Hi Everyone!
It has been a really interesting almost year and a half since the world first shut down due to the pandemic. Here in Montreal, we have spent the better part of it in lockdown and with a curfew – a completely new way of life for most of us. While there have obviously been challenges there has also been opportunities for self discovery. I learned to enjoy the peacefulness of parts of my life and to lean into the slow down. The idea of rushing back into large and rowdy crowds hold little appeal to me at the moment. One thing that I am looking forward to is travelling and once I am able to do so, I plan to take a trip where I can breath, relax and enjoy my surroundings without feeling rushed or anxious…my current idea of heaven.
Until then though, I am dreaming about destinations that would fit the bill and today’s Dream Destination feature has been at the top of my list for months. Images of Casa Aviv by Co-Lab have made it’s way around social media these past few months. Surrounded by lush greenery, this minimalistic structure that leans towards austere simplicity offers both calm and privacy.
The 330 square metre home is located on the Yucatan Peninsula along the Caribbean coastline. Oriented east to west to take advantage of the prevailing winds and cross ventilation, this rental home was built with low maintanence durability in mind. I love the simple design choices such as hand polish cement covering the concrete walls and the double height ceiling in the living and dining area along with the black terrazzo flooring. My absolute favourite part of this home are the pivoting glass doors that open to create flow from the living area to small but gorgeous swimming pool and garden.
The home also has a rooftop terrace that can be enjoyed by guests. Many of the furniture and light fixtures throughout Casa Aviv were also designed and fabricated by Co-Lab. Both the styling and the colours used throughout the home help it to further connect with its natural surroundings. Love it!
What do you think of this vacation home? Would you like to experience it for yourself? Let me know in the comments below. All images via http://www.dezeen.com
Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today and I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS
Today’s dreamy design is unique in many ways. It’s a renovated 1920’s bungalow in Sydney that had an addition added to it in the 80’s. It was in dire need of a makeover and thankfully the owners were up to the task. It order to make the most of the natural light that filled the top floor of the house the owners decided to flip the living spaces by moving the common areas such as the kitchen and the living room to the top floor and the bedrooms to the lower level. Normally I dislike this sort of flipped design as I don’t like the idea of sleeping in a bedroom on street level but in this case the home is elevated. Entry to the home is via a set of concrete steps that lead to the main entrance. Due to the elevated design, the bedrooms are above street level. 
The common areas are bright open spaces with large windows and tall ceilings that helps the home to feel immersed in nature. Combined with a modern yet timeless aesthetic, the flow of the home is streamlined. I especially love the board formed concrete counter in the kitchen as it adds a cool industrial vibe to the space. There are massive sliding glass doors in the kitchen that open onto a concrete patio that overlooks the street in front of the home. This level is organized into both active and quiet zones that can be separated by sliding glass doors. 
Stylishly Zen 