architect – Page 2 – Stylishly Zen

Commercial Interiors Crush – Villon

Published on January 4, 2021January 3, 2021 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Happy New Year Everyone!

We have survived 2020! While things have not changed on the pandemic and lock down front, the new year feels fresh and invigorating and I hope that we have a much better year ahead of us!

Designer Kelly Wearstler is the reason that I first fell in love with design. I had been working within the fashion industry for a number of years, but it was Kelly’s work that sparked my interest in interiors and motivated me to get my interior design certification. She is a mix master and fearless with her use of fabrics, patterns, textures and colours. I love deep diving into her work thru her incredible books, her beautiful website and most recently thru her captivating Master Class which I have already completed twice (and counting). It seemed only fitting that my first post in 2021 features one of my favourite designers and her always captivating and exciting work. Today’s Commercial Interiors Crush is Villon by Kelly Wearstler.

Villon is a gorgeous San Francisco restaurant located in the lobby of the historic San Francisco Proper Hotels. The building itself is a nearly 100 year old landmark Flatiron style building providing the perfect home for this memorable project. The restaurant is names after French cubist painter and artist Jacques Villon. The style of the restaurant is inspired by Villon’s work, it is a beautifully detailed and intimate space that combines various European modernist elements and furnishings.

The main dining room is home to a custom marble and walnut bar with a statement brass spirits library. The restaurant’s colour palette is a chic and welcoming light blue and black and accented with wood, stone, metals and glass.

The blue ribbed paneling on the walls are divided with geometric shaped pieces of an antique mirror. This both helps to open up the room and create a sense of intimacy. The two toned pattered oak floor adds warmth to the restaurant and unifies the space. Etched wood tables and leather banquettes pair perfectly with vintage geometric furnishings including some of the coolest vintage dining chairs that I have ever seen. Love it!

Villon is high on the list of places that I would love to visit and experience first hand. Kelly Wearstler has done an exquisite job with this space as she does with all of her projects. What are your thoughts on this space? Let me know in the comments below!

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

All images from http://www.kellywearstler.com

The Furniture Files – The Wassily Chair

Published on December 21, 2020December 20, 2020 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

There are many variables that contribute to a beautifully designed space and that includes the furniture that is placed within the room. There are some styles of furniture that have really captured my attention, some are Instagram favourites while others are a little less mainstream but equally fantastic. Many times I find myself wanting to know more about them, it’s history or it’s backstory so to speak so I present to you The Furniture Files!

The Wassily Chair is the star of today’s Furniture Files post. Easily recognizable and a popular Instagram star in its own right, the Wassily Chair is has experienced waves of popularity since it was first designed in 1926. Originally known as the B3 model chair, it was designed by Marcel Breuer while he was at the Bauhaus in Dessau Germany as head of the cabinet making workshop.

The painter Wassily Kandinsky was at the Bauhaus at the same time as Breuer and greatly admired the design of the B3 model chair. He loved it so much that Breuer had a duplicate chair made for Kandinsky. The B3 model chair didn’t become known as the Wassily chair until decades later when the design was re-released by the Italian furniture manufacturer Gavina. Thru their research of the chair, Gavina learned of the Kandinsky connection with the chair and decided to release it under a new name – The Wassily Chair

The first version of the Wassily chair designed by Marcel Breuer along with a tubular steel furniture collection, was inspired by the construction of a bicycle and used the techniques of local plumbers. Breuer had recently purchased his first bicycle and the lightness of the tubular steel frame inspired him to experiment with the material in furniture design. Breuer’s first designs which includes the Wassily chair have become icons within the style of modern furniture and are some of the most easily identifiable. Of all of the different versions of the Wassily chair that have been produced, the Thonet version is known to be the most rare as it went out of production during World War II.

What makes this chair so popular is the use of the materials which include bent, tubular steel and eisengarn (aka iron yard) along with its manufacturing methods. When it was first produced, the Wassily chair was first available in both a folding and non-folding version. In early versions, the straps were made of fabric that were pulled taut along the back of the chair with the use of springs.

The Wassily chair has been mass produced since the 1920’s and has continuously been in production since the 1950’s. While the name Wassily Chair has been trademarked by Knoll of New York City, there are many reproductions being produced and marketed around the world by other manufacturers under different names. I personally love the Wassily Chair as I love the modern, elegant and industrial look of it. I have always gravitated to a steel and leather combination so the Wassily Chair fits my tastes perfectly. My favourite colour though is a buttery camel colour instead of the popular black leather, I find that it adds a softness to the look of the chair while making it look more welcoming, comfortable and elegant.

What do you think of the Wassily Chair? Would you consider adding it to you space. Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today! I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Photo Credits: http://www.steelform.com, http://www.chairish.com, http://www.eternitymodern.ca, http://www.interiorcom.com

Retail Restoration – Acne Studios Flagship Store Stockholm

Published on December 14, 2020December 12, 2020 by soreiyaLeave a comment

I love a good restoration and I especially love one with a great backstory, which is why I am so excited about today’s project. Acne Studios recently unveiled their newly restored flagship store in Stockholm and it is gorgeous!

Located in a former bank, this building has quite the backstory. In 1973 there was a well known six day hostage crisis at the bank. The aftermath of the hostage situation resulted in the famous psychological term known as “Stockholm Syndrome”.

Barcelona based architecture firm Arquitectura- G is behind the newly unveiled restoration and they were clearly the perfect partner for Acne Studios as the final result is minimal and quiet luxury, exactly like the brand’s well known aesthetic.

The original design of the building included marble columns and after stripping everything back to it’s bare bones, Arquitectura-G choose to enhance the neo-classic design by adding additional columns to areas such as the fitting rooms. By painting the walls the same colour as the columns, the final result is a monumental marble lovers dream land. To complete the stunning marble design, British furniture designer Max Lamb created five oversized marble tables which have been place throughout the shopping area of the store.

To sharply contrast with the grandiose design and material throughout the space, sleek and minimal office style lighting designed Benoit Lalloz was used. I love how it balances out the space and elevates the design from looking too heavy.

This space is an Acne shoppers dream, offering an elevated yet cool environment to shop for the gorgeous offerings that Acne produces season after season.

What do you think of this design? Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today and I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

All images via http://www.yellowtrace.com.au

Amazing Architecture – A Glass Cabin on a Cliff

Published on December 7, 2020December 5, 2020 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

People’s creativity in architecture and design never cease to amaze me and today’s project is no exception. When I first saw an image of the “Air Cabin” on Instagram, I was stopped in my scrolling tracks amazed at what I was looking at.

A glass home hoovering over the edge of a rocky cliff is not something that you see everyday. Designed by Yakusha Design, this is an original and creative design as a holiday home for a surfer. “Air” is the inspiration behind this stunning glass cabin with a goal to create a feeling of weightlessness.

Prominently positioned to overlook the horizon, directly facing the sea breeze in many ways this cabin is is similar to a modern yet radical light house.

Secured on a foundation made with recycled concrete and set on a vertical pillar, the cabin doesn’t take up a lot of area space but maximizes the view over the Atlantic Ocean. In order to curtail any privacy concerns that the resident may have, there is a integrated system of windows blinds built around the perimeter of the structure. Inside the colour palette is minimal but warm and welcoming allowing the stunning views to take centre stage. The various living zones effortlessly flow into one another throughout the home.

Despite the neutral colour palette on with the interior, visual interest has been created within the interior with different shapes such as round lamps and organic forms for the sofas and textures such as straw surface panels on the walls. The combination creates the perfect refuge to comfortably enjoy the breathtaking views.

This cabin is one of the most memorable that I have ever seen, and I am in awe of the level of creativity that is displayed throughout. What are your thoughts on this cabin? Would you ever consider building a holiday home similar to this? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today, I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

All images from http://www.designboom.com

Relaxing Reverie

Published on November 30, 2020November 29, 2020 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

Like most people, 2020 has been a challenging year for me. And with those challenges have come lessons that I am grateful to have learned or that I am in the process of learning and understanding. How to slow down has been the most important of all of these lessons as it has taught me patience and to understand what is truly important to me. It has also allowed me to get comfortable with quiet and stillness, two things that I have often struggled with. Lately though, I find myself enjoying simple and quiet moments which is why today’s Relaxing Reverie really resonated with me.
This simple concrete bungalow located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is the perfect example why bigger and expensive does not always mean better. Built with a budget of only $38,000(!) this retreat is simple yet sophisticated and seems like the perfect place to relax.

Designed by PALMA, as Mexico City based design firm, this 50 square metre building is functional and contemporary and blends well within it’s environment. I have always loved simple concrete structures as they perfectly showcase the beauty of brutalist style design and this building is no exception.

The bungalow is comprised of two cubic volumes, one which houses the bedroom and the other the living room and kitchen. The cubes are separated by a open patio. The brutalist style of the bungalow is softened with a thatched roof. This style of roof is quite common within the region as it is an efficient and inexpensive way to encourage ventilation which helps to naturally cool down the interior. Folding doors in both the bedroom and living areas also helps to enhance the ventilation further. Along with a circular skylight on the patio, the folding doors also help the residents to enjoy the views of the surrounding area.

Like the simple aesthetic of the exterior, the interior of the bungalow has been kept minimal with a muted palette of grey and natural wood with the exception of a statement red built in day bed. Stucco was used in place of paint in order to avoid any humidity build up within the walls (which I had never heard of before but I think that it’s genius!). Uncluttered and simple, this bungalow looks like the perfect place to escape, relax and rejuvenate and get back to a simple more thoughtful way of living.