When you hear 1-bedroom apartment, you mostly relate it to being economic, on a tight budget, or single. Well, this is not the case here. This elite crib – the House - is a 411.932 sq m (4,434 square foot) 1-Bedroom apartment, listed at a whopping 1.8 billion yen ($21.8 million USD) in the exclusive and most expensive neighborhood Minami-Azabu of Tokyo, Japan. Priced at an unbelievable $4,920.75 per square foot, the apartment is considered the world most expensive, and here’s why:

• Almost all furniture in the home is custom designed by Cecotti Collezioni
• Many of the walls, flooring and doors are Italian imported stone and wood
• Features a Japanese ‘Ryotei’ style dining room for dinner parties allowing chef to serve guests directly from gourmet kitchen
• Parisian-style terrace overlooking Arisugawa park
• Features original works from famous Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju, painted on site
• Entrance hallway has walls that open up to massive 200-pair shoe storage unit
• Features massive, fully enclosed courtyard garden
• 1 full bath, 2 partial baths
• All kitchen appliances by La Cornue

It’s a nice design with some beautiful interior decorating and fabulous outdoor spaces, but it’s still a 1-bedroom apartment!

[Photography copyrights: Japan Sotheby’s International Realty] [Source]

The Romantik Muottas Muragl, a sustainable, contemporary hotel set in the Swiss Alps , has undergone a complete renovation in 2012 by Franzun AG. Visitors can look forward to unforgettable views and a luxurious, yet environmentally conscious mountain retreat.

Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl by Franzun AG:

“During summer 2010, the entire Berghotel Muottas Muragl was completely renovated. Particular focus was placed on the aspect of environmental-friendliness, giving rise to the first plus-energy hotel in the Alps.

Besides constructing the building according to the principles and requirements of the Swiss “Minergie” ecological label, this project went one step further. Although the surface area of the building was extended from 1,700 sq. metres to 2,700 sq. meters, despite the 50% increase in size, it was possible to reduce the energy consumption by 64%, from 436,000 kWh/a to 157,400 kWh/a.

This was achieved by insulating the building in line with the latest standards and by generating renewable energy from five different sources.

With this ground-breaking energy concept, the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl was awarded the Swiss Solar Award 2011 and the PlusEnergieBau® (PEB) Solar Award 2011.

Awaiting you at the completely renovated Berghotel Muottas Muragl are 16 romantic rooms furnished in Swiss stone pine. The rooms are very comfortable and decorated with a great deal of charm.

Each room is equipped with a WC, shower and/or bath, and free W-LAN. The larger double rooms also accommodate a sofa bed and are therefore ideal for families.

Spend the night at 2,456 metres above sea level – an unforgettable experience.

Mountain dining high up on Muottas Muragl means enjoyment in harmony with the Engadin Alpine world. The romantic Berghotel Muottas Muragl, with its harmonious decor of Swiss stone pine and walnut, provides a stylish ambience for each and every culinary occasion.”

Description from John Reeves

“Driving my motorbike past an ever increasing pile of rubble and scrap stones outside one of the many sheet marble and granite tradesmen that line some streets in Ho Chi Minh I started to realise the potential of this so called waste.

Chunks and slabs of beautiful stones were scrapped as offcuts; redundant with only the hope of being pummeled into aggregate for terrazzo or finer dust for composite use. I wanted to retain the inherent beauty that these semi precious stones already have by taking this waste and “upcycling” it – allowing the noble and honest material another chance. With only one rule – that no two colours are combined next to each other and whites and blacks are included in each leg the tradesman select the marble combination themselves. The scrap pieces are rough cut to size, skewered and laminated along a threaded rod, this is then sent to be turned and the scrap pieces reveal their inner beauty once again. The threaded rod continues as the connection between the leg and the carbon oak table top.”

Dimensions:
Side Table : height – 550mm x 400mm x 400mm
Coffee Table : height – 400mm x 525mm x 1200mm
Dining Table : height – 750mm x 1900mm x 900mm

[Via Contemporist]

A Stunning hill-side dream home designed by Cape Town-based studio SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects named the Montrose house, it was completed in 2010. This contemporary home is located in Cape Town, South Africa. Here are some images and description from the designers:

 “High on the ridge of Bishopscourt in Cape Town, this unique site resulted from the demolition of an existing house. The site was divided by the existing driveway, which rose steeply from the end of the cul-de-sac below. The new building’s form, perched as it is in a commanding position, was perceived from the outset to be a pavilion overlooking the lawns and the forested valley below.

The clients’ brief had a few specific requirements; orientation towards the Constantia Valley and distant False Bay, and the dramatic views up the mountains above Kirstenbosch were essential, as was the emphasis on developing the site to maximize the garden and lawn area. Following the brief the driveway was relocated to the southern boundary of the site to allow this and open up the lawns and the gardens towards the sun and mountain views. There are panoramic vistas towards the south and west from the bedrooms and living rooms; while the pool and terraces are located on the north-east side, in a courtyard protected from the Southeaster gales by the intersecting linear forms of the house.

The triangular shape of the site, and its elevation above the street and steep incline, required extensive excavation and retaining, in order to provide a driveway of acceptable gradient, and extensive building platform on one level, and garden terraces all round.

The double-winged roof, floating above the bedroom wing, and virtually glass box-enclosed living rooms, are the main architectural features. These are complemented by secondary architectural elements such as the cantilevered end of the main entrance feature wall, the floating stone-clad fireplace, continuous perimeter cantilever terraces to the bedrooms and the wrap-around cantilever eyebrow.

Finishes include: polished granite floors, no carpets, no curtains and the floating feature roof with clerestory lighting. The clients’ preference was towards a slick modernist environment with a definitive northern European flair. The imported light grey granite floor slabs set the tone for a color palette of cool greys rather than natural browns, a refreshing change from prevailing trends.”

[Via HomeDSGN] [Photography by Wieland Gleich]

In the region of Bourgogne (Burgundy) in central France, designer Joséphine Gintzburger has undertaken a mission to transform a countryside barn into a present-day modern crib. Her concept was to deliver a Mediterranean interior with an industrial rustic feel to it. By blending elements like concrete, aged oak beams, chandeliers, modern art, having exposed ceilings and newly created mezzanine levels to house the private areas of the residence, the end result  turned out to be magnificent and heartwarming. Here are some images of the results from the designer

Deck Two recently accomplished an amazing art project in one of the rehabilitated warehouses in New York. The project, named “Global City”, was made for a shipping company looking for some creative artwork to cover up and decorate a huge blank wall area at their office space’s kitchen. The Drawings are all done using a black pencil marker in an anamorphic technique, which requires the viewer to stand at a specific point to get the overall perspectives.

Global City blows your mind away with its simplicity of implementation that produced an extremely detailed and creative product. The cartoon-like canvas illustrates a city compromised of well-known attractions and iconic landmarks of the world’s most famous capitals, all merged together into one fictional skyline. From the Petronas Towers of Malaysia and the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan, to the Eiffel tower, London bridge and Rome’s Colosseum in Europe; and more – all sharing one river bank. An extraordinary free-hand sketching skill that just melt your heart, and a city I’d definitely would love to visit if it was real.  Would you say no to a kitchen like that? I simply wouldn’t!

Watch the video of the making:

[Source: Deck Two; paranoias.org]

French designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance has designed the interior of the Ciel de Paris (Sky of Paris) restaurant, located in the center of the city on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower, the highest building in Paris, overlooking the Eiffel tower and spanning over an area of 400 square meters.

Warm lighting glows out from behind the circular mirrors covering the ceiling, as well as around the edges of the room and from beneath the curved central bar. Chairs designs by feature smooth grey resin and fibreglass shells with orange leather linings.

Description from the designer’s website:

Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance has designed a soft and profound amber bubble of light on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower: the new Ciel de Paris res-taurant interior design and furniture. From the bay windows to the central bar, depending on the aura of the mirrors, the skilled composition of the sombre reflections strengthens and transforms perspectives. The view becomes space; space be-comes the view. The golden glints of the City of Light bounce off the sensual curves and materials. Paris is sparkling and all of a sudden the tower is more desirable. This primarily touristic venue has become welcoming and ethereal, a pleasurable experience designed for everyone.

A interesting and fresh design of a multifunction table named REBIRTH. Designed by Meik Studio of Portugal, the table adapts to the space it’s placed within, and can easily function as a central and support table, or a bedside night stand. Its manufactured out of ebony wood and stands on organic-shaped aluminum supports.

Here’s the designer’s description:

Inspired by the desire of changing the human being, the changes that we submit, in happiness and sadness of these changes comes the new exclusive piece of meikstudio, a table inspired by the act of rebirth, the simplicity of the act of wanting to be different.

Here’s what inspired us to create the REBIRTH table, a table that becomes what you want, a support table, a bedside table, a table with various functionalities, capable of adapting itself to reinterpret the space where it is . The grace with which rises from the ground brings us to the lightness and peace of mind that so often we would like to achieve.

The elegance and dynamism that the foot transmits is inspired in roots, culminating in the rectangular geometric figure with ebony wood finished in high gloss acrylic varnish. This wood has strong and scored shaft, the final touch of class to this piece of special character. The foot in polish stainless steel transmits a sensation of cold that comes into opposition with the warm feel of the ebony wood in this drawer. A clear interpretation of reborn, reborn that we often dream so many times of being different and multifaceted.”

The new ABC Museum, designed by architects Aranguren + Gallegos, aims at becoming an international artistic benchmark as well as a symbol of the cultural offer of Madrid, Spain. It is entirely dedicated to the world of drawing and illustration and has few rivals in Europe capable of standing comparison with the liveliness of the initiatives and with charm of its location.

It has been created inside an old factory in Calle de Amaniel, not far from the gardens of Plaza de España in the centre of Madrid. The work had to satisfy many of the project challenges typical of historical contexts without forgetting to express its contemporary nature.

 [Re-blogged from Archilovers]

According to the infographic, offices should be painted blue, as it is the “most productive color”. Living rooms should be painted lavender, to calm the nerves and offer relaxation. Kitchens should be painted yellow, as it increases metabolism, and gives you energy.

Also red: “evokes strong emotion, encourages appetite, passion or intensity”; which is why restaurants, such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Wendy’s and Popeye’s use that color. Black, white, silver and gold colors are often used for luxury items (Chanel, Prada, Michael Kors) to enhance the feeling of sophistication.

In a location as naturally perfect as Koh Samui, Thailand, a small seaside getaway that speeds far past perfection is born, “W” Retreat Koh Samui, designed by Maps Design.

Infinity pools show barely a seam when guests look out to the shimmering turquoise Gulf of Thailand, and the hotel’s 75 villas burst with contrasting colors, shapes, and textures. W Retreat Koh Samui brings their signature beds to the party, ensuring the perfect night’s sleep after the perfect day at the beach.

Designer’s description:

W Retreat and Residences Koh Samui is the first W Retreat in Southeast Asia. An all-villa beachfront resort, it is located on a 26-acre site on Maenam Beach, at the north shore of the island of Koh Samui. The retreat features 70 villas, each approximately 160 sq m, W’s signature Living Room and Lounge and a Signature Spa. There are also 17 private residences, each between 700 sq m to 1, 300 sq m on plots ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 sq m, all with sweeping sea views. These residences dot a beautiful headland site with 900m of secluded beachfront. Koh Samui’s reputation as a top class resort destination is reinforced by a new clutch of discreet boutique hotels. W is a perfectly positioned addition. Its location on a secluded peninsula in an old rubber tree plantation ensures its privacy. The design attempts to dramatize the impressive views by its careful disposition of the public areas and villas. The lobby is located on the highest point of the site, offering a sweeping panoramic view of the northern coastline. Spaces are treated as outdoor rooms linked by covered and open walkways. Facilities are located in such a way that they cascade down the hillslopes with minimal impact on the existing topography, while accentuating the views of the sea. The villas are segregated into two zones, one on the flat beach while the other is tucked into the hillside.

[Via Contemporist]

This bookstore has been in business for quite some time, nevertheless it still deserves to be honored. The story of the place started in May 1919 in Buenos Aires, Argentina; it opened as a theater named Teatro Gran Splendid. The building, designed by Pero and Torres Armengol, had a capacity of 1,050 sits and covered plenty of various performances. Later on in late the twenties it was converted into a cinema and in 1929 it premiered the first film with voice presented in Argentina.

In 2000, the opera premises were leased by El Ateneo and Yenni booksellers - Grupo Ilhsa. This decision brought a big makeover to the place’s ideology yet not the outlook. The building of 2,000 square meters ( 21,000 square feet) experienced only a slight renovation under the direction of the architect Fernando Manzone; the cinema seats were removed in order to give space for bookshelves. On the other hand all the architectural detail work of the interior were preserved since the first days of the theater – the ceiling, painted by Italian artist Nazareno Orlandi, the carvings, stage curtains and many others. This designers decision maintains the antique vibe of the past. El Ateneo Grand Splendid indeed became the splendid source of books and music shopping. The fame of the store around the country made it one of the best known in Argentina as well as Grupo Ilhsa’s flagship store.

Under the Moonlight contemporary house, designed by Giovanni D’Ambrosio, is located in Mount Hotham, Victoria, Australia. Interestingly enough the shape of the home is quite modern, yet there are obvious historical influences that are incorporated into the design very successfully. The house’s materials tend to blend with the surrounding environment, protecting the local vegetation and trees from any distorting objects.

The Hill House in Melbourne, Australia is an explicit example of the multiple sides of a design job. An unexpected make over idea changed the whole image of the regular town house. Owners of the dwell, a family of five including three young kids, requested the modern upgrade to their home with a condition of enjoying the healthy side of the sun; they asked for a sunny zone and a yard mostly acting as a shadowy shelter.

Designers at Andrew Maynard Architects came up with a solution to build a new structure on the rear boundary, the southern edge of the block, upon the footprint of what had been, until now, the backyard.  The cantilevered box above would protect from the summer sun while letting the winter sun in. Expected decision of the stairs was challenged with an outdoor slope as a little hiking adventure inside family’s own property. Hill House couldn’t be more fun!

 [Sources: Andrew Maynard Architects, Photography by Nic Granleese and Andrew Maynard Architects]

Product designer Hilla Shamia created a new kind of furniture that blends an industrial vibe with a homey cottage feel, each piece is made of Aluminum casted molten around dry lilac wood logs bonding them into a single organic element with a heart warming appeal. Wood Casting is on show during the Milan design week 2012.

The designer describes that: “The negative factor of burnt wood is transformed into aesthetic and emotional value. Preservation of the natural form of the tree trunk within the explicit boundaries. The general,squared form intensifies the artificial feeling, and in the same time keeps the memory of the material”.

 [Via Contemporist]

The artistic Wanderlust hotel in Little India neighborhood, Singapore  has been created, to communicate with curious voyagers up for a boutique-like adventure. The hotel is the newest development of owner Loh Lik Peng, who gave four different award winning Singapore design firms each a floor to create their own interpretation of contemporary style and comfort. The building was originally an old school built it 1920s.

The hotel houses 29 guest rooms with different design themes ranging from neon-glowing rooms to origami stencils, it also features a wide-open bar and lounge with as much wonder as the rooms themselves.

The word ‘Wanderlust’ stands for a strong desire or impulse to travel far away and explore different places. It invites guests to walk through a unique and radical hotel experience.

[Via Design Boom]

What image do you get with the word “library”? Lots of dusty books, silence signs and the book worm spirit! A simple yet outstanding choice of the New York’s Public Library, created a big upgrade to the guttered third floor of their Harlem’s landmark branch. Moreover the Hamilton Grange teen center appeared to be the first of its kind in Northern Manhattan, NY.

Contemporary renovations, designed by New York based Rice+Lipka architects, covered 4400 square feet and divided the space into multifunctional zones, which are alined by two main elements - the bamboo stepped bleacher area and a 7 meters diameter media vitrine.

The stepped bleacher provides visitors with a street view and at the same time works as a hub for live performances, screenings and hang-out area.

The vitrine is the cylindrical glazed media room which allows visitors to enjoy movies and interactive gaming such as Guitar hero and Wii. The loud noise inside the Media Vitrine doesn’t cause any outside distortion.

The teen center’s space also includes X-Bar computer zone, Highback Reading Lounge, Exam Study Niche, and a day-glo Snack & Chat Niche (a 1st time experimental break from the normal prohibitions), rolling L-bracket Lounge, and tiered book stacks.

This place achieved a great makeover from the cliche definition of a library to a more social interactive hub attracting much more young visitors from the surrounding neighborhood than before.

[Sources: domus]

The Burj Al-Arab hotel, stands off the coast of Dubai on a man-made island specially for it, it is the world’s most luxurious hotel, ranking itself as the only 7-star hotel worldwide. And it makes total common sense that the most expensive hotel room in the world would be in it.

The Royal Suite at the Burj Al-Arab hotel is an outstanding 780 sq. meters villa. It sports 2 master bedrooms a reception salon, dinning room, a private cinema and spa, it even has its own internal elevator between different levels of the suite. A night here cost as much as $27,000 with a complementary Rolls Royce and a chauffeur.

Here is what you get in this super-fancy suite:

Share with us what you think about this room, is this the kind of fancy you’d be willing to drop 27 grand for? or would you be looking for something with a different taste?

[Via Business Insider]

The reserve’s flagship is Sasakwa, an East African ranch house set on a plateau with panoramic views of the plains. The lodge’s wood-paneled libraries have an English country club feel, and there are seven cottage residences, each with a garden and plunge pool. Tennis courts, a spa, and a yoga center occupy guests between twice-daily game drives, where sightings include wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles.

Located on the migratory route crossed annually by more than a million wildebeests, it provides guests with an incredible all-time photo canvas right out of their suite’s panoramic windows. Despite its remote location, Singita’s guests are treated to five-star service and accommodations. Rooms in the tents and villas start at around $1,095 per person per night; rates include daily game drives, food, and drink.

The year’s top 4 hotels where surprisingly all safari-themed African hotels located in Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa, looks like bonding with the wild is the most desired attraction for today’s tourism.

[Via Business Insider, Travel & Leisure]

Esther Stocker, Italian installation artist born in Silandro, Italy, has created a number of minimal geometrical rooms with abstract ambiguities. The rooms are displayed in different galleries around a number of European and American cities as Rome, Prague, Paris, Zurich, Hannover, and Pasadena, California. The Composition of every space consists of a variance of linear patterns and planes that redefines the geometry of each space.

[Via Empty Kingdom]

A playful spontaneous atmosphere, that some would refer to as anything else but a work place, was exactly the approach taken by the Saachi & Saachi’s creative director.

he describes: “I want a space that inspires, is genuinely fun to come to everyday, and that didn’t take itself too seriously.”

He aimed to revive the Bangkok office to properly represent a global advertising company with 140 branches worldwide, the job was given to Bangkok design firm Supermachine Studio. Facing a challenge of a relatively tight office space (400 sq.meters) and an economical budget, the architect overcame the obstacle with bold ideas that leave much of the space open but accented by strong visual elements.

 [Via DesignLike]

Architects at Es Arch – Enrico Scaramellini Architetto refurbished an old existing barn In the village of Isola, Madesimo, Italy, into a contemporary duplex named Casa Up. Not being able to freely reinterpret shapes and volumes, the architects used the current traditional forms and proportions that served as ingredients for the modern volumetric re-definition. Using fine carpentry craftsmanship, the place was turned upside down, from a cold barn that was about to collapse, into a top of the line modern one-bedroom/ one-bathroom crib.

[Via Home DSGN] [Photography by Marcello Mariana]

This amazing traditional Greek house has been online for a while now, nevertheless it is worthy of shinning a spot light upon it. Located on the heavenly island of Tinos in Cyclades, Greece, it is the vacation home of its brilliant interior designer, Marilyn Katsaris. Architecturally designed by Greek Zege architects which represents all that Tinos stands for. Respecting its architectural surroundings and capturing the day to day beauty and simplicity

The soft edges and brilliant natural tones create a sense of serenity as you pass easily from one area of this white home to the next. Minimalistic niches are built into the wall to stow away objects, and beautiful thick shelves hold dishes and ornaments.

All bathrooms have a different color, selected from the natural surrounding elements such as blue and sand color.

This stunning residence represents through its design the beauty, simplicity and history of its location.

 [Via Yatzar]

Moldova, a wonderful place to live, mainly because of its long mild-and-sunny climate. Typically, the region will have a continental type of climate throughout the year. Long warm summers and mild dry winters are a landmark of this small landlocked nation.  Grosu Art Studio, based in Chisinau – the capital city of Moldova – has designed the ‘All-White Loft Apartment’, located also in Chisinau.

The interior of the apartment imparts aesthetics as well as a contemporary outlook altogether. Right from the entrance, you would be invited by a sequence of bright colored paintings, and this seems to be most distinguishable trait of this contemporary building. The wooden floors and grey colored rugs keep its interiors warm all through the year. Intermittent black and white leather cushion sets, and the contemporary artifacts hung from the white wall impart artistic appeal to this apartment.

The main living room divides into an entertainment section and dining section; and it branches further to other sections in this house. Glass windows offer unhindered vision to the exteriors, whereas contemporary lighting gives a luxurious feeling to the interior. The kitchen is very spacious, and you would see every appliance in a modern kitchen here. There are bar stools and a marble platform. Stylish bedrooms and post modern bathrooms make this residence really an irresistible one.

 [Via HomeDSGN]

Dutch designer Robert van Embricqs has created the Rising Table. The design is based on a rather simple idea of starting with a flat surface that is capable of poetically transforming into a stylish piece of  furniture.

The prototype table is made of locally manufactured recycled plywood, with plastic hinges milled into the wood veneer to create a completely flat surface. The wood beams are only 15mm thick, which means the whole table is only 15mm thick when lying flat – optimizing transportation and storage efficiencies.

[Via Yanko Design]