Cabinet of Curiosities: Brunswick House, Vauxhall

This morning, I visited a fascinating place, Brunswick House, a ruin in Vauxhall overshadowed by the riverside towers and residential blocks. The listed Georgian house used to belong to the Dukes of Brunswick as a grand mansion surrounded by three acres of parkland. However, more recently the building fell into disrepair and decay, until it was bought by LASSCO (The London Architectural Salvage and Supply Company) in 2004, who attempted to restore the house into an eclectic location from which to sell architectural salvage. 

Images: my own. 

Nostalgic: Kate King by Arno Frugier for Interview Russia May 2012

Set on an abandoned estate, these photographs by Arno Frugier are reminiscent of Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1984 film, “Nostalgia”. A beautiful but haunting background for a high fashion editorial of Chanel and Valentino pieces. 

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23 Town Houses in Amsterdam by Atelier Kempe Thill

Amsterdam Osdorp, which was built in the sixties, has been undergoing a program of urban renewal to create a bigger variety of individual dwellings for the middle class. The question to be addressed here is how to deal with the urban and architectural heritage of post-war modernism? Their solution is to demolish existing buildings with small apartments and replace them with more contemporary homes that maintain the urban street profile, but in addition, incorporate underground parking. The plan is being designed and supervised by a Rotterdam-based architecture practice, De Nijl. This building project by Atelier Kempe Thill tries to match with the collective architecture of Osdorp, whilst allowing for some individuality with separate front doors and screened terraces. Each apartment is approached by a long front garden, which is met by a double height kitchen/living area to respond to contemporary forms of living. Partitions within the interiors are flexible and allow for multiple arrangements, whilst corridors have been avoided to save space. The project promotes a light way of living, with the users being able to create their own interior space due to the indeterminacy of the architecture.  

Images: ArchDaily

Modern Times: Natalia Vodianova & Michael Fassbender in Vogue US, May 2012

The utilitarian city wardrobe gets an artistic reimagining (and a dash of 1920s utopia) on Russian beauty Natalia Vodianova and 'A Dangerous Method' actor Micheal Fassbender. Photographed by Craig McDean, the pair look like lovers from the Man Ray film The Mysteries of the Chateau of Dice, and compliment the backdrop of the Cubist gardens at Villa Noailles, where Picasso and Cocteau used to frequent. Conceived in December 1923, the Villa Noailles in Hyères was built for Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles by the architect Rob Mallet-Stevens. It exhibits fundamental concepts from the rationalist movement, namely practicality, light, and a purification of decorative finishes. The interiors feature stain glass windows by Louis Barillet, furniture by Eileen Gray and artwork by Mondrian, Brancusi and Giacometti. 

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New Pinterest Board- 'Brights'

Ok, so it may be pouring with rain outside, but forward think to summer and take some inspiration from my new Pinterest board! Check it out here.