DESIGN EVENT - HOUZZ OF 2018

Houzz is a website about architecture, interior design, decorating and home improvement which is hosting an event live in London right now: Houzz of 2018.

The interior design studio Run for the Hills transformed a stylish five-storey Soho townhouse into a complete flat reflecting all that's current in home design. 

If you love snooping around other people's homes, this is the type of experience you'll have, and you will be able to buy anything you see for a 15% discount on the original price.

The pop-up is open to the public between the 26th January-31st January and is free.

DESIGN SHOP - ARKET

Arket belongs to the H&M Group and defines itself as "a modern-day market". The first Arket store was opened in Regent Street in August 2017 displaying homeware and stationery items along with clothing and accessories for men, women and children.

Prices are not H&M aligned, it feels more like if Uniqlo and COS had a baby, and the baby has also a homeware line.

I've been there three times, and so far I've bought only notebooks and socks, but I'm sure I will soon surrender to that cast-iron pot, the umpteenth thin-glass set, one green vase or an overpriced terracotta flowerpot.

The in-store café has a very distinct northern European style, and good coffee.
Let me know what you think.

THE CHOICE - DOOR WREATH

One of my all-time favourite festive (and not festive) home decoration is the door wreath.

I favour it totally natural, predominantly green, with modest coloured - but still natural - insertions, and very circular and lush.

London offers many occasions to see gorgeous door wreaths this time of the year. If you live here, you don't need to buy them at the Botanique Workshop or at That Flower Shop. You can find very nice wreath at Borrough Market, Whole Food, Liberty, and at every small florist down the road.

But most of all, here’s a link on how to make one: it’s easy and cheap DIY XMAS WREATH.

Enjoy the gallery below (the last one is our very own!)

HOME TOUR - DARIO & MARIAGRAZIA

I have the pleasure of bringing you a stunning home tour, that just so happens to belong to my cousins.

We are all about festive atmosphere right now, but this interiors shows how that’s achievable without oversized and overtly bad design home decorations. Of course, the striking snow-covered panorama adds magic to the soothing ambient.

At the lower floor of a remarkable 16th century country house in Bergamo - Northern Italy, these rooms were once the peasant’s kitchen, the cows stable and the farm porch.

My architects colleagues will recognize the iconic pieces (MDF Italia bookshelf, Desalto table, Renzo Piano Riva Chairs, Artemide and Foscarini lights, etc.), but the truth is that Dario and Mari’s home embodies all that makes Italian homes so special. Historic details, natural material finishes, exposed structural elements, and always – always, gorgeous light. When you apply a few genius design choices, an Italian home can be hardly beat.

Floor: wax treated raw-cut slate
Exterior window frame: power coated iron
Interior doors and windows: walnut wood
Bookshelf: Random, MDF Italia
Table: Iblea, Desalto
Chairs: Renzo Piano Design Chair, Riva 1920
Chest of drawers: Kyoto, Riva 1920
Lights: Logico, Artemide + Bahia, Foscarini
Kitchen: Valcucine (former Demode)