Anyone who knows me probably knows I’m easily distracted by gorgeous light fixtures. I have no idea how I managed to get from Paris to Rome considering how many amazing chandeliers, sconces and lamps stopped me dead in my tracks. And believe me, they’re everywhere!
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{ Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category }
I’ve mentioned that I’ve been incredibly taken with the intricate details of Paris, but that’s not even taking in the glitz and glam style of the country! Every door I walk through or corner I turn leaves me in awe of how ornate and luxe every ceiling, trim and accessory looks.
Cuisine is one of the main focuses of this Europe trip. This new itinerary combines the most delectable foods and treats from Paris, Provence, and soon Rome and Tuscany.
Between Trafalgar‘s Be My Guest and Hidden Treasure experiences you not only get to see incredible insider locations off the beaten path, but you get to taste some of the most delicious food the country has to offer.
Enter: the macaron.
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My first day in Paris was a long, but worthwhile whirlwind. After traveling for 16 hours, including flights and layovers, I arrived with several other members of Trafalgar tour group. I had just enough time to drop off my bags at the hotel (and try to convince myself I really was in Paris) before heading out to acquaint myself with the city.
This weekend I’m embarking on my first trip to Europe and I’ve been struggling to find the words to describe how I feel. If you can somehow squash the words excited, anxious, happy, and elated into one adjective you may begin to understand where I’m at.
I just returned home from a trip to London, where I stayed at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. This incredible property, originally designed by English architect Sir George Gilbert Scott and opened in 1873, adjoins the St. Pancras train station. I adore seeing hotels around the world, taking in the design and finding inspiration in the most unexpected places. This gloriously Gothic hotel did not disappoint. It has undergone a massive restoration project and finally threw open its doors for a grand opening party this past Thursday. I was lucky enough to be there to partake in the festivities. Here’s a sneak peek into the hotel. I will be writing more about the room interiors, so stay tuned! For now, take a virtual tour through the halls of this 138-year-old property
The exterior of the building is imposing and impressive. It’s no surprise that scenes from the last Harry Potter movie were filmed here. It’s deliciously Gothic.
The corridors of the hotel are stunning. Every square inch of this hotel is meticulously designed and restored to reflect the original and authentic look and feel of when the hotel first opened 138 years ago.
The Grand Staircase is the real showstopper at this hotel. Snaking up, up, up from both left and right, it’s a spectacular sight to behold.
The first-floor corridor is delightfully romantic. The handpainted murals and ceiling artwork have been carefully restored to their original splendour.
The train station’s booking office has been transformed into the Booking Office Bar & Restaurant. St. Pancras trains still pull up just outside the restaurant with a muffled rumble. There’s a lingering reminiscence for the days when train travel was glamorous – and the revitalization of this hotel has brought that glamour back.
Vancouver is a breeding ground for hot Canadian talent, and at the Style at Home offices we often look west for design inspiration. Here are two of our favourite contemporary home decor destinations, plus one brand new spot in trendy Crosstown. Read more about our fave Vancouver shops in the March issue of Style at Home, on sale February 7.
Vancouver Special
3612 Main St., 604-568-3673; vanspecial.com
A range of contemporary furniture, accessories, and art and architecture books, Vancouver Special aims to make good design accessible. Owner Anne Pearson, a UBC architecture grad, also hosts various events, exhibitions and lectures in the space, which was designed to look like an art gallery.
Hee lounge chair
HAY Pinnochio rug
Provide
529 Beatty St., 604-632-0095; providehome.com
A destination for modern design, Provide stocks local and international wares. The Crosstown loft space is light and airy, mirroring the clean lines and organic forms of the products it sells.
Catherine Regehr Porcupine Loop cushion in silk
The Dirty Apron Cooking School & Delicatessen
540 Beatty St., 604-879-8588; dirtyapron.com
Relatively new to Crosstown, The Dirty Apron Cooking School & Delicatessen allows you to unleash your inner chef. Former Chambar chef de cuisine David Robertson leads students through hands-on classes, working with professional cookware and state-of-the-art appliances, teaching each step required in creating a complete meal (classes start from $145 per person for a four hour course).
After preparation and plating are finished, students gather in the stylish dining room to enjoy their three-course meal and a glass of wine. The best part? Cleanup is taken care of by The Dirty Apron staff.
Classroom at The Dirty Apron
As my whirlwind trip in Italy comes to an end, I can’t believe all the beautiful places I’ve been and all the fabulous experiences I’ve had. What began as a wariness towards going on a ‘group tour’ with Trafalgar Tours turned into a huge appreciation for what can be called ‘guided holidays’. I had expectations of being stuck on a bus the whole time, but Trafalgar’s new ‘At Leisure‘ program gives guests tons of time to explore by themselves, but also shows them all the hidden gems of the cities they visit. So, would I recommend? Absolutely.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my travels as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them with you. I really wish you all could have come on the trip with me and experienced the breathtaking architecture, yummy food and incredible design. Our last stop on the tour was Siena, and I spent several hours walking through its winding streets, soaking up my final hours in Italy. A medieval city, Siena is completely cobblestoned and simply charming — it seemed like every corner I turned, there was a sweet surprise waiting for me in the form of a secluded fountain or hidden courtyard. Here are a few parts of Siena that took my breath away {do you think it’s too much to want those doors for my own house? Perhaps…}.
xo,
Lauren
Prior to my trip, whenever I mentioned to people the places I was going to be visiting, they stopped and gasped when I said ‘Cinque Terre’. “Oh my goodness, you will love it — it is so beautiful,” was the standard reaction. Turns out, they were right! After a breathtaking bus ride to one of the five villages atop a peak, Trafalgar Tours hooked us up with a fabulous guide who took us on walks through the villages and showed us the most beautiful views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As a self-professed lover of all-white interiors, I was surprised to find how inspired I was by the colourful buildings at Cinque Terre. The pinks, yellows, greens and oranges were bold, but also muted amongst the aged rooftops and cracked foundations. I would love to include these colours in my own home, whether in artwork or ceramics.
Like most of Italy, Cinque Terre also had a bunch of specialty food stores with local treats. I stocked up on fresh olive oil, pesto and — of course — wine. I’m really excited to do some Italian cooking, especially with the extra virgin olive oil. It seriously tastes nothing like the stuff you buy in North America because it is so fresh — straight from the grove to the bottle.
xo,
Lauren
P.S. The last image is the walkway along the coast, that takes you from village to village. Nicknamed ‘Lovers Lane’, visitors leave padlocks and make a wish for the one they love. These padlocks are everywhere, from gates to railings to safety grates. Beautiful!
And now for an overload of eye candy.
If there’s one place to visit for inspiration in Italy, it has to be Florence {aka Firenze}. Beyond breathtaking, the city is an artist’s dream, not to mention the chosen home of Italy’s most famous fashion designers, from Ferragamo to Cavalli. I instantly fell in love with the architecture and the beautiful sculptures found around almost every corner. As for Michelangelo’s David sculpture? Sigh. He was the most breathtaking thing I’ve ever laid eyes upon — no picture can do him justice {and unfortunately, you can’t take snaps in The Accademia, anyways}. He is a must-see and — if you ask me — a must-clone, as well.
Here are a few pictures I took throughout Florence that will give you an idea of the feel of the city. Oh, and that last photo is of yours truly!
So… have you booked your flight yet?
xo,
Lauren
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