Category Archives: Design

Beautiful ánd sustainable – Mosaic Decocos tiles made from coconut shells!


Just as I was looking for a special way to treat two walls in a design for an office, I came across Decocos’ tiles. Little mosaic tiles made from residual waste from the coconut processing industry. The unused shell of the actual nut is sawn into tiny ’tiles’. Both inside and outside can be used and create a spectacular wall feature certain to deliver a wow factor.

 

Decocos Edge tiles / Foto: Castillo Foto voor Vega Projects

Decocos Edge tiles / Foto: Castillo Foto voor Vega Projects

100% ecological and sustainable
Because the shell is normally disposed off as waste, Decocos tiles are truly sustainable. Not only did they find a purpose for the shells, but the production of the tiles creates jobs and income for the local community in Vietnam. Because the source of the tiles, the nut, is so natural, the tiles have the same characteristics as wood. This means none of them are the exact same size of texture, and they often show little imperfections or even the fibres tat are so typical for the shell of the coconut. This actually enhances the natural sensation of the wall and gives it a chique and rich look.

 

Inside Out Decocos tile / foto: Castillo Foto voor Vega Projects

Inside Out Decocos tile / foto: Castillo Foto voor Vega Projects

End Strip Decocos tile

End Strip Decocos tile

Inside Out Decocos tile in Coral wassing

Inside Out Decocos tile in Coral wassing

Caré light Decocos tile

Caré light Decocos tile

The tiles come in a variety of finishes, textures and can be finished further with various laques or oils. They can even be dyed in several colours from coral to rich purple ti fit every home or interior. Check out decocos.com for more information.

Edge Decocos tile

Edge Decocos tile

The New Ikea catalogue!


Anyday now the new Ikea catalogue will be distributed. Yesterday I attended the Pre-launch party of the new catalogue here in Amsterdam. The venue was spectacular; the new rooftop bar in the Double Tree Hilton hotel. The PR team put in great effort and decorated a room identical to the cover of the new catalogue. Even the view looked similar!

De nieuwe IKEA gids

The cover of the new Ikea catalogue

The collection shows a lot of known and loved items, but also many new arrivals. The PS 2014 wardrobe for instance. It looks like a metal case, but also like a locker. It has a nice industrial feel to it either way. I am particularly smitten with the small Knopparp two-seater sofa. It comes in both bright yellow and grey, and is a steal at €69,99!And I love the Strandmom chair. I wrote an article about this great piece two years ago.

De Knopparp is een kleine tweezitsbank voor nog geen 70 euro!

You gotta love the Knopparp sofa!

IKEA PS 2014 garderobekast

IKEA PS 2014 wardrobe

At the door we were handed a goodie bag, or rather basket, with among other items the wonderfully nostalgic Dekad alarm clock

Dekad, de nostalgische wekker van Ikea

Dekad, de nostalgische wekker van Ikea

Did you know that the Ikea catalogue is the largest period publication? It is printed in a staggering circulation of 217 copies in 49 countries worldwide, and translated in 32 languages.

 

Rivea London – Alain Ducasse’s new restaurant


In posh Knightsbridge, in the tres chic Bulgari Hotel, lucky Londoners can wine and dine in Rivea. This restaurant is the second by this name by renowned French chef Alain Ducasse. Like its counterpart in St Tropez, the restaurant comes with a stunning interior. Polished mahogany walls, lights beige and blue colour palette and luxurious fabrics for curtains and upholstery, guests will feel like royals. Architectural digest says ‘the space evokes a casually glamorous day on a yacht’.

Italian architects Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Partners signed for the design.

Photo: Pierre Monetta

Photo: Pierre Monetta