Get the low-down from the original style-seekers' latest good-time hunting expeditions, find destination inspiration and insider tips from around the world. Welcome to the official Smith blog: we hope you enjoy your stay
The vogue for gorgeous wallpaper, pattern and print in boutique hotels – and homes – throughout the world owes a lot to the posthumous revival of Australian talent Florence Broadhurst’s dreamy designs. New Zealand-born, Sydney-based husband-and-wife team David and Helen Lennie (left) of Signature Prints can take credit for putting Florence firmly back on the [...]
When we launched our debut collection of Smith boutique hotels in Sri Lanka recently, one name kept coming up. That of the country’s most famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa (1919-2003). We’ve rounded up some of the world’s best boutique hotel designers before, but in no other place that Smith has delved for hotel gold, has one [...]
When we decided it was time for an exclusively Antipodean guidebook to add to our ever-expanding library for stylish globetrotters, our first port of call was acclaimed Australian photographer Earl Carter (right). Melbourne-based Earl has roamed the world shooting hotel, food and interiors pictures for A-list magazines and books, so who better to quiz for [...]
As if a waterfront city that straddles two continents and brings together historic architecture, exotic dining and sensual spas needed more enticements, Istanbul has recently endowed itself with a number of must-go events, including the Turkish Grand Prix, musical extravaganzas both cutting-edge and classical, fashion weeks, book fairs and biennials. Adding yet another attraction to [...]
Next time you need a window-shopping hit, head for Surry Hills in Sydney: Crown Street shopping serves up a bijou blend of quirky homewares, cutting-edge fashion and fabulous vintage finds. Surry Hills is the stylish gals go-to shopping street, just a 5-minute ride from Sydney boutique hotel Medusa, smack-bang in the centre of Darlinghurt’s hip [...]
As one of Australia’s top interior stylists, vintage maven Lyn Gardener (right, with Jack) is kept on her toes running a gorgeous emporium in Albert Park, South Melbourne, a decorating business and a holiday home in our Smith & Friends collection. We asked Lyn to spare a few minutes to tell us about [...]
On a recent stopover to check up on Smith’s boutique hotels in Singapore, we remembered why we first fell for the south-east Asian city’s buzzy mix of stylish stays, fabulous food and cocktails with a view…
It’s not often you get a rocket in your room – or a monster soft toy. This is Wanderlust hotel [...]
No, we’re not suddenly advocating mobile-home holidays (although we do rather like the idea of a gaily painted, horse-drawn Romany gypsy affair) – we’d just like to draw your attention to a rather lovely new book from the inspiring interiors magpie Emily Chalmers, owner/curator of stylish London design boutique, Caravan, in Shoreditch.
If you’re a fan [...]
When Mr & Mrs Smith’s Australian office relocated from shabby-chic Fitzroy to Melbourne’s lively city centre, they cornered a cool laneway position and called on some sassy folk to spice up the warehouse space. Eco-aware builder Martin Upton of Smartshax kitted out the open-plan office, and Lyn Gardener of Gardener & Marks lent luxe [...]
Last week, we caught a sneak preview of the John Makepeace exhibition at Somerset House. Makepeace is an industry maverick, championing bespoke furniture-making and sustainable practices in an age of hi-tech mass production – a man after Smith’s own heart, then, since we share a loathing of unimaginative replication and soulless sameness.
A founder member of [...]
