Between our engagements, here is our short list…

Asian Civilization Museum: Great place to get out of the heat and draw.
Chinatown: Great place to stay in the heat and sweat, but it’s so damn fun.
Orchid Garden: Definitely a morning thing, but so gorgeous you want to pitch a tent and live there.
Arab Street: You want Indian textiles? Check and done.
Little India: You want anything else indian? Done.
Willow Spa: I love this place, cool underground and attached to the Stamford, stumbling distance.
Night Safari: This could never be possible in the states. You are so close to the critters.
Dr. Fish: Find them anywhere and for a few sing you can have an army of tiny fish eat the dead skin off your feet. Sounds gross, but…it is.
Singapore prides itself on it’s food, you can go into any hawker market and get the same quality of delicious food you would get in a fussy restaurant. It’s only deciding what kind of atmosphere you want. But if your stomach ever rebels against the…pepper that is in everything.
Le Crepe: A tiny French restaurant across from Raffles will calm your tummy and make you feel like you’re in Paris again.

Now if you have an imagination, it’s not to difficult to close your eyes and envision this tiny, entitled woman dressed up as Marie Antoinette (with wig properly askew), stomping through her house screeching, “B.B. wants pom poms!”.

What luxuries money will bring.

The second week we took a driver and traveled to Marrakech, along the sweltering merchant trail. We drove down the coast, past Rabat, Mohammedia, and Dar-el-Beida, until we arrived in Marrakech. Bustling, hot, and insanely populated, especially when you combine the first two elements. Where you definitely use the word “SAH-fee” (stop, enough) when walking through the Djemaa el-Fna. But there are sanctuaries in this chaos, respites to relax such as Jardin Majorelle (the famed garden of Yves Saint Laurent), La Maison Arabe, a phenomenal re-designed riad converted to a boutique hotel, or the v. expensive Amanjena Hotel where you can have a wonderful lunch, empty your bank account, then put a pillow on your head. (see attached photo)

This petite project in April was just too happy not to show off. My PB clients have a fabulous view of the water…but had a less than fabulous loggia from which to enjoy it.

Designed in a Palm Beach vernacular, I developed a room within a constrained space to be happy, multi-functional and casually chic. First, the house was painted to an off-white to shimmer in the Florida sun and then the cement casings were fabricated for around the doors. The cypress ceiling was painted to cool & soothing blue and large vessels were purchased for around the pool. Not to forget…a few strategic trips to the nursery for additional landscaping.

We repurposed some original furnishings, like this modular outdoor sectional that I deconstructed and reupholstered (ultimately keeping a leash on the budget). The topiary stands were originally table bases. all of which can be seen on the final photo of this blog post in the “thank God it’s liberated”, before shot.

Adding the custom aluminum and marble console I designed, with an entirely open front, allowing for some chairs to tuck under for a private breakfast without taking the room of even a cafe table. Needless to say, it’s also great place to pour vino during a party.

The Sunbrella outdoor drapery was fabricated in yellow & white to echo the stylish landmarks of Palm Beach. On a more practical note, belt loops were designed to fasten to marine hardware fastened to the columns for billowing control, something we all may need from time to time.

A Balinese teak table was painted with brilliant white marine paint for effect and durability with a bit of style.

The day I finished, my clients threw a shin dig to launch their new space with wine, friends and laughter, which all were celebrated with abundance! Every single person was in love with this indoor-outdoor shag carpet in brilliant white. Totally comfortable and completely polypropylene and poly-fabulous.

This just becomes a distant memory of what shouldn’t have been. Sorry Mr. Builder and Bye Bye mustard house.