The Cadillac-ipedia
The Cadillac o
f ... It's a designation few merit. And while earning that distinction isn't easy, discovering the most essential of life's luxuries has never been easier, thanks to Cadillac-ipedia and Luxist.com.
In partnership with Luxist, the leading online luxury authority, Cadillac celebrates the finest of fine living with the Luxist Awards, featuring honors in the categories of Food & Entertaining, Style & Design, Travel, Health & Well-Being and more.
The Cadillac-ipedia is the Cadillac of guides to discovering the best of what life has to offer. It is an invaluable source of useful tips and savvy hints, organized by category. If you want to explore the world of fine food, learn about different perfume classifications or what constitutes an authentic Oriental rug, the Cadillac-ipedia is the resource you can turn to.
Oriental rugs traditionally are those rugs and carpets that are both handmade (either hand-knotted or hand-woven) and come from Asia. This includes such countries as Turkey, Iran (formerly Persia), Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Historically speaking, Persia (now Iran) is considered to be the origin of the most important oriental rugs. Typical Persian rug designs and patterns are geometric. Rugs which are hand-knotted outlast machine-made rugs. One way to determine quality is to study the compactness of the weave. More knots per inch means more labor invested in the rug and commands a higher price.
Most of us use thread count -- that is, the number of threads per square inch of fabric -- as a proxy for quality. And it is definitely important -- just go to any good linen department and give the samples of different thread count a good stroke and scrunch. But it's not the only thing that matters, nor is it what matters most: the quality of the fiber matters more. (You could have a sheet of densely woven straw, for example, and you wouldn't want to sleep on it.) Egyptian cotton is most used in luxury linens because it produces a long fiber, or staple, which means it's easier to spin into smooth, fine yarn.
The value of an antique is dependent on several criteria, including condition, rarity, authenticity, market demand and age. The U.S. Customs defines an antique as an object one hundred years old or older. When it comes to antiques, especially those that are extremely valuable, it is important to have proof of authenticity. Keep in mind that most antiques are not signed or marked, so there might not be an absolute identifier. A professional or an expert will evaluate characteristics of the object which will help them decide whether or not the piece is genuine. If the piece is signed and marked, it doesn't mean it is authentic, unless there is certainty it was applied at the time of manufacture. There are very talented forgers who have fooled experts. It is not unheard of for a museum to discover, much to its dismay, that one of its pieces is a forgery. More often, however, buyers mistakingly purchase reproduction pieces believing them to be original antiques. Do some homework before you make a major purchase. You might even want to consult with a qualified expert (other than the seller of the item) for guidance on authenticity and value before you commit to the purchase. Lastly, be sure to patronize only an established, reputable art or antique dealer.
When it comes to home decor, color can make a big difference. Choose too dark a color and your room can look smaller. Pale walls can be boring and attract dirt. Finding a color you can live with can take time, however. Depending on the amount of sunlight a room gets, it can look very different depending on the time of day, so it is a good idea to look at samples in varying light. Keep in mind that color can affect mood. Light blues and other cool colors can be calming, while vibrant reds and yellows provide energy. One interior decorator tip is to paint the ceiling the palest possible shade of pink---this adds a slight glow to the room that makes everyone look better. If you can't bear pink, try adding just a hint of the wall color into your white ceiling paint for a sense of unity.
A simple way to brighten your living room or library is to clean up the appearance of your bookshelves. First, have a look at where in the room they are located. Valuable books shouldn't have direct exposure to sunlight. Also, look at the lines the shelves create. Would the room look wider if the shelves were opposite the entrance instead of along the side walls? Could you arrange them around a corner with a chair to create a reading nook? Try arranging them by color. You can create all kinds of patterns: a rainbow can be achieved by alternating chunks of reds and blues, lights and darks. Play around with stacking, as well. Lay some books horizontally in stacks to create bookends, or in the middle of a shelf. Decorate the top of a stack with a unique object.
Changing the light fixture is one of the easiest and fastest ways to transform a room. In a bathroom, you can make a dramatic change just by replacing the bulb in a ceiling light fixture and by adding light sockets over the vanity with recessed lighting throughout the room. 
Before you hire an interior decorator, think about the style you are envisioning for your home. It is often best to find a decorator who's style matches that of your own. You can determine this by reviewing the decorator's portfolio of completed projects. Next, figure out what your budget will be as well as your time frame before sitting down with the decorator. Discuss these details with him or her to see if these expectations can be met. Make a list of the various items in each room you want to keep. Ask for a contract that both you and the contractor will sign. This contract should include a description of the project details.
At some restaurants you may see the term prix fixe. What does this mean? It is a French term that refers to a set menu that offers a limited selection of courses for a single price and offers either one option per course or sometimes a choice of two or three potential selections. A prix fixe menu generally includes the full meal from appetizer to dessert. At fine restaurants it allows the chef a greater level of control when selecting dishes that complement each other. The prix fixe menu creates an experience that expresses the full measure of the chef's expertise. Often a wine pairing with different wines selected to enhance each dish can be ordered.
One quick way to make your summer entertaining a little more special is by fancying up your ice cubes. Decorate ice cubes with fresh berries by putting a single raspberry, blueberry or blackberry in each compartment of the ice cube tray before freezing. Once frozen, add the cubes to lemonade or cocktails. You can also freeze fresh herbs, lemon peel or sliced cucumbers in ice cubes in order to add a delicious taste to a glass of water. If you want chilly coolers and cocktails that don't taste watered down, try making ice cubes with a compatable flavor, such as lemonade or orange juice. Trays that allow you to make bigger cubes can help slow down the inevitable melt.
How do you keep your leather goods in tip top shape? Some simple care can keep your leather looking good for years. When you are storing a handbag, stuff it with tissue to help it maintain its shape. Do not store leather goods in plastic as leather needs to breathe. Many bags come with a cotton dustbag to use for storage. Goods should be stored in environments that are neither too dry or too humid and also away from direct sunlight. Should you happen to get your bag wet, let it dry naturally. A leather conditioner can be applied to help bags keep their flexibility and maintain necessary moisture.
As with wine, coffee and some other gourmet foodstuffs, terroir makes a difference when it comes to chocolate. Single-origin chocolate uses beans from one country, region, growing area or sometimes even a single farm. The differences in regional flavors can be striking and can be easily ascertained by obtaining bars from various regions and conducting a tasting. Chocolate from the Ivory Coast, for example, has a bold rich flavor. Venezuelan chocolate is prized for its complex fruit and spice notes while chocolate from Madagascar can sometimes have citrus-like tones. The Criollo cocoa beans, which only thrive in certain areas of the Caribbean, Central America and the northern edges of South America, is particularly sought after. Some single origin chocolate is also organically grown and fair trade certified.
Need a little excuse for a visit to the gourmet grocer? How about a refresh of your spice cabinet. Dried spices past their prime lack flavor meaning that you won't get the best out of your gourmet creation. Use or toss ground spices within one year because their oils start to dissipate once they are processed and they may no longer be at their peak. Whole spices can stick around for three years. 
The finest caviar often comes from the sturgeon, a fish which has become endangered in many areas including the Caspian Sea. In 2005, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service banned the importation of Beluga caviar which originated in the Caspian Sea and Black Sea basin. 
Ever wonder about those percentage numbers on chocolate? It refers to the percentage of cocoa mass in the chocolate bar itself. The higher percentage, the darker color and the more intense the chocolate taste. Unsweetened or bitter chocolate is around 100 percent. Semisweet and bittersweet chocolates have added sugar which brings down the ratio. Good quality dark chocolate starts at about 50 percent but many bars are available in 70 percent, 85 percent or even higher concentrations. Milk chocolate has both sugar and dairy solids and so it runs lower, more like 30 to 40 percent. If you like your chocolate sweet stick to lower percentages. Many connoisseurs prefer the higher percentages because the richer flavors of the chocolate shine through.
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