Check Out The Places To Check-In: Wallpaper's Nominees For Best New Hotel

As the Wallpaper Design Awards wind down (the winners will be announced thursday, the 10th) I share with you the shortlist for Best New Hotel Category with lots of fun additional pics.

1.The Bowery, New York, by Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode:Thanks to charmingly old-world styling by the owners, this is the first boutique hotel to pop up in the formerly gritty Bowery neighbourhood. The interior is all mahogany, worn-in leather and open fires, easily recalling elegant 18th-century living. With service to match the styling, the comfort and nostalgia of the Bowery put it way ahead of its rivals in the boutique market.

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2.Le Bellechasse, Paris, by Christian Lacroix:Christian Lacroix's second boutique jewel is a visual interpretation of Paris's seventh arrondissement. The history of the famously literary area has been transformed into a decorative scheme for 34 rooms in two adjoining buildings. Fantastical frescos adorn the walls and ceilings, while simple white fixtures and linens reinforce the contemporary luxury.

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3.Fasano Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema Beach, by Philippe Starck:The long-awaited Fasano Rio de Janeiro has arrived on Ipanema Beach, along with the Fasano Al Mare, its centrepiece Italian seafood restaurant by Michelin award-winning chef Luca Guzzoni. Starck designed the building and its interiors with a surprisingly Brazilian flair, maintaining the sophistication of the São Paulo original, but with a nod to its new Rio environs.

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4.Haymarket, London, by Kit Kemp:The latest launch of Firmdale hotels is housed in a stunning Regency building built by John Nash. The 50 individually designed rooms and suites are among the largest in London; the Shooting Gallery, a private event room, is decorated in hand-painted jungle wallpaper by de Gournay; and the 18m basement pool has a ceiling covered in fibre-optic lights.

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5.Riva Lofts, Florence, by Claudio Nardi:Consisting of nine suites in architect Claudio Nardi's former studio, a historic factory complex, Riva Lofts' emphasis is on detail. Each lofty, light-filled suite is a chic ensemble of heritage and modern pieces. Mies Van der Rohe armchairs cluster round tropical wood tables in the breakfast lounge, while the bedrooms boast unique, artist-designed touches.

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Don't forget to come back and visit on Thursday, January 10th when I post the winners of all the categories of the Wallpaper Design Awards(in conjunction with Jaguar).

Wallpaper Whittles It Down To The 5 Top Furniture Designers

There are so many amazing furniture designers out there I don't know how Wallpaper even managed to cut it down to 5 finalists for the Wallpaper Design Awards but they did, and here they are:


Alfredo Häberli:

A unique ability to mix up a form-follows-function base with creative flair and a large dash of humour has made Zurich-based Alfredo Häberli sought after by a host of international clients. As well as designing the Camper store in Paris, and a line of men’s shoes, the versatile Häberli has this year launched new creations for Luceplan, Alias, Moroso and Kvadrat.

Barber Osgerby:

Jay Osgerby and Ed Barber are at the top of their game. Not only has this year seen them launch high-calibre products for Established & Sons, Cappellini, ClassiCon, Flos and more, their interior architecture firm Universal Design Studio, lauded for creating the furniture for the De La Warr Pavilion, is working on the retail space for the Battersea Power Station project.

Jaime Hayon:

Jaime Hayon's flamboyant style has won over even hard-nosed minimalists, while his willingness to try his hand at most things has companies fighting to get him on board. His installation for Bisazza at the Milan Furniture Fair was the talk of the town, as were his products for BD Barcelona, his ceramics for Bosa and his complete overhaul of Lladró porcelain.


Marcel Wanders:

Marcel Wanders' fame seems only to fuel his creativity. Taking over a huge space in the Zona Tortona during the Milan Furniture Fair, the Dutch designer blew everyone away with a magical installation. Part of the Wanders Wonders collection, the giant lamps and bells were mixed with elaborate rugs and cabinets. Equally splendid was his 'Skygarden' lamp for Flos.

Tokujin Yoshioka:

An apprentice to Shiro Kuramata and Issey Miyake, Yoshioka set up on his own in 2000. He’s behind the Issey Miyake shop in Tokyo, as well as exhibition space for Miyake, Hermès, Muji and Peugeot. While his furniture for Driade is acclaimed, it was his design of Moroso’s showroom in Milan this year, incorporating work such as his 'Panna' chair, that got the cognoscenti going.

What's A Brand Worth? The Top 100 Brands In the World.

Below are the top ranked 100 global brands based on their worth/value.
Please click on each table below (broken down by groups of ten) to enlarge and read:










SOURCE: Interbrand and BusinessWeek