Luxurious modern apartment on the Athenian Riviera

I love the big, unobstructed space. The warmth of the wood. The splash of red and copper. And the big glasses, again, no obstructions.

The breathtaking view. That is what you need the big windows for.

Isn't it just perfect? Too perfect, perhaps? I can almost feel the Athenian summer heat and salt in the air.

{All photos: John Deloudis , Athens}

A contemporary home in Athens

The case of the architecture in modern-time Athens is quite a complex one. I am not going to get into the details in this post, but what needs to be said here is that there is a number of styles ranging from the neo-classical, to neo-traditional, to very contemporary and modern. Some of these modern ones are of really good taste, as is the family home I am poesting about, today.

This is the home of Architect Elena Stavropoulou who specialises in bio-climatic architecture, and her young family. It is situated in Nea Filothei, a semi-suburban area in the outskirts of Athens.

The house is designed as one big box where smaller boxes (the sleeping quarters) are housed.

The fireplace divides the living room from the dining room.

The dining room area is adjacent to the kitchen. The table doubles as work surface. Cabinets and storage have been made to measure in order to achieve an uncluttered look.

Above: the dining room/kitchen area. Below left: the stairs leading to the upper floor. Below right: the master bedroom.

The kids' bathroom. The fireplace chimney (on the right) passes through it to provide extra heat.

 The library with the Japanese-style staircase, leading to the roof-garden.

(credit: Maison et Decoration, 3/2010)

What I like about this house is that the eye can stroll around, rest in some decorative objects, but the result is neither busy nor clinical. The combined use of warm and cold materials, give a balanced result, with a comfortable and welcoming feeling. What do you think? Would you like to live in this house?

Logo trends 2009

"...the use of type and text is clearly more critical. Words carry a more concise message. They convey specific rather than generic information".

"Another clear direction is the increased chroma of color. Everywhere, there is a brave use of hue, even in the most unexpected places, such as in the identities of very large and conservative clients".

"The favicon may turn out to be a measuring stick against which the success of any new logo design might be measured - as in, can this logo be made to fit in a 15 x 15-pixel square?"

I am very pleased to say that #1 of the Candy Stripe is Greek, promoting sports in the city of Veroia. Well done, people.

Read more and see more trends here.

Obama+Ikea=Love

Have you ome across the new creative idea Ikea people have come up with? If not, we all have a chance to furnish the Oval Office in contemporary style, using Ikea products. Embrace the feeling he is one of us, affordable style kind of people. Are you, Mr. President?

Here is what I came up with:

A comfortable chair.

Natural wood desk.

A recliner for Michelle.

A pet for relaxation.

A table and stools for the Presidential daughters to play with their American Girl dolls.

A media center, since the President loves technology and wants to be in touch with the real world.

Planty of plants to filter the air.

And an easel to plan the country's future, as well as his family life.

To start playing (feature complete with President feature) click here.

Modern in Bordeaux

A fresh take on modern. What I would call "modern with a soul". No extreme emptiness, here. No pretensions of knowledgeable nothingness. Elements of the past are respected, not ridiculed or distorted.

Well done.
(All pictures from the Greek issue of Casaviva).

Chic recycling

I am not into too much modern, let alone plastic, but this Cascade curtain by Michelle Brand, made from plastic water bottles is really impressive. Standing steadily on traditional floral and crochet motifs, ventures into reusing and recycling in an absolutely successful way.

Happy Yellows

Yellow. Self-centered? Egotistic? Or just warm and happy?

Naif pictures in simple identical frames.
(Image from Hidden in France)

1968 advertisement for Blow Chairs by De Pas, D'Urbino & Lomazzi for Zanotta. The peak of pop culture against a sulphur backgroound of a flowery fence.

Verner Panton for Vitra chair, Kartell table lamp and a beautiful vintage wallpaper. I call this reative stimulation.
(Images from BHMA deco magazine)

TORD BOONTJE

You can see more of Boontje's work here. I particularly like his Midsummer light, a new read of the classic that I love.