All posts by Mark Moffa

Unique Homes Visits Palmetto Bluff

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By Camilla McLaughlin
A resort one-and-a-half times the size of Manhattan might sound too good to be true, but last week I got a chance to find out that such things still exist when Unique Homes visited Montage Palmetto Bluff, a new resort in Bluffton, South Carolina. The location, little more than 30 minutes from Savannah’s airport and about 15 miles east of Hilton Head, couldn’t be more ideal for Low Country explorations. There is a real sense of relaxation and a disconnect from the world that begins as you pass under massive live oaks and magnolias draped with Spanish moss on the 4-mile drive into the resort. Equally relaxing were the deep porches on our home away from home — “porching” is actually listed as an activity here.
But, we had an extensive itinerary of activities planned so we had to tear ourselves away from the view of the pond in front of our house. A network of streams and rivers (32 miles of riverside) offer lots of opportunities for paddling and fishing. On an excursion in the May River, a few Bottlenose dolphins kept our boat — a recently refurbished classic — company. We also had a chance for a quick boat trip to nearby Bluffton to check out the farmers’ market and to take the pulse of local real estate, in addition to purchasing famed Georgia peaches. Montage’s excellent service meant we really didn’t have to think about a thing while here, plus bikes and golf carts are also available for guest’s use.
The best part of the trip was an opportunity to experience the sheer size and diversity of this property — which has 20 different habitat types — and learning about all the efforts to maintain as many pristine acres as possible. We also had a chance to try our hand at skeet shooting, which I think might become a new passion.
Right now, the center of Palmetto Bluff is a quaint village along the May River, but several other villages are planned or under construction. Nearing completion was a new inn and Montage Residences, which gives anyone who wants to visit more options. But be careful, owners told me they loved the resort so much they purchased property on their first visit; Palmetto Bluff offers so much that it’s hard to leave. This really is a property to fall in love with.
(Photos of gun and view from porch are by Caitlin McLaughlin. All other images are courtesy Montage.)
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Nadia Geller — Designer & Pioneer

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When celebrity designer Nadia Geller isn’t creating new interiors, she’s welcoming customers into her shop on the urban frontier.

By Roger Grody

Nadia Geller — you may know her from “While You Were Out” and “Trading Spaces” on cable TV — has operated her interior design business from Los Angeles’ burgeoning Arts District since 2013.

That area, a collection of crumbling warehouses and factories, is experiencing an incredible renaissance as celebrity chefs, trendy designers and high-tech startups crowd into distinctive old structures as hip loft residences soar above.

After moving her rapidly growing practice to larger digs around the corner, the designer dedicated her original Arts District space to a home furnishings boutique that combines the charm of a Parisian flea market with the approachability of a friend’s living room. The 39-year-old designer, who favors an eclectic, comfortable approach, is known for creating spaces that reflect the personalities of her clients.

When did you first become interested in interior design?

When I was eight, I was already drawing floor plans, so I felt like I had a pretty good foundation when I made my career choice. I studied graphic design before eventually switching to interior design, but didn’t have the funds to complete my education. At 23, living in New York, I applied for a job at ABC Carpet & Home [the huge Big Apple showroom], and my hand-stitched résumé got me noticed. I ended up getting hired and was quickly promoted to Visual Manager, overseeing four floors of vignettes. I was given almost complete creative control, and began seeing my work on TV and in magazines.

Speaking of TV, tell us how you ended up as a “celebrity designer.”

I got a call from a casting director, back when reality programming was just beginning. Apparently I had exactly what they needed for the show “While You Were Out,” an experience that actually made me a
better designer. On each episode we had just $1,000 to spend in two days, so now when I have a short, pressure-packed deadline or tight budget, I have the confidence to know I’ll get it done. I’m not sure I’d want to do it now, however. The perks of being on-air talent are nice, but you have to expose so much of your personal life and my children wouldn’t have a voice to say “yea” or “nay.”

How would you describe your approach to interior design?

I like rooms that feel comfortable and welcoming, not fussy … places where you can sit and have a glass of wine with friends without worrying about everything being perfect. I also believe everything we put in our environment needs a sense of purpose. The bohemian movement really defines something I’ve been in touch with for a long time. You might call my style “collected and comfortable,” and I’m as happy putting a new fabric on an old chair as an old fabric on a new chair. Craft is important to me … where something is made, how it’s made and knowing how its production affects our world.

What materials or products are you currently obsessed with?

I’m really into natural stone right now, on walls and tabletops. I’m also into old, reclaimed wood and I’ve been on the wallpaper bandwagon for 20 years. There’s something so warm and inviting when there’s a texture on the wall … I’ve always been drawn to adding different textures that the light can play off.

When designing a residential interior, how do you get to know the client?

It entails a lot of hanging out at their house. I need to know how they start their day, how they move through their home and how they entertain. We ask tons of questions. We also want to know what they don’t like, which is just as important as what they do like. A lot of designing, I’ve realized, is knowing what doesn’t work.

Who in the design world do you currently find particularly inspiring?

Milan-based architect/designer Patricia Urquiola has a contemporary vision and eye for color I respect, and I love that she’s a strong woman with a family and her own business. She’s very inspiring to me, and her work always makes you feel like you’re on vacation.

What was the motivation for opening your store, Nadia Geller Designs Market?

Our firm is currently working on 15 large projects, so it’s easy to get lost in paperwork and a showroom helps me keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on. If I buy a sofa for a particular project and it just doesn’t work, I can sell it in my shop, where I’m constantly recycling the merchandise. The Market gets me out of my spreadsheet hell and gives me time to be creative.

How did you end up being a pioneer in the Arts District, and what kind of shopping experience do you offer your customers?

Because downtown L.A. is centrally located, it’s convenient for clients, but it’s also good for my soul. I feel creative in the Arts District and love the energy it brings me. It reminds me of Williamsburg [Brooklyn], the beacon of hipster gentrification, where I used to live. I see us as kind of that secret shop people might discover after having brunch in the neighborhood, a hidden treasure box around the corner. As a community gathering place, we host book signings, seminars and workshops on everything from planting succulents to building holiday gingerbread houses. Some customers want to chat while others don’t want to be bothered, and my staff accommodates them all.

Does your own home reflect what you suggest for your commercial clients?

We live in a classic 1930s cottage and, like my professional work, it’s interior is eclectic and comfortable. My husband likes Danish modern, so there are some of those pieces around, but usually when we discuss design decisions, he just nods … he’s learned!

To learn more about Nadia Geller Designs Studio & Market, visit nadiageller.com.

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Delisle Celebrates 120 Years of Restoring Historical Monuments

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Celebrating 120 years in business, Delisle has garnered accolades from its work on royal commissions to restoring historical monuments. Known for its wrought iron and bronze works, the company celebrates its storied past, and looks to the future by staying true to its roots.

By Kirsten Niper

Delisle has been a family business specializing in bronze and wrought iron for five generations. From designing pieces for the Blue Bloods of Europe to American millionaires to restoring historical monuments, Jean-Michel Delisle, director of Delisle, credits the company’s staying power to keeping the strategy consistent.

“For the last 120 years, we have kept the same strategy, always making high-fashion lighting and furniture. We have always wanted to remain classical with high quality, with no question to the cost of the product. We have never wanted to be fashionable,” explains Delisle.

Every project begins with the drawing, of which Delisle has over 15,000 watercolors and drawings in its archives. “It all begins in the hands of the designer, then it’s sculpted with a wood plaster resin,” shares Delisle. Next, the mold is sent to the foundry to be casted. “Our job is to make reproductions from the model, and it can be made in many pieces and then reassembled and gold plated. Later, it is wired for electricity and crystals are selected to
install,” explains Delisle.

The company’s history constantly guides its future path. “We don’t want to be old, and the classical style, it’s in our look, it’s in our blood,” states Delisle. “We are like an antique dealer and a curator of past designs.” Delisle’s great grandfather loved 18th-century bronze, and by the end of the 19th century, everyone was dedicated to Art Noveau, so the elder Delisle gathered up more bronzes, leading to one of the wealthiest collections. “There is no interruption [of the design aesthetic]. We are proud of our past, and want to be proud of our future.”

Delisle was founded in 1895 by Henry Delisle, an alumnus of École Boulle and winner of the grand prize at the Brussels World Fair in 1897, and his brother Gaston. Delisle’s past works include designing pieces for the royalty of Europe including Tsar Nicholas II, Albert I of Belgium and Peter I of Serbia, to doing work for well-known American families, including the Vanderbilts and Henry Phipps.

The family company also credits being in France for its staying power and design aesthetic. “The company itself is our wealth and we want to preserve it, and our goal is to give a wealthy position to our sons,” explains
Delisle. According to Delisle, Paris is a dream and France is known for taste. “A very long time ago, I was studying and traveled across the United States for four months and I learned that everyone knows Paris and France.”

As a reflection of the company’s standing, the French government requested Delisle to help restore monuments after the destruction of World War II. “Between 1950 and 1980, the public’s historical monuments needed to be restored, and it was 20 to 30 percent of my father’s activity,” explains Delisle.

The architects of Château de Versailles called on the company’s services, and Delisle was also involved in the first restoration of the Opéra Royal in 1962 by designing chandeliers and demi-chandeliers based on the writings of 18th-century artisans, which are still in place today. Delisle also designed Louis XIV chandeliers for the Institut de France and the 18th-century-style crystal chandeliers of the Salon de la Légion d’Honneur at the Hôtel des Invalides, which garnered Delisle a contract for the decoration of the Louis XIV Château at Louveciennes, the largest private mansion built in France since the 19th century.

It also was involved in the reproduction of 16th- and 17th-century royal bedrooms at the Wrightsman Galleries at the Metropolitan Museum and the Shangri La, where the company had to mind feng shui while reproducing the 19th-century style of the historical building.

Delisle is sought after for its French style. It recently was involved in a house in Beverly Hills for a television producer, and not long ago it completed a project for the Ritz Paris.

Delisle is a member of the Comité Colbert, an association of 78 French luxury brands whose goal is to promote French art. The
Comité is also expanding into other European countries to celebrate their art. It is also a peek into the next 120 years for Delisle. “The Comité Colbert is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and we asked the younger people in our companies what the Comité will be in 60 years,” shares Delisle. One of the suggestions was chandeliers on the moon. No matter what the next 120 years bring, Delisle’s goal will remain the same — “Bronze can last a hundred years, but style has to remain pure.”

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Photographer Documents Journey Through North Pole

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A photographer’s journey through the North Pole is documented through his new book, “Arctica: The Vanishing North,” a tribute to one of the most beautiful and rarely seen places on Earth.

By Kirsten Niper

Sebastian Copeland, an internationally renowned photographer, polar explorer, author and environmentalist, has released a new photography book, titled “Arctica: The Vanishing North.”

Copeland has nurtured a fascination for the polar regions since childhood. “I was naturally attracted to distant and frozen landscapes and developed an early taste for adventure. My experiences developed from the mountains to the polar regions about 10 years ago. Since then, I have made the poles the center of my interest and focus of my travels. They allow me to capitalize on my artistic skill as a photographer, bringing back images that help people fall in love with their world.”

Often perceived as a misconceived treasure, people seldom make the journey. Part of Copeland’s goal is to get people to discover their world. “My motto is ‘get out — it’s out there,’” but realizing that it may be hard for others to make it to the Arctic, a landmass one and a half times the size of the United States, Copeland takes us there.

“I aim to take them there. Being confronted with the beauty that surrounds outside the confined convenience of urban living is also the best way to empathize,” shares Copeland.

Using weather-resistant equipment that can store large files, Copeland discovered that the Arctic is a “35 millimeter environment. I learned that from trying my hand at larger formats on earlier trips; the results were great, but hard earned on the equipment and the work. I learned my lesson on the ice, you need to shoot a lot of frames because of the variables. It gives me even greater respect for the pioneers: Frank Hurley, Herbert Ponting and George Lowe.”

Even the logistics are more complicated when shooting in the Arctic, and equipment protocols are often the greatest challenge. Batteries are stored close to the body for warmth, as they cannot last in cold weather. In order to get a shot, one has to find the camera and appropriate lens, locate the battery and insert the battery into the camera, all without wearing gloves. Then, shooting also has its additional challenges, as heat from one’s eyelids can fog the eyepiece and instantly freeze it.

The environment of the Arctic lends itself to a point-and-shoot approach, and the results will always be exotic. However, Copeland has learned to look for specific elements and tries to find himself in front of the right subject. “That, perhaps more than anything, is the more difficult work,” he shares. “Primarily, I look for unique perspectives. The beauty of these regions is the open spaces, the lack of clutter. This allows shapes or subjects to really stand out.”

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Christopher Guy Furnishings Combine Elegance and Edge

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Christopher Guy’s furnishings combine timeless style with unexpected and distinctive designs, making them sought after by the world’s finest residences, hotels and resorts.

By Christine Aebischer

Looking at Christopher Guy’s collections, you’re immediately drawn to how beautiful each piece is, so much so that you would assume the hand-carved tables and delicate chairs are items meant to be seen, but not used. However, that is not Guy’s philosophy. While creating beautiful pieces is his top priority, he does not allow function to be sacrificed in the process.

“Furniture is a form of art,” shares Guy. “It is something functional, but it is also art. A chair has to be both beautiful and comfortable.” He describes the two ends of the design spectrum in terms of footwear: the beautiful but uncomfortable high heel and the practical but unattractive sneaker. “My designs are certainly not sneakers, but they are not impractical,” he says. It is this balance that makes Guy’s designs so in demand, from the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton to Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods to the sets of “James Bond” and “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Words like “elegant,” “chic” and “sensual” wouldn’t normally be associated with furniture, but somehow they fit when describing Guy’s designs, which fuse classicism and modernism. Curves abound in his collection, from the back of a chair to the legs of a vanity. He describes his own style as early James Bond — classic and elegant, but with a twist. “It’s elegance with edge, a bit of naughtiness without being wild,” he says.

Born in England and raised in France and Spain, Guy discovered his love of design and appreciation for beauty and glamour at an early age while in the south of France. Today, he splits his time between Singapore, Europe and Los Angeles, and continues to be inspired by his international travels. “I find inspiration in everything I look at,” he shares. “Being able to visit different places and walk down the street is all I need to be inspired.” 

Guy began his career designing mirrors and has since expanded into lifestyle collections, designing everything from furniture to décor items and even artwork. 

Mirrors are still one of his favorite items to design, while dining tables are one of his least favorite — “maybe because they’re too functional,” he admits — but the artwork, while not what he is most known for, plays an equally important role in his collections. “It’s Oscar night and two women are walking down the red carpet in the same dress,” he explains. “What makes them different is the accessories. If the accessories are wrong, the most beautiful dress would be wrong.”

While creating an entire collection poses its share of challenges, Guy is a big-picture thinker. He doesn’t just see a chaise or a cabinet, but rather he envisions how all of the pieces will come together. “Today, every piece has to be eclectic; you have to know how to put something together that looks like a collection, but each piece has to look different from one another,” he explains. “My job is to bring pieces of furniture to give designers to help them in their efforts to put a room together, and even though we present them with everything, they buy selected work,” meaning each piece must be able to stand alone, but also complement the other pieces in the set.

His current collection, Mademoiselle, is inspired by the distinct style of Coco Chanel and the design elements for which she was known, and represents Guy’s interpretation of how her home may have looked in today’s world. Not many designers would try to incorporate the world of high fashion into furniture design, but to Guy it makes perfect sense; both embody beauty, style and sophistication. “Chanel had elements that were the foundation of her brand, and we have our own design elements,” he says.

One of his most recognizable elements is the Chris-X (pronounced Chris-cross) chair leg. Rather than four straight legs, the back legs cross over one another to create a more elegant aesthetic. “Most chairs you look at from the front, but a dining chair you look at from behind when it’s pushed under the table, and I wanted to make a chair that was strong and stable (as well as elegant),” describes Guy.

And just as the fashion industry is dictated by ever-changing trends, Guy’s designs are also driven by the need to stay ahead of the market trends. “We manufacture to what the market needs or is looking for,” he explains. “We have to figure out where the market trend is, and my challenge is to deliver to such a market. But it’s a danger to get too far ahead. We design ahead of the market knowing trends will change, but without getting too far ahead.”

To keep his designs fresh, Guy only keeps a particular style for a limited time and then starts over with something new. However, the hallmarks of his brand remain. In the future, Guy says, he would like to work on a James Bond film again from beginning to end, but only if it was made in the same fashion as the earlier films. “They had all the elements I admired. An Aston Martin is elegant. Is a Lamborghini elegant? No, it’s fast and cutting edge, but it’s not elegant.”

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The Ultimate Vehicle Makeover

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For decades, one company has been transforming luxury SUVs into customized technological experiences.

Becker Automotive Design’s comprehensive transport vehicles look almost like any other sleek SUV or van. But open the doors and you will be transported to the most luxurious ride of your life.

Becker Automotive Design began in the late 1970s by working on European luxury vehicles such as Porsches and Ferraris, adding customized cosmetic touches and embellishing them with upgraded security and technology features. Its customers included well-known clientele in the film and music industries, who began requesting even more innovations to allow them to be productive on the road, between sets, studios and meetings.

In 1996, the company fully embraced a new mission — to transform high-quality SUVs and vans into comprehensive luxury transports. Becker’s customers seek premier vehicles with luxurious, high-tech interiors and upscale, yet inconspicuous exteriors.

“We’re advancing the state-of-the-art standard for productive capacity,” says Howard Becker, founder and CEO. “You can do everything you can do in your office, sometimes faster than in your office, via a mobile router on your commute. If you can utilize that time well, you’ve just leveraged your capability into higher productivity.” Becker Automotive Design operates on the concept that time is money, especially for its extensive list of high-profile clients, including icons such as Barbra Streisand, Jerry Seinfeld, Stevie Wonder, and various members of foreign royal families.

The company works almost exclusively with two vehicles — the Cadillac Escalade ESV and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter JetVan — that are the largest and highest-quality SUV and van made today, according to Becker. “Cadillac has done a very good job at advancing every millimeter of their ESV. It has unbelievably good ride quality, a very quiet interior, a reliable drivetrain and beautiful styling. It’s the number one SUV in the world,” he says.

These vehicles provide Becker’s clients with a number of options for size and space. The Cadillac Escalade ESV comes in standard Escalade ESV size (starting at $160,000), as well as two additional options — a raised-roof option that increases the headroom by more than four inches, and an extended-wheelbase option that adds 20 inches of legroom to the rear cabin. Designed to resemble the cabin of a private jet, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter JetVan seats six to eight people, with a price range of $200,000 to $450,000.

Becker Automotive Design prides itself on paying attention both to its customers’ needs and ideas and the advancements occurring in technology, engineering and manufacturing. “Our customers are people who have private jets, multiple homes and multiple offices, so they are surrounded by staff at every level. They will demand anything that will continue to improve their ability to get things done on their drive,” he says. Becker’s team frequently will invite clients’ personal staff, such as their IT personnel, to discuss clients’ particular needs, such as how they like to access information, what their favorite entertainment and news sources are, and how they prefer to monitor their homes. All of these factors contribute to the customized design of a client’s vehicle.

Each vehicle produced by Becker Automotive Design can be customized across the board, from choices in wheel base sizes to control systems. The Cadillac Escalade ESV boasts options such as high-speed
Wi-Fi; high-definition video on a 32-inch LCD monitor; and a surround-sound audio system that includes Dynaudio speakers and digital amplifiers. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter JetVan passengers may enjoy a Crestron-controlled entertainment system, multiple video monitors, sound insulation, or even a restroom. Both vehicles can be equipped with bullet-proof armor. “Everything that we learned from working with European luxury cars, all of that just fits hand-in-glove for doing these complete vehicle conversions,” Becker says.

On occasion, a client will have special needs that cannot be met by the plethora of existing features, and he or she will approach Becker with a novel idea. The company fully embraces the creative requests it receives from customers; in fact, customers’ unique ideas drive much of the company’s innovation.

“A CEO of a large New York Stock Exchange Company called and said he’s moving his offices from one metropolitan area to another. He now has 45 minutes to use on his commute, so he wanted one of our vehicles. He said he could not replace the time he used to have for cardio in the morning,” says Becker. “We took a recumbent bike, sawed it in half, and modified one of our seats so he could sit with a proper, three-point seatbelt on and crank away on the pedals.” The design team relocated the heart rate monitor beneath the seat and repositioned additional electronics so the client could monitor and program his workouts. The transformation provided him with a vehicle outfitted for optimal professional productivity, as well as a way to continue engaging in healthy habits during his new commute.

Becker and his team are excited about what may be in store for their business in the future. He foresees demand for customized luxury vehicles growing as the automotive industry continues to innovate. “We think when driver-less cars arrive, people are going to relish even more that they can get things done on their commute. They’re going to want to do everything that we provide, in ultimate privacy and comfort,” he says.

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Timeless Italian Styles Featured in Gourmet Kitchens

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Timeless Italian styles are reemerging in gourmet kitchens, showcasing bold new colors, artisan craftsmanship, cutting-edge cooking options and updated safety features.

By Stacey Staum

The custom kitchens built by Officine Gullo USA have been referred to as “living sculptures” because of their unique artistic style. “I think beginning from the fact that it’s handmade and custom-made for each client, each item in the kitchen is cast by hand in solid brass. They are an expression of the person’s taste and uniqueness. If someone wants a completely new dimension or customization, it’s built for them, built for their needs, tastes and desires,” says Moreas.

Citing the styles of Florence as the major influences on Officine Gullo USA’s design style, Moreas continues, “Ancient sculptors like Michelangelo even casted in metals, so we use this as an inspiration. After three generations of doing this, we still use the ancient techniques for metalwork that make it unique and special in every way.” By using artisan methods, Officine Gullo USA achieves a traditionally styled cooking device that functions as art.

Valetina Bertazzoni describes Bertazzoni’s appliance style as aesthetic and functional. She explains, “The use of an avant-garde appliance coordinated with elegance and substance in the kitchen is becoming more and more important. We see this as the synchronicity design paradigm. It’s the idea of ‘as well as’ rather than ‘either or.’ Consumers no longer have to decide between a kitchen range only, or a cooktop with wall ovens. They can choose elements that work in synchronicity with one another, and they can choose to customize the kitchen to fit their lifestyle, which may mean a modern kitchen will include a range and a steam oven.”

When it comes to choosing cooking options, availability of features is of paramount importance. What features are most important varies widely from company to company and reflects each establishment’s unique outlook.

Bertazzoni offers features like steam cooking and other non-traditional cooking surfaces as cooking tastes evolve. Bertazzoni explains, “Cooking culture moves relatively slowly, compared to other sectors. Cooking is definitively more related to tradition and habits, and our tastes rely very much on our memory. It will take time before these technologies will reach the same popularity as, for example, gas cooking.” The company continues to offer modern technologies as the tastes and health concerns of consumers evolve over time.

Officine Gullo USA offers a wide variety of professional-grade equipment, providing the highest BTU output available in residential kitchens. The company incorporates blast chillers, vacuum packing machines, steamers, integrated coffee machines and any other appliance that a home chef might need in the kitchen.

On the opposite end of that spectrum, Verona and ILVE stick to more traditional methods. 

“We have modern upgrades, but for us, the less electronics, the better. We believe more in Old World cooking: really great convection stands and really powerful ovens.”

While Verona and ILVE stick to more traditional cooking styles, safety upgrades are of the highest importance, as they have modern flame failure safety devices that shut off the gas when the pilot goes out, and ignition delay that prevent little hands from turning on the stove when children are unattended. 

Bertazonni also places a high premium on safety. “One of Bertazzoni’s pillars is family, so safety is very important. Among many safety features, our latest is the Induction range which is universally friendly to all ages for its cool-to-the-touch cooktop,” she says.

With this focus on safety, top-of-the-line craftsmanship and an enduring aesthetic, the Italian-style kitchen continues to be the model for luxury in the high-end kitchen market.

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Luxury Experiences in South Africa

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By Sarah Binder

Today, travelers to South Africa are canvassing far more ground than the traditional trio of Cape Town, Johannesburg, and the popular game reserves. The call of the wild still beckons, yet it is enticing tourists to experience lush wineries, life-changing encounters with sea creatures, and interactions with friendly locals.

“South Africa offers the best value for the money in the world,” says Daniela Bonanno, Africa manager for Absolute Travel. The culturally and geographically diverse country allows all travelers to craft memorable vacations keyed on their interests — safari, art, wine, food, city life or sporting adventures. Several tour providers have expertise in designing customized luxury itineraries, and they are increasingly recommending unique experiences that result in once-in-a-lifetime trips.

“While the typical safari, Cape Town and Victoria Falls packages will always be popular, we try our best to get people off of the normal circuit and thinking outside of the box,” says Candice Heckel, product manager for Down Under Endeavours. “Why not visit Madikwe Game Reserve instead of Kruger National Park? Or engage with the meerkats in the Green Kalahari, South Africa’s green desert?”

Tracking the Big Ten

“The biggest draw for South Africa is, of course, the wildlife — safari experiences always take the cake. However, I don’t think most people realize the diversity of wildlife found in the country,” says Heckel. In addition to the ever-popular Big Five game animals — the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard and white/black rhinoceros — South Africa offers a variety of exciting ways to engage with the marine big five — the southern right whale, great white shark, bottlenose and humpback dolphins, Cape fur seal and African penguin.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, at the southernmost tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans collide, partners with Dyler Island Cruises to provide guided tours with marine biologists on eco-friendly vessels. Travelers can gaze upon Cape fur seals sunning themselves on Geyser Rock, keep an eye out for curious southern right whales floating alongside the vessel, and snap endless photos of endangered African 

of the Atlantic Ocean, Table Bay Harbour, the city skyline and Table Mountain. The latest development, the Silo district, will house Africa’s first major museum of contemporary art; the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is set to open there in late 2016/early 2017.

For the most serious oenophiles, South Africa has blossomed into a must-visit destination. Venturing inland from Cape Town, the picturesque towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, the country’s second oldest town and center of its wine industry, are well-established locations showcasing gourmet food and premium wines. By exploring further afield, visitors can sip varietals in the lesser-known, but very welcoming vineyards in the Swartland, Wellington and Tulbagh regions. Popular varietals in South Africa include versatile Chenin blanc and bold Pinotage, as well as complex Bordeaux blends and sophisticated Shiraz.

Making Connections

Due to the significant travel time from the U.S., and the vast array of experiences to be had in such a large country, South Africa is a destination that warrants a stay of at least 10 to 14 days, according to Fielding. “There’s so much diversity in the destination that it really warrants having a planned itinerary,” he adds. The country is differentiated from the rest of Africa in that it is relatively easy to travel within, with most people speaking English and a well-developed tourism industry.

In addition, South African locals are notable for their warm, welcoming demeanor toward visitors. “I love how genuine the people are,” says Bonanno. “It’s refreshing to see the level of enthusiasm and creative energy in this country. There is this feeling that something big is about to happen.” For just one way to connect with everyday South African life, Bonanno recommends visiting the Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg. Locals can guide visitors through the back alleys to explore this incredible example of urban regeneration.

This energy, this feeling of a vibrant country with its doors wide open to embrace all newcomers, may be what remains with travelers long after they have returned home. “Once you go to Africa, you never leave Africa. It’s because of the people, their smiles and the connections that you make while you are there,” says Fielding. “South Africa is an amazing place to reconnect with the human element. The people will approach you with a smile and a hand out to introduce themselves. It’s a different kind of place because of that.”

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Luxurious Handcrafted Italian Jewelry

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These Italian artisans combine years of experience (some more than a century) and the finest materials to create some of the most luxurious handcrafted pieces of Italian jewelry. Their diverse backgrounds and sources of inspiration result in bold and unique designs that are sure to make a statement.

By Christine Aebischer

Regina by De Simone

The exquisite designs of the historic Neapolitan house, De Simone, are based on more than a century-long tradition. Francesco De Simone & figlio was founded in 1855, through a passion for coral and shells. And in 1990, De Simone Fratelli was founded to continue the family tradition of jewelry design. The unique coral pieces are the epitome of elegance and exude skills that have been perfected over years of dedicated craftsmanship. The Regina set comprises a gold necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings. The delicately feminine pieces are decorated with De Simone’s signature angel skin coral, diamonds and emeralds. Priced at $85,875.

Yin Yan Parure by Margherita Burgener

Designer Margherita Burgener’s jewels have been auctioned at Phillips de Pury in Geneva, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Artcurial, Poly Hong Kong and Bonhams. Her unique creations are the result of her family’s century-long tradition as goldsmiths in Valenza, the hometown of high-class Italian jewelry. Burgener created her first original piece in 2003 and debuted her limited edition Boutique line in 2011. In addition to designing her own pieces, she oversees the craftsmen in her family’s workshop to ensure the rare and valuable skills of her trade are preserved. Her Yin Yan Parure design features a set of earrings and mesh-link bracelets. Pavé diamonds and 18-karat yellow gold adorn the white and black enamel pieces. Priced at $84,000.

Disk by Kathaline Page-Guth

Born to Hungarian and American parents, Kathaline Page-Guth had an appreciation for art and creativity from an early age. She draws most of her inspiration from the city of Florence, where she has been working for the past 20 years. Her designs reflect a love of nature and animals, bringing together eccentric designs and colorful gems. For Page-Guth, a piece of fine jewelry is a symbolic and emotional investment to be treasured for generations to come. Her Disk earrings are handcrafted from oval-cut pink morganite beads that dangle elegantly from rings of blackened white gold set with diamonds. Priced at $28,900.

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