Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter

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• Bright Semi-Transparent Laguna Beach Residence
• Limited Edition Powder-Coated Surveillance Chandelier
• Canadian Muskoka Boathouse and Seasonal Residence
• Contemporary Home With an Unconventional Layout: Sea Shell Residence
• Fireplace Controllable by iPhone or Android Smart Phone
• Sophisticated Design Characterizing a Modern Home in Budapest: KK House
• Cathedral Art Installation Made from 55,000 LED Lights in Belgium [Video]
• Portrait Collection by SICIS The Art Mosaic Factory
• Exposed Brick and Timber Interiors Flooded By Light

Bright Semi-Transparent Laguna Beach Residence Posted: 01 Feb 2012 06:10 AM PST This single family villa spreads over 2,470 square feet, featuring a tasteful remodel that transformed the residential building into a dream oceanfront house. The Laguna Beach Residence – as the glass oasis was named – is located on a promontory, overlooking the huge stretches of water from behind transparent glass walls. An open gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and imported stone flooring – as we can see throughout the house – gathers family around the dining table overlooking calming ocean views. The sloping landscape allowed the architects to construct half-floors that give the impression of a larger, brighter space, separated into interesting horizontal planes, as we can see in the dining/cooking /contemplating space. From high up, a bright and elegant master suite opens up to a private terrace. Zig-zag terraces give the ocean facade a fun twist when looked at from the roof. From all the main spaces of the house, exceptional views of the island lights at night or the colorful sunset can be enjoyed by family and guests. Offered at $5,995,000, this magnificent oceanfront home could be more than just inspiration – it can become your own dream beach house if you budget permits it. You're reading Bright Semi-Transparent Laguna Beach Residence originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Limited Edition Powder-Coated Surveillance Chandelier Posted: 01 Feb 2012 05:09 AM PST Humans since 1982 – a Stockholm-based design studio – have come up with an interesting idea for illuminating spaces – a dark powder-coated set of surveillance cameras acting as shells for the lights flooding the room, named Surveillance Chandelier. The set of aluminum surveillance cameras hanging from the ceiling convey a Big Brother feeling and extend the idea of surveillance inside, where the protective space is transformed into a constant reminder of everyday life. This impressive light fixture was inspired by the designer’s earlier version of this product, the Surveillance Light. The Swedish and German designers of Human since 1982 uniquely craft each piece by hand, creating a connection to each client that will end up with one of these modern chandeliers. Each featuring 5 to 6 cameras, the chandeliers can be exhibited in many different commercial or residential spaces. Ten unique handmade Surveillance Chandeliers are available, ensuring not only that you will have an interesting focal point in your room, but also that you will be among the few who do. The surveillance chandelier is available at Victor Hunt, Brussels and Phillips de Pury, London. You're reading Limited Edition Powder-Coated Surveillance Chandelier originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Canadian Muskoka Boathouse and Seasonal Residence Posted: 01 Feb 2012 04:07 AM PST It’s time to share some boat house inspiration! For those of you looking to build a boat house, this rural boat house with seasonal residence can be the inspiration you were looking for. Located in Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Canada, the construction that borrows the name of its location is a renovation of an existing boathouse with a 600 square foot second story guest suite and roof terrace addition. After seeing the design of the Fraser Residence, we can indulge in admiring this modern wood construction of the Muskoka Boathouse. Designed by the same Christopher Simmonds Architects, the Muskoka Boathouse is described by its creators: “Situated at the end of a narrow bay, the design of the new boathouse mediates between extended views out to the wide vista of the distant lake and the immediacy of the enclosed forested shoreline of the bay. The design provides a lens for these varied views as well as a sheltering foil to the open lake breezes and water traffic. A new exterior staircase positioned on the lower deck was introduced as a welcoming gesture in connecting the lower deck to the second level roof terrace. The second story is designed as a self sufficient sleeping cabin and is comprised of one bedroom, a three piece washroom, a kitchenette and connected living space. The cabin combines rustic materials with minimalist detailing to create a sheltering yet contemporary character for the interior spaces. The cabin is constructed as a hybrid post and beam/wood stud frame structure with exposed Douglas Fir roof rafters and decking. Framed on three sides with wood studs and punched openings, the fourth side of the cabin opens up to the roof terrace with an exposed post and beam structure and extensive glazing. Douglas Fir plywood wall panels are used throughout and are contrasted in color and finish by Ipe wood flooring and detailing both inside and out. The exterior cladding of the main volume of the boathouse is clear stained western red cedar, used horizontally on the ground floor and vertically above to define the two programmatic uses for the building. Cement board panels and Douglas Fir screens provide the exterior terrace with privacy. Stair guards are steel framed with a wire mesh infill and add a further nautical level of detail to the overall effect of the design.” You're reading Canadian Muskoka Boathouse and Seasonal Residence originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Contemporary Home With an Unconventional Layout: Sea Shell Residence Posted: 01 Feb 2012 02:42 AM PST Sea Shell Residence is an impressive 7,500 square foot modern home, located on the Mediterranean coast of Israel. The residence displays quite a few captivating interior design details, envisioned and implemented by studio Lanciano Design. Here is an excerpt from the official project description, as given to the press by the designers: “Openness is the main concept that led us in this project, combining informal ambient and yet sheer elegance. We choose a palette of colors that repeats the colors of the outside into the house. The unconventional layout of the kitchen & the dining area came to our thoughts when designing this space, thinking how friendly it will be to enjoy entertaining family & guests, being able to host and to be present at the same time. The ground floor wrapped in large apertures maintaining a dialog with the outside. Obtaining the open space feeling. The lighting in the house designed by Lanciano-Design has many scenarios, for special effects to be able to change completely the ambient in the house“. How would you comment on the overall design of this home? You're reading Contemporary Home With an Unconventional Layout: Sea Shell Residence originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Fireplace Controllable by iPhone or Android Smart Phone Posted: 01 Feb 2012 01:32 AM PST We recently received a press release about a project that will surely appeal to all of you out there keen on technology. Gas fireplace manufacturer Escea has just launched their new range of gas fireplaces, which feature a world first: inbuilt WiFi connectivity, and the ability to control your fireplace from your iPhone or Android smart phone. According to the information we were sent, “Escea gas fireplaces are synonymous with minimalist modern sophisticated style and design. This range of Indoor and outdoor fireplaces has proved popular with architects and interior designers, so If you’re renovating or are planning a new house you should consider Escea for your gas fireplace. Escea fireplaces come in a variety of heat outputs, various modern fascia designs, and a variety of fuel effects including black and white coals, New Zealand River Rock and Logs, stones and driftwood. These gas fireplaces are available in both natural gas and LPG (Propane)“”. Be sure to check out the video below for a better understanding of how the project works. How do you find this idea? You're reading Fireplace Controllable by iPhone or Android Smart Phone originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Sophisticated Design Characterizing a Modern Home in Budapest: KK House Posted: 01 Feb 2012 12:23 AM PST We received photos and information about a modern residential project located in Budapest and entitled KK House. Here is the press release we were sent: “Our planning agency, the Archikron Architect and Interior Design Studio planned and carried out this 270 square meter, two-level, self-contained house with a flat roof, in Budapest. The exterior of the house is constituted by mostly natural materials, such as limestone wall coating and timber panels. The doors and windows were made of timber with triple glazed windows, which is an important viewpoint in connection to the present-day energy costs.The interiors are characterized by a minimalist design. Bright,white walls and flooring, wenge and zebrano veneer surfaces alternate to create visual appeal. The furniture is custom-made; everything from the kitchen units to the bed. On the first floor there is a living room, a huge, modern dining-room with kitchen, an intimate guest room with a bathroom. The upper level hosts another two master bedrooms with bathroom and two children's rooms. We took note of the energy consciousness in the case of the house planning. A geothermal heat pump system is responsible for the cooling and heating system of the house. The hydro-thermo fireplace in the living room can also help with the hot water supply”. How do you find the interiors of this residence?  [Photography by Katalin London] You're reading Sophisticated Design Characterizing a Modern Home in Budapest: KK House originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Cathedral Art Installation Made from 55,000 LED Lights in Belgium [Video] Posted: 31 Jan 2012 09:20 AM PST The second edition of the spectacular Ghent Light Festival held in Belgium, for four days (from January 26 to January 29, 2012), displayed quite a few interesting projects. This year’s themes were happiness and music, portrayed in over 30 unique exhibitions. But the focal point of the event is said to have been a giant art installation shaped like a cathedral and made from no less than 55.000 LED lights. According to the official website of the festival, “Belfortstraat (Belfort Street) was the  domain of the Luminarie Cagna. A giant colonnade made of wood and hundreds of thousands of colored lights, with arches that remind one of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. The entrance area only measured 28 meters high. The audience walked into a fairy tale gallery, surrounded by light and color. Energy Wasted? On the contrary, this immense work of art with 55,000 LED lights consumes only 20Kwatt / h of electricity“. Have a look at the video we found on This is Colossal for more details about the festival and tell us what you think of this art installation. Lichtfestival Gent 2012 from Lieven Vanoverbeke on Vimeo. You're reading Cathedral Art Installation Made from 55,000 LED Lights in Belgium [Video] originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Portrait Collection by SICIS The Art Mosaic Factory Posted: 31 Jan 2012 08:11 AM PST Mosaics have been used since ancient times either as a decorative art form or as an aspect of interior design. Ancient mosaics typically depicted historical scenes or were used to record scenes of everyday life. Whatever they featured, they were a lasting way to immortalise our existence during a certain period of time. Giving the art of mosaics a very modern twist, SICIS The Art Mosaic Factory has created the Portrait Collection. By using photographic shots recreated in mosaic form the Portrait Collection can capture your existence for eternity. Create a wall-sized portrait of your favourite image of yourself, your partner, your child or someone else important in your life. If having a picture of yourself recreated using mosaics does not appeal, you can always choose to immortalise your favourite stars or celebrities instead. The limited edition Marilyn Collection features portraits of the glamorous screen siren and goddess taken from the historically famous shoot by her friend and photographer Milton H. Green. What do you think? Would you like to immortalise yourself in mosaic or would you choose to capture someone else in a mosaic portrait? You're reading Portrait Collection by SICIS The Art Mosaic Factory originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Exposed Brick and Timber Interiors Flooded By Light Posted: 31 Jan 2012 07:04 AM PST A stunning San Francisco Loft opens before your eyes when visiting this New York style apartment located in the award-winning former General Electric building. Interiors in exposed brick and timber are flooded by natural light coming from the large windows spreading up to the high ceilings. With hardwood flooring throughout and a private elevator, the fascinating collection of spaces of this elegant condominium will surely draw your attention with a detailed space arrangement. The mezzanine level offers soothing views of the main living spaces while sheltering the private spaces. Renovating this place brought out its charm and anchored the design, allowing the future owner to live and even work here. The two bedrooms can easily be transformed into an office duo, challenging the buyers to choose between spending their free time here or making money from this magnificent loft. Offered at $1,550,000 on Sotheby’s, the 2,220 square foot San Francisco loft should be carefully admired – you will surely find splendid details to inspire you. You're reading Exposed Brick and Timber Interiors Flooded By Light originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

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