The new JetBlue campaign, The CEO's Guide to Jetting, is absolutely brilliant! Enjoy!
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107 posts categorized "Travel"
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Tamarind House, St. Lucia
Last week Cindy and I had the distinct privileged of renting Tamarind House, a private villa in St. Lucia. The house sits on over 14,000 square feet of property that also contains a private cottage and another guest house called La Bagatelle (also available to rent). I provide video walk through of Tamarind House in my previous blog post. You may also find photos that I took of the property via my St. Lucia Flickr Album. I can not say enough positive things about this experience. The villa was immaculate, the private chefs (Anne and Cheryl) talented, and the view of the Pitons breathtaking.
To help one have a deeper appreciation of the villa, Cindy and I transcribed a write up of the property that we enjoyed reading in a coffee table book from Tout Bagain Publising titled "Maco Caribean Homes". It seems as if this book is no longer in print and copies are extremely rare to come by. To that end, I hope they do not mind me offering their piece on Tamarind House here (all photos that I embedded along with the story are the ones I took while staying there). The man who built Tamarind House, Norman Brick, unfortunately passed away last year. The following article was written while he was alive and provides one with a much sense of the Villa's history, architecture, and art that was Brick's beautiful vision. Cindy and I thank him (and his lovely partner Nancy) for giving us a wonderful memory of his beautiful home in St. Lucia.
Tamarind House
From Maco, Caribbean Homes. © 2005 | Kathy Ann Waterman, and Marie France Aqui
A retired executive builds retreat from volcanic rock and celebrates space, light and air amidst the fabled Twin Pitons of St. Lucia.
When Norman Brick awakens at Tamarind House and the twin Pitons are swathed in sunlight, with the Caribbean Sea to his right and the island’s lush green hills to the left, he considers himself a very fortunate man.
Brick, who was born in England, built his home amidst two towering green pyramids in St. Lucia, the fabled Twin Pitons. While the design and style are anything but traditional West Indian, Tamarind House embraces the priorities that were in place when craftsman of a bygone age were defining what is now known as Caribbean style. Space, light and air were the most important consideration in the creation of the 14,000-square-foot home.
Brick, former vice president in the United States for what became Eastman Kodak, undertook the construction of Tamarind House from 1978 to 1980. When he retired in 1980, he spent another 10 years as a consultant in Hungary, Brazil and Czechoslovakia, before devoting most of his time soaking up the view from tamarind House.
The walls of his home were constructed from local Belfond stone and Wayne Brown, a Canadian who came to St Lucia in the 60s and who specializes in building one of a kind properties, recalls how the local masons would sit under the tamarind trees on the property, chipping away at the pink, grey and fawn volcanic rocks. The ceiling was crafted from Guyanese greenheart wood, and the doors from red cedar in Brown’s carpentry shop in Soufriere, and the floors were made from terra cotta tiles from Barbados. Large wallaba poles, which were also used as beams across the rooms, supported the roof rafters.
The design centerpiece of the house is the living room and terrace, covering about 2,500 square feet. The living room is sparingly but exquisitely furnished with Caribbean and French period pieces. The uncluttered terrace is shaded by trees and there is but a scattering of tables and chairs
.
An arched way doorway leads directly to the living room with its vast ceilings. The arches in the living room were re-done three ties before Brick and Brown were satisfied with their curves and height. A flight of stone stair descends to and open courtyard with banana trees and a large, spreading tamarind. A spacious kitchen and three bedrooms adjoin the living room. The two main bedrooms, each with private verandas, face south and consist of only three walls with doors. Nothing is allowed to obstruct the views of the mighty Pitons.
Perhaps nothing reflects Brick’s determination to make the most of his home with a view than his bathroom. It’s modest in size but the doors open to reveal, once again, the might Pitons.
A short stroll from the main building is the cottage and the lodge, each self contained and spacious. They are used to accommodate visiting friends and relatives. A Bio-Flex surface tennis court, which Brick laughingly describes as an expensive mistake, and a rectangular swimming pool, each on a different level, complete what must be one of the most unusual homes in the region.
Much of the furniture at Tamarind House are antiques, such as the tables, armoires, and chaise lounges, which were bought in Soufriere and reflect the period when St. Lucia was under French control. Several pieces came from Golden Leon in St. Kitts and a large armoire in the living room was imported from France. The living rooms sofas and the large trestle dining table were made out of wild breadfruit wool in Brown’s carpentry shop, while other unique pieces were made by St. Lucian craftsman, most notably master carpenter Harris Lionel.
When Norman Brick awakens at Tamarind House and the twin Pitons are swathed in sunlight, with the Caribbean Sea to his right and the island’s lush green hills to the left, he considers himself a very fortunate man.
Brick, who was born in England, built his home amidst two towering green pyramids in St. Lucia, the fabled Twin Pitons. While the design and style are anything but traditional West Indian, Tamarind House embraces the priorities that were in place when craftsman of a bygone age were defining what is now known as Caribbean style. Space, light and air were the most important consideration in the creation of the 14,000-square-foot home.
Brick, former vice president in the United States for what became Eastman Kodak, undertook the construction of Tamarind House from 1978 to 1980. When he retired in 1980, he spent another 10 years as a consultant in Hungary, Brazil and Czechoslovakia, before devoting most of his time soaking up the view from tamarind House.
The walls of his home were constructed from local Belfond stone and Wayne Brown, a Canadian who came to St Lucia in the 60s and who specializes in building one of a kind properties, recalls how the local masons would sit under the tamarind trees on the property, chipping away at the pink, grey and fawn volcanic rocks. The ceiling was crafted from Guyanese greenheart wood, and the doors from red cedar in Brown’s carpentry shop in Soufriere, and the floors were made from terra cotta tiles from Barbados. Large wallaba poles, which were also used as beams across the rooms, supported the roof rafters.
The design centerpiece of the house is the living room and terrace, covering about 2,500 square feet. The living room is sparingly but exquisitely furnished with Caribbean and French period pieces. The uncluttered terrace is shaded by trees and there is but a scattering of tables and chairs
An arched way doorway leads directly to the living room with its vast ceilings. The arches in the living room were re-done three ties before Brick and Brown were satisfied with their curves and height. A flight of stone stair descends to and open courtyard with banana trees and a large, spreading tamarind. A spacious kitchen and three bedrooms adjoin the living room. The two main bedrooms, each with private verandas, face south and consist of only three walls with doors. Nothing is allowed to obstruct the views of the mighty Pitons.
Perhaps nothing reflects Brick’s determination to make the most of his home with a view than his bathroom. It’s modest in size but the doors open to reveal, once again, the might Pitons.
A short stroll from the main building is the cottage and the lodge, each self contained and spacious. They are used to accommodate visiting friends and relatives. A Bio-Flex surface tennis court, which Brick laughingly describes as an expensive mistake, and a rectangular swimming pool, each on a different level, complete what must be one of the most unusual homes in the region.
Much of the furniture at Tamarind House are antiques, such as the tables, armoires, and chaise lounges, which were bought in Soufriere and reflect the period when St. Lucia was under French control. Several pieces came from Golden Leon in St. Kitts and a large armoire in the living room was imported from France. The living rooms sofas and the large trestle dining table were made out of wild breadfruit wool in Brown’s carpentry shop, while other unique pieces were made by St. Lucian craftsman, most notably master carpenter Harris Lionel.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Now This is a Suite Room!
I have had the fortunate opportunity to stay in some pretty amazing places in my life, but nothing quite compares to what the Ivy Hotel in San Diego is offering. It's Star Suite is designed for decadence. This 1,275 square foot room hosts a king sized bunk bed (the frame is covered with shag carpet), stripper pole, and an enormous shower and door that turns clear or opaque at the press of a button.
My hats off to Cindy for running across this lil gem. Looks like tons of fun. :)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Room with a View!
Below is the view from my suite at the Wynn in Vegas. Kinda crazy waking up on a Tuesday morning to look at that. I have been on the road waaaaay to much lately.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Images from Mammoth
I am kinda sad that I did not take more photos last weekend while skiing in Mammoth. Honestly, I just got so caught up in hitting the slopes that it never crossed my mind....which is unlike me.
Anywho, I did capture a couple of photos with my IPhone and have decided to post them on my blog. Enjoy!
Carmen's first Day of Skiing:
Billy and Jessie Gear Up:
Carmen and Billy on Chair Lift:
The WOOBIES (Carmen and Billy's lil twins John and Vincent):
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Mammoth & Dutch the Bulldog
Yesterday, while grabbing lunch at one of the lodges during an afternoon of skiing, I ran into a six month old English Bulldog named Dutch. He was so damn cute. Really makes me want to get Howie a baby sister this year.
Mammoth is amazing. They still have a base of 124 inches and nice powder, even though it has not snowed in three days. The weather is not as agreeable this year as it was last year (no 60 degree days and girls skiing in pigtails and bikini tops :( ). Also, the wind yesterday was a bit crazy at the top of some of the runs. Regardless, I am having a blast!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Muir Shrooms
The below photo is one I took yesterday afternoon while hiking through the Muir Woods, outside of San Fran. Its probably my fav from all that I took over this past weeked.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Napa Day 2 Images
Our second day in Napa was a blast! We filled it with 4 vineyard tours: Nickel & Nickel, Caymus, Cakebread, and Shifflett. Although it began with a small hiccup (our driver did not show in the am which caused us to be 15 minutes late for our Nickel and Nickel tour), it ended nicely with us procuring:
- 10 of the last 23 bottles for sale of the Nickel and Nickel's 2004 Copper Streak
- 2 bottles of Nickel and Nickel Dolce
- 2 bottles of Cakebread Chardonnay Reserve
- 6 bottles of Shifflett (the blend and year escape me right now)
By far our favorite tour was Nickel and Nickel and Shifflett. Cindy and I ended up joining the Nickel and Nickel wine club. Jeffrey Shifflett, the owner of Shifflet Estate, made our last tour special by providing a very intimate glimpse into his overall vineyard and business as a wine maker.
Although its sad to be leaving this amazing part of the country, there is no doubt I will be a loyal visitor for years to come. Indeed, it will no doubt make the Napa wines I drink from this point forward a wonderful reminder of this amazing weekend. Thank you Cindy!!!!!
Below are some photos I took throughout the day:
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