I have a thing for the exotic. And I also have a thing for the sea. So imagine the flutters I got when I discovered this oasis overlooking Hawaii's Diamond Head while stalking Richard Christiansen of Chandelier Creative on Instagram.
This is Shangri-La, the glamorous 1930's seaside compound of the late tobacco heiress Doris Duke and now the centrepiece for the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Reflecting her passion for the art, architecture and design of the Islamic world, the 5 acres of terraced gardens and pools is a melting pot of marble carvings, intricate tiles, silk textiles and decorative artifacts, many of which collected on her many travels across India, Morocco, Persia and the Middle East.
If you're not lucky enough to get to Hawaii to see Shangri-La in person (or like me it's on your bucket list for now), you can purchase the gorgeous book which accompanied the recent travelling exhibition here.
Photos: Chandelier Creative, Harpers Bazaar, Tim Street-Porter for Shangri-La
