Design Escandinavo.

A casa é sem dúvida o reflexo da nossa intimidade. É nela que somos nós próprios, sem tirar nem pôr, sozinhos ou em companhia.

Na última década começamos a dar-lhe mais importância. As cores que escolhemos, a marca do sofá e o algodão do lençol começou a ser assunto mais presente nas conversas entre amigos e família. 

Penso que isso se deve ao facto de passarmos mais tempo em casa. Damos mais jantares entre amigos, trabalhamos de casa e a vida social acalma. Portanto, este nosso palco íntimo passa a ser prioridade no nosso dia-a-dia.

Os Escandinavos sempre deram muita importância à casa. E não tenho dúvida que é exactamente pelo facto de passarem imensas horas indoors. A falta de Sol não convida a andar pelas ruas, como nos convida a nós Lusitanos. Claro, que também se deve ao facto de darem importância a outras coisas que nós não damos, mas isso ficará para outro post. Agora fixemo-nos na casa. 

Eu diria que o design nórdico resume-se (ou desenvolve-se, depende do ponto de vista) pelo branco que traz a luz, as madeiras o calor e as linhas simples a calma. 

Na Hansen & Co, uma pequena loja de objectos para a casa em Kristiansand, encontram-se estas peças lindas 100% Escandinavas que mais ou menos vão ao encontro daquilo que acredito ser a base do deste estilo.

O que é que comprariam para o vosso espaço? Apostariam no branco ou nas madeiras? 

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Conran | Paris, Rue du Bac.

Conran is probably one of my favorite shops in the design business. Love the contemporary and relaxed approach to design and decoration.

Every time I visit one, I always feel the idea "design is not an option, it's the only choice you have" and I must say, I love it!

I love to watch people checking furniture out. Sometimes crazy questions pop up yet quite pertinent when you think about them. We all have different life choices and different habits, therefore furniture different needs. 

Plates are the new paintings. Glassy finish the only option. 

Huge coffee tables in wood finish is all you need at home. Your home parties appreciate. 

Light wood is the new black.

When working at home is the option for many of us, a good desk and chair are the key for success. Though a lamp by Studio Ilse is the key for happiness. 

White and silver plates on the wall to recall our grandmothers' home.

A great shelving unit, but if books are the main decoration, forget it. Not an option.

White on white.

More plates. More walls. More colour. 

French(iness)  

The right touch if you're in a country mood.

I've always loved everything about laundry, specially the smell of washed bed linen.

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A Bathroom To Wish For.

Yesterday I started flat hunting. It's indeed an adventure. As you can imagine I came across to funny things. I went to see in loco two houses: loved them both for different reasons. The first one totally caught my heart because of its kitchen. Small, organised and extremely cute. I can imagine myself cooking "fricassé chicken" there.
The second one was tatally gorgeous. An eclectic huge flat, styled with contemporary and baroque details to die for with a bohemian twist and amazing pictures on the walls (I'll try to convince the owner to shot it to post it here. You'll gonna love it).

Today I did a bit web search. Oh my! I felt connection with any of them. The reason for that is only one, actually two: the most horrendous kitchen and bathroom I've ever seen! I can't even describe.

Of course it is difficult to find a flat, specially if you are looking for renting like I am right now, but who the hell can live in a house with ugly kitchen and bathroom?

Even though some people say bathroom don't matter, it's a secondary space in the house, I totally disagree. It must to be harmonious, bright and fresh. it has do feel as if you're in the most comfy space on earth, like a bedroom, a living room or a five star SPA in Bali. It needs to be inviting, don't you think?

Well, this one right here would definitely make me sign a contract in a second with no questions asked.

Picture via 79 Ideas

Any advise on house hunting? Please share. Thank you.

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Bathroom Decorating Ideas

Decorating a bathroom can be as simple as putting up a new shower curtain or as complicated as a complete renovation. No matter how in-depth your bathroom redecorating project will be, it is an excellent time to give the bathroom a good scrubbing, clean out the medicine cabinet and replace worn-out towels.
Luckily, the bathroom is the smallest room in most houses, so decorating it is a quick weekend project that can yield results you can enjoy immediately.

Colors and Paint

Choose a bright, cheerful color of paint for the bathroom, as it will reflect light better, making it easier to see when shaving or putting on makeup. This is especially important if the bathroom has no natural light.
Choose a color for the trim that matches the shade of white of the tub and toilet. This will bring the room together and make it look planned and finished.
Ask for paint designed specifically for bathrooms, which is formulated to stand up to moisture and is less likely to grow mold or begin to peel.

Storage Solutions

Never store cleaning or styling products in the cabinets under the sink if there are children in the house. Instead, use this space for towels and wash cloths and move products a child could swallow somewhere else.
Installing a small shelf above the sink creates extra space for things that need to be kept nearby, such as razors and toothbrushes. This trick is useful if the bathroom has little counter space.
Look for storage baskets that fit on the back of or on the floor next to the toilet to store smaller items, such as an extra roll of toilet paper and magazines.
Consider installing another shelf and lining it with small baskets to store lotions, hairbrushes and other odds and ends, organizing them by category or by family member. This will reduce bathroom clutter and improve the look of the space.

Shower Curtains and Details

Choose any shower curtain that makes you smile, as a change in the shower curtain makes the entire bathroom look new. In fact, it is a particularly good option if you can't afford to completely redecorate the bathroom.
Hang framed art on the walls, choosing a theme that matches the styles and colors of your bathroom.
Changing the hardware also gives the room an immediate face-lift, so find new doorknobs, towel racks and cabinet handles.
This is also a good time to make sure that everything in the room is baby-proof. Put child-safety locks on the cabinets and install child-safe electrical outlets.

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Keep Freezing Faucets Running

The process of freezing water is very fast, so if you don't catch it quickly, there is a high possibility of having your pipes freeze. The attic is the most vulnerable location for pipes to freeze and crack, so make sure to have a generous amount of insulation for protection. Make yourself aware of oncoming weather conditions, so you will know when your pipes might freeze. Your first line of defense is to leave a gentle stream of water flowing overnight, keeping pipes
active and preventing an ice blockage.

1. Touch the surface of the pipeline from the faucet down. Determine which area of the pipe is most frigid, and if there are any water leaks in the pipe. This is where you will install the tape and insulation.

2. Take the heat tape and begin to coil it around the pipe. Create a single layer of tape, all the way down the pipe. Be careful not to overlap it on itself. Most home fires are caused by poor installation of heat tape.

3. Apply strips of electrical tape on top of the heat tape to secure it in place. Space the electrical tape at even intervals on top of the heat tape. Do not leave any bunches of tape or extra layers. Slide the insulation sleeve onto the pipe, over the heat tape to conceal it from display.

4. Cover the insulation sleeve with waterproof wrap, if not already purchased that way, and plug the cord of the heat tape into your wall socket. Make sure to have it plugged in prior to the days of the coldest weather. Be sure not to plug heat tape into an extension cord that's plugged into a wall; it must be plugged in directly to avoid a risk of fire.

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Bathroom Shower & Whirlpool

Bagno widespread use knowledge about the beneficial effects to the body of water and apply in this high-quality products. In addition to Fly can easly adapt anywhere because according to the scale space. There are three models with a height of 200 cm and four versions with a height of 155 cm. Panels come in two finish: dark wood and pearl keramic greay. For more information about the combination of the panel visit Bagno Area. Flying is a multifunctional shower panel which has an elegant body with a shower and whirlpool. The bathroom has three modes of water flow when the vortex using two types of jets.

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Black & White Bathroom Bathtub

Furniture Blogs - Black and white bathroom could easily be characterized as luxury, spacious, stylish and smart. It is designed by a fashion designer Susanne Søllund who lives on the Danish island Bornholm. The idea was to create the space that would be as inviting as a living room. In order to achieve that the mix of Neo-baroque and Japanese minimalism was chosen during the decorating. The finished bathroom become not only luxury but also simple and calm. It’s also full of cool things such as the wallpaper that provides lounge-like effect, small craft items that looks like an artworks, baroque candlesticks and so on. White tiled walls and black tiled floors only highlight all that beauties. The custom made bathtub is really very huge – 100 x 120 centimeters. The whole bathroom design was made under 28,000 dollars and about 100 hours.

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Kitchen and Bathroom Decoration

Pattern of adjacent floors and walls designed to create movement in space and also draw attention to the back wall of the bathroom. In the result, designers have a modern design that lives in the traditional envelope. Although usually only a simple pattern comes to mind. De Meza + Architecture + Interior bathroom design is made much more attractive for 2010 San Francisco decorator Showcase. wall drunk that they made with black and white tile mosaic is more like a work of art than a simple pattern. To make this pattern really complicated Spec Ceramics made a 12 “x 12 sheet of mesh” with the tile that is much easier to install later.

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Hydromassage Bath Tub

You really can massage their own programs and get a moment of great fun in the hydromassage tub. However, as functional and high-tech vessel, L’Alizee is very expensive and you must have a large bathroom to find because of its size is 2.24 ml xh XW 1.05 m 0.84 m and the capacity of 280 liters. If you would like more information about both this whirlpool tub then you can find it on the site Stas Doyer. Automatic is good bath equipped with touch sensitive screen, which allows to set all the settings and also shows various information. Hydromassage nozzles 180 provides perfect relaxation and thanks to their proper position to make a healthy massage from six anatomical zones. Stas Doyer is a large producer of different bathroom equipment, which can help you to also maintain the beauty and health. One such product is a new model of whirlpool baths.

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Combo Laundry & Shower Cabin

Furniture Blogs - Is your small space a big problem? Proving that small really can be sweet, this new laundry / shower cabin combo by Vismaravetro will renew your love of your compact city home or condo. Combining your shower and laundry, the Twin cabin leaves extra space open for storage, entertaining, living or sleeping – depending on where the washer / dryer are eating up your space. Or, it’s super easy to bring some extra function to the basement or unused space by adding a bath and laundry area with all the fixings. Just finish the space with a toilet and washbasin and you have instant fashion and function! Twin was presented at Eurobagno 2010.

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Glow Your Bathroom

In the daytime, translucent materials that evoke the sensation of total tranquility. If you’re looking for bathroom fixtures that is stylish, practical and use of modern technology the TOTO range is attractive choice for you. Items from the collections made by using
TOTO’s custom Luminist materials, epoxy resin, a quality, like translucent glass, heat resistance and excellent resistance-extreme. Users experience a sense of calm that can only provide a bath, brought to the next level with the soft light spreads through the LED lights under the bath or from the sink. NEOREST TOTO’s Series LE is a bathroom product range which has received several awards Red Dot. Toilet and sink already got a gift in the year 2009 and the tub was just awarded the 2010 Red Dot.

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Stance Faucet Collection

 

This elegant bathroom faucet by bathroom guru Kohler is contemporary design defined. Inspired by technology, the stylish Stance faucet collection is going the way of phones, flat-screen televisions and ultra-thin computers with its slim and sleek lines
. Perfect right angles and hard edges make a bold statement, while the polished chrome (also available in a softer brushed nickel) finish brings just enough bling to your modern bathrooms and powder rooms. The collection includes single-lever lavatory faucets, wall-mounted and deck-mounted bath faucets, and shower fixtures and trim. Modern style is at your fingertips!

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