Jun 18

Out of the Valley clads prefabricated Forest Sauna in charred wood

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Forest Sauna by Out of the Valley

Architecture studio Out of the Valley has created a sauna in Devon with blackened-wood cladding and a large square window overlooking the adjacent forest.

Called Forest Sauna, the four-person structure aims to encourage UK residents to embrace the Scandinavian tradition of sauna bathing.

Exterior of Forest Sauna by Out of the Valley
Out of the Valley has created a sauna in Devon

The project joins the Out of the Valley‘s existing range of cabins and shelters, which are all handmade by founder Rupert McKelvie and his team at their Dartmoor workshop.

It is the first in the studio’s series of prefabricated saunas, with the others named Hive, Fjord and Mountain.

Cabin in woods
A large square window overlooks the adjacent forest

“The Scandinavians have been advocating for the health benefits of saunas for years, but many people don’t have room in their homes for a custom-built hot room,” said McKelvie.

“Small enough to be tucked away into the corner of a garden, our Forest Sauna in black larch comes pre-made and ready to use,” he continued. “It’s a place where you can immerse yourself in nature and escape the pressures of modern living.”

Woman outside Forest Sauna in Devon by Out of the Valley
It has blackened-wood cladding

Elevated slightly above the ground on metal supports, the six-square-metre Forest Sauna is constructed with a simple timber structure. It is clad in planks of larch that have been charred using the traditional Japanese method of Shou Sugi Ban.

A glass door provides access inside, where the walls and ceiling are lined with thermo alder wood – a popular wood for saunas – and a large glass window frames views of the landscape.

Two wooden benches sit on either side of the sauna’s central heater, which can be specified by customers to be either wood-fired or electric.

“The warm dry air, the smell of thermo alder wood and the view of the landscape outside all combine to create a calming effect,” said McKelvie.

Interior of wooden sauna by Out of the Valley
It is lined with thermo alder wood internally

“Internally the space is clad in knot-free thermo alder which gives a calming feel to the space, [and] large windows give an intimate connection with the surrounding landscape,” McKelvie continued.

The sauna is designed to be easy to construct as well as to move or relocate, with the idea that owners will be able to take it with them should they move home.

Cabin with central heater
Two wooden benches sit on either side of the central heater

Among Out of the Valley’s previous prefabricated projects are a timber holiday cabin with a sheltered verandah and the Oak Cabin that is designed to be either an urban garden room or an off-grid retreat.

Other sauna projects recently featured on Dezeen include a cylindrical lakeside sauna alongside an Art Museum in Finland by Mendoza Partida and BAX Studio and a movable floating sauna in Sweden by Sandellsandberg.

The photography is by OLCO Studios.

The post Out of the Valley clads prefabricated Forest Sauna in charred wood appeared first on Dezeen.

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Jun 18

Eight homes with pergolas where residents can make the most of summer

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Image of a home with a pergola

An oak pergola that protrudes from a glazed extension in a conservation area and a concrete pergola covered in shrubbery are included in our latest lookbook.

A pergola is a structure that is attached to a home to protect and shelter it from the elements. Pergolas can provide shade to the interior or outdoor area they cover, as well as create some protection from rain.

Outdoor spaces covered by pergolas are often used as dining or lounge spaces, which means residents can spend time outside while being less exposed to the sun.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cherry red interiors, lavish bedrooms with bathtubs and concrete kitchens.

Pergola House by Will Gamble Architects
Photo is by Rory Gardiner

Pergola House, UK, by Will Gamble Architects

British architecture studio Will Gamble Architects renovated this Georgian home in a conservation area in Leicestershire that now includes a glass-walled extension surrounded by a wooden pergola.

When designing the extension, the studio looked to garden pergolas to create a contemporary contrast to the existing Georgian structure. The oak framework extends past the perimeters of the extension to form a shaded pergola.

Find out more about Pergola House ›

Monticello House by di Gregorio Associati Architetti
Photo is by Hèlén Binet

Monticello house, Italy, by Di Gregorio Associati Architetti

Concrete pergolas covered in overgrown shrubbery were added to this brick home in northern Italy, completed by architecture studio Di Gregorio Associati Architetti.

The concrete pergola shields and surrounds an extension that was added to the house, as well as an outdoor seating area that sits at the centre of the new building. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the interior of the home.

Find out more about Monticello house ›

Casa di ConFine by Simone Subissati Architects
Photo is by Magi Galluzzi

Casa di Confine, Italy, by Simone Subissati Architects

Italian architecture firm Simone Subissati Architects designed this home in Le Marche that aims to immerse its residents in the surrounding landscape.

The studio created a fragmented frame that follows the long and narrow profile of the home. A void at the centre of the building sees the fragmented frame carried over to form a pergola between two volumes of the home. The pergola-covered courtyard leads out to a pool.

Find out more about Casa di Confine ›

NCaved by Mold Architects
Photo is by Yiorgis Yerolympos

NCaved, Greece, by Mold Architects

On the island of Serifos in Greece, Mold Architects built a partially submerged home on a rocky hillside that features large glazed openings, walled terraces and a large swimming pool.

The terraces are flanked by stone walls that follow the topography of the landscape and partially covered by slatted pergolas that cantilever from the main structure and help to shade the interior.

Find out more about NCaved ›

Avándaro 333 by Zozaya Arquitectos
Photo is by Cesar Belio

Avándaro 333, Mexico, by Zozaya Arquitectos

Located in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, this home is part of a 27-house complex that was named after a nearby lake.

Architecture studio Zozaya Arquitectos used masonry and clay across the exterior of the home, which was then contrasted with contemporary additions such as wood and steel pergolas.

A balcony on the upper levels of a home is accessed through retractable glazed walls and sits beneath a wooden pergola.

Find out more about Lake Avándaro ›

Villa Mandra by K-Studio
Photo is by Claus Brechenmacher and Reiner Baumann

Villa Mandra, Greece, by K-studio

A latticed chestnut-wood pergola covers an outdoor dining area Villa Mandra, a holiday home on the Greek island of Mykonos that was designed by Greek architecture practice K-studio.

Alongside covering an outdoor dining area, the large pergola also shades a lounge area. Metal pendant lights were fixed to the pergola and provide the shaded area with light at night.

Find out more about Villa Mandra ›

Exterior of The Weathered House by Selencky Parsons
Photo is by Felix Mooneer

The Weathered House, UK, by Selencky Parsons

Architecture studio Selencky Parsons extended a Victorian home in south London and added a steel-framed structure and large sliding doors that better link the interior with the outdoors.

The extension is characterised by the weathered-steel structure. This begins at the kitchen area and forms a pergola over an outdoor dining space that is directly accessed via glass sliding doors from the interior.

Find out more about The Weathered House ›

Pergola House by Apollo Architects & Associates
Photo is Masao Nishikawa

Pergola House, Japan, by Apollo Architects & Associates

Designed by Apollo Architects & Associates and located in Kawaguchi, a city just north of Tokyo, Pergola House is a two-storey home that has an L-shaped plan with courtyards covered by pergolas.

The pergolas are formed of wooden ceiling beams that extend beyond the walls of the interior. Expanses of glass line the walls and double-height spaces help to create an open-plan design and blur the boundaries of the interior.

Find out more about Pergola House ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cherry red interiors, lavish bedrooms with bathtubs and concrete kitchens.

The post Eight homes with pergolas where residents can make the most of summer appeared first on Dezeen.

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Jun 18

Mjölk Architekti creates "wonderful and fun place" for Montessori kindergarten

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Montessori Kindergarten in the Czech Republic

Mjölk Architekti aimed to embed Montessori ideals of learning through play and self-determined activity in this nursery extension in Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic.

Built in the small town of Jablonec nad Nisou, the project was designed by Prague-based Mjölk Architekti in collaboration with Projektový atelier David.

Mjölk Architekti founding partner, Jan Mach, carefully considered his own recollections of preschool and what it represents in a young child’s life when designing the extension.

Exterior image of Montessori Kindergarten
Montessori Kindergarten was designed by Mjölk Architekti

“Kindergartens are buildings where small children develop the most fundamental relationships with the world,” Mach told Dezeen.

“Unlike home, it is a place where one is on one’s own for the first time, outside the safety of family and where one makes individual connections with people and the environment, often for the first time in one’s life,” he continued.

“We believe that kindergartens should be extraordinary buildings whose primary function is to give children a sense that the world is a wonderful and fun place to live in.”

Photo of the exterior of Montessori Kindergarten
It renovated the existing building

Mjölk Architekti upgraded the original building, a large early 20th-century former rectory set over four floors, and added an extension.

The studio also created an outside play area at upper ground floor level that wraps around the old and new buildings, linking the two buildings, while creating a covered parking area at lower ground level.

Photo of the new extension
Play areas top the extension

Linked to the main building by passageways across two floors, Mjölk Architekti designed the extension as a cuboid “simple prism” that echoes the proportions of the main building while creating a contrast through its pared-back, ultra-minimal form.

“We were looking for a suitable shape to match the mass of the original nursery building, using monolithic reinforced concrete,” Mach told Dezeen.

Exterior image of Montessori Kindergarten
The extension has a cubic form

The block-like form was punctuated by several protrusions including the tubular structure of a stainless steel slide that children can use to descend down through the space, and a glass-fronted cantilevered box jutting out on the second floor, creating a unique play area.

“We connected the floors inside the kindergarten with a slide, which the children use to leave the building for a moment without asking and then return to it giggling,” said Mach.

Interior image of Montessori Kindergarten
The interior has a playful finish

At the top of the building, an outdoor play area is contained within a framework of metal poles that continues the lines of the building.

“We wanted to make it possible to climb out of the extension onto a large concrete terrace, where the children are safe and at the same time have as much freedom as possible,” said Mach.

The stainless steel mesh that encloses this area is extended to wrap around the whole extension.

“This net creates a transparent softer surface around the hard prism of the building. In the future, the net will be used to support climbing plants, growing to around half the height of the building,” Mach continued.

“The mesh surrounds the building and defines places where the children can go out of the nursery on their own and are in a safe environment where they cannot fall anywhere and can play in peace.”

Interior image of the kindergarten
Mezzanine levels run through the interior

Inside, rising above the main ground floor space is a central void, surrounded by a series of mezzanine levels, each one rising half a flight of stairs from the last.

The layout aims to encourage child-driven exploration enabling the child to place themselves in the environment that feels right for them.

“The interior space is in fact one large room split vertically into four levels,” said Mach.

“On the intermediate floors, there are spaces for children to spend time, each intermediate floor has a different atmosphere and form, to stimulate the children’s minds in a different way.”

Photo of a staircase at Montessori Kindergarten
The building is located in Jablonec nad Nisou in the Czech Republic

The interior material palette features raw concrete walls that are offset by a yellow linoleum floor that casts a warm glow in each space, along with birch ply elements that introduce a sense of tactility.

“In the interior, we used concrete simply to help the children make friends with it from a young age. Because the Montessori system uses a lot of different things to teach, we designed the interior to be a simple background to that,” said Mach.

“For the floors, we chose a rich yellow natural linoleum which, when lit, lights up the openings in the façade with a golden colour.”

Photo of the entrance to the slide
A slide links the upper levels with the lower

Occupying the central void and defining that volume, a cluster of differently-sized white globe lights, one of which has planetary rings, creates an abstract version of a constellation and references the endless fascination that many children have for space.

Likewise, another playspace features a map of the world moulded directly into the concrete wall, to encourage learning through both sight and touch.

Interior image of the slide
Steel and concrete are the primary materials throughout

Mach consulted with his young children to find out what they thought would be best for themselves.

When designing for children, you need to have done your homework in terms of safety, efficiency, and everything else, but remember that the only reason to design is to encourage the children to play.

“At the time we were designing the kindergarten, my two children were aged three and five and we consulted with them,” added Mach.

“The better the design, the more you allow them to do and the harder they can play.”

Interior image of a play space
The floor plan aims to encourage exploration

Mjölk Architekti recently created a gabled mass-timber headquarters for a Czech timber company that has solar panels fitted to its roof. In 2022, the studio also built an animal-like lookout on the Stráž mountain.

The photography is by BoysPlayNice

The post Mjölk Architekti creates “wonderful and fun place” for Montessori kindergarten appeared first on Dezeen.

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Jun 18

This AI-powered robotic pool cleaner will help keep your summer days stress-free

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Beaches aren’t the only way to enjoy the sun and water during the summer season. Swimming pools are just as fun, especially for people who prefer a quieter or more intimate experience with only a small group of people. Unlike beaches, you don’t have to worry about undesirable yet inescapable objects like leaves or dirt, but keeping a pool clean is no walk in the park either. With today’s technologies, that shouldn’t be the case anymore, especially considering how we’ve developed robotic vacuum cleaners to near perfection. That is precisely the kind of convenience that this innovative robotic cleaner brings to your life, making sure that your swimming pool floor and walls are clean and debris-free so that you can just focus on having fun in the water and under the sun.

Designer: AIRROBO

Click Here to Buy Now: $599.99 $799.99 ($200 off total with coupon code “SCEPC100”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours.

There’s a reason why swimming pools are considered luxuries that few can afford. In addition to the cost of constructing the pool itself, its maintenance and cleaning require manual work that can be pretty expensive as well. That’s what they said about keeping floors clean, too, but now we have smart robot vacuums to do that tedious job for us. Fortunately, AIRROBO just launched the new PC100 cordless robotic pool cleaner, delivering stress-free and sweat-free maintenance of pools in time for summer fun.

With its cordless and hose-free design, this pool vacuum offers more freedom and convenience when cleaning your pool, making it safer and easier to use.

The AIRROBO PC100 is a true wonder, with two brushes scrubbing your pool floors and a powerful suction of 55GPM (Gallons Per Minute) that makes short work of leaves, dirt, debris, and even fine sand along its path, ensuring a clean and healthy swim every time. It doesn’t just clean floors, either. Just like that popular comic book superhero, it can also clean walls and waterlines, crawling up walls up to 90 degrees. Its large 4L filter basket lets it give the pool a thorough cleaning before you need to pick it up.

The robot is pretty smart, too, so you don’t even have to supervise it while it gets the dirty job done. AI-powered NaviCleanTM technology allows the PC100 to know exactly where it is, how large the pool is, and the best paths it needs to take. Equipped with high-accuracy motion sensors and self-developed algorithms, you can simply “set-and-forget” the robot pool cleaner for the ultimate worry-free automation convenience. That makes the AIRROBO PC100 10 times more efficient than traditional pool cleaning methods.

Easy cleaning of the pool waterline.

Haul it out of the pool with a stick.

Recharge it via a wall socket plug.

This robot cleaning wonder also delivers ultimate freedom of movement thanks to its cordless operation. You don’t have to worry about tangling wires and hoses or power sockets, letting the robot clean freely even pools that are 16×32 feet in size. In fact, it can handle most types and shapes of pools, not just the plain old rectangular ones, and can work flawlessly on most types of pool materials, from fiberglass to vinyl to concrete and more! The large 7,800mAh battery gives it an uptime of up to 120 minutes, covering as much as 3,100 sq. ft. And when it’s done with the work or if its battery is too low, it will automatically park itself at the edge of the pool for easy retrieval. And you won’t have to fret about not knowing how your robot buddy is faring. Thanks to 11 indicator lights and different combinations of colors and light effects, it is easy to tell at a glance if your PC100 needs charging or if it’s ready to take a dive. Cleaning the swimming pool doesn’t get easier than this, thanks to the PC100’s powerful but user-friendly features.

Having your own pool is a big responsibility, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be smart about it, especially with advanced AI and robotics at your beck and call. Whether you’re cleaning the pool for the first time in a long while or just making sure that the pool is ready for the next summer party, the AIRROBO PC100 will take a load off your mind so that you can just focus on having fun.

Click Here to Buy Now: $599.99 $799.99 ($200 off total with coupon code “SCEPC100”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours.

The post This AI-powered robotic pool cleaner will help keep your summer days stress-free first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Jun 18

Top 5 chair designs to replace the boring old chairs in your home

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At Yanko Design, we believe in constantly innovating, creating, and evolving. It’s a philosophy that serves as a lifeline for us, and one of the results of this lifeline is the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub! The Inspiration Hub is our ‘ever-expanding encyclopedia’ of design work for you to participate in, to inspire designers, and to get inspired by. Created in collaboration with KeyShot, the Inspiration Hub is your one-stop space for inspiration where designers like you can submit your impressive designs and be awarded to stand out in the crowd and to inspire other like-minded designers.

To kickstart your journey and send some motivation your way, we’ve curated some of our favorite chair submissions from the Inspiration Hub. These unique chair designs will motivate you to create something spectacular and submit the design, as a gateway to sharing it with the best of the design world. Additionally, we will also be picking our favorite Design of the Week, Design of the Month, and Design of the Year – every week, month, and year from the submissions on the Inspiration Hub. Keep an eye on our Instagram page and the Inspiration Hub to see if your design gets picked. Fingers crossed!

Rendered on KeyShot: Click Here to Download Your Free Trial Now!

1. The Loop Chair

Designed by Annabella Hevesi, the Loop Chair is the kind of straightforward and simple furniture piece that instantly makes you fall in love with it, because of how minimally and cleanly it is designed. Built using wood, the Loop Chair has a traditional and archetypical character accentuated with tricky and progressive details that lend an air of character to it.

2. Sado Chair

Designed by Martin Luu, the Sado Chair is an experiment in unconventional design, and it will remind you of a horizontal tree log or horseback, which supports a straddled seated position that encourages a healthy position. Adjustable leg supports also provide a place for your legs to rest while helping to sustain a leveled spinal position. Sado is an incredible ergonomic option if you’re looking for a chair that encourages and support a great posture!

3. Soborg Wood Base Chair

This sturdy, minimal, and wooden chair is called the Soborg Wood Base Chair. Designer Jun Kim took inspiration from Børge Mogensen’s wooden chair to create this simplistic yet beautifully detailed chair. The precision and attention to detail with which it was crafted shine through in its neat joinery and conscious design.

4. Pomarossa

Designed by Franz Cordero and called the Pomarossa, this beautiful, vibrant, and loud chair is a Neo Art Nouveau armchair, that draws inspiration from an abundantly found fruit in the city of Tingo Maria, in Peru. The result is a large and fluffy chair with intriguing aesthetics and an eye-catching color palette.

5. 3D Printed Chair

Johannes Steinbauer Office For Design created these 3D-printed seats that can be built without fabrics, springs, and foam, and they still manage to be comfortable and functional. The chairs use rigid prints instead of the usual racks from chairs. The different parts are easy to assemble and disassemble and once it reaches the end of life, you can dispose of the different parts separately and recycle them accordingly. Yes, the chairs are easy to assemble and sustainable – the best of both worlds!

Rendered on KeyShot: Click Here to Download Your Free Trial Now! and start creating your own design and submit the design to us to get featured on the Inspiration Hub and the Yanko Design Instagram Page.

The post Top 5 chair designs to replace the boring old chairs in your home first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Jun 18

Garmin Lumina portable light for campers and hikers has it’s own satellite communication module

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Garmin is a pioneer in GPS technology adaptation for lifestyle products – durable and reliable smartwatches and communication devices being its crowning achievement. While you bet on taking the Instinct 2X Solar to your next big expedition, another reliable camping product from the American, Swiss-domiciled tech MNC would do no harm.

This is a concept lantern envisioned for Garmin, packed with the advanced GPS tech that we all swear by. The designers call it the Garmin Lumina lantern, and for obvious reasons.

Designer: Offsite Design

Rendered on KeyShot: Click Here to Download Your Free Trial Now!

The clip-on camping accessory can be attached to a tree branch, belt loop, cord, or tent via the robust carabiner. When you don’t desire to use the clip-on function, it can be concealed into the base for portable use. It’s quite slim and can easily be stuffed into a tent pocket or backpack without taking up much space. The non-slip exterior is made for outdoor use and the waterproofing feature makes it well-suited for rain-soaked days.

According to Offsite Design, the portable lantern’s design is inspired by Garmin InReach Mini, and the compact form factor addresses the similarity. The adaptation of satellite communication features is what sets this portable light apart from other similar offerings in the market.

The Halo light surrounding the outer frame indicates there is an incoming/outgoing message from loved ones. Orange indicates that a message is being sent, green denotes a sent message, while red means the message is not sent. It also sends back your current location to loved ones at set time intervals, no matter where you are out in the cliffs. Another important safety feature that could mean the difference between life and death.

Other than this unique function the lantern has most features found on such accessories. The white light can be toggled for intensity level as desired. It can be juiced up with a USB-C connecting cable, and although the designer hasn’t informed about the battery capacity, we assume it’s going to be stellar.

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Jun 18

Easy Decorating Ideas for the Perfect Summer Season

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The beauty of summer lies in its vibrant energy, refreshing color schemes, and seasonal accents that capture its essence. It’s also a time of celebration, associated with breezy attire, chilled beverages, blooming flowers, sunny beach days, outdoor barbecues, exciting vacations, mesmerizing sunsets, and joyful outdoor play. It is highly recommended to embrace the ‘less is more’ approach for a breezy ambiance and airy spaces that embody summer’s spirit. Discover our top summer decorating ideas to effortlessly transform your space into a vibrant retreat.

Cut the Clutter

Before decorating your home for the summer months, it is essential to clear out any clutter. There is no point in adding decorative touches if your house already looks cluttered. By clearing out the clutter first, you create a clean and organized space where summer decorations can truly shine. Avoid adding to the mess, and prioritize decluttering as a necessary step before embarking on your summer decor projects.

Designer: Cox & Cox

Bring in Natural Light

During the summer months, daylight extends, offering longer and brighter days, and providing abundant natural light. Therefore, it is crucial to maximize this feature within your home’s interior and embrace as much natural light as possible. Open up your space by throwing open doors and windows, pulling back curtains, and welcoming the flood of natural light. Store away heavy accessories, throws, and unnecessary small decor items until the winter season arrives.

Designer: Brooke & Lou

Embrace a Light Color palette

Emphasize neutral tones for your walls and furniture while introducing a darker area rug to provide a grounding element. Soft colors offer a light and fresh summer vibe, and you can enhance the look with pastel pillows and lightweight throw blankets, adding a cheerful final touch. Opting for softer hues opens up the space and creates a sense of breathing room.

Designer: Ek Fiseos

Pop Color

One can go beyond neutrals to create a vibrant and energetic vibe in your decor. Embrace pop colors like coral, yellow, tangerine, lime green, pink, and red. Use bold florals and lush botanical prints to immerse your space in vibrant hues can effortlessly uplift the ambiance and bring in a summery vibe. Enhance their charm with lively and folksy printed pillows, and add cozy throws for evening comfort. Introduce a subtle burst of color with pastel pillows or a striking area rug that complements neutral furniture.

Designer: Jasmine Sharai

Linen Bedsheet

Replace heavy pillows and blankets with lighter fabrics, such as linen and cotton, to swiftly evoke a coastal resort atmosphere in your bedrooms. Additionally, linen is a natural and breathable fabric that offers comfort during the summer months.

Designer: Alva

Light Curtains

For effortless summer decor, replace heavy drapes with cotton or linen alternatives or incorporate free-flowing furnishings that effectively disperse heat, cool your home, and provide the perfect amount of sunlight screening. Alternatively, the transition from darker-toned curtains to more neutral options for a refreshing change in color.

Designer: Brooke & Lou

Nautical Décor

Capture the essence of summer with coastal-inspired decor. Incorporate nautical elements like navy blue and white stripes or unique accessories to add a touch of seaside charm. Create a serene bedroom with minimalist neutrals, elegant lines, and soft stripes, complemented by pops of navy and rust for a nautical vibe. Coastal living room ideas offer an enchanting ambiance, infusing your home with the beauty of the beach and bringing the essence of summer indoors.

Designer: New Home

A Colorful Tablescape

Summers are also meant for dinner and lunch social gatherings, so elevate your dinner party with vibrant table décor, accent dishes, and a colorful tablecloth for a summery touch. Mix floral, tropical, or nautical-themed dishes with everyday tableware for an eclectic mix. Create a small bar area with bottles and glassware on a serving tray. For a stunning summer tea party, layer patterned linens, colored glassware, and fresh flowers. Use vibrant tablecloths and linen napkins in softer hues. Complete the look with flowers and colored candles to create a vibrant, relaxed, and joyful summer table arrangement.

Designer: Sel

Create a Photo Wall

Create room for your vacation photos by printing, framing, and organizing them into a gallery wall. This clever summer decorating tip will not only help you save money on artwork but also provide an engaging conversation starter at gatherings. Moreover, reminiscing through these memories will help satisfy your wanderlust and ignite your excitement as you begin planning your next summer getaway. Don’t forget to infuse a holiday vibe into your space by incorporating rattan chairs, known for their ability to evoke a vacation atmosphere.

Designer: Dukha Wall Art

Create an Indoor-Outdoor Connect

Establishing a seamless connection between your indoor and outdoor spaces is a highly effective summer decorating technique. Consider hanging succulents over the patio or balcony garden to screen the sun instead of using curtains. Merge patio furniture and lighting with an interior area rug in a covered sunroom, or suspend string lights above a farmhouse table on your porch to create a cozy dining atmosphere. By integrating outdoor elements into your interior, you foster the serene and carefree ambiance synonymous with the summer season. Uncover and bring out your light cane or minimalist furniture that may have been tucked away in storage, allowing them to bask in the sun.

Designer: Westwing

Pay Attention to the Porch

Don’t forget about your front porch and patio when it comes to summer decorating. Give these outdoor spaces a refreshing makeover with summer potted plants or planters, welcoming seating, a summer rug, summer outdoor throw pillows, and string lights wherever possible for beautiful summer nights.

Designer: Seals Sweet Homestead

Add Greenery

Greenery is key in summer decorating. Add a natural allure to your DIY summer room decor by planting succulents in spacious seashells. These low-maintenance plants bring long-lasting beauty, perfect for a delightful summer tablescape. To complete the look, include an abundance of plants and fresh flowers for added vitality and natural beauty. Note that surrounding ourselves with green environments and nature has scientifically proven benefits, uplifting our spirits in multiple ways.

Designer: Noemi Balazs

Install Mirrors

Mirrors, the bright and airy decor element, have a surprising impact on summer home decor. While typically used for functional purposes, incorporating mirrors as design elements can create an illusion of spaciousness in your house. Install them strategically in foyers, above the mantelpiece, or even covering an entire wall. Witness how they enhance space during the day and reflect light in the evenings.

Designer: LES ARCS

Introduce Summer Scents

To evoke a summery ambiance in your home and bathroom, adapt the scents as the season transitions. Replace heavier fragrances with refreshing options like ocean breeze or cucumber, melon, and kiwi during the summer months. Additionally, candles can serve as affordable and convenient summer decorations, adding a touch of charm to coffee tables and shelves.

Designer: Robin Warner

Beautify with Summer Flowers

Infuse your home with vibrant, summery colors by incorporating freshly picked flowers. For maximum impact, focus on arrangements that showcase warm colors like bold oranges, radiant yellows, or vibrant pinks.

Designer: NORTHSEA

Embrace the essence of summer with decor ideas that infuse joy and happiness into your home while celebrating the vibrant colors and sights of the season. Nevertheless, the ultimate tip is to not stress over it. Decorating for summer is a breeze since it often involves removing decor rather than adding more.

The post Easy Decorating Ideas for the Perfect Summer Season first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Jun 17

OmniRoom room-in-room system is a flexible and modular alternative to plasterboard walls in offices

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Since the transition from home offices to actual corporate offices has begun, it’s important to ensure that employees feel comfortable, safe, and motivated in their workplace. And adding the right furniture designs can greatly contribute to creating an office that is conducive to motivation and productivity.  And a unique furniture system that recently caught my eye, and would be an excellent addition to any corporate office space is the OmniRoom room-in-room system.

Designer: Mute

Office brand Mute designed an innovative workplace configuration called the Omniroom room-in-room system. Omniroom is designed to be an adaptable, modular alternative to plasterboard walls. OmniRoom provides a range of 100 architect-designed “rooms” that you can choose from. These “rooms” include workstations, conference rooms, lounge rooms, and coffee points equipped with walls and frames that have been built from hundred percent fully recyclable aluminum.

What’s really intriguing about OmniRoom is that you can build your own highly customizable room-in-room system for workplaces. Users can build their own custom rooms using thirteen prefabricated construction modules that can be combined and merged together to create closed and open rooms as well as space dividers. All the various configurations can be customized with a choice of 30 wall-mounted add-ons – including desks, shelves, cabinets, and accessories which can be fixed to either the inside or the outside of the room.

“Today’s workspace fit-outs have to be agile to suit different working styles and adjust to team sizes and needs or even locations,” said Mute founder and managing director Szymon Rychlik. “OmniRoom is the ultimate kit for building new hybrid-work-era offices: dynamic, human-centered, and fully flexible.” Omniroom can be assembled using a time-saving click-in system that was invented and patented by Mute. The rooms can be easily dismantled and moved whenever the workplace needs a change. The pre-configured and custom-designed rooms both come fully equipped with ventilation, lighting, and electricity, and the enclosed rooms have been equipped with acoustic systems for noise reduction. The Omniroom system is an ingenious and innovative addition to modern office spaces, providing users with the ability to customize their workspace and create the ultimate office to work in.

The post OmniRoom room-in-room system is a flexible and modular alternative to plasterboard walls in offices first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Jun 17

Checkerboard walls wrap Awake NY store by Rafael de Cárdenas

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Checkerboard wall behind a stereo and two chairs

Local architect Rafael de Cárdenas referenced lost landmarks of New York for the interiors of this streetwear store in the city’s Lower East Side.

De Cárdenas worked with Angelo Baque, the former brand director of streetwear brand Supreme, on the design of a retail location for Awake NY, which Baque founded in 2012.

Replica of metal globe from World Fair in Queens
Large sculptures are placed throughout the store, including a replica of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Unisphere

The new home for the men’s clothing line at 62 Orchard Street is a homage to New York City’s fashion meccas of the 1980s and 90s, many of which have since shuttered.

“Both De Cárdenas and Baque grew up in New York around the same time, which informed their design direction,” said a joint statement from the duo. “They built upon shared memories of lost landmarks in New York design and youth culture: Canal Jean, Antique Boutique, and Unique — and used them as reference points for the store identity.”

Clothing hung on rails below a carved wooden frame
Several elements leftover from the store’s previous occupants were retained, including carved wooden frames above the clothing racks

The store retains some of the features leftover from the family-owned suiting business that formerly occupied the space.

Logos of brands carried by the previous tenants are still visible on the glass vitrines on either side of the entrance.

Checkerboard wall behind a stereo system and a pair of chairs
The walls at the back of the space are covered in a checkerboard pattern

These display cases now carry bright blue carpets and colourful portraits by local artist Alvin Armstrong.

Other remnants from the store’s past include the original exterior signage, which reads “Mens Clothiers”, and carved wooden frames above the clothing racks inside.

A giant plywood 'A'
Other large sculptural elements include a giant plywood ‘A’

New elements include the flooring, sourced from a school gym in Cleveland, and wood shelving affixed to the walls with ratchet straps.

At the back of the boutique, the walls are covered in a checkerboard pattern that is repeated on a display stand closer to the centre.

Some of the industrial-style columns and areas of the metal-panelled ceiling are left exposed, while other structural elements are painted white or wrapped in mirrors.

Murals by Larissa De Jesús Negrón adorn the fitting room area, and checkered chairs were sourced from B&B Italia.

Plywood shelving with a small fridge installed inside
Plywood is also used to form storage and display cases

There are also several large sculptural pieces placed on the shop floor, helping to create a flow for shoppers.

“The store is anchored by a replica of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Unisphere, originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair in Baque’s hometown of Queens, and a floor-to-ceiling Awake NY ‘A’ built from plywood in the centre of the store,” said the design team.

Clothing displayed in the Awake NY store
The flooring was sourced from a school gym in Cleveland

De Cárdenas, who is one of the judges for this year’s Dezeen Awards, has designed a variety of retail projects during his career.

His studio recently completed the Miami store for French shoe brand Nodaleto, with sci-fi-influenced interiors, and previously created a split-level bar in Nordstrom’s flagship store in Midtown Manhattan.

The photography is by Adrian Gaut.

The post Checkerboard walls wrap Awake NY store by Rafael de Cárdenas appeared first on Dezeen.

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Jun 17

School of Visual Arts presents 10 senior thesis interior design projects

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Render of an aquatic centre featuring exhibits of fish and whales

Dezeen School Shows: an aquatic research centre designed to raise awareness of freshwater ecosystems is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at the School of Visual Arts.

Also featured is a healing centre designed to promote wellbeing through exposure to white noise and a multiethnic restaurant that provides space for chefs to share their cultural heritage through food.

School of Visual Arts

Institution: School of Visual Arts
School: BFA Interior Design: Built Environments
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee

School statement:

“The 2023 SVA Interior Design: Built Environments Senior Thesis addresses a wide range of project types, combining them to create a sensitive aesthetic interpretation of our built environment that centres on sustainability and responsibility.”

Render of an aquatic centre featuring exhibits of fish and whales

Made By Water by Will Huanyo Kuang

“Environmental pollution driven by unregulated carbon emissions contributes to oceanic warming, and urban development without ecosystem sensitivity destroys natural aquatic habitats.

“To this end, a research centre that implements a hatchery programme focused on multiplying threatened and endangered wild population aquatic species is needed.

“Made by Water is an aquatic research centre designed to raise awareness of marine preservation and freshwater ecosystems.

“The intent is to foster the development of healthy and sustainable fisheries throughout the greater New York City metro area waterways and to educate and engage the public in marine wildlife conservation.”

Student: Will Huanyo Kuang
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: hkuang[at]sva.edu

Render of a faith-based community centre

Next Steps by Dawn Hood

“Next Steps is a faith-based support services prototype that connects social service providers and mentors with at-risk adolescent foster youth by leveraging the spatial resources of local partner churches.

“The Next Steps centre exists to serve as a spatial network hub that affords small, high-quality service providers and mentors the use of space without the high cost of real estate.

“It provides adolescent foster youth a home base to form critical skills and make life connections that help prepare them for their next steps as independent adults.”

Student: Dawn Hood
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: dhood2[at]sva.edu

Collage of an interior design scheme, featuring a white building, black paint and plants

Floating Mind by Mini Zhao

“Life in modern societies is often fast-paced and flooded with short, instant messaging. The plethora of email, chat and text communications we receive daily fragments our time and attention.

“Over time, such short messages may abbreviate our attention spans and inhibit our ability to ponder and achieve more cerebral processes.

“Floating Mind is an interior design project that aims to provide people with a slow-paced spatial experience that offers relief from the overwhelming pace of modern society and breaks the cycle of constant, instant-fed communications and digital media messaging.”

Student: Mini Zhao
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: zzhao10[at]sva.edu

Architectural diagramme of an immersive performance space in New York

Govx by Stephanie Schiff

“Only a four minute ferry ride from the fast-paced concrete jungle that is New York City, Governors Island – most recognised as a military base dating back to the 1700s – has been home to many different venues but is not (yet) an expansive performing arts theatre.

“For many millennia, the performing arts have been a vital part of society that gives space for expression and exploration of the human experience. For many performing artists, this exploration is as essential to life as eating and sleeping.

“Govx is an immersive performance space that allows for expressive, creative reflection and release. It is a sanctuary for its performers and patrons alike.

“It aims to foster the healing benefits of colour, sound and movement on the human body.”

Student: Stephanie Schiff
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: sschiff2[at]sva.edu

Render of a care home for the elderly

Resilience by Raymond Xie

“According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.7 million Americans age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s and 73 per cent of that demographic are 75 or older.

“Alzheimer’s adversely affects many people of many ages, but es­pecially the ageing population.

“Resilience is designed as an innovative, sustainable and inclusive senior care residence that emulates a recognisable home rather than an institution.

“With the foremost goal of enhancing the quality of life through design, Resilience creates a safe, supportive and engaging environment that fosters independence, dignity and a sense of community for residents.

“The design promotes a holistic approach to care that prioritises personalised attention, social interac­tion and purposeful engagement.”

Student: Raymond Xie
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: zxie2[at]sva.edu

Render of a sound healing centre

Ripple by Tina Huang

“Ripple is a sound healing centre designed to encourage relaxation and promote healing through exposure to white noise.

“Through sound bathing, guests will be more likely to improve their mood and release stress and tension in their bodies.

“On average, people in large urban cities experience stress from over sensory stimuli. Cities are often rife with environmental pollutants such as loud noise and bright light that adversely affect human wellbeing.

“Increasingly a place to relax, destress and recover one’s mental and physical wellness is needed.”

Student: Tina Huang
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: hhuang19[at]sva.edu

Art therapy centre

Heart of Art by Jayden Perez

“Heart of Art aims to promote healing through the arts and guided art therapy. As a child, Perez noticed the efficacy of visual and literary arts to help stabilise their father through episodes of incarceration, depression, PTSD and anxiety.

“Its influence had a profound impact on Perez and shaped the way they learnt to cope with their own mental health challenges.

“Through this imagined project, Perez proposes a solution to a real crisis of mental health that affects many in New York City.

“New York City is a hotbed of creativity and an epicentre of art and culture that has fostered the careers of many renowned artists.

“Besides fostering career opportunities, art is also known to foster healing through expression. In a city where simultaneously dreams are made and nightmares are lived, Perez is designing for help, healing and self-improvement.”

Student: Jayden Perez
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: jperez12[at]sva.edu

A render of a community centre for Asian individuals

Acceptance by Alicia Ng

“Recent upticks in political extremism and polarised identity politics have exacerbated tensions between neighbours across the country, and it seems Asian Americans find themselves more divided than ever before.

“The ripple effects of fake news and blame culture can have dire consequences on marginalised communities, and what is needed is truth, understanding and acceptance.

“Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan’s Chinatown, Acceptance is a place for Asian residents to gather within the bonds of community to practice spiritual health, support local growth and promote feelings of peace and safety within.

“The design emphasises use of natural elements and materials, which are intended to promote a relaxed and calming environment.”

Student: Alicia Ng
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: ang3[at]sva.edu

Render of a restaurant

Our Table by Camille Lyn-Morilla

“Variety is the spice of life and New York City is ripe for experiencing culinary varietal flavours.

“But too often traditional cultural foods are divorced from the traditional people and practices, which make them appropriated than appreciated.

“Our Table is a multiethnic restaurant and culinary hub that offers space to local and global ethnic chefs and certified culinary artists to share their unique cultural heritage through food.

“Through the use of rentable kitchens, authentic dining experiences – along with cultural education – can be offered to a wide range of people who seek to learn and share.”

Student: Camille Lyn-Morilla
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: clyn-morillo[at]sva.edu

Render of an interior scheme with wooden stairs and plants

The Village by Ares Liu

“Liu returned to the United States in the summer vacation of 2021, but their apartment in New York was not available, so they lived in their uncle and aunt’s house for two months.

“When they visited their family’s home, they had to make a lot of calls for them to deal with various things like car insurance, health insurance, or bank bills.

“Usually one or two phone calls can consume an entire morning. For those who are not good at English, living in the United States is inconvenient, even though they have lived in the United States for many years.”

Student: Ares Liu
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: sliu31[at]sva.edu

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the School of Visual Arts. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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