[ a gesture in black&white ] by Norm.Architects

A few photos of a townhouse in Copenhagen renovated by Norm.Architects. 

A home of contrasts.

A white background and open layout that make for a serene, pure and fluid refuge, in opposition to it's exterior body and surroundings. And an almost graphic gesture through the punctuation of the space with black details. I find it beautiful (if maybe not very liveable). What do you think?

photography by © Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

via Yatzer

Raw Styling - Concrete and Copper

I love it when I finally find the source and the full project of some of the photos that catch my attention on Pinterest or blogs. Some images are very inspiring just by themselves, but I always like to know the context in which they were taken, it adds some depth to them. That's what happened with the photos of the Nazdrowje bar in Sweden. 

Designed by Richard Lindvall, what used to be a parking garage was transformed into a restaurant and bar, having as inspiration old factories in Poland. The existing raw atmosphere was kept by using concrete on the floors, walls, and casted tables and benches. White tiles, the Tolix stools and big, old, lamps (brought from a factory in the Czech Republic) accentuate the concept of an industrial ambience. Details in copper and some amazing photos (by Mattias Lindbäck), of the workers who built the restaurant, on the wall, add some warmth to the space. 

photography: Mattias Lindbäck

all images via Richard Lindvall

A great combination of materials to start  an inspiring week! 

Dinesen GrandOak

Some images, from a photo shoot and a finished work, with the new option of Dinesen floors:
The GrandOak. 

Gallery Mess Café, Saatchi Gallery, London

all images via Dinesen

Balfour Place by KHBT

Today I want to share the renovation of an apartment in Mayfair, London, by the design team KHBT.

The whole space was planned to be completely white with rather "clean" lines, where a strip of walnut timber crosses the apartment, and connects it's opposite sides, becoming the kitchen counter at one end and the bathtub at the other. A dark, warm, wooden element contrasting with the cool white background.

Going up and down the stairs may seem a bit weird and inconvenient but, since this is a renovation and they were constrained by the several levels of the old construction, I quite like that they decided to embrace these features to create this beautiful, mostly graphical, gesture, that completely transforms the apartment into something unique.

photography: Johannes Marburg

all images via Dezeen

What To Look For In A Professional Drafting Table

 

Drafting tables are incredibly popular. Architects, artists, and crafting professionals all require a quality drafting table to get their jobs done effectively. Often, the question is asked what makes a drafting table worthy of a professional title. With so many models available on the market today, it's hard to know which tables will work best for your individual needs. This article highlights the important traits and characteristics any high end drafting table should feature to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

The first and most obvious trait of a professional drafting table is the price. While beginner models are available for around $250 from reputable brands like Studio Design, high end tables can range in the thousands. While this might sound like a strain on the average budget, the benefits and extended life span of a well made table is hard to beat. One popular model, the Ranger Drafting Table can be purchased for as low as $553.99 and is a real favorite amongst the architectural crowd.

 

Secondly, a professional table should feature a durable top. While glass drafting table solutions look fantastic, a thermally fused laminate surface or metal top will last much longer. For this reason, the top of your table is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping. Architects and artists alike will often choose a lighted drafting table top as it provides excellent visual benefits and makes work a whole lot easier!

Another important factor is the table base. High end tables should feature a four leg design. This post style approach promotes stability. While beginner drafting table models often showcase fancy leg designs that look great in home office environments, they don't bode well for every day use. Those intending to subject their product to daily use will want a rugged frame that ensures commercial grade craftsmanship. In most cases, steel and solid wood is preferred.

Ergonomic adjustability is a trait that will surely keep you comfortable and working at your highest levels of productivity when drafting. While most tables offer some form of surface adjustment regardless of price and style, top quality models will offer a far greater range of movement. Height adjustable drafting table solutions as well as split top drafting table models are an excellent indication of this valuable trait. A tables adjustment capabilities provides versatility and a wide range of motions that should be tested before purchasing if possible. Several top drafting tables are actually rather difficult to adjust compared to others. Electronic options are available but will often drive up the cost of your table. Hand operated models typically work perfectly and leave a far smaller window of areas to breakdown over time.

Lastly, any respectable table should come with a warranty. All Mayline Drafting Tables for example come with a manufacturers guarantee that keeps you protected throughout the life of your product. This guarantee provides security for your investment and should not be overlooked. While most brands will cover manufacturers defects, it's nice to know that quality manufacturers like Mayline provide extended coverage, replacement parts, and much more for your table. Opting to go with a preferred brand of this nature is always a smart choice.

In the long run, testing a variety of professional drafting tables will ensure you get this best bang for your buck. Doing your homework will always save you money when shopping regardless of the products your interested in. No matter the table you decide to utilize, make sure to not overlook the efficiency improving details like ergonomic drafting chairs as well as flat file cabinets to keep you important documents secure and protected. Top online providers will be happy to provide bulk discounts, free shipping, and coupons for shoppers looking to outfit their entire work area. This little tip is an excellent way to save a bundle!

Varming House by Eva and Nils Koppel

I first saw the Varming House on a Danish TV program about "Unique Nordic Houses" (that's the name of the program  in Danish - "Enestående Nordiske Huse") and felt drawn to it immediately. Maybe because it reminded me so much of the best architecture that was also being done in Portugal in the mid-century (the name Fernando Távora and his house in Ofir came to my mind). I then decided to go on the internet and try to find some more information about this house.

The Varming house was designed by the Danish architects Eva and Nils Koppel in 1952. I see it as one of those "little pearls" of architecture that came after the most radical phase of the Modern Movement, when, in a period of doubt, reflection and critic about a "universal model", architects all over Europe began searching for a harmonious coexistence of the most fundamental values of modernism and vernacular, while simultaneously, considering the new notions of family and dwelling. Innovation and tradition, global and local, machine and human, function and emotion, were all tools to be balanced and used while designing. 

The fluidity of the spaces (especially in the common areas), the 3 different levels that organize the living area, and the big amount of storage in the corridor that leads to the bedrooms, help make the best of the 143 m2 of interior space. You can see the plan of the house at the end of this post, but unfortunately it doesn't show the blind exterior walls that help integrating the house in the surrounding, slightly inclined, terrain. 

all images via

London House

The SHOOTFACTORY is a company that rents spaces for filming and photo sessions. They have dozens of gorgeous places, in the UK and abroad, but I just happened to have fallen in love with the house in Tulse Hill  which I'm sharing today.

Bright, white ample spaces...Victorian details, mid-century design furniture... and that kitchen! I would die just for that kitchen. It even has a Nespresso machine, which means I could move in right now and be in heaven. The house is not meant for people to live in it, but tonight I will still dream that I win the lottery and make it my home.

all images via SHOOTFACTORY