Shaft House, Toronto, Canada, by Urbanscape Group
February 28, 2011
Urbanscape Group, based in Toronto, Canada, is a young, multi-disciplinary design and consulting firm which focuses largely on contemporary design for multi-unit residential, private residential projects, commercial buildings, and corporate interiors. One of their most characteristic and recent projects is the Shaft House, built in 2010 in Toronto, Canada.
Designed by Urbanscape Group partner Ali Malek-Zadeh and Reza Aliabadi—OAA of atelier rzlbd, Shaft House is a modern infill 2 ½ storey detached single family home. Shaft House is so called because the design revolves around a central skylight that opens to every level—flooding the home with natural sunlight—resulting a light and airy spacious feeling. The shaft of light coming from the southern exposure, cleverly divides the public and private areas of the house, with the northern side of the house reserved for bedrooms which employs a shading system on the street side of the residence to enhance privacy. The home can easily be configured for 2 or 3 bedrooms.
Only 16-feet wide, the building reminded me immediately of similar projects built in the Netherlands, where narrow front land plots are a normal thing and space is at a minimum. The masterful arrangement of the floor-plan defines the building and manages to cover all aspects of it’s owners life while at the same time following both the aesthetic of the architects and the planning laws of the area.
The architects used basic materials: rusted steel, aluminum, and untreated wood. They are more sustainable than those used traditionally in the area like brick, shingle, and stone. The reason behind their choice is because less production energy as well as embedded energy in transportation is required for these. And their aging process makes the building blend even better with the surrounding area.
Shaft House is using low-cost building strategies to encourage the potentiality of urban-regeneration and aesthetic rejuvenation. And although it does come as a bit different than the neighbouring buildings, it still is a part of the total area with its materials and building techniques used. It manages to create an economically efficient, sustainable and responsive housing design through function and innovation.
How to: Find Your Style
February 28, 2011
Confession: working in the interior design industry doesn’t automatically mean you are in tune with your own tastes when it comes to interiors. If you ever struggle with figuring out what it is that you even like or ever find yourself purchasing items and then getting home and wondering “why did I buy this?!” this post is for you.
Look around you First take a visual inventory of what’s already around you. Which furniture pieces do you love the most? Why? Figure out the specific elements to the pieces you see in your home that you love and make an actual list to take with you when shopping.
The magazine game Find as many shelter mags as possible and start looking and pulling: as you flip through the pages just tear out images as they immediately grab you. After you’ve gathered a good pile analyze the images to see what they have in common. You’ll likely discover a style they all have in common.
Envy a friend Do you have a friend’s home that you love the style of? There’s a good chance they have a similar style…you two have a lot in common already, after all. Consider grilling them about their tastes to see if you discover anything about your own.
Let it grow Trust your gut. Don’t try to furnish your entire home at once. Let your style evolve into itself by just letting it happen. Read lots of blogs. Oh, and you can probably never go wrong by buying something from 2Modern.
3 Related posts:
How to: Start
How to: Make an Inspiration Board
DIY: Color Palette Inspiration Ideas
Images: Flickr members rogue-designs and marysecasol.com
Trend furniture 2009: Fashion furniture for home interior
February 28, 2011
Likewise with the interior order of your house. The seat currently not only wood was four-footed to sit. More than that, the seat could become one fashion statement for the owner of the house. Its color no longer is brown, but varies began to be white plain, red aggressive, to black and masculine. Its form not only the box. Round, oval, in fact was full of the hollow. Rarely was not added by the motive, carved, or embellishment to make the seat more than only a seat. Yes, the seat currently not only house accessories, but one fashion furniture that carried the symbol of the status over its shoulder. And fashion furniture was predicted to be trend furniture 2009.
Many businessmen furniture adapted the interior product to something that had added value. Furniture was changed into the commodity mode. Trend fashion newest was injected inside, composed the new aroma that like that attracted. The designers worked extraverts. Not only composed the line of newest clothes during the forthcoming season, also the series furniture that elegant. Trend fashion that was fast changed, headed in the style furniture that tended conservative. Currently classic only became alternative. It was heterogeneous that the choice was present for the lover furniture, modern, minimalist, futuristic, romantic, through to vintage all was available. Showroom him then followed the line trend that was valid, was organized in accordance with the middle style hype at this time. Because of this, natural when emerging the names like Versace Home, Fendi Casa, and Kenzo Maison.
Giorgio Armani in fact had the hotel with the interior order that was matched with his plan. Calvin Klein then had the line of the interior and home ware personal. Even so with Polo of Ralph Lauren that carried the style sport-contemporary. Fashion furniture still it was considered something that was new, this fashion furniture still not was felt. However, has been gotten by several furniture house that offered these products. One of them of Da Vinci. Produced the Da Vinci Luxury line, the company that stood while 15 years tried to give the new breath to the world furniture. Brand fashion furniture famous filled the area of the Da Vinci Luxury boutique. Cerrutti, Henredon, Colombostile, Kenzo Maison, Fendi Casa, Versace Home, and IPE Cavalli could become expenses heaven for the lovers furniture. Here only was not offered furniture had a quality, also that could mixed with the wish the buyer.
Proudly we introduced Da Vinci Luxury as the most complete boutique to fine-furniture for the customer that loved furniture trapped. This collection also inspired by high fashion that became the now lifestyle. That was seen from the boutique that was designed in the style of showroom one of the designer’s boutiques of the upper plank. Luxurious and personal nuances always were created that at the same time became the appearance reflection of labels that were represented by Da Vinci Luxury. The collection furniture newest brand from Italia this was dominated by three solid colors, white, black, and red, became the reflection of three eternal colors in the young world. The construction that was offered then was not in standard furniture. The seat had the shape of the egg, cupboard asymmetric with the oriental motive accent, or the seat accent the thorn became the special story when being placed in the room.
Audio video make elegant home interior
February 28, 2011
Equipment audio-video that was increasingly sophisticated made the lounge room to be increasingly lovely. The activity was even varying. Its name also the center of the activity, to the lounge room was placed accessories and equipment that enabled the activity to take place. From the side furniture, there most was not furniture sat (the seat or the sofa) and the table to place the light guest plate and the magazine. That did not lose important, this space was in general supplemented with entertainment equipment, minimum equipment audio-video. As being raised in the beginning of this insertion, equipment audio video was classified as the category brown goods. Initially, this equipment was because of the wish. Minimal, in the lounge room was gotten a television. The tube kind or LCD, the flat screen or not, depended the capacity of the owner of the house. However, that was ordinary happened, just as the owner of the house could buy television with the certain standard, then generally they always wanted to receive or buy television that used newest technology. The Flat-case units can contain DVD, CD, books, iPod and other electronics. When beside the Media-case, Flat-case units are predisposed, on the free side, with a special space for the loud speaker. There were also those who wanted to add equipment audio. Be born afterwards a doll house cinema. Equipment that were used, moreover if not television or the projector to put forward the picture, equipment tuning the video, and equipment audio. All this was with the aim of spoiling itself in the house personally.
Multifunction shower with modern style
February 27, 2011
Multifunction shower had modern classic form air details straightaway pulled the eyes. Multifunction shower already including the round stem that was enchanting in the stainless steel shone that carried out preparations to some of the normally, The reform continued in small space beautiful crystal glasses were the luxurious novel to relax and refresh you. Went in the 90 x 90 x 215 cm unity and you will find hydro the choice massage, the characteristics bathed Turkish, the head of shower that was big and the column massage vertical that could be tuned gushed out. Rather practical also was found by being put by him the storage shelf. Be suitable for the installation.
From The Outside The multifunction shower emerged ultra-modern, with smoothed-from monopolized the resilience the view was abnormal. The door to the corner of the arch that was big in 6mm glasses left you alone into the spacious interior the place with many different novels. Unity of multifunction shower had 6/12 the jet of the whirlpool, the waterfall, the choice bathed Turkish and the head of shower. Also, you could relax with the color and good put in the module. There was the seat that was formed ergonomically and plenty of spaces for matters that were necessary on the big accessories shelf. Contemporary shower that sparkled for any bathroom.
This revolutionary person multifunction shower was the health and wellness the profit through water, good, the light and the color. In an amazing manner, had a slender body Hydrocarbon also saved water, gave the level of the tone of the fullness programmers with the current totaling only 12 liter/very small in 3 bars (the high pressure). Three chrome programmers therapy, respectively remained less than 2 minutes could be repeated often as you liked to receive the profit maximum. For example, ‘Wellness’ collect in the public balanced and became good, ‘Anti-Aging’ was renewed and most was recommended before the busy day, and finally, ‘Play Bath’ told the color according to the rainbow to increase our natural understanding optimism. In cold season months dark important got enough lights, and Hydro some refreshed the livestock that was finished for some of your everyday routine. You could also simply chose one color and enjoyed the spectrum of the warm color to stimulate and the cool spectrum to slow down us.
Christmas accessories to decorate home interior
February 27, 2011
Christmas celebration was just celebrated every time gazed at the year end, but many plans that a long time ago could be prepared. One of them was to decorate the house in accordance with the Christmas theme. In torque that was exact for you gathered with the family and dearest people, the atmosphere arrangement that was comfortable and cheerful will to the interior of the dwelling cause the deep impression to each one of the family’s members. The appropriate room was organized to welcome Christmas was the sitting room and the dining room. For his furniture sitting room was even better that was just functional like the sofa and single chair. Likewise for the room ate. You were enough to place the decoration that his characteristics were flexible, so as if Christmas passed by then the display to this room continued to be used. The method created the Christmas atmosphere that was more impressive. Several methods that could be carried out to create the Christmas atmosphere in the house.
1. Color
The element of the color that could give purity was clear colors, created the warm impression and familiarity by applying the minor color like red, orange, or yellow. To Christmas usually the dominant color is the red and green color. However if you want to braver to create, not there is mistakenly to try the color of the new blend like blue or purple that was combined with sparkling colors or silver. You could then make one color that was dominant to the room, afterward repeated consistently so as to become the main theme of your room.
2. Accessory
Normal accessories were used as the Christmas decoration could take the form of the decoration was suspended, the Christmas circle, the hanging to the ceiling, gold balls, the hanging of socks, dolls like Saint Klaus, Rudolf the Red Nose, and Frosty the Snowman. The presence of the decoration took the form of the hat Saint then could create Christmas purity.
3.The Christmas tree
For the clear tree that was used not exclusively must take the form of the casuarinas. You could create used the dry twig that was arranged and placed in the corner of the room. Add the decoration and sparkling complexities or small wood dolls so as to appear more interesting. The Christmas tree must not just, the tree that has been used last year and was not yet broken also could be still being used.
4. Dining room complexities & sitting room
You could place various complexities to the sitting room and the dining room. Like teapot ceramics or colored glasses glasses with the color that was matched the theme of the room. The similar table tablecloth and various balls and sparkling beads that were placed in the glasses cup then will increasingly reinforce the theme of the room.
5. The illumination
For the illumination that was used, chose that helped created the dramatic and romantic atmosphere. One of the alternatives to his choice was the candle. Better choose the color of the candle that in accordance with the theme of the room. Use the illumination that was warm to give the friendly impression. When enabled again better for was maximized by you the natural light by making the aperture or the big window.
6. Flower
The series of the colored lily flower white and the other luxuriant flower could also decorate the guest table. Did not miss the series of the round flower that adhered to the door.
Focal point make elegant our room interior
February 26, 2011
The existence focal point (the attention point), made feature the room was more interesting. It was curious that the fast method created focal point? One of the instructions feature space to more interesting was created focal point. The form focal point could various things. Beginning with placed artwork had an unique design, applied the game of the mirror, or played with the color. If wanting to play with the color, applied clear and warm colors to the room to create the attention point. One of the popular colors and could change feature the room instantly was red. Anywhere you placed the red, he can steal attention. The color that was meant not only the color of room, but also the color of accessories or furniture that was used.
Saw the photograph of the living room above. A pair single the sofa was red to the attention point for this lounge room. Its existence could steal attention anyone who entered this room. Although a little, application clear colors, like red, could change feature the room. Apart from applying him in furniture, the color could be applied in the element of space like the wall. Might not paint all the wall with the clear color. Be enough to apply this clear color to one wall field. Be one focal point in your room. In no way was difficult, would?
If your room was dominated by the white color or beige, the clear color anything could become focal point. It is another matter, if your room has been dominated by the clear color beforehand. Then you must pay attention to the blend of his color. So also if you wanted to add accessories. Better pay attention to the concept combination the exact color. The method most was easy, paid attention to the color “leading thread” of the room. The color of the contrast could be utilized as focal point, but paid attention to the proportion and his appointment. Lest the existence of the color of this contrast even damaged the layout.
Create the large Apartment by eliminating the room partition
February 26, 2011
Create the area impression in Apartment by eliminating the partition room in apartment. Two spaces room were different the function could get wide. The simple apartment had the range of the building of the area between 27m²-48m². Because of this, the apartment needed the conscientious layout, so that occupants continue to feel comfortable activities inside. Many ideas could be applied to organize the interior of the apartment. This idea usually more often aims at maximizing the use of the land. One of the methods that could be carried out was by processing the design furniture. To the dwelling with the crowded land, better you used many furniture multifunctional. The use of the mirror could be as one of the methods of widening space, also applied.
One matter more that could be done by you to investigate the crowded room, avoided used the partition of the room. The existence of the partition of the room will make the room, that indeed has been narrow, be felt increasingly narrow. Many people installed the partition as the arbiter between the public’s space and other space. In fact we continue to be able to how come separated space, without must use the partition (the partition). His method by making the distribution of more flexible space (smooth). Please saw the photograph above. The living room, that at the same time had a function of as the sitting room, being allowed to the kitchen. The room whole had the measurement approximately 2,5mx4m. The kitchen occupied the measuring land 2,5mx2,1m. The rest of them were used as the living room.
Despite without the partition, in fact continued to be gotten by the separation between the lounge room and the kitchen. The appointment of the bar table (breakfast table) between the lounge room and the kitchen, functioned also as the partition. We did not realize the existence of the separation of room, because we not assumes the bar table as the partition, but as the dining table. Still had the other method. Please pay attention to again the photograph above. There were those who was different from the wall of the room. To the lounge room, was gotten the mirror that covered one of the surfaces of his wall. Nevertheless his matter with in the kitchen.
The mirror fitting like in this photograph had two functions. Firstly, of course to give the area impression to the room. Secondly, created the difference between the wall of the lounge room and the kitchen. The existence of the difference in the wall, also could become the method divided space without using the partition. Apart from using the mirror, And You Too could create the difference in the wall with application the different color
Mirror wash basin as the element decorative in bathroom
February 25, 2011
When you wanted to make bathroom apparently elegant and the area then decorated the bathroom with the mirror, the mirror often was lost or forgotten in the bathroom that to illustrate. The mirror in the bathroom can functioned as the decorator in the bathroom If you had the arrogant mirror in choose the mirror as element decorative bathroom .Many factor that must in considered for example the form of the kind, and the style from the mirror. Choose an item from your shower curtain or wall border or a beautiful flower border that complements your design. This idea demanded to know how much space you have in the mirror and objects, including lighting equipment, mounted around or above him before deciding on the type of frame you want. if you have plenty of space around the sides of your mirror, you can mount the shutters to give the room an adventure, spring window feeling. Another view mirror for your bathroom is to finish it with curtains. . For a light, airy look floral skirt or lace at the top with a rod hidden. For a more dramatic look a rich fabric drape on a heavy rod and the decoration from the left side of the mirror in the development of elegance. For a more dramatic look a rich fabric drape on a heavy rod and the decoration from the left side of the mirror in the development of elegance. Again, the sky is the limit with this idea. Keep in mind that, because of moisture in a bathroom, the fabric May need to be washed more often than your living room curtains.
Pillow make beauty room interior
February 25, 2011
Beautified the room, not always with the high budget. Please place several pillows. You could change mood the room, without often went out money. After for quite a long time occupied a house, often emerged the bored feeling. Everything saw the same room arrangement from time to time. Many methods could be carried out to change the atmosphere of space. You could add several accessories, in place of furniture, or painted repeated furniture and the room. In place of furniture old with that just, certainly demanded the availability of the high cost. So also if wanting to buy various accessories to decorate the room. How if your budget was limited?
With the Pillow beautified room interior. These sleepers with the colored pillowcase attractive. Although his measurement was small, but the existence of the pillow could become change mood the room. For example, tried to place the colored pillow red, yellow, or orange to the room that was dominated by the white color. The touch of clear colors from the sleeper certainly could become the prominent accent to the room. No need to have a headache, you really bought several pillow. Not only as the accent, clear colors could also give the impression more “lived” to the room. The touch of colors from the pillow also changed the room, that originally appeared boring, became more interesting. Many alternatives to the method placed the cute soft this. You could compile him in the sofa, placed him as the support in single chair, only put it on the carpet.
Used the pillow, apart from could play with the color, And You Too could play with the form, the measurement, and the motive. So, you could be free to express your character with these pillows. Don’t be frightened of playing the motive and the color, that were important adapted with the theme of your interior arrangement.
