Best of the Best! Top 10 Posts of 2018

The new year is just a few days away and we’re wrapping up our Best of 2018 and 2018 Year in Review posts with the biggest one – the Best of the Best! Top 10 Posts of 2018. That means the most popular and most loved posts from this past year all in one place for you to look back on in case you missed anything or just want a refresher. Curious to find out which post was the #1 post? Read on to find out.

10. IKEA U.S. Launches SPÄNST: An Unexpected Urban Lifestyle Collaboration with Chris Stamp
IKEA U.S. released the limited edition SPÄNST collection that was designed with Los Angeles-based fashion designer Chris Stamp, of West Coast streetwear label, Stampd, that was geared towards the younger, design-driven consumer living an active, urban lifestyle.

9. Kast Launches Collection of Patterned Concrete Basins Called Kast Canvas
British brand Kast Concrete Basins unveiled a series of patterned sink basins called Kast Canvas that explore the possibilities of what concrete can offer with elegant surface patterns.

8. Nest by Airstream: A Modern Fiberglass Travel Trailer
The innovative Nest by Airstream jumpstarted a new era for the recreational vehicle brand focusing on forward-thinking design that optimizes function.

7. 10 Modern Museums You’ll Definitely Want to Visit
If you’re looking to investigate some cool modern museums, we rounded up 10 from around the world that will surely have you wanting to visit.

6. Olympia Ceramica Introduces Vinyl Inspired Bathroom Sinks by Gianluca Paludi
Gianluca Paludi designed Vinyl, a bathroom collection for Olympia Ceramica that’s a mix between 70’s consoles and DJ setups with recessed sink basins that resemble turntables.

5. 11 Modern Home Offices That Will Make You Want to Get Sh#t Done
We searched around to find modern home offices that offered up some inspiration to help get our workspaces in order so we can work at optimum capacity.

4. Modern Laundry Rooms That Will Make Laundry More Fun
We rounded up ten modern laundry rooms that anyone would gladly spend time in even if it meant folding load after load of laundry.

3. The Morpheus Hotel by Zaha Hadid Architects: The World’s First High Rise Exoskeleton
Zaha Hadid Architects has a way of designing buildings so intricate and complex that the photographs look like renderings rather than completed architecture. One of their latest offerings is Morpheus, the flagship hotel for the City of Dreams resort in Macau.

2. A 1950s Micro Apartment Is Renovated for Modern Times
Located in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia, George is a jaw-dropping, 28 square meter micro apartment that was renovated by J-IN with a monochromatic color palette and plenty of storage.

Drumroll, please… And the most popular post of all posts in 2018 is…

1. How Ivy Ross Helped Change Google’s Culture of Design
The Head of Design for Google Hardware extols the tension of opposites, the necessity of exploring 127 samples of gray, and why she loves her Panda phone.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/best-of-the-best-top-10-posts-of-2018/

Best Travel Posts of 2018

In 2018, we traveled around the globe, both virtually and IRL, to check out the best of what the world has to offer outside of our every day. From modern hotels and other vacation rentals to travel guides exploring specific cities, we brought you all kinds of travel ideas you should go back and check out when you have time. But if you prefer a condensed version, you can check out the most popular travel posts from 2018 right now.

10. Nordic Charm Blends with Modern Design at the Ion City Hotel in Reykjavik
Designed by MINARC, the Icon City Hotel features 18 rooms + suites with interiors that make subtle references to Icelandic design.

9. Stay in a Frank Lloyd Wright Home for Your Next Vacation
On HomeAway, you can stay in four of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes that are available to rent in four different states: Hawaii, Michigan, California and Indiana.

8. The Crazy Rich Asians Guide to Design and Architecture in Singapore
A Crazy Rich Asians inspired introduction to the design and architecture of Singapore, by a Singaporean who is neither Crazy Rich nor fully Asian, but who thinks Singaporean design could use more love!

7. Casa Flora: A Boutique Apartment That Makes You Feel like a Resident of Venice
The Romanelli family created a boutique apartment rental, Casa Flora, as a temporary home for design savvy travelers seeking to explore another side of Venice, Italy.

6. The Anthemion House: A Mood Board of Blues, Greens, Natural Woods, and Brass
Anthemion House is a modern hotel in Kavala, Greece that underwent a seven month renovation by Normless Architecture Studio.

5. The Rolling Huts: An Architect’s Alternative Approach to Camping
Designed by Olson Kundig Architects, the Rolling Huts are glamping on a different, design-forward level from the architecture to the minimalist interiors.

4. Take a Retreat to This Scandinavian Modern A-Frame Cabin In The Middle of the Woods
Lokal Hotel’s second location is a high-design vacation home rental out in the middle of woods by the Maurice River in Dorchester, New Jersey, that’s a charmingly overhauled 1960s A-frame cabin.

3. Monochromatic and Minimalist: The Hotel Mono in Singapore
Hotel Mono is a monochromatic boutique hotel designed by Spacedge that’s a minimalist design lover’s dream with the perfect mix of old and new.

2. The Kumaon: A Minimalist Hotel Hidden in the Himalayas Offers More Than Just Incredible Views
Hidden away high above in the Himalayas, The Kumaon is a minimalist hotel designed by architect Pradeep Kodikara and Jineshi Samaraweera of Zowa Architects that offers its guests an unparalleled, immersive experience in nature.

And the most popular travel post of 2018 is…

1. When Tiny Is More Than Enough: The Monocabin in Rhodes, Greece
On an island like Rhodes, Greece, you don’t need much to have the most idyllic vacation of your life, which is why the Monocabin is the perfect place for you to relax, unwind and soak in the scenic beach views this island offers.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/best-travel-posts-of-2018/

Best Architecture Posts of 2018

We’ve trotted around the globe to share the best architecture offerings the world has to offer, from tiny houses to mansions to apartments to hotels. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or you’re just curious to see architecture in other parts of the world, it’s always fun to see how other people live. It’s the end of 2018, which means we’ve seen a lot of visually enticing projects, and now we’re taking a look back to see the most popular.

10. An 11-Foot-Wide Row House in Brooklyn by Office of Architecture
Little House. Big City. is a renovation project by Office of Architecture located in Brooklyn, New York, that’s a row house that spans a mere 11-feet-wide and after years of living with it the way it was, the owners decided to renovate and expand it so they could stay in the neighborhood they’ve grown to love.

9. The Kumaon: A Minimalist Hotel Hidden in the Himalayas Offers More Than Just Incredible Views
Hidden away high above in the Himalayas, The Kumaon is a minimalist hotel designed by architect Pradeep Kodikara and Jineshi Samaraweera of Zowa Architects that offers its guests an unparalleled, immersive experience in nature.

8. A Modern, Monochromatic House in Nir Am, Israel
A modern slash industrial house designed by Zarta Studio, with SHTAIGMAN in charge of the minimalist, monochromatic interiors that incorporate raw materials, like concrete, wood, and metal.

7. When Tiny Is More Than Enough: The Monocabin in Rhodes, Greece
Tiny isn’t often the word you want to describe your vacation rental but at the Monocabin in Rhodes, Greece, tiny is more than enough.

6. Plús Hús Is a 320-Square-Foot Flat-Packed Home by Minarc
Minarc has thrown their hat into the ring with their answer to California’s housing crisis – the Plús Hús – tiny houses that are 16′ x 20′ detached private units that are completely customizable allowing the buyer to use them for personal use or to turn into a rental.

5. Live That Luxe Life in a Shipping Container from Cocoon Modules
Athens, Greece based container architecture startup Cocoon Modules has partnered up with natural mattress brand COCO-MAT to renovate old shipping containers and turn them into ideal modern dwellings for nomads, emergency housing, or people looking for a weekend home.

4. A Cozy Flat in Odessa Designed for a Student by Fateeva Design
Working with just 17.3-square-meters (approx. 186-square-feet), Fateeva Design created the perfect studio apartment for a student in Odessa, Ukraine.

3. Nest by Airstream: A Modern Fiberglass Travel Trailer
The innovative Nest by Airstream jumpstarts a new era for the recreational vehicle brand focusing on forward-thinking design that optimizes function.

2. The Morpheus Hotel by Zaha Hadid Architects: The World’s First High Rise Exoskeleton
The Morpheus hotel in Macau, which is designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is so intricate and complex that the photographs look like renderings rather than completed architecture.

And the most popular architecture post of 2018 is…

1. A 1950s Micro Apartment Is Renovated for Modern Times
Located in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia, George is a 28 square meter micro apartment that was renovated by J-IN with a monochromatic color palette and plenty of storage.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/best-architecture-posts-of-2018/

2018 Year in Review: Design Store(y)

There’s a real ease to online shopping but there’s also something special about stepping into brick-and-mortar stores. Not only do you get to see the products in person, you get to put your money behind businesses you want to support. All year long, we virtually visited smaller, design-focused shops that support hard-to-find brands and up-and-coming designers, which is why we like to share them in our monthly Design Store(y) column. Take a look back at the independent stores we featured throughout 2018.

The Primary Essentials: A One-Stop Shop for Unique, Artisanal Objects
The Primary Essentials is a one-stop shop in Brooklyn that’s the only place you need for finding items for your home that you won’t find easily elsewhere.

Los Angeles’ New Converso Showroom Features Rare and Important Works by Design Icons
Converso opened its first-ever West Coast showroom and the haven for design lovers exhibits one-of-a-kind works by the likes of Isamu Noguchi, Wendell Castle and more.

Knoll Creates a Moroccan-Inspired Showroom for Its Home Design Shop in LA
When Knoll announced that it was opening its first ever Home Design Shop in Los Angeles, we knew we had to fill up the tank and make the drive out to see the store ASAP.

From Coast to Coast: Australia’s Armadillo & Co Makes Its USA Debut in Los Angeles
Australian rug brand Armadillo & Co have now landed closer to home in Los Angeles, making their first ever retail store and showroom debut in the USA.

Discovering Emerging Talents + New Designs from a Shop That’s “not just a shop”
Pioneered by the University of the Arts London (UAL), not just a shop is a unique store that features new design-led products and artwork by student and alumni designers.

Exploring the Future of Workspaces with Work/Space STORY
In a special edition of STORY, Rachel Schechtman collaborated with Blu Dot to create the Work/Space STORY to explore the future of workspaces.

E-Commerce Brands Scratch Their Brick & Mortar Itch with Batch, a New Retail Concept Store
San Francisco-based Batch rotates their store collection every 10-12 weeks, appealing to both e-commerce brands and savvy shoppers.

GARDE Expands to Santa Barbara with a New Concept Store and Boutique Rental
GARDE Summerland is GARDE’S second outpost where you can shop contemporary design and stay the night at a restored 1920s farmhouse.

Melrose Avenue Shapes up with Bend Goods’ First Ever Showroom
Los Angeles’ design district expands even farther east on Melrose Avenue with the opening of Bend Goods’ new showroom and studio space.

Step Inside the Perfectly Curated, Light-Filled Spartan Shop in Portland
Whether you’re visiting it in person or just browsing online, Portland-based Spartan shop is one of those perfectly curated boutique shops that makes you spend hours perusing its collection of objects designed by independent designers and makers.

Still House: A Quietly Beautiful Respite in a Fast-Moving City
Still House is a boutique shop in New York that’s filled with beautiful, purposeful objects that help one to cultivate an intentional lifestyle.

A Commonplace for Everyday Modern Objects
Commonplace is a design-centric store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that curates a collection of ordinary objects that are extraordinary in design.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/2018-year-in-review-design-storey/

Best Friday Five Posts of 2018

In 2018, we asked over 50 designers, architects, artists, and creatives to participate in our Friday Five column, letting them share any five things they choose, whether it’s inspirations, loves, favorites, etc. They all came back with a completely different list, each giving us all insight into their world. Curious to see which 10 creatives were the most popular in 2018? Take a look to find out.

10. Friday Five with Elyse Graham
Los Angeles-based artist and designer Elyse Graham, whose handmade sculptural works are born through experimentation of unusual materials, like plaster and resin, shared five things she loves, including an iconic designer and a cute baby with a cool name.

9. Friday Five with Jean Pelle of PELLE
In 2018’s first Friday Five, Jean Pelle of PELLE told us about five of her favorite things, including a rare car, musician, and a famed NYC restaurant.

8. Friday Five with Daniel Schofield
This Friday Five gets a deeper look into the world of award-winning British designer Daniel Schofield and how he thinks.

7. Friday Five with Philippa Price
For this Friday Five, readers got to enjoy the five things artist Philippa Price loves as we all wait to find out what else she has in store in the future.

6. Friday Five with Karen John
This Friday Five went deep with entrepreneur, Karen John of New York City based Heartwork, to learn what keeps her creative energy at maximum capacity.

5. Friday Five with Debra Folz
Take a look to see where Debra Folz continues to find inspiration that helps drive her work as a successful designer, in this Friday Five.

4. Friday Five with Adele Bates
For this Friday Five, we headed to the (cue Men at Work (SORRY!)) Land Down Under, aka Australia, to check in with Adele Bates, a Melbourne-based director of her eponymous multidisciplinary studio.

3. Friday Five with Lily Kwong
New York City based landscape designer Lily Kwong rounded out our month-long celebration of Women’s History Month with her green picks in this Friday Five.

2. Friday Five with Zoë Pawlak
Montreal-based artist and designer Zoë Pawlak gave us a closer look into her colorful world by sharing five of her favorite things.

And the top Friday Five post of 2018 is…

1. Friday Five with Orlando Soria
Instagram favorite, interior designer, and maker, Orlando Soria, took a break to share why he loves his hometown and why a controversial shoe deserves some love.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/best-friday-five-posts-of-2018/

Best Home Furnishings Posts of 2018

When it comes to home furnishings, we try to show you a little bit of everything, from high-end to low-end, concepts to practical pieces, minimalist to maximalist, you name it, and 2018 was no exception. Now that it’s the end of the year, we’re looking back on the most popular home furnishings posts in case you missed them.

10. Risko Drawing Desk by Digitalab for Viarco
Portuguese pencil manufacturer Viarco partnered with multidisciplinary studio Digitalab on the Risko Drawing Desk designed for drawing, sketching, and painting.

9. Casa Kids Designed a Triple Bunk Bed Packed with Storage for Kids
Brooklyn-based Casa Kids designed a custom triple bunk bed loaded with storage and two staircases to accommodate three siblings in a small NYC room.

8. Peek A Boo Modern Cat Furniture You Can Enjoy, Too
Severus Lian and Hao-Wen Chang designed Peek A Boo, a pair of cat-friendly pieces that both you and your cat can enjoy together or separately.

7. IKEA’s SJÄLVSTÄNDIG Collection Puts the Creativity in Your Hands
IKEA products have long been the inspiration for “hacking” and that’s what sparked the idea behind one of their latest limited edition collections, SJÄLVSTÄNDIG.

6. NEKO: A See-Through Modern Cat Tree by RINN
Japanese brand RINN launched the NEKO cat tree, a modern piece of cat furniture that appears sculptural while providing the perfect spot for your cats.

5. Zip Top Reusable Containers Will Replace Your Disposable Plastic Bags
Zip Top are virtually indestructible, reusable, 100% platinum silicone containers that will let you say goodbye to disposable plastic bags and that cabinet full of mismatched plastic containers and lids.

4. GreenFrame Adds a Window of Greenery Anywhere
Since most people live a window-less work life, Johan Kauppi designed the GreenFrame for Glimakra of Sweden, which is a floor screen that acts as a window filled with plants.

3. IKEA U.S. Launches SPÄNST: An Unexpected Urban Lifestyle Collaboration with Chris Stamp
IKEA U.S. released the limited edition SPÄNST collection designed with Los Angeles based fashion designer Chris Stamp, of West Coast streetwear label, Stampd, that’s geared towards the younger, design-driven consumer living an active, urban lifestyle.

2. Kast Launches Collection of Patterned Concrete Basins Called Kast Canvas
British brand Kast Concrete Basins unveiled a new series of patterned sink basins called Kast Canvas that explore the possibilities of what concrete can offer with elegant surface patterns.

And the most popular home furnishings post of 2018 is…

1. Olympia Ceramica Introduces Vinyl Inspired Bathroom Sinks by Gianluca Paludi
Gianluca Paludi designed Vinyl, a bathroom collection for Olympia Ceramica that’s a mix between 70’s consoles and DJ setups with recessed sink basins that resemble turntables.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/best-home-furnishings-posts-of-2018/

2018 Year in Review: Where I Work

We’re the type of people that are just as interested in the designer as we are the product they designed. There’s something about getting an inside glimpse into their space, how they function, and their design process that makes you appreciate the work that much more. Every month in 2018, we went behind the scenes with some incredible designers and now we’re revisiting them in case you missed any of our Where I Work column.

Where I Work: Hans Bølling at Brdr. Krüger
In this Where I Work, the 86 years young designer Hans Bølling let us into his workshop within the Brdr. Krüger’s offices for a look at his surroundings and his work style.

Where I Work: Rebecca Atwood
This Where I Work visited the Brooklyn studio of Rebecca Atwood, an artist and designer with an ever-expanding arsenal of dreamy textiles, wallpapers, artwork, and a just-launched collection of bedding.

Where I Work: Cristian Zuzunaga
Barcelona-born Cristian Zuzunaga, commonly known for his pixelated home furnishings, shared a look into his showroom in Barcelona and his workshop in his farmhouse in Spain.

Where I Work: Thomas Lykke of OEO Studio
Thomas Lykke is a founding partner, creative director, and head of design at the multidisciplinary OEO Studio and he shared a look at his Copenhagen studio and insight into his work process.

Where I Work: Kiki & Joost
In this Where I Work, Kiki van Eijk and Joost van Bleiswijk, the Dutch designers behind Kiki & Joost, sat down to share a look inside their eclectic studio as well as a glimpse into how they work.

Where I Work: Sarah Yarborough of Raleigh Denim Workshop
Sarah Yarborough, co-founder behind Raleigh Denim Workshop, took us inside the brand’s Raleigh, North Carolina workshop and shared some of her design process.

Where I Work: Matthew Hufft of Hufft
For this Where I Work, principal and co-founder Matthew Hufft, of design firm Hufft, took us inside his world to show us around his office and to give us some insight into how he works and does it all.

Where I Work: Anne Fletcher of HOK
For this edition of Where I Work, we visited Anne Fletcher, AIA, LEED AP, at the Los Angeles office of global architecture firm HOK, to see how and where she gets it all done.

Where I Work: Daniel Arsham
We headed to New York to virtually visit Miami-born artist and designer Daniel Arsham to see how and where he makes it all happen, including the work from his latest exhibition, 3018.

Where I Work: Toby Hextall of MOO
For this Where I Work, Toby Hextall took us inside the London offices for MOO to see where he and his team work on concepting, creating, and delivering the MOO products and packaging we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing.

Where I Work: Sean Woolsey
We headed to sunny Costa Mesa, California to the Sean Woolsey Studio to explore the relatively new space his company calls home and to see how they work.

Where I Work: Zai Divecha
Zai Divecha is a Bay Area native artist based in San Francisco, California, who opened the door to her shared studio space in the Dogpatch neighborhood for a look at her process.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/2018-year-in-review-where-i-work/

Best Skim Milk Posts of 2018

Every week, our minimalism expert, Leo Lei, shares new designs that are perfectly scaled back and void of any adornment. From architecture, interiors, home furnishings, and more, take a look back at the most popular Skim Milk posts of 2018.

10. New Works by Copenhagen-Based Furniture Brand COMMON
COMMON is a new furniture brand based in Copenhagen, Denmark focused on providing high quality furniture at an approachable price using ethical production standards.

9. Beam House by Hugo Kohno Architect Associates
Beam House is a residence located in Tokyo, Japan, designed by Hugo Kohno Architect Associates that’s situated on a narrow lot and houses a gallery on the main floor, and occupies residents on the second and third floors.

8. House in Santarém by Vasco Cabral + Sofia Saraiva
House in Santarém is a minimal weekend retreat located in Santarém, Portugal, designed by Vasco Cabral + Sofia Saraiva, that consists of three functional areas that are clearly delineated.

7. Unfolding Canvas Minimalist Apartment by OFGA
Unfolding Canvas is a minimalist apartment located in PokFuLam, Hong Kong designed by OFGA that redefines the typical norms used when designing a small-space apartment in Hong Kong.

6. Williamsburg Combination by General Assembly
Williamsburg Combination is a renovation project located in Brooklyn, New York, designed by General Assembly who combine two apartments into one.

5. UP Minimalist Kitchen by Lendager Group
UP is a new minimalist Reform kitchen designed by Lendager Group using surplus wood sourced from world-renowned flooring manufacturer Dinesen.

4. In the Neighbourhood – Blue House by Morgwn Rimel
In the Neighbourhood – Blue House is a minimalist space located in North London, United Kingdom, curated and designed by Morgwn Rimel.

3. Apartamento Av. Paulista in São Paulo by Felipe Hess
Apartamento Av. Paulista is a minimal home located in São Paulo, Brazil, designed by Felipe Hess that perfectly culminates the client’s collection of art and furniture.

2. Y Home Minimalist Apartment by Office ZHU
Y Home is a minimalist apartment interior designed by Rotterdam and Shanghai-based architects Office ZHU that enjoys abundant natural light and open living areas.

And the most popular Skim Milk post of 2018 is…

1. House in Minamiyukigaya by Hugo Kohno Architect Associates
House in Minamiyukigaya is a minimal home located in Tokyo, Japan, designed by Hugo Kohno Architect Associates as two independent residences—one for a mother and the other for her son and his family.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/best-skim-milk-posts-of-2018/

Best Interior Design Posts of 2018

Several days a week, we peek inside various homes, offices, restaurants, etc., to see how other people live, work, eat, and to see how their spaces are designed. Just when we think we’ve seen it all, more incredible interiors pop up keeping us inspired and, well, envious. Now, we’re taking a look back to see the most popular interiors that we featured in 2018.

10. A Neutral Color Palette and Glass Elements Transform a Compact 35m2 Apartment
An apartment located in São Paulo’s Santa Cecilia neighborhood may only be 35-square-meters (approx. 376-square-feet), but Estúdio Ela Arquitetura outfitted it with everything one could need without it feeling like too much.

9. Candlefox HQ: A Graphic, Black and White Office in Melbourne
Tom Robertson Architects designed a new home for Candlefox HQ in Melbourne with a graphic, black and white interior dotted with a growing indoor garden.

8. An Imaginative Kindergarten That Will Make Your Kids Love School
Sarit Shani Hay designed the interior of a kindergarten and daycare complex that spans 3,000 square meters of innovative design, bursts of color, and playful vignettes to get the kids excited about school.

7. A Colorful, Vibrant Apartment in Barcelona by CaSA
Located in Born, one of Barcelona’s oldest neighborhoods, this 65-square-meter apartment has a new layout with vaulted ceilings, a playful color scheme, and original details, thanks to Colombo and Serboli Architecture.

6. A Building in Venice Becomes a Converted Loft by Alexander Design
Alexander Design restored and designed a Venice Loft with a monochromatic color palette of greys interspersed with woods, soft textures, and original industrial details.

5. The Pink Zebra: An Eye-Popping Restaurant/Bar Inspired by the Work of Wes Anderson
Decked out in black and white stripes and bubble gum pink, The Pink Zebra, aka Feast India Co., is bound to catch everyone’s eye from a distance, thanks to Renesa Architecture Design Interiors Studio.

4. EV Architects Designs the Striking Interiors of This Lake House in Chyby, Poland
Chyby by a lake is modern lake house in Poland designed by EV Architects that combines white, graphite, and wooden elements for a cozy Scandinavian aesthetic.

3. A Modern, Monochromatic House in Nir Am, Israel
A modern slash industrial house designed by Zarta Studio, with SHTAIGMAN in charge of the minimalist, monochromatic interiors.

2. This Modern Montessori Kindergarten Will Make You Want to Head Back to School
VMDPE Design was tasked with designing IBOBI International Kindergarten, a modern Montessori school for expats living in a residential area of Shenzhen, China.

And the most popular interior design post of 2018 is…

1. A Cozy Flat in Odessa Designed for a Student by Fateeva Design
Working with just 17.3-square-meters (approx. 186-square-feet), Fateeva Design created the perfect studio apartment for a student in Odessa, Ukraine.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/best-interior-design-posts-of-2018/