house of anaïs

colourful splash - for real

houseofanais — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 04:22:30 PDT

Splosh, splash I was thinking when I saw these Minisplash counter-top basins from Disegno Ceramica. So unusual which makes them fun and really cool - and of course colourful. They really look a lot like those iittala Aalto glass vases that I like to collect. This series seems like a hot buy, but I do wonder about the practicality of this sink a bit.

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modern and rich in red

houseofanais — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 03:00:05 PDT

This bathroom is a-mazing, with tons of texture and colour, cool modern decor including the fun Verner Panton heart chair with a gigactic chandelier. Need I say more?

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two-toned classic kitchen with modern tweaks

houseofanais — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:59:04 PDT

What a beautiful kitchen! Classic look with modern tweaks.I love the contrasting colours of the black island and light ash-coloured cabinets, the spacious island itself and those light pendants above it.

Plus the natural floorboards, light flowing in, glossy white countertops..oh so many lovely things!

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serious closet love!

houseofanais — Sat, 19 May 2012 04:00:00 PDT

I am officially in love with the closets and all the storage with our place in Beijing. It's all real (no light MDF and stuff) - made of heavy dark wood (beautiful colour!) with a combination of hanging rails, pant racks, shelves, drawers, and even lights in every one of them. And there is plenty, more than enough I would say at the moment.

So beautiful, functional and plenty of them. What else can a girl ask for (except for a proper shoe closet also; but I actually have here one too, and since all the shoes are not in it it still enough, but would not be for all our shoes...)?

My luggage closet, fits most of the light pieces since smaller ones are inside the bigger ones

All closets are so pretty and functional

Love the fittings inside and lights...

...and dressers in every room!

cooler than cool egg-shaped bathtub

houseofanais — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:22:26 PDT

There is funky, and then there is uber-cool when it comes to unusual bathtubs. This Italian creation certainly falls into the latter category. Unusual egg-shape, matte black colour and the funky "half-hanging" feature embedded in a rough monolite block makes this bathtub a guaranteed focal point of the room.

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dreams of dark wood and white porcelain

houseofanais — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:42:48 PDT

This image got a couple of oohs and aahs from me - firstly for being an amazing-looking modern bathroom, and secondly for the astonishing mountain views from the windows. As Victoria Beckhan would have said it, this is major bathroom love!

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shaker meets chrome in the kitchen

houseofanais — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:17:51 PDT

This kitchen from Chalon is a fabulous combination of old and simple Shaker style mixed with new chrome appliances. The idea of curvy island is great, as one tends to walk into the corners so often. This is all about that cozy and comfortable country living with all modern appliances. Hard to resist that combination!

feeling the scandinavian white vibes

houseofanais — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:19:26 PST

Oh those clean, fresh white Scandinavian kitchens. They often come with higher ceilings, panelled walls and wood floors. White vinyl or marble countertops and light wood are popular choises. There rooms are a pleasure to look at!

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bright pastels in the kitchen

houseofanais — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:17:35 PST

Is this the year of the pink? First it was pink wood floors, and now new kitchens in pink and soft purple are arriving creating very delicious-looking rooms...

This fabulous modern kitchen is from Scavolini's Tetrix collection, and it combines the sleek modern look, glossy surfaces with the kind of mix of bright white and softer colours that takes away the coldness sometimes found in modern kitchens.

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fireplaces = reflections of modern art

houseofanais — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:39:23 PST

Chilly night make me dream of fireplaces. we supposedly have one in our house, but it hasn't been used for 10 years and I am not even sure when we are allowed to burn it (those California restrictions!) so it's not of much use really, other than for birds who like the sing on top of the chimney...

So I am dreaming of these fabulous pieces, many of which are gas burning and therefore I assume can be used even here!

A glass teepee, sort of ...

Simplistic beauty with curves

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Aren't these cute. Would go well with the Aarnio ball chairs...

Another funky one, but probably not really for a home with small kids

Talk about sitting by the fireplace!

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Amazing fireplace with matching background. Absolutely fabuous...

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So funky - not sure how much this heats but it's definitely a piece of art

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Classic modern 2-sided fireplace with added feature of a table

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Fun 50s look, a very cool portable fireplace

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5 inspiring industrial kitchens

houseofanais — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:51:34 PST

Oh those industrial kitchens; they are the essence of minimalist modern homes where normally everything has its place and countertops are left gleaming and uncluttered. I'd love to that too, but where does all the mail and other little "necessary junk" go then?

Nevertheless, there is something mythical and appealing in the mix of shiny and metallic surfaces, exposed pipes, concrete walls and stone or tile walls. So often displayed in magazines, but very rarely seem in real life unless one lives in a metropolitan city where lofts and other converted industrial buildings are found most often...

Typical to the style are open spaces with long islands providing plenty of countertop space, open shelving or lack of upper wall units completely and drawers instead of standards units. Say hello to some of my favourite industrial kitchens, which all share a central island of some kind:

The original industrial style with all metallic units and tops, and what looks like concetre walls on the background

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Metallic matte from Italian Valcucina with hidden storage and travertine splashbacks

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Streamlined white, glossy Ikea kitchen with travertine splashbacks

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Metal units and open, asymmetrical wall-hung units with sliding glass panels mix industrial wth modern stype

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This loft kitchen in an old factory building is a prime example of bare industrial style where the kithcen is stripped down to minimal necessities

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5 inspiring industrial kitchens

houseofanais — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:51:34 PST

The original industrial style with all metallic units and tops, and what looks like concetre walls on the background

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Metallic matte from Italian Valcucina with hidden storage and travertine splashbacks

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Streamlined white, glossy Ikea kitchen with travertine splashbacks

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Metal units and open, asymmetrical wall-hung units with sliding glass panels mix industrial wth modern stype

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This loft kitchen in an old factory building is a prime example of bare industrial style where the kithcen is stripped down to minimal necessities

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oh la la for this ultramodern babylon series

houseofanais — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:25:54 PDT

Oh la la - this Babylon-collection of ultramodern ethanol fireplaces from French designer Stephane Perruchon or Studio Kosmo Design certainly has the wow-factor. The suspended burner hung by cables is pretty unique, as are the designs in many geometrical shapes - and these fireplaces can be used either horizontally or vertically.

With delicious, glossy coatings these fireplaces are the pièce de résistance for lovers of geometry, modern designs, art and functional objects - all in one. Pretty please, could I have one too - preferably the red one with the dark flooring, and let's just throw the house in the mix too. These fireplaces certainly are calling my name!

images Stephane Perruchon

pantry inspirations for the kitchen

houseofanais — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:20:36 PDT

I am feeling a tiny bit of pantry envy today. I have been desperately trying to organise the kitchen, but I am only keep it tidy if I chuck a lot of dishes and food in the garage - there just is no space! So today it's all about pantry inspiration, although I suspect that I am going to end up with a wire-shelving unit by the washer in the garage. After all this is not our house, so no changes allowed - just dreaming!

Cute more traditional pantry with delectable rattan baskets

image Org options

A modern version of the pantry - I actually find those wire baskets pretty cute!

image Allways organized

Just can't beat the country style when it comes to a pantry - so pretty. Especially when filled with fab old-fashion looking bottles and jars...

images Country Living

This is spacious and so cute - i.e. must have been expensive too. My favourite by far!

image House Beautiful

Simple and functional pantry solution, but it would be nice if it looked pretty too...

image Living well design

houseofanais — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:39:44 PDT

linking to 33 exceptional walk-in closets on freshome

I loved this feature on exceptional walk-in closets from Freshome. Some of them I have seen before, others are new for me and just look so fabulous. There is just something for everyone - sleek modern ones, Hollywood glamour with mirrored units and chandeliers, super-walls for shoeaholics, traditional carved units with plenty of drawers - you name it! There is every a pink glamourpuss one which looks like a high-end boutique. Just got to love them all!

the world's most expensive kitchen

houseofanais — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:53:50 PDT

They are cute, modern, sleek and curvy - and filled with exquisite details. At the same time these luxury kitchens from Marazzi Design cost more than a whole house in many places! At a whopping $470K (or 300K in pounds) this certainly is something special you won't be finding at every neighbours' house as only ten kitchens will be made. Looks like a perfect thing to go along with the million-dollar bathtub for the Ecclestone sisters!

The details are well thought and you get for your money many luxury brands such as Swarowski crystal lights, crocodile-embossed leather doors, 24-carat gold detailing, Zaha Hadid designed ultra-modern taps and glitter lacquer worktops. Yet still, I would rather carry my gold and Swarowski around my neck than have it embedded on kitchen fixtures (and dug out by kids who love shiny things). A sleek Boffi kitchen or similar still is a winner for me, and after this kitchen they seem almost cheap in terms of what you get for your money!

images Marazzi Design

Given the choice my heart would beat faster for the less blingy, and more sleek and streamlined Boffi, such as this Zone 1 kitchen (but with a tad more of colour - like red or orange...)

image Boffi

crystal bath - one of the craziest luxuries ever?

houseofanais — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 09:01:28 PDT

If today was April 1st I would say this was the certainly a hoax story, but apparently it is not. This certainly must be one of the craziest luxuries I have read about considering the priceThe Ecclestone sisters, who are tipped to be potential material for a movie abut extravaganza, are on the spotlight again. This time it is the older sister Tamara who sent a team to Amazon to find her a perfect crystal to create a bathtub. The overall cost is estimated to be around $1.6M (£1m).

It looks quite fancy but is it really comfy? I think I would still rather buy a nice beach hut with that money and settle for a modern deep tub with some other funky gadgets such as jet tubs, lights and built-in sound system...

image Daily Mail

calming traditional haven with modern pizazz

houseofanais — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 05:47:47 PDT

Slight purple tone, snow white and silver is the recipe for this calming bathroom. It is beautiful and looks like a haven for relaxation.

The modern pendant light from Vaughan adds some pizazz to the scene, and it all works well together!

image Tom Leighton/Homes&Garden

modern stairwell cum bookcase

houseofanais — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:44:51 PDT

Sleek modern staircase - and very functional too as the vacant space underneath has been well utilised by turning it into a custom bookcase. Beautiful dark wood both in the staircase and on the floor creates a lovely continuum.

My guess is also that there were no silly health and safely people demanding to add a hand railing and side support, which would have destroyed the visual impact. I also like here the square chrome lights collowing the contours of the stairs. After visiting some friends I can gladly say that they are both very pretty and very useful at nighttime. A must-have in my "future house" list.

image Paul Massey/Living Etc

cooler than cool ceramic bucket washbasin

houseofanais — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:23:24 PDT

Modern and yet old-fashioned - what a great and unusual combination this ceramic bucket-shaped washbasin is. I have bought before products from Hansgrohe so I would trust the quality of this basin called Axor Urquiola too. Just love this design!

cooler than cool ceramic bucket washbasin

houseofanais — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:23:24 PDT

modern, bold and yet traditional bathroom

houseofanais — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 08:36:31 PDT

I am starting to think that this is the way to go when it comes to style - an old, traditional house with modern fittings. Lovely tall Victorian windows and wide floorboards make a nice contrast with this high and sleek modern bathtub. Add to the mix a bold curtain, wooden log-like stool and a modern Panton-style chair. A lovely and fresh mix!

image Living Etc

modern, bold and yet traditional bathroom

houseofanais — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 08:36:31 PDT

image Living Etc

eclectic kitchen with a pink aga

houseofanais — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 07:12:46 PDT

This eclectic white kitchen certainly has some bold design ideas and striking contrasts. The traditional Aga cooker has pink-painted doors and above it one can spot modern chromed lights. Add to it a mix of colours and patterns with a large windows opening to a very green garden and a fantastic room has been born!

image Jody Stewart/Homes & Gardens

eclectic kitchen with a pink aga

houseofanais — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 07:12:46 PDT

image Jody Stewart/Homes & Gardens