And we're back! A season of living vicariously through images returns and we beging with an escape to the secluded luxury of the Y hotel photographed by talented architectural photographer, Jonathan Leijonhufvud.

The hotel isnestled in the heart of Nanxia Mountain's Jiyang District in the picturesque city of Sanya. Known for its breathtaking sea views, Sanya offers a unique and exclusive experience for discerning travelers in search of a tranquil and rejuvenating vacation.

The Y hotel provides a haven of peace and seclusion, surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests, providing a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city. Guests will find solace in the secluded residential setting, allowing them to truly relax and unwind.

The landscape design of the Y hotel has been meticulously crafted to reflect the natural surroundings, creating a harmonious balance between the built and natural environment — adopting the concept of "simple but spiritual", the hotel offers a tranquil atmosphere that soothes the soul and provides a haven of peace and quiet.

How's that for a start?

Lead Architect: Li Hui
Photgraphy: Jonathan Leijonhufvud

Testing the mic. Hi. Anyone there? — OK, I know it seems like I fell off the face of the earth... and I sort of did, but wait, it was for a good reason. Or should I say reasons? Yes, I took some time off this (whatever this blog has become) to focus on some things and people that I love dearly and one of those things was a project that I’ve had in mind for ages now.

After (literal) years of not having or making time for writing, I sat down one day after pondering an idea for what seemed like a split second... and I decided to write a guide to help you—yes you, Pinterest-obsessed human—to make passive income off of your Pinterest efforts. And here I am months down the line, having completed it, to tell you, "Hey! How about turning your Pinterest obsession into a money-making machine?".

We all know times are tough, and we all could use an additional stream of income, right? — Well, I decided to go ahead and just write because I’m one of the lucky ones who’s benefited from turning my Pinterest into a business and seizing many opportunities that come from it... so why don’t you hop into this boat and start capitalizing on something you probably never thought could be more than a hobby or a distraction? I think I heard a "Yes!".

In my new guide, “Curated”, you will learn the nooks and crannies of Pinterest... and you'll be able to stack the odds in your favor. I’ve managed to write everything you’ll need, to go from Pinterest user to Pinterest Boss in a 90-page e-book... and let me just say, I know for a fact you won’t be disappointed.

So go ahead buy my book and turn your Pinterest world upside down.

© hover over images for credits

The way most minimalists approach color—specially the ones who jumped on the bandwagon as the minimalism fever was starting is a bit limited and we all know that. And even though that contrary to what many believe, black, white and beige are colors, I can also support that we need to stop being so afraid of all the other colors in the wheel.

My constant urge to always question everything that looks "ruly" convinced me very early that there wasn't a point in simplifying, cutting down and making everything functional if that deprived me or anyone else of the joy that life brings and even if you are adept to the thinking that colors that veer from the old black and white (maybe some grey in there) isn't minimalism, you surely can agree that different strokes for different folks and that there is an inherit sense of joy that some colors bring to people's life and it would be pointless to remove that just for the sake of minimalism.

If you, reading this feel daunted by the task of adding more color into your life / interiors and are holding back from fear that you will regret painting that wall or buying that set of blue sheets (that would be me) or maybe you just want to finally get some artwork on your walls let me tell you this: You won't regret doing something that will lift up your mood and that gives you a sense of new possibilities.

The way to introduce color into a minimalist home is "slowly" and also mindfully:

1. Don't tackle a big change but small changes and stick to the values of one in-one out so that you don't end up accumulating unnecessary things
2. Add pops of color first; a vase, a pillow or maybe a nice coffee mug to replace that dodgy old white one with coffee stains stuck at the bottom—we've all had one of those, os is that just me?
3. Stick to a palette by making two colors the base—let's say beige and black (let's give harsh whites a little rest)—and work around that adding complimentary pops of color like desaturated blues, earthy greens or muted yellows, whatever tickles your fancy but in a way it makes sense for you in your minimalist life
4. If you're not ready to paint the walls add texture to it or a nice piece of minimal art
5. If all of the mentioned above still scares you, bring in nature, whether a new plant or maybe flowers in a color you never got — and on that, I have to confess I spent years getting white flowers and clearly missing out. So bring in the hydrangeas, the daisies, the sunflowers — you name it

Personally, I've never had anything against color but it just didn't make sense in my life before. Now I enjoy a beautiful beige surrounding with big pops of black, blues and greens and is it just me or does that dining room seem incredibly inviting, fun and nostalgic for some reason, all that the same time?

© jake curtis