Corsica & Provence Inspired Ideas

Lounging by the pool in a villa in Corsica, or taking indoors the charms of Provence, with beautiful panoramic views and days filled with sun, what more than to give you bright colorful decor ideas to pull this off in your own home.

1. As I always say, Accent don't overwhelm. Accent your decor with colors that inspire you, either alone or with complimentary colors. The colors of the sand, sun, sea, greenery, or even spices (think saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, etc.) gives off a great feel to the space.


2. Incorporate the colors in different amounts around the house, indoors and out, to give a sense of feel of what is sort of expected. Do that with different textures and materials. For example, in the outdoors we have long orange red vases by the door, once we step inside we see the color repeated but used on the walls (best bet: If you're doing a bright colored wall for the interior, please do so in one wall only so that you won't overwhelm the whole area).

Another part is the use of the same color on the sofa. (Important: Compliment the colors and textures with things that go with them or contrast them in a good way, ex. the use of different types of rich woods such as walnut, with the bright orange red color goes well together.


3. In the outdoors, go white..on the walls, the sofas, the tables, chairs, etc. Accent them with bright colored accessories, like a sunny yellow, an olive green, terracotta, or even turquoise. Whether out by the pool or by the garden. Ex. pillows, vases, glasses, dining ware.


4. Giving an airy feel of the space by adding a bright color. The use of a bright color in somewhere unusual gives a breathe of fresh air in the space, a more open fun kind of feel. Just don't do a color explosion, it could counter the effect.




photocredit: CMF

A Journey of Tastes

Ah yes..now tis time to do some travel tasting across the countries. It's all about the teeny tiny things that makes a difference. Now if I just had the time to do so..where would I go?

First of all, on the start of my travel, something that I would probably take along with me though this may sound crazy, is this Mypressi Twist, the world's first portable espresso machine. Just add the coffee and hot water, with no external power needed, there's espresso ready anytime..The reason being is that sometimes you don't come across a good shot of espresso (thankfully I've come across many good ones ;) ), and that's why you can have your own portable machine, with your own choice of espresso beans, and you're done.

I'm off to Paris..now I'll have to stop by La Grande Epicerie..mmm tasty treats all around but that's not what I'm here for, I'm here for the Photography Exhibition Le Goût du Luxe (Taste of Luxury) of fashion made with food. On display until May 17, so hurry!
Next stop, the Dammann Tea House in Place des Vosges. Dammann Freres teas date back to 1692, and house rare offerings of teas such as "Pu-Erh", a fermented tea with a deep aroma produced in Yunnan. There are tea tasters and wine tasters, etc. and this is a great tea tasting trip to make.

Over to New York, the Momofuku (meaning Lucky Peach) Milk Bar, the recently opened bakery in East Village, opened by chef-entrepreneur David Chung. A mix of American cuisine with Eastern influences united together. Banana green curry bread, marshmallow cookies, luscious cakes and icecream, are a few of the creations offered by Pastry chef Christina Tosi.


to be continued..

A Stylish Gym at Home

From Milan Design Week 09, we saw a stylish collaboration between Philippe Starck + Alias. Taking care of yourself in an elegant stylish way, with this new collection for fitness at home called Home/Gym/Office for Alias. It's sleek, and no more bulky machinery at home. Who knew that the stacked dumbells could also look like a beautiful sculpture! Now this looks more appealing to work out at home.



photocredit: spotd

Rolf transforms furniture

"I saw parts, I add new parts, I give a new life to a piece of furniture."

That's what I thought about once I first saw this designer's works. Meet Rolf.fr, a furniture transformer. True cutting traditional pieces of furniture can be brutal but what if you could turn its life around? Add in a few modern pieces, look at it in a different way, but it totally serves the same function! A cupboard is still a cupboard.

The reason being is that sometimes when a younger generation inherits traditional furniture used by their elder family members, they want something thats more modern or more their style not the style of their grandparents..though there are some who love traditional pieces of furniture and would rather keep it that way. These are for those who want to get rid of it but not really get rid of it, because it stores emotional memories, feelings over the years of the family together. Thus, Rolf.fr transforms the traditional furnitures in order to gain their place in the interiors of the younger generation, and keep their emotional value.

Rolf, an architect, also transformed old buildings into new buildings, useless ones into useful ones, etc. All the point of getting a new span of life.

photocredit: rolf.fr

A Geometrical Swimming HausBoot

I can't help but notice all the detailing of this home! Lots of different geometric shapes have been used and they all come together beautifully. This is the Silberfisch SchwimmHausBoot (floating house boat) in Oldenburg, Germany. The design was completed with furniture and accessories by Flo Florian and Sascha Akkermann of German design firm Confused Direction.

When they say that to build homes on water shouldn't be a blockhouse, but one that marries Design and Maritime romance together. Flowing, water, soothing, colors of the water, smooth finishes, something that reminds you of the sea, ex. the woods in the dock, the yacht design, the fish, etc. The shape of things, and the material of things are very important, and when doing this design of the boat house, they have successfully achieved it.

For more visit, Silberfisch SchwimmHausBoot.




via contemporist, SSHB, Confused Direction.

Tom Dixon by George Smith

Love the continuous contrast of the bold orange amongst the others...
blue glorious blue...
Did you see the door handles? Cool aspect..
A slice perhaps?..



From Milan Design Week 2009, one of the most exciting brand collaborations comes is Tom Dixon by George Smith collection, uniting quality traditional manufacturing techniques and contemporary design. Bringing together British manufacturing and innovation from two iconic brands together. Products are all designed by Tom Dixon, and made in the George Smith factory in Newcastle, UK. The capabilities of British design and manufacturing is creatively growing, and one small example from many, is this partnership.




via Tom Dixon by George Smith

Folds Pleats and Layers

Layers are unraveled and formed, long fabrics gathered and pleated..fluidity, motion, and texture creates a unique characteristic. A different material, a different application, and a different perspective.. pushes the design dimension but fosters the same idea. Starting from a point, folds, pleats, cut-outs help define the space or object creating a sculptural characteristic based on how its been done and whats been used.

1-2. Neil Barrett Flagship Store in Tokyo by Zaha Hadid.
3. The 25 Bench created by Omer Arbel for Bocci.
4. Poster picture layered dress.
5 . The Clair Floor Lamp by Giuseppe Viganò for Saba Italia.



photocredit: contemporist, yatzer