An Amazing Home In Aspen

Wow. How f*cking insane is this house? Designer William Sofield masterfully renovates this 8,500 square foot (approximately 790 square meters), six-bedroom residence into a harmonious balance between modern and traditional styles.

I can totally see myself enjoying a bowl of cereal, wrapped in that throw which I can only imagine must be cashmere, while getting lost in the mountainside view.

Damn.

Credits: ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

A Loft In SOHO

Gregg Gelman and Joey Hershberger transform this 167 square meter space in SOHO into a classic and timeless domestic habitat filled with warm open spaces bathed in natural light.

I suspect a modular kitchen hides behind those wooden cabinets as I can't find a picture of it anywhere. And where the heck is the bathroom?

Credits: CASA DA ABITARE

Season's Greetings

May the spirit of the season fill you with joy, love, and peace. Happy holidays everyone!

Coffee Time In Kuala Lumpur

After several years of worshipping their heavenly salted-egg mantis prawns, I was finally able to get the name of this restaurant worthy of my annual pilgrimage.

Restoran Sin Lai Ping is located at Lucky Garden in Bangsar. Even as the Bangsar landscape has changed through the years with the addition of high-rise apartments, shopping malls, and watering holes catering to expats, places like Lucky Garden continue to hold their own by serving fast and good food that won't burn a hole in your pocket.

While the salted-egg mantis prawns are my perennial favourite, one can actually order salted-egg versions of anything (fish, squid, etc). The easy and casual coffee shop atmosphere makes food preparation highly flexible. I insist you try the prawns with the chinese sausage fried rice, stir-fry eggplant, butter chicken (or butter prawns if you must), crispy pork, string-bean omelette, and fried tofu with minced meat. Afterwards, down all that seizure-inducing goodness with a nice cold glass of kumquat lemon juice.

Ahh Sin Lai Ping, I miss you already.

Rihanna } Diamonds

I am crazy about this song. What about you guys?

Photo Finish

One fantastic photograph, like the ones in the pictures above, is all it takes to add drama to a room and make old spaces look more current.

Credits: Lonny

Soundbites No. 2

Weekend Soundbites from vampireinthecity on 8tracks Radio.

Here are a few of my favourite tracks all plucked fresh from iTunes!

Solihiya State Of Mind

I have been obsessing over solihiya weaves recently. Not only do I admire the craftsmanship behind it, but I really like the mood it creates when thrown in with modern pieces. Just check out the pics below to see what I mean:
 

That headboard is definitely in my destiny.

We Know You: 2013 Honda Accord Ad

I have always been partial to Honda. When my dad decided I was ready for my first car, I begged him to buy me a Honda SiR (yes, the bright orange one). Up until we sold it just a few weeks ago, it's engine performance remains unmatched by any other sedan in its class. We sold it for a fairly good price too. At more than 12 years old you still have enthusiasts willing to snag one for half of its original amount.

Years went by and I was fortunate enough to drive an Accord. Despite a long-standing crush with the Camry, I decided to go with yet another Honda. I stuck with the brand even if later models were panned by critics for their uninspired styling and almost-bare interiors. I was happy and content sliding in to the Accord's roominess as it drove side-by-side with more current and sexier counterparts.

I have since sold that car too and today drive a German-brand. But anyone who knows me would tell you just how much I desire to go back to my trusty Honda's. The Germans can have their statesmanly reputation. I am perfectly content driving a car that has been as loyal and dependable to me as I have been to it.

Especially when the newest model comes up with an ad like this:



So touching. This ad just about sums up why my heart wanders back to a Honda even if I am told I am driving something "better".

You see, at the end of the day I do not want it to be about the car.

I want it to be about ME.

New Music: Twenty One Pilots

I've been having a grand time lately discovering lots of new (to me, at least) music. Ever since iTunes started becoming available, I have been browsing through a seemingly endless catalogue of fresh tracks every week.

One of the bands that caught my attention recently was Twenty One Pilots. I came across one of their songs by accident and got completely won over! You can find out more about this duo here.

I Dream Of Paradise

Baby, I am on a ROLL!

I am taking advantage of some free time over the weekend to upload more pictures that have been stranded in my laptop the past few months.

Speaking of stranded, I hope everyone survived the rains this past week. I had to wade through some floodwaters myself so all I can say is that this gloomy weather has really been a big downer! Here is looking to sunnier days ahead!

This post is all about Boracay and a quick trip I took with some colleagues earlier in the year. I was fortunate enough to get a tree-top villa that offered stunning views of the ocean. Imagine waking up or soaking in the bathtub while looking over the island's clear blue waters.

Paradise, indeed.

Solo In San Francisco

Going through some of my old stuff and saw these pictures from San Francisco that I haven't posted yet. Since I usually make a business trip to the US once a year, I try and stop by the Bay Area to decompress before heading back home. I love the energy of this city. The cool weather and robust transport system makes everything comfortably accessible.

You also don't have to go very far to enjoy great food. The two pictures at the bottom were from some of my frequent haunts: The Old Siam Thai Restaurant just opposite the Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel, and Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Cafe where I have my fill of warm clam chowder on chilly afternoons.

The Old Siam Thai Restaurant
201 Ellis Street (Between Taylor and Mason Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94102
T +1.415.885.5144

Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Cafe
619 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
T +1.415.281.8200

Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel
55 Cyril Magnin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
T +1.415.392.8000

Michael Rune } Væk I Natten (Featuring Cecilie Fleur)

I have no f*cking clue what this song is all about but I must admit the beat is catchy.  Anyone know what language this is? I suspect it's Danish.

Enjoy the weekend!

Visiting Versailles

In case you have a day to spare while vacationing in the French capital, I highly suggest taking a quick trip to Versailles. Roughly an hour away by train, it is a worthy investment considering one gets to see the grandest palace in all of France, the Chateau de Versailles, which achieved its notoriety thanks to Louis XIV's insatiable appetite for opulence and luxury.

While you are in the palace make sure you don't miss the Hall of Mirrors. This grand ballroom alone makes the entire trip worthwhile. The stage: 17 mirrors that stand opposite 17 full-length windows, reflecting sunlight from pools strategically placed on a sprawling garden, which are cast upon crystal chandeliers that hang throughout the entire ceiling. When everything works as intended, this room is nothing short of magical.

Oh happy day!