Lucy Loves: May

My monthly edit of the things to know, including a heavenly treetop spa retreat, a bijou London art fair and noteworthy substacks

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Yayoi Kusama. Photo: Yusuke Miyazaki. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro, and David Zwirner. © Yayoi Kusama

Hi everyone,

Hooray, we’ve shirked off rainy April and are into joyful May, my favourite month of the year. Why? Because it ushers in longer, warmer days that brighten mood and home. It is also book-ended, in the UK at least, by two long-awaited bank holidays. Brits will enjoy a bonus third this year in celebration of King Charles’s coronation.

Royal celebrations aside, there is a lot to be excited about this month. Below, you’ll find my monthly edit of the things to know in the two cities I call home. Plus, the New York exhibition everyone’s talking about. As ever, please tell me what you’d like to see more of by commenting below. Thank you again for joining me on this cultural adventure from London to Istanbul. Your support really does mean the world to me.

Love Lucy Xx

I’M DAYDREAMING OF….

Rebooking My Arbor, a treetop spa retreat in Italy’s South Tyrolean mountains where wellbeing is centre stage. Arriving at this design-led hotel is to enter the warm embrace of comfort and new levels of rest and relaxation. From the indulgent menu to the epic spa and sauna floor, it’s all about living in the present moment.

A room with a view is always memorable, but one overlooking the impressive peaks of the Dolomites is unforgettable

I went in February but South Tyrol is a year-round destination. There’s skiing and sledging in winter; hiking and biking in autumn; and forest bathing in summer. My Arbor is an adults only hotel, making it the perfect place for an escapist weekend with friends, mothers or lovers this spring. Read the full review now on Citizen Femme.

HAVE YOU HEARD…

Turner Prize-winning British artist Lubaina Himid is presenting a solo exhibition of new work at Glyndebourne this summer. What Does Love Sound Like? (19 May - 27 August) will feature a series of large-scale paintings and objects inspired by the operas being performed, among them Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Handel’s Semele.

Lubaina Himid, The Rakes Progress. © Lubaina Himid. Image courtesy the artist and Hollybush Gardens, London. Photo Gavin Renshaw

Himid trained in theatre design at Wimbledon College of Art and her love of opera has informed her practice for the last 40 years. ‘My work is all to do with action and something unfolding,’ she says. ‘Like in opera, the narratives in my works are not static. I love opera because it’s the way I experience life.’ Happily for those abroad, the exhibition will also be available to view online.

SUBSCRIBE TO…

These Substacks. One of the best things about joining Substack has been discovering and connecting with other brilliant writers all over the world. I’ve subscribed to dozens of newsletters over the past few months that explore everything from wellness to interior design. These are five of my favourites:

Books & Bits by Pandora Sykes — a bijou box of culture recs and life enhancers.
In Hand — a deep dive into the worlds of design, craft and travel.
Yolo Intel — a gorgeous edit of hotels, interviews and little black books.
A Tiny Apt — a weekly newsletter about style and spaces.
In Writing — Hattie Crisell’s take on all things writing & journalism.

Please let me know of other Substacks you think I should subscribe to below!

DON’T MISS…

Eye of the Collector, which returns to London’s magnificent Two Temple Place for its third edition between 17 and 20 May. A smaller, more creatively driven art fair, it has eschewed the big white tent in favour of a grand domestic setting, with no booths or aisles. And honestly, it’s a sight to behold.

Installation view of Eye of the Collector 2022

The forthcoming edition, which is also browsable online, will feature around 150 works selected from over 20 galleries alongside new commissions created especially for the fair. Marvel at the art and Neo-Gothic architecture before sipping on a glass of fizz in the charming front garden.

AN ADDRESS TO BOOKMARK…

The Townhouse is one of those Istanbul restaurants that is always booked up. And I mean always. No matter how far in advance you look to nab a table, you’re welcomed with a hard no. But persevere (walk-ins are warmly welcomed). Because it’s worth it.

Its laid-back vibe, bistro-style food and Parisian aesthetic instantly transport you away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. And there aren’t many places in the city that do this. I’ll be going back for the signature Townhouse Negroni, popcorn shrimp and churros. Oh, and the friendly cats who loved loved being stroked. Thank you dear friends at LABrand for scoring us a seat. It’s one to bookmark for future trips to Istanbul — or during a weekend jolly to the Asian side.

THE EXHIBITION TO NAME DROP…

One of the largest Yayoi Kusama gallery exhibitions ever staged is set to open in New York this May. Marking ten years since Kusama’s first solo show with David Zwirner, I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers (11 May — 17 June) will include new paintings, sculptures and an Infinity Room exploring her signature themes and motifs. Think flowers, pumpkins and dots. Everyone’s talking about it, so start brushing up now.

AND FINALLY….

I tried the new Soho Skin range during my recent trip to Alavya in Alacati

The Soho Skin range is actually really good. It’s now stocked online and in the Soho House Istanbul which is where I first came across it. I have to say I was a little sceptical at first (I am a die-hard Kiehl’s fan) but the moisturiser and renewal serum both surpassed my expectations. Plus, they smell good. The travel set has all the essentials and is perfect for throwing into your hand luggage.

LET ME KNOW…what you’d like to see more of. Art? Design? Or travel? Email me, DM me or leave me a comment below. Until next time!