An Escape-Worthy Home in Puglia

Decor

You may think travel season is basically over, but I beg to differ. September is actually a perfect time to make an escape. The crowds have dwindled, the temperatures have cooled. In Europe, most locals are back from their vacations which means more authentic rather than tourist soaked cultural flavor. Plus, who doesn’t want to extend summer just a touch longer. Especially it it means that you could go stay in this gorgeous Italian home for a week!

This restored 18th Century Masseria (ancient fortified farmhouses found only in the Italian state of Puglia) sits among olive groves and prickly pear cactus in the heel of Italy’s boot. While the northern parts of Italy have typically gotten all the attention, in Puglia you can enjoy rustic Italian charm along with 500 miles of coastline. Apparently Meryl Streep now owns a house here and it’s where JT married Jessica Biel in 2010. It it’s good enough for Justin…

But back to this gorgeous house. The architecture alone – limestone floors and cathedral ceilings are a wow factor. It’s been opened up with french doors and transoms to offer gorgeous natural light and views of the stunning surroundings. The furnishings on the other hand are understated and sparse. Mid-century classics are paired with antiques and flea market finds to offer simple comfort that doesn’t detract from the dramatic spaces.

The bedrooms continue the rustic charm, but offer romantic touches including canopy beds.

And epic views.

Yes, I’ll take my wine on the terrace please.

This bathroom reminds me of one of our most popular shoots of all time.

If you want to truly get away from it all, it feels like Masseria Angiulli Piccolo would be the perfect spot. And I certainly wouldn’t mind taking a couple of style cues from the interior design for our own house.

SHOP THE POST: panton chair / coffee table / cactus / mosquito net / french market basket / canopy bed / hat/ chandelier / white table lamp / mirror

Move over Amalfi coast. There’s a new Italian hot spot in town. You can get all the details about how to rent this Masseria right here.

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Wanderlusting for the Riviera Maya

Gotta Getaway

So far this summer, I’ve been dreaming of St. Barts, Ibiza, Greece, and Italy. But today, I’m all about Mexico. Specifically the far-flung island of Holbox, nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. You probably don’t have this tiny little island on your must-travel list…yet. But if all the Airbnbs on Holbox Island are like the one below, I think it’s going to pop to the top of your list. It’s certainly topping mine right now!

This bright white hacienda checks all of my dream island vacation boxes. Pitch perfect minimal design with just enough of a bohemian hand to remind that you are indeed on a tropical vacay. Local artisan works, from gourds and earthenware bowls to woven wall hangings and textiles are dotted throughout. Lighting and poufs had a bit of a Moroccan touch. The overall effect is shear heaven.

The one bedroom, one bathroom rental is surrounded by a palm grove and overlooks the classic white sand beach that is just steps away. Think the Tulum vibe without the inflated prices and half the population of New York City swarming the beach. Blech. This remote spot still sits firmly on the barely discovered list.

All I need is that hammock and the perfect margarita.

This is the type of design we wish we could live with on the regular, regardless of how impractical it is for daily life. (all white, all concrete, plaster and fragile decor – so toddler friendly, right?) Which is why it is the prefect vacation destination. I would gleefully disconnect from reality entirely in this spot. I’m this close to packing the smallest bag possible and hopping a plane right now. The toddler won’t miss me for at least a few days right??

get the look: one piece / necklace / sandals / haircare / hat / earrings / towel / sunnies / tote bag

You can check out the Airbnb listing right here. Just don’t book it before I do!

SHOP THE POST

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2761449″]

photography by mario badalian, spotted on the style files

A Bright White Italian Escape

Decor

Tucked in a five acre olive grove on the shores of the Adriatic Sea sits what looks like might be an old farmhouse, but in reality, is a beautifully modern bed and breakfast. The minimalist respite is a unique take on an Italian escape.

Called Masseria Moroseta, the structure of this six suite building is modeled after the traditional farmhouses that dot this region of Puglia. The space is built around a center courtyard and surrounded by terraced gardens. A pool graces one side. Local traditional materials including 1 meter thick plaster walls and limestone floors were used in construction to optimize both heating and cooling, reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. The sea of white and the variety of textures also just look absolutely stunning.

The minimal perfection is punctuated with thoughtful design moments like a geometric tile headboard in one bedroom and honed stone sinks, left rough and rugged in the bathrooms and a mishmash of antique furniture used throughout the house.

Meals at Masseria Moroseta are served family style each night. There is often yoga in the olive groves. You can naps by the pool and admire the view of the sea in the distance. You can also visit the nearby town of Ostuni, an all white Italian town that until now I’d never heard of. Not surprisingly, my obsession with Italy has now only grown. Who wants to meet me here?!

For more home tours, CLICK HERE

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images by salva lopez via masseria moroseta

Tasty Tuesday: You Scream, I Scream…

San Francisco

Summer is pounding down the door! Are you excited?? It’s currently brought unusually warm temperatures t0 San Francisco, which is sending the entire city scrambling for ways to cool off. It so rarely gets warm here no one has air conditioning (seriously!). So when I heard there is a new shop serving up authentic Italian-style gelato in San Francisco, I had to make my way there stat.

Meet Coletta Gelato. It is a welcoming peach of a shop, and not just because of its welcoming peach color scheme. There’s bar-top seating and a nice sunny spot to enjoy your treat outside. The daily rotation of flavors are hand written on the butcher paper menu. At the counter, you find said flavors ready for scooping, but you won’t find any of those prototypical mounds of candy-colored ice cream that you might associate with gelato shops in Italy. That’s actually because those gelatos are filled with stabilizers and fillers to get them to stand up like that. Sadly, a lot of Italian gelato is made from powder these days! I know, I’m horrified too.

But Coletta founders, Antonio Massimini and Henri Waltenspühl are purists. The two share a childhood love of gelato, growing up with Italian grandparents, but they did not meet until they were getting their Masters of Management in Food & Beverage in Milan. While there, they fell in love with the idea of making the best gelato they could create. So they attended Bologna’s Carpigiani Gelato University to perfect their craft. Luckily for us, they decided to bring their gelato to the US. As Antonio explained, the decided San Francisco is the ideal location because the abundance of amazing ingredients in the Bay Area allows them to make a product that is a cut above.

At Coletta, they make their base from scratch daily. It’s a long, laborious process that includes mixing milk (that they source from local Clover Dairy), mixing it with sugar and raising the mixture to a precise temperature. Then there are the unique flavors – Coletta offers classics like Pistacchio, Gianduja (chocolate + hazelnut) and Tiramisu, but also more local-influenced options like Gauva sorbetto, fresh Peach or Mint Chocolate Chip. All of their ingredients are selected for their quality and freshness and are organic.

Coletta is also putting a foodie twist on their gelato, creating infused flavors, such a basil and chai. They even let it slip that they’re working to perfect a low-sugar option in the future! But what really sets gelato apart for me is the texture. Real, beautifully crafted gelato is light, airy and oh so creamy. You don’t feel gross after eating it. That might by why I was known to indulge as many as 3x a day when I was in Italy (eek!).

There a number of contributing factors to this. For one, unlike ice cream, gelato is made with milk and only milk. Ice creams are made with a mix of milk and cream as well as eggs. This makes gelato a lot lighter (and often half the calories!) of ice cream. Also gelato is made and kept at much warmer temperatures than ice cream. That makes it much more flavorful. Gelato also isn’t meant to be stored for a long time. It’s intended to be enjoyed the day it is made. Coletta doesn’t keep any gelato more than two days to ensure the highest quality and freshness.

After living in Italy and visiting many times since, I’ve spent years sampling gelato anywhere I see it pop up in the US, hoping to replicate the memories I have from Italy. It’s very rare that I’ve found gelato that lives up to those expectations, but Coletta actually surpasses them! The texture is perfect, the flavors are amazing (I was particularly impressed by the almond topped with coco powder) and the space is just the cutest.

But if you can’t make it downtown, fear not! Coletta has also imported roving gelato carts straight from Italy. Bike powered and totally adorable, it’s going to be popping up around San Francisco this summer. I will certainly be stalking it. Follow them on Instagram to find out where they’re popping up.

For now, head to 685 Harrison Street to get your gelato fix. Coletta is open Tuesday-Sunday 12pm – 9pm.

For more of my favorite San Francisco gems, CLICK HERE

original photography for apartment 34 by andrea posadas

Bright and Brilliant on St. Barts

Decor

I know, I know. This vacation rental has been blogged, pinned and blogged again, but I just can’t help myself. This stunning bungalow, tucked on the island of St. Barts, is truly a vacation destination dream come true. And since I’m still hunting for my ultimate vacation rental on Kauai (the amount of AirBnB tabs I currently have open is terrifying), I’m hoping that putting my vision of perfection out into the universe will somehow bring forth that hidden Hawaiian gem. And even if you’ve seen this house 20 times already (I unknowingly featured the deck in this post!), you’re going to love it on the 21st, I promise because ALL WHITE errything.

This house, called Villa Palmier, is pure perfection. Bright white, beachy but elevated. Minimalist but a bit rustic. Every detail, from the pale wood cabinetry, custom sofas, dots of vintage accessories and collected decor make this space welcoming but also open, airy – it’s like an exhale personified.

As the designer (and highly talented photographer) Katie Holstein explains “Both my husband and I believe in curated spaces where every part of the house has a story, a purpose, and aesthetic appeal. This ideology was a driving force for both our home in Aspen and St Barts.”

While the details throughout this vacation home look simple, they are in fact highly considered, but also range from hight to low. I spy baskets from The Citizenry and the CB2 Shroom coffee table. They’re juxtaposed with stunning Ay Illuminate light fixtures and a Lacanche range. All island vacation homes should officially have jute poufs – just sayin’.

I’ve officially become so obsessed with vacation home design. Maybe that’s what my next business should be – how to transform idyllic island homes into magazine-worthy perfection. This house was featured in Elle Decoration France! And it’s easy to see why. It’s the ultimate fantasy. Indoor / out door living. Light colored everything – as if toddlers or stains don’t exist. The clutter of daily life is no where to be found. And that is what vacation is all about. While I’m still committed to going to Kauai at the moment, this home is very tempting.

If you’re planning a trip to St. Barts, this travel guide is extremely detailed!

For more travel destination inspiration, CLICK HERE.

images by Kate Holstein and Romain Ricard fro Elle Decoration, quote via here

A Design Lover’s Dream on the Island of Rhodes

Gotta Getaway

When you’re wanting to get away from it all, there’s really no better place then an island. When you’re on an island you feel luxuriously cut off from civilization, as if the little corner of the world on which you sit is the only thing that exists in that moment. And isn’t that what anyone wants from a vacation destination?! So it’s no surprise that I immediately fell in love with Casa Cook, a gorgeous boutique hotel nested into the beautifully rustic terrain of the Greek island of Rhodes.

It also helps that this meticulously designed hotel was designed and styled by Michael Schickinger and Annabell Kutucu, who also designed the San Giorgio hotel on Mykonos – where I had the pleasure of staying a few years ago! If you missed that trip you’ve got to check out here. The San Giorgio might be the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. Design-focused spots like these burn themselves onto your brain (and truthfully taint you for future trips because little lives up).

Casa Cook is a 90 room escape aimed to attract us design lovers with meticulously appointed rooms, delicious food and soul enriching activities like yoga retreats and immersive experiences on the island. At Casa Cook you can swim up to virtually every room in their expansive pool. Hammocks dot nearly every corner, tempting to take an impromptu siesta.

While the use of natural materials, stone and warm wood tones give off a vacation vibe, the use of black in many places adds a bit of an urban edge. The final result certainly appeals to a city-loving girl such as myself. You feel like you could be in restaurant in the heart of New York, except for the amazing open-air breezes passing through.

While making a sojourn to Greece is no easy feat – especially from the west coast, traveling to far flung locations is so good for your soul. And when they’re this easy on the eyes, I think the trek would definitely be worth it. Casa Cook is officially going on the bucket list.

I’m curious, what’s on yours??

For our archive of travel inspiration, CLICK HERE.

photography by Georg Roske for casa cook

Wanderlust Wednesday: Take Me to Kauai

Gotta Getaway

It’s back. The season to pack your bags and hit the road or… watch wistfully while everyone else seems to be going somewhere fabulous. I had an entirely different post ready to officially kick off wanderlust season today, but this is where the blog still collides with my day to day life. After packing our Memorial Day weekend with a whole lot of domesticity, but watching the never-ending stream of everyone else’s amazing travels, I can’t take it anymore. We must go. We must go now. We haven’t taken a vacation in nearly 8 months, so I think it’s about time. And it’s time to go to Kauai. I’ve spent the last 48 hours completely obsessed.

While we had an amazing time during our first real family vacation on Maui last year, I just feel compelled to make a sojourn to Kauai. I’ve stayed before…in 1992 – ha! But there’s something about the lush jungle, the even slower pace, the unbeaten paths and stunning beaches that is calling me back. Kauai seems like the perfect place to truly escape – and is anyone else feeling like they wish they were in a different world right now? Yeah, me too.

So I’ve started my standard travel planning – obsessive amounts of research and relentless “perfect place to stay” searching. I consider myself the queen of finding that one hidden gem. But I didn’t have to search too hard to find a what might be the best spot I’ve seen on Kauai thus far. Meet The Palmwood.

This stunning retreat is a small, secluded bed and breakfast tucked into Kauai’s Moloa’a valley. There is no kitsch to be found. Only thoughtful vintage furnishings, crazy pretty views and gourmet food thanks so the owner’s son – who happens to be a professionally trained chef. The vibes are cool, a touch bohemian and decidely laid back. Exactly what I’m craving right now.

While this chic spot isn’t family friendly per say, I’m already dreaming of a mini-escape for the husband and I, regardless of what our final Kauai destination turns out to be. I mean, did you catch a glimpse of that pool?? It’s calling my name.

And while I’m going to continue to devour every online Kauai travel guide I can find, I would love your help friends. Are you a Kauai aficionado? Have you visited recently? Do you have a few favorite places you’d be willing to share? I would be SO grateful. It was 55 degrees and foggy as all get out in San Francisco today. This mama needs some Aloha stat.

To check out last year’s wanderlust-worthy destinations, CLICK HERE

photography via bryce johnson, cult collective , cult collective, in bed with, in bed with, the drifter, cult collective, elanaloo, erin kunkel for sunset magazine, in bed with, elanaloo

Wine Wednesday: A Hot Spot for the Cool Crowd

Food + Travel

If you live in the Bay Area, are under 35 and have ever worn a boho hat or sport a beard, then you’ve probably already heard of Scribe Winery. But there’s a reason all the cool kids go there and why Scribe is my current Wine Wednesday obsession. It’s just too dang pretty! We actually featured Scribe and their gorgeous property a few years back. But they’ve taken the cool factor to a whole new level with their recently renovated Hacienda.

One of the oldest buildings in Sonoma, the hacienda sat abandoned for more than 20 years. Even after Scribe opened it remained untouched. It was used for impromptu parties (and even I may have snuck into it for a photo shoot!), but after nearly two years the Hacienda has been reborn. It now features beautiful sitting rooms, a commercial kitchen and I hear three guest rooms that will house visiting chefs and possibly a writer in residence. Did I mention the coolness oooozes out of this place?? What I love most is that the renovation kept the original patina intact. From walls whose peeling paint revealed period wallpaper beneath to restoring original glass, built-ins, and fixtures, if you didn’t know better you might think the space hadn’t actually been renovated!

The day I visited, the property was abloom because Louesa Roebuck and Sara Londsdale were on hand to celebrate their new flower-focused tome, Foraged Flora. So gorgeous right?

You can now book wine tastings at the Hacienda that include a beautifully prepared lunch straight from that stunning kitchen. You’ll enjoy farm fresh salads (like fresh off their farm on the property), cheese boards, sandwiches – whatever the resident chef invents for that day. Food is served in bowls designed by artist and Scribe friend Jess Hirsch and you’ll dine on tables made of redwood trees that fell on the property a few years back. Again, does it get cooler? I think not. But as beautiful as the place is, the wines are also quite good too. Run by brothers Andrew and Adam Mariani, who are fourth-generation California farmers, the brothers decided it was time to breathe new life into not only into the property’s structures, but most importantly into the land for their sustainable winemaking.

Scribe is located on one of the older vineyards in Sonoma. It was shut down during prohibition, then turned into an orchard and at one time a turkey farm. But it is certainly back to life now. The brothers planted Reisling and Sylvaner (a german varietal) as that’s what had grown on the property since the turn of the last century. Scribe also produces Chardonnay, Rosés, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignons with grapes sourced from throughout the valley. Scribe uses old world, natural wine making processes like skin-fermentation and really focus on infusing the uniqueness of place into all of their wines. Having tasted at Scribe for a number of years now I think it’s fair to say that the wines vary a bit from year to year, but what they’re pouring now is particularly strong. The Rosés are exceptionally light and crisp; perfect for really hot days. The Pinot has a bit more body and structure than past years. It’s a lovely wine to sip on its own or enjoy with food. But I’m actually particularly loving their Cab right now. At over $70 a bottle, it’s certainly a special occasion wine but I’m finding it pretty special.

So the next time you’re planning a visit to wine country, make sure a visit to Scribe is on your list. Just make a point to call and book ahead. This place is cool remember, so of course, it’s nearly impossible to get in!

For more Wine Wednesday posts, CLICK HERE

For my favorite getaways, CLICK HERE

FluFOMO: Traveling Off the Beaten Path

Gotta Getaway

It’s so easy to get stuck in our daily routines. Whether we’re chained to a desk literally or figuratively, it’s rare to break out of the norm – the ebb and flow of day to day life tends to sweep you away. You frequent the standard coffee shop on the daily or head to your weekly brunch spot without blinking an eye. As we rely on old standbys, time seems to blur, days blending into weeks, weeks slumping into months. But what if, every once in awhile, you were free to to kick the standbys to the curb?

When Clorox asked me to share some FluFOMO – what you might be missing out on if you’re unfortunate enough to catch the flu this season – I decided it was high time to break out of my routine. Since I’ve done my best to keep the flu at bay this season (you can see how I kept from catching the stomach flu from my kid right here). Sure there are thousands of trendy spots in and around San Francisco that would check every hipster box you can think of, but I wondered what might be out there if I looked a little past the usual.

I recently took the opportunity to enjoy a crisp January day ditching my routine entirely and instead, hitting the road excited to discover what Hwy 1 might bring my way – no set itinerary, no set agenda, no Instagram stalking beforehand. Just a sense of adventure.

Upon snaking up the coast, I stumbled upon the charming little town of Bolinas a little less than an hour north of San Francisco. Nestled against the Pacific and beloved by surfers who hate crowds, the one-street hamlet, pop. 2,000, feels like a throwback to a bygone era. You can belly up to the bar at Smiley’s Saloon, the oldest bar in California, or lunch on oysters plucked only miles from Coast Cafe, the town diner. But what I love most about places like Bolinas are the people. Also quick to smile, happy to share a kind word and eager to tell an interesting story, it’s a wonderful reminder of the power of human connection. At Smiley’s, I was regaled of the celebrities that often come through Bolinas as they explore Marin – often unsure of what to make of town residents who really couldn’t give two sh***!

an artist community still thrives in bolinas

a quiet stroll on the beach soothes the soul

When the world seems to spin a bit out of control, a little time spent breaking free of the usual is the perfect way to reflect on what matters most. You never know what you might be missing out on until you simply get out there and explore.

Have you missed out on some adventure this winter due to the flu? Click here to share your story and be entered to win a Clorox prize pack!

For more getaway ideas, CLICK HERE

original photography for apt34 by emily scott

This post is in partnership with Clorox. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations that I’m excited about and that have kept apartment 34’s doors open

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