I don't want to start to sound like a commercial for
Soho Beach House but I just had to post the rest of the interiors. It really is one of the most well designed boutique hotels that I've ever seen. I also think there are a lot of take away decorating ideas that anyone could incorporate into their home.
The Soho Beach House only just opened last October 2010 in what was formerly the Sovereign Hotel. As you can see in the photos, the old sign is still up because they were required to keep it. They also had to keep the pink terrazzo floor in the lobby which they covered with a large area rug.
It was hard to get a good shot of the lobby but it's filled with comfy English style armchairs and little tables. You can dine in the lobby so in some of the evening photos, you'll see the tables are set.
Later in the day, the block the lobby tables with a screen so people walking into the hotel don't disturb the people eating.
I loved the mix of color and patterns though out the lobby and entire hotel.
An evening view of the lobby. It was cozy and clubby. Soho Beach House is a private club but anyone can book a room at the hotel. You then have member privileges for the duration of your stay.
The chandelier was stunning!
The desk in the reception area was eclectic and very chic.
The best part of the lobby were all the gallery walls of art.
It was all in a black and white palette which was interesting.
The doorway leads to the reception desk.
More artwork.
I read that there are over 150 pieces of original art on display at the hotel and I wouldn't be surprised if it was actually more.
It was interesting to see how the lobby area changed as the light through out the day changed.
On the second floor is the Club Bar which extends to an outdoor area that can be covered in inclement weather.
All of the chairs are different but because they are the same shade of brown, they all work together perfectly.
We sat outside here on our first night and it's just as nice as night as it is during the day.
The Club Bar overlooks the pool and has a great view of the ocean.
The mounted fans were a nice touch and probably necessary in hot Miami!
This would be a fun place for a birthday lunch or even a bridal or baby shower on a sunny day.
I really want to live here.
The Club Bar also includes an actual bar.
Love the jars of matchboxes.
And the bright blue color.
This tile floor extended from the Club Bar into this lobby and was really spectacular. This is also going in my file for future reference. I will have to find out if it's new or vintage.
There are two parts to Soho Beach House, the original building which was the old Sovereign Hotel and a new 16-story oceanfront tower. On the eighth floor of that building lies the library and meeting room which can be used for private meetings and functions.
I mentioned that petrol blue is owner Nick Jones favorite color and that is the same color as the dramatic draperies. They also pick up the color of the ocean beyond.
I loved the beat up look to the leather chairs around the conference table.
The hotel is full of snazzy chandeliers and there are more in this room.
On the side of the building, there is a decorative scrim to block out the other hotels.
I love the mix of prints and patterns of the upholstery fabrics and carpets.
The red rug picks up on the beach and pool area pops of red.
There were lots of fun objects on these and other shelves through out the hotel.
Another view of the library.
The room was full of interesting objects like the turtle shells.
But the best part of the library and meeting room is the terrace!
Could you imagine having a meeting out there?! I'd never get any work done!
I love all the different patterns of the floor tiles.
The amazing view!
I also got to peek into the Cowshed Spa that was designed with lots of rough wood.
I think this might be an exercise room but not sure. I wish I had booked a treatment for something!
A cute shelf in the Cowshed Spa.
I loved this little coffee bar area in the spa.
I love the mix of plain white tiles, marble and rough wood against the gleaming silver of the pots and coffee maker.
Another chandelier!
The gym was full of vintage touches like the old boxing gloves.
We stayed during the week so the hotel was not that busy so the gym was empty when I took a tour.
I couldn't quite capture it but the leaning mirror was very old and had a great patina.
The gym actually made me want to work out and I wished I had brought my sneakers and work out clothes. But they definitely weren't fitting in my over stuffed suitcase!
The ladies locker room had more artwork!
It was too dark to get many good photos but the bathroom in the ladies locker room was really chic. I love the tufted leather seat above and the other sitting area below. I really think the
Soho Beach House will especially appeal to New Yorkers and anyone who loves good design. And if you want glitz and glam while you're in Miami, the Fountainbleu is right next door!
Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic
Barack Obama is taking on health care, financial regulation, torture and environmental policy. He’s also revamping the White House art collection
The Obamas are sending ripples through the art world as they put the call out to museums, galleries and private collectors that they’d like to borrow modern art by African-American, Asian, Hispanic and female artists for the White House. In a sharp departure from the 19th-century still lifes, pastorals and portraits that dominate the White House’s public rooms, they are choosing bold, abstract art works.
The overhaul is an important event for the art market. The Obamas’ art choices could affect the market values of the works and artists they decide to display. Museums and collectors have been moving quickly to offer up works for inclusion in the iconic space
Their choices also, inevitably, have political implications, and could serve as a savvy tool to drive the ongoing message of a more inclusive administration. The Clintons received political praise after they selected Simmie Knox, an African-American artist from Alabama, to paint their official portraits. The Bush administration garnered approval for acquiring “The Builders,” a painting by African-American artist Jacob Lawrence, but also some criticism for the picture, which depicts black men doing menial labor
Last week the first family installed seven works on loan from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington in the White House’s private residence, including “Sky Light” and “Watusi (Hard Edge),” a pair of blue and yellow abstracts by lesser-known African-American abstract artist Alma Thomas, acclaimed for her post-war paintings of geometric shapes in cheery colors.
