We Heart; Lifestyle & Design Magazine » Barcelona

Vertical Garden Installation, Replay Barcelona

James Davidson — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:05:45 +0000

Walking up and down Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia last week, there was one shop window that habitually caught our eye; we’re used to all manner of innovative, arty window installations, but there’s something strangely captivating about the 100m2 vertical garden staring right back at you from Replay‘s Barcelona flagship store. Having been working on such projects since 2004, Swedish landscape architect Michael Hellgren has garnered somewhat of an international reputation for his mesmerising vertical garden installations, and if this lavish, tropical wonder is anything to go by then his accolades are justly deserved. There’s all manner of begonias, ferns and aroids involved in Hellgren’s installation for the Italian denim brand – the latest in a line of European flagship stores for the label, led by architects Studio 10 – but let’s not pretend we know the slightest bit about all that; it’s the drama and the presence that enchanted us and here’s hoping it does you too…

Komomoto, Barcelona

James Davidson — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:17:51 +0000

As far as ‘fusion’ cuisine goes, “Peruvian/Japanese” may well sound the most ill-conceived, however, with Peru having been the first Latin American country to accept Japanese immigration back in 1899; Nikkei cuisine is one that’s more established than you may think. Which brings us to Komomoto, a decidedly hip, casual restaurant; nestled in Barcelona’s trendy El Born district. Sleek, architectural interiors are given a stylish informal edge by a wall of hipster photographs and illustrations, industrial-cool dangling lightbulbs and Ingo Maurer‘s post-it note chandeliers. The food too follows this line of slick modernity fused with offbeat cool with delicious ceviches, divine sushi – the wild salmon with chipotle sauce maki rolls come highly recommended – and lick-lipping noodles all impressing. Stylish, innovative and ideally located for some serious bar-hopping once you’ve mopped up your plates; Komomoto is a new favourite…

Hotel Acta Mimic, Barcelona

James Davidson — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:32:42 +0000

Similarly anti-chic to East Berlin’s gritty and creative Michelberger Hotel, Barcelona’s Hotel Acta Mimic shares an unpolished vibrancy with its local surroundings, the infamously seedy, yet decidedly creative, El Raval district. Once home to the likes of Picasso and home today to the MACBA contemporary art gallery, along with an increasing number of arty types seeking out the city’s cheaper spaces, the barrio’s creative, edgy vibe is perfectly captured by the Acta Mimic’s expressive design, delivered with the unique flair of local architects EQUIP Xavier Claramunt. The playful graphic façades give way to a splendidly retrotastic lobby with exposed concrete, bold colours and 70s-style furnishings that in turn gives way to the more minimal, and decidedly functional rooms. Yet by pushing the shower towards the window and framing it with glass, the architects have achieved a light, airy feeling that is so seldom found in tightly packed, budget hotel rooms. El Raval’s Hotel Acta Mimic will now doubt have words such as hip, funky, trendy and cool thrown at it in abundance, yes it’s all of those things, but for us it’s another great example of a hotel that offers something offbeat and inventive for travellers who really want to get under the skin of the places they visit…

Blub Lounge, Barcelona

James Davidson — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:38:08 +0000

Barcelona’s latest restaurant, bar and club Blub Lounge designed by Elia Felices Interiorismo is, excuse the pun, oceans above anything we’ve seen before. The high-concept interior is completely inspired by a fantasy underwater world, complete with coloured LED lamps and lights which have been positioned to resemble glimmering sunshine. Lush vegetation hangs from the walls and ceiling breaking up the light and mimicking shadows as if you were under-the-sea. The entire space feels open and well planned with different ceiling heights defining the dining and VIP areas, while seating at the central restaurant can be removed to reveal a dance floor and stage for live music. Entering the club is an experience in itself, you are meet by vertical mirrors that expand the space and organic algae looking shapes dripping from the ceiling with a collage mermaid made from stained glass, coloured plates and bottle openers…

Fastvínic, Barcelona

James Davidson — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:51:26 +0000

A new concept from the team behind the massively successful wine bar, Monvínic, Fastvínic pays – a particularly gastronomic – homage to the most humblest of snacks, the sandwich. Now, posh sandwich joints are nothing new, but throwing together the finest local and ecological Catalan produce, wines chosen to match the food by Monvínic’s team of sommeliers, the playful, contemporary interiors by Alfons Tost Interiorisme and a headstrong commitment to helping the future of our planet, Fastvínic is a very welcoming proposition. Besides the Riedel glasses and Delica wooden trays, every element of the informally stylish interior is recycled – part of the sustainability commitment that has been backed by a LEED certification, awarded by the US Green Building Council – and the ‘green’ theme continues with natural materials, earthy colour scheme and decidedly more greenery than your average self-service restaurant. High quality and carefully considered product, edgy, unequivocally stylish design and a courageous promise to do right by Mother Nature, Fastvínic is a rather special little venture…

El Molino Café-Theatre, Barcelona

James Davidson — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:23:30 +0000

Casting aside any tendencies to nod towards the past of this historic cultural institution – El Molino was originally opened in 1898 – with retro or kitsch touches, Barcelona’s Fernando Salas has thoroughly embraced futurist design with his breathtaking interior restyling. Bright red Swarovski embossed seats surround the ultra-minimal, stark, black and red stage of the iconic café-theatre that has been closed for almost 15 years. Re-opened and revived by this bold, brave refit and state-of-the-art technical and lighting surprises, El Molino can, once again, become a cornerstone of Barcelona’s vibrant city culture and, even if it was just to admire Salas’ unique vision, or perhaps to drink in the über-stylish ‘Golden Bar’ – this long-standing institution is a must for locals and visitors alike…

Le Cool Barcelona, 2nd Edition

James Davidson — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:37:05 +0000

You may already have come across Le Cool’s critically acclaimed “Weird and Wonderful Guide to Barcelona” – in which case you’ll be rather excited at the prospect of this second edition – however, if you haven’t, then get ready to rethink everything you already thought you knew about travel guides. Founded in Barcelona in 2003 and now publishing 5 printed city guides alongside the 10 cities featured in their weekly newsletters, Le Cool’s approach to the traditional guidebook is, well, anything but traditional. From the best kebabs in the city to how to eat at a Michelin starred restaurant for only €23 and from the most exclusive underground clubs to tapas, sex shows and skinny dipping, Le Cool offer an insight into truly experiencing the real city in a thoroughly engaging riot of colour, typefaces, lo-fi photography and wildly unique design. Cementing Le Cool’s reputation as the leading publisher for alternative travel literature, this second edition of their Barcelona guide is an absolute must for anyone from first-timers to Barcelonans, oh, and we’ve got copies to give away…

Munich Sports, La Roca, Barcelona

James Davidson — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:01:43 +0000

Like some kind of Willy Wonka shoe factory, this new outlet of Barcelona based shoemakers, Munich Sports – located at the La Roca shopping village – is a playful fantasy, where “freshly baked” sneakers appear to work themselves across a tangling network of conveyor belts. Conceived by Barcelona architects, BailoRull ADD+, Munich’s new store recreates an industrial setting, whilst taking us back to our childhood with the chaotic conveyor belt system providing the theatre of an exciting, fantasy factory. Exuberant, unique and expertly executed, the La Roca branch of Munich Sports is a perfect example of just how much fun you can have with a retail experience…

55DSL x Adidas Originals by Vasava

James Davidson — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:05:14 +0000

Celebrating their 15th year, Diesel’s streetwear offshoot, 55DSL, have collaborated once again with Adidas Originals, following their XV/55 trainers back in May, with this kicking range of 5 t-shirts, featuring visuals created by Barcelona creatives, Vasava. Originally designed as elements for the wonderful 3D video [below] that promoted the XV/55′s, the t-shirt’s brilliantly bold imagery is typically ‘skate’, fresh and available now from 55DSL and Adidas Originals stores nationwide.

Su Casa Es Mi Casa, Barcelona

James Davidson — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:50:12 +0000

To mark the end of five years in her home, ‘Monty’ is inviting an assortment of close friends and artists to form a creative collective who will take over her Barcelona apartment and create installations in each room, re-imagining her private living space as a public gallery. Open until the 23rd of this month from 5pm to 11pm, Su Casa Es Mi Casa is an art and design project similar to that of The Front Room which we featured back in December, the collective will install a number of ‘micro-shows’ that they claim will interact to form a ‘grand exhibition’, resulting in Monty’s once private space becoming a public art gallery.

ME Hotel, Barcelona

James Davidson — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:23:33 +0000

Barcelona is the latest location for ME Hotels & Resorts to roll out another of their slick, stylish hotels that fuse design, music, cuisine and art to create truly unique accommodation experiences. ME Barcelona is no exception to the rule and from the moment you witness the bold architecture of the 37 floor skyscraper it inhabits, you know you are staying somewhere very special indeed. Located in cutting-edge Poble Nou and designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, ME Barcelona epitomises designer elegance throughout it’s expansive interior. From the sixth floor pool area to the spa, restaurants to it’s bars and nightclub, this is a hotel that was simply built with the a-list in mind, splash out on one of the ‘Level’ rooms and you’ll feel every bit the chic rockstar with your own private area serving complimentary food with a stocked iPod, films, Nespresso machine and Wii to keep you entertained, if of course the city-wide views from the 20th – 28th floor don’t already.