Ricci DeMartino » ricci demartino

A Spiritual Oasis -Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai Thailand

ricci — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:26:57 +0000

As part of an exciting trip to Bangkok for some shopping, sightseeing and of course, a visit to my favorite tailor, A-Prime, I decided I needed some spiritual rejuvenation. I was led to the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi resort in one of the largest and most culturally significant cities in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai. From the moment my driver pulled up to its amazing architectural gates I knew I was in heaven. The reception areas is located on one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen and the staff was quick to escort me via buggy to my private two story villa. The villas are built almost entirely of teak and the smell of wood and fresh flowers filled the air. It was late at night and raining and I was in need of a massage so before I could even unpack, I was whisked away to the spa with its private massage villas. I’ll never forget how relaxed I felt in that sandalwood-scented room with the rain beating on the tiered roof. The next morning the breakfast buffet overwhelmed me with its exotic flavors and familiar favorites. A quick dip in my private full-size pool (no plunge pools here!) afterward, and I was ready to explore the Dhari Dhevi’s other amenities such as private yoga classes and a well-equipped and quiet library. Although the resort was almost full, I felt alone the entire time. Ahh, just what I needed!

The Ultimate Escape – St. Regis, Bali

ricci — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:03:24 +0000

When the toughest decision you need to make is whether to soak in your private plunge pool or dive into the over 12,000 square foot turquoise lagoon pool right outside your villa, you know you’re vacationing at a once-in-a-lifetime resort. That was the case for me last summer when I spent almost two weeks at the St. Regis resort in Bali. I was only supposed to be there for a few days, but after being spoiled with lobster omelettes and freshly made dumplings for breakfast every day, soothing massages in the zen -like spa, and relaxing in the exquisitely decorated villa, I had to extend my stay until work forced me to return home. Once you cross the private bridge onto the St. Regis property, you enter a different world, and what a world it is! The staff caters to your every need and is happy to surprise you with your favorite sushi roll or a complimentary glass of the house specialty cocktail just when you need it. The rooms are decorated with typical Balinese limestone and dark woods with custom glass lamps and lighting fixtures that blend well with the local accessories. Eating dinner al fresco in the resort’s formal restaurant was a treat I will never forget, and the pastry chef made sure we ended our meal with a bang as he crafted desserts that were as ornate as they were delicious.

— Ricci DeMartino

Stylist Retreat

ricci — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 01:37:27 +0000

“As a style expert, I’m surrounded all week with color, texture and pattern, so when it came time to designing my own weekend house, I wanted a calm environment. To achieve that, I kept things simple and used a palette of slate grey as the foundation color. Adding white furniture with classic clean lines defined the room. I love to relax on the sofa with my favorite pillows from MadeWithLoveInBrazil.com. The soft African floral patterns make me feel like I’m away at an exotic location and bring harmony to the room.”
-Ricci

Salma Hayek

ricci — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:45:24 +0000

Celine Dion

ricci — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 03:31:06 +0000

Rebecca Romijn

ricci — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:20:50 +0000

Eva Longoria

ricci — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:44:51 +0000

Christina Ricci

ricci — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:40:29 +0000

Andie MacDowell

ricci — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:36:06 +0000

Kevin Bacon

ricci — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:19:18 +0000