BOHEMIAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL - CASA COOK RHODES

I'm not going to try and write something about this place, as it's just too perfect to try and spoil with a few measly sentences - swooning over the hammocks and the pool and the plush cushions - love the tribal designs by the way - all the little details - all so well designed, even the menu's are on theme - and well aimed at a very specific market

I've not even included the rooms, that will need to follow in a separate post as I'd hate for anyone to overdose on all this beautiful 'bohemianness' ..... I can't stop staring at my screen - imagining what a holiday at this place would feel like

I imagine bliss times 100 for sure

Images via Casa Cook

ROAM BALI DESIGNED BY ALEXIS DORNIER

Tropical co-living at its best at this beautiful airy and plant filled complex called Roam;  in Ubud, Bali.  Roam is a new brand that offers occupants the opportunity to move between co-living complexes around the world. You will find a beautiful movie clip on their landing page from which I quote

'We’ve converted a contemporary boutique hotel into a co-living space in Ubud, the artistic and cultural heart of the island. Two dozen rooms encircle a pool, and a co-working space sits on the rooftop across from an open space for events like nightly talks, yoga and capoeira.'
Designed by Alexis Dornier this space reminds me of the Eco Hotel Kandalama Heritance in Sri Lanka - design by Geoffrey Bawa.  I had the opportunity to stay at the Kandalama I think it was in 2004 and it was a remarkable experience - I could feel the design - it made me feel well.

Back to Roam -  And I'm quoting from Alexis Dornier's website:

'the vision of this place was to create community. A model of a micro society where people find their own space for privacy as well as places of gathering, exchange, movement and education, the structure we had found prior to it's make over already had a great deal of that desired spatial configuration we find today.
The inner court yard, surrounded by 3 run down apartment buildings, formed the starting point for surgical and effective alteration of floor plans by adding more components, knocking down walls, opening solid concrete walls, adding bathrooms and placing large windows that would allow for enough light, fresh air and exciting views towards its surroundings.
Roam is an urban place, and its density one of the key drivers to bring people together closely. We gave these places of gathering a new Roof on top of the buildings, connected them with a bridge, extensive deck space, cafe, bar, restaurant, lounge and other recreational areas. Also the central pool, the recently completed community kitchen and downstairs garden bar offer active areas for guests and visitors.
Balinese life around built structure is that of community through density. Taking the model of a traditional Balinese compound to another level, the feeling of family as an organism of exchange and life was always a key driver in the design for Roam. 'All under one roof' was another key design driver. The efficient canopy structure spans across all shared spaces. Different opacities through a range of materials such as bamboo, tin and poly carbonate turn the place into a light, yet protected outpost high up, overlooking its surrounding."

I'm keen to check this out on my travels - and hope to take a few photos and movie clips to share with you at a later stage.  This kind of development is really inspiring and definitely key in creating more sustainable co-working co-living spaces for a generation of explorers and nomads and just those keen to live more meaningful lives, not to be bound by convention, not living by the 9 - 5 rule book.  I'm keen to get breaking some rules - and living life to the full!  And seeing creative spaces like this one, really gives me some motivation to step up and step into life with fresh vigour and 'gogetfulness' 

Photography:  Alexis Dornier

Stumbled upon via random Google search for Architects in Ubud

More here:  archdaily and dezeen

BALIQUE RESTAURANT - JIMBARAN, BALI

Today I'm happy to share with you a new found restaurant, and this one is on my list for a visit when I'll be back in Bali in a few months time -  I've been meaning to go head back to that blissful Isle for some time now - and having this to look forward to is perhaps just what was needed to get me focused and back on track and into this thing called life again!

So back to Balique Restaurant - you will find this Vintage Cafe/ Restaurant in Jimbaran, along Jalan Raya Uluwatu.  I love the colourful vintage feel - perfectly combined with slightly paired down wall and floor finishes;  lanterns and lampshades a plenty - and authentic perhaps oldie worldy take - and don't we all love spaces that can transport us to another age or era even.

One for the list - this one is for sure!

Images via balique-restaurant

First spotted via ladyironchef

August 2016

To say that I am a little bit unprepared for the arrival of August - is not quite an understatement....
Yet, I will take this little bull of a month by the figurative horns and make the absolute most of it!

My energy still seems to ebb and flow like the tides come and go - and I am learning to just go with it.  I stack up on juices and smoothies and healthy concoctions by the gallon loads it would seem.
Watermelon is top of my list for my daily fix.

And with summer now in full swing - bar the wintry grey skies of the past few days - we must trust that even better days are still a coming

And as its way past my bedtime already - I hope you're all in good spirits and good form to enjoy this August month - and make the most of it, the most best of the best

x

Image design by me