Prism

Great ceiling shapes and gradient colors used in the Ara Pizza space designed by Pablo Téllez.

Hospitality Master

Marcel Wanders has done it again with the fantasy-like design of the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht Hotel.   Such great volume, shapes, and colors used to make this space unique and luxurious. 

Coach House

Fantastic modern design of the Coach House Restaurant of Hatfield House.  Great use of materials and overall branding in this space designed by SHH.

Photo by Alastair Lever

The Atlantic

A carefully segmented space that demonstrates industrial design mixed with traditional elegance. The Atlantic Restaurant designed by Blackmilk Interior Design in Melbourne.  Photos by Earl Carter.

Bright Lounge

Love this multi-purpose BU Lounge space at Bangkok University by Supermachine Studio.  Great use of color and form to divide the space and create flexible study and event areas.

It's all in the details...

For commercial interiors, I like the new trend of using a chalkboard wall, especially in a bakery / coffee shop. // Chalk-board Wall via Pinterest of a Jeni's

I also love the use of large scale art and pattern.  And using many colors to create a fun and vibrant space. // Westminster College Lobby via Pinterest / From designboom.com

Perfect Lines...

Photo via mayersattler-smith of the Ravenwood Veterinary Clinic.

Love this architecture eye-candy... designed by Mayer Sattler-Smith. Great massing, colors, and a unique use of materials.

Project Share

I'm finishing up a few freelance projects, so I thought I would share. The material board above is for my sorority house up at University of Idaho. It is still in the works for funding and all, but I had a great time sourcing products that would be durable, neutral, and create the modern feel I wanted to update the house. Can't wait to see this project happen!

Love this...Rope Wall

Isn't this Rope Wall great?!? Such a simple idea that transformed this beautiful space.

For the ModHomeEc Studio, via The Brick House

Hope your weekend is absolutely marvelous... Happy Mothers Day!...and don't forget to enter the Shabby Apple Giveaway.

Happy Earth Day!!

In honor of earth day, I had to post these amazing photos of Anthropologie's Cork Counts Contest, such amazing window displays of cork!! For more info on the contest visit here, and for more photos visit here.

Images via anthropologie+you

Natural Dining

Love this lounge & restaurant concept in London, The Folly by company Drake & Morgan that combines natural elements in a dining atmosphere along with a florist and deli. This space lets you have different dining experiences based on your event. Such beautiful spaces, and the food looks yummy as well!

via weheart.co.uk, photography by Media Wisdom.

London Calling

I was in London a few years back for my honeymoon, and I absolutely fell in love! These images are of the Rough Luxe Hotel at Kings Cross, by designer Rabih Hage. I love the way the rooms combine modern and traditional styles, celebrating the city and the hotels location.

Images found here.

I'm back!!

I'm sorry for my leave of absence. I've been busy on the look-out for a new job and networking. I am also finishing up some amazing "volunteer" projects using my Interior Design skills and as a Project Coordinator.

The first project is with Interior Designer's of Idaho and is a rehabilitation of 1920's building that acts as a shelter for victims of domestic violence, we have received over $50,000 in donated products, labor, and grant funds to complete this project. We are replacing finishes and painting in the hallways, living areas, and bathrooms. This project should be finalized next month, and I hope to share pictures to show how much a difference it made.

The second project is an interior renovation of my sorority house in Moscow Idaho, I have been working on finishes, space planning, and furniture for a majority of the house. My selections were made to create a modern look with a neutral palate. Its a 1960's ranch house, so it has some great open spaces. I am so excited to present our final design to my sisters next month!

I also have a large event in the works that is keeping my creative side moving. This event will be happening this winter... exciting details coming soon!

P.S. I love this space, the Cielito Querido Cafe in Mexico. Such a great mix of color, wood, pattern and textures. I would love to sit in this space and create!

Interview...Virginia of Blue Fruit

I am was so excited when I found Virginia Blue of Blue Fruit while researching Interior Designers outside of the US. I was fixated on her architectural style and unique ways of using products inside and out. Virginia is located in Melbourne Australia, she has worked for a few large architectural firms there and has done some work in London. In 2004, she decided to embark on her own journey with Blue Fruit. Her design intent reflects the user's needs and personality, maintains a complimentary relation to the landscape of each site, and each project has a distinct style of its own.

To get more info about Virginia and Blue Fruit, you can read her blog, follow her on twitter, and visit her website.

When and how did you know you wanted to be a designer?

It’s funny - it took me a long time to realize the obvious. Because when I was a small child I would spend hours building Lego cities with glass corner skyscrapers, then add lift-up winch bridges and Ferris Wheels that actually turned, all made from Meccano. And I used to spend my school holidays sketching buildings. But when I left school, I wasn’t really sure what to be - so I ended up studying a Bachelor of Arts of Communication Studies - with a major in computer programming. After a few years of working as a trainer in personnel, a couple of my good friends said “Virginia, all you ever talk about are buildings, so why don’t you go back to uni and study architecture and then we can all talk about something else sometimes.” It was a light-bulb moment!

How would you describe your style? And how has this style developed over time?

My style is hard to define because I tend to feed off the particular aspects of a project for inspiration. If it’s residential, I try to work out my client’s personality, then apply it to their lifestyle & their history as well as the topography of the building site. If it is a commercial project, I tend to focus on where the future is headed, and try to build in some flexibility. But if I had to define my style in a nutshell, I would say “eclectic, bold & always with a touch of humor”. I guess over time I have got a lot more confident in pushing a client almost to the edge of their comfort zone - after all, it’s what they pay us for!

Mood board for current project

What are some of your recent projects?

A city real estate agency that had a mix of antiques and 60’s furniture; a mid century modern beach house addition & reno; a fabulous new self-sufficient home for an aged couple in their 80s + the tiniest bathroom I have ever designed!

New self-sufficient home for an aged couple.

1980's home remodel, see more here.

What would be your dream project?

The fit-out of a yacht.

What is the biggest design challenge you've faced?

I was given 6 weeks to concept design an 11 story building housing 22 law courts. That was scary! It took a further 2 years to complete the detail design and construction drawings.

Roma Mitchell Law Courts, Adelaide

What are you most proud of professionally?

Probably the law courts building or maybe it’s the fact that I have been lucky enough to have designed such a variety of projects - from department stores, jails, railway stations, hospitals, universities to apartment blocks. But the most humbling thing is designing a house for somebody - it is their very most private aspect and it is always an honor to be trusted with this.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

I never know what the day will hold! Working on plans & elevations, perhaps designing the joinery for a kitchen, or sourcing materials. Then I may get a phone call from one of my builders saying “What do you want me to do about this or that - can you just come and have a look?” So often I end up on site making decisions as the building progresses. That is my favorite bit!

Which designers, artists or creative people do you look up to or are inspired by?

2 of my uni professors were great mentors - one taught history of architecture which is my building block of reference - and the other taught me the importance of designing for people, not just for great spaces, in architecture.

Where do you find inspiration?

Traveling is the best source of inspiration because it forces you to change your perspective constantly. But like all designers, I see inspiration everywhere - in fashion, in a butterfly’s wings, on the street or at the beach - I never stop looking.

I love this picture from Grand Central Station, because I was so earnestly pointing to the ceiling and explaining to my {long suffering but patient} husband about how good the restoration project was, that a tv camera crew spotted me just after this shot was taken to interview me about the LED lights that have just been installed. What a hoot! And it meant that my husband didn't have to listen to the details - but could happily let the journalist do the listening. (This happened last month, when we went to NYC for our wedding anniversary dinner.)

What are your favorite design trends?

Mixing not matching {thank goodness it is back in fashion - I think it is how every designer prefers to work}; using more natural products that have less toxins in their manufacture and lifespan; and individual, hand-made items mixed with treasures from the past.

Mid century modern 1950s house renovation.

What's the one spot in your house that makes you most happy or proud?

Every house needs a “wow factor” spot. In my current home, it is the framed view from the massive living room windows, onto a garden of eucalyptus trees and wild birds flying about.

My own living room - I love to embrace the existing style of a building with the interior styling. This is a1972 post and beam ranch house - so when I found some 1880s orange velvet sofas, I had to buy them

What advice I would give someone designing a new home?

Learn to completely trust your designer - the more carte blanche the brief, the more perfect and individual will be the resulting building.

Bathroom with marinace granite

What is your favorite song?

“Is you or ain't you my baby?” - the remix version of Dinah Washington’s classic by Rae & Christian. Particularly good with a good martini.

What are your plans on a typical Saturday morning?

We always have pancakes or waffles for breakfast on Saturdays - so if I am lucky I can persuade one of the family to cook it instead of me! A spot of gardening in the veggie patch, then a quick read of the papers. The rest of the morning mostly disappears in the delirious misconception that I have a whole lovely weekend to enjoy - before realizing that it simply disappears all too fast!

Thank you so much Virginia for being such an inspiring person, fabulous designer, and for this lovely interview!

It's all in the Details...

In Carpet, there are some great new ideas and products on the market to create patterns. Here are a couple of manufacturer installations that show unique ways to use their product.

Tandus: Powerbond®, is 6' Rolled Good, that can be used to create intricate patterns.

InterfaceFLOR, Using color, texture and shape to create patterns.
Top Left: Tectonics™, Top Right: Monochrome™; Menagerie™ II
Bottom Left: Cap and Blazer™, Bottom Right: Sew Retro™; Blast From the Past™

Guest Chairs

I am always looking for the perfect guest chairs, whether for a lobby, office, or home living room. These are some of my favorite finds, from the new forms to the classics.

1. Haworth / b_sit. 2. Steelcase /Bob Lounge Chair. 3. Coalesse / SW_1 Seating. 4. Herman Miller / Eames Molded Plywood Chair 5. Knoll / Platner Lounge Chair

Way Cool Products | Fireclay Tile

Debris Series - Kelp - 3x6: 1902 Colonial Revival in San Francisco designed by Josh Mogal. Photo courtesy of Michael Keeny.

Vitrail installation at Urban Archaeology (Franklin St., New York City)

Claymonde installation at Whole Foods

Fireclay Tile, is a ceramic tile manufacturer that focuses on using recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing processes in all their tile designs. Their product ranges from traditional style, reproductions, and modern designs. Please check out their blog to find out about events, interesting facts, and product introductions.

Way Cool Products | Sculpted Wall Panels

I am crazy about these sculpted wall panels by Interlam. They can help create an interesting architectural screen, and are available in many different finishes. The core material is third party certified by SCS, and they have some options that are 100% recycled wood fiber. This product is very similar to the divider wall product used in the "Uproot" restaurant I posted about yesterday.

For more information, pricing, and finishes... visit Interlam.