To the design-conscious patio owners, outdoor showers have become rather commonplace and a bit limited. Designers have seen the opportunity and rising demand for more complete options for true outdoor bathing and scrubbing up!
The natural evolution was for them to take the idea of outdoor bathing a step further and truly mimic indoor bathrooms. To get going, I thought I would share two ways to play the trend.
The all-in-one wash station
Designed by Belgian brand Living in Style, the Shower TOTEM FO2000 has it all. To my knowledge it is the only true alternative to any indoor set up. It can be equipped with sink, mirror, towel holder, sink and shower accessories holder, iroko wood anti-slip footboard and footstall.
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This week I had the opportunity to walk up these steps and into this amazing home at 1610 Carla Ridge in Beverly Hills, which was designed and built by Steve Hermann Design. As you walk into this masterpiece you are instantly greeted by the city lights, sparkling brightly, just beyond the edge of the infinity pool.
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Vauni’s Cupola fireplace is an innovative design in the rising market of wall-mounted fireplaces.
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[image source: HGTV]
Antonio Ballatore, the Season 4 champion of HGTV’s Design Star, is ready to bring his distinct and edgy design aesthetic to HGTV audiences. His resulting HGTV show, The Antonio Treatment, premieres on March 14, at 10PM.
Antonio, a New York native, believed he would be a rock star by age 40. While pursuing his dreams of music stardom, he spent time between gigs learning how to build houses. This experience led him to design restaurants and clubs in Manhattan and, later, design sets for world-famous photographers, including Annie Leibovitz and David LaChapelle.
Antonio resides in Los Angeles with his English bulldog, Chewie.
I have to admit that while watching Design Star, Antonio had me at the hot pink ducks. It was all over for me at that point — but what can I say? I like dudes with tattoos who can build stuff from wood. Anyway…
Check out Antonio’s current favorite online reads (besides Design Milk, of course!):
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You will have noticed the extravagant sophistication that has taken over the good old barbecue. Well, that is kind of old hat now. If you want to be on the edge of the social entertaining trend, your outdoor space needs a “refreshment station,” which is another way of saying offering food is cool but hosting drink parties is the new must.
I was therefore not surprised to learn about Alain Gilles’ newest design for Qui est Paul? His new “Garden Party” is such a great centerpiece to encourage informal occasional drinks to spruce up long summer evenings at home and give them a little extra oomph and a bit of a bar attitude.
Available in a variety of colors, this high table has a center piece that works as a drinks/champagne bucket or a flower pot. Ladies, note the clever little hook under the stools for your bag 
If you are already set up furniture-wise, then a true refreshment center is your next buy.
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We all work very hard, many of us spending countless hours staring at our computer screens. So I thought, why not have something pretty and inspirational to stare at? This is a new project we’re going to try out here on Design Milk — Designer Desktops. Starting this month, Design Milk will create a beautiful desktop wallpaper for you to download to your computer and iPhone, inspired by a thought-provoking quote from a renown designer. This is all in good fun, and best of all, they’re free!
This first month, we’re kicking things off with none other than Mr. Charles Eames.
Click on the size below to download:
1024×768
1280×1024
1680×1050
1900×1200
iPhone
This month’s design was created by our very own talented Eleanor Cleverly. Learn more about her here.
If you are interested in being involved in our Designer Desktop project, please email us at info@design-milk.com with more info about your design/art skillz.
Sosushi is the first sushi franchising network in Italy believe it or not. While Sosushi prides itself on their extrovert menu, they also take great pride in the design of each restaurant. This is very evident in the Turin, Italy restaurant designed by UAU Architects. Located deep in the city center of this historical urban city, UAU was challenged to create a modern and trendy space within this small old stationery store. The result is beautiful.
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Love this fire basket called Baron from Röshults.
Studio Aisslinger recently completed designing the Michelbergerhotel in Berlin, Germany. It’s interior is raw and edgy, with an Urban Outfitters-meets-handmade kind of vibe. There are 119 rooms oin five categories, most small for singles or couples, some large enough for four. Owner Tom Michelberger, just 31 years old, desired his hotel to have a “young at heart” feeling, and renowned Designer Werner Aisslinger stepped up to the challenge, creating this highly character-driven anti-trendy boutique hotel experience.
The cost is fairly low as well to appeal to “dreamers, movers and shakers, lovebirds, soul searchers, artists, craftspeople, globetrotters.”
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When you embark on a design project in the city, you will quickly realize you have a set of challenges that go far beyond choosing decor and plants.
One must deal with the real life issues of owning an urban garden:
- privacy
- garden lighting
- storage
- noise and weather of urban living
- how to best utilize a small space for multiple activities (dining, relaxing, cooking, pets…)
To kick off a series of posts dedicated to designing modern gardens and outdoor spaces, I have chosen a project by London based Katrina Wells of Earth Designs.
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