Gubi Denmark, an absolute, heavenly escape

Every now and then I fall upon a great design website that I simply want to completely devour and so I have trouble cutting back on the number of great images that I want to share. This is definitely the case with the exquisite furniture of the Gubi design group in Denmark.

Gubi's eclectic approach blurs the lines between delicious vintage and an impeccable modern approach, and the photography of the pieces projects them into a dreamy magic world where colour, contrast and light come into place as the perfect supporting actors. 

In the words of Gubi, which I find so spot on, their collection boasts 'an extensive assortment of extremely aesthetic, thought-provoking designs characterised by simple, arresting shapes, original materials and innovative techniques which defy time and space'. It is such an incredible array of deliciousness that sees me rubbing my fingers softly together as I imagine the touch of the tantalising fabrics. The styling is also executed to mere perfection. I'm imagining the likes of beautiful actresses from the 50's lounging carelessly on these delicate pieces.

Images courtesy of - gubi

The pleasure of discovering Koskela

Sydney weather is absolutely divine this time of year, and I was lucky enough to have some time aside this week to catch up with a wonderful friend for lunch, and ooooooh did I love where she took me. Hidden in an industrial, quite rugged, and very design-ey part of town, I had the pleasure of discovering Koskela. Owned and run by one talented duo, Russel Koskela and Sasha Titchkosky, Koskela is like no other furniture company I've ever stepped foot in. Inspired by their own lives and the things that surround them Russel's Australian furniture designs are both delectably beautiful as well as functional.

I loved this place because it immersed me in what I can describe as a beautiful jungle of delicious colour, form, depth and texture. The amazing space welcomes you with a funky little restaurant called Kitchen by Mike, where one can indulge in honest, candidly cooked and finger-licking good dishes. As I devoured my perfectly seasoned grilled chicken alongside a peach and rocket salad, I couldn't help peeking in what was the enticing furniture showroom beyond. So naturally, once we did explore the showroom my heart began to dance.

What a space!! The pieces are laid out with the most perfect care, and made to sing and come alive with additional accessories from other Australian designers. I say 'perfect care' though the space, at the same time, is so relaxed and inviting, it actually feels like someone's home, one's incredible oversized loft, oozing succulent ruggedness and open to one and all...

Another aspect that stood out to me is the sheer attention that everything is given. The company card I picked up on my way out was an experience of touch, a soft yet beautifully matte, slightly textured, card, carrying the same feeling and ideology as the showroom. Koskela's website is also an amazing place to visit, it is just such a natural extension of the showroom sensation that it simply leaves one's aesthetic taste buds hungry for more.

Photography by - Bisera Gondevska (me! :)

Timidly mesmerising - Exhibition Arjan Janssen

In October of last year I wrote a post about a wonderful Dutch artist, Arjan Janssen, whose work I had stumbled across and, ever since, I absolutely love to follow. The piece, A Study of Beautiful Simplicity, looked at the the mesmerising way in which Janssen draws us in through his work. His style sees the viewer getting quietly and willingly lost in the world that he depicts, a world that is built on a foundation of humble simplicity in order to create a harmonious rhythm for both the eye and the soul of the partaker.

So, having just recently found out that Janssen is currently exhibiting, I wanted to absolutely post about this and encourage one and all to discover his great work, or for those already familiar with it, to simply re-immerse themselves in his refreshing, modern approach.

The exhibition is on as we speak, will go through until the 23rd of February 2013, and is taking place at Galerie Hein Elferink, in Netherlands' cute town of Staphorst. So if you're currently lucky enough to be in Europe than this seems to be such a wonderful way to spend a weekend. I've even checked out where this cute little town is, and it turns out Staphorst is a 90 minute drive from Amsterdam and is, amongst other things, well known for inviting visitors to bike along the Staphorst-Rouveen road where one can take in an array of deliciously picturesque thatched-roofed farmhouses.

Looking at the collection of Janssen's work that is being exhibited, I strongly hold on to my opinion and love for what he does. There is such a presence and weight in what the lines have to say, but beyond the lines I find more in where there is no lines, the white of the canvas. As I look carefully, I find the spaces lure me softly, whereby I discover careful smudges playing on the textural characteristics of both the charcoal and graphite on paper. The composition seems to be perfectly balanced, and the weight of each stroke to be in seamless harmony with the canvas as well as with the space that it embodies, a space that we are all invited to interpret and inhabit as we desire.

Images courtesy of - Galerie Hein Elferink

Green inspiration for a summery, sun-kissed home

Ok, so we're slowly settling down, internet is connected, the year is getting into its groove, and we are starting to feel like Sydney is really becoming home. The weather is certainly also doing its part in welcoming us, with mostly beautifully sun-kissed days and scrumptious ocean views... no complaining here. So with that in mind I'm so excited to be looking at ideas to sass up our Sydney home. We have news that our boxes have arrived in Oz and they are currently at the mercy of the Australian customs officers.... oooooh, hope all goes well.

I'm dying to see my beautiful, big, red lamp and our ever-inspiring hard-cover design books. Once all arrives in order we're going to roll the sleeves back, get down to some dirty and fun apartment designing and of course, share it with you right here on Nest of Pearls.

In the meantime, I'm continuing to collect inspiration, and there is few better ways than Pinterest, I say. I'm loving what I'm seeing lately with delicious, in-intrucive green accents to liven up an interior and make the heart dance. I'm an absolute lover of red, but I need to free my soul a little, even if with small accents of other colours. So I share with you some of my favorites here below. I love both the freshness of the subtle use of the colour, as well as the bravery to inject a whole green wall into a space and make it look like it always belonged there. The furniture pieces cover both rustic and modern examples, and I love the different tones ranging from zesty, lemony greens to summery aqua greens transporting me to the Mediterranean.

All images courtesy of - my Pinterest

Delicious eye candy - Anish Kapoor at Sydney's MCA!

I've been sharing lots of great things, photos, images, art and exhibitions that I've come across in Paris, but 'yikes!' does ravishing Sydney have a feast of cultural deliciousness to offer! I recently went to see the work of one of my favourite artists, Anish Kapoor, and did so right here in my hometown of Sydney. The exhibition is an absolute must-see and it is housed in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney's Circular Quay, or MCA for short. 

Just getting there is an amazing experience... walking down the quay and lapping up the sunshine while watching the mild harbour waves slap the shore and sway the ferries. I stopped for an amazingly delicious and well-deserved coffee at the museum's cafe terrace before heading inside to enjoy the show, which runs through to April of this year. For the depth and breadth and 'wow' moments that the  exhibition has to offer, tickets are very fairly priced at $20AUD.

I was, honestly, very taken aback by the simplicity, depth of colour and intrigue in Kapoor's work. I adore the way he uses beautifully opulent and abundant saturated colour to create optical illusions that hide soft curves... or do they?? One is never quite sure of the depth of any curve, nor the limits of any shape. The tension of wanting to desperately touch the exquisite work and its rich colour is almost tear-jurkingly painful, although I promise no finger print of mine will be found... I resisted!

I'm such a fan of straight lines and simplicity and rarely find curves indulgent, but I absolutely melt when I see the seductive curves of Anish Kapoor's work. I urge all who are lucky enough to be Sydney to go along. Below you'll find some pics I took myself. Enjoy!!