Displaying posts labeled "Brick"

Taking an old structure and, restoring the beautiful original details while giving it an eccentric modern vibe in the decor is something I gravitate towards and I am doing with my own home. Rome based interior designer Ilaria Miani takes this to another level with her spaces. Miani’s passion for restoring abandoned farmhouses, palaces and villages is inspired first and foremost by the building itself. A bit of colored plaster still holding onto a crumbling wall; a stone niche carved by ancient hands; or the sagging massive wooden beams that once supported an existence that has long since faded are her starting points. Tiles are handcrafted of clay and baked in nearby kilns; tables and beds are forged with the same hammers that have been used for generations; and chairs carved by carpenters using ancient tools. The landscape too, informs and inspires. Whether it is the rolling hills of Tuscany, the gentle waters of a Venetian canal or the cobbled streets of Rome, Miani’s treatments speak the same language, evoking and reinterpreting a timeless language. While Miani’s creations are rooted in the past, they are very much a thing of the present. Her own designs – modern, sleek and colorful – encompass every detail of her projects. From the chairs and the lamps to the forks and the linens, the effortless casual sophistication that has become her trademark, creates a uniquely cohesive whole.

Saturdays are for leisurely get-togethers with friends. Breakfast and a large cup of coffee to get the body in gear. (You know that Aussies can’t function without their cappuccino, flat white or latte fix in the morning.) Late brunch because last night went on a little too long. Even a cocktail hour wind down after a long day of doing nothing much. I’d love if this espresso and cocktail bar was just down the road from my gaff. I’d certainly be on a first name basis with the staff. Love the marble hex tile creeping up the exposed brick wall and the reclaimed brass shelving designed to look like a bar cart suspended from the ceiling. Holborn Grind, London by Biasol: Design Studio.

It’s a very slow day in my part of the world with the promise of more of the same over the long weekend. My plans include lazing around the house, perhaps a book, perhaps a little work in the garden, maybe some old school record playing. And as much as I love my own home I wish I was kicking back in Morgan’s Pub, now a family home in Peckham, London and part of The Plum Guide.

Industrial meets loft meets Scandinavian all tied together with a rough luxe, burnt out ruin twist. Like wearing an edgy outfit with the hems dragging in the dirt is how I would describe this 90 sqm apartment renovation in Kraków, Poland by design firm projekt i. Exposed brick, roughly painted white or almost smoke stained black, is juxtaposed with sleek white kitchen or softened with fabric swathes and knots. Custom soft furnishings and lighting by sister firm taftyli add an edge to the scheme.

I’m becoming more and more fascinated by small space living and this tiny Italian apartment has caught my eye. Exposed brick, concrete floor, stylish kitchen with ample storage and mezzanine sleeping above the bathroom and laundry. 30 fabulous square metres by Milan-based Cristina Meschi Architetto.

Photography by Michele Morosi