Displaying posts labeled "Stone"

Every so often an email lands in my inbox from perhaps the cruelest man I know. Chris from Welcome Beyond dangles dream designs in front of me and it is all I can do to stop myself from hocking everything I own, jumping a plane and escaping to the hand picked boutique vacation properties that litter the pages of their website. Chris has cruelly tempted me again with a Spanish beauty and oh the temptation! Alemanys 5…  “located in the core part of Girona’s medieval quarter, within the scope of the first wall and overlooking the Plaça de Sant Domènec, is the property Alemanys 5, whose original building dates from the Sixteenth Century. Its recent restoration integrates old and new, where sober and clean lines look for the enjoyment of essential elements such as space, light, shadow, fire, stone, water or silence.” Two apartments, “El Badiu” (The Veranda) and “El Jardí” (The Garden) designed by architect Anna Noguera. Thanks Chris for the link and double thanks for the extra photos. I’m packing as I type!

Today’s reader request comes from Jennifer: “I am in need of some help with my large stone fire place! Our fire place is the focal point of a fairly large room. It is freestanding and it is field stone that has been painted white. The room has rough wood beams and trim that has also been painted white (by previous owners). I am trying to put the room together. I’d like to see some images of furnishings in rooms that have large stone fireplaces. (I am trying to figure out what kind of furniture will go best with it.)” Below is a mix of all sorts of stone fireplaces because I could not find enough with field stone and I figured why not take this opportunity to showcase all kinds of stone. IMHO, if it’s painted white I think you can pretty much go with anything. I vote for mid-century modern (see the Lili Abir Regen photo below), or a casual rustic vibe (like the Cdn H&H photo). Whatever you choose Jennifer, you’re lucky that you have a fireplace. I had one in my last house and sooooo miss it.

Aidlin Darling Design	Joe Schmelzer
Jonny Valiant	Eric Piasecki
House of Pictures	Jordi Canosa
Jennifer Worts	Emily Summers
Canadian House & Home	Francesco Bittichesu

Lili Abir Regen
Agnes Bourne
House and Garden
Lake|Flato Architects
Robin Stubbert
AJS Design/s
Lori Dennis
jugendstil designs
location78
New York Magazine
workshop/apd
Tobi Tobin Design

A stone headland rises to meet the sea and sand. Manmade crests waves of pampas grass. In Punta del Este, Uruguay Martin Gomez Arquitectos design beach houses that meet the environment and embrace it. It’s modern and it’s sexy. It’s hot and it’s too cool. Thanks to María for sharing these as yet unpublished shots. If you want to see more inspiring houses by the design studio lead by Argentinian architect Martin Gomez then click over to their tumblr… full of fabulous press tears and work. You’ll remember the Tree house from Elle Decoration.

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!

Up a winding lane in a village nestled beneath the Swiss Alps. Climb a rustic stair and… wow! This amazing renovation is by Christian Speck of Formzone. Lashings of rough and just enough luxe. It’s sleek and minimalist modern meets stone monolith and I love it. Age old beams and so fresh you can smell it pine. I dream of a view of the alps like that. A remarkable house in a remarkable part of the world.