Beauty and Simplicity

I really like this house for it's beauty and simplicity. Although the materials and form are charming, what I really, really love about it, is the way that it opens up to the outside world. Maybe my city upbringing has had the opposite effects on me, but as I get older I want more and more to be closer to nature, for me it's the feeling of freedom that it brings. Of course the clean air, fresh greenery, and beautiful views doesn't hurt either.
This home in Stockholm was designed by Widjedal Racki Bergerhof, and I think it's a real beauty.

Isn't this perfect for entertaining? I can just picture the late evening summer parties on that lovely courtyard. This is what I mean about a house opening up to the outside, it makes the space look bigger.

If I lived here I would use this area for breakfast.

The stone floor with the white interior is perfect.

See what I mean? Imagine bathing here everyday, and looking out into the openness, how good would that be for inspirational therapy!

 

Need I say more?

Images via arch daily

Glass House

People who live in this house, should not throw stones! (...yes am quite proud of that sentence - pun intended :-)

This stunning glass house is the brainchild of santambrogiomilano, an Italian architecture and design firm. I think the setting also adds to the beauty, very ice queen meets modern winter wonderland. To be honest, am getting pretty fed up with the gigantic glass and steel buildings that are dominating most urban cities. However, in this context it looks fresh and new.

Did I mention that it comes with a set of furniture made completely from glass too?

 I love it. would stay in it, but never live in it! Would you?

Finale Milano!

Here is the final set of my favourite picks from the Milan furniture fair. I hope you have enjoyed looking at them. The weather was horrible, but the energy was amazing, so I had a really good time. That's the thing about us creative people, we don't easily get defeated. Right?

This exhibition was by Fabrica students. An interesting take on ceramics don't you think?

I like the combination of metal with ceramic.

Cute set, can't help wondering what they would look like in a variety of colours.

Interesting seating plan. Reminds of one of Starck's designs.

Not too sure what this one is, a cake stand maybe....mmm....am craving cupcakes!

I have no clue what the spider-web on the wall is about, I suppose it makes for an interesting backdrop. Those wooden seats are rather lovely! It won't suit my current decor, but there's no harm in planning for the future.

With only a day to see everything, I felt like I still missed out on a lot of the good stuff. If anyone has pictures to share from this event, please feel free to forward it to me. Am still hungry for more!

More Milano goodies

Am back with more Milano goodies!

This is by Georg Bechter, a German architect. Not too sure how comfortable it is to sit on, but I love the visual display.

 

I could do with this hammock right now. I would probably layer it with lots of comfy pillows though.

I thought the black one looked interesting, am not sure if it's uniqueness comes across well on the photo.

These cups are as cute as a button (every pun intended), don't you think?

In the right living room, those swirly wooden tables would look amazing!

You know what they say, the future is bright, the future is orange!

These are great, very original too!

Guys I know that posting these without referencing the designers is quite silly, and I apologise again. I have learnt a huge lesson, and I promise that it won't happen again. The only other option is not to post them at all, but I just wanted to show everyone a piece of the Milan furniture fair.

Stay tuned for more Milano good stuff!

Milano Milano!

I finally made it to the Salone Internazionale del Mobile on Saturday, and boy was I blown away.

I have been to Milan many times before, but this was my first time to the furniture show. I felt like a kid in a candy store, what the chocolate factory was to Charlie, the Milan furniture fair was to me.

There were plenty to see, events took place at almost every street corner, the only problem was deciding what to see. Luckily, my flat mate and I had been informed earlier during brunch with a friend of a friend, where the best places where. 

Over the next couple of days I'll be sharing some of my favourite pieces from the show. 

Unfortunately, I don't have the names of all the designers, I should have planned better, I know

I had to literally stop, as I walked past this booth. It is the work of Ivy Chuang, a San Fransisco based designer. 

Isn't this chair gorgeous, am absolutely besotted by the print. I met the studio's marketing manager Barbara Dravec, she's such a lovely lady, and also gave me a hug at the end of our chat....the warmth of Americans never ceases to surprise me. Anyway, their studio Knoend focuses greatly on eco-design. These chairs were reclaimed, and upholstered with organic cotton denim. The prints that am crazy about, were inspired by Ms Chuang's muticutural background. Born to Taiwanese parents, raised in Taiwan, Japan and the US, she has traveled to over 30 countries. Check out her website, for more of the good stuff!

This cute table is by Ivo Leemans. The legs are joint together to support the table through the two holes. Yes ladies and gentlemen, no glues used!

These adorable little chairs looked too good to sit on, so I had to ask before sitting (to avoid any embarrassments).

....so she stood on it to prove it to me.

Stay tuned for more Milano adventures!

Style and Sensibility

When it comes to interior decor, I have appreciation for a variety of styles. From rustic to minimalism, I love it all. However I do have to say that there is a difference between pages of a glossy magazine, and a real livable space. Dreams, fantasy, and escapism may well be suited to the likes of Vogue Interiors, but practicality and beauty should be for real spaces. Unlike a tightly fitted cocktail dress, you cannot slip out of your house at the end of the evening and hop into something more comfortable. Don't get me wrong, it is perfectly ok to be inspired by the images, but when considering designs for your nest, let livability be the deciding factor. Taking for a example the loft design by JM Architecture, I fell in love the first time I saw it, (it's hard not to) but after the momentary daydream of what it would be like to live in a place like that, I suddenly realised that it would be too perfect to feel like home. I wouldn't be able to have friends for dinner without the constant worry of making a mess.

Am very curious to know your thoughts on this topic. Is this little gem too much or am I overreacting?
I welcome disagreements too!

Book Review

I bought this book last month when I was in London, and I have not being able to put it down. The author Sally Coulthard beautifully captures the essence of shed living. She gives a variety of examples of how these spaces can be used, whether as an artist studio, a garden retreat, or even a doctors surgery. There are lots of decorating tips, planning advice, and even an index of suppliers. I would highly recommend this book, especially to those people contemplating having a home office. It is the kind of coffee table book that you actually read time and time again.