Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

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• Bat Mirror from Katz: Can You Spot the Batman Symbol?
• How to Add Relaxing Zen Inspired Decor to your Home
• Beautiful Minimalist Retreat in Portugal: House in Leiria
• Urban and Modern: The Cortland Residence by Nicholas Clark Architects

Bat Mirror from Katz: Can You Spot the Batman Symbol? Posted: 21 Mar 2011 05:48 AM PDT For all of you out there who enjoyed our Batman-Inspired Motel Room in Taiwan, here is another treat. We just received an intriguing mirror design from Latvia-based company Katz The Bat Mirror is a post-modern touch to classics and modern pop-culture, a mix of traditional elements and contemporary ideas. Speaking of which, if you look long enough at the photos below, you will notice how the symbol formed by the frame is a copy of the Batman logo. Here is a short description from the designers: “This huge neo-rococo mirror is carefully hand-molded from plaster. The rumor has is that the one who dares to gaze at it long enough would see a certain superhero symbol unravels“. The mirror’s dimensions are 90 x 78 x 8 cm and custom colors are available on request. Available here, for 290 Euros. What do you think of this mirror and its mixed fashion codes?   Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Batman-Inspired Motel Room in Taiwan for Your Inner Superhero Symbol, an Armchair With a Colorful Design Razorblade Mirror Regolo the Ruler Mirror Brilliant Multipurpose Mirror for Those Who are Always on the Go Amazing Mirror Decorating Stickers Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

How to Add Relaxing Zen Inspired Decor to your Home Posted: 21 Mar 2011 04:11 AM PDT In our busy lives, the ability to create a relaxing and inviting home for us to unwind is essential to a healthy home. Creating a space that has natural fibers, nature inspired colors and awe-inspiring interiors is what a relaxing Zen environment is all about. If you are tired of feeling stressed out and overworked, creating Zen inspired interiors will make you forget your worries, and relish in relaxation and peace.  Here are tips for adding relaxing Zen inspired decor to your home. Uniting the outdoors with the indoors: Zen inspired decor is largely based on creating the union between the outdoors and the indoors. By using natural finishes such as cork, seagrass, bamboo, wood and plant materials, blurring the line between your outdoors and your interiors can create a peaceful space that you will love to retreat to daily. Take advantage of large windows in your home to bring the outdoor views inside and to mimic colors of the outdoors in your space. Natural colors are relaxing: Whether the cool blue ocean or the airy sky are your inspiration, or the sage green plants and sand tones of the nearby brook are more your style, natural colors are relaxing. They can uplift, relax, or transport your mind to far away places that make you be imaginative and creative. Bring in natural colors into your living, dining, and family rooms to relax your guests and your family. Consider using softer pastel or muted color versions for bathrooms and bedrooms. Bringing Zen details to your exterior: Minimalistic architecture lines and strong wood, concrete and natural materials can make the exterior of your home feel just as relaxing and inviting as your living room. Consider using a Zen garden to spend time outdoors with relaxing waterfalls, ponds and seating areas to bring nature and peace to your property. Zen detailing can also be reflected in lush greenery, Asian sculptures, and large boulders placed amongst sand to create wonderful meditation areas of your outdoor home. Find what relaxes you, and bring it into your space: The term "Zen Interiors" has been synonymous with luxury spas and resorts that evoke a sense of relaxation, and devote the interior spaces to helping people find inner peace. Find what relaxes you and bring it into your home. From soft music and nature filled artwork, to decorating with artisan baskets and Asian inspired sculptures around your bathroom and bedroom. A Zen inspired home will lead you to a sense of connecting with nature, and also connecting with your inner self. Find what is inspiring, and build your interiors around them. One of the advantages of creating a Zen inspired decor is it gives you an excuse to have to relax, slow down, and breathe in the atmosphere of your home. If you are looking for inspiration, search the internet for interiors of spas, as well as cultural homes that have interiors that are centered on relaxing colors, sounds, and moods. Many people believe a feng shui professional can also help you create a home that will bring in positive energy and deflect negative energy through placement of furniture and interior elements in your home.  Try these tips to bring you inner peace, and a home that you will rush home to! Freshome reader's do you have any Zen inspired decor tips to add to the list? Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Home Decor Vinyl Stickers by ARTSTICK Beehive Inspired Table by Hoon Roh 5 Easy Summer Decor Ideas for Your Home Music Fan? Turn Up The Place! Raiser Munny Toy by Adam Haynes 26 Christmas Decorating Ideas for Your Home Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Beautiful Minimalist Retreat in Portugal: House in Leiria Posted: 21 Mar 2011 02:55 AM PDT This fascinating looking residence was designed by architects Manuel Aires Mateus and is located in Portugal, in a high point, overlooking the city of Leiria. Minimalist and contemporary, the home was divided into two distinct areas, one for socializing and one for sleeping. The bedrooms are positioned below ground, with access to private patios that lead to the backyard. This way the sleeping area is secluded and no noise is strong enough to trouble a deep sleep. As you can observe in the photos below, this amazing house is not equipped with conventional windows. Instead it features “voids” in the ceiling which attract light indoors. Its interior arrangements are in complete aesthetic agreement with the minimalist exterior, which makes this an overall stunning residence. (Photos by FG+SG: Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra) Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Ultra-minimalist Home in Pousos, Straight Lines and Sleek Form Minimalist House by Marià Castelló Martinez Beverly House in Toronto Has a Modern Minimalist Interior Great Design vs. Small Costs How To Create a Minimalist Home Refined Staircase Addition to a Minimalist Home by A+R Arquitectos Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Urban and Modern: The Cortland Residence by Nicholas Clark Architects Posted: 20 Mar 2011 07:36 AM PDT The Cortland Residence, designed by Nicholas Clark Architects is an astonishing residence part of Chicago’s modern collection of homes. Covering a 7,800 square foot surface, the three-story house is home for the parents and their two children. Because the residence is located in a dense urban neighbourhood, the construction had to encompass as much comfort and space as it could, without occupying a larger surface. By designing a house that has two courtyards and extends on three levels, the architects managed to give the dwelling both a large interior space and an organized exterior courtyard duo. The courtyard walls, made from a combination of glass, cedar and wood panels, protect the inhabitant’s privacy. A modern and chic water arrangement in the interior courtyard can also be seen from the dining room: “In the main courtyard, water elements create a focus and patio space is positioned next to the family room which is able to expand to the exterior by opening a folding glass wall.” Ready for more amazing design ideas? Check below ! Nicholas Cage’s Former Las Vegas Residence Up for Sale for $8,9 Million Fresh Alternative to Urban Living: Lake LBJ Retreat by Dick Clark Architecture The Grangegorman Residence by ODOS Architects Modern Home in Auckland By Belinda George Architects Fiery on the outside: Modern home from Bates Masi Architects Holley House by Hanrahan Meyers Architects Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

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