Displaying posts labeled "Modern"

As I’ve mentionned a couple of times, my husband and I have been doing a bit of research looking for architects to help us plan the additions we want to make to our WAY too small and WAY too boring home. Our cat-sitter used to live on a street a few blocks from us where there was one of the coolest yet simplest homes I’ve ever seen around Ottawa. We recently saw the home in Ottawa Magazine and found out it was designed by local architect John Donkin. It’s 1700 square feet and his client had 3 requirements: a garden, a visitors’ apartment, and a strong street presence. The visitors’ apartment is cantilevered sideways over the lot which creates a shaded area in summer and a covered parking spot and sheltered entrance in winter. The mix of materials on the facade is exactly what I’m looking for and the kicker is the front of the home (iron?) has rusted over time and turned the most beautiful deep orange shade (second photo found on the blog Move That Bus!!!).

I found this home on Contemporist and had to re-post it here because I am completely in awe of the architecture. It’s mind-blowingly AWESOME. And inspiring because Jeff and I are in the process of researching architects for the work we want to do to my ok OUR home and I would love to something even one iota as creative as this. The space was created by Spanish architect Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez and is the attic space of an early 20th century building in Madrid. It’s composed of several different levels and angles yet it’s continuous which makes the space appear much larger than it is (it being all white helps too)….and frankly, WAY more interesting. It’s just plain NEAT-O.

The quest for harmony, serenity and timelessness, atmosphere, universality and context drives the creative processes of Spanish architect Ramón Esteve. Think modern, creative, innovative and dynamic. To me they are monumental works, at one with their cultural history and the land on which they sit while providing a defence against the harsh elements.  A fortress and a home. That’s one way of justifying a spectacular pool… it’s the moat!

Fiona Dunin is the driving force behind Melbourne based design firm FMD Architects. Trained as both an architect and an interior designer her work focuses on materials and their use within her spaces. It’s a modern look that is not precious but honest and obvious. It’s not about hiding with layers but being out and proud in a way. There are clever storage solutions and light, always lots of light streaming in… perhaps not with the black bunkers 😉 but these stand in stark contrast to the Australian landscape. Simple, clean lines making maximum impact.

Sometimes it’s either black or white. You either like it or you don’t. It’s either hard and cold and impersonal or it’s clean and slick and modern. It’s monumental or monstrosity. Sometimes it’s also just a little grey. Although I couldn’t move in and be truly happy there  are elements of this Melbourne home that I really like. The gardens, the concrete floors, the art, the space. Then the little voice in my head goes”nooooo… not for me”. Does it tick the boxes for you or do you want to close the door on it? I’ve been real estate stalking again. The link is here while it lasts.