A Cool Crib For Your Car: Custom Luxury Garages By GarageMahals

As the world's only company (self-proclaimed) dedicated to the complete transformation of the garage, GarageMahals® provides all the services and products to create a completely unique space. Each garage can be customized around a central theme, from high tech, Art Deco (think Batman, or Route 66), to old world Tuscan.

The concept of GarageMahals® began as the brainchild of founder Michael Rhodig in early 2003. After having several quite boring, but yet state of the art garage interiors for the time, Michael knew the garage could be so much more. After three years of research and development, GarageMahals® was launched in September 2005 and continues to grow.

The First GarageMahal - Industrial High tech
 



This was the original and first true GarageMahal built by Michael Rhodig to show the world his concept of what a luxury garage environment is supposed to be. Incorporating as many design elements, functionalities, and materials as possible while still maintaining a cohesive and stunning environment was the objective of this project.





See the "Red Button"? When you push the button, a flashing yellow industrial warning light and "awnk - awnk" warning sound draws your attention to mid ceiling above. You observe a large 2 ft. by 10 ft. panel with the far end rotating down from the darkness of the flat black ceiling. The panel rotates to about 65 degrees and stops. Then the bottom of an extension ladder lowers until it touches the floor and everything stops. Your access to the attic above the 13 ft ceiling is now conveniently available. Simply push the red button again and the whole process repeats in reverse until the large panel is again flush with the ceiling.

Smith Garage- Retro Art Deco Gas Station Pumps


This garage was the first for the Smith Family of Paradise Valley, AZ. Mr. Smith really enjoys both the art deco gasoline pumps he had already collected, and the look and feel of high tech. He asked Michael to see if he could make those two world's come together in his garage. Red, silver, and white are the dominant colors of this garage. The lighting facades over the pumps simulate service station awnings of the same time period, while the lighting, workbench, wainscoting, and door panels are purely high tech in appearance.



Michael paid very close attention to detail and to his customer's background and taste. For example, whenever possible, automotive finishes are used, and the white paint on the hanging facades in not just any white, but GM Alpine White, first used on Cadillacs of the late 1950's. Michael chose this color while attending an auto show in Payson, AZ while this project was in design.





You can't miss the use of aircraft safety switches for lighting controls at the workbench. Michael did this as a surprise for the client based on his background as an US Air Force pilot.



The large red panels seen in the image above are actually rolling doors. Mr. Rhodig created these for another customer needing larger storage capacity at floor level than typical box style cabinets. This garage design cost approximately $130.00 per sq. ft.

Scottsdale Garage - A Modern Makeover



This project is a perfect example of a Prestige Class GarageMahal. The client desired a garage environment with a big "Wow Factor" without a big "Oh my God" price.

Before:

After:


Using combinations of metallic paints, automotive finishes, GarageMahals Rolling Door Storage, and GarageMahals unique metallic epoxy flooring, created an environment that thrilled the customer and stayed within his budget.

Zen Garage with Waterfalls, Wetbar and TV




This is one Michael calls the "Zen" garage, and is a significant departure from previous work. This home in Paradise Valley, AZ is a custom design using an Asian theme with some elements of Frank Lloyd Wright styling. After careful study of the existing home, Michael knew he could use some elements to produce a stunning and tranquil garage space of organic colors, natural metallics, sounds of falling water and blend them with high tech lighting, surfaces, and audio visual enhancements.



For example, sparkling rain glass complements the water walls and is also used in the home interior. The GarageMahals metallic Bronze epoxy flooring produces a fascinating liquid metal appearance, and the deep crystal clear finish makes the color coats look as though they are under glass. The green-gold metallic tone of the Valspar Brilliant Metallics paint is a perfect blend with the gold and bronze wainscoting, another GarageMahals exclusive product. This material is a shimmering metallic rubber product over a geometric pattern of truncated pyramids. This durable surface prevents damage to the wall and the car door.





The old garage doors were hand painted in a copper/bronze patina that incorporated some of the wall color. Vertical door tracks, lift motors, power outlets, etc., are concealed behind decorative columns. When the door is in the up position, it is hidden behind a decorative cover that suspends from the ceiling. The Zen garage cost approximately $125,000 (for a 752 sq. ft. space).

all images and info courtesy of GarageMahals®

GarageMahals
11445 E. Via Linda
Suite 2, Box 437
Scottsdale, AZ 85259-2638
602.315.4473

Another Hip Boutique Hotel In Paris: The BLC Design Hotel

One hardly needs an excuse to visit Paris with the plethora of fabulous chic hotels popping up there; Hotel Gabriel, Philipe Starck's Mama Shelter and now... The BLC design Hotel.

Nestled in a quiet street close to the Palais de la Femme and a few steps from the Place de la Bastille, is the newly renovated modern BLC Design Hotel. Take a stroll to appreciate this old, historic Parisian quarter, from Place des Vosges, to Notre Dame & Opera Bastille, the bars, restaurants, theatres and fashion boutiques in the surrounding area. The Gare de Lyon and Bercy are just a few metro stations from the hotel.



This modern property has recently been entirely renovated and equipped with contemporary & refined furniture and details. The boutique hotel offers 29 very white, contemporary and feminine rooms designed by Carole Picard (who also decorated the Color Design Hotel in Paris), with special lighting effects to create the perfect mood for memorable stays.

The hotel’s 29 white-on-white rooms are equipped not only with light-blocking window shades, but also a Night Cove, a combination lighting and sound system, that, based on a French hospital’s sleep research, promises to put you to sleep or wake you up gradually with special light and sound sequences that act on the body’s production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin.

Standard room:



On each floor is a large photo of an ordinary woman by photographer Lise Laura Batifol, with a detail from the photo (an eye, for example as shown above) blown up in each room on that particular floor.

Double room:




The only touch of color in the hotel comes from the Patrick Jouin Night Cove lamps (shown above), which give off orange or red light when it’s time to go to sleep and blue light when it’s time to wake up.

Each room is decorated with a very high level of comfort: individual air-conditioning, flat screen TV with satellite, direct dial telephone, internet connection, bathroom (bath or shower). The buffet breakfast is served in a particularly attractive setting.



Guests can also help themselves at any time to drinks on the honor system or fill one of the attractive water bottles provided for free at faucets dispensing the hotel’s own eco-friendly bubbly or flat water.



Some of the unusual and artful details:







Standard rates start at around 120 euros

BLC Hotel - PARIS
4, rue de Richard Lenoir , Paris, 75011
reservation@blcdesign-hotel-paris.com


all images courtesy of BLC Design Hotel and Hoosta Magazine


Other Posts On Hip Paris Hotels:

•Philipe Starck's Mama Shelter


•Hotel Gabriel Paris Marais (The "Detox" Hotel)

Fun Finds For Friday!

Some fun and unusual products or art for you with links to learn more about them or to buy them. Less text, more fun.

1. Spinnaker Chairs, made from real canvas boat sails.


2. Piglamp,with a fluorescent bulb for the tail.


3. Sleeping and body PILL-ows, custom made by Galactic Boutique



4. Mattel Avatar Action Figures (get these collectibles now, people..)

Cute, Colorful & Cool Canvas Bags From Saltbox.

I sometimes receive items or samples from companies who'd like me to consider reviewing or blogging about their products. No money changes hands, they simply send me an unrequested item, often accompanied with the question 'is it hip enough?"

I have made it known to these generous people, that sending me a product in no way guarantees a post, favorable or otherwise... or even a mention. And in many cases, the items don't warrant taking up cyberspace.


above: Travel bag in Spencer Plaid

But then there's Saltbox. This year, right before Christmas, a large package arrived and in it was a canvas and faux leather bag from a NY company I'd never heard of named Saltbox. How they knew my favorite color was orange, I'm not sure, but a fabulously large orange, brown and white patterned bag named "the Getaway", shown below, was enclosed.


above: Saltbox Getaway bag in Basketweave pattern, Squash color.

I opened the bag and discovered it was not only crafted from a stylish water-resistant heavy canvas fabric and had handles, interior and trim made from recycled fabrics... but it was large enough for all my belongings, along with my laptop in it's own bag, and still had enough room for my jack russell terrier, Indie, to fit comfortably!

It was so enormous, it was almost too big. Then I noticed that inside were two halves of a simple antiqued carabiner-type brass buckle on either side, that when attached, it reduced the size of the bag by folding in the edges and turned it into a large sort of shoulder bag. How clever! And cute!



above: Saltbox Getaway bag when interior buckle is fastened to reduce size.

So I promptly began to research the company and their products and I was instantly smitten. They have a very large selection of well made, nicely detailed, canvas products. Bags, purses, luggage, wallets, and more in various sizes.


above: model shown with large tote in Squash Basketweave

The collection comes in four different patterns; Basketweave, Plaid, Geo and Medallion. Each of the patterns is available in various colors as well.



The heavy duty canvas is waxed to provide water resistance and all the products have details like antiqued silver or brass hardware, magnetic closures, interior pockets, silver feet and other thoughtful touches.



above: model shown with Carryall in Tiki Basketweave

To easily show you their whole collection, below are all their present products, each shown in the same color and pattern; Squash Basketweave.

Getaway, open and clasped to reduce size:

Travelbag:

Carryall:


Utility Tote, shown open and closed with magnetic snap:

Large Tote and the Takeout Tote:

Daybag, shown from two angles:

Cosmetic bag, Luggage tag, Travel wallet and Pencil bag:

Travel wallet, closed and opened:


So what, where and who is Saltbox?

Saltbox is a Manhattan-based design studio known for its creations in canvas -- a humble material brought to new heights through fine design.


above: model shown with Takeout Tote in Berry Basketweave

Founded by Nicole Scheinholz over a decade ago, the company made the unlikely transition to bags from luxury shower curtains. Being a typical New Yorker who shouldered her daily haul, Nicole created a tote for herself with one of her more popular curtain prints so she could lug in style. The bag was a huge hit, igniting a personal passion for bag and accessory design and signaling a new direction for the company.

Regularly featured in magazines such as People, Coastal Living, InStyle Weddings and Country Living, the collection is renown for its classic patterns and gorgeous vibrant colors. Saltbox pieces tell a story as they wear -- the canvas softens like a favorite pair of jeans, exuding laid-back style while remaining sturdy and supremely functional.


above: model shown with Daybag in Feryn Plaid

Heavy gauge canvas, treated to be water resistant, makes each piece perfect for year-round use. Inspired by travel, history, nature and architecture, the prints and color palettes are graphic, yet imminently wearable. Key features give each shape its unique look. Some have extra snaps and pockets, others convertible and removable shoulder straps. Versatility is vital.

Below is the story of Saltbox as told by its founder:

above: Founder and President, Nicole Scheinholz

"They say that necessity is the mother of invention… but now we believe them. The story behind the creation of the Saltbox collection goes like this… when we travel, we like to take along practical yet stylish tote bags – sturdy & roomy carryalls that make a beautiful & personal statement. Easier said than bought! And after an unfulfilling search for totes that met our high expectations, we figured we’d just have to make them ourselves. Saltbox pieces have unmistakable style that is somehow undefinable. They are effortlessly timeless, yet supremely cool.

These are things we love: classic patterns in luscious color combinations, unique embellishments and mixing patterns in surprising arrangements. Especially important are the “little extras” like zipped inner pockets, sewn-in key fobs and snaps galore – those are the details that make our bags special and extremely practical to carry.

Plus, all of our pieces are silk-screened by hand on 100% cotton fabrics – a process that imparts unique variations in each piece. And now we are adding home décor items to round out the collection. Our understated and elegant pillow collection will beautify the home, and soon to follow will be other decorative accessories. " ---- Nicole Scheinholz, president



Another thoughtful touch:
If you enter "Give my love to Haiti!" in the message box at checkout, they will donate 10% of your purchase to the Red Cross in Haiti between now and February 14th.

To see all the available patterns and colors as well as prices, shop Saltbox here