Crisp Street Apartment is a private home designed by the South Yarra-based Mim Design in 2013. It is located in Melbourne, Australia. Crisp Street Apartment by Mim Design: “Crisp Street Apartments offer premium residential living in the heart of Hampton. Each of the 28 apartments reflects a composition of well-planned, contemporary living spaces that establish a softened monochrome palette. This composition is elegantly punctuated with furnishings in blue-greys and dusky..
Airplane Suite
Airplane Suite is a singular hotel destination, guaranteed to give you stories to bring back home. Stationed in the Teuge Airport, in The Netherlands, the plane was originally built in 1960 and measures 131 feet in length. Photos courtesy of hotelsuites.nl
10 Creative Home Offices with an Asian Influence
Long gone are the days when you leave work behind as you punch out your card and head for home. In the modern world filled with laptops, tablets and smartphones, you carry your work pretty much everywhere. And this is has seen an obvious spurt in the homeowners wanting a dedicated home office that allows them to get the job done with comfort and ease. Whether you have an envious home office with unabated ocean views or a practical workspace in the basement, it is the ambiance of the space that ultimately determines its productivity. When it comes to creating an elegant, relaxing and conducive workspace few styles work as well as Asian.
Fabulous home office also doubles as a meditation space [Design: Arnold Schulman Design Group]
The Asian style is largely defined by sue of natural materials, calming hues and innate simplicity. Ergonomics meet form beautifully in Asian style home offices and today we have 10 outstanding inspirations that showcase how to pull off the look even while embracing modern aesthetics.
Multitask with Ease
Not all of us have homes that are blessed with extensive amount of space and often the home office is clubbed with the bedroom or even the kitchen. This Asian style home office though works perfectly for those who want a smart crafts zone along with an elegant workspace. The design is kept simple, the color scheme neutral and the decor comfy to usher in a sense of serenity. Window shades, wall murals and interesting accessories complete the look.
Crafts zone combined with the home office in an ergonomic fashion [Design: Katherine Kawaguchi]
How often have you seen the home office of a lawyer being typically filled with a stoic wooden table and walls of books? Well, this one is different as it turns to Asian style cabinetry and decor to acquire a completely different and ingenious appeal. Obvious additions such as the Buddha statues and the wall art in the backdrop accentuate the Asian vibe even as gray accent wall brings a hint of modernity.
Spacious home office with cool Asian influences [Design: S&K Interiors]
Having an exclusive home office does not mean you need a dedicated room that is only devoted for this purpose. This home office uses open shelving to separate itself from the living room and yet is visually connected with the living area at all times. By using a series of shelves instead of a wall, the space has an open, airy appeal and wonderful flow of natural ventilation.
Open shelves separate the home office from the living area [Design: Suzanne Hunt Architect]
Smart use of Space
Space is definitely not a constraint when you are trying to create a relaxed and beautiful Asian style home office. The two inspirations below showcase how the right color scheme, decor and accessories can easily create the look in even the tiniest of corners. Think of warm, calming yellows for the wall, furniture in natural wood and oriental-style lighting and some smart accessories to replicate this look.
Floating glass desk and simple accessories shape this home office [Design: Studio Linder Architects]
Give the home office some natural greenery [Design: Thom Filicia]
This home office might not really be cramped for room, but it does utilize space that might have been otherwise left unused. Staircase landings and nooks under the staircase are perfect for a nifty little home office. The unique design of the desk and the bookshelf in the backdrop give this home office its dash of Asian flavor.
Creative home office combines modern aesthetics with Asian style [Design: The Interior Place]
Color and Creativity
Remember that Asian style is a broad spectrum which actually includes many different styles originating from regions across the continent. But in most instances, homeowners associate Chinese and Japanese design influences as ‘Asian’ and they do seem to be the most popular among the lot. The vivacious use of red along with a hint of gold in the home office below seems to be inspired by the classic Chinese color palette.
Stylish home office connected with the porch [Design: Knudson Interiors]
If the office above is all about Chinese opulence, then this one revels in unassuming simplicity of Japanese design! What seems like a ‘Zen nook’ is actually filled with a hydraulically controlled desk that can be operated at the touch of a button, a wall with screen dedicated for video conferencing and of course, a minimalist workstation.
Japanese style home office with a hydraulically controlled desk! [Design: Ki Arts]
Not comfortable making a turn towards the oriental style completely? Not to worry, as you can easily strike a balance between the contemporary and Asian styles with a home office such as the one below. Using a dashing black and gold color scheme, the space is decidedly modern and yet has undeniable Asian flair to it.
Give your contemporary home office a subtle Asian flair [Design: Atmosphere Interior Design]
You’re reading 10 Creative Home Offices with an Asian Influence, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
Warm Industrial Style Shines in a St. Petersburg Loft
The loft includes an open floor plan and exposed ductwork, both of which are quite common in this style of apartment. In this particular space, the ductwork has been painted white which prevents it from feeling quite so industrial. The gridwork of light fixtures on the ceiling is also a creative addition.
Another extremely creative element in this loft is the use of an industrial shipping container as a way to separate rooms in the otherwise open space. The bright red container creates an accent wall as well as a focal art piece in the center of the apartment.
In the bedroom, the platform bed is surrounding by soft rocks that are lit from underneath. The result is a truly calming bedroom atmosphere with soft lighting and natural, zen elements.
Rather than build up solid walls to provide privacy in the bedroom, the architect has used glass walls that actually change from transparent to opaque.
The bathroom is spacious with its own design aesthetic. The dark wood paneling on the floor extends up the wall in the shower area, giving it a natural, enveloping feel. The large soaking tub is a reclaimed washtub, which is equal parts kitschy and historic.
Overall it is the materials and textures that truly set this warm industrial loft apart. From the vibrant shipping container to the chevron wood floors and the stacked stones that create the wardrobe, it is the simplicity of the design that manages to marry industry with nature to great effect.
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Pantone Hotel: Add Radiant Color to Your Stay in Brussels!
The beautiful city of Brussels is renowned for many things ranging from being the de facto capital of European Union to waffles, chocolates and of course, its unique architecture. Despite the cosmopolitan buzz in the city, it is not really a place famous for its vivid and brilliant colors. But Pantone is all set to change this with its new, exquisite boutique hotel, which is unsurprisingly known as Pantone Hotel! While the name might be a touch uninspiring, the interior is anything but that with its amazing spectrum of colors complementing luxury and elegance.
When it comes to color, no one doubts that Pantone has all the experience in the world and it brings this to the forth as the interiors of the hotel surround you in stimulating color even while creating a relaxing ambiance. We absolutely love how designers Michel Penneman and Olivier Hannaert employed a neutral, white backdrop to create a visual balance between the bold and the soothing hues. This ensured that the seven distinct color palettes used across the different levels draw your attention instantly without actually being too loud or garish.
One of the standout features in each guest room is the use of brilliant photography by Belgian photographer Victor Levy, which enhances the color scheme in each room beautifully. With a unique reception, corridors draped in mesmerizing shades and a terrace that offers panoramic views of the city, the hotel promises to add both comfort and color to your stay in Brussels.
You’re reading Pantone Hotel: Add Radiant Color to Your Stay in Brussels!, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
Bring a Little Love & Sparkle Home with Sequins!
We’re just a couple of weeks away from the official day to celebrate love, but why not celebrate it all the time? Personally, I’m a fan of giving people hugs to show them I love them, but can’t we all use a little reminder of those lovely hugs and kisses on a regular basis? I say yes! This project was pretty simple and pretty, well, pretty! Ready to see it?
A Sneaky Shortcut!
If you’re thinking, “how did she glue on those thousands of sequins??” – don’t worry. I didn’t! Call it cheating if you want, but I used sequin strips, or ribbon, or whatever you want to call it. Like this:
Also, you’ll of course need scissors, a glue gun, and some thick cardboard or presentation board (you know, the foamy stuff you used for school projects?).
To start, we need to make some letters! Here’s how I measured mine:
They’re seven inches wide and about 9 inches tall. Making the “X” is easy, but with the “O”, you have to be a little careful with the curves. If it helps, look at an example on your computer or phone!
Now you’re ready to cut. Using scissors does work, especially for the curves of the “O”, but I’d say use a utility knife and a ruler for the “X” and save yourself the aggravation!
Now let’s get the sequins on! Apply a bit of glue to the back of your first letter, like so:
Now gently press down the end of the sequin strip, pulling it a bit (because this stuff is elastic, as well!).
Wrap the sequins around, not overlapping too much because the strips are thick, so you can just place them beside each other.
You will eventually need to cut the strip and glue it down, then start again on the ‘bottom’ of the “X” – for the “O”, all you need to do is wrap until you get back to the beginning!
Sparkling Golden Brilliance
Now you’ve seen the back of the “X”, here’s the back of the “O”:
Yes, it looks just like the front, so if you need to put these up in front of a mirror, just glue a few more strips on the back of the “X” and you’re all set!
I am seriously obsessed with these, you guys! I don’t want them to ever leave my house! And who says I can only have hugs and kisses around for Valentine’s Day anyway, right?
I actually also added some pink taper candles to style with these because pink is awesome! What do you think? Add a few colorful books, some special mementos and memories from the world’s most romantic city, and voila!
So, will you try out some sparkly letters for your home this season? Will you keep them around even after Valentine’s Day like me?
You’re reading Bring a Little Love & Sparkle Home with Sequins!, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
House O by Michal Nowak
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A 10-Minute Step Stool Makeover!
Today’s DIY project is so easy, it will only take you minutes to complete! Have you been shopping around for step stools? Maybe you have a kiddo at home who needs help reaching the sink, or maybe you’re like me, and you have a pet who could use a boost when jumping up to the couch (yes, I allow my kitty on the couch). Kate here, and after months of rejecting step stool after step stool because the selection at hand didn’t fit in with my decor, I decided to take charge with the help of some contact paper. Read on for a quick step-by-step to complete your own step stool makeover…
Project Planning
This DIY project doesn’t take much planning, other than figuring out what colors and/or patterns you want to work with. After all, you’ll be purchasing or gathering both a step stool and contact paper. Below we see a Crate & Barrel pillow from my living room. I have a lot of vivid colors in my home, and dashes of beige and cream help temper the brightness.
Contact paper is one of my all-time favorite DIY project supplies. I purchased contact paper in a faux granite pattern to embellish the modern blocks below, a previous project. I gifted my family with the blocks for Christmas, but I had a LOT of contact paper left. I knew the pattern’s white and beige tones would be perfect for my living room step stool.
Remember the DIY paper art project featured in the next image? It hangs in my living room, and while planning my step stool project, it was another sign that contact paper in neutral tones would complement the bright tones in my space. As you plan your project, think about the colors and patterns that will enhance your interior. When you browse step stool and contact paper options, having a plan in mind will guide you as you gather supplies.
Simple Supplies and Steps
Once you have your supplies at the ready, the rest of this project is super easy to execute. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- a step stool with a smooth top
- contact paper/shelf liner in the pattern of your choice
- paper towels for cleaning
- scissors
- a pencil
- a credit card or gift card (I’ll explain below)
As mentioned, the contact paper/shelf liner is an item I already had on hand, previously purchased at Target. The white step stool is also from Target. You can find it in blue or pink as well, but for me, white was the ideal color. You may also prefer to purchase a step stool in raw wood and paint it the hue of your choice. Whatever works best for your space!
One thing I love about contact paper: the helpful grid on the back! It makes the project steps that much easier. Ready to get started?!
Step 1: Clean the top of the stool, wiping away stray dust and dirt.
Contact paper tends to show bumps rather easily. The smoother the step stool, the sleeker the finished product!
Step 2: Using a pencil, trace the stop of your step stool onto the back of the contact paper.
Try and be as accurate as possible while you complete this step, as it will prevent you from having to trim excess paper after the fact.
Step 3: Cut out the traced form so it’s ready to adhere to your step stool.
Again, accuracy is key here, but don’t stress about making everything perfect. I was careful during the cutting process, yet the fact that the contact paper wasn’t a 100% precise fit for the stool didn’t end up mattering in the long run. As long as it’s close enough, you should be set!
Step 4: Erase any stray pencil marks left on your stool.
While tracing the top of the step stool, some pencil marks inevitably made their way onto the stool itself. In the spirit of keeping the top free of stray particles, I erased the marks, wiping away the eraser bits before continuing with the project.
Step 5: Peel the protective backing from the contact paper, and stick the paper to the top of the stool.
I like to use the edge of a plastic card (such as a credit card or gift card) to smooth the top of the contact paper while I’m sticking it to a new surface! This simple strategy creates an extra smooth finish.
Step Stool Styling
Want to see how the stool turned out?… Ta-da!
It’s simple, it’s puts a modern spin on a somewhat traditional stool design, and it looks great in my bright space. Kitty instantly used it as a launching pad for jumping onto the couch–mission accomplished! He has arthritis, so I have to help him out, you know?!
You may decide to use washi tape to further embellish the top of your stool, or you can create a geo design with contact paper in another color or pattern. I stacked a few colorful modern blocks on my stool, and this is a great way to style it when it’s not in active use.
If you give this project a try, let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment below! Thanks for letting me share my latest easy DIY project. Until next time…
You’re reading A 10-Minute Step Stool Makeover!, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
Sig Nordal 