Blühnbach Castle aerial shot
Blühnbach Castle aerial shot

Schloss Blühnbach is a hunting castle in the Austrian Alps dated from the 17th century. It was extended in 1911 by Archduke Francis Ferdinand; it also includes his art and antiques.

History

The reigning Archbishop of Salzburg constructed it in the early years of the 17th century. Schloss Blühnbach is situated among the tops of the bare, spikey peaks of more than 2,000 metres in a narrow valley in the Austrian Alps. At the time, Salzburg was one of the wealthiest cities in Europe; its wealth was based on almost inexhaustible deposits of salt, a product as eagerly traded and nearly as precious as gold.

A late 17th-century walnut and fruitwood dwarf cabinet and German allegorical paintings
A late 17th-century walnut and fruitwood dwarf cabinet and German allegorical paintings

Situated verdant pastures

Schloss Blühnbach would have enjoyed the advantage at the outset of being readily defended against the archbishop’s enemies, many of which he had. A road wound, and continues to wind from the village of Tenneck several miles through a spruce forest and green pastures to the castle, from a highway threading its way south along the Salzach River, sits on a slope overlooking a tributary of the Salzach. In places teetering on the edge of a deep gorge, this zig-zag path offers the only easy access to the castle.

Estate of Frederick Koch

Schloss Blühnbach’s belongs to the estate of Frederick R. Koch, who died in February 2020. He was an American philanthropist and connoisseur who collected art, literature, music and architecture in an extraordinarily diverse range of fields. He was a tireless browser of auction catalogues; he quickly found a suitable home in museums, libraries and universities.

Koch was an ardent student of architecture from childhood, mainly when it manifests itself in buildings, even more in the form of old houses in need of sympathetic renovation.  

Koch acquired Schloss Blühnbach in 1987 after the property had undergone upwards of one hundred years of sectarian adventures and misadventures.

A 1601 wedding painting part of Francis Ferdinand's collection of European Art
A 1601 wedding painting part of Francis Ferdinand’s collection of European Art

100 years of sectarian adventures

After the property had endured over one hundred years of sectarian adventures and misadventures, Koch purchased Schloss Blühnbach in 1987. The ecclesiastical authorities had reduced both wealth and power and had given the castle to the Hapsburgs. A band of aristocrats later made it a base for some of Europe’s best hunting operations. It was not entirely to their satisfaction that a fellow hunter, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, Emperor Francis Joseph’s successor, plucked it from them. He was a crack shot and enjoyed shooting as many stags, mountain goats, eagles and other local Alpine prey as possible.

Possibly an altar room because of the ecclesiastical symbols.
Possibly an altar room because of the ecclesiastical symbols.

Between 1908 and 1911 the archduke rebuilt the castle, turning it into a country house that his wife and children found comfortable and cozy. It boasted eighty or ninety rooms on four floors and stables on an equally grand scale numerous outbuildings.

Koch selected a carpet with a 17 century pattern for his sitting room.
Koch selected a carpet with a 17 century pattern for his sitting room.

Francis Ferdinand became a significant figure in world history after being assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914 and starting the First World War.

Krupps of Essen

It was just the sort of place that one of the wealthiest families in the world – the Krupps of Essen – were looking for at a time when, thanks to the war, the vast Krupp munitions works were prospering. Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach, his wife, Bertha, and their seven children were enchanted with the clear mountain air and the lofty views of Schloss Blühnbach a far cry from the smoky polluted air of the industrial Ruhr, where the Krupps, secretive and self-admiring had been doing business since the fifteenth century.

Books, plays, movies, many attempts have been made to tell the House of Krupp’s story. The last of the family to occupy the castle was Arndt von Bohlen und Halbech, grandson of the stern, hard-driving Gustav and his opposite in almost every way. Having no interest in the family business, Arndt dissipated as much of the family fortune as he was allowed to get his hands on. He retreated into a fantasy world that in many ways resembled that of Ludwig II, the Mad King of Bavaria.

Painted and gilded coats of arms of Salzburg archbishops.
Painted and gilded coats of arms of Salzburg archbishops.

Arndt designed royal uniforms for himself, a throne, a gold crown, and other royalty symbols. When he grew bored with the castle, he shifted his imaginary court to Brazil that covered 40 square miles. Arndt died in 1986 in his late forties, having contrived like Ludwig II, to become grandly and perhaps without regret bankrupt.

The castle was put up for sale; however, most prospective buyers found it too intimidating even to make an offer. Its shingled roof was in a state of disrepair, and thousands of metres of copper wire had to be replaced, and the outer walls would have to be stuccoed and repainted. After all, one could then begin the formidable interior decoration task, laying out of gardens and improving the surrounding farmlands and forest.  

Koch found exhilarating what others usually found exciting. The moment that he entered the great hall, he sensed that the castle was demanding that he take charge of it.

“If restoring a distinguished old building is a responsibility, it’s something else as well – the chance to combine hard work and pleasure that for me is irresistible.”

Today

Despite the beautiful renovations that occurred over twenty years ago. The castle is currently “hermetically sealed”. The castle’s lockdown hinders mountain hikers who want to climb from the Blühnbach valley to the Tiefenbach valley. “To reach the path, you have to go above the castle and along the boundary fence”.

Sources

“Blühnbach Castle” page. In: Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Processing status: October 27, 2020, 12:21 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Schloss_Bl%C3%BChnbach&oldid=204937138 (accessed: February 14, 2021, 10:28 pm UTC)

Gill, B. (1996). An Austrian Epic Frederick R. Koch Rejuvenates a Historic Alpine Schloss. Architectural Digest34(1), 110–117.

You may also be interested in

More Inside an Eclectic Los Angeles Wonderland Home designed by AD100 Firm Charlap Hyman & Herrero | Architectural Digest – Encyclopedia of Design

“When people get older, they often lose their playful spirit. I want to hold on to the fun,” said the owner Yoram Heller when it came to the design of the home.

More on Interior Design

  • The Journey of Alexis Mabille: Haute Couture to Interior Design

    The Journey of Alexis Mabille: Haute Couture to Interior Design

    Buoyed by his thriving business as a designer of restaurants, including Le Boeuf sur le Toit in Paris and Cipriani in Saint-Tropez, Mabille has produced a mix of one-of-a-kind pieces and limited-edition items under his own Beaubow Editions imprint.Read More →

  • A Yuletide Journey: Christmas Magic at Galeries Lafayette

    A Yuletide Journey: Christmas Magic at Galeries Lafayette

    The author describes the magical Christmas experience at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, marveling at the grand decorations, city views, and the shared connection with the city and its festive spirit.Read More →

  • These 6 Furniture Trends Will Be Huge in 2024, Design Experts

    These 6 Furniture Trends Will Be Huge in 2024, Design Experts

    In 2024, furniture trends will focus on aesthetics and sustainability with subtle patterns, sustainable and ethically produced pieces, deeper color hues, personalized designs, multi-functional items, and incorporation of natural elements.Read More →

  • Exploring the Influence of Pierre Chareau: Architect Designer

    Exploring the Influence of Pierre Chareau: Architect Designer

    Pierre Chareau was a crucial figure in the French avant-garde movement, best known for his Maison de Verre design. He masterfully fused architecture with design, using modern ideas about lighting and space and incorporating industrial materials. His journey started at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, where he learned key principles that shaped his distinct unornamented, minimalist…

  • The Evolution and Impact of Colour Blocking in Design

    The Evolution and Impact of Colour Blocking in Design

    Colour blocking, a practice rooted in early 20th-century modernist art, involves using contrasting or complementary colours to create dynamic visual effects. It’s heavily applied in fashion and interior design, offering a fresh approach to personal style and vibrant spaces. Despite differing opinions on its origins and future, colour blocking remains a transformative and timeless element…

  • “Modern Scandinavian Design” by Charlotte and Peter Fiell

    “Modern Scandinavian Design” by Charlotte and Peter Fiell

    “Modern Scandinavian Design” by Charlotte and Peter Fiell is an authoritative guide on Nordic design, emphasizing its commitment to social equality and quality of life. The in-depth book covers various design disciplines, making it an essential resource for design enthusiasts and practitioners. Read More →

  • Scandinavia Dreaming: An Ode to Dualism in Nordic Design

    Scandinavia Dreaming: An Ode to Dualism in Nordic Design

    “Scandinavia Dreaming: Nordic Homes, Interiors and Design” delve into Nordic design’s unique blend of austerity and comfort, openness and privacy, presenting a variety of principles and practices. Highlighting craftsmanship, material selection, inclusiveness, and its global influences, it insightfully demonstrates Scandinavian culture and lifestyle.Read More →

  • How Lighting Affects Consumer Behavior Across Cultures

    How Lighting Affects Consumer Behavior Across Cultures

    Lighting hugely influences interior design, impacting emotional states and consumer behaviour. Cultural background also affects lighting preferences, with American customers favoring warmer light and Korean consumers preferring cooler tones. Therefore, a diverse and multicultural approach to lighting design is critical.Read More →

  • Exposed Kitchen Painting it White – Best Method

    Exposed Kitchen Painting it White – Best Method

    The post provides instructions for painting exposed brick walls white. It involves cleaning, preparation, priming, painting, applying a second coat if necessary, and applying a sealant. Additionally, the type of white and paint finish can significantly affect the room’s atmosphere, and since painting brick is more or less permanent, the decision to paint should be…

  • Andrée Putnam (1925 – 2013), French Interior Designer

    Andrée Putnam (1925 – 2013), French Interior Designer

    Andrée Putman was a French interior designer, furniture designer, and entrepreneur. She was born in Paris. Putman was probably best known internationally for her black and white palette, illustrated by the 1985 interior of Morgans Hotel in New York. It was commissioned by the entrepreneurs Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell.Read More →

  • Distinctly retro furniture by Masquespacio

    Distinctly retro furniture by Masquespacio

    Because of the studio’s trademark lively aesthetic, its hospitality and retail fit-outs are the stuff of design bloggers and Instagrammers’ dreams.Read More →

  • Classic Elegance Revived: Home Countryside High Back Spindle Dining Chair,

    Classic Elegance Revived: Home Countryside High Back Spindle Dining Chair,

    Experience timeless charm and modern comfort with the Christopher Knight Home Countryside High Back Spindle Dining Chair. Influenced by the iconic design of Thonet’s Chair No. 14, this antique white chair showcases a high backrest with intricate spindle detailing. With its blend of classic elegance and contemporary appeal, it’s the perfect addition to any dining…

  • Modern Americana (Hardcover)

    Modern Americana (Hardcover)

    Do-it-yourself décor inspired by iconic patterns, classic fabrics, sentimental items, and the Americana style.Read More →

  • Introducing the Lexicon Elle Accent Chair: Elevate Your Living Room with Style and Comfort

    Introducing the Lexicon Elle Accent Chair: Elevate Your Living Room with Style and Comfort

    Discover the Lexicon Elle Accent Chair in Blue. This rustic-style chair combines elegance and comfort, with its cushioned back, armrests, and solid pattern. Crafted with high-quality materials, including wood, foam, and polyester upholstery, this chair offers durability and easy maintenance. Perfectly sized and designed for relaxation, it’s an ideal addition to any living room. Order…

  • The Île-de-France: Floating Ambassador of French Decorative Arts

    The Île-de-France: Floating Ambassador of French Decorative Arts

    The Île-de-France, launched in 1926, was a grand dame of French ocean liners, showcasing elegance and craftsmanship. Designed by top designers, it showcased French decorative arts, opulence, and practicality, making it a symbol of the golden age of transatlantic travel.Read More →

  • La La Land a must-see for designers

    La La Land a must-see for designers

    I saw La La Land this weekend and Damien Chazelle musical is brilliant and emotional tribute to the 1950’s musical. Visually stunning eye candy for my inner graphic designer. Not so much a visual re-imaging of Los Angeles as a opportunity to see it through an artists eye. Chazelles last film, “Whiplash”used Jazz as a…

  • High-Tech: Exploring the Architectural and Decorating Style

    High-Tech: Exploring the Architectural and Decorating Style

    High-Tech architecture emerged in the 1970s, focusing on technological innovation, industrial aesthetics, and functionalism, reshaping the built environment. High-Tech architecture emphasized utilitarian aesthetics, flexibility, and adaptability, influencing interior design and sustainability, and influencing modern green and minimalist styles.Read More →

  • William Haines (1900 – 1973) American Interior Designer

    William Haines (1900 – 1973) American Interior Designer

    William Haines, an American film actor and interior designer, retired from acting in 1933 and opened his own firm in Los Angeles, paving the way for LGBTQ+ actors and designers. Haines Foster founded an interior design company in 1930, creating iconic Beverly Hills homes and collaborating with architects like William Haines Designs.Read More →

  • Room Divider 6FT Portable Room Dividers

    Room Divider 6FT Portable Room Dividers

    Our Room Partitions and Dividers are made of a strong steel frame with powder coating, with Extra Longer and Wider Feet pads to improve stability and privacy. The fabric of the room divider screen is 240g polyester with PA coating, which maximizes secrecy, wrinkle resistance, wear resistance and water resistance. The panels are connected by…

  • Designing Liners: A History of Interior Design Afloat

    Designing Liners: A History of Interior Design Afloat

    This book shows how the insides of ocean liners have changed from the middle of the 19th century to the 21st century. It is the first book to give a history and analysis of this vital part of interior design, which reflects and reinforces cultural ideas about national identity, gender, class, and ethnicity. Anne Massey’s…

  • Modern Rustic Hardcover – Create a Rustic Cozy Home

    Modern Rustic Hardcover – Create a Rustic Cozy Home

    Rustic isn’t the same as it once was. The days of fusty dried flower arrangements, antlers over a stone fireplace, and acres of plaid are long gone.Read More →

  • Live Beautiful |Learn How to Create and Curate a Space

    Live Beautiful |Learn How to Create and Curate a Space

    Athena Calderone is a renowned design expert and interior designer who shares her knowledge and connections with interior decorators, fashion designers, and tastemakers from around the world in her book Live Beautiful. Calderone delves into the inspiration behind each homeowner’s design journey and provides practical tips on how to incorporate these sophisticated elements into your…

  • Designing Coffee: New Coffee Places and Branding

    Designing Coffee: New Coffee Places and Branding

    The coffee industry has ignited a cultural and creative movement, leading to the creation of unique and imaginative coffee shops. “Designing Coffee” provides guidance on how to create a unique space that reflects individuality.Read More →

  • Noguchi lamp space without clutter

    Noguchi lamp space without clutter

    Isamu Noguchi designed the first of his lamps to be produced by traditional construction methods in Gifu, Japan, known for its manufacture of lanterns and parasols made from mulberry bark paper and bamboo. Akari is handcrafted with washi paper from the inside bark of the mulberry tree and bamboo ribbing stretched across sculptural moulded wood…

  • Buro Happold on How are offices evolving?

    Buro Happold on How are offices evolving?

    Due to the pandemic, there has been a change in office layout, with hybrid working providing a means of lowering carbon footprints and enhancing work-life balance. Teams of multidisciplinary experts from Buro Happold are assisting clients in reimagining their workspaces. Companies are investing in their offices to encourage employees to spend time with their teams,…

  • What is traditional Interior Design? (Architectural Digest)

    What is traditional Interior Design? (Architectural Digest)

    Traditional interior design is a style that began in Europe between the 18th and 19th centuries. Classic, elegant, timeless, and formal are words that describe it. It takes ideas from this time in history and reinterprets them in a modern way, making a polished and well-curated home that feels timeless and has no expiration date.…

  • Made for Living: Collected Interiors for All Sorts of Styles

    Made for Living: Collected Interiors for All Sorts of Styles

    This Book will help you plan a home that’s made to be lived in. NATIONAL BESTSELLER With more than 250Read More →

  • How Cubicles and the Open-Plan Office Came to Be

    How Cubicles and the Open-Plan Office Came to Be

    Open-plan offices did not work out as well as their utopian creators had hoped, leading to the shift back to cubicles or pods to increase employee productivity and well-being. READ MORERead More →

  • Alastair J.F. Morton (1910 – 1963) British textile Manufacturer

    Alastair J.F. Morton (1910 – 1963) British textile Manufacturer

    Morton joined his family’s Morton Sundour Fabrics in 1931 and oversaw the company’s first screen-printed fabrics. He was the artistic director and principal designer of Edinburgh Weavers in Carlisle, which was established in 1928 as Morton Sundour’s creative design unit from 1932 to 1935. From the 1930s, he was a supporter of the Modern movement,…

  • Charles Pfister (1938 – 1990) American interior designer

    Charles Pfister (1938 – 1990) American interior designer

    Charles Pfister (1939 to 1990) was an American interior and furniture designer and architect. He was professionally active in San Francisco.Read More →

  • Midcentury Modern: 15 Interior Design Ideas

    Midcentury Modern: 15 Interior Design Ideas

    Master midcentury modern design principles with this simple and snappy interior design handbook. Do you love rich and vibrant timeless design? Are you on a budget and planning a new project based on this hot trend? Are you excited to find out how to create the midcentury modern look for your home, hotel or motel?Read…

  • Modern Interior Design – a guide 

    Modern Interior Design – a guide 

    The modernism movement began to unfold as it moved away from using the traditional building and design materials like wood, stone and brick and instead began to focus on industrial materials including glass, steel and concrete.Read More →

  • The Interior Design Handbook Kindle Edition

    The Interior Design Handbook Kindle Edition

    Frida Ramstedt, a design consultant, owns Scandinavia’s most popular interior design blog. In The Interior Design Handbook she reveals the secrets of effective interior design and styling in this book to help you design a home that suits your space, taste, and lifestyle.Read More →

  • Kurt Versen (1901 – 1997), Swedish lighting designer

    Kurt Versen (1901 – 1997), Swedish lighting designer

    In the 1940s and 1950s, executed many assignments from architects for flexible lighting appropriate to Modern interiors.Read More →

  • Dorothy Draper (1889 – 1969) Rediscovering a Legend

    Dorothy Draper (1889 – 1969) Rediscovering a Legend

    Dorothy Draper (1889 – 1969) was an American interior designer. She was born in Tuxedo Park, New York. Draper’s upper-crust upbringing, Tuxedo Park was one of the first gated communities in the United States. Dorothy’s parents were part of an old New England family with longstanding social connections. Dorothy’s childhood was spent playing in high-ceilinged…

  • 8 Interior Design Trends from 1966

    8 Interior Design Trends from 1966

    The 1960s was a period of rediscovery in interior design – an opportune reawakening to the merits of forgotten favourites that were abandoned, perhaps not because they had become cliches. Interior Designers returned to past design, materials and ideas not because they evoked nostalgia but solely because they are good and contribute something of value…

  • The 10 Best Bar Stools for socialising

    The 10 Best Bar Stools for socialising

    Bar stools are comfortable, use space well, have unique styles, and offer more ways to make a home feel like a home. READ MORERead More →

  • Robert Bonfils (1886 – 1972) French Graphic Artist

    Robert Bonfils (1886 – 1972) French Graphic Artist

    Born in Paris, Robert Bonfils was a French graphic artist, painter, and designer. He studied at the École Germain-Pilon in 1903 and at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1906. He worked for Henri Hamm, a furniture designer. His work included paintings, bookbindings, ceramics for Sèvres, Bianchini-Frerier silk, wallpaper and interior design layouts.…

  • Kaare Klint (1888 – 1954) Danish furniture designer

    Kaare Klint (1888 – 1954) Danish furniture designer

    Kaare Klint – Danish furniture designer. The Danes were greatly influenced by Germany’s Bauhaus movement in the early part of the twentieth century. Read More →

  • 1950s bathroom designed by Marcel Breuer

    1950s bathroom designed by Marcel Breuer

    This classic mid-century interior is roomy, with clay tile countertops designed to take suds, wear and water. The clay tile tub and recessed shelf, dramatically reflected in the mirrored storage wall, are sparkling and bright.Read More →

  • John Eberson (1875 – 1954) American Designer famous for the atmospheric theatre

    John Eberson (1875 – 1954) American Designer famous for the atmospheric theatre

    John Eberson was an american designer who was known for his cinema décors. One of his earliest, the 1923 Majestic Theatre in Houston, Texas, was a loosely recreated garden of a late-Renaissance palazzo in Italy. Through his workshop Michelangelo Studios, he was was successful at producing elaborate plasterwork for his theatre décors in Spanish, Moorish,…

  • Emeco and Naoto Fukasawa introduce “Za”

    Emeco and Naoto Fukasawa introduce “Za”

    The name “Za” was chosen by Naoto Fukasawa, an industrial designer from Tokyo, and it means “a place to sit” in Japanese. It is a term that alludes to the multi-functionality of a simple stool that can be used anywhere, indoors and outdoors, an object that people will intuitively choose to sit on.Read More →

  • Kwok Hoi Chan (1939 – 1987) Chinese architect and interior designer

    Kwok Hoi Chan  (1939 – 1987) Chinese architect and interior designer

    Interior design projects included furniture for Air India and the IBM offices in Hong Kong. 1966-68, Chan worked in a design studio, London, contributing to the interiors of the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II. He subsequently, designed for Spectrum, the Netherlands. Read More →

  • Eero Aarnio (b. 1932 ) Finnish interior and industrial designer

    Eero Aarnio (b. 1932 ) Finnish interior and industrial designer

    Finnish designer Eero Aarnio (b. 1932) is a great innovator of twentieth-century furniture. His plastic chairs from the 1960s are pop culture icons that continue to be in demand, which is why Aarnio Originals began manufacturing them again in 2017 after launching at the Stockholm Furniture Fair.Read More →

  • Brian O’Rorke (1901 – 1974) New Zealand architect and interior designer

    Brian O’Rorke (1901 – 1974) New Zealand architect and interior designer

    Brian O’Rorke was a New Zealand architect and interior designer. He was professionally active in Britain. He studied architecture, Cambridge University and Architectural Association, London. His style was uncompromisingly Modern. The 1932 music room he designed for Mrs Robert Solomon in London included a swirl-motif rug by Marion Dorn. Read More →

  • Best Of Indian Home Window Grill Design

    Best Of Indian Home Window Grill Design

    Windows are an introduction to the world beyond. They are an invincible part of any home since it brings in air, sunlight, views, sounds that could be music to ears or noise to irritate, weather… inside the house to make and keep it fresh and vibrant. More the windows better ventilated is the home. Moreover, windows…

  • Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886 – 1969) German architect and designer

    Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886 – 1969) German architect and designer

    Between 1905 and 1907, he worked as an apprentice to architect and furniture designer Bruno Paul in Berlin, where he studied wooden furniture design. He created furniture for all of his early homes, including the Werner residence.Read More →

  • Sibyl Colefax (1875 – 1950) British collector and interior designer

    Sibyl Colefax (1875 – 1950) British collector and interior designer

    Sibyl Colefax was a prominent British collector, interior designer, and socialite active in 1930s London. She co-founded Colefax and Co. with John Fowler, creating detailed and uniquely colored interior designs.Read More →

  • 10 Creative Ideas for Dining Room Walls

    10 Creative Ideas for Dining Room Walls

    The article provides ten decorative ideas for dining room walls, such as textured wallpapers, artisanal shelving, abstract art, murals, exotic tapestries, architectural accents, themed photo walls, geometric patterns, vintage signage, and collector’s corner displays. It emphasizes creative personalization and enhancement of the room’s ambiance.Read More →

  • Andrés Reisinger’s Explorative, Pastel 3D Renderings

    Andrés Reisinger’s Explorative, Pastel 3D Renderings

    Barcelona-based multidisciplinary graphic designer Andrés Reisinger renders still lifes, interiors and design objects in 3D with a clean, modern aesthetic.Read More →

  • Oliver Messel (1904 – 1978) British theatre, film and interior designer

    Oliver Messel (1904 – 1978) British theatre, film and interior designer

    He met Rex Whistler at the Slade, with whom he began making papier-maché masks. These piqued the interest of Sergei Diaghilev, who commissioned Messel to create masks for the Ballets Russes production Zéphyre et Flore in 1925. For his 1928 play This Year of Grace, Noel Coward commissioned sets and costumes.Read More →

  • Foam Furniture Collection Inspired By Meteorite Pieces

    Foam Furniture Collection Inspired By Meteorite Pieces

    This unique foam furniture is inspired by meteorites and is painted bold to add impact to the space Celestial theme is very popular now, various celestial bodies are incorporated into home and event decor. If you are looking for a non-traditional and bold way to add such trendy touches to your home decor, we have…

  • A new era for African Designer Donald Nxumalo

    A new era for African Designer Donald Nxumalo

    Donald Nxumalo, one of the bright lights of the 2018 Design Joburg, has announced the renaming of his company. Previously known as DNX, Donald Nxumalo will now be known simply as Donald Nxumalo. Donald Nxumalo will be the brand’s name and the monogram will be DNX. The explanation for this shift is that people are…

  • Clean and Elegant Kitchen Designs

    Clean and Elegant Kitchen Designs

    Clean and Elegant Kitchen Designs From kitchen makeovers, to new builds, Becki Owens  passionate about the environments she create. Simple, clean, elegant are words that inspire her every day. — Melina DivaniRead More →

  • A Cafe Entirely Decorated with Neons

    A Cafe Entirely Decorated with Neons

    If you are looking for an original and cosy cafe in London, have a tour at the  God’s Own Junkyard, an entirely decorated with neons bar. For all the warm and kitsch deco lovers, this place will be an insolite experience. The owners, Chris & Linda Bracey, are neons collectioners since 40 years and they…

  • Best Amateur Living Space: The Hunter Greenhouse – Catskills Mountains

    Best Amateur Living Space: The Hunter Greenhouse – Catskills Mountains

    The winner of the 2018 Remodelista Considered Design Awards Best Amateur Living/Dining space is Ely Franko, for his project  The Hunter Greenhouse  in the Catskills. His project was chosen as a finalist by guest judge  Stephen Alesch , who had this to say: “What a perfect little hideout—full of surprise and compact good energy!Read More…

  • 4 Things My Tiny Apartment Taught Me

    4 Things My Tiny Apartment Taught Me

    Call me crazy, but I’ve always imagined how much fun it would be to live in a tiny flat. Small, although not in the sense of a prison cell, but by American standards. Read More →

  • S533 Cantilever Chair timeless elegance

    S533 Cantilever Chair timeless elegance

    Technology is transformed into furniture, and an eye-catching invention is transformed into a beautiful interior design product. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was the first to give the cantilever chair a light aesthetic and use curved lines to tie it to its surroundings.Read More →

  • Nordiska Kök Bespoke Kitchen for Stylein Founder Elin Alemdar

    Nordiska Kök Bespoke Kitchen for Stylein Founder Elin Alemdar

    Swedish kitchen company Nordiska Kök have created another beautiful kitchen, this time in collaboration with Scandinavian fashion brand Stylein . One of Sweden’s most beloved contemporary womenswear brands, it was nominated for Sweden’s most prestigious design award Guldknappen in 2017.Read More →

  • 12 Tips for The Best Kids Bathroom Decor

    12 Tips for The Best Kids Bathroom Decor

    Even the greatest among us find it difficult to decorate a bathroom efficiently. You really need to think about the colours and textures you choose in such a large room so it looks designed but not overwhelming.Read More →

  • Aleesi Birillo Toothbrush Holder: Blend of Function and Style

    Aleesi Birillo Toothbrush Holder: Blend of Function and Style

    The Alessi Aleesi PL03 W Birillo Toothbrush Holder, designed by Piero Lissoni, combines elegant minimalist design with functionality. Its freestanding, easy-to-clean steel frame integrates seamlessly into various interior styles, adding sophistication to any bathroom. Read More →

  • Cozy kitchen with a vintage dining table

    Cozy kitchen with a vintage dining table

    Cozy kitchen with a vintage dining table How amazingly cozy and inviting does this kitchen look ? The all grey kitchen cabinets, combined with the marble counter top and the white tiling on the wall has a rather minimal and fresh look.Read More →

  • A Wide Open Kitchen in Pistachio Green – Swedish Design 🇸🇪

    A Wide Open Kitchen in Pistachio Green – Swedish Design 🇸🇪

    In collaboration with Swedish fashion label Stylein, Nordiska Kök has created this open plan kitchen for the fashion label’s founder.Read More →

  • The blackened kitchen 🧑‍🍳 | the best of Curated Design

    The blackened kitchen 🧑‍🍳 | the best of Curated Design

    DeVol has done it again with this beautiful black kitchen. called the ‘Chipping Norton Kitchen’ , its glamorous glossy black cupboards paired with those statement-making San Simone Quartzite worktops and beautiful hints of warm brass and copper look so chic. devol took their simple Shaker cupboards and painted them in their Printer’s Black shade, deep…

  • My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation

    My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation

    For over twenty years, scientists have been discovering connections between physical space and the creative mind. Written by a noted architect, My Creative Space is the first book to turn this rich trove of psychological research into practical techniques for shaping your home for maximum creativity.Read More →

  • Ini Archibong’s debut collection for Sé explores delicacy and strength

    Ini Archibong’s debut collection for Sé explores delicacy and strength

    The series, also known as Collection IV by the brand, was released over a two-year period. It is the Nigerian American designer’s first collaboration with Sé and his most extensive furniture collection to date.Read More →

  • The Atra Armchair Continues the Indoor/Outdoor Furniture Trend

    The Atra Armchair Continues the Indoor/Outdoor Furniture Trend

    Atra has ergonomic sitting with ventilated perforated back and side regions, as well as a wide, curved design. The armchairs are stackable and the seat is easy to clean. The materials utilised to create Atra – 100 percent recyclable polypropylene and fibreglass – are weather-resistant.Read More →

  • Walter Gropius, Lighting fixture in the Director’s office 💡

    Walter Gropius, Lighting fixture in the Director’s office 💡

    It was a lighting fixture of tubular bulbs wired through thin aluminium tubes.  These lights were part of the interior decoration of the Bauhaus Building.Read More →

  • What was the Purpose of Saloon Doors? 👩‍🌾

    What was the Purpose of Saloon Doors? 👩‍🌾

    People may want to instal saloon doors for a variety of reasons. These doors are not weatherproof, but they serve as a symbolic barrier that urges people to pause before entering a building, room, or area. The clear view above the doors allows individuals on both sides to see what’s going on, which can be…

  • 4 Decorating Mistakes You May Not Even Realise You’re Making 🤭

    4 Decorating Mistakes You May Not Even Realise You’re Making 🤭

    Decorating — that is, making your home the best it can be in terms of aesthetic. Decorating is a skill, not a science, and it can be challenging to master. Even the most well-intentioned designers make mistakes, and sometimes they’re blunders you’re not even aware of. Ask yourself if you’re making one of these five…

  • Rules For Picking a Coffee Table (+ 105 of Our Favorites for Every Space)

    Rules For Picking a Coffee Table (+ 105 of Our Favorites for Every Space)

    The coffee table is the centrepiece of the room. So useful, yet so often overlooked. Sofas get all the attention in the living room, and they certainly keep us comfy. The coffee table, on the other hand, is the living room’s workhorse.Read More →

  • Porcelain Bowls Made with Balloons

    Porcelain Bowls Made with Balloons

    Guy Van Leemput, a porcelain artist and mathematician, crafts exquisite ceramic bowls using air filled balloons. He achieves precisely round vases, gracefully finished with detailed parts to produce insolite and delicate design pieces, by allowing the material to flow on the balloon.Read More →

  • Beautifully Balanced Más Table Lamps – Korean Design

    Beautifully Balanced Más Table Lamps – Korean Design

    Studio Más, known for designing products and furniture that are simple yet unique, released their Lamp Más in 2018. Created especially for the 2018 Young Retro Seoul Design Festival, Lamp Más was inspired by analogical behaviour and retro-like colour and shape and designed to have a beautiful balance between the pull switch and the lamp…

  • Credenza – Simple and Understated Storage

    Credenza – Simple and Understated Storage

    Rhys Cooper, an Australian designer, created Credenza, a minimalist credenza. The Credenza is a simple, modest storage solution with minimally designed cabinetry construction and a solid wood display surface.Read More →

  • A Chair Inspired by French Ruelle

    A Chair Inspired by French Ruelle

    Philippe Tabet collaborates with Italian company Infinity to introduce a new chair, featuring a sophisticated design inspired by French alleys. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, the chair comes in two variations with an aluminium seat and plywood backrest.Read More →

  • Vision and Design by Roger Fry (Kindle Edition)

    Vision and Design by Roger Fry (Kindle Edition)

    In “Vision and Design: Long Road Classics Collection,” Roger Fry explores the connection between art history and its continual reinvention, highlighting influences from past art forms on contemporary design. He believes understanding these relationships helps designers create meaningful, innovative works.Read More →

  • Celebrating Timeless Design: Stellar Deals on Iconic Pieces

    Celebrating Timeless Design: Stellar Deals on Iconic Pieces

    Dwell magazine and Gear Patrol highlight iconic items in the Knoll Modern Comfort Sale, including the revolutionary Wassily Chair, innovative Bertoia Diamond Chair, and versatile Florence Knoll Coffee Table – embodying design history and forward-thinking functionality.Read More →

  • The Principles of Pretty Rooms

    The Principles of Pretty Rooms

    Beloved interior designer Phoebe Howard shares her style secrets for creating truly pretty rooms filled with grace and charmRead More →

  • Patina Homes Kindle Edition

    Patina Homes Kindle Edition

    For anyone who has loved the Giannetti books about Patina Farm, this book continues the aesthetic in a variety of styles.Read More →

  • Design the Home You Love: Practical Styling Advice to Make the Most of Your Space

    Design the Home You Love: Practical Styling Advice to Make the Most of Your Space

    Since interior design can be intimidating, many of us never attempt to design our own homes. Havenly creators Lee Mayer and Emily Motayed break down the ambiguous world of home design in Design the Home You Love. You’ll first learn how to define your style (whether you prefer Parisian Modern or California Casual) and then…

  • Scandinavian Design Warm Ochre and Neutral Hues

    Scandinavian Design Warm Ochre and Neutral Hues

    Scandinavian design, focusing on warm ochre and neutral tones, connects to nature and the environment. It embodies minimalism, functionality, textural variety, and a respect for natural light, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and timeless elegance. Read More →

  • Barware – Everything you need

    Barware – Everything you need

    Barware – Everything you need. With our selection of barware, you can create an authentic bar experience at home.Read More →

  • Designer chooses humble life in Shanghai – SHINE News

    Designer chooses humble life in Shanghai – SHINE News

    Aldo Cibic, a significant figure in the history of Italian design for over 40 years, recently discovered a new, muchRead More →

  • Lines, Swirls and Curves of Staircase Photography

    Lines, Swirls and Curves of Staircase Photography

    These pictures by Christian Theile will certainly change your mind if you ever thought staircases were boring. While working in the field of neurobiology, Theile was drawn to the world of photography, landscapes and macro photography. But in his staircase photos, his passion (and talent) for capturing architecture is obvious: taken from above and below,…

  • Everything: A Maximalist Style Guide – Excess and Expression

    Everything: A Maximalist Style Guide – Excess and Expression

    Abigail Ahern’s “Everything: A Maximalist Style Guide” enlightens on maximalism in design, a counterpoint to minimalism. Advocating a personal narrative, it celebrates vibrant color, texture, accessories, lighting, and style, bridging Decorative and Applied Arts.Read More →

  • The Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles, and Details

    The Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles, and Details

    Quality matters. Just as a home’s foundation should be built to stand the test of time, so, too, should the furniture, objects, and elements of our rooms speak to an enduring sense of beauty and comfort. They should outlast trends and our loving day-to-day use. But how does one recognize quality and judge whether something…

  • The insiders’ guide to the Sir Gio table

    The insiders’ guide to the Sir Gio table

    The Sir Gio table is distinguished by a high-tech central leg: the moulded plastic material provides high performance and stability to support the glass top. The table allows you to mix and match different coloured bases and tops to create a variety of looks.Read More →

  • 1950s Inspired Vimini Outdoor Furniture Collection

    1950s Inspired Vimini Outdoor Furniture Collection

    Patricia Urquiola called this collection Vimini because it means wicker in Italian and sounds like Bimini, an island. They used only the right amount of outdoor wicker with a rougher wooden frame. The design is well known that when you get close, it stirs your memory and makes you feel at home. That’s what it…

  • Forms Stackable Stool by Ookkuu

    Forms Stackable Stool by Ookkuu

    The Forms Stackable Stool features a lovely circle seat with a convenient stacking capability. Solid wood frame and plywood wood veneer seat.Read More →

  • Hover minimalist stool by Tom Chung

    Hover minimalist stool by Tom Chung

    Hover is a minimalist stool created by Toronto-based designer Tom Chung. Hover is a contemporary take on the mechanics’ stool. Designed for co-working spaces or cafe’s where one might need personal short-term storage space. The tray provides a surface for your bag, without having to place it on the floor or hanger.Read More →

  • Astronaut Light – Houston there is no problem

    Astronaut Light – Houston there is no problem

    This Astronaut Light made me laugh. Perfect bedside lamp, nightlight, or conversation piece; this unique lamp lets you reposition the astronaut to float around the moon at the base.Read More →

  • Michel Péclard, stool, 1955. Beech and birch.

    Michel Péclard, stool, 1955. Beech and birch.

    Michel Péclard, stool, 1955. Beech and birch. Made by Horgen-Glarus, Switzerland, from 1926 the firm produced wood furniture and they furnished the Swiss Pavillion, 1929-30.Read More →

  • The Klapp Foldable High Chair – Coming Soon

    The Klapp Foldable High Chair – Coming Soon

    Norway-based brand KAOS , known for their Scandinavian designs and affordable prices, is gearing up to launch their latest product, the Klapp designed in collaboration with product designer Ole Petter Wullum. Available in solid oak and oak veneer in three colourways, this high chair folds up into a slim profile for easy storage and features…

  • Art3d Wall Panels: A Striking Addition to Your Space

    Art3d Wall Panels: A Striking Addition to Your Space

    Art3d’s Decorative 3D Wall Panels in Diamond Design are PVC, fire-resistant, lightweight panels ideal for enhancing living or workspace aesthetics. Sold in packs of 33 tiles covering 32 square feet, the panels are easy to install and come in several finishes, allowing for creative use in different settings. These affordable panels offer superior quality, safety,…

  • Artist Turns Her Boring Toilet Into A Magical Place

    Artist Turns Her Boring Toilet Into A Magical Place

    Artist Roza Khamitova recently completed her latest series Shovava, which involved creating countless numbers of drawings and paintings. There were so many of them, they were barely fitting under her bed. So she decided to put them to use by transforming her toilet.Read More →

  • ​If There’s Such a Thing as a Sexy Toilet Plunger, This is It

    ​If There’s Such a Thing as a Sexy Toilet Plunger, This is It

    Toilet plungers are not something we tend to discuss. But, for sure, we want them to work and we sure hope there’s one accessible if we—horror!—happen to need one in someone else’s bathroom. (By the way, this post has some great tips for how to unclog a toilet, should you find yourself without a plunger).Read…

  • Geometric Wallpapers add dimension, softness and layering effect

    Geometric Wallpapers add dimension, softness and layering effect

    Modern geometric wallpapers give a light-hearted air to the living room, bedroom or guest room. Choosing a classy geometric wallpaper in black, blue, and silver looks great in a bathroom. Wallpaper adds a dimension that a plain coat of paint cannot. Rooms without a lot of soft surfaces – dining rooms and bathrooms, for example,…

  • How medieval monks helped shape the modern-day office

    How medieval monks helped shape the modern-day office

    From standing desks to open office plans, our modern workspaces have deep historical roots. The coronavirus pandemic has forced most people to create an office space of their own—whether by devoting a room in their homes for work, sitting socially distanced in common areas, or just creating a “Zoom worthy” corner in a bedroom.Read More…

  • 1920s Apartment Rejuvenated With Warm Shades Of Yellow

    1920s Apartment Rejuvenated With Warm Shades Of Yellow

    Yellow is one of the most cheerful and fun colours yet it’s rarely the main colour tone in interior design. That’s one of the reasons why we’re so excited to have come across this wonderful efficiency apartment from Stockholm, Sweden.Read More →

  • The 1962 Airstream: An Ode to Space Age Design and Americana

    The 1962 Airstream: An Ode to Space Age Design and Americana

    The 1962 Airstream, embodying Space Age optimism and American tradition, is an iconic travel trailer, reflecting fascination with space travel and road-tripping culture. Its enduring design has influenced many contemporary design philosophies. Read More →

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.