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When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of having a bunk bed. If I were a little girl now, I would dream of having this piece of multi-use furniture designed by h2o Architects all to myself (even though it’s designed to be shared by two children). The entire piece consists of multiple spaces that allow each child to have their own personal space. It’s also a fun-inducing area that provides fun possibilities for climbing, storing, hiding, and drawing.
This residence at the Singel, Amsterdam is yet another amazing project by i29 Interior Architects, one of my absolute favorite interior architecture firms. i29 is innovative in their approach, but they are able to keep their designs so simple by combining materials in such an awe inspiring way while maintaining an incredible sense of calmness. This design takes things one step further outside the box, or maybe I should say inside the walls. This space is made up of freestanding objects and interior volumes. Within the space you feel the openness, but the interior of the volumes feel very intimate. The kitchen and wardrobe are contained within one volume near the entrance. The burled walnut is so rich against the white epoxy floors and white walls. This space seriously takes my breath away!
In the fashion world, faux fur was top of the trends this winter. In the outdoor design world, we have seen the rise of faux grass and now it seems the idea of fake everything is gaining traction.
Marcel Wanders is an A-list designer who works for the world’s edgiest brands. As a child, he wanted to be a garden designer so has a real interest in outdoor design and is on top of where things are heading. A couple of weeks back I read an interview in which he says modern gardens are now so far from what gardens used to be that it is hypocritical to still pretend they all are devoted to the natural world. He suggests you dare to go all out and opt for deliberately faux nature designs.
Here are a few faux nature options that will create a conversation-worthy garden.
At Maison et Objet I saw these fabulous fake, hand-painted apples by Bull and Stein. They come over-sized, as well as in a variety of colors. The brand also offers pears and lemons, limes, and eggs.
As you follow the fabulous smell of bubblegum lingering in the air, you begin to daze off and dream of your favorite childhood moment. You then magically arrive beneath the enchanting circus tent in the Melissa Lounge at Sao Paulo Fashion Week. The amazing design by Rosenbaum was inspired by the circus and is complete with rings, bleachers, and displays hanging from the ceiling that represents trapezes, and the Melissa Collection are the modern trapeze artists.
There’s nothing I like more than taking a material traditionally used for one specific function and totally reinventing it. For example, what Machine Histories did with Corian. Now, CaesarStone has branched out beyond the simple countertop too — into wall coverings, taking their quartz countertop surface and transforming it into a texturized relief suitable for just about anything from wall decor to furniture.
Planters are probably the equivalent in gardening of an “IT bag” in fashion. Making a trendy statement was a must, and we saw stunning new exciting materials and colors appear on the outdoor deco scene in the late 90’s. Slowly but surely, designers’ attention has shifted to practical issues that people have with planters: portability and lack of space.
The latest to come up with a planter design for real-life people is Flora. This planter has wheels to help you shift plants around and also easily bring them indoors. The design is also available in other colors and without casters.
The first luxury mixed-use property in Culver City is complete. Culver Centrale is located in the heart of Culver City, and has just its doors for future residents. The property is designed to embody sophisticated living with European sensibilities, and could be best described as “Modern con Classico.” The inspired design is a product of Joseph Miller, an accomplished 27-year-old Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and President of The Runyon Group, a real estate investment, development and management firm. Culver Centrale includes 18 residences and 5,500 square feet of street-level retail space, which would be an instant sale for me if they included a coffee shop, gym, and an Apple Store!
Swings are in many ways icons of childhood. Outdoor designers are changing that by offering very high end options for grown ups. Every home should have one as I find it hard to imagine any tough conversation not being made easy by gentle swaying movement… Ideal for any one of those “Honey we need to talk…” moments!
Austrian outdoor designers Viteo are known to have just a short collection of designs that are all very desirable. This applies to their swing, which exists as part of a whole set.
I’m sure most of you have set some goals for the year and started thinking about what’s to come in the year ahead. In 2010 a few of my goals are to take more baths (rather than showers that is), meditate often, and see The Flaming Lips perform live! Every January I start looking forward to Coachella and the release of the much anticipated lineup. After the success of Flaming Lips latest album Embryonic and the release of their version of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, I am hoping that I can experience their greatness beneath the stars, surrounded by mountains and palms trees, in the gorgeous desert at this year’s festival! The Flaming Lips are deliciously weird, known for their psychedelic arrangements, esoteric lyrics, and have also been named one of the “50 Bands to See Before You Die.” I think I need spend some time meditating on this one in my Flaming Lips-inspired bathroom!
One of the newest additions to the ever-changing Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice, CA, is A. Kinney Court, “a concept fashion boutique gallery” opened by Garrett Leight, a native of Venice, and the son of the Oliver Peoples eyewear founder Larry Leight. When in Venice you cannot help but be inspired by the surf, sand, and skate culture. Ilan Dei Studio, located just blocks from the shop, no doubt tapped into these sources of inspiration for this project as well as taking inspiration from the Eames bent plywood processes and skateboard construction. Ilan Dei Studio not only designed, but fabricated and constructed this energetic interior.
