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This year’s Salone del Mobile was an (over)stimulating reminder of how much we love Milan. There’s a rare interplay of ease and refinement, and an energy that hums alongside a sense of calm, making the city feel entirely its own. We were lucky enough to stay at Casa Laveni, a 30-room boutique property in the heart of Brera, during its opening. The hotel is perfectly located, and a spot we will undoubtedly return to. During the first week of Salone, we hosted an intimate breakfast—Just A Simple Gathering—with A Simple Flair and design duo Ananas Ananas, the latter of whom created a knitted stainless steel tablecloth (topped with marzipan!), a nod to their signature metalworks. The coffee machine was over-worked, but it was the perfect moment for connection amidst the frenzy of Salone. As it pertains to design, visits we’re still thinking about include Palazzo Olivazzi - Interni Venosta, Yves Salomon Editions × Michael Bargo, Alcova (where we had the pleasure of participating in a panel hosted by Design Hotels), Joshi/Greene at Convey (from Elora Joshi & Andrew J. Greene), La Casa di Marmo, 6AM at Piscina Guido Romano, and a pause at Casa Museo Boschi di Stefano. Other notables: espressos at Via Stampa (recommended for lunch, too!), a treatment at Studio Borbon, and shopping at Vera Persiani.
A quick stopover in Athens last week gave us the opportunity to refresh our intel on one of our favorite cities, just in time for summer. Here’s what we loved: • ArchiveStudio/22: Exceptionally curated vintage… curated so well that, well, the prices reflect the quality. Save up before you stop in! • 10am lofts: Stunning apartments, ideal for those who need space. • Taverna Ton Filon: Ever-so-slightly modernized taverna churning out perfectly executed Greek classics. And the nicest service. • Manári Taverna: For a feastttttt. Get a group (portions are huge, vibe is fun), and don’t miss the beef bifteki. …this is just the beginning, read our Athens GoGuide for our full guide to the Greek capital.
Paris’ Hôtel Massé has been one of the most successful debuts we’ve seen in a while (and it’s deserved—the hotel is fab). Family-run and designed by the Gasparetto Parenti design duo, it was pretty much an instant hit upon opening last fall. And they’re continuing their success with the recent launch of their bar and restaurant, Le Trente, a bi-level space also designed by Parenti with a mix of vintage and custom-made furnishings. It’s the perfect spot to kick off an evening—or spend the whole night (there’s a DJ spinning vinyls until 2am).
We recently checked into the Brach Madrid, the boutique hotel designed by Philippe Starck that felt more like an art collector's home than a hotel: intimate, welcoming, and full of original art and objects. Set in a historic building on Gran Via, the hotel is centered around the original 1922 wrought-iron staircase, which rises seven flights to a quiet rooftop (you’d never guess you’re perched above one of the most bustling streets in the city). Starck delivers on character with terracotta glazed tiles, rich leather, amber and oxblood accents, honey-toned wood, and woven textiles in olive and rust. After a full day of exploring, the La Capsule spa—complete with a pool, red light sauna, steam room, and gym—was heaven. And the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant served one of the most impressive breakfast spreads we’ve seen.
There's no shortage of amazing follows on AmiGo, but this week we're spotlighting these three users in particular: • Janice Bryson: Mexico City–based visual artist and photographer with recs in Marseille, Rome, São Paulo, Helsinki, & more. FOLLOW JANICE • Priya Srinivasan: Manhattan-based Director of Operations working in technology and consumer wellness, with recs in London, New York, Todos Santos, Florence, & more. FOLLOW PRIYA • Seda Erdem Akin: Istanbul-based Digital Creative and Tax Manager with recs in Istanbul, Marrakesh, Kyoto, Bali, Samos, & more. FOLLOW SEDA
AmiGo tastemaker Ashley Helvey is bringing together all the things we love about summer—music, seaside landscapes, seasonal cuisine, and natural wine—at Les Ondes music festival, happening from May 29-31 in the coastal town of Cerbère, right along the Spanish border in France. The festival has an elite roster, including food from Harry Lester (the man behind 40 Maltby Street, Comptoir Central Des Bazars, & more), and Clara Blum, resident sommelier at Le Doyenné. In addition to shared meals and time by the coast, the weekend will feature performances from artists like Austrian–Ethiopian harpist Miriam Adefris, Swedish electroacoustic composer Mats Erlandsson, and more. Book tickets here, and follow Ashley for all of her top recs in and around Cerbère.
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