journal

Sri Lanka was never on my radar. When I thought of dream locations to travel to, what came to mind were places like Japan, Norway and New Zealand. However, when I was approached by photography co-op Stocksy to pick my ideal warmer-climate travel location to shoot, when it was the dead of winter in most […]

Just 30 minutes from Barcelona’s city center, where the edges become green, lies the quiet stately structure of Antiga Biblioteca Almirall, the old private library of Valentì Almirall. Almirall was an impassioned figure of the Renaixença and considered one of the fathers of Catalanism. A man of letters, he founded Diari Catalanà, the first newspaper […]

Aah, food… The great unifier. There will always be someone in the holiday party who prefers to brown by the pool an hour longer, another who considers a four-hour hike an afternoon walk, and that special one who is up by 6am ready for a workout “because it’s the holidays”. But at the table, we […]

After reading Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence, we were inspired to find out more about some of the small personal museums he describes in the final chapters. Little spaces all over the world, filled with curiosities and objects of wonder – they’re often off the beaten track and a little eccentric. But, in our opinion, […]

The best museums are often the most intimate ones, tucked away in unexpected places and full of fascinating treasures. For the eighth article in our series about small personal museums around the world, we visit the island of Sicily and discover a couple of hidden gems. Herborarium Museum & Sicilian Tea Room Located in one […]

This series of articles was inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s curious little institution, the Museum of Innocence in Turkey. For the seventh article in the series, we visit small personal museums in America that the protagonist in his novel (of the same name) visits – including one of our favorites, the wildly unconventional and mysterious Museum of […]

This massive 19th-century estate in the Alentejo was reborn under the watchful eye of the original family, with the vision of architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. Named 2016’s “Most Bucolic Escape” by Monocle — that’s only half the story of this extraordinary farmscape hotel set in a wild corner of the Alentejo. Located in the […]

We just had the pleasure of hosting Cabin Love‘s Lindsey Bro and photographer Laura Austin at our Far Meadow cabins in California. They sent these great pictures back, along with some very kind words on Instagram. Lindsey, who knows cabins better than most, described the Red A Frame as “truly one of the coolest I’ve ever […]

As you know, we love homes. They come in all shapes and sizes, and some of them even tell great stories. We recently stumbled upon an interesting tale – that of a dome-shaped home created in 1969 for Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni. So we decided to share the story of Antonioni’s Dome… Antonioni was one of […]

For part six in our series of small personal museums (inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence), we revisit Paris and share some of our own favorites. Musée Zadkine, Paris Through the window’s reflections appears the spirit of Ossip Zadkine (1890-1967). Room after room, window after window, the sculptures from the atelier, the trees from […]

Part 5 in our series of articles inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s novel The Museum of Innocence brings us to London. In a city known for its many world-class institutions, we take a closer look at three small personal museums. Fashion and Textile Museum, London  This fascinating museum is located in the heart of Bermondsey, a […]

In part 4 in our series of articles inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s novel, The Museum of Innocence, we look at his choice of small personal museums in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden. “One could gather up anything and everything, with wit and acumen, out of a positive need to collect all objects connecting […]

After restoring his first Croatian cottage in 2014 – a beloved family home, which is now called Kuća Kamena – artist Boris Kajmak developed a taste for renovating historical homes. He found a ruined house nearby in the Dalmatian coastal town, Novigrad – a home once owned by Nikica Karavida and his wife Zorka, which had a great […]

At BoutiqueHomes, we are passionate about accommodation that goes beyond the mundane, and we love hearing about hotels and homes that try something completely new. Here’s a great concept: The Grätzlhotel in Vienna, a hotel made up of shopfronts scattered throughout the city. In 2012, a group of Viennese architects and their business partners decided […]

For part 3 in our series of articles inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s novel, The Museum of Innocence, we look at the small personal museums the author described in Italy, Spain and France. The Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, Milan, Italy Aristocratic brothers Fausto and Giuseppe Bagatti Valsecchi, born in the mid-19th century, restored their family home and used […]

When we think of some of our more idealized versions of holiday, we always consider what elements will influence our choices and one of our favorite concepts is Hameau des Baux. This creative concept hotel takes the Provencal lifestyle to a whole new level with an all-in-one holiday experience full of art and design, culinary […]

In part 2 in our series of articles inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s novel, The Museum of Innocence, we look at some of the small personal museums his protagonist visited in France while looking for inspiration. Musée National Gustave Moreau, Paris, France This museum is the former home of painter Gustave Moreau, who wrote in his […]

In 2008, Nobel-laureate author Orhan Pamuk published The Museum of Innocence – a novel exploring erotic obsession and the mysterious allure of collecting. Four years later, he opened a real Museum of Innocence in Istanbul – a curious little museum based on the one described in his novel. It displays what the characters “used, wore, […]

From the French Riviera to the Pyrenees, the mediterranean coastline of France paints an idealized image of beauty and grandeur that very much becomes reality to those lucky enough to visit the area. With beautiful natural surroundings, pleasant weather, delicious cuisine, and plenty of lesser-known towns that offer a slower pace of life, the South […]

A little over 2 hours west of Marrakech lies the coastal city of Essaouira, the perfect place to escape the red clay hustle and bustle of Marrakech for a few days. An ancient city with a deep history as a coastal trading post, Essaouira feels very different than its inland neighbors, a bit more laid […]

When someone says road trip, I can be packed and ready to leave in 5 minutes. This might say something about where I’ve been, more likely about where I hope to go. A full tank of gas, a good friend and a vague plan is my salvation. We left early in the morning with fog […]

Photographers Gemma and Andrew Ingalls are regulars here a BoutiqueHomes. As avid travelers, they have been to our properties in Iceland, Oregon, Washington, and California. Their stay at the Neskowin Beach House in Oregon and the Laconner Cabin in Washington not only look flawless but also feel like a dream getaway. What’s better than knowing there are […]

Ever heard of the The Cape Cod Modern House Trust? Starting in the late 1930s, the Outer Cape attracted some of the prime movers of modern architecture, including architects Marcel Breuer, Serge Chermayeff and Olav Hammarstrom and engineer Paul Weidlinger, who built houses for themselves, their friends and clients. The more than 100 modern houses […]

While the concept of camping has been around for hundreds of years, the idea of a glam camping experience has really only began to blossom and enter the travel scene in the last ten years.

There are many options when choosing which route to take and what to see on your next road trip. Not sure where to begin? We got your back.

First time Italy visitors can count on one thing- love at first sight. Those returning to rekindle that first spark of excitement will always find something new to discover, which is why Italy is one of our favorite countries, especially during the summer.  While Italy vacations can take a toll on the pocket, this time […]

Geller’s work is distinguished by a very American sense of optimism and a whimsical conception of space, especially when it comes to his iconic beach house designs. No wonder they called him the “architect of happiness.” After reading of his death, we were inspired to go hunt for more images of Geller’s work online. Unlike […]

Cabins are an escape from civilization, portals into the wilderness, and they come in all shapes and sizes- reflecting the ideology and taste behind the visionaries who make them come to life.

Completed in 2014, this striking home was conceived and designed by architect Manuel Aires Mateus in stunning contrast to the steep and scenic topography of the Alentejo. Named one of the Top-10 houses of 2014 by Dezeen and one of the 50 best houses of 2014 by Archdaily Magazine, it’s easy to see why. The strongly characterized silhouette is boldly […]