Style of Design

Here is minimalist but extremely elegant apartment design from HofmanDujardin Architects, a studio with an impressive portfolio from the Netherlands. According to the designers, the apartment has been fully renovated and features a kitchen integrated in the living room, an inviting bedroom and a terrace.  You are looking at a modern crib with light colors and natural materials which create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Painted entirely in white, the 120 square meter apartment inspires freshness and gives away the illusion of more living space. Order and harmony seem to reign over this beautiful loft and it is hard to imagine something could be in a different place. Take a look over the photographs and the home plans and let us know if there is anything that caught your attention.

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We just received some photos from UNStudio showcasing this uncommon holiday home from Upstate New York. VilLA NM is a compact building, especially designed for weekend and vacation getaways with family and friends. The architects described it as a “futuristic hut” that has unobstructed panoramic views over the surrounding landscape and large floor to ceiling windows that establish a great connection with the exterior. Here is more information: “The kitchen and dining area on the ground floor are connected by a ramp to the living space above, the 1.5-meter (5 feet) height change allowing for a sweeping outlook over the surrounding woodland and meadows. A similar ramp connects the living area to the master and the children’s bedrooms on the second floor.

Facilities such as the bathroom, kitchen and fireplace are clustered in the vertical axis of the house, leaving the outer walls free. Large glazed windows feature in all but the most private rooms.Technically, the volumetric transition is generated by a set of five parallel walls that rotate along a horizontal axis from vertical to horizontal. The walls become floor and vice versa. The ruled surface maintaining this transition is repeated five times in the building. Standardizing and pre-fabricating of this structural element lowered the building costs without reducing the spatial quality of the interior.”

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I am so excited to have been asked to be a part of the LX.TV – NBC Universal ”Open Houses” series!  You can catch the episode on which I will be featured next Sunday, September 12th at  10:30 AM CST.  This “Designer Living” segment is a unique opportunity for designers to welcome viewers into their homes on a virtual (televised) open house tour.  I myself know that I am always excited to see what goes on behind the scenes in a designer’s own personal world.  I will be taking viewers throughout the various spaces of my home, showcasing my favorite pieces, explaining how my design aesthetic is reflected in my own space and giving tips on how you can translate your own personality into designing your own living space.  Designing for yourself is most challenging, for there are so many fabrics, furnishings, design objects and artifacts plus sooooo many amazing artists work to choose from at your disposal. I can’t tell you how many times I have been sourcing for  a client during my many travels and find something that I MUST have. So in essence, my home is a reflection of my very favorite pieces from my excursions all over the world. Designing for yourself is extremely rewarding- and the best part is that there is only one person to convince as to what are the best design decisions!

LX.TV NBC airs in a variety of different cities, and “Open Houses” therefore features designers from across the country.  While my segment will be airing on television at LX.TV NBC Chicago,  it will also be airing simultaneously across the country. My son in Boston has no excuse not to watch  My oldest daughter, traveling in Europe will have to settle for Tivo.  For now, check out the link to LXTV Chicago, the place to go for life and style seekers of the Windy City!

Here is a preview of my Queen Anne style home (Buckingham Interiors + Design), that is being featured on the special airing Sunday, September 12.

We really appreciate the originality of this apartment design by UNStudio located in downtown Manhattan, New York. Called “The Collector’s Loft”, this beautiful home combines the elegance of an art gallery with the coziness of a common apartment. The owner wanted a special place for depositing his books and different artifacts he had collected throughout the years, a crib that would offer him the comfort of interacting with art. You can observe the outcome in the photos below but before you do, here is more information on this unusual house from the designers: “Gently flowing curved walls were introduced to virtually divide the main space into proportionally balanced spaces. This created zones of comfortable proportions for domestic use, while simultaneously generating a large amount of wall space for the display of art. The meandering walls frame an open a space that privileges long perspectives, with more sheltered corners and niches nestled in the curves. In this hybrid space exhibition areas merge into the living areas; a floating exhibition wall blends into library shelves on one side and into a display case on the other side.” What do you think? Would living in such a home increase your art appetite?

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The new Bulthaup open plan kitchen is welcoming a world of possibilities for living and entertaining. This is a living space that goes beyond the kitchen, offering an all-encompassing environment that lets you cook, eat, converse and relax, all in one spot. The b2 kitchen boasts a walnut workbench at its center – the hotspot for work and play. This focal point is surrounded by clean-faced cabinetry and drawers, for a casual yet contemporary feel. Neutral and natural by design, this kitchen works well with any-style home – a very important feature in an open plan space where everything is visible from every angle. And thanks to the abundant storage space, no matter where you look you’ll see neat, tidy and stylish. For more information visit Bulthaup.

The Calypso Collection by Dakota Jackson is a brilliant commemoration of progressive design sensibility and quality craftsmanship. The collection consists of a compelling console table, a delicate dining table and a chic chair. All units have been designed to dynamize a living space and reverberates with an understated elegance that is completely unique to the bespoke designer.

Post from Calypso Wooden Furniture Collection By Dakota Jackson

What better building site for a contemporary residence than a mountain terrain overlooking a prestigious and beautiful city? Villa A,  designed by Najjar & Najjar Architects is an example of such building. Featuring spectacular panoramic views of Linz, also known as the capital city of Upper Austria, this home is one of the many architecturally acclaimed projects in this region. Its exterior is diverse, each angle providing a special treat for the beholder. Partially built in the ground, the home is enriched with incredible glazing elements and unusual roof tops, creating a true architecture live spectacle. The residence houses an open living space, a fitness and wellness room, a garage, a playroom and a home office. The bedrooms are located within the upper level and can be accessed by stairs. Needless to say, they all offer amazing views.

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Chic and modern, this wire-frame ceiling lamp by Zeroombra is funky without being overpowering. Boasting a sexy silhouette, this ceiling lamp has curves to spare. Made from wire, it flows elegantly from its base into a flurry of soft, small lights. Suitable to hang in the living room or over the dining room table, this Zeroombra ceiling lamp is a graceful fixture that will brighten your living space. To see the full line of products, visit the Zeroombra website.

Viennese goldsmith, sculptor and designer Thomas Zeitlberger weaves a surrealistic mélange of patterns, images, colors and styles in the wallpaper collection designed for Marburg. The digitally printed collages are a cornucopia of cacophonous and striking imagery that will redefine any living space.

Post from Thomas Zeitlberger’s Digital Wallpaper Collection For Marburg

Creating a Modern Outdoor Living Space Part 3: Entertaining in Your Outdoor Living Space

You won’t want to spend all your time outdoors napping, though.  You’ll need places to entertain as well.  Why not add an outdoor bar?  Bring a touch of the islands to happy hour with a thatched roof bamboo tiki bar or choose a modern bar set for a taste of Tuscan elegance.  Gathering with family and friends will be terrific fun for everyone when they sit and unwind at your own personal backyard bar.

Want to create the feel of an outdoor living room?  There’s terrific furniture choices available that will feel like your inside space has just overflowed into the outdoors.  Instead of picnic type tables, coffee tables and end tables mimic your interior living room furniture.  This beautiful set has great mid-century modern lines and makes a charming setting for sharing lemonade and conversation.

Another way to make your outdoor space feel like an extension of your home is to pop down an outdoor rug.  This is a great addition, especially if your patio flooring isn’t the prettiest part of your yard.  The material in rugs designed for useInsert Image outdoors is made to hold up against the elements. Use these barefoot-friendly accessories to add a punch of color or a touch of luxury.  

 Cooking in the great outdoors has evolved a long way from roasting hot dogs over an open fire or grilling burgers on your hibachi.  Now outdoor kitchens can include grills, stovetops, refrigerators, wine coolers, pizza ovens, storage and more.

 Modular outdoor kitchens have made this luxury once reserved for the wealthy more obtainable for those with more moderate incomes.  Cost for assembly and construction is lower than that of  a custom outdoor kitchen and you end up with a beautiful, functional space.  Adding an outdoor kitchen may still be a significant investment, but for those who want to make the most of staying at home and boost their equity, too, an outdoor kitchen is an excellent choice.

You’ll want to extend the time you can spend in your backyard paradise into the evening by adding a fireplace, chiminea or a fire pit and some great lighting as well.  The fire will add ambience as well as warmth and the lighting makes your garden a safe place to walk at night, adding visual enhancement to your landscaping features.

Your choices are vast and varied when considering how to create the perfect outdoor living space for your family. The options are only limited by the amount of room you have and your budget. With careful planning, even a small budget and a tiny space can be maximized. If you’re spending more time at home these days, why not make the most of it?  What would you do to create your perfect backyard getaway? 

Hmmm…Maybe something good has come from the turbulent economic times we’ve been dealing with recently.  Maybe we needed a reason to spend more time at home and a little reminder that happiness can be found most often right in your own backyard.