Modern Dream Homes : Artree House by Della Valle Bernheimer

 

When you hear about architects taking inspiration from their surroundings and using the landscape as a catalyst to build something unique and “perfectly” in place in it’s setting- you’re probably hearing about homes lie the Artreehouse in New Fairfield, Connecticut.
Just off Lake Candlewood, the home’s structure came form the observation of trees, while the architect studied everything from the leaf canopies, ring structures, and the dappled light that filters through groups of trees all the way down to how light flows through perforations in various materials; wood, plaster, concrete, etc. Just like a tree canopy, the home’s design was to, in the architect’s words, “float and protect.” 

Hovering near the lake, the home blends into it’s surroundings, with parts of the home jutting out and into the trees, melding the beauty of architecture and land. If you’re inside and ever need a reminder of what a beautiful setting you’re in, they’ve tactfully placed the windows looking over the water, with the sunlight pouring in

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10 Beautiful Contemporary Kitchen Designs by Zaccariotto Cucine

Remodeling season is still here, so we at ChicTip.com have decided to have a daily feature on Kitchen & Bathroom design. We will feature each day either kitchen or bathroom companies to get your creative juices flowing.

Get inspired by one of Italy’s leading high quality manufacturers of bespoke kitchens, Zaccariotto Cucine.

 

Modern Furniture : Hillside by Claesson Koivisto Rune Architects

The Hillside Storage System collection is inspired by contemporary architecture. In many ways today’s architects are trying think outside the ‘box’, bringing in new angles and expressions of form. This contemporary storage furniture range is combining different storage formats together in each unit, new, unexpected and even sculptural furniture silhouettes can be created.

 

The Cube and Dot Tile Collections by Tamer Nakisci and KALE

In our new world of interactivity and customization not all walls are plain, white, or static anymore.  This is 2010 after all, and so there are solutions for those seeking to steer away from the drabness of whitewashed walls revealing nothing.

 

Enter Cube & Dot, a collection of modernist, decorative tile and cabinetry finishes for the digital age. While Cube refers cube inspired textures and decorative polygons, Dot is Cube’s rounded counterpart based on circular design.  Whether you chose cube and dot as the fundamental foundation of your space is up to you.  Either way you will receive a sort of three dimensional canvas either based on the foundation of corners or curves.

From there this collaborative design work from Tamer Nakisci and KALE is completely yours.  In the case of Cube you can add any polygon imaginable to the wall or cabinet surface and in the case of Dot you can add both dots and ring shapes.  Either way, the decals of Cube & Dot vary from subtle greyscale to radiating blues, yellows and reds.  These walls do your bidding in almost any color scheme you can imagine.

What’s best about this customized wall idea is the fact that it’s never permanent.  When teals lose their luster you can change the decal shapes to yellow, making Cube & Dot a simple interactive practice in building a living space that grows, changes, and takes on new life as you do.

Vinyl Rugs by Arsu Firuz

Made of vinyl floor covering, the rugs by Arsu Firuz are ideal for indoor high traffic areas. This new range presents very unique shapes including a highly deformed Holbein rug, and Soufi, a flower-like rug made of 8 separate rugs which can be put together to create a flower or can be used separately. The thinness and the bright colors of the rugs make this product an ideal decorative surface which can be attractive in any space

Modern Dream Homes : Xeros by Blank Studio Architecture

 

There’s something about the reddish tones of the Arizona desert, the mountains turning almost purple with the setting sun.  Its seductive in its own right, but the most rewarding homes are those that combine the things people love about the desert with cool respite. Introducing The Xeros Residence, named after the Greek word for “dry.”  The 2,250 square foot home projects the desert’s aesthetic on the outside and provides cool sanctuary indoors.

 

The overall design of the home brings to light a play on the original musings of Le Corbusier.  The modern structure stands with an iconic steel construction that has over time, taken on uneven variations of rusty colored detail.  Floor to ceiling windows illuminate city views to the south and reveal an undisturbed mountain preserve to the north.

 

External layers of woven metal shade mesh shield the home from the sun, saving on energy consumption to keep the home cool.  A water feature and reflecting pool act as an oasis in the desert, and two enclosed outdoor seating areas allow residents and guests to connect to the outdoor world without having to experience the 110 degree blazing sun.

 

The lower level of the Xeros Residence is a single level living space, while the upper level serves as a work studio space accessible by a custom rolled spiral staircase made of steel.

 

Everything cool, modern detail of the interior contracts the warm exterior, from the from the steel appliances to the Philippe Starck Duravit fixtures and the smooth concrete surfaces.  All said and done, Xeros combines elements of a tree house with those of a periscope, creating a living experience optimal for its surroundings.

 

Stunning Contemporary Bathroom Designs by Mastella Design

Remodeling season is still here, so we at ChicTip.com have decided to have a daily feature on Kitchen & Bathroom design. We will feature each day either kitchen or bathroom companies to get your creative juices flowing.

Mastella Design is the new brand which Mastella S.r.l., a company operating in the bathroom furnishing sector for over 25 years, dedicates to its top collections: high-fashion design products that blend creativity, quality and functionality. A perfect mix obtained from the pens of affirmed designers coordinated by the experience and creative taste of the company’s founder, Antonio Mastella, who demands the use of fine materials and precise attention to detail in all his collections, to give life to products with a refined unmistakeable style.

Un Lion a Paris: Charming Illustrations from Beatrice Alemagna

From an outsider's perspective, it seems like children's book illustrators don't get as much respect in the art world as they deserve. Not only do they capture the forever-chased after imagination of childhood, they're also responsible for some of the most iconic images in our memories. There are few books that have developed my creativity the way some of my very first books did -- think about