Light up my breakfast table

Over the past few weeks I have been designing a kitchen for a couple who specifically requested an island to use as a breakfast table, work surface and storage.

If you are thinking of redesigning your kitchen so that it includes an island where you can have a snack here are my three top tips:

1. Make sure the island is the right depth and height. You want to be able to use the surface to work standing up, as well as eat sitting on a stool. Also think about the size of the cabinets and/or shelving.

image via Pinterest

image via Pinterest

2. Choose nice stools, simple wood ones or colourful to match a detail in the tiles or lighting. Make sure you try them out to see if they are comfortable before you buy.

Svelto bar stool, Ercol

Sinnerling stool, Ikea

3. Pay attention to the lighting. Eating in the dark or in dim lighting is not pleasant. Plus you will often use your breakfast table to sit and read the newspaper or a magazine. So make sure you plan the lighting so it is directly above the island. Small pendant lights (25 to 35 cm diameter) are ideal and can add a touch of colour and style to your kitchen.

Browsing around the web I found these simple but elegant lamps by Muuto.

Ambit by TAF architects for Muuto

Unfold, by From us with Love for Muuto

There. This is my first three tips post. It's going to be a monthly feature in my blog so let me know if there is any Interior design topic you'd like me to cover!

Have a great week!

lx

It's official!

Hey! Everyone who has been waiting for my etsy shop will be happy to know it's online!
So hop over if you'd like to see my Christmas cards, badges and stickers!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/laurastratta

Raindeer holiday season card

Christmas badges!

Interior design and my first renderings

Two years ago I started a masters program at a local school to specialise in designing interiors. Now I'm preparing my final project for the exam in December.
Each student has to redesign a fictitious appartment which needs renovating according to the needs of imaginary clients.
I have been given an imaginary couple as my clients. They are in their forties.
Our teacher spelled out their interests and hobbies. She's a university professor and loves cooking. He has a travel agency and collects artwork.

I have designed the appartment. The clients wanted a master bedroom with on suite bathroom and wellness area. A guest room/study/gym (!). A guest bathroom. A kitchen, dining area and lounge (which in my project are one open space). Lots of space for their books. Their art collection dotted around the house.

Now all I have left to do are the 3D renderings (in Italian they call these 'i render'). These are the perspective drawings of the various rooms created using a 3D model to which you add materials, colours and lighting to create an image which resembles a photograph of what the house will look like.

Renderings take a long time to make and require a lot of expertise if they are to be of high quality. There are professionals who specialise solely in making renderings for other designers. However there are some special computer programs that enable you to make quick renderings, very useful to give your client several options and to make changes along the way. These type of 3d images are used especially in the retail business, for example in shops that sell furniture, kitchens and bathrooms.

A rendering is very useful to give your client a feel of a space. Together with plans, sketches and moodboards you should be able to imagine exactly what the designer is dreaming up.

Over the next few weeks I'll post a few renderings of the appartment. Here is the one I made last night of the 'bagno giorno', the guest bathroom. I use to make renderings when I did my internship in an architects studio, but they had often been set up by other designers and I just had to add bits and bobs, change the colours or materials. This is the first time I do one completely on my own, from the design itself to the 3d model, from the lighting to the materials, so I'm quite proud of myself!

il bagno giorno - rendering

Design blogs that rock

You know those websites and blogs you fall in love with at first sight, and then keep going back to for inspiration? Well I have quite a few. I often get carried away browsing the net and admiring all the great photos and posts I find.

So here are some of my favourites:

design sponge: an amazing blog beautiful and inspiring

la tazzina blu: even if you don't read Italian, this blogger posts lovely home tours, wishlists and styling ideas

la volpe rossa: an Italian blog about Interior design by a young Student of design. This blog is super new and is really worth a visit!

Theydrawandcook: the website founded by a brother and sister illustrating duo, publishing illustrated recipes and now illustrated food as well.

Theydrawandtravel: their sister website that gathers illustrated maps by illustrators worldwide.

And my latest favourite:

Koosje Koene illustration - a blog written by a Dutch illustrator, who share her tips and pages of her sketchbook. If you like drawing you'll love her draw tip tuesday posts!


Plus I have recently started using my tumblelog (ladybirdskecthes.tumblr.com is my online sketchbook on tumblr) more regularly and keep dicovering really inspiring blogs by artist and designers!

There are so many beautiful blogs and websites on the internet, I am in awe of all the people running them and sharing their work. It's so inspiring and I feel priviledged to be able to see all these photos and images...

Do you have a favourite blog?

Round-up from the Salone Satellite

Just over a month ago I visited the Milan Furniture Fair. The Fair is really big, and ideally you need to spend three days there to see everything... I only had half a day, (I spent the morning at the Fuori Salone, which you can read about here, if you like), so I decided to focus on a select few pavillions and areas. My first stop was the Salone Satellite.

The Salone Satellite is a part of the main Fairgrounds dedicated to young desingers, most of them just starting out, all under 35. It's a fascinating area of the fair, where very fresh ideas and prototypes are displayed in wooden four-by-four stands, each designer standing next to his work, unless he's on a coffee break or visiting the fair. Unlike the rest of the Salone, which requires a ticket, it can be visited for free.

After spending a few hours there, taking pictures and asking questions about the products, I had plenty of business cards and leaflets in my handbag, and I had seen many noteworthy designs.

Here are some of my personal top 10 designs, the designers and the links to their websites:

Furniture by Studio Pousti, Iran.

Myriam Pousti and her Furniture, which requires no screws or glue

Andusa and Terrasse by SCMP design, Switzerland

Andusa, outdoor-indoor vases

Terrasse, a carpet inspired by patios and gardens

photos SCMP design

Mood Cups by Frederique Ficherouille, Belgium.

Ceramic 'Mood cups'

Fugu bag and Samurai Chair by Benwu Studio

Fugu bag has inflatable shock proof padding

Samurai chair and Sumo chair upholstery

As if from Nowhere by Orla Reynolds, Ireland.

'Rings' lamp by Garay Studio, Spain.

Rings by Garay Studio

Photo by Garay Studio

Concrete by Anna Badur, Germany

'Concrete', photo from Anna Badur's website

Photo Anna Badur

Zlata Light by Kimxgensapa

Plug in baby and Edu Wardrobe Daniel Wehrli Industrial design, Switzerland

A new way to take your shoes off

A wardrobe made using minimum material

Wooden Aquerel by Maike Harde, Germany

Wooden Aquerel

There were lots of other interesting designs so if you would like to see other round-ups of the Salone Satellite here are the posts from two of my favourite blogs:

- La Tazzina blu's personal top 10 of the Padiglione Satellite

- Design Sponge: Dipatches from the Salone Satellite

Photos by Laura Stratta, unless otherwise stated. (credits under each photo)

Fun at the Fuori Salone - Part two, Brera District

Fuori Salone Part two, Via Durini, Brera District

After visiting San Babila we walked to via Durini where the stores of historic Italian Furnire manifacturers are based.
Here are my highlights from Via Durini:

1. Meritalia presenting the new sofa Minah, by Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas

The shop window of Meritalia

Minah in red and orange

Minah as chaise longue, sofa and armchair, in black and grey

2. Cassina celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The shop window had a display using the iconic pieces of furniture to recreate the atmosphere of a fun fair, with chairs spinning round and a ferris wheel made with the chaise longue by LeCorbusier, LC4.

Fun at the Fuori Salone, Part one: Flowers and Swings

Fuori Salone part one: Palazzo Serbelloni, San Babila

Here is the account of the first part of my trip to Milan to see the Design Week and the Furniture Fair. This year I was only able to be in Milan for one day, so I spent the morning at the Fuori Salone and the afternoon at the fair grounds. It wasn't really enough, ideally you need at least a day at the Fuori Salone and a couple of days at the Fair (or the other way around depending on what you're interested in) but I still managed to see lots of nice things and had a great time!
I spent the morning near San Babila and visiting via Durini, where lots of the most well known furniture stores are based. My Milanese friends took me to a couple of interesting places, Palazzo Serbelloni and the Università Statale.

Our tour started at the Duomo, Milan's Cathedral

From the Duomo underground station we walked along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, where all the different flags of all the countries taking part in the Expo 2015 are diplayed.

We arrived in front of San Babila Church where we were meeting our friends. Here I noticed the front of Zara Home which had an interesting floral display to attract visitors. Unfortunaley the shop was shut (they opened at ten!) so I only got to peer through the window. All nice stuff for the home... Still I like the display (although I was hoping it was made of real flowers, but I suppose it would have been a very high maintanance display!)

Top places to visit at the Salone del Mobile

If you are planning on visiting the Salone del Mobile in Milan this week, you should probably be warned that there will be lots of walking envolved!

First of all there is the Salone del Mobile in Rho: here you will find Euroluce, Eurocucina, Workplace3.0, the Salone Satellite (a special exhibition for designers under 35) and many other installations.

If you manage to spend two or three days in Milan, once you've been to the Fiera in Rho, you'll want to visit the Fuori Salone, the part of the Salone that happens all over the city, in many different venues.

There are six main quartieri (districts) to visit:

Brera district

Tortona

Ventura Lambrate

San Babila design quater

5 Vie

Sant'Ambrogio

If  you only have two days, you could go to the Salone first, especially if you've never been before, then spend a day visiting two or three of the areas of the Fuori Salone. Use a map and keep your eyes open wide!

If you are returning to Milan after several visits to the Salone, you may want to concentrate on the Fuori Salone. In which case, pick a handful of events, plan an itinerary and have fun!

Unfotunately I don't think it's possible to see everything at the Salone or at the Fuori Salone, so I'm going to have to pick my route now and make sure I savour the places I do visit! Although a part of me would like to see it all!

My personal favourites so far are:

The Salone Satellite (full of suprises and fresh ideas)
Superstudio Più in Tortona

But I must admit, at heart I am a traveller, so I like to meander around and see where streets take me. I like to allow time and space for suprises... So hopefully my canon and I will see unexpected things...


I'll keep you posted and look forward to reading other poeple's accounts too.
Ciao!

the Fiera di Milano in Rho

A scene from the Fuori Salone

Aspettando il Salone del Mobile

Or..

7 reasons to visit the Salone.

These are some pictures I took last year at the fair. I have been wanting to share them for some time and now, with the fair starting in just over a week, seems like a good moment!

This is the building where the main part of the fair takes place, where designers and producers exhibit their work.

The 'Fiera di Milano', in the town of Rho in the outskirts of Milan, was designed by Italian Architect Massimiliano Fuksas and his team, in 2004. 

Here is what it looked like on a beautiful sunny day last April. 

the pavillions are joined together by a long open air sheltered street.

spot the supermum with the baby in the sling!

some pavillions are two stories high. there are restaurants and cafés

Visit the Eurocucina pavillion if you love designer kitchens

Water and light are the main elements in this building

I hope you enjoyed this selection of photos. Have a wonderful Easter day!

If you would like to read about my first visit to the Salone del Mobile here is the link to my posts:

My visit to the Salone del Mobile

Ciao!

Interview with Wing To of Little Wing's Corner

This month features the first interview with a non Architect. My dear friend Wing To is a trained Biochemist who works as a Clinical Researcher. In her spare time she enjoys making art work and beautiful objects. As well as creating intricate designs for her hand painted glasses, she produces unique artistic cards and banners with reused scraps of paper.
Read on to find out how this multitalented lady uses her scientific approach to perfect her artwork!

Artist- scientist Wing and a heart shaped pizza

When did you start painting glasses?

I started back at Uni and was actually inspired by someone else’s creation.  She had used glass pens to write the name of her friends onto wine glasses and then given them as gifts.  As I was a student, I thought this was an excellent way of creating gifts for people!  So I wandered into the local Oxford art shop and the rest, as they say, is history! 

How did you learn the technique? What are the main stages?

Experimentation!  I have never been that interested in taking classes – I prefer just trying stuff out and seeing if it works!  Sometimes it doesn’t but then you learn from that!  

Usually, I draw an outline of my design, place the paper behind the glass and use that as a guide. It is actually quite simple!!

Which is your favourite set so far?

My favourite set is probably the Doctor Who one I did for my sister.  Mainly because I got to draw No 11 with a Fez on his head!  (Geek Doctor Who reference – I am sorry!)

'Doctor Who' set of glasses, hand painted and designed by Wing

I also really like the henna sets – I was inspired by pictures of beautiful henna tattoos - such a simple concept but they always seem to turn out so beautiful! 

My favourite pair is the pair I gave to my friend Ladybird Lou!  I remember I loved painting the little ladybirds but had a bit of trouble trying to think what to fill it out with!  So I went a little abstract! ;)  It seemed to work!!

'Ladybird' pair of glasses, handpainted by Wing

I did also like the set I was recently commissioned for - they were for a couple who were both artists with very different painting styles - I liked trying to recreate those styles onto glass...not sure how successful it was, but it was fun to try!  :P

What other things do you like to make?

Generally things with paper!  And glue!  I’m pretty sure I’ve sniffed enough UHU to kill off a few brain cells...explains quite a bit actually!!  :P

I’m currently going through a banner phase - made using recycled card and recycled paper (if you give me pretty paper, I will keep it...!!!)

Wing makes unique banners made with recycled card and paper

What inspires your artwork?

Mmm...for the glass paintings, it depends!  At the moment, I mainly do gifts for friends so sometimes I just try to paint things I think they’ll like!  For one of my friends, her and her husband have a curious collection of inflatable things and they like dressing up parties so for their wedding glasses, I painted a collection of masks and some of their inflatable items!!  For another friend, her wedding invites featured an elephant and paisley decor so I used that as the basis for their glasses.  

Sometimes I just like painting pretty things so I’ll look at different patterns.  Or, I just do caricatures (although I do find it strange to stare at pictures of your friends!!!).  

I used to paint more abstract things, so I may go back into exploring that more.  But I will also stick to things I think are pretty!!  ;)  

So far, I’ve not yet repeated any design – I like trying out new things!

This pair of glasses was a wedding gift (Designed by Wing To)

You work full time as a Clinical Researcher. How do you find time to do artwork?

Erm, it has become a little difficult admittedly!  Trying to fit in work, rock climbing, painting and other distractions does mean that things sometimes get a little pushed on the priorities list!!!  Essentially, I paint things by “attrition”...unless I have an important commission on – in which case I make time!!

You’re trained as a biochemist.  Is there any relation between Biochemistry and your craftwork?

Oooh  I don’t really know!  I used to use painting as a way to escape science!  :P

I guess one of the main things is I like to plan my designs - I spend ages on a design before I even get anywhere near a glass!  It’s my main bottleneck factor – figuring out the design!  I’ve also got a bit of a perfectionist streak - if something does not look right, I will wash it off and try again and again until I get it how I think it should be!  And maybe I have a steady hand from all the years of pipetting!  :P  (Tip – don’t drink coffee before trying to do detailed painting!!)

Do you collect anything?

I collect...all sorts.  I have a hoarding issue that i’m slowly working on!  ;)

I have collections of pretty paper (if you have ever given me a gift in nice, thick giftwrap, I will probably have that somewhere in my collection!!!), ribbons (major weakness...but so useful!  You can never have enough ribbon IMHO!) and pretty boxes (gift style ones...).   I also keep cards and (old school) correspondence from those I love – they’re now in a big box under the bed. 

What do you do in your spare time, apart from artwork?

Rock climbing – this takes up more of my life than I care to admit!!!  And hanging out with friends.  I like baking too – I think that also stems from following protocols in the lab but with more instantaneous and satisfying (edible) outcomes!  :P   

Where can people find you and your creations?

The safest bet is at a climbing gym, but failing that, you can contact me via my Facebook page!  I do not have much in terms of stock, but I am considering taking commissions once my life has settled down a bit...!!

What are you working on at the moment?

I have two sets of overdue wedding glasses I need to deliver.  I also have two sets of glasses I’m working on, which are not really “for” anyone at the moment.  I may consider selling these rather than gifting them.  I am also working on some wedding invites ^_^

Where do you see yourself and your passion for craft in five years time?

I’m terrible at picturing myself in five years time for anything!!

I hope I am happy, still painting and making things, still climbing and still have time to spend with wonderful friends!  

You can see more of Wing's work on her facebook page:

Little Wing's Corner

https://www.facebook.com/littlewingrandomness

Note for copyright: All photos in this post are property of Wing To. If you would like to use them you may contact her using her facebook page.

If you have missed any of my interviews click on the link below:

Link to all interviews

Interior design course and news from Elisa

first sketches

Hey! As you may have noticed I have been off line for some time. My course is taking up quite a lot of my time at the moment. Exams are in May! So I have been spending a bit more time on the project than before. Here is a first study I did of the appartment I am redesigning.

My monthly interviewee for January said she'd rather be interviewed in February so we'll be skyping soon!

In the mean time here is a link to a contest my friend Elisa is taking part in.
She has designed a shelving sistem and submitted it to the 'Design on demand' platform.

Here is the link if you'd like to support her project!
SLOT by Elisa Muterle on desall.com

Lunch break with Elisa - English version

This month's interview is the first one I didn't use Skype for! I managed to book my friend Elisa Muterle for a Christmassy coffee and a chat. Elisa works as an Architect for a team of local Architects and occasionally designs houses and furniture with her husband, who is also an Architect (they sign their work ViVrA studio). Elisa is creative and full of original ideas. She loves making stuff out of recycled materials, dress making, knitting. Recently she has made some beautiful bags out of recycled newspapers and advertising posters. A wooden table produced and exhibited locally. And a seating sistem for the parish choir, where Elisa will be singing Christmas songs with her friends.

I asked Elisa for some tips on how to add a designer touch to the festive season! And a few ideas from her family Christmas!

Me|a table

Choir seating sistem

A trip for the festive season? New Year in Turin! There are the Luci d’Artista, ideal for all art lovers. The museo del Cinema, and many exhibitions... My dream destination. New year in a city in Northern Europe. 

Ideal Christmas Menu? My family tradition is to have tortellini in brodo or pasticcio di lasagne and cured meat. For dessert we have my mum's tiramisù and panettone!

How do you wrap your presets? I like to use brown wrapping paper, possibly in two tones, so I can fold the edge. To tie the present I use kitchen thread and make a nice bow. For something extra? Make a bow out of strips of paper and staple together. 

How do you decorate the table? A neutral tone for the table cloth and colourful decorations. For example I make water lilies with paper and then make a center piece by adding fruit and a candle. 

How do you add a touch of style to a room? My husband and I have recently bought a stencil online. We placed the silouette of a little girl holding balloons at the top of the step ladder we have in a bedroom. So it looks like she has climbed up the steps to catch the balloons. It's not Christmassy. You can use them all year round! 

Your nativity scene? A wooden musical box with all the figurines attatched.

Your Christmas tree? This year my husband and I made it out of paper. He made the tree out of cardboard and I made the baubles using they are origami patterns. Next year I'll work on a version with lights! 

Your Christmas outfit? Something comfortable and pretty. Thick tights or leggins and a wool or knitted dress. This year I'm using a brwon dress I made especially for Christmas day!

To find out more about Elisa visit:

ViVra Facebook page

Europaconcorsi ViVra Studio

For her creations we have to wait next year! (I will add photos when I get hold of them!)

I hope you are enjoying my series of interviews. The New Year will bring new interviews with more creative ladies and lots of inspiration and ideas for us all! Merry Christmas!

Copyright: All photos used in this post belong to Elisa Muterle.

Lunch break interview with Elisa

Questo mese ho fatto la prima intervista dal vivo, ovvero non su Skype! Ho avuto il piacere di prendere un caffè e cioccolatino Natalizio con la mia amica Elisa Muterle. Anche quando non è impegnata a collaborare come Architetto per uno studio di Vicenza o a qualche progetto insieme a suo marito (si firmano ViVrA studio), Elisa è una creativa piena di idee originali. Ama lavorare con materiali di riciclo, confezionare abiti, fare a maglia. In particolare ha creato delle bellissime borse con carta da giornale plastificata e vecchi cartelloni pubblicitari. Inoltre ha disegnato e prodotto un tavolino di legno, che si può trovare in mostra in un negozio del centro. E la pedana per il coro parrocchiale di cui fa parte, dove canterà insieme ai suoi amici questo Natale. 

Ho chiesto ad Elisa qualche consiglio per arricchire con un tocco di design le feste e anche qualche curiosità sulle sue tradizioni di Natale! 

Tavolo Me|a

Pedana del coro

La destinazione per un viaggio durante le feste? Capodanno a Torino! Ci sono le Luci d’Artista, l’ideale per gli appassionati di Arte. Il museo del Cinema, la Mole e molte mostre alternative. C’è anche una convenzione con la quale se ti fai la tessera puoi visitare tutti i musei...E un mio sogno sarebbe fare il capodanno in una città del Nord Europa.

Il Menù di Natale ideale? Per la mia famiglia il menù tradizionale è tortellini in brodo o pasticcio. Per antipasto adoro l’affettato di lingua. E per finire il tiramisù di mia mamma e un buon panettone artigianale!

Un'idea per impacchettare i regali? Mi piace usare la carta da pacco, magari bicolore, così faccio il risvolto che dà un bordo al pacchetto. Poi lego con spago da cucina e faccio un bel fiocco. Un idea in più? Fare un fiocco con delle strisce di carta e poi unire con una graffetta.

E per decorare la tavola? Tovaglia su toni neutri e delle decorazioni colorate. Ad esempio faccio delle ninfee di carta e poi creo un centro tavola aggiungendo frutta e candele.

Come dare un tocco originale ad una camera? Recentemente abbiamo usato uno stencil, ordinato online, per fare una composizione. Abbiamo attaccato la silhouette di una bambina con i palloncini sul muro sopra alla scaletta a pioli. Non è Natalizio, può andare bene tutto l'anno!

Il tuo presepe? Un carillon di legno con tutte le statuine già integrate.

Il tuo albero? Quest’anno l’ho fatto con mio marito. La struttura di carta l’ha fatta lui. Io ho preparato le palline. Sono degli origami. L’anno prossimo lavorerò alla versione con le luci!

L’outfit per il giorno di Natale? Qualcosa di comodo ed elegante. Leggins e un vestito di lana o di maglia. Quest’anno io uso questo vestito marrone che ho confezionato per l’occasione!

Per sapere di più se Elisa potete visitare il sito:

Studio ViVra, pagina Facebook

Europaconcorsi ViVra Studio

Per le sue creazioni bisognerà aspettare l'anno nuovo! (aggiungo le foto appena posso!)

Spero che vi stiate godendo queste interviste. Per l'anno nuovo ne sto preparando di nuove con altre donne creative che vi daranno la carica e vi riempiranno di inspirazione e idee! Buone Feste!