Open House Dublin

Great news for building stalkers. Open House Dublin have arranged it so you can now look inside some cool buildings without getting arrested. I am definitely signing up for a couple of the house tours and hopefully they will let me take photos so I can share with you all. Here is a run down of what Open House Dublin is about (text taken from their site)

What is Open House Dublin?
The simple but powerful concept of Open House – opening buildings of architectural quality to the public and providing an educational and enjoyable experience – was conceived 16 years ago in London by founder Victoria Thornton. In Ireland, the Irish Architecture Foundation initiated Open House Dublin in 2006, and approx 15,000 people are expected to participate in its architectural building visits, walking, boat and cycling tours this year. Open House Dublin 2009 takes place from 8-11 October.

Entry is free but you have to prebook for some tours.

House Tour

Welcome to my new gaff.  You might be confused because previously I have stated I live in an apartment in Dublin but that was a lie. Really I live here and I was keeping it a secret whilst renovating. Yes, yes I know how could I hide such a beautiful home but it was necessary. Even the people who live there now don’t know its my house.

Ok its not my gaff – pics are from OWI – click here for more

52 Suburbs

I think this new blog, 52 Suburbs, is going to make me a little homesick. Louise has lived in Sydney for 30 years and realised recently that there is so much of  Sydney yet to discover. Sydney is made up of 637 suburbs (I didn’t know this!) and Louise plans on discovering 52 new suburbs over the next year.

Speaking of Sydney! The photograph below is of a cyclist underneath the Harbour Bridge during the recent red dust storm. Very surreal.

Pic from The Guardian

A bathroom with a view

I like the idea of taking a long luxurious bath but always feel a little claustrophobic when I do. Its more to do with the heat of the water, I find it hard to breathe. Then there is little to do except look at the tiles or the ceiling. I know you’re suppose to relax but I just get all hot and bothered and bored. Is that weird? Anyway I have come up with a solution. I need a bathroom and view like this.

Image from Erhard Pfeiffer

I would be equally ok with this shower

Image from Paper Costumes

and then I could eat breakfast of fresh blueberries and yoghurt in my cosy breakfast nook

Images from TGH Architects

Dream home

WOW. Nenagh Gal has just posted about a wonderful Irish home with one of the most beautiful views EVER!

Mermaid Isle ticks so many boxes on my dream home list – close to the water, plenty of windows to take in the stunning views, warm interiors, hot tubs outside and a little cottage for my guests and family.

I have no words but please do check out Nenaghgal’s post and photos as well as the Mermaid Isle site. And its for sale! I am definitely playing lotto this weekend!

Clever ideas and clever design

The pictures below have one thing in common. I think the idea or design is clever. thats all.

I love the layout of the apartment featured on this book cover. The lounge and dining area are clearly defined. And I love that the kitchen is almost hidden yet looks very functional and able to cope with more than heating stuff up in the microwave.

Well who doesn’t love a good shoe shelf – and if you can see all your shoes you would probably buy less shoes. I was going to bored you all with a whole post dedicated to shoe storage but thought you might all run away and never come back.

Not sure why – maybe because I want to renovate a huge warehouse one day and this is clever idea for wiring. Its probably common practice to box in the wiring in buildings with exposed brick walls but I have never seen it before. Ah such a sheltered life.

Kitchen Love!!!!!!

Oh this kitchen (well the whole house really) is divine. I love the different textures of the wood and stone and smooth modern lines of the cabinets – they work so well together. I am being swayed big time towards grey tiles for our kitchen reno after spotting this kitchen (via Remodelista). The house was designed by the very talented architects from Feldman Architecture – do check out their site as these guys know the important role natural light plays in creating a beautiful space. And I have fallen in love all over again with the Louis Ghost chairs (Starck is a genius!) plus I have added the Le Klint 171 Pendant to my evergrowing list of things I want.

Qubus Design studio

I think I have seen pics of this church before but can’t remember where. It was design by Jakub Berdych from Qubus Design Studio back in 2006. I just love the combination of the punched out cross on the Panton Chairs, the persian rugs and chandeliers. I would almost be tempted to go church if my local church was this cool.

Church sv. Bartoloměje

by Jakub Berdych  (2006)

Number 31

How cool is this place! And its in Dublin! Number 31 is the coolest B&B I have seen umm … well anywhere and they claim to do the best breakfast in Ireland (well bar mine of course!).

The guest house is a mix between ‘a Classical Georgian townhouse and a stunning modernist mews’ and is the work of the talented architect Sam Stephenson.

To top it off they have a sunken lounge and a mirrored bar as well as cool design classics throughout.