mother's day muse: valeria vasi
Spain
On this Mother's Day, we celebrate all the amazing moms who have found a way to balance their careers with their roles as mothers. We honor their dedication, creativity, and hard work, both in the workplace and at home, and we thank them for all they do to make the world a more beautiful place. Here's to all the moms who are using their talents to create stunning works of art, while also raising the next generation of honest souls! Please find our lovely interview with Valeria Vasi. Her pieces express the inspiration taken from design and art but they also convey the importance of finding the perfect balance of artistic expression, utility and functionality.
Presenting the Achioté Project in Costa Rica - Interview with architect Dagmar Štěpánová
Costa Rica
Sustainability, exclusivity and uniqueness – just three words that can be applied to Formafatal’s new project in the Costa Rican jungle. For those who dream of a tropical getaway but prefer to avoid the luxury resorts, the Achioté villas are the perfect choice: lush surroundings, magfinicent ocean views, and carefully thought out design and concept. Behind the pair of the villas we found Formafatal Studio, a Costa Rica and Czech Republic-based architectural studio, founded by Dagmar Štěpánová. In the past few years her designs gained a great recognition in the international design media, and there is nothing surprising in that.
Interview with Ebonie Bohlin from Maison de Base
Clay walls, rustic pottery, linen and wool materials. Looking at @maisondebase Instagram page, we could almost smell the unmistakable odor of an old cottage house in the Mediterranean countryside. The senses get even more activated when we check their Youtube channel, where the singing of the birds and the sound of the balmy wind can also be heard. Behind the project, we find a lovely couple, Ebonie and Martin, who left their fashion industry background and busy city life behind, in order to live in a more simple way. They started by restoring an abandoned farm and building a house using only natural materials in Portugal for 2,5 years. After that they found their new project and home in Italy’s Puglia region: an old house that is still under their renovation.
YAPA milan
Yapa is a culinary adventure that transports you to another world. A nomadic journey of experiences, memories, and flavours, distilled on your plate. An intimate, understated antidote to the traditional Milan scene. What brings each dish together are the exceptional ingredients from small farms and specialist producers who share a commitment to sustainability and seasonality.
Aman tokyo
Japan
Aman Tokyo is located in the prestigious financial district of Otemachi, just steps away from Tokyo Station and the world-famous Ginza shopping district. The hotel occupies the top six floors of The Otemachi Tower, offering spectacular panoramas of the Imperial Palace Gardens and surrounding Tokyo landmarks.
Warszauer Hotel, Kraków
Poland
Part immersive hospitality with customized services, part social hub with common dining and open-air terrace, part intimate residency thanks to limited number of rooms. Warszauer is an expansion of this simple idea of slowing down. They close the door to a bustling city and open a modern sanctuary.
Casa Balandra: Experiential Guest House
Spain
Casa Balandra is a creative residency & guest house on the island of Mallorca. A space to share, create and celebrate conviviality. The place where you can hide and rejuvenate find your inner balance and dig into your childhood memories. Our team really wish to enjoy the summer breeze here, but until then we had a chance to make a lovely interview with Isabella.
Holiday Treats
United States
Over the past two years, the pandemic caused by COVID19 has had a major impact on almost every aspect of our lives, but the Local’s Lore Team demonstrated their skills and commitment during this period, as we have continued to work hard without interruption and have even strengthened our Team by the time to close the year 2021. Society has demonstrated its expectations of companies in terms of their role and usefulness. The Local’s Lore Team was one of the first virtual map developer and small business supporter companies to define it's mission.
Casa Cook Samos
Greece
Samos is an island rich in both history and beauty. Beyond its bustling beaches and lively town, there are countless hidden gems, including quaint churches, fresh waterfalls and lush forests in the shaded inland mountains just begging to be explored. Inspired by traditional greek houses, or kamares, found in samian villages, the architecture is down-to-earth and inclusive. The historic concept of a Grecian village has been embodied in the modern space, where the hotel’s infinite swimming pools act as the town centre of each small ‘neighborhood’ within the hotel — offering space to immerse with those around you when the mood strikes, or retreat back to your room to recharge in complete solitude.
Nōema
Greece
Nōema is an expression of the Cycladic way of living. A culture of natural warmth and simple pleasures, of deep-rooted traditions as elemental as the wind and sun, the rocks and sea. A place where life moves with the rhythm of nature and being together is what really matters. A space for spontaneous gatherings and ritual festivities, Nōema embodies the open-hearted soul of Mykonos, where every occasion is an opportunity for a feast. In the Cycladic home, life centres around the courtyard, or avli. A secret garden protected from the elements, where family and friends come together to eat and drink, share stories and songs.
Discover Basel during Art Basel 2021
Switzerland
Basel is commonly considered to be the cultural capital of Switzerland; it is home to 37 museums, an impressive number for a city of its size. Just a couple of days in prior to Art Basel the anticipation is rising: artworks are arriving in droves, gallerists are packing their suitcases, and the booth walls are up in Herzog & de Meuron's impressive building. Art Basel’s 2021 Swiss edition promises to be a memorable reunion for the art industry. Basel has it all not only for the art-savvy; it's urban and green at the same time, vibrant and family-friendly, innovative and traditional. Strolling through the picturesque old town, admiring world-renowned works of art, shopping in the pedestrian area, the city has its own blend of high-quality life. Besides visiting Art Basel, don't forget to look up from time to time, the city if filled with star architects' buildings. Welcome to Basel, let our ambassador, Sydney show you around!
Experience Tokyo with Mai Shiratori
Japan
All eyes on Tokyo. Around 5000 to 6000 athletes from more than 200 nations were to join the parade in Tokyo today as the official kick off of the Olympic Games. Tokyo is everything you can ask of a city to be; it’s a place where you can experience past and future coexisting next to each other. You will find centuries-old forms of performing arts still play on stages, yet just a few corners away public artworks picturing anime robots. Its traditional culture and passion for new is nothing but unique in its own right. On the occasion of the upcoming games we’ve asked Mai Shiratori writer and trend researcher to take us around in Tokyo after the pandemic. The guide includes tranquil cafés and tea houses, hidden restaurants and stores filled with artisanal craft goods. Discover Tokyo with Mai!
The Local's Lore Berlin Guide (to eat out)
Germany
Ever since ITB and Berlin Travel Festival got cancelled in March 2019 due to the pandemic, we wished to get those flight tickets again stating; Destination: Berlin Brandenburg Airport - which by the way just opened recently. Berlin is the city that always have something new to offer, a city where communities are strong and you'll most likely make friends just by sitting next to someone at a long communal table of a newly found hip brunch spot. It's the city where everybody's got a friend to visit, a city that is forever young due to its openness to different cultures, diversity and people from all over the globe, hence a hotspot for small (international) businesses. The restaurant and coffee scene is again, or rather is still blooming and the cultural opportunities are close to endless. It's a city to eat out, to cycle, to lay in a park with a good book, to discover exhibitions in hidden streets while just passing by. We've discovered and rediscovered what Berlin has to offer yet again and visited some old and new favourites to eat out such as SOFI, the newest project of Danish chef and restaurant owner. Also guilty as charged but dined in Mugrabi twice thanks to its fantastic Israeli delicacies. Since our return to the Local's Lore HQ, we've found another at least five places for next time, but your recommendations are always welcome - we love making bucket lists and above all; MAPS.
The revival of the countryside: Szegzárd – the lodge
Hungary
When was the last time you had a good read in a hammock surrounded by vineyards and orchards? Do you remember the crisp sheets in your favourite hotels and apartments to jump out of with the first rays of sunshine to take a dip in the pool before breakfast? We invite you to a journey to the Hungarian countryside’s freshest design lodges, Szegzárd – the lodge; a true nest to modern-day seekers.
Introducing: Local's Lore Studio
We call it an on-demand shift; one that was both a necessity and a dream coming true (which we’ve been holding back due to priorities for quite some time). Last year certainly has seemed to pack in more than just 12 months, it has been incredibly challenging for all of us, but happy to say out LOUD:
Own way of Inspiration: Interview with Simon Schmidt
United Kingdom
In the midst of the overwhelming world of social media, there are still quite a few true treasures to find and Simon Schmidt is definitely one of them. Every project he approaches or caption he puts out there makes Instagram a better place. We couldn't wait to have a conversation about his creative processes, living in London and the importance of global union, especially in these challenging times. Simon is a German-born media curator and director based in London with a skill-set ranging from photography, styling to graphic design. Simon is hugely passionate about using social media as a voice to elevate conversation and evoke a narrative that represents the psyche of the young generation. Read on, every word is golden.
Dreaming of Australian Summer with St. Agni
Australia
As summer is approaching, we've interviewed the St. Agni team behind our favourite handmade loafers and linen clothing. Founded in the coastal town of Byron Bay, Australia in 2014 by Lara & Matt Fells, St. Agni is a luxury lifestyle brand built from humble beginnings. The Label was created with a vision to create functional, refined, quality pieces that Lara couldn’t seem to find elsewhere. Before the item is considered comes the concept and the feel of the collection. "In another life Lara would have been an Architect – Architecture and Art inspire St. Agni designs and surface time and time again in the initial concept. The company lives by their “Less is more” philosophy and practise this across all aspects of their business in an effort to avoid excess of any kind." The Company cherish the handmade process, the art and creation that goes into each pair and the personal element involved. Let's celebrate this thoughtful approach fashion!
Enter The Loft
Netherlands
After quarantining for months, no matter how big or small, yet our living spaces - our homes, have become inevitably a forefront topic. While searching for inspiration we've stumbled upon The Loft - Amsterdam's beloved interior design agency. The Loft prides with one single passion; seeing spaces work their magic on people. They bring spaces to life by decorating them with all their favourite finds in the field of furniture, arts, accessories and curiosa. Their passionate team searches the globe for the most talented artists and craftsmen and bring you their finest creations. They create atmospheres where people feel comfortable and at home, by combining natural materials with soft colours and characteristic furnishing with inspiring accessories. We've talked about Amsterdam, future dreams and their latest residential project which is impossible not to fall in love with; The Dune House. Read on for Sara's and Floris' recommendations in Amsterdam and beyond that are close to their hearts.
Mexico City's NR. 1. Destination for Design Lovers: Studio IMA
Mexico
What does being driven mean to you? How would you describe someone passionate? We’d use two words; Bettina Kiehnle. Bettina is the superwoman behind the Mexico City based hybrid design & art space called Studio IMA. She dedicated herself to visiting millions of shops, showrooms, vintage markets, galleries, art and design fairs and museums; also buying magazines and books on design, architecture and art to study more on these topics in prior to launching IMA. “Where I went or traveled I looked for the best designer stores and visited and analyzed them, and that's how the IMA inspiration started.” After graduation she moved back to Mexico and rented an apartment to live, and in a few months this apartment also became IMA in August 2018. This is what IMA stands for “In My Apartment," because IMA is really in her apartment.
Antwerp Diaries with Ellen Wauters
Belgium
For the Local's Lore community there is nothing new about our love towards the city of Antwerp, nor for design, secret hotspots and passionate like-minded superwomen, like Ellen Wauters. Let us introduce our latest local love-concept; Jackie Bohème and the visionary woman behind it. Jackie Bohème was founded by Ellen Wauters and tells her unique real estate story. She combines her intuitive and mindful power into real estate concepts that feel good and awake positive energy. You can engage in Jackie’s aesthetic adventure by booking a getaway in L’appartement Jackie, or by welcoming your guests for an event or stylish gathering in Maison Jackie. Both locations were curated by Jackie and her circle of designers who got to work their magic on the spaces. Want to add a little bit of Jackie to your everyday rituals? Then take a look at our Atelier Jackie webshop, a refined selection of items that embody the Jackie Bohème lifestyle. For your home, your wardrobe or on the go. Even if the "on the go" has to wait.