Sweef Modular Sofas - Scandinavian Design for the Modern Living Room

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Why Modular Sofas Are Redefining the Living Room
— A Look at Sweef


In many interiors, the sofa occupies the largest wall or the most obvious corner. Yet its presence shapes the entire room, setting the space in motion and determining where the eye settles, how a conversation is staged, and how the body lands at the end of the day.


Sweef
Modular Sofa Kamelen

Sweef
Modular Sofa Valen

Sweef
Modular Sofa Dromedaren

Few objects carry so much spatial consequence while appearing so familiar. This quiet spatial authority explains why the sofa has become one of the most telling objects in contemporary interior design, functioning less as an accessory of domestic life and increasingly as a form of soft architecture.

This shift is especially visible in the renewed interest in modular seating. As homes become less fixed in their routines and more layered in their use, the sofa is increasingly expected to do more than remain in place. It has to absorb change, adapt to new spatial conditions and continue to make sense across different phases of living. The most compelling systems therefore combine comfort with a design clarity that allows them to structure a room with confidence.

Sweef approaches the home from exactly this territory, with the sofa at the centre of its thinking. Founded in 2011, the Swedish brand emerged through e-commerce and developed around the idea that customers should be able to build a piece around their own sense of comfort, proportion and material preference instead of choosing from a narrow set of fixed outcomes. Much of the collection is made to order, with extensive fabric and colour options shaping the final expression of each piece.

Sweef
Modular Sofa Dromedaren

Sweef
Modular Sofa Hajen

One of the clearest examples is Valen, a sofa whose appeal lies in its deep seat, low horizontal emphasis and generous, almost compressed softness. It reads immediately as a piece designed around staying rather than perching. The proportions are substantial without becoming heavy, and the silhouette remains calm even when the upholstery shifts the mood from neutral linen to saturated velvet. Colour plays a decisive role here, as a sofa upholstered in deep green velvet creates a very different spatial gravity than the same piece in pale linen or textured bouclé. Within contemporary interiors, upholstery increasingly carries the visual weight of a room, giving colour and texture a more defining role in the overall composition.

Where Valen establishes the core language, Mammuten expands it into a fuller spatial proposition. Presented by Sweef as a modular sofa series, it strengthens the idea of the sofa as an evolving landscape within the home. That is where Sweef becomes especially relevant within the current interior conversation. Modular furniture is being reconsidered as a long-term domestic framework capable of moving with its owners, absorbing changing habits and maintaining continuity while the surrounding life shifts. Sweef’s modular presentation of pieces like Mammuten and Dromedaren speaks directly to that logic.

Sweef
Modular Sofa Dromedaren

Material plays a central role in how this logic is perceived and in how the object enters the room. Sweef’s universe is built around velvets, linen blends, bouclé-like textures and a notably broad palette of colours, allowing fabrics to act as spatial markers within the room instead of functioning merely as upholstery. Contemporary interiors are increasingly described as layered environments in which different materials, surfaces and tones build atmosphere through depth and tactility. In such spaces the sofa often becomes the strongest textile element in the room, anchoring the composition visually and atmospherically.

This renewed attention to material also intersects with a broader shift in how furniture is valued. In contemporary interiors, quality and longevity increasingly function as indicators of luxury, encouraging homeowners to select pieces that justify their presence over time. Sweef’s made-to-order production, emphasis on durable upholstery materials and repair-oriented service logic position the sofa as a long-term object designed to evolve with its owners across changing living situations.

Sweef’s showrooms give this philosophy a spatial dimension and allow the furniture to be experienced beyond digital imagery. Locations in Stockholm, Oslo and Berlin present the sofas within fully realised interior settings where scale, proportion and tactility become immediately legible. The newest of these spaces opened in Berlin-Kreuzberg on Prinzessinnenstraße 14 and introduces the collection to the German market within a setting that makes Sweef’s Scandinavian language of comfort, material and proportion physically legible.

Sweef
Modular Sofa Mammuten

Sweef
Modular Sofa Dromedaren

Within these showrooms, the relationship between sofa and space becomes clearer. Walking around a modular piece reveals how its proportions define circulation through the room. Sitting down exposes the depth of the seat and the structure of the cushions. Fabrics shift character depending on light and distance, and configurations that once appeared online begin to read as spatial structures.

Seen from this perspective, Sweef resonates with a broader return to interiors that value adaptability, material character and emotional permanence. The best sofas offer comfort while establishing order and atmosphere within the room. They anchor the interior and provide a stable centre of gravity for everyday life. Sweef understands this well. The contemporary sofa is no longer only where living happens. It increasingly becomes the structure that allows living to take shape at all.

images (c) Sweef

DISCOVER SWEEF MODULAR SOFAS: sweef.de
Explore Sweef’s modular sofa collections, materials and colour configurations.

SENSES .THE LABEL - Spring/Summer 2026 Collection

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SENSES .THE LABEL 

Why Colour becomes the defining Structure of the Collection

written SARAH ARENDTS

In many current womenswear collections, colour rarely appears all at once. Often it appears as a tonal shift that subtly alters the mood of otherwise familiar silhouettes.
In the Spring Summer 2026 collection by SENSES .THE LABEL this dynamic becomes visible through a series of carefully placed colour accents within a stable wardrobe vocabulary. One of the clearest appears in the drop Vanilla Sky, where butter yellow enters through textured knitwear and relaxed layering pieces. Set against a palette of soft neutrals and fluid tailoring, the tone warms the collection without disturbing its calm composition.

SENSES .THE LABEL
Vanilla Sky Drop

SENSES .THE LABEL
Vanilla Sky Drop

The Spring Summer season is organised through six drops released gradually over time. Vanilla Sky, Neon Nectar, Riva Mare, Tropical Edit, Gym and Cin Cin introduce shifts in colour, pattern and material while remaining anchored in the same design language. Feminine silhouettes, streamlined shapes and casual structures define garments that move easily through everyday life.

Each drop subtly recalibrates the visual atmosphere of the wardrobe as the season progresses. Cin Cin introduces a vivid orange that becomes the collection’s most direct colour accent, while Riva Mare adds maritime striping in white and Spicy Red whose graphic rhythm brings structure to otherwise fluid silhouettes. Tropical Edit expands the palette with saturated blues and lighter summer prints, Neon Nectar deepens the chromatic range, and Gym leans further into the collection’s sport-inflected dimension. Butter yellow in Vanilla Sky remains the softest tonal intervention within this evolving palette.

Across these variations the underlying construction remains consistent. Wide trousers, soft tailoring and lightweight knitwear establish pieces that transition easily across different moments of daily life. Many pieces rely on relaxed proportions and clean cuts, allowing fabric, colour and silhouette to carry the visual identity of the wardrobe.

SENSES .THE LABEL — Explore the full Spring/Summer 2026 collection at www.sensesthelabel.com

SENSES .THE LABEL
Neon Nectar Drop

Knitwear plays a particularly important role within this structure, with lightweight pullovers, cardigans and fine-gauge layers appearing throughout several drops as flexible elements within the seasonal wardrobe. Positioned between structure and softness, knitwear becomes an ideal surface for colour within the collection’s tonal system. Shades such as butter yellow or aqua can appear clearly without overwhelming the silhouette itself.

The drop structure reinforces this gradual approach. Instead of presenting the season as a single visual statement, the collection evolves through smaller tonal adjustments across the different chapters. Each drop introduces a new colour impulse or graphic element while leaving the broader wardrobe language intact.

Within contemporary womenswear this modular approach has gained relevance as wardrobes increasingly favour garments that circulate easily across different contexts of everyday life. SENSES .THE LABEL adopts this structure with particular clarity, organising the season through a sequence of focused colour interventions. Collections built through smaller releases introduce colour, pattern and material in clearly defined moments throughout the season. Each drop concentrates these elements within a specific phase of the collection, allowing the wardrobe to develop through successive shifts in colour and material.

SENSES .THE LABEL
Neon Nectar Drop

SENSES .THE LABEL
Riva Mare Drop

SENSES .THE LABEL
Cin Cin Drop

SENSES .THE LABEL uses this rhythm to position colour as a guiding element of the season. Aqua, orange, butter yellow, Spicy Red and deep blue appear as distinct accents before receding into the collection’s quieter tonal field. The wardrobe evolves through a sequence of tonal adjustments that unfold gradually across the season. Each shift introduces a subtle change in atmosphere as the underlying silhouette language remains stable.

A measured rhythm runs through the collection as calm base tones establish orientation and precisely placed colour accents guide the movement of the season. Relaxed silhouettes remain consistent throughout the wardrobe as colour gradually reshapes the atmosphere of familiar forms.




FOUR SEASONS Hotel Toronto - The Room That Writes Itself

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TORONTO
*The Room That Writes Itself

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

The tower rises in Yorkville like a polished blade, sharp in outline, glazed in light, everything precise and unapologetic, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto stretches itself upward with the kind of calm authority that requires no announcement, the streets below move fast, boutiques glitter, galleries invite, and yet the building carries its own temperature, a cooler air, an architectural pause in the rhythm of the city.

Lobby Area
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

Breakfast at Café Boulud
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

Dine at d|bar by Chef Daniel Boulud
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

Inside, the air folds differently, there is a thick softness that begins with stone, slips into oak, settles in marble, silk, walnut, a quiet orchestration of textures that play against each other like instruments in a restrained orchestra, a whisper more velvet than sound, the so-called White Lotus Effect, interiors choreographed to soothe the eye and anchor the body, endless hallways that feel deliberate, artworks that rest in corners without trying to speak too loudly, sofas that curve like sculpture, light that diffuses itself across brushed brass until it feels liquid.

The dining floor performs in its own register, Café Boulud glows in brass and shadow, mirrors stretch out like backdrops, plates arrive like rehearsed gestures, duck that melts, desserts that gleam, every course an act on a stage where the kitchen breathes through open fire and the wine list reads like a collection of obsessions bound in leather, and then the night turns into dbar, where live music carries the floorboards into something looser, where a glass of something amber warms in the hand and a voice arcs across the crowd until the evening settles into its own rhythm.

Hospitality here becomes choreography, the kind of movement where no one is ever visible, and yet everything is touched, the room arranges itself every day in gestures that feel more intimate than any greeting, a long iMac cable tied with a branded leather buckle as if the machine were a guest in itself, a ring discovered inside a silk pouch embroidered with the Four Seasons mark, a handwritten note set quietly on a desk with lines that reach the guest without requiring a reply, small acts that fold into each other until the entire stay reads like a letter in multiple chapters, unsigned, unfinished, endlessly warm.

Suite
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

Every morning the room carried new signals, a flower leaning near porcelain cups, a towel folded into something with a quiet smile, a book placed open at the page left behind, an invisible companion that observes without intrusion, service as an atmosphere rather than a figure, gestures so subtle they almost vanish, yet accumulate into memory, every detail another brushstroke in a larger canvas of care.

The neighborhood outside lives its own script, Yorkville stacked with galleries and fashion windows, museums within walking reach, streets lined with shaded terraces, all of it easy, all of it available, and the hotel at the center becomes an anchor and a stage, architecture that belongs to the city while sustaining its own intimacy.

The stay lingers because of its accumulation, a layering of architecture, design, food, sound, and those daily acts of hospitality that move in silence, a hotel that extends beyond the idea of lodging and enters the territory of ritual, where the city flows outside and the room itself holds its own gravity, a space where the guest feels carried, folded, remembered in every gesture, without ever meeting the hand that created it.

Indoor Pool
Toronto Four Seasons Hotel

And after return the Four Seasons glass water bottle travelled with us, heavy in the bag, transparent and stubborn, now standing in the kitchen with the authority of an object that carries Toronto mornings and silk pouches and handwritten notes, it carries the silence of room service and the sound of jazz rising from dbar, it carries the weight of a city folded into glass, and every time the sun cuts through it we smile, because the bottle insists on memory the way the hotel insists on detail, endlessly, gracefully, without pause.

discover more Four Seasons Toronto
all images (c) Four Seasons Hotels Limited

Anna Schäfer Bachtadze - Concept Couture

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Anna Schäfer Bachtadze
Defines a Slower Couture Rhythm Between Berlin and Paris

written SARA DOUEDARI

Anna Schäfer Bachtadze creates couture with a quiet kind of conviction. Between Berlin and Paris, she has shaped a practice that values time, sensitivity and the intimate dialogue between garment and woman. Her designs do not chase attention — they unfold gently, revealing their strength through craftsmanship, comfort and care. In this conversation, she reflects on transformation, longevity and the beauty of choosing a slower, more conscious path in fashion.

BACHTADZE
seen by Anna Schaefer Bachtadze

BACHTADZE
seen by Anna Schaefer Bachtadze

Born in 1980 in Tbilisi, Georgia, Anna grew up in a deeply artistic environment that shaped her early understanding of aesthetics and discipline. Ballet was her first great love; although she did not pursue it professionally, the weightlessness of stage costumes and the emotional intensity of performance continue to influence her work. Fine lace, fluid silhouettes and a sense of movement remain signatures of her design language.

BACHTADZE
seen by Anna Schaefer Bachtadze

BACHTADZE
seen by Elizaveta Belyaeva

After moving to Berlin at the age of fifteen — where she acquired the nickname “Bibi” — she later studied fashion design at HTW Berlin, graduating magna cum laude. Professional experience in management and marketing at international luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton and Céline provided her with the strategic foundation to establish her own label in 2009.

Originally operating within the traditional fashion calendar, she made a decisive shift in 2019, stepping away from wholesale and overproduction to reposition her brand as Concept Couture. Today, she works exclusively made-to-order, creating modular eveningwear designed to transform and endure. For Anna Schäfer Bachtadze, couture is not about seasons or spectacle — it is about responsibility, precision and pieces meant to accompany a woman for years, even generations.

Anna Schäfer Bachtadze, founder + creative director
seen by Elizaveta Belyaeva

BACHTADZE
seen by Anna Schaefer Bachtadze

Sara Douedari
Are you a romantic or a realist when it comes to fashion?

Anna Schäfer Bachtadze
It depends on my mood. I don’t like to define myself within rigid categories. In terms of aesthetics, I feel closer to a mystic than to a romantic — I am drawn to atmosphere, intuition, and subtle emotion. Yet when it comes to construction and wearability, I am very pragmatic. I design gowns that feel effortless on the body, so a woman can fully inhabit the experience of wearing them.


What was the exact moment you decided: I refuse to produce fashion that doesn’t last?

It wasn’t a single moment — but rather a process. When you run a small brand with a direct connection to your clients, there is no space for compromise or for failure in the form of a bad product. You cannot hide behind marketing. Your clients experience your work up close — they judge you by your quality. They don’t buy a logo; they buy your expertise. And loyalty only comes through real satisfaction.

Fashion has always been my life, not a trend or a strategy. If I was building something that would define my path, it had to have longevity. I didn’t create this brand for recognition or visibility. I created it because it was the only language that felt true to me.

Saying no to overproduction sounds powerful - but what did it cost you?


In fact, nothing. Quite the opposite. When I was operating within the traditional fashion system — producing up to six collections a year simply to fill the calendar — that was the most stressful period of my career. High risks, high investments, constant pressure to sell.

Stepping away from overproduction didn’t cost me financially or creatively. It only cost me my ego — and that was a very healthy exchange.

When you say „Made to Transform“, is it the garment that transforms - or the women wearing it?

Both.

The garment is engineered to allow transformation. Each dress is built from several modular elements that can be combined in different ways, allowing a woman to shift her look — from black tie to cocktail — with ease.

But “Made to Transform” also refers to the awareness of the client. Stepping out of the traditional fashion system was a necessary evolution for me. Yet transformation is never one-sided. It is a mutual story between the creator and the consumer.

To move beyond habitual consumption patterns requires a certain level of consciousness. True transformation happens when both sides are ready to evolve

Craft takes time. The market demands speed. Where do you draw the line - and have you been tempted to cross it?

I don’t design in response to market pressure — I design in response to my clients. If a woman comes to me with an urgent and meaningful occasion, we will do everything possible, even work through the night if necessary. But urgency must remain the exception, not the norm.

I will never again push my team into constant stress simply to compete within a system that has lost its sense of proportion. Craft requires time, precision, and respect — both for the garment and for the people who create it.
That is where I draw the line.
I also made a structural decision: I stopped working with wholesale. I now sell directly or online. This allowed me to step out of the pressure of buying seasons and production calendars dictated by the market. After Covid, selling luxury online became normal — even expected. So this transition felt organic, almost inevitable.

Between Berlin and Paris - who understands your work faster?

No one understands my work quickly. My dresses don’t scream like Instagram fashion. They reveal themselves when you try them on — when you feel the construction, the comfort. That takes time.

But Paris has a long-standing culture of couture and craftsmanship. There is a certain sensitivity here — an understanding that subtlety can be powerful.

Ten years form now, when one of your garments is still in someone closet - what will that prove?

In fact, many of my clients already own dresses that are ten years old or more — and they still wear them, or even pass them on to their daughters.

What does that prove? That true style exists beyond trends and seasons. And that I have done my work well.

Sustainable Luxury Footwear by AGAZI

AGAZI - Sharpens Footwear with Redefined Design Intelligence

Plant-Based Innovation and European Workshop Production Redefine Contemporary Footwear

written LE MILE

Luxury houses invoke craftsmanship while expanding production across global markets, and sustainability is framed as urgent even as most brands remain embedded in accelerated supply chains. Contemporary footwear operates within this visible tension, balancing heritage narratives with industrial scale and ethical ambition with logistical reality. Design, material responsibility and manufacturing logic frequently coexist without fully converging. Founded in 2023 in Poland, AGAZI does not position itself as manifesto or corrective intervention. It advances a quieter alignment in which design, material responsibility and workshop production operate within the same structural framework.

AGAZI
Mule Haze

The alignment becomes evident before it is explained, as a sharp red pump elongates the foot without exaggeration and a cut-out heel structured through latticework reveals skin in measured intervals, its geometry deliberate and controlled. The silhouettes feel composed, shaped by proportion and restraint rather than seasonal impulse. Visually, the collection aligns with contemporary runway imagery while maintaining its own internal clarity, inviting assessment through line, surface and balance first.

This matters because the high heel remains one of fashion’s most exacting objects, it exposes hesitation in construction, magnifies imbalance and leaves little room for material compromise. In this context, responsibility cannot remain theoretical. The IVO line sharpens the classic pump through disciplined colour blocking and clean edges. DANCE YOUR WAY introduces negative space without disrupting internal precision, allowing the heel to move, flex and be tested in motion. Durability, craftsmanship and comfort under pressure become intertwined standards. Techniques such as Strobel construction and certification for sensitive feet reinforce a commitment to longevity that extends beyond appearance. Within a fashion culture long oriented toward image, comfort increasingly signals seriousness, as the intention shifts toward refining how the heel performs rather than tempering its authority.

In Łuków, eastern Poland, a family-owned workshop with more than thirty years of experience forms the operational core of AGAZI, where performance remains inseparable from place. Now led by the founder’s son, the factory has introduced systems that reduce material waste and tighten the relationship between design intent and resource use. More than ninety percent of the workforce are women, shaping a locally rooted company structure marked by social awareness. At a moment when progress in fashion is often equated with geographic expansion and layered supply chains, maintaining a contained production model becomes a deliberate position. Growth is pursued through refinement and selective positioning. Oversight remains immediate, decisions travel shorter distances, and European manufacturing functions as an operational condition informing each stage of development.

AGAZI
IVO MIDI Red

STEP INTO PLANT-BASED FOOTWEAR
agazi.eu
Vegan shoes handcrafted in Poland from certified plant-based leather alternatives.

AGAZI
IVO Green Pink

Material innovation appears without spectacle, as plant-based alternatives such as apple leather derived from juice industry waste, grape leather sourced from wine production residues, bamboo-based components and natural cork, paired with sugar cane soles, are integrated directly into the construction process. Over the past decade these materials have moved from experimentation to credible industrial application. The decisive question concerns their capacity to sustain uncompromising quality in practice. At AGAZI, their use remains controlled, with surfaces kept precise, finishes refined and colour saturation deliberate. Sustainability operates as a foundational condition of production, while aesthetic expression retains its autonomy.

The resulting collection resists seasonal volatility through measured proportions and restrained embellishment. Structural play remains disciplined, preserving formal clarity. The shoes appear conceived to settle into a wardrobe and accompany daily life over time, allowing durability to function simultaneously as material property and stylistic stance. Longevity concerns not only the endurance of a sole but the continued relevance of a silhouette.

AGAZI
LOUISE Matte Brown

AGAZI
Dance Your Way Toffi

AGAZI
Dance Your Way Toffi

This coherence extends into the Second Life programme, through which worn pairs can be returned, cleaned, repaired and redirected in collaboration with local foundations. Responsibility extends beyond the moment of purchase and informs how products are conceived from the outset. Material choice, construction method and lifecycle form a continuous design consideration across the lifespan of each pair.

AGAZI positions itself within European luxury through a measured, structurally grounded approach, acknowledging the realities of an industry defined by scale. Its strength lies in coherence. By aligning thoughtful design, uncompromising quality, material accountability and a contained European production framework, the brand articulates a model that feels internally resolved. Within the contemporary fashion landscape, such resolution carries weight. As a European label with a clearly articulated ethical orientation and a design language shaped by precision and aesthetic sensitivity, AGAZI commands attention not through volume but through structural clarity and refined design intelligence.

credits for images:
IVO black&caramel, IVO green&pink, IVO jeans, IVO #2, DANCE YOUR WAY (black & toffi), MULE HAZE, NOMAD MOON, NOMAD SUN
photographer Mateusz Grzelak
stylist kasiamioduska kasiamioduska + Filip Janiak
beauty Kasia Olkowska
set design Dagmara Kazimiera Stępień

CARMEN, IVO midi red, LOUISE (black & matte brown)
photographer Julia Niedospiał

That’s Engineering in Men’s Grooming with Brooklyn Soap Company

That’s Engineering in Men’s Grooming

Brooklyn Soap Company extends its Grooming System with the Brooklyn Blade Pro

written MARK ASHKINS

Brooklyn Soap Company introduces the Brooklyn Blade Pro as the most technically defined device in its grooming range to date. Positioned alongside the Brooklyn Blade trimmer, the Brooklyn Shaver for foil shaving and the Brooklyn Body Blade for waterproof body grooming, the Pro advances the brand’s shaping phase through material density, mechanical precision and service-oriented construction.

Brooklyn Soap Company
Brooklyn Blade Pro

Over the past decade, men’s grooming has settled into a disciplined routine shaped by precision and repetition. Beard length, neckline definition and calibrated fades are maintained with an attention that treats the bathroom mirror as a recurring checkpoint. In this environment, devices gain significance because consistency over time defines the result as clearly as the initial cut. Construction and mechanical integrity therefore move to the centre of evaluation. Weight, balance and torque influence handling during trimming, while material stability determines how cleanly contours can be drawn and how reliably a chosen length can be reproduced across weeks of use.

The Brooklyn Blade Pro is built around a full metal housing sealed for waterproof operation. Inside, a brushless professional motor delivers sustained torque engineered to reduce mechanical wear over time. The precision blade is specified at 0.35 millimetres, enabling controlled edge definition and tighter line work. Runtime is listed at up to three hours per charge, supported by an exchangeable battery system designed for extended lifecycle use. Nine magnetic attachment combs ranging from 2 to 20 millimetres create a stable interface between blade and beard, reducing micro movement during trimming and supporting uniform length control.

These specifications position the Pro within an engineering-led understanding of grooming. A rigid metal body stabilises grip during detail work. Magnetic guards help maintain consistent pressure along the skin. Sustained motor performance supports even cutting from the first pass to the last, embedding accuracy in the mechanics of the tool itself.

Part of Brooklyn Soap Company’s expanding grooming system — explore the Brooklyn Blade Pro at www.bklynsoap.com

Brooklyn Soap Company
Brooklyn Blade Pro

The release also reflects the structural development of Brooklyn Soap Company as a brand. Founded on beard and shaving formulations, the company gradually articulated a phased grooming system structured around cleansing, shaping and conditioning. Care products such as Beard Shampoo, Beard Oil in variants including Classic and Cedarwood, face and beard cream and aftershave treatments establish the supportive layer around form and skin balance. The trimmer defines shape; the surrounding formulations maintain texture and comfort once that shape is set.

Across its cosmetic portfolio, the brand references formulations developed with natural ingredients and produced without microplastics or silicones under a Made in Germany designation. In hardware, the emphasis on durable metal construction and replaceable components extends this framework from cosmetic composition to industrial design. Longevity emerges as a shared principle across both liquid and mechanical categories.

Brooklyn Soap Company
Brooklyn Blade Pro

Brooklyn Soap Company
Brooklyn Blade Pro

Brooklyn Soap Company
Brooklyn Blade Pro

Within the contemporary men’s care sector, evaluation criteria increasingly centre on specification and service life. Motor type, battery concept and housing material influence purchasing decisions as strongly as scent or surface finish. Against this backdrop, the Brooklyn Blade Pro operates as a structural reinforcement within the grooming system, strengthening the shaping phase through material solidity and mechanical stability. Engineering becomes the defining language of daily beard maintenance.

Family Resort Moar Gut - A Family Stay

Between Meadow and Mountain
A Family Stay at Moar Gut

written LE MILE

Arriving at Moar Gut in Großarl feels like entering a place that revolves around families in a very practical way. The road narrows as the valley opens, mountains rising on either side, and then the buildings appear: timber façades, wide balconies, and pathways connecting the different houses across the ten-hectare area. The entire property is car free, which changes the atmosphere immediately. Children move freely between lawns and courtyards, parents walk without distraction, and best of all, the pace settles immediately.

Moar Gut Family Resort
Yoga

Moar Gut Family Resort
Suite with Chimney / seen by Albrecht Schnabel

Moar Gut Family Resort
Suite

We arrived with two young children and the usual logistics that come with travelling as a family. Within minutes of check-in, things began to feel lighter. The resort is still family-run by the Kendlbacher family, who transformed what began as a farm in the 1960s into a five-star family nature resort over decades. That background is present in the way the team moves through the space, very attentive, direct, genuinely welcoming. Families are clearly understood here, down to the very smallest detail.
Our suite, one of 46 spread across three interconnected buildings, offered generous space and a clear layout. Wood defines the interior, paired with linen, natural stone, and wide windows opening onto the surrounding landscape. Each suite includes a separate children’s room, which changes the dynamic of a stay with young kids entirely. Evenings become manageable, mornings calmer, and everyone has space to retreat.

Food quickly shaped the rhythm of our days, as the resort operates on a full gourmet board basis, allowing meals to structure the experience without requiring constant planning. Breakfast unfolds generously, lunch is fresh and light, afternoons bring cakes and small creations, and evenings present six courses for adults. The children move between their own buffet and our table, choosing dishes that are adapted to their tastes while maintaining quality and freshness.

Moar Gut Family Resort
Spiral Staircase / seen by Albrecht Schnabel

Moar Gut Family Resort
Outdoor View / seen by Albrecht Schnabel

Much of what is served comes from the resort’s own bio farm, regional producers, and even its own hunting grounds, and ingredients feel clear and precise. Plates arrive carefully arranged, colours balanced, textures considered. There is visible attention in every course, and the kitchen works with confidence. Wine is treated with equal care; Thomas Kendlbacher, a trained sommelier, curates and advises personally. By this, dinner becomes an experience that belongs equally to parents.

While adults linger at the table, the children are usually still active. The Natur-Kinderhof welcomes babies from 30 days old and offers structured childcare throughout the day. Around 1,000 square metres are dedicated to children, designed with wood, wool, and natural materials. There are climbing areas, ateliers, a theatre room, a cinema space, workshops with real tools, and a gaming area for older kids. Our children entered this world with ease and returned with stories of baking, painting, and rehearsing performances.

Outside, the bio farm extends the experience, and horses, cows with calves, alpacas, goats, and a donkey named Benjamin live on the property. Each family can take on a temporary animal sponsorship, including introductions and feeding. Our children are still too young for longer riding sessions, so the pony ride quickly became their highlight, small hands gripping the saddle with full concentration as they circled the paddock. The presence of Icelandic horses and a professional riding hall adds another layer to the connection between children and animals on site.

Moar Gut Family Resort
Spa

Moar Gut Family Resort
Relaxation Room

There is a dedicated Baby Spa offering floating, yoga, and massage sessions guided by trained staff. Infants drift in pure mountain spring water under careful supervision. At the same time, adults have access to a 25-metre outdoor infinity pool, an adults-only sauna world, and quiet relaxation areas. Pools are maintained with drinking-water quality, and sustainability is integrated into daily operations.

The architecture supports the entire concept, because the buildings are connected underground, preserving a village structure above ground. Renovations have been guided by solar energy thinking, local craftsmanship, and natural materials.

During our stay, mornings often began with a walk along the Panoramaweg, afternoons included time at the indoor pool, and evenings ended with long dinners while the children were still absorbed in activities. The surrounding Großarltal offers over 250 kilometres of marked hiking trails and access to Austria’s largest national park region, yet much of what we needed was already present within the resort itself.

What defines Moar Gut is the coherence of everything working together. Babies, toddlers, school-aged children, parents, and grandparents share the same environment with ease. The rhythm feels practiced and sincere. For families with young children, finding a place that combines design quality, culinary depth, professional childcare, and emotional warmth is rare. But at Moar Gut, it feels resolved and so we left with children already asking when we would return, and with the certainty that we will.

discover more Family Resort Moar Gut
header image (c) Matthias Warter

nhow Roma - A Roman Stay, From the First Evening On

A Roman Stay, From the First Evening On
*nhow Roma

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

Rome reveals itself gradually, especially in the late afternoon, when the light begins to fade and the city shifts into evening. The drive along Corso d’Italia passes apartment buildings with warm windows already lit, cafés pulling in chairs and lowering shutters, traffic moving steadily through the dimming street. The trees of Villa Borghese stand dark against the sky, stretching along the edge of the road. The car slows, luggage is lifted from the trunk, and within a few steps nhow Roma stands directly ahead, its façade illuminated against the evening traffic, marking the beginning of the stay.

Lobby and Reception Entrance
(c) Minor Hotels

Lobby and Reception Sculptural Art
(c) Minor Hotels

Suite, Lounge Area
(c) Minor Hotels

Inside, the lobby is already active, guests checking in, suitcases rolling across the floor, staff moving between desk and entrance. On the walls, classical figures appear in bold reinterpretations, their forms integrated into columns and surfaces that continue along the corridors. Fragments of sculpture and graphic details surface near the lifts and along the way to the rooms, appearing again on different floors in new arrangements. We arrive later than expected, so check-in moves quickly, a key card handed over, brief directions given. In the room, the suitcase is placed by the door just as the phone rings. A small welcome gathering is taking place in one of the hotel’s private suites, spaces set up for intimate get-togethers with their own bar and bartender. The suitcase remains unopened as I head back into the corridor and join the group, the first evening in Rome beginning before the room has even been settled.

By the next morning, the breakfast room fills gradually, guests arriving at different times, carrying coffee and small plates of fruit, pastries, and eggs to their tables. Some are still quiet, others already in conversation about the plans for the day.
At one point, a small group of guests begins to sing together, forming an a cappella harmony that spreads across the space. Heads turn, a few people smile, some join in for a line or two, and after a few minutes the singing fades, leaving the room to return to its steady pattern of breakfast and conversation.

Room Premium
(c) Minor Hotels

From the hotel entrance, Villa Borghese can be reached within minutes. The path leads past trees and open gravel walkways toward the Galleria Borghese, whose façade appears between the greenery. Inside, painted ceilings and marble sculptures fill the rooms, visitors moving steadily from one gallery to the next. After some time in the museum and the surrounding park, the walk back toward Corso d’Italia follows the same route, the hotel entrance appearing again at the edge of the street.

In the afternoon, we set off in an electric Fiat 500, driving through Rome with the roof open and the engine barely audible. The car moves easily through traffic, passing monuments, residential streets, and small cafés tucked into corners that are easy to miss on foot. The driver talks continuously, pointing out buildings, sharing anecdotes, explaining details that slip by quickly if no one names them. With Facile Tours, the tour lasts around three hours, and by the time we return, many parts of the city have already been seen in sequence, connected through streets, stories, and conversation.

Later, back at the hotel, the lift becomes its own small stage. Inside, a built-in karaoke station invites guests to pick a song while the cabin moves between floors. People laugh, sing a few lines, forget the lyrics, and start again as the numbers above the door light up one by one. The doors open, conversations resume in the hallway, and the evening continues upstairs. Dinner takes us to different places over the course of the stay. At Rosina - Cucina di Casa, the room is arranged like a narrow Roman street, with laundry lines overhead and closely set tables. Plates arrive in large portions, pasta, meat, and vegetables served in quantities that assume no one leaves hungry. When some dishes return half full, the staff laughs and says an Italian mother would insist on finishing everything.

Restaurant LUDO
(c) Minor Hotels

On another evening, we remain at the hotel for dinner at LUDO, nhow Roma’s own restaurant, which is scheduled to open officially in mid-February 2026. The restaurant is already operating in a preview setting, and during dinner the waiter explains the concept behind it: once fully launched, the space will host live music and DJs, turning it into a place where guests come to dine, drink, and spend the evening together. The menu combines Italian and international dishes, from pasta to grilled meats and lighter plates, setting the foundation for a restaurant designed to stay active well beyond dinner hours.

Another night leads into the city to The Appuntamento. The interior is clearly structured, with strong colours, defined shapes, and distinctive tableware chosen to match each course. The design approach connects naturally to the aesthetic direction of nhow Roma, where bold forms and visible details shape the atmosphere throughout the building.

Over several days, the hotel becomes more familiar through repetition. Murals catch attention in passing, reflections shift as daylight moves through the lobby and corridors, and conversations with the staff continue from one day to the next. During one of those conversations, the building’s background comes up: it was constructed between 1968 and 1971 on the grounds of a former Vatican convent. The renovation kept the original structure intact, updating the façade with large solar panels that are clearly visible from the street. Standing again on Corso d’Italia, the earlier framework becomes easier to notice within the current design.

On the final morning, Rome begins as it did on the first, with traffic along Corso d’Italia and early light settling across the façades. The Spanish Steps are still only a short walk away, reachable within fifteen minutes through streets that have already become familiar over the past days. There is time for one more coffee, one more slow walk through Villa Borghese, one more look back at the hotel entrance before stepping into the city again. What remains are the days themselves, marked by rooms returned to at night, streets crossed in the afternoon, and tables shared in the evening.

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all images (c) Minor Hotels

Vila Vita Parc Algarve - Art, Village Life & Luxury by the Sea

The Art of Village Life

Why Vila Vita Parc is Portugal’s Most Stylish Community

written LAURA DUNKELMANN

Forget the concept of a "resort" for a moment. The word often suggests lobbies, room numbers, and anonymity. Vila Vita Parc, perched on the dramatic rocky coast of the Algarve, plays in a different league. It isn’t a hotel block—it is a village. But not just any village; it is arguably Europe’s most curated, aesthetic, and relaxed microcosm. It is the "Luxury Edition" of Portuguese country life.

Vila Vita Parc
Terrace

Vila Vita Parc
Oasis

Vila Vita Parc
Suite

Checking in here means becoming part of a temporary community. You don’t just stay; you reside in an organically grown ecosystem. The architecture proudly cites the region’s Moorish heritage: blinding white walls, terracotta roofs, and the Algarve’s signature ornate chimneys. You stroll across authentic Calçada Portuguesa (cobblestones), past intimate piazzas and splashing fountains. It has everything a functioning municipality needs—from the local wine merchant (a spectacular cellar deep underground) to the "village baker" (world-class pâtisserie). You nod to neighbors on the winding paths. You belong.

However, what distinguishes Vila Vita Parc from a mere luxury retreat is its soul—and that soul is artistic. The immense tropical gardens that weave through the estate are not just scenery; they form an open-air museum. Everywhere, amidst palms, hibiscus, and the deep blue of the Atlantic, art emerges.

It is a constant journey of discovery: contemporary masterpieces, such as the striking works by Arne Quinze, stand in dialogue with the wild nature of the cliffs. The art here isn't locked behind glass cases; it is part of daily life. It stands beside the pool, watches over the path to the spa, or hides in the lush greenery. This curated approach gives the resort an intellectual depth rarely found in the Algarve.

Vila Vita Parc
Sunset at Beach

True luxury today implies responsibility, and this village takes care of its surroundings. With its own farm, Herdade dos Grous, ensuring a genuine farm-to-table experience, and a dedicated desalination plant to preserve local water resources, the resort operates in deep harmony with nature. This commitment extends to the local fauna as well, through active partnerships with conservation groups like RIAS to rehabilitate wildlife and protect the ocean’s biodiversity.

Despite the two Michelin stars at the "Ocean" restaurant and the flawless service, nothing feels stiff here. This is due to its deep roots in Portuguese culture. Traditional Azulejos (colorful tiles) add splashes of color and history throughout. The hospitality is warm, almost familial—typical of a village community that is proud of its home.

Vila Vita Parc
Green lupine by Arne Quinze

Vila Vita Parc
Fountain lupine by Arne Quinze

Vila Vita Parc manages the feat of offering world-class luxury while feeling as authentic as a walk through an old fishing hamlet. It is a place for aesthetes who want to experience, not just consume. At the end of your stay, you don’t feel like you’re checking out of a hotel, but rather moving away from a beloved neighborhood. And in your mind, you’re already planning your return to this artful village by the sea.

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Muller Van Severen - Inside the Belgian Design Duo

.specials
How Muller Van Severen Built One of Today’s Most Influential Furniture Studios

Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen began working together in 2011, bringing two independent artistic backgrounds into a shared studio. Fien trained as a photographer, developing a precise understanding of composition, surface, and colour, while Hannes studied sculpture and focused on spatial structure and the behaviour of materials in three dimensions. The partnership formed through ongoing conversations about objects and through a gradual interest in how furniture could serve as a direct extension of their artistic processes.

ALLTUBES Bench by Muller Van Severen, part of the ALLTUBES series
(c) Muller Van Severen

ALLTUBES Cabinet High + Chair 2 by Muller Van Severen
(c) Muller Van Severen

Detail of the ALLTUBES Wall Cabinet L by Muller Van Severen
(c) Muller Van Severen

The development of each piece begins with material examination and simple construction tests. Metal rods are bent or joined to explore tension, leather is suspended to understand curvature, and polyethylene sheets are evaluated for their stability and chromatic presence. Decisions emerge from these practical studies rather than from conceptual narratives. Lines, joints, and surfaces remain visible because every part of the object reflects the steps that shaped it. This approach creates furniture that carries the clarity of studio experimentation without decorative additions or concealed elements.

Colour selection follows the same principle of directness. Polyethylene retains the industrial tones originally used for classification in food-processing environments; metals age at their natural pace; leather develops patina through use. These properties guide the design process and influence the proportions and combinations of materials. Instead of treating colour as a secondary layer, the duo integrates it at the earliest phase of development, allowing it to act as a structural element within the work.

Diversity within their oeuvre arises from the range of functional questions they address. Seating pieces examine how minimal surfaces can maintain comfort through tension alone. Tables often incorporate lighting, creating merged objects that organise spatial arrangements through a single construction. Shelving systems explore vertical extension and load distribution, while carpets translate the duo’s sense of balance into textile form. Variations come from the specific technical requirements of each task, not from shifts in style. The relationship between Fien and Hannes remains central to the evolution of their work. Drawings, scale models, and continuous dialogue form the basis of their process, with both artists contributing to each stage until a coherent solution emerges. The studio functions as a place for daily testing and refinement, and this environment shapes the calm, straightforward presence found in their finished pieces.

Daybed designed by Muller Van Severen for Kvadrat’s “Divina: Every Color Is Divine” exhibition, 2014
(c) Muller Van Severen

Hannes Van Severen + Fien Muller
Muller Van Severen

A recent development in their practice is the opening of a dedicated showroom near Ghent, accessible by appointment. This space allows architects, collectors, and design professionals to encounter the work in a precise and controlled setting. The showroom presents their furniture in a scale and context aligned with its intended use, giving visitors the opportunity to study materials, proportions, and constructions directly. This addition extends the studio’s reach without altering its foundational methods, and it offers a clear view of the ongoing investigations that anchor their work.

Bridges cabinet series by Muller Van Severen for BD Barcelona
(c) Muller Van Severen

Collaborations with production partners, including long-term work with valerie_objects, extend their designs into international contexts while preserving the essential principles of the studio. Manufacturers follow material guidelines that reflect the duo’s priorities: clearly defined geometries, unaltered surfaces, and structural transparency. These partnerships allow the work to circulate more widely without shifting the foundation of the practice.

Muller Van Severen continues to build a body of furniture that reflects an uninterrupted engagement with material behaviour, proportion, and the practical demands of construction. Every object contributes to an ongoing exploration of how form and function can be approached with artistic precision, and the resulting work introduces a steady presence to interiors through disciplined use of colour, material, and structure.

Duo Seat + Lamp by Muller Van Severen, presented at Design Brussels in 2011
(c) Muller Van Severen

Pillow Sofa designed by Muller Van Severen, created with KASSL Editions and reimagined by BD Barcelona
(c) Muller Van Severen

header image credit

Crossed Double Seat (2012), designed by Muller Van Severen for the Future Primitives series at Biennale Interieur
(c) Muller Van Severen

Gian Paolo Fantoni - Handcrafted from Pieve di Cento

.special
Gian Paolo Fantoni
A Studio Shaped by Story and Craft

Gian Paolo Fantoni presents a steady approach to jewelry shaped by personal history and a clear commitment to craft. The brand was founded by Giorgia, who built the project as an extension of her own story and as a continuation of the memory of her father, whose name she chose for the studio.

What began as a private passion grew into a working environment that she shares with her husband, Samuel, who joined the studio in 2019 and became part of the daily rhythm of its production and research. The workshop sits in Pieve di Cento, a small town in the province of Bologna, where every piece is conceived, designed, and finished by hand.

The studio moves within a steady routine in which materials are chosen with precision and each idea develops through patient handcrafting. Giorgia approaches jewelry as a form of memory, which shapes the direction of the collection and the way each piece is conceived. Custom engravings or selected elements allow the wearer to embed personal details into the design.

The necklaces form an essential part of the brand’s practice and they combine Japanese glass beads, natural stones, and brass elements plated in gold or silver. The arrangement follows a clear structure that arises from the materials themselves. Engraved components can be added to carry names or brief messages. The earrings extend this language through the same materials and proportions, maintaining continuity across the pieces produced in the workshop.

Bracelets have played a defining role since the early years of the brand. The engraved versions center on a small plate designed to hold a short word or mantra. The form remains straightforward, giving space to the intention behind the engraving and to the tactile presence of the piece. The visual material produced by the studio supports this approach. The jewelry is shown in natural settings that reveal texture, scale, and finish. The images highlight the handmade character of the work and present the pieces in settings that reflect the atmosphere of the workshop. The focus stays on proportion, material, and the quiet rhythm of the objects.

The story behind the studio remains central to its identity, Giorgia founded the brand in 2016 in response to her long-standing passion for jewelry and her wish to turn it into a meaningful livelihood. Naming the brand after her father anchors the project in a moment of personal continuity. The growth of the studio, supported by Samuel’s presence and the trust of its early audience, has remained steady and intentional. The workshop’s scale allows each piece to pass through the hands of its makers with attention and consistency, reflecting the studio’s commitment to detail and calm craftsmanship.

Gian Paolo Fantoni follows a practice grounded in material care and steady craftsmanship. The workshop in Pieve di Cento operates within a calm structure in which each piece is built from clear decisions about form, texture, and proportion. The process remains consistent, selecting materials, shaping components by hand, and refining details until the piece aligns with the studio’s standards. This approach defines the identity of the brand and sets the rhythm of its work.

Gian Paolo Fantoni
www.gpfgioielli.it

based in Pieve di Cento, Italy
handcrafted jewelry designed and made in the brand’s own workshop

focus on customizable pieces with engravings, natural stones, and Japanese glass beads
jewelry handmade since 2016

all information based on brand presentation

Maintaining Clean Floors in Modern Homes: A Comprehensive Guide to Floor Care Strategies

.specials
Maintaining Clean Floors in Modern Homes:
A Comprehensive Guide to Floor Care Strategies

Clean floors serve as the foundation of any healthy, welcoming home, yet countless homeowners find themselves caught in an endless cycle of ineffective cleaning routines. The real challenge isn't just the physical act of cleaning—it's understanding how different methods work in harmony to deliver lasting results. Success hinges on finding the right balance of techniques, equipment, and timing that matches your unique flooring and lifestyle demands.

Different Floors, Different Care: Tailoring Your Cleaning Approach

Whether you're wielding a traditional broom, operating a cordless vacuum, or experimenting with other cleaning tools, grasping the complete picture of floor care empowers you to make smarter decisions about your cleaning approach.

Your flooring material dictates everything about how you should clean it. Hardwood floors demand a delicate touch—gentle, pH-neutral cleaners and minimal moisture are essential to prevent warping and preserve those protective finishes you've invested in. Tile and stone surfaces can withstand more aggressive cleaning, but those grout lines become magnets for dirt and bacteria that require special attention.

Laminate and vinyl flooring might seem bulletproof, but moisture control becomes critical since water can seep through seams and cause irreversible damage. Carpet and area rugs present their own puzzle—wool fibers need gentler care than synthetic materials, while plush, high-pile carpets trap debris in ways that low-pile options simply don't.

Each flooring type has its Achilles' heel, and recognizing these vulnerabilities shapes your entire maintenance strategy. Think of material identification as your roadmap—without it, you're cleaning blind.

Prevention First: Reducing Dirt and Damage Before Cleaning Becomes Necessary

The smartest floor care strategy starts at your front door, not your cleaning closet. Strategic doormat placement inside and outside every entrance can slash tracked-in debris by up to 80%—a simple investment that pays dividends daily. Taking it a step further with a shoes-off policy in high-traffic zones keeps outdoor contaminants from ever reaching your floors.

Furniture pads and protective barriers act as insurance policies for hardwood and laminate surfaces, preventing those heartbreaking scratches and dents that seem to appear overnight. Meanwhile, immediate spill response isn't just good housekeeping—it's damage control that prevents stains from becoming permanent fixtures.

Families with pets or children can benefit enormously from designated eating and play zones equipped with washable rugs. These contained spaces turn inevitable messes into manageable cleanup tasks rather than floor-wide disasters. Don't underestimate the power of regular walk-throughs either. Catching potential problems early—when they're still small and inexpensive to fix—beats dealing with major damage later.

(c) Dyson Press

Cleaning Techniques: From Traditional Methods to Modern Equipment

The most effective floor cleaning isn't about choosing between old-school and high-tech methods—it's about knowing when to use each approach. Manual cleaning techniques like sweeping and mopping remain irreplaceable, especially for delicate surfaces that need a gentle human touch. Master the art of systematic sweeping by working from room edges toward the center, and match your broom type to your surface for optimal results.

Mechanical cleaning equipment brings efficiency and consistency to the table. Upright vacuums excel at extracting deep-seated dirt from carpets, while robotic cleaners handle daily maintenance for time-strapped households. Handheld devices shine where their larger cousins can't reach—stairs, tight corners, and around furniture legs.

The secret lies in strategic deployment rather than blind loyalty to one method. High-traffic areas might need daily mechanical attention, while your grandmother's antique hardwood might prefer gentle weekly hand-cleaning.

Selecting Appropriate Cleaning Solutions: Safety, Effectiveness, and Sustainability

pH levels aren't just chemistry class trivia—they're the difference between clean floors and damaged ones. Alkaline cleaners slice through grease like nobody's business, but they'll wreak havoc on natural stone. Acidic solutions dissolve mineral deposits beautifully, yet they can permanently etch marble surfaces.

Natural cleaning solutions crafted from pantry staples like white vinegar and baking soda offer powerful, safe alternatives for many cleaning challenges. But don't assume "natural" means "foolproof"—even these gentle giants need proper dilution and application to avoid unintended consequences.

Safety becomes non-negotiable in homes with children and pets. Always test new products in hidden spots first, and never skimp on ventilation when using any cleaning chemicals, natural or otherwise.

Creating a Maintenance Routine: Balancing Frequency and Effectiveness

Sustainable floor care thrives on consistent daily habits paired with strategic deep-cleaning sessions. Your daily routine might include sweeping high-traffic zones and tackling spills the moment they happen. Weekly deep cleans address every floor surface, while monthly intensive sessions target those areas that need specialized care.

Seasonal flexibility keeps your routine realistic—muddy spring months and holiday entertaining seasons naturally demand more frequent attention. Pet owners and parents typically need tighter cleaning schedules, while empty nesters might stretch intervals between major cleaning sessions without consequence.

Bringing It Together: Your Path to Consistently Clean Floors

Mastering floor maintenance means recognizing how prevention, proper techniques, suitable products, and smart scheduling work together as a unified system. The most successful homeowners don't rely on any single miracle solution—they blend multiple strategies that fit their specific circumstances.

Start small by implementing one or two preventative measures and watch how they transform your cleaning routine. Clean floors dramatically enhance your home's health and comfort, making every effort you invest in proper care practices worthwhile. Remember, there's no universal "best" approach—evaluate your unique situation and adapt these strategies to create a system that actually works for your lifestyle.

Pauline Rochas - Practice of Contemporary Perfumery

PAULINE ROCHAS
Developing Fragrances with a Personal Approach

Pauline Rochas works with scent as a way to observe how people experience their surroundings and how certain notes influence attention, mood, or rhythm.

The brand carries her name, yet its direction reflects a long development shaped by training, lived experience, and a consistent focus on sensory awareness. She grew up in an environment connected to perfumery through her grandparents Hélène and Marcel Rochas, who shaped a significant chapter in French fragrance history. This background forms an early point of orientation.

Pauline Rochas Campaign / seen by Mato Johannik

Pauline Rochas
EAU DE NUIT / NOCTURNAL

Her own path emerged through photography, which she studied and practiced in New York. The work with still lifes and composition strengthened her sensitivity for detail, tone, and quiet structure. Over time, her interest expanded toward the world of scent, leading her to train in Grasse, where she learned the technical foundations of perfumery.

Her brand brings these strands together in a steady creative process. Each fragrance evolves through careful formulation and repeated fine-tuning with perfumers in France and Italy. Pauline selects materials for their clarity and character, working with natural ingredients whenever possible and shaping each composition through intuition and precise adjustments.

The Seven Collection reflects this approach. Each fragrance addresses a specific emotional or energetic focus and invites a moment of orientation within daily routines. The collection is structured with the intention to create sensory space and a sense of order. Vienna serves as her base of work and life. Her home studio functions as a testing ground for new ideas, with blotter strips, essences, and small batches forming a quiet landscape of ongoing research. People who visit for consultations encounter a slow and attentive process. Pauline encourages them to explore notes one by one, allowing associations and memories to surface naturally. This way of working mirrors her view that scent requires time, presence, and a certain openness to personal response.

Portrait of Pauline Rochas / seen by Mato Johannik

Pauline Rochas
EAU DE NUIT / NOCTURNAL

Pauline Rochas
SEX IN A BOTTLE / CHAKRA N°2 - SACRAL CHAKRA

Physical spaces also play a role in the brand’s development. Pauline first introduced her fragrance Nocturnal in the Vienna Retti Store designed by Hans Hollein. The architectural clarity of the space aligned with her interest in structures that support sensory focus. Such presentations provide a setting where the fragrances can be experienced directly, without distraction, and where conversations about materials and process can unfold at an unhurried pace.

The brand continues to grow through measured steps. Each release is built from clear ideas and patient refinement, forming a coherent body of work that reflects Pauline’s background in photography, her experience in Grasse, and her ongoing interest in the emotional dimension of scent. Heritage remains present as a steady reference, while her own approach defines the identity of the brand. Through this combination, Pauline Rochas develops fragrances that accompany everyday moments and offer small anchors of presence within changing environments.

Pauline Rochas
www.paulinerochas.com

based in Vienna, Austria and creating contemporary fragrances developed in collaboration with perfumers in France and Italy
Pauline Rochas fragrances average price range: 150 € – 240 €

all images by Mato Johannik

onomao - Handcrafted Ceramics

.specials
onomao
*within Portuguese Craft Culture

written SARAH ARENDTS

onomao began in 2018 with a clear intention to bring traditional Portuguese craftsmanship into a contemporary context. The brand collaborates with small manufactories that work with regional clay and long-established production methods.

Every piece is shaped, glazed, and finished by hand, which creates subtle variations in surface and form. These variations are part of the identity of the objects and underline the direct connection to the people who make them. Packaging materials are reused, and shipments remain free of plastic.

onomao
small bowl pura rosa

onomao
aberta hand-painted orange

The founders Arthur and Felix Wystrychowski grew up in Munich and developed an early interest in Portugal. Their regular travels for surfing brought them into contact with local workshops and with the atmosphere of regions where craft is part of everyday life. Arthur studied landscape architecture in Berlin and strengthened his interest in materiality, spatial order, and quiet design solutions. Felix trained as a cook in Portugal, later moved toward graphic design, and gained experience in visual communication. Their combined perspectives shaped the direction of the brand and guided their search for small manufactories that value continuity, responsibility, and fairness.

The collections show a broad range of forms and colors. onomao does not work with a single design language. Instead, the assortment includes tableware with sculptural silhouettes, soft curves, and straight lines, depending on the collection. The best-known line is called Traditional. It features pieces with a clear structure, balanced proportions, and glazes that reflect the character of Portuguese ceramic traditions. Other collections explore different approaches. Some use matte surfaces in warm earthy tones. Others bring in more saturated colors or glossy textures that highlight the material. The diversity in the assortment allows each piece to stand on its own while still fitting into a cohesive visual family.

onomao
large bowl deep plate natural white

onomao
www.onomao.com

based in Cologne, Germany and working with small Portuguese manufactories to produce handcrafted ceramics and homeware

onomao Traditional Collection average price range: 12 € – 45 €

onomao understands tableware as part of the everyday situations in which people pause, cook, and sit together. Meals often form the central moments of a household, and the founders see ceramics as one of the elements that quietly supports these routines. The collections differ in shape, color, and finish, yet they share a steady and unobtrusive presence that works in simple weekday settings as well as in larger gatherings. Forms range from strict lines to softer curves, and the glazes include muted tones, natural textures, and more saturated colors. This variety reflects the different ways kitchens function and how people choose to organize their daily rhythm.

It also reflects the founders’ interest in creating objects that remain practical while offering a sense of calm and order on the table.
Their collaboration with small Portuguese workshops follows the same principles. The manufactories work with regional clay and long-established methods, and the production decisions are shaped by continuity, material awareness, and respect for craft. These relationships have grown over time and form the foundation of onomao’s approach to design. New pieces are introduced carefully, without compromising the pace and structure of the workshops. This approach allows the assortment to evolve in a steady and deliberate way, keeping a clear connection to the people and regions involved in the production.

onomao
small and large plate natural white

onomao
salad bowl sapphire blue classic

onomao
aberta hand-painted blue

Yerevan Fashion Week - Home and Away

Home and Away
*The Yerevan Portraits

written CHIDOZIE OBASI

Nestled amid the nature-meets-brutalist setting of a vibrant city, Yerevan Fashion Week provides a compelling backdrop for emerging and established design, merging threads of innovation and tradition with potential for consumers and insiders alike.

While Spring might feel like a faraway fantasy, that needn’t be reflected in your wardrobe offerings. A surefire way to make a wealth of occasions slightly more appealing? Choosing to eschew traditional cuts and volumes for breezier kinds – or at least, integrating some flashes of colour into the mix. The Wave’s sculptural pieces; Manuk Aleksanyan’s beading; Loro Piana’s timeless classics; Faina’s naturalesque details: from longline dresses to conceal under coats, to the pieces sure to enliven any outfit, LE MILE shows you 8 ways to channel your eclectic style.

dress THE WAVE

total look LORO PIANA

dress MANUK ALEKSANYAN
loafers LORO PIANA

total look BRIONI

dress THE WAVE
boots PREMIATA
eyewear CALVIN KLEIN via Marchon Eyewear

dress FAINA

blazer + skirt FERRAGAMO
shirt TORY BURCH

photography  LIDIA VIRABYAN
fashion direction  CHIDOZIE OBASI
fashion  LISA MANCINI
model  SOFIA
video  KARO TERTERIAN
fashion assistants  INGA and VALENTIN
project coordination  ELEN MANUKYAN and VAHAN KHACHATRYAN
special thanks  @fdc_armenia

New Year in Lugano - Holiday Season Guide 2025

New Year in Lugano
How Lugano Sets the Tone for the 2026

written SARAH ARENDTS

The days leading into the new year often carry a quiet expectation. People look for places that allow them to reset, to shift into the next chapter with intention. In Lugano, the hotels of the DOT Lifestyle Collection create exactly that kind of environment. Each property approaches hospitality from a different angle, yet they share a sense of ease and clarity that feels right for the holiday season. Their locations above and around the lake give guests an immediate connection to light, stillness, and the rhythm of the city in winter.

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Villa Principe Leopoldo has a presence shaped by its history and by its position overlooking Lake Lugano. The building once served as a private residence; today it offers a setting where the final days of the year feel spacious and grounded. Guests arrive to a house that moves at its own pace. The team focuses on creating an atmosphere that supports long dinners, conversations that extend into the evening, and mornings that unfold gradually. New Year’s Eve here is structured around time spent together at the table. The kitchen develops a menu that reflects Italian technique and local ingredients, and the evening becomes a sequence of moments. On New Year’s Day, breakfast on the terrace or in one of the salons sets a calm tone for the year ahead.

Higher up in the hills, the Kurhaus Cademario offers a different rhythm. The property is known for its wellness focus, and it becomes especially relevant in late December when people look for quiet and clarity. The indoor and outdoor spa areas create long stretches of time where guests can detach from the usual pace. The view across the valley and the lake adds to that sense of distance from daily life. Dinner on New Year’s Eve follows a refined but understated approach. The cooking centers on regional products, seasonal flavors, and a style that feels aligned with the house’s emphasis on balance. For guests who want to start the year with intention rather than intensity, the Kurhaus becomes a fitting choice.

Back in Lugano, the Villa Sassa sits closer to the center and carries a more urban energy. The hotel brings together people who want movement, light, and a social environment while still staying within a relaxed setting. Evenings here often stretch into small gatherings at the bar or on the terrace when weather allows. For the holiday season, the atmosphere becomes slightly more festive without losing its sense of ease. New Year’s Eve is lively, shaped by music and a more dynamic dinner service. On the first morning of the year, the long brunch with a view of the lake gives the experience a calm finish.

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lago di Lugano

Taken together, the three hotels form a clear recommendation for anyone planning the holiday season or the transition into the new year. Villa Principe Leopoldo for presence and elegance, Kurhaus Cademario for quiet restoration, and Villa Sassa for a more social and energetic stay. Lugano in winter has a specific charm, and the DOT Lifestyle Collection offers three distinct ways to experience it—with time, space, and attention to detail. Enjoy!

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Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach - A Steady Wellness Stay

.culture vulture
Days of Quiet Rhythm in the Sky Spa
at Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

The arrival in Bad Füssing forms a particular first impression, because the town consists mainly of hotels and wellness facilities, and the atmosphere settles once the entrance of Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach comes into view with its fresh interior and the sense that the stay can unfold entirely inside this building.

The lobby opens with warm colors, soft materials and a balanced light that eases the transition from the road into the steady rhythm of the hotel. Our experience took place in autumn during bright days, and the sunlight shaped the interior in a way that made every surface feel warm and calm, especially because the colors and textures supported long stretches of rest without distraction. The room contained thoughtful furniture, and we settled into it quickly because it felt immediately comfortable.

Hotel Wittelsbach
Interior Design, Superior Room seen by Alex Filz

Hotel Wittelsbach
Interior Design, Superior Room seen by Alex Filz

Hotel Wittelsbach
Lobby seen by Alex Filz

The Sky Spa forms the center of the entire experience, and the placement on the highest level of the building creates a feeling of being slightly lifted above the town. The saunas, the quiet zones and the view toward the Alps form a setting that encourages slow movement and long pauses. One evening stands out with particular clarity, because the moon appeared in a size and brightness that felt rare, and the moment after sunset when we stepped into the relaxation area showed the landscape in a very steady alignment of mountains, sky and soft light. The warmth of the sauna, the cool evening air on the terrace and the quiet inside the room formed a sequence that shaped the entire night. The indoor thermal pool on the ground floor carries the warm regional water in a way that supports quiet floating and slow swimming, while the outdoor pool creates a refreshing shift when the air turns cooler. The massage area offers full body treatments, ayurveda sessions and various options for guests who want a deeper form of rest, and the atmosphere inside the cabins remains consistent with the calm design language found throughout the spa.

The days follow a gentle structure, and the hotel supports this with a clear culinary rhythm. Breakfast includes a wide selection with regional influences, and the dining room maintains a balanced tone through warm colors and soft materials. In the evening, dinner unfolds with a buffet for the starters, and guests create their own beginning to the meal before choosing a main course from the menu, which includes dishes built around fish, meat or vegan options. The combination feels flexible and easy, and the thoughtful preparation gives the meals a steady continuity throughout the stay. Desserts arrive with a calm sense of order, and the wines available at dinner support the courses without drawing attention away from the relaxed atmosphere. During the afternoon, the café O´Lala offers pastries and small dishes from the in-house patisserie, which creates a small moment of indulgence within the daily flow of spa and rest.

Hotel Wittelsbach
Sky Sauna seen by Alex Filz

Hotel Wittelsbach
Steam Sauna seen by Alex Filz

Hotel Wittelsbach
Restaurant seen by Alex Filz

Bad Füssing carries a particular character, because the town stands almost entirely on wellness traditions, and this influences the surroundings through quiet streets, open paths and a slow pace. At first, this setting feels unusual, and the Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach benefits from this through its complete offering inside the building, which creates an environment where every part of the day unfolds within walking distance and without planning. Walks around the area follow flat routes through small parks and calm streets, and bicycles extend the reach toward the fields and wider landscapes. The hotel’s design brings a sense of clarity into this environment, and the atmosphere inside the property remains steady from morning to night.

The overall experience at Wellnesshotel Wittelsbach grows from the alignment of architecture, thermal tradition and a comprehensive wellness program that fills each day with quiet presence. The Sky Sauna shapes this rhythm with its broad views and warm interiors, while the pools, the treatments and the resting zones hold the pace throughout the building. The rooms provide space for slowing down, and the culinary structure supports the day with a clear and gentle sequence. Our stay carried a personal sense of ease, and the brightness of the season, the calm water, the thoughtful meals and the view toward the mountains created a continuous flow of rest that stayed with us long after leaving.

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Hofgut Hafnerleiten - A Calm Retreat Story

.culture vulture
Architecture, Landscape and Rest
at Hofgut Hafnerleiten

written ALBAN E. SMAJLI

The arrival at Hofgut Hafnerleiten creates a steady shift in atmosphere, because the property sits within a wide landscape that gives every structure generous space and a clear relationship to its surroundings.

The road from Bad Birnbach passes open fields and forest edges, and the entrance to the Hofgut introduces a calm rhythm that shapes the entire experience from the very beginning. The first steps through the Brunnenhaus lead into the courtyard, and this small transition helps guests enter the mindset that the location invites.

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Baumhaus seen by Joschija Bauer

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Haus am Feld seen by Joschija Bauer

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Sauna seen by Joschija Bauer

During our visit, we stayed in the Wiesenhaus, which features a planted roof, a large window front, a fireplace and a private sauna. The house stands slightly raised above a meadow, and this setting creates a very steady sense of privacy throughout the day. The interior supports long stretches of rest, because the living area flows naturally into the outdoor view and into the warm zones around the sauna and the fire. The days unfolded in autumn, marked by continuous rain and low temperatures, and the Wiesenhaus offered an environment that allowed long hours of reading, thinking and quiet activities without any pressure to leave the house. The absence of a television strengthened this quality, because the interior stayed free from digital noise and encouraged an unhurried rhythm.

The structure of the day at the Hofgut follows a gentle sequence. In the morning, the team delivers a breakfast basket directly to the house, and the selection inside the basket forms a balanced and refreshing start to the day. During the afternoon, the property remains peaceful, and guests move between their themed houses, the wellness cubes and the surrounding paths. At six in the evening, the team hosts an aperitif in the courtyard, and this moment allows short conversations with other guests and introduces the evening with an easy sense of togetherness.

Dinner happens either in the GenussHOF at one long communal table, where guests share the evening in a relaxed and open setting, or inside the individual houses for those who prefer a fully private atmosphere. The kitchen team cooks with a very clear focus on seasonal ingredients, and every course arrives with thoughtful combinations that highlight the quality of the produce. The meals follow a steady rhythm with a warm starter, a carefully prepared main dish and a dessert that completes the sequence with balance and precision. The flavors feel clean and direct, and the presentation reflects the same calm and confident approach found throughout the property. The team presented each course with steady precision, and the structure of the menu created an experience that carried a quiet sense of care. The atmosphere inside the Wiesenhaus shaped every dinner in a consistently pleasant way, because the food aligned beautifully with the calm interior and the view into the garden. During dinner, we enjoyed the Iphöfer Kronsberg Scheurebe from the Brennfleck winery, which complemented the menu with a fresh and balanced profile.

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Baumhaus seen by Mona Ortner

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Wiesenhaus Sauna seen by Mona Ortner

Hofgut Hafnerleiten
Wiesenhaus seen by Mona Ortner

The surroundings of the Hofgut include forest paths, meadows and a quiet rural setting that encourages long walks without planning. The proximity to nature becomes part of the day in a steady and unobtrusive way. The Hofgut’s four cats appear at various moments with an easy familiarity, and these small encounters create warm moments without seeking attention. The staff maintains a consistently friendly presence, and each interaction carries a clarity that shapes the relaxed rhythm of the place.
The overall experience at Hofgut Hafnerleiten comes from a combination of architecture, landscape and hospitality that work together without excess or distraction. The themed houses, the culinary structure, the spacious grounds and the calm rhythm create a stay that supports rest, presence and personal focus in a very steady way.

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SECRID and the Culture of the Pocket

.specials
SECRID
*Industrial Design for Everyday Carry

written MONICA DE LUNA

Since 1995, SECRID has focused on pocket-sized accessories shaped by industrial design, clarity and careful material work.

Founded by René and Marianne van Geer in the Netherlands, the brand continues to produce locally, with assembly done in collaboration with social enterprises. This setup supports consistent quality and a transparent, regionally rooted production model.

SECRID
Cardprotector Hamerstones

SECRID
Chalk Combination of the Emboss Diamond and Chalk Edition

The Cardprotector introduced a compact aluminium format with a mechanical access system for cards. Its patented Autolock mechanism regulates the controlled release of cards and supports single-handed use. This simple movement aligns with everyday situations shaped by contactless payments, transit systems and workplace access. The Cardprotector became the structural foundation for the entire SECRID collection and continues to define its handling experience.

The Cardprotector+, introduced in 2025, strengthens this foundation. An internal reinforcement plate supports frequent use while maintaining the familiar format and lever operation. It forms the core of the premium+ collection — a fully vegan line that focuses on refined materials, structured surfaces and long-term usability.

Hammerstone adds a distinct material expression to the collection. It uses recycled aluminium finished through an industrial impact technique that produces a matte, textured surface. Available in Charcoal, Azure and Navy, Hammerstone supports a lifestyle shaped by movement, daily commuting and travel, where a stable, durable surface performs well and integrates naturally into routine handling.

SECRID
Cardprotector+ FW25 Fluted Cashmere

Prices from €34,50 for the Cardprotector, €39,95 for the Cardprotector+, €44,95 for Hammerstone, and €64,95 for the Emboss Diamond Chalk Edition

— explore the full collection at www.secrid.com

Emboss Diamond Chalk presents another direction within the premium+ collection. The geometric embossing, created with high-precision steel tools, forms a consistent pattern across the leather. Chalk introduces a controlled, mineral-like tone designed for visual clarity. Each model in this category is centred around the Cardprotector+ mechanism, linking the structured surface to SECRID’s most advanced internal construction.

SECRID’s relevance today lies in how its products support the organisation of everyday essentials. Many people move between physical cards, digital identities and various access systems throughout the day. A compact format that structures these elements reduces friction and creates a steady, predictable flow in daily use — whether at transport hubs, in shops, in offices or while travelling. SECRID’s accessories are designed to fit directly into this rhythm, remaining discreet in size and consistent in handling.
Across all categories, SECRID maintains local production and close material oversight. The brand works with European suppliers under strict environmental standards and assembles its products in supervised, inclusive workshops. The result is a collection shaped by Dutch industrial thinking, material discipline and a focus on pocket formats that support modern life with clarity and intention.

SECRID
Cardprotector+ FW25 Fluted Orange

SECRID
Cardprotector+ FW25 in Fluted Orange, Cashmere, Silver, Teal, and Black

OKM - The Heritage of Sleep

.specials
The Heritage of Sleep with OKM 

*Eight Decades of German Bedding Craftsmanship

written SARAH ARENDTS

For almost eighty years, OKM has stood for precision, craftsmanship, and enduring quality in the production of bedding. Founded in 1946 and based in Altenberge, in Germany’s Münsterland region, the family-run manufacturer continues to operate where it began, guided by values of responsibility, transparency, and mastery of the craft. Every of their products is made in-house, by hand, combining traditional expertise with advanced manufacturing processes.

OKM pillows bring handcrafted comfort and quiet precision to contemporary interiors.

The company’s history reflects continuity and dedication to excellence. Over the decades, OKM has cultivated a clear identity focused on bedding that meets the highest technical and sensory standards. Each duvet and pillow is cut, filled, and finished under one roof through a sequence of precise manual steps. Quality accompanies every stage of production, supported by a controlled process that ensures consistency and reliability.

At the core of OKM’s philosophy lies an uncompromising approach to materials. The company works exclusively with new, Class I goose down and feathers from certified, traceable sources that comply with the DOWNPASS standard for ethical sourcing and full transparency. The fabrics that encase the fillings are tightly woven cotton of the highest grade, certified according to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and suitable for sensitive skin. The dense weave of the cotton covers meets NOMITE® criteria, creating an environment ideal for people prone to allergies and ensuring lasting purity in daily use.

This focus on material integrity defines OKM’s idea of quality. Each product is created with precision, technical skill, and attention to long-term performance. The brand’s visual language follows the same clarity: calm, refined, and functional. Every piece is conceived for comfort, tactile harmony, and durability.

OKM’s collection consists of two lines, Signature and Bespoke. The Signature line represents the essence of the brand — superior materials, handmade precision, and immediate availability within a few days. The Bespoke line extends the experience through full customization. Customers can configure every element of their bedding, from size and firmness to piping color and embroidered initials. This personal detail echoes the atmosphere of luxury hotel bedding and introduces a sense of individual refinement to the home.

The process of personalization turns bedding into an individual composition of comfort and identity. Each configuration allows the user to select their preferred balance of softness and support, adapting the product precisely to their sleeping habits. The Bespoke service brings together the principles of craftsmanship and hospitality, translating artisanal expertise into a contemporary form of service.
Behind every piece lies a clear vision, to combine traditional handcraft with sustainability and transparency. OKM works with natural, renewable materials and maintains European production standards that favor longevity and ethical responsibility. The company operates with measured scale, ensuring full control of production and maintaining a level of quality that reflects its heritage.

Down filling being measured by hand. Each pillow is precisely filled with ethically sourced down to achieve the desired softness.

Essential materials for OKM’s handcrafted pillows — fine cotton fabric, pure down, feather filling, and sewing tools prepared for precise hand assembly in the Altenberge manufactory.

OKM
www.o-k-m.com

based in Altenberge, Germany

producing handcrafted down and feather bedding — made from certified natural materials in their own manufactory

Custom-made 3-chamber pillows by OKM. Each piece combines a supportive feather core with soft down layers and can be personalized with size, firmness, and embroidered details.

Today, OKM continues to uphold its reputation for precision and trustworthiness. All product leaving the factory in Altenberge carries a distinct signature of German handcraft, attention to detail, and a dedication to lasting comfort. The brand stands for refined bedding that performs to the highest standard and preserves a tradition of excellence passed through generations. Enjoy restful nights with OKM.