VILLA VERDE - TULUM DESIGNED BY CO-LAB DESIGN OFFICE

Wow... so where does one start - a perfect tropical retreat in an eco-conscious neighbourhood with cobble stoned streets - a short bike ride to the beach...
This is Villa Verde in Aldea Zama, Tulum, Mexico - and this is one for my list for next year...


Images via Villa Verde AirBNB

Designed by co-labdesignoffice

SURPRISE HOUSE - BY KMA

Stumbled upon this delightful project some time ago - I love how inviting that minimal facade can still appear....  Love the whiteness and curious about what beautifully designed spaces will wait once you've entered through to the indoor spaces

Designed by KMA (Kabarowski Misiura Architekci) you will find this silent surprise house in the suburbs of Wroclaw

Images via KMA

http://www.k-m-a.pl/projects/detached-houses/00010_surprise-house

THE COW SHED : SUFFOLK : BY NASH BAKER ARCHITECTS

I love this project by Nash Baker Architects


Photo credits:  Nick Guttridge
Images via:  Nash Baker Architects

LIGHT AND BRIGHT FAMILY HOME IN HOLLVIKEN SOUTH OF MALMO

A dream home come true for the Waborg family who designed and had this beautiful lightfilled bright home built for them in Hollviken in the South of Malmo

Natural
Beautiful
Feels like home


More info and Images via:  Elle Decoration Sweden
Photos by:  Petra Whips (Bindel)

VILLA KUBU SEMINYAK: DESIGNED BY DEE MYTTON - BALI TRAVELS 2016

As the first month of the new year is already in full swing - I do what I normally to best this time of year.... revisit my past travels and starting to plan the next big trip!  As you all may or may not know - I LOVE BALI - absolutely truly badly deeply - so join me on this trip down memory lane - my recent visit to Villa Kubu - my favourite luxury stay on that beautiful magical isle.... I wrote a little blogpost especially for them which you are welcome to read here at the Villa Kubu Blog

Photo:  Lindé Davies

I wanted to share some of the reasons why I keep returning here, to Villa Kubu - even though there are so many other amazing villas and resorts to choose from in Bali... and I do get to see a fair bit of those too.

But Villa Kubu is somehow just one of those beautifully understated yet wonderfully luxurious tropical villa resorts that have been around for a while - a good 16 years to be exact - but still feels contemporary and very much on trend - and a place that really draws you back time and time again.   

My first stay here was also the very first time I visited Bali in 2015 - a bit of a late Bali bloomer I must admit, and yet I won't have it any other way.  I stayed at an amazing villa towards the end of the lane, one of the last villas - but somehow also one of the most beautiful, I thought back then ... My stay at Villa 11 was quite out of this worldly .... a true luxury villa with a beautiful private pool and perfectly landscaped gardens.   Koi ponds and big stepping stones and nature sounds all round.  The bathroom is open-air and has that jungle feel - fabulous lava-stone jacuzzi overlooks yet another koi pond with the water gently streaming down the stone wall surrounding this idyllic bathroom space. 

And yet - when you arrive at your home sweet home away from home, and you close the heavy wooden gate behind you - you truly feel like you are home just a little bit more beautiful, a touch more tropical and a whole lot more luxurious! 

Even though nestled somehow in the hart of hustling bustling Seminyak - driving down the lane as you make your way towards the entrance of this lush and tranquil resort - you somehow beautifully forget the rush and business where you have just come from and you enter a haven, a peaceful retreat, a tropical paradise…

So last year I stayed at Villa 7 - and I must admit I had a moment of absolute wow - can this be even more beautiful, more luxurious and more perfect than my previous stay?  Oh yes it can!  The design and layout is so unique and stylish, it felt a tad more traditional somehow which I loved, but still very much contemporary and tropical.  You enter through an antique Javanese gate into a little tiny outdoor lobby I would say - and then from there you step into your lush tropical garden - sweeping all the way along the left and around to the back of the villa. To your right a perfectly cut lawn and a couple of frangipani's that have fallen to the ground throughout the day - their beautiful fragrance sometimes still linger in the air.  And then the curved private pool, inviting and cool just waiting for you to take your first splash or gently wade in, whichever you prefer .... and a wonderful traditional bale towards the back overlooking this lush tropical paradise await.  Here you can relax and enjoy just being present in the moment,  or as I found a very good spot for a delicious breakfast, which can be served at your villa or enjoyed at the Oasis restaurant onsite and just a few steps down the lane.  I had the Eggs Benedict both days - somehow breakfast outdoors in these surroundings are what makes trips and travels just ever so much more special if you are being served overlooking your own little piece of paradise (for a few days)  And it was off course 5 stars all-round!

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies 

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

The Spa Venues was just across the way from my villa and my dreamy treatment really sent me off into a very deep and relaxed state - I was floating for the rest of the day, my body felt renewed and my skin super soft for days.  The concierge and staff at Villa Kubu are always very friendly yet remain professional and whenever I left the grounds the security guard always said hello, and asked what my plans were for the day.  It didn't feel intrusive at all, but sincerely interested in where I was heading out to.  I never went very far mind you.   He saved me from a very long detour one afternoon and I'm happy that I took the time to say a little hello on my way.

My next trip to Bali I am planning to take my mum - I cannot wait to share all the magic all the wonder, and all the beauty of the island, it's people - the customs and traditions, the culture - and beautiful places like this one, like Villa Kubu - with her....

I'm sharing also a handy link to their current rates and some tempting offers so don't delay, 
book yourself a rejuvenating tropical paradise stay!

villa-rates: villa kubu

DEA VILLAS CANGGU - SATI VILLA

Today I had the pleasure to stumble upon another exquisite boutique resort called Dea Villas ... and I quote:

'Welcome to Dea Villas - four tropical garden villas in rural Berawa close to Canggu.  A sense of space sets this exclusive enclave apart; each villa comprises living and bedroom pavilions set in its own private gardens with swimming pool, sun deck, lotus ponds and myriad quiet corners.'

'Villa Sati comprises a series of individual pavilions, well screened in delightfully established gardens. The largest of these is the open-sided living pavilion, which looks over an amphitheatre style performance space near the large free-form swimming pool. Encircling the pool are four joglopavilions, each housing a bedroom with garden bathroom and sun terrace. Among these is the sixth and smallest building – an antique lumbung(traditional rice barn) which doubles as a playhouse.'

Spacious - luxurious - traditional Javanese vernacular - yet translated beautifully in a contemporary manner.  The lush tropical gardens are landscaped to perfection - and the layout of the villa's allows enough privacy to retreat to - and again, enough openness to engage and interact with your fellow family members or friends also staying at Dea Villas

I can only imagine how tranquil it must be to awake here - in the midst of a beautiful paradise - life cant get much better than this!

'we travel not to escape life - but for life not to escape us'

Images via Dea Villas

http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/dea-villas-villa-sati.aspx#exp

http://www.baliultimatevillas.net/dea-radha/

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