Vancouver and Chicago Interior Designers - Kalu Interiors Blog - All About Interior Design » Al’s Commentaries

Mention Worthy

aleem — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:03:55 +0000

Rock it out, on this Rock’n- Rocking Chair! - PicoCool

Lean It! Hang It! Throw it! – Dezeen

If you can fold it… You can make it! – Apartment Therapy

The Whistler Public Library, a model for the future of sustainable buildings! - Contemporist

Cynthia Rowley & her take on colour for your home – CasaSugar

L.A…p of Luxury

aleem — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:16:27 +0000

image from www.mlkstudio.com

Designed by MLK Studio in coordination with Belzberg Architects, the Brentwood Residence located in Los Angeles, California is a supreme example of “under-stated luxury!” Large open spaces, custom millwork and furniture, neutral palettes, full-height glazing, & natural textures help to create a space and a lifestyle set on the lap of luxury; without the over-the-top glitz & glam! Another design detail which helps to create a cohesive space to maintain a sleek and clean aesthetic was the repetition of materials. This can be found in the wide-plank walnut hardwood floors which were carried up to the millwork, and bluestone countertops brought into bluestone walls. And lets not forget the landscape, as it is an integral part of the architecture and interior design! The outdoors were carefully thought-out as it was an integral part to how the interior was to be viewed, and in result the most important and substantial backdrop to the home!

Here is an Overview:

“…The commission was to create a complete interior design scheme for a 10,000 square foot modern main residence as well as a 2,000 square foot guesthouse. In addition to the interiors, Meg Joannides of MLK Studio was hired to design all 10 bathrooms as well as the main kitchen and guesthouse kitchen, in collaboration with Boffi. Much of the furniture was custom designed by MLK Studio and fabricated at the firm’s trusted local Los Angeles workshops. Briefed thoroughly by the client, MLK Studio worked with a neutral palette throughout the house, skillfully mixing textures to create the depth and layers that are apparent in the sophisticated design. All materials that were specified by MLK Studio were thoughtfully selected to harmonize with the architect’s vision for the building. Walnut hardwood flooring throughout, as well as bluestone counter tops coordinate with the architect’s stacked bluestone walls. The kitchen’s palette of calacatta marble and high gloss cabinetry, as well as the master bathroom’s Turkish limestone walls and flooring underscore the client’s desire for a neutral palette. “

image from www.mlkstudio.com

image from www.mlkstudio.comimage from www.mlkstudio.com

image from www.mlkstudio.com

Thailand Anyone?

aleem — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:44:00 +0000

image from www.kohtaocasas.com

With Winter behind us- “sort of” -& now in the full bloom of Spring, & Summer just around the corner, it’s hard not to fantasize about tropical getaways! Induced with a winter ’10/’11 full of bone chilling temperatures & plentiful amounts of snow, we are well deserving of a vacation wouldn’t you say!?! So let the search begin, a little feast for the eyes, and an idea to stir up your summer pot!

CASAS DEL SOL, Luxury Villas… “A tropical beach villa should celebrate sea, sun and stars as well as shore-side chic. But finding the perfect beach villa in the tropics can be a difficult feat, because the dream of whispering waves and palm-shaded luxury becomes reality in only the most seldom of lucky places. This is the story of Casas del Sol – luxury accommodation on the sunny island of Koh Tao, Thailand.”

image from www.kohtaocasas.com

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Mention Worthy

aleem — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:57:24 +0000

It’s smoke, it’s a cloud, no it’s a light fixture! – Casa Sugar

The modern loft reno, lofty-living never looked so good! – Apartment Therapy

Reading your walls… in Braille- Pico Cool

Sliding Down in Japan! – Dezeen

Truly a Natural Beauty. – Contemporist

Where FASHION +meets+ FUNCTION

aleem — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:36:05 +0000

image from www.benjaminhubert.co.uk

The Loom… It couldn’t have found a better name! Designed by British Industrial Designer Benjamin Hubert for Swedish Manufacturer Zero, The Loom is a unique series of pendant fixtures which truly embody the world of fashion, technology, lighting design, and architecture all bundled into one! Their “almost” seamless (no pun intended) forms have a soft, elegant, and weightless appeal that are sure to be a hit on the market! As well, their tactile qualities also put them apart from other designs out there, allowing the end-user to accessorize with lighting as they would with a rug, pillow or throw.

image from www.benjaminhubert.co.uk

Here’s a little about the process of the design:

“…Loom is a collection of organic textile pendant lamps utilising a new 3d woven polyester material designed by Benjamin Hubert for Swedish manufacturer Zero. Originally used as a source of comfort in the bedding industry the 3d textile has never before been used in the lighting industry. The textile can be stretched around complex forms and diffuses the light through its dense network of warp woven polyester fibers. The Textile is offset and contrasted with a brightly lit polymer lens at the heart of each pendant. The forms of the textile lamps reference traditional Chinese lanterns as a known reference point transformed with a new technological material.”

image from www.benjaminhubert.co.uk

For Our… Star-Crossed Lovers

aleem — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:49:56 +0000

For all of you star-crossed TABLE lovers out there, this posting is for you! Always a classic, and recently a large revival in table designs, the star-crossed base is making an appearance across the furniture scene made by: Draenert, Case, Holly Hunt, Luxo, and Room & Board just to name a few… I believe it is something that has to do with the simple nature of the design that appeals to us, such as relating the design to forms and shapes in nature, it’s elegant appeal, playing on our perceptions of balance, the cinching of a point, and it’s light & airy feel… all making this re-interpreted design both timeless and sculptural for any space. Fundamentally this design can be seen in the common thread through the following pieces, but we can see how each manufacturer has adapted the design through variations of form and material to allow the piece to stand on its on! (No pun intended!)

Fusion by Draenert

Cross Pedestal by Matthew Hilton for CASE

Panton by Luxo & Modloft

Bradshaw by Room & Board

SIlver Nova by Studio H for Holly Hunt

Star Table by EyeFi Design

Cross Base by VIta

Mention Worthy

aleem — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:00:36 +0000

Bridging the gap: an architectural-inspired dining table! – PicoCool

There’s a ghost in the room… and you’re sitting right on it! Spook! – Dezeen

It’s a kid’s world, and it’s time for all of us to play, with toy lamps! – Apartment Therapy

Taking-off to Space in the coolest public seating out there! Sweetness… – Contemporist

The porcelain PISTOL! BANG! – LikeCool

Taking the High Road

aleem — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:53:16 +0000

image from www.avenue-road.com

What’s the current buzz in the Design Industry around Toronto these days? Well if you ask anyone, most likely they’ll blurt out: Avenue Road! So what’s all the “fuss” about? Well simply, all you really need to do is take a look at the photos we are featuring of Avenue Road’s space for this posting.

Developed and created by Yabu Pushelberg Design Group, this 3-level, 15,000 sq.ft showroom space features some of the most luxurious and striking furnishings and accessories available on today’s market. What makes this space so unique are not only the pieces that fill the space, but rather the bones and design of the structure. A converted, restored and renovated 1907 Consumer Gas Company Building, this space truly encompasses the old & the new! Though stunning and truly eye-catchiing, the design of the space has been kept streamlined, simple, and under-stated as to not compete with the pieces “on stage” for consumers, designers, and architects to view and hopefully purchase. Since it’s opening in June 2010, Avenue Road has become a destination and has truly become a hub of inspiration for anyone keen on design, whether looking to flirt with the newest designs on the market, or to partake in a long-term relationship!

“…Established as a showcase for seductive, sophisticated furniture, AVENUE ROAD is one of Canada’s premier venues for classic and contemporary furniture designs. The Toronto-based company offers a wide range of furniture, lighting and textiles by legendary designers such as France’s Christophe Delcourt and British designer Eileen Grey.”

image from www.avenue-road.com

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IMM Cologne Fair, Germany 2011

aleem — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:52:17 +0000

image from www.imm-cologne.com

As Interior Designers, and “scouters” of the best new designs, it is our responsibility to ensure we are always on top of the latest advances in design, technology, trends, and products. These allow us to do what we do: design! Strides made by fashion designers, textile specialist, industrial designers, researchers, etc… all help to inform what we do in our everyday work. They allow us to have some of the most unique, advanced, and beautiful things available at our fingertips, and in result the fingertips of our clientele. One of the most important and major fairs every year is the IMM Cologne Fair in Germany. This is a GIGANTIC venue which allows designers, new talents, and furniture manufacturers to showcase their newest advances and offerings. Truly a hub of inspiration, and has allowed me a sneak-peak in what to expect for 2011. As far as colour trends, the buzz colour for 2011 is YELLOW. But don’t tell anyone I told you!

See more TRENDS here.

“…imm cologne showcases the home interiors of the future. The important suppliers from Germany, the rest of Europe and all over the world will present their latest products here. imm cologne is the central meeting place for suppliers and decision-makers.”

So for this post, I thought what better than to post some of my pictures from the fair, and provide you with the same sneak-peak of the latest furniture, designs, and accessories to hit the market this year!

image from www.imm-cologne.com

image from AL

COLOUR Me Happy!

aleem — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:20:03 +0000

Keeping in our theme of ‘not taking ourselves too seriously’ for today’s posts, I thought to feature this VERY playful, colourful, and exciting apartment designed by Praveen of San Francisco, CA. Though a design full of robust life and colour packed into a small space, Praveen has managed to create a cohesive look that is not overwhelming! There’s something about this space that just makes you smile, and I can definitely appreciate that!

Name: Praveen
Location: SoMa — San Francisco, California
Size: 705 square feet
Years lived in: 4 — rented

“We first saw Praveen’s Home in Small Cool 2009: Praveen’s High Ceilings. Praveen took his love of innovation and injected his playful personality to create a space where technology, art, and color play well together. By choosing a simple color combination of two primary colors these elements work together to complement his style.”

image from www.apartmenttherapy.com

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