to Barcelona to enjoy your favorites all over again!

To get your memories jogged, and that little piece the city of Barcelona owns in your heart pounding, here’s how Hotel Omm lives on the edge:

Vinçon is a hyper-stylish design shop created in an incredible former flat on Passeig de Gracia, right by La Pedrera. It is one of the most representative and singular establishments in the city. This prestigious company sells contemporary products for the home. Passeig de Gràcia, 96

La Manual Alpargatera. Classic, handmade espadrilles in all shades. Even Hollywood stars like Michael Douglas und Penélope Cruz wear them. C/ Avinyó, 7

Vila Viniteca. This may be one of the most charming promenades in the city to find the best wines at a great price and one of the largest wine lists in Barcelona. Also have delicatessen products. C/ Agullers 7

Bar Lobo. Lunch, tapas and drinks bar in the Raval close to Las Ramblas. Two floors with views to the street and terrace. A perfect place to stop for a snack after a walk through the neighbourhood or for dinner after the theatre or cinema. Market cooking with fresh produce, breakfasts and teas. Pintor Fortuny, 3

Quimet y Quimet. Many consider this the best tapas bar in the city. Quim is a master of montaditos offering original and bold combinations of high-quality ingredients. It is sure to be an authentic experience, where four generations of Quimets have been serving delicious tapas, good wine, cava and good company. It also has one of the best-stocked wine cellars in the city. Poeta Cabanyes, 25

Granja Viader. Opened in 1870, this is one of the oldest tea rooms in the city. Joan Viader invented the chocolate drink “Cacaolat”, knows as the first mass-produced blended chocolat milk beverage in Spain. Try the traditional sweet accompanied by honey, cuajada, condensed milk or all kind of pastries. The experience acquires another dimension if you take it in slowly. Xuclà, 4

Colmado Quilez. This is one of the most renowned grocer’s in the city. Since 1908 is it an essential stop on any gourmet’s itinerary. The shop stock more than 5,000 listing of national and international sparkling and still wines. The local maintains the feeling of times past. Rambla de Catalunya, 63

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Photos (top): Granja Viader, Vila Viniteca (top right), Vicon (bottom right)

Photos (bottom): La Manual Alpargatera, Quimet y Quimet (top right), Bar Lobo (bottom right)

A good time to be young, creative and talented

Nurturing talent is clearly where it’s at. Not sure about you, but recently I’ve been coming across an increasing number of platforms and showcases that are solely and entirely dedicated to the young, their talent and the development and support thereof. This phenomenon appears to be spreading at a particularly fast rate within the creative sector, from fashion to furniture, from interiors to graphics – so if you’re young, creative and good, the conditions are excellent and your chances of getting exactly the right support in order to emerge successfully as a contender on the international design scene, couldn’t really be better. Cue design spotlight on Vienna from the 14th to the 16th October – where young creativity is pooled big-time within the superbly appointed blickfang international design fair.

The blickfang concept was launched a few years ago and has since established itself quite firmly as one of the most important international design events. It stands out from other design trade fairs as it welcomes not only trade visitors but also the general public; visitors are invited to explore new design resources, be inspired and also purchase directly from this new generation of carefully selected designers. So far blickfang venues have included Stuttgart, Basel, Vienna and Zurich – from 2012 the map broadens with the addition of new venues in Hamburg and Kopenhagen. Visit www.blickfang.com for updates and the latest on forthcoming dates and venues.

Next month’s blickfang sees the start of a curatorship by Stefan Diez, Munich-based interior designer, and his wife Saskia Diez, award-winning jewellery designer. As Curators of the Year, the renowned couple will lend their guidance and support to all four blickfang events over a period of one year, offering advice and answering questions on creativity and design at each event in Stuttgart, Basel, Vienna and Zurich.

Underlining the “nurture and promote” concept, the Vienna event will feature regular blickfang highlights such as:
blickfang design award – where a winning product is nominated and subsequently featured for several months at the prestigious MAK (Austrian Museum of Contemporary and Applied Arts) Design Shop
blickfang selected – five specially selected young designers are given the opportunity to exhibit free of charge and present their products to the general public and trade visitors
blickfang promotes – young design graduates, industry novices and innovators who would not usually have the possibility to exhibit at such an event, are given the opportunity to present their products and concepts through the support of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture.

See you in Vienna!

Another spot in Vienna where creativity is pooled big-time? White Line Hotels edit The Hollmann Beletage, of course!

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Contributing writer: Stefanie Soar

Photos courtesy blickfang

Your Take on Vienna Fringe Living: THE INSIDER TIPS: Report #2

We asked, you answered — What’s your best tip for a spot that’s 100% Vienna, loved by locals, only found by tourists who call “tourism” the “t-word”? These are the spots on the edge of the radar, and this is Living On The Edge: Vienna: The Insider Tips: Report #2!

PHIL is kind of the ultimate hang-out. Bar/Bookshop with with Djs, and they play movies too! Don’t miss that one at Gumpendorferstrasse 10 – 12.

ARENA “Entertainment and confrontation.” And from what you tell us, the ex-slaughter house and is now the best venue in town for parties and concerts. Baumgasse 80.

LOOS Some say that in Vienna there isn’t a bar, there is only one bar … Loos American Bar. Find it at Kärntner Durchgang 10.

GEBRÜDER STITCH is where to stop if you’re always on the hunt for the pair of perfect jeans. Two former marketing guys gave up their jobs and their apartments to make this dream come true — now let them make your dream come true. Gaudenzdorfergürtel 35.

SONG Menswear. Womenswear. French pre-war industrial furniture. Praterstrasse 11 – 13.

WILD is a Heuriger that’s slightly off the beaten track but always enjoyable day or night. Great food, great service, brilliant atmosphere. Amtstrasse 1-3.

CODED CULTURES is for a limited time only (until next year, at least!). From now until the 2nd of October, experience the city as interface.

Got a tip to share? Drop us a line and you could win a fab weekend for 2 in the ever so cool Austrian hub and a brand new laptop folio from our partners at HARD GRAFT.

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photos, top left to right: Phil from spottedbylocals.com, Loos from their own website

photos, bottom left to right: Gebrüder Stitch from their own website, Song from their own website

Last Wednesday of the Month Architecture: Alpine Capsule

Believe it or not (and personally I’m leaning towards “not”), August is at an end, and over here at the White Line Hotels Blog that means it’s time once again for the Last Wednesday of the Month Architecture feature. This month’s is a puzzler. Is it a product or is it a building? I’ll tell you now, though — no — it is not an Anish Kapoor.

You may be familiar with industrial designer Ross Lovegrove for any number of his organically shaped products. Solar Trees or Car On A Stick, anyone? It might seem like an unlikely pairing, but a few years ago when a private commission came along to find a way to sleep (protected, mind you) under the stars in Alta Badia, Lovegrove stepped in with a self-sustainable solution. Yes, you can say a lot of things about Lovegrove, but you have to give him credit for his unending dedication to environmental issues and sustainable energy.

Lovegrove wanted to provide contrast to the traditional wood and stone architecture of the region, but remain respectful to its environment. The result was Alpine Capsule, an 8 meter wide…well…do you call it a structure? Pod? Drop-of-mercury-like blob? Whatever your preference, Lovegrove calls it an “ephemeral infinity space”. Reflective glass means that, once inside, your view is infinite nature. From outside, that same reflective glass renders it nearly invisible in some conditions. Alpine Capsule pays its respect to its environment by mirroring it, and when that mirroring means it nearly vanishes, it gives a whole new meaning to the idea of a low-impact building.

Although the exact location and how to get to it appears to have something in common with the holy grail, it might be worth the effort to take a gander. After searching, return for a dose of the good life at  the altogether more spacious Lagació Mountain Residence, as chosen by the team at White Line Hotels.

All photos www.rosslovegrove.com