BEAUTY: Interior Design--The Hotel Puerta America, Madrid

When I was young, back in the 70s, I loved science fiction television shows and films like "Space: 1999" and "Logan's Run" as much for the implausible plots as for the gorgeous, futuristic sets and art direction. And when I saw the interiors of much of the Hotel Puerta America in Madrid, I flashed on those fantastic sets.

Each floor in the Hotel Puerta America has been designed by a different esteemed architect or interior designer. Some are colorful with pattern and texture, and while I am a maximalist at heart, I really love the smooth, sleek floors. The late Zaha Hadid's firm is responsible for the first floor whose entry lobby features a swirling light fixture called The Vortex.

Norman Foster's second floor lobby and halls sure do look like Moonbase Alpha.

British architect David Chipperfield has a darker, moodier take on the sci-fi look for his halls on the third floor...

...while on the sixth floor, Marc Newsom employs a dose of glossy red while maintaining a minimalist sense.

Ron Arad's seventh floor suites feature bathrooms with circular elements. I love the curved tub/shower flanked by curved sinks.

Architect Kathryn Findlay beautifully recreates the "Space: 1999" art direction with a sense of "2001: A Space Odyssey" thrown in for her halls and suites on the eighth floor.

And finally, Richard Gluckman's ninth floor suites are based on the idea of a box within a box. I love the modular units built into the wall to house the monitor and desk.

https://www.hotelpuertamerica.com/

(fos) by (fos)

This clever and humorous brand/architectural installation shows what a bit of imagination and many rolls of yellow gaffe tape can accomplish.
I love how the creators of this whimsy made a camera on the ground across the street to show the optimal photo angle!

From the website of the creation team:

"(fos) is the name of the first ephemeral installation by the multidisciplinary team (fos).

It means light in Greek and melted in Catalan.
In this project has been represented by a skin that covers both vertical and horizontal surfaces.

The protected facade of the vegan restaurant Rayen at Lope de Vega street in Madrid has been illuminated for 4 days and nights by more than 250ml of yellow tape, painted décor items, pineapples and... a lamp. A visual game between perspective and colored volumes that gained the looks."

And it deserved to gain the looks! Simple but so effective.

http://cargocollective.com/somosfos/Work

BEAUTY: Interior--Soledad Suárez de Lezo

Before Spanish interior designer Soledad Suárez de Lezo launched her own design firm in 2010, she was a lawyer! And I am sure her clients--and we--are glad she made the switch. Look at this Madrid home she designed, as profiled in the Spanish magazine Nuevo Estilo. It shows the hallmarks of a true designer: creativity, ingenuity, and personal style. There is no cookie-cutter sense anywhere... she has designed, created, and curated a collection for this house using her exquisite eye for composition and an adventurous sense of materials and their application.

http://www.soledadsuarezdelezo.com/index.html
http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/417/417_4_1.shtml

The Passenger

Coffee bar by day and rock n' roll bar at night, The Passenger, owned by young Spanish actors Rodrigo Taramona and Jimmy Castro along with entrepreneurs Miguel Peman and Carlos Carrillo, is Madrid's newest, hippest spot. I love the concept and execution of this project because it speaks to both of my careers (interior design and acting) since the interior design of the space is so much like a theatrical stage set, complete with a wonderful special effect to make it appear as if the "train" is in motion, speeding through the countryside...

This amazing space was designed by multi-talented designer Parolio. The concept and space is described on his company website:
"The new space occupies a long and narrow architectural structure which inspired Parolio to create the concept of “A train constantly on the move, right in the center of the city”.

The main area is designed to look and feel like a train cabin. To create the illusion of movement, three huge solid screens play the role of windows. They are constantly projected with synchronized and programmed videos that flow, from one screen to the next, just like in real life. The images have been recorded from train windows all over the world, presenting urban and nature landscapes that transport the clients into the fantastic experience of travel and leisure, pulling them away from the reality of the city around them.

The whole interior has been covered with great work on dark wood, brown leather with brass finishes. On the main hall photos of some of the greatest stars of classic rock, inside trains and train stations, welcome the clients.

The Bar cabin completes the space with an 8 meter bar that serves some of Madrid´s best coffee by day prepared exclusively by “Toma Café” and really delicious bite food. By night great cocktails, craft brewery beer, gin and whiskey fuel the train accompanied by a sound track of classic rock."

https://www.facebook.com/ThePassengerMadrid
http://www.parolio.com/

Algora

I discovered a new (to me) artist tonight. Algora is from Madrid, Spain and combines folk with electronica to great effect. His voice is lovely and goes down so easy and smooth.

I have been listening to these songs all night. They are from his 2007 debut release, "Planes de Verano."

"Viaje a San Francisco" ("Trip to San Francisco")

"David" (a beautiful song of unrequited love)

His newest collection, "Galimatias," was released this summer.

http://www.myspace.com/algoramusica