Modern Loft in Venice, California

I have had this Venice loft hovering around on my computer's desktop since I spotted it on Remodelista a couple of weeks ago. I like to save inspirational interiors on my desk top when I know there is something that I like about the spaces or I am working on a job and the visuals serve as a starting point - so every morning the images are sitting there waiting for me to keep liking them or to remove them. This one has stayed and I know why.
While the overall interiors of this loft is fresh and modern, which I like, it's the consistent use of the same style joinery that has been used throughout - the wall hung cabinet under the TV, the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedside tables, the low level bedroom storage and the wardrobes. This is very effective in small spaces, especially when the joinery is in the same colour as the walls. It also lets the other elements in the spaces, like the furniture, lighting, art and objects, to be the focal points. Nice.

 

 

 

Work in Progress and Urbis Design Day Giveaway

I love it when the furniture makers send me a photo to show me work in progress. In this case, a new hall table for a client in Wellington. Doesn't it look good?
Now here is something cool! I am giving away a double pass to Urbis Design Day coming up this Saturday March 21st in Auckland. What is the Urbis Design Day you say? It is New Zealand's premier public design event, celebrating design and original thinking. There are some great collaborations happening for 2015 and you can find out more details here.
Would you like to win these tickets? Then head over to the CMID facebook page, make sure you like the page and post a comment on the giveaway post. I will draw the winner on Tuesday evening so keep an eye out!

Marle Collection by Armadillo & Co

Pleat

Check out the beautiful rugs from the Marle Collection by Armadillo & Co. Part of the Bespoke Collection, which is a private service for trade professionals (like myself) and retail partners (like The Ivy House in Auckland) - where you can collaborate on a personalised piece from a selection of designs, colours and sizes. I am already a fan of Armadillo & Co's work and ethics, and I especially like this latest rug collection. There are three designs to choose from - Fold, Tuck and Pleat; and a beautiful palette of 47 marle colours to choose from. Stunning.
Also the Marle Collection has been beautifully styled in these photographs - the rugs are displayed against buildings of similar muted colours and texture. Sigh.

Fold

Tuck

Photographs via Armadillo & Co

Julianne Moore's Townhouse Garden

Recently featured in Architectural Digest is this slice of heaven belonging to actress Julianne Moore. Located In New York, this 93 square metre garden was designed by Brian Sawyer of Sawyer Berson and I think this town house garden is a perfect green oasis in the bustling metropolitan city.
Inspired by the gardens of Ireland, this courtyard features antique bluestone sidewalk paving slabs, a fountain created from an old English sandstone trough and a sculptural garden fence created from reclaimed cedar plank. The plantings include ivy, boxwood, birch trees and ferns. Delightful.
Read more about the garden and the design process here.

Photographs via AD and Sawyer Berson.

10 Interior Tips from Roman and Williams

1. Paint your window frames a dark colour

Lifestyle online publication, Goop recently featured 10 interior tips from Roman and Williams that make a big impact. American design firm Roman and Williams is the brain child of successful design duo, Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, who are well known for their work on NYC's Ace Hotel and The Standard Highline. I thought their 10 tips were great tips and I have chose a few to feature here. See the rest of the tips here - and while you're at it, read about the cool Roman and Williams  here.

2. Flowers are the brightest colour in the room.

7. Add layers - pile large round coffee tables with books and objects

8. Collect artwork on one topic, and suddenly you have a collection!

9. Books are essential and can be used everywhere.

10. Use edible décor in the kitchen

 Photographs via Goop.

An Apartment with a Garden in Sao Paulo

How to create a oasis of calm in the middle of the relentless pace that the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil has to offer? Create a garden.
This occupant spend five years (such patience!) finding the apartment that had a quiet terrace and was within her budget. Once this was conquered, she worked with SAO Arquitetura to create this breezy, light-filled home and its defining characteristic - the narrow but elegant indoor/outdoor terrace. It's so nice to bring nature indoors in a big city. Read more about the design process and results here.

Photographs by Brian W. Ferry via Dwell.

A Shed Becomes a Guest House

This modern guest house was once a dilapidated tool shed - yes, hard to believe, right? Attached to a weekend retreat in Stanfordville, New York belonging to architect, Alan Orenbuch and interior designer, Bryan O'Rourke, they were finding the open plan of their main house did not allow for much privacy with regular guests each weekend (you can see why here). So they decided to renovate the attached shed into the stylish guest house. Read more about the modernist architectural inspirations and transformation here. I'd be happy to live here, let alone stay here. Lovely.

Photographs by Brian W Ferry via Dwell.