Luxury Lifestyle, Design & Architecture blog

Now you have a solid gold 24 carat bicycle which has naturally taken over the record of the most expensive bicycle in the world. The House of Solid Gold, based in California, USA has created this unique mountain bike. This limited edition bike is almost entirely covered with 24 carat gold and as a result carries a whopping price tag of £600,000. There are other high end features that add value to the most expensive bike including a customized seat cover crafted from brown alligator hide and a unique water bottle, which is coated in solid gold and decorated with stingray skin. The CEO of House of Solid Gold, Hugh Power said that he got the idea about creating this bike when he was mountain biking on a similar bike. It was a challenge to cover the entire bike in gold and customize it with all the latest hi-tech gear. He is more than satisfied with the final product as he has successfully covered 99% of the bike completely in gold without compromising on the performance of the bike. It...

Damien Hirst has had a long innings as Britain’s most expensive living artist. But now he has a real challenger in painter Peter Doig who is known for his colorful, abstracted landscapes. Hirst’s most expensive work so far is his Golden Calf, a Dead Cow which he has done in formaldehyde. The painting had fetched a whopping £10.3 million ($17.3 million) in 2008. But Doig’s Country Rock which depicts a rainbow-colored bridge as seen from inside a car, according to experts and their pre sale estimates has the potential to go beyond the valuation of Hirst’s most expensive work. Doig’s valuable painting is listed to be auctioned by Sothebys under their contemporary art auctions to be held on June 30th in London. Doig’s painting has been in the news in the art circles for some time now. The painter’s work has been appreciated by both admirers and experts for its attention to detail, careful brush strokes and use of color. Experts believe it to be his best work so far. The painting was m...

MINI rolled out a brand new generation of its Cooper hatchback at its plant in Oxford on Monday but just a day later the car was being presented at events taking place in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Shanghai and London. Here are some live photos and a video taken at the separate reveals. The car’s reveal on Monday actually coincided with the 107th anniversary of the birth of Sir Alec Issigonis, the designer of the original Mini. He’s shown briefly in the video above working on the original Mini of the 1960s. The latest Cooper was designed together with BMW, the parent company of the modern MINI brand, and is bigger, more fuel efficient and more refined than the model it replaces. It rides on a new platform dubbed “UKL” which will eventually underpin a handful of new models from MINI as well as some from BMW. Other MINIs the UKL platform is set to spawn will include a new five-door Cooper as well as replacements for the Cooper Convertible, Cooper Clubman and Cooper Countryman. ...

  The hotel InterContinental Carlton Cannes is the most legendary 5-star deluxe hotel in Cannes. It's façade, registered as a 'Historical Monument', became a reference point in the city landscape of the French Riviera, and is recognized all over the world. The Carlton, with its unique waterfront location offers unrivaled views over the bay of Cannes. The Carlton is ideally located in the heart of La Croisette and 30 minutes from Nice International Airport. The 338 guest rooms including 36 renovated suites boast every comfort of a palace. The Carlton hotel is a mix of tradition, know-how, and pleasure: 14 prestigious meeting rooms, a historic landmark, a private beach, a sunny terrace, and a highly qualified staff to welcome you. The InterContinental Carlton is also the Carlton Brasserie, the beach restaurant, the famous Bar des Celebrities and the Chef Laurent Bunel, who offers you his Provençal dishes. The Carlton is closely linked to the Film Festival ...

  Hotel Hermitage Monte Carloe is charm and redefined elegance characterize this Belle Époque historic monument, also part of the Société des Bains de Mer.  Only steps from the Casino de Monte-Carlo and directly connected to Les Thermes Marins seawater spa, most of the hotel's beautifully decorated rooms also offer unparalleled views of the harbor and the Prince's Palace.        Diamond two-bedroom suite at Hermitage Hotel, Monaco The public space under the magnificent dome of the Winter Garden, designed by Gustave Eiffel , is also quite elaborate.     Beautiful Glass Dome Roof, Hermitage Hotel, Monaco  Beautiful Glass Dome Roof, Hermitage Hotel, Monaco   HOTEL HERMITAGE Monte-Carlo, Monaco: Charm and refined elegance characterize this Belle Epoque historic monument recently revamped.    Mezzanine - Eiffel, Hotel Hermitage Dining The hotel's restaurant, Le...

Location: The suites are located on a quiet street in Galata, a historic and bohemian district in central Istanbul. Galata is just above the Bosphorus, with easy access to Beyoglu and ferry piers, and linked to Sultanahmet by bridge and tram. Istanbullux Suites is a charming hotel in Istanbul. It sits quietly on the Golden Horn, connected to the bustling historic quarter by Galata Bridge. This trendy up-and-coming area boasts an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars, whilst providing easy access across the bridge to the Blue Mosque and vibrant Grand Bazaar. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is a 20-minute taxi ride away and there is a transfer service. This boutique hotel’s award-winning facade invites guests into cool, contemporary interiors. Attentive staff deliver a highly personalised service including guided tours, reservations and recommendations. Start the day with a sumptuous breakfast in the lobby before setting out to explore this fascinating Turkish city. Rooms: There are 6 ident...