Designs by Alina Blog: An intimate look at all things design, travel, lifestyle, entertaining, family and motherhood
Whether you choose to celebrate her with sparkle or romance, Designs by Alina is your one stop shop destination. And in honor of our newest, most romantic player, the Make Me Sway candle, we are offering 20% off your entire order through Valentine’s Day. Use coupon code LUCKYHER at checkout and remember, Santa Barbara deliveries and pick-ups are always free.
How will you make her sway?
Whether your style is modern, classic, relaxed, inspired by the sea, or a ski chalet, the possibilities at Designs by Alina are endless. And when it comes to accent pillows, there is no collection like it.
ABOUT OUR LUXE PILLOWS
Our 20” x 12” lumbar pillows* are fabricated in our Santa Barbara studio entirely by hand including the handwoven accent panels. Fine camel shavings, merino, alpaca wool, and/or silk fibers are hand-worked into exquisite linen or Belgian bouclé by our design team. Our pillows are lined and filled with 100% white goose down.
CUSTOMIZATION
We are happy to customize the size and panel colors to fit your needs. Contact us at customerservice@designsbyalina.com.
TO THE TRADE
Want to offer something exceptionally unique to your clients? Reach out to partners@designsbyalina.com we are here to help.
So if you are looking for precision workmanship, unique design, the best materials on the market and excellent customer service, look no further than Designs by Alina. We are passionate about everything we do.
‘Tis the season of thanks...
Designs by Alina had a terrific year following the launch of our home decor line last November. Our products are now sold on Perigold, the nation’s largest premium brand home decor platform. And like us, Perigold prides itself on offering the most exquisite furnishings for extraordinary living. Our Santa Barbara community may now find us on Coast Village Road at True Love Always in Montecito.
In an effort to show our gratitude, we are offering a rare opportunity to enjoy 25% off all of our candles, frames, and jewelry. This is the first time since Designs by Alina was established in 2014 that we have offered such a discount.
Please enter SEASONOFTHANKS25 at checkout. Offer valid through December 31.
All candles, in-stock jewelry, and in-stock frames ship within 3 business days.
Home decor products require a production lead time of 4-weeks.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!
Alina
We pick up where we left off on A Week in Puglia - Part I with Ostuni, our last destination in Brindisi. A stunning medieval whitewashed town set upon a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, Ostuni can be enjoyed in a day or two. I highly recommend taking a guided tuk-tuk tour, as there is so much fascinating history you will not want to miss. One of the first landmarks we visited was the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, which combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine design. We discovered why the ornate rose window is glass-free, the meaning behind its intricate symbols, and why the church’s altar is off-center. Another Ostuni treasure is the less opulent but highly unusual Baroque Church of San Vito Martire, now an archaeological museum with impressive artifacts, some dating back 2600 years. Allow yourself time to stroll the charming maze of medieval streets peppered with restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars. Ostuni is most definitely a must when in Puglia.
Puglia produces half of all the olive oil in Italy, so it is no surprise that there are miles upon miles of olive trees. On our way to Lecce, we went to the Masseria Brancati, hoping to see Il Grande Vecchio (The Great Elder), the oldest olive tree in the country, estimated to be more than 3000 years old. Unfortunately, it was not open for a full tour and tasting when we arrived. However, we saw the ever-elusive elder’s “cousin,” about 2000 years old (second slide) and were amazed to discover that these millennials still produce olives! Make sure to call in advance for a tour.
Often hailed as “the Florence” of southern Italy, Lecce is an excellent example of Italian Baroque art and architecture. The elegant amber hue predominating throughout the city is no accident. In fact, “Lecce” is a type of honey-colored, easy-to-process limestone that artists used ubiquitously throughout the region because it was readily available. The gentle stone seemingly changes color throughout the day, making Salento (the southernmost part of Puglia) different from any other place in the world.
Our hotel was so well situated it was easy to stumble upon many historic landmarks by simply strolling the city streets.
Basilica di Santa Croce: To say the church is stunning would be an understatement. The facade of this 17th century masterpiece is truly astounding and well worth visiting not only during the day but also at dusk for a completely different experience.
Piazza del Duomo: One of many beautiful limestone squares in Lecce, home to another important church, the Cattedrale dell’Assunzione della Virgine.
Roman Amphitheatre: As often occurs in Italian cities, the structure, which dates back to the I and the II century AD, was discovered by chance in the early 1900’s.
Porta Napoli: A landmark defensive archway featuring four ornate columns and pediment featuring the insignia of Charles V and Lecce.
Sedile: Located near the amphitheatre in the middle of Lecce’s main town square is the exquisitely restored building ( lead slide below) that houses the Tourist Information office of Lecce.
We spent so much time at the beach during our stay in the Bari/Brindisi areas ( A Week in Puglia - Part I ) that we chose not to venture out of Lecce during our three day stay. However, Gallipoli and Otranto would be good options if you are looking to venture out of town.
MASSERIA MANTATELURE
Never ending seemed the hours we spent researching the area in the weeks leading up to our trip. And when we checked into our hotel in Lecce, we knew it was time well spent.
Ideally located within a ten-minute walk to the city’s most important landmarks, Masseria Mantatelurè, which means “King’s Mantle” in the local dialect, is designed and owned by Marco Cimmino. The intimate oasis offers the kind of experience one might hope for from a hotel whose owner/designer keeps a residence on the property, which Marco does. Chic, understated, and cozy, the attention to detail within the walls of this 16th-century restored palazzo is palpable. Everything from the serving table in the breakfast room to the custom cabinets in the lobby and the recessed Bang & Olufsen sound system fuses the old with the new, my favorite design style.
As property manager, Marta Nocco, greeted us with genuine regard for our well-being and eagerness to assist us, behind her, was a woman preparing the pastries and desserts we would later enjoy. This quickly set the tone for what felt like home away from home. Marco, an avid baker (and owner of the nearby restaurant Pescheria Con Cottura), wanted to share that passion with his guests, and this set the tone of our stay.
The garden was beautiful, even at the peak of a sweltering summer. Our room, accessible from the street through a romantic exterior foyer, was very spacious, with a spa tub and sitting room. Everything about this elegant hotel, with five more well-appointed rooms and three apartments, is welcoming. And in an effort to provide a quiet, intimate experience, please note that Mantateluré does not accept children under the age of eleven.
It is not difficult to find excellent cuisine in Puglia, where the food is straightforward, meaning that the quality of local and seasonal ingredients is what’s at the core. As one might expect from the longest strip of coastline in all of Italy, seafood is naturally the star player.
Ambiance is as essential to me as cuisine, but to my husband, born and raised in Rome, food is everything. The great news is that neither of us was disappointed in Puglia.
La Locanda sul Porto in Monopoli is a lovely seaside restaurant with outdoor seating, La Locanda offers cooked and raw fish and several pasta dishes made primarily with seafood. We had the catch of the day, which was as delicious as it was beautiful.
Our evening at La Taverna di Umberto in Fasano left its mark on my heart because of the atmosphere. One of the things I love most about dining in Italy, especially in the summer months, is watching children, teens, and adults enjoying an ageless feast together under a moonlit evening without a care for the clock. I witnessed this at La Taverna, where the relaxed feel and ease with which the staff performed their job matched the quality of the food.
Both quaint and trendy, Osteria bell’Italia in Cisternino is a backstreet restaurant offering local and international gastronomy with a modern twist. Though the restaurant was at capacity and service slow, any frustration we may have felt quickly dissipated when our food arrived. I highly recommend this unique Osteria.
Located in the historic center of Locorotondo, Bina Ristorante lives within the walls of an 18th-century building with stunning cross-vaulted ceilings. A perfect fusion of past and present, it is embellished by clean white lines, offering its discerning clientele a beautiful setting and exquisite cuisine. The wine list is extensive, and the menu includes handmade pasta, an array of meats, fish, tartare, and desserts. The superb presentation is on par with the quality of the food.
Il Vico del Gusto is ideally situated in the heart of Lecce, just steps from the Basilica di Santa Croce. If you are a foodie, you will love the seared octopus, tuna tartare, and tagliolini prepared with local fish. While the food and wine list were superb, the staff seemed to be on edge, running from table to table, which made our experience less than ideal.
I hope that these tips aid you in planning your next vacation in Puglia. Buon viaggio!
Photos: property of Designs by Alina.
To those who have requested travel tips on Puglia, thank you for inspiring me to write and for your patience while I combed over my notes and hundreds of photos. A month of travel translated into heaps of work, not only with Designs by Alina but with our three children, two of whom we just settled into their new lives Back East. Because there is far more information than I envisioned, I have divided this post into two parts.
Part I
Geographic overview
Where to stay in Brindisi/Bari
Beaches and beach clubs
Where to see the famed trulli
A most fortunate encounter
Part II
Seven nights of dining in Puglia
Lecce: Where to stay and what to see
Ostuni must-sees and how to see them
OVERVIEW
To say that Puglia had been one of my bucket list destinations would be an understatement. I have been obsessed with trulli (plural for trullo), the dry stone huts with quaint corbeled roofs typical of the region since I was a young architecture student many moons ago. But between visiting family in Europe and a desire to expose our children to other cultures around the world, carving out time to visit had long become an elusive dream.
Puglia, commonly referred to as the heel of Italy’s boot, like Portugal and Croatia, has become increasingly popular. While not as central as Lazio, Umbria, or Tuscany, its allure lies in its breathtaking seaside, rich history, endless olive groves -the most in all of Italy, and of course, trulli-enchanted villages.
It is not necessary to visit all of Puglia’s six provinces. However, less than a week is not enough time to experience the region. Therefore, after much thought, we split our stay between Brindisi in the countryside near the Adriatic Sea, and Lecce, a beautiful Baroque city about an hour away from the Ionian sea, commonly known as the “Maldives of Italy.”
BRINDISI & BARI
Puglia is teeming with beautiful masserie (farmhouses), and I suspect they each have their charm. We settled on the Masseria Torre Rossa, the only hotel built on the “Lama” historic caves, dating back to the 18th century. A fifteen-minute drive to the seaside, the masseria is surrounded by fruit orchards and miles of olive trees. We knew we would spend every waking hour elsewhere with so many beaches and villages to explore. So rather than choosing a hotel based on amenities we would not use, like a pool and spa, we searched for something truly unique, and Masseria Torre Rossa delivered. Our room at one time was a well, and the decor, right down to the water jug light fixtures and a vintage washboard repurposed as a towel rack, didn’t betray its roots.
Our days began in the garden with a lovely breakfast that included homemade pastries and yogurt made with local fruit. The Pugliese, like most Italians, are friendly and take great pride in their heritage, as evidenced by a staff member who, noticing that I was taking copious notes, offered to show us the property’s newest suite, which was still under construction when we booked. It was spectacular and had yet to greet its first guests.
We had also considered the nearby Masseria Torre Coccaro, which we toured en route to the beach. I highly recommend it if you are traveling with children or enjoy on-sight activities such as cooking classes, golf, swimming, and wine/olive tasting. The property also has a spa, kids club, and beach club a few miles away, which we did not have time to see. However, we spent a day at their newly acquired Le Palme Beach Club, reviewed below.
BEACH CLUBS
When we weren’t exploring surrounding towns, we spent our time seaside. As with many European beach destinations, clubs are a must in Puglia. On the Adriatic coast, both Lido Bambù and Lido Sabbiadoro were beautiful, though I preferred the palapa style decor at Bambù, every detail seamlessly blending in with nature. Even their car-park spaces were delineated by olive trees, a Puglia hallmark. Bambú has both restaurant and beach menus featuring local seafood; a bar, beach beds and canopies throughout the property. The atmosphere is fun, with music playing later in the day, which made Bambù an all-around excellent experience.
The next day, with temperatures soaring in the high nineties, we headed back to the beach, this time to Lido Sabbiadoro (golden sand) which we very much enjoyed. If you are more food-driven like my husband than design-driven like me, you will absolutely love Sabbiadoro. The highlight of our afternoon was our restaurant experience. The seasonal menu curated by Celebrity Chef Fulvio Pierangelini was superb, especially the pesce al sale or salt-crusted fish, reminiscent of what I used to devour as an adolescent in Venezuela. The decor was beautiful though not as chic as Bambú. And the Italians? As always, they were as charming as ever.
On day three we ventured out to Le Palme Beach Club, which had been recently acquired by the same family who owns Masseria Torre Coccaro.
Le Palme has a Miami vibe, but the rainbow ribbons and restrooms' plastic strip curtains made it a bit too quirky, especially after having toured the family's gorgeous masseria. It was the only club with a trendy boutique, and as all the clubs we visited, there were beach beds, canopies and lounge areas throughout. For lunch we ordered the prawns and tuna tartare which were absolutely delicious.
People flock to Le Palme for a lively ambiance like bees to honey -perhaps that explains the festively kitsch decor. And according to the staff, the club is at the top of its game for weddings, parties, and private events. (Photos 5-9 below: courtesy of Le Palme Beach Club).
Honey, our 25th?
IONIAN COAST
On our way to Lecce, we went to Bahia Porto Cesareo on the Ionian Coast, which was far more expensive than the above. The only way to justify that fact is its stunning location. The decor was lovely, but they missed the mark by being the only club to add a surcharge to an already pricey fee for towels. As a result, most of the clientele brought their own, replacing the decor with a mismatched towel melee. The other drawback was that the music was blaring from when we arrived at noon. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy a lively ambiance. Take Scorpios in Mykonos, where serenity seamlessly gives way to a vibrant atmosphere as sunset approaches, offering the best of both worlds at just the right time. Sadly, we ended up leaving the club three hours later due to the noise.
On the plus side, the staff is very attentive (thank you, Andrea and Mario). We also loved that each set of lounge chairs was flanked by a full-size table for two or four, perfect for a seaside lunch. The menu featured traditional bites prepared with local ingredients as well as heavily dressed sushi which, if not watching one’s waistline, was good. The club fee included a bottle of champagne which we exchanged for rosé.
The sea though...Maldives of Italy indeed!
After four days at the beach, the moment to finally discover the trulli I had dreamed of all these years arrived. We spotted the first ones on our way to Locorotondo (which means “round place” with good reason) for dinner, and it was well worth the wild U-turn my husband made to capture them.
ALBEROBELLO
The next day we headed out to Alberobello (beautiful tree) at the crack of dawn. Missing the crowds left me feeling as though I had stepped into the 14th century. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Program since 1996, Alberobello has the largest concentration of trulli in Puglia. Dozens of fairy tale roofs quickly morphed into hundreds, leaving me as mesmerized as I felt the first time I discovered Venice, Rome, Positano, and Lake Cuomo. I always knew the rooftops were built without mortar, but I never understood why. The reason, I later discovered, was as captivating as the sight before me, but I offer no spoilers here.
UNMISTAKABLY FREE
While at dinner a few nights earlier, we met a charming woman with a contagious smile. Sinead and her husband had just moved to Puglia after a lifetime in Ireland, London, and New York City, where they had raised two children. I was admiring the embroidered silk slip-ons she was wearing and couldn’t help but notice a tattoo above her ankle. It was of a girl in a swing tethered to a pair of birds. When I inquired about it, she told me that it was her first and only tattoo and that she had gotten it just a month prior. “I have never felt as free as I do in Puglia,” she said, “so it felt right.” The conversation did not stop there as she and her husband invited us to the trullo they had just acquired. Their warm welcome included a delicious spread of cured meats, cheeses, olives, figs, and wine. At the end of the evening, after touring the home and rooftop, Sinead noted (and I concurred) that it was as if we had known each other all our lives. And that is pure Puglia magic!
PART II COMING SOON:
Seven nights of dining in Puglia
Three days in Lecce
How to tour Ostuni
Photos: property of Designs by Alina unless otherwise noted.
A New York client purchased our chalet pillow in chocolate and wanted a second one to pair with her living room rug. As we were sold out, we requested a photo of the rug, then pulled all the ethically sourced camel shavings, merino, alpaca wool, and silk we could find in that color palette to create the perfect luxe pillow.
When she contacted us to say how much she loved her pillows, we knew we needed to offer this service to newsletter subscribers* and interior designers**. Orders received in June qualify for free customization (view in-stock pricing here). And so it is that what started out as a client request is now a design service.
So whether your style is modern, classic, relaxed, or is inspired by the sea or a ski chalet, the possibilities at Designs by Alina are endless…
ABOUT OUR LUXE PILLOWS
Our few-of-a-kind, 20” x 12” lumbar pillows, are fabricated in our Santa Barbara studio entirely by hand down to most of our accent panels. Fine camel shavings, merino, alpaca wool, and/or silk fibers are hand-worked into fine linen or Belgian bouclé by our design team. They are then lined and filled with 100% white goose down. For inquiries, email us at customerservice@designsbyalina.com.
* Want all the perks without all the emails? Our newsletter is for you. We too dislike aggressive campaigns and aim to send out only four per year. So unlock subscriber-only privileges now by scrolling down to the subscriber box on our homepage here.
** To the trade: In addition to color customization, we offer interior designers the added benefit of requesting virtually any other size pillow cover required. Contact partners@designsbyalina.com for trade pricing and custom size inquiries.
Whether you choose to celebrate her with sparkle or romance, Designs by Alina is your one stop shop destination. And in honor of our newest, most romantic player, the Make Me Sway candle, we are offering 20% off your entire order through Valentine’s Day. Use coupon code LUCKYHER at checkout and remember, Santa Barbara deliveries and pick-ups are always free.
How will you make her sway?
There is more to burning a candle than striking a match. Just as a luxury car needs minimum maintenance to run smoothly, an exceptional candle needs an ounce of TLC to burn properly.
Before sharing our candle care tips, there are a few federal guidelines worth mentioning:
Never leave a candle unattended or near children and/or pets.
Do not burn a candle all the way to the end.
Trim the wick after every burn.
Never burn any candle for more than four hours at a time.
The last two guidelines should be followed, not only for safety reasons but for perfecting the candle burn and extending its life. Below are a couple of common issues that can be avoided with luxury candles.
Tunneling
Tunneling occurs when only a small portion of the wax around the wick melts. It looks as if the flame is burrowing into the candle making a vertical tunnel. When tunneling occurs it will likely get worse over time because there is increasingly less oxygen to burn. The result is precious wasted wax which decreases the life of your candle. Tunneling is mostly an issue for cheaper candles, and while we have not encountered tunneling with the Make Me Sway candle because we have added coconut wax which is far softer than soy, we still recommend following the below recommendation.
How to prevent tunneling
Make sure that your first candle burn is not too short because only the wax surrounding the wick will melt setting the stage for tunneling. Think of your candle as having memory. If the first burn is too short, the candle will “remember” to melt only the center. The recommended time for the first burn depends on the type of wax used and container size. We recommend about two hours for ours. Subsequent burn times ideally are between one and two hours. Please note that because coconut wax gives off scent even when unlit, an hour is more than enough time as the scent will continue to carry for several hours after burning.
How to minimize soot
We spent much time testing and retesting our candles in an effort to determine the conditions under which soot occurs. In doing so we discovered that it is directly proportional to two factors: burn time and wick length. This is true for all candles as we tested ours alongside other luxury brands. Here is how to avoid soot from accumulating in your candle:
After the first two-hour maximum burn, aim to burn your candle no longer than one or two hours at a time. Even half hour is plenty for most environments. Burning for longer periods of time is not only wasting the candle but may cause the charred edge of the wick to fall into the wax creating soot. The wax logo may also melt, indicating that the candle has been burning for far too long.
Trim the wick down to 1/8” after each use. If you don’t have a wick trimmer, when the candle has cooled, pinch the charred edge off the wick with a piece of tissue paper and discard. This will prevent it from showing up uninvited to your wax pool!
If you see any soot on the surface of your candle, gently wipe it with a tissue. As our wax is soft, this works beautifully.
Avoid placing your candle near a draft as the unstable flame will not only consume more candle wax, but will also create more soot and smoke in the process.
Following these simple suggestions will improve the candle’s burn and extend its life. And remember, the addition of coconut wax ensures that the candle will still smell wonderful even when unlit.
Make Me Sway
In addition to the poetry infused magnetic box, fit for a jewel, our matt black, luxe vessel holds 11 ounces of premium wax offering 55-65 hours of burn time. The wooden wick gently crackles when lit, its horizontal flame becoming visible through the vessel. But it is the science behind the art that truly makes our candles stand out from the rest.
Made with coconut and soy waxes, arguably the best on the market, our candles offer an unrivaled scent throw which refers to how well a candle’s aroma circulates throughout a space. As soy wax has a terrific scent throw when hot, and coconut is the clear winner when cold, we decided to combine the two for the best of both worlds. Furthermore, wooden wicks have a better scent throw because they burn lower helping warm the wax around the wick instead of just burning it off and depleting the candle’s valuable fragrances, which often occurs with cotton wicks due to their high flame and accelerated burn rate.
Coconut Wax is a renewable, high yield crop which makes it a great sustainable product. Since it is among the softest waxes available, exposure to heat or humidity may cause the wax to “sweat” ever so slightly. When that happens, rejoice because the scent throw will be off the charts!
Haven’t tried our handmade candles yet? Try one, make it sway or leave unlit…the scent will be amazing either way!
Is it passion or determination? I think it’s both but for me the former fuels the latter. It is how I landed that first production job in Hollywood all those years ago, it’s what led me to forge that first piece of jewelry and write that first poem. Passion is what keeps me up at night churning new ideas and is ultimately, barring my beloved family, what fuels my soul. As a former student of architecture who loves being home and entertaining, I always knew that some type of home design was in my future. During the pandemic when the jewelry market was fading, I began to write poetry and fabricate masks to benefit Direct Relief. The sewing machine and keyboard became my confidants well past midnight, bearing witness to an obsessive need to create.
The challenge and dream was to create a highly unique, understated collection of luxury gifts and home accents. Four months of fourteen-hour days finally produced our first collection which has been thankfully received with great enthusiasm by clients and interior designers alike.
In addition to pillows, throws, coasters, wall art, vases and other home accents, we set out to design the ultimate hostess gift. Countless hours went into perfecting The Make Me Sway Candle™, from the ambrosial scents promising to relax and energize and beautiful sunken wood wick releasing a superior even burn, to the elegant matte black vessel and deluxe, poetry-infused magnetic box.
After writing poetry on a daily basis, it felt strange to abandon the practice completely in order to create this collection. And yet it’s no coincidence our candle is infused with poetry. Just as our jewelry line is inspired by life, so too is this collection we hope you love.
Designs by Alina…
beauty and inspiration…forever entwined.
I have fond memories of the summer we arrived in Venezuela during which I lived in my beloved uncle’s home, adjacent to his atelier. The most gentle human I have ever met, he was an artist and tailor who fabricated custom-made shirts for diplomats, professionals, and television personalities in Caracas. My cousins and I scavenged for linen and cotton remnants to make clothing for our dolls. Because I am blessed with a creative gene and —some might say— cursed with my kin’s perfectionism, barring my family nothing fuels my senses more than designing and weaving detail-driven beauty into everyday life.
Southern Spain, circa 2011
In his retirement home studio, ever the student, my godfather/uncle humbly shares art tips with my children.
In 2014 we chose the name “Designs by Alina” over the more intuitive “Alina de Albergaria Jewels” because we did not wish to be confined to only one area of design. The pandemic gave birth to our Belgian linen and Fortuny masks which in turn paved the way for what we always knew we would offer: a collection of highly unique luxury gifts and home decor. As a former student of architecture with a penchant for home entertaining, this is but a natural progression.
Much gratitude to Santa Barbara Magazine and Peachy Magazine for publishing two of our homes, to my better half whose business acumen and website expertise have been invaluable and, of course, to our loyal clientele and friends for supporting this creative endeavor throughout.
Time to retreat to my own atelier…
Because we have been working on some exciting news!
Designs by Alina launched seven years ago in Santa Barbara with a small line of unique fine jewelry. Two years in San Francisco gave birth to our core collection, an amalgam of the beach casual feel of home and the city’s chic vibrance. We then partnered with the art community to create the 18K Gallery Collection. 2020’s lockdown did anything but shackle our creativity, spawning instead a collection of Belgian linen and Fortuny fabric luxury masks, the demand of which found me burning the midnight oil for months on end.
Be it a lustrous pearl, exquisite piece of fabric, or captivating thought, I am an octopus, tentacles reaching, feeling, exploring, eager to weave beauty from life’s abundant offerings. And so, with the pandemic thankfully losing steam, I am excited to announce that in addition to fine jewelry, Designs by Alina is now fabricating a unique line of home accents and gifts, most of which will be fabricated in our Santa Barbara studio. In support of fellow creatives, we will also feature a highly curated collection of few-of-a-kind pieces from designers we love.
For a homebody at heart and former architecture student, expanding Designs by Alina to include home decor is nothing short of natural. To those of you who over the years have captured my essence by seeking interior design advice, and those who have supported my endeavor throughout, thank you from the bottom of my creative heart.
The best is yet to come…
Mexico on my mind…
Following a flawless sail with friends through the British Virgin Islands and the discovery of our new favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara, Flor de Maiz, I found it befitting to update one of my favorite travel posts from a few years back about the gorgeous hotel we discovered in my hometown’s sister city, Puerto Vallarta.
When we left our trio at home in search of a romantic getaway we uncovered one of the most charming, romantic seaside hotels we have ever visited. Brides Magazine, Newsweek, Sunset Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler have all given this slice of exquisiteness their peremptory stamp of approval, one of them going as far as stating that it "could almost be heaven".
I couldn't agree more.
What makes Hacienda San Angel so remarkable? In one word? Everything! From the sweeping panoramic hillside/ocean views and sublime colonial architecture, to the impeccable, unpretentious grounds and exceptional dining. The highly curated one-of-a-kind furnishings of a bygone era are juxtaposed with all the modern amenities one would expect from a world class boutique hotel, making Hacienda San Angel an unmatched experience.
Originally from San Francisco, the proprietor, Janice Chatterton* discovered her oasis while on vacation nearly three decades ago. Following several years of travel to and from Puerto Vallarta, she decided to relocate to the seaside village permanently settling into Casa Bur-Sus, the home Richard Burton bought for his wife Susan upon completion of the film “The Night of the Iguana”. When presented with the opportunity to purchase the adjacent building, Janice jumped at the chance, eventually opening the doors of the Hacienda San Angel, expanding it over the years without compromising an ounce of its understated pelegance and romantic charm.
Photo of the San Miguel suite, courtesy of Hacienda San Angel Hotel
Janice is gifted with an exquisite sense of style. Her demand for perfection and attention to detail is palpable in every corner of every room and through daily interactions with her hotel staff. A bit of an enigmatic character, she surrounds herself with an entourage of Maltese pups which only adds to San Angel's allure.
We stayed in the San Miguel suite which boasts the type of panoramic ocean/hillside views to which Conde Nast Traveler must have been referring when stating “one need not feel guilty about never leaving the hotel during one’s entire stay."
Indeed, we only left the resort twice, and with a milestone anniversary on the horizon, we may very well return…with the wee ones in tow.
¡Hasta la próxima!
Banner photo at top: courtesy of Hacienda San Angel Hotel, all others Designs by Alina.
* Since I posted this story a couple of years ago, the proprietor, Janice, has sadly passed away. However, the legacy she leaves behind the doors of her oasis remains true to its core.
Now that we can look in the rearview mirror, and hopefully see only remnants of the pandemic, we are all eager to escape our quarantine bubbles and seek new pasture.
Chances are that if you don’t live in California, what first springs to mind are sandy beaches, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Perhaps not the beautiful farmland I am about to share with you which will have you booking your next flight to California’s Central Coast.
Meet Marfarm, a chic new bed, and breakfast located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the heart of Edna Valley’s wine country. The converted barn, which is attached to a working horse stable for a true farm stay experience, is set upon sixty luscious acres with a 360-degree view of rolling hills, each acre meticulously cultivated.
We met the proprietors, Jill and Hamish Marshall, several years ago at a dinner party and became fast friends. Our better halves exchanged stories of life abroad while Jill and I bonded over our joie de vivre and love of design, in particular the use of juxtaposed textures, colors, and design elements. In fact, it was Jill who inspired me to launch Designs by Alina back in 2014.
Hamish’s “no worries mate” attitude coupled with Jill’s warmth, wit, and an exceptional eye for design, make them the perfect gatekeepers of this secluded oasis. And while Edna Valley may not sound like the place a gifted designer and Aussie adventurer would call home, a simple glance at the haven they have created makes it clear that this is exactly where they need to be.
“Hamish was based here for development back in 1995,” explains Jill. “When I graduated from design school with a jewelry degree, I was persuaded to fall in love with him by my mother. I finally conceded and we’ve been very happily married in Edna Valley for 22 years.” The Marshall world has grown since then with two daughters, four dogs, a cat, a cow, a pig, sixteen horses, twenty-two chickens, a donkey, a new B&B, and llamas on the way.
In deference to its roots, the barn interiors are accented in green to complement the original 1930’s dairy floor. Every detail from the Spanish chandelier pendant fabricated with recycled soda bottles and grasses, to the linen bedding, rugged Argentinian throws, and Moroccan tiles hinting at old Americana quilts, attest to Jill’s unrelenting attention to detail and superb design aesthetic.
While beauty and originality abound at every turn, the 9 hand carved wood horned bull heads are a sight to behold. Imported from Bali, these fascinating sculptures can be showcased with 1200 possible light scenarios, though the Marshalls have opted to greet their guests with warm shades of green and sunset rose.
Marfarm’s refined rustic-meets-modern design, perfectly suitable for a wedding or weekend getaway, is an ongoing labor of love. A designer after my own heart, Jill espouses the idea that subtle details speak volumes: “Just being there, placing flowers, cutting fresh fruits, setting the dimmers just right, lighting French candles, making the bar look perfect with wines and fur beer cozies is like playing house, and all those little details offer our guests a visual explosion.”
So next time you wish to discover a place less traveled and simply divine, look no further than Marfarm in San Luis Obispo, where beauty, serenity and joy await. www.marfarm.com
Photos credits: Marfarm and Alina de Albergaria
We have been quiet at Designs by Alina, following a few health scares which have since, thankfully resolved. Now is simply a time to send our wishes to you and your loved ones for health, happiness, and love in the new year.
Our hearts go out to those who have lost their livelihoods or worse, a loved one. That said there were many silver linings, namely time with our families and time for introspection. We are thankful for friends and the love which binds our family.
Giving back to our beloved community by way of volunteering during the elections and by donating the net proceeds of our Belgian linen mask sales, has been extremely rewarding. In addition, they were the inspiration behind many new endeavors. In the early days of the lockdown, when not making jewelry and masks or zooming over cocktails, I recorded a few songs. Of late writing poetry, which has proven cathartic, has been a joy and I am humbled by the accolades I continue to receive from the literary community. Follow @pennedbyalina to discover the poetry. @designsbyalina is still the place for lifestyle and jewels.
We humbly leave you with a gentle reminder that the mask project to benefit Direct Relief is ongoing. These stunning, comfortable masks make gorgeous gifts/stocking stuffers. They are made to order in three business days so there is still time to order. Use FREESHIP (US only) at checkout for complimentary shipping on all merchandise throughout December.
It is our hope that you and your loved ones have found an opportunity for growth and discovery in 2020 and that 2021 brings tidings of joy to your home and beyond.
Thanks to so many of you who have supported our Direct Relief Covid-19 Response effort with the purchase of our gorgeous hand-printed Belgian linen masks. The project continues to be an enormous success, not only in raising funds for the cause, but in aiding my wrist following that fateful accident in May. Activating the fine motor skills required to fabricate these beauties is just what the doctor ordered!
We conducted a small survey during which we discovered that while the vast majority of you love our masks exactly as we designed them, a few asked for an adjustable option. So in addition to a variety of new prints, our designer masks are now offered with our signature universal twist and adjustable strap.
Thank you again, clients and friends. We wish you and your loved ones much health, joy, and peace during these unprecedented times.
And just like that I met Insult and Injury.
Following a seven week quarantine, my husband and I were eager to spend an evening amongst friends now that Santa Barbara had just entered phase two of our city’s Coronavirus guidelines. What I never imagined was that a foolish attempt to social distance by climbing a tree would result in an incident that would inch me ever closer to our benevolent community. And so it was that three couples, an al fresco dinner and avocado tree became unwitting participants in a scene that culminated with a six foot fall and nine first responders. Meet Injury.
Yesterday an Instagram post, loving comments and needless one-handed editing by a relentless perfectionist (yours truly) resulted in an accidental post delete. Meet Insult.
Santa Barbara’s phase 2 Covid regulations and the unveiling of Designs by Alina Belgian linen masks to benefit Direct Relief occurred in perfect syncopation. I was so excited about the positive feedback and orders that only my children’s upcoming drive-through graduation ceremony stood a chance to stake its claim to the only vacant corner in my preoccupied mind.
I was admitted to the operating room for emergency surgery immediately following that fateful Friday night fall and Covid-19 test, the results of which offered me two nights and two days in our city’s new Cottage Hospital. Kind and experienced nurses, technicians and doctors peppered the hallways of the noticeably vacant hospital. But when Covid 19 unleashed its wrath, a new protocol prohibiting family and friends from visiting patients was left in its wake, giving birth to the type of collateral damage which makes for a lonely hospital stay.
Yesterday I entered my own phase 2 when I returned to another O.R. where a skillful hand surgeon with the demeanor of a saint tackled reconstruction of my left wrist. Although I will need a third surgery down the road, I continue to count my blessings, not least the care I received from the superb staff at Cottage and love from family and friends near and far.
Despite the pain, long-term consequences and severity of the injury, I often found myself yearning for a way to salvage the Direct Relief mask project I had come to view as the embodiment of beauty, safety and charity in today’s uncertain times. Not only is my beloved community ensuring that the project stay alive, but I've been humbled by acts of kindness in the way of fabric donations and able hands to aid me in the effort. It is because of our loving community that we have increased our Direct Relief commitment to 100% of net proceeds from 50%.
As I imagine the long road to recovery, I feel empowered by the nurturing gestures of both my real and virtual communities and hope that you too feel galvanized by benevolence as we take on Covid 19 together.
To learn more about our Direct Relief cause and Belgian linen masks, please visit our Belgian Linen Mask page.
Thank you, Santa Barbara and virtual global village for your kind words, flowers, dinners, acts of kindness and love.
xoxo, Alina
My favorite book of all time is Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera, so it seemed apropos to name this post Charity in the Time of Covid.
My dear friend Deann ventured out on her birthday to a social distancing/mask celebration, her first gathering in eight weeks stating that she was ecstatic about the thought of wearing something “without a drawstring.” I took that sense of chagrin a step further when admitting to having worn precious little other than anything without a drawstring…from my husband’s closet!
That morning, happy to don something other than lounge pants, I went through my trusty pile of Raoul Textiles, an exquisite collection of hand painted Belgian linen handmade right here in our own Santa Barbara since 1981, to make myself a stylish mask. I had already played with a dozen different styles but this was the one which offered not only comfort but a good dose of chic. The moment I finished, my daughters tried in vain to stake their claim and that is when the lightbulb went off. Why don’t we raise money for Covid related needs with masks? And so the collection was born.
I am now offering these homemade masks for children and adults in gorgeous hand printed fabrics and will donate 50%* of the proceeds to Direct Relief for Covid related purposes.
*Since this post, we have decided to donate 100% of the profits generated from mask sales to Direct Relief.
Do you have your afternoon cocktail? Good!
Nature asseverates its place by tossing us a global curveball to which we respond in myriad ways. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to escape Covid-19’s wrath, there are many reasons for which to be grateful. Having the children connect with each other during the day and again at the dinner table is as much of a blessing for our family as are nightly board games and movies which makes me feel as though we have stepped back in time...
We miss hugging our friends and yet feel connected to the tune of Zoom, an ounce of anxiety and pound of laughter. The desire to be social is enhanced by the presence of a barrier which is why communities become more unified during hardship. So if you haven’t reached out to your friends, especially the extroverts who are likely struggling the most, there is no time like the present.
Last week I was moved by a friend who brought a mobile birthday party to our driveway with all the trimmings including the social distancing etiquette which California and much of the world is embracing. Earlier that day, I was humbled by notes, gestures and gifts from those who had made their stealthy appearance noticed only by the tidings of joy and soulful gifts they left behind. It may seem counterintuitive to think that a lockdown birthday could be a favorite, but I would counter that simple acts of kindness are all one really needs. The icing on the cake was passing the baton the following week to the next birthday girl with a socially distant serenade.
You need a refill already? Go right ahead, and when you return, I’ll have a slew of recommendations in which I hope you and your loved ones will find respite.
Photo courtesy of Variety
There is no question that this time in human history would have been unfathamable to us a century or two ago, but modern technology enables us to bring the outside in so let’s cut to the chase, literally, Mr. Ripley!
Film Recommendations
Dramas: The Talented Mr. Ripley, Shawshank Redemption, Schindler’s List, Parasite, The Green Mile, Kolya, Life is Beautiful, Stand by Me, The Shape of Water
Family Motivational: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Pursuit of Happiness, Blindside, Green Book, Up, Million Dollar Arm, Dead Poets Society
Comedies: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Birdcage, Home Alone, Meet the Parents, National Lampoon'‘s Vacation, Mrs. Doubtfire
Mother Daughter favorites: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sense and Sensibility, Little Women, Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes
Good Reads Old and New
What is that they say about the Apple and the tree? I owe my penchant for reading and writing to my father who would usher us into the living room to read from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and mother, a self-published poet who at any given time is in the midst of reading three books in just as many languages. If a good book can calm your soul during this trying time, here is a stack of oldies but goodies.
Other favorites either read on Kindle of left behind in one of our moves are:
Wishing you, yours, and our global community, health and much peace during these trying times. xx, Alina
Although it unleashed its fury at the start of the year, California heeded to the coronavirus a mere three weeks ago. Every day since has presented us with an abundance of emotions from fear to gratitude as we adjust to this moment in time. Our new normal.
I miss our revolving door, the band of hungry teens scanning our kitchen and giggly girls sliding down the staircase on a makeshift toboggan. Dare I miss what used to sound like a herd of joyous elephants traversing from one room to another? The answer is yes, I miss all of it. The diaspora of friends on the run which has made our otherwise bustling family home eerily quiet, is indicative of how social our species really is.
We have been hosting dinner, birthday, Christmas, and cocktail parties for as long as I can remember, all of which have proven to be as enjoyable to plan as they are to savor.
Then came Rosewood Miramar Beach. And while we continue to entertain at home, we have amassed many a joyful memory in that sublime setting. Located on one of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California, the Miramar has become a haven, not only for nearby Los Angelinos seeking to fuel their senses but also for discerning travelers around the globe in pursuit of elegance, style, and a personable level of service bar none. Our family has enjoyed every corner of the Miramar from the restaurants to the club, rooms to bocce court, spa to shop, and Miramar beach, of course.
We could not have foreseen that one year later we would be back to the “before Miramar” days with an apocalyptic dose of restraint, the likes of which humankind has never before seen. What I miss the most is the paneled Manor Bar, an exquisite amalgam of old world finesse, modern libations and live music which inspired a quarantine song I wrote to the tune of George Gershwin’s Summertime.
Thank you, Rick Caruso and Rosewood Miramar Beach, for the memories. We look forward to building some new ones down the line.
#coronadiaries
Early morning. White robe. Tears. Confusion. The horror of it. The second Twin Tower collapses on live television. Was it a replay?
The Regency Hotel, New York. My fellow reporters and I glued to the television set in the hospitality suite. An eerie disquiet floats. Like an osprey upon its prey, the words “not guilty” descend on us. A collective gasp breaks the silence. Orenthal James Simpson is a free man.
I ride the wave that is the living room floor of my L.A. apartment, a glass-half-full attitude presiding. The words ”at least I will die happy” leave my lips as I am shaken into submission unaware that a few years down the road I would be staring happy in the face with a generous dose of gratitude. Meet the Sierra Madre earthquake.
A Range Rover cradled by the ocean. Pristine streets turned filthy swamps of terror. Naked estates begging for cover. Mother Nature’s muddy wrath brings our community to its knees. And yet no amount of shock, disbelief or grief manages to tarnish the underpinnings of our city’s unity and strength, qualities Santa Barbara carries with her tenfold to this day.
The ease with which those memories can be summoned to mind astounds me. Not so with the coronavirus pandemic. On the heels of the impeachment trial and presidential primaries, our deeply divided country is on the verge of being held hostage to a world calamity, ubiquitous emotions clashing with mental images of before and after clamoring to be seen.
The last time I hugged a friend was in our garden on Saturday, March 14. We had just videobombed our daughters’ recording, a moment frozen in time, the one I keep close to my heart. This is my last before. Try as I might to conjure up an image of what might lie ahead is increasingly futile. A pathogen directive implores us to reassess our priorities which are forever changed.
Thankfully, the technology we are keen to keep away from our children has become an essential part of our new normal. As I write I am cognizant of the fact that there is no shortage of content. Never before had I seen so many facebook posts and text notifications alerting me to the voices of my fellow quarantine warriors. We receive tidings of everything from politics as they relate to the virus to memes of a now defunct porn star who could not have imagined just how famous he had become. I witnessed and experienced every possible emotion from anger to laughter and melancholy to folly in the initial days of our quarantine. Two weeks later, our family has well adapted to our daily routines. As a friend I have learned that in the absence of physical connections many of us find comfort in the virtual cocktail hour that modern technology offers, while others find strength in solitude. As a mother I have employed both a firm hand approach and that of a protective lioness defending her cubs. I welcome each day as a challenge, a lesson learned, an opportunity to grow, and for those of us who have not succumbed to the virus, a battle won.
When the pressure is on is when you really see what people are made of. People can be great when everything is great. The question is what does a person do when things aren't great and what does a person do when the pressure is on them?
In a palpable state of exhaustion, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York delivered the above words while addressing his constituents on Friday. His is my go-to voice when I crave unity, empathy and strength, which is every day of late.
Yes we're tired but look at what others among us have to do, the challenge they're under and how they are stepping up. Who am I to complain about being tired when so many people are doing such heroic efforts?
As the days continue to unfold, so do beautiful stories highlighting the triumph of the human spirit: teens delivering food to the elderly, a commercial landlord who asked his tenants to pay their employees in lieu of rent and my friend, Pamela, who has fabricated much needed masks by the dozens for the the first responders.
The beautiful comment below, in response to a facebook post in which the writer suggests we all have a will in place, nearly brought me to tears:
I thought maybe we should be writing our wishes on a post it and putting it inside the door. Like... "I'm 49. Please don't ventilate me if someone with young kids needs it."
Stories like these have aided me in finding compassion for the different manner in which each of us responds to what we face, read, and hear. Surrounding myself with these positive voices has been instrumental in keeping my glass half-full. Nearly two weeks ago my brother sent me a clip of his godson, Klaus Stroink, and his two roommates in Barcelona, belting out a rumba style quarantine song which my family now knows by heart. Not only did their new Instagram account stay.homas garner nearly 170K followers in ten days. They were also featured in The New Yorker and in a matter of ten short minutes, sold out a July concert which may not even occur.
The talented trio seeks to inform and offer hope with reggae, bossanova, rap, and rumba style songs. As well known Catalan artist, Pau Donés, stated recently,“Writing has the greatest effect when we are moved. For me it began when I was diagnosed with cancer five years ago and met so many kind, altruistic people who inspired me to write the song Guardian Angel.” Much like Donés, I too find writing to be more poignant when life throws us a curveball.
May we exit this pandemic as guardian angels of the world, with a heightened sense of awareness, empathy and strength so that the lens of humanity can finally become the one from which we choose to view life.
Stay home and safe.
