Whimsical & quirky Re-Edit hair salon in Japan, by Sides Core

Both austere and whimsical at the same time, the interior of the RE-EDIT hair salon in Osaka, Japan, is re-imagined by husband and wife design team Sides Core. The team, Sohei & Sumiko, have given this space nothing short of an atmosphere that bathes in a decidedly frugal aesthetic. This simplicity has one key objective, to reduce the space to its essentials.

And while simple, open, and devoid of partitions and breaks, the space has its own willful presence and sophistication. This easeful confidence comes through the careful choice of softly-spoken materials which work quietly as an ensemble to string together the space as a whole. The bright space is kept simple through the use of thin curtains, whitewashed walls and a lightly textured concrete floor, elements which help the interior maintain a calm and monotone palette.

While simplicity is key, there has clearly been a lot of thought put into maximising the use of the modular arrangements. Brightly coloured hooks are assembled on the ceiling in a grid, allowing the owner to freely 're-edit' the space as needed. The mirrors and shelves are secured with little more than ropes bound to the hooks, making it easy to move and shake the interior as one pleases. It is, without a doubt, a hair salon like few I've seen before, making for quite a unique experience, I would imagine...

Source - hypebeast.com

Images - Sides Core

Stock Coffee House in Serbia, by Arhitektura Budjevac

I have often said how refreshing it is to find great design in all the corners of the world, and so I'm very excited to have come across this little gem in Serbia. Designed by the Serbian based architectural studio Arhitektura Budjavec, the project is called Stock Coffee. The first coffee shop, in what is to roll out and be a franchise, was a transformation from what used to be a retail space. 

The first thing that the architects did was to strip back the space to its beautiful and candid materials. They removed all unnecessary elements from the interior and exposed the rugged bareness of its concrete, ceiling walls, beams and columns.

Spanning across two levels, the coffee shop is comprised of two L-shaped spaces that sit one above the other, and which are spatially connected by an atrium. They are further connected visually by a grand black wall that plays the role of a blackboard. One of the key unique elements of the interior, and noticeable from before one even steps foot into the store, the wall is covered with hand-drawn decorations made by Serbian artist Jelena Ilić. With its organic and free-hand drawings, the wall adds a human element to what is predominantly a coffee shop comprised of straight lines and flat surfaces. It also adds a sense of depth to the space, where someone enjoying their coffee could lose themselves in the story of the illustrations.

Besides the quirkiness and down-to-earth element of the wall, I love the use of furniture. it is simple yet perfectly appropriate for the space. It looks super comfortable and has an edgy, urban feel to it that does nothing short of compliment the choice of the rugged materials. And always one for simplicity, I couldn't go past noting the use of customised palettes serving as low-seating coffee tables. 

Beyond the main interior itself, the architects have also given thought to the actual user experience, giving it some relevance in the way we live today, through the notion of taking 'selfies'. Catchy wording is illustrated on the bathroom mirrors, inviting clients to take fun selfies, many of which they're likely going to share on social media. It's a simple but very interesting consideration when designing a space, because it recognises the effect of the interior beyond the physical interaction of the primary user. It explores how the interior plays a part as 'brand' out in the wider world of social media.

Source - archdaily.com via atelierrueverte.blogspot.fr

Images - arhitekturabudjevac.com via archdaily.com

Photography - andreja.budjevac

Old Converted Blacksmith's Workshop in Lesbos, Greece

I often associate Greece with amazing holidays, great weather, incredible ferry hopping between the islands, delicious food and that beautiful white architecture that speckles the islands against the magnificent backdrop of the blue sea. So, hidden away on one of the islands, I wouldn't have expected to find this very cool and rugged revamp of what used to be a blacksmith's workshop.

This little gem of a conversion is located on the island of Lesbos, in a building dating all the way back to the 1930's. The former workshop had been abandoned until a group of Danish architects embarked on turning it into a modern holiday house. Now, while I unfortunately don't know more precisely who the architects are, I do know that these excellent pics were taken by Wichmann + Bendtsen.

It's quite incredible that, once you know this was an ancient blacksmith's workshop, the signs are everywhere. The architects have accented the interior with piping and raw metal finishes where relevant. And despite the ruggedness and masculinity of the metal, it works remarkable well with the softness and fragility of the light wood surfaces. The two materials rely on simple juxtaposition to create an amazing union. 

And in between the two extremes of metal and light wood, more character is added to this converted interior through the use of beautifully finished concrete floors and the original wood beams that span the ceiling... which I imagine create a mesmerising labyrinth of light and shade throughout the space.

Source - leclubdesdouze.com

Images - emmas.blogg.se via leclubdesdouze.com

Loving The Black Workshop

There are some great blogs that just seem to continuously cross my path when I'm searching for inspiration, both for the blog as well as very simply for myself and my own greedy, never satisfied hunger for the perfect aesthetic hit. One of those omnipresent blogs is the Tumblr blog of The Balck Workshop. I think it is an absolute art to make a page look as desirable, sexy, rich in colour and succulently attractive as does The Balck Workshop. I find their image collection so ruggedly beautiful that I couldn't resist the temptation to share some of it myself.

One can find everything from product design, to delectable photography, through to the classic mesmerising city shots, and divine, modern & minimalist interiors. I love The Balck Workshop blog simply because it doesn't just present you with one project or product, but rather it immerses you into a world of imagery, imagination and feeling. It allows you to find inspiration where you most feel it and see it...

Here is just a teeny weeny selection of their wonderful inspiration. You will not regret it if you click further and explore their site... You'll be taken away...

Images courtesy of - The Balck Workshop    

Painting memories with well-forgotten old things

Oh how I'm so very proudly excited to have found the work of Ukraine based interior workshop Sergey Makhno! Not only because Nest of Pearls searches to discover talented designers in all corners of the world, but also because the work is just very simply breathtaking. Headed-up by Sergey Makhno himself, the talented team embark on a vast array of projects ranging from interior fit-outs, to architectural projects, through to, and this is what has won my little heart, unforgettable object design.

As it's rather impossible to wrap one's mind around all their fabulous work in just one blog post, I've chosen to share with you their collection called The Invariants, but I do encourage you to immerse yourself further and discover all their great work, available for view via their site. 

So, The Invariants. The collection portrays a series of vases using materials that we find very familiar from our childhood days, such as concrete and glass jars. Despite its simplicity, the work captures a magnitude of emotions, a certain austerity as well as a notion of loneliness. We also feel the absence of the elements of nature... yet another link to childhood memories of big city living, where streets were the haven for play and fun.

Source - mahno.com

Creamy sensations

A quick Saturday post on delicious creamy tones. I know I say it again and again, but I simply love a white space that one can spruce up with soft colours and accents... Below I share with you some of my favourite styling shots of the week, each one exploring a different use of a soft pallet of cream and beige colours... Enjoy!

Source - Pinterest