Distort House:Impressive Display of Good Taste and Warmth

The lovely Distort House was designed by TWS & Partners with principal in charge Tonny W Suriadjaja and structural engineers Purwa, and is located south of Jakarta, Indonesia. Fund onHomedit, this home is an impressive display of taste and warmth. Why is it called Distort House? Here is a short concept explanation from the architects: “Twisting out something from the usual line is taken in order to create different perception or to enrich some more quality. This happens to a house that we name it as The Distort House. It is located in the south of Jakarta which is still dominated by lush, tropical village forest in the neighborhood. In the front of the site itself lays a public park with some old big tropical trees. In response to those advantages, the house’s mass outline is shifted close to the back perimeter line of the site, and then twisted in 15 degree, leaving vast green area in the front. This is a unique way to open a more huge front space striking back as view and open air to the inside“. Aside from having a delightful appearance, the residence also has quite a few sustainable features. The materials used are partially recycled (reused steel bars, recycled wood plank for the wooden ceilings). This crib may be environmental friendly, but how do you appreciate its overall design and architecture ?

Contemporary Home Overlooking the Ocean in Santa Barbara

Studio Hochhauser Blatter Architecture and Planning based in Santa Barbara completed the Whitehead/Bay Residence, a 5,400 square foot project located in Montecito, California. The current owner of this imposing home is Michael Bay, Hollywood film director and producer, who recently put the residence up for sale, requesting the sum of $6.8 million. The home includes three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half baths, a one bedroom guest house, full laundry room, ample storage, air conditioning, 3-car garage, and gated entrance. The interior design emphasizes on luxury and comfort with an airy, bright feel and excellent views from most of the rooms. An open plan living room is the focal point of the project and was planned on two levels. A vaulted skylight and a cathedral-like ceiling give this place a sophisticated feel. One could say that the most attractive feature of this home is the infinity pool with spa, which is surrounded by rich vegetation and faces the ocean.

Small, Appealing and Sustainable: Prefab LEED Porch House

The Lake | Flato Porch House project comes from Lake | Flato Architects and pays tribute to highly sustainable living spaces. Here is the press release we recently received from the project developers: The Lake | Flato Porch House combines the efficiency of factory built modules connected by custom designed “porches” for design-conscious owners who want a Lake|Flato home shaped by its place and climate with a predictable outcome of quality, time, and cost. The prefabricated living and sleeping modules can be configured in many ways — either alone, stacked or side-by-side. The “porches” are outdoor elements, such as porches, breezeways, carports and terraces.  These connect the rooms and ensure that each Porch House is custom, suited to the land it sits on and LEED certified. Central to the design of each Porch House is the porch itself. Relatively inexpensive spaces to both build and maintain, porches showcase the structural elements of roof construction and exterior walls, create additional shade, foster cross ventilation, and most importantly, provide pleasant and exciting spaces that maximize the connection with the outdoors.

Contemporary Design and Modern Layout in a TriBeCa Loft

We received some photos of a beautifully designed TriBeCa Loft and we just had to share them with you. The interiors of this historic TriBeCa warehouse were created by Office of Architecture in collaboration with Push. The inhabitants, a young couple looking to start a family, needed a space that would encompass all the modern necessities: “After gutting the existing labyrinthian space and leaving only key structural elements such as the existing heavy timber beams, steel columns, and brick walls, the architects were able to carefully organise the private and public spaces in such a manner that the full depth of the entire unit remains uninterrupted. This enables the living room, den, and kitchen areas on the east side of the unit to benefit from the natural light and views of the bedroom windows on the west without ever catching glimpse of the sleeping areas. To help further define and facilitate specific activities, a series of cabinetry, a cantilevered wet bar, as well as large sliding and accordion doors.” Take a look at the photos to see how the space came together and enjoy the modern inspiration!

Fabulous Chelsea Penthouse Apartment With 360 Views

What better way to live luxuriously than in a 4,675 square foot luxury penthouse in New York City? The fantastic residence is located in a modern residential tower called “100 11th Avenue” and designed by French architect Jean Nouvel.  Offering expansive 360 degree views of Manhattan, the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty, the penthouse also features 14 foot ceilings in a successful attempt to match the grandeur of the panoramic view. Each window seems to be a framed version of the city as the sun passes through the sky and the day progresses. A 4,400 square foot terrace allows the owner to enjoy unobstructed views of the Big Apple and the two fireplaces comfortably draws one back inside. Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, the penthouse apartment waits to be bought. The lucky person who wants to own it can buy it from here for the price of $22 million. Just take a picture and send it to us if you do buy it – we want to be part of your success

Renovated Country House Displaying Modern Charm

There is no greater feeling of comfort than to turn your beautiful, old house into a contemporary version of itself – keeping all the memories intact while enjoying fascinating new furniture and furnishings, decorations and design elements. This country house was recently renovated to suit a more modern lifestyle. Custom woodworking and unique furniture adorns the interiors, while the outside spaces benefit from fresh air, warm sunlight and beautiful views. On the inside, white walls and wide oak flooring compose a beautiful background for the vividly colored details. Some of the walls on the first floor were removed to make space for the new open floor plan. The main living area has access to the kitchen and the study, while the staircase leads up to the bedrooms. This two-storey villa in Barcelona was designed by architect Joan Arnau Farrás of studio 05 AM Arquitectura.

Black Beauty Tierra Villa:Green Contemporary Home in Costa Rica

Black Beauty Tierra Villa is an impressive modern residence located in the Black Beauty Village in Ostional, Costa Rica. The 2,992 square foot project features three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and has unique surrounding landscapes. Here is more from the architects: “Embracing the natural sloping landscape, Tierra both floats high above the ocean and submerges itself into the lush Costa Rican jungle. The harmonious relationship of the interior to exterior begins with the grand kitchen, dining and living rooms, then slips past an operable wall of glass into the pool, before the view falls away into the infinite Pacific Ocean beyond. Tierra offers all the lavish amenities of a modern eco-jungle villa. You can choose between pampering yourself in your luxurious master suite upstairs, resting peacefully in a spacious family room, library and downstairs bedroom suites, or escaping to your own private roof deck with vast ocean, jungle and mountain views“. The villa can not be bought, just rented all year around from $600 to $750 per night.

Unusual Jewelery: Coffee Ring Diary Ring by SouZouCreations

A coffee and a diary together always make up a pretty sight. Add a pen, put them on a ring and what do you get? Cute jewelery, worth exhibiting among friends,family or cool coworkers. TheCoffee Ring Diary Ring was designed by the people at SouZouCreations and features the fun combo of objects mentioned above. The producers say that the unusual ring is addressed to the ones that love to contemplate life and write down their thoughts while doing so. Believe it or not, the small notebook can open up. And yes, there is real paper inside, so this is one ring you are not supposed to get wet! The three small objects are placed on a silver tone adjustable band that can fit most ring sizes, measuring about 3.8 cm wide. We found this item on Etsy, but apparently it is no longer in stock. But we are certain getting in contact with the producers will convince them that more similar rings are needed on the market.

Cosy Apartment With just Enough Space for Everything

Small, comfortable and bright, this next Stockholm apartment will leave you refreshed and maybe give you some inspiration on how to decorate a small apartment. Found here, the 38 square meter apartment features beautiful light-colored rustic flooring throughout and a full-size kitchen with plenty of storage space. Two windows convey all the necessary light to caress the interiors: on in the bedroom and the other in the kitchen. High ceiling and white stucco ensure that the rooms are well lit and offer a sense of grandeur in this confined space. The bedroom features a small mezzanine that can be used as a relaxation spot or a second bed. Located in a quiet location facing the courtyard, the apartment also features a walk-in closet in the living room. The small apartment has access to a courtyard with barbecue and an outdoor dining area, allowing the inhabitants to enjoy their free time close to home, in a relaxed atmosphere.

Unique Dining Experience at Phantom Opera Garnier Restaurant

The Phantom Opera Garnier Restaurant in Paris, designed by French architect Odile Decq, is a place to enjoy a good meal in the company of friends, surrounded by an interesting interior design. A curvaceous mezzanine level steals the attention once you enter through the columns of Opera Garnier’s east facade. Red and white are the predominant colors, creating an interesting contrasting effect with the fabulous Neo-Baroque interiors of the building. The architects working on this project had to overcome many problems. The architecture was to be left untouched and all the modifications had to be reversible. With a budget of $6 million, the architects managed to construct a contemporary interior that seems to be levitating without interfering with the structure of the Opera. The curvaceous mezzanine can accommodate 90 guests and offer them a unique dining experience in the presence of fantastic old architecture blended with contemporary shapes and colors and modern interior design.

Versatile Furniture: Dual Cut by Kitmen Keung

What can you get by slicing a cube into two separate asymmetrical parts? Designer Kitmen Keung did this simple experiment and the result couldn’t be more practical. Dual Cut is an interesting furniture piece consisting of a lounge chair and ottoman which can be merged together to form a third furniture piece (a desk or a table). Here is more from the official designer’s description: “Splitting a raw rectangular foam block with only two L-shaped cut lines, the Dual Cut Chair and ottoman employs the simplest production processes true to the materials in use with minimal wastage. It features two ergonomically comfortable seat back angle options of 6° and 23°, and the multi-formation ability to form a one seater with a side table, a chaise lounge or a corner table.It also easily forms a neat, compact parcel for convenient storage and transportation“. Find it practical? [Photography by S.Zine]

Organic Bed with a High Level of Comfort: SLEEPY

It has been a while since we posted a comfortable sleeping unit on Freshome. SLEEPY, designed by the Italian architect Angelo Tomaiuolo and produced by Tonin CASA, is an aesthetically pleasing bed, ideal for contemporary houses. According to the producers, the wide base is upholstered with fabric or eco-leather in different finishes. The wrapping sculptural headboard contribute to its extremely original and unique shape. Production processes studied in order to guarantee each product with the right “dress” and to exalt the organic feel that Sleepy transmits. Its dimensions are quite impressive, which is why this king-sized bed is suited for large bedrooms. In the photos below you will also notice the BESIDE table, a minimalist glass addition that seems to harmonize perfectly with the design of the bed. Looks alluring?

Best IKEA Kitchen Designs for 2012

Not too long ago, we posted a preview of the 2012 IKEA Catalog. Now it’s time for the real thing. For today we gathered up a few lovely kitchen ideas that we believe will give you a clue regarding the trends for next year. The IKEA style can be noticed all through these photos. Small spaces were the main target of the giant furniture manufacturer. You will notice ingenious storage solutions, modern cabinets, lovely dining tables- all combined in a very appealing manner. “Kitchens are the beating hearts of our homes. Which is why yours should look and work just how you always imagined, from big things like cabinets and appliances to details like drawer organizers and flexible furniture“. The company’s message is accompanied by an online kitchen planner with the help of which users everywhere can turn their visions into reality. You can also browse the IKEA 2012 Catalog online here for more details. Enjoy!

Best IKEA Children’s Room Design Ideas for 2012

Not too long ago, we presented a preview of the IKEA Catalog for 2012. Right now, the catalog is launched and is full of fresh ideas. In this post we picked out the best IKEA children’s room designs, as well as cool products that appealed to our playful, but also practical nature. IKEA promised low prices and quality furniture pieces for this catalog and as you will see from the photos below and the prices in the catalog, the company delivered. From ingenious storage units for toys, to small children’s beds, chairs and various toy products, the IKEA kids ideas for 2012 are characterized by creativity and as usual, practicability. Have a look at the photos below and tell us if there are any designs that you find suited for your home. We would also like to know your opinion on the overall kids collection presented below. For more details, check out the IKEA Online Catalog here.

Shorter Residence by PB Elemental:Original Mix of Traditional and Modern

Shorter Residence was designed by Pb Elemental Architecture and is located in Wenatchee Valley, Washington. The project consisted in an extension of a 1906 apple orchard farm house which currently houses a master suite, family room and dining area. A remodel of the existing garage was also included in the clients’ brief. Here are more details from  the architects: “The house is more than just a residence, the clients also run a ski team and house many of the team in the home at one time or another during the season. The design was created to maximize views of the valley and surrounding hills, while providing the owners refuge from the daily activities of working from home. The former master bedroom was converted into a new bath and closets, a corten steel structure was built to house the bedroom and sitting area. The spaces share a fireplace and roof deck over the new dining area. The former outdoor deck was removed and replaced by the new living spaces on the second floor. Exterior materials include corten standing seam, polycarbonate, cement fiber panels and cedar rain screen siding.”How do you appreciate this project’s mix of old and new?

Vivid Architectural and Design Elements: Phinney Residence

The 2,510 square foot single family residence located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood occupies a small lot, but encompasses modern features, the homeowners own choices in furniture and wall coverings and a clever living system for small urban residential developments: “the reverse floor plan (living on the third level), allowing the main spaces to easily access outdoor space, light and view. ” The bedroom has bamboo floors and beautiful wallpaper, creating a serene environment for the owners. The kitchen features the Gregg Suspension pendant lights by Foscarini over the kitchen island and the Castore Suspension pendant lamps by Artemide over the dining table and even more decorative and functional elements seen here.

An Open Invite to Socializing: Taiwan Noodle House Restaurant in Beijing

Taiwan Noodle House restaurant was designed by Golucci International Design and is located in Beijing, China. The place has an original interior and consists of a single large dining room, where people are not separated in any way. The table arrangements inspire openness and seem to be an invite to socializing. This is the type of restaurant where you go have a peaceful meal and a quality laugh with your friends, rather than a romantic dinner with your loved one. Thousands of plates were used as decorating items, creating an atmosphere that is partially traditional. The modern touch is added by the ceiling lamps and decorations. Large windows provide unobstructed views of the city and plenty of natural light during daytime. How would you feel about dining in a place like this? In your opinion, does its design make up for the lack of privacy?  [Photography by Sun Xiangyu]

Book Storage System Helping You Cook with Enthusiasm: Kitchen Bull

Tired of waiting while your meal gets cooked?  Here is an ingenious way to turn that time into useful or fun reading.  Kitchen Bull comes from Toro Legno and acts like a miniature bookcase. Sure, the product is actually intended for cook books, but we know most of you out there would probably use it to store all kinds of magazines, novels, design articles and so on. Its design is witty and contemporary, making it easy to be integrated in a large variety of modern kitchens. The product also features a place where users can place knifes for easy access. Now for those of you who actually cook, it will be obvious that the ranging kitchen bull should be moved out of the cooking arena during the actual process, because otherwise the books would get all messy. So, Freshome readers with an appetite for experimenting in the kitchen, what do you think? – Via – Hometone

Rural Comfort Meets Modern Lifestyle:Strekov House

 Designed by 3 +1 Architekti, the Strekov House borrowed its location’s name: Strekov, Czech Republic. The 173 square meter home is located on the border between a highly populated area and the countryside, neighboring residential buildings and vacation homes. The outside space delights the homeowners with a lovely orchard of apple trees, plum trees and cherry trees and fascinates with a panoramic view of the valley below. The main construction material was wood, making the connection to the outside rural area, the orchard and the vast 3,000 square foot property. The long garden resting on a steep terrain is a dream home for its inhabitants – perfect combination of modern lifestyle and comfortable surroundings. The three volume house is located on the lower part of the property for privacy and easy road access. Some beautiful hand-drawn architectural drawings of this house can be enjoyed below

The Hotchkiss Residence:Simple, Practical and Contemporary

The Hotchkiss Residence was designed by Portland-based studio Scott Edwards Architecture and is located on the banks of the Columbia river in Vancouver, Washington. The 1,988 square foot residence was especially redefined for a couple in their 70′s who needed a make-over of the building they inhabited. According to the architects, “the 1.5 bedroom home responds to amazing views of the river and Mt. Hood beyond. The home, designed by Rick Berry, utilizes the Northwest vernacular, which emphasizes the wood structural system, shields the home from 9 months of rain, and captures winter sunlight. The single slope roof originates over the bedroom and rises to its zenith above the living room. With a budget of $550k, the design is restrained by simplicity, emphases its structural system, compact for an aging client, and built to respond to the quick changing Northwest weather. The home linked by bridges to the owners daughters and sons homes, which sit adjacent, completes the family compound.” Have a look at the photos below and don’t forget to tell us what details you find interesting.

CG House Displaying Contemporary Architecture and Fascinating Interiors

The contemporary CG House in the Garza Garcia neighborhood of Monterrey, Mexico, can pride itself on displaying a 10,650 square foot floor plan of exceptionally designed living spaces. As described by the architects, the residence features the best architectural solutions for this particular site: “From the street, two massive oak tress rise to provide privacy and welcome shade to the swimming pool terrace above. Due to the sloping nature of the site, a massive, exposed concrete wall defines and encloses the swimming pool and garden areas of the house and sets the tone for the design of the house itself, which is clad in brown/black volcanic stone, IPE wood, white stucco and steel. A wide exterior granite staircase lead to an intimate garden of palm trees. Directly ahead is a 12 feet-high dark oak door whose grand scale offers a hint of the dramatic scale of this 10,650 sq. ft. home that lies beyond, beginning with an entry foyer whose 15 feet-high walls are adorned with silver leaf. A massive sculptural piece of coconut roots, steel and rocks was designed specifically for this space.” Designed by Monterrey-based architectural studio GLR Arquitectos, the residence rises on a sloping terrain that offered the architects with the opportunity of enjoying beautiful panoramas of Monterrey City below.

The Harrison Street Residences in California Built for a Young Family

The Harrison Street Residences were designed by by Dawson+Clinton design and build firm. The multi-family residential building is located in in San Francisco, California. Seamlessly connecting the interior and exterior spaces, the design of this residential building proves that multi-unit residences have a specific charm in an urban neighborhood. Created for one of the owners at Dawson+Clinton, the home of Paul Dawson and his young growing family was completed in three years. Basing the design on the family needs – especially on what it takes to raise two young children aged 3 and 5 in an urban setting – the Harrison Street Residence was built to offer as much safe space for outdoor activities and as much entertaining space on the inside. In addition to this, the roof deck allows the parents to keep an eye on the children as they enjoy the back garden. The bright interior spaces were especially created to be open and durable, to endure the games of growing children. This residence displays a modern, high-quality environment for a young family while looking contemporary and youthful.

Fun and Creative: Face Shelving by Alexi Mccarthy

Here is an original shelving unit that falls under the category “do it yourself”. The Face Shelving comes from Alexi Mccarthy and is a cheerful storage unit for books and various small objects. The designer tells its story as follows: “It started from a chat my girlfriend and I were having. A year and a father-son project later, the very originally named ‘Face Shelving’ is finally done. The idea is that depending what you put in or on the shelves, you create different faces and expressions.” Paying tribute to simplicity, this unit is truly ingenious. Even though it would look great in a variety of colors, we particularly like the choice of red, which makes things…explosively fun. Enjoy imagining how the face on the wall would look with various book combinations on it and let us know if the designer triggered your appetite for creating something similar

Energy Efficient Single Family Home in Dallas, Texas

The UR22 Residence was designed by Vincent Snyder Architects and is a 4,000 square foot home located in Dallas, Texas. The clients’ brief requested a home that would provide a good indoor-outdoor connectivity. Moreover, they wanted a place that would meet their socializing needs and that would be suited for both small gatherings and large parties. Its exterior is truly imposing, making the residence stand out, especially during night time. Once inside, guests are welcomed by a generous open plan living room, with a bar, dining space and two relaxation areas. We particularly like the exposed wooden beams which add originality and warmth. Using just half the energy per square foot of a common home, the  UR22 Residence was built with renewable materials. Moreover, the house features ground source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting and uses solar power. For a better understanding of the project, take a look at the sketches at the end of the post.