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Mamula Island, a Design Hotels property in Herceg Novi, Montenegro, features work by MCM Architecture & Design, Piotr Wisniewski and weStudio Berlin. September 2023 | MEDITERRANEAN | Vol 10 english below MAMULA ISLAND words Leon Williams Ü zerinde sadece 19. yüzyıldan kalma bir kalenin yer aldığı Mamula Adası, 2023’ün en sürpriz destinasyonlarından biri. Çünkü o tarihi kale artık 32 odalı, Design Hotels topluluğuna üye bir tasarım oteli. İsmini de adanın kendisinden alıyor. Karadağ’ın Herceg Novi kıyılarında, Kotor Körfezi’nin girişinde konumlanan Mamula Adası’nın başka özellikleri de var. Hem UNESCO Dünya Mirası Listesi’nde hem de yerel halk arasında bu adanın manevi değeri var. Çünkü kale 1852’de Avusturya-Macaristan generali Lazar Mamula tarafından inşa edilmiş. I. ve II. Dünya Savaşları dönemlerinde ise hapishaneymiş. Son 70 yıldır ise harap bir halde, kullanılmaz durumdaymış. Peki bu tarihi geçmiş korunabilmiş mi? Bu sorunun yanıtı evet. Mimari konsepti yöneten Lizbon merkezli MCM Architecture & Design, iç tasarımı üstlenen Piotr Wisniewski ve ajansı weStudio Berlin; binanın orijinal güzelliğini ön plana çıkarmak için tüm restorasyon sürecinde yetkililerle beraber çalışmış. YENİ BİR TARİH Üç restoranı ve özel bir miksoloji barı olan Mamula’nın öne çıkan bir başka özelliği ise misafir sanatçı programına ev sahipliği yapan Atelier Mamula. Sadece 200 metre çapındaki bu dairesel küçük ada şimdi kendine yeni bir tarih yazmaya hazırlanıyor: Üstelik bu kez başlangıcı hayli tasarım ve şık... NASIL ULAŞILIYOR Karadağ Herceg Novi kıyılarından ücretsiz tekne transferleri yapılıyor. En yakın havalimanları ise Tivat (TIV), Dubrovnik (DBV) ve Podgorica (TGD). M amula Island, which has only a 19th-century castle on it, is one of the most surprising destinations of 2023. Because that historical castle is now a design hotel, a member of the Design Hotels community, with 32 rooms. It gets its name from the island itself. Mamula Island, located at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor on the coast of Herceg Novi in Montenegro, has other features. This island has a spiritual value both on the UNESCO World Heritage List and among the locals. Because the castle was built in 1852 by the Austro-Hungarian general Lazar Mamula. It was a prison during the World Wars I and II. For the past 70 years, it has been in ruins and unusable. Well, has this historical past been preserved? The answer to that question is yes. Lisbon-based MCM Architecture & Design which heads the architectural concept, Piotr Wisniewski who undertakes the interior design, and his agency weStudio Berlin worked with the authorities throughout the restoration process to highlight the original beauty of the building. A NEW HISTORY Another highlight of Mamula, with three restaurants and a special mixology bar, is Atelier Mamula, which hosts the guest artist program. Just 200 meters in diameter, this little circular island is now preparing to write a new history for itself: Moreover, this time its beginning is very stylish and chic... HOW TO REACH There are free boat transfers from the coast of Herceg Novi in Montenegro. The nearest airports are Tivat (TIV), Dubrovnik (DBV) and Podgorica (TGD). for more Print VOL X - AEGEAN & MEDITERRANEAN EDITION - 2023 Out of Stock Add to Cart

Larisa Barton's Soeur Interiors designs a Manhattan apartment with New York views, artwork by Macazlyn Harris, and abalone walls by Michelle Kole. May 2024 | Design & Interiors english below SKYLINE VIEWS and LAYERED MINIMALISM words Karine Monie photos Kelsey Ann Rose M anhattan'ın kalbinde yer alan ve İskandinav tasarımından esintiler taşıyan 40. kattaki bu daire, minimalizme bir övgü niteliğinde. Tasarım ekibi, gereksiz dağınıklık yerine sadeliği vurgulayarak biçim ve işleve öncelik vermiş. New York şehir manzarasına sahip dairenin tasarımı Larisa Barton’ın kurduğu iç tasarım stüdyosu Soeur Interiors’a ait. Barton, dairede manzaranın başrolde olmasını istemiş ve bu amaçla sıcak nötr tonlardan oluşan bir renk paleti oluşturmuş. Barton, büyük odada sofistike bir hava katmak için siyahı kullanırken yatak odasında beyaz ve fildişi tonlarını tercih etmiş. Ev sahibi, tasarım ekibinin büyük oda için Macazlyn Harris'e yaptırdığı sanat eserine ve koridorlarda uygulanan dokulu duvarı çok sevdiğini söylüyor. Larisa Barton, “O kadar ilham aldı ki, farklı alçı ve seramik malzemelerle altı ay süren bir sanat yolculuğuna çıktı,” diye itiraf ediyor. Larisa Barton tasarım sürecindeki yeni keşfini ise şöyle anlatıyor: “Banyoda ışıltılı bir dokunuş istiyorduk, ama benzersiz bir şey olmalıydı. Uzman ressamımız Michelle Kole banyo duvarları için abalone adı verilen yeni bir malzemeyle bizi tanıştırdı. Michelle, duvarlardaki desen boyunca elle yerleştirdiği deniz kabuğu yapraklarını getirdi. Böylece her açıdan en ince parlaklığı elde ettik”. Tasarım ekibi ayrıca, İskandinav tasarımının genelinde görülen yumuşak doğal aydınlatmalara da tasarımda yer vermiş. L ocated in the heart of Manhattan, this Scandinavian-inspired 40th floor apartment is an ode to minimalism. The design team prioritized form over function, emphasizing simplicity over unnecessary clutter. Soeur Interiors, the interior design studio founded by Larisa Barton, designed the apartment with views of New York City. Barton wanted the view to be the focal point, so she created a color palette of warm neutrals. Barton used black in the great room for a sophisticated feel, and white and ivory in the bedroom. The homeowner fell in love with the artwork the design team commissioned to Macazlyn Harris for the great room along with the textured walls implemented in the hallways. "She was so inspired that she went on a six-month artistic journey with different plaster and ceramic materials," confesses Larisa Barton. Larisa Barton describes her new discovery during the design process: "We wanted a touch of sparkle in the bathroom, but it had to be something unique. Our expert artist, Michelle Kole, introduced us to a new material for bathroom walls called abalone. Michelle brought in shell leaves that she hand placed along the pattern on the walls. This gave us the most subtle sheen from every angle. The design team also incorporated the soft, natural lighting found throughout Scandinavian design.

Mallorquins follows artists Adriana Meunié and Jaume Roig in Campos, where their home, studios and creative practices reflect Mallorca’s landscape. January 2024 | Vol 11 english below M A L L O R Q U I N S words Robyn Alexander photos Greg Cox/Bureaux production Sven Alberding M allorca, yüzlerce yıldır adanın doğal cazibesinin gücünü hisseden sayısız ünlü sanatçıya ev sahipliği yaptığı için ziyaretçileri ve tabii ziyaretçilerinin şöhreti ile ünlü. 20. yüzyılda ressam Joán Miró ve şair Robert Graves burada yaşamayı benimseyenler arasındaydı. Son yıllarda ise Annie Lennox’tan Stephen Fry’a kadar pek çok ünlü yaratıcı adanın müdavimi oldu. Elbette doğma büyüme Mallorquin olan ve hayatları boyunca burada yaşamış olanlar da var Sanatçı çift Adriana Meunié ve Jaume Roig gibi. Adriana tekstil işleri, Jaume ise resim, heykel ve seramik yapıyor. Her ikisi de Mallorca’nın manzarası ve çevresi için “kimliğimizin bir parçası” diyor. “Bizim için burası ‘dünyanın en iyi yeri’ değil, sadece bildiğimiz ve bağ kurduğumuz bir yer, çünkü burayı doğduğumuzdan beri tanıyoruz”. Çift, Mallorca’nın güneyindeki Campos’ta bulunan evlerinde ayrı ama bitişik stüdyo alanlarında yaşıyor ve çalışıyor. Ev ve stüdyo binaları aslında bir dizi eski ahırdan oluşuyor. Adriana ile Jaume burayı yavaş yavaş kendilerine ait bir yer haline getirmiş. “Mekanları ihtiyaçlarımıza göre uyarlamayı her zaman seviyoruz” diyor Adriana, “Ama bunu kendi başımıza yaptığımız için fazladan bir sürü iş çıkıyor”. Çiftin birlikte yaşadığı keçi Petit ve köpek Tota’nın yanı sıra koyunlar, kediler ve tavuklardan oluşan hayvanlar da günlük bakım gerektiriyor. O nedenle Adriana’nın, sanatçı olmak dışında bir iş yapıyor olsaydı “Kesinlikle bir şekilde hayvanlarla çalışırdım” demesi şaşırtıcı değil. Çiftin evleri ve çalışma alanları estetik açıdan topraksı ama hafif. “Biz her zaman bir alanın görsel olarak temiz ve boş olmasına, eski yapısını korumasına bakarız” diyen çift, geleneksel Mallorquin mimarisine duydukları sevgiyi doğal malzeme ve dokularla birleştirmiş. Adriana ve Jaume birbirine yakın çalışıyor olabilir, ama günlük pratikleri açısından tercihleri farklı. Jaume değişimi ve çeşitliliği seviyor: “Seramik yaptığım dönemler oluyor, sonra resim yapmaya ve hatta oyma gibi yeni şeyler denemeye zaman ayırmam gerekiyor” diyor. Öte yandan Adriana, tekstil işi yapma sürecinin tamamından keyif aldığını ve bir konsept oluştuğunda hızla ilerlediğini söylüyor: “Bir parçaya başladığımda bittiğini görmek istiyorum ve her aşama benim için önemli”. Peki nelerden ilham alıyorlar? Jaume her şeyden önce Mallorca’nın yetiştirdiği büyük sanatçılara atıfta bulunuyor. “Rafel Joan, Ferrán Aguiló, Margalida Escalas, Peter Marquand ve Josefina Pino gibi 80’li ve 90’lı yılların Mallorquin sanatçılarını seviyorum” diyor. “Joan Miró benim için her zaman bir referanstır. Isamu Noguchi de öyle”. Adriana da Miró’nun sanatı ve hayatının büyük bir hayranı olduğunu söylüyor. Aynı zamanda heykeltıraş Ruth Asawa’yı da “kendine özgü benzersiz ifadesi” nedeniyle çok takdir ettiğini ekliyor. Bir de seramikçi Hans Coper’in şiir gibi eserlerini… M allorca is famous for its visitors – and the fame of its visitors – as it has played host to a myriad renowned artists, musicians who have felt the force of the island’s natural attractions over hundreds of years. The artist Joán Miró and the poet Robert Graves were among the 20th century’s adopters of Balearic island living, while in recent decades, Annie Lennox to Stephen Fry have been regulars. But of course there are also many born-and-bred Mallorquins, locals who have lived here all their lives, and among them are artists Adriana Meunié and Jaume Roig. Adriana creates textile works, while Jaume makes paintings, sculptures and ceramics. For both of them, the landscape and environment of Mallorca “is simply part of our identity,” they say. “For us it’s not like it’s ‘the best place in the world’, it’s simply the one we know and connect with because we have known it since forever”. The couple live and work in separate but adjacent studio spaces at their home base in Campos, in southern Mallorca – a place that is a study in earthy simplicity in its own right. The house and studio buildings were originally a set of old cowsheds, and Adriana and Jaume have gradually made the place their own. “We always like to adapt spaces to our needs,” says Adriana, “but as we do it on our own, it’s a lot of extra work”. Also requiring consideration and daily care is the small menagerie of animals that lives with the couple, which includes Petit the goat and Tota the dog, plus various sheep, cats and chickens – almost all of which are rescue animals. Not surprising, then, when Adriana says if she were doing something other than being an artist by trade, “I would definitely be working with animals in some way”. Aesthetically, the couple’s home and working spaces feel earthy, yet light. “We always look for [a space] to be visually clean and empty, and to retain its antique construction,” they say. The couple share a love for traditional Mallorquin architecture, and a core of simplicity in design is also very evident in their work as artists. The couple might work close to one another, but their preferences in terms of their everyday practice differ. Jaume likes change and variation: “I do periods of making ceramics, then I need some time spent painting, and even trying new things like carving,” he says. On the other hand, Adriana relishes the entire process of making one of her textile works, she says, and proceeds rapidly once a concept is in place.“When I start a piece I want to see it done, and every stage is important”. And what inspires them? First and foremost, Jaume references the great artists Mallorca has produced. “I love Mallorquin artists from the 80s and 90s, including Rafel Joan, Ferrán Aguiló, Margalida Escalas, Peter Marquand and Josefina Pino,” he says. “Joan Miró is always a reference for me, and Isamu Noguchi as well.” Adriana is also a great admirer of “Miró’s art and life,” she says, adding that she much appreciates sculptor Ruth Asawa too, “because she found her own and unique expression, and ceramicist Hans Coper, because I think his pieces are like poems”. for more Print VOL XII - 2024 Out of Stock Add to Cart

Office Istanbul Architects designed Rubrum's vineyard office in Seferihisar, Izmir, embedding an earth-plastered structure in the vineyard landscape. August 2023 | Design & Interiors english below RUBRUM Gizemli şarap bağı ofisi yazı Alp Tekin İ zmir-Seferihisar’da konumlanan şarap markası Rubrum’un ofisinin tasarımı, Office Istanbul Architects’e ait. Kemal Serkan Demir, Gizem Güleryüz, Lara Uyal, Murat Kumbaracı ve Mine Öztürk’ten oluşan ekip; tasarımı yaparken üzüm bağlarının oluşturduğu lineer hattı referans almış. Üzüm bağlarının oluşturduğu hat ise arazide devamlı hakim olan rüzgârlarla yakından ilişkili. Farklı açılardan yarattığı estetik algıyla dikkat çeken ve topografya içerisine gizlenen yapı, kimi zaman bağların akslarıyla bütünleşiyor kimi zaman ise vurgulu duvarları sayesinde düşey yönde baskın peyzaj elemanı olarak algılanabiliyor. Yapının ana malzemesi renklendirilmiş toprak esaslı mineral sıva. Bu sıva, araziden üretip ve çoğalma halinin bir temsili olarak öne çıkıyor. Yapının merkezinde yer alan ve yapının korunaklı mekanı olarak tasarlanan avlu ise karşılama, birleştirme ve dağıtma gibi fonksiyonların yerine getirilmesine olanak sağlıyor. Avlu, çevresine yerleştirilmiş mekanlar arası sirkülasyonu sağlarken yarı açık yaşam alanı olarak iklimsel olumsuzluklara karşı konfor alanı olarak da karşılık buluyor. RUBRUM Mysterious vineyard office words Alp Tekin O ffice Istanbul Architects designed the office of Rubrum, the wine brand located in Turkey, Izmir-Seferihisar. The team consisting of Kemal Serkan Demir, Gizem Güleryüz, Lara Uyal, Murat Kumbaracı and Mine Öztürk; While designing, the linear line formed by the vineyards was taken as reference. The line formed by the vineyards is closely related to the prevailing winds in the land. The structure, which is hidden in the topography, sometimes integrates with the axes of the vineyards, and sometimes it can be perceived as the dominant landscape element in the vertical direction thanks to its accent walls. The main material of the building is colored earth-based mineral plaster. This plaster stands out as a representation of the state of production and reproduction from the land. The courtyard, located in the center of the building and designed as the sheltered place of the building, allows for the fulfillment of functions such as welcoming, combining and distributing. While the courtyard provides the circulation between the spaces placed around it, it also responds as a comfort area against climatic negativities as a semi-open living space.

Şubat 2022 | Art | Amerika Frieze Los Angeles hakkında bilmeniz gerekenler Yazı | Oktay Tutuş 2 019 yılında ilk defa açılan Frieze Los Angeles, henüz çok genç olmasına rağmen dünya çağdaş sanat sahnesindeki etkileyici uluslararası fuarlar arasında yerini aldı dersek yanlış olmaz. 2021'de pandemi sebebiyle o da pek çok başka etkinlikle beraber o yılı pas geçmişti. Şimdi çok daha kuvvetli olarak geri döndü ve bu hafta sonu Los Angeles güneşine bir de sanat tayfı ekleyerek şehri aydınlatıyor. Frieze Los Angeles, Beverly Hilton Hotel'e bitişik olan yeni bir konumda yapılıyor bu yıl. Bu yeni yer, Hammer Museum ile Wallis Annenberg Performans Sanatları Merkezi arasında bir konumda yer alıyor. Frieze Los Angeles, büyük ölçüde çağdaş sanata odaklanıyor ve Los Angeles'ın son derece dinamik kültürünü ve görsel sanatlara küresel katkılarını gösteriyor. Bu nedenle hem sanat çevresi ve koleksiyonerler hem de sanatseverler için önemli bir fuar. Direktörlüğünü ise bu yıl Frieze Los Angeles ile işe başlayan Christine Messineo üstlendi. Daha önce yapılan edisyonunda Paramount Studios'tan kiralanan bir New York setinde sanat eserlerini sergileyerek şaşırtan fuarın bu yıl yeni konumu yeni bir yapıyı da barındırıyor. WHY Architecture kreatif direktörü Kulapat Yantrasast ve peyzaj direktörü Mark Thomann tarafından tasarlanan ısmarlama bir yapı fuarın yeni yuvası olacak. Peyzaj mimarına göre "Beverly Hills'in yemyeşil bahçelerinin mirasına uygun bir tasarım" olacak. Los Angeles ve dünyanın farklı yerlerinden 100'ün üzerindeki galerinin seçkileriyle oluşacak fuar deneyiminin kapsamını genişletmek için şehir genelinde Frieze haftası etkinlikleri yapılacak. Bu yıl fuarın 15 yaş ve daha genç galeriler için oluşturulan Focus LA isimli bölümünün küratörlüğünü Amanda Hunt yapıyor. Şehrin sanat hayatına yön veren 11 galerinin işleri burada görülebilecek. Dorothea Tanning, Beauford Delaney, Donald Judd ve Chris Burden gibi yakın geçmişin sanat tarihinde imzası olan isimlerin işlerini fuarda veya fuara gidemezseniz Frieze Viewing Room'daki Discover bölümünde keşfedebilirsiniz. BMW’NİN KOLEKSİYONU BMW'nin uzun yıllardır sanatçılarla yaptığı iş birliklerinin meyvesi otomobillerden oluşan bir koleksiyonu olduğunu biliyor muydunuz? Bilmiyorsanız bu koleksiyonu yeni eklenen Jeff Koons yapımı M850i xDrive Gran Coupe ile keşfetmeye başlayabilirsiniz. Koons'un üretimlerine yakın çizgide ve sanatın en pop halini sunan bu otomobillerden dilerseniz satın almanız da mümkün. Koons ve BMW, bu araçların 99 adetle limitli üretimi için anlaşmış.

Soho House opens its first Latin American houses in Mexico City and São Paulo, with art by Gabriel Rosas Aleman, Maria Fernanda Camarena and Andrew Carnie. September 2023 | TRAVEL english below Latin Amerika’nın ilk Soho House’ları words Alp Tekin L atin Amerika’daki ilk Soho House eylül ayında Mexico City’de, ikincisi ise aralık ayında Sao Paulo’da açılacak. Mexico City’deki Soho House, Colonia Juárez'in kalbinde tarihi bir binada yer alacak. Kulübün üyelerini şunlar bekliyor: Tekila barı, yeraltı vinil dinleme odası, restoran ve açık havada yemek yeme imkanı sunan bir avlu dahil olmak üzere üç bar. Soho House Mexico City’de ayrıca lokal üretim özel mobilyalar, vintage parçalar ve Meksika'da doğmuş ya da burada yaşayan sanatçıların 100'den fazla eserinden oluşan bir sanat koleksiyonu yer alacak. Gabriel Rosas Aleman ve Maria Fernanda Camarena'dan oluşan yetenekli sanatçı ikilisi Celeste ise ana binadaki resepsiyon alanı için mekana özel bir enstalasyon yarattı. ESKİ DOĞUMHANEYE SOHO DOKUNUŞU Aralık 2023’te açılacak olan Soho House São Paulo ise şehrin yeniden yapılanmalarından biri olan Cidade Matarazzo projesinde yer alıyor. Tarihi Matarazzo Hastanesi'nin eski doğumhanesinin bir bölümünde yer alacak Soho House SP’nin binası mimari tarihi korunarak yenilenecek ve ayrıca iç mekanlarda lokal zanaatkârlarla iş birliği yapılacak. Soho House & Co CEO'su Andrew Carnie, São Paulo ile ilgili şöyle diyor: “Burası mimari, müzik, sokak ve modern sanatın nabzını tutan küresel bir şehir. São Paulo, yaratıcıların ve sanatçıların bir araya geleceği bir ev olacak. Buradaki binamız ise lokal unsurlardan en çok etkilenen Soho House’lardan biri olacak”. Latin America's first Soho Houses T he first Soho House in Latin America will open in Mexico City in September and the second in Sao Paulo in December. Soho House in Mexico City will be located in a historic building in the heart of Colonia Juárez. Members of the club await: three bars, including a tequila bar, an underground vinyl listening room, a restaurant, and a courtyard with al fresco dining. Soho House Mexico City will also feature locally produced custom furniture, vintage pieces, and an art collection of more than 100 works by artists born or living in Mexico. MODERN TOUCH TO THE OLD BIRTHROOM Soho House São Paulo, which will be opened in December 2023, is located in the Cidade Matarazzo project, which is one of the city's reconstructions. The building of Soho House SP, which will be located in a part of the old delivery room of the historic Matarazzo Hospital, will be renovated while preserving its architectural history, and will also collaborate with local craftsmen in the interiors. Celeste, the talented artist duo consisting of Gabriel Rosas Aleman and Maria Fernanda Camarena, created a site-specific installation for the reception area in the main building. Andrew Carnie, CEO of Soho House & Co, has this to say about São Paulo: “This is a global city on the pulse of architecture, music, street and modern art. São Paulo will be a home for creators and artists to come together. Our building here will be one of the Soho Houses that is most affected by local factors”.

Explora I cruise review covers Suite 8065, its superyacht-inspired design, onboard dining and a voyage from Istanbul to Lesbos. August 15, 2025 | TRAVEL TR BELOW the MAN in SUITE 8065 words Onur Basturk Fifteen years ago, I took my very first cruise—also as a media guest—and quite literally walked into a film shoot happening on board. Now, years later, I’m back at sea. This time, there’s no director yelling “Cut!”, yet I can’t shake the feeling I’m in the middle of a movie. Maybe it’s the inevitable pull of the most famous ship in pop culture, the Titanic, planting that thought in my head. Or maybe the real magic lies in the fact that hundreds of people can spend days, weeks—even an entire month—on what is essentially a floating luxury mansion, barely stepping ashore except for organised excursions. And what does that mean? New friendships. Sudden romances. And yes… the occasional discreet intrigue. THE SHIP: EXPLORA I. THE SUITE: 43-SQUARE-METRE 8065 This particular journey is aboard Explora I, one of the newest additions to the MSC Group fleet—the third-largest cruise brand in the world. We set sail from Istanbul, and as I type, we’re gliding toward the island of Lesbos. Explora doesn’t look anything like your average passenger ship. For starters, there are only 461 suites, all with ocean views. Fewer people, more space—always a good thing. The ship’s sleek, superyacht-inspired design comes courtesy of British designer and architect Martin Francis, alongside long-time MSC collaborators SMC Design, AD Associates, and De Jorio Luxury and Yacht Projects. But I didn’t fully appreciate what sets Explora apart until I walked into Suite 8065. The space feels indulgent—43 square metres, I later discovered (with some suites reaching 70). There’s a living area, a separate walk-in wardrobe, and a bedroom cleverly divided by a partition. The best surprise? A large private balcony. At night, I’d sit out there, hypnotised by the rhythm of the waves in the open sea, half expecting a scene from Ruth Ware’s bestselling The Woman in Cabin 10 (soon to land on Netflix) to unfold. Luckily, unlike the travel-writer heroine of Ware’s novel, no one was thrown—or decided to throw themselves—off the balcony next door. And no, Ware’s plot has nothing to do with the real-life mystery of Dilek Ertek, the Turkish businesswoman thought to have fallen from a cruise ship near French Polynesia in 2022. That’s a whole other enigma—one that may yet get its own series or documentary. HOW DO YOU SPEND TIME AT SEA? The question I get the most: how do you fill your days on a cruise, especially when there’s nothing but water on the horizon? For me, during the 48-hour stretch sailing straight from Paros to Palermo, boredom never had a chance to make an appearance. Up on the very top deck, there’s an open-air track where I walked and ran (mostly to justify what came next). Then I gave in to the inevitable: eating and drinking my way through the voyage. Explora has six distinct restaurants—Japanese, French, Italian, a steakhouse, and more—plus the all-day Emporium Marketplace. Think buffet, but elevated and waste-conscious. How? Every station has an attendant who serves you—even if all you want is a single slice of cheese. At first, I found this slightly fussy. But then I remembered the mountain of untouched food I’ve seen piled high on buffet plates elsewhere, and the logic made perfect sense. One of my favourite spots was the Sky Lounge at the ship’s aft—the ultimate sunset perch for a glass (or several) of champagne, the horizon ahead, and a fleeting moment to wonder: Where is this ship—and my life—actually heading? OTHER NOTES FROM THE VOYAGE - The crew insists there’s “no plastic on board,” though I did see a passenger haul in a box of bottled water back in Paros. Technically, that shouldn’t have been allowed. - Explora’s RINA Dolphin Certification is a genuine highlight—the ship’s noise-reduction system means it disturbs dolphins far less than most vessels. Did I spot any? Absolutely—right as we were leaving Lesbos. - Your passport is collected when you board; your room key doubles as ID during shore excursions. Which means no passport weighing down your pocket on land. - And if you miss the ship’s departure time? It will leave without you. Rules are rules—and the sea, as they say, waits for no one. For information about Explora cruises https://explorajourneys.com 8065 NUMARALI KABİNDEKİ ADAM 15 yıl önce ilk cruise seyahatimi -yine medya davetlisi olarak- yapmış ve geminin içinde bir film çekimine denk gelmiştim. Şimdi yıllar sonra yeniden bir cruise seyahatindeyim. Bu kez film çeken yok, ama sanki bir filmin içindeymişim gibi hissediyorum! Cruise’ların böyle hissettiriyor oluşu popüler kültürün en bilindik ikonu Titanic yüzünden olabilir mi? Seyahat sırasında sıkça bu soru aklıma düştü. Belki de bu hissin altında yatan en büyük gizem, yüzlerce insanın günler ve haftalarca (bazen bir ay boyunca seyahat eden de olabiliyormuş) lüks bir malikâneyi andıran gemiden -kara turları hariç- hiç ayrılmamasıdır. Bu da ne anlama geliyor? Yeni arkadaşlıklar, aşklar ve hatta küçük entrikalar…. GEMİNİN ADI, EXPLORA I. SÜİTİM 43 METREKARELİK 8065 Bulunduğum cruise, dünyanın üçüncü büyük cruise markası olan MSC Grubu'nun yeni gemilerinden Explora 1. Kalkış limanımız İstanbul’du ve şu anda bu satırları yazarken Midilli Adası’na gelmek üzereyiz. Explora, geleneksel bir yolcu gemisinden görünüş olarak oldukça farklı. Öncelikle tamamı deniz manzaralı toplam 461 süiti var. Bu nedenle diğer yolcu gemilerine insan sayısı daha az, ki bu da bence iyi bir şey! Explora 1’in süper yatı andıran tasarımında İngiliz tasarımcı ve mimar Martin Francis’le çalışılmış. Diğer tasarımcılar ise uzun yıllardır MSC ile çalışan SMC Design, AD Associates ve De Jorio Luxury and Yacht Projects. Ama Explora’nın esas farkını 8065 numaralı süitime girdiğimde anlıyorum: Metrekare oldukça geniş (Sonradan öğreniyorum, meğer benim süit 43 metrekareymiş, 70 metrekarelik olan süitler de varmış). Otuma odası, kıyafetlerimi koyabileceğim gömme dolaplı ayrı bir alan ve seperatörle ayrılan yatak odası süitime dahil. Ama en büyük sürpriz, geniş bir balkonumun olması! Elbette geceleri balkonumdan açık denizdeki dalgaları hipnotize olmuş şekilde seyrederken Ruth Ware’in -yakında Netflix’te de gösterilecek- çok satan romanı “The Woman in 10 Cabin” aklıma geliyor. Neyse ki, romanın baş karakteri olan seyahat yazarının tanık olduğu gibi yan balkonumdan kimse aniden aşağı atlamıyor ya da atılmıyor! Ve hayır, Ware’in romanının 2022’de Fransız Polinezyası açıklarındaki cruise seyahati sırasında balkondan atladığı düşünülen Dilek Ertek’le ilgisi yok. O mesele zaten bir başka muamma. Belki yakında onun da dizisi, filmi ya da belgeseli çekilir… CRUISE’DA ZAMAN NASIL GEÇİYOR? Gelelim en çok merak edilen sorulara… Cruise’da zaman -özellikle de hiç kara görülmeyen günlerde- nasıl geçiyor? Doğrusu, Paros’tan ayrılıp Palermo’ya (Sicilya) doğru sadece denizde ilerlediğimiz 48 saatlik zaman diliminde sıkılmaya hiç vaktim olmadı. Mesela: Explora’nın en tepesinde bir açık hava parkuru var, orada yürüyüp koştum. Daha sonra kendimi yeme-içmeye verdim! Gemide altı farklı restoran var. Japon restoranından Fransız mutfağına, İtalyan restoranından steakhouse’a kadar uzanan bir çeşitlilik söz konusu. Bir de her öğle ve akşam açık Emporium Marketplace var. Burası bildiğimiz açık büfelerin daha konforlu ve israfı önleyen versiyonu. Nasıl mı? Her yiyecek istasyonunun başında bir görevli var. Bir dilim peyniri bile tabağınıza o servis ediyor. İlk başta bu oldukça yorucu gelmişti, ama sonra açık büfelerden tıka basa doldurulan ama asla tam olarak bitirilmeyen yemekleri düşününce bu sisteme hak verdim. Explora’da en çok vakit geçirdiğim yerlerden biri ise Sky Lounge’du. Geminin arka tarafındaki bu bar hem gün batımı izleyip “Bu gemi ve hayatım nereye gidiyor?” diye düşüncelere dalmak hem de bir kadeh (ya da çok kadeh!) şampanya yudumlamak için kesinlikle ideal bir noktaydı. GEMİDEN ÖNEMLİ BAŞKA DETAYLAR - “Gemide plastik kullanılmaz” dediler ama ben Paros’tan bir koli pet şişeyi gemiye sokan yolcu gördüm. Bence almamaları gerekiyordu. - Explora’nın en hoş yanı, RINA Yunus Sertifikası olması. Bu ne anlama geliyor? Su altı gürültüsünü azaltan sistemi sayesinde geminin yunusları daha az rahatsız ediyor olması… Peki yunus gördüm mü? Elbette, tam Midilli’den ayrıldığımız saatlerde… - Pasaportunuzu gemiye girdiğinizde teslim ediyorsunuz. Gemiden ayrılıp kara turuna çıktığınızda oda kartınız aynı zamanda kimliğiniz oluyor! Yani pasaportunuz bu turlar sırasında yanınızda olmuyor. - Peki ya geminin kalkış saatini kaçırırsanız? Tabii ki gemi sizi beklemiyor ve gidiyor! Çünkü: Hem kurallar hem de malum, yol beklemez! Daha fazla bilgi için https://explorajourneys.com

Ailla is a 13-room luxury hotel in Yalıkavak, Bodrum, with Aegean interiors, panoramic bay views, bespoke dining, and art exhibitions. November 2024 | DESIGN & INTERIORS TURKISH BELOW a CAPTIVATING ESCAPE in YALIKAVAK words Alp Tekin This summer, Ailla opened its doors in Yalıkavak, one of Bodrum’s most popular luxury destinations. With its panoramic views and personalized culinary offerings, the hotel quickly stood out. General Manager Deniz Arkayın shares insights into the creation of this unique retreat. Ailla was originally a mansion before being transformed into a hotel. What changes were made during this transformation? Before becoming a hotel, AILLA was a meticulously designed mansion seamlessly integrated with nature. For the 2024 season, we reimagined it as a sophisticated luxury hotel. We blended minimalism with an Aegean-inspired interior design concept. The property now features 13 uniquely designed rooms, ranging from 35 to 92 square meters, including sea-view rooms and swim-up suites. We also transformed the estate's magnificent 18,000-square-meter garden into a serene haven with an infinity pool and sunbathing areas, designed to offer guests a romantic and unforgettable experience. Perched on a prime location in Yalıkavak, Ailla boasts sweeping views of the entire bay. This setting allows guests to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, making it a truly special destination. Beyond the panoramic views, the hotel also gained attention for its art exhibitions… Indeed, summer for us means a season full of events, gatherings, and weddings. We hosted countless memorable moments against the backdrop of our stunning views. One highlight was the ‘AILLA’DA’ exhibition, created in collaboration with Galeri Selvin. Featuring 70 pieces by 10 sculptors and 5 painters, the exhibition was a resounding success. Being located in Bodrum, a region that continually raises the bar in the arts, inspires us to be more creative. We’re already planning new exhibitions for next summer. We also aim to make Ailla a year-round retreat, offering unique experiences in every season. For those looking to escape the city and unwind, our hotel will remain open throughout the winter, featuring an indoor pool, spa, and hammam services. Guests can enjoy cozy evenings by the fireplace and embrace the beauty of winter. In short, the season never ends at Ailla! What does the name Ailla mean? And how would you describe the hotel’s essence? Ailla refers to the thin, translucent light halo that surrounds the moon and the sun. We chose this name to reflect the mansion’s breathtaking views of sunsets, sunrises, and full moons. Every day at Ailla offers guests a new visual delight to wake up to. Our hotel is designed entirely around enjoyment. With a limited number of rooms, each guest gets to experience the mansion as their own private retreat. For instance, we don’t have fixed breakfast hours. Every detail is thoughtfully tailored to individual preferences. Our chef prepares personalized menus daily for each guest, offering a truly bespoke culinary experience. Do you plan to offer a beach or provide access to one for guests? Last summer, we hosted our guests at Xuma Beach. Additionally, for those seeking other beach experiences, our concierge team arranges reservations and VIP transfers to the desired locations. YALIKAVAK’TA LÜKS bir KAÇIŞ NOKTASI Bodrum, Yalıkavak tarafında bu yaz açılan Ailla, panoramik manzarası ve kişiye özel mutfağıyla öne çıkan bir otel. Otelin genel müdürü Deniz Arkayın nasıl bir otel tasarladıklarını anlatıyor… Ailla, villadan otele dönüştürülen bir yapı. Bu dönüşüm sırasında nasıl değişiklikler yapıldı? AILLA Yalıkavak’ın otele dönüştürülmeden önceki versiyonu da incelikle tasarlanmış bir malikâneydi aslında. Doğayla bütünleşen özel bir mimarisi vardı ve biz burayı sofistike lüks konseptiyle 2024 sezonunda bir otele dönüştürdük. Otelimizin iç tasarımını minimal ve Ege konseptiyle harmanladık. Özel etkinlik, lounge ve yemek alanlarıyla beraber 13 özel oda tasarladık. Büyüklükleri 35 ile 92 metrekare arasında değişen bu 13 odada deniz manzaralı odalar, swim-up süitler bulunuyor. Ayrıca arazinin 18 bin metrekarelik muhteşem bahçesinde yer alan sonsuzluk havuzunu ve güneşlenme alanlarını da konuklarımıza romantik bir deneyim sunmayı hedefleyerek dekore ettik. Ailla, konumundan ötürü Yalıkavak körfezine tamamen hakim. Bu sayede nefes kesen manzarasıyla unutulmaz gün batımını deneyimleyebileceğiniz özel bir otele dönüştü. Panoramik manzaranın yanı sıra sergilerle de otel ön plana çıktı… Evet, yaz bizim için etkinlikler, davetler, düğünlerle dolu bir sezon demek. Yaz boyunca nefes kesen manzaramız eşliğinde unutulmaz anlara ev sahipliği yaptık. Ayrıca Galeri Selvin iş birliğiyle gerçekleştirdiğimiz, 10 heykeltıraş ve 5 ressamdan oluşan 70 eserin sergilendiği ‘AILLA’DA’ sergisi çok ses getirdi. Bodrum gibi, sanat alanında çıtayı her geçen gün yukarıya taşıyan bir bölgede konumlanmak bizi de daha kreatif olmaya teşvik ediyor. Önümüzdeki yaz yeni sergilere ev sahipliği yapmayı planlıyoruz. Ayrıca kış aylarında da Ailla’yı ziyaretçilerin farklı perspektiflerden yararlanabileceği bir otel olarak sunmayı planlıyoruz. Şehirden bir kaçış noktası olarak rahatlamak, nefes almak isteyen misafirlerimize her sezon hizmet sunabilmek büyük şans. Kapalı yüzme havuzu, spa ve hamam hizmetlerimiz kış boyunca devam edecek. Sıcak bir ortamda şömine keyfi yapıp kışın tadını çıkarabileceksiniz. Kısacası Ailla’da sezon asla kapanmaz! Ailla'nın anlamı nedir? Ve otelin tarzını nasıl özetlersiniz? Ailla, ay ve güneşin etrafında oluşan ince ve şeffaf ışık hüzmesi anlamını taşıyor. Bu ismi tercih etmemizin nedeni malikanenin konumundan dolayı sahip olduğu eşsiz gün batımı, gün doğumu ve dolunay… Ailla’da misafirlerimiz her gün yeni bir manzaraya uyanıyor! Otelimiz tamamen keyif almak üzerine kurgulandı. Az sayıda odamız olduğundan her misafir bir bakıma kendi malikane deneyimini yaşıyor. Mesela kahvaltı saatimiz yok. Her ayrıntı her misafire uyum sağlayabilecek şekilde düşünüldü. Şefimiz günlük olarak her misafirimize istediği özel menüyü hazırlıyor. Kısacası, kişiye özel bir mutfağa sahibiz. Konuklar için plaja yönlendirme ya da ilerde plajınız olma ihtimali var mı? Geçtiğimiz yaz misafirlerimizi Xuma Beach‘te ağırladık. Ayrıca arzu edilen farklı beach’lere, isteyen misafirlerimize de konsiyerj ekibimizle hizmet veriyoruz. Rezervasyonlarını yaparak VIP transferlerini gerçekleştiriyoruz.

BIG and ICON are developing El Cosmico, a 3D-printed camp hotel and housing project in Marfa, Texas, based on BIG's work with NASA for Mars and the Moon. March 2023 | Design & Interiors 3D hotel in the desert EL COSMICO D anish architecture studio BIG and ICON, which is building with 3D printers, are starting a new camp hotel and housing project called El Cosmico. El Cosmico in the town of Marfa, Texas will use the construction technology of 3D printers entirely. The interesting part of the project is this: The BIG team has been working with NASA for a while for structures that are resistant to the surface of Mars and the Moon. Here's what came out after that work: 3D printing on Mars and the Moon is the only viable option. The desert where El Cosmico is located also resembles Mars. D animarkalı mimarlık stüdyosu BIG ve 3D yazıcılarla inşaat yapan ICON, El Cosmico isimli yeni bir kamp otel ve konut projesine başlıyor. Teksas’ın Marfa kasabasındaki El Cosmico tamamen 3D yazıcıların inşaat teknolojisini kullanacak. Projenin ilginç yanı ise şu: BIG ekibi Mars ve Ay yüzeyine dayanıklı yapılar için bir süredir NASA ile çalışmalar yapıyor. İşte o çalışmalardan sonra ortaya çıkan şu oldu: Mars ve Ay'da 3D yazıcıyla inşaat yapmak tek geçerli seçenek. El Cosmico’nun bulunduğu çöl de Mars’ı andırıyor.

Nusfjord Village & Resort offers a winter escape in Lofoten, Norway, with restored Rorbu cabins, Arctic seafood, a spa, and two restaurants. February 2025 | TRAVEL a HYGGE HAVEN in LOFOTEN words Özlem Avcıoğlu Let’s start with the concept of Hygge, a Scandinavian philosophy—particularly rooted in Denmark—that has become increasingly popular as the secret to happiness. Geography plays a significant role in shaping a way of life. Imagine being in one of the Nordic countries, where the majority of the year is cold, rainy, and windy, with six months of darkness. You need something to seek comfort in, and that’s precisely what Hygge is about. At its core, Hygge is the art of creating cozy, inviting spaces. It’s about finding warmth, joy, and relaxation in simple pleasures. And while traveling to Lofoten in Norway during winter can be quite challenging, it’s undoubtedly a journey that embodies the essence of Hygge—offering moments of tranquility, warmth, and an appreciation for life’s simple comforts. Reaching Lofoten in harsh winter conditions requires more than just multiple flight connections—you also have to drive through dark, icy roads. Yet, after an exhausting journey, stepping into Nusfjord Village and Resort felt like wrapping myself in a warm, comforting blanket. The moment I arrived, I turned to my friend and said, “We’re not leaving this place for the next 48 hours!” And that’s exactly what we did—we canceled all other plans and immersed ourselves in the resort’s serene atmosphere. A RESORT THAT FEELS LIKE A VILLAGE Nusfjord Village & Resort is one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve ever stayed in. Nestled at the end of a secluded fjord, Nusfjord is also the oldest fishing village in Lofoten. The history of settlements here dates back to 425 BC. During Nusfjord’s golden era, more than 1,500 people lived in traditional fishing cabins known as Rorbu. Today, aside from the resort, only 16 people reside in Nusfjord year-round. The resort itself is dedicated to preserving the authentic spirit of Lofoten, as it consists entirely of restored Rorbucabins. While these cabins retain their traditional charm, they have been renovated to offer modern comforts and are all situated directly above the water. The resort truly feels like a small village. There’s a charming shop where you can spend hours browsing, along with a café, an art gallery, a spa, outdoor hot tubs, and two exceptional restaurants. Restaurant Karoline specializes in Arctic seafood, offering a superb menu, while Oriana Tavern is the perfect spot for those who love wood-fired pizza. Most of the ingredients used in both restaurants come from local farms and fishermen, ensuring that every meal is incredibly fresh.

3daysofdesign in Copenhagen presents Secto Design lighting, Müller Van Severen collections, Dinesen exhibitions, and Ariake and Parachilna. June 19, 2025 | DESIGN & INTERIORS OUR PICKS from 3DAYSOFDESIGN photos Elias Derboven (Valerie Objects), Irina_Boersma (Apartamento Secreto) 1 – THE INNOVATIVE ADILO Adilo marks a bold new chapter in the thirty-year design journey of Finnish lighting brand Secto Design. First unveiled during Milan Design Week, the piece is now on display in Copenhagen as part of 3daysofdesign. Merging the brand’s signature elements—Finnish birch and geometric precision—with an innovative fold-out mechanism, Adilo introduces a new kind of spatial poetry. Designed by Ilkka Kauppinen, the pendant can be seen at the brand’s showroom located at the entrance of the grand Odd Fellow Palace. 2 – NEW COLLECTIONS BY MULLER VAN SEVEREN Belgian design duo Muller Van Severen presents six new collections during this year’s 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen. Collaborations with BD Barcelona, valerie_objects, Hay, and Blēo reflect the studio’s artistic sensibility and multifaceted approach. The first collection, on view at The Lab, is RASTERS—a modular system of cabinets and paravents developed with OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen for BD Barcelona. Based on the simple yet striking logic of architectural grid structures, RASTERS transforms a utilitarian idea into sculptural furniture. The second collection celebrates the tenth anniversary of Valerie Objects, for which Muller Van Severen has created new indoor and outdoor furniture pieces. Carrying forward the duo’s now-iconic visual language, the designs are artistic, sculptural, and emotionally resonant. (Location: Lilli Blå, Esplanaden 3) Their latest collaboration is with paint brand Blēo. For Blēo’s new ceramic collection, Muller Van Severen designed a special series of 12 tiles, all handmade using traditional techniques in Fez, Morocco. (Location: Blēo Showroom, Borgergade 20) 3 – APARTAMENTO SECRETO / Himitsuno Kakurega Presented in a hidden apartment on the third floor of The Conary, Apartamento Secreto / Himitsuno Kakurega is an intimate installation by Japanese furniture brand Ariake and Spanish lighting manufacturer Parachilna. The name translates from Japanese as “secret hideaway” and the space explores how two brands—geographically distant but united in their attention to detail and collaborative ethos—can come together to create a shared design language. Curated by Tine Daring, the installation welcomes visitors into a warm, lived-in atmosphere. Ariake’s contemplative furniture sets the tone for human connection, while Parachilna’s sculptural lighting transforms the space, allowing light to take on architectural form. The apartment is completed with pieces from Origin Made, rugs from Sera Helsinki, and sculptures by Gen Taniguchi, a master artisan from the 300-year-old Japanese studio Nao Washi. (Location: The Conary, 3rd Floor, Dronningens Tværgade 26) 4 – TWO SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS FROM DINESEN Denmark’s leading producer of high-end wooden flooring, Dinesen hosts two standout exhibitions during 3daysofdesign. The first, House of ORBI, transforms the gallery space of the Dinesen showroom into a display of select works from the ORBI summer schools—an initiative co-founded by Dinesen that blends architecture, nature, and education. The second exhibition, White, Light, Wood, is curated by Blēo and highlights the physical references behind the Whitescale palette created by renowned British architect John Pawson for Blēo. (Location: Dinesen Showroom, Søtorvet 5, 1371 Copenhagen)

Ariana Ahmad’s Moscow family home pairs English-style architecture with soft materials, layered light, and a private garden by Chris Beardshaw. July 16, 2025 | DESIGN & INTERIORS the ART of LIVING SOFTLY words Elena Grabar photos Mikhail Loskutov architect + interior designer Ariana Ahmad style Natalia Onufreichuk In a quiet, historic corner of Moscow, a serene family home designed by architect Ariana Ahmad unfolds with grace and intention. Rooted in English-style architecture and surrounded by a private garden imagined by British landscape designer Chris Beardshaw, the apartment feels at once timeless and deeply personal. A REINTERPRETED CLASSICISM The owners—a couple with a young child—gave Ariana full creative freedom. From two separate apartments, she shaped a single, flowing layout that begins with a generous entrance hall. A mosaic by English artist James Hill, crafted in Paris, anchors the entry alongside a sculptural console table. The space opens into an elegant, open-plan living area where the fireplace, lounge, and dining zones coexist with ease. “The building’s architecture suggested an understated kind of luxury,” Ariana says. “I wanted the interiors to reflect that spirit—classically structured, but with emotional depth and a sense of ease.” Behind a ribbed wood partition, a concealed door leads to the private wing: a smaller hallway, a home office, and a children’s zone. The layout plays with openness and retreat—balancing communal moments with quiet ones, in tune with family life. HARMONY OF MATERIALS AND LIGHT The palette throughout is soft and earthy—natural woods, chalky tones, layered neutrals. Texture brings everything to life: velvet-upholstered chairs from Audo Copenhagen, crystal lighting by Christopher Boots, and the rich grain of French herringbone parquet. Breccia di Sicilia marble wraps the kitchen backsplash and fireplace—its swirling pattern echoing the building’s original stonework and continuing the dialogue between exterior and interior. Custom-designed pieces blend seamlessly with furniture by Christophe Delcourt and Collection Particulier. De Gournay wallpaper, traditional window shutters, and diffused daylight enhance what Ariana calls a “softly Parisian” atmosphere—elegant, grounded, and calm. “Light and texture are inseparable in my work,” she adds. “I’m always looking for that quiet balance—where every surface holds the light in its own way.” ART AS ATMOSPHERE For Ariana, art is not an afterthought—it’s a quiet force that shapes the mood of a space. In the living room, monochrome vases by Véronique Ganne explore the limits of texture and glaze—matte, glossy, translucent. On the walls, diptychs by Paris-based Brazilian artist Daniela Busarello bring a poetic stillness, while a contemplative painting by Li Chevalier invites pause in the dining area. In the home office, a piece by Paul Bergigne reflects the subtle movement of nature. “Art gives the home its voice,” she says. “It creates presence—subtle, lasting, and intimate.” That feeling continues in the bathrooms, where black-and-white photographs by Masao Yamamoto offer visual haikus—delicate reflections on silence and transience. A TERRACE ABOVE THE CITY One of the home’s most treasured spaces is the open terrace overlooking the rooftops of old Moscow. Furnished with pieces by Minotti, it becomes a private summer haven for the family—just as thoughtful and balanced as the interiors. A space for breakfasts, reading, evening air. Here too, Ahmad’s design invites stillness and presence—a quiet rhythm shaped by memory, light, and the beauty of restraint.

Jolson’s House of Light in Melbourne centres on a planted courtyard, sculptural brickwork, natural light and a tactile interior shaped around art and privacy. September 19, 2026 | DESIGN & INTERIORS HOUSE of LIGHT words Noah Mercer photos Anson Smart stylist Claire Delmar production Karine Monié Surrounded by increasingly dense development in Melbourne, Jolson’s House of Light turns away from the conventional idea of an outlook. A three-storey planted courtyard instead brings landscape, daylight and privacy into the centre of the home. The owners had lived on the site, around five kilometres from central Melbourne, since 2005. Over time, apartment buildings rose around them, narrowing views, reducing daylight and eroding privacy. Rather than leave, they chose to reconsider what living on the site could mean. Designed by Melbourne architecture and interior design studio Jolson, the house does not attempt to recover what was lost. Instead, it creates another kind of outlook. At its centre, a three-level courtyard filled with plants, terraces and cascading greenery becomes both the visual focus of the house and its principal source of light. Completed after a six-year process, House of Light turns attention away from the surrounding city and towards vegetation, material, art and changing daylight. BUILDING THE VIEW The site has an earlier connection to Melbourne’s history. It was once occupied by converted stables built for horses that pulled some of the city’s first trams. Today, the house meets the street with a 14-metre-high façade composed of 26,000 handmade Spanish bricks. Variations in tone, irregular coursing and softly contoured openings give the surface a more fluid quality, while changing daylight accentuates the texture of the masonry. The transition inside is deliberately pronounced. For Stephen Jolson, founder and creative director of Jolson, the entrance marks a shift from urban density to a quieter interior condition. Beyond it, the courtyard takes over. Developed with landscape designer Florian Wild, the planting begins with a fernery below ground and rises through terraces and cascading vines. Over time, the vegetation is intended to form a loose veil between the rooms and the courtyard. LIGHT AS MATERIAL Natural light is one of the house’s primary organising elements. Rather than entering mainly from the perimeter, daylight is drawn vertically through the building and dispersed across pale, curved surfaces. Polished plaster walls shift between warm white and soft cream throughout the day, while the central stair carries light through several levels. Three flights rise beneath a curved, skylit ceiling, making the stair one of the clearest expressions of the project’s sectional approach. “The shifting tone of natural light across curved plaster, the cool touch of stone underfoot, and the softened acoustics of layered surfaces all work together to create a deeply emotive experience,” says Jolson. The house is arranged across five levels, from basement to third floor. The ground floor contains the entrance and a study facing the courtyard; bedrooms and bathrooms occupy the level above. In the main bedroom, an opening cut into the masonry captures sky and daylight without sacrificing privacy. A TACTILE INTERIOR The material palette relies on variation in texture rather than contrast. Silver Orion stone runs through the house in different finishes, while aged stone-oak veneer and hand-painted timber joinery bring warmth. Bronze appears selectively in frames, sliding doors and a ribbon-like handrail. Other details refer to the owners’ longstanding connection with horses and equestrian life. Woven natural-cord screens, saddle-leather joinery and hand-finished elements introduce these references without turning them into decoration. ARCHITECTURE FOR ART The house developed alongside the owners’ growing interest in contemporary art. Working with art consultant Swee Lim, they began collecting during the design process. The collection includes works by Sally Smart, Ben Quilty, Yang Yongliang, Marion Borgelt, Sarah Rayner, Alex Seton and First Nations artist Mantua Nangala, with recurring themes of nature, ecology and relationships to country. “Architecture is an act of interpretation not dissimilar to art,” says Jolson. “House of Light is a sculptural form that responds to its robust surroundings and creates a moment for pause and contemplation.”

Knightsbridge is a Grade II listed Edwardian residence by Bergman Design House, shaped by Hyde Park views, warm materials, and equestrian details. August 27, 2025 | DESIGN & INTERIORS KNIGHTSBRIDGE ELEGANCE words Karine Monie photos Vigo Jansons interior design Bergman Design House A magical yet deeply inviting home—pure class in the heart of Knightsbridge, just steps from Harrods and Hyde Park. Set within a Grade II listed Edwardian landmark from 1902, this £26.5 million residence balances serene elegance with modern comfort. The interiors are wrapped in rich layers of butter-wax leather, cashmere, marble, and warm woods, creating an atmosphere that is both refined and welcoming. Inspired by Hyde Park’s sweeping views and the stables nearby, subtle equestrian details run through the design, lending depth and character. DESIGN HERITAGE The home belongs to Knightsbridge Gate—a restored Grade II listed Edwardian building originally designed by W.D. Caröe and reimagined by MSMR architects. While the North façade has been carefully preserved, the South façade was reinterpreted with pergolas and terraces. Inside, Bergman Design House, led by Marie Soliman and Albin Berglund, infused warmth and texture into every space. Principal rooms overlook Belgravia, framed by bespoke joinery and a rich palette of natural materials. ATMOSPHERE “The atmosphere we aimed to create is one of serene elegance and modern comfort,” says Marie Soliman. High ceilings, abundant natural light, and a calm color palette establish a sense of openness, while luxurious details—linen, brass, marble, and warm timber—keep it sophisticated yet inviting. DESIGN FLOW The duplex unfolds in open concept, with the living, dining, and kitchen flowing seamlessly together—ideal for entertaining or family gatherings. Private suites extend onto terraces with views across the city, while versatile spaces such as the home office echo the intimacy of a private members’ club. The family lounge doubles as a cozy retreat with state-of-the-art AV for cinematic evenings. Outdoor terraces offer quiet moments of retreat—an urban sanctuary in every sense. COLOR & MATERIAL STORY “We loved the contrast of ice blue with rich browns and mochas, especially around the black fireplace,” Soliman explains. Neutral-toned sofas balance the palette, while in the bedrooms, a mix of tan and dark grey leather adds warmth in a refined way. Custom lighting—from statement chandeliers to subtle recessed fixtures—enhances the atmosphere room by room. EQUESTRIAN ELEGANCE Echoing Hyde Park and its riding paths, Bergman Design House wove equestrian heritage into the interiors. Wax box leather, saddle stitching, and unlacquered brass with natural patina recall the craft of saddle-making, while timbers and travertine bring a tactile richness. “There’s an ethereal quality here—glamorous and elite, yet playful,” Soliman reflects. THE BIGGER PICTURE Despite the project’s incredibly tight 10-month deadline, the design team embraced the challenge. The result: a Knightsbridge home that serves equally as a full-time family residence or an exquisite pied-à-terre, where heritage and modernity coexist effortlessly. CURATED DETAILS Beyond the architecture, the interiors are layered with collaborations and carefully chosen pieces: bespoke furniture and joinery by Bergman Design House, wallpaper by Fromental, rugs by Riviere and Nordic Knots, art by Hannes Schauer and Julie Massie, as well as iconic designs from Minotti, Andrew Martin, Arteriors, Soho Home, and RH. Together, they create a curated environment that feels both highly personal and distinctly London.

Ekaterina Subbotina redesigned a 65-square-meter Moscow apartment with Japanese references, vintage design icons, and custom furniture for a young couple. September 24, 2025 | DESIGN & INTERIORS JAPANESE CALM, MODERN EDGE words Alp Tekin photos Elizaveta Gurovskaya interior design Ekaterina Subbotina / Ekaterina Subbotina Interiors stylist Svetlana Nosova For designer Ekaterina Subbotina, some projects come together with unexpected ease. “I immediately loved this one,” she says. “The clients reached out via social media asking for stylistic updates to a finished design by another studio. Workers were practically at the doorstep, ready to begin. My biggest success was convincing them to change the layout entirely. In less than a week, we reimagined the plan and started construction—without 3D visuals, only a few collages.” MODERN LINES, VINTAGE SOUL Set in one of Moscow’s historic neighborhoods, the apartment belongs to a young couple passionate about design and travel, with years spent living in Japan. Subbotina’s concept brings together clean modernism with vintage icons and subtle Japanese references. “Some pieces seemed to find us on their own,” she notes. A red leather chair by Pierre Guariche from the Space Age era, lighting by Isamu Noguchi and Louis Poulsen, and film photography shot by the homeowner in Japan all add layers of intimacy and timelessness. The palette leans into milky white, warm golden wood, and a few sharp black accents—anchored by a confident red highlight. Most surfaces are clad in alder veneer. “This warm wood texture with its delicate, almost invisible flecks keeps the interior from feeling flat,” says Subbotina. Her favorite detail: a large wooden portal framing the living room window, doubling as a functional ledge and an architectural gesture that draws the eye toward Moscow’s skyline. SMARTER SPACE The apartment’s original developer plan wasted 13 square meters on corridors—an enormous compromise in a 65-square-meter home. Subbotina reorganized the layout, eliminating one corridor and integrating it into the living and dining areas. The kitchen was tucked into a niche, while the bedroom was divided into a workspace and sleeping zone with a tall sliding door. “When it’s open during the day, only the office is visible from the living room, making the apartment feel lighter and more expansive,” she explains. CRAFTED AND COLLECTED Every detail was considered. The kitchen, bathroom furniture, and built-ins were custom-made by Chilis Studio to Subbotina’s sketches, paired with a solid oak countertop from Woodcraft Studio. Mirrors and children’s furniture came from Coma Coma, sofas and beds from Idealbeds, while vintage finds—from a Marcel Breuer chair to a Luna chair by Pierre Guariche—were sourced from Beke Gallery. “We wanted a space that feels alive—minimal but never sterile, personal yet timeless,” Subbotina says. With warm wood, vintage accents, and a few bold highlights, this Moscow apartment captures a refined sense of calm with an edge.