Houston Art Fair Experience

Artwork by artist Roy Thurston of Chimento Contemporary Gallery.

I recently visited the Houston Art Fair (and Houston for the first time!) where I had the opportunity to spend an entire weekend enjoying original fine art. I served as the Houston Art Fair's VIP representative which meant that I attended the fair's VIP private art tours, taking place at the homes of select art collectors across the city. After my exciting weekend I highly recommend attending the Houston Art Fair, and of course any local art fairs that you have the opportunity to visit. I am pleased to share with you the highlights from my recent Houston Art Fair experience, which I must say was fantastic.

Painting by James Michalopoulos.

This old house with the hazy purple sky was one of my favorite paintings of the weekend. The artist, James Michalopolous, is know for painting representations of historic New Orleans homes in vibrant color palettes.

Ornate bamboo sculptures from a range of Japanese artists, Tai Modern.

I was really impressed by the Japanese bamboo art, featuring highly detailed baskets and sculptures made of bamboo while attending the Houston Art Fair. The Tai Modern Art Gallery curated this collection of bamboo works from a range of highly trained Japanese artists. I've seen this style of bamboo art at other museums and it's hard to believe that this intricate style of basket is created in much larger sizes, as well. 

Painting by Roseta Santiago of Blue Rain Gallery.

Another stunning work was this piece from artist Roseta Santiago who paints on Native American themes with photo-quality figurative work. The Blue Rain Gallery booth was filled with Native American artistic treasures from paintings like the one shown above to ceramic works and more. 

Paintings by Mark Heine, "Sirens" collection. Peninsula Art Gallery. 

Contemporary art jewelry design by Annemieke Broenink.

Contemporary art jewelry design by Liv Blavarp, made of wood, Charon Kranson Arts.

This art fair made sure there was something for everyone from comic book artwork that my husband loved, to sculptural jewelry, and more feminine artwork like the Christian Louboutin shoe piece shown below. I really enjoyed the jewelry designs of Annemeike Broenink and Liv Blavarp while at the art fair (shown above). I love the idea of jewelry that's like a mini-sculpture for your neck. These are these just the type of jewelry designs I look forward to adding to my collection. I was also pleased to see that there were more than one contemporary fine art jewelry designer represented at the Houston Art Fair, in addition to other non-traditional art mediums.

X-ray style artwork by Nick Veasey, 'Christian Louboutin', Evan Lurie Gallery.

Myself with artist Chong-Ok Lee Matthews, Korean landscape painter.

Attending the Houston Art Fair had the added benefit of meeting amazing artists in person. I really enjoyed meeting artist Chong-Ok Matthews whose paintings captured my attention because of their serene color palette. I'm photographed above in front of Chong-OK's gallery wall of soothing landscape paintings. I am looking forward to seeing more of this artists' work and featuring her on the blog in the near future.

Myself at the home of renowned art collector Lestor Marks, VIP private art tour. (ARTNews' 'Top 200 Collectors in the World)

One of the most exciting parts of working for the Houston Art Fair was attending the exclusive VIP events. I had the honor of serving as the Houston Art Fair's VIP Representative at two unforgettable art tours of private home collections. I have included some photos from my visit to the home of Lester Marks, a renowned art collector who has been featured internationally. 

Lester showing us his collection of Andy Warhol paintings.

Walking through Lester's home was quite the experience. Each room is filled with one-of-a-kind art installations transforming the home into a delightful creative habitat. Lester has been collecting artwork for over 20 years and continues to acquire more unique pieces like the ones shown here. 

Lester's kitchen design was accented with a net made of Barbies hanging from the ceiling!

I rounded out my weekend with the Houston Art Fair by viewing the work of one of my favorite artists, Nick Cave, right in the middle of Lester's living room! You can only imagine my surprise to round the corner of him home and see a full sized Nick Cave "Sound Suit". If you haven't heard about Nick Cave's Sound Suits, they are quite spectacular and imaginative. Nick Cave's Sound Suits can be worn and moved in as performance art or displayed as a sculptural piece. Getting a photo in front of one of Nick Cave's Sound Suits was definitely a highlight for me. I must thank Lester for welcoming us into his home and inviting us into his amazing world of fine art. These are the kind of experiences that invigorate my passion for fine art.

Artist Nick Cave known for his "Sound Suits".

Nick Cave was also just featured on PBS' Art in the 21st Century series. The Chicago episode featuring Nick Cave is definitely worth watching. Any art lover will love this new PBS series!

Myself in front of Nick Cave's 'Sound Suit' at the home of collector Lester Marks. 

I had a great time joining the Urban Expositions team for the weekend. The Houston Art Fair was full of surprises and definitely worth the trip. If you didn't have the opportunity to visit the Houston Art Fair this year, I recommend stopping by next year or in the future. For more great artwork visit the Interiors by Jacquin Art page. 

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Start Your Week with This Great Web Roundup

As you gear up for the week ahead, take a look at these great articles from across the Internet. This web roundup is sure to inspire you in one way or another. Plus try out this fab recipe for Key Lime Poundcake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing. You'll find the amazing recipe at the bottom of this post. Have a fantastic week!

Don't miss these great articles!

• This is How To Finally Stop Complaining About Everything - Self

• 5 Amazing U.S. Road Trip Ideas - Waiting on Martha

• Why You Should Be Deep Frying Your $50 Steak - Bon Appetit

• Top Independent Magazines #GoodReads - Politics & Fashion

• The 6 Most Luxurious First Class Airline Cabins - Architectural Digest

• Quick Asymmetrical Skirt - a pair & a spare

• 25 Reasons Why Turmeric Can Heal You - Mind Body Green (more info here) - This is why I like to take turmeric capsules and use a DIY turmeric face mask at home. :-)

• The Museum of Modern Art Posts 65,000 Works of Art Online - Mental Floss (What a great resource!) 

And in case you missed it...

Interiors by Jacquin blog has been selected as one of 2016's Top 90 Interior Design Blogs Worth Following as part of Marché Magazine's new rankings. 

Marché Magazine is the publication affiliated with Trove Market, an online marketplace to buy and sell used furniture and decor. Marche Magazine combed through over 2,000 interior design blogs in their search to determine the top 90 interior design blog worth following this year. Interiors by Jacquin has been ranked #7! Yay! Head over to the website here to see the full rankings list for 2016.


Plus, a delicious dessert recipe! 

Try out this recipe for Key Lime Poundcake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing. Yum!!

Get the recipe here. 

Enjoy!

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10 Global Restaurants with Impeccable Interior Design

Need a little inspiration? Well, today's post will inspire you with truly unique restaurant decor and amazing vacation destinations. The restaurant designers featured below have gone all-out to create a luxurious and memorable dining experience for stylish people like you! These photos have captured the essence of these restaurants and are sure to excite you.

1. Le Gauche Caviar Restaurant - Paris, France

Le Gauche is located inside the Hotel Montana and is exquisitely designed by Parisan architect Elizabeth Lemercier. This restaurant features a Russian inspired menu along with rich, velvet chairs designed by Maison Darré. The Hotel Montana is definitely worth booking a room at because the suites are decorated as uniquely as the beautiful restaurant. 
28 Rue Saint-Benoit, Paris, France 75006 (Inside Hotel Montana) (Phone +33 1 53 63 79 20)

2. Alain Ducasse Restaurant - Paris, France

This restaurant showcases highly unique, polished stainless-steel domes on the floor that reflect thousands of floating crystals. Designed by Jouin Manku Design Studio. 
25 Avenue Montaigne, Paris, France 75008 (Inside Hotel Plaza Athénée) (Phone: +33 1 53 67 65 00) 

3. Commissary Restaurant - Los Angeles, California

Amazing greenhouse design by Jason Tauritz. Located inside of The Line Hotel. 
3515 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010 
(Phone: 213-368-3030) 

4. Song Qi Restaurant - Monte Carlo, Monaco 

Designed by Emil Humbert & Christophe Poyet, Song Qi is Monaco's first gourmet Chinese restaurant and is the epitome of luxury. 
7 Avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco, Monte Carlo 98000 (Phone: +377 99 99 33 33) 

5. Le Mini Palais Restaurant - Paris, France

This restaurant is located near the Champs Elysées and has a beautiful terrace, perfect for dining al fresco. Le Mini Palais is run by Eric Frechon, a trip Michelin starred chef, so yet another reason to visit this beautiful restaurant. 
Avenue Winston Churchill, Paris, France 75008 (Phone: +33 01 42 56 42 42)

6. Le Flandrin Restaurant - Paris, France

Elegantly designed restaurant with an exquisite traditional french menu. Le Flandrin was designed by Joseph Dirand. I absolutely love the luxurious velvet chairs!
4 Place Tattegrain, Paris, France 75016 (Phone: +33 01 45 04 34 69)

7. Chez Gaston Restaurant - Miami, Florida

French-inspired, Latin fusion restaurant located inside of the Grand Beach Hotel Surfside. Chez Gaston is known for its unique cuisine and ocean views. 
4835 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140 (Phone: 305-538-8666)

8. Palmilla Cocina y Tequila Restaurant- Hermosa Beach, California 

Fine dining Mexican restaurant on the Hermosa Beach Pier with an amazing brunch menu. Palmilla's intricate decor will envelop you!
39 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, California 90254 (Phone: 310-374-4440)

9. Sketch Restaurant - London, England

Sketch is an iconic destination for food, art, and music offering a lovely afternoon tea. The restaurant's interior has a memorable pink motif with elements of curiosity and humor. A must visit for your next trip to London.
9 Conduit Street, London, England W1S 2XG (Phone 44 0 20 7659 4500)

10. La Gare Restaurant - Paris, France

This restaurant specializes in fine french dining in a beautiful setting and offers a separate cafe for lighter fare, as well. La Gare's location was a historical site that underwent an impressive renovation under the direction of architect Laura Gonzalez. The restaurant has stunning blue velvet chairs and vibrant plants as one of the highlights of its decor. La Gare's cafe is also quite chic making it the perfect location for a quick lunch or evening drinks. 
19 Cahussée de la Muette, Paris, France 75116 
(Phone: 01 42 15 15 31)

Today's post has given me so much vacation inspiration! I would love to travel to any of these destinations just to dine at these stunning restaurants. As a quick tip, be sure to Pin this post for later. You'll want to remember these amazing restaurants! 

Which of these restaurants would you be most interested in visiting? 

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Globetrotting in Style: Capri, Italy with Hermione Olivia

With the new year just beginning, it's the perfect time to think about the destinations you'd like to travel to this year. I'm going to suggest that you add the luxurious and beautiful destination of Carpi, Italy to your must-see list. Today I've brought on stylish travel blogger Hermione Olivia to share her Top 3 Must-See Sites in Capri! 

Hi, I'm Hermione! I live to travel and I’m happiest in the clouds, or in an airport, filled with expectation. I travelled so often for years that people were constantly asking for recommendations and it was the natural solution to put my experiences in one place. Thus, Hermione Olivia was born. In just over a year, my passion has become a career and I’m fortunate to travel the world almost constantly. 

Not surprising that I am Australian, given how much Aussies love to travel. I grew up in Sydney, by the water and most of my fondest experiences are near the Ocean. 

Today I’m writing about Capri for you because it holds such a huge place in my heart. I first visited about 8 years ago and have returned at least once every year since. I feel like the Island is a second home and I love taking friends and family for the first time, and showing off this little slice of Italian heaven.  

1. La Fontelina is one of the most famous lidos in the world. It’s the ultimate European day club, in my option. Nestled in the rocks near the famous Faraglioni rocks, La Fontelina can be reached by boat, or by a picturesque, but rocky, promenade along via Tragara. No matter how you get here, spend the day over indulging in Aperol Spritz, swimming, and feeding your appetite with seafood pasta. Bellissimo! (Address: Località Faraglioni 80073 Capri II, Phone: +39 081 83 70 845)

2. Take a boat ride from Marina Piccola around the Island and to experience La Faraglioni, some of the world’s most mind-blowing rock formations. Alongside the Grotta Azzurra (another must see!), La Faraglioni are one of the identifying characteristics and attractions of Capri. Don’t forget - For couples, it is customary to close your eyes and kiss as your boat goes under the rocks! 

3. Visit my favourite restaurant, Da Paolino, which is set under the lemon trees. Indulge in the Pacheri Pasta with Lobster and it is a must to finish with something from the dessert buffet. If you don’t typically order dessert, reassess this for one night only, after all you are in Capri heaven! (Address: 11, via Palazzo a Mare 80073 Capri, Italy. Phone: +39 081 83 76 102)

Dine under the fragrant lemon trees at Da Paolino restaurant in Capri.

Italian gelato is the best and so are the Capri markets!

And you must not forget to enjoy some delicious, refreshing gelato while you're in Capri!

Follow along on Hermione's future travels through her amazing blog, Hermione Olivia. HermioneOlivia.com is a destination unto itself, offering an escape into some of the world's most sought-after destinations from a stylish perspective.

To see the previous destinations from my "Globetrotting in Style" series click here!

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Globetrotting in Style: Exploring Bangalore, India

Hey there! I'm Ashima Sharma, a lifestyle entrepreneur, freelance writer & travel blogger and the co-founder of the The Logical Traveler blog. I moved to Bangalore a couple of years back and it’s a city that rocks pretty much 24/7.  Whether you want to shop, chill out in the evening or just enjoy the pleasant weather, this place has it all. So here I am super excited to share some places that are a must visit in Bangalore, India.  

1. UB City Luxury Shopping Complex - It’s one of the finest spots to experience, as well as a very classy place. It gives you a feeling of having a fine lunch while also being great in the evening for enjoying the Bangalore breeze. This place is centrally located in Bangalore city, which makes it accessible for everyone. It has cuisines ranging from Indian, French, Asian, Mexican and Italian, to name a few. 

My favorite place in UB City is Cafe Noir. It represents the ‘French Art De Vivre’ offering a perfect outdoor ambiance for customers to enjoy the beautiful Bangalore weather. Along with a range of French cuisine, they have the best French Deli Corner. Here's what I recommend for a delicious meal. 

What to order at Cafe Noir: 

-Main Course: Minute Beef Steak, teamed up with a glass of Red Wine.

-Dessert: Chocolate Mousse 

Once you're here, you just have to check out the awesome stores that this place offers.  Its ranges from chic international fashion brand, Aviraté,  - to one stop solution for all your sartorial needs. This shopping district also features your classics, from Burberry to Louis Vuitton... and how can we forget the watches? Well, there is an entire alley of watch stores from Rolex, Seiko, Zimson, Tag Heuer and Omega to name a few.

2. Arbor Brewing Company: To experience one of the finest craft beers in town, this is the place to be! Their bar offers a selection of wine and liquor in addition to their award-winning beer.

What to Order at Arbor Brewing Co.– A must try is the Raging Elephant Beer.  To team it up with a delicious appetizer, you’ve got to try the Florentine Stuffed Chicken.

3. The Leela Palace Hotel – This hotel covers over 9 acres of lush gardens and cascading waterfalls. It gives you a true feeling of an Indian palace. It has a royal look and feel, yet designed in a modern way, so you're still getting a rich feel of Indian Culture. 

The Library Bar at The Leela Palace Hotel– A place you’d certainly like to drop by. Its decor combines Victorian leather and dark-wood furniture, and is an upscale experience like no other place in Bangalore. While you’re sipping one of the vintage malts, you can absorb the ambiance of the space as well. 

The Collonnade at The Leela Palace Hotel- (inspired from the term ‘Colonnade’ resembles a series of giant pillars) If you’d like to shop for some Indian Designer fashion, with or without a hint of modern touch, this is the perfect place to shop. However, if you’d like to relax and have a cup of coffee or read a book, then Cafe Collonnade is a must try!  

What to Order at The Collonnade – Café Frappuccino and the Blueberry Muffin

So now you know the top 3 places to visit when you're here in Bangalore, India! The pictures I shared do not do complete justice to these place, so you’ve got to see it and experience it for yourselves. The more you explore Bangalore, the more it grows on you and and trust me, you’ll love it! I hope I've tempted you to drop by Bangalore when you're enjoying your next vacation in India.

Ashima in front of the waterfalls at The Leela Palace Hotel.

Ashima Sharma is an Entrepreneur, Freelance writer and Travel Blogger. She travels to experience different cultures and cuisines and also makes new friends along the way. Her objective is to inspire people to ‘Travel More with Less’! To learn about her and get inspired to travel, pay a visit to The Logical Traveler.

Photo credits: Shreyash Sharma, Co-Founder, The Logical Traveler

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