Ogilvy & Mather’s Guangzhou office has been selected as one of the recipients of the third annual China’s Most Successful Design Award 2008, sponsored by FORTUNE China magazine and China Bridge International.

Designed by M Moser and Associates, Ogilvy & Mather’s office is the first interior design project to receive this award. Aiming to offer its current and future staff an environment that inspires creativity Ogilvy & Mather allowed M Moser to go all out with the theme “Carnival of Ideas.”

A tiny cocktail lounge, Yucca, has opened on the third floor of Mansion 26F in Sinan Mansions, Shanghai.

The building is the headquarters of Yucca’s creator, Australian-Greek chef and restaurateur David Laris, and it also houses three of his other restaurants: Funky Chicken, Fat Olive and 12 Chairs.

Yucca’s interior design is by Shanghai-based Lime 388, a design and communications agency founded by the Paris-educated Thomas Dariel and Benoit Arfeuillere.

Yucca’s crazy, modern Mexican feel conjures up thoughts of Salvador Dali, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. There are the religious undertones, tall candelabra, catholic crosses, elaborate floor mosaics. There are shocking colors, paisley arm chairs, iron gates and a big slab of marble as the main bar. It all looks a bit much, even without patrons. And the multitude of rum and tequila cocktails will only heighten the somewhat mad vibe. Undoubtedly the creators’ intention. – Tuija Seipell

It’s been a bit of a trying week, and I thought I’d keep things simple for today’s post. I’ve always been drawn to spaces with lots of rustic charm, and there are so many wonderful rustic homes featured in the French magazine Art & Décoration. So, to end off the work week, sit back, relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the following photos….

We’re talking page after page of the prettiest rooms filled with shades of my favorite color. I think what I’m enjoying most is her genius medley of beautiful fabrics and wall coverings. The furniture and lighting selections are utterly fabulous too!

By Erin from House of  Turquoise

Thornton Designs

By Nicole – So Haute

Fashion designer and style icon Diane von Furstenberg can now add the title interior designer to her resume after the debut of 20 glamorous hotel suites she recently designed for Claridge’s hotel in London.

In her first-ever interior design project, von Furstenberg developed bespoke fabrics, rugs, furniture and cashmere throws for the rooms in the historic art deco landmark hotel. The rooms are stunning with luxurious fabrics in bold geometric patterns, ikat prints and Chinese florals plus pops of bright color, lacquered surfaces  and – of course – plenty of animal prints, a von Furstenberg signature.

The bathrooms are quite spectacular featuring rich marble surfaces and complete with plush DVF wrap robes. The suites also feature personalized touches like photos taken by von Furstenberg during her travels through Europe, Africa and Asia. I especially love the striking berry and chocolate colored ikat print sofa shown above which is covered in one of von Furstenberg’s custom fabrics.

The DVF suites at Claridge’s are definitely fit for a princess. In fact the 5-star hotel is the only place where von Furstenberg (once married to German Prince Egon von Furstenberg) is still referred to as “your Highness!” Visit the Claridges website for room rates and reservations.

“Hotels are fantasy and they’ve just got to make you dream.” – Diane von Furstenberg