A' Design Award & Competition - Award Winning Architecture, Building and Structure design

The prestigious A' Design Award & Competition is ongoing for the 2016-2017 and with over 100 categories the A' Design Award and Competition is the worlds' largest design competition. But it is not just an award. It is an indicator of quality and perfection in design, recognized worldwide, your design front and centre before design companies and professionals. Entries will be judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and media members and the benefits to the winners are inspiring. The trophy, of course, an invitation to the gala night, a certificate of quality, inclusion in the prestigious A' Design Award and Competition exhibition and the yearly ResultBook but even more importantly press, PR, introduction to industry professionals and companies and international exposure. Note: There is still time to get entries in for the late deadline. You can register here. 

Today I thought I would share some of the top winners in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category (one of MANY categories that are included). 

Madeira Residence by Rado Iliev

N8-house [ House of III-BOX ] Residential House by Masahiko Sato

The Greja House Single Family Residential House by Park + Associates Pte Ltd

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A' Design Awards & Competition - Call for Entries

It's our second year associated with the prestigious A' Design Award and Competition and we are excited to share with you not only some of the 2015-2016 winners but also how you can enter your own designs. With over 100 categories the A' Design Award and Competition is the worlds' largest design competition. But it is not just an award. It is an indicator of quality and perfection in design, recognized worldwide, your design front and centre before design companies and professionals. Entries will be judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and media members and the benefits to the winners are inspiring. The trophy, of course, an invitation to the gala night, a certificate of quality, inclusion in the prestigious A' Design Award and Competition exhibition and the yearly ResultBook but even more importantly press, PR, introduction to industry professionals and companies and international exposure.

From the Good Industrial Design Award to the Good Architecture Design Award. The Good Product Design Award to the Good Communication Design Award. The Good Service Design Award to the Good Fashion Design Award and so many more. Are you inspired? Excited? Believe you've got what it takes to take on the best of the best design from around the world? You can register for the 2016-2017 A' Design Award and Competition here.

Platinum A' Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015

One Main Office by Mark Goulthorpe, Raphael Crespin

Silver A' Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015

Rising Canes Architecture Modular by Chris Precht

Platinum A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

Airland Hotel Shenzhen Hotel by Honglei Liu

Golden A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

Pocket House Residential House by Cristina Menezes

Silver A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

Eight terracotta Residential House by Ling Chihmo & Lin Yaoping

Golden A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

Le Campus Multifunctional space by Virserius Studio

Golden A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

Pippi's Office Architecture Office by Juliana Pippi

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House plan hunting on a rainy weekend

Nothing (well, maybe not “nothing” but you get the idea) makes me happier than waking up on a Sunday morning to the realization that all those outside chores I planned on doing have been scrapped by mother nature (love her)! So, what better way to spend my morning than with a good cup of tea curled up on my favorite chair browsing design ideas and house plans? Here are a few of my favorites that I found from The Plan Collection. 

Love the neutral colors, open floor plan and detailed arches of this craftsman home. All of the different textures really make this home very inviting! 

Here’s another great kitchen. Black and white is one of my favorite combinations; always timeless. I like how they added just a hint of color throughout. 

Very simple but elegant. I am really liking that farm table and the different seating styles - what a great idea. I’ve got my eye on that paisley chair! 

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Rough Linen - everyday luxury

Have you noticed it? There is a quiet revolution going on. A stand against fads and the throw away. In a world that is getting faster and smaller and increasingly more wasteful it's about quality, craftsmanship and longevity. It's about luxury but not the store it away and hoard it type of luxury. Everyday luxury. Taking the time to source the best, the most beautiful and using it all the time.

I have loved Tricia Rose's Rough Linen for so many years now. The story goes that Tricia found a homespun, hand-sewn linen pillowslip while clearing her grandmother's cottage in Scotland. Made by her great-grandmother in about 1840, it had been in regular use for generations. When she found a natural linen several years later with the same wonderful homespun texture and feel, she started making bedding, each piece handmade, cut to the thread, pre-washed for shrinkage and to release the texture. Good materials, careful and mindful production. Her range of bedding (sheets, duvet covers, shams and more), curtains, table linens, pinafores and robes is strong, elemental. You don't need to fuss with it, just use it, enjoy it's beauty and practicality.

And then there's the look, the smell, the feel of linen. Once you've slept in linen sheets you'll never want to sleep in anything else. I love the feel of linen against my skin. The best part is that it gets better with use, softening, becoming almost lustrous. But there's nothing "precious" about linen. Machine wash with a mild detergent and I love to hang my linens out to air dry. No need to iron. The natural creases are part of the Rough Linen look. Could everyday luxury be any easier?   

These images of key pieces from Rough Linen's line were taken in a house in California's Wine Country, which belongs to a friend, designer Patricia Adrian-Hanson. Dan Hale the architect is a friend of Tricia's too, and she says "I LUST after his houses!" With photography by Laurie Frankel and styling by Christina Watkinson they epitomise the beauty, the elegant sufficiency of Rough Linen pieces. An object may be simple, practical, efficient yet it can be equally luxurious. The ritual of family meals is finished with a swipe of the lips with a soft linen napkin and everyday chores become just a little more delightful. Imagine drying dishes with such a lovely linen teatowel. I think that just about sums it up. Rough Linen is a luxury you will use every day.

This post is in collaboration with Rough Linen.

A' Design Award & Competition - A new year (and some past winners)

It is a new year for the A' Design Award & Competition and we're excited to see what new designs pop up for 2016-2017. To get things started I thought I would feature a selection of past winners for residential and commercial interiors, furniture and lighting designs. 

Silver A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

Dom Pechati Public Space by Nikita Zhilyakov Workspace

Bronze A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

Cat and Mouse Beer bar by Vladislav Kostadinov for Cat and Mouse Beer bar

Silver A' Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015

apel on the Hill Holiday cottage by Evolution Design

Golden A' Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015

Chalet La Pedevilla Residence & Chalet by Pedevilla Architects

A' Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015

Fisher Studio Contemporary Building by Shawn Ewbank for Shawn Ewbank Design Collaborative

Golden A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

5xSao Paulo Interior Design by JULIANA PIPPI for Juliana Pippi Arquitetura e Design

Golden A' Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015

Hutong Courtyard Villages-Villa Luxury Residential model House  by Kuang Ming Chou for Vermilion Zhou Design Group

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