http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com Welcome to our new weblog. On this site you will find an archive of articles and information, as well as news and feedback on a broad spectrum of topics. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:59:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/the-cadogan-lily-langtrys-home-in-london/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-cadogan-lily-langtrys-home-in-london http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/the-cadogan-lily-langtrys-home-in-london/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:17:25 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=924 The Cadogan, on Sloan Street, is a gorgeous hotel with a rich history that boasts a royal connection - and quite a spicy one at that. It was here that the (in)famous Lilly Langtry entertained and her favourite guest was non other than the mischievous royal Bertie himself. As the cab works its way through traffic amid the embassies and designer shops of Chelsea you’ll spot the discreetly exclusive Cadogan standing out somewhat from a row of charming Edwardian townhouses. No grand driveways here; this understated abode is to London hotels what the Bristol is to motorcars. Once inside, you feel like you’ve stepped into a grand old home or in fact a gentleman’s club. It’s all period woodwork and finely worked mosaic tiles, so as you shut the trellis door of the lovely antique lift and make your way to your suite a sense of history and tradition comes flooding in. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/the-cadogan-lily-langtrys-home-in-london/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/contemporary-world-interiors/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=contemporary-world-interiors http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/contemporary-world-interiors/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:28:33 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=910 In her book, Contemporary World Interiors, Susan Yelavich surveys some of the world’s most sumptuously stylish homes, resorts, commercial premises and public areas, charting the evolution of 25 years of interior design. In doing so she takes the reader on a tour of world cities―or more correctly, their interior spaces―focusing on a selection of colourful and striking designs. Rather than gloss over a few iconic references, Yelavich’s work is an in-depth study of more than 450 projects by over 400 designers and architects, from Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders and John Pawson to Zaha Hadid, UdA, Atelier Bow-Wow and LOT-EK. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/contemporary-world-interiors/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/fiat-500-%e2%80%93-dolce-vita-personified/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fiat-500-%25e2%2580%2593-dolce-vita-personified http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/fiat-500-%e2%80%93-dolce-vita-personified/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:09:47 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=899 Every now and again a car is launched that simply puts a smile on your face. Stepping around it, you can’t seem to get enough of its round, bulbous form, and once seated behind the steering wheel you just want to start the engine and let the fun begin… At Manifesto we like good design, and this fun little car-about-town proves the point that it doesn’t always revolve around the biggest or most expensive creations. Though measuring just 3,55 metres long by 1,63 wide and 1,49 high, the cinquecento is a well-proportioned bundle of good-natured fun. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/fiat-500-%e2%80%93-dolce-vita-personified/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/art/sax-and-art/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sax-and-art http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/art/sax-and-art/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:10:23 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=880 Taoufiq Hsaine is the kind of person you immediately both like and are extremely envious of; a fascinating, resonant and talented man who gives the impression of fitting more into every minute than most achieve in a whole lifetime. As lead tenor saxophonist, his dulcet timbres graced the ears of Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana – amongst others – before Taoufiq set off in his trusty VW to explore the musical landscape of Europe. His journey took him to Venice, Paris, Salzburg and Prague, but it was Krakow, Poland, that had the greatest effect on him. “I met a wonderful 80-year-old man, a friend of Pope John Paul II. He was so passionate and he encouraged me to start painting. I did; he bought my first painting and now painting is my life,” he says. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/art/sax-and-art/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/the-clarence-dublin/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-clarence-dublin http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/the-clarence-dublin/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:53:12 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=868 Going to spend some time in Dublin and want to do it in style? Then expect the Clarence to come up whenever you search for references to ‘Dublin’s finest hotels’. Given such overwhelming evidence, we took everyone’s word for it and booked a few nights of delicious R&R at the iconic city centre pad. It proved a popular decision – not just with ourselves, but with virtually everyone we mentioned it to. Our taxi driver further added to a sense of anticipation that had been raised by Irish friends back home, as he drove us to the very place. “Ah, the Clarence, now that’s one of our best.” The fact that Bono and The Edge of U2 own this fine establishment naturally adds to its glamour, but you sense this is certainly not the only reason for the hotel’s fame. `]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/the-clarence-dublin/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/kamini-ezralow-interiors-of-good-character-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kamini-ezralow-interiors-of-good-character-2 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/kamini-ezralow-interiors-of-good-character-2/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:52:03 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=796 As the driving force behind Chelsea-based interior designers, Intarya, Kamini Ezralow is something of an expert in undertaking jobs for London’s most discerning clientele. Formerly known as Lifestyles (interiors) Intarya combines the shortened form of ‘international’ and ‘interiors’, while ‘arya’ is a Buddhist term for someone who respects good character. Ezralow’s projects have included overseeing makeovers of expansive private residences, as well as major commercial projects, including highly prestigious commissions such as the penthouses in Dubai’s World Trade Centre. Intarya’s design of Celestial Hope (a mega-yacht) won prizes at the Monaco Boat Show. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/kamini-ezralow-interiors-of-good-character-2/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/art/jean-paul-gaultier-meets-roche-bobois/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jean-paul-gaultier-meets-roche-bobois http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/art/jean-paul-gaultier-meets-roche-bobois/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:20:50 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=777 The name Roche Bobois is synonymous with quality and style, its position in the luxury furniture market as strong as ever, so the company’s 50th anniversary was the perfect moment to launch its latest manifesto: The 10 Commandments of Design. Enlisting the assistance of France’s bad boy of design, Jean-Paul Gaultier, the 50th anniversary collection is a genuinely stunning blend of a classic furniture brand’s coming together with one of the main players in 21st century fashion. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/art/jean-paul-gaultier-meets-roche-bobois/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/vienna-classic-capital-of-europe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vienna-classic-capital-of-europe http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/vienna-classic-capital-of-europe/#comments Sun, 19 Jun 2011 14:04:41 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=752 Forever associated with the classical music inspired by the waters of the Danube River that flows through its heart, and the Baroque palaces and operas built to give those immortal tunes a home of their own, Vienna is also a wonderful city in many other ways. One might be tempted to think of the Austrian capital as an open-air museum, where waltzes play to a backdrop of elegant classical buildings and handsome couples dressed in their finery, yet even though this is one of the best preserved cities in the world Vienna is very much a vibrant, modern metropolis too. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/vienna-classic-capital-of-europe/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/mini-clubman-fun-on-four-wheels/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mini-clubman-fun-on-four-wheels http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/mini-clubman-fun-on-four-wheels/#comments Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:27:41 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=743 So you may be more accustomed to seeing car reports on Ferraris, Lambos, Bentleys, Rollers and 300k Mercedes, but if articles like this are to do more than allow us to salivate over cars that only a privileged few can really afford then maybe it’s worthwhile to discover that there is a lot of driving fun to had in the affordable price bracket too. Which is why I decided to focus on the imminent launch of the Mini Clubman, expected to hit showrooms across Europe and America early next year. It seemed appropriate, too, as this pint-sized estate seems just the accessory to take shopping—it looks better on you than a designer handbag and it fits a hell of a lot more goodies too. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/mini-clubman-fun-on-four-wheels/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/design/grand-hotel-bellevue-gstaad-the-high-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grand-hotel-bellevue-gstaad-the-high-life http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/design/grand-hotel-bellevue-gstaad-the-high-life/#comments Tue, 31 May 2011 11:08:05 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=736 The Grand Hotel Bellevue is a jewel of opulence, style and comfort in the millionaire’s playground of Gstaad. All around are the valleys and wooded slopes of a paradisiacal Swiss landscape, green in summer and white winter wonderland at this time of the year. In keeping with its jet-set location Bellevue is indeed a Grand Hotel in the finest of traditions—a place where well-travelled people come to be pampered in unabashed luxury. No need to apologise for having a good time here, it’s understood that that’s what people come for, and with sumptuously styled suites, fine dining restaurants, jet-set night spots and one of the best spas in Europe, it’s exactly what they get.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/design/grand-hotel-bellevue-gstaad-the-high-life/feed/ 0