2014年9月12日星期五

Contemporary Villa With Splashing Colors and Courtyard

Interiors with a monochromatic slant certainly have their place in contemporary design. But the bold use of bright colors in this beautiful villa in La Baule, in the South Brittany region of France, makes an argument for fewer grays. Take a look inside this home in these photos from Steven Baconnais and you’ll see what we mean.
Immediately, this sunken living room creates an amazing lounging area with plenty of brightly color cushions.1 |Immediately, this sunken living room creates an amazing lounging area with plenty of brightly color cushions. 
A central chartreuse coffee table is just a bit whimsical.2 |A central chartreuse coffee table is just a bit whimsical. 
We can also begin to see the African influence in this home with the traditional masks on the walls of this seating nook.4 |We can also begin to see the African influence in this home with the traditional masks on the walls of this seating nook. 
The playful central light fixture disperses flattering rays and whimsy once the sun goes down.5 |The playful central light fixture disperses flattering rays and whimsy once the sun goes down. 
It would be so easy to nestle into one of these cozy corners for a chat or a nap.6 |It would be so easy to nestle into one of these cozy corners for a chat or a nap. 
The home itself it also beautiful with wide sliding doors opening out onto a shaded patio.7 |The home itself it also beautiful with wide sliding doors opening out onto a shaded patio. 
Outside, bright red molded chairs stand out for sitting.8 |Outside, bright red molded chairs stand out for sitting. 
shady-modern-deck9 |
The chairs are even designed with a clever built-in table, the perfect size for a coffee and croissant.10 |The chairs are even designed with a clever built-in table, the perfect size for a coffee and croissant. 
In the bedrooms, the African style becomes even more prominent.11 |In the bedrooms, the African style becomes even more prominent. 
Here a unique zebra print wall treatment is bold but not dizzying.12 |Here a unique zebra print wall treatment is bold but not dizzying. 
This organize lacquered mask may not be entirely authentic but it adds a special personality to the room.13 |This organize lacquered mask may not be entirely authentic but it adds a special personality to the room. 
In a smaller bedroom, we continue to see African influence, here in a patchy duvet.14 |In a smaller bedroom, we continue to see African influence, here in a patchy duvet. 
This room has its own private entrance to the courtyard as well.15 |This room has its own private entrance to the courtyard as well. 
In the dining area, cool modern style dominates starting with a white and chrome table with lucite-accented chairs.16 |In the dining area, cool modern style dominates starting with a white and chrome table with lucite-accented chairs. 
A red floor lamp reminds us that in this home, we're never too far from color.17 |A red floor lamp reminds us that in this home, we’re never too far from color. 
A breakfast bar makes good use of a fairly small kitchen area.18 |A breakfast bar makes good use of a fairly small kitchen area. 
Stainless steel backsplash is wildly contemporary.19 |Stainless steel backsplash is wildly contemporary. 
And bright burgundy accent wall makes this French kitchen feel more than welcoming.20 |And bright burgundy accent wall makes this French kitchen feel more than welcoming. 
Greenhouse windows make for a very pleasant morning, even if you're doing dishes.21 |Greenhouse windows make for a very pleasant morning, even if you’re doing dishes. 
That beautiful burgundy also carries over in this upstairs study.22 |That beautiful burgundy also carries over in this upstairs study. 
A cool accessory over the door frame harkens to someplace exotic but doesn't require any real construction.23 |A cool accessory over the door frame harkens to someplace exotic but doesn’t require any real construction. 
Cute decorative lanterns flank a narrow, but modern desk.24 |Cute decorative lanterns flank a narrow, but modern desk. 
This upstairs room would be the perfect place to sit with a great book and a mug of something warm.25 |This upstairs room would be the perfect place to sit with a great book and a mug of something warm. 
In the bath, a warm mustardy yellow is cheerful yet modern.26 |In the bath, a warm mustardy yellow is cheerful yet modern. 
Little elements like a small hamper and hidden elephant sculpture ensure that African themes pulls through.27 |Little elements like a small hamper and hidden elephant sculpture ensure that African themes pulls through. 
Finally, an upstairs deck is gorgeously comfortable for entertaining.28 |Finally, an upstairs deck is gorgeously comfortable for entertaining. 
A vintage rocking chair meshes with newer furniture and even a surprisingly large cactus.29 |A vintage rocking chair meshes with newer furniture and even a surprisingly large cactus. 
An outdoor bar area will surely attract the neighbors.30 |An outdoor bar area will surely attract the neighbors. 
Gauzy curtains let you feign privacy for outdoor dinner parties.31 |Gauzy curtains let you feign privacy for outdoor dinner parties. 
modern-outdoor-furniture32 |
comfortable-patio-furniture33 |
Another outdoor area is shaded by a clever collapsible umbrella.34 |Another outdoor area is shaded by a clever collapsible umbrella. 
contemporary-art35 |

2014年9月3日星期三

Contemporary Apartment Design with Classical Features

Even the simplicity of modern design, with its clean lines and minimalistic colors, can become overwhelming when overused. In this private St. Petersburg apartment, architect and designerNatalia Ozerova has taken some of those modern elements and added classical, decadent flourishes. The result is a beautiful, modern apartment that has a taste of old world classic design.
In this first image from the living area, we are automatically drawn to the statues places around the room, even with an ancient Greek-style column as an end table.1 |In this first image from the living area, we are automatically drawn to the statues places around the room, even with an ancient Greek-style column as an end table. 
Notice that the statues flank the most modern items in the room -- a flat screen television and desktop computer.2 |Notice that the statues flank the most modern items in the room — a flat screen television and desktop computer. 
The slouchy gray sofa has its own modern appeal without the harsh firmness that some contemporary styles can have.3 |The slouchy gray sofa has its own modern appeal without the harsh firmness that somecontemporary styles can have. 
Another statue is displayed proudly on the mantle alongside line drawings of the St. Petersburg neighborhood.5 |Another statue is displayed proudly on the mantle alongside line drawings of the St. Petersburg neighborhood. 
A simple dining area with sunlight streaming in from corner windows is a perfect retreat at any time of day.6 |A simple dining area with sunlight streaming in from corner windows is a perfect retreat at any time of day. 
bright-dining-design7 |
The unique light fixture over the dining table, seen here close up, contrasts with the more classical elements, including the bust to the left.8 |The unique light fixture over the dining table, seen here close up, contrasts with the more classical elements, including the bust to the left. 
The master bedroom features an impressive accent wall with a massive relief design that makes you feel as if you've stepped into a palace.9 |The master bedroom features an impressive accent wall with a massive relief design that makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a palace. 
Even though the television may seem out of place, the tiled wall treatment leaves a perfect space for it, so it manages to fit in anyway.10 |Even though the television may seem out of place, the tiled wall treatment leaves a perfect space for it, so it manages to fit in anyway. 
A cushioned bumper around the edge of the platform bed makes things a bit cozier.11 |A cushioned bumper around the edge of the platform bed makes things a bit cozier. 
The massive walk-in closet is a contemporary twist on an ancient feature.12 |The massive walk-in closet is a contemporary twist on an ancient feature. 
Two doors let you easily slip into the bathroom or the main room from the closet.13 |Two doors let you easily slip into the bathroom or the main room from the closet. 
The bathroom itself is entirely modern with slick marble walls and deep porcelain basins.14 |The bathroom itself is entirely modern with slick marble walls and deep porcelain basins. 
But here we see that the classical influence has made it in here, too, with a statue peering down from a built-in shelf.15 |But here we see that the classical influence has made it in here, too, with a statue peering down from a built-in shelf. 
The room makes the most of a smaller space with a deep tub and shower in addition to his and hers sinks.16 |The room makes the most of a smaller space with a deep tub and shower in addition to his and hers sinks. 

2014年9月2日星期二

Stylish Scandinavian Apartment in Murmansk

The reality of any living space is often quite different from the pictures presented in books on on blogs. In this Scandinavian apartment, from designer Denis Krasikov, has the distinction of looking lived in while still appearing picture perfect.
This first image gives us a beautiful overview of the open apartment and it's bright white walls and ceiling.1 |This first image gives us a beautiful overview of the open apartment and it’s bright white walls and ceiling. 
Accessories like a chevron stripe throw and gray striped pillows are comfortable and complementary.2 |Accessories like a chevron stripe throw and gray striped pillows are comfortable and complementary. 
This artsy end table is a colorful focal point in an otherwise neutral color scheme.4 |This artsy end table is a colorful focal point in an otherwise neutral color scheme. 
Vertical striped curtains in combination with the white walls makes the room feel huge and tall.5 |Vertical striped curtains in combination with the white walls makes the room feel huge and tall. 
An artistic mirror sits at the entrance to the apartment with a lovely typographical accent.6 |An artistic mirror sits at the entrance to the apartment with a lovely typographical accent. 
The dining area faces the kitchen, just like at a modern restaurant.7 |The dining area faces the kitchen, just like at a modern restaurant. 
The perfect amount of seating for an artsy couple and a friend or two.8 |The perfect amount of seating for an artsy couple and a friend or two. 
In the bedroom, the same color scheme comes into play, as do the awesome dangling light fixtures.9 |In the bedroom, the same color scheme comes into play, as do the awesome dangling light fixtures. 
The Mason jar-inspired lighting is totally on trend.10 |The Mason jar-inspired lighting is totally on trend. 
Photos do not have to be in frames to be on creative, beautiful display.11 |Photos do not have to be in frames to be on creative, beautiful display. 
Green candles and and a cool DIY-lamp give this bench a very personal touch.12 |Green candles and and a cool DIY-lamp give this bench a very personal touch. 
Sun streams in through gauzy curtains, giving off the perfect light for painting.13 |Sun streams in through gauzy curtains, giving off the perfect light for painting. 
The stainless steel kitchen is a dream for a home chef.14 |The stainless steel kitchen is a dream for a home chef. 
Even the kitchen's hood is stylish and modern.15 |Even the kitchen’s hood is stylish and modern. 
In the bathroom, the cool tri-colored tiles are and awesome accent to a large tub and more hanging lights.16 |In the bathroom, the cool tri-colored tiles are and awesome accent to a large tub and more hanging lights. 
Open storage options are both practical and attractive.17 |Open storage options are both practical and attractive. 
The honeycomb shape gives a new edge to traditional bathroom tiling.18 |The honeycomb shape gives a new edge to traditional bathroom tiling.