1:1 Architects Build Small Spaces @ The V&A. Rintala Eggertsson Architects.

By now you've probably realized I love the V&A and Spatial Installations. To get them both together is close to go to paradise, I guess.

For two months and an half the Museum has been hosting an amazing exhibition (today was the last day, I'm affraid). They’ve invited nineteen architects to submit a concept design for a building informed by ideas about retreat and refuge. Seven of these proposals were selected for construction at the Museum.

I’ve visited all of them, but there are two with which I relate quite a lot. The first, the one I’m posting today, was designed by Rintala Eggertsson Architects from Norway.

Situated by the National Art Library (and bookshop), this free-standing wooden tower re-evaluates the concept of the “archive” - REA


The walls are made of hundreds of books (about our environment) and the building materials come from the forests of Finland.


The tower is experienced via a spiral staircase and each floor includes a secluded reading chamber. The moment you sit down, you realized to tower shakes from top to bottom, which to me recalls the idea of how fragile Nature and manmade building can be.


V&A – What do you hope we will experience when we visit your building?
REA – The building is a reference to Nature (…) we hope the visitor will experience a balance joy – using body and mind to travel to unknown spaces.

Soon I’ll post my other favourite small building in this exhibition, The Beetle’s House by Terunobu Fujimori.

Other Spatial Installations you might like.

Space By Richard Serra.
Richard Wilson 20:50
Square The Block By Richard Wilson
Wallpaper* Chair Arch 2
Wallpaper*ChairArch.1
Inspired By Light Installations

(Apologies for photos colour quality, but flash option was even worst).

Stairs Somewhere In Chicago.

Following my "A Bar In Chicago" post I want to share another dramatic space from the same American show I've mentioned last time: these stunning stairs.
Classic style is not what I would chose to live on, but I find these stairs amazing: the form, the way they dance in space, banister details and the spectacular stone floor pattern in the hall.

Very good images to get inspiration from, don't you think?

Stairs are these kind of space no one spends time on, but they are indeed the key element to make any spatial journey breathtaking.

Look at the marble on the walls and the stained-glass window - two completely different materials yet both so harmoniously living together.

And because we are talking about detail and materials, this wooden floor couldn't be missing here. Simple pattern, perhaps hand crafted, giving such volume to a flat surface.

Images from "The Good Wife".

Gold Dreams.

Eclectic as I am.
Colour rich as I like.
Simple forms as I understand.

My old bedroom:
- Inherited chest of drawers from my grandma;
- Inherited bedside table and stool from my mum;
- Bespoke velvet lamp shade, silk curtain and golden wood mirror.

A Bar Somewhere In Chicago.

I'm an American shows addicted. Love (almost) them all. Interesting telling stories, I always find something to learn about. But not only stories are the key to watch these shows. In general they're all set in beautiful houses, charming hotels, interactive offices and dramatic bars and restaurants.

This picture is from "The Good Wife", a show about law, attorneys and the power of telling ambiguous stories.

A moment after work, over a drink talking banalities.

Inspired By Dreams.

Aren't we all inspired by dreams?


Sometimes the simplest deco is the best way to pull together the energy we're looking for. These cartoons pinned on the wall (an habit I have since I first started to style my teenage bedroom) and the clouds hanging from the ceiling make this space so special and unique.

Space by Interlübke, Germany.

White.

White is never my first or ever choice (unless I'm looking for a shirt or a T, and in that case it's my #1), though I find this space extremely inspiring.

Shapes are enhanced, they float in space, simplicity is in place and there is a sense of welcoming, which is somehow difficult to achieve in white cubes.



Sometimes it is important to be open mind to colours and styles we don't click with as they might have what we've been looking for.

Is there any style or colour you discard just because it's not quite your cup of tea?

Space by Interlübke, Germany.

White projects to remember
Eclectic Space By Contemporary Friend
White Knitted Christmas
White Point Of View

Fluidity.

Each beautiful object is beautiful for unique reasons.

When a wall is an extension of one lamp.

When a lamp is a compliment to one wall.
Either way, when several objects flow together is when spatial harmony is achieved.

(Shot taken at Interlübke @ Milan Fair 2010)

(Interlübke @ Cologne Fair 2010)

Missoni's Blue.

Because I never get tired to look at Missoni colours and patterns. And because Missoni furniture should be on everyone's stylish list.

A perfect sofa to style a New York loft, or may be a Miami café lounge.



What's on your stylish list?

Missoni @ Milan Fair 2010.

Love Is In The Air @ The Serpentine Gallery, London.

Every summer it’s an excitement to know who’s going to design the Summer Pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery, a project I always follow very closely.
World greatest living architects are invited to present their best work to the British public for the first time.

This year French architect Jean Nouvel is the star.

"Architecture exhibitions often have little to do with the actuality of architecture, frequently focusing on display and technology rather than on the buildings themselves." - Julia Peyton-Jones

Amazing the way the material reflects light. Look at the contrast between the natural green and the man made red.

This year is all about scale and form.

Being inside the pavilion, absorbing the space, experience the light, touch the materials in indeed the right way to gain a true understanding of it.

Lovely reflection.

An exhibition for all.

Despite busy weekends, this is a nice space to enjoy a coffee with friends.

The Wall Of Love.

If you planning to visit the Pavilion don't forget to step inside the gallery. Interesting photography exhibition by Wolfgang Tillmans.

Button Down It.

There’s something extremely special about a button down sofa. I think it’s probably the most elegant sofa in this world. It suits any interior style, space and owner personality, don’t you think? It’s like a Birkin bag by Hermés or maybe a classy Jaguar - you know what I mean, I'm sure.

Lately I’ve been looking at it more carefully to find the real reason why they communicate so much with me and I think I found it: the button down gives that little detail I continuously look for in anything I see and engage with.

Magister by Antonio Citterio and Paolo Nava for Flexform

Hall by Rodolfo Dordoni for Driade

Andersen by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti

Monseigneur by Philippe Starck for Driade

Poltrona Frau, the one I want to have in my living room

Unknown designer for Selfridges.

Do you have a piece of furniture with which you find a special connection with?

Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Barcelona by Patricia Urquiola.

Patricia Urquiola is indeed one of my favorite designers. Her work is extremely feminine, elegant and very welcoming. Fine lines, rich fabrics and colors, her signature is always there.

Whether furniture or interiors I always feel movement in her work, as if something is communicating with me, and that is exactly what makes design and architecture outstanding.

Knowing she is trained as an architect, I wasn’t surprised with such stunning interiors for the Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona.

A space to visit.

These golden panels are a perfect example of what I call Interior Jewellery.

Simple lines and rich colors are always what I love to experience in interiors.

Asymmetric lines gives a sense of movement in this space.

Photos from Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Klara Chair.
Patricia Urquiola to Moroso, Milan Fair 2010

Poltroncina Wave.

“Design carried out by a sure hand and with exceptional precision, is not only technically perfect, but always answers to the practical needs dictated by the reality of life. The driving forces behind this are the forms of culture, the various histories and sensibilities deposited in each of us throughout the course of time and a position of ethical meaning, even before that of aesthetics.”

Perfect marriage between forms and materials.


Poltroncina Wave Barel and Wave Box by John Hutton to Mood.

Photo from Mood.

Dragonfly by Mood.

Mood's design is quite distinct. Very elegant with a classic twist, it is a perfect choice for city apartments and hotels.

Drangonfly is a line designed by Roberto Lazzeroni. It is my favorite item, whether the armchair, sofa or bed. Isn’t it beautiful?

The richness of this Belle Époque room is perfect to enhance Dragonfly beauty.





Perfect for a foyer.




Photos from Mood website.

Fendi Casa.

Like in fashion, Fendi Casa breaths luxury and ostentation. To seat on a Fendi sofa or lay on a Fendi bed is like wearing a pair of stilettos: very stylish and extremely powerful.

The other day I read somewhere luxury in no longer what money can buy, but the experience we can get. Though, to experience Fendi Casa you definitely have to have it. Very exclusive, it is a label which makes every dream come true.

This brand outstands by luxury leather, rich fabrics and Swarovski crystals giving the final sparkle. Get the champagne and enjoy.

New showroom at Harrods, London.

I am a big fan of the button down. It is that little detail which brings up very gracefully the classic touch.

Another favorite feature in their line is the high headboards, especially if they are in croco print leather.

Their velvets, silks, leathers and skins are to die for. Rich as they have to be.



This daybed is so beautiful. Perfect for a yacht deck or a SPA room.

Modern, cosy and very stylish, isn’t it?

They have a fantastic range of colors, but my always very favorite is indeed gold. Their gold silk is like no other. Trés Trés Chic.



Brocades are back and I am loving it.

Few inspiration boards with Fendi leathers. Get inspired. Autumn is calling.
Pink Is The New Black
Welcome to Autumn
Inspired By Blue & Gold: Two Royalties