Made For You, October 2017
In a world of fast food and one-size-fits-all sensibilities, how often does something feel made especially for you? The "Made for You" section celebrates those items that are created with such high quality of hand workmanship and degree of customization that they become individual to you.
In each issue, our editors will endeavor to bring you special things from anywhere on the globe, choosing them solely on the basis of outstanding quality. Our goal is to give you guidance on the best of everything.
Majestic Minibar—BDI
Keeping booze for guests who wish to partake is a good idea, but hiding your stash of top-shelf spirits for you to enjoy later is an even better one. The Corridor Bar from BDI ($2,199), a “soft minimalist” styled bar made of solid stained wood, features two slotted doors that not only hold your bottles, but also swing open to reveal a space large enough for all your beverage needs. Inside is a stemware rack to hold Martini and wine glasses, storage drawer for any cocktail tools and plenty of slots for wine and spirits bottles. The attractive, satin-etched glass top is also durable enough to resist scratches and fingerprints. bdiusa.com
Portable Fizz—Drinkmate
Fans of Highballs have long enjoyed at-home seltzer-making devices that save time and space. Drinkmate takes that concept a few steps further with its beverage carbonator and new portable edition, the Spritzer. Each easily adds bubbles to the water you supply from the tap or a bottle. But its clever innovation is the ability to carbonate any beverage from fruit juice to tea to wine and cocktails. With the Spritzer you can carry your bubbles to the party. Is there a carbonator in the house? idrinkproducts.com
Tailor At The Door—BookATailor
Every self-respecting man deserves a bespoke suit, but the act of visiting a tailor and getting measured can feel a bit dated and tedious. BookATailor streamlines the process. First, you book an appointment online with a “SmartTailor” who will visit at the time and place of your convenience. The SmartTailor builds your profile through a series of detailed measurements and saves it in a database for future alterations (or additional suits). Finally, you get to choose from a large catalog of fabrics from such luxury houses as Ermenegildo Zegna, Dormeuil, Loro Piana and Carlo Barbera. The information is sent directly to the company’s factory, and after four weeks, you’ll receive your suit. bookatailor.com
Bourbon Bubbles—Archer Home
Problem: How to make a man do the dishes? Solution: Soap that smells like whiskey…or rum…or tequila. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a woman who came up with this. The founders of the Archer line are three dudes who first felt the world needed masculine alternatives to floral air fresheners, and so they made European Sports Car (leather), Distillery (barrel char and sour mash) and Hunting Lodge (gun powder and damp timber) scents. https://www.archermen.com/
Gone With The Cigar Case—Julien’s Auctions
If you watch Gone With the Wind not for the melodrama and flowing gowns, but the cigar-smoking scenes, Julien’s Auctions has a sale for you. The Los Angeles–based auction house for the stars is putting Rhett Butler’s equestrian-themed gold cigar case on the block during a two-day auction beginning November 17. Other movie props made by Joseff of Hollywood for sale include Scarlett O’Hara necklaces, earrings worn by Marilyn Monroe and a serpent cuff and belt donned by Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. juliensauctions.com
Fit To Be Tied—Sterling Ascots
The desire to sport something unusual on a trip to Miami revealed to entrepreneur J. Sterling a general lack of ascots on the clothing market and inspired his quest to create a line of colorful cravats. Sterling tapped into his grandmother’s sewing skills to make patterns. He and his sister Ayanna Soleil then combed the world for suitable fabric designs in both silk and microfiber. The short, stylish scarves are perfect at conferring flair on an otherwise casual outfit or for use at elegant events. sterlingascots.com