Sep 2, 2011 | blog, Interiors
No matter how well planned your vacation is, where you sleep could either ruin or take your experience to a whole new level. The people behind El Palauet Living focused on a new trend, flats instead of the “last year” boutique hotels’ concept. El Palauet Living is a group of flats that represent this new travel experience in Barcelona, Spain.
El Palauet Living consists of six suites constructed in a building dated back to 1906. Each suite is unique; no two are alike.
Since the building is over one hundred years old, there were many features that were kept and restored in the suites. Features such as stained glass windows, distinctive ceilings (45 different ceilings to be exact),and hallway moldings were kept and combined with modern elements such as iconic trendy furniture by designers such as Eames, Saarinen, Van der Rohe and Starck, amongst others. Colors used were monochromatic emphasizing the beauty in the details of the historic finishes and focusing on the beautiful furniture.
Checking their website, you will notice how much El Palauet Living emphasize luxury and great service, hence they offer guests a Personal Assistant to complete that sublime feeling of a holiday.
Check the photos below of their suites, spa, and outer terrace. You gotta love the luxury life!
Sep 1, 2011 | blog, Interiors, Restaurants
The Tastings Room is a new addition to the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, Marina Square with the fine combination of French/Italian bistro cuisine and wine cellar under one roof. The restaurant’s vision was to refresh the perception of wine and food culture in Singapore by providing them at affordable prices. The overall spatial experience sandwiches the crafted black volumes between two layers of industrial aesthetics: exposed ceiling and concrete screed floor, to juxtapose/merge opposing aesthetics of being sophisticated yet affordable.
The programmatic composition was divided into three areas namely Wine, Bistro and shared spaces of Wine/Bistro. A U-shaped band of these programs was deployed as it provided the most flexible layout with regards to shared functions, main circulation and points of entry/exit. The Central Bar sits firmly in the middle to negotiate the needs of both Wine and Bistro, as well as providing the point of sale for this establishment.The total floor area of 137 square meters has been divided percentage-wise into 7% for the ruby red wine cellar; 47% for the Wine/Bistro area which also includes the private function rooms, the storage staff area and the central bar and circulation space. The remaining 46% of the Bistro includes seating space and the kitchen.
Drawing inspiration from the outer aesthetics of the dark wine bottle and antique weaved wine basket holders, the outer skin of these volumes adopt a series of black diagonal tiles while the interiors are inspired by the “hidden” flavors of wine, taking on singular hues for rooms such as the red wine cellar and yellow kitchen.
(more…)
Aug 30, 2011 | blog, Feng Shui & Healthy Home tips
You can now have your own “ Wellness capsule” at home, the Concoon by Wasserbetten, with only 20 minutes this home spa equipment will allow you to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.The feeling has been compared to floating and described as womb-like. Once inside, you lay on a water mattress and have your choice of relaxing sounds and color ambiance while being completely sealed off from the outside environment. It is as though you are really being taken to another dimension of space and time.
For technical details: Wasserbetten
Aug 30, 2011 | blog, From a Designer's Journal, General
After a whole month of fasting for many Muslims, today the first day of Eid falls. Whatever your traditions are and how you go about spending this day, I really hope you have a blessed Eid.
I hope the coming year will be better in every way for every one of you, may God bless us all with good days ahead.
Eid Mubarak, and remember life is back to normal now, so expect a season of work-overload ahead. Good luck and enjoy the holiday!
Aug 30, 2011 | blog, Interiors
i29 interior architects designed these offices for the advertising agency Tribal DDB Amsterdam. The space is around 650m2 and accommodate 80 members of staff.
Tribal DDB Amsterdam is a highly ranked digital marketing agency and part of DDB international, worldwide one of the largest advertising offices. i29 interior architects have gained numerous awards and nominations over the years for their distinct work especially in commercial spaces and offices.
The main features in this project are the neutral colors of white and grey and more importantly the use of felt material to encase almost everything. The use of this material aids in sound absorption and in hiding up scars caused by demolition. “ There is probably no other material which can be used on floors, ceiling, walls and to create pieces of furniture and lampshades than felt. It’s also durable, acoustic, fireproof and environment friendly. Which doesn’t mean it was easy to make all of these items in one material!”
From the designers:
The goal was to create an environment where creative interaction is supported and to achieve as much workplaces as possible in the new structure with flexible offices and large open spaces.
i29 searched for solutions to various problems which could be addressed by one grand gesture. At first a material which could be an alternative to the ceiling system, but also to cover and integrate structural parts. Acoustics became a very important item, as the open spaces for stimulating creative interaction and optimal usage of space where required. This led us to the use of fabrics. It is perfect for absorbing sound and therefore it creates privacy in an open space. From felt we made ceiling, walls, furniture and lamps.
Aug 27, 2011 | blog, Cars
25 August 2011: Gaydon – The new Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be appearing in September at the 64th IAA International Motor Show at Frankfurt. Along with the largest display of contemporary Aston Martins ever seen at a Motor Show, two V12 Zagatos, both having completed their engineering sign-off at the Nürburgring 24 hour race, will be shown for the first time at a mainstream event.
The V12 Zagato is being offered for sale at £330,000 GBP (excluding local taxes) and will go into strictly limited production of up to 150 cars in summer 2012. 50 years on from the introduction of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin and Zagato have collaborated to create this modern interpretation which remains true to the focus of craftsmanship, performance and exclusivity which underpinned the original collaboration.
Autoblog
