Modern Italian Bakeries

Think of where you go to buy your daily bread.  In my area, I treck to the grocery store, a very unglamourous experience both in design and in process.  In Italy, I am noticing a  trend in contemporary, minimalist, high style bakeries and there are two in particular that I would like to highlight. 

The first is the newly opened creation by Colli + Galliano Architects in Rome, Italy called Vyta Boulangerie.  Vyta is housed in Grandi Stazioni (the train station) and is a combination of black, oak, stainless steel visual perfection!  The breakdown of the architecture and interior design can be found in a blog commentary from the Contemporist here.

photo via contemporist.com

photo via contemporist.com

Then there is bakery,Princi, in Milan that takes minimalism to the next level.  I have never seen a bakery so beautifully crafted and layed out.  The brand identity of the bakery is centered around three of the most basic components of bread making: fire, water and flour.  An example of how these ingredients are incorporated in the space’s architecture and design, a wood fire and running water greet customers at the entrance of the shop.  Designed by Claudio Silvestrin, Princi is meant to be a place to relax, sample breads and meet with friends.   Princi has four locations in Milan and an outpost in London.

photo via zagat.com

photo via bellaphon on flickr

Green T. House Beijing

I just wrote a post on my fav blog and furniture store, Brocade Home and wanted to provide a visual application of the Brocade Home style in a tea house in Beijing 北京.   Green T. House was featured for its use brocade design on the Brocade Home blog a while back but in case you did not see it, here is my take on the design.

Green T. House, created by master chef, artist, calligrapher, musician and owner Zhang Jinjie, is an excellent example of mixing the romantic damask/brocade style with a modern twist.  The zen like modern space she has created would tempt the likes of any international jet setter or local Beijing fashionista/design buff to visit the restaurant/tea house for an afternoon or evening of food and tea.  The aesthetic of Green T. House actually reminds me of MoRoCo’s style in Toronto, however Green T. House is more minimalist and MoRoCo more goth glam. 

Green T. House is such a stunning place, I could not not imagine all the great events that will be hosted in the space for years to come.

Green T House info in Beijing:

318 Cuigezhuang Xiang Hegezhuang Cun, Chaoyang District ,
Chaoyang
北京朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村318号

136-0113-7132

Exterior (photo via aerislifestyle)

(photo via momist.com)

(photo via City Weekend)

Eco Friendly Event Space: Culver City’s Smog Shoppe

With the event industry and its consumers increasingly turning to eco friendly alternatives when hosting events, if you live in or around Culver City (Los Angeles), Smog Shoppe’s event space is a shoe in for fulfilling the need to find a stylish, cool, glamourous, environmentally venue.  Look at how beautifully the owners have incorporated nature, natural light and funky furniture, with the industrial feel of its former function, a smog check center in the 1980s.  You would barely event know that the place had anything to do with pollution now that it has been converted into an event space.

If you are in search of some eco friendly wedding/event resources, check out blog, Green Wedding Shoes, Jen has a lot of great content/resources/photos that will surely inspire you to do your part for the planet when planning your next event.

Photo via Green Wedding Shoes Blog

Photo via blog, green wedding shoes

Office Party Anyone?

I was reading blog, Aphrochic today and found a post about a stunning office/loft in Manhattan that belongs to designer, Michelle Smith of the clothing line, Milly.

When I saw the space I immediately thought to myself of all the event space potential Michelle’s office has!  The white walls and conversation piece furniture make an excellent venue for a cocktail party.  I also like the fact that there are so many windows in the unit so the natural light just streams in to the space.

I hope Michelle has taken advantage of her space to celebrate her brand successes-

If you want to know more about designer, Michelle Smith, there is a good interview on blog, All the Best , that I would recommend taking a glance at.

Office Pics:

Michelle Smith Studio via Aphor Chic blog

Michelle Smith Studio photo via Aphrochic blog

Moroco- Wins three “BEST” awards in my books

I had the chance to go for afternoon tea at MoRoCo in Toronto (99 Yorkville Avenue) across the street from the newly located, Teatro Verde,  a couple weekends ago. I have not one complaint or criticism about this place and for me, that says a lot.  I pride myself on being a bit of a foodie and a bit of a pastry snob.  I know good pastry  when I taste one and believe me,  I have tasted a lot of good and a lot of lousy over my travels and adventures in afternoon tea!

 In fact, MoRoCo wins several “BEST” awards from me including the following:

1. BEST macaron in Toronto.  Hands down, they got it right.  Their only rival in the city as far as I am concerned is Patachou (where I purchased the maracons for a wedding I planned in March).  What is great is that in the front of MoRoCo the restaurant, they have MoRoCo the macaron and truffle store so you can stock up on macarons and truffles until your hearts content!  Beautiful packaging- love the purple take-away purses.  Bravo on a stylish retail interior.

2. BEST overall afternoon tea offering:  There were four of us who went to tea and not one pair could finish their three tiered menu.  Not only were the bite sized sandwiches, scones and desserts flavourful and delicate, they were rich and sweet.  I so badly wanted to try a little bite of everything but I just couldn’t power through all the sugar surging through my system despite the fact that I think I drank three pots of tea.   For someone who doesn’t eat a lot of sugar, MoRoCo’s tea is a deadly sugar shock, but well worth it!

3. BEST decor:  I don’t want to botch the adjectives to describe their interior decor but what comes to mind is the space evokes a Victorian/Baroque Modern/Elegance with a touch of Goth.  So cool.  The greys, the purples, the blacks, contrasted with white.  I love it all.  A beatiful atmosphere to entertain or to dine.  Very cool vibe with the DJ spinning at the front. 

Moroco Afternoon Tea Service

The sinful desserts!

Love their little desserts (and the bee!)

Topping the creme pots are little chocolate moroco branded ovals

Moroco Interior Shot (photo via fashion magazine)

Beautiful Presentation (via dine.to

The Emperor Hotel Beijing

I have an infatuation with boutique hotels.  I think I secretly want to build hotels.  From Ian Schrager to anything featured on designhotels.com, small leading hotels and tablethotels.com – I am inspired by every single building and would like to visit them all to experience their unique architecture and local touches.

Look at this hotel that was built in Beijing last year I believe.  So futuristic, colourful and comic book like.  The Emperor Hotel is part of Design Hotels and the next time I get back to Beijing, I will check it out first hand. 

(vis asia chic hotels)

(via asia chic hotels)

(via gentlemansgadgets.com)

via sinohotel.com