TRUTH Coffee Shop In Cape Town

Cape Town's much renowned and favourite coffee chain, Truth, has a headquarters that’s really worth shouting about. Imagine a ''steampunk'' inspired coffee shop in Cape Town, South Africa. Yes, you heard that right. It's a reality and a pretty fabulous one at that thanks to an incredible design by Haldane Martin. Truth and its aesthetic have created as big a buzz as the coffee it serves, brought to life by connoisseur David Donde. Here it seems great coffee in great surroundings is the order of the day and we’re certainly not complaining.

    

As the name suggests, Truth is a coffee company with strong and transparent beliefs. The company thrives to challenge convention and mediocrity endeavouring to provide the very best coffee which can be enjoyed in inspired surroundings. Metal piping and old machinery give the impression that something special's being created here, and that is the truth (pun intended) because the coffee that is created and served stems from a passion for the exquisite beverage itself and getting the maximum enjoyment from drinking it. The design focuses around a cast iron vintage roaster drum; the cast iron gives off radiant and convective heat making for a stronger flavoured coffee than other coffees brewed in the more common steel drums introduced in the seventies, and it is this attention to detail that is key to this coffee joint. The stripped wooden floors and the metal girders, mesh and lighting, casually hanging to enhance the space, create an exciting and industrial feeling that's almost like stumbling into a  secret members club from a bygone era hidden in a warehouse.

 
 

There is so much to behold in this space that it is overwhelming in the very best way possible. Like a great coffee it touches all of the senses; the eye skims the large space to take in vintage posters, metal piping and an old sewing machine and type writer displayed on the highly ornate main bar painted in metallic to bring out the detail and capturing light in what is otherwise a consciously dusky and sumptuous atmosphere. Here everything serves to complement everything else where the stripped wood, the worn metallic, the green paint and leather chairs are guaranteed to get even better with time. Opulent studded leather armchairs and booths create an intimate and grand atmosphere not usually associated with a standard coffee joint. But this isn't a standard coffee joint - as it’s like stumbling into something special, a place that has been created out of love and a passion for the product and experience.

A destination that offers first-class coffee, Truth’s headquarters are sure to win over any taste-buds in a space that guarantees to stimulate all the other senses too. Now what's not to love about that?!

    

The London EDITION

Fifteen years since Ian Schrager’s Sanderson opening in London, the "Hotel King" is back once again with the spectacular London EDITION. The latest addition to the EDITION Hotels, a partnership with MarriottInternational, Schrager has returned to the UK with a majestic & historic bang. The London EDITIONhas taken over one of the grandest landmark buildings in the heart of London. We are talking about none other then the old Berners Street Hotel just off Oxford Street. Originally built in 1835, the property consisted of 5 luxurious townhouses with a great Georgian character that was once the home of King Edward VII and Russian jeweler Carl Fabergé. So when we say that the Ian Schrager Company has come to the UK with a bang - we mean exactly that.

Designed by the Ian Schrager Company Design Studio and New York-based firm Yabu Pushelberg, this hotel is a mixture of classic luxury and modern lifestyle. With eclectic pieces such as Salvador Dalí-inspired floor lamps, Christian Liaigre metal furniture and chandeliers inspired by NYC’s Grand Central station, these interiors have great sentimentality, while simultaneously paying tribute to the building’s historic importance where the prime jewel of the hotel’s interiors is none other then the lobby.

Staying true to its luxurious character, marble is present everywhere except for the detailed carved ceiling from which the Ingo Maurer spaceship-like polished silver sphere light hangs. Grand and inviting, Ian Schragerwanted to bring the social scene of the old world back to life, where everything happens and everyone is seen within these walls. Work & play is combined in this area with a Donald Judd-inspired walnut table containing desktop computers, a bar for cocktails and an antique billiards table. Everything here is just waiting to be adored (the designer has conceived this space theatrically with the guests take on leading roles).

To the right of the lobby is Berner’s Tavern, the restaurant which houses London’s own Executive Chef Jason Atherton. With banquettes in chestnut and surrounding artwork, our focus is drawn to the exquisite bronze chandeliers like a moth to a fire. Masterpieces at work.

Of course one of our favourite private spaces is the Punch Room. Located in the rear of the hotel, acting almost like a hide out, this space is reminiscent of a typical English gentleman’s club. With fumed oak paneling from floor to ceiling, a fireplace and the smell of leather, the only essence missing is the smell of smoky cigars and baccarat brandy in combination with man talk.



The same floor to ceiling wood finish is also incorporated in the bedrooms. Here the paneling is either dark walnut or light oak according to the guest’s requirements. With the warm essence of wood comes the beautifully unique, eclectic lounge furniture in combination with traditional images on the walls - ‘remasters’ by photographer Hendrik Kerstens. A recipe of old and new is in perfect balance here waiting to be both appreciated and admired. These private quarters exude comfort, aristocracy and privacy and are  truly a tribute to the character of the hotel.

Yes, Ian Schrager Company is back in London. Its  arrival is sure to keep the social circles busy talking about it with Martini in one hand, diamonds around the neck and Jimmy Choo’s walking in true LONDON EDITION.

Ireland Hotels

feel the rainbow!

Artist Gabriel Dawe is showing his incredible new installation that just opened to the public last October 6 in Como, Italy. As part of Miniartextil, an annual exhibition of contemporary art, Dawe created Plexus no. 19, a stunning thread installation that’s beautifully spread across two balconies in the atrium of a historic villa. The early 19th century neoclassic house, called Villa Olmo, was acquired in 1924 by the municipality of Como and is now open to the public only during cultural events and art exhibitions like this.
This year’s Miniartextil exhibition is called Agora, taking from the Greek word that describes an important public place where people come to share ideas. The visitor is invited to not just look at the artwork but to be actively involved in it.Plexus no. 19 consists of two thread structures streamed across Artist Gabriel Dawe is showing his incredible new installation that just opened to the public last October 6 in Como, Italy. As part of Miniartextil, an annual exhibition of contemporary art, Dawe created Plexus no. 19, a stunning thread installation that’s beautifully spread across two balconies in the atrium of a historic villa. The early 19th century neoclassic house, called Villa Olmo, was acquired in 1924 by the municipality of Como and is now open to the public only during cultural events and art exhibitions like this.
This year’s Miniartextil exhibition is called Agora, taking from the Greek word that describes an important public place where people come to share ideas. The visitor is invited to not just look at the artwork but to be actively involved in it.Plexus no. 19 consists of two thread structures streamed across an upper and lower balcony that is meant to be experienced from different angles or at different times of the day. As Dawe tells us, “When the sun comes in in the morning, it is fantastic. Having those window-shaped light beams add a dimension to the installation. I always like when I get direct sunshine on them because it emphasizes the layering of the thread in very interesting ways.”
With two assistants, Dawe constructed this installation in about a week. His greatest challenge was working to the confines of the space. “Because of the historic nature of the building, I wasn’t able to touch ceiling, walls or floors to screw in my structures,” he says. “So I resorted to fixing them to the railings, which in great measure restricted what I was able to do. In the end, it worked out pretty well; it really exceeded my expectations how well the installation inhabits the space.”