Saturday, March 24, 2007
Dogs on a chair
I was just at a cool pet store called Bark and Fitz buying my cats a catnip cigar when I noticed some really adorable photography of dogs in the store window. They were by Sue Bird, a local dog photgrapher. Check out the photos on her website and blog. At least she had the photo above on her site so I can get in my "dog on a chair" comment. Had to add the next 3 because they are just too cute.
 |  |
So hip it hurts.
Very early on in the life of desire to inspire we received an email from Lorenzo telling us how much he loved the site and did we want to swap links. One look at his wonderful apartment and the blog that chronicles it and he was on the blog roll. I thought at first that Lorenzo and his girlfriend had to be designers. No they're in the arts and hail from Firenze my favourite Italian city. Their recently restored flat is stark white except for the pink quartz and resin floors and amazing original 50s windows. All of this is just the stage for their stellar collection of design classics. All the greats are here - Panton, Ettore Sottsass, Saarinen, Achille Castiglioni the list goes on. Lorenzo just sent me some new pictures. Their apartment is so hip it hurts! For details on their amazing collection check out their blog HipHouse.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: blog, reader's home
Friday, March 23, 2007
Lunberg Design
Lunberg Design is an architectural firm founded by Olle Lunberg in 1987. "The signature style of the firm tends to be characterized by sculptural form, simply and elegantly executed, with a firm belief in the importance of the carefully thought out detail." Their focus is firmly in architecture and their style is modern and minimal.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: architect
Adriana Barra
I published this and the following post for Jo who is visiting with her sister for the weekend.
-Kim
Adriana Barra is one of the foremost fashion designers in Brasil. Each year as she releases her collection she restyles her atelier in the neighbourhood of Jardins in Sao Paulo. Her designs have translated to other areas such as homewares. Great shop, great ideas and amazing website.
-Kim
Adriana Barra is one of the foremost fashion designers in Brasil. Each year as she releases her collection she restyles her atelier in the neighbourhood of Jardins in Sao Paulo. Her designs have translated to other areas such as homewares. Great shop, great ideas and amazing website.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: designer
Retro yellow
I bought a great book today from my friend's retro store. I'm a sucker for 60s and 70s interior books. "How to Make your Windows Beautiful" A Kirsch Publication Vol IV 1972. Seeing that yellow has been a favourite around here I thought I'd share a few images from this treasure.
If you really really need a copy there is one here.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
All images from "How to Make your Windows Beautiful"
If you really really need a copy there is one here.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
My newly redone goth/glam bathroom
I am pretty excited to finally have this project finished. My bathroom is the last of the 2.5 bathrooms in this house to be redone. It still needs new flooring but so do the other bathrooms so that's a project for another time. We're not planning on keeping this house for very long so we can't do too much to the house without thinking of resale but I had to go a little nuts somewhere - and it might as well be my bathroom. This cost about $650 - that's for the sink, faucet, knobs, light fixture, paint, accessories, art, molding around art, mirror, shower curtain...etc. I'm curious to hear your comments.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: Kim's renos and decos
Todd Oldham
Todd Oldham is a busy guy. I came across his website Todd Oldham Studio and learned that not only is he an interior designer but he also does photography, graphic design, product design and film/tv/video. I've always admired his work, particularly his bold use of colour. These are my favourite photos from his portfolio.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: interior designer
Ministry of Design
OMG! These are some talented and innovative folks let me tell ya. Based in Singapore, Ministry of Design's mission is to "disturb, question and redefine the fundamental elements of Space, Ritual & Perception". The following photos are from a hotel, apartment and boutique they designed.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: interior designer
Forms of Design
Amy Lau founded Forms of Design and her interiors are organised along modernist principles - balance in scale, texture and colour. Mid-century collections of decorative and fine arts are prominent in the firms work. Amy was a co-founder of Design Miami Fair an invitational design event featuring the most significant post-war to contemporary design galleries. Her interiors are so liveable and tug at my mid century heartstrings. Love this style.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
All images from Forms of Design
Labels: interior designer, midcentury
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Jessica Helgerson
(Sorry - I just can't top a post about a converted garbage truck. Anyhoo....)
Jessica Helgerson is an interior designer who specializes in environmentally sustainable commercial and residential interiors. House Beautiful magazine voted her one of the top 25 yound designers in America. Here's a sample of her impressive portfolio.
Jessica Helgerson is an interior designer who specializes in environmentally sustainable commercial and residential interiors. House Beautiful magazine voted her one of the top 25 yound designers in America. Here's a sample of her impressive portfolio.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: interior designer
Garbage Truck!
Normally it's a hard and fast rule that all images are sourced. Problem is that I got this as an email at work. No idea where it originated. So my credits so far are Bree at Valley Mental Health via Corey at Royal Brisbane Hospital via Shaun at Roof Racks Galore. If you know where this originated let me know so I can adjust the credits. Back to the photos. This is a converted garbage truck. The space planning and modern interior are a triumph. Might even tempt me to take up the road. (I'm a 5 star hotel type.)
Don't you hate it when urban myths are debunked. Knittergirl and Doctor Mom have pointed out that the truck has no side windows and the interiors do. Well spotted readers! In a vain attempt to keep my hopes alive I suggest that the sides may be hinged and fold up/out like an awning. Knittergirl has provide a link to the northerngeek's Flickr page where you can find the full set. And I stand by my comments about great space planning, she says in a sulk.
Further update. The mystery is solved. It is a garbage truck and the links are in the comment section.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
All images from someone who sent it to someone on and on to Shaun then Corey then Bree then me.
Don't you hate it when urban myths are debunked. Knittergirl and Doctor Mom have pointed out that the truck has no side windows and the interiors do. Well spotted readers! In a vain attempt to keep my hopes alive I suggest that the sides may be hinged and fold up/out like an awning. Knittergirl has provide a link to the northerngeek's Flickr page where you can find the full set. And I stand by my comments about great space planning, she says in a sulk.
Further update. The mystery is solved. It is a garbage truck and the links are in the comment section.
Labels: OMG
Boudoir
Madame Sera of Sera of London, formerly Rude London, would be a very interesting woman to meet. Sera of London is an exotic and sumptuous boutique, exhibiting sensual and seductively elegant tastes in room designs and decorative accessories. Her work has been described as louche (what a lovely sounding word) and provocative. Not a bedroom my dear but a boudoir. Warning parental guidance may be required for the website darlings.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
No-show Mo
Jo and I received an email from Mo about her fabulous 1200 sq ft 1921 home that she painted top to bottom all on her own. With most things from Pier 1 and Target, I think she's done a great job on a budget, which, contrary to alot of the photos we post, the majority of people have. So congrats on all the hard work Mo!
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: reader's home
Hotel Fox
Alot of people have heard of Hotel Fox and I know other blogs have posted some of the photos from their site but I figured I had to do a post because it is one of the most original hotels I have ever seen. Located in Copenhagen, it consists of 61 rooms decorated by 21 artists. "Each room is an individual piece of art. From whacky comical styles to strict graphic design. From fantastic street art and Japanese Manga to simply spaced out fantasies. You will find flowers, fairytales, friendly monsters, dreaming creatures, secrets vaults and…". Well, here's a taste of what you'll find at Hotel Fox.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: hotel
Mostly chair porn from Roberto Lazzeroni
Italian Roberto Lazzeroni is an industrial and interior designer and obviously has a thing for chairs. Don't we all???
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: interior designer
Michael Eastman
Michael Eastman's images of the faded grandeur of Cuba give me chills. Noble and forlorn the interiors are decaying time capsules and functioning homes. Don't miss the rest of Eastman's portfolio here.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: photographer
Monday, March 19, 2007
Reader's homes
Jo and I always encourage our readers to send in photos of their homes. We love to see how people have decorated their personal spaces and in posting them hope it inspires others. Plus, sometimes we get tired of hunting for amazing photos to post :) So I was delighted when Vera emailed me with a link to photos of her apartment on Flickr. In her words "I live in a super bright studio apartment. I painted the main room bright yellow, the lobby bright orange and the kitchen bright green. My furniture is very colorful too and the whole place looks like a toy house." If you love colour, then here's some inspiration for ya.
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: reader's home
Jennifer Post
Jennifer Post's style of modern simplicity/classical minimalism has won her a spot in Architectural Digest world's top 100 designers and architects list. She has quite a list of clients to her name, such as Jennifer Lopez, Simon Cowell, and Matt Lauer. Her timeless designs are stunning in photographs.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: interior designer
Andy Goldsborough Interior Design
Ornate details, flourishes of colour, pure functional use of space. Andy Goldsborough fuses traditional decorative elements with the clean lines of minimalism.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Labels: interior designer