String, a walk to the dark side

The beginning of the year brings always great excitement for all the news coming from the different brands for their Spring/Summer campaign. Of course, I have my favourite ones to be looking for: they are selected for both the quality and durability of their products and their outstanding ability to communicate and inspire us new way of inhabit the everyday space. Among these it is String new catalogue, again a joined work of long-time favourite Lotta Agaton (style),  Magnus Ingerstedt (AD), Marcus Lawett (photo).

String has always been synonymous of adaptability to space and necessity by the possibility of moving the pieces within the different panels as well as adding new elements to the existing ones. This year, thanks also to the introduction of new shades for both shelves and panels (the115 cm tall floor panels will be available also in black and in grey), a new horizon of combinations is made possible. 

For String 2016 catalogue, a clear statement has been done: it is definitely time to embrace dark and earthy colours at home (have you seen this breathtaking all black styling featuring the new, black stained ash?). 

The light and elegant String system, to me always connected to whiteness, is making now a bold statement by showing how it can actually adapt to any space and style, taking their well known flexibility to a new concept and chapter. 

So, here it is in the Plexy version in an antique vintage bathroom, while the more classic combination in walnut fits perfectly as an entrance console in the masculine scenario. The old industrial look is maintained for the more feminine bedroom where Pocket with oak shelves is used as multi-function element that serve as traditional shelves and, contemporary, as bedside tables.

I would personally put a String in any room, from the kitchen to Bianca's nursery: what about you?

Pictures courtesy of String, with thanks.

URBAN JUNGLE BLOGGERS | A wish for Christmas and New Year

I cannot believe how much time it was since my last post but I am very happy to be back on time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. And there is no better way to do it than joining the Planty Wishes challenge of the Urban Jungle Bloggers community! We won't be spending these holidays at home as we will join my family in Italy but I managed to get some shots of our essential Christmas decorations for this year (have a look to my holidays inspirations here).

Christmas has always been an amazing time for me since I was very young: I used to put on my wellies and go for hunting in the family nursery and its surroundings and coming back with berries, fresh branches and funny things that I would decorate with ribbons and gold hues. In the older age (oh my..), I shifted from ribbons to a more minimal greenery style but foraging is still the best and funniest part of this. I have to go know for long strolls outside Barcelona ( and get my hubby's car a mess- which his allergy and himself are always grateful for...) but it was so special to do it this year as a family for the first time.

This was such a crazy year and, undoubtedly, the most amazing one as we welcome our little Bianca into our hearts and home. I hope to be able to share with you some moments here soon.

In the meanwhile, let me wish you all a wonderful Christmas time and a 2016 full of love, peace and happiness. A special thanks to dearest Igor and Judith, who created an amazing green hearts community.

Until my next post - that I promise will come much sooner -, let's keep in touch in Instagram!

 All images © facing north with gracia

Danish apartment in dark tones

This  Danish apartment is part of an old building dating back to the beginning of last century and is the home of Malene Ryvard and architect Jesper Wichmann and their two children. The wall dividing previously this space was demolished, so the family could enjoy a large family space that fitted together the kitchen and the dining area. The dining table in white add a light spot to the centre of the room and fits perfectly with the dark grey Eames chairs and the 265 lamp by Rizzatto for Flos (one of my favourites). At the back, it is the kitchen block in the kitchen by Cph Square, a black-stained oak furniture custom-designed for the occasion. On top, the beautiful lamp by Achille Castiglioni. Massimo Vignelli's iconic calendar is used both for planning and appealing graphics. 

There is a blueish tone in this flat that creates a perfect contrast with the dark wooden floor and the grey and black details and gives the whole space a soft masculine and elegant look.

 

Via Femina.dk

BLOGGERSTOUR AMSTERDAM | Studio Pistache

Last week I spent a few days with the Design Bloggers United group in Amsterdam for the second of our Bloggers Tours this year. We had an amazing time while visiting places like Mooi, Marcel Wanders Studio or the Andaz Hotel. 

But today I want you to show some pictures Susanna Vento took of Studio Pistache. The space is next to a Wood stove Pizzeria in the heart of the city and is usually rented for special gatherings and events. 

The rough industrial appearance of the space is mitigated by the soft light entering through the glassed roof creating a modern glasshouse atmosphere. I especially appreciate the contrast effect created by the light: it grows from dark to bright as you enter creating the illusion that the space is even bigger.  Closer to the end of the building is an area populated by specimens of tropical plants, like Euphorbias or palms.

The space is next to a Wood stove Pizzeria in the heart of the city but the Studio is usually used for special gatherings and events, as in our case: it was here we hosted our Design Bloggers United Dinner, an event I will tell you more in the next few days.

In the meanwhile, you can check some shots taken during the Amsterdam Bloggers Tour on my Instagram account or checking the tags #bloggerstour and #designamsterdam.

URBAN JUNGLE BLOGGERS | My green workspace

Here we are with the September issue of the Urban Jungle Bloggers's Back to Work. This month's theme couldn't fit better the atmosphere of my studio that, after the holidays, has been transformed into a real jungle. I really felt an urge for green tones and luxurious plants next to me recently so, before coming back home from the seaside, we stopped at a local nurseries and did some shopping. Placing green plants in interiors, especially in a workplace, is extremely important for the relaxing effects greenery has on our mind and brain.

 

Monstera deliciosa is always a great choice and I was very happy to find a small specimen that could fit our flat: the idea is to let it grow a bit more and later place a grid where it can climb through. We bought also a Rhipsalis paradoxa, an epiphyte cacti, that has been placed on the String Pocket. An epiphyte is a plant that grows non-parasitically upon another plant,such as a tree, and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain etc. Therefore, they can be a bit tricky when grown on soil, like orchids. And last but not least, an Asparagus, one of my all-time favourite for its airy look and woodland memories.

 

All images © facing north with gracia

Japanese essentiality by Teruhiro Yanagihara

 

I came across this work by Japanese designer Teruhiro Yanagihara and I find its essentiality very inspiring: living reduced to its minimum functions as an expression of a quest for a simple, true life.

My husband and I are exactly in this moment of our lives. We are trying to eliminate all the unnecessary to aim to start from there a new phase of our lives.  It is time to make some space for new projects!

Images by Takumi Ota via Teruhiro Yanagihara

Plywood interiors in Melbourne

This project by Clare Cousins Architects exemplifies how conceptual design thinking can transform our way of visualizing a space. In fact, the 75 sq apartment had to be transformed from a one bedroom space to one able to host a growing family. Taking inspiration from traditional Japanese interiors, the architects re-designed the program of the space by opting to minimize the bedroom areas. Two micro rooms were created, with the master bedroom conceived as a cocoon made of plywood. The room is separated only by sliding doors to maximise the living and family spaces. 

Plywood is used extensively throughout the whole apartment helping to enhance the perception of the space as a whole. Moreover, it is the perfect choice to fit the low budget the architects had to work with: the material is affordable and readily available. 

Photographs: Lisbeth Grosmann

Via Archdaily

Fantastic white apartment in Sweden

As we are still on holidays and will be back in Barcelona next week, I didn't manage to get any new shots from home. But I thought it would be nice to share with you this apartment I spotted on Fantastic Frank Stockholm selection recently: it's all about whiteness and greenery, just what I want for our place! Fantastic Frank projects have been always a lovely source of real life inspiration: every time you see one of their shots you just to take the detail back to your place. This time is hard to choose for me as I'm equally in love with the 10x10 tile wall, the white floors and the distribution of the areas. Too many things it's would be just easier to move in!

All images © Fantastic Frank Stockholm

Check all Fantastic Frank projects here.

WEEKEND SPECIAL | A home in Finland

This is probably the most beautiful under construction home I have seen lately. It belongs to Maja, the Finnish blogger behind Musta Ovi. 

In her blog, Maja have been documenting all the construction process, from the very beginning to the finishing touches. I find her home beautiful and it is also a perfect example of how concrete, if used wisely and with talent, doe not turn to be a cold element in the interior.

The kitchen is all white: this choice underlines even more the presence of  the 265 lamp by Paolo Rizzatto for Flos. The bedroom is essential in a perfect Finnish way and has an unbeatable view. 

 

All images via Musta Ovi

An holiday apartment in Barcelona

I stumbled upon the latest CaSA project for a holiday home in Barcelona. The studio is well known for the so called White Retreat, an essential space of light and whiteness that could be the dream home of any minimalist. With this flat, the duo embrace a more Mediterranean approach to the interior: the inner space, created by the juxtaposing of white surface and a grey micro-cement floor, contrasts with the warm, terracotta colours of the terrace.

A series of custom-made white tubes structures have been used throughout the whole space to create several elements, like the entrance screen above or the table and bar area in the kitchen. 

To know more about the flat, please visit the link HERE.