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Fresh Patterns for Wooden Floors: Enigma Collection by Jamie Beckwith

The new Enigma Floor Collection by Jamie Beckwith emphasizes on quite a few original designs helping you find inspiration when it comes to wooden floors. Some of our readers have been complaining about the monotonous look of their living room or kitchen floors, so this post comes with several options to consider. Here are the arguments behind this collection from the producers: “Designers often specify wood for their projects because it brings a natural element to interior spaces, and because of its durability, availability and ease of installation and maintenance. The Enigma^® flooring collection invites you to rethink wood flooring. Consider some of these options—use one of the 14 patterns as a wall to wall flooring installation, mix colors or patterns, or create an inset rug pattern in a traditional plank floor. Finally, floors become a design element, instead of an afterthought“. Find these patterns inspiring or do you rather consider them high-maintenance?

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Eccentric Details Showcased by Modern Villa in Athenes

I find it sad that modern architecture has the ability to bring everything to a homogeneous state. In most cases, it is currently difficult to correlate the design of a modern home with its country of origin. This Greek residence may follow the patterns of contemporary architecture, but it also comes with a few original features. Designed by Dimitris Economou, Oikia Voulas Panorama is an opulent villa in Athenes, built with sustainability in mind. Round windows, one of which provides pool views, make its exterior less common. Once inside, a potential visitor will be greeted by highly modern furniture arrangements. Room functionality is subtly suggested, yet the transition is barely noticeable. The stone wall in the living room  is an eccentric detail that stands out and adds personality. I find the overall harmony of the interiors (good choice of colors) disrupted by an excessive use of spot lights. What is your stand on the design of this modern home?

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Updated Mid-Century Abernathy Residence By Michael Haverland

Transforming a beautifully designed 1962 house into an inviting modern residence proved to be a challenge for architect Michael Haverland. The property is located in Palm Springs and it had to retain the work of renowned mid-century architect William Cody while offering its new owner the comfort of a modern lifestyle. After carefully analyzing the structure, plans and relationship to the surroundings, Michael Haverland restored the Abernathy Residence and brought into light all the original details while maintaining an elegant, updated atmosphere.

Interiors were redefined and a new pool was added. This necessitated the garden to be reconfigured resulting in a series of welcoming outside spaces that care to the inhabitants different needs. A 4,800 square feet single story floor plan gathers the public and private spaces together under three pavilion-hipped roofs. The bright Californian sun is welcomed inside through new windows and sliding doors and the powerful connection to the exterior is seen throughout the house, but the sense of comfort and security is given by the original indoor/outdoor relationship, where the interior space is private and the outdoor space is patiently awaiting outside.

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Practical Apartment in Singapore Reflecting the Lifestyle of the Owners

We received some photos and information about an interesting looking apartment envisioned by Stanley Tham and Jwen Sim of KNQ Associates. Enjoy the description of the design process and don’t forget to share your opinions below.

“The essence of a well-designed space should have a wonderful energy, apart from just looking good. It is with that belief that we wanted to create a look that will delight anyone the moment he or she steps into this 25th storey DBSS (Design, Build and Sell Scheme) apartment located at Bishan’s Natura Loft. The original living space was one uninspiring oblong room with an awkward corner near the main door. It didn’t take long for us to think of using the corner as a dining area. However, after considering the needs of the owners during preliminary discussions, it was clear to us that a dedicated study room, carved out of whatever little space there may be here, would be a far better use of space. In the end, we created a massive timber/ glass structure which provides partitioning and storage functions right next to the main entrance, effectively carving out a fully functional private study out of nowhere – perfect for the female owner, who often needs to attend overseas conference calls and work late. Shoes are stored on the entrance side of the structure behind mirrored doors while the other side serves as a book cabinet.“

The rest of the planning fell into place with ease. The ‘regularized’ living space can now be demarcated into 2 separate spaces – the entertainment/ communication area and the dining hall. Making use of the owners’ furniture and collectibles from their previous home, the space displays a very personal trait since the owners picked out those pieces almost all by themselves. All it takes is a little curtailing of the numerous pieces on our end so that the house doesn’t turn into a furnishing store! The decor is decidedly eclectic, drawing from traverse cultures and design styles.

We always believe in making the bedroom fit for royalty. It is a much more important space in a home than one may realize. In the master bedroom, wall paneling fills one long wall, resulting in a sleek headboard feature. The TV sits on the opposite side of the bed. In the child’s bedroom, sleek furniture coupled with the bright contrasting tones make it feel fun and playful. The floating shelves and open storage are a great way to display favorite toys, yet there is still adequate closed storage to hide any clutter- the headboard comes fitted with a storage compartment behind it and is accessible from the top.”

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Multi-Generation Strauss Residence Guarded By The Garage Volume[Video]

The Strauss Residence was designed by Architect Alexander Brenner and built very close to two other projects from their portfolio – R6 House and House Heidehof. Its contemporary interiors shelter three generations of the same family, uniting and gathering them under the sleek and clean roof line. Cut in two east-to-west orientated halves ensuring privacy for the whole family, the 458 square meter Strauss Residence offers shelter for the grandparents in the smaller north wing and more room for the young family and their two kids on the opposite side. Accessed from the eastern side, the sustainable modern dwelling displays a closed front facade, with a rough-sawn wood garage volume guarding the entrance.

Inside the property, a slightly undulating, slightly raised ramp leads to the front entrance, from where both parts of the residence can be reached. Almost exclusively supplied with renewable energy and furnished with custom-built furniture and room fixtures designed by the architect, Strauss Residence also benefits from a perfectly manicured private backside garden, complete with a swimming pool, open fireplace and play areas for the children. The solid construction captured in the photos by Stuttgart-based photographer Zooey Braun is a mixture of materials like basalt, smoked oak, Tineo, varnish and bronze metallic coating. Surely the modern and bright Strauss Residence can be considered a multi-generation dream home.

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Sustainable Modern Home Conversion in California: Temple Hills Residence

Temple Hills Residence is an imposing two-story contemporary home located in Laguna Beach, in California, USA. Envisioned by studio Schola Architecture, the project is is a remodel of an old house located on a hillside and currently integrates sustainable strategies, such as solar orientation, deep overhangs, operable glass and the use of renewable building materials. Here is more from the architects: “Nestled into a steeply sloping 5,000-square foot site, the volumes step up the hillside to the rear of the existing home creating an ascending series of interior and exterior spaces, giving access to all levels of the property. While the existing home creates the traditional base for the house, the new addition exploits the modular nature of post and beam connections. A monolithic concrete block mass anchors the addition; from which structure and glass pin wheel off creating ever dematerializing living spaces that open up to the views as one moves up through the home”. How do you find this modern home conversion?

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Round Bookcase Hovering Above Davis’ Writing Studio

Ever wondered how a massive bookcase can become part of a working space? This is a fantastic solution – constructing a round bookcase hovering above the work space. Designed by Travis Price Architects, this interesting space arrangement was created for Wade Davis. He needed a space that would encompass his interests. Being an anthropologist, ethnobotanist, author and photographer, Wade Davis’ Writing Studio had to convey a feeling of enthusiasm and knowledge, so Travis Price Architects imagined a cave-inspired design that would capture natural light and bring it inside.

By building a dome above Dave’s workspace, the architect designed an unusual space that would display the most used books, which enables the client to interact with his them in an inspiring setting. The architects describes this dome “as similar to the rotunda of the oracle’s temple at Delphi“, while Davis calls it his “Navajo kiva of knowledge“. As they say, “with great power comes great responsibility” – this in seen in the respect this arrangement has for the books and their human counterpart. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you like this working space?

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Concrete Blocks Ensuring a High Level of Privacy: Beach Home in Uruguay

La Boyita Residence was designed by studio Martin Gomes Arquitectos and is a contemporary beach home located in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The residence was built using concrete, iron, glass and wood. Here is more information from the architects: “The project consists of five blocks and a main block with a living and dining area with the best views to the sea and towards the swimming pool, completely protected from the wind, as it is placed in the center of the project. The other blocks contain a service area and other guest room blocks. This independence was crucial to make his guests get the feeling of being in alone in a hotel. The galleries that sorround these concrete blocks end up creating the idea of outdoor living rooms and lead to a fluid transition between the interior and the exterior, with fantastic panoramic views.” Can you think of any other design ideas that would make this beach home even friendlier?

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