Global Inspiration
ACRATA Nules, Spain
Nules is a Meditteranean coastal town in Eastern Spain in the province of Castellon, Valencia. From Roman ruins to Spain’s most popular clementines, from the Valencian region’s only walled city to miles of lovely beaches, this buzzing town is immersed in Spanish authenticity. Home to agricultural, industrial and commercial industry, Nules has a population of approximately 14,000 inhabitants.
ANDINA Gran Chaco, Argentina
The Gran Chaco, or Dry Chaco as it is called, is a largely uninhabited, arid, subtropical natural region of the Rio de la Plata basin. Characterized by low forests and savannas, it is traversed by two permanent rivers and practically unmarked by roads or railway lines. The Gran Chaco runs along four countries including Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. The Argentinian Gran Chaco is found in the province of Formosa. It is one of the last true agricultural frontiers and boasts floral and faunal diversity.
ANTOMOON Bologna, Italy
Bologna is the lively, historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, in Northern Italy. Its Piazza Maggiore is a sprawling plaza lined with arched colonnades, cafes and medieval and Renaissance structures. Known as the “culinary capital”, its legendary food is arguably Italy's best. The Piazzola Market, a tradition for hundreds of years, features over 400 designers and artisans.
ANVI GLASS STUDIO Lancrans, France
The village of Lancrans is located southeast of France, in the region of Rhône-Alpes, one of the most prosperous regions of France, famous for its Alpine ski areas. Lancrans stretches from Lake Geneva to the Cevennes and Provence. Nestled between Geneva Switzerland and Lyon, Lancrans is situated at the beginning of the Jura Mountain, within sight of the Mont Blanc Alps. The tiny village is just 3.73 square miles, with a population below 2,000. Anvi Glass Studio is located in an old, picturesque elementary school.
Frankfurt, the business and finance capital of Germany, is a haven of museums, historic buildings, and a vibrant and edgy art and cultural scene. The fifth largest city in Germany, it is also known as Mainhattan, referencing its location along the river, Maine, and of course its skyline! Walkable, well planned and with amazing public transport, Frankfurt is easy to navigate and get around. Frankfurt has a population of over ¾ million inhabitants, and is situated in the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region.
COUSU DE FIL BLANC Paris, France
Home to iconic global and groundbreaking fashion brands, and the world’s finest interior design and architectural houses, Paris is the quintessential style destination. The City of Lights, with its countless landmarks and centuries-old magnificent buildings, is a beautiful, history-laiden, pulsing city. Nestled between the 3rd, 10th and 11th arrondissements, The Place de la Republique, named for the First, Second and Third Republic, is home to cousu de fil blanc.
As Audrey Hepburn famously said, “Paris is always a good idea.”
ENKI Sydney, Australia
Manly Beach is a beach-side suburb of northern Sydney situated in the state of New South Whales. Set along the Pacific Ocean, Manly has a long-standing reputation as a tourist destination as it is easily accessible by ferry. With over 200 stores to explore, funky boutiques in hidden lane ways, outdoor markets, cafes, restaurants, and bars, Manly is a relaxing escape from the everyday. Nestled between the harbor and the ocean, walkways are abundant allowing the full geographical experience to unfurl. The world’s first surfing contest was held there in 1964, making it one of Australia’s most famous beach towns. Manly was named for the Indigenous Guringai people.
EVOLVE Kyiv, Ukraine
Kyiv, the capital metropolitan city of the Ukraine is infused with a dynamic and vibrant culture. Kyiv is home to theaters, museums, religious sites, ancient ruins and modern buildings. Having survived the Mongol Empire, WWII, Chernobyl and Soviet rule, today, Kyiv is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural center of Eastern Europe. Home of high-end tech industries, higher education institutions and historical landmarks, Kyiv is a port on the Dnipro River. Bursting with museums, contemporary art hubs and a burgeoning design scene, Kyiv designers offer a clean, modern and incredibly fresh aesthetic.
FLECK Uttar Pradesh, India
Uttah Pradesh, also known as Sanskrit City, is famous for its ghats, temples and the Banaras Hindu University, as well as more than 110 Sanskrit schools. With over 200 million inhabitants, the state, in Northern India, is the world’s most populous. Home to national parks, architectural marvels, massive forts, and a scenic beauty rich in color and texture, it is also a destination site for millions of pilgrims annually who come to bathe in the holy river Ganga.
LOOM WEAVING Yerevan, Armenia
The Republic of Armenia is a land-locked country located in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia. Armenia is known for its beautiful landscapes, its cuisine, culture and history. The first country to officially adopt Christianity, Armenia is home to some of the world's oldest churches and monasteries located in the extremely beautiful natural settings. One of the first wine producing countries in the world, Armenia is situated in the fertile valleys of Mt Ararat. A developing country with a burgeoning design industry, Armenia is rich in natural minerals.
MAMY BAG Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgia, formerly of the USSR, is a country located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Georgia is bordered by the Black Sea, Russia, Turkey and Armenia. It has a population of approximately 4 million and Tbilisi is its capital city. Considered an underrated and mysterious destination by many, Georgia is known for its charm and beauty. It has a lot to offer including ancient cities, Unesco World Heritage Sites, snow capped mountains, and delicious wine. Georgia is considered to be the birthplace of winemaking, producing wine as far back as 8,000 years. MINIMUM DESIGN Seignosse, France
Seignosse is a gorgeous beach town in southwestern France, nestled in forested woods just a half hour’s drive from the Pyrenees mountains. Located in the picturesque Landes region, a sandy plain bordered by mountainous man made dunes, Seignosse’s town is peppered with a few bars, hotels and old fashioned farmhouses. The vibrant beaches, famous for their surfers, sparkling white sand and chill vibe, are sprawling and wide, with breathtaking views of the mountains on the horizon. A stone’s throw away from the famed and glamorous Biarritz, the queen of crazy nights and cradle of surf culture.
PINK STORIES Murnau am Staffelsee, Germany
Murnau am Staffelsee is a market town located on the footprints of the Bavarian Alps, settled on the motorway that connects Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Bayern region. Murnau (as it is known) became world famous by the Russian painter Wassily Kindinsky, who lived there in the early 1900’s. Inspired by the diverse picturesque landscape, numerous works of art have become famous here. Murnau is a charming old town where culture meets natural beauty. From hiking, to museums and castles, to shops to cafes, it’s a thriving destination.SHARON BRUNSHER Tel Aviv, Israel
Jaffa is the ancient port city of modern Tel Aviv’s urban tapestry. It is the oldest seaport in the world and is home to a vibrant multiethnic community of Jews, Muslims and Christians. Archaeology and ancient documents show that Jaffa has been in existence for more than 4,000 years. The sites and sounds of the small alleyways and streets which make up this city are lined with artist galleries and studios, as well as boutiques and craft shops. The Jaffa port is actively used by fishermen and is lined with quaint cafes and restaurants. Jaffa is famous for its sweet-but-tart Jaffa orange, cultivated there almost two centuries ago.STUDIO JULIA ATLAS Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is South Africa’s second largest city and is one of the most beautiful in the world. It is flanked by jagged mountain ranges and boasts miles of pure white pristine beaches, botanical gardens, a vibrant harbor, an amazingly cool urban edge, sprawling Winelands, nature reserves and Two World Heritage Sites. A melting pot of color, culture, creativity and cuisine, it’s situated at the southern tip of Africa and has been receiving foreign visitors since 1400. A mix up of African, Malay, Dutch, French and Portuguese culture is reflected in the fabric of the pulsing city. Sylvain le Hen, Paris, France
The cosmopolitan 10th arrondissement of Paris is home to bustling cafes and restaurants which line its banks. Once a sleepy enclave, the newly hip 10th is now teeming with nightlife and a burgeoning cycling and rollerblading scene. The 10th arrondissement is known for its progressive inhabitants, and a mix of cultures. Home to Paris’s two famed train stations, the Gare de Nord and Gare de l’Est, and the historic Place de la Republique, the 10th, is a must-see when visiting Paris… and you might just see the occasional model posing along the canals.Tobmarc Ekarakara, KENYA
Ekarakara, Kenya is situated in the Machakos Region. It is a short distance from the country’s capital city of Nairobi. The Kenyan basket weavers are almost all from farming communities, which are situated in South Eastern Kenya. Due to the arid climate and frequent droughts, many weavers grow their own sisal. Machakos is known for its open air markets which run on Mondays and Fridays, and are filled with artisanal creations blooming with color and creativity.
Biella is the largest town, and capital, of the northern Italian region of Piedmont. It is located a short distance from both Turin and Milan. It lies in the foothills of the Alps, an area rich in springs, lakes and mountain pastures. Biella is an important wool and textile center. In 1695, a silk manufacturing company was established there and by 1835, the town at the forefront of the industry.