Showing posts with label the. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the. Show all posts
Thursday, February 27, 2014
the hallucinogenic toreador wallpaper
Monday, February 17, 2014
The new Australian homes A whole new class of design
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| Australian Hhomes |
The new homes coming on the market are a true departure from the “El Cheapo” designs of the past. These are real designer homes, excellent quality and they’re Big with a capital B. They represent totally different living spaces and environments from their predecessors and they’re built to provide a different lifestyle. The modern Australian home comes with a lot of smart features like a
retractable awning, high tech house control systems in big hybrid open plan and CAD-based partitioned interiors.
The new interior architecture and designs
The new interiors are really advanced designs, using a range of options to provide a good, well-insulated environment from the Australian sun and dealing with the issues of coastal design as well. This is a revolution in a way, because in the past the interiors were “conveyor belt” BV designs, not particularly original, using low grade materials and cost-based, meaning great for developers’ bottom lines, and not much else. The stampede to better quality housing is a clear indicator that the end of that type of building is here to stay.
The days of shoddy mass-produced homes are well and truly over, and the days of unfussy homebuyers are also gone, from the look of the housing market. Quality is taking over, and materials are now an essential part of Australian home design. The new interiors usually have extremely high quality hardwood or tiled floors, top quality carpets, best practice environmental management, and a stream of extras which didn’t even exist when much of urban Australia was built in the 70s and 80s.
The new exteriors- Designer materials and ideas all the way
It’s fair to say that the exteriors have also had a drastic makeover. Much of the technology creating the fabulous new sunscreen blinds also didn’t exist during the building booms of the past. That’s one of the reasons the new buildings are so conspicuously different. The other reason is that the new environmental control concepts now extend outside the building, using the big sunscreens to deal with heat and light much more efficiently.
The new buildings really are a different species. They’re geared to a different world. The modern home can be huge, containing many features which older homes simply didn’t have and some which didn’t even exist in theory before. Something as basic as air conditioning, for example, was previously a “turn it on and hope for the best” technology. Now, it’s a science, with programmable units saving megawatts every day thanks to better environmental controls built in to the design.
The big new exteriors are unprecedented in design terms. It’s a whole new class of design technology, reinventing exteriors as living spaces and simultaneously dealing with a lot of issues which have plagued Australian home design since the colonial era. Designer materials and much better approaches to environmental management have produced an entirely different type of building.
Friday, January 17, 2014
The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai India
Overlooking the harbor and Gateway of India, a stone monument built to symbolize the citys openness to visitors, this suite blends European elegance with contemporary luxury. Intricately detailed wood-paneled walls and plaster ceiling work with the suites regal color scheme and traditional furnishings to evoke the feeling of another age. Image courtesy of Taj Mahal Palace
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The Mystery of Sag Harbor!
I have been doing some cleaning this week and purging unused computer files of saved photos. In my quest, I came across these wonderful photos of Sag Harbor which I saved last April. But, here is the problem, this lovely home has no home, link, photo or decorating credits. I only labeled them Sag Harbor when I saved them. I was so taken with this beautiful home I was sure I would never forget where it came from and of course I did forget. So, if any of you recognize this home please let me know so I can acknowledge the wonderful architect, designer or photographer. 
Take a look at this living room! It has so many wonderful features. First, the over all feel of the room is so comfortable. I think the mix of antiques, accessories and small tables are very interesting - clearly the people who own this home are well traveled as the mix of found objects seem to come from all over. 
I adore the linen couches - they have a marked Belgian feel. Also note the French antique chairs and the Swedish style daybed. I like the use of black in what feels like a very neutral decor. The black tables and iron candlesticks are obvious,but also look at the french doors which are boldly painted black. Further inspection and we find iron curtain rods, fireplace screen and a pie rack used as a room divider.
I adore the linen couches - they have a marked Belgian feel. Also note the French antique chairs and the Swedish style daybed. I like the use of black in what feels like a very neutral decor. The black tables and iron candlesticks are obvious,but also look at the french doors which are boldly painted black. Further inspection and we find iron curtain rods, fireplace screen and a pie rack used as a room divider.
I cant really make out what material the window shades are - is it an antique canvas? or an antique stenciled linen? In any case they are very unusual. I also find the mix of upholstery out of ordinary, but I like how it all works together.
One of my favorite items in this room is the Trumeau mirror but mixed with Chinese lanterns is very unexpected and a bit edgy. Again black curtain rods and hooks hold linen drapes and lanterns.
Moving into the kitchen we see black cabinets and slate flooring. Upon closer inspection we see the upper cabinets nearly disappear because they have been painted white. The marble adds a richness and we see the french door in this room has also been painted black. Clearly this not a historic home - could this have been a renovation?
Here is a bedroom - I really like the black beds - do we see a trend here? Also notice the grain sack pillows and what looks like postal sack or flour sack pillows.
Another bedroom- could this be the Master Bedroom? Headboard is ticking and really like how they did NOT do ticking on the bedskirt or pillows. I love ticking but a little goes a long way. Grain sack pillows look great and Swedish bench and table are sweet.
It looks like this is the view out from the living room. A lovely pool - I adore the cast iron planters..
Hopefully we can solve the mystery of Sag Harbor. If anyone recognizes this house or knows its story please do let us know; for now we will just enjoy a job well done!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Bringing in the outdoors a modern home and a few other modern items
Avant-Garde Home Furnishings, LLC présents
Bringing in the outdoors, a modern home, and a few other modern items..
Today I am sharing with all of you some really cool concepts, bringing in the outdoors and creating indoor outdoor spaces if that makes sense and also a really cool modern home and of course a few items I saw that were very interesting and I find should be shared..
Please enjoy the pics and post...
Number 1
It’s a concept as old as time in interiors and architecture: “Bring the outdoors in.” With good reason. Us humans like cavorting with nature, and we like it even more when we can cavort from the comforts of our own home. Here are eight spaces that do a great job of either bringing the outside in, or at the very least bringing so close you can’t miss it:
Wow. Just wow. Modern is…creating something that has never been seen before, and we can safely say we’ve never seen these sorts of elements mixed together to create a home. A house for a young couple and a set of parents, the home needed to be able to play with the idea of privacy, and it does so in new and interesting ways.
You’ll see lots of interior courtyards created from architecture, and of course there’s the stunning water-proof curtains that seems to make the whole space organic and almost living when they blow in the wind. Interesting use of colors, as well. Located in Yangseo-myeon in the Republic of Korea by architect Moon Hoon, the same brain behind the similarly tight-budgeted Lollipop House.
“The land purchased in Daesim-ri, Yangpyeong was a place where water, a rice paddy, a forest and livestock stables were intermingled. Despite a budget that was on the tight side, I was able to create seven inner courts including one for every room plus one in the center, while designing a circulatory balcony where there was sufficient space for the house owner and his cats and dogs to roam about freely. In order to create a boundary between the circulatory balcony with the outside, I initially considered hard and cold finishing materials. Due to the low budget, however, we had to improvise and finally opted for a finish with curtains made from waterproof cloth. The waving of the soft walls on a breezy day made it clear to me: the house is truly alive. When I walked around inside the house, the soft walls reacting to my body brought me exquisite feelings.”
What do you think about this house? How would you feel about curtains like that? Intense? Or awesome?
Number 2 -
MCK Architects’ Flipped House
This is great example of a “bring the outdoors in” sort of design. You really feel a connection between the interior spaces and the outdoor areas, yet the design of each is very distinct. You don’t necessarily feel like you’re inside when you’re out or vice versa, you just feel like you can rest easy because you know the other is right nearby.
“A 1960’s house has been replaced and reflected by a contemporary version of itself, with a focus that now engages as much on the surrounding garden as it does the panoramic CBD view.”
“The original plan and massing were adapted + literally ‘flipped’ with garden elements to create a more expansive connection from inside to out. Details, fixtures and fittings are sensitive to the original home.” More images on MCK Architects’ website. This home’s connection to the indoors and outdoors reminds us of another home we had recently posted about: Skirt + Rock House brings the outside in
Number 3
Buck O’Neill Builders Offices by
Bringing in the outdoors, a modern home, and a few other modern items..
Today I am sharing with all of you some really cool concepts, bringing in the outdoors and creating indoor outdoor spaces if that makes sense and also a really cool modern home and of course a few items I saw that were very interesting and I find should be shared..
Please enjoy the pics and post...
8 Amazing paces that “Bring the Outdoors In"
Part 1 of 2 - Tomorrow Spaces 4-8
Spaces 1 -4
Live Modern: S_Mahal
You’ll see lots of interior courtyards created from architecture, and of course there’s the stunning water-proof curtains that seems to make the whole space organic and almost living when they blow in the wind. Interesting use of colors, as well. Located in Yangseo-myeon in the Republic of Korea by architect Moon Hoon, the same brain behind the similarly tight-budgeted Lollipop House.
“The land purchased in Daesim-ri, Yangpyeong was a place where water, a rice paddy, a forest and livestock stables were intermingled. Despite a budget that was on the tight side, I was able to create seven inner courts including one for every room plus one in the center, while designing a circulatory balcony where there was sufficient space for the house owner and his cats and dogs to roam about freely. In order to create a boundary between the circulatory balcony with the outside, I initially considered hard and cold finishing materials. Due to the low budget, however, we had to improvise and finally opted for a finish with curtains made from waterproof cloth. The waving of the soft walls on a breezy day made it clear to me: the house is truly alive. When I walked around inside the house, the soft walls reacting to my body brought me exquisite feelings.”
What do you think about this house? How would you feel about curtains like that? Intense? Or awesome?
MCK Architects’ Flipped House
MCK Architects’ Flipped HouseBuck O’Neill Builders Offices by
jones | haydu
Number 4
Won Dharma Center by Hanrahan Meyers Architects
Numbers 5-8 tomorrow in Part 2..
House in Senri by Shogo Iwata Architects
Clean lines and good materials: Casa oZs0
Blair House by Bruce Bolander Architect
Skirt + Rock House brings the outside in
I have come to find out that is not the case. Lladro is known the world over as being the Spanish Porcelain company, which has been creating beautiful sculptures for the home for over 50 years. I do own a couple of Lladro pieces that were given to me. They have not really been my style with flowery, romantic figurines and now sad to say I have given them away only to find out that they are indeed collectors’ items.
What caused me to revisit their website is the above lamp from their Estatos Collection which I found while perusing the Dwell On Design website. Much to my surprise I found a new look for Lladro, one which is more modern if not mod even retro. Here are a few things that caught my eye and let’s face it just like music and art I cannot say I like an entire body of work from any one artist/design house or even, nothing at all. I can usually find one objet d’art that speaks to me, a personal treasure, in almost every body of work.
More at Lladro.com
I am definitely not a fan of porcelain but many are so I mentioned what in my opinion is one of the best and better known and also in my opinion has the best quality.. Lladro Porcelin
Happy modern treasure hunting!
Tiny tiny. That’s what we like when we’re searching for cool modern homes. Anyone can do something amazing with an unlimited amount of square footage to play around with, but we like seeing what hurdles a designer has to overcome when he or she is faces with a small space that has to perform a lot of functions.
Though the space by Marià Castelló is small, it doesn’t feel cluttered and fulfills all the requirements necessary for living just fine. We enjoy that although the interiors are kept simple so as not to be visually busy, they are still interesting and full of soft natural colors.
A fun space!
A great way of bringing in the outdoors and some cool modern stuff..
AG Home Goods
Buck O’Neill Builders Offices by jones | haydu
Is there ever a situation where cubicles are more than just acceptable…but even preferable and dare we say, enjoyed? Well, when they look like the stunning natural wood in the Buck O’Neill Builders Offices by jones | haydu, they’re more than just passable.
In fact the entirety of the office is proof that you don’t have to do a ton of crazy modern designs to make an office space a zillion times better than many of the offices out there. There isn’t anything too crazy in this space…but it’s the balance of soft, calming white with natural wood-colored tones that makes the space seem so serene.
Of course an awesome and eye-catching addition to the space is the hanging vertical walls of greenery that flank the upstairs conference room. Indeed, you don’t need hardly anything else to color or add interest to the space, dramatically cutting down on distractions, we’d imagine.
What do you think about this office? Would you wanna work here? Would you want to incorporate any of these elements into your living space?
Won Dharma Center by Hanrahan Meyers Architects
Won Dharma Center by Hanrahan Meyers Architects
Numbers 5-8 tomorrow in Part 2..
Clean lines and good materials: Casa oZs0
Blair House by Bruce Bolander Architect
Skirt + Rock House brings the outside in
Porcelain of Lladro
More at Lladro.com
I am definitely not a fan of porcelain but many are so I mentioned what in my opinion is one of the best and better known and also in my opinion has the best quality.. Lladro Porcelin
Happy modern treasure hunting!
Casa 8×8 by Marià Castelló, Arquitecte
Though the space by Marià Castelló is small, it doesn’t feel cluttered and fulfills all the requirements necessary for living just fine. We enjoy that although the interiors are kept simple so as not to be visually busy, they are still interesting and full of soft natural colors.
A fun space!
A great way of bringing in the outdoors and some cool modern stuff..
AG Home Goods
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