Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

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• Unique Three-level Penthouse Apartment in the Heart of Johannesburg
• Design Style: Shabby Chic Inspired Interiors
• Charming Residence Emerging From Rock Formations: Cliff House
• Intriguing Mold Chairs by Anders Johnsson and Petter Thörne
• Ingenious Door Sliding System for Saving Valuable Space in Your Home
• 10 Most Popular Projects Presented in May 2011
• Versatile LED Lighting System: Endless by Jason Miller

Unique Three-level Penthouse Apartment in the Heart of Johannesburg Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:54 AM PDT Nothing can be more glamorous than a three-level penthouse apartment. Designed by SAOTA (Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects) and OKHA Interiors, the extraordinary penthouse apartment that we have for you today is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sitting tall atop one of the Sandhurst Towers, the penthouse apartment features extraordinary interior design elements and furniture that make this three-level apartment one of the best I have ever seen. The project team set on creating a new standard in modern urban luxury living and so they started working on the 11th floor penthouse apartment situated in the commercial city centre. A garden also found its place in the 900 square meters apartment, creating an exquisite level of comfort even in the middle of the busy urban landscape. The designers talk about their work: “We created a continual flow from zone to zone, utilising materials that emphasised the sense of space, transparency and reflection.  We introduced organic textural / tactile elements through the use of timber and flamed granite to soften and add a counterpoint to the contemporary drama. The décor is contemporary, simple and elegant. We were not trend-driven but rather used modern designs that referenced classical elegance. It's not only about physical aesthetics, but more about energy and mood. Here, we managed to merge the functional, physical and emotive requirements of suburban living” The spaces found in the penthouse apartment have a soft fluidity accentuated by the lack of walls but brought together by a specific zone-to-zone interior design. Extensive use of black and white is softened by exotic insertions of colour. Isn’t it fantastic?   Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Amazing Penthouse Apartment for Sale in Stockholm, Sweden Luxurious Penthouse Apartment with Breathtaking Colour Composition Luxury in Every Detail: Extraordinary Penthouse Apartment in Sydney White Magic: Exquisite modern penthouse in the heart of Lorensberg Breathtaking Penthouse Apartment Built on Top of Two Buildings Green Design: Synagogue Turned Into a Modern Penthouse Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Design Style: Shabby Chic Inspired Interiors Posted: 03 Jun 2011 04:23 AM PDT Relaxing by the beach, and reminiscing about family vacations in the cottage home you vacationed at, as a child is what shabby chic inspired interiors are all about. From cottage style decor details to vintage finds paired with modern casual furniture pieces, engulfs shabby chic interiors, and homeowners love them! Re-purposed furniture and weathered furniture give shabby chic decorative styling and the details are easy to duplicate in your home. Here are tips to bring the casual elegance of shabby chic details into your home. Worn decor is beautiful: The beauty of shabby chic interiors is the use of weathered, worn finishes that look beautiful with chipped paint and casual furniture that looks like it has a history.  To recreate the distressed look in your home, consider painting vintage furniture white, or neutral light tones. Use sandpaper, or chains or a hammer to distress the surface by knocking off pieces of paint. You will be surprised how gorgeous shabby chic decor can make your brand new look old and beautiful. Romantic interiors categorize shabby chic: One of the gorgeous qualities of this style is the use of soft colors, and neutral color palettes. Soft neutrals such as eggshell whites, sky blue, and soft roses and neutral beiges and tans give a cottage style appeal to shabby chic interiors. Consider bringing quaint lighting such as wall sconces and chandeliers adorned with crystal, or decorative pillows with lace and layers of soft colors and floral patterns can combine shabby chic styles together beautifully. Modern styling marries vintage detailing: Over the years designers have found a way to combine modern elements such as stainless steel kitchen appliances and vintage detailing, such as white farmhouse cabinetry to form a unique twist on shabby chic. This union makes for a casual and laid back vibe in home interiors, but still represents nostalgia and history. To get the look in your home, find modern elements, such as lighting, appliances, or finishes, and pair them with a weathered dining room table, a butcher block kitchen island, or rustic wall finishes to bring the modern yet shabby chic feel into your interiors. Arranging furniture for function and comfort: shabby chic furniture placement usually focuses on comfort, conversation areas, and relaxing configurations of tables, chairs, and beds. For many decorative styles that are formal, symmetrical, and strict, shabby chic is more about comfortable living that is family and entertaining friendly. To get the look in your home, offer plenty of seating areas that interact with other furniture to emphasize relaxing conversations, lazy Sunday afternoons, and use laid back textiles like cotton, khaki, and denim to emphasize these pieces. If you're trying to recreate the casual essentials of shabby chic in your home, these tips will get you started. Keep in mind this design style is supposed to look timeless and comfortable. While you can have formal details, the overall aesthetic should make you want to escape the busy world outside and retreat into soft tones, comfortable fabrics, and a vintage vibe inside your home. For more ideas, see designer's takes on shabby chic, and see the many variations that are available for this beautiful trending style. Freshome reader's, how many of you have adopted shabby chic interiors in your home? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Swedish Inspiration – Chic Apartment With Scandinavian Feel Interesting and Flashy Interior Design From by Altamoda Chic Cuckoo Clock by Klaus Rosburg Bath tub design inspired by the natural form of the human body Innovative Interiors by Specht Harpman Sleek and Sizzling Interiors from West Chin Team Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Charming Residence Emerging From Rock Formations: Cliff House Posted: 03 Jun 2011 03:13 AM PDT The Cliff House was designed by Altius Architecture and is located in Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Canada. Although anchored in a spectacular natural environment, the residence makes no compromises in terms of comfort. According to the architects, “this dwelling emerges form the rock formation of the cliff using the same local granite to form its base. A central core acts as an anchor that circulates movement, light and air into the living spaces that pinwheel and cantilever off into the landscape. In spite of its modest scale, the residence easily accommodates the family of four by providing amenity for dinning, cooking, living, reading and sleeping which are each carefully tuned to the unique view, light and breezes of the cliff. To balance the heavy mass derived from the fireplaces; cantilevered volumes, flying roofs and floor to ceiling glass are used to achieve a lightness of form as it works to bring the lake into the living spaces”. Sustainable features of this home include solar panels, geothermal systems and natural ventilation. Would you like to live in a home as adventurous as this one? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Phenomenal Villa Built From a Solid Cliff Rock Modern Home in Bainbridge Island with Sustainable Features: Ellice Residence Tephra Formations Furniture Set by Robert Stadler Rock Blending Summer House in Vestfold, Norway Charming Traditional Greek Home on the Island of Tinos Princeton Residence: Effortless amalgamation of old and new Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Intriguing Mold Chairs by Anders Johnsson and Petter Thörne Posted: 03 Jun 2011 01:46 AM PDT We love to see fresh ideas coming from young artists and designers being transformed into reality. Anders Johnsson and Petter Thörne recently graduated from Sweden's Konstfack University in Stockholm. The Mold Chairs are actually part of their final graduation project and are made of waste materials that are commonly thrown away by various producers. The overall design of the chairs is quite original and no two products are alike, due to the different types of wood that were used. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing and sustainable, the chairs look comfortable and bring a warm touch to a room. Their design is easy to integrate in a large variety of decors, from minimalist to eclectic ones. We are curious to find out what you think of these seating items. Would you consider having one in your home? And if so, where would you place it? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Hook Anemone by Anders Ljungberg An Eye-catching Seating Collection of Intriguing Shapes: “Sakura” Inmod 4 Right On Chairs Giveaway – Winner Announced The Obelisk Stackable Chairs Sketch Chairs – Mommy’s Chair by Lucy Merchant Twin Chairs by Euga Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Ingenious Door Sliding System for Saving Valuable Space in Your Home Posted: 03 Jun 2011 12:30 AM PDT In most homes, space is the highest commodity and what better way to gain space than to remove your doors? While removing your doors may seem drastic, instead of totally removing your doors, how about removing the door swing that takes up space to open and close your doors? Johnson Hardware has invented home interior door hardware that acts like a barn door to slide across your opening, instead of using a swing and hinge hardware set. Take a look at how wall mounted hardware can save space in your home and provide you with a room that is more functional and spacious. How the hardware works: Not to be confused with pocket doors, which slide into a wall, the Series 200 Wall Mount and the 2610F hardware have track-and-roller systems that attach directly to the wall, resulting in quick installations and easy operation. This is an ideal solution for walls constructed of brick or concrete block, for wood-framed walls that contain pipes or wiring that would make it difficult and costly to install traditional pocket doors or for the Do It Yourselfer looking to make a big change with minimal effort. How the hardware saves valuable space: Unlike a standard hinged door that requires 10 to 14 square feet of floor space to swing open, a door mounted with the Series 200WM or 2610F hardware takes up little more space than the thickness of the door. And because the door slides open, a table, chair, desk or other furniture pieces can be placed beside the doorway without interfering with the door's operation. Easy to follow directions for DIY'ers: Many people are turned off by hanging doors due to a professional installer needed or complicated directions. Johnston Hardware has made their hardware easy enough for the do it yourselfer, in these directions below: Secure track brackets to small wooden blocks and screw to wall studs above doorway. Attach track to brackets above doorway. Slide the ball-baring hanger onto track. Attach door plates with extendable pivot pins onto hangers on track. Enjoy your newly found 14 square feet of free floor space. Imagine the possibilities: Whether your kids are growing out of their current rooms, or you need more space to move around in the living or dining room, adding more floor space can enable you to put more furniture, have more design possibilities, or just have more space for your family to move around.  If you've been trying to seek new ways to add more functionality to your room, these door hardware solutions may be the answer. Johnston Hardware has come up with creative solutions for your home's interiors. It only takes a moment to think of how many locations it could benefit in your home. Bathrooms, kitchens, halls, closets, storage/utility rooms, garage entryways, playrooms and home offices are all areas that could benefit.  With imagination, you will come up with many more.  The ease of operating wall mount doors also makes them suitable for homes where there are disabled residents or supplementing universal design efforts. Walk through your home and see where these creative door hardware solutions can be used. It won't be hard to think of what you'll do with the extra space! Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Ulisse Bed & Desk Space Saving System Sliding Doors Space-Saving Sliding Kitchen Cabinet System Sliding Bamboo Closet Doors from Moso Bambo Space Saving : Combine a Shelving Unit with a Desk Sliding Wall by Welter Wall Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

10 Most Popular Projects Presented in May 2011 Posted: 02 Jun 2011 09:43 AM PDT Ready to see your most appreciated projects presented by Freshome this May? Ranging from astounding residences to cleverly designed products, the ideas we are about to showcase in this “best of’ post are sure to impress and inspire you. As usual, we chose to present the project according to our readers’ Facebook shares, so if next month you would like to see your own design featured in this countdown, all you have to do is vote, vote, vote. Remember that by clicking on the pictures, you can see more photos and details about each project. Enjoy! #1. The best project of May according to you votes highlights your love for photography and witty designs. These ingenious and fun coffee mugs in the shape of camera lens were designed by Photojojo and include a lens-cap lid, rubber-grip focus and zoom rings. The most interesting thing about them? Both Canon and Nikon coffee mugs are available and they are equipped with an easy to clean, heat preserving, stainless steel lining. #2. The Metropol Parasol, Sevilla's newest landmark, was completed in April 2011 and will serve as an archaeological site, will accommodate a farmers' market, an elevated plaza as well as multiple bars and restaurants. The dimensions of this giant waffle-like structure are truly impressive: a building area of 5,000 square meters, a total floor area of 12,670 square meters, a height of 28.50 and 4 levels. Designed by J. MAYER H. Architects, the project composed of undulating parasols is part of the redesigning process of the Plaza de la Encarnacíon and is sure to attract plenty of visitors. #3. Earth House Estate Lättenstrasse is a residential area composed of nine unconventional homes and located in Dietikon, Switzerland. Ecological, friendly and unconventional, these earth houses designed by Vetsch Architektur could turn out to be a sustainable future trend. On top of the isolation of each home,  there is a protective layer with natural earth, which can be used to grow grass or plants on the rooftop. #4. Casa de la Flora Resort is located in a secluded ambiance near Phuket, Thailand. Featuring a series of differentiated beachfront pool villas and suites and a presidential suite, the resort offers luxurious interiors for the perfect holiday. From slippers to Wi-Fi internet access, the villas and suites offer wonderful pampering and relaxation for different events – holidays with the loved ones, relaxing alone in privacy or a splendid honeymoon. Designed by VaSLab Architecture, the resort features exceptional facilities for a surprising vacation, gathered on a 4,900 square meter property in Pangnga. #5. The astonishing Ibiza in Spain was the perfect place to construct the bright Casa Jondal. Occupying 380 square meters, the residence captures the barrier between Spanish rustic style elements of architecture and modern design elements. Designed by the Catalan architect Jaime Serra from Atlant Del Vent, the Ibiza dream house looks like the perfect residence for an enjoyable lifestyle. #6. Having problems when it comes to waking up in the morning? It is our great wicked pleasure to present this month’s number 6: a creative alarm clock that will surely solve whatever "oversleeping issues" you may have. The design of the money shredding alarm clock is definitely for the strong-hearted, for the rich of for the desperate. Funny and clever, this device will make sure you get to work on time, even if it means compromising the earnings you are about to make that day. If for some money is not a problem, the machine can also shred other important papers, such as holiday airplane tickets, homeworks, "to do" lists and so on. #7. Are you a fan of secluded homes? This amazing residence stands on the highest site of a mesmerizing island located several miles away from Stockholm, Sweden. Don't let its traditional, otherwise picturesque exterior full you, this place is in tip top condition and ensures an ideal living space. Stretching on an area of 137 square meters, the main building includes a beautiful living room, a guest room with kitchen and glass doors leading out to large a bridge deck, a sauna and many more. #8. Two rectangular reinforced concrete blocks sitting atop of each other make up the primary architecture of the Paraty House. Located between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, on one of the islands near Paraty City, the residence cantilevers 8 meters outwards from the mountainside. Designed by Marcio Kogan, the two floor residence features the living room, kitchen and service area on the lower floor and bedrooms on the second volume. The roof acts like a mixture of outside places that offer the best of nature:  an observation deck, green terraces and gardens for herbs, medicinal plants and sculptures. #9. House on the Flight of Birds was designed by Portuguese architect Bernardo Rodrigues and is located on S. Michael Island in the Azores. With a highly original architecture consisting of curved volumes combined with unexpected sheltering panels and odd-shaped windows, this residence is truly spectacular. A creative architecture solution for sheltering a private residence-in at number 9. #10. Casas del Sol is an amazing design project and a fascinating retreat, designed and owned by Christina Saenz de Santamaria. With a desire to offer a refreshing new definition of the luxury beach bungalow experience, Casas del Sol is located in the island of Koh Tao, Thailand. The resort embraces a new concept known as 'Boutique Beach Chic', which means understated luxury within a modern tropical design that captures the sensory island experience of sea, sun and stars. Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! 10 Most Popular Projects Presented in February 2011 Pasta The Chair 10 Most Popular Projects Presented in March 2011 An Inspiring Interior for an Optician’s Shop: Hofstede Optiek in the Netherlands Practical Cable Hiding Solution for Uncluttered Interiors 10 Most Popular Projects Presented in April 2011 Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Versatile LED Lighting System: Endless by Jason Miller Posted: 02 Jun 2011 07:50 AM PDT Endless is a modular lighting system designed by Jason Miller for lighting brand Roll & Hill. The half-cylinder units that make up multiple lighting arrangements for any type of lighting needs connect to each other to shape simple and modern lighting fixtures. Their versatility makes the system perfect for any occasion: from residential to commercial and from industrial to artistic. The tubular structure looks pretty futuristic but classy at the same time. Use it on walls or as hanging lights, Endless can care to any need. By joining the pieces together, you can create personalized lighting systems for your home or office. Use the modular LED lighting system to define your interiors and note that the white glass accentuated by dark joinery can also be a focal point in the room. The elements can be joined back-to-back or end-to-end to shape various configurations depending on your needs. This decorative and functional lighting system will surely attract attention in any setting, don’t you think? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Storage Units from Dimora Design Anemix – Modular Lighting System for 3D Effects Elegant Adjustable Desk From Herman Miller Latest Herman Miller Office Chair Design : Sayl Chair Setu : Herman Miller Newest Office Chair Green AstroTurf-Covered Aeron Chair by Herman Miller and Makoto Azuma Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

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