Bungalow, Home of Scout's Blog

Fashion and Style from Deb Johns, creator of the Scout Collection by Bungalow

Concept Stores in Europe: Corso Como (Milan) February 29, 2012

Filed under: design,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:00 am
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“The concept store is dominating trendsetting…

pushing the boundaries and raising the bar across categories of fashion, home, cosmetics, gifts, and dining. The most dynamic and concentrated version of a ‘department store’, the concept store takes point of view to new heights, blending established brands with rising stars. The best feature – high and low market finds side by side that offer the customer a refreshing retail experience. Fashion rises up around concept stores!”

SPOTLIGHT ON

Corso Como, 10  20154 Milan, Italy 02 654831

“Carla Sozanni has turned a former garage into a highly directional Mecca for trend-seekers from across the globe. Under her fashion umbrella is a gallery, a café and a full range of private label clothing and accessories. Featured labels include Marni, Burberry, Azzedine Alaia, Paul Smith, Prada, Pucci, Roger Vivier, Celine, Gucci, and Courreges.”

NEIGHBORHOOD MUST-SEES

“While in the neighborhood be sure to check out the Maison Moschino Hotel for a world of white and fantasy and don’t miss a stop into Clandestino Milano, the Hotel’s restaurant; visit the Corso Como Outlet, home to the most outrageous fashions from seasons past; the Brera/Solferino area, with nearby Tendenze, Glamour in Rose, Centro Botanico, and a fun flea market on Sunday mornings! Great eateries include Princi for focaccia pizza, Corso Como Café and Café Kandinsky.”

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Shop, Gifts & Home November 18, 2011

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:26 am
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IN PARIS: Maison de Vacances has custom cashmere and leather pillows and throws, located in the Palais Royale; for an exotic/old world spice and kitchen store, try Izrael Epicerie du Monde in the Marais area; Jamin Peuch for the ultimate over-the-top accessory – no doubt a collector’s item – located in on Rue Vieille du Temple; Fragonard began as a perfumery and now sells amazing linens, scarves, travel bags… perfect for gifts, located on Saint Germain down from Café Flore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Fornasetti has a beautiful new location on Via Bazzina and features a range of homewares and gifts – from pillows to ceramics – and also houses an impressive collection of Fornasetti work from the last 50 years; the basement of Rinascente Department Store (also open Sunday) has become the Design Supermarket, which features a wide range of international homewares and gifts; Laduree has a brand new location in Milan, on Via Spadari, and while it is great for breakfast and lunch it is also perfect for gifts… their gift boxes of macaroons are the perfect small treat for friends and family. We should note that Milan is the capital for contemporary and innovative furniture design, and many outposts are located throughout the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Begin at the basement of Selfridges department store, conveniently located on Oxford Street, a shopping ‘Mecca’, featuring a carefully edited spectrum of home and gift pros from around the globe; Conran’s, located in South Kensington, still offers some of the best furnishing to gift options in the city… stop in at Bibendum Oyster Bar; Designers Guild on the Kings Road has two shops, one featuring upholstery and wallpaper, the other home furnishings, linens, and gifts… if you need a little sunshine on a rainy British day, this is your destination; Villandry, a ‘restaurant, bar, and foodstore’ is not to be missed, and is conveniently located in Soho/the theatre district.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Shop RTW November 17, 2011

Filed under: fashion,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:16 am
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IN PARIS: Colette is still the most avant garde fashion concept store in Paris… visit especially to have a ‘museum’ experience, as you may do more looking than buying; Merci is a fashion/home store with two cafes that was started by the owners of Bonpoint and is conveniently located near the major shopping streets in the Marais; for the epitome of salon or atelier shopping, Dries van Noten is the destination… as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the fabulous clothing, and they’ve recently opened a men’s shop next door; Victoire, located at Place de Victoire as well as the Left Bank features contemporary very wearable fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Corso Como 10 is still the best concept store for fashion, gifts, and home in Milan and features a café and a restaurant… added bonuses: it’s a great walk from the Brera area, and it’s open on Sunday – rare in Europe; another one of our favorites is Aspesi which is an outerwear resource for men and women, and they’ve recently added RTW collections… located in the heart of luxury shopping on Montenapoleone (rarely available in the US – a must-visit!); a new player in the edgy fashion realm is Wait and See, located on a quaint ‘spider web’ street, Via Santa Marta, it is a must see for young and old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: London is a very spread out array of boroughs, each of which features its own shopping district and unforgettable gems. A few of our favorites include: for the best overview of European and British fashion, Liberty of London is your destination (connects with Regent Street and Soho, two standout shopping areas)… also includes great home and gift options, as well as a fantastic café; Dover Street Market continues to be the ultimate concept/fashion store in London, owned and run by Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, she features her sister-in-law’s café Rose Bakery on the top floor (located near Bond Street, a luxury brand shopping area); Jeffrey, with locations around the city (including Westbourne Grove near Notting Hill and South Kensington), looks great again as a blender of high end European, Asian, and American brands for women. Be sure to check out stores in these areas we’ve recommended and find your own favorite – these are all strong browsing areas of the city!

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Eat Dinner November 16, 2011

Filed under: Local Flavor,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:12 am
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IN PARIS: Frenchie has classic French fare in a hip atmosphere; Spring, as the name suggests, has a market-menu that features the freshest pick or catch… make your reservation early!; La Societe off of Boulevard Saint Germain is a hot destination for an international crowd – the place to be on a Saturday night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Obika is a casual yet hip mozzarella bar located on top of Rinascente department store, where you can dine al fresco for a great view of the Duomo; Clandestino Milano is a restaurant at the hotel Maison Moschino serving food from chef Moreno Cedroni; after a day of luxury shopping, try one of two restaurants conveniently located in the Grand Hotel et de Milan, the Caruso and the Don Carlos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Le Trois Garcons in Islington, a feast for the eyes and the stomach; located in the center of Mayfair, the Greenhouse is luxury dining at its finest, “where creative European cuisine emerges from a classical French background”; Arbutus and the Sugar Club are terrific before or after theatre meals.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Eat Breakfast/Lunch November 15, 2011

Filed under: Local Flavor,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:38 am
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IN PARIS: Laduree for not only tea but also lunch, visit the Left Bank location, at 21 Rue Bonaparte; try Les Deux Abeilles Salon de The, for refined French ladies who lunch with their daughters in a contemporary yet warm setting.

 

 

IN MILAN: low-end is Princi for amazing Foccaccia pizza; high-end is Bagutta, for great people-watching and fabulous Italian; the Corso Como Café has great smaller bites and even better people-watching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Madsen on the Old Brompton Road is a light and airy loft space that serves up healthy continental food with a twist; Ottolenghi is a market/restaurant with irresistible fresh offerings and the largest meringues on the planet.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Stay November 14, 2011

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:48 am
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IN PARIS:

Mama Shelter, designed by Phillipe Starke… amazing deal, though location is not ideal, since it lies outside the center of the city; a great price and awesome location in the midst of renovation is the Hotel de l’Universite; for the total hipster, Hotel Thoumieux is located in the 7th arondissement and features creative use of color and pattern throughout the building, delicious food downstairs and to die for baked goods next door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON:

St. Martin’s Lane is still one of the quintessential yet contemporary London hotels… plan to shop at Saville Row, also the theatre is a must-see nearby; the Zetter is a very affordable, very hip young hotel in Clerkenwell, near Islington… look for edgy shopping and cheap eats, the real bohemian kind of look; Number Sixteen has just been renovated yet again… always a new facelift, always looking fabulous, as is the area surrounding it, South Kensington.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN:

The Four Seasons is the epitome of luxury and location… embedded in the luxe shopping ‘Mecca’ of Via Gesu, the building is a ‘reborn’ 15th century convent, which lends to its overall modest setting when compared to other Four Seasons locations; for the fashionistas, Spadari is right across from Laduree and in a great eating and shopping location; a hidden gem is 3 Rooms, at Corso Como 10, which is comprised of three individual suites.

 

A Taste of Milan’s Food & Drink May 13, 2010

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 2:11 pm
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Make sure to stop by Bagutta  for the best two hour lunch. Stay a while and satisfy your sweet tooth with their profiteroles.

For an afternoon caffeine fix, check out the Gucci Cafe. When you order tea here, you will get a huge plate of cookies! So delicious.

As dinner time rolls around, you must try Obika, a famous mozzarella bar and my favorite restaurant in Milan. More options to come tomorrow!

 

Some of My Favorite Things from Milan… May 12, 2010

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 12:02 pm
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1. The focaccia at Princi

2. Aspesi jackets

3. Fornasetti Ties and Trays

4. Moroni Gomma Gadgets and Home Accessories

5. Marvis Toothpaste

6. Pellini Bijoux Costume Jewelry

 

Milan: A Two Wheel City May 10, 2010

Filed under: Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 1:26 pm
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Milan is a financial city but thinks enough about fashion that there is an Armani above the Linate airport when you land. The citizens of Milan take family very seriously and live life slowly by taking time to savor their surroundings. This is why you will see most of the Milanese traveling by bike or vespa. The Milanese will sit in restaurants for two hours and enjoy it. It is a city of contrast because you have the classic Northern Italian food and fashion, tailored with a twist, and then you have a seductive look going on in the South, evidenced by designers such as Roberto Cavalli.

This week we are going to give you a snapshot of the best places to eat, drink, shop, and hang out in Milan. We thought we’d start you out with the Milanese modes of transportation.

 

On the Streets of Paris, Milan, and London: Florals IV April 6, 2010

Filed under: fashion — Deb Johns @ 11:11 am
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Looking back never looked so good! Cabbage roses to peonies in bold to painterly styles explode for Spring/Summer RTW and accessories.  Dramatic on black grounds to feminine on pastel or neutral grounds, maxi scale florals create dramatic impressions this season.

 

 
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