Colorful Family Home Ingeniously Designed on a Budget in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Colorful Family Home Ingeniously Designed on a Budget in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Luxurious Mansion With Striking Entertaining Spaces in Brentwood, California
Why You Should Choose A Monochromatic Color Palette
Simple Geometry Unveiling Spectacular Interiors: Limantos Residence in São Paulo

Posted: 02 Dec 2014 04:43 AM PST

Studio dLux sent us photos and information depicting a colorful family home in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The reconstruction of this 56m2 apartment was planned to solve the issues of the two residents, a biologist/animal lover and her son. The first issue was the lack of privacy that both of them had, with only one bathroom to share. Another problem was the bad use of the apartment's space, considering that the two residents also have pets. The designers had to solve all of these issues with a small execution budget, making use of cheaper, but no less modern solutions.

The project envisioned the creation of open spaces for an improvement of the space utilization. The kitchen wall was taken off and an additional bathroom was created for the biologist's son. Custom made linear furniture was designed by the studio with the intention of giving amplitude to the room and more organizational space for the residents' belongings. The apartment has a variety of materials mixed throughout the rooms, starting with the floor, made with burnt cement with a layer of resin on top. The living room traditional revetment has been replaced by a yellow painted metallic tile. The kitchen and the bathrooms got colorful and more vivid through the use of hydraulic tiles.

The new hallway used black running doors, made with HDF (High Density Fibreboard), so that the valuable space didn't go to waste by the use of conventional doors.There was also a mix of materials in the furnishing of the space. The kitchen cupboards and the living room rack were made of marine plywood, while the benches in the living room and the bathroom cabinets were made with OSB (Oriented Strand Board). The kitchen work surface was made with a Teak panel, and the dining board was built in a yellow pigmented HDF, using a black painted PVC tube. [Photos and information provided via e-mail by Studio dLux ]

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Luxurious Mansion With Striking Entertaining Spaces in Brentwood, California

Posted: 02 Dec 2014 01:09 AM PST

Located in Brentwood, California, USA, this luxurious mansion currently listed by The Agency at $18,000,000 is visually intriguing to say the least. “534 Crestline Estate” boasts seven bedrooms, eleven bathrooms and a total surface of 12,720 square feet. Sheltered by a private gate, lush trees and greenery, the limestone facade gradually unveils modern opulence. The three-story residence is accessed through towering front doors which open into a grand foyer. Beyond this “welcoming zone” , the home unfolds into ever more elaborate spaces for relaxation and comfort.

According to the official project description, the lower floor holds dual theaters, a formal movie theater and a summer theater, both of which can be controlled by the in-home automation system. The exterior wall of the summer theater disappears to blend into the heated outdoor living area for year-round entertaining. Below is a custom wine cellar and companion tasting room with a window that becomes a rear projection screen at the touch of a button. Outside an oversized infinity pool offers an oasis for sunning while nearby steps descend to a private fire pit area and a bonus room that can serve as a personal gym or music studio. Sounds appealing?

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Why You Should Choose A Monochromatic Color Palette

Posted: 01 Dec 2014 12:47 PM PST

Monochromatic spaces are easy to create, but look sophisticated . Image Via: Painttek Quality Painting, Inc.

Picking the color for your interior design project can be overwhelming. Anyone who has taken a trip to their local home improvement store can attest that there are seemingly endless options when it comes to color. We wouldn't blame you for wishing there was a way to make choosing colors a little simpler.

In fact, we may be able to offer the perfect solution: Design your room around a monochromatic color palette. Doing so, is an incredibly simple way to bring a touch of elegance to your interiors.

If you're still not convinced, take a glance at the article below. We'll outline why using a single color palette is an excellent choice for any interior and tell you how to recreate the look on your own. You'll be eager to embrace monochrome in no time.

gray dining Why You Should Choose A Monochromatic Color Palette

Use monochromatic colors lend an elegant touch to your interiors. Image Via: Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.

You'll Easily Create Harmony:

Especially among those of us who are just starting to explore the world of interior design, the prospect of putting an entire room together can be daunting. After all, there are so many different components to take into account: furniture, floor coverings, wall hangings, etc. How can you be sure that they will all fit together?

By choosing a monochromatic color palate, you have your unifying element right in front of you. Monochromatic simply means is that you take one basic color and apply color theory to create a whole palette of options by playing with the various tones, shades, and tints that can be created from the original.

As you pick out the design elements that fit your room, be careful to ensure that the undertones, or the yellow, green, pink or blue hues that stand out in a color when it's hit by when hit by the light, match. Two design elements with separate undertones will not look right when placed side-by-side, but a matching pair will flow together well,

brown livng space Why You Should Choose A Monochromatic Color Palette

Use a neutral color palette to add an extra pop of elegance. Image Via: Carolina Design Associates, LLC

You Can Showcase Elegant Simplicity:

By now, we're all familiar with the colors that we use to fill our spaces impact us psychologically. While bright colors like orange can provide is with a much needed burst of energy and earth tones make us feel more grounded, sticking to one color palette helps create a soothing and restful environment.

Research by The University of Texas found that websites with a monochromatic background palette were easiest for others to read. They attribute these findings to the fact that the brain has less to process and therefore is able to better concentrate on the website's content. You can take this same principle and use a single color palette to showcase your space's best features.

Since monochromatic designs have such a relaxing effect, it's often utilized in spaces that need an extra calming boost. Bedrooms are, of course, an excellent option, as are those too-often-stressful home offices. But you shouldn't be afraid to branch out a little. Experiment with monochrome in your bathroom to create a spa-like feel or use it in your children's playroom to help keep all that energy at bay.

blue bedroom Why You Should Choose A Monochromatic Color Palette

A blue palette adds an extra soothing feel. Image Via: Randy Heller Design

Pattern and Texture Become The Star:

Usually when we discuss pattern and texture, it tends to take more of a sidekick role. We talk about the lovely way in which patterned throw pillows can make the couch in your living room pop or a textured dining table will add tons of personality to your kitchen. However, when dealing with monochromatic schemes, those bits of pattern can be the star.

Since the shades in your interior will tend to blend together, texture and pattern are the easiest – and often one of the cheapest – ways to add visual interest. In fact, while too many patterns are usually looked upon with trepidation, this occasion in which you can let your mixing-and-matching skills run wild.

While it may sound unorthodox, we recommend that you pick your pattern first. Find a design element that inspires you – a painting, boldly patterned seating chair, or even something as small as a blanket for the back of your sofa. Once you have the item in hand, pick one color out of it and use that as the basis for the entire space. That way, you're sure that it will fit seamlessly within your design.

yellow seating area1 Why You Should Choose A Monochromatic Color Palette

Go bold with pattern and texture. Image Via: Jeff Andrews Design

How To Pull It Off:

Let's be honest, the words "monochromatic design" scare people a little. That's because it's easy to picture a clownish house where the sofas blend into the walls and every element of the room is the exact same shade. Today, we're going to let you in on one of interior design's biggest secrets: Monochromatic offers plenty more than just a single shade.

In fact, it's best to think of the unifying color palette as the base of the room rather than the whole picture. Instead, you should focus on complimenting your main color with a variety of neutrals. Pops of white and black give the eye a place to rest from the intensity of the shade, so consider using those shades as a main component of your design.

If you're not a fan of neutrals, natural materials can work in much the same fashion. Use wooden furniture to break up your bedroom or a set of ultra-modern metal chairs to making your dining space really stand out.

Whichever group you choose, just be sure to provide plenty of coordinating pops throughout the room. Not only will they provide that always-essential visual interest, but they will pull the room together to give it a professionally-designed feel.

tan kitchen Why You Should Choose A Monochromatic Color Palette

Use natural materials like wood to bring extra visual interest. Image Via: Coburn Development

Single color spaces are often the subject of heated debates. Some think they're too simplistic to be worthwhile. But, when done correctly, we can attest that they are the epitome of easy elegance. If you're considering bringing a monochromatic color palate into your home, take a look at the article above. We'll not only tell you why you chose a great option, but how you can integrate it into your own spaces without any trouble. You'll love their elegant simplicity.

How do you feel about monochromatic colors? Have you used them in your home? If so, what are your best tips? Share them with us in the comments.

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Simple Geometry Unveiling Spectacular Interiors: Limantos Residence in São Paulo

Posted: 01 Dec 2014 08:32 AM PST

Limantos Residence by Fernanda Marques Arquitetos Associados is located on a very steep plot within a rich natural landscape in São Paulo, Brazil. Its simple building geometry evokes the rationalist architecture of Mies van der Rohe. Openness is one of the defining attributes of the project: "Working at the limit between maximum transparency and the ideal level of privacy for each space was my greatest challenge. There was also a need to insert the house in the plot, conserve and respect the existing trees, and, obviously, the considerable steepness to consider“, says São Paulo-based architect Fernanda Marques, who authored the design.
Spacious and spectacular, the interiors reveal an array of colors and textures, on a charming natural background. Enclosed by glazed panels, the house seems to be immersed in the surrounding landscape. According to the architect’s description, the lower floor is the social zone, and contains a playroom and three suites. Entrance to the master suite is via a wide hallway, which opens up to the two bathrooms, his and hers – and the walk-in closet. The living area is linked to the dining room through a glazed circulation area, which integrates a deck, infinite-border swimming-pool and lateral garden. Enjoy the virtual tour, everyone! [Photography: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG]

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