Exploring stylish homes that withstood the Cuban Revolution, this book showcases innovative interiors from contemporary Havana, reflecting a transformative era and lifestyle. It highlights the blend of historical resilience and modern design, offering a glimpse into the evolving aesthetic of the city.
A treasure trove of great Caribbean design from the past 75 years... - New York Cottages & Gardens A new tome by designer and architect Hermes Mallea explores the origins and heyday of the Caribbean fantasy vacation...a treasure trove of gorgeous archival images in his latest book, Escape: The Heyday of Caribbean Glamour , it was early-20th-century tourism in the Caribbean in particular that inspired our collective travel poster vision of palm trees, tropical drinks, white sand, blue-green water and outrageous jungle/castle/pirate-themed resort architecture. Mallea shows in the most delightful way how our idyllic conception of the region as a fantastical tropical paradise was created by the media...The book also charts the region's progress through the jet-set era and beyond, the changing notions of resort glamour in the '50s, '60s and '70s, and the migration of the upper crust to new islands and enclaves as travel opened to the middle class. - Departures This 256-page read is chock-full of historic vacation homes from the '20s to the '80s, and we're busy planning our next getaway while flipping through Escape 's dreamy features. - Southern Living Hermes Mallea takes the reader inside a world of beach parties and costume balls set in lush tropical landscapes: rarefied resorts and fairy-tale private estates... - Society Diaries
The book highlights the architectural evolution of Havana, showcasing a century of creativity that transformed the city into "the Paris of the Caribbean." It explores how Havana emerged as a hub of wealth and style, influenced by its role in Spanish trade, the sugar industry's growth, and North American investments. The unique blend of European, American, and Caribbean design elements is celebrated through the grand houses that symbolize the city's rich cultural heritage and historical significance.