Cire Trudon - Wax Poetic

My love affair for candles, candles, and Cire Trudon, the world’s oldest candle company. Cire Trudon finally opened its first shop outside France on Manhattan’s Bond Street in NoHo after 126 years.

Off course, It is not possible to talk about the candle company without first mentioning its incredible history. Cire Trudon has been illuminating homes and churches since the 1600s, when Claude Trudon — a grocery store owner in Paris — began producing candles for his customers.

The Parisian wax maker Cire Trudon—candle supplier to Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, and other European royals. The boutique’s hand-aged mirrors, stucco walls and Amish furniture are meant to evoke a centuries old Paris shop, one that mixes antiques with new pieces dedicated to all things melted wax. The store, with décor inspired by Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, is filled with a playful selection of candelabras, paraffin-free tapers, perfumed room sprays, old-fashioned candle snuffers, and wax busts of Napoleon, along with their signature candles.

My favorites after the signature candles above are the wax candle versions of Jean-Antoine Houdon’s iconic busts of little Alexandre and Louise Brongniart, the terracotta versions of which reside in the Louvre.

Alexandre and Louise candles, available in pink, blue, or white, $150 each.

Cire Trudon book…must buy!

You can visit their site here, shop their collection online here ($20–$375).

Source: ciretrudon.com and Notcot.

Mr.

Freshness - Merci Bob

Glas Italia

Designer: Elena Cutolo
Material: Extra-light tempered glass
Details: Thickness 15 mm or layered colored 16 mm
Dimensions: cm 42x44x104 h

I’m not sure how practical this would be but I love Elena Cutolo’s design, Merci Bob, a chair made entirely of glass paste. Innovative and experimental: Glass chair is the expression of light, color and freedom of passion. Surprisingly playful, with unexpected mirrored reflections and illusions of depth that is suitable for every type of environment.

Source: Glas Italia

Mr.

Sao Paulo - Home of a DJ

Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Design: Studio Guilherme Torres  

I love it when a place perfectly depicts the lifestyle of its owner(s).  You can feel the story and tell who the story teller is. For me, minimum natural lighting is the first clue, the use of bright colors and the light bands that cut through the concrete walls are the second clues that give away the fact that this is the house of a popular DJ in Sao Paulo, Brazil.   

This 135 square meters apartment was built in the ’80s.  One of my favorite Brazilian architects whose house I have featured in one of my earlier posts,  Guilherme Torres, has renovated this space perfectly to create the atmosphere of a nightclub. The homogeneity of colors and finishes create a three dimensional effect - almost like living in a cube.

All the objects and wooden furniture were designed by the architect himself, to recover old pieces and reduce cost. The DJ console, for example, is made from an old aluminum ladder. All the furniture are inspired by the ’70s and are reinterpreted in a contemporary style. Well done!

Next to the table: Panton Chair by Vitra is a re-edition version with matte black and satin finish

  All time favorite - Biedermeier-style wall lamp by Jean Prouve Vitra

The master bedroom occupies a smaller area. Next to the headboard is the classic Tolomeo lamp by Artemide, designed by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina

 Chair One with concrete base, designed by Konstantin Grcic for Magis

 Source:  Studio Guilherme Torres and At Casa Magazine.
Photos © MCA Estúdio

Mr.

NY - Never The Same Place Twice

Name: What happens when

Design Studio: Metric Design Group

Location: 25 cleveland place, NY

Year: 2011

Specifications: a recovered space, a very small budget, and a strong work in progress.

This is “What happens when” a collective of interior designers + a brand/graphic designer (Emilie Baltza) + a composer (Micah Silver) + a chef (John Fraser) + an abandoned space meet each other. This is a unique collaborative temporary restaurant project in New York city that will stay open for 9 months, changing face every 30 days with a brand new menu and sound composition.  A new interior design and a new brand every time…mmm! This is their first restaurant installation by the name of “What Happens When” comprising sound, art, interiors and, of course very special menus that opened on January 25th of this year. I wonder what would be the next theme? Can’t wait to see.. …

“what happens when you are tired of money ruling creativity? …what happens when you explore new ways of sharing the creative process so it becomes less about me and more about us.” says the creative group “It will never be the same place twice”.

The design group blew up the design drawings of the space and mapped them onto the walls. Simple and inexpensive.. …

This is their scale model of the concept, with the elevations, floor plan and reflected ceiling plan all mapped onto their respective walls. Love it!

This is my favorite part: the process, sketching and brainstorming hundreds of ideas for the design direction.

Check out more updates on the space here.

Source: Metric Design Group

Mr.

Defenestration in San Francisco

Year: 1997-present

Site location: San Francisco - on the corner of 6th and Howard St.

Generally, moving from one location to another is very fun but it requires a lot of work prior and post move. Therefore, you can imagine how crazy these days are for me as a result of my recent move to San Francisco. I basically live in a wooden box full of cardboard boxes! Unfortunately, I won’t be able to post as many as I normally do for a little while.  But hopefully, I will be back to my usual routine in no time depending on how fast I can open these boxes.

Now, the fun part of moving for me is walking around my new area and discovering the little hidden treasures that surround me. Doing that, I rediscovered this surreal installation that I had totally forgotten about until this past weekend when I walked by the building. I decided to do a little investigation to see who’s work this is.

I absolutely love it. It does not feel ‘real’ and to bring such an imagery into a ‘real’ environment and make people look twice, then thrice, then over again is just amazing! This is something that you don’t expect to see. It looks like everyday objects and furniture are running away and escaping to be free. Another interpretation would be “Defenestration” which literary means “to throw out of a window”. I’m sure you will feel the same when you see it and actually walk under it. Evocative, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, and whimsical in nature…

This is one of San Francisco’s most noticed works of public art created by Brian Goggin. “I wanted to get art out of the gallery and out of the museum,” said, Brian Goggin. “I’m interested in working with absurdity in ways that are compelling and entertaining.”

Source(s): metaform and Likecool.

Mr.

Lila Jang Unusual Collection

“Canape”

A sofa designed by Lila Jang takes an unusual turn. Lila Jang’s wall-climbing sofa fits perfectly in the corner of the room. adore…

Below, you can see some of his innovative and unusual collection. Just take a good look at them and see what you can imagine about these lovely objects. There is either a story behind them or you can make one up instantly.

“Aude”

“Lisa Mawu”… I call them the flirting chairs

“Haenir”

“Anne Mari”

I wonder who would fit in this one?

Source: blogmoon, scumbler, todayandtomorrow.

Mr.

Anything but white

Reads “Gypsy”
Romantic atmosphere, for this bed, modern interpretation of ancient glamor. My favorite room, which one is yours?
Designed by Castello Lagravinese.

My computer is open and I’m staring at the screen thinking a nice comfortable bed in a fully white bedroom sounds so perfect right now - [ time 11:30 pm ]. So, from my state of white bedroom mind to your desktop - my favorites from Cinova bedroom collection.

“De ja vu“… I have a feeling that I would never get out!
Designed by Enrico Cesana.

“Versilia“… Do you want a little higher bed? here you go ..refined simplicity!
Designed by Cinova-Lab.

“Queens“… Fully textile bed with its classic form conveys elegance.
Designed by Cinova-Lab.

Source: Cinova

Mr.

Paris - Hôtel Particulier Montmartre

Name: Hotel Particulier de Montmartre

Location: 23, avenue Junot, 75018 Paris

It seems like the mix of art and comfort has been trendy for a while and it continues to be popular. Basically, well-known artists, designers, sculptors and architects get commissioned to create unique spaces based on their individual interpretations. I’m sure you have seen similar examples. This one is located in the heart of the historical, artistic and night-club haven of Montmartre in Paris and was opened in June 2007. This intimate and glamorous five-suite, the Hotel Particulier combines drama, surprise, luxury and comfort. This lavish 19th-century townhouse was once owned by the Hermés family. The new owner commissioned artists to create individual spaces designed to adorn the decor of this Parisian house.

Each suite is created around an artistic idea or theme, from the Japanese Suite called “Tree with ears” that allows visitors to listen to and leave messages from one client to another, to the Window Suite that exhibits ‘Exquisite Corpse’ drawings by painter and sculptor Philippe Mayaux , to the Hair Drapes Suite imagined by Natacha Lesueur, the Vagetation Suite created by Martine Aballca, and last but not least my favorite the Hats and Poem Suite  designed by celebrated curator and fashion writer Olivier Saillard. 

The lampshades are made of hats … Olivier Saillard imagined a masculine room, playing with dress codes for men.

The price tags are attached to objects throughout the suite, but instead of actual prices, they are filled with the poetry of Olivier Saillard: a clear statement that creativity is more important than anything in this suite. Black, gray and white are the only colors that you will come across in this room which leave an impression that one is stepping back into a black and white movie, with a bit of twist that the design is decidedly modern.

Mr.

Czech Republic - St. Bartholomew’s Church

Location: The East Bohemian village of Chodovice, Czech Republic

Designer: Two Czech designers Maxim Velcovsky and Jakub Berdych

Studio: Qubus Studio

There’s a lot going on here, much of which is a mix of classical and contemporary elements teamed in an unexpected space, a church! From design perspective, the plastic Panton chairs are indeed iconic (1960), and possibly still the best-looking of the global family of one-piece molded chairs. However, for most people, they would probably read not as $260 design classics but as their $3 cousins, which are most likely in use in many churches around the world.

The designers write: “The central nave has been stripped of dull repaints and left totally exposed so that visitors can watch the course of history on fragments and details on the wall. Illuminated by chandeliers adorned with pressed and roughly cut crystal, the bare space is dominated by an “army” of legendary chairs designed by Verner Panton with one crucial detail added – a Christian cross carved through the back of the chair.”

The interior design of Bartholomew’s Church features Verner Panton chairs customized with a punched crucifix, layers of Persian rugs and rough-cut crystal chandeliers. A stunning and unique combination of old and new!

Source: Dezeen

Mr.

Sebastian Brajkovic

An unusual artist, Sebastian Brajkovic  who has managed to mix graphic, sculpture and furniture design to create unusual and exciting artforms. I guess that you have seen some of his work by now, but if you have not it is well worth it.

This collection is called “Lathe” which comprises furniture pieces that appear to have been stretched or extruded. This is a unique collection for having a highly contemporary side, using computer technology to form composition. And also, deep roots in history with its exquisite craftsmanship and traditional techniques.

“This extruding idea came from a Photoshop function where you can pick a row of pixels and extend them as long as you want,” explains Brajkovic.

Text below was written by Matylda in drawn interviews:

“Sebastian Brajkovic graduated in 2006 from the design academy eindhoven. he didn’t really like to go because he knew what he wanted to design from the beginning. he felt that he is getting little out of his education. really, everything was already nicely put together in his head. the teachers kept telling him that he has no process in his work. no research. In contrast he said that he had the feeling that it was better for him to attend the academy twice a month than every week. he didn’t wanted to be guided into a direction that did not suit him. he felt that he is much more of a stone than a sponge when it comes to absorbing external influences.

Sebastian didn’t graduate with good grades. he was not one of the ‘blessed’ students that are pushed with publicity from the design academy, neither. but shortly after his graduation the carpenters workshop gallery, for ‘cutting-edge design art’, invited him to london. they told him that they want to do a show of his work within the next 2 years. they also suggested to him if he should design his lathe chairs in bronze instead of wood. the idea was to sense handcrafted design in his work and to position it in the coner of art design. that was exactly what sebastian wanted to do. the amsterdam-based designer has been busy since his graduation. now he is working on a project for the art auction house sotheby’s in london. he is one of the few who can actually live from their work and is probably the best example of that you should listen to what you want and not what others want you to do. especially when it comes to design.”

Sebastian Brajkovic in his studio.

Mr.

Haussmann style Home

It is always fun to flip through stashes of your old magazines … and every once in a while there is a prize! Today I came across Côté Paris, a beautiful decorating magazine which presents Parisian apartments, magnificent Romanesque houses, farmhouses and other Renaissance beauties. And the prize is the stunning classic Haussmann style apartment near Bastille, which was transformed through waves of contemporary touches to give it new life. The “Haussmann style” to me means: spacious, moldings, herringbone floors, fireplace in each room, and long corridors to connect all the different spaces. And in case you are still asking yourself what Haussmann style is…

“Haussmann’s Renovation of Paris, or the Haussmann Plan, was a modernization programme of Paris commissioned by Napoléon III and led by the Seine prefect, Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, between 1852 and 1870. Though work continued until the end of the 19th century, well after the Second Empire’s demise in 1870, it is often referred to as the Second Empire reforms.”

I love how the white walls and moldings highlight the dark old furniture in the living room. This is a creation of unknown fashion designer and an antique dealer. The eclectic well-worn pieces of antiques, traditional moldings, and touches of contemporary elements combined with white, blue and gray pearl form a memorable harmony … very couture!

I don’t think I would ever step into this apartment…I prefer to stand in the hallway and just stare at these beautiful pearl gray lacquered doors.

The curved molding of the ceiling and the curved wall creates a magnificent entrance to the apartment. The Bird’s Nest luster by Ingo Maurer in the entry is a perfect respond to the period painting of the sky gilded with gold leaf.

A soft color scheme like the one used in this bedroom, which combines pastel shades of pink, blue and gray, create a soothing ambiance!

Delicacy and purity in the bathroom …adore the shoe boxes under the sink…good place to keep them!!!

Source: Cote Paris Magazine

Photographer: Jean-Marc Palisse

 Mr.

Five Tables by La Bollure Studio

Who doesn’t like to entertain? and it’s not often you come across a fun and unique way to have a lovely experience as opposed the same old meal/drinks with friends. I love this …five course in five levels. simple & Brilliant!

Dutch designers Miriam van der Lubbe and Niels van Eijk asked La Bollure Studio to do a concept dinner for them and their friends at their own house. Talented team at La Bolluer started with a simple base which was the existing dinning table - designed by Niels van Eijk himself. They made 4 smaller tables that fit on the existing one and placed them on top of each other to create a stack of 5 tables. They set all the tables in advance to serve a 5 course meal and after every course was done they removed that level. 

First of all, I love the elevated setting with the pendant lights directly above it. Second, the ease and functionality of this setting that allows the host to remove the table without bothering anyone after each meal is done: suddenly you have another clean and stunning setting ready for serving your next meal. Third and best of all, if you were invited, you get to ask yourself this question: “Will I be sitting or standing?” doesn’t this make the whole experience more exciting? I think I would have enjoyed to stand around for four Levels and sit down to enjoy the last.

Source: La Bollure

Mr.

Piacenza - Romantic Barn

Just look at the contrast between the originally used as stables and barn (on the left) and a small house (on the right) ….stunning!!! I’m very into the real deal these days: the real lofts, the real barns, and the real conversions of these real spaces. The original structure of the old barn has been restored and enclosed with large windows that open onto the countryside.

Lets focus and see what me and this gorgeous barn have in common: both agree on the important stuff and that’s important - desire to combine tradition and modernity which is reflected through choice of material here. We both have strong believes in the simplicity and open space, both have a thing for casting of glass and iron painted in black, both desire a mix of rough concrete and bricks, and finally both love stairs and elevations.

This romantic 500 square meters barn in Piacenza countryside, Italy was transformed into a vacation home for a couple with four children. Rustic but elegant!

Partition walls between rooms are made of iron and glass which separate spaces without sacrificing brightness.

It seems like scale plays a major role in this renovation project. A series of wooden/concrete stairs divide and connect the various environments. One lovely example is the large-scale raw wood placed diagonally across the room to get from the bed to the attic.

This shed is the only new construction in the complex.

Photos: Andrea Martiradonna

Source: AtCasa Magazine

Mr.

Attic Full of Shoes

Passes in the attic

Melissa’s lounge at Sao Paulo Fashion Week “SPFW” Winter 2008. This lounge was designed by architect Marcelo Rosenbaum and coordinated by Casa Darwin. The idea was to take the visitors to a magical place…traveling through life and history. Therefore, the space created represents an attic full of memories and stuffed with sandals and objects brought back from “Travel”. Magical!

My favorites are the most adorable deformed lamp shades that fit into the corners of this magical attic. There are many more little things to be adored in this space like the framed shoes, mini tulip lights, old suitcases, and a vanity desk…

Source: Rosenbaum

Mr.