Pullman Bangkok

I was in Bangkok last week for business and stayed at the Pullman's. It was my first experience staying at the Pullman's and it was quite pleasant. The hotel was very contemporary and I really liked its landscape. The room was average and generic, so nothing too exciting there.

Pool

seating area Infinity Pool

Koi pond in the garden. I really like the Asian influence in its hotel design.

nicely landscaped garden at ground floor.

Infinity pool with Lotus.

The hotel lobby decor was very minimalistic and modern. I like how they line up the orchids on a straight line for a clean, minimalistic look.

Breakfast area

the ensuite was too generic for my liking.

same goes with the room, it looked bland and generic. Nothing too exciting there.

Bose Soundbar & Apple TV

A while ago, I blogged about my intentions wanting to purchase a Bose CineMate in the US. Well, I bought it and got it set up at my home.

I had to ask the electrician to come and hide the wires and the optical cable was a pain in the ass to insert because the wall is mounted so close to the TV.

I love it and with combination of Apple TV, it is a match made in heaven. I can watch YouTube projected HD on my LED TV and the sound quality from Bose, listen to Internet radio etc etc!

On a another note, I'm tired of Australian retailers whinging and complaining how their businesses are deteriorating. Just take a look at department stores like Myer or David Jones, their stock is pathetic with 200-300% markup margins and the stores themselves are not inviting and ugly. I rarely shop in Australia unless they are big item stuff that cannot be shipped overseas.

Who in the sound mind that is well educated would spend their hard earned money in Australian retailers when EXACT same good sold overseas are like $500 cheaper. I purchased this sound system in the US with savings of around $500! Ridiculous!

Mario Testino Home

One of my favourite photographers is Mario Testino. I have been admiring his work since the early days of his provocative Gucci or Kate Moss images.

To my delight, his house was featured in Vogue via a home decorating website I frequent,Habitually Chic. Another website which is my favourite is The Selby which features homes of creative people.

I also noticed the pastel colour palette throughout the house.

It just goes to prove the importance of Art in any room. It definitely tells a story about person living in and in this case, his amazing eye and taste for art. I also love how he split the room into many areas by underlaying them with different rugs, definitely a tip I would like to experiment.

more Arts. Art are not just restricted to wall hangings but sculptures, ceramics and that coffee table is definitely a work of art in itself. Very inspirational.

Bill Amberg Hunter backpack

I always thought once we pass a certain age, backpacks can no longer be a good look until I saw Bill Amberg Hunter backpack at Mr Porter. I'm a sucker for anything natural tan and this backpack exudes style and coolness. Its timeless look goes dressed up or down. Made in England.

Drapes

I recently custom made the drapes for the house. Choosing the fabric and the colour wasn't the easiest but I settled for a more linen like fabric with grey tone. I think the dual tone, Dual + Beige added a contemporary touch to it. I chose grey as it matches with my accent chairs, the dining table rug and also the kitchen.

Dining and Family room

Dining

San Francisco

I stopped by San Francisco for a day on the way back. It was my first time there and I liked the city scape. I HAD to see the Golden Gate Bridge.

View of the city and Alcatrez from the bridge

San Francisco's famous Transamerica Building

Union Sq!

Goyard San Francisco window display

Goyard Window Display

San Francisco is such a lovely city. It is hard to believe that it is in fact in California when it is so different from, say Los Angeles. A walk in the city is gruesome with its steep streets, I swear some of them are more than 45 degrees. The city is very stylish and shopping there is definitely one of the best I've seen.

Business Class Air New Zealand

Still pissed off having to endure a lengthy transit in LAX, I boarded my transit flight to LAX from Auckland when my boarding pass beeped red and the lady informed me that I have been complimentarily been upgraded to business! Wow, suddenly I felt less pissed, in fact,I forgave Air New Zealand for the inconvenience caused. My first ever free upgrade and first Business Class seat on a long haul flight!

3 course dinner served on fine bone china and silver. There was no cart being pushed around and felt like a restaurant dining experience where the 'waitress' took your order and served your meal of your choice.

1B. Front row.

La Prairie toiletries to help you with dehydrated skin and chapped lips.

Seat converts into a flat bed complete with fluffy duvet and down pillow. I've never slept so well on a plane before (with help of sleeping pill) and woke up to breakfast before landing in LAX, refreshed. Service was excellent, it was really hard adjusting to cattle class after this. Needless to say, the experience was very well appreciated.