The Narrow house is a beautiful renovation project by FORMstudio. The architects have converted a terrace building dating back to the late 19th century into a light calm oasis in the middle of the city.

London is getting extremely crowded, and the housing situation is becoming a very difficult problem to solve. Although I am not particularly in favour of converting old office/commercial properties into residential use, somehow we have to find a balance in this ever growing capital. Well, if you have the budget, projects like this are worth it. The conservation and renovation of an existing building is going to be always better than building a new one from scratch, specially in a city with such an amazing architectural heritage.

The space calls for simplicity over luxury, natural materials, neutral colours, unique art, handmade furniture and home wares…A good example would be the Folklore shop look, see below.

Wall hooks from my shop online 

Project by FORM studio | Photos by Bruce Hemming

Apartment in Primrose Hill by Amos Goldreich Architecture

When it comes to interiors, I don't have a defined style, I can either go for something very clean and modern or a more vintage old and eclectic style. Either way, white walls or neutral colours are my must. I am very interested in renovation projects of old properties, I will always be more in favour of rescuing an old property than in building a new one. Even a small simple flat can become a beauty if well renovated.

 

This flat in Primrose Hill has been renovated by Amos Goldreich Architecture studio. A small 60-square metre space has been converted in a practical living space filled with light, contemporary furniture, and added touches of colours by using colourful homewares. You can see the before and after pictures of the project here. How by using quality materials and clever space solutions they have created a beautiful and cosy flat. I like the simplicity of the open layout and the white bespoke furniture units. I can see my range of wooden knobs and bespoke handles being used in projects like this, adding the final touch.

 

Project by Amos Goldreich Architecture | Photos by Rory Gardiner

BACK TO BASICS – LA CASA EN RUINAS

Lanzarote is the land of wind, sun and volcanos, rough, simple, peaceful and incredibly beautiful. Yesterday I was browsing AD online, and I came across this house "Esta casa es una ruina" (this is house is in ruins), and I immediately thought it was in Lanzarote, but no, its in the Azores islands, not far from us (Canary islands) though. I was so taken by its simplicity and beauty, what an amazing restoration job the architects and owners have done to this ruined forgotten house. It has always been a dream of mine to retire to my islands and get involved in a similar project. New buildings do not interest me as much as these old houses build to last and using local materials, still standing proudly after so many years…

Images above from Revista AD online, project renovations by SAMI Arquitectos

Casas cushion, lampshade, botanic print and wall hooks by chocolate creative 

Terrarium by London Terrariums

Photos of Cesar Manrique House and Foundation in Lanzarote

PERFECT PROPORTIONS BY STUDIO ABATON

One of the first things I do when I get to Spain is to buy the interior magazines I don't get to see in the UK. Browsing Spanish title 'Interiores' I came across this beautiful house built and furnished by the Architectural Studio Abaton.

This house, called Casa Oviedo, is a gorgeous example of the projects the studio get to built. Houses with simple and perfect proportions and in tune with its surroundings. Open spaces, filled with light and air, and an interesting mix of vintage furniture that match very well the new pieces. Natural wood, big format photography, white walls, and plenty of space, make up this beautiful house, I wouldn't change a thing, to me it is totally PERFECT. Their portfolio is filled with more amazing houses, interiors and projects, well done Abaton!

Photos by Belen Imaz

CASA DELPIN – CLEVER LIGHTING SOLUTIONS

I am speechless after seeing Casa Delpin, in Puerto Rico in the pages of the Dwell magazine. The renovations of the original house built in the 1940s, were by Fuster architects. They have used the natural light in a very clever way, a true balance between light and shadows. The impressive old features, the floor tiles and the cement structure were kept to create an spectacular open space where outdoor and indoor life come together. I think I have found my ideal space, light, tropical vegetation, open plan, floor tiles, cement, the perfect background for my vintage pieces.

Photos by Raimund Koch

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to myself!!!

Still in Gran Canaria, enjoying working from here. This is been the very first time I have really worked from here, and I can see that regardless where you are, work is work, and the ‘to do list’ is as long as it is when I am in London…the only difference is that when work is done I can go for a walk on the beach or around my town under a blue sunny sky!!

As I said before I am rediscovering my own home town, when going to the capital I feel like a tourist, can’t stop taking photos and admiring the great architecture, only a few of this amazing old houses remind in the island, so it is a privilege to see them!

Well today is my Birthday, won’t say my age haha…so will work for a few more hours and then, will start to prepare for a party I am giving away in my house, first Birthday in the island since I left 12 years ago!!! Makes me very happy to be here and celebrate it with old friends and family, another party awaiting in London haha…

Todavía en Gran Canaria, ésta ha sido la primera véz que he podido trabajar desde aquí, (desde que me fuera hace 12 años), me he dado cuenta que el trabajo es el mismo estando aquí que allá, en Londres, la lista de las cosas que hacer es la misma e interminable…lo único que al final del día me voy a caminar a la playa o bajo un cielo azul y soleado.

Estoy reedescubriendo mi propia isla, me paseo por las calles como una turista, saco fotos y admiro cada esquina. Estas fotos son de edificios antiguos en la capital, solo quedan unos cuantos, así que es todo un placer poder disfrutaros.

Hoy es mi cumple, trabajaré un par de horas más y luego empezaré a preparar una fiestita en casa, con mis amigos/as de siempre y mi family, el primero después de 12 años, así que me hace muy féliz celebrarlo aquí, aunque hay otra fiesta esperandome en Londres…

CASA DECOR 2009

I am trilled to show this photos of this year's Casa Decor 09 exhibition building in Barcelona. What a place! I can't wait to see what the interior firms do with it.

Casa Decor is a unique and innovative approach developed specifically for Interior Designers, Architects , Artists, Designers and Manufacturers to showcase their creative vision.
Already a success in 27 countries throughout the world, Casa Decor is a month long "exhibition with a difference" where a building in a major city is transformed by Interior Designers and Architects, creating an unparelleled marketing opportunity. Here, products, services, leading edge designs and art are presented in real life settings to an audience of Architects, Developers, Suppliers, Hotel Specifiers, The Design Press - and the Public!

I have been lucky enough to assist to a few of Casa Decor events in the past (includind the presentation of the event in London) and can only say that if you like interiors and decoration is the place to be!! I am planning to go to barcelona for this years', running from 12 November-13 December, my friends from Deulonder will be exhibiting there together with many other talented designers. 

Enjoy the empty building photos, I will comeback with some images of this place already done!!

Niemeyer museum in Niteroi, Brazil

Hello from Peckham, I am at home, bored to the limit, (even my cat had enough of me)...Have spent the past week mainly indoors due to a nasty flu, that have kept me away from work and the things I like doing, like the blog, my cushions, the craft fair Kate and me were doing today and have to canceled, etc...I am here trying to get some inspiration going, but my head is not clear and my body is sore all over, so I have spent the past hour looking at my personal photo album, and found this photos from my trip to Brazil a couple of years ago. This is the Niteroi Contemporary art museum in Niteroi, a city outside Rio de Janeiro. I am a big fan of Niemeyer's work, so I couldn't wait to visit this building, but for my surprise it was closed in preparation for a new exhibition, I begged the lady at the reception to let me in, explained I came all the way from London to see it, but wasn't enough to convinced her...Well, at least I enjoyed the outdoors view which I have been told is the best anyway. It is an amazing piece of architecture, surrounded by water and nature. it is quite surrealist to stand next to it, you feel like in a different planet or like in a futuristic movie from the 50's.

Aqui estoy en mi casa, aburrida como una ostra, hasta mi gato esta harto de mi!! He pillado una gripe que me ha dejado parada...aqui estoy intentando hacer cosas, pero la cabeza me da vueltas y el cuerpo me duele, asi que me he pasado la última hora mirando fotos de mi viaje a Brasil.  Soy una gan fan del arquitecto Niemeyer y de su trabajo, y no podia esperar para visitar este museo de Arte Contemporaneo en la cuidad de Niteroi. Estaba cerrado cuando fuí, pero al menos disfruté del exterior, es una pasada!! Es como estar en otro planeta o en una película de ficción de los años 50.

Photos Chocolate Creative