The owners, a retired couple, approached Studio Ben Allen to reconsider the piecemeal rear façade of their end of terrace Victorian house in north London and to provide a new kitchen and two new bathrooms – one to be on the ground floor and accessible. The architects were keen to consider how the extension could demonstrate exemplarily use of pigmented patterned concrete as both structure and architectural finish. Green patterned columns and beams create a framework for the salmon colour structural wall panels of the first-floor bathroom. Internally the use of pigmented concrete continues – with stairs, counters, sink, floors, benches, bath and washbasin all cast in pigmented concrete. A second theme is the use of louvered vaulted ceilings with bring diffuse light down into both the kitchen and bathroom. A double height space connects the new ground floor spaces with a new mezzanine on the first floor which in turn is connected to the main stair. This void allows light to penetrate deep into the house while also creating visual and aural connections through the house.
The creativity! The curves! The colours!

Project Team: Ben Allen, Omar Ghazal (project leader) / Structural Engineer: Entuitive / Landscaping: Daniel Bell Landskap / Structural and exterior concrete: Cornish Concrete / Interior Concrete: Concreations / Metalwork: Fish Fabrications / Photography: French+Tye

If you’ve been around here and my Instagram account a while you will remember I collaborated with Eternity Modern a while back where they gave me a fabulous deal on an epic Noguchi Freeform sofa & ottoman that continues to take pride of place in my living room. I was so excited when they reached out to me a couple of months ago wanting to work together again. I loooove my Noguchi sofa and was absolutely on board for another collaboration. I pondered what piece of furniture I could use the most and dining table was one of the obvious choices. At the start of the pandemic I decided to move our 8′ rectangular dining table my husband had built us into the living room as my new massive desk when I realized working from home was going to likely be long term (confirmed it’s now permanent!) and I really craved something smaller and round (I will never again have a hard-edged dining table). I had found an office table on Marketplace for $50 and pimped it out and it did the trick for the time being but I really craved a proper table. Eternity Modern to the rescue!!!

I have had my vintage reproduction tulip chairs for several years now and adore them and always dreamed of getting a tulip table to go with them. This was my chance as Eternity Modern carries an entire collection of tulip tables in any of the classic combinations of marble-like quartz, white lacquer or walnut veneer tops in round or oval and bases in black or white. I went with this tulip table that has a black calacatta quartz top in 48″ round with black base because in my world darker is always better 🙂 (Full disclosure – this table was gifted to me and this review is my honest opinion)

The delivery company they work with here in Ottawa was great – they were clean and quick and put it together and placed it exactly where I needed it. When I watched them carry it in I could tell it had some weight to it – and does it ever!!! This is a very substantial table. The base is very solid and the top weighs a ton so I have zero concerns about the ever tipping over. This base though…..nothing sexier than the curve of a tulip base.

The top is their ‘Calacatta Quartz’ made from natural ground quartz with resin and ribbons of pigment resulting in a marbleized surface. It is highly durable (AMEN!), resistant to cracks, stains and chips with a beautiful gloss finish. I think I could have picked from 4 different veining details and that’s a great option because ideally I would have loved to have as little of the large white veining as possible. I must add that this table is even more of a dream that I imagined. The base is narrow which makes my dining room look soooo much bigger than my last table and the top isn’t too thick so all in all the table is very open visually and is great if you have a small space or need a table that isn’t bulky. That’s a major reason why I love tulip tables – they give the effect that the top is floating.

I snagged some fabric at the last minute to cover the brown velvet seat cushions to have the chairs blend a bit better with the table (I was nervous about a black and white table with very cream coloured chairs with brown seats) and that really helped this all come together. Don’t tell anyone the fabric is just tucked under so no one is allowed to move while sitting LOL

Thanks so much Eternity Modern for selling some of the coolest reproduction classics out there! I am head over heels in love with my new tulip dining table.

This 18th century castle near Toulouse, France (for sale via Patrick Besse) might just be the most spectacular castle I have ever seen. I am so in awe by the magic that this home exudes through these photos and the possibilities of living surrounded by such unspeakable beauty, that I am almost in tears (the kitchen alone is tear-worthy). I feature these magical homes not simply to fill a void on Sundays but because I am so smitten with the idea that something so otherworldly exists out there and can be owned by any one of us. The possibility literally brings tears to my eyes. One can dream and hope….

Overall our clients felt that the major elements of the layout of their home (designed in classic modernist style by the architect George Reeves in 1963) worked well, however the connections between the indoor and outdoor spaces were poor and the house was generally beginning to look its age, as such improving those connections and restoring and enhancing the home in line with the original architect’s intent were the main focus of this renovation. Influences from the work of legendary Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer are evident throughout the house, and no more clearly can this be seen than in the voluptuous form of the concrete awning that covers the entry and provides the first impression one receives when approaching via the lushly planted drive.  Once inside, those influences, and the broader design elements that anchor the home in the modernist era, continue in the form of carefully restored original features such as the single stringer and cantilevered switchback stair, and the sinuous curved ceiling bulkheads in the lounge, dining and kitchen spaces. An absolutely gorgeous modern minimalist home with update by Luigi Rosselli.

Jasmin Reese Interiors is a Chicago-based Residential Luxury firm that also services Naples, Florida. Her instinct is blending antiques with modern elements, dark finishes mixed with light, feminine tones contrasting with masculine, and high low pieces. Her signature style includes bold wallpapered ceilings that allow artworks to be at eye level and artfully designed “color bomb” rooms that are whimsical and sophisticated at the same time. Ironically, her rooms appear very maximalist at first blush- however, they have limited, edited furnishings and simple styling for a classic and timeless tone.
So sassy! If you love bold colours and patterns this one’s for you.