The Artful Life: 7 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week

1. A Calico Wallpaper Collection That Goes on a Galactic Journey

It’s difficult to imagine creative terrain that Calico Wallpaper hasn’t traversed in the Brooklyn studio’s decade-plus history, which has seen husband-and-wife founders Nick and Rachel Cope practically elevate the medium into fine art thanks to their embrace of glowing gradients and marbleized prints. Lately the duo has been mining the infinite expanse of the galaxies for inspiration, which they translated into the dazzling Supernova collection realized alongside Manhattan interiors firm Studio DB. Infused with cosmic intrigue and atmospheric texture, the eight-piece collection depicts star patterns that infuse interiors with a healthy dose of cosmic wonder while providing a personal portal into the great beyond. “This collection sparkles and unveils the fantastical universe we’ve imagined, deeply connected to the history of astrology but also the artistry of those who have reinterpreted it before us,” says Britt Zunino, who co-founded Studio DB with her husband, Damian. They went on to install it on the ceiling of their personal library—an ideal place to be transported into another universe. —Ryan Waddoups

2. Ace Hotel Expands with First Property in Greece

Known for their hip hospitality locations in Seattle, New York, Palm Springs, and beyond, Ace Hotel has opened its first location in Greece and the second destination to carry the Swim Club moniker. Located in the chic city of Glyfada, along the Athens Riviera, the new Ace Hotel & Swim Club transforms a former Brutalist hotel into a clubby destination filled with a dynamic cultural offerings including a diverse assortment of original artworks by regional talents, curated collection of 1960s and 1970s vintage furniture; and stocked library organized by Athens-based bookstore Hyper Hypo. Designed in collaboration with French architecture and interiors studio ciguë, the 120-key resort offers a multitude of tantalizing dining options, like the all-day French-American restaurant Sebastian, where acclaimed Athenian chef Elvi Dimitris Zyba cultivates a menu of Mediterranean cuisine using regional ingredients, all served alongside a thoughtfully organized wine list. Visitors can unwind during the day by the glamorous pool then take in the incredible views of mountains and ocean from the rooftop lounges or striking cantilevered balconies.

“Greece embodies the style of hospitality we love to cultivate: warm, relaxed and friendly,” says Brad Wilson, CEO, Atelier Ace / Ace Hotel Group. “Partnerships brought this hotel to life, from collaborations with the city’s brightest young chefs and bar owners, to bookshops and brilliant emerging local artists whose works comprise the hotel’s curated art program— it’s a monument to both the city’s traditions and the cultural renaissance underway.”—Jill Sieracki

3. Silver Oak and Paravel Debut Suitcase Suite for Holiday Wine Travel

Just in time for the holiday season, Silver Oak and Paravel announced a unique collaboration to address an oft-overlooked holiday travel hurdle: transporting wine. The limited-edition luggage collection, outfitted in Cabernet red, is designed to help travelers transport Silver Oak’s Cabernet Sauvignons in style. Available in three different suitcase styles, the luggage is meant to carry two, three, or six bottles of the label’s 2020 Alexander Valley and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Silver Oak this holiday season, a winery that shares our deep commitments to environmental responsibility and uncompromising product standards,” says Andy Krantz, Paravel’s co-founder and CEO. “Together, Paravel and Silver Oak have created gifts of exceptional quality to foster experiences and memories that will endure long past the holiday season.”—Alexandria Sillo

4. Audemars Piguet Unveils Artful Collaboration with KAWS 

Reflecting the Swiss Watch house’s longstanding commitment to the arts, Audemars Piguet has launched a bold new collaboration with New York-based artist KAWS. Revealed during an event at the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, Switzerland, the centerpiece of the project is a special new Royal Oak timepiece: the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion” limited edition. With a 43mm case size, the handsome watch boasts a sandblasted titanium watch case and black ceramic crown. The dial features a sunburst titanium dial plate, where the artist’s signature companion—a three dimensional, grey-hued character‑is seems to be trapped within, his white hands pressed up agains the glass. The tourbillon movement can be seen through the Companion’s chest, beating like a heart. The maison’s eight hexagonal screws have also been reimagined with Kaws’ “X” motifs. Provocative and witty, the collaboration lends a fun pop art sensibility to the rarified and often world of haute horlogerie. —Lucy Rees

Widely regarded as one of the world’s finest champagne brands, Veuve Clicquot is moving away from the chillier days ahead and ushering people into the sun. Partnering with the Caribbean’s latest upscale lifestyle hotel Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, the Veuve Clicquot Sun Club pop up will open its doors for a limited time at the property’s poolside Bata Bar. In addition to the opportunity to sip on crisp rosés and bubbles while soaking in the sun, light gourmet bites spearheaded by Chef Andrea Gaia including rich lobster rolls as well as chicken and champagne waffles will be served poolside. Veuve Clicquot Sun Club opens on November 29 with an official DJ party kicking off the festivities on November 30. — Shelby Black

6. Café Ginori Opens Doors at St. Regis in Florence

The Café Ginori opened its doors this week at the St. Regis hotel in Florence, representing a collaboration that pays great homage Ginori 1735’s Italian roots. The partnership promises a bold, unexpected dining experience that celebrates the joy of luxury hospitality and artistic expression with eventual plans to expand worldwide. Guests will dine on vibrant Italian cuisine while enjoying iconic Ginori collections including Oriente Italiano, Il Viaggio di Nettuno, and Labirinto, and select pieces from Ginori’s Domus home collection. “We are immensely proud to debut Café Ginori with Ginori 1735 at St. Regis Hotels and Resorts around the world—a partnership that perfectly infuses Ginori’s audacious grace with the St. Regis ‘House of Celebration,’” says Jenni Benzaquen, senior vice president of St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton and Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts. “This collaboration redefines non-conventional luxury, inviting guests to experience a sensory journey at our most iconic addresses, where the creative playfulness of Ginori meets the glamour and timeless elegance of St. Regis.” To celebrate the grand partnership, Ginori designed an exclusive coaster set inspired by the elegance and glamour of the St. Regis. Following the groundbreaking Florence debut, the next Café Ginori opening is planned for The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.—Alexandria Sillo

7. Opera Gallery New York Presents Bold New Show with Iconic Works by George Condo, Pablo Picasso, Niki de Saint Phalle and More

Artists have long been fascinated with the human figure in all its forms. This month, through December 7, Opera Gallery in New York is presenting a new show “Twisted Bodies” that explores the artist’s depiction of the human form in a diverse range of mediums and styles. On view are works by the likes of Karel Appel, Fernando Botero, George Condo, Jean Dubuffet, Armand Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, and Niki de Saint Phalle, to name just a few. At the hands of Botero, figures are swollen, voluminous, and almost seem to be inflated; George Condo, meanwhile, is celebrated for his beguiling, distorted portraits that masterfully blend elements of the traditional with the surreal, while Niki de Saint Phalle’s joyous “Nana” sculptures powerfully celebrate the curves and beauty of the female body.—L.R.