SMWH.RE

A travel inspiration web app pairs Instagram images with information

While developing a trip-planning support app called Tripovore, Paris-based designer and developer Benjamin Netter (winner of 2011’s Foursquare Hackathon) discovered that “pictures from Instagram give you a much better taste of travel locations than any professional photographers could give you. These photos are, most of the time, more realistic representations of the beauty of a place.” Putting Tripovore on hold, Netter began focusing his attention …

U-Lock Holster

Handmade by Montreal-based industrial designer Jesse Herbert, the vegetable-tanned leather U-Lock Holster keeps the cumbersome-but-necessary U-Lock neatly tied to the back of your bike while you ride carefree to your next destination.

Word of Mouth Los Angeles: Arts District

The Ace Hotel, an indoor bouldering gym, new restaurants and more spaces opening up downtown

The Arts District in downtown Los Angeles, east of City Hall and Little Tokyo, has long been known as a haven for artists and creatives. The industrial buildings mix multi-use living and working spaces with bars, food, factories and all kinds of businesses. On the east side, three bridges span the LA River connecting downtown to Boyle Heights. Now as the Ace Hotel readies to …