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01/23
And we're back! A season of living vicariously through images returns and we beging with an escape to the secluded luxury of the Y hotel photographed by talented architectural photographer, Jonathan Leijonhufvud.
The hotel isnestled in the heart of Nanxia Mountain's Jiyang District in the picturesque city of Sanya. Known for its breathtaking sea views, Sanya offers a unique and exclusive experience for discerning travelers in search of a tranquil and rejuvenating vacation.
The Y hotel provides a haven of peace and seclusion, surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests, providing a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city. Guests will find solace in the secluded residential setting, allowing them to truly relax and unwind.
The landscape design of the Y hotel has been meticulously crafted to reflect the natural surroundings, creating a harmonious balance between the built and natural environment — adopting the concept of "simple but spiritual", the hotel offers a tranquil atmosphere that soothes the soul and provides a haven of peace and quiet.
How's that for a start?
Lead Architect: Li Hui
Photgraphy: Jonathan Leijonhufvud -
11/11
Testing the mic. Hi. Anyone there? — OK, I know it seems like I fell off the face of the earth... and I sort of did, but wait, it was for a good reason. Or should I say reasons? Yes, I took some time off this (whatever this blog has become) to focus on some things and people that I love dearly and one of those things was a project that I’ve had in mind for ages now.
After (literal) years of not having or making time for writing, I sat down one day after pondering an idea for what seemed like a split second... and I decided to write a guide to help you—yes you, Pinterest-obsessed human—to make passive income off of your Pinterest efforts. And here I am months down the line, having completed it, to tell you, "Hey! How about turning your Pinterest obsession into a money-making machine?".
We all know times are tough, and we all could use an additional stream of income, right? — Well, I decided to go ahead and just write because I’m one of the lucky ones who’s benefited from turning my Pinterest into a business and seizing many opportunities that come from it... so why don’t you hop into this boat and start capitalizing on something you probably never thought could be more than a hobby or a distraction? I think I heard a "Yes!".
In my new guide, “Curated”, you will learn the nooks and crannies of Pinterest... and you'll be able to stack the odds in your favor. I’ve managed to write everything you’ll need, to go from Pinterest user to Pinterest Boss in a 90-page e-book... and let me just say, I know for a fact you won’t be disappointed.
So go ahead buy my book and turn your Pinterest world upside down.
© hover over images for credits -
08/11
The way most minimalists approach color—specially the ones who jumped on the bandwagon as the minimalism fever was starting is a bit limited and we all know that. And even though that contrary to what many believe, black, white and beige are colors, I can also support that we need to stop being so afraid of all the other colors in the wheel.
My constant urge to always question everything that looks "ruly" convinced me very early that there wasn't a point in simplifying, cutting down and making everything functional if that deprived me or anyone else of the joy that life brings and even if you are adept to the thinking that colors that veer from the old black and white (maybe some grey in there) isn't minimalism, you surely can agree that different strokes for different folks and that there is an inherit sense of joy that some colors bring to people's life and it would be pointless to remove that just for the sake of minimalism.
If you, reading this feel daunted by the task of adding more color into your life / interiors and are holding back from fear that you will regret painting that wall or buying that set of blue sheets (that would be me) or maybe you just want to finally get some artwork on your walls let me tell you this: You won't regret doing something that will lift up your mood and that gives you a sense of new possibilities.
The way to introduce color into a minimalist home is "slowly" and also mindfully:
1. Don't tackle a big change but small changes and stick to the values of one in-one out so that you don't end up accumulating unnecessary things
2. Add pops of color first; a vase, a pillow or maybe a nice coffee mug to replace that dodgy old white one with coffee stains stuck at the bottom—we've all had one of those, os is that just me?
3. Stick to a palette by making two colors the base—let's say beige and black (let's give harsh whites a little rest)—and work around that adding complimentary pops of color like desaturated blues, earthy greens or muted yellows, whatever tickles your fancy but in a way it makes sense for you in your minimalist life
4. If you're not ready to paint the walls add texture to it or a nice piece of minimal art
5. If all of the mentioned above still scares you, bring in nature, whether a new plant or maybe flowers in a color you never got — and on that, I have to confess I spent years getting white flowers and clearly missing out. So bring in the hydrangeas, the daisies, the sunflowers — you name it
Personally, I've never had anything against color but it just didn't make sense in my life before. Now I enjoy a beautiful beige surrounding with big pops of black, blues and greens and is it just me or does that dining room seem incredibly inviting, fun and nostalgic for some reason, all that the same time?
© jake curtis -
07/29
So, turns out you're not a fan of maximalism and you're also not happy with the inflexible white and black minimalist aesthetics. Well, perhaps this Danish home designed by the one and only Norm Architects will tickle your fancy? — I think yes and hear me out.
The Vigi House, which is a reformed 60's home, sits on a sloping plot in Virum with high ceilings, light tunnels and open spaces. This home was intended blend in with it's natural surroundings and be a comfortable-minimal family home for its owners and that it does.
I don't know about you but one of my (maybe unhealthy) stress comping mechanisms is to vicariously pack my bags and move into wonderful houses like this one, were it looks peaceful, not stifling and quite — then I'm snapped back into reality by my neighbours drilling the walls for the 4th time this week and I thank the technology gods for the Internet.
Although we can only enjoy the Vigi House vicariously we need to admit, it's quiet perfectly planned for a family sanctuary. As always, Norm Architects delivers pure architectural goodness.
© Norm Architects -
07/26
Today the term 'minimalism' is at the heart of conversations about sustainability, design, philosophy and mindfulness. And while maximalism continues to make its way back into people's homes, it's a new kind of maximalism—one less about buying more and more about design: more color, more shapes, more contrast.
Warm minimalist design sits in the middle of both extremes. It is not deprived of any color, shape or texture, but it's also not a very out-there or (personally) overwhelming style—and don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with some "kapow"... but warm minimal is where I currently exist and so is my current obsession.
Brands like Menu have equipped the design-conscious minimalist for years now but Menu has truly been a pioneer when it comes to minimal, responsible and durable design and it has long been delivering beautifully crafted furniture, lighting and interior accessories shaped by purposeful details, high-quality products—and now sustainable ones too.
Their newest products carry through their minimalism philosophy while also bringing sustainability and a sense of warmth, calm and comfort to any space and we see it in the raw fabrics, textures, naked woods and organically-structured shapes—creating spaces that make you feel like you're in a welcoming home rather than a white room or a playhouse.
“How do you create a warm minimalist room?”, you may ask? Easy:
01. Warm Colors: Warm colors have an earthy quality to them, meaning that they are colors that can be commonly observed in nature; like the sea, vegetation, land, stones, the sky etc.—as opposed to plain white, which, yes, brings a lot of brightness to a room. These colors help you bring in warmth. But I’m not just talking about your walls, I mean decor items, furniture and everything that comprises a room.
02. Rich Textures: 'Touch' is one of the qualities we overlook the most when it comes to decorating our homes—and this is what brings that sense of "homeliness" to a home. Consider adding natural elements to a room, textured fabrics, naked wood and rugs.
03. Mix Old and New: The combination of modern and vintage has always been a winner, so don't be afraid to bring in a family relic or think that it won't fit your minimalist principles ... because it will! Sustainability is at the heart of the minimalist philosophy, so whatever you can do to repurpose, all the better. Old furniture or decor pieces also usually have more character, which allows the decor to feel more interesting and unique.
04. Think Comfort: Minimalism often feels stiff and uninviting, especially if we have the frame of mind that things just have to be functional. Things around us do need to be functional ... but also beautiful, significant and yes, comfortable. So, bring in softer sofas, mushy pillows, big throws, delicious bedding and soft rugs. Things that make you experience a sense of being embraced by them.
05. Add Personal Touches: While minimalism used to be a little deprived of sentiment, now we understand that there are things we can still have in our homes because they simply bring us good memories and joy. Take out old photos and items you've collected from your travels and make them a part of the entire decor. This will undoubtedly infuse the room with more personality and uniqueness.
Warm Minimalism is about being conscientious but not deprived. Is about understanding and applying the principles of Minimalism without feeling as if you're missing out. It's about choosing better, more durable, sustainable and enjoyable things and not just less for the sake of it.
© Menu07/19
No, you didn’t read it wrong. I put "melancholic" and "holiday" in the same title. Let me tell you why: Here in our neck of the woods, beachgoers suffered a significant beach withdrawal, which seemed to have no end during the pandemic; and those who had always just taken it for granted started regretting not having taken advantage of ocean life more often. So when they magnanimously freed us, we and our pets flocked to the beaches, which smacked of a cautionary tale for a new variant... so as a mostly responsible, post-pandemic being, I decided to continue not to partake in the beach festivities—until one day we decided to take a day trip to a beach 2 hours away from home to satisfy our desire to splash about in the warm ocean water. It happened to be a very quiet, secluded beach... and as we reached our destination, we realized it had gone from a very sunny, blue-skied day to drab and overcast.
Long story short, it didn’t rain that day but it remained moody.
We took a stroll down the quietest stretch of beach I’ve been to in years; the air was chilly and it felt incredible. We ended up staying the night at a petit hotel owned by a French man who exalts privacy and peace to the point of not welcoming children... while admitting pets. That day is fixed in my mind as a beautiful memory of a short-lived, moody holiday.
© hover over images for credits
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