Are You Ready? Take A Chandelier Tour Of The Grove

Lodes, an Italian lighting pioneer, in collaboration with German design studio GECKELER MICHELS, is set to launch MAP, an innovative ceiling and wall lighting system during Milan Design Week 2025. MAP represents a new approach to lighting design, emphasizing creative freedom and emotional connection through light. The system's core innovation is a highly decorative conductive tape that simultaneously powers the entire system and facilitates limitless design configurations. This tape not only directs light but also evokes the imagery of celestial constellations, placing a romantic and visually engaging theme at the heart of the lighting concept. Founded in 1950, Lodes has a long-standing commitment to mastering light, a passion that is evident in MAP. The system reflects Lodes' evolution, embodying a refreshed brand identity that embraces change while retaining its fundamental values. MAP's design allows for significant adaptability, catering to various environments from residential to commercial spaces. Its conductive tape enables the free arrangement of luminous points and lines on ceilings and walls from a single power source, offering architects, interior designers, and lighting professionals unprecedented design flexibility. This adaptability facilitates the creation of dynamic compositions that both illuminate and aesthetically enhance a space. MAP is available in three matte finishes: black, champagne, and natural brown, which can be applied to both the modules and the tape for a cohesive and integrated appearance. The system's circular starting module houses an LED board with tunable white technology, allowing users to select the optimal color temperature during installation. The lighting modules, serving as fixed anchoring points, feature fabric bands that wrap around them, creating a minimalist yet fluid aesthetic. The fabric tape runs through each module, distributing power seamlessly from the primary module while concealing the power source. The tape comes in an 8-meter reel, 5 cm wide, equipped with specialized conductors, ensuring even power distribution even in the absence of additional ceiling or wall power sources. Each MAP module measures 130 mm in diameter and 63 mm in height and is fitted with a PMMA lens available in different variants to meet diverse lighting needs, from focused directional light to diffused ambient effects. The lens is magnetically sealed within the module, ensuring a harmonious fit. Customization is further possible with an optional honeycomb filter that can be applied to the lens to improve lighting comfort and reduce glare. The system's scalability varies by version: the TRIAC version supports up to five elements, while the DALI version accommodates up to eight. Beyond these, MAP is infinitely extendable by connecting a non-conductive tape to a starting module powered by a separate circuit, allowing for an unlimited number of light points. MAP addresses common design challenges, such as low ceilings or insufficient ceiling lighting points, by enabling the connection of a dedicated starting point to the wall. This non-illuminated module, equipped with a cover and an angular mounting bracket, blends seamlessly with the other components. The system also supports an indirect wall lighting application, where a screen directs and diffuses light onto the wall, creating a visual effect similar to the ceiling-mounted version. GECKELER MICHELS, the design studio behind MAP, known for its functionalist approach and focus on human behavior and storytelling, contributed to the system's innovative and emotionally resonant design. The studio, founded by David Geckeler and Frank Michels in 2013, draws inspiration from design history, contemporary technologies, and digital design techniques. MAP is scheduled to debut at Lodes’ exhibition at Euroluce 2025 during Milan Design Week, where Lodes will also showcase other innovative products, including its Standard Bespoke and Out of Scale solutions, and a new outdoor collection. #LightingDesign #MilanDesignWeek #InteriorDesign #ModularLighting #InnovativeMaterials #GECKELERMICHELS #Lodes #DesignInnovation #CustomizableLighting

This article details a budget-friendly backyard makeover project undertaken by the Brownstone Boys, following their major house renovation. With a budget of $2,500, they transformed their urban backyard into a multi-functional space designed for both relaxation and social gatherings, particularly relevant given the increased importance of outdoor spaces during pandemic precautions. The renovation involved significant manual labor, including jackhammering concrete, relocating soil, and carrying numerous bags of sand, gravel, and excess soil. The tour of the newly renovated backyard begins with an 18-by-8-foot steel deck, constructed from steel and concrete to comply with NYC building codes for property line-to-property line structures. This deck serves primarily as an area for cooking and al fresco dining, featuring a grill and an expandable round table, with sun yellow chairs adding a pop of color. Descending from the deck, the hardscape includes a pea gravel and bluestone patio. The bluestone was salvaged from various parts of the yard, and the pea gravel was used to evoke a Mediterranean garden aesthetic. This patio area is designated for relaxing seating and a fire pit, offering a more comfortable and immersive experience amidst the surrounding plantings. A 24-inch planter box, painted matte black to match the deck, spans most of the yard's width between the patio and the building. This planter serves to introduce varying heights in the garden's design and create a private space for the tenant. Beyond the patio, the back half of the yard features a newly seeded lawn. Overcoming initial doubts, the homeowners meticulously cared for the lawn for five weeks, watering it three times daily, using a special dog-friendly and drought-resistant grass seed mix (PT Lawn Seed #769) suitable for areas with limited direct sunlight. This approach proved to be a cost-effective alternative to sod, resulting in a vibrant green lawn. Additional relaxing spots in the backyard include a hammock and two Adirondack chairs placed on the grass. The perimeter of the yard is adorned with shade-tolerant plants, selected with the help of a Brooklyn garden designer. The plant selection includes Bugloss, Hardy Geranium, Ghost Ferns, Ostrich Ferns, Echinacea, Butterfly Bushes, and two Ruby Falls, sourced from wholesale suppliers, with the expectation that they will grow to fill the space and create a lush environment. The ambiance is further enhanced by two 60-foot strings of lights stretching from the house to the back of the yard. The total project cost amounted to approximately $2,600, slightly exceeding the initial budget but significantly less than professional quotes. The homeowners express great satisfaction with the outcome, having actively participated in the transformation and now thoroughly enjoying their revitalized outdoor space. #BackyardMakeover #UrbanGardening #DIYRenovation #OutdoorLiving #GardenDesign #BudgetRenovation #BrownstoneBoys #BedStuy #Hardscaping

This blog post compiles a list of 23 notable gardens across the United States, offering descriptions and unique characteristics for each. The article emphasizes the beauty and diversity of botanical gardens and landscaped estates, encouraging readers to visit these locations for relaxation and enjoyment. It notes that some gardens might have temporary closures due to health concerns, advising visitors to check their status. The featured gardens include the Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio, Texas, known for its year-round floral displays, 60-foot waterfall, and koi ponds, as well as its Jingu House Café. Arizona's Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix showcases over 20,000 varieties of cacti, succulents, and herbs against the Sonoran Desert's red rocks. The United States Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C., is highlighted as a 'museum with a difference,' housing living artifacts from across the globe within its conservatory, rose garden, and other sections. Golden Gate Park in San Francisco offers expansive landscapes including ten lakes and various trees, suitable for activities like pedal boating and wildlife observation. Further down the list, the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis features a 14-acre Japanese Garden, multiple conservatories like the Climatron, and a diverse collection of plants. Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is recognized for its iconic conservatory with a soaring glass roof and an extensive collection that appeals to all ages. The Topiary Garden in Columbus, Ohio, provides a unique experience as a living recreation of George Seurat's painting, 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.' The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia, is celebrated for its 50 acres of colorful and themed gardens, including a Rose Garden, Cherry Tree Walk, and educational spaces. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina, offers seasonal blooms from cherry trees in spring to hydrangeas in summer, spread across its historic gardens, arboretum, and native plant sections. The Portland Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon, is praised for its tranquil environment, moss-covered paths, and koi ponds, offering a peaceful retreat. Maine's Asticou Azalea Garden, part of a land and garden preserve, is noted for its beautiful azalea displays reflecting in pond waters. Maui's Garden Of Eden in Hawaii presents a lush tropical setting with palm trees and blooming foliage overlooking the ocean, spanning 26 acres of trails. Bloedel Reserve in Bainbridge Island, Washington, covers 150 acres of woodlands and gardens, with a focus on conservation and mental well-being through nature. Indiana's Quilt Gardens in Elkhart County blend gardening with art, featuring massive flower gardens and quilt murals along the Heritage Trail. The Huntsville Botanical Gardens in Alabama provide 112 acres of diverse displays, including the Damson Aquatic Garden and a Fern Glade. Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., is a historic estate with beautiful gardens like the South Lawn and Orangery. Kauai's Limahuli Garden in Hawaii is set in a valley with ancient lava rock terraces, showcasing ferns, vines, and endangered plants. The Central Park Conservancy Garden in New York City is the park's only formal garden, featuring a grand entrance and a Wisteria Pergola. Boston's Public Garden, established in 1837, is America's first public botanical garden, maintaining Victorian traditions with diverse plants and monuments. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, offers stunning gardens including an Azalea Garden and Rose Garden against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Texas boasts picturesque glades and seasonal plantings, while the Chicago Botanical Garden, spanning 385 acres, includes 27 display gardens and natural areas. Finally, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida, provides narrated tram tours and butterfly gardens, admired by glass artists for its beauty. #BotanicalGardens #TravelDestinations #NatureExploration #LandscapedEstates #FloralDisplays #USATourism #OutdoorActivities

The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, a landmark since 1947, recently underwent a significant interior renovation that restored its original glamour while incorporating a whimsical, hand-painted wallpaper mural. The hotel's peachy facade has long been a fixture of Palm Beach's laid-back glitz, but over the decades, the interiors had lost some of their luster. Co-owner Sarah Wetenhall initiated the restoration by researching historical photographs of the original lobby, providing a blueprint for the design firm Kemble Interiors. Kemble Interiors meticulously revived the lobby's former splendor, adding vintage brass tables crafted to resemble palm fronds, elegant scallop-backed sofas upholstered in Pierre Frey floral fabric, and arch-backed rattan chairs. A key discovery during the renovation was the original black terrazzo flooring, which was revealed after carefully removing the overlying marble. This restoration effort aimed to bring back the hotel's authentic aesthetic while enhancing it with contemporary touches. Central to the lobby's transformation is a custom eighteen-foot floor-to-ceiling mural, commissioned from the hand-painted wallpaper firm de Gournay. Inspired by the rich flora and fauna of South Florida, the mural transforms the lobby into an immersive experience reminiscent of the Everglades. Wetenhall describes the effect as akin to "walking into the Everglades," but with a playful twist. The mural features whimsical elements such as flamingos adorned with top hats, a panther sporting a diamond collar, and a monkey depicted as "a little tipsy" from drinking a martini. This unique art installation serves as the focal point of the recently reopened lobby, offering guests a blend of historical elegance and imaginative artistry. The renovation not only preserved the hotel's heritage but also introduced a vibrant, distinctive aesthetic that captures the spirit of its Florida location. Guests can further enjoy the hotel's amenities, including Swifty's, a reimagined version of the renowned New York restaurant, located conveniently near the lobby for libations. The detailed artistry of de Gournay's work, as seen in the hotel, is also highlighted in their recently released book, "de Gournay: Hand-Painted Interiors." #ColonyHotel #PalmBeach #HotelRenovation #HandPaintedWallpaper #DeGournay #KembleInteriors #FloridaDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryTravel

Country Life magazine made a significant return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, showcasing an 'Outdoor Drawing Room' inspired by an Italian loggia. The design of this tradestand was a collaborative effort led by interior designer Isabella Worsley and landscape designer Hugo Elwes. Their work received substantial support from various partners, including Artorius Faber, Munder Skiles, and Rose of Jericho, all contributing to the stand's aesthetic and structural elements. The development of the 'Outdoor Drawing Room' involved an extensive design and preparation phase that spanned several months. A behind-the-scenes video was produced to document this intricate process, offering a detailed look at how the vision for the stand was meticulously brought to life, from initial concepts to the final setup. This video highlights the creative decisions and practical steps undertaken by Worsley and Elwes, alongside their team and partners. During its exhibition at the Chelsea Flower Show, the Country Life stand served as a central point for interaction, attracting numerous readers and new audiences. Visitors engaged with the Country Life team, sharing their appreciation for various aspects of the magazine and discussing how they interact with its content. This direct engagement provided valuable feedback and fostered a sense of community around the publication. The 'Outdoor Drawing Room' was characterized by its elegant furnishings, which included chairs from Munder Skiles, an octagonal table from Chelsea Textiles, and an antique credenza sourced from Brownrigg. These pieces collectively created an inviting and sophisticated outdoor space, embodying the magazine's ethos of celebrating British rural life and its associated pleasures. The stand aimed to translate the magazine's content and aesthetic into a tangible, immersive experience for show attendees. The dismantling of the stand on the final Saturday evening of the show evoked a sense of emotion among the team, reflecting the effort and passion invested in its creation. However, Country Life expressed optimism about returning to the Royal Chelsea Hospital grounds for the next year's event, encouraging readers to anticipate future participation. To commemorate its return to the Chelsea Flower Show, Country Life offered a special promotion of up to 40% off subscriptions to its magazine, available until June 30, 2025. This offer was presented as the magazine's most generous to date, inviting more individuals to engage with its content. Key themes that emerged from the design and exhibition included the fusion of interior design with landscape architecture to create a harmonious outdoor living space, the importance of collaborative partnerships in achieving a complex design vision, and the successful engagement with both long-standing and new readers. The stand’s appearance underlined Country Life’s commitment to its readership and its role as an authority on British rural life and garden design, offering a memorable experience for those who visited the Chelsea Flower Show. #ChelseaFlowerShow #GardenDesign #OutdoorLiving #InteriorDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #CountryLifeMagazine #ExhibitionDesign