Photo courtesy of Tom Tailor

Mensch Made Concrete Vase with Gold-plated Leaves

http://www.thedesigngiftshop.com

The design of this Concrete Vase plays with the contradiction between culture and nature. A bold geometrical shape is combined with a texture of organic ornaments, delicate foliage imprints, some of them gold-plated. Natural grey concrete contrast with genuine gold. A very special object that can be appreciated by itself and of course be used as a vase for flowers or twigs. 

Photo courtesy of The Design Gift Shop

Block Concrete Disc Pendant

https://www.blockdesign.co.uk/

This concrete pendant necklace is inspired by iconic British Brutalist architecture.

The hand-cast concrete necklace celebrates the dynamic monoliths of the controversial movement. Statement concrete jewelry embraces the character of concrete, a lively material. Its surface reflects its history, presenting imperfections and changing with you and your environment.

Photo courtesy of Block Design

Concrete Cubic Pendant Light 

http://www.limelace.co.uk

This eye-catching Concrete Cubic Pendant Light by German label GANTlights combines light gray concrete with silver, gold or copper, resulting in a timeless and elegant designer lamp.

Part of the B series collection, this handmade lamp is ideal for illuminating a long dining table, a sideboard, a desk or a bar and is suitably hung individually or in a group. The high-quality gilding of the insides emits a pleasant warm light. Due to its minimalist design and the contrasting materials, the designer lamp can be combined with any style.

Photo courtesy of Lime Lace

Ava & I Pretty Little Things Concrete Trinket Pot

http://www.kitchencraft.co.uk

This trinket pot is from the Ava & I collection, combining influential on-trend elements for a collection that embodies empowerment with modern style and a dash of sass. A real quality design, the pot is made of concrete with gold detail and a sweet ‘Pretty little things motif. A stunning addition to any dressing table or a useful piece generally for the home, the heavy nature and lid of this pot will not be knocked over easily.

As family and friends gather around, set an unforgettable spread this holiday season with these tips.

Photo courtesy of Canva

Patterns and More

Mix and match prints for a festive and comfortable look. There is a time for pristine white table cloths and identical table settings. If you’re looking for a slightly more cozy feeling, try mixing and matching various prints and textures to create a one-of-a-kind look. A vibrant table cloth will pair nicely with a neutral or complementary napkin. Your colorful salad bowls or bread plates can shine against a muted dinner plate. Explore new prints and patterns this season!

Photo courtesy of Canva

Greenery is Key

Whether it’s a sprig of holly on dishes, a bowl of multicolored gourds or a towering vase of flowers, even the smallest touch of nature can go a long way. Garlands of pine or other greenery can make the perfect runner for your table. Allow fresh flowers and plants to complement colorful tones in your table cloth and other fabrics.

Photo courtesy of Garden Trading

Decorate the Bar

Don’t neglect your bar area, buffet table or side tables. The dinner table is the main show but side tables can be as festive as they are functional. Add small lights to your drinks cart. The lights will reflect in the glasses and bottles to create a magical setting. Add a runner or exiting table cloth to your buffet table to keep the merriment going. 

Photo courtesy of AUDENZA

Consider a Treat

A small favor is a great way to begin your meal! Consider incorporating a small treat into each setting or amongst the table for guests to enjoy. A sweet treat can be placed on the dish alongside a touch of greenery. The table can be spattered with ornaments or small trinkets for guests to take with them. Fresh whole fruit or a small dish of berries can serve as a hint of color in your decor as well as an appetizer. A tiny wreath or potted plant will also welcome guests!

Phot courtesy of Canva

A Centerpiece with Pieces

The centerpiece should attract attention but not overwhelm the table. Keep your centerpiece at a reasonable height so as not to block guests but still draw the eye. The center of your table can be made up of several components that work together to create a warm and welcoming scene. Try a collection of small vases, bowls, mixed with greenery, fruit, or traditional candles. Be creative when bringing your table together this season.

Photo courtesy of Lights4fun

Featured image by buffetcrush

FOR ISLAND HOPPING FAMILIES

Kukui’ula
Kauai, HI

Located on the sunny south shore, Kahalawai #38, a contemporary home designed by Dean Sakamoto and Kelly and Stone Architects and inspired by the designs of mid-century Hawaiian modernist Vladimir Ossipoff, embraces the island landscape with spaces for seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Why it’s a fit for the holidays: With warmer temperatures year-round, Kauai continues to be a popular family destination for the holidays. This home’s open floor plan allows families to enjoy their time together both indoor and outdoor. The ample outdoor space overlooking the lush landscape of the island makes for the perfect backdrop during a Thanksgiving meal with friends and family.

Why it’s a fit for the holidays: Perched above the famed Kapalua Bay, Residence 1404 offers some of the best views at Montage Kapalua Bay with enough room to comfortably host and entertain the entire family. Additionally, the lanais offer prime viewing to Maui’s world-famous sunsets. The home is just steps away from a variety of activities for all ages including, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, or simply relaxing beachside. Groups of any size can also enjoy two world-class golf courses, hiking, walking and biking trails and so much more.

FOR FAMILIES AVOIDING THE COLD

Maravilla Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Casa Higuera is one of the only fully turnkey custom homes currently available at Maravilla Los Cabos, a private residential community situated between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas on the Sea of Cortez. The community spans both Las Viudas Beach and the renowned Santa Maria Bay, encompassing two of the few year-round, swimmable beaches in Cabo. The five-bedroom, 6.5-bath home features 4,059 square feet inside and 4,908-square feet of outdoor space, as well as a 951-square-foot garage.

Why it’s a fit for the holidays: Built with familial holiday celebrations in mind, Casa Higuera offer multiple spaces for entertainment. The full gourmet kitchens (both indoor and out) boast SubZero, Miele and Wolf appliances, along with a fire pit, barbecue and Kalamazoo pizza oven. The property’s private infinity pool features a floating dining palapa for al-fresco gatherings, while the home’s lower-level basement features a family room equipped with a full bath, 85” flat screen TV, shuffleboard and pool table as well as a walk-in 180-bottle wine cellar.

Why it’s a fit for the holidays: Ideal for multi-generational families, couples with young children and groups looking to entertain, the residence features spacious gathering areas, including an open living and dining room, expansive kitchen, Carolina room and a fully-appointed screened-in porch.

FOR FAMILIES WHO LOVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS

Nakoma Resort
Cilo, CA

Nakoma Resort is located in Northern California’s eastern Plumas County, a region known as the “Lost Sierra.” Surrounded by mountain peaks and the Plumas National Forest, Nakoma offers an escape from the traffic and crowds around Lake Tahoe. The modern resort is home to a minimalist 42-room Lodge, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Clubhouse, 18-hole championship golf course, Altitude Recreation Center, 12 Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired villas and Ascend Residences at Nakoma, a collection of mountain-modern homes.

Why it’s a fit for the holidays: The snow-capped Lost Sierra is your destination for family winter play away from the crowds. Ascend Residences offer open floor plans with ample space for entertaining family around the annual Christmas tree plucked from the surrounding landscape. Families can avoid the lift lines, whip down the tubing hill or jump on a fat bike to ride atop the snowy trails. Snow permitting, Nakoma will groom 2.5 km of cross-country ski trail steps from a crackling fire in the Wigwam Room. Families who want to explore further into the Lost Sierra can plan an adventurous snowmobiling tour.

Why it’s a fit for the holidays: The Lodge becomes a winter wonderland during the holidays with ice skating, hockey, skiing and snowboarding nearby, tubing, sleigh rides, ice fishing and snowmobiling. There will also be an abundance of holiday festivities for families, including Santa Elf Tuck-ins, stories with Mrs. Claus, wine tastings and s’mores by the bonfire. After a long day of winter activities, families can gather together in their cabins near the fireplace to share gifts and spread some holiday cheer.

Horizon 2.0 light by Humanscale. Photo courtesy Humanscale.

Design-minded individuals can often be hard to shop for, as style plays a key role in completing the perfect aesthetic. For the design-lover in your life, below are some masterfully crafted pieces that are bound to make the perfect gift this holiday season.

Photo courtesy Stickbulb.

For the Scholar or Entrepreneur:

A champion of well-being in the workplace, Humanscale’s two new task lights, Nova and Horizon 2.0 utilize advanced LED technology for improved  comfort, optimal light output and cost-saving energy efficiency. Now ready to order, Nova and Horizon offer a smarter, healthier choice for offices and the environment.

“As the lines between office and home blur, products need to offer functionality paired with simple, clean aesthetics. Nova and Horizon 2.0 are highly versatile LED task lights that combine industry-leading technology with a contemporary yet timeless design,” says Mesve Vardar, director of industrial design at Humanscale. 

Photo courtesy Humanscale.

For the Drink Enthusiast:

True’s Undercounter Beverage Dispenser is ideal for person who appreciates a perfect beer pour. Handcrafted to specifically dispense the perfect draft pour, the company’s advanced airflow technology ensures a consistently frosty, and refreshing flow. The unobtrusive 15-inch stainless-steel dispenser comes with either a single or dual tap and for indoors or out — a true gift that won’t go out of favor or flavor! Also, because of the brand’s TrueFlex® shelving system, the versatile cooler is completely convertible into a wine cabinet.

For the budding sommelier, while a wine cellar might be ideal, True’s Dual Zone Wine Cabinet and storage system is pretty fantastic for wine enthusiasts. Designed to preserve your bottles, independent climate zones allow for separate temperature ranges (from 40°F to 65°F), while glide-out, vibration-dampening racks hold up to 45 bottles and protect that special vintage. TruLumina LED lighting — with 14 different color options — allows for the ambiance to fit your mood.

For the Wellness Guru:

A stocking stuffer that actually enhances wellness, Hansgrohe‘s newest design, aptly called PowderRain, recently hit the market as the perfect tool to enhance the shower experience while also fitting into any style. Characterized by a “powder-like” micro-fine mist, the eco-efficient spray is designed to completely envelop the body, with thousands of microscopic water droplets cloaking you in a protective oasis of relaxation.

Photos courtesy Hansgrohe.

For the Design Afficionado:

For the most discriminating buyer, Salone del Mobile.Milano is ready for the holidays with the launch of their 6th partnership between SaloneSatellite and the Rinascente Department Store. For 2018, 12 select products, created by 9 international designers, will be on sale through the holiday season at the famed department store.

The  selected  products place huge  importance on the quest for  new solutions, both tangible and  intangible, always intelligent and  sometimes poetic, inspired by traditional craftsmanship  and ancient materials that can inform a better future. A  plethora of chairs, tables, lamps, trays and vases, fitness  equipment and everyday and decorative objects will be on display,  all deriving from simple intuition and actions and marrying technology,  craftsmanship and emotion.

As the Bay Area’s leading high horology salon specializing in small, independent watchmakers and designers, Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry is the place to shop for luxury timepieces that will captivate this holiday season. These highly desired timepieces may serve as fascinating gifts for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, or technology professionals.

Conveying elite access and bold personal style, MB&F is known as one of the most innovative brands in the watchmaking world. The designs are highly playful, innovative, and uncompromising in quality. The MB&F Legacy Machine No.1 watch in 18k rose gold is the perfect gift for any luxury tastemaker who blurs the line between work and play.

Greubel Forsey has built its reputation as a maker of ultra-luxury timepieces engineered with complex chronometric solutions that offer improved performance. Complex and compelling, Greubel Forsey is the timepiece for those who with the vision to appreciate the very best of the best in complex horological craftsmanship and rare artistry.

Above: Ressence Type 5

Left: DB25 Starry Varius

For the Female Executive 

Women want accessories and timepieces that communicate their success and precision. Richard Mille’s tech-driven designs and performance aesthetic make this the brand of choice for a female executive looking to make a powerful statement on her wrist.

A subtle statement can be the most powerful. For those who prefer discretion over boldness, the classic style of a long-established luxury house embodied by the Hermes H watch, is the perfect gift. This gold-toned steel watch features the emblematic Hermes “H” shaped case, an elegant white dial, and barenia toned, stitched leather strap.

From condominiums with Holistic spas to homes with luxurious bathrooms, here are six reasons to spend the day of romance within the comfort of your own home:

Peace and Serenity

In addition to a luxury spa, this residence offers unparalleled ocean views. 

At 2000 Ocean, each residence features a private eastern oceanfront terrace and a private western garden-facing terrace —affording residents the ability to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean and set each day over the Intracoastal Waterway. Meanwhile, the spa at 2000 Ocean will feature a tranquil yoga room which opens onto a contemplative courtyard and garden planted with bamboo trees. The indoor space features a suite of treatment rooms, including a heated steam bath, ice room and relaxation room.

Photo courtesy of KAR Properties

Breathtaking Views

This quiet island sanctuary is the epitome of elegant island life.

Bijou Bay Harbor is located in the fashionable Bay Harbor Islands, which are surrounded by clam water perfect for boating and water activities. It is also minutes away from the prestigious Bal Harbor Shops. The intimate, 9-story waterfront property offers the best aspects of the South Florida lifestyle.

Photo courtesy of Bijou Bay Harbour

Home Movie Theater

Residents at this luxury rental development may enjoy a romantic movie without stepping outside of their home. 

This Valentine’s Day at 525 West 52^nd Street, love birds can settle into plush seating, grab some popcorn and enjoy watching their favorite romantic comedy on the big screen in 525’s screening room.

Photo courtesy of 525 West 52^nd Street

Dinner with a View

This luxury penthouse is the perfect spot for romantic, Valentine’s Day dinners. 

After enjoying a romantic dinner, residents at Biscayne Beach Residences Penthouse 7 may enjoy a private rooftop pool, sauna or rooftop deck. The Miami building also features a wide variety of luxury amenities, such as premier members-only beach club complete with a bay-front pool, an elevated man made beach, limitless water views, chaise lounges, day beds and private cabanas.

Photo courtesy of Biscayne Beach Residences

To welcome the season of romance, we spoke with Blogger Olivia Parazine to learn the secrets behind Valentine’s Day décor.

By Alyssa Gautieri 

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away, but it’s not too late to heighten the romance in your home this Valentine’s Day with fresh roses, heart-shaped frames or fluffy pillows. Floral paintings, vintage dishes or pastel-colored linens also emanate feelings of love and warmth.
Olivia Parazine, a creative floral artist and blogger for Olivia’s Romantic Home, prides herself on creating a romantic mood within her home year round, she definitely knows how to step up her game during the season of love.

How do you elevate the romance in your home come Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s day is the perfect romantic holiday to showcase a romantic home. To elevate the romantic feeling of my home during Valentine’s Day, I bring out my vintage cherubs, heart pillows, pink rose dishes and rose florals. I also sprinkle in pale pink touches with fancy faux pink cakes, candles and chocolate hearts for treats.

What colors pair best with Valentine’s Day décor? 

My favorite colors to incorporate into my home to give it a romantic feel are pastels, especially pink, green and purples.

Pillows

Due to the simplicity of adding a throw pillow to any space, Bester finds pillows to be her favorite Valentine’s Day decoration. “Pillows instantly change the feeling and mood in your space and make it ready for the special occasion,” she says. “They’re so puffy and soft that it makes your space feel inviting and romantic.”

Candy

Bester also loves to include glass jars with candies throughout her home. “What is more welcoming then having a glass dish full fresh seasonal candies to greet you?” she asks. 

Photos courtesy of Kendra Bester from Kendra Bester Design

From glass walls and expansive floorplans to balconies and private terraces, these residential developments offer the perfect space for the ultimate celebration on New Year’s Eve.

BRICKELL CITY CENTRE

This holiday season, Brickell City Centre REACH and RISE’s exclusive penthouse collection offers residents breathtaking views of the fireworks at Bayfront Park. The seven expansive penthouses feature private outdoor terraces that open up an array of design possibilities to host the ultimate celebration. Selective penthouses offer seamless access for owners to indulge in their very own private outdoor terrace that doubles up as a rooftop garden featuring an outdoor kitchen, spa and private rooftop pool. Prices start at $3,950,000.

Photos Courtesy of Richardson Sadeki

1 SEAPORT

Soaring 51 floors above Lower Manhattan, Penthouse 5 is the perfect downtown home for popping bubbly on New Year’s Eve. Designed by Hill West Architects, the penthouse at 1 Seaport offers an expansive wraparound balcony and sculpted glass walls to allow both residents and guests the perfect view of the city’s many fireworks displays. Price is set at $7.145 million.

Photo Courtesy of Williams New York

1000M – Chicago, IL

The penthouse at 1000M, the 74-story luxury condominium coming to Chicago, is the perfect destination for catching Chicago’s fireworks at the Navy Pier. Sitting on the 71^st floor, the owner of this unique penthouse will be able to throw the ultimate end-of-year bash in the nearly 5,500-square-foot space, which features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a private terrace. Price is set at $8.1 million.

Photo Courtesy of Millerhare

OCEANA BAL HARBOUR

Oceana Bal Harbour’s penthouse has a wraparound terrace and rooftop deck, which includes a rooftop terrace with an elevated pool deck, heated infinity pool and a sunset deck. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Biscayne Bay and the Bal Harbour marina to the west and Miami’s intoxicating city skyline to the south, this penthouse offers stunning views. Prices range from $3 million to $30 million.

THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES, MIAMI BEACH

With 4 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, this penthouse at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach is the perfect spot for a New Year’s celebration. Panoramic views, the 20-foot-tall wine cave, private terrace, BBQ terrace, complete outdoor bar and 2,000-square-foot deck area will help residents and guests ring in the new year with style. Prices range from $2 million to over $40 million.

Photos courtesy of DooArchitecture

PRIVÉ AT ISLAND ESTATES

Privé at Island Estates’ penthouses boast views of Aventura’s intracostal and Miami’s beachfront skyline with exclusive rooftop terraces, infinity pools, outdoor summer kitchens and more. Privé Island offers five-star, resort-style amenities with 70,000 square feet of public space. Each luxury tower boasts 10,000 square feet of amenities including a waterfront, 2-story fitness center and state-of-the-art spa, children’s playroom, entertainment rooms, private dining rooms, library, wine room and more. Prices start at $2.1 million.

Photos Courtesy of Privé at Island Estates

38 Prince Street

The townhome at the Residences at Prince combines the strong lines of a late Federal house with the stylistic Greek Revival flair. The expansive open kitchen with its extensive marble countertops will be a joy to cook in for the holidays and leads through a dining room with a fireplace to a large south-facing, bi-level garden.

1000M

The ultra-luxury condominium development coming to Chicago will offer residents an intimate, chandelier-lit private dining room with stunning views of the city and access to the sky terrace. Located on the 72nd floor, this space is sure to upgrade any dinner party.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach

The Penthouse, with seats for 14 people, is the perfect spot for a dinner party. Featuring panoramic views, a 20-foot-tall wine cave, a private terrace on the first level, a BBQ terrace, a complete outdoor bar, and a 2,000-square-foot deck area with dining seating and lounge areas, this penthouse will help you and your guests ring in the new year with style.

Call your friends, pop the champagne, plate the cheese and have the most stylish affair around — simply because you can.

There are many reasons to throw a dinner party, especially around the holidays. Having the right spectacular space to impress your guests is crucial. From sky terraces and amazing views to fireplaces and stunning chandeliers, these dining room’s “wow-factors” will surely be the talk of your dinner party.