German lighting designer, Ingo Maurer has reinvented the recessed light. His Schlitz Lights create elegant slits to an imaginary illuminated realm above. Organic in form, light pours out softly from this daring design.

The ability to recess the Schlitz Up and make it seamless with the ceiling is it’s most exciting and impressive aspect. It creates a minimal though bold statement in any room.

You can purchase one for $4,140.00 from Stardust.com. There’s an 8 – 12 week lead time.

I love it!

Schlitz Up in project by Artistic License Interiors

For more on Ingo Maurer and his spectacular designs click here! 

So IKEA launched their new 2012 PS Collection this past weekend at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. Inspired by 60 years of IKEA design, many pieces pay homage to earlier creations and are reinterpreted to fit modern aesthetics using sustainable materials. It’s also not a surprise that the 2012 collection follows the current fashion trend of using lots of bright optimistic COLORS.

Here are some of the products that IKEA will be bringing into it’s stores throughout the US this August:

One of the things I most loved about Japan was unexpectedly discovering the most spectacular contemporary buildings sitting on quiet corners.

I love the work of many Japanese architects – to me, they set the standard. However, for this post, I wanted to portray the wow factor I’m talking about. As in “Wow… I went to buy a cup of coffee and the Starbucks looked like this!”.

This Starbucks, situated in Fukuoka in Southern Japan, is on a street that leads to one of the most major shrines in Japan, Dazaifu Tenmagu. Traditional 1 – 2 story Japanese buildings line the street. Architect Kengo Kuma sought to harmonize with this townscape by creating a fluid space through the use of an intricate woven system of sticks.

Here, the architect alludes to the traditional use of wooden post-and-beam structures in Classical Japanese Architecture and the system of joinery where wooden edges and pegs are used to secure joints (without the use of metal fasteners for primary structural roles). Also characteristic of Japanese architecture, the structure itself is the main element of the architectural design (it is not hidden within walls but exposed to express form and pattern).

Kengo Kuma’s expressive use of space reminded me of what architecture can do. Working in interiors has its rewards, but I must say, seeing his projects gets my heart racing, mouth watering and quite frankly, makes me miss architecture.

For more of Kengo Kuma’s brilliant work click here!

Okay, so I’ve been magnetically attracted to the Mediterranean lately (but then again, who doesn’t love it?). While happily browsing the internet I came across images of the Spanish firm, A Cero’s, exquisite Marbella house.

On the exterior, linear planes clad in horizontal bands of stone fly over reflective ponds filled with river stones. Large irregular black-tinted windows appear like the openings to sacred tombs. And, both by night and by day, the entire place is strategically lit to accentuate the architecture.

On the interiors the minimalism continues with neutral tones and finishes accentuated by statement pieces like the amazing kitchen chandelier. In the rock garden, there are 3 spectacular root sculptures from Luminaire.

Beautiful.

So I’ve been on the prowl for just the right statement light fixture for my dining room. The den upstairs is open to below so the dining is a double height space.

I want to accentuate the height by installing a multi-pendant chandelier with varying heights. Only problem is I can’t seem to find a fixture that has the height and width I need without being too pricey. Sure, I’d love to hang a Bocci light and call it a day, but this DIY adaptation from instructables.com might prove to be a better option.

Click here for the full-length instructions!

Step 1. Get Multi Mini Pendant Lights from IKEA

Step 2. Snip the bulb attachments from the IKEA lamp

Step 3. Assemble the frame or mount for your suspended mini-pendants

Step 4. Glue the frame to the concealing mount

Step 5. Reinforce with countersunk screws

Step 6. Suspend the lights

Step 7. Tweak pendants and install

Step 8. Enjoy your new chandelier!!!

I wonder if I can find a DIY to do this with these beautiful glass pendants from West Elm! hmm……

This 1853 Greenwich Village house recently got a facelift and new bones. Yep, the historical façade was restored according to the books while the interiors were gutted and reinforced with a new steel structure that allowed for a more open layout.

Observe the small details that make the interiors like the cove lighting where the ceiling meets the exterior walls, the flush threshold between the bathroom and wood flooring, and the gorgeous rectilinear sinks.

The offset fireplace is a charming minimalist move in the bedroom.

And, I love this white marble backsplash with grey veining climbing up the walls.

For more on this project visit: 

Designer Christophe Pillet’s Hotel Sezz is a modern beauty along the French Riviera. Olive trees, stone walls, azure waters and royal palms on the outside reveal you are in St. Tropez. But inside, the clean minimalist lines, updated wood paneling, colorful accents, and mid-century inspired furniture creates a bright Californian vibe.

Besides the charming location, I’m loving the minimalism with pops of reds and chartreuse, the double height brushed aluminum shutters and the smooth gray stone flooring found throughout the hotel. Sometimes modernism can make spaces distant and serious but here I feel it does just the opposite. I could just see guests lounging, dining and relaxing in a cool layed-back vibe. As a matter of fact, I could REALLY see myself on one of those loungers having a mimosa while reading a good summer book…

Last week, I had the pleasure to spend 7 days skiing in Snowmass, Colorado to forget all about my troubles and enjoy quality time with my family. Ok, so I don’t really have that many troubles, but I do find it necessary to change the scenery once in a while and get away.

The cold mountain air brought to me the absolute clarity I’ve been craving at home. The (literally) breath-taking Rocky Mountains are serene and so powerful that it’s impossible not to be present.

I’m now back in Miami, craving some more snow, hoping this post will perpetuate my Rocky Mountain high and give you a taste of it too!

First of all, I realize I have completely contradictory tastes. There is the minimal modernist in me that came from my days in architecture school. There is this love for everything natural and vernacular from my childhood in Rio de Janeiro. There is this inexplicable love for nostalgic and old things that I believe can be traced from my love for history and travels abroad. There’s also my feminine side that’s attracted to shiny, soft and pretty things like silk, cashmere, crystal, flowers, colors, and ornate patterns.

How do I mesh all those things into 1 home? Well, I’m guessing it might be a bit tricky, but it’ll be a fun challenge.

Today I used my den for the first time. I now have a white Parsons desk, a reading lamp and a camel leather office chair. I want to paint one wall with chalkboard paint (an idea I’ve been drooling over for sooo long) and place the Distressed Wood Bookshelf from West Elm immediately adjacent to it. In front of the bookshelf I want to create a cozy reading spot with a beautiful leather butterfly chair, a fluffy pillow and a floor reading lamp. The desk area will have two Parsons desks with Ikea Besta cabinets above and under-cabinet task lighting.

So here’s my take on creating a modern vintage vibe (a marriage of my loves) while providing all the necessary storage for my den.

Hope you like!

On my way back home from the beach I stumbled upon this wishing tree. A wooden box beside the tree holds pens and small paper tags inviting you to leave a wish.

I was inspired by the simplicity and sincerity of the wishes tied to the tree.

A perfect encounter for the first day of the year!