Architecture and interior design firm FGMF Arquitetos, has completed Casa Jordão, a modern holiday home in Monte-Mor, Brazil, that’s located on a stud farm, and has a bright and open interior.
Key to the design of the interior spaces of the home is a room divider that separates two living areas.
The room divider, which is made from wood with steel supports, has a wall of shelving with an open area for displaying a television.
On each end of the room divider is a walkway that leads to the alternative living room.
The secondary living room is open to the swimming pool and is furnished with a pair of couches, armchairs, and a fireplace. The room divider is a mirror image of the other side, with shelving and a mounted TV.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the home…
The Entry Pathway
Tropical plants line a pathway that leads to the entryway of the home, where you’ll find a pivoting front door with views of a garden through glass walls. The entryway also provides a separation between the social areas of the home, and the bedrooms/bathrooms.
The Exterior
The exterior of the home is a black-painted mass, contrasting the surrounding nature, and providing a bold backdrop for the outdoor spaces, like the patio and swimming pool.
The Kitchen
The interior of the home is lined in Tauari, a Brazilian pale wood, while the kitchen is completely made out of darkened wood. The kitchen can also be hidden from view, as a section of the cabinetry can be lowered down to close it off.
The Floor Plan
Photography by Fran Parente | Architecture and Interior Design: FGMF Arquitetos – Fernando Forte, Lourenco Gimenes, Rodrigo Marcondes Ferraz | Project Coordinators: Gabriel Mota, Luciana Bacin, Ana Paula Barbosa | Project Contributors: Adriana Pastore, Adriano Soares, Carmen Procopio, Caroline Endo, Mariana Leme, Mariana Schmidt, Rodrigo de Moura, Vera Silva | Project Interns: Beatriz Proenca, Carla Facchini, Flavia Theodorovitz, Frederico Branco, Mirella Fochi, Nara Diniz, Pedro Lira, Wendel de Deus | Construction: Join Us Construtora | Foundation and Structural Engineer: Stec do Brasil | Electrical and Plumbing Engineer: Projhel | Landscape Designer: Rodrigo Oliveira
When Nayra Iglesias of In Out Studio, was asked to design the Kai La Caleta restaurant in Tenerife, she chose to use a couple of different room dividers to create separation within the restaurant.
The first room divider designs are made from blue painted metal with circular cut-outs. The curved ends create a softer appearance, while the horizontal lines allow light to travel through them.
Photography by Silvia Gil Roldán
The second room divider style have been named ‘jewel screens’, as they are designed to highlight the colorful glass inlays in diamond and circle shapes.
Photography by Silvia Gil Roldán
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When Studio O+A were asked to design the interiors of the new San Francisco offices of Slack, they drew inspiration from the forest for the 7th floor, specifically fairy rings.
Photography by Garrett Rowland Photography
The fairy ring, that’s helped shaped different seating areas within the office, comes from the natural growth pattern of the large redwoods on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Photography by Garrett Rowland Photography
Each of the different seating areas has a circular shape with vertical elements to represent the trees.
Photography by Amy Young
Some of the seating has planters that wrap around the interior of the circle, while others have been slightly sunken to provide added interest.
Photography by Garrett Rowland Photography
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Bernat Llauradó Auquer of architecture firm tallerdarquitectura, has completed Casa Nostra, a new house in Bordils, Spain.
The design of the house includes two volumes, one that’s vertical and closed off, which houses the bedrooms, bathrooms, stairs, and storage, while the second volume is horizontal and transparent, meant for entertaining.
A bathroom that uses curved walls to create different areas within it was designed for this house by Carter Williamson Architects.
The three curved walls have been used to define the areas that house the sink, shower, and toilet.
The micro-spaces are lined with white tiles that meets matte green upper sections of the wall and are accented by gold fixtures, adding a glamorous touch to the bathroom. These small curved sections were designed to hug you as you use the space.
Photographer: Katherine Lu | Architecture firm: Carter Carter Williamson Architects (Design Team: Principal Architect – Shaun Carter, Architect – Ben Peake, and Interior Design – Julie Niass) | Builder: Andrew Burton Constructions
Custom designed outdoor seating areas and fire pits are a cozy way to connect with the outdoors and make use of valuable yard space. They foster meaningful conversations, the sharing of stories, and provide a perfect spot for lounging and relaxing.
Here are 15 stunning examples of outdoor conversation pits and fire pits.
1. Stone and wood circle this fire pit and create a warm atmosphere, perfect for catching up with old friends.
Conversation pit featuring the Sultan Fire Pit by DreamCast.
2. Surrounded by sand and bushes, this conversation pit is ideal for relaxing after spending the day in the sun.
See more photos of this project, here. Designed by MAPS Design.
3. Built right into the deck of this home, a sunken fire pit adds a modern cozy touch to the entertaining area.
See more photos of this project, here. Designed by Hufft Projects. Photography by Mike Sinclair.
4. Complete with a built in fireplace, wood storage, and a cooler, this sunken conversation pit would be great for both social gatherings and quiet afternoons tucked up with books.
Designed by Rolling Stone Landscapes.
5. Concrete benches covered in pillows surround a large fire pit that would throw off enough heat to let conversations flow late into the night.
See more photos of this project, here. Interior design by Patricia Urquiola.
6. Cozy cushions and the square fireplace in this built in conversation pit would make for the perfect place to stargaze or peacefully enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
See more photos of this project, here. Designed by John Robert Nilsson. Photography by Åke Eson Lindman.
7. This high-tech conversation pit features comfy seating, a retractable screen for the projector and a built in fireplace.
See more photos of this project, here. Designed by SVOYA Studio. Photography by Alexander Angelovsky.
8. This sunken conversation pit tucked right into the deck has a fire pit, BBQ, and kitchen area, allowing entertaining and cooking to take place in the same spot.
See more photos of this project, here. Designed by Electric Bowery. Photography by Brandon Arant.
9. This circular conversation pit surrounds the fireplace and is covered in cushions to provide a comfy place perfect for unwinding.
See more photos of this project, here. Designed by Saraiva + Associados. Photography by Gustavo Xavier.
10. Made of stone, concrete, and cushions, this conversation pit, complete with a fireplace, creates an intimate spot for connecting with friends or relaxing on your own.
See more photos of this project, here. Designed by Dane Design Australia.
11. This rooftop conversation pit is at the same level as the pool to let swimmers get in on the conversations too.
See more photos of this project, here. Designed by MIA Design Studio. Photography by Hiroyuki Oki.
12. All white furniture in this sunken conversation pit, coupled with the white of the house keeps the space looking clean and modern, while the greenery and wood keep it connected to nature.
Designed by Miguel Angel Aragones. Photography by Joe Fletcher.
13. This outdoor conversation pit is surrounded by both an infinity pool and the ocean to allow for complete and utter blissful relaxation.
Designed by GFAB Architects.
14. This built-in rooftop conversation pit features a hot tub and fire, perfect for chilly nights.
Designed by Patterson Custom Homes.
15. This outdoor concrete living space contrasts the lush greenery surrounding it and makes it feel extra modern.
Designed by Steve Hermann. Photography by William MacCollum.
A landscaped backyard can add value to any house, and this modern backyard by Brookside Landscape Design together with Ocotillo Design Group, is a good example of what can be done.
The backyard is divided into different areas. First, we’ll take notice of the alfresco dining area, which is defined by travertine pavers and a pergola made from steel and rough cedar slats.
Artificial turf replaced grass for lower maintenance and less water usage, while an Ipe wood retaining wall runs along the property and provides a backdrop for the weathering steel planters. At one end of the yard, there’s a small raised deck for a couple of outdoor rocking chairs.
The other end of the yard features a secondary raised seating area. This time, concrete steps lead up to a wood deck with a built-in bench made from the same material, while a custom board-formed elevated fire pit is the focal point.
Nearby, there’s an outdoor television mounted on the retaining wall and above the flower-filled steel planters.
Concrete pavers connect the seating area with the Bocce court, that’s located along the side of the house.
Here’s a look at the backyard as seen from above and it’s layout.
