The other apartment in North Bogota


Last week, I wrote about my first interior design project and my love for the music of Carlos Vives. If that seems like a weird association – then you might need to read last week’s post.

After finishing the first apartment with Daniel Valderrama – who is the head of V & E design (where I am a partner), we started our next project, a few blocks away. While the first project was inspired by Colombian singer, Carlos Vives – the second apartment has a decidedly more North American feel..

Part of that is because of the unique way that V & E Design operates. It’s less of a “let us help you chose a new wallpaper,” then – “tell us what sorts of things you like – and then we will design something unique for you.”

So for our second apartment – we designed around the ideas of Elvis Presley and his Memphis estate, Graceland. The project is called, the We love Elvis! penthouse or the Elvis Apartment.

Here’s the kitchen door with a custom stained glass insert – if you want more of an idea of what we are talking about..

It’s a bigger apartment – with four bedrooms and three bathrooms – including an amazing gold bathroom. There is a fantastic open terrace and a smaller more private enclosed terrace too.

My niece in the golden bathroom – showing off the large jacuzzi tub.

Of course – if you want to see more pictures of the Elvis Apartment – you can see a wide variety on AirBNB.

We strayed a bit from my usual topics on Colombian culture and such – but we will pick back up on our usual topics soon. (Like the cuisine at El Chato – which is consistently rated at one of the best restaurants in Latin America and the world!)

I haven’t been there, yet.. I have included a link to the restaurant menu – if any of you want to give it a try and report back..

We Love Carlos Vives! The King of Colombian music..


It’s been a while since I’ve had an opportunity to sit down and write but that doesn’t mean my adventures have stopped.. In fact, it was a little hectic for about six months. I have been working with an Interior Design firm doing specialty apartments.

The first apartment is the We Love Carlos Vives penthouse apartment. It’s an adorable apartment in the family friendly neighborhood of Cedritos in North Bogota. If you want all the hustle and bustle of downtown Bogota, then this isn’t the place for you. But if you are staying in Bogota, or working here – and want a nice, safe but lively (not noisy) neighborhood with restaurants, bars, grocery stores, banks, parks and shopping in close walking distance – this apartment may be ideal for you.

It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and two large balconies with views of the city. It’s comfortably outfitted with modern amenities and decorated in rural Colombian style. It pays homage to one of Colombia’s greatest musical artists, Carlos Vives.

(If you’d like to rent the apartment – click here!

If you don’t know who Carlos Vives is – don’t worry! I have included some videos for your enjoyment!

https://player.pbs.org/viralplayer/3071811576/

He’s an amazing performer – and he (and artist Diomedes Diaz) popularized Colombian music around the world.

This link below plays his 20 most popular songs.. So click, relax and enjoy.. You can come back and read more about Carlos Vives, and the We Love Carlos Vives Apartment once you’ve immersed yourself in his music.

For many people outside of Colombia, he is best known for some of his collaborations – and for his song in the Disney movie, “Encanto”

Of course, if you really want to know about Carlos Vives, best to hear it from the man himself.. Here’s a brief interview.

Now that you love Carlos Vives’ music as much as I do – you might just enjoy the We Love Carlos Vives penthouse apartment.

I also made a little video.. It’s total amateur hour (because – yeah – I am a total amateur) and the music is nowhere as good as Carlos Vives, but here it is. I think the apartment is as colorful, charming and Colombian as the man himself..

I am going to try and get back to posting regularly – I’ve been traveling around Colombia recently – to the lovely coastal city of San Antero, to the pueblos of Cundinamarca, like Pacho and areas in between so I will post some pictures and descriptions soon.