Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter

---

• Japanese Multi-Purpose Building With an Imposing Architecture
• Minimalist Apartment Decorated With Wall Messages in Poland
• Nautical-Inspired BBQ Gazebo for TV show by Za Bor Architects
• Decorating your Fireplace Mantle for Autumn Inspiration
• Cozy One Room Apartment With Paned Windows and Parquet Floors
• Suburban Home Marked by an Inspired Asymmetry: Jigsaw Residence
• Elegant Gourd-Inspired Pendant Lamps: Calabash by Komplot Design
• Wellness Centre With an “Ayurvedic” Style: Dhara by Alberto Apostoli

Japanese Multi-Purpose Building With an Imposing Architecture Posted: 11 Oct 2011 07:17 AM PDT Design Nico Architects (Kazuya Matsuda), a company from Japan, completed the impressive PORT Residence, a two-storey home, workspace, and commercial showroom located in Fukuoka city, Japan. According to the architects, the project is “situated on a corner of a road with heavy traffic during the day, the front facade of the showroom is finished with double-height glazing that enables the interior to project itself onto the street. A linear porch lines the outdoor space and gains shading through an overhang and a series of red cedar louvers. four steel pillars stand on a slight angle, providing structural support while lending a modern expression to the exterior. The atelier is also made transparent to the street, but stepped back from the plot line to accommodate a small parking space“. The second level accommodates the living spaces with a design that is in complete harmony with the first floor. Enjoy the photos and don’t forget to leave your comments below.

Minimalist Apartment Decorated With Wall Messages in Poland Posted: 11 Oct 2011 05:27 AM PDT The architects ot mode:lina have completed a creative apartment, especially designed for people visiting the Poznań International Fair in Poland. The crib was officially called “Quotel” and merges the design of a themed hotel with the coziness of a private home. The overall approach on the apartment is minimalist. It features contemporary furniture arrangements and splashes of color that bring a cheerful touch. But the project’s originality consists of various messages written on the walls, some of which are quite interesting. The bedroom for example is marked with the following statement: “a good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” But our personal favorite is the question written on the wall that directs the viewer towards the kitchen and that seems to yell out “are you hungry?” All in all, we like this idea and are curious to see what you think of it as well. [Images by Marcin Ratajczak]

Nautical-Inspired BBQ Gazebo for TV show by Za Bor Architects Posted: 11 Oct 2011 04:32 AM PDT Modern entertainment seems to push the limits of design further than imagined. With this gazebo for a TV show, the creative minds from Za Bor Architects managed to overcome the traditional architectural boundaries in this field. Russian architects Arseniy Borisenko and Peter Zaytsev of Za Bor Architects designed and constructed this gazebo used in a television show called Dachniy Otvet, meaning The Village Talks, where designers and architects are invited to surprise volunteer clients with renovations. The outdoor kitchen was built for a yacht captain who lives near Moscow, in a suburban area. Made from a collection of 14 planes, each formed of larch white-tinted wood planks glued together, the gazebo has a nautical shape, inspired by the owner’s career choice. A black brick barbeque topped off with a black steel chimney is prepared for BBQs, while a modern white dining table seating 8-10 people welcomes guests. This project is sure to change the visual impact of the Russian village chosen for this experiment.

Decorating your Fireplace Mantle for Autumn Inspiration Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:33 AM PDT Whether you prefer autumn colors gracing your interiors or you prefer an unconventional color palette with autumn highlights, your fireplace mantle is the perfect place to convey your style. From nature inspired grasses, pine cones, and dried leaves to grouping small vignettes of mirrors and collectibles, your fireplace mantle doesn't need to stay bare until Christmas! Here are some decorative ways to highlight your autumn fireplace, and set the tone for the seasons to come. Whether you are utilizing your fireplace now, or if you are waiting until the first cold snap, decorate your mantle now with these inspirational ideas. Wow! With Color:  The unconventional can meet the conventional with autumn inspired fireplace mantel ideas. Create an accent wall with a vibrant color that matches your furnishings in the room, and then use decorative natural materials to add autumn highlights. Consider using straw, or hay tied with rope or raffia to exude a harvest theme around your fireplace. The mantle can house small collectibles that coordinate with the rest of your room's decor. Play off of the autumn theme by bringing tall vertical elements to flank either side of your fireplace for extra visual interest. Reflect an autumnal theme:  For those of you who prefer a traditional fall theme, infused with colors reminiscent of the changing season, look to the warm color palettes of the season. Use orange, burnt umber, gold, brown, cranberry and other deep hues in your room around your fireplace. While the mantle is a good place to start, how about reflect the entire room, literally, with a mirrored accent? A sunburst mirror or using a mirror covered stack above the mantle will make your fireplace become the showpiece of the room. One mantle, different schemes:  There isn't only one way to decorate your mantle. In fact, if you have quite a few decorative autumn decorations, why not rotate your collectibles in different vignettes every few weeks? Choose a focal point, such as a mirror, tall vase, clock or a striking ornamental figurine. Choose if you want symmetrical or asymmetry, and build off of colors, patterns, metals, and other autumn pieces. For one scheme utilize nature inspired elements, and the next use animals such as pheasants, turkeys, and rabbits! Autumn at your home can symbolize the changing of the seasons, the welcoming of a harvest, or your family's togetherness at the beginning of the holiday season. Traditional and subdued: If you prefer your fireplace to speak for itself because of it's ornate detailing, or the style of your home lends itself to a traditional voice, look to simple centerpiece-style decor atop your mantle. Candles, autumn garland, branches, and urns give your mantle a finished look, without appearing overdressed. Depending on the height of the ceiling above your mantle will dictate if you put additional decor to compliment the mantle. If you decide to keep the mantle simple compliment the wall above with simple lines, that won't detract from the intricate lines of your fireplace. Autumn is finally here and we were all wondering 'what took you so long?' Festive hues of the season coupled with dropping temperatures means its time to start chopping firewood and lighting the fireplace. Even if you're not using yours yet, making sure the mantle is decorated makes your living space feel warm and inviting. These creative and simple ideas are perfect for any mantle, and regardless of your design style. What creative ideas do you have for your fireplace mantle this season?

Cozy One Room Apartment With Paned Windows and Parquet Floors Posted: 11 Oct 2011 02:29 AM PDT Small but cozy, the apartment you are about to see is located in Stockholm, is an tight and chic urban crib. The main living space features the entertaining space, dining room and bedroom all in one space. The small floor plan only allows for the bed to occupy an alcove near the kitchen, but this features makes it that more interesting. The end of the hallway was transformed into a modern walk-in-closet, giving the inhabitants the opportunity of using the whole space, as the closet has wardrobe fittings up to the ceiling. The space maintained its original parquet flooring, an elegant element that makes the fact that the refrigerator is located in the closet in the hallway less important. Stucco ceilings in white are visually heightened by natural light coming from large paned windows. This Stockholm apartment might be small, but it has many storing options like the walk-in closet in the hallway, closets and storage under the bed. Having direct access to the interior courtyard, the apartment encourages the inhabitants to enjoy as much fresh air as possible, inviting them to the outdoors, where patio furniture and a barbeque await. Find it here and enjoy the photos!

Suburban Home Marked by an Inspired Asymmetry: Jigsaw Residence Posted: 11 Oct 2011 01:31 AM PDT The Jigsaw Residence was designed by David Jameson Architect and is a fascinating modern home located in Bethesda, Maryland. Composed of uneven volumes, the crib’s exterior is highly original and appealing. According to the architects, “Jigsaw introverts itself in a continous spatial flow around an open air courtyard carved from the home's remains. Fundamental to the conception of the house is the notion of reflectivity, rendering unclear the boundaries between inside and outsite. Light and space are modulated by meshing ribbons of wall and glass that form a tessellation of solid and void. The conditioning of these internal and external walls is identical. Planes of stucco exterior walls transform into plaster interior walls while passing through glass. Clerestory glazing and window constructs are carefully sited to afford privacy to the occupants while framing and extending views through the site.” The interior design of the Jigsaw Residence is contemporary, clean and tasteful. Enjoy and tell us what you think!

Elegant Gourd-Inspired Pendant Lamps: Calabash by Komplot Design Posted: 11 Oct 2011 12:28 AM PDT Copenhagen-based design studio Komplot Design designed these beautiful pendant lamps named Calabash. The lighting systems were named after their resemblance to Indian bottle gourds, vegetables used as vases, vessels or lampshades. According to the Danish Komplot Design team, “the direct function of a lampshade is to contain "the light" and to reflect it. But it is still present in the room when the light is switched off. The soft organic shape of a Calabash with its characteristic "waist" is a suspended sculpture that with its double convex mirrored surface reflects the whole room at once.” Available in four modern finishes – silver, gold, red and black – the Calabash Pendant Lamps are made out of polished and mirror lacquered spun aluminum. How would you like a set of Calabash Pendant Lights hanging over your dining table?

Wellness Centre With an “Ayurvedic” Style: Dhara by Alberto Apostoli Posted: 10 Oct 2011 08:54 AM PDT We recently received a project consisting of a modern wellness center developed by Studio Alberto Apostoli and located within the Belfiore Park Hotel, on the Venetian side of Lake Garda, Italy. By opening a new wellness center spread along an entire floor of the hotel and named the Dhara Wellness, the hotel is given an ayurvedic dimension. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term which can be literally translated as “knowledge of life”. Here is an excerpt from the official press release we were sent: “The project aimed to create a balance between the classical elements of the SPA by carefully studying spaces, forms, materials, colors and lights. By taking advantage of the local materials, the particularities of the location and a natural spring that was discovered during the construction, the SPA obtains a sensorial environment that is alive with every construction detail and material that was specially designed for it. Following a characteristic horizontal element made with bamboo canes that run along the entire floor leading to the SPA, one enters, or rather "filters in", a socializing room that is neutral and contemporary. A final element is the large olive tree that was placed within the structure during the intervention. The geometrical and emotional core of the SPA is a basin of water that is constantly replenished by the natural spring whose waters are utilized almost as a lining as it flows directly onto the bare stone. Within the basin, there is a shower that is made by a particular element that is the local stone and a special Kneipp treatment composed by single pools that are also made in the local stone. The sauna, another strong element of the center, is created entirely in stone and is characterized by a large glass partition for the unusual transfer to the basin of water. Alongside the sauna is a vapor bath, covered by a special mosaic in resin whose parts "digitally" recreate the intertwined branches of the lemon trees. The relax area is positioned at the end of the center and offers a magnificent view of the lake that is only a couple of meters away”.[ Photography by Maurizio Marcato]

You are subscribed to email updates from Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610