Palm Tree House. USA

This example of modern architecture takes its name from the large palm trees that surround it, and whose rich fronds intrude into the house itself. This is the home of Todd and Lisa, and located at the head of a canyon in San Diego in Southern California. Todd, a machine tool broker, wanted a building made out of recycled materials which he himself could source, mainly sheet metal and wooden beams, and he called on the services of the experienced architects Safdie-Rabines to create a three storey home on a plot which had already several mature palm trees. Todd’s wife Lisa, a fashion photographer, was also fully involved in the project, lending her eye to the style as well as helping the ingenious solutions of the architects of how to build and support the structure amidst and around, and without compromising, the trees. Brightly coloured yet simple in design, the home fully lived up to its expectations – it is an environmentally conscious structure, fully immersed within and respecting its natural surroundings, which give not only give it its unique quality but also offers the floor to ceiling windows and open terraces on each storey some privacy from the street above and from across the canyon. The interiors are simply laid out with modern furnishings and bright colours as well as with local cactus plants, which both complement and enhance the sunny and airy feel of the house. This is living with nature in the middle of a major city... view feature

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Nice Village, I’ll take it. Italy

When Brunello Cucinelli, the cashmere king of Italy, bought a huge house in a 14th-century hill town, he couldn’t stop there. He had to have the town as well If you had to describe your dream home, it would probably be much like Brunello Cucinelli’s. The cashmere mogul lives in a 17th-century manor house in Umbria, just up the road from Perugia. It’s set in an impossibly romantic 14th-century hill town, which he also owns and which forms the HQ of his business empire. And casa Cucinelli is the dream: flagged floors and vaulted ceilings, 400-year-old charm with 21st-century air conditioning. The house is filled with Renaissance art and antiques, the gardens with cicadas and cypress and olive trees. Terraces lead off every room and there’s even a choice of swimming pools, for goodness’ sake – indoor for winter, outdoor for summer. If Cucinelli weren’t such a nice, sincere chap, you could easily hate him. Or at least not buy his clothes in protest. But it’s difficult to begrudge him his house, because he’s worked incredibly hard for it, hauling himself up from humble beginnings... view feature

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Happy new year to all our customers and friends.

It’s that time of year again. The hangover has gone and it’s the first week of the year. You’re thinking how you’ve got to start lugging yourself back to work and waking up from your festive stupor. You’re also thinking, ‘I’ve at least got to start the year well!’ and even though many of us are sceptical about New Year’s resolutions, making a positive change for a short time is firstly still an achievement and secondly, you might actually stick to it long term so it’s always worth a try. I’m very keen on plans and goal setting and even if many go by un-achieved, some of them stick.

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Yellow is the new Pink.

Yellow is the new pink!

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Pattern Returns.

Pattern is making a comeback. In regards to Pattern stop being so matchy-matchy the trend will be to clash your fabrics and stimulate the senses, this goes hand in hand with the yellow trend.

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A Sense of Touch

Touch is the biggest sense to focus on. Fabrics and finishes should all be touchable, textures with warmth and depth are preferred engaging the user into the space with all their flesh. The colours of sand and stone will prevail. Be inspired by your morning whole meal bread with the warmth of beige and neutral.

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The Group Dynamic.

Design will shift from being about a single person to being about a group. The group dynamic will make projects more exciting and thought out.

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