Author Archive
Hotel Max has a great sense of style and a great sense of play. Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, this boutique hotel has its finger directly on the city’s pulse. The hotel features stunning design elements everywhere from the lobby to the hallways, and the rooms boast original artwork by local artists. With its amiable staff and beautiful aesthetics, Hotel Max offers a contemporary vibe for travelers in the Pacific Northwest.
Klaus K is a design hotel inspired by the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, and “inspired” is definitely an apt description of the thoughtful aesthetic of this incredible hotel. Design details abound — in the lobby and the rooms, but also in unexpected places like the elevators, wallpaper, and carpet. Owners Mia and Marc Skvorc have incorporated literal and symbolic references to the Kalevala in almost every aspect of the hotel’s design, but for those unfamiliar with the epic Finnish poem, the masterful blend of textures and colors gives you plenty to look at while the soft lighting and modern elegance create a sense of richness throughout the establishment.
In the old Muhu dialect of Estonian, “neh” roughly translates to a combination of “yes,” “naturally,” and “of course.” After being treated to a generous multi-course meal at this entrepreneurial spinoff of Pädaste Manor’s Alexander Restaurant on Muhu Island (Estonia’s third largest island), the idea of simply saying “yes” to Neh makes perfect sense. Why wouldn’t I say yes to fresh ingredients, creative recipes and a welcoming staff?
Located just outside of Tallinn’s Old Town in the city’s up-and-coming Rotermanni Quarter, Nordic Hotel Forum is a contemporary option for the modern hipster. As a world-class business hotel, it has all the technological amenities a guest could hope for: super-speedy wifi, flatscreen TVs, and even Skype-equipped telephones. The hotel’s aesthetic is designed to provide guests with a relaxing escape from both work and play – and it definitely does the trick. For this weary traveler, the tranquil room with its comfortable bed was a welcome solace from a long day of trekking around the cobbled streets of the nearby Old Town. As for the rooms, they feature clean lines, smooth textures, and a color palette of bright whites and dark woods.
Upon entering the Nobis Hotel, the lobby’s elegant aesthetic makes a positive impression. The round lights hanging from the ceiling provide a cloud-like feel that complements the natural light flooding in the windows.
Finding a stylish hotel in Oslo that won’t drain your funds can be difficult, but the Scandic Vulkan is one of those rare exceptions to the rule. Located on the outskirts of the trendy Grünerløkka area right behind the Dansens Hus theater, the Vulkan is a hop, skip, and jump away from cute restaurants and boutiques.
The second you step into the historic Union Station Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, you feel the grandeur of this luxury hotel’s 65-foot stained glass ceilings, rich woodwork, and timeless beauty. Situated within walking distance of the bustling honky-tonks Music City is famous for, Union Station Hotel is the perfect place to rest your head after a night out on the town. The lobby’s classic architecture welcomes you into this former transportation hub, and around every corner there is a set of colorful leather chairs that invite quiet conversation.
Like so many of my favorite novels, I found this book accidentally. I was looking for books that experimented with form, and boy did I ever find a book that experiments with form! This book is so experimental that it was deemed unprintable until Visual Editions decided to take a stab at it. With the help of an ambitious Belgian company called die Keure, Jonathan Safran Foer’s book Tree of Codes has come to fruition.
