Black and White Stairs

Today I want to show you these wonderfully graphic black and white stairs. They were introduced in an old apartment in Stockholm during it's renovation by Andreas Martin-Löf Arkitekter. 

The result is a beautiful and extraordinary new architectural element that stands out while still belonging to this space.

architecture: Andreas Martin-Löf Arkitekter

styling: Sofie Ganeva

photography: Emily Laye

via: Fantastic Frank

Renovation of a Vila in Portugal

A beautiful mix of Past and Present in this old family house renovation. 

The architecture studio Clínica de Arquitecura had as their main objectives: to give the spaces more fluidity, more light and basically a new "life" to the home... but without losing it's particular character and it's memories.

I love all the beautiful details and the amount of care taken to combine old and new in an harmonious way.

My favourites? The general luminosity which makes me feel nostalgic for the summer in Portugal. The new stairs, and the way they belong effortlessly in the old space. And the marble kitchen sink, because it reminds me of the one my grandmother had.

"Sometimes, everything has to change so that everything stays the same...

Today, looking at the house, it seems that it was always like this."
CdA

photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8:  A Caixa Negra

photo 7:  Clínica de Arquitectura

with kind permission

HOUSE TOUR | Villa Vals

I recently saw this house on TV and decided to investigate it a bit further and share it with you. What captivated me was it's architecture so there may be a bit more talk involved on this post... I think it's worth it so bear with me please!

The house was designed by Bjarne Mastenbroek (seARCH) and Christian Müller (CMA), and it was completed in 2009. It's unusual shape and the fact that it's partially buried in the mountain slope came from the architects wish of completely integrating the building into the landscape. 

Villa Vals got it's name from it's location, in the Swiss Alps, in a village called Vals. You may have heard of this place before because that's where the amazing Therms designed by Peter Zumthor are located. They are actually just a short distance away from this house. When I visited the Therms I was very turned off by the hotel in which they are integrated. I will never forget that the wonderful experience that was to perambulate through Zumthor's spaces came preceded by the most awkward feeling of entering through some sort of parking lot with neon lights... (those neons are engraved in my mind and not in a pleasant way). So I was very happy when I found out that Villa Vals is actually a holiday house that can be rented for couples or family vacation, and would definitely, oh most definitely!, make the whole visit to the therms and this beautiful valley a much better experience. 

The entrance to the house is made through an old barn with an underground tunnel that leads to the main building.

The kitchen is the heart of the house. 

It's situated on the lower level of the building and has direct access to a terrace and an open view to the alpine landscape.

The interior design and decoration involved the collaboration of several modern Dutch designers and companies. You can find a list of said collaborations here.

The bedrooms are a play of volumes in several levels and with a much more intimate and secluded feeling. The windows frame and condition the views. Nooks and crannies provide spaces of contemplation.

all photos by Iwan Baan

I just love the whole scheme of the house, and all it's delicious details... 

If you are curious about the plans you can find them here. 

I tried not to be to exhaustive and I hope you liked the tour!

Summer House in Concrete and Wood

Today I'm sharing this summer house renovation in Linescio, Switzerland, by Buchner Bründler Architekten, which was the winner of the Swiss Concrete award for 2013.

The concrete inside creates a 'cage' that allows the preservation of  the original 'shell' of stone walls. I personally love the huge shutters, covering the whole hight of the building. How about you?

photos by:  (C) Ruedi Walti

via: Afasia

[ a gesture in black&white ] by Norm.Architects

A few photos of a townhouse in Copenhagen renovated by Norm.Architects. 

A home of contrasts.

A white background and open layout that make for a serene, pure and fluid refuge, in opposition to it's exterior body and surroundings. And an almost graphic gesture through the punctuation of the space with black details. I find it beautiful (if maybe not very liveable). What do you think?

photography by © Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

via Yatzer

Raw Styling - Concrete and Copper

I love it when I finally find the source and the full project of some of the photos that catch my attention on Pinterest or blogs. Some images are very inspiring just by themselves, but I always like to know the context in which they were taken, it adds some depth to them. That's what happened with the photos of the Nazdrowje bar in Sweden. 

Designed by Richard Lindvall, what used to be a parking garage was transformed into a restaurant and bar, having as inspiration old factories in Poland. The existing raw atmosphere was kept by using concrete on the floors, walls, and casted tables and benches. White tiles, the Tolix stools and big, old, lamps (brought from a factory in the Czech Republic) accentuate the concept of an industrial ambience. Details in copper and some amazing photos (by Mattias Lindbäck), of the workers who built the restaurant, on the wall, add some warmth to the space. 

photography: Mattias Lindbäck

all images via Richard Lindvall

A great combination of materials to start  an inspiring week! 

Dinesen GrandOak

Some images, from a photo shoot and a finished work, with the new option of Dinesen floors:
The GrandOak. 

Gallery Mess Café, Saatchi Gallery, London

all images via Dinesen

Balfour Place by KHBT

Today I want to share the renovation of an apartment in Mayfair, London, by the design team KHBT.

The whole space was planned to be completely white with rather "clean" lines, where a strip of walnut timber crosses the apartment, and connects it's opposite sides, becoming the kitchen counter at one end and the bathtub at the other. A dark, warm, wooden element contrasting with the cool white background.

Going up and down the stairs may seem a bit weird and inconvenient but, since this is a renovation and they were constrained by the several levels of the old construction, I quite like that they decided to embrace these features to create this beautiful, mostly graphical, gesture, that completely transforms the apartment into something unique.

photography: Johannes Marburg

all images via Dezeen