The Fox is Black

14 November, 2023

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Books

Publisher Turned BookStore in Barcelona’s Terranova

In 2013, Terranova started out as a production company, but its focus shifted to publishing when photographer Rafa Castells approached Terranova founder Luis Cerveró for assistance in releasing his debut book, Schlecker. Over the course of eight years and the creation of more than forty books, Cerveró made the decision to collaborate with “bouquiniste” Lucía Boned, transforming Terranova into a bookshop and gallery while continuing their publishing endeavors.

Following extensive restoration efforts, Terranova unveiled its new premises in Barcelona’s Sant Antoni neighborhood in the autumn of 2021, situated within a refurbished 19th-century modernist shoe shop. Their main gola is to offer the city a diverse range of books that are often challenging to find elsewhere, including international art publications, vintage rarities, and self-published fanzines. I’m taking a trip to visit on Saturday, I’m so excited. I love books so much (we shipped so many over here with us) and along with cologne, is my other biggest weakness.
1 November, 2023

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Interior Design

The Hoxton Opens It’s Doors in Berlin with A “Rough Nouveau” Aesthetic

The Hoxton has opened it’s newest hotel location in the leafy Berlin neighborhood of Charlottenburg, 25 minutes outside of the city center. The hotel, who’s interiors were designed by AIME Studios, reflects an extremely eclectic style that was inspired by the neighborhood and local culture. Elaborately designed tiles, boldly patterned fabrics, and a mix of deep, warm wood tones are seen throughout the space. It creates this effect of entering into a space that feels like visiting your very cool and rich aunt with no children. There’s so much to soak in, and you never want to leave.

Personally, I love The Hoxton here in Barcelona. They’ve done a beautiful job with the lobby areas, and the restaurants are absolutely top notch. They clearly understand the value of creating a unique experience. An experience that you can’t get anywhere else, and gives you that feeling that your money is being well-spent.
20 October, 2023

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Food & Drink

Sips in Barcelona Named Best Bar in the World

A few weeks back, I wrote in my newsletter about visiting Sips, a bar here in Barcelona which at the time had been crowned the fourth best bar in the world. Well, as of a few days ago, Sips has now been named the best bar in the world. When I moved to Barcelona I knew things would be culturally different from Los Angeles. There is a gluttony of things to do in LA, so how would Barcelona fare, or compare, in contrast? So it’s little things like this, knowing that the best bar in the world is a literal 8 minute walk from my apartment, that make me so happy to be here.

The whole list of Best Bars in the World is always fascinating to look through, especially seeing which cities/parts of the world tend to over-index. Plus you get so many great ideas for cocktails you can try to make at home.
25 September, 2023

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Interior Design

SATTA Brings a Natural Approach to Homeware and Garments

A couple of weeks ago I was on a long walk with the family, and as we wandered near the Arc de Triomf (yes, Barcelona has it’s own version lol) we came across a beautiful shop called SATTA. The multi-hyphenate brand offers a thoughtful proposition for individuals seeking a deeper connection with nature, self, and others, through a holistic design philosophy that embraces the tension between urban living and the innate human desire for biophilic experiences. Their study encompasses garments, spaces, botanicals, and ceramics, inviting individuals to slow down and find harmony within a sustainable and balanced lifestyle. As you can see in the photos below it’s evident why this place grabbed my attention. It’s serenity and calmness draws you in.
1 September, 2023

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Graphic Design

Hey Studio Taps “Unconventional Culture” for Casa Montjüic’s Dynamic Visual Identity

The thing about Barcelona is there’s always something new popping up. It’s that energy that makes it feel like Los Angeles to me, only on a smaller scale that’s much easier to explore. Take for example this new visual identity from Hey Studio (probably the best design studio in the city) for Casa Montjüic, a multi-hyphenate space for creatives containing three different areas: a multi-purpose theater capable of hosting cinema screenings, plays, and intimate concerts; a music venue; and a restaurant featuring a seasonal menu and exquisite wines.

Hey Studio took inspiration from the ever-changing billboards of 19th century cinemas and music venues to match the energy of the unconventional culture. The result is a branding experience that’s bursting with life, both in the physical and digital worlds, with a vibrant color palette which brings the visual language into the 21st century.

Love a flexible identity system that can do a lot of things with ease. And this color palette is super fun, making the space feel so contemporary. Huerco S. is playing a set on Sunday and Kyle and I just bought tickets, stoked to check out the space and go drink some natty wine 🥂
26 July, 2023

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Interior Design

Aesop’s Barcelona Store Brings Serious Donald Judd Energy

I joked when we got to Barcelona that there wasn’t an Aesop, and what the hell was I going to moisturize my face with? Cut to like, six months later and a beautifully designed Aesop shop was opened. Located right off of Passeig de Gràcia, in perhaps quite the center of the city, is a beautifully minimalist, perhaps even brutalist, interpretation of the Aesop brand. It’s quite a departure, in my opinion, if you’re familiar with what their other shops tend to look.

The space was designed by Barozzi Veiga, local Barcelona architects, who have done quite a lot with quite a petite space. In their own words:

The store is made up of a few elements, expressive and precise in their position, and with three materials: stucco on the walls and ceilings, terrazzo on the floor, and burnished steel on the columns, the counter, and the display case. It is a simple and complex space at the same time, which aspires to be sophisticated and close, and in a certain way intimate and monumental.

The space does indeed feel monumental. The height of the ceilings are remarkable, it feels almost like a cathedral. I’m really fond of their use of steel, which gives such a Donald Judd energy. I’m seeing steel used like this in so many interior design projects and I’m a huge fan, especially with the way light bounces off the surfaces. Such an exquisite space to experience.
17 July, 2023

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Music

Experiencing the Joy of a DJ Set by Soichi Terada

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of experiencing acclaimed Japanese DJ Soichi Terada perform here in Barcelona at SoundIt. His signature style of house music is inflected with city pop has a feeling like Studio Ghibli showing up to the rave. There’s a joyousness and spontaneity to his performances, such as playing a handheld synth, and jumping up on stage to lead the audience in simple dance moves. The music is still banging though, every couple of minutes transitioning to something unexpected. Honestly, it was one of the best DJ performances I’ve seen in a long time.

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17 July, 2023

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Photography

Summertime Spotting

I was walking home from the beach this afternoon, through Badalona, when this doorway caught my eye. First, there’s something about the light, the way the trees shadows dapple along the front. Then there’s the extra elements, like the crumpled cardboard box in the bottom left corner, the red graffiti, the pop of blue sky in the top right corner. It all came together in such a beautiful way.
12 July, 2023

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Graphic Design

Dalston Coffee’s Rebrand Takes Cues From London’s Red Brick Houses

Barcelona creative agency Ingrid Picanyol Studio has brought to life a new look and feel for Dalston Coffee, a small roaster located in the El Raval area of Barcelona. Borja Roselló began roasting coffee there back in 2015, was inspired by the area of Dalston in London, and in particular, the charming red brick buildings.

That’s where Picanyol and her studio come in, translating the packaging into a small buildings with different colored awnings for each style of bean, creating a small neighborhood of sorts. The result is so charming and inviting, and they look so cute sitting on the shelves together. I’m going to visit this week to pick up a building for myself.
2 July, 2023

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Food & Drink

Let’s Make Summer Cocktails Fun Again

I’ve been seeing this trend lately which goes against the serious, mixologist puritanism we’ve endured for quite a time now. What I keep seeing is, “let’s drink silly cocktails this summer,” which I’m totally on board for. There’s enough crazy shit going on the world, let’s stop fussing over our drinks and enjoy ourselves. We’re talking piña coladas, mojitos, sex on the beaches!

This piece by Ed Cumming titled Five Cocktails to Help Beat the Heat is a perfect example (ok, some of these are kinda mixologist-y 🙄) featuring drinks from bartenders around the world. The one I’m excited to try is the Ice Cream for Astronauts, which is made here in Barcelona at Two Schmucks:

“This drink started off as a gin basil smash meets a gin and tonic, but as summer arrived in Barcelona and it got hotter, we found ourselves needing to add ice cream to everything. The coconut complements the vegetal flavor of the basil, and it works great with tonic as a highball. The result is a fresh, ice-cold fizzy drink for summer.