creative stimulants

Saatchi & Saatchi in Bangkok by Supermachine Studio. 2011? Via The Coolhunter.

Saatchi & Saatchi.

Ogilvy & Mather in Guangzhou by M Moser Associates. 2008. Via The Coolhunter.

Ogilvy & Mather.

ANZ Breakout & Learning Centre in Melbourne by Hassel. 2007. Via The Coolhunter.

ANZ Breakout & Learning Centre.

Google in Zurich by Camenzind Evolution. 2008. Via The Coolhunter.

Google.

We were taught for so many years that the office was a serious space: a space where we should separate work and play, business and pleasure. But, why does it have to be a a dull space? I've read over the years that people who are more comfortable in the environment tend to bring in a greater quality of work. Companies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Google, Ogilvy & Mather and ANZ have come to present to the world a different kind of office: a space where you CAN mix business and pleasure. At least the visual kind of pleasure, where the eyesight can rejoice in different colors, shapes, themes and all kinds of wonders.

A través de los años, se nos ha dicho que la oficina es un espacio serio: un espacio donde tenemos que separar el trabajo con el juego, el negocio y el placer. Pero, por qué tiene que ser un lugar aburrido? He leído a lo largo de los años que la gente que se encuentra cómoda en su lugar de trabajo tiende a desarrollarse mejor profesionalmente. Compañías como Saatchi & Saatchi, Google, Ogilvy & Mather y ANZ han venido a enseñarle al mundo una oficina diferente: un lugar donde SE PUEDE mezclar el negocio con el placer. Al menos el placer visual, donde se puede alegrar la vista con diferentes colores, formas, temas y todo tipo de maravillas.

demasié

I've been thinking about Café design lately, and Demasié Café came to mind. While living in Barcelona last year, I used to stroll around the streets trying to find cute places to have a nice hot chocolate (you might have guessed I was over there during the winter...that winter that snowed for the first time in like 40 years...that year when I used to freeze myself to sleep because Catalans are not used to turn on the heater, so I used to put my feet in my boyfriend's socks). So, I was coming back from work and bumped into Demasié Café, the coziest and cutest little café I've seen in my time. Those pale turquoise walls and extravagant mix of white couches with wooden chairs...not to mention the Cookie Monster poster hanging on the wall. I might add here that their slogan is exaggeratedly good cookies, so the Cookie Monster appearance actually makes sense! I have to admit I never ate a cookie, which I now think it was a horrible mistake, but I can recall that every time I walked past Roger de Lluriá, all I wanted was one cup of that deliciously thick hot chocolate! And not to forget to mention: their packaging done by Mucho, a design studio located in Barcelona, won the Laus prize in 2008.

a five star wonder

The prestigious Italian fashion house, Missoni, released their first hotel in Edinburgh (and the world) in 2009. Commissioned to Allan Murray Architects (Architecture) and Matteo Thun (Interior Design) and Graven Images, it was built on Edinburgh's Old Town after demolishing a 1960s office building. Missoni's use of rythm and pattern in their fabrics is mirrored not only in the complex itself, but also on the interior and graphic areas of the hotel, all woven into the urban fabric (Murray). Vertical lines, curvy façade, chic combinations, bright color schemes, bold patterns, dramatic lightning,...the zig and the zags are all rolled into one 6-story fairytale!

a nod to the whimsical

‘As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.’ Carl Jung. This is how Aesop, a trendy Australian brand of plant-based beauty products, opens a very contemporary yet simple web page. What's most striking about Aesop is that they take design to every corner of their brand, from their identity to their retail. Their interiors have been undertaken by big shots such as Ryann Russel, March Studio, Jo Nagasaka, amongst others. It's been said that the brand has a love affair with recycled materials (seen in the repetitive use of cardboard to display their products and sometimes even to decorate the entire retail space) and repetition of daily objects.
Aesop's atmosphere is one where the products became secondary and experiencing the brand becomes the concept. Although it might be an idea that many could argue with negative criticism, for most if not all of us designers it's a nod to the whimsical! Apothecary, contemporary, warm, classic and modern all mix into one jar of semi-natural goodness!

retro me fancy!

WOW! Who said responsibilities could take up your whole life?! Ha! Work work work, no play? Well, to be honest my play is looking into blogs, pics and books about art, fashion, design and food! J'ADORE searching for sources of inspiration that always end up coming handy. So here I am sitting on my bed with the computer in my lap (replacing my boyfriend that's in a spectacular trip in India {insert jealous face here}!), coming from store-hopping through various furniture stores and thinking about decoration :) So here ya go, my favorite results from today!!!