International

A Fairytale Swim Club in Shanghai

A Shanghai based architectural design firm, x-living has created a dream like space for parents, children and infants. The fairytale swim club in Shanghai is not only an interior designers dream, it is the ideal play space for parents and children alike.

The amount of detail taken to create this pastel paradise is exceptional. The reception desk is made to look like a boat in water leading into the next space. The reception space leads into a shoe-changing room that focuses on pops of bold pattern in a pastel pink room.

The next space is a stunning reading room, which features round lampshades that are also featured throughout the club. According to designboom, “the round lampshades are meant to be sprays of water splashing in the sky.”

The round lampshades are also present in the swimming area, with the blue water contrasting with the pink pastel walls and bold black and white patterns throughout.

The innovative design firm, x-living has thought of everything when it comes to both design and convenience for parents, from the window between the pool and the parents area so parents can keep a watchful eye, to the stunning restaurant with a playful ‘pastel egg palace’ surrounded by tables for the parents to relax while watching their children play.

Mirrors are used throughout, included in the hallways, creating a playful and maze-like space.

There is a wonderful play on space, shapes, pattern and colour in this fairytale swim club in Shanghai. Take a look for yourself below and dive into this well crafted and curated space.

Images from here.

Modern Dune-like Golf Clubhouse in Jordan

The design of this modern dune-like golf clubhouse in Jordan by Oppenheim Architecture blends right into the surrounding area. The clubhouse sits on a leisure development that includes an 18 hole golf course designed by Greg Norman and will house commercial space, as well as residential apartments, and a hotel.

The clubhouse itself will include luxuries such as a spa, retail space, dinning, shopping, and a golf analysis area. The stunning design is composed of a concrete shell that has been sprayed on to suit the undulating curves of the building.

According to designboom, “the construction of the project is the result of a knowledge exchange program between the european office of oppenheim architecture and local workforce.”

This would be the perfect place to send your dad to relax. I am sure he could imagine himself sitting back after a round of golf and admiring the architecture and workmanship put into the build.

images from here

Casa Perfect: Unique New York Gallery

Casa Perfect, a unique New York Gallery has transformed the traditional shopping experience into an innovative and hands on experience.

According to Vogue Living, “The latest design gallery/retail space comes from the guys at The Future Perfect”.  The five-storey apartment is located in the West Village of New York and was conceptualised by The Future Perfects’ founder David Alhadeff. “As soon as I opened Casa Perfect in Los Angeles, I immediately knew I wanted to replicate the concept in New York,” he says.

The stunning space will feature work from various designers, makers, manufacturers and artists. Some of the works featured are by John Hogan, Eric Roinestad, Chris Wolston, Chris Stuart, Chen Chen and Kai Williams, Reinaldo Sanguino, Floris Wubben, Charles De Lisle, Marta Sala, Piet Hein Eek, Dimore Studio, and Philippe Malouin for SCP.

The space is viewed by appointment only. Have a look inside the stunning space below.

images from here

Morocco Design Inspiration

Morocco is full of design inspiration. I was lucky enough to visit some stunning locations that have inspired my design career over the years.

Below is a little preview of some of the amazing locations I visited.

The Royal Mansour Hotel and Spa was design heaven. It was built under commission for King Mohammed VI, the Mansour in Marrakech is the gold standard of luxury with just 53 private riads and of course that enchanting spa. The arch doors are just as photogenic as the stunning wrought iron atrium in the interior. 

Kasbah Tamadot, located in the Atlas Mountains outside of Marrakech, owned by Richard Branson was pure luxury.

Meknés, where we saw the famous Bab El Mansour gate and the Royal Stables.

The soul of Morocco. Fez has the most stunning mosaic work and the colours in the tanneries were a piece of artwork.

Rabat, the capitol of Morocco. The beautiful blue hues throughout the city inspire many interiors around the world.

To see more photos from my holiday through Morocco and Europe visit my instagram account @ferrariinteriors

Inside Ladurée’s whimsical Tokyo tea salon

It’s one of those spaces that must be seen to be believed. Ladurée’s new salon de thé in Tokyo is a whimsical display of colour, candy and cutesy.

With stores in Geneva and Los Angeles, the macaron and pastry specialist India Madhavi poured her creative vision into this new dessert cafe.

The interior details see grey and white chequered marble flooring, bespoke scalloped velvet furniture, blown glass lamps, and generous serves of lime-green and candy pink throughout.

One things’s for sure: if we had all the money (and time) in the world, we’d fly mum here for Mother’s Day high tea. But for now, we can dream on by exploring the images of this quaint Parisian cafe in thriving Tokyo…

Images from here.

Inside the vibrant new Hoxton Hotel, Paris

The Hoxton hotel brand is designed for the style savvy. With offerings in Shoreditch, Holborn and Amsterdam, the doors have now opened to Hoxton’s Paris incarnation.

It’s the largest of all the Hoxton hotels yet, and comes complete with a brasserie, a cocktail bar and 172 guest-rooms. History and modern living come together in this 18th century building. In fact, the facade is so exemplary of rococo architecture that the French state have declared it a ‘monument historique’.

Celebrity insider: Kelly Wearstler’s Beverly Hills home

It’s a Hollywood mansion with equal measures of old world glamour and contemporary style. That’s no surprise, as this home belongs to style powerhouse Kelly Wearstler.  The American designer and businesswoman has designed homes for celebrities including Cameron Diaz and Gwen Stefani.

When it came to her own home, the 1.3 hectare estate in Beverly Hills, Wearstler was careful to respect the heritage of the home. She introduced signature furniture pieces from her self-named Kelly Wearstler store, including her black leather-and-bronze Elliott chairs and striped Durant sofa, both which highlight the home’s grand proportions.

Outside, the pool area has the feel of a resort: plush lounge chairs, manicured gardens and oversized umbrellas. It’s a home fit for a style queen of the modern era, while still feeling very much old world Hollywood. Take a look…

Images: Anson Smart via Vogue.

Celebrity Insider: Nicky Hilton Rothschild’s Manhattan home

The first thing that strikes us about Nicky Hilton and husband James Rothschild’s home is the extensive use of colour. Blues and reds are confidently used throughout the Manhattan penthouse.

The sitting room sees painted red walls paired with a red fabric lounge suite and tens of art-pieces covering the walls, while the drawing room has a blue rug, blue lounge suite and blue de Gournay cherry-blossom wallpaper, again with art-pieces across most of the walls. Both spaces are examples of the ‘more is more’ maximalist approach to design.

Nicky says she gave her husband the lead when it came to the interiors; herself just adding small touches along the way. However, there was one room where Nicky took charge: her daughter’s nursery, which includes Pottery Barn furniture, a colourful felt-ball rug and sky-blue walls.

A home for their two children, Lily-Grace and Teddy Marilyn – the design needed to be practical enough for little ones. While there are many family heirlooms from James’ English family home, no room is ‘off limits’ to the kids.

Stand-out decor pieces include the Holland & Sherry wool-covered Howard sofa – a piece handed down from James’ family and upholstered by the couple, a bright turquoise oval gesso-and-kaolin painting by Elliott Puckette and an antique marble mantelpiece.

Take a look…

Images from Architectural Digest, from here.

Inside the colourful Room Mate Emir, Turkey

Room Mate Hotels’ latest property is certainly intriguing. The entrance of Room Mate Emir, in Istanbul, is bathed in a candy neon glow, which evaporates as one moves through to the softer-toned in-house restaurant and soothing suites. This contrast between daringly new and old is played on throughout the 27-room boutique hotel.

The period facade of the building has been retained, while the interiors – designed by Spanish designer Lázaro Rosa Violá – see a mix of avant-garde and classical influences.

Parquet floors contrast with kaleidoscopic black and white tiles; exposed brick walls counter the glossy subway tiles; ornamental painted ceilings juxtapose the mirrored ceilings; and the plush, candy pink furniture is the antithesis of the strong, black leather pieces.

The result is an unusual and chic space, with the hotel describing it as offering “the warm hospitality of a friend”. Take a look…

What’s new in the world of design: April 2018

Images above: Cult from here.

Artist Jade Oakley brings nature-inspired art to Westfield Parramatta

Who said shopping centre escalators had to be void of design?

Working with Creative Group and artist Jade Oakley, two large scale integrated artworks can now be seen at the newly refurbished Westfield centre.

Made from Alucobond and treated in a custom shimmering treatment by fabricator Axolotl, the art features an “etched relief of the forest canopy” along with panels that are embellished with perforated leaf screens. The result is subtle, elegant and enchanting.

In the words of the artist Jade Oakley:

 “I was amazed to find Lake Parramatta, tucked in behind a busy road, with some really beautiful original forest around it, including towering gum trees and mossy glades with trickling streams and tree ferns. I spent a day there sketching and photographing and thinking. These artworks sprang from this encounter with a surprising pocket of nature in a busy part of Sydney.”