Akari Sauna: A Japanese-Inspired Urban Retreat in Greenpoint
Akari, a new sauna facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, draws inspiration from traditional Japanese onsens and sentōs to create a tranquil urban escape. Founded by Shayna Olsan and Luke Carstens, in collaboration with designer Erin Carstens and architects Stroop Design, the space offers New Yorkers a unique hot-cold-rest bathing ritual. With a focus on natural materials and an intimate atmosphere, Akari provides a serene environment for individuals to unwind and reconnect amidst the bustling city.
Plantea Estudio Designs a Serene Barre Studio in Madrid's Bustling City Center
Plantea Estudio has unveiled a new barre studio in Madrid, transforming a former parcel office into a tranquil fitness haven. The studio, located in a historic city center building, features a distinctive warm and earthy color palette. It emphasizes a calming atmosphere, achieved through a cohesive design of materials and muted tones, offering a stark contrast to its busy urban surroundings. The design prioritizes user comfort and a seamless aesthetic.
Cove Restaurant: A Harmonious Blend of Natural Timbers and Californian Spirit in New York
Chef Flynn McGarry's second culinary venture, Cove restaurant in New York's Hudson Square, offers a fine-dining experience infused with the relaxed, warm ambiance of California. The interior design, personally crafted by McGarry, prominently features a cohesive selection of natural woods like Douglas fir, cherry, and ash, creating a serene and spacious environment. The restaurant's name, derived from Paradise Cove near McGarry's childhood home in Malibu, underscores its Californian inspiration, evident in both its cuisine and aesthetic.
Tutto Bene studio recently completed a comprehensive refurbishment of the fashion departments and exclusive personal shopping suites at the Globus Basel department store. The design approach skillfully merges industrial elements like polished concrete and robust steel with delicate fabrics and glowing laminated paper. This thoughtful juxtaposition creates a unique aesthetic that respects the building's historical character while offering a modern and inviting retail environment for patrons.
Elevating Retail Spaces with Thoughtful Design
Tutto Bene’s redesign of the Globus Basel department store’s fashion floors reimagines the shopping experience as an art gallery. By deliberately keeping the interior aesthetic subdued and refined, the design team ensured that the merchandise itself becomes the focal point, much like artworks in an exhibition. The studio integrated soft, ambient lighting and strategically placed lightboxes to guide shoppers through the space, emphasizing clarity and product visibility. This minimalist approach allows the Art Nouveau exterior to shine, while the interior provides a sophisticated, unobtrusive backdrop.
The central element of this renovation is the innovative use of a continuous, illuminated framework that defines the layout and flow within the fashion departments. This architectural feature, reminiscent of a contemporary aqueduct, not only organizes movement but also establishes a subtle hierarchy and rhythm throughout the various sections. The design masterfully balances functionality with an elegant monumentality. Designers carefully selected a color scheme primarily composed of black and white, punctuated by strategic blocks of color that serve as intuitive navigation cues rather than mere adornment. This deliberate choice avoids traditional gender-coded retail palettes, ensuring a universally appealing and inclusive shopping environment. The interplay of hard-wearing materials like large-format tiles and black steel fixtures with softer elements such as sheer drapery and illuminated Japanese laminated paper creates a dynamic yet harmonious atmosphere, seamlessly blending durability with warmth and tranquility.
The Exclusive 'Collector's Apartment' Experience
Beyond the main fashion areas, Tutto Bene crafted an exclusive retreat known as 'The Collector's Apartment,' specifically designed for private shopping. This intimate space offers a distinctly different ambiance from the bustling main floors, providing a serene and personalized luxury experience. The apartment’s design pivots around a rich palette of monochrome blues, transitioning from icy tones to deep midnight hues, creating a profoundly calm and residential mood. This tranquil setting is further enhanced by the strategic integration of warm wood accents and bold black graphic elements, fostering an environment that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.
To complete the sense of a personal sanctuary, the designers meticulously curated a collection of art pieces and vintage furnishings for 'The Collector's Apartment.' Notable additions include a ceramic bowl and a striking wall sculpture sourced from Two Rooms Gallery, along with iconic furniture like Tokyo bar stools by Rodney Kinsman and a 1970s coffee table by Cini Boeri. Tutto Bene also designed a bespoke ebonised wood table, further accentuating the apartment’s unique character. A mirrored dressing room, adorned with a custom trompe l'oeil print inspired by drapery, adds an element of playful elegance. The overall design intention was to evoke the feeling of a genuine, lived-in penthouse—a private haven where each piece contributes to a coherent narrative of curated luxury, blending fluid vintage silhouettes with a rational, architectural framework.