Designed by Italian designer James di Marco, Honey was an instant success. Perhaps one of the radiators in the Caleido range that best expresses the company’s internationally renowned craftsmanship, it has been selected for permanent display at the Museum of Art and Design in New York.
Honey is made up of 67 hexagons assembled and positioned by hand according to a precise mathematical rule and is available in 3 colours.
Posted by Keren Fathi-Poor at 17 May, 2013
After searching for the perfect location for their holiday home, the clients of Nolaster Architects of Madrid, Spain landed upon the OS House, a modern dream home in an unexpected location.
Perched high above the rocky ocean cliffs in the summer resort area of Loredo in Ribamontan al Mar, Catabria, Spain, this green home sits on a plot of land that many earlier prospects walked away from due to the high-winds of the area. The residents, however, embraced the natural landscape and its resources, and with the innovative work of Nolaster, were able to create a dwelling that was both eco-chic and highly conducive to a family lifestyle.
The facade is comprised of zinc panels that weather well with the salt air and act as folding shutters to shield sun as well as inclement weather. A modular home of sorts, the panels were joined together with nuts and bolts versus welding so they could easily be dismantled, moved, and/or recycled later on. Radiant floor heating is controlled by each room.
The green roof which encompasses the entire home save for one stairwell opening, helps shield winds and capture eco-energies, while the inner yard is protected from the winds while offering rainwater collection and reuse like flushing toilets, and watering the roof and garden. This area also acts as a lounging terrace for taking in the ocean views. An cantilevered staircase alongside the home’s exterior acts as planters for additional greenery.
This contemporary dwelling is visually flush, parallel with the horizon, allowing for uninterrupted views of the coastline from beyond. The front portion of the home overlooks the sea, while the rear crouches into the earth, supported by stilts and sheltered from the direct winds off of the sea. Polished pale wood flooring cascades across the entire home featuring vast glazed picture windows and select doors which open to the outside. The living room, dining room, library and office have mid-century furnishings in white, beige, red, black and warm woods which create a comfortable environment.
The master bedroom is clean-lined with a sliding wall that opens to the well-appointed red-tiled ensuite bath. The children’s bedroom spills unto a designated playroom. In addition, this home can actually sleep up to 24–a true vacation home! Ancillary basic spaces of the home include patios, lounges and multi-use rooms which contribute to the flexibility of the floorplan.
Embracing the winds and waves indigenous to the open land, the OS House by Nolaster provides a low-impact, practical and visually stunning minimalist dream home for a family to relax and grow in.
Posted by Suzanne at 16 May, 2013
The Shelter Island Home by Michael Haverland Architect is a modern dream home perched on the highest peak of the bayfront land. Careful consideration was taken during the planning phase of this 3,400 square foot, two-story addition to engage only in design principles harmonious with the existing beach cottage, which was retained for ecological purposes.
Natural stucco, glass and steel were the primary materials of the new structure, while the two classic pitched roofs are synonymous with the traditional style of the home. Large glass windows with oversize panes are abundant and remarkable for taking in the bay views. The structures were positioned according to exposure, with the living room facing north towards Connecticut. The master suite and guest room garner added privacy in the northwest, a space which also affords the beautiful sunsets.
The original cottage features a new floorplan, allowing for a spacious kitchen, dedicated dining room, breakfast porch with built-in pine furniture, as well as four bedrooms. It is joined with the new dwelling via a central vestibule, flat roof and deck area.
Most eye-catching are the colorful interiors of the living room, which feature entire walls of windows which soar, following the lines of the pitched roof. Pulses of blue, green, pink, aqua and red enliven this room which is clearly meant for entertainment, games and good times. Furnishings are an eclectic mix of custom pieces, as well as mid-century styles including the varied and whimsical lighting fixtures. Scattered area rugs mimic the blues of the mesmerizing water, which meets the edge of the sloping lush green lawn immediately outside this living area. An outdoor patio with endless northwest water views features a custom mahogany dining table and chairs.
The master bedroom is bathed in both natural light off of the bay side, as well as southern light which basks the space from opposite end. A post and beam evokes the historical structure of the original house, while an exposed loft-like space brings a modern vibe to the room. The silver bed from India and mirrored accents are serene against the bright yellow lacquered bed stands. Farmhouse-style sinks with gooseneck fixtures adorn the master bath which is warm with oak wood on walls and floors. Southern exposure and lines of trees just outside bring aspects of nature in.
The Shelter Island Home by Michael Haverland Architect exemplifies how classic structures can be used as a foundation for the creation of a modern dream home, especially when abundant natural elements such as water and land aid in the overall design aesthetic.
Posted by Suzanne at 16 May, 2013
The Tree is a coffee table by Norwegian young designer Siv Lier is where two-dimensional elements merge with the three-dimensional object. The table is a prototype made from plywood and the tree decor is silke screened onto the surface.
Posted by Keren Fathi-Poor at 16 May, 2013
Bill Playso saw the glaring need for a stylish and cool mailbox so he teamed up with Justin Hutchinson to create Koo Koo letterbox. Designed and manufactured in Melbourne, Australia
Base model goes for $330 and $420 for the optional compact wood laminate side magnetic panels. So cute. I really want one of those!
Posted by Keren Fathi-Poor at 15 May, 2013
An elegant and fresh approach to fragrance retailing, Liquides, a modern perfume bar in the artistic and hip area of the Marais, Paris was envisioned by David Frossard, founder of the Différentes Latitudes perfume label and designer Philippe de Méo. Set in a city historically known for its refined passion for perfume, this concept-store offers both rare and customized fragrance experiences.
Liquides is dressed in a striking black facade with glazed front door and paneless street-facing window. Refined gold lettering portraying the store’s name rests above the doorway. Once inside this intimate shop, smooth finished concrete floors give way to the minimalist perfume bar, clad in sophisticated black paneling with brushed gold metal frames and countertop. Behind the bar, the apothecary-like display of illuminated glass and mirrored shelving features beautiful bottles of various sizes and shapes. Labels from the most-distinguished perfume houses include Bryredo, Miller Harris, Odin, Frapin, Jardin de France, Arquiste and Olfactive Studio. Above this chic testing and mixing unit, the ceiling features a mirrored and golden metal grid which creates a pour of glimmery light into the space.
Modular black bench window-seating pops with contemporary yellow cushions, which portray a bold contrast to the original rustic wood beams of the interior. Adjacent shelving exhibits the highly-regarded original scent collection by Philippe de Méo, Les Liquides Imaginaires. The glass bottle designs are sultry and exquisite, and entice with names of “Sancti”, “Fortis” and “Tumultu” inspired by ritualistic incense burning and symbolic of Christianity, Islam, Kabbalah and Paganism.
The Liquides perfume bar is unique with a simplistic beauty and modern retail design that is certain to cater to the visual sense as much as olfactory. (via)
photos © Liquides, Paris.
Posted by Suzanne at 15 May, 2013
LA-based architecture firm, Brooks + Scarpa implemented progressive methods when drastically renovating the Yin-Yang House, an environmentally-sustainable modern dream home suiting a family of six.
Located in a beachside neighborhood of Venice, the 4,700 square-foot L-shaped residence harmoniously combines live-work spaces with the ultimate Southern California living style. The street-facing facade of wood, steel, cement board and glass impresses while creating the illusion of a solid, single-scaled structure. However, once through the recycled steel front door, the dwelling opens to the vast courtyards allowing for seamless indoor-outdoor recreating. From the rear view of the residence, the second level is apparent. The family requested this freedom of shared living spaces in that both parents work from home and the teenage children needed some separate areas when having friends over.
Considered a net-zero energy structure, the home retains passive solar design strategies including a 12 kW system, a tight perimeter/smaller footprint, maximization of sun and wind energies, as well as two green roofs which clean the air and harness storm water runoff. Blown-in cellulose insulation and radiant flooring were used throughout. In addition, 80% of the construction waste was recycled.
The one-room deep first floor features a spacious home office separated from the rest of the residence by a smaller courtyard. The flowing kitchen, living room and dining room on the other side are highlighted by a 50-foot wide sliding glass door which opens to the backyard patio and pool. This ingenious wall gathers optimum daylight and generates natural ventilation. Mid-century modern furnishings fill the airy spaces, while linear bamboo walls and a gleaming white kitchen bring a clean vibe to the interiors.
Four small bedrooms are located at the top of a rear bamboo “stadium” staircase with metal grid railing. The cantilevered roof is laden with solar panels and also provides keen shade for both the bedrooms and open living spaces below. All bedroom have access to both the exterior porch hallway, as well as an internal one. The bedrooms were intentionally designed to be cozier quarters allowing for the rest of the floorplan’s living areas to possess maximum space. Defined linear edges of steel bands across the exterior visually meld the contemporary structures.
With innovative spatial planning and high-caliber sustainable energy systems (the residents have yet to have a power bill), the Yin-Yang residence is a modern “green” dream home in functional and aesthetic balance.
Posted by Suzanne at 15 May, 2013
