HAPPY FRIDAY!

Remember to make a wish today, remember to be grateful, remember to always shine!
A great week-end to all... 

WEEKEND GETAWAY - DRAWINGS 2

The idea here was to create a small week-end getaway - with an internal courtyard, which can be accessed through oversized glass doors, which will allow the entire space to be open.  A fluid inside/outside space so to speak. The courtyard would be at a slightly lower level, with sleeper steps on two sides. 

The bathroom can be accessed from two sides.  The sleeping area is very spacious and overlooking the courtyard, as well as the nature reserve to the South/ West.  Both kitchen and living areas open up onto the courtyard - and will have uninterrupted views of nature through oversized glass windows.

A polished concrete terrace with a built in bbq will be on the N/W side of the entertainment areas, with a single tree growing through it.   (Not shown on this drawing)

In SA safety is still of some concern, and even though in this small town, its predominantly still only petty crime - I felt the need to create a safe space - with an enclosed outdoor area.

I need to add a guestroom and guestbathroom for when bigger families or groups will stay.
One option could be to drop the sleeping area by about one meter and adding an additional space above it.... but not sure.  I quite like the simplicity and openness of this drawing as it is.  It could even be a tad smaller perhaps.

My inspiration was drawn firstly from a Japanese design:  F-White House by Takaro Yamamoto Architects located in Tokyo, Japan; and secondly from the Ruy Texeireia images in my previous post.

RUY TEIXEIRA PHOTOGRAPHY

I am totally inspired by these stunning images, captured by internationally renowned photographer, Ruy Teixeira.  It creates an impression of various spaces, connected by a central courtyard - filled to the brim with white pebbles and lots of greenery and palms. I particularly like the raised living areas, stepping down into the 'courtyard' space.  Sleeper steps 10 out of 10!

The polished concrete walls add a slight rustic appeal.  Personally I am drawn to subtler colour tones, a slightly more monochrome palette - however the bright reds and yellows and blues definitely adds an element of fun and is quite effective overall in this shoot.

I might draw my own version of this space.... dream dream dream...

http://www.ruyteixeira.com/

LUSH SOFA

via 

http://cherry-blossom-world.blogspot.com/

http://heltenkelthosmig.blogspot.com/

SUNDAY SNAPS

 

 

I had lots of fun taking these pictures today.  The tray I had custom made by Zest Furniture in London;  it's made out of Iroko wood and has a beautiful grain. The tray came out remarkably well- and I will upload some more pics soon to show you the tray in it's entirety!

Today I was concentrating on different ways of photographing quite a simple set of oriental bowls.

Got a long way to go, but a little bit of practice goes a very long way indeed...

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Image via lylaandblu

WEEKEND GETAWAY - DRAWINGS AND INSPIRATION

Today I thought I'd share my inspiration for a little week-end getaway that I've been working on for many many years.  There is a plot of land, in a small town called 'Darling' in the Western Cape of South Africa.  And on this plot of land, someday I am hoping to build a dreamy getaway!

A bit more about the plot of land, it is opposite a nature reserve and thus has uninterrupted views over the landscape.  I have placed the lounge area as to make the most of this picturesque view.  There is a big fireplace next to the entrance, and to the right of the entrance will be a small desk and chair, also looking out over the views.  Next to the desk will be a bookshelf and a very comfy chair and lamp.

The plot gradually slants towards the back.  I thought to incorporate this into the design, and leading down from the lounge area - there are some chunky wooden sleeper steps leading down to the next level - the risers will be slightly lower than your average step and also slightly longer.  Next to the stairs will be a beautiful courtyard, and to the left of the stairs hidden storage.  Behind the storage will be the kitchen worktop, and I saw something quite amazing to encase these units in distressed driftwood.

The kitchen will be small yet functional with a big table, with a bench and chairs, big glass doors will open up onto the outside terrace area.  The lounge will be open to the kitchen, and thus a continuous open space.  The lounge will also open onto the terrace, and will have a wide ledge to sit on, and perhaps a few oversized square and rectangular steps towards to rest of the terrace, still need to figure this bit out properly.

From the kitchen, the sleeping area will be another level lower, again a large plant of sleeper wood will be the step down into the sleeping area.  I am thinking to perhaps have some light and weightless white curtains which you can draw to enclose the space - if needs be.  But for this current design idea, I am liking the openness of the space, with the varying levels allowing separate areas.  In the sleeping area I will have a small indoor garden, just a few bits of bamboo, or greenery - and a hanging chair or hammock.  A big window will allow early morning sunshine to fill the space.  Next to the indoor garden will be storage for clothes - not sure if I want traditional wardrobes or open shelves - finishes in polished concrete.

The bathroom is easily assessable from all areas, and the door will slide open entirely so when you have a bath/ shower you will overlook the courtyard space.  The toilet is slightly separate and that's how I prefer it to be. 

The roof will be flat, and because of the drop in the indoor space, the bedroom will have amazing high ceilings, perhaps with a narrow skylight in the area between the kitchen and sleeping area.  I want whitewashed beams and the some walls will not be plastered, but painted white - this is referred to as a 'bagged wall' in SA.  Mostly whites and hints of subtle greys will complete this week-end getaway!

Please send me your comments or ideas, this is probably the 100th drawing that I've done.  And I will upload the other versions as well, so I can perhaps get a better idea of exactly how I'd like the space to be, and also to share with you how my thinking has changed over the years.  I will add some images to this post in time.

PAUL MASSEY'S GORGEOUS KITCHEN AND HOME

 

 

This beautiful home is in North London, in Crouch End, and just up the road from me!  It will be my task the week-end to find exactly where it is.

I am head over heals in love with that kitchen - everything about it is perfect!  I always thought I was a more modern kind of girl... but gosh, I stand corrected.  The whitewashed floorboards, the old butchers block, the worn pale green-blue doors.... not to mention those big bright windows!  The only question I have is:  When can I move in please?

The decor is simply stylish and very elegantly done.  Subtle tones, and textures and lots of bright natural light.

The bathroom is gorgeous - however, was this my bathroom in my beautiful house, I perhaps would've opted for some slightly more traditional features.  Don't get me wrong, I am the biggest concrete fan you might find this side of the Thames!  (And I am told this hammam-style bathroom has actually been created using tadelek, a traditional Moroccan plastering technique.  And a very similar finish can be achieved by using polished concrete)

But perhaps a victorian bath could've still worked wonders in this very beautiful space.  I do love the oversized vanity and sunken basin.

Paul Massey is a very talented and well respected interiors and lifestyle photographer.  And has proven here his talents stretches to far beyond the camera lens.

Images via http://www.paulmasseyphotography.com/

and

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/

VINTAGE CAFE DO BRASIL CUSHION

Very vintage indeed!  Chances are that I would never own the Butaca Chair of my previous post.... but I guess as consolation, this beautiful vintage cushion made of coffee bean bags will do rather nicely.  Another one for the wishlist....

Available from HVITT

BUTACA CHAIR

I'd like two of these please!

Formally modeled after Mies van der Rohe's iconic Barcelona chair but made with the spirit of Luis Barragan's original butaca, this updated version uses Guatemalan hardwood and reclaimed jute coffee sacks in lieu of metal and leather.

via Strongplacebk