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/aretusa-puerto-banus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=aretusa-puerto-banus http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/aretusa-puerto-banus/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:56:19 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=937 Founded by Italians and known as one of the best Italian restaurants in the Puerto Banús area, Aretusa is a stylish front-line eatery overlooking the marina that also serves a selection of international favourites.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/aretusa-puerto-banus/feed/ 0 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/freelance-writing/vanilla-go-on-a-culinary-voyage-of-discovery/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vanilla-go-on-a-culinary-voyage-of-discovery http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/vanilla-go-on-a-culinary-voyage-of-discovery/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:05:20 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=853 Vanilla can easily be described as one of the coolest new eateries in town. Descending steps from street level you have the impression of entering a club, a sensation that is enhanced as you step into the Vanilla Lounge, the bar and lounge area that makes up the ‘vanilla flower’ as it were. Following this theme the tones are soft creams, diffused with coloured lighting that creates a wonderful blend of vodka bar cool and retro futurism. Call me crazy but the latter always gets me a little excited. No dreary standard contemporary décor here then; that interior designer was not hired for the job. Instead, this is definitely a place where you could picture the cool set. In fact, you feel pretty cool just sitting here, reclining on sculpted seats and ordering one of the vanilla shakes that the Vanilla Lounge specialises in. If the lounge is the ‘flower’ then the restaurant is the ‘vanilla pod’. Soft, light shades turn to an ambient black punctuated by warm lighting to create an intimate dining environment. The same can be said of the scale, for while it seats enough people to create a lively atmosphere it is in no way cavernous. Romantic tables for two alternate with cosy booths, another personal favourite. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/vanilla-go-on-a-culinary-voyage-of-discovery/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/baile-atha-cliath-the-friendliest-capital-in-europe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baile-atha-cliath-the-friendliest-capital-in-europe http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/baile-atha-cliath-the-friendliest-capital-in-europe/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:03:04 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=831 From opulent shops, restaurants, hotels and trendy night time spots to thriving culture and beautifully renovated historical sights, Dublin is at the forefront of a modern revival boosted by high economic growth and the rise in wealth that accompanies it. Gourmet, Michelin-star aspiring restaurants have mushroomed, as have avant-garde design hotels and bars, not to mention a plethora of shops and boutiques where it is surprisingly easy to spend profusely. Amid all this new energy and forward-looking confidence there are still the old famous sights to enjoy, like Trinity College and the town castle. Chances are they’ve had a recent clean up and look as revitalised as the city feels, but search a bit deeper and you will still find the Ireland of old, with its sticky-carpeted pubs that smell of stale beer and haven’t seen a decorator since the Suez Crisis. Such places offer little to please the eye yet it is here that you will get a glimpse of the character and sense of humour for which these islanders are famous. Whatever your preference, seek and ye shall find…]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/baile-atha-cliath-the-friendliest-capital-in-europe/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/freelance-writing/royal-siam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=royal-siam http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/royal-siam/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 11:05:41 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=770 At once mysterious and welcoming, Thailand is a tropical paradise with hidden depths beyond its beaches, spa resorts and nightlife. Typically South East Asian, Thailand is the confluence of three great cultures. Dominated for centuries by the neighbouring Khmer, the people of Thailand have also been strongly influenced by India and China. From early Hindu influences through to Buddhist conversion, the Thai have borrowed from their Indian and Chinese neighbours to create a distinctive identity of their own. While many of these traditions may have their origins in the India of classical times, and while a large percentage of the population is of Chinese extraction, the resulting mix is a spicy blend that can be rightly labelled as Thai. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/royal-siam/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/boy-george/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boy-george http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/boy-george/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 19:10:15 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=725 Each year, over two million people buy an item of clothing or an accessory in one of the more than 2,000 Armani outlets in countries all over the world, generating revenues in excess of $700 million. This is the profile of a company that has enjoyed continued growth since it was established in 1975 and still shows no signs of slowing down. Loyal to a philosophy of design that has produced his trademark style of simple yet refined elegance, Giorgio Armani has not only weathered the vicissitudes of time, he has thrived on them. The secret of this remarkable success is the clean design that gives his creations a timeless quality, which transcends fashions and fads—the surest mark of a master. As a young man, Giorgio Armani gave up his medical studies when he realised that he had a greater affinity for design. After several detours, he found his true vocation in the hectic and exciting world of the Milan fashion industry, where his first notable design, now almost 35 years ago, was a button for a jacket by Nino Cerruti, his erstwhile employer. Displaying a unique personal touch at a very early stage in his career, Armani plunged wholeheartedly into the unknown, breaking new ground and shirking no challenge in the process.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/boy-george/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/paris-city-of-many-faces/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=paris-city-of-many-faces http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/paris-city-of-many-faces/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:18:57 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=686 Paris: City of Light, beacon of romantics and capital of fashion and elegance. Yes, this beautiful city is all these things, but much more besides. More profound than the sum of its famous parts, such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe or Champs Elysées, Paris is a city of many layers, its history and [...]]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/paris-city-of-many-faces/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/cerveza-sin-por-favor-the-future-of-nablabs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cerveza-sin-por-favor-the-future-of-nablabs http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/cerveza-sin-por-favor-the-future-of-nablabs/#comments Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:14:40 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=665 No- and low-alcohol beers have been gaining some traction of late in several markets but there’s one country where NABLABs have been embraced by consumers like no other. Michel Cruz reports from Spain on the rise of low alcohol refreshment. In many ways the Spanish beer market is much like that of the rest of [...]]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/cerveza-sin-por-favor-the-future-of-nablabs/feed/ 0