Violet Verbena Named 2017 Color of the Year by PPG PAINTS Brand

The PPG PAINTS™ Brand Unveiled Its 2017 Color of the Year: Violet Verbena (PPG1169-5), a Grayed-off, Moody Purple with a Chameleon-like Presence.

 Violet Verbena named 2017 Color of the Year by PPG PAINTS brand (Photo: PPG PAINTS)

"Violet Verbena is at once as nostalgic as it is modern. It’s substantial in a world that can sometimes seem so temporary, luxurious in a harsh world that needs pampering, and introspective and private in an invasive world," said Dee Schlotter, senior color marketing manager, PPG. "Purple was unanimously selected as the 2017 Color of the Year by PPG’s global color experts for its distinctive qualities. We are seeing this shade of violet on the runway in fashion, and in textiles for the commercial and residential segments."

Schlotter cited a new era of consumer mindsets as part of the reason that the PPG Paints brand selected Violet Verbena as the hottest color for 2017. These new attitudes defy convention and blend ideations of gender, relationships, careers, workplaces and living spaces, she said.

“Consumers now embrace the middle ground between masculine and feminine, young and old, and work and leisure. Violet Verbena’s blending of gray and violet reflects that middle ground,” Schlotter said.

Violet Verbena serves as an ideal evolution of the bohemian, gypset (gypsy-jetset) consumer lifestyle that has been trending recently. As this type of consumer shifts in to new attitudes and experiences - they are becoming more mindful, more mystic, and more deeply involved in spiritual exploration and fascinated with cosmic exploration, she said. “Consumers are drawn to the galactic dark colors that combine deep purples, blues and grays to create an intriguing futuristic vibe,” Schlotter said.

PPG’s more than 20 color stylists around the world, each specializing in different markets, collaborate to determine styles and color trends for homes as well as electronic devices and automobiles. The company’s unique position as a color leader in multiple industries enables it to observe and translate emerging global color trends for its customers’ applications – from consumer goods to automotive, from residential to commercial to industrial design.

The PPG Paints brand’s 2017 Color of the Year is a unique violet hue with a quality that allows it to adapt to surrounding environments and complement a variety of design aesthetics. When paired with dark neutrals, the color unveils gray undertones, but when paired with whites, it reads as a purer purple, according to Schlotter. Its design appeal is similarly nuanced, she said. “Violet Verbena blends perfectly with many different surroundings, like a chameleon. It looks polished yet playful in a child’s room, and it is calming enough to be used in hospitals or other spaces that require tranquility.

"The color is a modern choice for interiors and furnishings, yet it is elegant enough to be incorporated into traditional designs,” she continued. "Violet Verbena is colorful enough to make a statement, but it can also be considered neutral with its gray undertones."

Violet Verbena is the focal point of PPG’s four global color trend stories for 2017, which center on the theme of Pendulum: earth, water, fire and air. For the first time, the PPG Paints brand includes its Color of the Year in all of its trend themes, as the prevalence of this hue allows it to live in every story. 

The four themes are:

HOURGLASS: A classic palette with a contemporary spin, this theme represents the earth element, with consumers finding stability in what they know and gravitating toward designs rooted in historical relevance. The palette incorporates rich, royal hues such as PPG Paints brand colors Burgundy Wine (PPG1053-7), Old Mill Blue (PPG1171-6) and Castle Stone (PPG1128-7), blended with a healthy dose of neutrals such as Pearl (PPG1087-2) and Go To Gray (PPG1004-1), to pair beautifully with wood, marble and stone tile. The lavender hues of Violet Verbena add to the royal nature of these colors, while still blending effortlessly with greens, blues and neutrals.

ES/SENCE: This theme focuses on the element of water, purity and the premise that less is unequivocally more. In a time when many consumers are embracing minimalism, the colors in this palette evoke a sense of simplicity and relaxation. Watery blues, lush greens and soft blended tones provide a mellow, calming and refreshing mentality. Sea Mist (PPG1227-1), Ancestral (PPG1047-4), Almond Cream (1086-3) and Simply Elegant (PPG1155-3), a few of the colors in the palette, create a soft, calming ambiance and pair beautifully with soothing Violet Verbena.

IMPOWER: Centered on change powered by the fire element, this complex palette incorporates deep tones, light neutrals and everything in between. It celebrates the fact that consumers do not have to define themselves by any specific design personality, but can exist somewhere in between. Consumers drawn to this palette can pair furnishings and colors from various genres and disciplines in a decadent yet easy fusion. Bold colors of the PPG Paints brand such as Azure Tide (PPG1231-6), Cenote (PPG17-02), Red Licorice (PPG1186-7) and Crushed Pineapple (PPG1213-7) pair with muted neutral tones such as Willow Tree (PPG1112-6), Gray Violet (PPG1014-5), Silver Screen (PPG1014-3) and not-quite gray Violet Verbena.

BIOCENTRIC: This design story is representative of air and the idea that we are all connected, and the palette dazzles with space-inspired hues and saturated organics. PPG Paints brand colors Spinach Salad (PPG11-16), Blueberry Muffin (PPG1164-5) and Enchanting Eggplant (PPG13-07) give the palette an organic vibe, while Black Flame (PPG1043-7), Cavalry (PPG1041-7) and Witchcraft (PPG1037-7) offer blue-black mystery to the palette and pair beautifully with Violet Verbena. Incorporating these colors into the home gives the look of contemporary elegance and laid-back charm.

Violet Verbena and all the colors of the 2017 Pendulum color trend stories, along with 2,000 colors in PPG's palette for THE VOICE OF COLOR® system, are available at PPG Paints stores and independent retailers across the United States in the PPG Paints, PPG PORTER PAINTS® and PPG PITTSBURGH PAINTS® product lines.

To learn more about the PPG Paints brand or to find a store near you, visit www.ppgpaints.com. 

PPG's architectural coatings business in the U.S. and Canada is an industry leader in residential and commercial coatings, delivering the latest technologies and operational advancements through its strong portfolio of brands. It manufactures and sells interior and exterior paints, stains, caulks, repair products, adhesives and sealants for homeowners and professionals. Its distribution network includes more than 15,000 touchpoints through company-owned stores, independent dealer locations and all major home improvement centers across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit PPGAC.com.

At PPG, we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.3 billion in 2015. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.


All images courtesy of PPG PAINTS. 

PPG Paints and We protect and beautify the world are trademarks and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

PPG Pittsburgh Paints, PPG Porter Paints and The Voice of Color are registered trademarks of PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc.

City of Dreams and DFS Group Present the Most Unique, Eye-Opening Luxury Retail Experience in Macau

DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, proudly unveiled together the exciting expansion of City of Dreams’ retail area, which is managed and operated by T Galleria by DFS. 

In addition to being three times larger than the former retail space, the new shopping precinct represents a strategically designed, exclusive and eye-opening lifestyle luxury shopping experience in the heart of Macau.

For fashion-lovers, the T Galleria by DFS, City of Dreams experience is elevated with the June opening of 31 new fashion and accessories brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Miu Miu and Fendi. Photo courtesy of DFS Group.

A Luxurious Retail Landmark in Macau

Introducing a stunningly edgy department-store style concept to Macau, City of Dreams and DFS have created a luxurious, contemporary and inviting atmosphere within City of Dreams’ expanded retail area, headlining the T Galleria by DFS brand. Delightful and contemporary, the expansion is designed and built using elements of glass, marble and steel combined with warm wood accents. The setting is intended to be both dramatic and intimate, encouraging visitors to relax, unwind and indulge their taste for shopping and leisure. The expanded retail space links dining areas, casinos, retail stores, entertainment attractions and hotels, leading visitors on an engaging journey of some of the best retail and leisure experiences in Macau.

City of Dreams’ retail space, managed by T Galleria by DFS, is expanding throughout 2016 to three times its current size introducing new fashion and accessories, beauty and fragrance and watches and jewelry brands in an eye-catching lifestyle shopping experience in the heart of Macau. Photo courtesy of DFS Group.

“City of Dreams has always been at the forefront of shaping Macau into a world center of avant-garde entertainment, delivering world-class leisure and entertainment offerings to the region. Today, we are pleased to announce the expansion plan of the retail precinct of City of Dreams, which will bring to our flagship property many firsts in town. Through our partnership with DFS Group, City of Dreams features the largest collection of luxury brands in Cotai and creates an exciting luxury shopping scene for all aspirational, sophisticated and cosmopolitan leisure seekers in the region,” said Lawrence Ho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited.

T Galleria by DFS, City of Dreams marks a new approach to the T Galleria customer experience, introducing DFS Group’s first-ever shoe salon and as well as a multi-brand lifestyle shopping area dedicated to men’s fashion and grooming. Photo courtesy of DFS Group.

“Since entering the market in 2008, Macau has and continues to be an incredibly important destination for our customers and for DFS, which is why we are thrilled to unveil a retail concept here that is a first for DFS in terms of its scale, audacity and innovation. It is also a first for Macau in terms of providing a curated and modern product selection across the major luxury categories, targeting new and experienced travelers alike,” Philippe Schaus, DFS Group’s Chairman and CEO said. 

“T Galleria by DFS, City of Dreams will combine the breadth of a luxury shopping mall with the personalized service of a high-end department store. Only DFS could deliver this unparalleled shopping adventure at the core of City of Dreams, complementing a concentration of some of the best restaurants, world-renowned hotels and world-class entertainment offerings with a fresh and luxurious shopping experience in the heart of Macau.”

Offering over 50 men’s and women’s shoe brands across two floors, highlighted by exclusive-to-Macau brands such as Aquazzura and Rupert Sanderson, the brand new shoe hall at T Galleria by DFS, City of Dreams will be the largest shoe salon in Hong Kong and Macau and a destination unto itself. Photo courtesy of DFS Group.

First-ever Shoe Salon Headlines Many “Firsts”

Opening in phases between June and December, City of Dreams’ T Galleria by DFS will boast the largest collection of luxury brands in Cotai. In addition to beauty and fragrances, fashion and accessories, and watches and jewelry brands, the expanded retail space will introduce T Galleria’s signature customer services exclusively to City of Dreams’ customers, including the first-ever shoe salon to be opened in the third quarter as well as a multi-brand lifestyle shopping area dedicated to men’s fashion and grooming.

“City of Dreams is the ideal location for DFS to launch our first dedicated shoe collection,” said Schaus. “Customers in Macau are both discerning and adventurous, and our shoe salon will enable them to indulge their taste for the latest fashion styles as well as find something unique.”

Offering over 50 men’s and women’s shoe brands across two floors, highlighted by exclusive-to-Macau brands such as Aquazzura and Rupert Sanderson, the new shoe hall will be the largest shoe salon in Hong Kong and Macau and a destination unto itself.

True Luxury with “Dream” Brands and a Dream Shopping Experience

The expanded beauty and fragrance section opens this month. When fully expanded, the 23,000 square feet of space will comprise two wings and feature nearly 70 beauty and fragrance brands, making it the largest beauty hall in Southern China. Highlights include popular Korean brands Sulwhasoo, Laneige and HERA.

For fashion-lovers, the experience is elevated with the June opening of 31 new fashion and accessories brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Miu Miu and Fendi. And catering to male customers for the first time at any T Galleria by DFS store, there will be a dedicated multi-branded, lifestyle area that mixes ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, watches and grooming all in one space.

By the end of this year, the phased opening will culminate in a significantly wider jewelry offering, bringing key luxury jewelry brands Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels to City of Dreams as well as new watches boutiques from Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin.

To ensure a uniquely disruptive and ultimately fulfilling experience for all, exclusive dining outlets for high tea and social gatherings will also be integrated into the environment.

About Melco Crown Entertainment Limited

Melco Crown Entertainment, with its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, is a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment casino resort facilities in Asia. Melco Crown Entertainment currently operates Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), a casino hotel located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated urban casino resort located in Cotai, Macau. Melco Crown Entertainment’s business also includes the Mocha Clubs (www.mochaclubs.com), which comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. The Company also majority owns and operates Studio City (www.studiocity-macau.com), a cinematically-themed integrated entertainment, retail and gaming resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation’s subsidiary, MCE Leisure (Philippines) Corporation, currently operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (www.cityofdreams.com.ph), a casino, hotel, retail and entertainment integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila.

For more information about Melco Crown Entertainment, please visit www.melco-crown.com.

Melco Crown Entertainment is strongly supported by its single largest shareholder, Melco International Development Limited and its other major shareholder, Crown Resorts Limited. Melco is a listed company on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and is substantially owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Melco Crown Entertainment. Crown is a top-100 company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and led by Mr. James Packer, who is the Deputy Chairman and a Non-executive Director of Melco Crown Entertainment.

About City of Dreams

City of Dreams is developed by Melco Crown Entertainment Limited, an entertainment company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. It is an integrated entertainment resort that has established itself as a premier leisure and entertainment destination in Macau. Located in the heart of Cotai in Macau, it combines electrifying entertainment, a diverse array of accommodation, regional and international dining, designer brand shopping and a spacious and contemporary casino. The resort brings together a collection of world-renowned brands including Crown, Grand Hyatt, Hard Rock and Dragone to create an exceptional entertainment experience that aims to appeal to a broad spectrum of visitors from around Asia and the world. City of Dreams features a 420,000-square-foot casino with approximately 400 gaming tables and approximately 1,300 gaming machines; over 20 restaurants and bars; an impressive array of some of the world’s most sought-after retail brands; ‘The House of Dancing Water’, the world’s largest water-based extravaganza showcased in the purpose-built Dancing Water Theater, represents the live entertainment centerpiece of City of Dreams’ overall leisure and entertainment offering. A comprehensive range of accommodation options at City of Dreams include Crown Towers offering approximately 300 guest rooms, Hard Rock Hotel offering approximately 300 guest rooms and Grand Hyatt Macau offering approximately 800 guest rooms. A second planned phase of development at City of Dreams will feature an apartment hotel consisting of approximately 800 units.

For more information please visit: www.cityofdreamsmacau.com. 

For The House of Dancing Water information, please visit www.thehouseofdancingwater.com.

About DFS Group

DFS Group is the world’s leading luxury travel retailer. Established in Hong Kong in 1960, DFS Group continues to be a pioneer in global luxury travel retail, offering its customers a carefully curated selection of exceptional products from over 700 of the most desired brands through 420 boutiques on three continents. Its network consists of duty free stores located in 17 major global airports and 17 downtown Galleria locations, as well as affiliate and resort locations. The Group is privately held and majority owned by the world’s largest luxury conglomerate Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), alongside DFS co-founder and shareholder Robert Miller. DFS Group employs over 9,000 people focused on creating inspiring retail experiences for its customers. In 2015, over 164 million travelers visited DFS stores. DFS is headquartered in Hong Kong and has offices in Beijing, Chengdu, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Paris, Sao Paulo, Shenyang, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

For more information, please visit www.dfsgroup.com.

About T Galleria by DFS

T Galleria by DFS, formerly known as DFS Galleria, is the ultimate evolution of the original travel retail concept pioneered by DFS Group. The first downtown store opened in 1968 in Hong Kong, followed shortly thereafter by Honolulu and eventually expanding to fourteen locations all over the world. Today, T Galleria by DFS has a presence in the United States, as well as across Asia, Australasia and the South Pacific regions. Linked to the notion of travel through the use of T for the Traveler, the brand stands for what customers have come to expect: an expertly curated assortment of the world’s preferred luxury brands, exceptional retail environments, highly personalized services and unique experiences tailored to their specific needs as travelers. T Galleria by DFS enables travelers to realize their individual style, one journey at a time.

Discover more at www.tgalleria.com.

Karl Lagerfeld to Design the Lobbies of the Estates at Acqualina

Trump Group Partners with World Renowned Designer on His First Interior Design Project in the United States

The Trump Group, led by Eddie and Jules Trump, announced an exclusive partnership with one of the world’s most important designers, Karl Lagerfeld. Mr. Lagerfeld will design the two residential lobby spaces at The Estates at Acqualina, a brand new, ultra-luxury residential development in Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach, on the grounds of the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Acqualina Resort & Spa.

The first condominium project in the United States to involve the iconic designer, The Estates at Acqualina – slated to open in 2020 – will feature lobbies designed by Karl Lagerfeld that reflect the designer’s exquisite style and eye for detail, with custom features, finishes and furnishings conceived and designed by Mr. Lagerfeld himself.

“Simply put, The Estates at Acqualina will be the world’s finest residences,” said Jules Trump, developer of The Estates at Acqualina. “Eddie and I wanted our entrance lobbies to be the piece de resistance of our new project, and who better to create these than the master of modern creativity: Karl Lagerfeld. Karl is the world’s most acclaimed designer, and we believe his high-end designs will be greatly valued by our residents, who desire an incomparable level of opulence, luxury, design and style.”

“I am excited by the opportunity to design the lobbies of The Estates at Acqualina and take great pride in knowing that the spaces I create will be such important spaces in the building,” said Karl Lagerfeld. “Not only are they significant because they offer the first impression of the building, they are also the spaces where people come to socialize daily; they are like a common living room. My designs are inspired by the look of each lobby, the building and the destination of Florida especially. The climate is very warm there and I wanted something fresh.”

The partnership with Karl Lagerfeld was arranged by Leitzes & Co.

Following on the heels of the hugely successful sellout of The Mansions at Acqualina which debuted this past fall, The Estates at Acqualina will go even further. No expense will be spared to design and build The Estates, which will be a spectacular celebration of Art, Architecture and Life.

When complete, The Estates at Acqualina will offer 265 luxurious residences from three to seven bedrooms in two, 50-story boutique towers, Via Acqualina 777 and Via Acqualina 888. Each estate in the sky will be delivered furniture ready, and equipped with the finest appliances, imported stone countertops, smart-home technology and 10-foot 6-inch ceilings. Each master suite will boast his and her bathroom suites with imported onyx countertops and walls and marble floors, a steam mist shower, a free-standing tub, an ocean-view shower and elaborate his and her dressing rooms.

Rising to the north of The Acqualina Resort & Spa, The Estates will include Villa Acqualina, offering more than 45,000 square feet of amenities including a spa and fitness center, a world-class restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Circus Maximus, a full floor of unprecedented amenities including an ice skating rink, bowling lanes and a movie theater. It will also boast a Wall Street Trader’s Club room where residents will have access to ticker tape, computers and a board room.

The Estates’ 5.6 acres of grounds and gardens will boast lush landscaped gardens, multiple infinity pools, a FlowRider for surfers, a basketball court, a bocce court, a dog park, soccer field, a beachfront restaurant and 502 feet of Atlantic oceanfront with Five Star beach and pool services. 24-hour valet, 24-hour security services, a full service resident concierge and a house Rolls-Royce will also be available.

Those who purchase at The Estates will have full access to the neighboring Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Acqualina Resort & Spa, TripAdvisor’s Top-Rated Beachfront Hotel in The Continental United States and Andrew Harper’s #1 Beach, Spa and Family Resort in the World. Residents will be able to take advantage of luxurious, personalized services from the hotel including daily housekeeping, in-room dining, children’s programming, nanny and child care services, pet care, dry cleaning and laundry services, limousine service, ESPA Spa access and gourmet dining at two restaurants, Il Mulino NY and AQ by Acqualina.

Residences at The Estates at Acqualina are priced from $3.9 – 9.0 million to $40 million for penthouses. Sales Gallery Address: 17895 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida; Telephone: 786.577.3859; Website: www.EstatesAtAcqualina.com

About the Developer
GSF Acquisition, LLC, an affiliate of Eddie and Jules Trump, is the developer and owner of The Estates at Acqualina. They have developed several successful top-end real estate properties, starting in 1985 with the creation of Williams Island in the exclusive Aventura, Florida. This complex of eight high-rise towers, a charming Mediterranean village, and suite of resort and club amenities, was one of the first developments of its kind in South Florida. Their development portfolio includes the Acqualina Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles Beach, The Mansions at Acqualina, and Luxuria Residences, a Luxury condominium situated on the ocean in Boca Raton as well as extensive land holdings and developments in California. The Trump Groups’ vision of The Estates at Acqualina was to create a unique lifestyle that will set it apart from the rest of the world. Acqualina is an iconic name which is transforming the South Florida skyline forever with a residential enclave whose beauty, luxury, and service place it in a class of its own on a worldwide scale.

The Estates at Acqualina
www.Facebook.com/EstatesatAcqualina
www.Twitter.com/estatesacq
www.Instagram.com/EstatesatAcqualina

All images courtesy of Estates at Acqualina.

BOOK: Condo Makeovers - Inventive Ideas for Vertical Living

By Ashley Rooney (Author), Charlene Keogh (Contributor), Julie Lineberger (Contributor)

For those interested in creating a one-of-a-kind home in a condo or apartment building, this book offers a voyeuristic peek at the way people design, construct, and accessorize these often challenging spaces.

Thirty beautifully photographed projects illustrate how their designers overcame the constraints of high-rise living to enhance the owners' comfort.

Learn how one architect brought elusive light into the center of a condo in Washington, DC's Dupont Circle neighborhood, visit the "stair bridge" in a Vermont ski condo, and observe the visual tricks used to open a Florida penthouse to ocean views. See how designers are raising the bar on an increasingly popular housing type, whether it is an urban pied-a-terre or an airy condo on a California beach.

Condo Makeovers: Inventive Ideas for Vertical Living 

Product Details
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Schiffer; 1 edition (October 28, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764351303
ISBN-13: 978-0764351303
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds

About the Author
Ashley Rooney is the author of many books on art and architecture, including Asian-Inspired Architecture and Design (2010) and LEEDing the Way (2015). Her beautifully illustrated books provide the opportunity to see an eclectic selection of well-designed homes and meet their architects.

The I-X Exhibition by Form Us With Love

In its first major retrospective, design studio Form Us With Love presents a number of early pieces, celebrated classics and new work—exploring a decade of industrial design consultancy, business ventures and civic projects.

As a studio, Form Us With Love has spent the past ten years repositioning brands through design. Utilising progressive manufacturing techniques and nurturing on-going dialogues with each client, the studio has sculpted innovative collaborations with the likes of IKEA, Muuto, Absolut, Menu, La Cividina Cappellini, + Halle, DePadova, FontanaArte, Bolon, Ateljé Lyktan, Design House Stockholm and Hem.

"For us this exhibition is about the alchemy of getting things right. There is a narrative element to all our projects, as well as a cultural side, and therefore many areas for people to get interested in. Take the Plug Lamp as an example—a light we developed during 2007/2008—integrating an electrical socket into a lamp as an answer to the increasing demand of charging laptops and phones," says Jonas Pettersson co-founder of Form Us With Love.

The studio describes its role as ‘design-led investors’, acting as a bridge between production challenges and behavioral patterns, a methodology growing in popularity but one at the studio’s core from the very start. Looking into this mix of smart, well-informed and warm hearted stories gives an insight into the potential for this approach to design.

"The design industry as a whole has matured. A new a stronger strategic sense is prevailing—as if the ‘yet another product’ designers, who were around when we first started, have finally been outgrown. Today, every product is a brand and that puts pressure on all designers to be lateral. This exhibition is about the lessons we’ve learnt," says studio co-founder John Löfgren.

About Form Us With Love | FUWL - www.formuswithlove.se
FUWL was started in 2005 by John Löfgren, Jonas Pettersson, and Petrus Palmér. They met studying Product Design at Kalmar University, in deepest, darkest Småland, a county in southern Sweden known to be the heartland of Swedish furniture manufacturing.

Even if the number of products that carries its name is big for a relatively young design studio, the biggest achievement for FUWL isn't the actual product, but the process of thinking, creating and communicating design. Through its relentless search for new opportunities and collaborations FUWL has shown that there are still great opportunities right under our noses. FUWL's ambition is to be part in creating the top design companies around and has a strong belief that holistic design thinking is the way to get there.

All photos Copyright © 2016 Form Us With Love

BORDEAUX: The Art of Living | By Fashion Trendsetter

Last October, Fashion Trendsetter and Trendsetter Interiors Teams had an amazing business trip to Bordeaux. Senay GOKCEN and Mutti PORTO share their travel notes about this beautiful city in southwestern France.

Senay GOKCEN | Editor-in-Chief | Fashion Trendsetter
Mutti PORTO | Editor-at-Large | Fashion Trendsetter

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River and you can view this beautiful river while landing at the Bordeaux Airport.

Since our team members are working on various areas – from fashion to automotive design, from architecture to the fresh food industry; we travel as much as we can to gain more inspiration from different cultures of cities and countries.

Grand Hommes, Bordeaux.

Last October, taking the advantages of our business trip, we planned a quick city tour and started our route by visiting the chic Grand Hommes, Quinconces District at the center of Bordeaux.

You know you're in France when you see Galeries Lafayette Stores.

There were so many ‘the best of the best’ French fashion brands’ stores, luscious French patisseries, artisan chocolatiers, bistro cafés and charcuteries in and around these locations. But when you’re travelling with pregnant team members you experience the ‘aha’ moment of “Houston we have a problem!” The reality of hanging meats and sausages from the ceilings don’t make any sense of inspiration when someone in your team is having ‘morning sickness’; but shops that sell quality artisan chocolates, melted not only our hearts but kept us going from one meeting to another.

It’s hard to tell which brand’s collection is the nicest this season, because it’s French Fashion, how could them look bad any way? We fell in love with Anne Fontaine’s Fall 2015 Collection at Galeries Lafayette, with its beautiful white blouses paired with black trousers and accessorized with gold metals. These are truly must-haves of the season. Swarovski's sparkling ‘Stardust Collection’ and Hermés’ store displays were our favorite ones with their bold and bright color palettes.

Hermès' ‘Fall 2015 Accessories Collection’.

For the day two, we spent our whole spare time at the Rue Sainte-Catherine, which is the main shopping street in Bordeaux. The weather was fine and we had great time while walking through this 1.2 km long pedestrian street and enjoyed spotting the interesting trends on the window displays.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE at FASHION TRENDSETTER

All images copyright by Senay GOKCEN & Mutti PORTO. All rights reserved.

Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis: A New Landmark in Dubai

LuLu Group International has appointed Design International and Eng. Adnan Saffarini as the Architects of Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis - the Group's new flagship mall in Dubai. 

Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis - Photo © 2015 Design International

Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis will become the new gate to the 7.2 square kilometers 'Dubai Silicon Oasis', a smart city with world class facilities that is home to over 700 high tech companies, institutes, hotels, business parks and large residential communities, located right off Emirates Road and Al Ain Road in one of the fastest growing parts of Dubai.

Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis - Photo © 2015 Design International

The master mind of Dubai Silicon Oasis is Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, a company established in 2004 and wholly owned by the Government of Dubai. It will be the first smart city of Dubai, providing both living and working integrated communities at the very lowest energy consumption per capita, located just 12 minutes' drive from Downtown Dubai and 15 minutes' drive to Dubai International Airport.

Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis - Photo © 2015 Design International

Mr Yusuff Ali M.A., Managing Director of LuLu Group International, owner of one of the fastest growing retail real estate corporations in the Middle East and Davide Padoa, Architect and CEO of Design International, one of the most innovative architectural firms with offices worldwide, together with Engineer Adnan Saffarini have presented the iconic Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis project to Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority.

Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis, Main Entrance - Photo © 2015 Design International

Arch. Davide Padoa said: "All of the parties involved in this project share the same values: the development of the community, as well as the desire to be at the forefront of style, technology and sustainable innovation, which is what Dubai Silicon Oasis stands out for".

Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis, The Hanging Garden - Photo © 2015 Design International

The revolutionary design of Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis is composed by five gigantic shape-alike pebbles. Inspired by ancient Arabian movements across the desert, Design International wanted to offer both a strong architectural statement and an imposing gate into an oasis of calm and tranquility in the otherwise hectic pace of modern suburban Dubai. 

Inside, the mall features nature at its most exquisite values, with five plazas that resemble the five elements of an oasis: The Cave, The Canyon, The Forest, The Lagoon and The Mirage.

Avenues Mall, Silicon Oasis, The Canyon - Photo © 2015 Design International

The mall also has separate zones; Entertainment, Urban Fashion, Luxury, Kids and Sports, Leisure with Cinema, FEC, over 45 restaurants and of course a flagship LuLu Hypermarket and LuLu Department Store. The retail offering will be on two levels, with a total GLA of 72,621m2, a GFA of 104,036m2 and 3600 car park spaces over 2 basement levels.

Mr Padoa continued, ‘Every project has its own story; each is unique. Avenues Mall Silicon Oasis has five dimensions. On top of the conventional three, it will have a fifth façade on its roof, accessible by the public, and it is a mall that works with your senses: it will set a new trend in food and beverage with integrated cooking classes, food events and gourmet clusters that will work benefiting from LuLu's Hypermarket food-chain. The project will feature also the first Imax theatre, as well as one of the largest fitness and wellness centers in the Emirates'.

About Design International
Design International is an innovative architectural practice with vast experience on a global scale. Regarded as one of the industry's leaders in retail architecture, the firm's unique and diverse designs have seen the practice win many awards, as well as having a strong presence worldwide.

Originally founded in Toronto, Canada, in 1965, Design International is now an established practice with headquarters in London, and further offices in Milan, Jakarta and Shanghai. Today, Design International works across 7 integrated divisions: Architecture, Masterplanning, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Landscape Design, Branding & Signage, and Leasing.

For more information on Design International please visit www.designinternational.com

The desire to create and deliver something that is truly iconic and custom-made, whilst respecting its surroundings, is a common goal shared by the firm's team of architects and designers. The team strives to bring culture and individuality into their designs, in order to produce something truly exceptional. The spaces are designed with the end-users in mind, and whilst the location is important, the firm focuses on the 'Emotion', the 'Experience' and the 'Engagement' of the future users.

Design International's design philosophy is deep rooted in the belief that every design has its own individual story; these bespoke spaces are created with the aim to trigger a unique experience for guests. The success lies in the ability to create an experience that is personal to each and every individual.

The firm is able to apply local knowledge and understanding to their international portfolio, as well as break down various cultural and language barriers, and this is down to the multi-national workforce, who come from nearly every corner of the globe.

About Davide Padoa
Davide Padoa acquired notoriety while in Indonesia when he designed for Dharmala Bank and PSP Group the tallest skyscraper in Jakarta at the age of 25. In 1998 he moved to London where he joined Design International, a London-based architecture firm with offices worldwide. Davide was appointed Managing Director in 2002 and Chief Executive Officer in 2006, retaining a hands-on approach for designing large scale retail projects spread across more than 30 countries.

Under Davide's leadership, Design International has grown into a globally-recognised practice. Davide, married to an Indonesian sculptress and with two daughters, is completely devoted to his family.

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