The Fox is Black

  • There are a few key individuals in the world of creative who I really admire and look up, one of the being Ramdane Touhami. Some of you may know Officine Universelle Buly, or simply Buly for short, the French beauty brand that he brought back to life with his partner Victoire back in 2014. Now, he’s back with his newest project is a lodge tucked away in Mürren, Switzerland, the Hotel Drei Berge.

    The Hotel Drei Berge, in Murren Switzerland, redesigned by Ramdane Touhami


    Essentially, he’s found a far off place where he can experiment, a playground for Touhami’s ideas where you’re allowed to sneak away and join in for the winter. Built in 1907, the space looks as you might imagine in a movie, a forest green exterior with candy striped shutters. There’s a great piece on Touhami and the Drei Berge, stating:

    “He likes to occupy new spaces and, at the Drei Berge, Touhami believes he has found a middle ground between “bullshit hip” and luxury hospitality offerings. The rooms have a cool, quirky aesthetic, where beaten-up vintage camping chairs reside beside sleek midcentury classics. Monogrammed towels await in the bathrooms, and the beds were handpicked for comfort – the bedlinen, containing a mix of cotton and wood, is so soft that Touhami bought part of the company that makes them.”

    For me, this is so inspiring. I want a space like this (maybe not a hotel in a cold place) where I can create, and make, and build something that is of my own doing. That’s next on my bucket list.

    The plates at The Hotel Drei Berge, in Murren Switzerland, redesigned by Ramdane Touhami
    The Hotel Drei Berge, in Murren Switzerland, redesigned by Ramdane Touhami
    The Hotel Drei Berge, in Murren Switzerland, redesigned by Ramdane Touhami
  • How does one design a brand to emphasize it as a perfect summer retreat? Greek design firm k2 design has employed their vision for a new hotel simply called HOM, highlighting its one-of-a-kind charm which sets it apart from the typical honeymoon hotel vibe that saturates Santorini.

    With a nod to the simplistic beauty of Greek design, they’ve incorporated elements like handmade pottery and vibrant colors that evoke the carefree spirit of summer living. The tones they’ve chosen are gorgeous, they feel so rich and lively, and the hand-drawn illustrations bring such a familiar, human touch to the overall brand. Overall, there’s this really nice interplay between the simplicity of the typography and the character of the textures and colors used throughout.

    HOM Hotel Branding by k2 design
    HOM Hotel Branding by k2 design
    HOM Hotel Branding by k2 design
  • I discovered Ash, a hotelier that has built unique hotel experiences in cities like New Orleans, Baltimore, and Detroit, and started to dive into their business because of their fantastic design work, from both an interior and graphic design perspective.

    One thing that caught my eyes was their souvenir section, and in particular, their Ash No. 001 candle. It features notes of damask rose, nutmeg, carrot seed, and amber spice, evoking images of a midnight market, a seaside ruin, and the lobbies of their hotels. I love that it comes in these smoked glass vessels which are made by hand in India to resemble a cut section of a Doric column. I don’t need more candles… but one more can’t hurt.

    Ash No.001 Candle - Ash Hotel
  • Newly opened in June, Hotel Corazón is already at the top of my list of places to stay in Mallorca. Located 45 minutes north of Palma, the luxury hotel sits between the sea and the mountains, giving gorgeous views at every corner. And then there are the rooms, with the thick plaster walls, arched ceilings, and well-appointed furniture that makes each feel like it’s own unique retreat.

    They also offer a farm-to-table dining experience with fresh produce grown on-site and sourced from local growers and suppliers. The hotel has 50 garden beds filled with vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown using local, regenerative farming techniques, and meals are served on the outdoor terrace with mountain views. The head chef, Grace Berrow, creates simple, Mediterranean-inspired dishes that highlight the natural beauty and flavor of the ingredients. I mean, what more can you ask for?

    Hotel Corazón, a luxury retreat in Mallorca
    Hotel Corazón, a luxury retreat in Mallorca
    Hotel Corazón, a luxury retreat in Mallorca
    Hotel Corazón, a luxury retreat in Mallorca