Rudi Polak's "Grey Gardens" bursts with spa-blues and vibrant greens, open spaces and private oases “This is my 20th year restoring homes in Los Angeles, and my 21st project,” says Rudi Polak about his just-listed, latest project he calls Grey Gardens. “The house was in absolutely horrendous shape, but with great bones. We took it down to the structure and completely redid everything while maintaining its historical integrity.” The incredible renovation in Hancock Park is mov

I love the holiday season. For me, it’s a time to decorate, celebrate, and reverberate all the good cheer. Images of Christmas icons playing in snowy winter lands, the festive look of holiday lights everywhere, sickly sweet pumpkin –flavored coffee drinks at my local Starbucks, and the nonstop (mostly awful) holiday tunes never fail to put me in a good mood. I also appreciate that this time of year elicits our compassion for the less fortunate, and inspires our natural inclin

The Argentine polo season is underway, so Hans Ebenman of The Rooftop Guide rounded up four hopping rooftop bars you shouldn’t miss in Buenos Aires. Alvear Roof Bar Alvear Roof Bar is a luxurious rooftop bar in Buenos Aires with a fantastic panoramic view over the city. The roof bar is perched on the 11th floor of the Alvear Palace Hotel. The terrace is available for both hotel guests and open to the public. From the bar, you can order tasty snacks and modern cocktails. Th

An insider’s guide into the top palace hotels in India, including the best for royal residences, opulent interiors, romantic settings, extravagant architecture, extensive gardens and refined Indian cuisine, in locations including Rajasthan, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Udaipur. Rambagh Palace Jaipur, Rajasthan, India This former hunting lodge and royal residence occupies a 47-acre plot just south of the city center. Given that the Maharaja of Jaipur once called this place home

“Romantically dramatic” is the phrase that comes to mind when I think about Argentina. Argentina is a country where deeply rooted colonial traditions and modernism butt heads. Immigration from European countries over the centuries contributed to the country’s cultural richness visible in daily life. Before and after its inception in 1825, the country experienced a tumultuous history of both social and political changes. Geographically, it offers an intensely diverse landscape

How many times have you missed the perfect shot field-side or in a dark lounge because you fumbled the camera on your smart phone? Popular Mechanics is to the rescue this month in our technology section. Having tested the new iPhone XS, these tips for taking perfect phone photos will get you solidly positioned among friends and family during the holidays as the go-to amateur photographer of the group. You’re welcome. It’s not just that smart phone designers can pack fantastic

It is said that “The eyes are the window to the soul.” They never lie, betray, or dismay; often revealing the depths of our identity that are undiscovered, and even unknown to us. As I stare into the eyes of Solomon Adufah’s ‘ Forbidden Knowledge’ portrait, I see beyond the young figure’s skin of black marble, emboldened by the emerald galactic backdrop and wild flora. I see something so ancient and prehistoric, that it seems to transcend time and space itself. Looking in

The name, Cité Soleil, is derived from the neighborhood, Cité Soleil, meaning Sun City, which is an extremely impoverished and densely populated commune located in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area in Haiti. The Cité Soleil logo is the same bird once featured on the Kingdom of Haiti flag used from 1811-1820. To pay homage to the homeland, Cité Soleil partnered with Project 4 Haiti to donate 10 percent of each sale to their trusted non-profit Haitian organization. These don

Within the walls of the historic Georgian Manor, the rooms were filled with antiques telling stories of a bygone era. The back entrance faced a row of old coats - heavy and durable - constructed for the unpredictable Irish weather. Vintage hats and weathered saddles hung on the 18th-century walls while old riding boots sat at the edge of the old stone floors. When these items were first created, they weren’t meant to be the next fashion trend. They weren’t a creative outlet o

BUENOS AIRES - 16-year old equestrian Mateo Coles became the first Haitian to win a gold medal in the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in October, and like many equestrians, he is an emerging champion from a family with a rich history of equestrian success in their blood. But unlike the famous equestrian families of Argentina and Wellington, the Coles story isn’t well-known; not even Mateo was aware of the history and his connection to another present-day equestrian, Ambassador