CALMA UBUD - BEAUTIFUL NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Sometimes we stumble upon a website or in my case a beautiful stay - and you just feel like you have arrived - and you are home

That's how I felt when I found Calma Ubud - and yes .... the feeling of calm, and peacefulness and tranquility all springs to mind.  A gentle structure nestled amongst the ricefields in a traditional Balinese village just outside Ubud - surrounded by nature - and magical sunsets at night

I love the lightness and the brightness and the vast open plan lounge and breakfast area that overlooks the soothing turquoise waters of the swimming pool - pool view, ricefield view - nature all around
What more can one want?

This a small luxury resort with only 10 beautifully designed individual guest rooms and suites - the emphasis here is definitely the simplicity of the design, the traditional Balinese craftsmanship enhanced by the contemporary tropical architecture - I'd like to call this rustic eco chic - however I do believe this is rather less rustic, and lots more luxury

Definitely one for the list ..... 

Images via calma ubud

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

CASA IMPALA - HOLBOX ISLAND

If you are looking at planning your next vacation abroad -  'Holbox Island' in Mexico should be top of your list - from what I gather, it is the next Tallum

This is Casa Impala - which you can book via AirBnb here  - first spotted via Pinterest and all images are via AirBnb

I've never been to Mexico or South America - yet my dream list of holiday spots are growing by the day ... Drift in San Jose, and now Casa Impala ..... feels like the America's are pulling me by the hair - with so many friends now living, or moving there.

Imagine doing your sun salutations on that terrace - or hanging in the hammock as the sun settles for the day with a freshly made chilled caipirinha in hand

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/10750745

BEAUTIFUL MINIMAL CAPE TOWN HOME

Utterly inspired today by this beautiful minimal Cape Town home  (being also utterly distracted from the heap of admin that awaits ... but alas, let's share something inspiring first - and then back to the task at hand)

Found these images via Stylejuicer, a deliciously inspiring blog and I quote:
'It’s the home of make-up artist Algria Ferreira-Watling who by her own admission comes from a poor background and never dreamt of living in a palace. She says she has never needed things but instead has always wanted to live in a little house with the peaceful feel of a monastery.'

A neutral and natural palette - and through her stylish yet minimal approach, Algria has created this very peaceful zen-like home ... natural materials, lots of wood, and whites ... rustic concrete floors, and oh my oh my those stairs

We can definitely live very well, if not better - by making better choices, having less is definitely having more - having less is having more time - more time to enjoy life and living an inspired life

Totally in love with this Cape Town home - and who would not want to sit and while away some time on that front porch and watch the world go by.... makes me a little bit homesick right now - but - only a couple more months and I'll be visiting my home away from homesweethome - yay!

Photography:  Greg Cox
Images via Stylejuicer


http://stylejuicer.com/home-and-interior/a-calm-and-pure-home-in-cape-town/

BLACK AND WHITE BARN IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

A beautiful black and white barn to see us into the weekend

Have a happy Friday and a relaxing weekend

x

Images via style-files