ALL GREY THURSDAY

Today I have really stumbled upon a treasure of a new blog 'design & form' and that's were I found this crazy busy image of all greys. I found a treasure of beautiful Scandinavian interiors on this blog .... I had to truly drag myself away from it's pages.  Take a minute and treat your senses!

I will add to this later - perhaps a kind of mood board, which reminds me I need to finish my mood board for my next class on Monday

VIA http://designoform.com/

BEING GRATEFUL

Today I want to just say a few words...

I want to say how grateful I am for this wonderful life

It is not always easy, but it's always worth it!

Often things feel like they are out of place and I start to worry

And gosh, I am a big worrier!

But then I stop and think to what my mum always used to tell me

"When the night is at it's darkest, the daybreak is at it's closest"

And that is true, so true

Slowly but surely things are falling into place and for that I am grateful each and every day

Don't give up on your dreams, hold them tight and they will come true

And remember to always be grateful

x

image via http://thegolledges.blogspot.com/

SMALL STUDIO

I'm a big fan of mezzanine levels and in this apartment I love the mix of wood and white, modern and rustic!

I am a bit worried about how thin those cantilevered stairs are - I would not feel safe walking on them - I'd prefer something just a tad more sturdy.  It does look beautiful, so aesthetically pleasing it certainly is, but something about the stairs does bother me somewhat...

The cube-desk is quite original and beautiful, and I love how the shelf with books is slightly hidden out of site, giving it a really modern and minimalistic feel.

Image first spotted on Pinterest

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

http://www.studioata.com/index.php?content=lavori&Id=26&tab=CI

WHITE BLACK AND WOOD

Black and white and wood is such a soothing combination, as these interiors show.

I particularly favor this last image, the white-washed walls, wooden bench and table - got that rustic feel I so adore!

Images via Pinterest

WOOL AND WOOD

 

I am finally knitting again!  Got some gorgeous 'kidsilk' yarn from Nest, a cozy little yarn shop a few minutes walk from my house.  The colour is a soft neutral beige/ mauve, and I am hoping to create something quite special from it.  I also bought a sparkly thread which I'm knitting into the wool...

Had some free time this afternoon and experimented a bit with my camera, and excited now to do some more.  These pictures were taken in our lounge - the knitted cushion is made by my housemate, a very creative industrial designer, Jan Rose.  He also designed and made the wooden bench with the felt cushion - and they are perfect props for me to use!

Here are a couple more photo's from today's shoot... Looking at them again on the big screen, I can see I have a very, very long way to go still.  But I will keep practicing and keep shooting...

Here's to all the wonderfully creative men and women, who style, and photograph and create amazingly inspiring imagery for us mere mortals to dream about, for us to blog and write about, and for inspiring us to reach for our dreams and goals through our own uniqueness and creativity!

A big thank you to all!

ps: tomorrow I'll be back, bright and early - camera in hand and perhaps you'll see some improved versions of the above, lets hope so forsure!

A TOUCH OF GREEN

Some lush greens will brighten up any room, big or small and these images shows just how simply beautiful it can be.

PS:  at vtwonen they have a great competition to win one of 20 of these wonderful plants

image 1 via http://www.vtwonen.nl/

image 2 - 5 via pinterest

APARTMENT IN HAARLEM BY NATASJA MOLENAAR DESIGN AGENCY

 

This is the handy work of a very talented Dutch Interior Designer, Natasja Molenaar.  She started off her career at Piet Boon Studio, and after 6 years she started her own Interior Design Studio in 2010.

She is driven by her passion for beautiful interiors, and the results are perfectly harmonious spaces - that one feels immediately drawn to explore further.

Just beautiful - the bedroom in these first few images of an apartment in Haarlem - the hanging chair with plush cushions, the soft white curtains, the round ottoman and tray with cups of tea... It feels peaceful and tranquil and somewhere nice to just be.

Everything is in perfect harmony, even the subtlest of contrasts are welcome in the soft greys and charcoal of the bookshelf.

This is a designer that I will be keeping my eyes on - as inspiration there is aplenty, soothing for the soul!

I am now even more excited about the start of my interior design course next week.  It's an introduction - which is well needed, and which I'm sure will be most enjoyable!

Images via http://www.natasjamolenaar.nl/

Photo's by Paul Grootes

CHAIR LOVE

Troll Stool,

a small , wooly creature that makes it unnecessary to keep a dog. Can be used as an ottoman or an extra seat. And it does not drool ... I adore!

The first 2 chairs are sophisticated and cozy and I see dark rainy nights, drinking hot chocolate (or red wine after the detox) in front of a gently crackling fireplace.   I particularly like the styling of the second chair- simply placed on the concrete floor.

The third chair, or lets call it by it's name - The Troll Stool will be added to my 'one day' wishlist!  It's a beaut!

LOP FURNITURE  IMAGE 1 VIA STYLE FILES IMAGE 2 VIA STIL INSPIRATION IMAGE 3 TROLL STOOL FROM LOPFURNITURE DK

mamm-design: minna-no-ie

Japanese architecture practice Mamm-Design is behind this interesting concept house ‘minna no ie’, a two-and-a-half storey dwelling in a residential district of Tokyo, Japan. Situated on a 4.5m by 12m plot bound by neighbouring buildings, the design seek to provide a space that seemingly expands beyond its borders by inserting a six meter-high garden room at its center.

What makes this concept obviously interesting is the interior garden room, which forms the central hub of the space.  This way of thinking and design makes good use of space, creating a safe and comfortable home that delights all senses.

I can imagine this kind of architecture becoming invaluable in the future where space is limited and safety becoming more and more important.

In my ideal 'garden home' I will have polished concrete flooring with underfloor heating, solid dark wood stairs and good grief, where is the cozy fireplace and sofa!  I do love having a beautiful view to look out onto - but if that's not a possibility, then I'm more than happy with a lush green tree, a hammock and some blue skies above!

I love this kind of design though and the images are inspiring and thought provoking.  

Am I correct to assume that where space is limited the architecture becomes far more experimental and interesting than in areas where land and space is available in abundance.... food for thought!

 via designboom

ESTATE IN EXTREMADURA BY ABATON

 

 

Sigh...

Excited to have found some new favorite architects, first noticed via DesireToInspire.

Abaton are based in Madrid and I quote.... 

'Since 1998 dedicated to architectural projects, ÁBATON also deals with property development and construction.

Our aim is to achieve excellence in each stage of the project. Our line of work is based on; good departmental communication, the permanent pursuit of innovation; the incorporation of technological enhancements, and the excellent coordination of a highly qualified administrative team. All these elements are the pillars that sustain the high quality of what we produce and what give us our recognized status.

ÁBATON has been recently awarded 3 national prizes for Best Property Development.'

And of the project:

'322m2. 5ha. Country House.

Located in a privileged environment in the province of Cáceres, the goal was to transform an abandoned stable into a family home by completely renovating it in a way that would be consistent and respectful with the environment.

Problems relating to the electricity and water supply were solved through sustainability systems which ABATON uses in all its projects: a solar panel system with storage batteries was developed to supply energy during the summer; turbines were installed taking advantage of the course of the two streams that run through the estate providing electricity for the winter.'

Visit their website for a host of inspiring and beautiful projects and images.