The G’Day House Is Designed to Feel Like a Modern Beach House

While the G’Day House is located in West Vancouver, Canada, Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses designed it to look like a modern beach house for a relocated Australian family looking to set down roots. They asked for a relaxing home that would help encourage an outdoor lifestyle so equal attention was paid to the design of both the indoor and outdoor spaces.

A fence offers privacy to the street while a reflecting pond adds a natural element to the open terrace. It also makes the house look as if it’s floating above the water.

The cascading walkway leads guests straight to the door, inside to the kitchen, and out to the deck to take in the views.

The open floor plan on the top floor expands out to the deck, doubling the size of primary living spaces. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors disappear as does the separation between inside and out.

Inside, the furnishings are kept casual, reflecting the type of space the homeowners longed for.

Photos by Ema Peter.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/the-gday-house-is-designed-to-feel-like-a-modern-beach-house/

MARK Product and Studiomama Team Up to Launch Loops Furniture

Back in 2012, Nina Tolstrup of Studiomama created a collection of furniture from discarded chairs found on the streets. After lots of work, the freshly born chairs helped take trash off the streets and gave new life to something overlooked. Fast forward to 2017 when Cornish-based furniture brand MARK Product came onboard as a manufacturing partner for a round of dining chairs for a London hotel. They loved the initial series and the dining chairs so they asked Studiomama to expand the range and now they have an entire furniture collection called Loops.

Loops gets its name from both the signature “loops” in each design and the nature of the story behind it – the cycle of new chair to old chair to trash to its new, reimagined chair. The range features lounge furniture –  sofas, chairs, armchairs, and coffee tables – along with dining furniture – benches, stools, and tables – all of which work in contemporary hospitality, commercial, or contract settings.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/mark-product-and-studiomama-team-up-to-launch-loops-furniture/

Fresh From The Dairy: Illustrative Art Prints

Owning an original artwork (the kind that’s hand-painted and numbered) from one of my favorite illustrators is something I have yet to check off my bucket list, but until that day, I can still support them in other ways. I recently found out one of my all-time favorite artists, Marloes De Vries, also sells her work through Society6, which made me realize that many other talented artists and illustrators do as well. Here are some of my favorites:

Hang in There, Baby art print by gemma correll

The Fab Four art print by Andrew Lyons

Mr. Albert art print by brutal moineau

Peter Pan art print by emilydove

Lemon Party art print by emma trithart

Let’s wander offline art print by Marloes De Vries

Party! art print by Judy Kaufmann

What to focus on art print by Marc Johns

In an ongoing effort to support independent artists from around the world, Design Milk is proud to partner with Society6 to offer The Design Milk Dairy, a special collection of Society6 artists’ work curated by Design Milk and our readers. Proceeds from the The Design Milk Dairy help us bring Design Milk to you every day.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/fresh-dairy-illustrative-art-prints/

WantedDesign 2018 Launch Pad Lighting Winner: LALAYA Design

We were proud to be a sponsor of WantedDesign’s 2018 Launch Pad, which was chock full of awesome designs from around the globe. The 2018 Launch Pad jury included Karen Hong, Buyer for Design Within Reach; Giulio Cappellini, Art Director of Italian furniture brand Cappellini, Katie Stamaris, Director of Product Development for Design Within Reach; Giuseppe Butti, CEO, Luceplan and Marva Griffin Wilshire, Curator and International Press Director of Salone Satellite.

This year, Toronto-based LALAYA Design was the lighting winner, a small design studio led by self-taught designer Hanae Baruchel. I spoke with her to hear more about her unique story, and what she loves about experimenting with materials and forms:

I understand that you are self-taught. How did you get started with this technique?

My exploration of concrete started while I was recovering from a traumatic brain injury. So few activities were accessible to me at the time that when I realized working with my hands was something I could sustain for more than 15 minutes per day I got very excited. One of my first projects was a bedside table, which I decided to make out of concrete because the material was readily available, and it was something I felt I could do from my own house. My first try didn’t quite work out the way I wanted it to, so I kept experimenting with the material and pushing the boundaries of what I thought it could handle. Due to my injury, I couldn’t spend any time in front of the computer in the early days so the only kind of research I could do was by trial and error. This means I wasn’t really influenced by what was “supposed” to be feasible or not and this turned out to be a true blessing because it freed me up to be daring in my experiments.

Photo by Alejandra Higuera

What influences the forms you’re using in your work?

It seems to me there are always at least a couple of types of influences at play when I’m creating a new piece. On the one hand, there are the aesthetic sensibilities I grew up with and on the other a strike of inspiration that’s particular to a moment in time. In terms of broad influences, I grew up in a household that admired the works of contemporary artists and designers of all stripes. From Prouvé to Noguchi, Combas to Basquiat, Shirin Neshat to Lynn Chadwick; there is no doubt these masters shape my tastes in subconscious ways. As for what influences me in the moment, the materials I use and their real or imagined limitations have been a constant source of inspiration thus far. I like to surprise people with my work, whether that’s by embracing asymmetries and imperfections or by showing that fragility and strength are really two sides of the same coin. These sorts of ideas, as well as humour and music also end up playing an important role in the final product.

Photo by Jake Sherman

Who is your ideal customer?

Whether it’s a retailer, an architect, an interior designer or an individual my ideal customer is someone who appreciates craftsmanship. Someone who enjoys having a piece that is one-of-a-kind and handmade. I have some real minimalist and “wabi-sabi” tendencies so I wouldn’t be surprised if my ideal customer also did.

Photo by Alejandra Higuera

What kinds of materials and techniques are you using in your work and why? What drew you to concrete in the first place?

Cement and concrete have been the main materials we have worked with so far. In our furniture, we also incorporate accents of maple, mahogany, granite and steel to bring out the sleek and almost luxurious feel of the concrete.

Before starting LALAYA Design, I worked in the world of social entrepreneurship for the first 10 years of my career. As someone who didn’t identify as a designer or maker, I was initially drawn to concrete because it felt like a material I could wrap my head around. But what kept me interested in it was the realization that I could expect a lot more from it then just brute strength. In that sense there were a lot of parallels between my recovery from a traumatic brain injury and the hidden properties of concrete – both were hard, unforgiving and heavy; but, given the chance, beauty and delicate strength would also be revealed. So the relationship to concrete has become a very symbolic and personal one for me. I am hooked.

What were some of the challenges in creating your products and how did you overcome them?

The main challenge in the early days was my own health limitations. I wasn’t really able to work for more than 45 minutes at a time, after which both the concrete and I needed to cure for at least a day.

But as my health improved, the main challenge became the materials themselves. I had to experiment a lot with mix consistency and mold making techniques to create products that were both beautiful and delicate, without being overly fragile or too heavy. I also had trouble at first getting consistent results when trying to replicate a particular piece. The only way to remedy that was to go back to the drawing board, constantly perfecting the prototyping and production processes. Finally, concrete is porous and quite brittle making it difficult to attach anything to it. So I’ve had to find creative solutions like developing my own hardware or new casting methods to create products that will not only be beautiful and functional, but that will also be easy to deliver and assemble.

Hanae Baruchel \\\ Portrait by Alejandra Higuera

Now that you’ve won WantedDesign Launch Pad, what do you plan on doing next?

We spent much of the winter further developing our first collection and now is the time to hit the pavement and develop relationships with potential buyers, including those looking for custom projects. WantedDesign’s Launch Pad was our debut in the U.S. market and we met a lot of great interior designers, architects, retailers and individuals who showed real interest in our work. So of course, I’ll be following up with everyone in the next few weeks and months. We’re also gearing up for a pop-up store at Scavolini’s beautiful new showroom in Toronto where we will be showcasing our work. And of course, we’ll continue to work on new products. Currently, I’m working on a concrete bookshelf with my brother Virgil Baruchel, who is a frequent collaborator at LALAYA Design. And I am also working on a sculpture-like floor lamp version of the SHADOK light we launched at WantedDesign.

Photo by Jake Sherman

Congrats LALAYA Design! See more at lalayadesign.com.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/wanteddesign-2018-launch-pad-lighting-winner-lalaya-design/

Garden and Gun Club by Workstead

Garden and Gun Club is a minimal space located in Atlanta, Georgia, designed by Workstead in collaboration with Garden and Gun. The space is a lively social gathering destination that defines the Southern lifestyle. The project is a daring transition from a magazine to a physical space.

The interior is characterized by an elegant mix of old and new representing the first brick-and-mortar hospitality experience for the publication, inspired by a passion for great food and drink. The club offers an all-day menu that features updated versions of Southern favorites.

Context played an important role in Workstead’s approach, and wanted to transform the magazine’s aesthetic into an environment that respects the brand, the location, and the space. Custom Workstead chandeliers and sconces illuminate the upholstered wall panels and ceilings of the dining room, which is composed mainly of oak and brass.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/garden-gun-club-workstead/

Casa Fantini Lake Time: An Italian Boutique Hotel Inspired by the Slow Pace of the Lake

Italy, with its picturesque landscapes and historic palazzos around every corner, is like a siren’s call for those looking for an idyllic vacation. The allure of such a beautiful country is not lost on most, though, and it can be hard to find a city to visit that’s not completely overrun with tourists during the busy summer months. However, if you travel just an hour outside the popular city of Milan to Lake Orta, you’ll find Casa Fantini Lake Time, a 5-star, 11-suite boutique hotel that combines the beauty of traditional Italian architecture with the breathtaking views of the landscapes at the foothill of the Alps.

Photo by Elisa Piemontesi and Lorenzo Lucca

Italian architect, art director and designer Piero Lissoni of Lissoni Architettura worked with Daniela Fantini, CEO of Fantini Rubinetti, to carry out her vision for this unique hotel which was inspired by the philosophy of lake time, the slow pace of the lake. Since water drives the everyday work of Fantini Rubinetti, it also acted as the guiding element in the design in addition to the natural materials selected. Throughout the site, you’ll find accoya wood, beola stone, and calming hues of blue used to reflect the harmony, culture and spirit of Lake Orta.

When we asked Daniela Fantini for her opinion on how design is changing or shifting the hospitality + travel industry, she responds:

Today design and contemporary architecture are highly instrumental to create and increase new tourism flows both in metropolitan areas and in remarkable locations. They help attract a sophisticated and highly educated clientele on a global scale, who shy away from standardized and loud mass tourism to look for quality, hidden treasures and first-hand experiences in extraordinary surroundings.

Milano, by way of example, has undergone a face lift over the last few years thanks to the ever growing number of design events – from Salone del Mobile to Design Film Festival, from Fashion shows to Arts exhibits – as well as a surge of architectural frenzy. It has now become a top destination much in demand, as opposed to the past when it was mainly a business place.

Casa Fantini Lake Time project follows the trend. Here you can find a rather amazing mix of design, architecture and beautiful scenery. Focus on the environment details and the Lake Time concept – meaning to slow pace, find time to oneself and enjoy the natural splendor- allow the visitor to make unique experiences. I believe the whole Lake Orta region, and not just Pella where there used to be no hotel facility before, will benefit from it.

The property consists of two lakefront buildings that offer five Superior Rooms, four Prestige Rooms and two Suites, all of which have that unforgettable lakeside view. The interiors were meticulously considered to cultivate a serene tranquility and cozy atmosphere similar to the kind you experience when at home.

Guests can mingle in the bar, garden, and swimming pool or take excursions that are selected and handled by Casa Fantini Lake Time, including visits to little-known areas, trips to design museums, gastronomic experiences, food tastings and introductions to local traditions.

Photo by Elisa Piemontesi and Lorenzo Lucca

The 2nd Annual Fantini Design Awards
Architects, designers and building developers can enter the second annual Fantini Design Awards that just opened for entries. Seven projects will be selected as winners by a panel of judges and one representative from each project will receive a 4-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Casa Fantini Lake Time and tour the Fantini factory (also designed by Piero Lissoni). More information on how to enter the competition here.

What: Casa Fantini Lake Time
Where: Piazza Motta angolo Via Roma 2, 28010 Pella (NO), Italy
How much? Rooms start at approximately $381 per night.
Highlights: This magical property combines architectural beauty with natural beauty. Designed by Piero Lissoni, the lakefront boutique hotel offers that ideal respite one looks for when looking for a place to vacation.
Design draw: Casa Fantini Lake Time started as a vision of Daniela Fantini, CEO of Fantini Rubinett. Water plays an integral role at both Casa Fantini Lake Time and at Fantini Rubinetti, so it was used as a central theme throughout the property.
Book it: Visit Casa Fantini Lake Time

All photos, unless otherwise mentioned, by Giovanni Gastel.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/casa-fantini-lake-time-italian-boutique-hotel-inspired-slow-pace-lake/

One of a Kind Ferrari SP38 Unveiled at 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

What you’re looking at here is what happens when one of Ferrari’s “most dedicated customers” has earned enough good will with the Italian automaker to request the Ferrari Design Centre Special Projects dream up something unique for their collection – a truly special automotive design revealed this past weekend in Italy at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

If the Ferrari SP38’s wing spoiler and scaled engine cover awakens inklings of recognition, it might be because the strong angular wedge design is openly in reference of the iconic detailing of the 1980s Ferrari F40 supercar. The one-of-kind car was built upon the modern day chassis and running-gear of the Ferrari 488 GTB as a nod to the last car commissioned by Enzo Ferrari himself, but the result is a muscular modern design that stands on its own as neither a F40 nor a 488 GTB.

Sadly, the single planned public appearance of this sensual expression of Prancing Stallion designs is limited to the shores of Lake Como, Italy before the car disappears into the collection of the unnamed Ferrari top-tier enthusiast. Hopefully elements of the Ferrari SP38 find its way into future designs intended for production numbers beyond a special edition for a single customer, as Ferrari lovers everywhere deserve to see more of this level of effort from the Italian automaker.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/ferrari-sp38-concorso-deleganza-villa-deste/

Best of ICFF 2018: Favorites from Skram, Bernhardt Design, RISD Students, and More

The end of May means the end of ICFF 2018, the yearly exhibition in NYC that fills the Javits Center with row after row of contemporary furnishings. We scoped the aisles in search of some new products and designs and we finally narrowed it down to a manageable number to present as our favorites from this massive show. Take a look.

Rosie Li debuted a new palms-inspired collection of sculptural lighting called Inez, alongside some of her other lighting pieces.

We loved Skram’s Arak Wall Sconce, which is part of an ongoing collaboration with porcelain artist Mimi Logothetis.

AlexAllen Studio presented the Chord Cluster chandelier which features semi-circular lit shapes that resemble the swags you find on crystal chandeliers.

These droplet lights by Atelier Alain Ellouz appear lightweight and delicate despite being made out of alabaster.

Actor and all-around talent, Terry Crews, is back with another fantastic collection of furniture for Bernhardt Design called Elevation.

The new collaboration of Ghislaine Viñas x Empire Collection of rugs brings forth a colorful series of perfectly patterned rugs that are works of art on their own.

Kelly Kim created this Mokumé light after two weeks of research in Japan that “that expresses the Japanese cultural story of “strength behind silence” by bridging craft and design.”

Cecilia Xinyu Zhang showcased the asymmetrical Discrete shelf that combines a series of black frames with clear glass shelves.

Part of the Collective Concept section, The Coast featured playful lighting from their Either/Or collection which required interaction for them to turn on and off.

The Aronson Woodworks booth displayed furniture with their CLAIZE custom finish which helps highlight the grain of the wood while giving it a unique finish.

Oggetti featured this pink tray made from woven galvanized metal.

Icelandic furniture company AGUSTAV created this clever book rack that can hold up to 12 books while it keeps your place in each one.

From RISD furniture design students, the colorful chair on the left is called the Squiggle Chair and it was designed by Talia Connelly and Shaina Tabak out of knitted polyester and nylon, urethane foam, dacron, and steel, while the gray steel and wood Dyget Chair behind it was created by Lisa Darland and Taylor Gray. On the right is Jacob Miller’s Ample which features two access points to reach inside the fabric covered wooden frame to store things.

This is the cozy Mesh lounge chair designed by Krystian Kowalski for MDD which combines upholstered cushions with high-back mesh panels for added comfort and privacy.

And last but not least, Gradual displayed their incredibly cool hanging clocks that show times in a completely new way.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/best-of-icff-2018-favorites-from-skram-bernhardt-design-risd-students-and-more/