Contemporary 18th Century Home

“Both the ground floor and the first floor are divided into the original structure and the wonderful glass extension built as a modern dream with amazing panoramas of the nearby river, the Grand Union Canal”.

With its 213 square meters, the home is compartmented into 4 bedrooms with bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, two extensive reception rooms and wonderful outdoor space like a front garden, a side garden and a paved rear terrace.

“The talented and acclaimed architect Michael Wigginton was the one who reconditioned the old 18th-century country residence near London and added a modern glass extension to accommodate the bedrooms and living space. The home features surprising quality materials, starting with the huge glass windows that offer a full view of the surroundings”. Other features worth mentioning are the parquet oak flooring and Carrara marble work surfaces.

Special thanks to Freshome for the above images and information.

Barra Funda II Apartment

Located in a residential neighbourhood in Sao Paulo, Brazil this apartment is home to a young couple with small children. “Since not many changes were made to the original structure, well-designed furniture improves the use of space. The walnut carpentry on the walls became the basis to a clean and contemporary decoration. The continuous panels were designed to hide the doors from the lavatory, home office and bedroom hall, in order to create continuity”.

Colours of red, black and mainly grey are used to create a warm interior atmosphere with minimalist style. There is a spacious square dining table which has a clean design, with wood and black chairs. “The black pendant ties up the decoration. Besides the buffet, twin china closet covered with wallpaper, also designed by Kwartet Arquitetura”.

“The Home office reveals the same wood used on the living room panels, contrasting with grey table and cabinets. The sliding door may completely integrate the space or provide privacy when needed. The master bedroom received delicate furniture. The headboard and the side tables were designed attached to each other, in white lacquer and oak. The texture enrichens the result”.

Vidre Negre Office Building

The Vidre Negre Office Building is located in Cuneo, Plemonte, Italy and was completed in 2011. It is a contemporary structure which displays an up-to-date, dynamic architecture. “Occupying 1,400 square meters on a 6.960 square meter plot, the imposing shape mirrors in the nearby water, visually doubling its size and offering the eye an interesting play of volumes. Surrounded by native species within the surrounding park, the office building designed by Damilano Studio Architects runs its two wings from east to west. Between these two wings, a central volume shelters the stairs, toilets and bars.

“The east side of the building houses private offices, while the west side surprises with a large open space contrasting with the asymmetric arrangement of other spaces. On the basement floor, the space is divided between garages and conference rooms brightly illuminated through large windows. The prism is completely covered in black faceted glass and integrated photovoltaic panels, caring for the environment as well as for the visual presentation”. Rising four floors above the ground, the dark architectural composition features an energy-saving heating system with radiant oak flooring which is both functional and aesthetically pleasant.

Special thanks to Freshome for the above information and images.

Apartment Design In Slovakia

Studio Neopolis have completed this charming apartment in the town of Banska Bystrica in the middle of Slovakia.

The interior has been designed for a young single man who is also a truck driver. The request of the design was for it to have a minimal clear design with minimum decorations and the basic colour of red, black and white. A further request was to hang as many pieces of furniture as possible from the wall, without the legs to make cleaning easier.

Oak Doors and Oak Flooring is used throughout the apartment as a way of making the whole interior less aggressive.

The kitchen is very small with the space only for a maximum of one person at the same time. A small bar was designed next to the kitchen for express eating. “For occasional eating there is a sideboard with drop desk for 4 person in the living room. Beside this sideboard there is only a few pieces of furniture in the living room - big red sofa with coffee table, and audio-video box with TV. The bedroom is small, with only a double-bed, build-in closet and commode - all in simple black and white style”.

Special thanks to Freshome for the above images and information.

Private Swedish Summer House

“Located in the Archipelago of Sotckholm, Island House belongs to WRB Architects, a small architecture studio in Sweden, which mostly takes on projects involving small private residences”.

“Sometimes referred to as a “cottage” or just a beautiful place of retreat, the Island House features an amazing view of the ocean and is located in a fresh and luxurious environment. Oak trees and pines can be seen all around; the site was built to also include a 500 years old oak, which enrichens the property”.

The summer house also features details such as a wooden deck and sauna.

Special thanks to Freshome for the above information and pictures.

The Clingstone House

“In 1961, the Boston Architect Henry Wood purchased this amazing island mansion with his wife for only $3,600 on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. Today, the Clingstone House (designed by J.S Lovering Wharton with artist William Trost Richards) is a warm all-wood home with a 360-degree view of the ocean”. Some of the many wooden features in this home include the use of the large oak beams and wooden flooring.

“Three stories tall, the Clingstone House has a large center hall, ten bedrooms and a total of twenty-three rooms total”.

Special thanks to Freshome for the above images.

Farmhouse Restoration

Located in Park Farm, Worcestershire, this beautiful home has been restored after the history of the building was carefully explored. This “new residence” combines a mixture of old elements, such as the 1000 year old oak beams, with modern additions.

“The colour palette of the decoration is simple and traditional being painted in buttermilk limewash on traditional lime-plastered walls. Furnishing is a mix of traditional and contemporary design, many of the pieces have been carefully sourced from individual makers and will defy changing fashion. Lighting is simple halogen down-lighters with some notable exceptions - in particular the 1.5m contemporary wire chandelier in the kitchen. The result is a bright and streamlined house that adapts well to the requirements of a growing family.”

Special thanks to Freshome for the above images.

Nora House

The Nora House is designed by Than & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter and is designed so that it looks like a grey cubic box with a few small windows scattered around. The interiors are beautiful, clean and spacious where light flows. As there are so few windows, there are a few areas that do not get much light.

Construction of the house is in situ cast concrete. Facades are rendered in plaster coloured dark greyish blue. The protruding window boxes are made of oak. These add a 3-dimensional quality to the facade, enhancing the depth and massive character of the interior. All of the glass panes are fixed, with
wooden side vents and doors.

Special thanks to Freshome for the above images.

153 Franklin Street

This four bedroom, 4.5 bathroom townhouse was built in 1915 and was heavily renovated by architect and designer Leopoldo Rosati.

“One of a kind 27ft wide townhouse on a beautiful cobblestone street in the heart of Tribeca”. Exquisite top to bottom renovation by famed Architect/Designer Leopoldo Rosati completed with only the finest materials and craftsmanship.

The lower level is made up of a State of the Art Motion Controlled Theater, Gym, Spa Steam Bath and Bar.

“First floor: Nanny/Guest Suite w/bath & separated entrance, Boffi Kitchen and Miele & Gaggenau appliances, limestone radiant heat floors, great room with large skylight and fireplace.

Second floor: Antique French wide plank oak floors, two bedrooms with custom closets, Italian limestone bath with Duravit jet tub and waterfall shower”.

Special thanks to HomeDSGN for the above images.

Rietveld Bungalow

The Utrecht based interior designer Remy Meijers has transformed the interior of this 1950’s bungalow which is located in Baambrugge, a town on the Angstel streams in the province of Utrecht, Netherlands.

The challenge of this project was to transform a double bungalow into a suitable family home. Due to the layout of the two adjoining bungalows this wasn’t an easy task. Dating back to 1958 and offering just 250 square meters of living space, they were not built to house a modern-day family of five. Even the extension that was added in the seventies, had not solved the problem.

“Meijers elected to leave the architectonic value of the property untouched, as a result of which the front of the house still exudes a 1950’s feel. Behind this facade the two bungalows have been knocked into one. Large windows have been created at the front of the house, both in the kitchen and the study, allowing daylight to flood deep into the modernistic interior”.

“Working with the existing layout, functions have been switched around so that the rear facade, for example, is now acting as the front facade. One striking change is the introduction of an oak-covered wall uni, which not only connects the living spaces together but also houses the meter cupboard, the toilet and the kitchen appliances”.

Special thanks to HomeDSGN for the above images.

Villa M

Designed by Brian Dillard Architecture, the Villa M was for a client with Southern French roots living in Austin, Texas. “The Austin architect wanted to embrace the owners heritage along with his appreciation for contemporary architecture, class design, bright colors, and outdoor living.

“The house is organized around a central pool and garden area that is shared by the main house and pool house. Both enjoy large, multi-slide doors which open the spaces completely to the pool during nicer months. The red stucco volumes are inspired by the vernacular stucco of Nice, France where the owner is from. The parterre garden, tiled pool, and fountain along a central axis are also reminiscent of French influences”.

“Strong design elements including the bright colors and general form of the house are softened by the use of classic, warm materials such as white oak wood paneling, terazzo floors, and lueders limestone exterior pavers. The clients furniture, Murano glass light fixtures, & art from the Saint Paul de Vence galleries further serve to further warm the spaces and reinforce the owner’s French legacy.

Special thanks to Contemporist for the above images.

North Bay Residence

This North Bay Residence is designed as a long main bar, running East-West, positioned on the North side of the property. This bar is intersected by two other elements, which form a series of three courtyards - each with its own separate and unique character. The street-side of the property contains a number of mature live oaks which helped inform the character of the first court.

“This court, the “Tree Court” is bound by the Florida keystone-clad wall of the Guest Quarters volume and the focus reopens covered volume of the garage. The court is sheltered by the natural canopy of the oak trees. The first perpendicular element, a glass-clad bridge that contains the children’s bedrooms, extends from the main bar and rests on the Guest Quarters volume. It shields the entry to the house and frames the entry to the second court”.

“This court, the “Rain Court” is bound on three sides by the circulation spine of the main bar, the Guest Quarters volume, and the two story living room and opens onto a dense garden wall. The third court, the “Water court” faces the Bay, and contains the pool and spa and was designed to create an exterior environment that encouraged full access and enjoyment of the Bay and its long vistas and sunsets. The second canopy to shield a court is the concrete “parasol” that extends above the living room volume”.

“It is positioned so as to offer solar and rain protection. By being lifted above the roof, it allows the Bay breezes to flow through the site, keeping both the Water Court and Rain Court cool. It also acts as a solar reflector, blocking direct sun through most of the day but allowing the light that is reflected off the single membrane roof of the living room roof to bounce off its underside”.

Special thanks to Contemporist for the above images.

Eko Park 3 Apartment

Located in Warsaw, Poland is this “splendidly simple contemporary apartment”. “Designed by Pawel Sokol and Hanka Bajer of Polish Exit Interior Design Studio, the Eko Park 3 apartment is located on the first floor of the intimate building in central Warsaw. The quite small apartment was designed to be multi-functional and display a modern collection of spaces and furniture. Wooden furniture - white lacquered oak - induces the feeling of a pristine, warm environment and brightens up the spaces.

“The main living spaces including the kitchen, living room and dining room, is the core of this beautiful apartment. The other spaces can be reached via 3 meter high Rimadesio doors made of glass and aluminum. The bedroom was designed as a restful, peaceful room, connected to the wardrobe and bathroom through glass walls. Adorned with a bianco statuario wall, the bathroom features a fascinating Zeppelin lamp from Flos hanging over the bathtub from Victor and Rolf”.

Special thanks to Freshome for the above images.

Starbucks ‘The Bank’ Concept Store

Recently Starbucks Coffee have been opening special concept stores in various cities around the world. Their latest store has been opened this week, and is known as “The Bank”. This store is located in Amsterdam.

“With its ‘Slow’ Coffee Theatre, hyper-local design, floating community gathering spaces and on-site bakery, Starbucks ‘The Bank’ is a glimpse into Starbuck’s vision of the future”.

“While over the last few years Starbucks has gone to great lengths to reinforce the superlative quality of its coffee and products, under the radar they’ve been re-defining the atmosphere in which we drink it. In Seattle, New York, London, Paris and now Amsterdam, Starbucks has been stealthily unveiling unique, highly individualized and local concept stores across American.

“As with all Starbucks concept stores, the Amsterdam shop will be a radical aesthetic departure. Under the direction of Dutch-born Liz Muller, Starbucks Concept Design director, more than 35 artists and craftsmen have kitted the subterranean space with quirky local design touches and sustainable materials. Local design details include Deft tiles, walls clad in bicycle inner tubes, wooden gingerbread biscuit moulds and coffee bag burlap, and a ‘tattooed’ ‘Delftware’ mural highlighting the important role 17th century Dutch traders played in exporting coffee around the world”.

The designers for this store have gone out of their way to integrate re-purposed design. As well as reclaiming the vault’s exposed concrete and 1920s marble floor, “the entire shop is kitted out in re-purposed Dutch oak - the benches, the tables and the undulating ceiling relief made from 1,876 pieces of individually-cut blocks. Also a radical departure from Starbucks house style are the various types of chairs and stools, reclaimed from local schools and spruced up”.

Special thanks to Contemporist for the above images.

Wissioming Residence

Designed in 2008 by Robert Gurney Architect, this Wissioming Residence is a two-story contemporary home. Located in Glen Echo, Maryland, the house is sited on a heavily wooded lot overlooking the Potamac River. “Glen Echo stands as a rare enclave of modern houses, several miles North West of Washington DC”.

“The new house occupies the footprint of a pre-existing house in an effort to minimally disturb the site, removing no mature hardwoods in the process. A new swimming pool is suspended twenty feet above grade to further reduce the impact to the steeply sloping site”.

“In an effort to lessen his dependence on the automobile, the owner/builder required that his office become part of his residential compound. The office is located on the ground floor of a detached structure separated from the main residence by a reflecting pool. That structure also contains a garage on the first level and a guest suite above. Translucent glass and panels of Kalwall are used to allow the building to serve as a lantern to the main hose at night”.

“Structural pre-cast concrete planks are employed throughout the project in effort to expedite the construction process, span large open areas and to provide the ability to heat the house hydronically. Combined with a 5” concrete slab and terazzo flooring the structural system provides additional passive heating. Large overhangs on the glazed southern wall and the tree canopy minimize solar gain the summer”.

“Wood siding is combined with soft gray terne coated stainless steel and black steel window frames to provide an exterior material palette that fits comfortably in the landscape. Bluestone, gravel and water complete the palette”.

“Interior materials such as white terrazzo flooring, white oak cabinetry and aluminium compliment the light filled and minimally detailed space. The creation of this atmosphere refocuses one’s attention outward, allowing the owner to reconnect with the inherently picturesque site already preserved through the design”.

Special thanks to HomeDSGN for the above images.