Florence the great. Part 1

"Beauty awakens the soul to act" - Dante Alighieri

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I lived there for 2 years while getting my degree. They were unforgettable two years. Florence breathes history, beauty, romance, it is the mother of Renaissance and home of best artists, architects and poets that ever lived. Leonardo da Vinci, who for me was the most diversely talented person ever to have lived; Michelangelo, who's work will never stop to amaze and touch in so many different ways; Sandro Botticelli, I have to admit when I saw "The birth of Venus" (the original) in Uffizi it took my breath away; Dante Alighieri and of course Filippo Brunelleschi. Brunelleschi was the architect who built Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore - Duomo.

My first night in Florence was the night I first saw Duomo. My flight landed at 9-10pm and by the time I got to my hotel it was quite late. I was restless and so I went for a walk. I did not know that next turn I take will take me to Duomo. I will never forget the moment I saw it. Beautifully lit at night, it made such an impression on me that I almost cried (maybe I did a little..). It was truly majestic. I have never seen anything so stunning. Obviously after a few months and passing it every day you simply even forget to look up, but I miss it so much now that I can only see it on the pictures.

I can keep on talking forever about Florence, but then instead of this being a design blog it will become Florence tour guide ;)

Back to design. These Riva Lofts on the Arno river in Florence are really a jewel if you don't want to stay in the center. They are about twenty minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi.

Pictures from http://www.rivalofts.com/

It's really a perfect spot for people who want to go to Florence but stay out of the very busy city center and enjoy the interior of their hotel.

Good night. I hope I dream of Firenze tonight and I wish you sweet dreams about your favourite city :)

Yours, KB

Portuguese Companies at Salone del Mobile/Interni

There were a few interesting Portuguese furniture and lighting companies in Milan this year. Somehow you find out more about your country when you're away than when you're here. I think my problem is that I always try to look for something different anywhere else, but in front of me, design or not design related...! Well as far as you find it in the end (no matter close or far) is all that matters.

Boca do Lobo. Very unique furniture pieces.

Elegant Koket.

Serip

Pictures by KB

There's much more. I'll do another post on Portuguese companies very soon.

Meanwhile if you want to know more about design in Portugal you can visit Portugal Brands and Boato.

Have a great day!

Yours, KB

Day 22. Liberty Day!

First of all Happy 25th of April! Clear blue sky and smell of spring in the air - true Liberty day in Portugal!

And while I hope you all enjoy another day off, here are some more picture from Salone del Mobile 2011:

Chaise Lounge Stripe (http://www.spini.com/)

Christian Lacroix for Designers Guild

Philippe Coudray (http://www.ateliersphilippecoudray.com/)

Great Interior designer/decorator and furniture designer

Pictures by me.

Have a great day!

Yours, KB

Happy Easter!

Such a lovely beginning of the day! It's finally not raining, not for long, as forecast says it will rain all day, but not yet! And so I am loving the lovely summer weather this morning :)

First week after Milan has been so busy, so many things to do, many exciting projects coming up. I'll share it all with you when the time comes.

For now Happy Easter and here are some photos from my trip to Milan :)

LOF'S new collection (http://www.lofs.it/). Pictures by KB

I fell in love with the new collection by Cantori! (http://www.cantori.it/). Pictures by KB

Have a lovely day!

Yours, KB

Day 16. Back from Milan. Inspired and Excited!

This design week in Milan was the best by far (my 5th Milan DW). Really exciting new collections from different brands (pictures coming soon) and great contacts. Really looking forward to posting the photos. I am sure you will love them!

Just a little teaser for now:

Ingo Maurer

picture by KB

Hope you have a lovely day/evening!

Yours, KB

It's Monday! Day 8. Business card design.

When spring comes everything is better (or seems to be!). Things you thought you could not achieve you believe you can.. I love spring!

Another thing I love about spring is colors! Bright colors. Sping brings greens and blues, reds and yellows. Mixes them all together and somehow it works perfectly. I normally would not risk to use these colors, but this spring I feel like it's OK ;)

Here are my spring business cards:

front

back

It was designed (not the image itself) by Miguel Pires , who is a graphic designer and a DJ :) Please visit his website http://www.miguelpiresdesign.com/index.html (graphic design) and listen to his music at http://www.kindof.net/

Have a nice week!

Yours, KB

Lovely spring weekend

The weather in the Algarve is absolute perfection.. The air is warm and it smells of flowers and sea breeze. All I could think about today was summer and beach houses.

Here are some beautiful ones. Every time I see these photos I wish I was sitting in one of thise huge cosy sofas with a book in my hand and listening to the waves.. mmmmmmmm

images from trendir.com

Hope you had a wonderful weekend,

Yours, KB

Day 6. Light. Part 1

I got to the shop today and the office was so lovely! The shop itself is quite dark and that is one of the things we have to improve.. but the office is always filled with natural light, absolutely no need to have lights on during the day. I'll take some pictures soon.

Lighting is very important, in fact it is one of the most important factors in any space.

Here are some lights I really love and wish I had in the shop:

Tom Dixon (of course:)

LZF Lamps

Villa Lumi (Portuguese company by the way!)

These really cool tripod floor lamps from Pallucco. Images from www.trendir.com



Hope you had a nice day,

Yours, KB

Day 5. Textures. Part 1

Another long day.. Made my first sale from the shop today! :) It was a sofa. It went into a beautiful house near Estoi, I will ask the owner to go and do a home tour when she will finish the house. She has designed it all on her own. She is also a designer. I have to admit I was very inspired by her work.

Lately, it has been all about texture for me.. Wallpapers, fabrics, all different types of finishes for living areas, kitchens, bathrooms or outdoor. I love having a lot of open space and I don't like cluttering furniture, so I find it works much better for me when you have a few really good pieces of furniture, whether you like modern, classic, antiques or even enjoy mixing it all up, and a really nice finish to your walls, floors and ceilings. And if you like artwork it will only bring more attention to it, with the right lights and colors. If you think about it when you create an interior you have to use all your senses: you see the room and you like it; you touch the materials and you can tell whether it is comfortable, practical or not, the size of the room and the furniture in it will create its own acoustics, the only sense you will not be using will be the taste.. unless you use very creamy and "tasty" colors ;)

antico ferro by OIKOS (available at Interiorissimo)

Laure Joliet Photography. I absolutely love the floors

Tom Dixon. Amazing product and interior designer. One of my favourites. He combines so many rich textures and difficult shapes, yet it always works. A true genius and a huge inspiration to me. I will soon do a post (or two..) just about him.

wallpaper by Versedeco

I can go on forever, but unfortunately a day has only 24 hours.. Never enough time!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Yours, KB