Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2024 i Home Journal

German home appliance brand Bosch partnered up with Home Journal to launch the inaugural Bosch | Home Journal Kitchen of the Year Awards – aimed at celebrating exceptional kitchen space designs and the creative minds behind them. The Awards were composed of two categories – Best Open Kitchen Awards, and Best Enclosed Kitchen Awards. Entrants competed for gold, silver, bronze and two merit awards in each category, with winners determined by an esteemed judging panel of interior design practitioners and industry luminaries. Entries were welcomed from Hong Kong that incorporated built-in kitchen appliances by Bosch. Here is the list of award winners: Best Open Kitchen Awards GOLD Madmen Studio Limited SILVER Rising Star Interior Design Company Ltd BRONZE Professional Kitchen Design Company Limited MERIT Euro Cucina Ltd Galaxy Interior Design…

It’s hard not to relax and feel as if you’re on holiday when you live in the Greek Cyclades overlooking the Aegean Sea. Indeed, an atmosphere conducive for leisure and connection with the land was what this family home was designed to inspire. Perched on a sloping 1,0764 square foot site on the island of Syros in the Cyclades, this single-family holiday residence was designed by Athens-based architecture studio Block722. The studio’s founders – architect Sotiris Tsergas and interior designer Katja Margaritoglou – are known for their interdisciplinary and craft-based approach to design and architecture, as well as their unique style which combines Greek and Scandinavian aesthetics. The studio’s strengths certainly come through in this mesmerising residence, which they’ve named Viglostasi. Sitting on the northern foothills of the Thrypti mountain within…

The use of deep, rich tones in this home can evoke emotional depth and intricate storytelling through the artful layering of materials. In the 1,200 square feet residence in Taoyuan, Taiwan, designer Qiu Zhenyu from UDé design skillfully combines textures such as natural wood veneer, metal, glass, mineral paint, and other materials to create a cohesive theme of a dark-toned home that is both visually striking and diverse in texture. The spacious dining room serves as the main space of the unit, the designer divided the room into distinct areas for different functions using large materials. In the living room, the casual yet sophisticated stone texture extends elegantly from wall to ceiling. Soft, golden light filters down from the opening in the ceiling, casting a luminous glow that accentuates the…

Forget Bali and Phuket, Vietnam’s Cam Ranh is the newest coastal sensation. Situated on the southern coast, this lesser-known gem offers the seclusion and luxury of one of the world’s most in-demand beach destinations, but without the crowds or commercial sheen. A short ride from the vibrant Nha Trang, Cam Ranh is on a rapid rise as a premier resort locale, thanks to its pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and a growing collection of upscale beachfront resorts, such as the prestigious Alma Resorts. Sprawling across some 300,000 square metres of land on Cam Ranh Bay’s prime coastline, Alma Resorts offers an around-the-clock paradise for nature lovers and families. Conceived by ONG & ONG, Feigin Architects, and ARA Design, with landscapes by Intaran Design, the resort embraces a design mandate of contemporary…

The B2 Hotel Zürich occupies the remarkable industrial heritage site of the former brewery Hürlimann and retains its industrial factory profile, complete with a brick smokestack. Upon entering, your eyes immediately look to the Wine Library, the former brewing room with its 36-foot ceiling, now lined with 33,000 books purchased from an old local library and three green-glass chandeliers, each made from 300 vintage Hürlimann beer bottles mounted on antique drying racks. Equally stunning, the earthquake-proofed concrete Bookmark boardroom extends from the first floor to the top floor, supporting the massive and stunning thermal baths on the rooftop. The underground barrel-filling space is now a whopping 35,500 square foot grotto where you can enjoy an “Irish-Roman Circuit”, a 10-step series of steams and baths fed by the “Aqui” springs. Facts…

Cantina, an Italian restaurant in Central’s Tai Kwun under the Aqua Restaurant Group, introduces a new prix fixe menu that offers a full choice of a la carte dishes for a fixed price. Conceived by Italian chef Matteo Caripoli, the new menu is based on nostalgic Italian family recipes, elevated with the culinary expertise of Chef Matteo. It upholds the traditional Italian values of “following the seasons and respecting the freshest ingredients” showcasing good honest Italian cooking with a modern twist. Diners can select a full choice of à la carte dishes from the menu at a fixed price. Authentic and flavourful appetizers include Vittello tonnato – an explosion of flavours and textures featuring slow-cooked veal with quail eggs finished with a creamy tuna and anchovy sauce. This dish is…

STAKING ITS CLAIM Italian steakhouse Carna by Dario Cecchini has opened its doors on the 39th floor of the newly opened Mondrian Hotel. Designed by Joyce Wang, the go-to person for restaurant interiors, the dining space is a rich blend of textures and tones. Governed by earthy pinkish-red hues, the interior features domed arches, silk chenille patterns and medieval tapestry textiles, all set against limestone, Roman vein-cut travertine and Amarone burgundy marble - all together exuding Wang’s signature refined sophistication. Bringing his “nose-to-tail” philosophy to Hong Kong, Dario Cecchini, lauded as the greatest butcher in the world, insists that no part of the animal is wasted on his menu, as the 68-year-old butcher says: “Every muscle, every piece of fat is part of life, and therefore we must respect it.…

This inviting, warm shade, reminiscent of “community” and “togetherness”, makes any space feel more inviting and welcoming. Peach Fuzz is a powerful hue that can proudly stand alone on walls, or complement other colours such as timeless wood accents or the subtle presence of off-white. Employ Peach Fuzz as an accent against cooler tones to inject that necessary warmth, and to soften the starkness of harder materials such as marble or concrete. For a peachy tone, the Hana chair by Moooi, the Phoenix carpet by Nodus, and the Flora Fantasia duvet set by Frette are some of our favourites this season. They promise to infuse your home with the spirit of spring – a time of blossoming and coming together. FOR MORE PRODUCTS AND IDEAS, VISIT HOMEJOURNAL.COM AND FOLLOW US…

Located in Happy Valley, this 2,000 square foot apartment was designed with a family of four in mind. Brought to life by Facade Interior Design, its relaxed luxury design highlighted by gentle curves blends comfort with opulence. A sophisticated tone is immediately established by the home’s grand entrance, which beckons you in with a sleek marble floor. Thoughtful details have been woven throughout the home. Hidden wall cabinets provide ample storage without sacrificing style, while soft circular door handles add a touch of warmth and charm to the space. The incorporation of cutting-edge smart home technology adds a surprising element of sophistication, as exemplified by the sleek matte glass panel at the entrance that also functions as a smart home feature. The concept of balance was meticulously executed in the…

“A change of character, not a change of air, is what you need” – Seneca, the Greek Stoic philosopher, advised on the art of travel. Travel has taken on a whole new meaning in our globalised era – or post-globalisation, some may argue – where accommodation, flights, insurance, and itineraries are all just a few taps away on our smartphones. Yet, we now yearn for more than the ephemeral delights of shopping and dining; we seek tranquillity, peace, ease, and personal growth. Seneca believed such things are beyond the gift of any place, “unless the mind is at its own disposal, able at will to provide its own seclusion even in crowded moments”. However, my sojourn to Amanfayun in Hangzhou has put this notion to challenge. Amanfayun Sprawling amidst 14…

The Reykjavik Edition has the brand’s overall ethos of a modern sophisticated design, combined here with Nordic splashes and fabulous material. The exterior of ebony shou sugi ban timber – charred using an ancient Japanese technique combined with blackened steel frames – is a nod to Iceland’s lava landscape. Basalt, lava, warm oak, concrete, and ash wood blend right into a space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. These expansive windows offer killer views of either the fjord with Mt. Esja, the Snæfellsjökull glacier or the vibrant scenes of downtown Reykjavik, including the old port and the remarkable architecture of the Harpa concert hall located by the water. Perfectly located, it is a five-minute walk to the club scene, the Laugavegur hiking trail, and the main shopping street. Highlights – view the northern…

With the ever-changing landscape of London’s real estate market, investors seeking promising property areas can find it confusing to determine which regions are poised for growth. For that, we’ve spoken to the expert team at the United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty to outline the hottest up-and-coming locations in London where property values are projected to surge in the years ahead. From revitalised city centres to pleasant towns within commuting distance of London, opportunities await those who are willing to take a chance on the next rising stars in the UK real estate market. Shoreditch and Broadgate Take a stroll down Shoreditch and you will find yourself lost in a collage of gleaming, post-modernist towers dominated by the headquarters of the most prosperous global giants in the tech industry – Amazon, Google,…

Entering 2024, the concept of sustainability has taken on a more comprehensive meaning that goes beyond environmental protection to also include social and cultural impacts. This theme underscored this year’s Heimtextil – one of the world’s largest trade shows for home and contract textiles. Held between 9-14 January at the Frankfurt Messe, Heimtextil 2024 aimed to close the loop on sustainability and market relevance by addressing two significant issues: sustainable production and action, and the integration of artificial intelligence in the textiles industry. The Trend Space, led by the theme of “New Sensitivity”, featured four colourways inspired by plant-based hues: Spiced Carole (Pantone 17-1644 TCX), Mediterranean (Pantone 19-4517 TCX), Reed Yellow (Pantone 13-0915 TCX), and Toasted Nut (Pantone 16-1327 TCX). These shades, derived from natural sources such as avocado seeds,…

Jay Leung and Maggie Mo, the visionary duo behind homegrown design firm Starz Pasha, share more than just a fervent zeal for the built environment, they have been on a mission to turn the lofty ideals of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) into tangible realities. Such vision has fuelled the inception of their latest venture, Starz Origin, a new brand under the company’s umbrella poised to set fresh standards in the industry. Harnessing cutting-edge 3D printing technology, Starz Origin aspires to usher in a more environmentally sustainable approach to interior design, led by the philosophy of what they call “Concept RE”, which aims to inspire a reimagining of design thinking. The notion is that, while technology must be explored and embraced, design has to be human-centric – a conviction fuelling…

Just half an hour away from Cape Town lies a lush residential sprawl surrounded by vineyards, polo fields, rehabilitated fynbos mountains and valleys, with the Berg River carving through. The area, named the Gentleman’s Estate at Val de Vie, is one of Africa’s most secured luxury residential communities famed for its natural beauty and security. So, when a family of six secured a lot, they commissioned ARRCC and SAOTA to conceive a house that would make the most of its surroundings. “The client wanted the space to have a strong indoor-outdoor connection, yet still feel intimate enough to be private,” says Michele Rhoda, director at ARRCC. “Our primary objective was to strengthen the architectural response to the unique estate lifestyle, calling for a multi-directional design. The project is unique in the…

Mary Wong, the founder of Haven Design Limited, designed a sophisticated 1,800 square foot home in Robinson Road, Mid Levels that marries a rich variety of colours with surprising accents. This marks the fourth residence brought to life by Haven Design for the family. “We designed their previous apartment over 10 years ago. It is such an amazing feeling to do something we love and, at the same time, be highly appreciated and trusted by our clients,” Wong shared. “The trust between designer and client was the key to the success of this amazing project.” The homeowners, a retired couple, selected this property for their new residence due to its prime location offering convenient access to the city, a spacious layout, and the practicality of easily accommodating and entertaining family…

25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino is the first Italian property from the culturally resonant hotel brand 25hours, known for its irreverent, yet functional aesthetics in provocative urban locations. The design of the hotel, conceived by interior designer Paola Navone and her team, is eclectically inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, with scenes from heaven and hell playfully guiding you through the virtues and vices of Dante’s world. The hotel occupies the beautifully restored former premises of Monte dei Pegni – the historic loan company of the Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze – its central core is in the original ancient monastery annexed to the eponymous monastery church of San Paolino, and a new three-storey annexe replacing a dilapidated warehouse in the adjacent garden. The historic building is now beautifully restored and…

This sleek modern retreat blends seamlessly with the stunning landscape, harnessing the breath-taking landscape, and the water from the ancient thermal hot springs. Taiwan has one of the greatest concentrations of geothermal springs in the world. A light-filled interior expressed through full-length glass windows frames the garden and surrounding nature, making it almost impossible to distinguish the outside and inside spaces. The rooms are a little slice of Japan, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame mountainous views and shed an abundance of natural light onto lofty spaces filled out in a clean and understated palette of low-slung furnishings, timbers, and tatami-flooring in muted tones. The culture of onsen bathing has been celebrated in the country since its Japanese occupation, and as well as the magical onsen bathing pavilions, each room comes…

The Londoner is the world’s first super boutique. It comes with a quirky playfulness, underrated luxury, and a superb art collection, and despite its staggering scale, it has an intimate and individual feel. The landmark building is a gleaming eight-storey bronze, zinc, Portland stone, and glass tower, wrapped in 15,000 faceted ultramarine faience tiles on the iconic entertainment epicentre Leicester Square in London’s lively and exciting West End – the largest theatre district in the world. The designers leaned into theatricality, bringing the hotel’s spaces to life with a unique character that respects the neighbourhood and history of the area, and with a prevailing sense of fun, a theatrical nod, statuettes reminiscent of the “Oscars”, and incredible attention to detail. Facts Name The Londoner Location Leicester Square, London, UK Year…