Sunday, November 27, 2011

My Very First Project: OFM, Mattrah, Oman

Just a year after graduating from university, Khulood Sultan and I have been given the amazing opportunity to design the sub-office for Oman Flour Mills that is situated in Mattrah. I am not going to bore you with all the details on how strenuous the journey was for both of us as we both lacked the experience, however, we managed to pull through over the long haul.
The client had specifically requested a very modernistic design, something different and new. Of course we noted that down, but we knew that it was also important to generate a space that radiates a sense of freshness to keep the staff going strong throughout the long working hours of the day. The space is quite small so we had to ensure that the right materials were picked to make the best use of the place, therefore a lot of glass has been used, we also picked neutral colors for the walls that went perfectly well with our choice of walnut laminate for the floor. And a big thanks to the client who allowed us to customize some of the furniture. The highlight of the space for me would have to be the ceiling design, we were inspired by their logo and designed a stylized version of it. Check it out!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thursday, November 24, 2011

The Home of Jimmy Choo Founder, Tamara Mellon

If you are a religious Harper's Bazaar reader then you are familiar with the images below. Tamara Mellon's home has been featured in the magazine just over a year ago and I just had to include it in my blog as it is one of my favorite celebrity homes. The interiors are a combination of many styles that altogether project her 'signature look'; rich, provocative and chic. Most women envy her for the pairs of shoes she possesses, whereas I envy her for the glamourous roof over her head.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Great Find: Painter Kathe Fraga

Almost every other day I am reminded why I love twitter and today just happens to be one of those days as I just discovered Kathe Fraga, an extremely talented artist that paints with passion, portraying a timeless look and feel in each of her oh so beautiful paintings, she has undeniably wooed me. I have always been in awe of the timeworn concept, especially here with Fraga's use of rich colors merged with different patterns, her artwork is so personal that it emanates that soothing and warm feel, which is exactly what makes it a lot more attractive to my eyes.
"My art is influenced by the beauty and romance of old: vintage silky kimonos, hand-worked embroidery, lacquered little boxes, blocked wallpaper and panels from years ago, distressed with age, revealing a soft loveliness still…viewers see layered colors peeking out behind one another—pinks, blues, lavender—speckles of gold, a wisp of a faded blossom. Look for a small shy heart. A nestle of lovebirds. A French phrase. Each piece meant to be seen as part of a larger scene that’s been hidden away…until now."
I have selected my favorite pieces, check them out.



'That Soft Summer Day When You First Said Hello'

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The House of Tales, Portugal

Boutique Hotel Casa do Conto by Pedra Liquida is undoubtedly one of a kind that has to be shared.
"Casa do Conto embodies a unique story of life, which is, after all, the history of the city itself. The House highlights Oporto’s XIX century domestic architecture, solemn and vertical, carved by the scars of a time that mediates its decline and rebirth, the memory of the past and the desire for the future, the granite stone of the old facades and the new concrete of staircases and ceilings. It is, indeed, a kind of “fossil architecture” that comes to life."
The most significant part of this hotel would have to be the typography on the ceilings, making it all the more solitary. The subtle colors and concrete material may not be everyone's taste in ambience, however the space still gives off a relaxing tone. If it were up to me I would have defnitely added more color to glamour the place up a little bit.