Beyond Borders Wednesday- Donna Karan

Zen Style

Town

This is the wonderfully zen New York City apartment of design icon Donna Karan. Ms. Karan has created an empire with her chic, well tailored and wearable designs. Her Upper West Side apartment, with sweeping views over Central Park is spacious and tranquil. It's a retreat from her hectic days in the fashion industry.

Architect Bonetti Kozerski worked closely with Ms. Karan to create a gorgeous, peaceful retreat. The black and white color palette adds a spa like feel to the apartment. It's wonderful to see that her simple, less is more approach carries into all facets of her life.

Photos by Richard Powers

and country....

photos courtesy Divaani Lehti

Beyond Borders Wednesday- Donna Karan

Country

Donna Karan's Hampton Estate is just as fabulous and serene as her New York City apartment. Both of her New York State residences have a that casual Asian style she obviously loves so much. I can easily visualize the goddess of chic walking around this place.

Visit Architectural Digest for her newest residence in the West Indies.

Photos from House & Garden

Colorful Play Areas

Kindergarten Sillpark Mall, Innsbruck, Austria

designed by Artek, Architect-ATP Planungs GmbHI love all the bright cheerful colors of the rooms and furniture. The furniture is light weight and easy to maneuver (by the little ones) and keep clean. These colorful play areas were designed to encourage creativity and confidence and help develop social and physical skills in children as they play. Parents can join in or they can watch their child from a sitting area.

CHILDREN'S CHAIR N65 & TABLE 95
1935 alvar aalto

Photos above ©Artek

Children's Area at Stinsen Mall, Sollentuna, Sweden
designed by Koncept Architects
Eero Arnio Puppy plastic dog come in many sizes

Photos above ©Koncept

Have a great weekend

I have shared Ms. Lamas' work with you in the past. She is only 22 and very talented. I cannot wait to share more of her work with you he next few weeks. These photos were taken using an Apple iPhone 3G

"I love fall, beauty, and good friends." Caitlin Lamas

We had our first snow a couple of days ago and it was beautiful and white. Sadly it rained today buh bye snow, it melted:-(. Then surprise... it snowed again and it is sticking! Yipee! Although here we say goodbye to Finland's gorgeously crisp Autumn days we welcome the stunning beauty that winter brings. Yes, yes I am all poetic and excited about winter right now, you know the darkness, snow, ice, but it won't be long before I am daydreaming of warm sunny beaches in far off places. Who cares for now everything is beautiful in nature and I cannot wait to get out there and enjoy it. Too bad my little man Jonah is back in Seattle, he would have had a blast out there.

I hope you all have an awesome weekend!

©Lamas Photography

Beyond Borders Wednesday

Frank Gehry-Hotel Marqués de Riscal

The Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Elciego, Spain was was commissioned by the Marqués de Riscal Winery and was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Mr. Gehry also designed Spain's famed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

The hotel is located in the Rioja wine region. It has spectacular views of the vineyards and the town of Elciego. You can enjoy the vistas from any of the hotels eight terraces. Gehry's trademark waves of titanium and mirror-finish stainless steel on the outer surface shade each room from sunlight without obscuring the view.

Restaurant Marques de Riscal

Rooftop Lounge

Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa®



Enjoy!

Photos used with permission of Hotel Marqués de Riscal of Starwood Hotels

Bukowskis Auction House

Bukowskis Auction House has an international modern & contemporary art and design auction coming up next Sunday, November 08, 2009 at their Helsinki location. The online catalog is available online (here) for viewing. "Bukowskis organises two major international auctions every year. Objects for sale include Finnish and foreign art, sculpture, furniture, silver, jewellery, glass, porcelain and design items of a high standard."

Here are a few that pieces that caught my attention:

KEVÄTAURINKO (Summer Sun) Oil Painting by Reidar Särestöniemi

CORRIDOR DE KATHMANDOU Etching by Salvador Dali (1969)

Rolling Screen - Lacquered pine by Alvar Aalto

All photos courtesy of Bukowskis

Halloween In Finland

These are some photos of the youngest man in my life. His name is Jonah (Nonah some days) he is two and I adore him. He cracks me up because he is methodical about everything he does. It took a while to find the perfect pumpkins because he wanted two of similar size. When he found them he was done. He climbed in the wheel barrel, folded his hands together and asked to go home. Now that's the life. Get what you want and get out quick. I must confess, I get so much pleasure watching a child develop, there is nothing like it in the world! Well at least not for me.

My darling friends, I hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Eat lots of cake and chocolates galore :-)

© First photo courtesy of Visit Finland Image Bank permission required for reproduction
all other photos property of Charlie's Design Diary