LOCAL GUIDE TO SOUTH BEACH’S BEST HOTEL BARS
For those of you who don’t know, Miami has some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Why not take a day and escape to one of these fabulous hotel bars chosen from the Thrillest.
Check them out!
The Drawing Room: The Shelborne Wyndham Grand
When to go: “Prescription Hour,” weekdays from 5-7 pm, when drinks are $10 and appetizers are 50% off.
What you need to know: Choose a “house medicine” from their rolling cocktail cart, or head up to the lobby bar and get a Stress Reliever, Pain Killer, or Aphrodisiac — all are made with special elixirs and Japanese botanicals, and come with a handwritten prescription from the “pharmacist”… aka your bartender.
1930s House: Thompson Miami Beach
When to go: Anytime except Monday and Tuesday, but only because they’re closed.
What you need to know: This bar is an apartment that was built in the 1930s. Go on the weekends for live music and people-watching, and do as the pretty people do: drink Anejo old fashioneds around the pool and head inside for chorizo and chocolate tapas from Chef Michelle Bernstein’s Sra Martinez.
Rose Bar: Delano South Beach
When to go: Weekends.
What you need to know: This is one of Miami’s most iconic hotels. This intimate South Beach bar was designed by Ian Schrager and is exuberant.
Living Room: W South Beach
When to go: Friday and Saturday nights — it’s open ’til 2am.
What you need to know: This is one of Miami’s sexiest hangouts. Made to look like an apothecary, its $16 cocktails are divided into categories like “Infundo” (infused) and “Laboratorium” (molecular mixology).
You can read about even more great hotel bars here.
INTERIOR DESIGN BOOKS OF THE WEEK
When you start to grow out of your newly wed home designer techniques you learn what sources make the most sense for your aesthetic. Today I am going to share with you a few book that will help inspire the growing home designer to hone there craft
The Good Life: Palm Springs
If you have a love for California inspired décor this is the book for you. California has rubbed off on me. The photographs by Nancy Baron bring so much inspiration to the viewers’ decor style. You would get the bright, airy vibe and with a touch of mid-century modern.
Tricia Guild: Pattern
Tricia Guild is known for her bold fabric, wallpaper designs, and an extraordinary sense of color and pattern. Adding pattern and color can create difference in a space, but it can also be intimidating. Following the success of her books on color, this richly hued coffee table book shares her skills with patterns. This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to add some more color to their life.
The Jonathan Adler Book: My Prescription For Anti-depressive Living
As the title suggests, this isn’t just a home book. It touches on the importance of mental health. Coming home should be an antidote to the troubles and traumas of everyday life. Do whatever makes you feel happy.
HIGH END INTERIOR DECORATION INSPIRATION OF THE WEEK: MOD STYLE
Short for “modernist,” Mod style can encapsulate anything from bright colors and streamlined furniture to bold graphic art and accessories.
Design is very cyclical from extravagance in the Baroque Era to minimalism today, we see trends come, go and come again.
If you are looking for something new and unconventional for your home the Mo-style is meant for you. This look comes from the ’60s and ’70s and the trend is coming back. What’s great about this aesthetic is you don’t have to totally transform your room you can pick mod-style accessories.
Take a look at the photo above for true mod-style inspired home ware. Read more about this look here.
SEE THESE IRISH DESIGN TIPS BY ELLE MAGAZINE
Recently mentioned in Elle Decoration, these star designers are making waves in the interior industry.
“Ireland is now the place to find exciting contemporary design” states Elle.
Three up and coming designers were named. First is Carlow-based mechanical engineer-turned-furniture-maker Cillian Ó Súilleabháin who uses traditional wood materials to produce minimalist contemporary designs.
Superfolk is the design duo of Jo Anne Butler and Gearóid Muldowney. Together they make simple home wares with the most natural of materials.
The third mentioned designer was Hennessy & Byrne. They specialize in dining ware made from Connemara and Kilkenny stone.
Take a look at these designers excellent craftsmanship and grab some Irish inspiration for your next home makeover!
SEE THE TOP INSTAGRAMMED LOCATIONS IN MIAMI
See the top 5 most instagrammed places in Miami!
- Wynwood Walls
The most interesting and thought-provoking art is all over Miami. Luckily you can see a lot of it all in one place! - AmericanAirlines Arena
Sports are the heartbeat here in Miami. Of course the fans parade to the stadium when watching the starts on the court. - Miami International Airport
There’s only one way in and it’s an architecturally sound place to start. - Marlins Park
A classic staple of Miami always there to capture. - Fontainebleau Hotel
One of the most fabulous resorts on the beach! Everyone needs to check this place out when in Miami.
See more photographed places here!
CURIO – A COLLECTION BY HILTON WILL OPEN FOR ART BASEL 2017
Today I am going to share with you a delightful addition to the Miami art and hospitality scene. Triptych Miami Design District by Curio!
Triptych Miami Design District will join “Curio – a Collection by Hilton” when it opens during Art Basel 2017, Hilton Worldwide announced.
When Triptych officially becomes part of the global hospitality company’s (NYSE: HLT) lineup of luxury properties, the hotel’s guests will have access to perks such as the Hilton HHonors loyalty program. HES will own and operate Triptych.
The 20-story, 296-room project will offer gallery space, 40,000 square feet of meeting space, a number of food and beverage options and a fitness center.
Triptych joins other South Florida Curio properties such as the Diplomat Resort & Spa and the Vintro Hotel South Beach, which Hilton says were handpicked for the collection for their luxury offerings and unique qualities.
Triptych Miami Design District is at 3601 N. Miami Ave. in Miami. Be sure to go and check it out!
A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE CUBAN COFFEE COMMUNITY IN MIAMI
When walking around in Miami you’ll pass at least a dozen ventanitas. Ventanitas are walk-up windows with Cuban-style coffee, pastries, and other small bites sold. Cubans revolutionized the way Miamians drink coffee. Today we are going to dig a little deep and find out how these shops became so popular today.
The history of Cuban coffee in Miami is as rich as the beverage itself and has roots planted as deep as the Arabic plant from which it’s made. Cuban coffee is strong, bold, zealous, nostalgic, and resonates the personality of the people and its citu.
Coffee came to Cuba in 1748 by Don José Antonio Gelabert. Due to Cuba’s high humidity and rich virgin soil, the beverage soon became the drink of choice throughout the nation. In the 1800s, Cuba became the world’s largest sugar producer, and the ‘cafe con azúcar’ was born.
During the ‘60s and ‘70s (the Cuban Revolution), many people and companies abandoned Cuba for a new life in Miami. Cuban owned shops became pillars of the community and in Little Havana coffee was the drink of choice.
Unfortunately, due to Cuba-US relations, the Cuban-style coffee — traditionally served as espresso — consumed in Miami is not actually from Cuba, but from myriad other coffee producing countries. Coffee was one of the products included in the embargo of the 1960s that’s still in effect today. And even if the markets are opened, don’t expect Cuban Miamians to jump on board. Many Cubans left their native country seeking political asylum or better economic conditions, two things just not possible under communism. So as long as the Cuban coffee industry exists under that political system, it’ll find very few supporters in Miami. This is only compounded by the fact that Cuba’s coffee industry is struggling to survive due to a number of factors like harsh climate, out of date technology, and lack of experienced work force.
Most of the coffee that is produced is exported to countries like Japan, France, Spain, and Italy. Cuban residents are provided just half a pound of coffee per month. Any serious coffee drinker knows that just isn’t possible… so Cubans add chicory to the blend to make it last longer.
Coffee continues to be a unifying and communal experience among the Cuban population. Next time you are in Miami and want a peek into Cuba’s history and culture stop by Versailles and order a café Cubano!
DESIGN TV WITH STEVEN G.: THE APURE EPISODE
Let’s get started…