Jazz, Blues and Cuisine

The Chelsea Living Room, a new supper club co-founded by Dylan Grace and restaurateur Zachary Zimmerman, hosted a preview event on February 29th, prior to its official opening on March 1st. The venue, located in Chelsea, aims to create a cozy, 'garden apartment' ambiance. One notable feature at the preview event was a 2.5-foot-tall, Body Vodka-branded ice luge, which was used to deliver martinis, drawing considerable attention from attendees. The supper club is envisioned as a place where guests can encounter 'a friend of a friend,' fostering a social and intimate atmosphere. The preview event attracted a crowd including content creators, models, and influencers. The culinary offerings showcased during the event included prawn and bacon salad served in endive leaves. Entertainment was provided by a cowboy-hat-wearing jazz pianist, Louis B. Middleton, who performed an understated rendition of 'Clarity' by Zedd, leading to observations about his generational background. As the evening progressed, the main bar area became densely populated, prompting some guests to retreat to a more secluded back lounge. Here, martini shots were distributed through a service window, and caviar was served by a red-vested attendant using a fancy camping lantern for illumination. Guests had the option of consuming caviar in 'bumps' or with blinis and accompanying accoutrements, with many partaking in both. An anecdote from the event highlighted the value of the caviar, as a server jokingly remarked on the cost of a dollop that was accidentally dropped. The social concept of meeting 'a friend of a friend' was reportedly realized by some attendees, including the author, who encountered professional acquaintances. The venue's decor contributed to its intimate feel, with features like low velvet chairs with floor-sweeping fringe. The night concluded with guests collecting their coats and receiving boxes of rainbow cookies as they departed. The event showcased the Chelsea Living Room's unique blend of sophisticated dining, live jazz, and a relaxed, social environment, aiming to provide a distinctive nightlife experience in New York City. #ChelseaLivingRoom #SupperClub #JazzMusic #NewYorkNightlife #EventReview #Hospitality #CulinaryExperience

Carlo's, a new American-Italian restaurant in Manila, sets a new standard for experiential dining by blending the vibrant spirit of New York's Little Italy with old-world charm. Designed by JJ Acuna, the restaurant is situated on the ground floor of a modern commercial building, a location that prompted Acuna to imbue the space with vitality while incorporating unexpected touches of traditional elegance. The design features a dark raw walnut floor, green beadboard timber millwork, and sheer curtains adorned with woven green ribbon, all contributing to an atmosphere that harks back to the unique hospitality brought by Italian immigrants to New York. The interior design of Carlo's is characterized by a strong narrative, combining a retro Italian aesthetic with a polished, contemporary edge. The color palette is rich, featuring deep burgundies, profound pine green, and mustard accents, meticulously chosen to evoke the typical textures and colors found in Little Italy's eateries. Acuna collaborated with skilled local artisans to craft the diverse material finishes, signage, and furnishings, ensuring authenticity and a personalized touch. Custom-made ceiling lamps and sconces illuminate the dining areas, while original 'Akari' paper lamps serve as a subtle nod to the owner's Japanese heritage. All graphic elements were developed by the emerging studio Kix Suarez. The 190 sq m rectangular space is thoughtfully divided into four distinct zones, each with subtle variations in decor that define its character while maintaining a natural, cohesive flow throughout the restaurant. The main dining room embodies a classic Italian feel, complete with an oak coffee-to-cocktail bar, an antique brass-framed mirror, and hand-plastered walls. The central area, dubbed Nonna's Open Kitchen, evokes a sense of nostalgia with its terrazzo flooring, poured in the traditional manner, complemented by brass trims and whimsical green tartan counter seating. A striking white-tile pizza oven, imported from Anagni—a medieval hill town between Rome and Naples, and a birthplace of pizza—serves as a focal point in this section. Towards the rear of the restaurant, banquettes offer more intimate dining experiences. These are framed by a geometric motif rendered in three shades of burgundy, adding a sophisticated visual element. For the semi-private dining room, recycled PET fiber wallpaper from Omexco in Belgium introduces a playful texture. An American influence is woven into the design through vibrant art pieces by contemporary artists such as Mr Star City, Nicasio Fernandez, Brian Calvin, and Megan Whitmarsh, all chosen to reflect Carlo’s creative and eclectic character. The culmination of these design choices is a vibrant, inventive, and cohesive space that successfully captures the authentic spirit of Italy, infused with both New York and Manila influences. Carlo's functions as a relaxed, friendly, and design-led all-day destination. Its menu remains true to its Italian roots, offering a wide array of options from morning cappuccinos to classic antipasti, primi, secondi piatti, and cocktails. Notably, the 18-inch vodka pizza and Aperol spritz come highly recommended, completing the immersive dining experience at Carlo's, located at the Asian Century Center, Manila. #restaurantDesign #interiorDesign #manilaDining #americanItalianCuisine #jjAcunaDesign #newYorkInspired #italy #contemporaryArt #experientialDining

The article showcases five homes that embody the Art Deco architectural and interior design style, highlighting its enduring appeal and luxurious aesthetic. Art Deco, which celebrates its centenary, is characterized by its streamlined forms, geometric patterns, rich materials, and modern elegance. The featured homes, located across India, demonstrate how this lavish style is maintained, restored, or reinterpreted in contemporary settings. One featured residence is Shirin Bharucha’s 2,500-square-foot apartment in a historic Art Deco building in Mumbai, overlooking the Oval Maidan. This apartment is a testament to Mumbai’s early urban planning and its embrace of Art Deco during the city's economic rise in the early 20th century. Bharucha, a heritage activist, has passionately worked to preserve the area's architectural integrity. Her home retains original features such as vibrant terrazzo flooring from Bharat Floorings & Tiles, showcasing a mix of colors and vertical lines that subtly guide the layout. Wood is used sparingly for decorative paneling, emphasizing the clean lines characteristic of Art Deco. The apartment’s spacious layout, encompassing three bedrooms, a drawing room, dining room, kitchen, and staff quarters, reflects the grandeur of the era. Another example is a bungalow in Kolkata, home to a multigenerational business family. Originally built with Feng Shui principles by a Chinese family, the home underwent a contemporary update while preserving its Art Deco identity. Pooja Bihani of Spaces and Design led the renovation, focusing on integrating modern elements without overshadowing the original style. Key Art Deco features, such as gracefully curved elevation projections, the original wooden staircase railing, and the entrance door, were preserved and seamlessly integrated with contemporary finishes. The ground floor, spanning 3,000 square feet, features an interactive layout with collapsible fluted glass doors, a monochromatic theme, and rich materials like marble and oak wood. A prominent artwork by Kumaresan adorns the living room, designed for large gatherings. The wooden staircase, with added marble inlay elements, serves as a striking blend of old and new. The article also presents a home in Delhi’s Golf Links, belonging to Madhu and Naresh Trehan, designed by Shonan Purie Trehan. This home is described as a personal narrative, incorporating Art Deco elements, intricate inlaid floors, handcrafted tiles, and unique artworks. It breaks away from traditional bourgeois aesthetics, offering a daring and unconventional design. The house is filled with natural light and color, reflecting the owners' memories and expressions. The design deconstructs the standard rectangular plot, creating a fluid space that dynamically connects the garden, patio, and pool with the interiors. The sculptural handmade brick exterior further exemplifies the artistic freedom and precise craftsmanship evident throughout the home. A Churchgate apartment in Mumbai, inherited by Manasvi Bachhav, principal designer of The Architecture Company (TAC), showcases the restoration of old-world charm. This 1,800-square-foot apartment, purchased by Bachhav's grandfather in 1955, is located in an Art Deco building near the Brabourne Cricket Ground, offering views of Malabar Hill and the Arabian Sea. The renovation aimed to revive the apartment's original character, which had been altered by previous ad hoc repairs. Bachhav focused on retaining the 'Mumbai' flavor, blending vintage elements with contemporary details, and incorporating global influences like tropical modernism, mid-century Scandinavian warmth, and Japanese minimalism. Restored features include the original 1950s terrazzo flooring, refinished Burma teak wood doors, and vintage brass hardware. Cherished pieces collected by Bachhav’s grandparents are also integrated into the design. Finally, an 18,000-square-foot mansion in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills, owned by Rohit Reddy and designed by Vinita Chaitanya, channels the Jazz Era. Chaitanya transformed the newly built structure, seeing beyond the glass and concrete to infuse it with soul through layers of textures, patterns, and colors. She drew inspiration from a stunning Italian marble with gold and pink streaks, which evoked European palazzo vibes, leading her to pursue an Art Deco interior. Marble was extensively used around doors, as architraves, and in floor inlays near the staircase. Chaitanya brought in elements that conveyed a sense of history, embodying the geometry, symmetry, and elegance of the 1920s. She landscaped the internal courtyard, adorned sky-high walls with classic wallpaper, and embellished passageways with old-world pendants and doors with magnificent grillework, creating a seamless blend of past and present. The resulting home is a grand and deeply personal space, reflecting artistry and intentional design. #ArtDecoHomes #IndianArchitecture #JazzEraDesign #HeritagePreservation #InteriorDesign #MumbaiArtDeco #KolkataBungalow #DelhiHomeDesign #HyderabadMansion

The Cleveland Museum of Art's exhibit, "The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s," showcases over 300 objects, including furniture, jewelry, clothing, and home accessories, reflecting the distinct aesthetics of the era. Among the notable home decor items featured are a wrought iron and gilding fire screen by Frenchman Edgar Brandt, and the Muse with Violin Screen designed by Hungarian Paul Feher, crafted by Rose Iron Works in Cleveland using wrought iron, brass, silver, and gold plating. The exhibit, running through January 14, highlights how the Jazz Age influenced design, moving from a celebration of the end of World War I to an embrace of modernism and exotic travel. A particularly unique piece is the "Aviation Chair" designed by Robert Bonfils. This upholstered chair features an ornately carved giltwood frame and dark blue fabric, with an oval image on the seat back depicting colorful flowers surrounding an airplane in flight. This design reflects the era's fascination with new modes of transportation and the excitement of air travel becoming more accessible. The 1920s design landscape was diverse, ranging from the glamorous Hollywood-inspired Art Deco and modernist styles to the more rustic farmhouse aesthetic. However, the exhibit predominantly features luxurious items such as high-end wallpapers, textiles, a massive chandelier, and exquisite cabinets with ivory and ebony floral inlays. The article suggests that elements from the Jazz Age can be incorporated into contemporary home design. Dawn Cook, owner of Dawn Cook Design in Shaker Heights, notes that homes from the 1920s and 1930s were built with meticulous attention to detail, featuring rich wooden inlays, carved fireplace mantles, marble flooring, stone and masonry details, and hardwood doors with brass hardware. Even more modest homes of the period included intricate moldings, woodwork, arches, and unique leaded windows. Kitchens were typically placed in the back and were less grand, reflecting their functional role. Cook emphasizes that Clevelanders appreciate the quality and formality of these well-made homes, with their grand entrances and beautiful wood floors, noting the timeless nature of this design aesthetic as many homes approach their centennial. Key design elements of the era include opulent golds and silvers, geometric patterns, and bold color schemes featuring black, white, neutrals, deep reds, greens, and blues. The curvilinear lines of Art Deco provided a counterbalance to strong geometric patterns, while detailed floral wallpaper and animal print rugs were also popular. Cook suggests that an over-the-top mirror or mirrored screen combined with more understated furnishings can evoke the Jazz Age, or that strong geometric prints on wallpaper or fabrics in black and white or brown and white, mixed with gold, silver, or cream, can create a glamorous yet timeless look. For millennials who may be more nomadic, Cook recommends investing in graphic chairs or art pieces that can be easily moved, as a way to incorporate the Jazz Age aesthetic without permanent installations. #JazzAgeDesign #ArtDeco #HomeDecorTrends #ClevelandMuseumOfArt #InteriorDesignHistory #1920sStyle #ArchitecturalDetails #LuxuryInteriors

This blog post highlights a diverse collection of design-oriented products spanning homewares, lifestyle items, and apparel, each chosen for its unique aesthetic and functional qualities. The selection begins with the DOIY Acquedotto Vase, a ceramic vessel inspired by Roman architecture, available in single and double arch designs with marbled patterns. This piece merges architectural influence with floral display, offering a distinctive decorative element. Following this, the Rayleigh Desk Lamp by Sean Augustine March is featured, an illuminating sculpture crafted from dichroic glass that produces striking optical effects through light refractions, colors, and geometric shapes, mounted on a wood base with a long-lasting LED. For music enthusiasts, Sampa the Great's second album, 'As Above, So Below,' is presented as a pre-order on opaque peach vinyl from Vinyl Me Please. The album, recorded in Zambia and Botswana, blends hip-hop with various African genres and R&B, offering a dynamic experience of self-exploration and joy. Complementing a laid-back lifestyle are Canna Style Pink Cones, pre-rolled, hot-pink metallic-tipped cones designed for ease of use and a smooth smoking experience with slow-burning paper. The Lalo + West Elm Kids collaboration introduces 'The Chair,' a versatile piece that functions as both a high chair and a play chair. This item boasts a sleek acorn finish, a five-point safety harness, non-toxic tray, and a machine-washable cushion, with 50% of proceeds supporting No Kid Hungry. The Bucatini Candle Holder from Copenhagen-based (a.o.t) studio showcases an exploration of aluminum's versatility, featuring a sculptural and winding form in various colors, hand-crafted to offer unanticipated dimension. For the kitchen, Freckled Fuchsia's Papaya Tea Towel, designed by Chandlyr Jackson, adds color and whimsy with its geometric papaya print on 100% natural cotton flour sack. Sustainability is emphasized with the Avocado Green Mattress Wood Stool, a classic timber stool with whimsical curves made from upcycled beechwood and non-toxic finishes as part of their Zero Waste collection. Awagami's Hand-Dyed Indigo Uchiwa Fan, a traditional Japanese non-folding fan, is hand-dyed by artisans in an ombre pattern using kozo paper and bamboo, reflecting Japanese craft. Apparel includes the MAAP Evade OffCuts Pro Jersey, a limited-edition cycling jersey made from repurposed excess fabric, designed for performance and environmental consciousness. The Real Bad Man Psychic Plant Tie-Dye Shirt features a playful, psychedelic graphic inspired by plant communication. For outdoor and casual activities, the Snow Peak Soft 18 Cooler offers a minimalist aesthetic with functional insulation, while Duvin Design Company’s Banana Leaf Button Up Shirt, inspired by '80s surf culture, provides a relaxed, tropical look. The YOWIE Zipper Candle, with notes of black pepper and bergamot, encourages exploration with its smoky and sweet aroma housed in sleek black packaging. Lastly, the Homa Studios x Pétales et Plantes Trio Vase, combining 3D printing and ceramic artistry, presents an eclectic and tilted design to enhance floral arrangements. #HomeDecor #DesignProducts #LifestyleItems #SustainableDesign #HandmadeGoods #FashionApparel #MusicAlbums #Kitchenware #OutdoorGear

The British Library in London is hosting a major social-history exhibition titled ‘Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music.’ This exhibition, curated by public historian Dr. Aleema Gray, explores the extensive cultural research encompassing half a millennium of Black British music. Despite initial questions about a library's role in presenting such a vibrant subject, the British Library’s extensive sound archive, holding over six million sounds, proved to be an ideal starting point. The exhibition aims to highlight that the British Library, typically a place of quiet, also serves as a repository of diverse human expression, including music. The exhibition is designed as a social history, with Black British music acting as the central theme that illuminates broader societal contexts. It features approximately 200 illustrations, including audio-visual elements, original manuscripts, stage costumes, sound systems, historical technology like Sony Walkmans, photographs, and even significant artifacts such as Beethoven’s tuning fork. The design, created by east London architects Freehaus in collaboration with the University of Westminster, takes visitors on a comprehensive journey through African and Caribbean music, creative individuals, and entrepreneurs across Britain, spanning from the 16th century to the present day. The narrative begins with John Dee’s 1577 map, ‘Brytannicæ Republicæ Synopsis,’ presented to Queen Elizabeth I. This historical context establishes the exhibition’s connection to the broader transatlantic exchange influenced by colonialism and empire, which ultimately brought diverse populations and cultures to Britain. Dr. Gray emphasizes that while American Black music often dominates global popular culture, ‘Beyond the Bassline’ specifically traces the unique emergence of Black British music genres such as lovers’ rock, jungle, garage, and grime, which were developed and nurtured within Britain. This focus distinguishes the exhibition and provides a distinct historical perspective, complementing future initiatives like London’s V&A; East’s planned 2025 exhibition, ‘Music is Black: A British Story.’ While the exhibition includes celebrated figures like Bob Marley, Stormzy, Soul II Soul, Joan Armatrading, Shirley Bassey, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, it extends beyond well-known personalities and major cities. It delves into the social scenes that coalesced around music, showcasing cherished memorabilia from venues like Dundee’s 1970s Reggae Klub, Manchester’s Reno funk and soul club, and London’s jazz clubs. This approach underscores the exhibition's role as an homage to the communities, spaces, and musical genres that collectively shaped the landscape of Black British music. Photography plays a significant role in the exhibition, subtly highlighting the development of a distinct British photographic style during the late 1970s and 1980s, a period when personal cameras became more accessible. This era saw a more informal, everyday approach to documentation emerge, often as a natural response rather than a purely artistic endeavor. The exhibition also displays club poster designs, T-shirts, and record-sleeve art, which collectively reveal a unique British aesthetic. Fashion is represented through items like Pauline Black’s trademark trilby from The Selecter, illustrating the interplay between music and style. Additionally, paintings by artists like Jamaica-born, British-based Errol Lloyd, and a specially commissioned short film and sound installation by Tayo Rapoport and Rohan Ayinde, in collaboration with Touching Bass, further enrich the visual experience. The exhibition design by Freehaus, their inaugural project of this scale, effectively handles the challenge of presenting 500 years of history. It utilizes light, texture, color, and innovative viewpoints with a delicate touch that enhances the subject matter without overwhelming it. Dr. Gray commends Freehaus’s design for its flexibility, meaningfulness, sensitivity, and alignment with the curatorial vision. A notable artifact on display is Beethoven's tuning fork, which he lent to the violinist and composer George Bridgetower. Bridgetower's performances captivated King George IV, who subsequently sponsored his education. The exhibition also sheds light on historical figures like John Blanke, the African trumpeter in Henry VIII’s court. Dr. Gray concludes that ‘Beyond the Bassline’ challenges preconceived notions about Black music and musicians, demonstrating how music transcends boundaries and fosters activism, identity, fashion, and personal style. #BlackBritishMusic #SocialHistory #BritishLibrary #ExhibitionDesign #CulturalHeritage #MusicHistory #LondonExhibitions #AfricanCaribbeanCulture #MusicalGenres