Style of Design

You knew you were destined to be an interior designer because….(fill in the blank here).

I think my answer would have to be because I made my own dollhouses as a child.

My family had a good laugh this weekend when they found a picture of the above circa 1989.  It’s a cardboard dollhouse that I made for myself when I was seven.

I love how the piano is just sitting directly on the ground (maybe I had the pianist’s comfort in mind?) and I was also very entertained by the fact that everything in this house is wallpapered (including the bathroom floor and the kitchen table!)  I guess it was foretelling of my love for wallcoverings!  The window treatments don’t go from ceiling to floor (which would drive me crazy on a normal project) and the space doesn’t seem to be too functional (where are the chairs?)

Ahhh gotta love it!  I think this one might be a framer.

We here on Freshome love to show you furniture items that break the patterns and bring a plus of originality to an interior. Recently we ran into this interesting cabinet. It is called “Tout Va Bien Cabinet” -in translation “everything will be alright”- and belongs to Antoine+Manuel, a team of graphic designers from France. We liked its shape and tiny feet which we consider to be quite unusual. Further more, the carvings are very interesting.  They are the focus point of the cabinet and an distinctive element. The item comes in both white and black and can be integrated in a minimalist interior with simple arrangements. The price is available on request on the manufacturer’s page here.

You know how much we love shipping container architecture here at Inhabitat, and we get especially excited about buildings that contribute to the greater good of an area or community. Well, we couldn’t have found a more shining example of that than this beautiful medical complex in Soba, Sudan. The breezy complex sits right near the Nile river around a courtyard of mango trees, and is constructed of discarded 90 ft x 20 ft containers taken right from the construction site of the adjacent Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery.

Read the rest of Stacked Shipping Container Medical Complex in Sudan

Permalink |
Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: “prefabricated housing”, container houses, eco design, green design, Prefab Housing, salam centre, shipping container, shipping container architecture, sudan, sustainable design, tam architects

We’re totally intrigued by this pop music center for Taipei and its striking resemblance to a rolling green hill. Conceived by Italian firm Mario Bellini Architects, the design is “a single body wrapped in a plastic ‘mantle plant’,” according to our friends at Designboom. While we aren’t sure how sustainable this plastic ‘mantle plant’ is, or even what it is for that matter, we were taken with the creative landscaping and creation of an exciting outdoor public area for the people of the Taipei. The proposed structure would also have glass passageways, letting visitors look out onto the city. If anyone has any more information about the eco-features of this center, we’d love to hear them – so share your thoughts in the comments below.

+ Mario Bellini Architects

Via Designboom

Permalink |
Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: eco design, green architecture, Green Covered Taipei Music Center by Mario Bellini Architects, green design, mario bellini architects, sustainable design, taiper pop music center

I’m currently designing a playroom for one of my clients (who has three young girls) and we want a stylish and fun paint color that can take the girls from elementary school to highschool.  We fell in love with the color scheme in Jill Zarin’s daughter’s room and I’m dying over the fact that I don’t know what paint color it is!

{Traditional Home}

I’m sure that if I ever did find out what color this was, I’d end up being completely surprised at its true hue.  Maybe it “really is a periwinkle” or “really is a navy”- some color that I completely didn’t expect.  That has happened to me before with an awesome Cole and Son wallpaper that I found in a magazine.  Woah, was it dark in person! Definitely wasn’t expecting that.  It’s so difficult to tell a true color just from a photographed image!

Anyone out there BFF’s with Jill and seen this color in person?

Would LOVE to know what is the true blue of this room!

You have to love a slipper shaped bathtub from the perspective of its looks and the way that the higher back can provide additional back support. This luxury model is called “Amalfi” deriving its name from the Southern Coast of Italy. It can be found at Victoria and Albert: here.

Post from Bathe in Luxury with a Slipper Bathtub

Here’s another reader submitted idea that really got a hold on us. In dcannam’s own words:

“The Clamplamp explores the concept of “truth” in design where the main objective is to create an object which primarily utilizes the functionality of a solid unfinished hardwood rather than a system of foreign components. The lamp itself consists of a solid maple base and free moving cantilevered arm, LED strip, wire and transformer. The entire system is compression fit with no glue or screws holding the lamp together. During the design process the lamp was questioned almost to the point of interrogation where it eventually broke down and revealed the truth about itself.”

We’re not sure about that last part but we love the Clamplamp’s clean look and simple appeal. Thanks dcannam!

READ MORE >

Permalink |
Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: clamplamp, energy efficient lighting, green design, green lighting, LED lights, LEDs, sustainable design

We love gadgets that glean energy from everyday actions, so we were thrilled to find this energy-generating rocking chair among this year’s 18 Greener Gadgets Design Competition finalists. Perfect for on-the-go travelers at airports or cafes, the Empower chair harnesses kinetic energy from its swing and makes it available via usb and standard outlets so that you can talk, text, or type while you rock. Never fight for the last plug at the airport again!

Read the rest of EMPOWER: The Energy Generating Rocking Chair

Permalink |
Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: empower, empower rocking chair, green design, greener gadgets 2010 design competition, kinetic energy, kinetic energy rocking chair, sustainable design

And Branca is too!  Our favorite queen of red (white and black too, of course) is Alessandra Branca, and for Valentine’s Day weekend all red items in her Chicago boutique are 30% off!  What a nice way to show someone (or yourself!) that you care.

Even if you don’t find any LOVE-ly crimson hued goods to bring home, the store itself is quite a treat.  Be sure to check it out 17 E. Pearson, Chicago.

Some of our favorite looks from the illustrious designer…

{Apartment Therapy}

{Girl Meets Glamour}

{Elle Decor}

{Tobi Fairley}

{The Skirted Round Table}

Also featured by in a post by our fellow MG, Jill.

{Aspirations of a Southern Housewife}

Make a striking statement in your home with this rustic style wood fireplace by Invicta. The Tipi fireplace features an authentic, cottage-chic look with its Charcoal finish and unusual shape. Behind its glass doors, you’ll enjoy the flickering flame and warmth – both in ambience and temperature. Blending a traditional look with a modern twist, the aptly named Tipi fireplace features a tipi-shaped firebox topped with an extra-tall chimney that extends right up to the ceiling for a custom-fitted feature. Create a comfy cozy living room or den, an inspired library or an inspiring home office, put one in the kitchen while you’re at it, and really crank up the temperature in the bedroom – hubba, hubba! You’re sure to fall in love with this chic wood fireplace design. Check it out at Invicta.