Dream Destination: Babylonstoren

There's a pretty good chance that I'll have the privilege of going to South Africa in the next couple of months. My husband is traveling to Cape Town on business (he's an owner of a company called Safarious) and we plan to make a trip to the bush while we're in that part of the world. One of his partners, Andy Hogg, founded and now runs The Bushcamp Company and the other, Michael Lorentz, is a world class professional guide so we're following their lead on the wild part of the trip. We have some great recommendations for Cape Town as well, however, I've started doing my own research on where to go and stay...especially in the Cape Winelands. While cruising for info, I found Babylonstoren and it immediately went on my bucket list.

Babylonstoren is a beautifully restored historic Cape Dutch farm that was founded in 1690. Today it's a thriving little utopia complete with orchards, vineyards, gardens, a restaurant, a spa, a winetasting room, and a couple of swimming pools. It's a working farm, yet the whole property is open for exploration so guests really get to immerse themselves in the agrarian lifestyle (you can even pick your own fruits and veggies!). Former Elle Decoration editor Karen Roos has led the charge on breathing new life into Babylonstoren and she's really created something special. Along with her team, she's created a beautiful, fully-functioning farm, complete with bio-diversity and stylish decor! Have a look:

 This is the historic manor house...

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

 As I understand it, the design around the tree is made with pieces of broken Dutch blue and white pottery. Amazing, right?!?

photo © Babylonstoren

The Greenhouse made me swoon. It doubles as a teahouse...double swoon.

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

Here's a glimpse of the farm layout...

photo © Babylonstoren

I'm not entirely sure what's going on here with these suspended thatched garden pods, but hopefully I'll get to find out!

photo © Babylonstoren

The farm's restaurant is called Babel...I'm pretty sure this is the epitome of farm-to-table!

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

 As you can imagine, the menu is changed daily depending on what is fresh...

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

There's also a Farm Shop, where you;ll find wine (from Babylonstoren and other local wineries), handcrafted cheese, charcuterie, and freshly baked artisan breads. Then in the soap room, you can get handmade soaps!

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

Babylonstoren also boasts a small set of guest suites, all of which reflect 17th and 18th century Cape Dutch style sensibility mixed with a clean, modern aesthetic. I love the fresh white and the cozy but uncluttered vibe...

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

This is a kitchen in one of the cottages...

photo © Babylonstoren

Guests can take a dip - outside or inside. From what I read, the outdoor pool was designed to look like a traditional farm dam. I'm guessing it's this one and not the orange one above.

photo © Babylonstoren

 This is the spa pool...

photo © Babylonstoren

 And last but not least, Babylonstoren produces wine! 

photo © Babylonstoren

photo © Babylonstoren

How amazing does this place look? The whole setup seems to be both relaxing and rejuvenating. Even if I don't get to stay overnight, I'd love to spend the day on the grounds. Between the gardens, the wine, the restaurant, the tearoom, the spa, and the pool...I'd be in heaven.

Any if you have any Cape Town or Cape Winelands recommendations, I'd love to hear about them!

After Florence, Head to Coppola's Palazzo Margherita

After daydreaming about the Ferragamo family's Lugarno Collection on Friday, I ran across an article from the WSJ Magazine called The Court of Coppola. The story, by Rita Konig, focuses on Francis Ford Coppola's latest and swankiest addition to his collection of global hotels. Called the Palazzo Margherita, the totally renovated 19th century residence is located in Bernalda, a town in Southern Italy. Coppola recruited renowned Parisian interior designer Jacques Grange to lead the restoration project.

Jacques Grange is known for his imaginative, eclectic, multi-dimensional aesthetic. For the palazzo, he dreamed up a "summer palace" theme and created a really unique place that is an exuberant concoction of of history, diverse cultures, colors, and even modern technology (every room has Apple TV and the tile floors are heated). Coppola family members got to have input on the design of their bedrooms which further contributes to the palazzo's residential feel.

In typical European fashion, so many of the finishes and materials used were created or painstakingly restored by hand. Trompe l'oeil, intricate tile work, hand-blown Murano chandeliers, and priceless antiques are everywhere and as a result, it looks like a really special place.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the write-up...

Photo by James Merrell via WSJ Magazine

Photo by James Merrell via WSJ Magazine

Photo by James Merrell via WSJ Magazine

Coppola remarked that the palazzo is about family, eating well, and being together. The history and outstanding design of the place make it the perfect setting for those simple things. I know that I can imagine my family hanging out there and having a pretty fantastic time!

Be sure to click through to the WSJ article because it's full of information about the history of the estate and Coppola's family connection to the region. There are also more photos and details about the different rooms in the palazzo.

What do you think of the Palazzo Margherita? I'd like to see more photos, and of course, check it out in person one day. I've never stayed at a Coppola resort. Have you?

Take Me Away to the J.K. Place Capri

It's cold and dreary in Dallas today and I'm slammed with work and personal stuff, so I'm taking a moment to daydream about being at the JK Place Capri. I know that this hotel has been blogged and published a million times, but I for one, never tire of looking at it.

It was designed by renowned Italian architect Michele Bönan and it is aesthetically exquisite.  In typical Bönan fashion, the interiors and exterior of the JK Place Capri are polished and sophisticated. Not a detail is missed and because of that, the hotel feels like a very well-appointed home. It's decked out with books, art, fresh flowers, monogrammed linens, and bespoke lighting and furnishings. The style is fresh yet still classic, swanky yet still comfortable, and modern yet still traditional. All in all, the JK Place Capri is just spectacular. Take a look...

Common areas in perfect shades of ivory and navy...

Fabulous terrance overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea...

Hands-down, these are some of the best hotel bedrooms EVER...

Love the tailored bed canopies...

Amazing bathroom + view...

Here is JKitchen, the on-site restaurant. Love the beautiful gray wall color, the ivory draperies, the dining chairs, the banquettes, the artwork...pretty much everything!

I could drink prosecco here all night long...

 

This little vignette is a great example of how Bönan creates a home-like atmosphere...

Breathtaking exterior...

Another beautiful ipe pool deck. The ceramic garden stools and lanterns are nice touches too...

So gorgeous, isn't it? Have you ever been to Capri? I have got to get there...asap. Have you ever stayed at a property designed by Michele Bönan? My husband and I stayed the the Lungarno in Florence and it was wonderful. Can't wait to go back there too...Italy is obviously calling my name!