Vasken Demirjian Salon

MSK Design Group projected a highly conceptual boutique salon in Westchester, New York, where the design and ambiance are exclusively fine-tuned in order to amplify the salon experience while creating an ultimate workspace for the artistry of hair to come through.

The crisp white environment is a clear background, a clean palette, which accurately showcases the color and the hair design.

Sharp, clean and glossy surfaces, along with beautiful ambient soft lighting give the space a very flattering glow.

The layout in the salon is very cohesive and harmonious between the color and styling departments. All the furniture was custom designed and built from white and red corian.

The unique ceiling design was conceived to preserve the height of the space as well as serve as a soundproofing buffer, minimizing the usual “salon” noise and creating a much more pleasant softer ambiance.

The accent of the red lampshades adds a punch of color, creating a spot light on each client giving them distinction and importance.

Ippolito Fleitz Design Studio

The number of co-workers at Ippolito Fleitz Design Studio has grown with its tasks, therefore the architects and communications designers have jointly created for themselves a new place of work on a floor of an old office building in Stuttgart.

The design of the space is in accordance with their own demanding standard as “identity architects”; the office is to be the hallmark that conveys their identity to both clients and co-workers.

Two long work desks cultivate a creative and communicative atmosphere. Shelving and furniture are executed in white or dark wood. Contrasting accents of color are set by textile bands above the workplaces that serve as light switches, and the areas of green plants. In addition to two conference rooms, cheerful communication islands are available for discussions. The studio with spacious kitchen and oversized mires is a place of both inspiration and relaxation.

Luxury Apartment by TECTUS DESIGN

This modern 220 squared meters apartment with 3 child bedrooms, a master bedroom, a large living room with fire place including a piano area, a full bath, and a modern kitchen was designed by TECTUS DESIGN Interiors and is located in Heraklion, Greece. The main concept of this project is to create a relaxing environment for the owners. The interior of the apartment follows the same colors and the dominance of natural materials. The floor is covered totally with wood. The living room occupies a wide space open to the exterior sea sight view, through glass panels. A wall is covered with wooden shelves and LED lighting. The light brown leather sofa, called Buxter is combined with a modern circular coffee-table and leather stools. In the dining room the large Marcezi table is set with eight leather chair. Between the living and dining room there is a screen of LCD TV and a set of stereo, which can be rotate at both of these two areas. Finally, in the luxury master bedroom we can see a minimal jacuzzi covered with highlight glass.

The Zenden Hotel

Wiel Arets Architects designed the interior of the Zenden Hotel and Swimclublocated in Maastricht, Netherlands.

Here is the project description:

The Zenden Hotel and Swimclub is located within three monumental town houses near the river Maas in Maastricht, the Netherlands. During the renovation, the scattered program was re-crystallized into an iconographical and integrated whole.

Newly created openings in the hotel’s walls allow for views between all areas of the new program, as well to as the exterior. The renovation led to an abstraction of the structure in both plan and section, not least because all ceilings heights were kept to a maximum. The resulting interior sculpture is completely clad in white, while the exterior inversions are painted anthracite.

Upon entering the hotel, a relaxing lounge welcomes guests and invites them to have a drink, admire the hotel’s pool or simply enjoy the red Japanese maple on the patio. From the lounge, guests can pace past the glass-clad wall in the entrance area and descend to the basement, where one finds the sapphire blue waters of the pool, which retains its original medieval vault. Oppositely, ascending the stairs, nine hotel rooms await their guests, each room unique.

Friday Favorite: Vintage Children's Clothing

Last year I took Liam vintage clothes shopping for the first time. What I realized is, that its not easy to find vintage clothes for kids. (I also realize it isn't easy to preserve clothes worn by little munchkins) So, I was so excited to find these fab pieces on Bluebird Vintage. The site has great clothing for everyone, but I love picturing my little guy in a vintage Member's Only jacket:)

Mamasan Bar

Curious Design & Architecture projected the first asian fusion tapas bar in Glasgow, Scotland, with wall murals by New York graphic designers Omnivore.

This venue comprises a 6 bed boutique Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, which becomes a Club later in the evening. The venue is ideally suited to attract a wide audience ranging from students, the business community and city centre shoppers.

The Hotel offers a personal but friendly service to visitors. Each room has its own distinct feel owing to the physical characteristics of the building.

The brief for the Bar was to complement the offering of East Asian tapas, so we drew on references from Japan, China and Thailand. This is seen through the use of highly glossed black lacquered tables,black ash chairs and Bar front which carries a slashed motif reminiscent of traditional bamboo screens. Chinese lanterns add a decorative touch but there have been enveloped in black perspex cubes, which gives them added value. We directed a photo shoot of a naked Geisha to add a dramatic and sensual talking point within the venue.

This Victorian Terrace enjoys a presence off the street with two entrances, one serves the Hotel, and the second leads you down to the basement whereMamasan is situated. The benefit is that the Bar and Hotel, although linked, can operate independently which gives the client some flexibility with his operation.

Create A Light And Airy Feel To Your Rooms

Voile curtains are great for creating a light and airy feel to your room; they are not as heavy as other curtain fabrics and give a full, flowing look to your window dressing. Voile curtains are ideal to use in bedrooms and living rooms where the décor is bright and uncluttered.

Choose from a wide range of styles and colours; plain, stripes, floral, contemporary, to complement and enhance your interior. As well as light colours, lined voiles also come in some truly stunning darker (and even black) colour ways to add a touch of drama to your room.

Voile curtains can be made from lots of different fabrics, including linen, organza and made-made. To add additional substances to the curtain but without adding too much bulk or heaviness, you might decide to use lined voile curtains, with a poly cotton lining.

These will still let plenty of light into your room but at the same time provide more privacy then unlined curtains. Lined voiles can be full-length, just to the window sill, draped or even used as a decorative room divider.

Lined voile curtains can be made with eyelet, tab-top, ring-top or pleated headings and many styles come ready-to-hang with matching pelmets and tie-backs.

Why not use voile curtains to create a stunning look to your bathroom as they offer elegant and privacy effortlessly!

Image: A Life's Design

Cottesloe House By Paul Burnham Architect

Cottesloe House comes from by Paul Burnham Architect and is located in Perth, Western Australia, in the beach side suburb of Cottesloe. We appreciate the diversity of its exterior design, with the unusual architecture twists. Inside you will notice that most of the rooms are connected, while showing off a contemporary feel. Here is a statement from the architects regarding the project: “Concrete is a recurring theme throughout the house in recognition of the owners’ occupation and willingness to engage alternate methods of construction and finishes. The successful aspects of the property appear to be the sense of privacy, the consistency of light quality and the uplifting sensation from the significant winter sunlight penetration throughout the building.”

Livin' La Dolce Vita

Photo via So Ninion

I'm very excited today! The lovely Paloma of La Dolce Vita invited me to be part of her "10 Things I Can't Live Without" series. This couldn't have come at a better time, because I've been in such a blogging funk. Sitting and writing about what really matters to me is a great way to get my creative juices flowing again. So, check me out here! 

Moving Right Along

This week marks Liam's 5th birthday! I'm having trouble adjusting to not having a "baby" around, anymore. He's growing and changing so much. Thanks to Grandma, he now has his own car to drive. Yikes! This things is so big, it needs its own garage. Thanks Mom, I think.
Speaking of growing up, at his birthday party I saw him holding hands with one of his little girl friends! Yes! For a second I thought I saw my life flashing in front of me...my baby!!!! Just last week he told me he was "in love" with a different little girl. Help me, Lord!

Sumar House

Isay Weinfeld Architects projected this house for a graphic designer in Sao Paulo with a studio situate below street level opening onto a garden.

The two-story spacious house, fits an atelier, a swimming pool and a space for ballet routines, along with ample entertaining areas, two bedrooms and all other rooms suitable to a residence.

Due to restrictions laws, the building should not exceed two floors, and an underground floor was necessary to place the caretaker’s quarters and the atelier. As both areas open onto small but nice lawns, it does not feel like being underground at all.

On the middle floor, a few steps above street level, there are the sitting and dining rooms, the kitchen and a larger lawn. In the living room, a long shelving displays the owners collection, ranging from works of art to design and vintage objects.

On the upper floor, there are the bedrooms and the facilities for physical exercising: ballet and swimming. As this is a space meant for private use mainly, it is in the bedrooms, enclosed only by a screen of pre-cast concrete blocks, through which you are able to see the city skyline far away.

Above all, on the uppermost level, there is a wood-decked outdoors entertaining area, perfect for a get together, by day or by night.