Displaying posts labeled "Dark"

Belgian architect Dieter Vander Velpen emailed us with an intriguing project he recently completed. At first I wondered about blogging it as it’s a commercial space and we prefer featuring residential designs but this one could be REALLY fun translated into a residential space. This project is Garde-robe Nationale, a womanswear boutique in Antwerp where Dieter acted as artchitect and interior designer. The lighting in the ceiling was bulky, the clothing racks stuck out into the space and were on risers, and it was pretty dull overall.  

Dieter worked some serious magic on this shop. The floors were levelled out and original hardwood restored, the majority of the clothing displays were lined up on the outer walls for better sight lines through the shop and then my favourite element – the introduction of a light and dark zone. The front of the store is now all in white, and as you move along towards the rear where the fitting rooms are, the vibe is much more loungey with dark oak veneer walls and ceiling and floors stained the same dark shade. I think this would be such a phenomenal space if you think of it as the main floor of a home. Imagine the light zone as the kitchen and connecting dining space, and as you move into the dark zone you are in the sitting room with a huge sectional and and big TV built-into the wall with a long, low media cabinet….yes, I can see the potential…. (photos by Thomas De Bruyne)

What do these have in common? A photographer. More than a photographer, a genius with half light and shadows, a magician at capturing mood and modern intimacy. Elegant Swedish spaces without being bright, white and overexposed. Grown up, sophisticated and calm. The photographer is Magnus Mårding. The first apartment is that of illustrator Mats Gustafson, designed by Fernlund + Logan (and just to be complete the shoot was styled by Jacob Hertzell). After the jump another design leader and more rich and moody Swedish rooms.

The Ett Hem boutique hotel designed by Ilse Crawford and photographed by our common thread in this post, Magnus Mårding. The air is heavy with afternoon light slanting through the drapes, the rooms rich and redolent with luxurious layering.

A man with a dream, an obsession, a domestic drama that unfolds through ten rooms over almost 200 years. House as museum, house as living history, house as an unfolding play. Dennis Severs’ House, Spitalfields, London. No electricity, no mod cons. It is as if the members of an 18th century merchant family have just stepped out of the room. Half eaten meal, beds still warm, the litter of everyday life. You can read more about the artist who uses his visitor’s imagination as his canvas and the friends who keep it going  here.

You can say we’re quite smitten with the photos created by New York photographer William Waldron (yep, uh huh, fo sho). His portfolio always rocks my world. Such cool spaces he has the pleasure of visiting and capturing and sharing. Here are some more for your viewing pleasure.

Here are more goodies care of Jordan Carlyle that are sure to please if post #1 got you all hot and bothered. This first set of photos are I believe from Jordan’s old apartment. LOVE the artwork, despite it being a serious boob-fest, and the sophisticated vibe. Following that is an apartment on West 21st St. that is a little less glam but has Jordan’s signature HOT style.