Nina Garbiras

One night and a day in Basel, two in Zurich… and I’ve fallen a little in love with Switzerland. It’s been years since I was last here — but I suppose love is like that. Basel is quietly beautiful, but Zurich… Zurich is a whole vibe. Loved staying in Old Town, felt like a heady mix of history and that laid-back, Antwerp-esque magic — but more than anything, it was the people we met along the way who made it extra. Came within a hair’s breadth of this slice of goodness, and so very tempting for a detour, but we’ll be back. Built in 1914, the venue — now home to The Brecon — was once known as the Waldhaus. By the 1950s and ’60s, it had become the glamorous, talked-about destination — a place to see and be seen. Now reimagined by Amsterdam-based studio Nicemakers, 18 rooms and four rockin suites. . . . All photos courtesy of @thebrecon And yummy Design mojo @nicemakers . #swissinteriors #alpineadventures #goodjuju

We came, strolled, tasted, sipped—and spent hours reading by sparkling waves. Too much and not enough. Ciao, Venezia . . #venice #roamtheplanet #livelittlethings #postitfortheaesthetic #archilovers

Nothing important - just a few favorites of late 1) Photo I picked up in Paris - London 1980’s? 2) March sunshine along the Seine 3) Littest learning the ropes from her Sis 4) Train heading to Milan, only to have a signaling issue in the Alps, so the girls got a quick pee break. 5) The Police uniform in Milan and, well, just Milan. 6) Every damn time I arrive in Venice 7) The girls watching pigeon TV at the fish market 8) The evening commute along the Rialto 9) Mornings at Hotel Flora & my bronze ring inspired by the Basilica’s mosaic floors 10) That crazy, pretty Venetian light

Nothing quite stirs my longing for spring like Dean Hearne‘s photographs of Cordelia de Castellane’s stunning grounds. Ten days ago, I left New York behind under snowbanks and black ice; a week of 62–64° days in Paris has felt like the first deep breath after a particularly harsh winter. I’m not complaining. 🌸 . . . . 🙏🏻 📸 @dean.hearne Merci @cordeliadecastellane @clarefostergardens & @houseandgardenuk

Paris just got a little sluttier-in the best way. A lush little Osteria dripping in pure 70’s mood: soft velvet, golden light, and red wine seduction. And hello… that vinyl collection. You can tell the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree-#8 is their sister joint in Milan. Dangerous. #70saesthetic #moodyinteriors #parisguide #designlover Photos courtesy of @gloriaosteria.paris 💋

As the world around us breaks down further and further, and all semblance of humanity is actively and cruelly stripped away, it is getting harder and harder to find beauty and inspiration in the everyday. But as Friedrich Nietzsche said, “We have art in order not to die of the truth.” And whether he is using oil on board or linen panel, graphite on paper, or watercolor on paper, and whether he paints a flower or a men’s urinal - Lukáš Priečko brings beauty to the everyday. I am grateful to all the artists out there who lift the soul from this muck we find ourselves drowning in. Art courtesy of Lukáš Priečko - Slovakian artist based in Žilina. @lukaspriecko “The art of noticing, paying close attention to details in our surroundings, thoughts, or experiences that often go overlooked. It’s about cultivating mindfulness, being present, and observing the subtle aspects of life, whether in nature, people, art, or daily activities. This concept encourages us to slow down, notice patterns, appreciate nuances, and find beauty or meaning in the ordinary. It’s an approach that can enhance creativity, empathy, and awareness by helping us see the world with fresh, attentive eyes.” “I originally studied industrial design, which gave me a strong foundation in drawing and visual thinking. Over time, I realized that painting is the most natural way for me to express ideas, emotions, and the way I see the world. What started as a technical discipline slowly turned into something much more personal and intuitive. For me, realism isn’t just about accuracy, it’s about honesty. I try to capture the quiet tension of everyday life, the beauty hidden in stillness or ordinary spaces. Painting helps me slow down and connect with what’s beneath the surface, both in the world and within myself.” #artofnoticing #graphitedrawing #realisticdrawing #monochrome #shadinglightandshadow

Oh, sweetheart, you had me at hello. Antwerp - such a soulful hippy kinda city, full of unexpected design finds and the loveliest people. I’ll be staying here, please. . . . All photos and vibes thanks to the @hoteljulien . . . #designjunkie #goodhotelguide #myheartwanders

A little imagination courtesy of Nils Jean. “SS Regentia is a speculative interior project exploring the imagined spaces of a transatlantic ocean liner. Conceived as a visual research practice, the project investigates atmosphere, materiality, and spatial storytelling through a series of interior narratives.” Never been interested in taking a cruise ship, but I could wrap my head around this one. 🤸🏻 Storytelling and visuals courtesy of @ss_regentia

What a lovely, and decadent pause - it felt so good to really switch off for the holidays, I can’t begin to say. Back in New York, Monday came around, and it’s back in the deep end of the pool, but I am here for it. Doing a round-up of the past year was too daunting, and it really wasn’t what I wanted to reflect on at year’s end or look towards for the new year. So, I hope you all forgive me for borrowing the words of another. She said it so beautifully. Here’s my belated wish for the New Year: more hope and more kindness. Thank you, Maxine, for your poetry - and for the way you look at the world. Video and poetry @maxinem_x #roamtheplanet #poetry #wordsmatter #livelittlethings

Wishing you all a belated Merry Christmas from Lucia’s favorite place on earth - Crissy Field, SF. 🌁 🎄🐾🦴

When your talent is matched by your singular ability to see life from a joyous, whimsical, and truly beguiling perspective, the world is your canvas. Kitchen sponge, broken piece of styrofoam, or your parquet floors - limitless. I want them all, but I’d be happy with one. Guernica, please. 🫶🏻 . . All art courtesy of the bright spark that is @golsa.golchini . . . . #curate #collector #instadaily #perspective

Years ago, while living in Paris, I was lucky enough to go on a road trip with my sister, Melissa, and some friends from Berkeley, CA. Her friends had a British uncle who had a crazy-cool farmhouse in Aquilea, up a steep, curvy, narrow road above the walled city of Lucca, in Tuscany. The farmhouse, attached to a 14th-century kitchen where monks used to bake the local bread, sat tucked between two of the most verdant valleys - so no matter where you looked, every window showed nothing but lush green curves. It was a glorious, wild, and untamed landscape, and the house fit that vernacular - looking solid, slightly off, worn, used, and loved. We spent days doing what felt like nothing. Investigating Lucca and nearby towns, cooking simple, light meals, and consuming massive amounts of the most delicious tomatoes I’d ever eaten. But it was on the long road trip there, before we ever crossed from France, that I lost my heart. We stopped in Èze-sur-Mer in the South of France to see their Mom’s best friend. She had a stone cottage directly on the ocean, and swear I’d never seen anything like it in my life. It was rustic and charming, and I had such terrible envy of all those who got to call it home. As we pulled up and unloaded the car, her son and his girlfriend, our age, mid twenties, were diving for sea urchins directly in front of the house, armed with snorkels, a skinny pool raft, and an oyster knife. Time seemed to stop. I just stood there watching while they dove, came up, popped open the urchin, and added it to the hoard. It was just so cool. I was asked to make myself useful by picking wild mâche, which apparently grew everywhere along the hillside. And then we set the table with vintage linen, sturdy cutlery, crisp white wine, crunchy baguettes, pasta, fish, a salad of mâche, and, of course, the sea urchins. As soft ocean breezes drifted in and out, we ate heartily and drank in the sea, and I could have stayed there forever. This pretty house, 3.5 hours West, bears no resemblance to it, but it makes me think of that day with the sun on my face, when life stood still for a moment. 📐 @michael_levy_paris 📸 @christophecoenon