Displaying posts labeled "Minimalist"

Rough luxe, rustic yet modern, traditional married with minimalism. Indoor melds with outdoor, concrete and stainless steel, glass and pebbles and everything washed with beautiful natural light. The gallery and dwelling of Valerie Traan in Antwerp, Belgium by LENS°ASS Architect. Subtle beauty, the preservation of the old and the juxtaposition of the modern in a sympathetic way and always the presence of repeating patterns of brick or herringbone or block. After the jump a few more images from the firm’s design of a GP surgery in an old brick barn like structure.

Essence of form and function. Beauty in the purity of design. Pared back and understated but high on style and impact. Minimalist in a rustic context. Clean lined and spare within the historic. It is about domesticity distilled to its simplest essence and placed carefully within the existing character of the building. Italian born, Paris based architect Antonio Virga.

Jo isn’t the only one who enjoys stalking real estate sites. Savills is a great resource for spectacular properties in the UK and abroad (Savills is HUGE. They have more than 200 offices and associates throughout the Americas, the UK, continental Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East). I came across two properties that caught my eye (so far, as I could spend hours on this site). This first one is seriously knocking my socks off. It’s a 2,885 sq ft 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment located in Fulham, London. I adore the layout of the living/dining/kitchen – how they all blend seamlessly and then OMG those windows and soaring beamed ceilings. I think it’s a genius idea to have the kitchen cabinets continue into the living room. It would be awesome as a library if you didn’t want open shelving and preferred a minimalist look, and then your books won’t get dusty! (P.S. Note the to-die-for Douglas fir flooring). The designer furnishings in neutral colours are just the icing on the cake. I also must give a nod to the lowered ceilings in the media room (actually a mezzanine) – perfectly cosy. (Link here)

This next one is a 7th floor apartment with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in Battersea, London. The views are what got me (although both are waterfront). Hard to miss it with one entire side of the apartment being a wall of glass. I think it’s sort of unusual how the owners opted to have the dining table in the center of the large living space. It acts as a divider and creates 2 distinct living rooms (or reception rooms to Brits). I REALLY need to find that large black and white striped rug – LOVE!!! (Link here)

“Ever wish you had a friend with a stylish house on a beautiful hillside in Tuscany, one who knows the best local restaurants, towns and vineyards? Well now you do.”

With a tag line like that you know have found the perfect holiday getaway. La Bandita is the creation of music executive John Voigtmann who had the crazy idea of ditching the big city and the celebrities and with his wife restore a derelict Tuscan farmhouse. It’s relaxed, comfortable, modern yet rustic, stylish and no fuss. Sheep wander past the perfect pool, views go on forever and I wouldn’t be surprised if lunch continued on till dinner. Down a long bumpy road is a slice of Italian heaven. The best things in life are always off the beaten track.

New white box within a white historic shell. 110m2 in a former industrial complex. The roughness of the original concrete and brick building is smoothed by a coat of white paint but still plays against the volume of the new plaster box housing kitchen, bath, bedroom and mezzanine study. Drama is created by the use of black in large industrial windows, kitchen surfaces and furniture. Minimalist apartment by Bruno Vanbesien.

“We believe in the craftsmanship and the use of natural materials. We especially use natural light and the power of the detail. It’s all in the details. The purer a space becomes by leaving all ballast or decoration, the more weight the details get.”