Scandinavian Design.

Depending on the country, languages are different though they all come one from another. For example, I got to know yesterday, Student in Norwegian Student (Estudante in Portuguese, my first language). All very similar, though with different accents.

Design is a language too, therefore, and depending on the country, the "accents" are different. From Asian to European, American or Arab, you can tell by the look where it is come from, don't you?

Scandinavian Design is probably my favorite language. It embraces simple traces and organic look, though it's the colour and the textures that actually defines all the details and maybe that's why I feel so comfortable with this language.

Hay | Denmark

Ferm Living

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.

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

Give It Some Humour (With Pottery).

The moment I put my eyes on this façade I smiled. From a distance it looked like buttons, colourful buttons covering an immaculate linen. I get closer and suddenly it looked like patchwork, ceramic patchwork designing some kind of interesting grid. What it is, is a simple traditional building covered in Portuguese pottery.

What's better than finding design and architecture dressed up in humour?



As you probably realised, this is a traditional pottery shop.

Building in Sagres, Vicentina Coast.

Light & Shadow.

London Sun is very charming this morning. Didn't resist to shoot my Japanese Screen where light and shadows created a beautiful pattern.

Get inspired.

All About Patterns.

Lately it’s been all about patterns. Patters patters patters. Impossible to live without them, isn’t it? They’re used in interiors, furniture, wallpapers and curtains for hundreds of years.

Today I thought to post photographs of patterns used in architectural surfaces, as they become increasingly popular at the beginning of this century.

This pattern was very popular late 1970’s. Simple as it can be, but very rich. Love the 3D effect.

For some reason I can’t place this pattern in time: 60’s? 80’s? Not sure. Anyway, I like its playful asymmetry, quite summery I think.

Very Sixties.

This one is specially engaging: if you look closely you can trick your eye and see it 3D. Can you? (click on image to enlarge)

Neoclassic pattern.

Size: 10x10cm.

Classic pattern.

Inspiring patchwork.

I couldn't resist to post this tile panel. It's not a pattern, but since all the ones I post here are on tiles, this one couldn't be missing. It's located in one of Lisbon's Underground main stations. Every time I pass by it always makes me smile. I love the way they give a contemporary touch to such classic design.

Related article.
Azulejos

Sneak Peek.

I haven't been able to seat down to edit photos and write an article to post here, but I have so much to share that I thought I should write a sneak peek on what I am planning to share with you all for the next couple of weeks.

From beautiful houses to design and fashion exhibitions, hotel bars and simple colourful patterns: stay tuned. Lot's to get inspired.


MUDE, Design and Fashion Museum @ Lisbon.
Alexander McQueen and Ron Arad.


ExperiementaDesign.
Revolution 99-09 @ Palácio Quintela, Lisbon.


Shop @ Chiado, Lisbon.


Eclectic Flat by a Contemporary Woman @ Graça, Lisbon.


Hotel Bar by the Beach.
Porto Novo.


A touch of Art Deco.
Summer Houses @ uSanta Cruz.

Materiality.

“We were concerned with seeing materials for what they were: the woodiness of wood; the sandiness of sand.” – Peter and Alison Smithson

Materiality means the touchy-feely nature of material used in a building/space design – what it is made of and what it feels like.

In interior design and architecture selecting materials is the most important part of the project. We not only have to think the message we are sending, but we must bear in mind the next step too: Interior Styling.

Lately I have been totally inspired by stone. It is a traditional material used from the very earliest days and probably the richest one. The following photos are from Milan, The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele , which was designed in 1861 and built from 1865 to 1877. Next time I will post this building’s ceiling – breathtaking!

Like colors, materials have their own Golden Age. For instance, “concrete is the marble of contemporary architecture” (Tadao Ando), although I believe stone is coming back, and I’m thrilled for that: Spaces become richer, colorful and patterns bring that feeling of style we all need to live surrounded by.




Neo-Classic Style.

{Little Side Note - The first Prada shop opened here, in The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele back in 1913}