Archive for the ‘design’ Category
if you go down to the woods today…
fairy tale splendor
We love taking a step back in time and capturing our favourite fairy-tale fantasies from days gone by. All that whimsical magic, the wondrous landscapes, the romance and folklore that left us astonished and captured our wildest dreams. Luckily for us Hollywood has decided to take a step back from the Twilight saga and have sprinkled their magic fairy dust upon our screens with a dramatic remake of everyone’s favourite fairy-tale bad gal; Little Red Riding Hood. To celebrate this enchanting cinematic debut we decided to take a look at some fairy-tale inspired boutiques boltholes to get those spell-bound imaginations whirring once more.
the magical ice hall
Ice Hotel, Sweden
Built entirely of ice and snow this rather chilling boutique bolthole is a magical experience straight from the word go. Located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle in a small village in Lapland you’ll find luxurious fur rugs adorning your ice bed fit for any ice queen to rest your head. Explore the surrounding crystal lakes and alpine forests, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot the mysterious colours of the northern lights illumining the arctic skies.
Kasbah Ellouze, Morocco
Arabian nights
Head to the desert and relive the opulent days of Lawrence of Arabia (or in our case Morocco). This magical getaway in the Atlas Mountains is a place to restore and enjoy the charm and romance of Morocco. Wander around the almond scented gardens keeping your eyes peeled for the odd camel wandering by. Your own magical Arabian castle, pretty perfect if you ask us.
lake side luxury
Park Hotel Weggis, Switzerland
Perched on the illustrious Lake Luzern in the heart of the Swiss Alps you’ll find the Park Hotel Weggis. All that crisp alpine air and majestic peaks, its ethereal beauty is fit for any noble wander-lusting traveller. The romantic suites and wooden lake-side cabins are the perfect spot to nestle down by your log fire before setting off to explore the beautiful medieval regal village of Luzern, with its meandering canals and stone facades. Its a new age Cinderella story.
Château de Castel-Novel, France
turrets and towers
This 15th century château has inspired many a romance novel, it’s where famous French author Colette spent long days writing Le Blé en herbe (The Game of Love) and its not surprising really. In all its medieval splendour complete with turrets, towers, and 99 acres of manicured grounds adorned with centuries-old rose bushes and wild orchids, its the epitome of fairy-tale chic. You can even stay in the room where Colette brought her love story to life.
The Goldilocks Trailer, Cape Town
teddy bear dreams
A slightly more tongue in cheek approach to a magical fairy-tale abode in down town Cape Town, but hey we love the weird and wonderful here at Black Tomato. Perched on the roof of the uber cool Grand Daddy Hotel in its own Airstream trailer park, you can hole up in its delightfully kitsch Goldilocks and the three bears themed trailer. Featuring a candy coloured interior and even a collection of porridge bowls and a dress up bear suit. It doesn’t get more enchanting then this.
(6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...time’s ticking: ten for april
As the fuzzy folk bards Simon and Garfunkel once sweetly harmonised ‘AAAA-A-April, come she will’, and boy oh boy did she come around quick this year. Spring has now officially sprung and, now the sun’s out (every now and then at least), we thought it only right to share some worldly wisdom and fill you in on ten of April 2011’s best (and least known) global events.
all fools’ day
someone always takes it one step too far
Roll up hoodwinkers, jokers come forth; April is here and, for one day only, the farceur is King. Eagerly anticipated by troublemakers everywhere, April the First (aka April Fools’ Day) is, as we all know, a day when normality sleeps and would-be jesters lurk round every corner. Cue 24 hours where hoaxes, white lies and practical jokes are not just for the kids. Indeed, it’s now the case that the national media are responsible for some of the tallest stories told on this most mistrusted of days. Famous swindles include the supposed discovery of hotheaded naked ice borers in Antarctica in 1995 and Burger King’s so-called left-handed Whopper in ’98. Rest assured though, we’d never sink so low…
queens day
Queen's Day
Koninginnedag, or Queen’s Day, takes place every year on April 30th, the Dutch Queen’s official birthday. If you’re thinking another nondescript public holiday, then think again. In an all-consuming burst of garish patriotism, Oranjegektel (orange craze) sweeps through Amsterdam, ensuring that, from food to clothes, hats to hair, nothing is left untangoed. Now if only the British Queen’s birthday prompted something similar in London… A flotilla of patriots wailing the national anthem across the Thames… On second thoughts, maybe it’s best we leave it to the Dutch, whose concerts, parties and vrijmarket (a sort of car boot sale) seem far more civilized.
nevis triathlon
nevis say never...
If the words ‘sport in the West Indies’ still conjure little more than images of cricket on the beach and Jamaica’s famous bobsleigh team, then it’s time to pick up the pace and get with the times. Running (swimming and cycling) from the 1st till the 2nd, the Nevis Triathlon is the perfect excuse to experience a different side to the beautiful island from which it takes its name. Broken down into three routes to cater for athletes of all levels, the race can be completed either individually or in relay format, perfect for those of you who like to follow a leisurely spot of holiday competition with a far more leisurely spot of flop on the beach.
hand in hand with love
two hearts make a whole
At the crossroads of East and West, the spectacular city of Istanbul bubbles along like a sun-kissed melting pot of creativity and culture. Hand in Hand with Love is an annual arts fest bringing together the diverse communities of Turkey’s capital throughout April. Facilitating inter-cultural understanding and putting on quite a show in the process, this is the perfect chance to sample local music, cast your eye over the visual arts and the marvel at the literary all sorts among this year’s multiplicity of Turkish delights.
sequences
the conSequences of colour
Iceland, a land frozen in time. Or so you might think. Taking over the capital Reykjavik from April 1st to 10th, Sequences is an annual arts festival whose focus is dynamism and movement – more ‘wow did you see that geyser?’ than ‘oh look, there’s that iceberg, the one we saw last time’. Expect mindblowing photography, performance art and sound and video installations that’ll give you more goosebumps than a northern gale. Expect to be wowed.
saborea
opening the door to the food of puerto rico
FOODIE ALERT. CODE TASTY. It’s not every day a country appears on the menu, but between April 1st and 3rd, you’re invited to ‘Taste Puerto Rico’ at Saborea, the country’s annual food fest. Set on the idyllic Escambrón Beach in Puerta de Tierra, the shining lights of this Caribbean territory’s gastronomic scene gather like seagulls and cook up a storm. Saborea is a big deal, so follow the aroma down to the waterfront and rub shoulders with the celebs during mouthwatering cooking demos and taster sessions.
las palmas international film festival
who'll grab the golden lady?
Sunlight(s), camera, action. Between the 1st and the 9th, Las Palmas, the gorgeous capital of Gran Canaria, plays picture-perfect host to one of our favourite film festivals. Culminating in the Golden Lady Harimaguada award for best film, the festival will showcase features and shorts from around the world.
barcelona guitar festival
buzzing like a strum-ble bee for barcelona
Every April, the Catalonian capital Barcelona tunes up its tuners for the city’s annual Guitar Festival. The country that gave us flamenco virtuoso Paco de Lucía opens its doors to the world’s best strummers, welcoming a groups and musicians from Spain and abroad. Running from the 1st to the 7th, Barcelona’s bars and concert halls are bound to be busy, so get over there quick and, well… Viva la musica!
st. petersburg festival of speed
what's the russian for va-va-voom?
St. Petersburg, Rush-ia. Got a need for speed? Look no further, just buckle up, put your foot down and head East for three days of 007 heaven. From April 1st to 3rd, connoisseurs, collectors and wide-eyed motorheads assemble for a spine-tingling showroom explosion of epic proportions. Drink in the petrol guzzling panorama of vintage Le Mans veterans, supercars, powerboats, custom bikes and high-performance planes, all gathered under an aircraft hangar kitted out for a very glitzy schmooze ‘n’ booze.
rallye aïcha des gazelles
oh damn, it was LEFT at the oasis
Misogynist drivers of the world take heed: Steer clear of the Moroccan desert or prepare to tsk and toot like never before. The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles is a woman only race-cum-orienteering challenge running 2,500 km across the south of Morocco, and this year’s event is fast approaching its conclusion. With little but dunes and the occasional oasis to negotiate, the chance of a crash is negligible, but we hear Bedouin camel trains are keeping a safe distance nonetheless. Sisters are driving it by themselves. You’ve been warned.
James Snowdon is Editorial Intern at Black Tomato
(5 votes, average: 4.20 out of 5) Loading ...high tides
The Body is an Ocean
You could say it’s a hazard of the job to be frequently toing and froing across the high seas at 30,000ft, but last night we experienced an altogether different birds-eye view of the ocean…
the body is an ocean
Running for one week only at Paradise Row gallery, London, the installation ‘The Body is an Ocean’, by the young artist Eloise Fornieles is an immersive experience. Black buckets filled with sea water line the gallery floor beneath a collection of dimly suspended glowing light bulbs. As you weave your way through the buckets the intensifying sound of a heartbeat emitted at an almost subsonic frequency charges the room to represent birth, sexuality and death. Above the heartbeat a chorus of opera singers mimic the ocean’s song.
You’ll never think of the beach in the same way again…
Eloise Fornieles: The Body is an Ocean runs 31 March – 2 April 2011
(8 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5) Loading ...escape machine
The place: Paris. The problem: Red buttons. Even worse… Red buttons on big black boxes. Travellers beware, passers by all over the French capital are currently being goaded into violating a golden rule of health and safety – DON’T PUSH THE BUTTON. Oblivious to the consequences, the button is pushed and, well, things start to happen.
that's what happens if you push the button
The latest marketing ploy from Voyages SNCF, the Escape Machine, is a phony ticket booth-cum-couture-jack-in-the-box, put together by advertising agency DDB to celebrate the French rail company’s new Escape Service. The message is that this new facility will allow you to travel anywhere you want. Wander close enough and you’ll be asked where it is you’d like to go. Respond, push the button and behold the all-singing, all-dancing eruption. The box sprouts shapes and colours, lips with legs and carrot-like canons firing glitter to the heavens. Amid the rainbow chaos, you’ll be presented with a supersized mock ticket to your destination. It might not fit into your wallet and it definitely won’t get you anywhere, but there’s nothing like a bit of free fun à la française.
James Snowdon is Editorial Intern at Black Tomato
(6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...in for the short haul
With spring in full swing it seems fitting that London’s restaurant scene is in full bloom as this year’s wave of Pop Up gourmet institutions are springing up all over our fair capital. Cue the temptation of a myriad of foodie delights in some of London’s most stylish settings, for a limited time only.
Our response (naturally)… was to hop to it and see what all the fuss is about.
the pop up pantry
This week we headed down to the newly opened Pop Up Pantry at Meza which has pitched tent in Soho for one month only. Chef Anna Hansen of the well-established Clerkenwell Modern Pantry has transported her unique trans – global gem of a menu across the capital to ravenous SoHo-ites.
The interior is sleek and effortlessly chic, with grey and white walls softened by billowing terracotta drapes that create a luxurious and intimate vibe. With a mouth-watering menu featuring old favourites like the famed Sugar-cured New Caledonian prawn omelette, and the twist on the Spanish classic Roast Cod, Chorizo and Clams with squid ink mash and samphire, it’s definitely got our taste-buds in a frenzy.
Better catch it quickly before it pops off again.
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...a cipolla off the old block
welcome to roome. as you've never seen it before
In so many ways Rome is everything the rest of the world wants to be. Beauty piled high, layer upon layer of history and centuries of tradition, substance and power. This is civilisation’s ultimate onion (cipolla). Think Rome, think classical behemoths, colossal structures, strong stone skeletons and mile after mile of architectural ornamentation. Roma, the eternal city… A gorgeous, elaborate, sprawling mass… And a city with a wise eye firmly on the future.
The Ripa is one of a number of boutique-style design hotels cutting a distinctly modern swathe through the capital. A place in which hotel décor traditionally errs on the side of rather obtrusive ostentation, Rome is currently beating around the Bauhaus. And we love it. Simple, clean lines; single tone blocks with no confusion of colour – in any way grim this Ripa is not.
layer upon layer of brand new bauhaus
With this eye-widening take on modern minimalism, King Rosseli Architects are part of a movement adding yet another layer to the Roman onion. One of the most overwhelming, wholly enigmatic cities in the world today, a stay in ever-evolving Rome is never the same thing twice.
James Snowdon is Editorial Intern at Black Tomato
(10 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...couture crashpads
With London Fashion Week all wrapped up (neatly in a couture bow of course), the world’s most sartorially astute folk are currently decamping to Milano. We’ve poised over our morning cappuccinos and biscotti’s to pitch our top 5 favourite international boltholes where Senora Donatella and co. get their beauty sleep…
These are our favourite fashion pads where those in the know can get everything they want by the bucket load (style here doesn’t come in a size zero, oh no)… who says fashion is only made for the catwalk.
uno: 3 rooms 10 corso como, milan
contemporary cool at como
Furnished in homage to the vision of many mid-20th century designers and architects, the three spacious suites are filled with nifty pieces of furniture all handpicked for the hotel. Take one step outside your home away from home and you’ll find yourself surrounded by Milan’s famed boutiques.
le maurice bar
due: le meurice, paris
Dripping in elegance and luxury, this iconic Parisian hotel exhibits everything we love about the classic, chic French way of living. Located opposite the Tuileries Garden, this magical 18th century institution has seen a lot of history taking place over the years. Famous painters, writers, and designers have all sauntered through the grand doors of Le Maurice. The result is a setting that drives the artist flair that runs right through the veins of Paris. From Louis 6th marble bathrooms, to the recent embellishment of Philippe Starck, this place fuses historical decadence with contemporary cool.
tre: byblos art hotel, verona
byblos art
Another show-stopper from Italia. Once past the Shakespearean stone façade, you’re met by a riotous mix of rich colour, textures and pop art emblems. Think Medici meets Warhol and Dali, and you’ve got the Byblos. And falling under the umbrella of Gianni Versace’s label it’s no surprise really.
quattro : pelican hotel, miami beach
the cubarean
On the oh-so-hip Miami Beach strip, this eccentric and slightly naughty hotel has Diesel splashed all over. The owner of the brand Renzo Rosso even resides there. The vibe is all-out originality, with each room kitted out in an original theme. Our favourites include the Cubarean Islands room, and in true Miami Beach style; The Deco (cktail) room.
cinque: claridges diane von furstenburg suite
bold prints and sheer style
Fashions fairy godmother of print has sprinkled her magic dust around the suites of London’s classic institution; Claridges. Retaining the original Claridges characteristics, von Furstenberg has suped up these suites with bespoke fabrics and furniture with her iconic prints and bold colours. Ensuring the most glamorous of stays whilst exploring the capital.
(26 votes, average: 4.81 out of 5) Loading ...ed catches up with MEGAMUNDEN
MEGAMUNDEN
Ed Schofield chatted with Ollie Munden, aka MEGAMUNDEN about life as a freelance illustrator.
Thanks for joining us MEGAMUNDEN. Tell us a bit about who you are?
Thanks for having me. I am illustrator Ollie Munden but I work under the name MEGAMUNDEN.
What’s your background in terms of illustration?
hot tuna apparel campaign
I have spent nearly seven years now working as an illustrator/designer in some form. Four of those years were spent as Senior Designer/studio manager at McFaul Studios where we worked on everything from large global advertising campaigns to adorning Nike Air Jordan’s with our illustrative creations.
Since May this year I have been working under my own name (MEGAMUNDEN) as an independent illustrator. From then up until now I have managed to bag some really interesting work and I am loving the complete creative control over the projects as well as overseeing how I am represented as an artist. I recently signed up to one of the countries leading illustration agents CIA .
munden's samsung campaign design
I hope that next year myself and CIA can work on some inspiring new projects. I have worked with them in the past and they bring in some incredible opportunities. In fact this year already I was one of the artists involved in CHALK . CHALK was a live drawing event held at CHI & Partners in central London. Five CIA artists battled it out for roughly 45 minutes drawing live on a huge Chalk board, it had a fun but competitive vibe to it and we had such a great time.
Via CIA I also painted a huge mural in BBH’s (Bartle Bogle Hegarty) London branch this summer. They gave me a completely open brief other than asking me to include their ‘Black Sheep’ logo. BBH were thrilled with the final artwork and were great hosts during my stay.
These are just a few projects that I have been involved with this year.
When did you first realize this was working out pretty well and it could be a career for you?
I think after the first year of being at McFaul Studio I realised things were going pretty well and thought no matter what the future brought I would be able to carve myself a career in illustration.
part of the havaianas campaign
Who are some of your favourite past clients?
The first that really sticks in my mind was produced for New York. We were commissioned to illustrate 3 murals that were to be painted onto the sides of building blocks in down town Manhattan. The client was Havaianas Flip Flops. Once the murals were painted they were to install huge fibre glass models of the ‘Thong’ section of the flip flop over the top of the artwork.
audio club's campaign
The second was a recent job I did for Audio Nightclub in Brighton. I worked with Filthy Media who have the task of designing the monthly listings promo flyer/poster. Normally they had used existing artwork that they felt suited the club style. But when I worked with them I produced something completely bespoke. A flying elephant with musical trunks.
Lastly, back in the McFaul Studio days again I was flown out to New York with two other colleagues Tom Burden and Jack Mitchell to paint a mural on the ceiling of an exclusive multi million dollar apartment. It was an amazing few weeks, and the beauty of it all was that the apartment overlooked Central Park from some 70 – 80 stories up so we had the most amazing view of the city each day. Watching the city change from day to night was beautiful.
painting an nyc ceiling
Do you have any particular influences?
I have tons of influences, and they change all the time, I’m always picking up new ones. To name a few people who have influenced my work…
I love pretty much any Japanese art – Hokusai, Kuniyoshi, the artwork of Japanese tattooist ‘Shige’ of Yellow blaze tattoo studio.
I like comic style artists such as Tomer Hanuka and Nathan Fox. Jim Phillips the man responsible for many of Santa Cruz skateboards graphics is a big influence. There are so many but I can never answer this question without referring to James Jean. I admire his work and how he has managed to cross so many boundaries… I think he is a very smart artist and one of the most talented around today.
What’s next for MEGAMUNDEN?
Just watch this space in 2011…
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...not just for birds anymore
dining tree pods
Ever caught yourself thinking about how easy life is for a baby bird? Okay, perhaps not, but now that we’ve brought it up – imagine it. They spend everyday cosied up in their nice warm nest, and when they get hungry? The food literally flies in and lands straight in their open mouths. It’s not a tough life.
spot the flying waiter, bottom left...
Well, you still need to use your own knives and forks (probably for the best really), but the Soneva Kiri Eco Resort on the beautiful island Koh Kood in Thailand has their own version of the bird’s nest just for you.
Climb up into your cocoon style dining tree pod, and enjoy a Michelin starred meal brought to you by your flying waiter. Yes, that was flying waiter. Ziplines are used in the making of this dining experience…
There’s probably no need to describe how stunning the views are going to be, but trust us, this bird’s nest has nabbed a seriously prime location.
We’re pretty sure life enjoyment would go up significantly if ziplines were adopted in more places…
[link inhabitat]
(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...living in a bubble
luxurious camping in a bubble
Now this is how camping was meant to be. Imagine being able to set up camp without having to faff around with poles and hooks. To step inside your camp without having to crank your head to the side or clamber around on all fours. And lastly, to fall asleep with full view of the twinkling stars above. Yes please. The sad news, they’re only available to rent in France. And if you’re thinking about getting one to use in your own back garden, this bubble boy is going to cost you roughly over £7,000. Ouch.
[link cubeme]
(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5) Loading ...
