Wm. Mulherin Sons | Philadelphia (USA) | By Lee Fleming

The IDMCO team have a soft for well-considered interiors so it was safe to say we'd have a soft spot for Philadelphia-based restaurant and boutique hotel Wm. Mulherin Sons. Having initially opened the Wm. Mulherin Sons wood-fired Italian restaurant in March 2016 and have recently expanded with the revealing of their four-room hotel which occupies the two floors that sit above the restaurant.

Led by executive chef Chris Painter, Wm. Mulherin Sons team which includes Chef de Cuisine John Taus serves up a seasonally driven menu that's casual but sophisticated, emphasizing the smokiness and char that true wood-fired cooking makes possible. Painter's well-considered cuisine is a preserved nod to the Fishtown icon of the early 20th Century Mulherin whiskey business.

The Wm. Mulherin Sons hotel has been as carefully thought out as its downstairs counterpart with four beautifully designed rooms that have been furnished to complement the buildings rich heritage. The mix of new and old sees king size beds and custom-made furniture sit alongside a selection of handpicked artwork, fixtures, vintage rugs, living plants and cacti.

To read more about the Wm. Mulherin Sons on their website.

Writers Shed by Weston, Surman & Deane | London (UK)

The bottom of a garden can be a mysterious place for children and when asked to create a 'writer's shed' for an author and illustrator passionate about children's literature and mythologies, that's exactly where London-based studio Weston, Surman & Deane began.

The space, a haven in the midst of the busy city and a fairy-tale cavern at the bottom of the garden, is a place where a writer can escape to relax, think and work. Externally the facade is created from cedar and shingle cladding and also features a log store and chimney; inside large north-facing skylights flood the workspace with natural light. Weston, Surman & Deane also fitted an impressive bookcase around the wood burning stove for the client to store his extensive library. 

Photography by Wai Ming Ng

The Brücke 49 Hotel | Vals (CH)

In January we look to the New Year through a rejuvenated lens following a period of rest and self-reflection. Finding somewhere to truly relax over the holidays can be difficult but tucked away in Vals is Brücke 49, a secluded escape set in a breathtaking Swiss valley.

Subtitled as a bed and breakfast, Brücke 49 is a lifelong dream brought to life by husband-and-wife duo Thomas and Ruth Schacht who set out to re-invent the original, hearty B&B concept. From the beginning the Schacts wanted to create a home away from home, offering a personal retreat that’s far from ordinary. Opt for a short stay or a longer retreat and make use of Brücke 49's small reading room, curl up by the fireplace or explore the beautiful mountains surrounding Vals.