Interior Design Sense

It’s tough keeping a track on futuristic iterations of computers, so backtracking into the forgotten era sometimes spring up surprises. This retro-steampunk gem is a customized work of art which uses lots of wood and a good measure of brass to get in the right effects. As the designers put it “These custom-made keyboards, framed monitors and computers are completely functional, but with a 19th century/ steampunk aesthetic.”

Designer: Old Time Computer

Today I thought I’d post some more photos from my trip to Mexico, specifically from a couple of the shops that I fell in love with. Then tomorrow I’ll show you all the stuff I managed to cram in my 1 suitcase.

This first shop located in downtown Puerto Vallarta is called Origenes – David Luna. It was BEOOOOOOTIFUL. Tons of incredible rustic, earthy furniture from Mexico and elsewhere that I could have furnished an entire home with. To die for. And none of it fit in my suitcase. If you’re in Puerto Vallarta, you must check it out for the eye candy factor. Bring a shipping container with you.  (Their website includes details of the locations of their 4 shops and interior design projects).

Is it really two and a half years since I first featured Australian interior design duo Leibowitz and McLachlan? Time for another visit and as you would expect from such a talented pair there are lots more lovely rooms on their website. It’s a casual elegance, muted colours, natural finishes, antiques with contemporary pieces. It’s stylish and crisp but light and feminine. I love their children’s rooms … so soft and pretty. As for those kitchens, it’s straight to my inspiration files.

Who wouldn’t love a pillow made up of velcro corn kernels, show of hands please. The Sweetcorn Pillow makes all your corny fantasies come true. Pluck them, chuck them, play with them, but please don’t butter and eat them. Is this novel? Mmm hmm. A bit ridiculous? You betcha! Do I want this? Damn skippy!

Designer: Weng Jie

I had such a blast in Mexico that I thought I’d share some more photos that I took. These are again from some of the shops (plus a couple extras) in the town of Sayulita. I was so in love with all the ethnic/global/wordly items that I was devastated knowing I had only part of a suitcase to fill instead of a shipping container.

We here on Freshome love to show you furniture items that break the patterns and bring a plus of originality to an interior. Recently we ran into this interesting cabinet. It is called “Tout Va Bien Cabinet” -in translation “everything will be alright”- and belongs to Antoine+Manuel, a team of graphic designers from France. We liked its shape and tiny feet which we consider to be quite unusual. Further more, the carvings are very interesting.  They are the focus point of the cabinet and an distinctive element. The item comes in both white and black and can be integrated in a minimalist interior with simple arrangements. The price is available on request on the manufacturer’s page here.

Buenos dias everyone! I am back from my too-short trip to Mexico, having arrived late last night. I had a blast as I always do in Puerto Vallarta (that was my third or fourth time there). I took lots of photos which I hope to share here and on Flickr and bought as much stuff as I could cram in my suitcase (which I will get photos of ASAP). Luckily I took today off work so I can get groceries, do some laundry, clean the house and hang out with my boyfriend who unfortunately did not accompany me on the trip. I don’t have time to get a regular post ready but I thought I’d show you some photos I took of a shop I found in the cool surf town of Sayulita.

This town was an hour bus ride from PV, and was worth the trip. We spent the day there and had a great time hanging out on the beach watching the surfers, shopping of course, and eating the best freaking burritos I’ve ever had. I uploaded a photo a couple days ago on Flickr of the floor in this shop (whose name I cannot remember) and it’s been such a hit that I thought I’d put it and some others here. I love painted floors and this floor has to be my new favourite, hands down. Frankly, everything about this shop was hip and funky which is relatively uncommon. (Pardon the quality of some of these photos – it was often easier to sneak them instead of trying to explain why I was taking them).

I think I’ve confessed one too many times that tho I’m a coffee addict, I just can’t spend too much time nurturing it. There are actually freaks like me who LOVE instant coffee and don’t want to do the grinding-percolating routine. Which is why I simply adore this ceramic-glass fusion called Coffee Set. It’s a cup with a slotted bottom that holds in just right amount of coffee powder and water, for you to stir the mixture with the handle. Yup no spoons required! The design gets even more interesting with the saucer, which has a missing bottom!

This empty space is for fitting in your cup snugly and keeping the brew warm for a longer time via insulation.

I know many of you may be going “tsk tsk” for the cleaning part, I mean getting the cup spanky clean thanks to the slotted bottom doesn’t sound easy. But for fancy design’s sake, I’m willing to adopt this set, plus I don’t do the dishes….so it’s really not my headache!

Designer: Yali Dai

The early 70s what a wonderful time for interior design! I’d love to say that that’s a photo of me above but my room back then was nowhere near as groovy. I must be getting old though because I need to turn the volume down on the colours on most of these. Thoughts please on the built in tiled toilet and Mr Super Smooth. Today’s scans from Golden Homemakers 100 Ideas to Beautify Your Home, Gudenian Rockail & Mayer, Marshall Cavendish, London, 1972.

We love seeing new furniture ideas that implement used, discarded, eco-friendly and recycled materials, but it’s not often that we find a chair that uses zero materials in construction. The OOoo Chair is an innovative concept that presses us to consider all of the energy and material waste issues associated with furniture production and disposal, but with a bit of amusement. So what do you have to do to get your hands on one of these chairs? Cut two leg-wide holes ergonomically apart, line them with recycled plastic, and you’ve just made your own OOoo Chair!

Read the rest of The OOoo Chair Uses Zero Materials

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Post tags: “green furniture”, contemporary green furniture, Martine Decke, OOoo Chair, Peter Yeadon, urban spaces