An ode to place
The impact of environment and a spring moodboard
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AN ODE TO PLACE
Lately, we've been thinking a lot about how the environment affects the homes we design (in fact, it would be more accurate to say that it affects nearly everything, but when applied to our field, it becomes even more evident). And to say that it has an impact would be an understatement. Until now, we had taken it into account, although always relatively unconsciously, but lately, we've dedicated many hours to this thought, which constantly occupies our minds.
Would you approach designing a house near the beach in the same manner as an apartment in the city center, even if you favored a specific style? In our view, the place where we live should somehow echo the surrounding landscape and remain consistent with it; otherwise, it would lack coherence.
Materials, colors, and textures are undoubtedly the elements that shape any space (obviously, in addition to the space itself) and bring it closer to or further from a place.
It might be coincidental (or not) that we are currently working on two houses facing each other (though that might be an exaggeration, given the vast ocean between them), both near the sea, both family homes, yet each with entirely different contexts: one for leisure, the other not; one in an urban setting, the other not. Consequently, although one might expect them to be similar, they couldn't be more opposite. Of course, this wasn't intentional - simply, each of them responds to its place, to a unique scenario that is inevitably reflected in its *interior.
Had you ever considered this?
*Which is a sum of many other factors, not only related to its location.
APRIL MOODBOARD
After a very long (and rainy) few months where we barely saw the sunlight, it finally seems like the weather has given us a break and allows us to start enjoying the first warm days of the year. To celebrate, a very Himera selection:
A fresh scent: any from the Blu Mediterraneo collection by Acqua di Parma, we can't imagine a better feeling. This is one of our favorites.
Lots of flowers: perhaps it's a quirk, but for some reason, we prefer transparent vases (does anyone else feel the same?) and this one has been with us for years since we bought it on a trip to Copenhagen. It never gets old.
A design casserole: a few weeks ago, we went to Ikea and discovered this collection of copper pots designed by Ilse Crawford that we loved. Netflix dedicated a chapter of the series Abstract to her that we recommend if you haven't seen it yet.
Dressing the entryway: coming home and having a corner to take off your shoes is much more comforting than it seems. If you have enough space, this artisanal bench seems like a luxury, if not, this smaller one will be perfect too.
Sweaters like new: it's possible to give worn knitwear a fresh start with simple maintenance. With the wardrobe change, cleaning all the lint from wool sweaters to keep them flawless for next winter is, at least for us, therapeutic. This is our favorite tool to achieve it (besides being beautiful!).
Refreshing with style: say goodbye to tacky pool accessories and invest in a beautiful float that not only is fun but also decorates the garden.
Spring table: you know that our favorite salt and pepper mills will always be these, but they are too big for the table and a little color (it's surprising that it's us saying this) never hurts.
A striped t-shirt: because there's nothing more spring-like, and the ones from Arket are our favorites, both for him and for her.
Happy month,
Ana & Edgar
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