Tokyo #6 | Prada.

Tokyo #5 | Nezu Museum.

For Japanese architecture lovers - Nezu Museum (Designed by Kengo Kuma).

Entrance

Exit

A crack of light

Parallelism

Tokyo #4 | The Power Of Display.

Display - The eyes eat too. Indeed! Another place I get lost very easily is food markets and Japanese people definitely know display is a very important sales tool.

Check these out and tell me if you wouldn't buy just for the beauty of it.

And now, the power of wrapping. 

Tokyo #3 | Japanese Textiles.

This is the type of shops I get lost very easily. Not that I spend a fortune, but I totally forget the world exists outside. I can be here for hours wondering what I could do with these gorgeous fabrics. 

My sense of touch gets in action and here we go...

Didn't resist to get the one on the right. I've already a few options to do with it, but haven't decided yet:  to have it on my bed, to make a few cushions, to have it framed or maybe a padded panel on the wall. 

Gorgeous collage, isn't it? The fabrics in the center (with rainbows) have an amazing texture and beautiful mix of colours.

Fabrics, beautiful fabrics everywhere. 

A tip to make a nice Japanese handbag. 

Maybe I'll pop in again today to get more inspiration.

Tokyo #2 | Japanese "Tasca".

Fancy? No, but quite chic.

"Tasca" in Portuguese means something like a cheap yet delicious food house, always small and very loud (my own words).

Everywhere these spaces are gaining market and apparently Tokyo is not an exception.
The perfect choice to gather with friends for a warm meal and a good laugh. This one is located in Shibuya @ Meiji Street.

I must say I probably had the best satay chicken in my life.

Lovely kitchen + Lovely chefs = Happiness

Young chefs.

Gone!

Saturday night in Shibuya, where creativity gathers too. 

Great Japanese beer

Decoration in a form of collage. Love it.

Tokyo #1 | Muji Paradise.

MUJI. We all love Muji, the brand with no label, or is it the other way around? 
Why?
Maybe because it is simply beautiful
Maybe because it is highly functional.
Maybe because it has its only language.
Maybe because it is elegant.
Maybe because it has no age.
Maybe because it has lots of style.
Maybe because it will always be a trendy.
Maybe because you just do, you tell me.

First time I saw the products was in London. The subtle design and the huge label with Japanese characters invited me in. Love at first sight, indeed! I'm sure you all felt the same.

From kitchen appliances to clothing, and of course stationary, Muji is part of my material life since then.

Muji @ Ginza. Their biggest shop in Tokyo.

Main display product: shelving units easy to assemble and optional enough to let your imagination fly. 

Love product: Wooden hook to hang anything your imagination allows. I've to go back to buy at least one or my entrance. It's gonna look great and of course functional.

Me on my way back, happy and excited with my purchases. 

The Tokyo Ginza shop has two floors where the entire collection is on display, including the Muji Grocery Shop and the Café. Delicious! I wish we had this one in Lisbon. I'm sure it would be a success.

(No quality pictures because I sneak these photos with my phone. Naughty me, but I got so excited I didn't resist)

White Xmas @ Selfridges.

Selfridges has the most astonishing windows in the world. True stories are told, imagined and wanted.

This Xmas I will indeed miss Selfridges windows. 

Here's a space to dream for.

The art of merchandising. 

Summer Pavilion 2011 by Peter Zumthor.

The annual series of Pavilions is the world's first and most ambitious architectural programme of its kind.

2011 Pavilion was designed by world-renowned Swiss architect Peter Sumthor which includes a beautiful garden specially created by the influential Dutch designer Piet Oudolf.

From the 1st of July until the 16th October the Serpentine Gallery  was one of the most wanted spaces in London. I was able to see it on its very last day. Luckily the weather was inviting enough to explore what architecture has the best to offer - engagement. 

One of the multi entrances.

The Garden, a space within a space. 

A dark corridor around the pavilion's perimeter which created the idea of a labyrinth. 

The Pavilion is constructed of a lightweight timber frame wrapped with coated scrim to create a dark, cloistered effect. 

The materials are so fragile that, when leaning against the wall, one could feel the vibrations created by people talking, children running and walking around. 

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 by Peter Zumthor from Serpentine Gallery on Vimeo.

Last year's Pavilion was design by the French architect Jean Nouvel. Click here to see the photos

Music To My Ears.

DESIGN IS DETAIL

Spatial design at Oslo Opera House, main entrance.

Gaselin | Malmö, Sweden.

Malmö is getting cosmopolitan every day. A bridge away from Copenhagen, this cute Swedish city is a design center on its own. Lovely people, gorgeous cafés and lots to look around.

Everywhere you find stunning design shops, with special focus on product design. From international renowned creatives to more low profile ones, Gaselin is The Shop to browse in.

Gaselin is a Picked Pieces shop selling Portuguese and Swedish design only. With an eclectic selection of products there is always something you want to grab.

Color is the main feature. The counter is covered in old style textured tiles from Portugal.

The Leaf ceiling by TemaHome.

Big windows, great space.

Hats made in Portugal.

Maria and Malin, Gaselin's owners, lovely collection of old magazines. Inspirational!

The Handle and Baby Handle stools by Fernando Brizio to TemaHome