Modern, contemporary MIami, A Unique City

<b>Modern contemporary sights around Miami</b>

Miami is a unique diverse city full of modern, contemporary style buildings, public works projects, and city and state large funded projects such as the Miami New World Symphony Performing Arts Center Miami Beach, The Performing Arts Center Downtown Miami, The new Marlins Baseball Park, most buildings in Downtown Miami, The AA Arena, the AA airport terminal, and many of the buildings throughout the city. Please enjoy the slide show I have made of many of these sights...

<b>I hope all of you enjoy the pictures....
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A Modern Contemporary House and some cool stuff...

Some really cool modern items...

I found a few things today online that I had to share. hey are simply unique in appearence and realy give us an opportunity to be creative with our designs and present colorful accent pieces to any modern contemporary room in our modern households...

This is a sideboard is simple in design yet very refreshing in color, very nice sideboard seen, called ISO 216 System by Invisible City. Sideboard with drawers and cupboard dimensions are based on the size of paper using the international standard ISO which is why so called. Modern design and very simple: a large closet and drawer dimensions with four wooden legs.

I think this is simply amazing in it bright lime and yellow color and would make any room appear modern, contemporary.. and it looks like it has plenty of storage.. which always works. 

A Spectacular Home...

The Atherton Residence was designed by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects, Located in on the peninsula south of San Francisco, California. This House was finished in 2008. This house sits on an internal suburban flag lot. The previous 1950’s house, which was removed due to structural problems, featured mature landscaping and a manmade pond that the clients wanted to preserve. They wanted their new house to be a private retreat that maximizes the drama of the pond and takes advantage of the privacy of the site. As advocates of year round outdoor dining and entertaining, the clients wanted a house that would open up to the landscape and have as many outdoor rooms as possible. The design solution breaks the program into four buildings – main house, study, pool house and garage – that ring the edge of the site and focus inwards on the pond, garden and pool. The main house features a butterfly roof that turns up to the south with a dramatic overhang. Large sliding glass doors open directly out to the pond and terrace. The roofs conceal photovoltaic and solar hot water panels. The house is heated with a radiant system in the stone floors, and despite the hot climate it is not air conditioned, but passively cooled with a combination of overhangs, shades, and operable windows. The house also features many green building materials, including high fly-ash concrete, formaldehyde-free casework and denim insulation. The new house creates a special place for the clients, making a main residence feel like a vacation retreat.

Exterior Design of Atherton Residence

Contemporary Living Room Design in Atherton Residence

Contemporary Family Room Design in Atherton Residence

Wooden Dining Room Design in Atherton Residence

Swimming Pool Design in Atherton Residence

Backyard Design in Atherton Residence

A Beautiful modern residence that is absolutely unique, practical and perfectly situated... The word peaceful comes to mind... 

A Private Sauna...

 

A new and extraordinary from Duravit is modern Inipi Sauna futuristic designer sauna with shower. Duravit, a German company, sauna were created so that you do not need to go out sauna to clean themselves , have taken inpiration from ritual cleansing of the people in lakota north american indian which they call inipi, inipi means is importance of the sweat lodge ritual bath for Ceremonial cleansing and physical well-being.Now, the sauna utilises concealed technology to present this bright, transparent design. The glass cabin stands on a wooden frame and illuminated by LED strip lights, creating an oasis of relaxation and beauty. The Inipi Ama is not only a sauna, but also includes a generous shower area. Contact Duravit to bring the fantastic Inipi Sauna to your home.

Absolutely spectacular.. Amazing design..

AG Home Goods

Design trend 2011 predictions! Were they accurate?

Design Predictions vs Reality 2011

Every year our designers like to predict what the following years designers and interior designers are going to do.. They predict colors, trends with furniture, interior designs, exterior items, household decor, as well as other smaller items. Lets analyze some of last year's predictions by a group of designers that made several predictions with regards to this years design trends and ideas and see how they are holding up mid-year

1. Design Predictions for Colors: Pantone Color of the Year 2011

Pantone is the yearly and seasonal color planner for all kinds of designers from graphic to architectural, fashion, and even make-up.  And Pantone is fabulous at its job, traveling all over the world to find new colors, subtleties, and textures that can change tones just enough to give things a whole new feeling. 

For 2011, Pantone has chosen 'Honeysuckle' as its color of the year - that's Pantone 18-2120, for those of you with the 2011 Pantone 'bible.' The color is bright without being bold; reflecting a brighter outlook on the future, but not an ebulient one.

Pantone and other forecasters see a contrast of pale cool pastels with the deeper colors of iron and brick on the interior.  Architecturally, stone colors and darker irons will be emphasized.

This prediction in my opinion has held true. 2011 has seen a lot of dark bronze, brick, browns in style. I mean look at my own website www.aghomegoods.com, its full of reds, browns, and the backround image is of course a sharp white with red accents. Its precisely what was predicted by the esperts. The pantone of the year has shown up many times in the interior of homes and the color which is very pink like has shown up in all areas of fashion.. How many times have you herd the phrase "Pink is in" or "Pink is cool" It seem that color is everywhere and using it to accent your house by having it on an accent wall looks absolutely fantastic. The cool pastels prediction is absolutely true.. The summer blues, light lime greens, light yellows, are all trendy and colors at the forefront of today's designs. 

This prediction was accurate and true

2. Design Predictions for Architecture:  Living and Working Spaces, 2011

Euromaxx predicts that home space will continue to assimilate work activity, satisfying family and work associates, architecturally, as a 'hub.'  Also individual offices, either within the home or in modular form just outside the home, will be common.  We will see continuity in the creation of large multi-purpose rooms, rather than divided ones.  Kitchens will combine eating and meeting spaces - bring dining, cooking, meeting, and recreation all together in one large space - kind of like a home rendition of Google's office environment.

The kitchen is the place to be in 2011.  No longer does the chef remain isolated from his guests while he prepares the meal.  Family, guests, and business associates can feel right at home while they visit or brainstorm!

 

Integrated & multi-purpose living spaces are 'in' for 2011: image via charlesandhudson.com

A Kitchen using Honeysuckle

This prediction is also accurate. More and more our homes are becoming places from which we do everything, meet, eat, work, host, and do just about everything we can. Our homes are becoming more and more open with large open spaces stretching from the kitchen to the living and sitting areas as they have become one large room sort of like what Lofts use to have as an exclusive style has now become Universal. These large open spaces have become standard and the new hip and trendy style in the design world. Large open Kitchens that open into a large conglomerate of rooms except for the bedrooms seem to be the style of the day.

This prediction is accurate

3. Design Predictions for Furniture: Minimalism for 2011

The recession has diminished our need for non-essentials and that will be seen in the simple, geometric design of furniture.  Flourishes will not be noticeable with the eyes, but with the comfort of a chair that looks austere in a geometric form, but is really quite comfortable.  A soft faux fur also serves as a contrast and provides greater comfort.

Here, Neutra, designed by Belgian architect Vincent van Duysen for signature Tribù, represents what I interpret as representing the coming period.

  

Neutra, by Vincent van Duysen 

I wont even talk to much about this point as everyone of my postings throughout the year on my blog has been about this style of furniture and trend.. This is definitely true and accurate. More and more less is better is the term and dictionary definition of designers throughout the world of today's modern, contemporary style of design. It seems to be the key word defining this style and the key element in its planning and execution by all designers. Minimal furniture, minimal decor, minimal everything. This ios one prediction that is easy to verify and is probably one of the ones all of us can agree on. 

This prediction is accurate

4. Design Predictions for Materials:  Naturals for 2011

Again, basic structures and furniture are minimalist.  Materials for building are basic too - various kinds of cement, easily stampable with patterns, will be seen more interiorly.  Sustainable woods that are easily replaceable, will be popular for furniture and flooring, giving a more sensual look to geometrical shapes and minimalist design.

While even cushioned furniture will be on the austere side, visually, rich materials can wake up your decor with warmth and color.  There is a big swell of material designers investigating new textiles to use as fabrics for draperies, rugs, pillows and other accent pieces... also covered in Prediction 5.

Here is a great example of how color, design lines, and materials combine to make a warmer minimalist decor.

 

Soft fabric curtains and cool pastels warm up the linear design.: image via expo-port.com

Absolutely.. Hard wood floors the re-emergence of fabric curtains in light earth woodlike tones, the new modern wood chairs without cusions, the lack of impact colors in our fabrickjs, the return of beige, black, and white on their own with minimal impact colors. Earthlike light tones are definitely in and even our hardwood floors have taken a lighter approach with light bamboo taking over from the chocolate dark reds of last year and previous years. Our homes have become brighter and more warm as opposed to the darker trends of last year. 

 

This prediction is accurate

5. Design Predictions for Accent Decor: Global & Ancestral Influences for 2011

A look at the past will dominate accent pieces in everything from materials to lighting. As in food, we will be inspired by our ancestors from the Elizabethan period to the 1940's.  Lush velvets and brocades will contrast with the cool pastels of 2011 to make some very interesting (and challenging) color and textural patterns.  Lamps, bowls, and vases: anything from antique to art deco!  

A broader view of the world will invite different cultures into our homes, particularly indigenous cultures such as live in many parts of Africa and South America. The geometrical shapes and naturally dyed fabrics will bring a sense of global awareness to our living spaces.  Below are examples from Maison et Objets...

 

'Global awareness' is right at home:  

Absolutely true and 100% accurate. I have spoken about this very trend in many articles on my blog.  One of the reasons I always say that the Modern, contemporary  style has been so diverse and everlasting is its ability to swallow up other styles and use previous furniture in those styles as accent pieces in its designs and ideas. Victorian pieces, chests, ottomans, chairs, have been used countless times in modern contemporary homes as accent pieces. They stick out and appear natural in the modern contemporary environment. How many of us have been to homes with a Luis Vuitton chair used as an accent piece and Benzara or Woodland Imports home decor which sells this type of furniture and is readily available on my website has become very popular. Have a look for yourself. 

http://shop.avantgardehomefurnishings.com/AG-Home-Decor_c9.htm

This prediction is accurate

6.  Design Predictions for Solar: Solar Beautification for 2011

Of course, there will be more emphasis on creating new sustainable forms of energy, but in the design world, there will be an emphasis on beautification as well.  Who says solar panels have to be ugly just because they are?

Now those seriously involved in sustainable design are thinking: make it pretty and they will come. Certainly, I'd be more inclined to buy these portable designer solar chargers by TDK...

 

TDK designer solar chargers: image via engadget.com

solar powered planters

This prediction is partly true. More and more the trend in countries of Europe, Japan, Dubai, Singapore and a few others, the United States has failed to live up to expectations that many people had. I have written many articles about solar powered houses and greenhouses and a slew of other things that we have seen use solar especially with costs associated with petrol products now a days. My website is full of solar outdoor lighting that seems to be the trend of the day and very in right now with most designers. We have all seen the solar powered lights, fountains, pots, globes, and other items when used in our patios and other parts in the exterior of our homes and gardens. Again I have been selling these items since the begining of the year on my website's outdoor patio section. 

http://shop.avantgardehomefurnishings.com/AG-Outdoor-Living_c8.htm

This prediction is accurate 

7.  Design Predictions for Lighting: Windows for 2011

Large, even huge windows, treated for insulation and solar heat are very popular as the prime source of day lighting. Artificial lighting will be recessed, hidden, or camouflaged into the lighting design, as in this futuristic bedroom...

 

A natural effect comes from the recessed lights in this bedroom design.: image via polopuentearanda.com

Absolutely, windows have become the make or break in designs. No longer hidden and obsolete but now at the forefront of our homes. They are widely visible essential elements of our modern homes. They are floor to ceiling in most cases and they attract attention to themselves instead of away as had been the previous trend. No longer always covered with blinds but by sheets of light see through fabrics that brings attention to the edges of our modern contemporary decorated rooms. They are the new walls in our rooms and serve as a portal of warmth as they let the sunshine into our ever increasing bright and lit homes to show off our minimal decor and furniture pieces. 

This prediction is accurate

It seems all the predictions made at the end of last year were accurate for the most part. The modern and contemporary style seems to be growing and still going very strong. It has swallowed up previous designs and made them accent pieces within its own designs and has continued to dominate the design worldby proving it can change and remodel itself year after year. 

Hope all of you enjoyed the article and I would love to hear from you any comments and or opinions regarding this article.. 

AG Home Goods

Unusual Homes and my favorite all time house...

Unusual Homes

Every once in a while we see homes that are so unusual and unique we have to share. Well thats the case today.. These next few homes are so unusual, some more then others I have to share.. Some are actually very stunning and in my opinion perfect examples of how versatile the design style modern contemporary can really be and how diverse and far reaching this style actually has become..

The are some picture of The Most Unique and unusual Home Designs that I could find on the net, you can choose your favorite unique homes in the group and comment if you wish and let me know which ones are your favorites or the ones you least like and why.. I will be happy to hear from all of you...

Enjoy the following pictures...

Black Pyramid House 

by Suppose Design 

Office

Black Pyramid House was designed by Suppose Design Office,  located in Saijo, Japan, inspired by the earliest house in Japanese architecture called pit dwelling or “tateana jukyo”. The site which was formerly an open field was excavated and the house was sunk a meter into the ground. The soil from excavations was used to create a protective barrier around the perimeter of the site, and acted as the organic base of the house.via

Unique and Unusual 

House Design from

Antonino Cardillo

 

The Modern Unique House was design by Antonino Cardillo that located at near Barcelona, Spain. The unique shape from the landscape it’s suitable for you have a different lifestyle, Look at the interior pictures, full of curves, each of his structures that I’ve seen have these swooping, gentle curves, and it’s so soothing. Your eyes want to follow the lines. You can see the floor plan pictures if you would like to see the detail view. Stunning house design that have an incredible views in each room. via

Nautilus House is Fun 

and Unique

Nautilus House is Fun and Unique, A build like a snail shell at Mexico City, Nautilus House so beautiful and fun. Its suitable for family house with small children or the couple who like a something unique. This house inspiring of imagination and story tell with technique involving a frame of steel-reinforced chicken wire with a special two-inch-thick composite of concrete spread over it, resulting in a structure that’s earthquake-proof and maintenance-free. The roof concept of spiral stairs and inside the house there is planting that makes you the inhabitants and feeling a snail. So fun and amazing.

Japanese Shell 

House

 

Japanese Shell House was design by Japanese architecture firm Artechnic, is simply breathtaking. You will find the Shell House located deep in the woods of Karuizawa, Japan, where its double-elliptical, shell-like shapes blend with its magnificent surroundings.

The Shell House is made of reinforced concrete and wood, offering vast wooden decks and floor to ceiling windows. I simply love how its large, spacious living areas easily flow with its unique, circular architecture design.

My favorite 

House of All:

This next home is my favorite house of all time. I like it better then anything I have posted on here up to now and if I had a choice my house would look exactly like this one.. Its a perfect blend of bright, comfortable, natural surroundings, with modern contemporary style, design, and very modern furniture... I absolutely love it and I want all of you to appreciate it as well.. 

Set high in the Sierra Madre mountain range, the Torres House seeks to establish an intimate contact with the natural environment in which it is located. Discreetly open towards the street, the house is accessed by crossing over a fountain from which a huge oak tree emerges, impressive both for its size and its beauty. Once on the porch, a grand mural-like door -constructed of marble, wood and steel- welcomes the visitor. Inside, the entry hall merges into an area of contrasting materials consisting of Santo Tomas marble and volcanic stone walls. From this area there is a visual continuity with the rest of the house and with the garden that was left in its natural state as a small oak forest. In the living room, conceived almost as a glass box, one can experience the view to the Sierra Madre peaks in the distance and the garden near by. Owing to its location within the mountain, where winters can get really cold, there is a fireplace for the family to gather around in the evenings. From the dining room and the media room, one can access the roof terrace and enjoy the splendid views of the Sierra Madre as well as of the city of Monterrey. Here the musical background of the sounds of nature is in sharp contrast to the roar of the city below.

Contemporary Torres House - Exterior

Contemporary Torres House - Living Room Design

Contemporary Torres House - Fireplace Design

Contemporary Torres House - Stair Design

Contemporary Torres House - Outdoor Stair

Contemporary Torres House - Amazing Lighting

Contemporary Torres House - Exterior

Absolutely amazing.. What a beautiful modern home design with modern kitchen, modern bathroom, modern living room, and modern bedrooms.. The staircase is stunning and so is the main entrace color wall with the red, white, and black squares.. 

AG Home Goods

Everything modern & contemporary... Three unique examples

Three unique modern contemporary homes.... 

 

Yesterday and the day before I was scrolling through the internet for design ideas and just happened to run across a few items wich I feel should be shared with all of you. The y are unique to say the l;east and all stuck out at me so I am sure all of you will enjoy them. 

Enjoy the pictures...

Lots of Marble and a great design

pool patio view luxury three level house design with Carara marble

Here are the modern 3 level house design ideas with Carara marble. this house high-tech electronic furniture design and decorating. this house with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms are bar, office, walk in pantry, gym, media room, wine cellar storage room filled room, covered patio with fireplace at home. Surrounded by palm trees and exotic fruit trees, the house is almost a tropical resort with a pool in the courtyard. This stunning exotic wood used around doors and built-ins and ending with the curved exterior walls.

very modern house front view luxury three level house design with Carara marble

stunning luxury white house design ideas by Carra marble

minimalist kitchen furniture view in luxury three level house design with Carara marble

large living room view in luxury three level house design with Carara marble

bars and living room view in luxury three level house design with Carara marble

A Great Apartment Concept....

Here the Contemporary Apartment with Aquarium Under Floor Designed in Australia. some furniture hide in the wall, BBQ facilities as well and retractable roof.stair glass design, the black mock croc bathroom, big TVs in the bedrooms and minimalist kitchen, concrete floor, a large study area and an indoor office with abundant storage space, this apartment real beautiful and fantastic for living. this apartment located in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.

Stunning Apartment and from the outside it looks no different then all of the rest around it.. Very great design ideas and concepts within... 

A very different home to say the least...

Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design Nigth View

Box Styled House Design Ideas

Box Styled House in Palabritas Beach House Design in Lima, Peru by Jose Orrego. The whole house has a white finish with color accents in red, in both main elements such as the swimming pool as well as furnishings. The house reminds us of competitive elements used in Stanley Kubrick films, with the white curved elements contrasted with details in red. The box styled house exterior was designed as a white elevated box, exposed from its front side. One of the sides has a concrete lattice based on a contemporary composition with perforations that allow the interior to have a transparency without losing its intimacy. The dining and living room are placed so that they can be integrate with the terrace by sliding the glass doors. An interior patio was developed on a lower level where the bedrooms and family room conjoin so that an intimate zone for these rooms are created.The main bedroom is located on the first level and was designed so that it had a view towards the ocean.As a whole the house created a contrast of red color over white surfaces, in a way that the spaces give an appearance of amplitude

Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design

Long Glass Dining Table Ideas in Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design

Large Open Terrace in Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design

Swimming Pool Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design

Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Layout Design

Red Bars Table Design Ideas Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design

Terrace Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design

Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design Rear House View

Box Styled House - Palabritas Beach House Design Rear View

 Hope you enjoyed the pictures..

AG Home Goods