A Design Aficionado's Tour of Argentina

5/3/2017

With its colourful retro personality and appreciation of old-world charms, Argentina is the place to visit for inspiration.

1. Not All Cows are Steak

In Argentina, cows are the main source of meat (Argentinian steak!), milk and leather. Inspired by this concept is the lovely Sientateteta Stool by Federico Varone, done by a design studio in Buenos Aires. federicovarone.com

2. For the Design Enthusiast

Palacio Barolo was the headquarters of Argentina’s wealthy textile businessma Luis Barolo. It was designed by Mario Palanti in accordance with Dante Alighieri’s poem. The lower grounds represent Hell, floors one to 15 are Purgatory, and 16 to 22 Heaven. palaciobarolo.com.ar

3. Where to Stay in Buenos Aires

Home is an eco-designed boutique hotel whose Garden Suite is a charmer. Like the rest of the retro hotel, it’s fitted with mid-century furniture. Natural light floods in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. A plunge pool sits on the other side of the window. The sweetest surprise is the stairwell that leads to a private rooftop terrace. homebuenosaires.com

4. Boutique meets Bohemian

Popular among the locals, Galeria Patio del Liceo in Buenos Aires is an eclectic cluster of boutique stores and galleries that prides itself on a palpable artistic vibe. Young, emerging artisans took the concept of a shopping mall and infused it with a dose of Bohemian. There’s Los Hermanos, for example, which sells ukuleles and offers classes, there are live music sessions and movie screenings as well. http://patiodelliceo.com/

5. All that Jaz

Franco Fasoli, aka Jaz, is one of Argentina’s most recognized contemporary artists, particularly as one who played a major role in placing Argentinian street art scene on the global map. From Argentina to Germany to Canada, all of Jaz’s murals have striking imagery of the human body or animal heads. francofasoli.com.ar

6. Two to Tango

Set in sultry red velvet and gold trimmings, El Cabaret in Faena Hotel Buenos Aires transports patrons to a 1920s tango club. Wine, dine and enjoy a sensual performance from the country’s favourite tango show, Rojo Tango. rojotango.com

7. Feat of Meat

Set in a 19th century building, Don Julio serves grass-fed Aberdeen Angus and Hereford beef cooked to perfection by grill guru Bienvenido ‘Pepe’ Sotelo. Wine bottles line the interior, inviting patrons to match their succulent meat (rump steak is chef-recommended) with a bottle of red. parrilladonjulio.com

8. What to Instagram

Artista Busca Pared, or Artist Seeking Wall, is an urban art project that is a nod to Argentina’s contemporary art scene and an effort to localize street art. The paintings pictured are in the province of Santa Fe. artistabuscapared.com.ar

BONUS The Take Away

Elementos Argentinos sells fine, handwoven textiles made using pure sheep wool and dyed using natural pigments. The selection includes blankets, rugs and stool covers in different sizes and colours. elementosargentinos.com.ar

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Natasha Gan
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Natasha is a writer and a digital marketing professional currently based in Toronto, Canada.