PROJECT IN YOKOHAMA-SHI, KANAGAWA BY NO 555

Being a big fan of Japanese architecture and how well they can come up with such creative ideas - thinking way way outside the box .... its no wonder that this little 'box house' swooned me over and grabbed my attention just as I was about to share another project.

Its not a big space - and its modestly furnished - but with that brings a certain 'zenness' and calm
I can imagine the inhabitants happily living their lives not spending hours and hours keeping everything tidy and everything in place.  But what there is is necessary and what there is I'm sure brings them joy.

Things I like here is the entrance, and that 'gabled cutout' -  I wonder if that's something I'd be able to incorporate into my little South African project.... I wonder if the council will allow that kind of fun in the design... well I guess without trying I will never know will I

I like the courtyard upon entry and I also like a lot the step leading up to the living area.  I love dreaming up spaces and using a deep high step, which can also be used as a seat or to create a clear separation between spaces, without the use of walls.

I like the use of plywood, eventhough its not something I would lend myself to personally, but I do like how they have incorporated it here.

Hope you have had a good start to the new year - and hope it stays good throughout

Photographer:  mt. _ Shunichi Koyama
Images via no 555

C29 OPTOMETRIST STORE BY 314 ARCHITECTURE STUDIO

At first glance the most prominent design element to me - was the interesting way in which an outdoor 'courtyard' space was created, for the clients to relax in - at the C29 Optometrist store in Chalkida (Greece).  That was at first glance... and still to me a very effective, yet minimalistic way to create a space within a space 

However, then I looked again at the rest of space, at how each element in the design complements the other, and makes it whole - completing it  - and it kind of dawned on me that quite naturally what would seem the most impactful - is not really so... 

314 Architecture was behind this creative take on an optometrist store.... beats a specsavers that's one thing for sure!

Images via Dezeen

2016 - LET'S GET GOING

So here we are again - 365 days on
How far have you journeyed this past year and how far have you come - I can imagine for some it may have been smooth sailing and for others it may have been all hands on deck to keep the boat afloat

I've had my highs and my lows and some downs and plenty of ups!

And that's ok, because we are only human after all, we are here to learn and to experience the fullness of what it is to be human.  But we are also magic and light and part of a universe so magnificent and vast I don't think we'll ever be capable to fully comprehend it all.  Yeah, that's how hard it is for me to comprehend, I call it 'it all' everything, everywhere, but it's more than that  - we are part of the past and we are part of the future - if any one of us were not playing our part in the past - the very future of so many beings and fellow humans may have been impacted.

And to bring that all back into perspective - your part in this life is an important one - play your part with all you've got - give it no half measures - there is no dress rehearsal and we only have this one chance.  This one take, this one life.  Be bold and stand your ground - you have greatness within you beyond even your own comprehension - like I said we are all magic and stardust and light but we are also soul ...  and our souls will live on forever

The soul needs nourishing just like we feed our bodies wholesome food, or exercise to keep healthy and fit.  Sometimes the best nourishment for our soul is to be quiet, to become quiet - to let our thoughts ponder here, and gently sit over there - just flow in and out like our breath - a full circle of continuous air that flows in and out of our lungs - sometimes when we consciously breathe we will stretch our lungs to the vastness of their capacity - and then we exhale and it feels so good - what feels good is to have stretched our capacity our boundaries and there - right there right now you have done it.... you have completely zoned out just thinking about your breathing - and by doing that you have allowed yourself some quiet, your soul will now sing a soft melody of gratefulness to you.   
Grateful that you allowed it to just flow and float and be - the more we allow ourselves to this place of just being - I believe the closer we get to our true being, and the more creative we become to more content we become - and then - we step it up, gently - so we don't get stagnant, we need to keep moving and keep growing and keep being curious....

And now back to the now to this first day of the year - let's go get things done, little by little day by day - let's grow, but lets water some fellow souls along the way, so we can grow together - collectively - let's grow and let's shine bright - the more we dust away the cobwebs from our souls - the more our souls will shine through - and soul to soul shining brightly we'll get connected more and more along the way...

Here's to a soulful and beautiful and bright and bold 2016

Thank you for stopping by and thank you for being part of my journey - thank you for shining bright and thank you for allowing me to grow with you

xxx

Image by me - an urban village original

NOT AS MUCH OVER AS OUT - 2015...

And suddenly the shimmer of a new year, of this coming new year is upon us - like a distant sunset suddenly disappears behind the ocean.... darkness ...... and then light as the new morning of the first day of the new year will dawn.

But I want to tie a knot in today, I want to make it last, I'm just not quite yet ready to let go, I'm not yet ready for a whole new year - 2015 has run wild and sometimes it feels like I've been holding on to its mane while struggling to hold on tight enough to get back on and into its saddle and ride this wild stallion like the year I was supposed to have....

A good year nonetheless, it had its challenges and trials and tribulations - lessons have been learnt along the way - I have grown somewhat deeper and somewhat quieter - not because there was nothing to say,  but I guess I have learnt to speak without saying too much - and I have prayed and prayed and prayed - I have prayed for my family and for my friends, for peace in the world, and a stop to all the wars and the loss of innocent young lives, I have prayed for wisdom and a compassionate heart

And now on this new years eve - 
I will pray again for each and everyone to find contentment in their daily lives and to feel a sense of belonging wherever they may be on their path, on their life's journey.  I will pray that we may all be able to live fully our life's purpose and to find what it is that truly makes us feel alive and strive to live that life.  I will pray that we will learn anew each and every day what a wonderful gift each new day is, and that we will be grateful everyday, and that we will live to let our light and our love shine forth

This is my new years prayer and wish for you one and all - and with that a 'happy new year'
Make this one count!

Lindé
xxx

Image via Pinterest

GOTHENBURG LOFT BY MOODHOUSE INTERIOR

Always have and always will love the Scandinavian take on interior design, and style and fashion and just pretty much everything.  In fact, I think if I were ever to skip countries again, and that has always been the plan - it will be moving further north - the Nordics, Scandinavia, Sweden, Finland..... 

But for the here and now, I am here and now its time to be fully in the here and now .... if that makes sense in a roundabout way!

This loft apartment is tastefully decorated and beautifully styled - rather lush and luxurious in quite an understated palette - so many inspiring ideas here

Beautiful beautiful beautiful

Photography by Anders Bergstedt (he has an interesting portrait album on 'beards' all sorts of weird and wonderfulness)

Interior design by Moodhouse Interior

Spotted via home adore

VILLA SAN SPIRITO - LOPUD ISLAND, CROATIA - STEVEN HARRIS ARCHITECTS

I originally had another project in mind to share, but this jaw dropping Villa in Croatia kind of just fell into my 'www' lap and it would be almost sinful not to share!

This 15th century villa was tastefully renovated to remain beautiful in its old worldly rustic charm, yet very contemporary in feel.  A real paradise get away, with the lush ocean views and that sunny veranda.... surrounded by deep greens and a splash of bright pink here and there - the stone building is offset rather invitingly against the crystal blue waters of the Croatian coastline.

This inspiring project by steven harris architects

Spotted via design gab