Helenio Barbetta is a brilliant Italian photographer based in Milan. His capture of interiors is perfection, highlighting everything demanding attention, and is beautifully explained in his bio: Helenio’s pictures rebuild a mnemonic, sometimes absent landscape, made of real life atmospheres, where the story of his own life is described in spaces that work almost like loudspeaker of his emotions. In his subjects we find a melancholic vision with a taste of a remote past, unmoving but possible, rebuilt, stimulated and reanimated. His images are visionary maps speaking of feelings and making an abstract trial run of the memory.

My brother-in-law Dave sent me a link to a really cool office warehouse makeover in Brazil. It’s the office of a sports marketing company and they asked architect Simone Tasca to work some magic. Some very clever ideas were introduced that are awesome for folks dealing with small spaces. First, there is the lounge room, with seating made up of painted pallets (and on the wall to hang the TV).

Then there’s the dining room with an expandable dining table created by 2 tables of almost the same size on casters where one has it’s legs cut slightly shorter so it can roll under the other. LOVE THAT!

This bathroom is adorable. A whole bunch of mirrors for visual interest, a concrete slab (?) counter made to fit in an awkward corner and a pail for a sink. Industrial chic! (Love that wall-mount faucet!)

Photos: Alexandre Dotta

Ruben D Gutierrez of Errez Design sent us photos of one of his latest projects. Jo and I are fans of his work (previous posts here and here) and were excited to see what he had taken on lately. This time it’s a modern beach house with a bit of a Hollywood Regency vibe. The colours and patterns are so fun and eye-catching. What a cool pad for parties!

The photo above totally reminded me of this post. I love this idea ALOT. It’s like art that’s alive and always changing. Guess it wouldn’t have the same effect up here in Ottawa. That box would be filled with snow in the winter. Maybe not so fun to look at every day as such a focal point. (Via Nuevo Estilo)

Schuchart/Dow is a talented firm of contractors based in Seattle. These folks have a deep aesthetic appreciation for design and craftsmanship and a respect for how the built environment intersects with the natural – all of which is definitively showcased in their portfolio. How could you not love a little pond outside your bedroom or bathroom? And there is something beautiful about a pool surrounded by grass rather than typical concrete/stone. Also have to point out how gorgeous the horse photograph is. (To note: the first home is designed by Olson Kundig Architects, the second by various people and the third by Suyama Peterson Deguchi).