Buenos Aires // 2007

It’s called the Paris of the South for a reason… The Europeans really went all out when they descended upon the City of Good Air. There is an absolute abundance of beautiful, diverse architecture, art, interiors, and people. On any given tree-lined street you might see an Art Deco high rise, several beautiful Belle-Epoque buildings, modern offices, contemporary condos, art nouveau, baroque, Islamic, etc, etc, etc… and a woman in high-heeled shoes walking a poodle.

Two things I learned a lot from this trip:

My new favorite wine is Malbec.

After eating Argentinean beef, no steak will ever taste as good.

I stayed at the Faena Hotel. www.faenahotelanduniverse.com , designed by Philippe Starck, who is hands-down the most influential and important designer of our time.

This hotel made a major impact on me as an interior designer from the moment I walked in the front door, and I want to share it with you. It is overwhelming and perfect. Described by magazines and celebrities as the sexiest hotel in the world, it is the perfect eclectic mix of modern, luxurious materials, with unexpected touches.

The lobby is dark, rich, and dramatic with soaring ceilings, abundant velvet drapery, and brick walls. To the right, the library lounge with rich wood paneling, fireplaces, tufted leather sofas, and touches of gold with gilt-wood French armchairs finishing intimate seating areas.

Next door to the library lounge is The Bistro, perhaps the most unexpected interior design on earth- Think all white, with touches of gold and red, gigantic crystal chandeliers, and white unicorns watching you dine. You need to see it to believe it…

The rooms are fabulous too, totally eclectic with white and gold empire furniture, red cut-to-clear crystal, glass walls, and red velvet. This hotel (and universe, as they like to call it) was a huge inspiration to me as an interior designer. It is great design that possesses not only extreme beauty, but also comfort. I believe that comfort never needs to be sacrificed for the sake of beauty. We can have both.

The last thing I’ll say about Buenos Aires is TANGO! Catch a show. It’s so cool!