MODERN HOMES - THE RANCHER

When I first saw this image, a few descriptive words that came to mind sophisticated, timeless, calm, subtle, simple, modern, minimal ... This home showcased on Molteni & Co reminds me of why I love architectural interiors.  It is the detailing of such architectural interiors as this one that makes me love the beautiful subtelty of what we do as a profession.  For the sophisticated eye to appreciate a floating floor plate, flush drywall ceiling and floor details, recessed drapery tracks, frameless full height glazing, corner glass butt joints ... all breath taking.  If anyone knows who the architect is of this amazing home or the stylist who has reflected an interior that speaks a carefully selected refinement of finishes.  Some of my favorite designers work with this amazing company, to name a few of my favorites: the glove chair & clip bed by Patricia Urquiola, the 505 system by Lca Meda, the Less table by Jean Nouvel.  A must see showroom in Vancouver is Italinteriors where Molteni & Co, meets Unifor,  Dada Kitchens, Citterio, and Cassina. 

(For those with a furniture & dsign fetish - FYI - during my last visit to NYC, I was excited to hear that Molteni & Co. will be opening up a flagship store in Manhattan.) - love this company!

MODERN OUTDOOR FURNITURE - PART 3

Another one of my favorite outdoor furniture lines available through Spencer Interiors

Instead of the typical dining set, I love bringing the living room into the outdoors for casual gatherings where guests can lounge and eat tapas ... order these chairs with outdoor cushions and you're all set for the evenings of catching up with friends over your favorite summer cocktails.  Viteo Outdoor is a company based out of Austria a country which shares similar climate constraints, excellent quality and timeless.  Their innovative design with outdoor showers, light cubes for ambient lighting,  a unique outdoor speaker system or one of my favorite summer finds the zoe floor lamp - a solar powered floor lamp!

MODERN ARCHITECT - VANCOUVER

A great example of modern residential design is the LeBlanc House which was the recipient of a 2007 Special Jury Award from the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.

Client: Jean Claude LeBlanc
Architect: Peter Cardew, David Scott, Angie Jim
Structural: Rob Smith
Contractor: John Mason and Associates; Peter Montgomery, Highliner Construction
Groun Floor Area: 2,961 ft2
Completion: December 2006




This house is now on the market, a perfect home for the sophisticated Vancouverite who appreciates a modern minimalist interior with the influence of west coast materials. To read more about this property visit realtor Jason Soprovich's website.

I love this beautifully executed renovation by Vancouver based design team Peter Cardew Architects. The interior has a sophisticated restraint of materials combining polished concrete floors, natural stone and a signature of BC architects - the subtle layer of maple seen in flush panel millwork. Each interior space is filled with natural light filtering through full height glazing throughout the home.

Our local 18karat recently highlighted their collection Gemma Spring/Summer 2008 in this perfect setting, a refreshing combination of earthy natural accessories and vessels. One of my favorite sources of inspiration is to look through 18 Karat's award winning styling and imagery. Photographs below 18 Karat.

MODERN ARCHITECTURE: JAPAN

Architecture by TEZUKA ARCHITECTS
Location: Japan
Specialty: Residential, Educational, Commercial
Project Highlights: Floating Roof House
Interior Photography: TEZUKA ARCHITECTS

To view more images of their work, see slideshow.

This home is an amazing example of architecture meets engineering as shown in the design of the cantilevered floating roof. A private residence located in Okoyama Prefecture, Japan brings the translation of walls into a new light. Now if only Vancouver didn't have 44 inches of rain each year, this home could be a great example of architecture for a water front vacation home to take in an ocean view.

MODERN HOMES - MAJORCA + SINGAPORE + LONDON

Images provided by SHOOTFACTORY
View the complete inspiration library of images as a slideshow

Thanks to amazing blogs out there like one of my new favorites by Justin Anthony of materialicious he shares with readers his amazing sources on residential architecture, design, craftsmanship, materials and products. An excellent resource. Featured on one of his articles is an amazing company SHOOTFACTORY based out of the UK. "shootfactory is a full-service location agency, representing UK and international properties, studios and venues for TV, film, photo shoots, product launches and events. With over ten years’ international experience in our respective arenas of photography, styling, location management and production, we are committed to providing our location owners and clients with the best service, advice and support." Shootfactory is great option for clients to consider to turn their vacation properties into a source of income while not in use.

Here are a few examples of the many amazing interiors Shootfactory features. My top cities for modern inspiration MALORCA + SINGAPORE + LONDON.

MAJORCA - "Modern lifestyle studio in SE Mallorca (Majorca). Superb daylight. Open plan. Internal and external studio spaces. Props and lighting."

SINGAPORE - "Spread over 3600 sq ft, the indoors and outdoors merge seamlessly in this open plan apartment. Custom made furniture by the designer mingles with modern classics, industrial materials with soft textures."

LONDON - "Striking architect designed and photographer owned timber house. Bright and minimalist rooms with large expanse of glass. Stylish diner-kitchen room with outside space. Parking. Loading gates." The amazing architecture of David Adjaye

MODERN ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN - VANCOUVER

To view the complete inspiration images see slideshow

Architecture & Interiors by: Omar Arbell
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Specialty: residential and commercial renovations to custom furniture and landscapes
Project Highlights: Renovations of Penthouse Suite, Vancouver + Inform Interiors + Salt Tasting Bar
Interior Photography: Michael Boland Photography

(be sure to check out Micheal Boland's work, he has an amazing portfolio of capturing modern architecture and interiors)
Getting back to blogging, I look back at the past year and am proud of Vancouver for the increase of modern design projects, it's a slow start but great to see that modern aesthetic is starting to be recognized more and more every day. An architect I have long admired is Omar Arbel. After seeing the transformation of a penthouse renovation to the renovation of the new Inform Interiors showroom - I'm speechless. It's inspiring to come across Omar's work being featured in more and more design articles to also experiencing installations of his designs like the Bocci Lights. A beautiful choice of light fixture hung throughout STK in the meatpacking district in New York.

Got to love learning more about the design & food lovers joining the blogging community.

MODERN ARCHITECTURE - WINGARDH ARKITECKT

Architecture & Interiors by: WINGARDH ARKITECKT
Location: Goteborg, Sweden
Specialty: single-family & multi-family residential, public, corporate
Project Highlights: Villa Anne, Villa Nilsson

One of my favorite websites is sellModern which highlights modern residential properties on the market. I often refer to this website to review projects in development and learn about new feature architects. One of the feature architects whose work I have fallen in love with is that of Sweden based firm WINGARDH ARKITECKT. I am inspired by the firm's innovative concrete detailing and their ability to transform residential architecture into a seamless extension of the surrounding landscape. Villa Anne and Villa Nilsson are two perfect examples of the amazing impact that great architecture and interiors have when well designed.

MODERN INTERIORS - GLENN CLARKE

Feature International Award Winning Designer:
Glenn Clarke of HKS
Lighting Designer: Pam Wilson
Photography by: Blake Marvin
Location: Dallas
Specialty: high-end residential
Project Highlights: Turtle Creek Condo as listed by David Griffin & Company Realtors

"CUTTING EDGE,MINIMALISTIC,HIGHLY DETAILED MODERN DESIGN W-WARM & WELCOMING PALETTE IN ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS HIGH-RISES IN DALLAS. INTERIOR DESIGN,FINISH SELECTION BY INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING DESIGNER WITH HKS & LIGHTING DESIGN BY PAM WILSON. 2-2.5-2 HOME W-LIMESTONE FLOORING,DEEP RICH HARDWOOD FLOOR, LUTRON LIGHTING SYSTEM, SURROUND SOUND THROUGH-OUT. GOURMET KIT W-OPEN ACCESS TO LIV-DIN AREA W-TOP-OF-THE-LINE APPLIANCES INCLUDE GAGGENAU & SUB-ZERO"

I love the floating vanity, the flush detailing of the countertops and most of all the detail of the wall returns being offset from the vanity wall which gives an illusion of the space. And of course, I love that traditional baseboards, are replaced with a crisp reveal detail. Note that even the electrical outlets are to the side mounted horizontally. The attention to detail in this space is well executed. I only wish it wasn't such a struggle to have general trades always saying that these details are impossible ... so I archive these images for times when contractors tell me a detail is impossible or too difficult to execute, it is projects like like the work of MKD that proves otherwise "see it can be done ... they were able to accomplish this beautiful detail" ... great builder on this project!

Thank you Blake for the update on the details of this amazing project. Look forward to seeing more of these beautiful interiors. I'm delighted to see the attention to detail in both the interior architecture and photography.

MODERN RESIDENTIAL - LOS ANGELES

Architecture & Interior Design by:
LORCAN O'HERLIHY ARCHITECTS
Locations: Los Angeles, California
Specialty: high-end residential, mixed-use, institutional, commercial
Project Highlights: Jai House, Gardner 1050

I am inspired by LORCAN O'HERLIHY ARCHITECTS whose residential portfolio is a perfect example of using innovative space planning to create interior spaces that are seamless with the exterior. One of my favorite projects is the Jai House for it's beautifully executed details as seen in the cantilevered stair treads and floor to ceiling glazing. Features include an open roof top patio and a covered pool which extends outwards into the landscaping, eliminating the boundaries between interior and outdoor spaces. The architecture transforms outdoor areas into functional extensions of the interior living spaces. Instead of the traditional home full of rooms, the Jai house provides open space planning for more flexibility to entertain while also giving the illusion of more space. I love the idea of watching a movie beneath the stars while comfortably lounging on the rooftop garden.

MODERN RESIDENTIAL - NEW YORK

Feature Architecture & Interior Design:
MESSANA O'RORKE ARCHITECTS
Location: New York, New York
Specialty: high-end residential, leasure, retail, commercial
Project Highlights: Storefront Loft, Ten Broeck Residence, 12th Street Residence, DKNY Geneva

New York based firm MESSANA O'RORKE ARCHITECTS represents a portfolio of residential interiors that have impeccable attention to minimalist detailing. Flush drywall and cabinetry detailing carefully executed in integration with existing structural elements such as exposed wood beams or brick walls. A seamless layering of the old with the new is beautifully shown in each of their interiors.