Detail Detail Detail | Vespa.

They say the devil is in the detail. I say detail is the closest we can get to perfection. Not that I know what perfection is (or if it actually exists), but the feeling that something is finished and ready to be adored must be something very close to it.

Everything created, whether an object or a building, is a combination of minds: the one who sponsors it, the one who designs it and the one who makes it. Communication between all these individuals are sometimes misunderstanding, others misinterpreted and of course we all imagine it differently. What's idealized comes up different and it's the process that shapes and touches the details. Everyone adds perfection.

So why not come up with a signature on this blog about things I want to enhance the performance sometimes forgotten, specially in the design world?

As Vespas are so trendy nowadays, I've been looking at them in a different perspective. Now, look at this beauty and admire the push pedal, the (anti-slippery) rubber stripes and the center where you rest your feet while you drive? Isn't it so perfectly thought and made?

I think there's another detail that makes vintage Vespas so trendy - the color. We are all tired of dark and dormant shades. Color is energy and bright ones makes us alive and happier. This baby blue is synonymous to youthful, don't you think?

In design nothing is ever finished. Things change and what's perfect today might not be tomorrow. Aesthetics have different routes and surely different proposes and understandings. Though, I think if we communicate with our material surroundings we will for sure feel they're part of us, rather than the other way around.

Home Desk #1.

Today I started planning my new-to-be home. As I said, it's a very tinny space so I must plan very carefully what I'm going to take, what I'm going to leave behind and of course what I would love to buy to style in style.

As I always lived in fairly big spaces apart form my space in Notting Hill, I never felt the need to design or buy small furniture, which I find this time around.

This week, I went to a very nice gallery shop in London where they had in display a gorgeous vintage desk. Something very similar to this one with a drawer. It was just about perfect. Perfect to have it next to the smallest white wall on my living room which I imagine totally covered with a work-in-progress collage.

My Next Home Is Lisbon.

My house hunting is over! After long hours online research and site visits I finally found a house in a gorgeous old neighborhood in Lisbon. Actually, I got back to the very first one I visited. A very tinny flat, super cosy and very cute. I'm so looking forward to moving in.

As you can imagine, I'm terribly excited to pack all my stuff. Not only I'll soon unpack what I brought from London, but what I've packed when I went to London. So, lots to mix and match on a white canvas ready to welcome my material life.

This time I guess I'm going to style in white (for the very first time in my whole life). A few touches of colour, of course, but white is going to be the main feature. Here's some inspiration I found today online.

Orange could be the detail

Red is the energy

Home is a coat rack

White are the dreams

Light is the inspiration

Click here to see my neighborhood.

Photos via Agent Bauer

Revival Cultures & Small Industries #1

Industrial countries, like Portugal was, have many small industries that are re-growing up slowly through architecture and design hands. This country used to be well known for its craftsmanship in tiles, ceramics and glass. The decline of traditional materials and goods left industries with no economic interest: in one hand, many of these companies could not respond to mass production and the other hand globalisation, mechanization and cheap labour relocated industries in other countries.

What before was the rise of cultural capital on the education level, which made many people have no interest in any kind or craftsmanship, today through art, design and architecture the opposite happens. It is synonymous of cultural capital to use these antique techniques to enrich art, design and architecture because of the quality of materials, embellish products, buildings and other places.

(Paragraphs of my dissertation entitled "Creative Industries impact on society and the economy")

Starting Point.

How important a buildings' color to decide if it's the right place to live? 

The color wraps up the the building's loftiness. The architectural features tell a story and more than that, it shapes the residents approach in life, or is it the other way around? I wonder!

What does a century blue building tell about its residents?

A Living Room To Wish For.

Continuing my flat hunting, today I was focused on living rooms. What do I really wish for? Easy. A living room with high ceilings, ceiling crowns, white doors and gold handles, just like this one. Isn't it stunning?

Photos via Ideas To Steal

A Bathroom To Wish For.

Yesterday I started flat hunting. It's indeed an adventure. As you can imagine I came across to funny things. I went to see in loco two houses: loved them both for different reasons. The first one totally caught my heart because of its kitchen. Small, organised and extremely cute. I can imagine myself cooking "fricassé chicken" there.
The second one was tatally gorgeous. An eclectic huge flat, styled with contemporary and baroque details to die for with a bohemian twist and amazing pictures on the walls (I'll try to convince the owner to shot it to post it here. You'll gonna love it).

Today I did a bit web search. Oh my! I felt connection with any of them. The reason for that is only one, actually two: the most horrendous kitchen and bathroom I've ever seen! I can't even describe.

Of course it is difficult to find a flat, specially if you are looking for renting like I am right now, but who the hell can live in a house with ugly kitchen and bathroom?

Even though some people say bathroom don't matter, it's a secondary space in the house, I totally disagree. It must to be harmonious, bright and fresh. it has do feel as if you're in the most comfy space on earth, like a bedroom, a living room or a five star SPA in Bali. It needs to be inviting, don't you think?

Well, this one right here would definitely make me sign a contract in a second with no questions asked.

Picture via 79 Ideas

Any advise on house hunting? Please share. Thank you.

Rocking Bike.

Lately it's been very difficult to seat down and write a post (I really miss it). And there are two reasons for that: my (great) job and the beach. Yes, summer has arrived around here and I'm so happy I take all spread minutes to tan my pale skin.

Anyway, I haven't forgot my blog. On the contrary I have so many pictures and ideas to post, that I'm not quite sure where to start.

Soon I'll seat down and post a few notes on design, interiors and architecture. Stay tunned.

For now I leave you with this inspiring rocking bike. Have a nice ride.

Apologies for not having the image source. If anyone knows it, please let me know.

For notes on lifestyle, follow my tumblr.

Being Creative.

image via Fearless Creativity

Loving & Living Architecture #1.

Stavanger, the 4th biggest city in Norway on the west coast, is a place to visit if you love interior design shops and architecture.

Mainly traditional Norwegian architecture, there are outstanding contemporary buildings which underline very well the city's young generation, although if I was living here I would definitely chose to live in these gorgeous white houses with detailed roofs and wooden stairs.

Welcoming parks and trees, the public space feels it belongs to everyone.

When I passed by this building I could not stop wondering how the interiors are. So, I imagined eclectic spaces with a comfy and super big sofas, details in bold colors, very light grey on the background and lots of my favorite stool by Fernando Brizío.

Today I'm in Haugesund getting ready to go to Bergen tomorrow, where I hope to have some time to take a few pictures to show you notes on interiors and architecture.

God natt.