Fun colours in an apartment in Milan

A huge thanks to Edward for sending us a link that led us to Italian architecture and design firm Marcante - Testa (formerly UdA that I was a huge fan of and featured several projects here). They kindly sent over photos of all of their residential projects and OH LA LA!!! Lots of good stuff but this 150 m2 apartment in Milan might be my favourite. In love with the unique paint combinations, the flooring (including the painted detail) and the fun wallpapers. LE TEMPS RETROUVÉ: The visual relationship with nature was the guiding motivation behind the choice of this place on the part of the client. Materials like wicker, Vienna straw and linen that form seats, accessorized dividers, wardrobe doors, the fake marble laminate of the kitchen table, the wicker headboards of the beds, join forces to stimulate memories of spaces, perhaps experienced in a "grandmother’s house", reinterpreted here and rendered functional for contemporary needs. A "light" project made of decoration and furnishings (vintage and custom) for a house to make on a tight schedule and a suitable budget for a rental, where the architectural structure of the building has not been altered, though its spatial perception has been improved. The view of the spaces changes and varies depending on the chromatic contrasts on the walls, using resin for the floors that partially covers the wood to become a “carpet” to mark the position of the table and its chairs. Sourcing details are here. Photos: Carola Ripamonti

Click to read more ...

Tropical, dark and colourful in a British townhouse

Here is another eclectic home by Black Parrots Studio but this time it is mid-century mixed with 70's tropical!!! The theme becomes much more subtle beyond this crazy cool dining room (that plant/leaf wallpaper looks like it has been there for years) but all of the spaces are fun and dramatic whether in bright or dark colours. 

Click to read more ...

Sunday at the bar

What do you do when you have a commercial space with double height windows along 2 sides? Fill it with plants and go tropical!! Bar Botanique - Café Tropique in Amsterdam is one of the coolest bars I have ever seen. Shades of green and salmon with accents of yellow and blue, it is an absolutely beautiful hangout day or night. Designed by Studio Modijefsky, photos by Maarten Willemstein.

Click to read more ...

Flatiron Loft

At first I was drawn by the large windows. Then I realised they had be picked out in black paint to contrast with the grey walls only to have it dawn on me that it was grey plaster beautifully polished on those walls. Momentarily distracted by the black chandelier hanging from the ceiling my gaze settled on the wood floors. Speaking of floors did you see the floor tiles? Tiles? OMG the powder room and that kitchen and the archway with the cat. Stop it! That bathroom is outrageous. Flatiron loft by Frances Mildred.

Click to read more ...

A brightly coloured condo by Brio Interior Design

I am completely smitten with this Seattle apartment designed by Brio Interior Design. Such fun bright colours in unique conbinations and a midcentury vibe. The clients of this newly built high rise unit only had a few requests when hiring brio interior design to complete the bare bones, empty interior from scratch. The palette should include green and ivory, the art should be local, the sofa must be “nap-able” and there must be a king size bed in the owner’s suite with an upholstered headboard. We chose to infuse the sterile interior with bold color, lush texture, one of a kind custom furnishings and plenty of velvet. The space features artwork by locals including Deanne Belinoff and Paul Edmondson as well as the fine craftsmanship of local woodworkers and furniture makers who built the custom sofa, wall bed/desk, headboard and living room built-ins right here in lovely Seattle. Photos:Haris Kenjar.

Click to read more ...