All posts filed under: Travel

Travel for the design-savvy

La Fábrica - at night

La Fábrica – A home you wouldn’t believe existed

Published by Caroline

“We found enormous silos, a tall smoke stack, four kilometers of underground tunnels, machine rooms in good shape… This was in 1973 and it was our first encounter with the Cement Factory.” It sounds like the beginning of a really good story, yet this one is real. La Fábrica, just outside Barcelona, is a Cement Factory turned into a home and studio by architect Ricardo Bofill. It is an ongoing project and will never be finished, but nevertheless the factory has been completely transformed. Read More

Houseboat - the middle floor of the Water Villa

Houseboat living is not my thing, or is it?

Published by Caroline

Being engaged to a former sailor we have naturally had the talk “Is living on a houseboat an option?” because lets face it, the Stockholm housing market has been spiraling out of control and you have to be smart and think outside the box sometimes. However, it has always been a definite NO for me*. That was until I saw the Water Villa in Amsterdam designed by FRAMEWORK Architects & Studio PROTOTYPE. I can totally see myself floating around in this airy and light space divided up into three(!) floors. Read More

Minimalist-Junsei-House

A minimalist house nestled amongst the trees

Published by Caroline

The minimalist Junsei House designed by Suyama Peterson Deguchi has a minimal footprint so that it wouldn’t disturb the surrounding trees. None of which were removed or moved to make way for the house, even taking consideration to their roots. It is a simple home for a simpler life, and was a way for the homeowners to impact their every day life and to learn to live with less. But I think this understanding of less depends on your point of view. The Junsei House offer an abundance of stunning views of nature and has an aura of calmness without being spartan. I think a lot of the home’s warmth is thanks to the use of natural materials in dark and moody colors along with the simple but perfectly placed fire place in the open living space. Read More

Wind House in Bangkok is an architectural gem

Published by Caroline

Wind House is a private residence in Bangkok, designed by Openspace design. The design process started around the question of “How to live comfortably with nature?”. I think this is such an interesting question to start a project with. We either try to keep nature out in our modern homes, or we rather want the opposite: to be more rustic living in the midst of nature. But this question seems to seamlessly combine the two without conflict. It just goes to show how important the beginning and foundation can be for the projects whole outcome.

It was important for the owner to incorporate its surroundings in a resort-like feel as the house sits on the edge of the housing estate project’s boundary. And Openspace design truly delivered a magnificent modern building where nature is ever-present. Just look at the way they used wind to flow through the house as a natural way of cooling it down. And how they’ve managed to keep it a light space without the burning rays of the Thai sun heating it up to boiling point. It not only looks magnificent, it also feels comfortable. Project-brief achieved!

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Designer hotel – the Poli House

Published by Caroline

As we have left Christmas behind us and are looking forward to the year ahead I thought it would be appropriate with a vitamin injection in the form of the color bomb known as the Poli House. I first stumbled across the Poli House on a afternoon walk with my brother. He was visiting us here in Tel Aviv and I had shown him the obligatory Carmel Market when I suddenly saw the Poli House neon Hello sign. I was intrigued and wanted to see more. Read More

Stockholm shopping

Published by Caroline

Stockholm has some interior design shopping gems that are great for being inspired. I love popping in and out of these stores when strolling around town. They are also great for picking up some thoughtful and some times unusual gifts for the holiday season. Here are some of my favorite spots for inspiration and shopping in Stockholm, in alphabetical order, because that’s the way I like it. Read More

Ein Gedi – A lung in the desert

Published by Caroline

By now, you’ve probably figured out that, whilst I’m a city dweller, I love sightseeing in nature! Our trip to the Dead Sea region was no exception. After taking a dip in the Dead Sea, we went on to the national park Ein Gedi. Being a bit tired and not wanting to get overheated in the sun I wasn’t overly excited to go here. But it felt a shame to miss now that we were in the region. And I’m so glad we didn’t miss it! Read More

Moving to the Middle East

Published by Caroline

Ah, it feels good to be back on the blog! Sorry for being all “Quiet on the Western Front” the past month. It is partly due to the fact I just moved to the “Eastern front”, more precisely Tel Aviv, Israel. Maybe not the obvious choice for a Swede, as it is smack, bang in the middle of the Middle East*. But hey, when opportunity comes knocking…

It has been very exciting and I didn’t really know what to expect. Luckily B. picked me up at the airport and swept me off my feet my very first day here. And what a treat I was in for, I thought you might want to tag along! Read More

Formex Sthlm

Published by Caroline

Yesterday was the last day of the Formex fair here in Stockholm. As they say themselves, Formex is the largest meeting place for Nordic interior design. So what does this mean in terms of what is actually on display here? It is mostly interior accessories, not excluding furniture but it is not the main focus, and lifestyle brands, where you can find everything from chocolate covered licorice and table ware to fashion and personal accessories. There is also a kids section, body & bath and floral & garden. Although I walked through most of the fair, I kept mostly to the interior accessories area. Read More