Manhattan Dreaming

Manhattan Beach, that is!  Another storm is about to literally sweep us through the NYC streets along with snowdrifts starting tonight.  Weather like this makes me dream of the sunshine state.  Yup, that California sunshine haunts me…

I found this amazing design team, DISC Interiors.  And speaking of California design, this duo knows their palette quite well.  Am sooo in-love with their work.  It is the understated, sophisticated, no-fuss way about it.  This one home in particular captured me when I saw the living space.  It is all uphill from there.  I just love the mix of contemporary and rustic details.

DISC

Designers Krista Schrock + David John Dick

Los Angeles, CA

Rustic and Primitive in NYC

Yup, you read it right.   Even though I sway towards a more modern setting, those that know me very well can say the rustic influence is strong and somehow comes forth in my work, in little ways or big ways.  There's usually a touch of that beat-up primitive farm table or a wooden basin in what appears to be a glossy, krisp or smooth interior setting.  My very first condo renovation had floors made of raw concrete tiles that I had custom ordered from a Spanish tile company.  Beneath the Le Corbusier sofa and chairs lay concrete flooring in the living room, leading to an outdoor space filled with gravel-covered grounds and an old, salvaged chunk of a humongous tree trunk acting as a bench.  Was it modern? Yes.  Was it primitive in ways?  Yes.  It was a fantastic combination!

These images are of Robert De Niro's TriBeCa Penthouse where he commissioned Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt whose work is so recognizable.  I was indeed floored!  Amazing, the cocktail of reclaimed wood textures, rough concrete, linen slipcovers and window treatment.  It's as if a restored farmhouse was plopped on top this bustling metropolitan district in Manhattan.  As primitive as it looks, it is sooo modern.  Is it an old castle or converted farmhouse in Belgium?  Or is it some old building in Gion, Kyoto?  What a piece of paradise -- my kind of paradise…

Found on Grey the Blog via Remodelista

Design Axel Vervoordt

Photography via The Greenwich Hotel

California in Denmark

On this dreadful, wet nor'easter weekend morning I can't help but think of my undying California dreams.  Luckily last week I came across this home tour on lovely SF Girl By Bay, and truly, the cacti caught my attention!  With drought a never-ending dilemma in California, I shout-out to the homeowners that embrace desert curb appeal, using gravel, cacti and succulents instead of grass and lush water-thriving greenery.  Going back to my Cali dreams, this Danish flat would make a perfect desert oasis.  Just imagine mountains in the landscape.

Aside from that, I can't get over the sophisticated minimal, achromatic manner of decorating. Oh, that bedroom!

Found on SF Girl By Bay via BoBedre

Photography Birgitta Wolfgang Drier

You may see another post captured by Birgitta Wolfgang Drier, but in Morocco, here.  

Sucabaruca by Luca Nichetto

The Nor'easter storm is looming in the tri-state area, putting a damper on New Yorkers' weekend plans.  For me these storms make me look forward to good cups of coffee and reading a book!

Speaking of coffee...  last winter my favorite Toronto store Mjölk launched Italian designer Lucca Nichetto's Sucabaruca.  No need to tell you this product is on my wish list.

"Pop" collection is a tribute to artist and photographer Jean-Paul Goude.

Inspired by Martin Margiela is the white porcelain collection.

The pastel collection is said to be influenced by the "colour and sensitivity used in Japanese architecture".

Lucca Nichetto has been recently linked with his colleague Oki Sato Nendo, whom both are widely known as Nichetto-Nendo during the launch in Milan Design Week 2013.

A known collaborator, Lucca has also been famous for working along side other labels like Foscarini, Casamina, and Cassina, to name a few.

Source kitka