Tag Archives: polished concrete

PLACES TO GO | VILLA VERGELLE, TUSCANY

24 April 2015

Villa-Vergelle-Tuscany-via-Stylejuicer-01

All this Spring sunshine has started to make me think about holidays and as if by magic – other might say serendipity – Villa Vergelle pops up.

Turns out I’ve admired this holiday rental for a good 5 months now as it’s featured on the cover of Country Living’s Modern Rustic issue #02 [can’t wait for issue #03 which should be out any day now] so I was ecstatic to find some more photos online.

This Italian country home is a great example of adapting an old house and making it fit for 21st century living. The interior features industrial elements like exposed steel girders, pipes and ceiling lighting as well as polished concrete flooring and a hand-built kitchen with cabinets made from wide recycled planks and open shelving.

The layout is family friendly with a large kitchen / dining / living area on the ground floor and super cool in-built bunk beds for the kiddos upstairs. All beds, cabinets and shelves are custom-built from recycled wood and I love the worn, slightly burnt patina which contrasts so well with the industrial elements.

A dream home for me and a successful renovation project where the owners sensitively opened up the previously small windows to let in more light and added wooden shutters to control the heat in the height of summer.

You can book a stay in this delightful luxury space via SpecialUmbria.

 

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MORE INFORMATION | SpecialUmbria
PHOTOGRAPHY | Kristian Septimius Krogh
 
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FABULOUS PREFAB HOME | STOCKHOLM

22 January 2015

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

Oh, I do like a woman with a good business head on her shoulders and today’s home was built in just 4 months by single mother of two and midwife Anne outside Stockholm.

Her passion for building led her to start her own company Birkeboo which helps private individuals to design and build their own home. The houses are prefab in Estonia and then shipped on large trucks and constructed on site in a matter of weeks. A time and cost effective solution all built to European standards.

I like the clean and simple interior design with polished concrete floors, lots of pale wood and white walls which are a perfect backdrop for Anne’s eclectic selection of graphic pattern rugs and mix and match furniture. I’ve spotted quite a few blue details in her home which links in nicely with my ‘blue as trend’ theme this week.

I’m particularly in love with her cozy work space up in the roof overlooking the open plan kitchen and dining area. A perfect control centre for work and family life! Go Mummy!

 

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

prefab, prefabricated, wood, house, home, stockhom, construction, interior design, style, trend, blue, details, polished concrete, graphic pattern, rugs, mix and match, birkeboo, time and cost effective, eclectic

 
MORE INFORMATION | Birkeboo
STYLING | Myrica Bergqvist
PHOTOGRAPHY | Patric Johansson
 
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INTERIORS CRUSH | VILLA WITH POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS

22 October 2014

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

You’ve probably seen bits and pieces of this incredible project on Pinterest and Tumblr before but I wanted to show you the whole house and give you a bit of background info.

The owner is multi-creative talent Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen who is not only the co-founder of Danish Norm Architects but also a designer, stylist, art director and photographer. He pays particular attention to haptic qualities – sense of touch that is to you and me – and the human scale in interior design. His spaces are always spectacular and striking, very minimal and understated but nevertheless inviting and full of life, light and atmosphere.

Today’s featured project is his own house located in an old fishing village just outside Copenhagen with views across the harbour and sea. The villa was built in 1911 and the architecture inspired by the Tyrolean Alps. It was in bad need of renovation and Jonas wanted to strip out all the non-original features therefore unearthing it’s heritage and some art deco details.

I would have loved to see a before and after shot as Jonas took out a few walls to create long sight lines and to let daylight stream through the house into the north facing living room. The polished concrete floors give the place a wonderful cohesion and flow carefully balancing the original details with some industrial elements.

Though the rooms are set up for the shoot I can’t help but appreciate the almost poetic quality of his home. I love the stripped back stone fire places, the potted olive tree, the simple and classic furniture in soft greys and different woods and the long tactile curtains gathering on the floor. There’s a feeling of luxury as well as ease running through the property that only a combination of space and natural light can achieve. *swoon*

Can you tell I’ve got a crush!? Check out some more polished concrete here.
 

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

norm architects, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, photographer, architect, designer, style, interior design, villa, renovation, vedbaek, copenhagen, scandinavian, clean, simple, original details, light, polished concrete, floor, denmark, daylight, trend, style

 

 
MORE INFORMATION & PHOTOGRAPHY | Norm Architects with thanks
 
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ALMOST… MEETING VICTORIA BECKHAM

29 September 2014

victoria beckham, store, london, dover street, vb, collection, label, fashion, style, trend, quality, luxury, detail, exquisite, fabrics, polished concrete, mirror, walnut, farshid moussavi, architecture, interior design, design, mayfair

I’d read a few interviews with Victoria Beckham in the run up to her new store opening in London’s Dover St and was curious to see for myself the alleged attention to detail that had gone into everything from the designs of the hanging rails to the generous size of the changing rooms allowing yummy mummies to bring their brood and get changed in comfort.

To be honest I wish I’d had my brood with me when I went to see the store last Saturday. It would have been a good ice breaker to start chatting to Victoria who actually arrived at the store with a few pals whilst us commoners waited patiently in line.

I have to say the experience was slightly surreal but also strangely normal. Maybe because she was surrounded by what looked like a bunch of good mates, or maybe because of her media exposure I felt as if I’d met her a dozen times before or maybe because I’m just super cool. Yeah… right!

What did blow my mind though was the interior design by Farshid Moussavi currently one of the most successful female architects around. I read that VB worked closely with her and I have to say that the minimalist design compliments her collection beautifully, showing off the designs and quality fabrics.

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I was surprised how the classic Mayfair facade hides an almost warehouse like interior with polished concrete floors, mirrored walls and a concrete zigzag ceiling on the first floor that cleverly hides the grooves and runners for the free hanging chain rails. Walking up the almost sculptural concrete staircase you can see the latest runway collection being projected on to the wall ahead of you before entering a world of luxurious materials, beautiful cuts and exquisite details.

It’s a fabulous shopping experience and one that I gather VB has put her heart and soul into. For me the piece de resistance was the scent of Diptyque’s Feu de Bois which was subtle but distinctly present and left me feeling as if I’d just been to a luxury spa.

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Last but not least I have to mention the amazing sales staff. One thing that always bugs me about high end fashion stores are the often snooty assistants who seem to judge you the minute you walk in. Something unlikely to happen at VB who I hear hand selected the staff who could not have been more friendly and helpful. I genuinely felt welcome and not just because of the glass of champagne (or fizzy elderflower cordial) but I had a lovely chat with the store manager who also informed me politely not to take any photographs of VB – fair enough considering the hordes of paps outside.

I admit I was tempted to try a few things on but in the end I was afraid my Dutch courage would lead me to spend a months rent on a beautiful winter coat that would look lovely in a Mayfair restaurant but slightly unsuitable for my daily playground outing.

 
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victoria beckham, store, london, dover street, vb, collection, label, fashion, style, trend, quality, luxury, detail, exquisite, fabrics, polished concrete, mirror, walnut, farshid moussavi, architecture, interior design, design, mayfair

 
PHOTOGRAPHY | Victoria Beckham with thanks
INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE | Farshid Moussavi Architecture
 
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PLACES TO GO | VILLA KALOS, ITHACA

8 August 2014

villa kalos, greece, travel, island, ithaca, photographer, gerda genis, robbert koene, ruin, restoration, villa, agean sea, luxury, boutique, interior design, understated, pool, polished concrete, design, style, trend, guest house

From Mykonos to Villa Kalos, Ithaca – it’s Greek island hopping with Stylejuicer this week. 😉

This stunning villa was an abandoned ruin just over four years ago when South African photographers Gerda Genis and Robbert Koene fell in love with it. The breathtaking views of the Aegan Sea and the peaceful surrounding countryside with almond trees and olive groves make this a prime spot to relax and recharge with a deliberate choice of no technology (scary, but necessary every once in a while).

The couple restored the property with much love and care and lots of help from the locals converting it into an understated boutique villa with 4 bedrooms and 4 en-suite bathrooms, a salt-water pool, terraced gardens and 6,000 sqm of land to get lost in.

I have to say that I’ve fallen in love with the interior which is a competent mix of old and new and I like that they kept some of the old stone walls and juxtaposed them with polished concrete floors and exquisite furnishings and fabrics. Everything is kept in a luxurious neutral colour palette of whites, greys and browns which puts even more emphasis on the external beauty of the turquoise sea, bright blue sky and green rolling countryside.

What a perfect place to spend some quality time with friends and family and simply: just be.

Wishing you all a happy weekend!
 

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villa kalos, greece, travel, island, ithaca, photographer, gerda genis, robbert koene, ruin, restoration, villa, agean sea, luxury, boutique, interior design, understated, pool, polished concrete, design, style, trend, guest house

villa kalos, greece, travel, island, ithaca, photographer, gerda genis, robbert koene, ruin, restoration, villa, agean sea, luxury, boutique, interior design, understated, pool, polished concrete, design, style, trend, guest house

 
MORE INFORMATION | Villa Kalos
PHOTOGRAPHY | Robbert Koene & Gerda Genis
 
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