the nomad lab

Honor & Folly B&B.

I’ve been a fan of the Designtripper blog for a long time, and I was so excited when I came across Meghan McEwen’s B&B that she started in Detroit: Honor & Folly. 

The first thing that stands out to me about this place is just how comfortable it feels. It’s absolutely somewhere I could see myself living, and definitely somewhere I’d see myself unwinding after a long day. I also love her focus on really integrating this B&B with the local community and bringing in designers to add their own personal, creative touches. 

The Apartment.

The whole B&B is two bedrooms, which accommodates 4 people. You can rent one room or both rooms, and you’ll get to participate in any fun activities going on in the main room, like cooking classes or shop events from the community.

Not only is the B&B stocked with all sorts of fantastic design goods curated from around the community, but lots of the stuff is actually for sale, so if you fall in love with it, you can take it home with you!

Plus, the amenities are awesome. A fully stocked kitchen, vintage bikes to ride around town, and a specially created Honor & Folly guide to Detroit.

The Location. 

Honor & Folly is located in the neighborhood of Corktown, a charming little area with lots of fantastic restaurants, bars and cafes. It’s actually located upstairs from a BBQ restaurant by the name of Slows which looks absolutely delish to a girl like me who grew up in Texas.

Heard enough? Make a reservation through the website here:

Honor & Folly.

(All photos from Honor & Folly.)

Legado Mitico Hotel.

If you haven’t noticed already, I have a thing for libraries with leather couches.

I’m just in love with the color scheme here: the dark browns, the deep reds, and the neutral cream colors. 

Each of the rooms of this hotel are actually themed after a historical character, for example: Eva Peron or Che Guevara. You’ll find customized elements in your room such as vintage hatboxes or posters… alongside all the modern “necessities” you’d need like jacuzzi tubs and flat screen TVs, of course.

I like that this hotel seems to embrace Buenos Aires and really takes advantage of its rich history to influence design and furnishings, without becoming too cheesy or tacky.

Find out more here: Legado Mitico.

(All photos from Tablet Hotels.)

Lamu Beach House.

Expansive space, white walls and simple wood furnishings. 

This beach house is definitely the right way to escape from all your worries. With an unspoilt panoramic view right on the water, you can take in everything from your backyard.

Things I love: Dark wood ceiling beams. Huge archways on the back patio. Authentic Swahili craftsmanship all around the house. 4 staff members to fulfill your every need! 

For more info, check out Welcome Beyond’s interview with the owners.

(All photos from Welcome Beyond.)

(via ItalianFix.com)

Fall in love with the Cinque Terre.

I’ve already made it pretty clear that this is my favorite place on earth. I’ve spent days just wandering the narrow walkways of each of the five towns of the Cinque Terre and it just feels like home. 

What I love about this tour is how intimate it is. The group is limited to 10 people, and the activities really give visitors a unique look into the rich culture and lives of the Italian locals. 

A visit to a locally-owned wine cellar. A cooking class in a 17th century villa using locally sourced ingredients. Shopping at the market. A photography session at sunset with a fancy photographer from Milan. And of course, plenty of hiking, beach time, and wandering on your own. 

This is the way to see the Cinque Terre.

I should point out this tour is in the beginning of June. Italian Fix also creates custom itineraries, which you can look into on their website.

To find out more, check out Italian Fix.

(Photos by hdrdoc, j_brittin, haldlov, sushilgr, carolineakircher, VT_Professor, mattjfleet)

Fancy finding a modern Swiss chalet in the middle of Japan. 

Kimamaya Boutique Hotel is a Design Hotel, located by Niseko, one of Japan’s fantastic ski resorts. The petite 9-room hotel combines a little bit of authentic Hokkaido farm architecture with a little bit of sleek Scandinavian style. 

Get Zen.

I would just love to come home from a long day on the slopes and step into the warmth of this chalet. Alpine-style rooms with supremely comfortable beds to sink into, rain showers in charcoal slate bathrooms, and three (!) different types of pillows to choose from. 

I also have a serious thing for lofts. Climb a ladder up to my bedroom? Count me in. (Although I suppose I should probably factor in the fact that my muscles would be insanely sore after a long day of snowboarding, and would hate me for forcing myself up a ladder to get into bed.)

The simplicity and warmth of the whole lodge makes it the perfect cozy escape from the chilly snow-laden slopes outdoors. The lodge also makes a great setting for other seasons, when travelers come to go hiking and enjoy the outdoors. 

Check out more here:

Kimamaya Boutique Hotel

(Photos from Kimamaya Boutique Hotel)

Palihotel Melrose. Los Angeles, CA.

Eek! I kind of don’t want to share this deal because I don’t want it to sell out before I can convince myself to buy it. 

UrbanDaddy Perks is having a deal to get all of this for $400:

• 2 nights at Palihotel Melrose in a Queen room with a terrace
• A “Raid the Minibar” bundle - which I assume means you get to.. raid the minibar for free
• $75 at the Palikitchen restaurant
• 1-hour Thai massage for two at the in-house spa!

That’s a pretty good deal, folks. Jump on it. (See link below.)

UrbanDaddy Perks - Palihotel Melrose

Oh yeah, more about the hotel.

It’s opening in a week on Febuary 1st as the first boutique hotel of Melrose Avenue, brought to you by Paligroup, the same folks who created Palihouse Holloway (which I wrote about here!). 

I love the style. I especially like how Paligroup tries to create hotels that integrate with the community, with food and dining areas that are more communal and inclusive. The rooms are perfect for young urbanites looking for a unique, creative place to stay in LA. 

Other Perks.

• Palikitchen. A local cafe with artisan coffee + tea, and lots of yummy comfort foods 
• Thai Thai. An in-house spa for classic Thai massage
• Vanity. A blow-dry bar.

Find them here:

Website: Palihotel - Melrose Avenue

Facebook: Palihotel

Twitter: @Palihotel

(Photos from Palihotel’s Facebook page and Jetsetter.com)

The Ace Hotel is coming to LA!

If you haven’t heard yet, they’re planning to take over the old United Artists Theatre on Broadway. What’s more, rumor is that they’ll be keeping and renovating the theatre itself. 

The United Artists Theatre was opened in 1927 as the flagship house for the studio, and it was the city’s tallest privately owned structure until 1956. It was designed in the Spanish gothic style, taking lots of its inspiration from the Cathedral at Segovia in Spain.

And it’s gorgeous. I can’t wait to see what they do with it. 

(Photos from Curbed LA)