Interior Design Sense

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

My memory for movies is trash but I’m sure there must have been many which featured a scene where the hero and heroine accidentally bump into each other, around a corner…papers fly outta their hand, they look into each other’s eyes and fall hopelessly in love. Revise this scene with the Corner’s Communication Warning Sign and it’s ought to be a killjoy. But for practical purposes, down long office corridors, restaurants and hospitals, this corner sign could save a lot of spills. The tweeky thang emits a little sound and lights up when it senses someone approaching round the bend.

Designer: Sanghoon Lee

I’ve been stalking again and have found a warehouse in Sydney. I’m in two minds though. I love many things about this conversation and others just don’t do it for me. The intimate spaces are fabulous. That bathroom is so much fun and has just the right amount of glamour. I love the room with the red couch. Is it because of its smaller scale? The open living areas are spectacular but the bells aren’t ringing for me I’m afraid. Is it the styling? Are the real estate photos that conform to the real estate mantra of get it all in shot, don’t miss a well apppointed thing the problem? If a good photographer and a clever stylist controlled the shoot would I be “ooohing” and “aaahing”? My favourite spots in this house – the roof top garden with hints of the historic facade and the wine cellar carved from the sandstone beneath. Just lock me in the cellar and throw away the key. It will be a noble death! Here while the link lasts.

We’re totally intrigued by this pop music center for Taipei and its striking resemblance to a rolling green hill. Conceived by Italian firm Mario Bellini Architects, the design is “a single body wrapped in a plastic ‘mantle plant’,” according to our friends at Designboom. While we aren’t sure how sustainable this plastic ‘mantle plant’ is, or even what it is for that matter, we were taken with the creative landscaping and creation of an exciting outdoor public area for the people of the Taipei. The proposed structure would also have glass passageways, letting visitors look out onto the city. If anyone has any more information about the eco-features of this center, we’d love to hear them – so share your thoughts in the comments below.

+ Mario Bellini Architects

Via Designboom

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Post tags: eco design, green architecture, Green Covered Taipei Music Center by Mario Bellini Architects, green design, mario bellini architects, sustainable design, taiper pop music center

Once upon a time I fell in love with a photo of a room, a bedroom that just spoke to me. Ngoc Minh Ngo took that shot. Ngoc is a contender for my all time fav photographer. We’ve featured her work before but it’s time for an encore. Love everything that she captures with her lens. There’s a spirit, a joy in her images. Photographer crush to the max. Not hard to see why!