Happy Holidays

It`s been really quiet lately around here. We have so many things to do --work related, here in Buenos Aires as well as in Punta del Este--that we have no time for posting anything.

We will be back soon, the city is full of new and exciting things to do. For the time being, we leave you with the beautiful Christmas tree from Galerias Pacifico shopping mall along our warmest wishes for 2010.


The Chukker team

Photoshoot

We were asked by our friend, photographer Alejandra Lopez, to be generous and lend our terrace in Buenos Aires for a fashion photoshoot. It took about five seconds to say yes, especially after knowing that gorgeous Sofia Zamolo was the one and only model.

So, about a week ago we had this very cool crew coming over and spending a lovely and windy afternoon shooting different outfits for the upcoming Holiday season. Everybody was great, and we had a great time.

If you click here, you will see the backstage of the shooting...turn your speakers on and enjoy!

Naturaleza Aguirre Mar: party pictures

As our readers already know, we were involved in the design of the new store that Argentinian furniture maker Eugenio Aguirre opened last Monday in Buenos Aires. This new line is called Naturaleza Aguirre Mar (Mar meaning ocean in Spanish). So the whole concept was a new idea for the brand: we wanted to recreate the feeling of a beach house in a great location--French Caribbean, anyone?-- so we decided to build something between a store and a house.

The space is divided into a series of interconnected rooms, each of them displaying a different situation: bedroom, living room, family room...it's been done before (Ralph Lauren's store on Madison Avenue in New York is probably the best example) but it is a new idea in Buenos Aires, where all the furniture showrooms are just stores selling goods. Period.

The opening reception was held last Monday, and we probably had over 2,000 people attending. The party started at 6,30 and lasted until the last guests were basically asked to leave at 11,30 pm! There was a tent outside with two bars, live music, a great catering and a never ending supply of wine. The weather was really great--a wonderful summer night--so guests really enjoyed an unbelievable celebration.

We are already working on a project in Punta del Este in which this whole concept will be developed into an even bigger and more sophisticated space...This city is a summer resort that has always been THE place to be in January and February (our summer) so it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase this amazing new line.

Naturaleza Aguirre Mar

Buenos Aires Design Center

Av. Pueyrredon 2501 - (+54.11) 5777.6109

Polo Open

The most important polo tournament in the world, the 116th Argentine Open Polo Championship (we know it here as "El Abierto Argentino de Polo") started last Saturday and it will take place until December 5.

As usual, it is held at the Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo. This tournament--one of the most important events in the international Polo calendar--gathers the best polo players in the world (all of them from Argentina).

This is indeed the best time of the year to be in Buenos Aires.

Avenida Alvear, or the discreet charm of bourgeoisie

There are few things to do in Buenos Aires more satisfying that walking down the sunny streets in a glorious Spring morning. And there are few streets more fascinating that Alvear Avenue if you love Architecture and want to explore one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in town.

We had one hour to kill between appointments the other day, so we took our camera and began our walk. The weather was great--sunny and no humidity at all-- so we started at the intersection of Schiaffino street, right there where the huge and ancient rubber trees are located. Jacaranda trees are in bloom, and their purple flowers added a touch of unexpected colour in an otherwise monochromatic neighbourhood--most of the buildings are made of sand coloured stone or painted in that shade.

A great building by Alejandro Bustillo to the right, the Alvear Palace Hotel to the left...Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Cartier...so far away from Paris or New York, but still the same stores offering the same goods. After we crossed Callao Avenue, more upscale shopping and more fantastic buildings from the 40´s and 50´s. Then, after Rodriguez Peña street we found the only block that still has the original constructions intact: The Maguire residence, the Duhau residence--nowadays the Park Hyatt hotel--and the Fernandez Anchorena residence--that is, the Apostolic Nunciature in Argentina.

After this feast of classical architecture, we reached the Carlos Pellegrini square. Probably the most elegant park in the whole city, it features and impressive statue of former President Pellegrini and a fountain. This is where you can find the Embassy of Brasil, the Jockey Club and the Embassy of France.

At the end of our walk, exhausted and ready for a snack, we crossed the 9 de Julio avenue and ended up at the Sofitel hotel--just two blocks away-- for a quick lunch before going back to work.

Gonzalo does it again...

We received an invitation from our friend Gonzalo Papantonakis. He is having an exhibition of his latest work at Gallery nine5 on November 12.

Gonzalo moved to Los Angeles a couple of years ago after he made it really big in New York (we wrote his story a while ago, check it out here). We are always eager to hear from this artist, and already own a few of his paintings--which proved to be a wise investment indeed.

It will be good to see how the whole California experience has influenced his inspiration.

Gallery nine5
24 Spring Street - New York

Naná Gallardo, photographer

We were invited to the opening of a great exhibition the other night: photographer Naná Gallardo--a talented artist who is not afraid to explore any subject--was one of the artists showing their latest works at Natan (a furniture showroom that has been a mecca for interior designers and architects for decades in Buenos Aires).

We met Naná and her friend, the model and actress Mariana Gio. We started taking photographs ourselves, no doubt inspired by the fantastic art on display. You can have an idea of how interesting the whole experience was by looking at the images. The mood was perfect for some almost surreal images...like movie stills from a mysterious film.

Natan

Arenales 1223 - Buenos Aires

From the terrace

Our own little piece of Paradise on earth is this little pied-a-terre we have in Buenos Aires.

It is just a small apartment really, but with a big terrace. And a tower. And a working fireplace. And an indoor barbecue. And a million plants. And a bunch of hummingbirds that live nearby and stop by early every morning to visit.

At the end of the day, how many square meters do you need to enjoy life?

Naturaleza Aguirre

If you follow this blog, you already know we work along Argentinian furniture maker Eugenio Aguirre. We are at the moment in Buenos Aires as their new store is about to be officially open on November 23. This is the third store we designed for them, and this time we are in the beach mood...Saint Barths is the way to go!...or maybe Punta del Este (we have a new project coming up there also, but we shouldn't talk until it is confirmed, right?).

The store looks like a big beach house, simple in its materials, airy and cozy. There is a fireplace and also a big banquette...we tried to recreate a real house so customers can get the idea of how furniture will work in their own homes.

We are done with the construction phase, so now we are in the process of putting everything together for the big opening.

The images give you an idea of how everything looks like. It is very time consuming but we are extremely happy with the results and wanted to share these photographs with our loyal readers.