Çubuklu Valley is a private residential neighborhood set in a forested area in the northern Bosphorus part of Istanbul: this overshadowing development distinguishes itself for the extreme modernity of the houses it is composed of, a unique peculiarity since for the major part all the other projects in the city have been created using a traditional design styles.
S House is probably truly worthwhile staring at, amongst all these modern showpieces. It has been designed and developed in 2011 by Tanju Özelgin, a well-known Turkish product and interior designer who has been collecting several applauded works during the last twenty years, appreciated especially for the simple and direct approach to space. The overall structure of this house is stunning, harmonious combination between the natural setting and the cosmopolitan lifestyle of its owner.

The house consists of approximately 400 square meters of interior space and 480 of landscape and garden area. According to the sloped area in which it was created, it is developed on three floors: the natural landscape determines the entrance to be at the top floor, dedicated to the owner’s and guests’ bedrooms. The middle floor houses the kitchen, while the ground floor has been designed as a garden floor, a daily living area furnished with electronic equipment, a steam room and a sauna. The final complement is the external garden, which gives the house a (real) natural touch. The predominant colors in the whole structure are neutral, a profusion of a sense of calm and tranquility: white is the predominant pigment, alternated just with some black and grey contrasting elements.
Even if the concept of each floor is independent from the others, the shapes of furnishing and fittings have been specifically chosen for their basic, linear, squared shapes: in this way, harmony and equilibrium are the key element of the whole structure, partially interrupted by the modern conveniences and home technologies. The house seems the perfect oasis where to restore and recover from the chaos of the city.

However, the prerogative of this house pertains to the unique use of natural stone and wood surfaces, which counterbalance the light colors of the house and constitute a penetration of nature in the urban indoor environment, a sort of prosecution of the external garden. This usage is massive in the middle floor, where walls are covered with natural stone tiles. Furthermore, Özelgin has been particularly able to reduce the usage of artificial light through a careful analysis of how to emphasize the natural sunlight with a series of artifices, such as on the top floor, where the dressing cubicle has been located in the middle of the room and enclosed with a light tulle curtain: with this escamotage, the cubicle is lit with the natural sunlight, and the need of artificial light is minimized. A further detail to signal is the presence of sliding doors to separate the different parts of each floor: a quasi-imperceptible separation that gives a sense of endless harmony in the house.

With this authentic monument Özelgin has been able to give vent to his own incredible creativity, drawing inspiration from the surrounding nature: for sure a challenging venture to undertake, but the final result is probably even above any previous expectation.

At times, the words “modern elegance” seem to satirize the object in question; in this case, it’s an understatement. Titled as “Original Chair”, these exuberant Martz Edition‘s designs come in a high number of customizable features. Each has an immaculate scructure comprising of a comforting, nesting area beneath a curved, intimate back.

The sinuous flow of the back stand uniting at the circular base below bestows quirky, futuristic touch to the already extremely elegant silhouette. The chair can be customized according to the needs and wants of the customer: the wood, coming in curved plywood, veneered in, varnished or lacquered, or steel or aluminum to be combined with an infinity of colors, coating and fabrics. Jean-Pierre Martz, with over 25 years of experience in industrial design, created the Made in France company in just 2011.

Supple, simple curves and contemporanity dominate their exuberant designs, and they’ve already got us on the edge.

Avid readers who cling to the book as an endearing physical object will find in this novel book table a functional companion to the cozy hours of the day.

Buchtisch is a multi-functional piece of furniture, carefully tending to both the practical and emotional needs of its users and it is brought to us from German design duo Studio Voigt Dietrich. Hailing from Potsdam, Sebastian Voigt and Franz Dietrich, class of 1984, hold a BA in Product Design from FH Potsdam and have started their studio in 2011.

Made in MDF and beech, the small table is simple yet sophisticated, with clear lines and an elegant contrast between the black surface and the light texture of the wood. This minimalist quality is coupled with an aura of comfort and relax, which add to the value of the design.

A conversation piece in its own right, Buchtisch takes an innovative approach to the book table. It is in fact unexpectedly diamond-shaped, thus departing from the more typical flat level horizontal surface.

In this respect, form does indeed follow function. This unusual but ingenious shape allows for a void space where to store books, its tilted position integrating bookend functionality.  Also, it effortlessly doubles as a larger version of a bookmark to be placed in one’s favorite reading spot. The reader need simply place an open book upside down at its peak to signal her current read or prompt her to reach for a favorite novel, this way replicating the display function which is an homage to the book as a tangible reservoir of the printed word. On one side of it, one still finds a small even surface with enough space to place a few useful items: reading glasses, a pencil for scribbling notes but also the coffee or wine which so often complement the optimal reading experience, building a narrative of coziness and warmth around an otherwise simple and linear object.

On a final note, the choice of beech wood as material is a curious and interesting one. It is in fact from the Old English word for beech, bōc, that the modern term for book derives. The German word for it is Buch with Buche meaning beech tree, and one cannot but appreciate this very appropriate correspondence.

Produced and distributed through Rejon, from which it can pre-ordered by email,  the studio set out to begin a small series of the newly launched Buchtisch, which is at the moment only available in black.

Another great design produced by La Cividina!

I am talking about Aria, the new longue chair designed by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez for La Cividina. It was presented during the famous Salone del Mobile in Milan two weeks ago.

The chair was produced by precisely laser cutting a sheet of steel to create rhombuses that form its main body. The side pieces were then combined with the latter to produce an elegant curve. The exterior is covered with leather, while the interior is finished with matte black paint. There is a very good combination between volume and space, advanced technology and craftsmanship that makes this chair looks magically futuristic. Each design that La Cividina produces is intended to be perfect. Aria is in fact the perfect long chair for either outside or inside your home.

La Cividina was founded in 1976 in Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy). It produces armchairs and sofas with a strong connection to Italian design. Experience, knowledge and passion are at the base of each product and Aria has once again proven it.

Samuele Mazza for Dolcefarniente hit a hot spot with his latest showcase held at the Maison Moschino during Salone del Mobile 2012. The talented designer reached the epitome of refinement and elegance with his newest outdoor collection.

The artist is a long-established guru in the field of design, having successfully made an impact in fashion, accessories’ design and now furniture and interior design. As he fervently explained, for him personally, design is to be made for the sake of art, and not consumerism. The creative process is an intimate one, requiring the same devotion as creating an intricate work of art, with utmost passion and dedication. Each piece is deemed to become something unique, capturing a part of the artist’s mind and soul.

The end result is to become a timeless item, a testimonial. As fashion started moving in a plastic, cult, direction, with items becoming short-lived, disposable, Samuele felt he could not resonate with it anymore, and shifted his focus to unexplored territory. There was a whole new world awaiting to be designed from scratch, and it included colorful,funky shoes, bags, glasses, ties, bras; his imagination met no boundaries in shaping these items just the way he envisioned them. It was fun for a while, it was bohemian and chic, but soon, others got to try it as well, and change caught up with this industry too. The designer felt again suffocated, and at that point, interior design seemed like a natural decision.

Ever since, Mazza has been delivering exceptionally imaginative, intriguing pieces. Always careful with the showcase as well, for this artist, Maison Moschino was definitely the best choice for the exhibition as it allowed for the items to get the deserved attention. The setting provided for a proper illustration of the concept and embellished the features of the furniture.

What happens when shabby chic- inspired shapes meet the deluxe demands of royal- like figures? When Alice in Wonderland furniture clashes with the wants and needs of preppy Moet- drinkers?

The result was an impressive ensemble of the kind of items we would expect new age castle owners to have in their back garden. An eclectic mix of luxurious divans and settees, luscious baldachin beds and petit tea tables is what made the viewers gasp in awe. The minimalist approach in the built only enhanced the straight, gracious lines and the delicate curls of the base. Details were minimal, but their added value was great. For instance, the quirkiest of such details was on one of the divans which had a special support meant to hold a Champagne bottle.

Amongst the thousands of unique pieces exhibited at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2012, held in Milan, there were a few particular items that really stirred our interest. The Limbo chair, designed by the Portuguese team Induflex, made quite an impact on us.

The chair represents a fresh take on the cocoon chair so popular a few years ago. Inspired by the subtle beauty of a budding blossom, this item allows versatility in the way it can be styled and used. There are two ways one can accommodate oneself on the chair, depending on their aesthetic preferences and mood.

Firstly, there’s the choice resembling a bud, with the flaps ‘closed’; this gives the chair a certain edge and a more quirky look. This makes it suitable for posh lounges and high class clubs. It is also this sharpness that made design aficionados fall in love with it at first sight. The second option would be releasing the flaps, allowing the chair to open up, and ‘bloom’, if you may. This way one can more readily notice all the details in the built, the inviting lines. This position radiates coziness and most certainly appeals as an utterly relaxing space to rest. Also, it emanates a friendlier attitude of the sitter, in contrast to the rather closed one illustrated in the previous situation.

The combination of textures, plastic and plush, is perfect for fulfilling the purpose of this piece of furniture. The shiny white plastic makes it look sleek and polished, yielding a deluxe effect. This, combined with the minimalist shape of the base, results in a totally classy, cool look. The luscious plush of the cushion adds the right amount of softness and comfort, making the chair seem inviting and warm.

The act of waiting is rarely pleasant and it’s even less satisfying when it comes to waiting for a diagnosis or a visit. Nevertheless, thanks to an incredible partnership between the Kanazawa College of Art and the Kanazawa Municipal Hospital things will change for the city’s patients to make their wait more comfortable.

The chairs, presented to be used by every in- or outgoing patient, were designed by 18 students enrolled in the Industrial Design Major at the Kanazawa College of Art. The project behind this collaboration, Hospitality Art, has the goal of investigating the therapeutic power of art and design in a usually standardized environment devoid of colours, such as hospitals.

The design process was not only influenced by the designers’ personality and creativity, but also by the real needs of every patient who may be in the waiting room. For that reason the designers had a consultation with doctors, nurses and physiotherapists to get to right design chairs that could improve the quality of the wait.

All these chairs will put the patient at ease making him/her feel more relaxed, healed and harmonized reducing stress and exasperation by being pleased with the functionality and the beauty of their form, color and size.

Yasuaki Matsuura is one of the students participating in this project, his design is called LUX.

The chair with its curvy shape and the stretching material creates a charming and comfy seat. The structure is limited to a simple frame covered with a half pipe of shaped cloth, that will perfectly fit your body to give you a fluctuating comfort.

The simplicity, the anti-gravity feeling and the kind embrace of this chair will make you forget how traditional chairs were made before.

British design studio Splinter Designs was founded in 2005 by designer Jacob Pugh. In his creative workshop, luxury bespoke furniture and pieces for batch production are designed. The studio was initially placed in London, but it was relocated to York in 2011. Hence, there may be a source of inspiration and, subsequently, a name for their recently designed piece of furniture – the ‘York’ lounge chair.

The frame of this chair is made of oak veneered birch plywood. It was CNC machined, and the parts were put together by hand and coated with hard wax oil. The cushions are upholstered with grey woolen material and completed with optional colored buttons. In view of the fact that this chair does not have many details, makes her even more elegant and made with style. Seat and backrest are slightly tilted and with this, the designer has provided comfortable seating. That being said, if you like to lean back in chair – ‘York’ is the right choice. Its simplicity and elegance make it easier for you to combine it in a variety of interiors.

Dimensions: 600w x 795d x 735h