Florida-based Kelli Interior Design Studios Inc. has announced plans for the design and execution of a 3,900 square foot model home at Pelican Isle’s Aqua, in North Naples. The home is a three-bedroom residence which includes a formal dining room, gourmet island kitchen, master bedroom and two guest suites with private baths.

From the initial plans, our favourite concept so far is in the formal living room – a soft, contemporary masterpiece looking out over Aqua’s private marina. A U-shaped seating arrangement facing the window allows the view to become the focal point of the room, using a plush full sofa against mirrored columns and exposed wooden lounge chairs with matching geometric upholstery. Overhead, a playful chandelier is suspended from a double-stacked ceiling. The fireplace, a linear design surrounded by mother of pearl mosaic tiles, creates a secondary feature and balances the room’s aesthetic. Tiles are used again in the kitchen, with a full wall-height glass tile backsplash in shades of white and jade which is continued into the adjoining butler’s pantry.

Kelli’s use of tiles is in keeping with 2013′s upcoming trend for simplicity and bold, linear visual design. Mosaics are particularly favoured by interior specialists for creating large, statement pieces that are both durable and attractive. The black and white bathroom mosaic designed by De Meza + Architecture + Interiors for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase in 2010 was a perfect example of this, using just two shades to produce a textured and interesting look that suggests life and movement in what is usually one of the smallest rooms in the home. Spanish company Glassdecor takes this to the next level, using small tiles to create bespoke murals that add a huge splash of colour to a tiled wall, while Mark Robert’s provocative mosaic pieces evoke the sense of a more personal space.

Large tiles are equally popular, combining the practical with the fashionable in a more subtle way. In this slightly retro bathroom, designer Andee Hess uses amber glaze tiles on one wall only, and balances this with pale furnishings for a room that is warm without feeling claustrophobic. A far more colourful effect has been achieved in this rainbow bathroom, using multiple hues around a recessed bathtub to create a sanctuary-like area. This kind of effect can easily be achieved in any home, using ceramic and porcelain tiles and custom patterns.

Inspiration can be taken from almost any source when considering an interior design scheme, but the announcement of a new design by one of Florida’s established specialists provides a wealth of ideas and an insight into the next trends. Now is a fantastic time to take a look at your own home, and see what changes can be made to bring your interior right up to date, ensuring it’s on trend for the coming year.

courtesy CUBIC

Tumi, the travel and accessories brand that went public in April, has recently opened a flagship store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. Designed by San Francisco-based Brand + Allen Architects, it evokes a streamlined, sleek and sophisticated shopping experience, all while highlighting femininity and the company's most luxurious items for both men and women.

courtesy CUBIC

Every chosen material finish supports and compliments the quality of the product line. This can be demonstrated with the focal point fixture located both behind the cash wrap and near the stairway to the upper level.

courtesy CUBIC

courtesy CUBIC

The illuminated 18-foot display leverages the store's vertical space by uniting its two floors with display elements that tower from floor to ceiling. Manufactured by CUBIC, its polished chrome framework is constructed with a flexible system known as Cube+. For more information on this system, visit cubic.co/cubeplus.

courtesy CUBIC

courtesy CUBIC

The lustrous design, along with developed lighting technology, illuminates Tumi's luxury merchandise further connecting it to the customer. Because the LED lighting is integrated into the fixture, lighting is much more direct, making it a much more efficient and effective design.

courtesy CUBIC

The new 2,000 square foot store marks the brand's 75th store in the United States and its 12th store in California. The company has opened 13 full-priced stores this year and expects to open another two before the end of the year.

+ Also visit early story of CUBIC Project in EYE Film Institute.

+ Project facts

Owner: Tumi
Architect: Brand + Allen Architects
Store Fixtures: CUBIC
Photography: Tom Bonner

New Waves 3d wall panels, image courtesy WallArt

New Waves design introduction of eco friendly 3d-wallpanels made out of recycled Sugarcane bagasse !
Eco 3d-wallpanels give an extra dimension to your walls!

New Waves 3d wall panels, image courtesy WallArt

We have the pleasure to introduce you to the brand new waves design as one of the newly presented models within our product range of 3d wall panels. In total this brings our line of design to 20 models. Enough choice to fit every type of room in your house or office or other space to decorate, whether you look for a classic or trendy or modern design WallArt will give your interior that extra dimension you are looking for! 3d wall panels are a great way to create a unique and eco friendly project!

New Waves 3d wall panels, image courtesy WallArt

WallArt will bring your walls to life with their eco friendly 3d-wallpanels made out of the fibrous residue of sugarcane also called bagasse. This fibres of crushed sugarcane stalks, remaining after raw sugar is extracted from the juice of the sugarcane by shredding it, is now the raw material that forms the base of this easily installed eco friendly interior product.

New Waves 3d wall panels, image courtesy WallArt

The raw material used for WallArt 3d-wallpanels is 100% recycled, compostable and therefore 100% biodegradable. WallArt 3d wall panels are all made out of a renewable source which is biodegradable and therefore contribute to sustainability. Bagasse, as a residue of sugarcane, is one of the world's most renewable sources because sugarcane can be harvested up to 3 times a year. The total harvest worldwide is more than 1.2 billion metric tons yearly and out of each 3 ton of sugarcane there remains 1 ton of bagasse. By using this recycled raw material we can say this 3d-wallpaper is a real eco decor product.

New Waves 3d wall panels, image courtesy WallArt

WallArt introduced their 3d-wallcovering in Europe in 2011. They’ve been the first entering the market with this eco friendly home decor and interior product. At this moment there are 20 different models of the WallArt 3d wall panels available, for more information about WallArt and their 3d decorating wall panels please go to their website www.mywallart.com and check it out. WallArt 3d decorative wall panels are not only environmentally friendly but the 3d effect give an extra dimension to your walls!

Lens Safe, image courtesy Simon Michel

German designer Simon Michel designed the "Lens Safe".
All in one contact lens case. A smart solution for the care of contact lens.

Lens Safe, image courtesy Simon Michel

If a contact lens wearer becomes dirt into his eye, he will have a problem to clean his lens. Because contact lens boxes are not contain any care liquid ,to clean the contact lens. According to the designer Simon Michel this problem will be solved by his all in one Contact lens Box "Lens Safe"

The storage and care of contact lenses in everyday life is not so simple. For example on a long working day you can not switch easily between contact lenses and glasses. If you want to, you need a contact lens case and the Care liquid. Therefore, many contact lenses users get tired red eyes. The same problem exists on traveling. You always need the contact lens case and the care liquid. Both together requires a lot of space in your hand luggage. Contact lens case also don’t look like a must have. They look like a medical devices and suggests that you have a handicap. The main problem is contact lens care in all day situations. There is no contact lens case that looks cool and includes some care liquid.

Lens Safe, image courtesy Simon Michel

I call my idea Lens Safe it looks a bit like a pen or a marker. It has two caps one on each site for separate storage. There are two refillable cartridges in the inside (filled with care liquid). The width and height of Lens Safe is based on the diameter of a contact lens (plus two
millimeter) and the required wall thickness. The inside of the cap is shaped so that contact lenses do not get stuck in The shape of Lens Safe is a square so that Lens Safe can’t roll away. One Cap is marked with an R to differ the contact lenses from each other when they get storage . Lens Safe is 114 mm long and 23 mm wide and high, and consists of an injection-moldable and food-safe plastic.

Simon Michel

+ Key Features

•       1. Lens care wherever you want
•       2. Two refillable cartridges
•       3. Pocket size
•       4. separate storage of contact lense
•       5. unobtrusive and interesting design

Casa Alta, image courtesy AS/D | Photo by Rafael Gamo

Mexican architectural firm AS/D designed the Casa Alta located on a steep slope within a 1,500 square meter plot with magnificent views to the valley, the main structure of this weekend house consists of a 6 m by 6m module in three levels with just 108 square meters and a roof deck overlooking the valley.

The structural walls made of striped exposed concrete make this house a monolith inserted in a steep topography highlighting discreet light penetration, as well as directed views towards the garden.

A staircase parallel to the site guides the user from the entry level to the outdoor platform below, the same way in which the house is interconnected from the lower level to the roof garden.

Casa Alta, image courtesy AS/D | Photo by Rafael Gamo

The site presents a difference in level of about 16 meters in one direction, offering magnificent views of the surroundings; the house is inserted at a specific level from which it optimizes different entry levels and the integration of the exterior space. A clear connection is generated throughout the 3 main levels of the projects: entry level, the levels of the house and the lower level platform containing the pool. The project is conceived as stacking program enclosing different uses on specific levels of the site.

Casa Alta, image courtesy AS/D | Photo by Rafael Gamo

The house works as a vertical block organized by vertical circulation through a stacked staircase which connects the user to different levels and program having on the lower level the kitchen with dining area, the intermediate level or entry level the living room, the  top level the bedroom and full bathroom, and above that the roof deck. The directed views are key to the project as per orientation of each level and space interconnection on the inside.

Casa Alta, image courtesy AS/D | Photo by Rafael Gamo

A platform on the lowest part of the site becomes the common space for relaxation, ending with the landscape intervention and programmatic experience. This platform of 200 square meters consists o f a swimming pool, grill, outdoor dining tables, and lounge spaces, with views the valley as well as the river.

The design of the ventilated facade is conceived with the idea of somehow printing an abstract image of a tree, just as if the house would camouflage with the many existing trees from the site.

Casa Alta, image courtesy AS/D | Photo by Rafael Gamo

The façade evolves from the idea of digital pointillism where the image of a tree is digitalized with the same technique of the impressionist paintings, where the user is able to see the full image from a distance but as one gets closer it becomes a constellation of pixels which gives a unique texture to the house. This is achieved with 232 Trespa panels from which 40% are perforated using CNC technology for the fabrication and precision and placed on an aluminum sub-structure.

Casa Alta, is a subtle intervention to the site, context and vegetation, with a minimum footprint to allocate the basic needs for a weekend house. A house that becomes and observatory from the inside and a house of intervention from the outside. A house to enjoy the outdoors.

AS/D

Casa Alta – AXONOMETRIC VIEWS, drawing courtesy AS/D

+ Project facts

Type: SINGEL FAMILY RESIDENCE
Architectural design: AS/D asociación de diseño. Fernando Velasco + Paola Morales
Team: Santiago García de Letona, Fernando Polidura, Natalia Gomez, Piergianna Mazzocca
Construction: Punto y Raya Arquitectura y construcción + AS/D asociación de diseño
Facade: material: Trespa  installation: Katorceespacios
Structure: Ing. Cesar Pérez Carbajal
Location: Huixquilucan Estado de México. México
Plot Area: 1,600 m2
Built Area: House. 108 m2, Platform 200 m2, services 30 m2
Project Year: 2010
Construction Year: 2011-2012
Photography: Rafael Gamo
Website: www.asd-architecture.com

+ All images courtesy AS/D | Photo by Rafael Gamo