Peek-a-Boo: Tel Aviv at Night

A night on the town in Tel Aviv, included a fantastic meal at the recently opened Asian - Fusion restaurant Taizu.

"A new concept restaurant based on chef Yuval Ben Neriah’s personal interpretation of street foods of five countries in South East Asia – India, China, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam." 

Renowned Israeli architect Pitsou Kedem partnered with Baranowitz-Amit Design Studio to design the space and to great success. The interior is rooted in two main themes with different areas and styles of dining, from the more formal to the more relaxed and casual seating area.

The five elements of ancient Chinese Philosophy (Fire, Water, Metal, Wood and Earth) and the culinary DNA of the menu and are faithfully represented in the interiors as well. 

Our dinner was sensational with plenty of great dishes that we all shared, and ended with this sinful chocolate cake..

On one of my last evenings, I was invited to a family friend's 50th birthday extravaganza - A Masquerade Ball, in an old abandoned building in the center of Old Jaffa. 

Talk about ambience!

As part of the invitation, we were all sent individual and unique masks .. 

Old Jaffa at night and location of the Masquerade Ball

The catering was incredible, with nothing left to chance. Poker and Blackjack tables, Bars, Fresh Sushi Bars and an assortment of after dinner drinks and sweets filled every room.

They filled the rooms with different seating areas, while one room was left as a dance floor, with DJ and famed Israeli pop sensation, Marina Maximilian Blumin. A classically trained pianist, musician and virtuoso singer, she was the runner up of the 5th season of Kokhav Nolad (Star is Born) and is regarded by some as a "once in a generation" phenomenon.

and the evening ended with a burlesque pole dancer, really very skilled, that left well.. lets say .. all the men in the crowd were thrilled!

A little more on my visit to Tel Aviv coming up on the blog this week with a little retail therapy and a fantastic artist and jewelry exhibit.

DAP 360* - Graca Viterbo - Hotel Bela Vista Part 5

Graca Viterbo has said that her influence for the redesign of the Hotel Bela Vista is a mix of modernity and classicism, where "Miami meets the Mediterranean!"

As I come to the end of this week long in depth look at the newly renovated boutique hotel, from my first post on the Portuguese tiles, to great Before & After shots of the Bar, on to the bedrooms and the use of stripes there all the way through to today's post.

In this bathroom, the existing blue and white tiles are incorporated as part of the design, with the addition of new striped tiles, mirrors and decorative paint finishes which finish off the illusion. 

The outdoor dining areas, also make use of decorative painting treatments, such as the painted nature inspired panel which appears on the newly renovated sideboards and venetian plastered arches.

The strong "Yves Klein" painted blue trims are very typical throughout southern Portugal, and are a staple visual on windows and doorways on almost every home.

The people of the Algarve are very superstitious, especially fishermen and farmers, who believed that this use of blue would ward off evil spirits. Some also say, that the smell of the original blue pigment was a way of keeping insects and mosquitoes out, as well as paying homage to the sea once they moved away.

With spectacular views from nearly all of the 38 rooms and suites, it is no wonder why the New York Times recognized this as a Must Visit hotel for 2012, and TripAdvisor’s ‘Certificate of Excellence 2012’ among many other recent awards.



Miami indeed! This pool is simply heavenly...








The Spa, which recently opened, introduces another shade of blue and green as well as the natural wooden tones from throughout the hotel.

This photo of Bela Vista - Hotel, Restaurant & SPA is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The happy Miami like blue tones throughout the freshly designed Spa, the use of woods and deep mixture of hues in the mosaic tile lined walls, all contribute to the peaceful environment ..


Thanks so much for taking this journey with me this week, and make sure to visit www.gviterbo.com for more on their work. Have a wonderful weekend and stay tuned for my New York Gift Show coverage next week.

So, when should I say your coming to stay?





*all images courtesy of Graca Viterbo & hotelbelavista.com (unless otherwise stated)

DAP 360* - Graca Viterbo - Hotel Bela Vista Part 2

My coverage of the newly redesigned Hotel Bela Vista & Spa continues on from yesterday's look of how tiles played an important role in the consideration taken by the team lead by Graca Viterbo.

Layer upon layer of detail are part of the visual and tactile experience throughout every room.



Traditional architectural details, the existing tiles and mill work, were all elements that needed to be considered and enhanced while still bringing the design, feet first into the 21st century.


Coconut shell tiled walls enhanced with modern decorative accents.






The bar area, rich in warm wooden tones, and
Brazilian wood ceilings and panelling, was no small overhaul.

BEFORE - Bar

These before shots show are pretty powerful in showing the amount of work that went into this space alone.

AFTER:

and the use of the mosaic glass tiles on the checkerboard floor in lieu of the black stone from the lobby, as well as on incorporated with great lighting on the Bar & counter areas are once again used as accents and sparkle in this otherwise warm toned environment, befitting of a cozy winter evening by the fire.

These rooms provide a cozy atmosphere for even the coolest winter months which many do not think of when they imagine the Algarve as a destination spot, but I can say that my husband & I would make it a yearly holiday every winter to enjoy the beaches, the great food and off peak season experience for a few romantic days away.

Stay tuned for much more on this redesign throughout this week - next up: A close look at some of the bright and sun filled Suites in all shades of blue!

*all images courtesy of Graca Viterbo

Ode to Portugal

I think before I start getting into it I should really begin at the beginning and properly state how much I loved & love Portugal. Of course, there is the obvious connection - that's where I found love and became a mom..etc but it really was more importantly where I began seeing the world through the eyes of an adult..and a professional.



Viana do Castelo
Even in such a traditional setting - the repetition of the flower pots
 just gets me thinking...I love repeats!

 I think I may even create a regular dedication to all things "Portuguese". Now, I don't mean the food, or the music..although they are both great, but perhaps more like the architecture, design, craftsmanship and hard working good nature of the Portuguese people.



Le Club - Bar, Restaurant and Nightclub (Algarve)

 but that's not what this blog is about. No. Portugal has been the root of many an inspiration.
ya..a little more like this


My space in a Designer Show house: a fireplace surround embellished with plaster motifs
Crere Portugal


So really there is a lot to offer up in all things Portuguese (let's just say I am an honoree citizen) and not only design from my firm while I was there but also from the many great colleagues I was so honored to share that melting pot with.

More to come...