Orla Kiely Wallpapers for Harlequin

Orla Kiely

Multi Stem wallpaper has been used here.

Giant Abacus Flower

Scribble

Classic Stem

Multi Striped Petal

Giant Stem

Giant Rhodedendron

Striped Petal

Linear Stem

Rhodedendron

Small Acorn Cup

Multi Stem

Flower Tile

Acorn Spot

Internationally-reowned designer Orla Kiely has joined forces with Harlequin to create a striking collection of bold and beautiful wallpapers. This new product range was presented to me this morning and the papers look even better in real life - a fantastic range of pattern, colour and texture.
Photographs via Harlequin.

Whare Kea Chalet in Vogue Living

The Whare Kea Chalet in the Southern Alps.

 

 

This is Whare Kea Chalet, found high in the Southern Alps and accessible by a 20 minutes helicopter ride from Wanaka. Connected to Whare Kea Lodge, this chalet is used as a winter base for heliskiing daytrips and for overnight stays in the summer. Vogue Living has highlighted this chalet's use as an artist residence - imagine staying here for 10 days to be inspired by the remote location and its dramatic surroundings? Stunning. Read more about it here.
Photographs via Vogue Living.

Inspiration Profile - Jaime Diaz-Berrio

Welcome to this week's Inspiration Profile -  his name is Jaime Diaz-Berrio, an architect and photographer from Melbourne, Australia. Several weeks ago, Jaime sent me a lovely email asking me if I knew about the following of blog readers that I have in Melbourne? That was great to hear and hello to you all! Thanks for reading and enjoy today's profile.



Jaime Diaz-Berrio

RACV Healesville Country Club by SJB Architects

Name: Jaime Diaz-Berrio

What do you do: I am an architect and photographer. Originally from Mexico, I trained in architecture and have worked in Mexico and Australia designing residential, commercial and industrial spaces since 2001.

Photography has always been a hobby of mine and in 2008 I began photographing the work of other architects and interior designers as a side business. A few months ago I took the plunge and made it my main focus.

I currently share my time between architecture, architectural photography and abstract photography.

Where do you live: Melbourne, Australia

What are you working on: At the moment I am working on a new series of images taken on my last overseas trip which will hopefully form my first solo exhibition.

I take a lot of pleasure from walking around the built environment with a camera in hand and taking small parts of it with me, collecting portions of buildings that can later be put back together in a different light, sometimes pieces of the same building, sometimes of unrelated subjects and then re-composing them together. 

Merricks Residence by SJB Architects & SJB Interiors



 

 

Who/what inspires me: Travel, experiencing new cities, visiting the buildings designed by architects that I admire (I’ve dragged my lovely wife to very remote places over the years...)

I recently found a quote by an important Mexican architect, Luis Barragan, that has reinforced the importance of travel for me: “Don’t ask me about this building or that one. Don’t look at what I do. See what I saw.”

Other inspirations are:
Good, simple, well considered and timeless design in any of its multiple branches (architectural, interior, industrial, furniture etc).

In architecture, I find Peter Zumthor’s work in a league of its own, he is one of the few architects that manage to truly move all of your senses when you visit one of his buildings.

In photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson’s images are always inspiring.

I work best: Around sunset, between the time when the light turns golden and about 20 minutes after the sun sets. Buildings seem to come alive. Sunrise is also very special, but I struggle to get out of bed that early!

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: I go for a walk with my camera; it is amazing how I end up relaxing after a few minutes of looking through the viewfinder. It seems to eliminate all distractions and allows me to focus on what I am looking for.

The best advice I have been given is: Whilst in my second year in University, a very respected architect in Mexico told me that I should work for somebody whose work I admire very much because at that age I would probably work very long hours and have a very small salary so I should at least enjoy the work. I worked for him for the next five years and still consider him my greatest mentor who taught me what I consider the most important element in both architecture and photography: strong composition.

My latest discovery is: A love for good dark chocolate! (70% Green & Black’s Organic)

Decontra House by Fitt de Felice

McCrae House by SJB Architects



Prahan House by SJB Interiors

Books that I get inspiration from: Classic architectural books are a beautiful source of inspiration, I particularly enjoy books on Alvaro Siza, Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Eero Saarinen and Peter Zumthor among others.

Magazines that inspire me: It’s always a pleasure when the Architectural Review (UK) shows up in the mail box. I also enjoy C+A and Mark.

Blogs that I enjoy: dezeen, archdaily, Contemporist, The Cool Hunter, Joe’s nyc.

My favourite room at home is: The lounge room, it’s a simple, calm room filled with sunlight during most of the day and a view to our small, green courtyard. A very peaceful and quiet place. 

My office is: At home for the moment but a couple of local cafes have also become satellite offices, I enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and being surrounded by people - a good coffee also doesn’t hurt! Favourites are Monk Bodhi Dharma & Spout in St Kilda East.

What am I looking forward to: Finding a balance between my three passions: architecture, architectural photography and abstract photography.

And why not, another long trip with Sara (and her patience!).

If you would like to learn more about Jaime, please see his website here.

Market Street Apartment by SJB Interiors

 
All photographs are by, and used with permission from, Jaime Diaz-Berrio.

Greece with Claire Lloyd

The latest Inside Out magazine has a great spread on Australian expat Claire Lloyd, a designer, art director and filmmaker, formerly based in London, now in Greece. I have her first book, Sensual Living, which I can see on the shelf as I sit here typing this and she now has a new book, My Greek Island Home. Lloyd, on a whim, brought a home on the Greek Island of Lesvos and this book, as well as the article above, is a homage to all things white, simple and Greek.
Photographs by Claire Lloyd for Inside Out via Claire Lloyd Loves.

Conservatories and Sunrooms

Chiswick Restaurant, Sydney - a conservatory style dining area with polished concrete floor. Photo: Remodelista.

A conservatory on the side of this house brings in more light. Photo: Remodelista



A window seat area - the textile mimics the outside. Photo: Remodelista.

A country style covered patio with refurbished 1920's wicker furniture.
Photo: House and Home.

A sitting area in a screened off porch with mid-century style sofa and chairs.
Photo: House and Home.

An industrial style conservatory with in built seating. Photo: House to Home.

Fashion designer, Tory Burch's solarium with woven chairs and antiques. Photo: Vogue

In the Conservatory by Edouard Manet, oil on canvas, 1879. I really like the bench seat.

I have been researching conservatory images for a client of mine. We have refurbished most of her family home and the transformation has been fantastic. One of the rooms left to do is the conservatory, which will be next year's project - so I have been slowly building some visuals to get some ideas and have been trying all kinds of names to find them, including sunroom, patio, screened in porch, solarium, window seat, outdoor rooms, etc. Here is a small selection of what I have found so far.

Dahlia Galore in San Francisco

Have you seen anything as amazing as this? This is the Dahlia Dell at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco - and the dahlia flowers were in full bloom early this October. I did not know that the Dahlia is the official city flower for SF and when they're planted together like this, they look stunning. Read more about them here.
Photographs by Michelle Slatalla for Gardenista.