Will We Be “Growing” Organic Furniture In The Future?

Some organically-shaped furniture pieces manage to capture the inspiration seen all around us in a modern design – this helps compose interiors with a fascinating arrangement. For example, the Mutation Series by Belgian designer Maarten De Ceulaer express the need for nature-inspired design in modern homes. Wanting to show a possible future for furniture items, the unusual-looking series explores the future possibility of growing organic furniture, similar to cloning animals.

Thinking of Summer: Husk Outdoor by Patricia Urquiola

If you are already thinking about the summer to come, we can help you decide what outdoor furniture you can use to decorate your deck, patio or terrace. Husk Outdoor was designed by Patricia Urquiola for B & B Italia. This outdoor version of the Husk Chair presented at the last Milan Design Week bares a strong resemblance to the one used for interior spaces: “Like the indoor version, Husk Outdoor is made of recycled and recyclable materials, highlighting B&B Italia’s keen awareness of topics such as ecology and environmental sustainability.” Each component was carefully designed not only to offer the best version of an outdoor furniture item, but also to facilitate recycling by easily separating its components, reducing the environmental impact. The hard shell made of Hirek – a non-toxic, resistant multi-layered composite technopolymer with differentiated density – and soft, vividly colored cushions offer an inviting design and a comfortable seating experience. Completed with the round Husk coffee table, the outdoor furniture set is ready to accompany the new year’s entertainment and relaxation moments.

Dreamy Rooftop Apartment Overlooking Bondi Beach

A beautiful rooftop apartment rises on one of the streets of Sydney, Australia. Curiously remodeling the appearance of the building it stands on, the Bondi Penthouse overlooks Bondi Bay and beach and borrows its name. Spread over 180 square meters, this creation of MPR Design Group displays a highly modern design. Adorning the rooftop of an Art Deco building, the lightweight metal clad structure benefits from plenty of natural light coming from a mixture of skylights and windows. An immaculate set of interiors and exterior spaces compose social and private rooms, all free flowing and strongly connected to the surroundings.

Nature And Modern Architecture Intermingle In Modest Bungalow

Blessed with the chance to live in a beautiful home and needing more space, the owners of this modest bungalow commissioned Australian studio MCK Architects  to enlarge the house and create a stronger connection to the outside. The Skirt and Rock House – as it came to be named – is located on a hill in the Vaucluse suburb of Sydney, Australia. The name was inspired by the modern architecture displayed by the new residential structure and the existence of a large rock on the property, that became part of the design.

30 Original Alternatives to a Common Bedside Table

When it comes to our comfort zone, bedside tables are a must. Books, glasses, eye-drops, various types of body cream, objects we forget we ever had- it always surprises us how many things can fit into the drawers of a nightstand or on a small bedside table. Since Freshome is all about creative ideas, we decided to dedicate a post to bedside tables with an unusual appearance, miniature storage units which can enhance the overall look of your bedroom. If you did not know how to reuse those wooden tables scattered in the garage or those old suitcases, there are some ideas below that could help. If you like ladders, but thought it would be crazy to place them near the bed, here is your chance. And if you thought you cat’s crib was too unaesthetic for your bedroom, simply reorganize it like in the picture below. We believe you will find these unusual bedside table ideas useful and we are looking forward to your help in finding more.

Family-Friendly Volumetric House in Kortrijk by Devolder Architects

Carefully designed to display a contemporary but private front facade, this modern residence in Kortrijk, Belgium, is a volumetric collection of spaces spread over two levels. Designed by Belgian Devolder Architects, the modern timber-clad home welcomes family and guest with a simple geometric shape pierced by the garage door and a walkway leading to a partly hidden entrance door. Behind this very private front, a series of social and private spaces meet the client’s demands. The backside is strongly connected to the garden via large windows on both floors – the lower level is flooded with direct natural light, while the upper one receives sunlight through a series of slated timber screens. Two sets of stairs connect the two levels of the house – one leads from the living room to the bedrooms, while the other constructs a link to the upstairs office space. Cozy and elegant, the modern house can inspire you to create comfortable, family-friendly interiors for your next residential project, so enjoy!

A Seed-Shaped Church on a Sacred Mountain in China

The O Studio Architects of Hong Kong just completed an elegantly curved concrete church in Huizhou, China.

The model shows the very unique shape of the building, a sculptural form that encourages a climb.

Delicious Contrasts in the AS-House in Brazil

The prolific São Paulo-based studio Guilherme Torres – begun in 2001 – has created another lovely tropical modern masterpiece in the AS House in Cornélio Procópio, in the state of Paraná in Brazil.

The site naturally offered two stories to the house, both located around the patio and pool…

Design Dilemma: Is the Home Library Dead?

Have E-readers killed the home library? Years ago, it was every home dweller’s dream to own a quiet room filled with books and a big fat easy chair. Libraries suggested refinement, coziness and worldliness. They were also a place to escape the noise and chaos of everyday life. But these days, books are taking a back seat to electronics. More of us actually do  our reading online and are building a “virtual” library of books.

Does this mean the death of the home library?

Glimpse of a Strange, Repurposed Future World

Here’s a strange vision. As if a thoughtful post-apocalyptic nomad has somehow dug up an ancient library and used it to create a semi-outdoor home in the ruins of the 21st century.

Design Dilemma: Part 2, Downsizing While Staying Put

Last week, we explored ways to downsize when moving from a large space into a smaller one. It’s a tough move to make, but can be filled with rewards, including more time and money available to spend outside the home, less cleaning and lower utility costs. This week, we thought we’d spend some time on how you can downsize without going anywhere at all.

Guilherme Torres’ Very Hip and Cool São Paulo Studio

Fascinated by the hip Jardins neighborhood location, São Paulo-based studio Guilherme Torres created this live/work studio conversion project in Brazil.

Museum-Quality Historical Chiang Mai Resort

The ultimate in traditional luxury living in a historical resort makes reference to a subtle and refined traditional architecture.

Old Sydney’s Curtained Glass Loggia House

In keeping with its elevated past, the high ceilings in this two story extension are dwarfed by two-story steel mesh curtains shielded from the weather by a soaring glass roof.

Private and Public Residential Spaces Bonded With Nature

Rising two stories in the air, the Mary Lake Residence in the Village of Port Sydney, Huntsville, Ontario welcomes owners with a body made out of two separate volumes connected by a glazed entrance on the first floor and almost transparent second floor staircase and corridor uniting the upstairs spaces. Surrounded by tall white pines, this creation of Toronto-based studio Altius Architecture was described by them as follows: “The roof of the living room is sheltered between the two solids and becomes an additional outdoor space with a view over the lake, a garden and a hot tub.

Unusually Shaped Modern Dwelling Flaunting Flexibility

Designed for a young family of four, Haus W encompasses a flexible design, prepared to evolve together with the family and offer them a dream setting for everyday life. Pott Architects, with offices in Berlin, are the ones behind this project. They built the 3,000 square foot house located in the Lichterfelde district of Berlin, Germany, in the garden of an old villa, but accessed via its own road. Appearing as a single volume residence, Haus W’s interiors are separated by walls and sliding doors creating the choice of enjoying time alone or in the company of friends and family.

Light Beam Art, Based on the Principles of Camera Obscura

Artist Chris Fraser takes old physics discoveries and turn them into contemporary art. By applying the laws of Camera Obscura, a dark box (or room) with a hole drilled in one side, projected an image from the exterior, turned upside down, the artist plays with light, with intriguing results: “It is both utterly remarkable and terribly ordinary. But there is no need to stop with one opening. Bore a second hole into the wall and two images, offset but roughly similar, will appear. Continue to drill. Remove the wall piecemeal, minding each change. Picture will stack atop picture, dissolving eventually into the mere impression of light.” Chris Fraser further explains, in an interview for Co.Design: “I had regarded my house as a living camera. I would watch pictures of the sun move across the living room floor over the course of a day, and notice how its path would change with the season“. An interesting approach for an art installation, don’t you agree?

Updated Oscar Niemeyer Apartment Where Social Meets Private

Architects Felipe Hess and Renata Pedrosa updated this 140 square meter apartment originally designed by Oscar Niemeyer and the result is fabulous. Named Copan Apartment and located in Sao Paolo, Brazil, the contemporary residential space was demolished to the point of an open, fluid space, adorned with remaining columns and shafts. A core volume was built, dividing the private rooms from the social ones and sheltering closets on the private side and a concrete set of details on the social side. Part of the exposed common space, this concrete divider holds the client’s prizes and memorabilia, giving the apartment a very private, inviting feel. The kitchen is defined by a central block acting as a kitchen island/dining table, while the columns compose a visual connection to the rest of the room. Exposed concrete walls and original ceiling beams were paired up with large steel dividers offering the possibility of opening or closing the private bedroom. Overlooking the city’s skyline from the 31st floor, this iconic apartment merges classic and modern design in a unique arrangement.

Vivid Atmosphere In And Around This Unique Orange House

Located in Ankara, Turkey, the bold orange color displayed by this residence stands at the base of its name – the Orange House. Turkish studio Yazgan Design Architecture envisioned the house rising three stories in the air and composing a collection of spaces gathering views of the surrounding urban developments and the Middle East Technical University forest. The steep site occupied by the house was recreated to suit the inhabitant’s needs and wishes and offer them the best possible layout for daily activities. Displaying its beautiful details over as surface of 1,050 square meters, the orange residential construction made of steel is best described by its designers: “The program is based on the development of flexible relationships between diverse inputs of design, such as, materials, program elements, demands of users, dimensional requirements, site peculiarities, Ankara climate and its habitat, architects and engineers involved with the project.