Black holiday cottage in Germany

If I had to choose my ideal holiday home, surely it would resemble this cottage designed by German firm Format Elf Architekten. The black-stained building is part of the Hofgut resort, an estate that offers luxury accommodation, dining and spa close to the Bavarian forests. The archetypal structure of the cottage resembles the traditional barns and fit perfectly in the landscape. On the other side, the indoor is designed baring in mind all the comfort of contemporary living: a monochrome interior merge with natural wood surface to create a cozy atmosphere, perfect to evoke indulgence and slow life.

The architecture office also designed the outdoor area applying the same minimal approach they used for the interiors: a natural timber deck define the area reserved to the guests and lead to the outdoor dining space. Around, the informal natural planting merges with the surrounding landscape in a harmonious dialogue. The industrial-like elements of the dining furniture and the small concrete box grant a perfect contemporary look.

Via Format Elf Architekten

SELECTED | Outdoor Collection by Norm Architects

The Finn Collection was born from a collaboration between Design Within Reach and Norm Architects and represent the first outdoor furniture collection signed by the Danish design duo. Made in Indonesia by solid sustainably harvested teak, the collection reflects the sincere, timeless approach that distinguishes Norm Architects' work as well as their extrem care of details. The range includes a chaise, a lounge seat, an ottoman and a sofa that can be combined to create the perfect relaxing space to enjoy the long summer days. The collection is completed by a dining table and chairs.

Via Norm Architects

MONDAY CRUSH | Outdoor Inspiration #1

Summer has arrived and here it is my collection of inspirations for a contemporary urban patio. I like the idea of mixing raw concrete with architectural plants, like tall grasses or wetland plants that will be planted in pots. A great possibility are these contemporary fabric pots  produced by French brand Bacsac. For the seating area, the Boiacca concrete table by Kristalia is a great solution for the outdoor space. Finally, for an extra seat, I love the idea of using thin bamboos hold together by metal elements like in the natural bench created by  Steven Banken.

Enjoy!

| 1 | Miscanthus in Bacsac pots

| 2 | Fig Tree via Stil Inspiration

| 3 | LucidiPevere's "Boiacca" table for Kristalia

| 4 | Steven Banken, Sheaves

| 5 | Equisetum japonicum in a concrete low pot

URBAN JUNGLE BLOGGERS | Greenery on the balcony

Spring is struggling a bit this year with this unpredictable weather and cool nights but my plants are actually enjoying this humid, warmish situation a lot. I managed to bring them all outside at the beginning of March and I couldn't resist to add some new entries to the collection. 

I have to confess it is quite hard for me to have only a small balcony here in Barcelona because I was used to a lot of space in Italy, like a whole nursery and several glasshouses where to make experiments...Sigh! Some of the plants you see here actually come from Italy: I always try to bring one back with me when I go there for work. 

The first picture shows one of the plants I most fond of: it is a Fockea, a Caudiciform plant that my father gave me some years ago. My dad passed away not a long time ago so it is a very dear memory of him and his great passion for these plants ( the small two-leaved-one in the Playtype mug was also part of his collection).

Another great passion of mine are Platycerium but they are hard to keep alive: either they find the perfect micro-climate or they die fast, leaving me furious.  And eventually our last acquisition: a Moscatel vine we bought here in Barcelona. Vines are great for balconies because they grow abundantly and can transform a small space very quickly. The idea is to create a square structure at the top to train in into an umbrella shape - getting too technical, amn't I?

I grew up among plants and "plantsmen" and probably for this reason I have such a strong emotional bond to these green creatures and I struggle to stop talking about the...like today!

Could this be my longest post ever?!  Urban Jungle Bloggers, hope you enjoyed it!

| Props | Playtype mugs | Ikea Glasshouse | Custom-made pots from Italy |

Thanks again to Igor from Happy Interior Blog and Judith from JOELIX.com!

STOCKHOLM | Rosendals Trädgård

Saturdays are made for long sweet hours spent with friends and having fun, aren't they? 

For this reason, I decided to dedicate it only to family and beloved ones. But this post is special for two reasons: it is a way  a way to thank the Urban Jungle Bloggers to have me in the group and the first I publish about part of my main professional duty. I hope you enjoy the little divagation. 

Today we head to Djurgården, the garden island located on the East side of Stockholm, to visit the beautiful Rosendals Trädgård. Infact, part of my work as a RD manager consists of visiting from time to time special plant nurseries and garden shops. As a landscape architect and someone that has literally grown among plants, visiting this kind of places is quite natural: I usually start with the "get the atmosphere" tour, pass to the "professional eye" one and move eventually to "let's have fun" (with a slice of cake and coffee when possible). I have visited garden shops mainly in Italy, France and in the UK, so I was very excited to have a chance to spend a few hours in Rosendals while in Stockholm.

As I was in Stockholm just after the Design Week, the place was not at its greenest moment. Still it was no disappointment, especially because I had the great privilege to enjoy it all by myself as it was closed for some small renovations that day. They obviously sneaked me in - who can resist me? lol - and let me wonder in the little antique glasshouses. It is hard to explain the feeling that always invades me through the scent created by the mixture of the soft ground, the plants and the high humidity. To me it is the fragrance of Life.

Rosendals plants and object selection is very interesting and their colour palette has my complete approval. I know some of you will feel the urge to ask if even the gardens I design are completely white: I confess they are not. However, I always remind my client not to forget white is the last colour disappearing when the night comes and the only one capable to reflect the shy moonlight, therefore it should be highly used in the garden.

I strongly recommend my fellow Urban Jungle Bloggers to spend a few hours here whenever they have a chance to visit Stockholm. 

This post is part of the STOCKHOLM SERIES.

 

Pictures facing north with gracia