KOKO KLIM, a refined organic collection for home

The Barcelona-based brand Koko Klim has just renewed its image thanks to the collaboration with Int-sight. 

Respect for nature and well being are at the core of Koko Klim's philosophy - as shown by the care in the selection of their natural materials, always 100% ecologically certified. The textiles are then transformed into an elegant and very curated collection of products for your home: some of the products are entirely handmade according with ancient techniques that give the object a unique value.

I particularly enjoy the new image of the brand: I feel they managed to make visible Koko Klim's special bond with nature and simple living.

following ancient textile traditions, giving the product a unique beauty and value. - See more at: http://www.kokoklim.com/en/about-us#sthash.4oDL9HTL.dpuf

following ancient textile traditions, giving the product a unique beauty and value. - See more at: http://www.kokoklim.com/en/about-us#sthash.4oDL9HTL.dpuf

Photography | Noemi DLP Fotografa
 Via  Int-sight

SELECTED | K desk for kids room

Rafa-kids has just launched their latest design: K desk, an imaginary and playful piece for any children room. There is a great attention to merge function and beauty: no screw or connector can be found outside and every part have been carefully design. I particularly enjoy the round shapes and minimal, almost sketch-like, appearance. Rafa-kids has great selection of furniture for kids: head here to have a look!

Via Rafa-kids blog

Contemporary family home in Australia

Armadale Residence, located in the Melbourn area, is a collaboration between Australian award winning studio Robson Rak Architects and Made by Cohen. The aim of the project was to renovate a single-fronted Victorian house into a light-filled interior. The simple layout, the refined detail and honest materials provide the calm and relaxing setting for a this family home.

In particular, I find quite interesting how interior and exterior dialogue together: the backyard allow light to enter in the open space plan and, at the same time, provide a private space where to enjoy outside. The series of potted plants against the dark wall is a nice contemporary version of the famous Mediterranean flower walls.

Photography | Shannon McGrath

Via  Robson Rak Architects

From grey to brown with Lotta Agaton

I was looking at these pictures that photographer Magnus Marding shot for Residence magazine some time ago. The styling by our timeless favourite Lotta Agaton is always perfect but I am extremely fascinated by this move from grey shades to warm brown tones, from darker rooms to brighter interiors. What do you think?

Via Link Deco

PLACES | FNWG and Tonolo Selezioni

I have been asked often where my passion for Scandinavian design comes from and why the atmosphere and interiors of our home are so Nordic. Undoubtedly, both my personal preference for essential, meaningful living and the research I carried out at the Architecture Faculty in Venice shaped my way of understanding design and space. But, it was the possibility to discover Nordic design and share this growing affection with very passionate people that planted the real "seed" in my heart. 

So, here I am, sharing with you one of the "great roots" that made me fell in love with Scandinavian design, many years ago.

Everything happened in this store, not far from my parent's home in Italy, where I used to spend lot of time observing the objects of classic brands like Marimekko, Iittala and Normann Copenhagen almost 15 years ago.

In a way, Tonolo Selezioni was my personal Scandinavian Design museum, with private talks about the meanings and concepts behind the design of the selected pieces. The conversations with the small gang that used to come around the store shaped my understanding of design, sometimes more than the lectures at the faculty. Nobody wanted to teach me anything, so there was no preconceived route to take and my imagination could wonder freely discovering concepts, functions, shapes and materials.

Still today, Federica - the owner - carefully selects the objects that she presents in the shop and creates some of the most refined still life and stylings I have seen. The selection has enlarged during the years and includes new design brands, like Hay, Vipp, AndTradition. It also embraces design in clothing, being one of the few stores in the area having Marimekko dresses. Italian brands are also present with labels like Album di Famiglia -  outstanding children clothing - Some Beautiful Items or 10notforsale, a curated collection of hand-blown glasses that challenge our idea of nature.

Most of the times, inspirations and possibilities come from the most unexpected places. But I have always found that where there is a great passion and this is shared freely, something special always grow. At least, this has happened to me.

All pictures © facing north with gracia

URBAN JUNGLE BLOGGERS | Green in the Replay Store

Here we are with my third Urban Jungle gang. Dear Judith and Igor invited to go beyond our yard and search in the city for "social urban jungles", nests of nature cultivated in cafés, shops and restaurant. In Barcelona, I have no doubt my favourite ones belongs to Replay Flagship Store in Passeig de Gracia.

The store designed by Florentine architectural firm Studio10 reinterprets the concepts already applied to the brand’s spaces in Milan and Florence of creating first a mental and emotional island to the hustle and bustle of the busiest commercial street of the city and offering people a meaningful emotional experience that goes beyond the usual "pick, buy and move on" one.

While walking down the Passeig, it impossible not to stop at least for a second and indulge in front of the lush vertical gardens that create the store windows: a jungle of several Philodendron species (P. scandens, P. giganteum, P. erubescens),  ferns, Polypodium and many more that extends for more than 100 m2, with waterfall and sculptures. 

Entering the store is a relaxing experience as you suddenly feel in another place, thanks to the sound of the water falling down and the humid verdant surroundings. From the entrance your attention is captured by another another hanging garden located at the rear of the store, in the patio.

 

Here, the industrial look typical to the Replay brand is also expressed by an extensive use of steel but in blocks, some of which become random containers for several plants. In this way, the courtyard is transformed into a sort of grand glass box stage of lush green foliage.

 

The vertical gardens were designed by Swedish landscape architect Michael Hellgren. Urban Jungle Bloggers, hope you enjoyed it!

White minimal bedroom

Simply a picture I fell in love with, just a bit more inspiration for the day.

Photography Mia Josefsson

FOCUS ON | Home office

I spotted these images in Bjorn Lofterud's website: they belong to Dallasday, a Swedish company that is actually dedicated to design interior solutions for contemporary meeting spaces. Don't you think this essential space could easily look like a dining area in a hybrid home-office place?

Via Bjorn Lofterud

BARCELONA | The Oval Restaurant

Oval, located in the Eixample Izquierdo just a few minutes away from Passeig de Gracia, opened its doors last years in Barcelona. The new design maintained and incorporated the main features  of the original place - that dates back to the XIX century - like the four-meters high ceiling and the iron columns. The brick walls are exposed and painted in white to add more light to the interior space. As the owners budget was quite constrained, the designers opted for poor industrial materials like plywood, acoustic panels and terracotta bricks.

The place is designed by the mallorquì firm Flexo Arquitectura that managed to create a charming atmosphere,  relaxing and inviting. Another great point is that the burgers are just delicious!

 

PLACES | Hair salon in Japan

Hair salons in Japan are at their best these days. It is the case of  "kilico." by Makoto Yamaguchi Design: the salon is located in the basement of a commercial building  in one of the coolest areas of Tokio,  Daikanyama. 

The renovation focuses on blending the new and the old by incorporating the traces left by previous owners - the "vestiges" of past time- into the final outcome. To achieve it, the designers decided to adopt an essential approach by simply painting the walls in white and filling the floors when necessary. The result is a unique minimal industrial space, full of character and memories.

To see another beautiful example of commercial renovation in Japan, check this post here.

 

Via Makoto Yamaguchi Design

SKANDINAVISK | Scent of Scandinavia

Far from being weak and unimportant, the sense of smelling is considered the most powerful one to re-evoke memories, so much that when we associate a certain emotion to a particular smell, just smelling it in the future will make those emotions come alive again. I experience this very often, last time when I received my new candle from Skandinavisk.

Skov (forest in Danish) is part of the Scent of Scandinavia collection and a real treat. I still remember the feeling  of opening the box  in my living room and, suddenly, finding myself lost in the calm of ancient forests in the Polar circle. It is like a free ticket to the deep, comforting embrace of nature.

Skov was one of the three founding scented candles of the collection, which has been recently enriched with the floral scent of a Swedish summer (Sommar), the breezy scent of the archipelagos (Ö), the scent of Scandinavian tranquillity (Ro), the urban bliss of  (København) and the drama of the Norwegian fjords. 

So, are you willing to create some magic and take a trip with me?

Images © facing north with gracia