Dramatic, modern and comfortable. Mexico

Manuel Herrera runs a building company with his brother, based in Mexico City. He chose the leafy and elegant suburb of Bosques de Santa Fé for his own house, and called in the architect firm of Guzman y Ogarrio. He wanted a house which would be dramatic, modern, comfortable as well as a hub and entertaining space for his many young friends and colleagues. The rather austere and geometric front entrance is softened by the pond lined with flowers and lemon trees, as well as the double height window and the use of different materials – wood and red bricks interspersed with the pale coloured rendered cement. At the rear, much of the wall is opened up with spacious, windows, overlooking a delightful garden with a long lap pool. Inside, a series of colourful and elegant rooms are arranged as living and dining area, looking out onto the garden but shaded form the harsh Mexican sunlight, although the use of gold leafed panels and doors help to bring the warmth of the sunshine indoors. Upstairs is the private area – with the bedrooms, a private lounge and relaxing area with television, and the bathrooms. A series of ceramic hands decorate the shelves that traverse the span of a window, and the sunlight is also allowed to create streaks of light and shade through the skylight punctuated by wooden slats in the master bathroom... view feature

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Modern and sleek in Milan

On the first floor of a spacious and elegant fin-de-siècle apartment building in the well-heeled Corso Sempione in Milan is this stunning contemporary apartment recently refurbished by the architect Stefano Cellerino. Modern, sleek and designed with contemporary materials, art and styling, this apartment also features some recycled items such as the large bookcase in the lounge which was found in an architectural salvage warehouse, as well as in the construction of the dining table, made from old pieces of flooring. Oriental statues impart a particular flavour to the interior, as does the etched figures in the glass door leading to the bedroom area – where are located the master bedroom and open plan ensuite bathroom as well as guest room... view feature

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Three Chords and the Truth

This phrase, coined as it was by a country musician, and later appropriated by the punk-scene is anything but the equivalent of simplicity as many take it to mean. On the contrary, it requires hard work, the ability to improvise, historical knowledge, and a whole bunch of will-power. It just looks and sounds simple. Like a good architect’s work. Walking from cabin to cabin between the rock-formations, and from room to room, it dawns on us that what the owners have created here isn’t just an updated version of the “summer-cabin”, but an alternate cabin-universe altogether... view feature Pin It Now!

Rightfully Restored

It's easy to see why the owners fell for this property; full of charm, built on fertile ground and situated close to both, water and forest. The house in Taarbaek, north of Copenhagen has in recent years undergone extensive renovation. The previous owner had renovated it in 1979, giving the property a complete 70s theme, however, the new owners wished to restore this wonderful property back to its original 1863 style. Floors were torn up, ceilings down, and windows were replaced. Where original materials could not be salvaged they were replaced either by recycled materials or in the case of the kitchen, built to requirements by a local carpenter... view feature Pin It Now!

French Liaisons

This elegant apartment gives creed to the notion that style cannot be bought. With a tasteful blend of new and second hand, expensive and inexpensive, this apartment has a surprisingly luxurious feel to it. In this household, where he’s Norwegian and she’s French, the mix of backgrounds adds an exciting twist to the decor. Call it ‘chic’, or whatever you want, but there’s no doubt that this apartment in Oslo’s west-end has a certain je ne sais quais that money cannot buy. Around every corner in these light and spacious rooms, a new surprise is waiting, nonetheless, this apartment is done up according to a few simple ground rules bypassing extravagance or costly surfaces. Still, one cannot escape the fact that there’s something here, which gives it that little extra touch... view feature Pin It Now!

A Percussion of Colour

At home in the apartment and housing business Pang Christianshavn. Both places bursting with life, imagination and love for interior design, for which Anna-Britt has many years experience - including, set designer at Danmarks Radio. "After 18 years with Danish Radio, where I worked on set design, decor and props, I wanted to live my dream of owning a shop," says Anna-Britt Harding. Ceilings and floors are white and bright and are finely contrasted with all the many colourful things... view feature Pin It Now!

Chocolate Orange

Stunning cocoa and tangerine cabinetry in a smart glossy finish ensures the Clarke’s’ large kitchen-diner is a truly delicious design. For most people, the process of finding a home is nothing short of a quest for perfection. But then Viki Clarke, a graphic designer with a keen eye for style, isn’t like most people. ‘I wanted a project I could get my teeth into,’ she says. So when a neglected period terrace came up for sale in south-west London Viki couldn’t wait to take her husband Mike along for a look... view interior feature Pin It Now!

Andy Martin

Australian architect Andy Martin and Norwegian art consultant Madeleine Heide-Paus have led the classic W11 lifestyle, living just a stone’s throw from pubs like The Cow and The Westbourne and 200 yards from the Portobello Road, their bijou flat is in prime Notting Hillbilly territory. They met in legendary west London boîte Woody’s in 2002 and moved into the one-bedroom basement flat in 2004, when Madeleine was expecting their first son Eero. Since then Martin has totally reconfigured the interior, increasing volume, reversing the layout and adding a bedroom. view interior feature Pin It Now!

Creature Comforts

Artist Kelly McCallum adores animals, and loves having them around in her eclectic East London apartment. Just don’t expect to see them all scampering about… “I was looking for somewhere with history and an industrial edge,” says McCallum of home. “This building had been a factory and had cement floors and pillars; I restored some of the organic feeling by uncovering the columns.” Against this utilitarian background she has put her collection of metal and steel furniture, some from offices and other pieces from hospitals... view interior feature Pin It Now!

A Barratt home

Fiona Barratt just doesn’t have a grandfather that start one of the UK’s largest house builders, she live with an international footballer Sol Campbell. Together they have transformed an 18th-century riverside town house in Chelsea into the height of contemporary style and functionality... view interior feature Pin It Now!

mainstream christmas to you all

The good news this week is that hopfully you are all getting some time off work to enjoy the holidays with families and friends, here at mainstreamimages we would just like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers old and new, we wish you a very happy christmas and a positive new year. ray and the team.

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Boy Zone

Requiring a house large enough for three energetic sons and an adult space of their own. Mairead and Phil embarked on an unconventional project the conversion of 11 bed-sits back into a family home... click here Pin It Now!

Lottie Glob

Lottie Waited 37 years to finally live in her perfect home. She fell in love with the loch she lives next too when she was a student and finally when the land became available bought it, and with the help of a local architect built her home within her budget of £75,000. She told him she was 'Allergic to walls and doors' and he thus created a space that bought her close to the outside she loves, and that has also won many awards for its robust but creative design. Nine miles from the local village, it is isolated. But Glob Likes it like that and with plans to now build a new studio and a natural sculpture garden, she is finally realising her life long dream... click here Pin It Now!