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Chotto Matte Plays with Tokyo-Meets-Miami Design Award
A retractable roof, 33,000-pound volcanic boulder, and bright murals are some of the memorable touches Pedestrians may misconstrue the long, white structure in the narrow alleyway just off Lenox Avenue as a standard wall and walk right by — but that would be a mistake. As what lies behind it is Chotto Matte, a high-end restaurant specializing in Japanese and Peruvian fusion Nikkei cuisine, with a design that makes it a destination worth seeking out. Set in the heart of Miami Beach, the 220-seat eatery opened in April 2018 as the first U.S. outpost of the London original. Beyond the myriad of traditional dishes like the best-selling Nikkei sashimi, shrimp and pork…
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A Modern Retreat at the Far Edge of Ireland
As in all the best B&Bs, tea is offered within seconds of arrival. At Breac.House which opened recently on Horn Head near Dunfanaghy, it is served in little grey goblets of Inishowen clay commissioned from a local pottery. “We wanted a particular shade of grey,” owners Niall Campbell and Cathrine Burke explain, “with a slight purple hue. The colour of Muckish.” They nod through vast windows to the inky mountains of north Donegal. It’s just a detail in a house where attention to detail has been taken to magnificent extremes. A Pantone reference given conversational depth by two Dublin accountants who realized ten years ago that their careers were at…
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DIY Tips for Shou Sugi Ban
How should DIYers approach the Shou Sugi Ban process for the best results? For a durable burnt wood finish that will last 50 years or more, follow these Shou Sugi Ban application tips: Apply on softwoods only. As a result of its porous nature, cedar—Japanese cedar in particular—readily chars to the depth needed for a protective and appealing burnt wood finish. However, other softwoods, including pine and fir, are also good candidates. Avoid hardwoods, such as teak or walnut, which are denser and don’t char as readily. Skip the sanding. Because burning the wood surface removes any existing rough patches, there’s no need for sanding the wood before scorching it. If, however,…
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Downsize: Living Large in a Small House
With the current trend toward de-cluttering and downsizing, there are plenty of books about how to winnow down possessions to the few that are truly necessary and loved. This book shows how you can live well once that’s done. In “Downsize: Living Large in a Small House” (2019), author Sheri Koones focuses on practical ways to live well at home once you’ve streamlined your belongings and are living more compactly. “It scares people to think of moving into a smaller space, but every single person I interviewed who has made the transition says they are so happy they did. Time and again, people used the word ‘liberated’ to describe their…
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Striking Shou Sugi Ban Tunnel connects Old and New
Every home has a story, and for this renewed West Australian home, it began at the start of the 20th century. When the owners decided to build a new home on the traditional farmhouse site, they identified the need to take a considered, trusted and respectful approach to honor what had gone before, but still deliver a contemporary, progressive design. Humphrey Homes was appointed to take on the challenge, building a three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home over 555 sq meters that could be described as a master of contrast. Humphrey Homes Owner and Director Dean Humphrey said contrast was shown in the architecture, emotion, textures and history of the build. “This home…
