Interior Design Sense

In the name of the growing trend toward open plan and adaptable living, Snaidero introduces Board, a modern kitchen with a smart, compact design. Designed by architect Pietro Arosio, this compact kitchen can be easily integrated into any space. As simple as the design may appear, it took some real creative effort to realize – they ended up with a sleek, simple solution to a potentially complex problem. The kitchen sits along one wall, with only one protruding module which holds the stovetop, work top and sink. The rest of the kitchen is neatly tucked away behind a smooth, uniform exterior, which doesn’t disrupt the eye, but keeps everything readily accessible. It really is a wonderful solution for space efficient loft-like living. Board will be officially unveiled at this year’s Milan Furniture Fair. Visit Snaidero for more information.

The following villa on the Belgian coast captured my interest immediately. I have always loved a home that is traditional on the outside and not-so-much on the inside. I love anything with a shock factor. And this radically transformed home is just that. Traditional on the outside (complete with thatched roof) with a modern industrial vibe on the inside. Totally unexpected. (Maison & Travaux, photography: Patrick Smith, architect: Lionel Jadot)

The following villa on the Belgian coast captured my interest immediately. I have always loved a home that is traditional on the outside and not-so-much on the inside. I love anything with a shock factor. And this radically transformed home is just that. Traditional on the outside (complete with thatched roof) with a modern industrial vibe on the inside. Totally unexpected. (Maison & Travaux, photography: Patrick Smith, architect: Lionel Jadot)

My brother-in-law Dave sent me a link to a really cool office warehouse makeover in Brazil. It’s the office of a sports marketing company and they asked architect Simone Tasca to work some magic. Some very clever ideas were introduced that are awesome for folks dealing with small spaces. First, there is the lounge room, with seating made up of painted pallets (and on the wall to hang the TV).

Then there’s the dining room with an expandable dining table created by 2 tables of almost the same size on casters where one has it’s legs cut slightly shorter so it can roll under the other. LOVE THAT!

This bathroom is adorable. A whole bunch of mirrors for visual interest, a concrete slab (?) counter made to fit in an awkward corner and a pail for a sink. Industrial chic! (Love that wall-mount faucet!)

Photos: Alexandre Dotta

Paul Kariouk is a well-known architect here in Ottawa and I figured it was about time I blog his work (plus, a reader emailed regarding his work – check it out after the jump). His creativity is inspiring and the homes he has designed are stunning works of art. 

The kitchen below, located in the Glebe home of Carol Sutherland-Brown & Ted Willis, was submitted to us by their daughter Marisa. She says her parent’s met Paul at a party and after getting him on board to come up with designs for their awkwardly closed off kitchen, they now have the perfect open-plan kitchen that is ideal for entertaining and showing off Ted’s artwork. 

Paul Kariouk is a well-known architect here in Ottawa and I figured it was about time I blog his work (plus, a reader emailed regarding his work – check it out after the jump). His creativity is inspiring and the homes he has designed are stunning works of art. 

The kitchen below, located in the Glebe home of Carol Sutherland-Brown & Ted Willis, was submitted to us by their daughter Marisa. She says her parent’s met Paul at a party and after getting him on board to come up with designs for their awkwardly closed off kitchen, they now have the perfect open-plan kitchen that is ideal for entertaining and showing off Ted’s artwork. 

Rising from a gentle slope between two stands of trees is an extraordinary house. Concrete and glass, steel and massive reclaimed Douglas Fir beams. Triangles folding on each other and unfolding on the landscape. Monolithic presence lightened by walls of folding glass doors. It’s like being under a cave like overhang. Shaded and cool, protected and enclosed looking out on the world. The weight of the concrete house rising from the earth juxtaposed with waving fields of grass, echoed by the mass of trees. Manmade vs nature. Solid form vs open spaces. All magically illuminated by “glow worm” lights hanging from its cave ceiling. A family house built on rural acreage designed by Vancouver based architect Omer Arbel.

If you combine architect and designer Antonio Citterio with Vitra, you know your bound to end up with something simply wonderful – like this timeless sofa Suita. The design is simple, clean and functional with the potential for various different personalities thanks to its modular, adaptable nature. How clever. That seamlessly integrated and discreet ledge is pretty clever too. It’s perfect for a little workspace or maybe just to set lamps, books or other decorative items on. Visually in a space, this sofa is light and neutrally balanced with soft curves and straight lines. Wonderful. Go to Vitra to find out more.

What on earth do TVs on walls, Desire to Inspire and Bang & Olufsen have in common? Nothing much except the new BeoVision 10 website. OK OK I’ll preempt this post by saying that if you owned such a stylish TV as the BeoVision 10 you wouldn’t have to worry about how it looked on the wall but Bang & Olufsen have taken it to the next level and asked artist/architect Marco Evaristti and stylist and antiques dealer Anja Alfieri to create a room with what can only be described as television as piece of art. These are the results. Beautiful rooms! Inspirational Living. And Desire to Inspire? We are one of the blogs Bang & Olufsen are crazy about. Those Danes always had good taste

If you combine architect and designer Antonio Citterio with Vitra, you know your bound to end up with something simply wonderful – like this timeless sofa Suita. The design is simple, clean and functional with the potential for various different personalities thanks to its modular, adaptable nature. How clever. That seamlessly integrated and discreet ledge is pretty clever too. It’s perfect for a little workspace or maybe just to set lamps, books or other decorative items on. Visually in a space, this sofa is light and neutrally balanced with soft curves and straight lines. Wonderful. Go to Vitra to find out more.