poetic arches

I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm currently obsessed with all things Japanese. Is it obvious? I'm writing about Toyo Ito's poetically beautiful Tama Art University Library over on yellowtrace today. Will the beauty of Japan ever cease to amaze me?

[Images via ArchDaily and ArchitectureAU]

loft in a library

Lissoni Associati have converted an old library in Italy to a  minimal, monochromatic loft. See and read more over on yellowtrace.

must have soul

Jean Christophe Aumas' prerequisite for all home additions, is that each addition must have soul. The outcome of such a mantra really shows- and it's is pretty spectacular. Read more on yellowtrace today.

Pocket full of design love

It's not all too often you see a studio apartment given this much design love. As an apartment dweller myself, beautifully designed, compact spaces are guaranteed to stop me dead in my tracks. This one by Rick Joy is a particularly sweet example. Read the full post on yellowtrace here.

[Image by Joe Fletcher via New York Times]

dining in bangkok

It's not all too often that I discuss design from South East Asia around here. Maybe that should change. It is my original 'hood after all. Today, I'm taking us through this restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand over on yellowtrace.

[Image courtesy of Metaphor Design Studio. Photo by Nutee Thongjang]

sydney in design 2013

I'm still trying to play catch up following my whirlwind trip to Sydney last weekend. My coverage of Sydney Indesign went up on yellowtrace last Friday. Read it here.

[Photo of Jardan's showroom by me]

when alexander wang meets joseph dirand

In case you missed it, I was on yellowtrace yesterday chatting about the rotating installations at Alexander Wang's Soho store.

While we're on the topic of Master A.Wang, I thought I'd share some pics of his epic 565sqm Shanghai store, designed by Paris architect, Joseph Dirand. I don't know how, but I've never blogged about Joseph Dirand before, despite spending god knows how long perusing his ridiculously killer portfolio.

Consistent with Joseph Dirand's established aesthetic, it is formally very minimal. It's essentially made up of flat planes, mitred rectangular boxes and shadow lines holding elements apart. Despite being pared back formally, materially it's texturally rich and luxurious. It incorporates veined marbles, blackened bronze and glossy bronze mirror. I don't often use the word "glamorous" to describe things I'm interested in (it makes me think of Orange County house wives - and I just ran a search to double check and I haven't used the word once since day dot). Yet Dirand manages to achieve a wonderfully understated glamour that steers safely clear of ostentation.

Spectacularly beautiful, wouldn't you say?

[Images via Joseph Dirand and Superfuture]

milan apartment

What happens when Dimore Studio fill an apartment with old and new objects from all over the world? A distinctly contemporary Milanese interior. Now that's what a call a sharp eye with a clear voice. See more on yellowtrace today.

tessellated

Never under estimate the power of the floor surface. See more of this converted 1910s apartment over on yellowtrace.

new york loft

We're visiting James Jebbia's Greenwich Village loft over on yellowtrace today. Be warned. It's one of those projects that's so hip it makes you want to eye roll.

miso

I'm over on yellowtrace today lusting over the mind and artistic skill of Melbourne artist, Miso. I'm writing about her pin prick drawings, but have you also seen her home made tattoes via Instagram?

freeing the line

I'm over on yellowtrace today talking about Monika Gryzmala's three dimensional drawings. Whilst researching, I stumbled across the "Freeing the Line Exhibition," which Gryzmala contributed to in 2006. 

Curated by Catherine de Zegher, the collection brings together the work artists who "free the line" from the two dimensional plane. Using fine, linear materials such as wire and thread, these artists allow drawings to expand into a three dimensional space. 

As someone who spends all day looking at two dimensional drawings and imagining them as three dimensional spaces, these works offer a warm place of familiarity for me. It's fascinating that as soon as the line shifts into the third dimension, the line or "drawing" is much less a representation but becomes the work itself. Well, that's if you consider a drawing as simply a representation in the first place. 

Oh dear, this conversation could keep going on for a while...

Images via Marion Goodman Gallery

daylight confetti

My post on yellowtrace today is seriously feeding my fascination with torched timber. It's total material porn. Check it. 

danish styling

I'm over on yellowtrace today sharing the work of Yellows Photography. Take a little looky for more from their super polished portfolio.

brick love

I'm over on yellowtrace talking about one of my favourite materials today. Pop by and visit me for more juicy images like this.

the pattern

I've noticed a pattern with the things I choose to blog about and collect on pinterest. It goes a little something like this: monochrome, monochrome, monochrome, monochrome, then BAM! Extreme colour.

This little teaser probably hints at where I'm sitting in that cycle right about now. Click over to my post on yellowtrace today for the unedited colour explosion.

esé studio architects

I'm over on yellowtrace today chatting about a loft conversion by esé Studio Architects of Athens. Turns out the loft project isn't the only trick up their sleeve. Here are a selection of shots from the rest of their portfolio. 

Their work lives in that narrow little area of intersection between minimal and lived in. I believe that intersection is my favourite hangout.

 

Images via esé Architects Studio

march studio strike again

I'm over at yellowtrace today with March Studio's latest- a retail fitout for French fashion house, Damir Doma. Geez, can these guys put a foot wrong? They better be careful or I'm going to start developing a creepy obsession.

Oh, and in case you missed it, there was a great interview with the studio on The Design Files last week. Highly inspiring stuff.

golden workshop

I've seen some pretty killer student projects in my time, but this one steps it up a notch. Under the leadership of modulorbeat, students from the Munster School of Architecture designed and self built this nifty number. Visit me at yellowtrace for more.

Images via Archdaily. Photography by Christian Richters.

body responsive

Dana has been kind enough to let me hijack her blog with a very Ella topic today. Click here to read about a small but punchy selection of set designs for contemporary dance. I may have mentioned one or two here before but you know, some things just really leave an impression. Please make sure you watch the videos. I promise they're totally worth it.

By the way, if you haven't visited the rAndom International website before, now is your time. Refer one such example of genius above. Definitely one to add to the hero pile.