The planners insisted on a traditional house that sat politely with its neighbours on this tree-lined street in a conservation area of north London. But the design-minded owners of this expansive new-build, Afsaneh and Ebbi Farsian, had more ambitious ideas. They envisaged a modern, open-plan family home basking in natural light. The result? Not a tentative fudge of new and old, but a house that confounds expectations: traditional on the outside, and contemporary inside.

The eight-bedroom home, which was designed and built by Finkernagel Ross, an architectural and interior design company, replaced a lacklustre 19th-century building.

Before we moved here we were living in another part of north London, says Ebbi, who grew up in the house opposite. When our daughters got into the local school, we thought wed take a look at my old street. By chance, this house was up for sale.

The previous owners had lived here for 40 years. It was untouched and very dark. But we knew it had potential, he continues. We considered renovating it. But it turned out that it was cheaper to knock it down and build a new house.

Behind the neo-classical brick facade, which the planners insisted on, Catherine and Felix Finkernagel were given almost free rein to do what they liked to the 9,000 sq ft interior.

When you arrive here you feel like a time traveller, stepping from the 19th into the 21st century, says Iranian-born Ebbi, who works in the motor vehicle industry. For him and Afsaneh, a curator, it was important that the house paid homage to their cultural reverence for sunlight, especially in the darker basement areas.

This was achieved by digging down to create a courtyard that brings light to the subterranean pool and gym at the back. From here, the hillside garden rises in a series of terraces, designed for eating, socialising or quiet contemplation. The olive trees in pots and expanses of limestone underfoot add a Mediterranean feel. During lockdown its been just the enviable ticket.

When you close the front door behind you it feels as if youre checking into a hotel, says Ebbi.

By contrast, the top storey of the detached house has a classical appearance, with dormer windows set snugly into the sloping, red-tiled roof. It was designed as a deliberate visual foil to the glazed lower storeys of the house that frame the courtyard, like one of those modernist homes you might find clinging to the hillsides of California.

These main living areas all overlook the garden through wide, floor-to-ceiling windows. The couple were keen on an open-plan layout: the kitchen flows to the dining room and the sitting room where the low stone fireplace is embraced by curving ochre sofas. The addition of sliding pocket doors between the different rooms allows for privacy without formality, as Afsaneh puts it. Further rooms include a home office and a TV den, as well as a boot room with a separate entrance.

An immaculate pump room houses the ground-source heat pump. Upstairs, there are seven pared-back bedrooms and a large, peaceful area for reading on the top floor.

At the front, the striking three-storey height entrance hall rises up to a skylight so that you feel as if you have stepped into the atrium of a contemporary art gallery. To connect the different levels, the architects designed the scene-stealing staircase, which twirls upwards like a black ribbon or, as Ebbi puts it, a strand of DNA. The steel structure was so large that it had to be craned into place through the roof during the last days of construction. It was made by Littlehampton Welding, the metal fabrication firm that has realised work for designer Thomas Heatherwick and sculptor Anthony Caro.

We like their work because it bridges the gap between architecture and sculpture, says Catherine Finkernagel, who likes to compare the house to a series of experiences First theres the entrance hall, which has an almost monastic feel. Then theres the drama of the staircase. And after that, there are the living areas, which are more intimate and snug.

The detail-conscious Farsians were closely involved with every stage of the project. They also travelled to Iran to source the stone marble, limestone, travertine which brings a weightiness to the restrained decoration. Its the closest youll get to being on Iranian soil without a visa, jokes Ebbi.

Afsaneh, whose business, Noor, specialises in homewares sustainably made from stone offcuts, chose the slabs herself. Each one is bookmatched so that the inherent, sparkling patterns combine to form dancing motifs, like the abstract designs in a Persian rug.

Having inspected several of their architects projects, the couple were also set on a gallery finish no skirtings or cornices, for a seamless effect. Mouldings exist to conceal annoying gaps between floors and walls, so the builders were unenthusiastic. It did mean that the work took slightly longer because everything had to be perfectly level. But we feel it was worth it, Afsaneh says.

Apart from a scattering of the couples antiques and heirlooms, almost all the furniture and artworks were bought specially for the interior. Black and white photographs of Iran sit with mid-century classics such as the Saarinen Knoll Tulip table. The muted tones of Persian rugs are offset by vibrant contemporary paintings: old juxtaposed with new for companionable effect.

noor-curated.com

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Trapping the light fantastic: a new-build home that confounds expectations - The Guardian

The Record

Despite the economic challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Shearwater has continued to experience robust growth and strong home sales. Since the start of the outbreak this spring, the northern St. Johns County master-planned community has developed two new neighborhoods, received a coveted Gold Nugget Merit Award, expanded its community management team and continued to offer safe recreational programming for residents.

We are seeing a significant trend in more people making remote working situations permanent, which allows families to move to locations where they actually want to live, said Suzanne Maddalon, vice president of marketing at Freehold Communities. St. Johns County, widely known for its great school district and high quality of life, has seen a serious increase in housing demand in master-planned communities. We are pleased that Shearwater strengthens this appeal by offering a community with all of the qualities and conveniences of an established town combined with a desirable selection of new homes and a rich mix of resort-style amenities and lifestyle programming.

Shearwater also reported increased home sales since the onset of the pandemic, putting them on track to outperform 2019sales. With increased buyer interest in master plans, Shearwater has expanded exponentially to keep up with the demand.

Lennar and David Weekley Homes began development on two neighborhoods in Shearwater this summer, expanding upon the communitys current quality home designs from six leading builders.

In the new Timberline neighborhood, Lennar is selling two-story luxury townhomes ranging in size from approximately 1,611 to1,751 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space. Potential buyers have four different floor plans to choose from, each featuring two to three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The townhomes also offer Lennars signature Everythings Includedprogram with upgraded features at no extra cost. Pricing starts from the $250s.

Award-winning builder David Weekley Homes is selling two distinct series of homes in The Hammocks. Priced from the $270s, the Discovery Series offers one- and two-story homes situated on 40-foot homesites. The open-concept homes range in size from approximately 1,613 to 2,374 square feet with rear-loading garages, three to five bedrooms and two to three and a half bathrooms.

Buyers have seven different floor plan options to choose from, each featuring LifeDesign benefits.

One- and two-story homes in the Designer Series offer five different award-winning floor plans situated on 40-foot homesites. Priced from the $280s, the homes range in size from approximately 1,797-2,340 square feet with two to five bedrooms and two to three and a half bathrooms. Each of the homes feature front-load garages, open concept living spaces and spacious lanais.

A panel of top industry experts named Shearwater an Award of Merit winner for Best Community Land Plan in the 2020 Gold Nugget Awards. The annual awards program is the largest and most prestigious of its kind in the nation, honoring innovative architecture, planning and construction concepts that solve fundamental building industry needs to improve communities.

In the programs 57th year, judges selected grand and merit winners in more than 50 categories from a field of roughly 575 U.S. and international entries, including single-family productions, custom homes, interior design, commercial, renovated projects, mixed-use, affordable, multifamily and site planning. The winners showcase the most exciting trends in design, planning and building.

Expanded management team

Due to community growth and an increased number of households, Shearwater expanded its community management team with the appointment of Dylan Read to assistant manager. He previously served as lifestyle director and now assists in handling community operations, including covenants enforcement, design review and facility maintenance.

To fill Reads vacated role, Remy Pugh was hired as the new lifestyle director. She is responsible for year-round community lifestyle programming, encouraging homeowners to engage with their neighbors and motivating residents to build long-lasting relationships. Pugh is also tasked with ensuring the highest level of satisfaction amongst residents.

Meticulously designed for modern-day living, Shearwaters resort-style amenities and vibrant lifestyle programming have remained front and center throughout the pandemic.

At the start of stay-at-home orders, Shearwater utilized social media, virtual platforms and other resources to help residents stay connected and offer support during the public health crisis. Since those restrictions have started to lift, the community has shifted gears to resume hosting some socially distanced community events with new precautions and safety protocols in place.

Most recently, Shearwater delivered a variety of kits for residents to enjoy on their own, including build-your-own-cocktail kits, lifestyle busy kits and relaxation kits for parents as kids head back to school. Shearwater also hosted a movie night on the lawn and a blood drive event with local food trucks. Additional programming is confirmed for the remainder of the year.

Located at 100 Kayak Way in St. Augustine, Shearwateroffers home designs from Drees Homes, David Weekley Homes, Lennar, MasterCraft Builder Group, Dream Finders Homes and Toll Brothers.To learn more, visit ShearwaterLiving.com.

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Alive and thriving: Shearwater continues robust growth amid pandemic - St. Augustine Record

From Veranda

Ah, blue and white: classic and timeless, traditional or modern, jaunty yet soothing. When it comes to contemporary interiors, the color combination is perhaps most associated with California designer Mark D. Sikes, who achieved acclaim early on in his design career for his use of blue and white at his own Hollywood Hills home, featured on the cover of House Beautiful in 2012 and then, after being redone, in VERANDA in 2014.

It seems only fitting, then, that Sikes would pay tribute to perhaps the most famous blue-and-white room in design history: the living room at La Fiorentina in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France. Good news, design history enthusiasts: that moment has come, at the inaugural Kips Bay Dallas Decorator Show House, which is open to the public from September 25 through October 25 with limited in-person and virtual tour options available.

Photo credit: Stephen Karlisch

Assigned the show house's living room, which Sikes has dubbed "Casa Fiorentina," the designer was struck by how certain elements of the space's existing architecture (its sweep of French doors and the dramatic dark stone fireplace surround) recalled similarities to the iconic living room on the Cte d'Azur.

"It's one of my favorite homes of all time, not just how beautiful it is but all of the amazing designers, from Rory Cameron, Billy Baldwin, David Hickseven Hubert de Givenchy and Bunny Mellonwho are a part of the story," says Sikes. "It was such a glamorous place."

Photo credit: Courtesy of Mark D. Sikes

"My interpretation honors the essence of the timeless La Fiorentina while being reimagined with a Texas twist," says Sikes. "It continues the tradition of casual ease and elegance its namesake is known for."

According to Alexandra Lloyd Properties, La Fiorentina was built in 1917 by the Countess Therese de Beauchamp on a vast piece of land [that] occupies the extreme end of the Saint Hospice point of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. In partnership with Harold Peto, architects Aaron and Gaston Messiah began the work on the Palladian-style villa; it was completed by Ferdinand Bac before being sold first to Sir Edmund Davis, then Lady Kenmare in 1939.

Lady Kenmare's son, Roderick "Rory" Cameron, was the first designer to truly put his personal stamp on La Fiorentina, from its interiors to its gardens. While he and his mother were there, the villa became one of the most glamorous destinations in the world, a must-stop for the most stylish people of the day.

Story continues

Photo credit: Henry Clarke

Photo credit: Henry Clarke

In 1969, La Fiorentina changed hands once again when Lady Kenmare sold it to advertising executive Mary Wells Lawrence and her husband, Harding Lawrence, president of Braniff International Airlines, who hired decorator Billy Baldwin to revitalize the seaside villa.

Baldwin's redecoration of La Fiorentina has been the most influential of the villa's many periods, yet his touch was rather light. The iconic American decorator, who kept many of the furnishings, including the mirror over the living room fireplace, said of his work, "We have simply reshot it in color."

It was that shot of colorclear, sky blue cotton slipcovered upholstery; a darker blue-and-white checkerboard French woven rug; blue-and-white Chinese porcelainsthat continues to influence designers today.

Photo credit: Stephen Karlisch

Photo credit: Stephen Karlisch

In Sikes's Dallas tribute, pleated ivory curtains with tiebacks trimmed in blue tape (all fabricated by The Shade Store) and lantern lighting (by Paul Ferrante) are pages from Cameron's style playbook for La Fiorentina, but the sky blue slipcovers, scaled-up geometric rug, Chinese porcelain collections, and French baskets are pure Baldwin.

Of course, any tribute worth its salt includes a few new elements, and Sikes's rendition is no different. Covering the walls with an Iksel wallpaper that mimics the look of blue-and-white tiles infuses a layered, and perhaps more traditional, twist into the Baldwin-inspired scheme.

Furthermore, Sikes's incorporation of antique mahogany and walnut furniture and a massive 17th-century Italian painting over the sofa lends a decidedly old-world air and a certain gravitas that stands in contrast to Baldwin's breezy, modern design.

Photo credit: Horst P. Horst

Sikes is by no means the first designer to be inspired by the French villa, particularly Baldwin's design for its living room. One of the most beautifully executed rooms with nods to Baldwin's La Fiorentina is designer Bunny Williams's living room at La Colina, her iconic-in-its-own-right home in the Dominican Republic.

Jacksonville- and Atlanta-based designer Phoebe Howard, well known for her own brilliant command of blues, has also paid homage to La Fiorentina in several rooms, including the living room featured on the cover of her book Room by Room (Abrams, 2015).

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Is This the Most Influential Room Ever Designed? - Yahoo Lifestyle

A dream home is, for many of us, a waterfront home in a warm location. It's no wonder so many luxury properties that have 'dream home' written all over them are located in the Sunshine State. After all, Florida has some of the most beautiful beaches in the US and Disney...

(Image credit: The Carroll Group)

But we also think that a dream home is somewhere that's all ready for moving in; just turn the key, and you're in a perfectly furnished, beautifully decorated space that works with the building and the surrounding landscape. Which is why this collection of bright and airy waterfront townhouses in Hollywood, FL is so special.

(Image credit: The Carroll Group)

Step inside and be amazed by the luxurious furnishings by Missoni and Roche Bobois. Roche Bobois is everyone's favorite contemporary furniture brand, understated yet oh, so opulent. Missoni, on the other hand, are known for an eye for colourful, shimmering abstract prints (we wish we could get our hands on one of their knitted polo shirts). Here, custom Missoni prints are used to a stunning effect for wall fabrics.

(Image credit: The Carroll Group)

The five-story residence features a sky deck with summer kitchen, jacuzzi and entertainment area and of course Missoni outdoor furnishings. Custom finishes include Italkraft and Gaggenau appliances, porcelain floors, a glass enclosed elevator and more. The residence also comes with its own yacht slip at the propertys private marina for the ultimate luxury lifestyle. No special brownies for counting how many yachts you can fit in there.

(Image credit: The Carroll Group)

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This Florida dream home has an amazing outdoor kitchen and designer touches - Real Homes

Wine enthusiasts nationwide can enjoy a curated Coastal California wine tasting & gastronomical experience in the intimacy of their homes.

September 25, 2020 (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) In celebration ofCalifornia Wine Month, TolosaWinery has launchedTolosa Tonight, a curated gastronomical experience available to culinary and wine enthusiasts in the intimacy of their own homes. Wine and food devotees across the country can order an event kit and prepare excellent three course meals paired with select Tolosa wines, all included in the kit. Acclaimed Tolosa WinemakerFrederic Delivert, Ember Chef/OwnerBrian Collins, andAmber Karson, co-owner of Karson Butler Events, will provide the guidance needed to host a true wine country dinner. Tolosa Tonight premieres September 25 and is available on demand through October 2020, at the price of$250 for Tolosa wine club members and $290 for general access. To reserve a kit, please visitTolosa Tonight.

We want wine and food enthusiasts to experience our amazing wine country lifestyle, which is especially exciting during harvest, regardless of any restrictions on travel or gatherings. So we curated a virtual experience that consumers can replicate at home with their loved ones, said President & CEO, June McIvor.

Delivert will share his coveted single vineyard wines paired with Collins recipes. The first course, Bacon Wrapped Scallop Skewer, Sweet Italian Peppers and Stone Fruit Mostarda, will be enjoyed with a bottle of Poletti-Edna Ranch Chardonnay Edna Valley 2018. The main course, perfect for a fall dinner, is Coq au Vin, Shell Bean Heirloom Tomato Panzanella, Grilled Leeks, and Lardons paired with Tolosas flagship wine, Primera 2018. Dessert will include Red Wine Poached Figs, Goat Cheese Panna Cotta with Almond Cookie, paired with the Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 2018.

Chef Collins will help enthusiasts prepare the elegant meal by providing a shopping list, recipes and a step-by-step cooking demonstration video of Coq au Vin. The package includes the full pairing menu, shopping list and recipes. Revered Event Designer Butler will demonstrate how to create stunning tablescapes with insider recommendations via video link. And Winemaker Delivert will guide dinner guests through each wine virtually, on demand.

Tolosa also invites qualified media to look behind the curtain at the winery with a tasting of the wines and the Tolosa Tonight kit. For media inquiries, please contact: [emailprotected].

About Tolosa

Cowboy dreams of owning a cattle ranch brought Robin Baggett to Californias Edna Valley over 40 years ago. The cold Pacific wind and soils from ancient seabed to limestone made him realize he was on a frontier of a different sort. Tolosa is the expression of his commitment to spare no effort to craft Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines of distinctive character to rival any in the world. Founded in 1998 and guided by the core values of integrity, teamwork and meticulous craftsmanship, Tolosa is committed to creating complex, balanced and nuanced wines that are the purest expressions of Edna Valley. The Tolosa winemaking team combines traditional winemaking techniques and cutting-edge technology to achieve the purest translation of place to taste. Tolosa supports numerous environmental and philanthropic initiatives and is an active member of the Central Coast community, welcoming guests daily to enjoy its trademark gracious hospitality and a variety of luxury tasting experiences surrounded by its Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified vineyard, Edna Ranch. Tolosa is open daily at 4910 Edna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. You can find them onFacebook,InstagramandTwitteror visit the website attolosawinery.com.

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Wine Enthusiasts Nationwide Can Enjoy a Curated Coastal California Experience in the Intimacy of Their Own Homes with "Tolosa Tonight" -...

An Algerian palace built in the mid-19th century tells the tale of occupation and resistance

Published date: 25 September 2020 09:51 UTC | Last update: 25 sec ago

The Ahmed Bey palace in Constantine, northeastern Algeria, is one of the last examples of Algerian Ottoman architecture built before the French occupation of the country.Named after the buildings architect and designer Ahmed Bey ben Mohamed Sherif, the last Ottoman Bey(or governor) of Constantine, the structure was built over nine years and was completed in 1835, two years before Frances colonial rule began in 1837.

Born around 1784 in Constantine, Ahmed Bey served under the Ottoman Regency of Algiers and was one of the central figures of resistance to French occupation, keeping them out of eastern Algeria for seven years.(All images by Kays Djilali from his book,Constantine: memoire, patrimoine et passion,courtesy of Chihab Editions)

In designing a palace he was only able to reside in for two years, (18351837, before French occupation), Ahmed Bey imported columns and other marble pieces from Italy by mule and camel, withthe rest of the materials comingfrom the Netherlands and Spain. Here we havea row of exquisitely carved white marble columns, some of the 266 that prop up lancet arches and porticoes that open onto the gardens like cloisters.

Traditional earthenware tiles called zelij- 47,000 in total - cover the walls of the palace. They were taken from the wealthy homes of Constantine, but also came from Tunisia, Syria and even cities on the northern shore of the Mediterranean, such as Marseille, where Ahmed Bey travelled to find them.

The palacemurals depictingAhmed Beys travels are both a major tourist attraction and a valuable historical document. Covering more than 2,000 square meters, the walls tell the story of his pilgrimage to Islams holy places, as well as tales of battles fought alongside the ruler of the regency of Algiers under the Ottoman Empire. On his journey to Mecca and Medina in 1818, which lasted 15 months, Ahmed Bey also visited Tunis, Tripoli, the port of Alexandria and Cairo.

Set in carved marble porticoes, the inner doors of the palace were made by local craftsmen. Each door is a work of art in its own right. Like much of the palaces architecture the polychrome doors made of cedar wood from the Aures and Kabylia regions in the northeast of the country, have been restored. The doors indicate the luxurious tastes of the palaces former resident.

One intricately carved door leads to the apartments of the harem, a section of the palace where the governors concubines once resided. Ahmed Bey had a large harem in addition to his six wives, and the presence of women filled the palace apartments, which numbered 40 rooms. To honour his favourite wives, Lalla Khadoudj, Lalla Aichouche, Lalla Fattoum, and a fourth whose identity is said to have been kept secret, Ahmed Bey had a palm tree planted in each of the four corners of the main garden.

Gardens and water fountains feature heavily in the palaces design as in the image above,the spray of a sculpted marble fountain spills into a nearly two-hundred-year-old basinin the shade of orange trees and myrtles.

Leopold II of Belgiumand Napoleon III of France are just two of the distinguished guests who once stayed at the palace in the 19th century. In 1934, the palace was classified as a historic monument. It wasn't until 2003 that a four year restoration project began, including landscaping and roof renovation. Today, it is home to Algerias National Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.

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In pictures: Inside the home of the last Ottoman Bey of Constantine - Middle East Eye

Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

You may know carpenter and designer extraordinaire Ty Pennington from TLC's Trading Spaces or the original Extreme Makeover: Home Edition series. Although its been a few years since he's been in front of the camera, he hasnt stopped doing what he loves: renovating homes. Now Pennington is making his return to TV and his HGTV debut with an all new feel-good home renovation series... but there's a little bit of a twist.

Yesterday, the network announced that the new series, Ty Breaker, had been given the production green light. The eight-episode installment will follow Pennington as he helps well-deserving families find their dream homes. But here's the catch: the family must choose whether or not they want to revamp their existing home, or move on to an entirely different home to renovate.

Heres where his costars come in! In each episode, Pennington will encourage the family to stay put in their original homes. Meanwhile, his costars will be pushing the family to give up their home and start renovations on an all-new property. The show asks the question: can certain style and design upgrades make a home feel brand new to a family? Or does that family need to leave their old home behind in order to get that fresh start? Fellow HGTV stars Alison Victoria from Windy City Rehab, Grace Mitchell from One of a Kind, and Sabrina Soto from The High Low Project will rotate as Penningtons cohosts throughout the series.

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This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Pennington expressed his excitement over the show in a statement to the network. "I am so happy to be back in my element on Ty Breakerhelping people to not only love their space but showing them how to LIVE in it," he said. "Well address challenges that families face every day, but well mix it up with friendly competition from my super-talented friends. Youll see us having a lot of fun and creating killer design."

Well, we're sure excited and also curious to see what families will decide! Ty Breaker is slated to premiere in early 2021.

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Ty Pennington Is Coming to HGTV With An All New Feel-Good Home Makeover Series - HouseBeautiful.com

With Apple and Amazon continuing to surprise us with their inventions, we are waiting in anticipation of their September 30th event. While the company usually unveils the new Pixel sometime in mid-October, the virtual event is set to be where the company unveils the latest and greatest Pixel phones, along with a new Nest smart speaker and a new Chromecast. The rumors of these products have been floating around and while we wait, here is a list of designs that we surely hope to see come true, if not in this release, but in the next one at least!

The Pixel smartphone went onto redefine what a pure Android experience could look like, becoming the gold standard in the Android OS experience. James Tsais Google Pixel Smartwatch concept does the same for the Android Wear OS. Embodying Googles playful-serious aesthetic, the Pixel Smartwatch concept comes in a traditional round format, and in a variety of quirkily named colors. The Android Wear OS logo displays clearly on the always-on display of the watch, transforming into a colorful set of watch hands every time you look at it to read the time. The watch comes with Googles top-notch voice AI, all of Googles native apps, and a heart-rate monitor on the back, which ties in well with Googles plan of acquiring Fitbit and their entire fitness-tech ecosystem. I wouldnt be surprised if this wearable concept were entirely waterproof too, just to fire shots at Apple!

The Chromecast 3 concept by Roel Heyninck isnt a hockey-puck as much as its a hub. Designed with the stylings of the Apple TV box, Heynincks Chromecast 3 box looks pretty nifty, and in many ways follows Googles product and CMF language. The box connects to a television via a single USB-C connection that has the ability to pull power as well as push media. Using the Chromecast 3 is as simple as pressing the cast button on your phone or tablet and forgetting about it. If you want to interact with or navigate through media, the Chromecast 3 comes with a pretty slick remote control that features 4 buttons and a touchpad on the top, and a standby button on the bottom that you can use to switch the TV on or off.

Meet the Pixel Vector, a smartphone concept byFerdinand Aichriedler that challenges the notion that phones need to have thick bezels, hole-punches, or notches to have front-facing cameras. The Pixel Vector cleverly uses the negative space between the phone and the screens corner to throw in not one, but two front-facing cameras. The phones sharp edges and displays rounded corners provide the perfect triangular negative spacing for cameras, spacing them out too, so they can perform 3D scanning required for facial recognition.

ODD-ONs cute silicone skin transforms your Google Nest Mini into an adorable tabletop cat that, for once, responds to commands instead of maintaining an air of feline attitude! Titled the Caat, the outer body for the Google Nest Mini props your speaker up so its pointing forwards, rather than upwards. This allows the Nest Mini to look rather adorable as it sits patiently on your mantelpiece, responding to all your questions and commands.

The partnership between Belkin and Devialet is interesting for a number of reasons. Belkin is famed for making some of the best charging cables, hubs, adapters, and extension boxes on the market, while Devialet still reigns as the most awarded audio company in the world. The companies announced their collaboration at CES this year, with the Soundform Elite, which happens to be Devialets second smart-speaker after itscollab with Huawei. The Soundform Elite works just like any smart-speaker, albeit with a docking area for your phone. Equipped with a fast-charging 10W Qi charger, the Soundform Elite has the unique feature of being able to charge a wide variety of compatible Android phones as well as iPhones, making it a worthy pick for Apple enthusiasts too.

If Sundar Pichai walked up on stage and unveiled Daniel Cheungs concept of the Stadia controller, Id absolutely believe that it was completely meant to be. Stadia is a revolutionary concept that demands a revolutionary controller, and Daniel Cheungs Playdream is that controller! Ergonomic, but non-organic, the Playdream comprises a tubular design that instantly stands apart as unique, and at the same time, comfortable. Designed for an absolutely robust grip, the Playdream has all the necessary controls, from the buttons to a redesigned D-Pad, to the triggers, Google button, and even two extra buttons on the inside of the grip.

The PixelBloc is comprised of multiple 2500mAh battery-units that connect together using a USB-C port system. The main bloc, which sits at its base, comes with a USB-C port and two USB-A ports, while subsequent blocs only house the USB-C ports. This means the modules need to be plugged into the main bloc to charge them, creating a foolproof system, and the charger is smart enough to recognize them when theyre plugged in together. The PixelBloc uses sequential charging and discharging, which means when the entire unit is assembled, the main bloc is always recharged first (so you always know which bloc to use when youre low on power) after which subsequent bloc-units get recharged. When youre using the entire power-bank to juice up your device, power is pulled from the last bloc first, discharging it from the back to the front and maintaining the system so youre never left with arbitrarily charged individual bloc-units.

Designer Michio Papers created a bridge between the two faces of the tech industry- smart homes tech and laptops, to revive the laptop and the tablet while giving them the makeover they needed. The Google Link is everything you, your workspace, and your home needs. Made of multiple separate gadgets that come together, the Google Link serves all purposes. When assembled together, its your dedicated smart-home device capable of connecting via the internet to all other IoT gadgets in your house. Separate it and things get really interesting. You have a speaker dock that makes the Google Link your very own AI Assistant while being a wireless speaker too.

Google started a digital wellbeing initiative in an attempt to reduce the time we spend on our smart devices and to be honest, theyre pretty cool ideas! One of them is the Envelope cover. London-based design studio Special Projects came up with the Envelope cover, hoping we would break away from the digital world, and enter the real worldeven for a while. Though it only works for the Pixed 3A at the moment, the cover is easily accessible! You download the app called Envelope on your Play Store App, print out the template for the envelope, and assemble it right at home! All you need is some glue to patch it up together. Once you slide your phone into the case, it transforms your phone into a much simpler one.

Designed to enhance the users lifestyle, the G flask by Yoonjae Song is a pure white cylinder with a rounded cap, ensuring a perfect hand grip. Shaped like a capsule, the clean aesthetics of the G flask instantly soothe you down. Devoid of any digital screens or lighting, sipping from it should be a pretty calm experience. Crafted from durable stainless steel, the flask guarantees to keep your water fresh at all times, as it is incapable of retaining any odors or flavors. Accompanied by an app, utilizing the flask couldnt get any easier! It not only tracks your daily water intake, and how much water youve consumed so far, but you can also use it to set goals and compete with your friends, to see who reaches their intake for the day first!

For the people who dont know what this game is about (basically Safari users), the game starts as a webpage that tells you that your browser is offline. Press any key, and the game initiates, and youre tasked with getting the dinosaur to jump over cacti, and under flying pterodactyls. Your high score gets recorded on the top corner. Bells toy set captures the key elements of the game. While there are no pterodactyls in the box set (also because they make their appearance later on in the game), the set actually stays incredibly true to its inspiration. Youve got the dinosaur, four different cacti, and the box is designed to serve as the backdrop too! The box comes with a reversible design, with the starting message on the face, and the game-over message on the back and the jumping Dino is reversible too!

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Google-inspired designs that every techie would love to get their hands on! - Yanko Design

Shofuso House and Garden.Photography byElizabeth Felicelia, courtesy of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.

ArchitectJunzoYoshimura designed the Shofuso Japanese House for the Museum of Modern Arts "The House in the Museum Garden" exhibition in 1954, inspired by the 16th century Kojo-in house in the Buddhist temple complex, Mii-dera, at the base of Mount Hiei in Japan. Philadelphias West Fairmount Park, where a Japanese Temple Gate from the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition had recently burnt down, was later selected for its permanent home as a symbol of postwar peace. A total of 736 crates transferred the de-assembled Shofuso to Philadelphia in 1957, but master carpenter Heizaemon Itos nail-free joinery-based instructions brought the house back into its form with a garden designed by an 8th generation generation gardener who also oversaw the houses garden at MoMAs courtyard.

Some believe the house is, in fact, a tool to view the garden, says Yuka Yokoyama, the co-curator of "Shofuso and Modernism: Mid-Century Collaboration between Japan and Philadelphia," which opened at the house in early September. The exhibition sheds light on the professional and amicable network between Yoshimura, Japanese American woodworker George Nakashima, Swiss designer Nomi Pernessin Raymond, and Czech architect Antonin Raymond. Youre in a desk-centric house here, underlines the exhibitions other curator William Whitaker, who orchestrated a vignette of objects and furniture at the houses central study room to visualize the quartets geography-pushing conversation.

Before COVID-19 mandated changes in the exhibition format, the curatorial duo had planned rotating bus trips to nearby George Nakashima Woodworkers and the Raymond Farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania, from the house, but they instead decided to expand the display of the materials, textures, and surfaces in Shofuso. Now, the orchestration of Modernist design overlooks the serene gardens pine trees, osiria roses, and cherry blossoms with the soothing chime of a three-tier fountain. Between the main room and kitchen, the curators also carved out a dark corner to project a slide show of 74 fittingly 1960s Kodak style photographs that architecture photographer Elizabeth Felicella took at three sites critical to the show.

Read Interior Designs highlights from the display which remains on view through November 29.

Lotus Rug, Nomi Pernessin Raymond, ca 1935

There was no misunderstanding about the mutual thinking both Raymonds brought into their architecture firm; however, Nomis name was overshadowed at the time due to sexism. She started as a commercial illustrator in 1920s, creating smoked glass works for churches and later designing for Frank Lloyd Wright. She was the glue for the boys at the office, says Yokoyama. When Nomi submitted this wool rug to MoMAs Organic Design in Home Furnishings competition in 1940, she still entered under the corporate Antonin Raymond name. We have archival letters in which Antonin asks advice on color to his wife, adds Whitaker. Her involvement with the projects included interiors and orchestration of colors, as well as screen printing later at the farm house in New Hope. This textile adorned with abstract motifs and a reference to leaves manifests her mastery of technique and visual freedom. Japanese influence in the patterns is evident, and so is a Modernist composition.

Dining Chair for the Oka House, Antonin Raymond and Nomi Pernessin Raymond, 1936

The most striking element in this wood and jute chair is a decorative arch crowning the seats back. The circular accent, however, also serves as a handle for transportation. Whitaker sees a delightful rhythm of weaving of the jute and an Art Deco gesture, an homage to west from the couples Tokyo office. They, in fact, were aware of the direction western design was headed at the time through occasional travels to Europe. Particularly Nomi was closely following Le Corbusier and Pierre Chareau from design magazines she was shipping from Paris.

Firedogs, Nomi Raymond, ca 1952

Humor was important part of Nomis design, according to Yokoyama, as well as direct inspiration from nature. So much that, she positioned her desk at their Tokyo firm by the window. This steel duo of dogs is a testimony on her whimsical approach to nature-inspired design with a utilitarian purpose that reflects a medley of east and west. The fire place decoration captures a moment of transformation at Japanese homes in the 50s, with a post-Futuristic elongated representation of two canines, designed to be placed over a tatami mat on wooden floors. If we still take off our shoes, but use hinged doors instead of sliding ones, says Yokoyama, this object is a cohesive example of that mixture.

Toy Chest, George Nakashima, 1942

Nakashima designed this plywood and fir toy chest for his children during their internment at Camp Minidoka in Hunt, Idaho with thousands of other Japanese Americans during World War II. There, he met a master carpenter who trained him in joinery and tool-making, changing the course of his future career as a wood maker and designer. The scarcity of materials and limited access during this grave period taught young Nakashima to be resourceful and inventive within his means. He made the chest from scraps left over from a building, starting with roofing nails but, once they ran out, switching to regular screws at the bottom. The bobbled edge on the chests one corner signals another finding among the remnants.

Mounted Bitterbrush, George Nakashima, ca 1942

While getting his hands on utilitarian craft during internment, Nakashima was also in search of the poetic as another introspective method for comforting his dire situation. Idaho desert was generous to inspiration-seekers at the camp with long, dramatically morphing branches growing over several hundreds of years on a vast land. He mounted this serpentine bitterbrush branch onto a walnut leg and kept as memory of human tragedy and embodiment of hope. Besides the artistic gesture, today, the woods raw characteristics and aged texture also symbolize a wood makers early encounter with the material in its natural habitat.

Desk for the Louis Stone House, Antonin Raymond and Nomi Pernessin Raymond, 1940

A daring asymmetry is noticeable in one of three poplar desks the couple designed for abstract artist Louis Stones Lambertville, New Jersey house, including one for the childrens room. The model currently on view at Shofuso was designed for the living room with the intention to lean against the wall due to its particular form. The compelling design provides drawer storage on one side and leaves ample room for a single circular leg on the opposite end.

Prototype for American Armchair, George Nakashima, ca 1944

Choosing objects from mid to late 1940s when Nakashima started to build his career in the U.S. as a woodworker was crucial for the curators. This walnut and poplar arm chair is a good example for his mixture of influences, especially from his time India in an Ashram where he developed a spiritual connection to making, says Whitaker, who also notes the Shakers reference on the chairs back. Nakashima called himself a Japanese Shaker and was able to find a common ground for his background in different geographies and his personal ties to them.

Prototype for Milk House Table, George Nakashima, ca 1944

During his time at the Raymond Farm after his release from the internment camp, Nakashima furthered his relationship with nature as a wood maker, which started out of an urge for survival on the Idaho desert. He set up his woodworking studio at the milk house, where Raymonds had farmers store milk next to the barn, and suitably named his studio Milk House. This cypress and catalpa prototype is one of the first pieces he made at his studio. Prior to his curvy plank coffee table (1947), which is also in the exhibition, the design and craft here are more didactic and less nuanced or subjective.

Knoll Model N19 Chair, George Nakashima, ca 1948

The Raymonds farm in New Hope was frequently visited by influential figures, which helped Nakashima build a network and get a jump in his career. After being released from the internment camp and set up a wood shop at the farm, he met Hans Knoll who had a house in nearby Montgomery County. This birch chair is one of his first designs after starting to work for Knoll while at the same time building a clientele on the side. Despite his formal architectural training at M.I.T., Nakashima only designed just over a handful of buildings, including a few churches in New Mexico and New Jersey, and focused on architectural possibilities of furniture.

Lamp, Nomi Pernessin Raymond, 1952

Biomorphic fittingly defines this elegant desk lamp which Pernessin Raymond envisioned with her usual fascination for nature, particularly human form in this case. Similar to her steel dogs, whimsy and fun are evident in this metal, rattan, and paper creation, which slightly replicates a person with an oversized hat. This might be one part of a his and her pair, says Whitaker who came across an archival photograph of the lamps at the Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania School of Design where he is the Curator and Collections Manager. The image shows two similar pieces sitting in the back corner of the couples Tokyo house where they lived until they returned to U.S. in the 70s.

Link:
Highlights from the Shofuso and Modernism Exhibition - Interior Design

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To all those whove ever started a Thursday email with Happy Friday Jr.: Who hurt you? Regardless, now that its Friday Sr., the great-grandpappy of all Fridays, the most appropriate way we can think to TGIF is by shopping, naturally. Welcome to the Weekend Shopping Roundup.

This weeks best shoppable moments come with big thanks to an unlikely cast of characters, from Kamala Harris to Beyonc to a crazy-looking skincare mask thats supposed to cost $2,000 but instead costs $160. Oh, and J.Lo, shes in there a bunch too.

Read on to see the very best things you should buy this weekend.

Nordstroms fall activewear delivery is finally here, and it does not disappoint. Tons of cool-weather workout essentials are competing for our attention this season more than ever because, lets be real, hard clothes just dont have the same appeal. Nike and The North Face, plus Nordstroms in-house lines, are gearing up to be the only things worth wearing in our ideal wardrobes.

A Beyonc-loved designer is coming out of retirement for a very important reason: Chelsea Paris, a Black-owned shoe brand worn by the singer, released its fall collection after stepping away from the game for three years. Citing industry pressures and discrimination as her reasons for leaving, designer Theresa Ebagua is ready to come back as her authentic self and is donating a portion of profits to delivering clean energy to homes in rural Nigeria.

If youre at a time in your life where youre ready to be swayed into buying fine jewelry, wed like to submit Charlotte Chesnais, newly stocked by Matchesfashion, for consideration. The fine metals designer creates wearable and non-wearable objets dart.

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This weeks influencer award goes to Kamala Harris? Turns out the buzz she made on social media after wearing a pair of Timberlands (also a favorite of Jennifer Lopezs) has translated to actual shopping interest. According to global shopping platform Lyst, searches for the boots increased 376 percent week over week, while shopping platform Klarna also saw an 88 percent uptick for the brand compared to last year. Kamalas exact Timbs were a comfortable boot-sneaker hybrid, but we understand if youre loyal to the OGs; we know J.Lo is.

LaQuan Smith, meanwhile, deserves recognition as the designer thats popping up everywhere. In one week, the Queens-based designer was worn by Lizzo on the cover of Vogue, as well as by Jennifer Lopez in her new music video for Pa Ti - Lonely. And sure, Jennifer Lopez wins something too, because why not.

Katie Holmess latest go-to bag has our attention for more reasons that one: Not only has the star worn it five times in five days, but the Sharkchaser bag itself includes a very unique cell phone radiation protective lining in case youre concerned about technology interfering with your health.

Theres nothing like a hidden sale, and this week weve unearthed quite a few. Sephora sneakily marked down a bunch of Fenty Beauty, which includes an incredible deal on its Match Stix Trio. Its already a good deal at its suggested retail price of $54, considering it would cost $75 to buy all three individually, so were even more thrilled by the $37 sale price.

Then theres the private sale site Gilt, open only to members (though its free to sign up), which is having TWO big sales this week: over a hundred styles of Ugg shoes are discounted, and an anti-aging skincare pop-up shop has high-end beauty tools that are literally hundreds or even thousands of dollars off.

Lastly, Rat & Boa is throwing a sitewide sale starting this Sunday, with styles going for as much as 70 percent off. Stock up on celeb-loved dresses for startlingly low prices.

Read more:
From Sephoras Secret Fenty Beauty Sale to a Hidden Ugg Shop Full of Discounts, These Are the Best Things to Shop This Weekend - Yahoo Lifestyle