Second Shout Out

I'm probably late to the game on this, but I just found my way to Second Shout Out and I'm pretty intrigued. Have you heard of it? If not, the site has a broad spectrum of vintage items ranging from furniture to cars. Their inventory is not huge like my favorite-site-in-the-world, 1stDibs, but it's kind of nice that you can click through and see all that they've got in one sitting.

But the most exciting difference between Second Shout Out and 1stDibs is that SSO offers "custom and private shopping tours." I guess this arm of the business is called the Antiques Diva & Co. and it offers guided antique shopping adventures in France, England, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and Germany.

Excursions are planned according to clients' shopping list, style and budget. You can do just one day at the flea market or a full-blown buying fest spanning multiple countries over multiple weeks. The latter is basically my idea of heaven! The Antiques Diva & Co.'s bread and butter is helping US and Australian antique dealers and designers with sourcing, but they don't discriminate if you aren't a professional shopper. All clients get access to trade-only sources and benefit from their guide's negotiating skills, price prowess, and familiarity with the local language and currency. There are tons of other perks too...the most appealing to me being that they handle customs paperwork and shipping. Sounds like fun, right??


So I assume that some of the buyables on the Second Shout Out site are from the European sources that guides take their clients to. Or maybe some are antiques dealers in the US/Australia that have been escorted on Antiques Diva & Co. trips? Both are guesses, but regardless of whose inventory it is, here is a sampling of what you'll find...

Set of 4 Tufted Leather Barrel Back Chairs - Mid Century Dresser

Zulu Basket  - Brass Armillary - Ombre Turquoise Ceramic Lamp

1920's Transport Trunk - Mid Century Bar Cart

French Settee with Ikat

Also, there is an Architectural Elements section which has some pretty amazing reclaimed flooring and tile...

Antique Oak French Parquet Versailles

French Reclaimed Hexagonal Terracotta Tiles

Interesting site, isn't it? Have any of you shopped it? I think they have some good stuff (especially the selection of trunks) and that most of the prices are very reasonable. 

Has anyone taken one of these escorted shopping tours? It seems like it would be really efficient and a great way to gain new sources and learn about the whole process of getting things shipped back to the US. It's officially on my bucket list!

Travel Wish List: Delaire Graff Estate

A lovely South African reader was kind enough to email me some recs and tips after hearing about my impending journey to her beautiful country. One of the places she recommended was the Delaire Graff Estate in the Cape Winelands. And WOW - it looks absolutely spectacular!

This Relais & Chateaux hotel is owned by the chairman of Graff Diamonds International, so it's no surprise that Delaire Graff is all about luxury and enjoying the finest that life has to offer. Situated on an unbelievable piece of real estate in the Cape Winelands, the property boasts a stunning art collection, beautifully designed and cultivated gardens, bountiful vineyards, a top-notch winery, a gorgeous spa, and two restaurants that are surely outstanding. Needless to say, I want to go there and live like a diamond kingpin, if only for a day or two! Take a little tour with me...

So this is the Owner's Lodge, complete with a private pool and a completely idyllic view of the mountains and the vineyards...

I love the wood pool deck...

This is the lodge living room. It's sophisticated and stylish just not at all stuffy. I'm dying to know more about the flooring...

And here's a bathroom, and the only reason I'm showing it is because I like: a) the way the mirrors are hung b) the ledge above the counter and c) the long towel bar that runs across the front of the sink console...

I would very much like to wake up to this view! 

Here is the spa pool...

Um, this might be the most perfect place EVER to have a glass/bottle of wine....

All images via Delaire Graff

Oh my...I'm just dying to stay here. Not sure if that is in the cards, but hopefully I'll at least get to visit and hang in the wine lounge for as long as they'll let me!

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!

Design Destination: Hotel 1898 in Barcelona

I've not yet been to Spain and I'm definitely getting an itch to visit there...despite the fact that I speak no Spanish, and that language barrier is a bit intimidating. Nevertheless, the country's art, culture, and exquisite hotels have lured me in. 

One of those hotels is Hotel 1898 in Barcelona, which is a Núñez i Navarro Hotel. The hotel is rich in history...built in 1891, the colonial-style structure was designed by architect Josep Oriol Mestres and later served as headquarters for the Philippines Tobacco Company. Not long ago, Núñez i Navarro restored the building and focused on updating it to modern standards while preserving the historical significance. The result is Hotel 1898 and it looks pretty spectacular from a design standpoint.

Besides the high marks in design, the hotel seems to be teaming with amenities. I honed in on two in particular: free high-speed internet and completely sound-proofed rooms. Not going to lie - I love free internet at hotels, especially in Europe! They also have a pillow menu, and that sounds pretty awesome.  Finally, the Hotel 1898 has a rooftop deck and an indoor pool that are absolutely incredible. Have a look...

 

Here is the phenomenal indoor pool. According to the site, this area is the building's basement was originally a coal bunker for generating heat, then the armor-plated safe for storing Philippines Tobacco Company money, gold, and documents, and now the space has been outfitted with a pool. Quite a lineage, isn't it?

And here are some interior shots. I adore all of the bold black and white striped textiles. Plus, the light fixtures and hardware used throughout the hotel is awesome...

Masculine-chic guest rooms...

Random, but I'm crazy about these doors...

And these are scenes from their Colonial Suite's private terrace and pool...

And to wrap up, these images showcase some of the building's incredible architectural details...

Looks like a pretty nice place to stay, right? Have any of you stayed here before? Any other Barcelona hotel recommendations?

If you happen to be planning a trip to Barcelona, be sure to take a look the hotel's top 10 list of things to see and experience. Although I've never been and am therefore by no means a Barcelona expert, it seems like a nice, succinct set of things to build an itinerary around.