FINNE Architects

Posted on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 by midcenturyjo

Finely crafted details. A rich vernacular. Houses that sit firmly but still lightly in their surrounds. Buildings that cut a fine figure, figure of wood that is. It’s Crafted Modernism with custom fittings and furniture. Genius loci, spirit of place, sustainable principles and a richness that speaks of forest and lake, stone and rain, sun, shadow and permanence. Seattle based FINNE Architects.

  

  

Anouk B

Posted on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 by midcenturyjo

  

There is something hypnotic about the work of Dutch stylist Anouk B. Repetition of a minimalist colour palette of black, white, brown and the occasional escape of green. Sparse furnishings always counterbalanced by natural textures. It’s calm. It’s zen like. It’s beautiful in its carefully curated way. Simplicity at its best. Photography by the incomparable Marjon Hoogervorst.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Design Crew

Posted on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 by midcenturyjo

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you …. that’s you lot… the readers! Peege emailed with this week’s dilemma.

I need HELP. I’ve inherited 2 plain plain plain Pottery Barn slip-covered sofas and one gigantic matching armchair and have to make a sitting room out of them. Luckily (?) they are white, slipcovered but so blah that it’s killing all inspiration. I have a set of Suzani pillows (reds) which I’ve added and I have a Kilim upholstered rectangular Ottoman on order. I love all things vintage, and from the Middle East but have no idea how to make the sofas look slicker. The only thing I like are the pillows. I am getting the upholstered ottoman in place of the temporary wicker garden table but please do post this so I can get some inspiration. I need to hear that they’re not too hideous and my dreams of a serene sitting room will come true! Any ideas?


Tenbosch House

Posted on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 by midcenturyjo

Take two art nouveau houses circa 1906 in Brussels, Belgium. Renovate in white white white. Mix well with an enviable collection of mid 20th Century Scandinavian furniture. Layer with original art. Shake well in the cocktail bar and pour out the smoothest long cold drink of a getaway guest house you could ever wish to order. Cedric Meuris and Bernard Devaux had the vision. Tenbosch House, an exclusive small hotel is the result. It’s Friday. It’s virtual getaway day. I’ll meet you in the bar at 7. Date?

Armonia Decors

Posted on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 by midcenturyjo

Harmony. That’s armonia in Italian. “East Coast elegance meets West Coast style” in Emily Ruddo’s portfolio. This L.A. based interior designer brings her clients bright and fresh rooms with lashings of colour and texture. I’m in need of a colour hit and Armonia Decors fits the bill. Touches of turquoise rub shoulders with raspberry red grounded with bright whites and neutral textures of sisal and grasscloth, matchstick and mohair.