Post cards from Kenya

A chance encounter with Marie and Paul Pelle's Siani Plantation Estate in a travel magazine led me to these gorgeous properties in Lamu, Kenya. Lamu, an archipelago, has a  distinctive Swahili culture, the result of an intermingling over the centuries of many different influences – African, Arabian, Indian, Persian and European to name but a few – brought to Lamu by merchants, travellers, colonisers and conquerors. These influences show themselves to this day in Lamu’s religious and social traditions, architecture, furniture, cookery and many other aspects of daily life. 

Apart from these distinctive influence,  for me, these beautifully restored homes are yet another testimony to the magic created by simple, hand restored interiors...  

Niches or Aala's...a mughal/persian legacy

Window to the world..

Love the bedsteads and the floor..

Do read more on traditional Swahili architecture and the restoration process

Of kittens and roofs..

[All images Lamu Island Properties. Creative mosaic by moi]

The Next Iron Chef: Bryan Caswell?

 

Down the street from High Fashion Home lies REEF, #1 Seafood Restaurant in the US by Bon Appetit magazine.  Chef/Owner Bryan Caswell was recently announced as a contestant on season 3 of The Next Iron Chef.  We had a great experience working on the interior design with Caswell on his highly acclaimed restaurant, Stella Sola.  This celebrity chef is by far Houston's brightest culinary star.  The word on the street is Caswell performed exceptionally well in the competition.  

Here is his recent interview with the Houston Chronicle.

Tips Design Office in the Kitchen

Unless you accept a abstracted allowance in your abode appointed as the office, the kitchen can be a acceptable abode for one. We're more bringing our computers and iPads into the kitchen anyway. And several of these assignment stations could calmly catechumen to added adverse amplitude if you're accepting a affair or charge to cycle out some amoroso cookies.

Tips Design Office in the Kitchen

Design Office in the Kitchen Ideas

Design Office in the Kitchen Picture

Design Office in the Kitchen Wallpapers

Tips Design Office in the Kitchen

Creative Apartment and Home Interior Design Minimalist

This is a creative apartment. This apartment interior designed by Dutch architect, It features two floors and four people living there. Thank you for using lasers to cut the original panel in the kitchen and other parts of the apartment, the interior looks quite creative and unusual. In addition to laser-cut panels are also other things that make it unique, including a built-in storage solutions and furniture designer. Before the renovation, the apartment has a lot of room but became, transparent residential area full of light and air. Upstairs the master bedroom located next to large bathroom with tile structured from the end of Patricia Urquola, glass, and wood cabinets.

Home interior design


Kitchen design
Staircase design


Bathroom design

Grocery Store Design of Bristo Farms, a Department Store with Desert Style

A department store is a public place for shopping every thing, gifts, kitchen set and housewares, etc. The design of the store usually designed in a common design such as another shop interior design, I think that Bristo Farms store is different with another shop design, with a Dessert Style, this grocery store is designed with coloring theme like a dessert with warm color. The entrance door is designed such as a Mediterranean home design, but the interior design was different, the floor plans and the colors are beautiful, The first thing you DON'T see when you walk in is the check-out cashiers. In fact, they're nearly hidden off to the right side. It's NOT the typical warehouse look with several long isles of produce stacked on shelves.

It is a beautifully decorated and intricate amalgamation of sections and islands. Each department is it's own microcosm of allure and fascination.

The deli has a freshly baked pizza section where you can buy it by-the-slice or carry out whole, and next to that is a hand-carved meat sandwich bar. And it's all conveniently located next to the cafe, which offers even more choices of prepared foods. The cafe is just to the left of the deli area, but I couldn't get a picture because there were too many people in the way!

Even the cheese section is carefully thought out with presentation in mind. I don't know why, but I've always had a fascination with those big cheese wheels. The interiors are designed specially for each section. Just visit desertsociety to get more information about the Bristo Famrs.

Thomas Bina Furniture

 Hendrix Desk, $1299

Crate and Barrel just came out with their 2010 fall collection of new furniture pieces.  As usual, there are a bunch of things that caught my eye.  What I couldn't help noticing were the Hendrix Desk and Phoenix Work Table.   These two exclusive pieces were designed by uber-talented Thomas Bina.  The reclaimed demolition hardwood and solid black walnut lends itself to a style that is both rustic and contemporary.  The Wright Desk and Tyson Dining Table at High Fashion Home were both designed by Bina.

Wright Desk, $1099

Phoenix Work Table, $1299

 

 Tyson Dining Table, $1999

Contemporary and Minimalist Bedroom Design Ideas

Contemporary and Minimalist Bedroom Design Ideas
This has a variety of stylish furniture for the bedroom and living room. One of the more interesting features of this bed headboard is very practical. Apparently this bed is suspended and is not supported unless the head of the bed, but it’s surprising effect is achieved with the unusual shape of the platform.

Glass Mosaic Swimming Pool Design by Glassdecor

Glass Mosaic Swimming Pool Design by Glassdecor
Cartoon character pictures with the children ideally suited for swimming pools. In addition to several types of glass tile has the effect of optical and thanks to the swimming pool you will look bigger and deeper than that. If you have decided to make the best pool and glass mosaic tiles can be a choice really cool for you. By covering the pond bottom and walls of these tiles you can create interesting patterns.