A total refurbishment of this central Madrid apartment is all about the art of mixing. Mixing styles, periods, materials and colour.  From the crisp white salon with its mid century vibes and turquoise accents to the earthy wicker of the dining room to the dashes of bold pattern throughout, it’s fresh and fabulous, chic and sharp. El Viso by interior architect Belén Ferrándiz.

French designer Mathieu Lehanneur is a magician. Who else can conjure up liquid marble, ripples in stone? At least that is how it seems. It’s art. It’s design.  Concept versus reality, poetry versus science. No limits. Just let your imagination run away to his marble bedroom in the Hotel de la Monnaie for AD Intérieurs 2017.

Original materials, historical features (the towers date back to the 16th century), a mix of antiques and a bold contemporary touches. I love the charm. I love the fun. I love the careful consideration that has gone into the restoration of this Spanish farmhouse by London-based interior designer Ana Engelhorn.

I don’t know about your part of the world but here in Australia “Hamptons” can be a dirty word. There is a group of people who will paint any piece of old furniture white, toss in a mix of coastal influences and load the look down with disparate blue and white china and throw cushions. Rugs will be striped, pineapples and parrots may or may not appear (an Australian touch perhaps?) and the only deviation from the universal blue and white palette is the occasional soft grey (usually painted over old kitchen cupboards). Then there are those who despise this faux Hamptonization of the local vernacular architecture. They believe the Hamptons look looks best in, well, the Hamptons … where meanwhile there is a change afoot. This modern barn home (yes actually on Long Island) by Michael Del Piero breaks the stereotypes. No clichéd blue and white, no beachy-keen tchotchkes or striped cotton rugs. Instead there is a wonderfully airy and bright home, richly textured, approachable and sophisticated, simple yet beautiful and as for the outside space … the perfect spot to spend your summer. A new Hamptons look I wouldn’t mind being adopted in other parts.

Have you entered this year’s A’ Design Award and Competition yet? With the September 30 deadline for regular submissions fast approaching why are you waiting? This is the opportunity to submit your work in over 100 categories in the world’s largest design competition. But it is not just an award you’ll be vying for. It is an indicator of quality and perfection in design, recognized worldwide, your design front and centre before design companies and professionals. Entries will be judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and members of the press (you can check out the methodology here) and the benefits to the winners are inspiring. The trophy, of course, an invitation to the gala night, a certificate of quality, inclusion in the prestigious A’ Design Award and Competition exhibition and the yearly ResultBook but even more importantly press, PR, introduction to industry professionals and companies and international exposure.

From the Good Industrial Design Award, to the Good Architecture Design Award. The  Good Product Design Award to the  Good Communication Design Award. The  Good Service Design Award to the Good Fashion Design Award and so many more. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to take on the best of the best in design from around the world. You never know we could be announcing you as one of the winners on April 15. You can register for A’ Design Award and Competition here.

Light Waterfall Sales Center by Kris Lin and Jiayu Yang

Iconic Cloud Chair Rocking Chair by Pia Weinberg – Maison Deux

Life extension Residential House by Pin-Chi Yu

Anemone Sofa by Yi-Xuan Lee

MODERN LODGE Residential House by KEM STUDIO

Globe Floor Lamp by Edoardo Colzani

Brickkiln Folk Inn and Museum Make Village Newborn by Kevin Hu

Light Pink and Coal Living Interior Design by Juliana Pippi

RL Restaurant by Minhan Lin

SATTVA Residence by Vikram Bhatt and Hansika Jain

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This post is in collaboration with A’ Design Award & Competition