Time makes us grow and mature, but we have to always keep our souls playful, no matter how old we are

claim the talents behind tAMINN Design studio. Proving their point, in July 2015, they completed the “Fun House”, a redesign of a 165-square-metre apartment in a brand new residential building, in Zhubei, Taiwan. The interior designers carefully abided by the client’s request that the final result hint at industrial style, albeit infused with colour.

The most important guideline though set by the clients, a young couple who now live in the apartment with their child, was that their names, somehow, appeared in their home. As a result, the main feature of the flat became “Mike & Isa”, a big light box that has become the centrepiece of this strange mix of styles, including French, industrial and country seen in the bistro-like dining area, a big barn door that is cleverly split between a storage room and the master bedroom, tough concrete walls and soft wooden doors which all fall playfully into place.

The designers’ ingenuity also brought together a large variety of materials, endowing the house with a unique character: iron accessories, titanium plating, brass, vintage wood, coloured plywood, handmade and metallic tiles, wallpaper, all seem to have been used in harmonious excess. As the designers claim: “We tried to divide the flat’s central, open space by using the diversity of various materials, especially on the floor. Wood and rugs were placed in the living room, black metal tiles at the entrance and concrete was used for the kitchen and the dining room”.

At the same time, the space remains connected through the dialogue encouraged between its different parts: the floor tiles at the entrance extend to the living area, while the kitchen island imposes itself on the dining table. In a similar vein, the desk shares its presence between the living room and the dining hall, while the bookcase is placed behind the dining table with its metal plated finishing clearly reflecting the TV area, thus blending one part of the room into the other.

The harshness of the strong materials used is lightened up by little details that have given a homey feel to the place, such as the brass, wood, iron and concrete “hello” carved on the floor, the metal coffee table that resembles a suitcase and an old railway clock placed strategically between the windows offering a breathtaking view of the city below, a big frame that looks like traditional Asian art is actually a magnetic blackboard that invites the young family to leave each other loving memos on the wall.

Exposed pipelines, exposed-concrete room dividers and unrefined woodwork create a half-done, “in progress” feel. Begging the question as to what this may have to do with maturity, the answer perhaps lies in maturity not as seriousness, but as something full of life, and when one us fully aware of the importance of fun and surprise in our lives.

This loft of 115 sq. meters located in the heart of Kyiv, Ukraine. A project is executed in style of loft with the use of great number of characteristic elements. An apartment is in new building in the center of city.

The architects’ starting point was to create a loft for a gentleman, rather than a hipster. Martin Architects came up with a bold design that’s not for the shy and retiring. A glass paned wall partly conceals a bedroom from the main living space, which faces an open kitchen, with a fire set ingeniously into its units.

The bold space is adorned with raw brick, cement and wood alongside refreshing designer furniture pieces. A wall of plants framed by reclaimed wood adds both a witty touch and greenery to a dining area. Colours throughout are masculine greys and browns, with yellow accents in rugs and lights, while exposed concrete forms the backdrop to an adventurously-styled bathroom.

The most important feature of this Kyiv Loft is furniture and elements of decor, which were made Ukrainian masters, companies and designers. Furniture of Igor Martin, developed for a company HIS (Home Ideas Supply), made debut in this project. The apartment is also a smart house; everything can be done through a smartphone.

An absolutely stunning example of modern loft design with a masculine touch.

It was a spacious apartment but not very functionally structured. The location was good, in the Meatpacking District at the borders of Highline Park. It is a rooftop apartment so it also offers nice views. As for the interior, it needed some changes.

The architects that worked on this project decided to change its functionality and to modify the design. The result was a fresh apartment with a functional interior and featuring a combination of European and New York elements. The colors chosen are simple and elegant, mostly neutrals like beige, brown and similar color tones. These, in combination with the beautiful blue sky visible through the glass walls and large windows create a really beautiful atmosphere. The furniture used is minimalist and the decorations and details are not numerous but they are striking.

This duplex has been decorated almost entirely in black and white. The walls and the ceilings are white and the floors are light grey. The same colors have been used throughout the apartment and the result is a uniform look. The furniture is either completely white or completely black. Itâ€s interesting that there are no combinations. Thatâ€s probably because the designer wanted to create strong contrasts.

In the kitchen for example, the furniture is white. This creates a bright and spacious décor and itâ€s the best solution in this case. White might not be a favorite color in the kitchen because it gets easily dirty and it requires a lot of attention but when you want to create an elegant and uniform look I think thatâ€s a sacrifice worth to be made.

Anyway, the duplex is not entirely decorated in black and white. There some small spots of colors but they can be seen in decorations such as artwork, pillows and flowers.

In the foreground, Swedish chair reupholstered and recovered by the owner, with pad, Gaston y Daniela, and table, Jimmy’s Scooter, with books on art and sculptures of Batavia.

Reading Corner

Swedish sofa reupholstered and recovered by the owner, with cushion smooth, Anthropologie, and stripes, Gaston and Daniela. Bureau of Batavia, and lamp, Jimmy’s Scooter. In the work area, Tulip chair, console and scrap blocks of Niks Project, and crown, Barbarenia.

The owner

One of the most stylish men of Madrid. Jaime Lacasa has taken his passion for decorating their iconic menswear boutiques, Scooter and Jimmy’s Scooter (Callejon de Jorge Juan 14 and Villalar 11) the most chic of Madrid. There reign vintage furniture and objects can also be purchased. The photo shows several pieces in the hall of his house that opens to the kitchen and workspace.

Contrasts

The delicacy of the original moldings, recovered with care, in contrast to the scrap pieces pressed and painted iron.

Rest area

A cozy corner with chaise-longue, LA Studio, and pad, Antennae. Behind, a spectacular wood and iron console of Anmoder. Along with the items purchased on different trips, sculptures, chandeliers and wooden plate of Batavia.

Dual Grid

Through the glass enclosure will appreciate the large bottom shelf, made to measure. On the sofa, upholstered in linen and cotton, to the left of the image, and Suzani Filocolore cushion in shades of yellow, Becara. Next, tamarind wood table, of Batavia; lamp, Barbarenia.

Meeting Point

In the kitchen, table, Barbarenia, with a striking set of chairs: the colors are of 50, Karl Jacobs, the fabric bag is Jimmy’s Scooter and the iron is recovered by the owner. On the wall board, console and meters, Jimmy’s Scooter, and vase, LA Studio.

Industrial atmosphere

Industrial atmosphere is the main hallmark of this bright kitchen, open space and connected to almost every room in the house.

Bathroom

In the bathroom, old marble combined with Japanese paper, of Gaston and Daniela.Trash of Cucamona, and towels, Antennae. On the bed, blanket, Texture, blanket, Indietro and smooth pads, C & C, and stripes, Becara. Chest parchment, LA Studio, carpet, Carpet Reloaded, chair and console, Jimmy’s Scooter, and lamps of Barbarenia.

Separating spaces

The wall hides the dressing area and visually reinforces the sense of vertical height of the roof.

The reform

Jaime decided to transform a house completely compartmentalized in a spacious apartment, open, connected and stays very personal décor.

Details

The decor is attention to details, and any hidden corner of the house beautiful and elegant surprises.

High ceilings

The high ceilings were key when Jaime was decided to buy the house:

The first thing I liked about it was the height of the ceilings, very important, 4 feet and beak, in that if I pay a lot, is what gives me a greater sense of luxury and space.

Radical change

The reform is the work of the decorator Geli Perez Gomez, who faced a radical change in the house.

The duplex apartment was in a very bad condition before the A-ceroâ€s improvements, so it was necessary to make a radical alteration

A-cero bets on white as the main color in the apartment in order to get the maximum light and spaciousness. Bright colors are only for decoration pieces like paintings.

The flat was designed by Israeli based Pitsou Kedem Architects.  The 100 square metre (1,076.4 square feet) residential flat which overlooks the majestic splendor of the Mediterranean Sea is very unique not only for its location but also for the structure itself.

I think this table is a beautiful piece and the chairs look great, but I wonder how comfortable they actually are.

Itâ€s almost impossible to not fall in love with the architecture of this place!

This kitchen is so sleek that itâ€s almost not there.

The main areas of the flat.

Iâ€d love to see this place in person because of these arches.

Even the art in this place feels minimalist but creates a big impact in this area.

Beautiful views are reflected by a mirror.

With all this beautiful space and views, only a single chair was added. I donâ€t think minimalism is reflecting comfort in this space.

More of the living room.

Do you think a place with such strong architectural details like this one should have less or more furniture?

A little sink, a mirror and some storage.

Itâ€s hard to look inside with the Mediterranean sea outside, but notice the shower is in the middle of the bedroom. Sexy or too invasive?

Oh, this view!

Truly inspiring…

ixdesign was commissioned to bring organized function and a warm sensibility to a 1,050 sf loft-style apartment in New York Cityâ€s West Village. Located within a structure built as a truck garage in 1931 and converted to condominiums in 1983, the apartment was plagued with an awkward geometry, limited natural light and an outdated décor. The existing finishes and fittings were stripped away to visually organize the space and reveal its basic architectural layout. With a cleared palette space use and storage were maximized by either carving out or augmenting the irregular shapes presented by the architecture. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a neutral white finish to create a seamless integration with the ceiling structure allowing the spaceâ€s inherent sculptural quality to be enhanced.

In response to the clientâ€s desire for an inviting, warm retreat, a natural walnut was used throughout to anchor and reinforce the unity of the space, juxtaposed against the bright architectural envelope. Plush, engaging fabrics and contemporary lighting infuse a dash of luxury while classic modern furniture pieces provide functionality and a simple sophistication.

The first 11 images below are the “after” and the rest are what it originally looked like: