Located in the idyllic and artsy village of Deià, the resort has echoed the area’s creative vibe with their own art galleries, and one of Spain’s largest permanent sculpture gardens. La Residencia also has an artist-in-residence and sculptor-in-residence who teach 90-minute art classes to guests each day (wouldn’t that be a dream job?).

The hotel offers two pools, but several suites have their own full-sized pools as well. La Residencia boasts views of the Mediterranean and sits on 30 acres of gardens, with citrus and olive groves.

The rooms are decked out in a classic combination of rich dark wood antique furniture with white upholstery and linens.

Wouldn’t this be an amazing place to spend a few summer days?

When it comes to hotels, fashion designer Christian Lacroix is completely fearless, bold and experimental. His first venture into hotel design in Paris was the Hotel du Petit Moulin, a favorite for the design obsessed like Anne & Suysel from Tilton Fenwick who recently reported back on their stay for Hotel Chic. His newest hotel, the 34-room Bellechasse in Saint Germain, sports the same trippy, dreamlike approach to design with pattern on pattern and bold color everywhere you turn. Dragonflies fly up the wall, while butterflies cover the ceiling, and giant fish swim across walls. It’s not your average hotel. If you want to have a little more fun with design, there are so many amazing ideas here. Here are three of the best.

STRIPES ARE THE SOLUTION: For so many problems, stripes are you answer. This hotel room is teeny, the ceilings don’t look particularly high, and I’m guessing it doesn’t get a ton of light. Stripes in bold orange and navy give the illusion of higher ceilings, and totally distract from the size of the room and lack of light. It would be a fun, easy look to recreate in a teen’s bedroom, a mudroom, or bathroom, even a mancave basement. Love how they added more stripes to the bedding.

ART ON THE CEILING: When you think about it, it really makes perfect sense to have something interesting on the ceiling in a bedroom. After all, it is what you’re staring at when you first wake up (or when you can’t sleep). A butterfly mural is painted on wood-paneled walls and ceiling. I love the idea of doing this in a bedroom with wallpaper. 

CREATE YOUR OWN WALLPAPER: The wallpaper was custom designed by Lacroix and printed by Clipso, a very cool company that does digital wallpaper. You can give them a photo or a drawing and they can turn it into wallpaper for you. Ideal if you are artistic, or just a great photographer.

Have fun: At the core of the hotel is a sense of fun, of not taking design too seriously, of really enjoying the spaces you are in. Nothing feels too perfect or precious, but unique. If you take one thing away from the design of the Bellechasse, it should be to be creative and make sure the spaces you live in are reflections of you.

all photos courtesy of Bellechasse

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The 22-room hotel is built into the cliffside with every room overlooking the water. The design is clean and crisp and beachy. Lots of nautical blue and white and stripes galore. Pics below!

Zig zag pattern in blue and white

Each room has its own terrace

Photos courtesy Capo La Gala

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What is your favorite hotel in terms of design?

JH: My favorite hotel would have to be the Mark Hotel in NYC.

What is the vibe like?
JH: The vibe is chic, hip and very LA.

When did you go and who were you with?
JH: I was there just last week, by myself. Enjoying myself, dining with a Grey Goose extra dirty martini paired with my favorite black truffle pizza.

What was your favorite space in the hotel and why?
JH: I am in love with the lobby. I am amazed by the graphics, regardless of what someone is wearing, they look fabulous sitting in a chair on a bold black and white floor.

Is there a space in the hotel, or a design idea that you would recreate for yourself or a client?
JH: Absolutely, the bathrooms are simply perfect! The floor is black and white graphic, the cabinets are glass faced with edged banded in chrome.

Insider tip? What do you wish you had known before you stayed?
JH: I wish I would have booked here a long time ago. I will definitely be going back.

Photos courtesy of the Mark Hotel

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On the Left Bank of Paris, down a quiet side street is the chic and discreet, Hotel Verneuil which has just been revamped. New owner, Nicolas Nonon has given the hotel–a favorite with designers–a sophisticated, fresh update. There is so much design-inspiration here, especially for those with small spaces. Ideas below, along with a few sources for getting the look:

The Perfect Palette:
Rich gray walls paired with playful pops of color–bright blue and orange–is a fresh take on the gray trend. The fun hues add some levity to the sophisticated backdrop, and provide palette inspiration for a living room.

Matching your sofa to your wall: If  you are in love with your wall color, upholstering your sofa in a similar shade works well if you want to be bold elsewhere. It means less visual competition for the colors you want to stand out.

Detract from your flaws: This top floor room is awkwardly shaped and like most rooms at the Verneuil, quite small. But color and design are used here to distract your eyes from the room’s imperfections. Molding brings immediate charm in a taupe shade that is similar to the floors and the curtains, so your eye is immediately drawn to the orange accent wall and the cozy nook. Funky chairs upholstered in cheery hues keep it playful.

Lighting is key: People who are lighting obsessed say it makes all the difference. I am always so focused on color in a room it isn’t something I really pay attention to, but clearly that’s a mistake. Great lighting is like a great pair of earrings, it just pulls it all together. The Verneuil has no shortage of amazing lighting choices, from vintage inspired to this AJ Floor Lamp. I love it paired with the more classic wall sconces–black shades link the contemporary light with the more traditional fabric shades.

Calming Neutrals: The smallest guest rooms had previously been swathed in toile wallpaper, floral prints, and lots of color. After the hotel’s update, these rooms are now very neutral with taupey grays being the only hues. The rooms look more masculine now, perfect inspiration for a guest room or a bachelor pad bedroom. 

GET THE LOOK

Arne Jacobsen’s AJ Floor Lamp through Discover & Deliver

Black cut corner silk string lampshade from the Oriental Lampshade Co

Jonathan Adler Lampert Sofa

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