Author Archives: Annie Kruse

About Annie Kruse

Stylejuicer is a lifestyle blog featuring the juiciest and coolest thinking from around the world. Created by Annie Kruse, followers will be inspired and captivated by this fresh look at all things creative.

IKEA | BLACK KITCHEN MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIAL

27 February 2017

ikea, black kitchen, ikeahack, from us with love, design studio, collaboration, recycled materials, recycled timber, recycled pet bottles, anthracite, trend, style, styling, design, interiors, pella hedeby

 

I’ve been eyeing up black kitchens for a while on Pinterest and love Ikea’s new Kungsbacka model made from recycled materials. Designed in collaboration with Swedish design studio Form Us With Love the doors and fronts consist of a core of recycled timber and a veneer of recycled PET plastic bottles in anthracite.

I like how Ikea have kept the monochrome black look in this set up with a gorgeous black tap and a splashback made form the same material as the doors finished off with a black picture rail at the top including some black hooks to put your favourite cups on display. Ikea doing their own #ikeahack – genius.

 
ikea, black kitchen, ikeahack, from us with love, design studio, collaboration, recycled materials, recycled timber, recycled pet bottles, anthracite, trend, style, styling, design, interiors, pella hedeby

ikea, black kitchen, ikeahack, from us with love, design studio, collaboration, recycled materials, recycled timber, recycled pet bottles, anthracite, trend, style, styling, design, interiors, pella hedeby

ikea, black kitchen, ikeahack, from us with love, design studio, collaboration, recycled materials, recycled timber, recycled pet bottles, anthracite, trend, style, styling, design, interiors, pella hedeby

 

 
MORE INFORMATION | Ikea
PHOTOGRAPHY | Ragnar Omarsson
STYLING | Pella Hedeby
 
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SPA ANNEX DESIGNED BY PATRICK JOUIN AND SANJIT MANKU

20 February 2017

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

 

Oh this Spa annex had me at hello ‘beams and concrete’. It’s a recent addition to the family run Hôtel des Berges in the Alsace region and designed by Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku who previously redesigned the hotel’s Michelin stared restaurant.

To cater for mind, body and soul what better addition could there be to a family run hotel in a picturesque French village with a Michelin stared restaurant than a spa for guests who seek total relaxation in harmony with nature.

The building itself is inspired by the region’s large old barns and the structure is timber frame and concrete with chunky beams and untreated materials being used throughout. I like the deliberate choice of showing the building’s structure rather than concealing it with plasterboard. In particular the pitched roof in the generous five junior suites upstairs where the construction is fully exposed. A trend which I’ve noticed more of recently – see my post on the three mountain huts restaurant in Switzerland.

My favourite bit has to be the pool area though which is just perfectly and discreetly lit by the sunlight flooding in through those wooden slats across the window. What could be more relaxing than watching dispersed sunbeams dance across the water!?

 
spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

spa annex, mind, body, soul, relaxing, restful, harmony, nature, pool, french, alsace, pitched roof, exposed beams, untreated materials, discreet, michelin stared restaurant, hotel des berges, architecture, space design, Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku

 

 
ARCHITECTURE & SPACE DESIGN | Jouin Manku Agencies
MORE INFORMATION | Hôtel des Berges
PHOTOGRAPHY | Nicolas Mathéus with thanks
 
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ABSTRACT | THE ART OF DESIGN

18 February 2017

 

I’m currently glued to Abstract the new Netflix documentary series that showcases eight leading designers talking about their life, work, ideas and thought processes; from architect Bjarke Ingels, illustrator Christoph Niemann, set designer Es Devlin, interior designer Ilse Crawford, graphic designer Paula Scher, photographer Platon, automobile designer Ralph Gilles and Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield.

Each episode focuses on one designer and stands as it’s own film subtly implementing the subjects design sensibilities. The director cleverly lets us see through the eyes of Christoph Niemann giving an insight as to how he perceives the world around him and makes sense of it through illustration, trying to find just the right amount of ‘abstract’ on a scale from one pixel to a life like illustration. What really resonated with me was how he takes time out to experiment and play with shapes and objects, not looking for a solution but testing and simply enjoying the process. I feel in our result drive society this is something we all need to do more of.

Architect Bjarke Ingels is another hugely inspirational character who seems to have no fear but a helluva lot of passion for his art. More is more for him and his architecture design practice is appropriately called BIG – short for Bjarke Ingels Group.

His unconventional way of designing and building large residential buildings has not only caused controversy amongst the world’s architectural elite but set a historic new benchmark and he seems to be inundated with commissions from all over the world. From museums to stadiums, office and residential spaces – he’s enthusiastic about it all and comes across as a down to earth guy with no airs and graces just a load of bonkers ideas which turn out to be not quite so bonkers after all. Ski slope on top of a power station anyone!?

What I love mostly about this documentary is that it shows the human side of these iconic designers who are leaders in their field. 70% of Christoph Niemann commissions are under intense deadline pressure, he admits he struggles every day to live up to his latest great idea. Paula Scher says designing a logo is the easy part, convincing everybody to use it is the hard part. Bjarke Ingels fearlessly builds cheaper and bigger than any competitor causing controversy.

These are themes widely recognised by any designer – certainly by me – and it’s comforting to find out how everybody has the same doubts, fears and struggles.

Designer or not – go watch!

 

Above | illustration by Christoph Niemann

 


 
 
MORE INFORMATION | Netflix, Abstract: The Art Of Design
PRODUCED BY | Scott Dadich, Morgan Neville and Dave O’Connor
 
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UNIQUE MIRROR TRAYS BY NOTRE MONDE HOMEWARE

16 February 2017

notre monde, mirror tray, tables, cabinets, objects, functional, unique, design, trend, antique, light aged mirror, inspiration, travel, nature, distinctive, global patterns, textures, layers, traditional printing techniques, authenticity, character, mystic gold, ocean blue, tribal quest, golden hour
 

Back in October Tiff and I organised a Function+Form Bloggers Tour to Antwerp discovering this hip city (here and here) and all it has to offer including designers and makers. One brand we were introduced to was Notre Monde who’s founder Dawn Sweitzer has been creating unique functional objects since 1997.

Her inspiration mostly stems from travel and nature featuring distinctive global patterns, textures and layers which are translated onto objects with traditional printing and hand-finishing techniques. Dawn is a self taught artist and now lives in North Carolina where she experiments with new techniques to give her designs authenticity and unique character.

She has distinctive ranges from the cheerful and luxurious Mystic Gold and Ocean Blue, to The Golden Hour and the vivid and elegant Tribal Quest inspired by tribal textile prints from Africa to Indonesia. Her mirror trays represent the core of her collection which also features complementary objects such as tables, frames and cabinets.

I was lucky to be given a light aged mirror which adds some much needed gritty-ness and eclectic flair to my home which I tend to keep very minimal. The antique effect on mirrors is a trend I keep seeing more and more of and which works incredibly well with darker interior colours and rich textures – see the velvet renaissance all around.

I’ve not decided as yet if I’m going to hang it up or keep as a tray for special occasions. I guess the beauty in it’s versatility is that I can do both.

 

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notre monde, mirror tray, tables, cabinets, objects, functional, unique, design, trend, antique, light aged mirror, inspiration, travel, nature, distinctive, global patterns, textures, layers, traditional printing techniques, authenticity, character, mystic gold, ocean blue, tribal quest, golden hour

notre monde, mirror tray, tables, cabinets, objects, functional, unique, design, trend, antique, light aged mirror, inspiration, travel, nature, distinctive, global patterns, textures, layers, traditional printing techniques, authenticity, character, mystic gold, ocean blue, tribal quest, golden hour

notre monde, mirror tray, tables, cabinets, objects, functional, unique, design, trend, antique, light aged mirror, inspiration, travel, nature, distinctive, global patterns, textures, layers, traditional printing techniques, authenticity, character, mystic gold, ocean blue, tribal quest, golden hour

 

 
MORE INFORMATION | Notre Monde Homeware
PHOTOGRAPHY | Annie Kruse
 

This post is sponsored by Notre Monde. I only work with products and services I truly love and all opinions are my own.

 

 
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THREE MOUNTAIN HUTS | PETER PILCHER ARCHITECTURE

13 February 2017

swiss, mountain, restaurant, three huts, oberholz, ski resort, peter pilcher, Pavol Mikolajcak, architects, structure, spruce, traditional, textures, construction, concrete, wood, view, scenery

 

Winter has Britain firmly in it’s grip and I’m dreaming of heading off to the mountains with the family for some snow. One place I’d love to explore is the South Tyrolean Dolomites and the Swiss resort of Oberholz where this gorgeous new mountain restaurant has opened up designed by Peter Pichler architects in collaboration with Italian architect Pavol Mikolajcak.

I’m fascinated by the structure of the three large huts facing slightly different mountains with the volumes flowing and connecting into each other. As the architect describes it: “The cantilevering structure grows out of the hill like a fallen tree with three main branches creating a symbiosis with the landscape. At the end of the branches a large glass facade frames the surrounding mountains from the interior of the hut.”

The exposed internal structure in local spruce helps you ‘read’ the buildings’ construction and draws you to the large window at the end of each volume. Somehow it reminds me of inside a whale, looking at it’s rib cage, not that I’ve never been inside a whale [obvs]. The textures and materials use inside are contemporary without compromising on local relevance with the use of spruce and concrete. The wooden chairs too are a modern take on the traditional, curvy Swiss chairs by squaring the backrest off and keeping a cut out to make it easier to move them around, only in this version it’s a lozenge and not a whimsical heart or leaf.

It’s a beautiful project and though I love skiing I wouldn’t be too upset if I had to spend my days in here looking out at the stunning scenery.

 

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swiss, mountain, restaurant, three huts, oberholz, ski resort, peter pilcher, Pavol Mikolajcak, architects, structure, spruce, traditional, textures, construction, concrete, wood, view, scenery

swiss, mountain, restaurant, three huts, oberholz, ski resort, peter pilcher, Pavol Mikolajcak, architects, structure, spruce, traditional, textures, construction, concrete, wood, view, scenery

swiss, mountain, restaurant, three huts, oberholz, ski resort, peter pilcher, Pavol Mikolajcak, architects, structure, spruce, traditional, textures, construction, concrete, wood, view, scenery

swiss, mountain, restaurant, three huts, oberholz, ski resort, peter pilcher, Pavol Mikolajcak, architects, structure, spruce, traditional, textures, construction, concrete, wood, view, scenery

swiss, mountain, restaurant, three huts, oberholz, ski resort, peter pilcher, Pavol Mikolajcak, architects, structure, spruce, traditional, textures, construction, concrete, wood, view, scenery

 

 

MORE INFORMATION & PHOTOGRAPHY | Peter Pilcher Architects in collaboration with Pavol Mikolajcak Architects with thanks

 

 
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