A blog by Eliana Tomás

Minotti @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-27T11:06:00.001Z

More Monotti
imm Cologne 2010
Milan 2010
The Devil Seats On A Minotti

Flexform @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-26T12:44:00.000Z

Flexform is synonymous to sofa luxury, comfortable luxury, which is quite difficult to achieve, I guess.

Their stands are always huge, like their sofas. Not every house (nor wallet) can accommodate such design item. Even though, it is always an inspiration (and aspiration) to go and stay there for as long as you can.

Less is (not) more

Product Of The Year - Modular Shelving Units
More interesting when in different colours and textures

Coffee tables get taller.
Perfect for smaller spaces and to whom dinner in from of TV is a yes when alone.

Materials combination is the detail.
This TV table is in marble, lacquer, leather and stainless steel.

Shelving units become walls

Interlübke @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-24T22:21:00.000Z

This year I bet on yellow being the colour for 2012. Cologne Fair and all the amazing furniture companies have it on the background. I am delighted.

They say 2012 is the year of the Sun and apparently the best are taking it as an inspiration to our homes.

Enjoy what this year has the best to offer.

Interlubke in one of my favorite brands in the world. High-end modular systems, it is designed to be used in absolutely any room of the house

With several depths and heights, this system brings movement to the space

Ideas for the kitchen, hall or storage room

A door on the door - versatility

Yellow and white, a perfect match for 2012

More Interlübke
In Blue
In Gold

imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-17T13:40:00.002Z

Getting ready for another imm Cologne Fair.

Stay tuned. I will be posting about what the design and furniture world is up to this year.

Click here to find out what was going on in Europe back in 2010.

2011 Fragments.

2012-01-02T12:39:00.000Z

To photograph fragments is one of my favorite things to do. Having a camera handy (mobile preferably to email it straight away to my Facebook and Twitpic accounts) is a tool I cannot live with out anymore.

Everywhere I go I see fragments that communicate with me. Here are my favorite 20 of 2011. Yes, I did my best to narrow it down to 10 though I didn't know which ones I preferred.

This stencil is everywhere in Lisbon. It says "What I want is to be happy". This on was shot in Rua do Poço dos Negros.

Hearts I drew in a restaurant in Barcelona. Left them there.

Barcelona again - The Fish by Frank Ghery.

Another stencil in Lisbon. This one in Avenida 24 the Julho. I called it "Don't give up".

What's better than a little break after you accomplish something? This moment was right after I finished my 2 weeks business trip to Norway.
Love to seat outside in a nice café, having a drink and looking at people walking around wondering what they're thinking.

The beach I used to go every weekend. It's my home town.
Check the moon on the top left hand side. Lovely, isn't it?

And again, another stencil. This one here shot in Cais do Sodré, Lisbon.

Details: The Tram cables hook on the wall. Perfect!
(Lisbon, Calçada da Estrela)

The kids are alright. (Santa Rita, Portugal)

One of the most beautiful buildings in Lisbon: Campo de Ourique.

This stencil here I call it "Can buy me love".

2011 was a great year for me. I moved back to Portugal, found the job I wanted, worked on interesting projects and I found the house I wished for: small, old, super cute and central. This picture actually marks that first moment when I felt at home. My mugs are in, I am in!

The basic principle of architecture is the Sun, don't you agree?
Love this structure, which we straight away link to "House" or "Home".

This was a year of great trips, some on business other pure pleasure. Another moment in a Non-Place waiting to reack my destiny.
This picture was shot in Scotland I think.

Love out of the blue.

Moments with friends and others alone.

The first butterfly I saw in years,

La Vie En Bleu
(Portuguese sky, isn't it stunning?)

Provincial-Chic.

One of my top 5 pictures. The Full Moon was stunning, the streets were pitch black and the red line is a car's light.
(Photo shot with my iPhone)

Tokyo #6 | Prada.

2011-12-22T20:32:00.000Z

Tokyo #5 | Nezu Museum.

2011-12-15T12:33:00.000Z

For Japanese architecture lovers - Nezu Museum (Designed by Kengo Kuma).

Entrance

Exit

A crack of light

Parallelism

Tokyo #4 | The Power Of Display.

2011-11-16T08:34:00.001Z

Display - The eyes eat too. Indeed! Another place I get lost very easily is food markets and Japanese people definitely know display is a very important sales tool.

Check these out and tell me if you wouldn't buy just for the beauty of it.

And now, the power of wrapping.

Tokyo #3 | Japanese Textiles.

2011-11-16T01:10:00.001Z

This is the type of shops I get lost very easily. Not that I spend a fortune, but I totally forget the world exists outside. I can be here for hours wondering what I could do with these gorgeous fabrics.

My sense of touch gets in action and here we go...

Didn't resist to get the one on the right. I've already a few options to do with it, but haven't decided yet: to have it on my bed, to make a few cushions, to have it framed or maybe a padded panel on the wall.

Gorgeous collage, isn't it? The fabrics in the center (with rainbows) have an amazing texture and beautiful mix of colours.

Fabrics, beautiful fabrics everywhere.

A tip to make a nice Japanese handbag.

Maybe I'll pop in again today to get more inspiration.

Tokyo #2 | Japanese "Tasca".

2011-11-14T10:51:00.001Z

Fancy? No, but quite chic.

"Tasca" in Portuguese means something like a cheap yet delicious food house, always small and very loud (my own words).

Everywhere these spaces are gaining market and apparently Tokyo is not an exception.
The perfect choice to gather with friends for a warm meal and a good laugh. This one is located in Shibuya @ Meiji Street.

I must say I probably had the best satay chicken in my life.

Lovely kitchen + Lovely chefs = Happiness

Young chefs.

Gone!

Saturday night in Shibuya, where creativity gathers too.

Great Japanese beer

Decoration in a form of collage. Love it.

Tokyo #1 | Muji Paradise.

2011-11-13T01:37:00.001Z

MUJI. We all love Muji, the brand with no label, or is it the other way around?
Why?
Maybe because it is simply beautiful
Maybe because it is highly functional.
Maybe because it has its only language.
Maybe because it is elegant.
Maybe because it has no age.
Maybe because it has lots of style.
Maybe because it will always be a trendy.
Maybe because you just do, you tell me.

First time I saw the products was in London. The subtle design and the huge label with Japanese characters invited me in. Love at first sight, indeed! I'm sure you all felt the same.

From kitchen appliances to clothing, and of course stationary, Muji is part of my material life since then.

Muji @ Ginza. Their biggest shop in Tokyo.

Main display product: shelving units easy to assemble and optional enough to let your imagination fly.

Love product: Wooden hook to hang anything your imagination allows. I've to go back to buy at least one or my entrance. It's gonna look great and of course functional.

Me on my way back, happy and excited with my purchases.

The Tokyo Ginza shop has two floors where the entire collection is on display, including the Muji Grocery Shop and the Café. Delicious! I wish we had this one in Lisbon. I'm sure it would be a success.

(No quality pictures because I sneak these photos with my phone. Naughty me, but I got so excited I didn't resist)

White Xmas @ Selfridges.

2011-11-03T19:05:00.001Z

Selfridges has the most astonishing windows in the world. True stories are told, imagined and wanted.

This Xmas I will indeed miss Selfridges windows.

Here's a space to dream for.

The art of merchandising.

Summer Pavilion 2011 by Peter Zumthor.

2011-11-01T11:44:00.000Z

The annual series of Pavilions is the world's first and most ambitious architectural programme of its kind.

2011 Pavilion was designed by world-renowned Swiss architect Peter Sumthor which includes a beautiful garden specially created by the influential Dutch designer Piet Oudolf.

From the 1st of July until the 16th October the Serpentine Gallery was one of the most wanted spaces in London. I was able to see it on its very last day. Luckily the weather was inviting enough to explore what architecture has the best to offer - engagement.

One of the multi entrances.

The Garden, a space within a space.

A dark corridor around the pavilion's perimeter which created the idea of a labyrinth.

The Pavilion is constructed of a lightweight timber frame wrapped with coated scrim to create a dark, cloistered effect.

The materials are so fragile that, when leaning against the wall, one could feel the vibrations created by people talking, children running and walking around.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 by Peter Zumthor from Serpentine Gallery on Vimeo.

Last year's Pavilion was design by the French architect Jean Nouvel. Click here to see the photos

Music To My Ears.

2011-10-26T11:06:00.001+01:00

DESIGN IS DETAIL

Spatial design at Oslo Opera House, main entrance.

Gaselin | Malmö, Sweden.

2011-09-26T20:55:00.002+01:00

Malmö is getting cosmopolitan every day. A bridge away from Copenhagen, this cute Swedish city is a design center on its own. Lovely people, gorgeous cafés and lots to look around.

Everywhere you find stunning design shops, with special focus on product design. From international renowned creatives to more low profile ones, Gaselin is The Shop to browse in.

Gaselin is a Picked Pieces shop selling Portuguese and Swedish design only. With an eclectic selection of products there is always something you want to grab.

Color is the main feature. The counter is covered in old style textured tiles from Portugal.

The Leaf ceiling by TemaHome.

Big windows, great space.

Hats made in Portugal.

Maria and Malin, Gaselin's owners, lovely collection of old magazines. Inspirational!

The Handle and Baby Handle stools by Fernando Brizio to TemaHome

Moderna Museet @ Malmo, Sweden.

2011-09-22T17:16:00.000+01:00

Old orange. New orange.
Old curvy lines. New rectilinear lines.

A respectful moment in architecture. Yes, that's what the Modern Museum in Malmo is about.

Simply a façade.

The architectural intervention is highly minimal, though the metallic dots on the façade bring together very nicely the two different types of architecture. It's as if the dots are the common geometry.

Can you imagine when it's sunny outside? This café must be the space to be at.

It's all about precision, something close to perfection.

Stunning overview.

Are You An Influencer?

2011-09-08T16:04:00.000+01:00

The world is waiting for you. Take your chance.

INFLUENCERS TRAILER from R+I creative on Vimeo.

Paris For Holidays.

2011-08-29T22:47:00.000+01:00

For the last couple of days I've been wondering where I would like to go for a short holiday. The beach could be an option, though this year I had it a lot (that's one of the best things about living in Portugal and of course having my family living by the beach).

I thought of Barcelona, Madrid and the Açores, these beautiful Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic, but none of these places really convinced me. I guess I'm looking for something more... romantic? Chic? Cosmopolitan? Maybe with a French accent?

I've been there a few times but Paris is indeed that city where I feel comfortable, somehow at home.

I would love to speak proper French. I do understand it, I can fully read it but when it comes to speak I get shy! Can you imagine?

More Parisian spaces to enjoy:
Ralph Lauren | Jardin À Paris.
Inspired By Paris.
Paris, Je T'Aime.
Merci, Nous Vous Aimons.

Breakfast Set.

2011-08-26T12:16:00.001+01:00

Simplicity and functionality on their best. Perfect for my home friends gathering.

Designed by Liliana Bonomi

Manufacturer Serafino Zani

À La Rentrée!

2011-08-23T21:54:00.003+01:00

Summer is indeed the best season in the year. We catch up with friends and family we get to see once a year, we have the beach to go to, look healthier, eat healthier, feel happier, find reasons to be outside all night long drinking Margaritas, though I always get to the point I miss to retreat. Maybe because I am lucky enough to enjoy all these pleasures since early May, I already started feeling the need to retreat (well, it's getting cool here in Lisbon, perhaps that's why).

Galleries and museums are part of my retreat. I love to visit art installations in the Autumn. They have a better fit. Everything feels right. It's as if I've been outside my reality for some time and art is getting me down to earth.

Looking forward to my Art Rentrée.

Reflection on the window above the Turbine Hall.

Light installation at Tate Modern (2007), one of my favorites.

Related articles:
The Serpentine Gallery (London)
Architectural Installations (London)
Design Museum (London)
MUDE - Fashion and Design (Lisbon)
The Barbican (London)
MoMA (Manhattan)
Other Art Forms and Spaces (Everywhere)

I Wonder.

2011-08-11T11:14:00.003+01:00

Two things I love to do:
1st - Looking at people and wonder
2nd - Looking at buildings and wonder

What do they have in common?
Both are alive stories.

Everyday I fall in love with this building.

The way the sun light reflects on this façade is admirable.

Even though I've never been to New Orleans, this building reminds me its architecture from the books I used to flick through when I was a kid (and from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, remember?)

Details like the roof crown, the street lamps and the balustrades are the jewellery of the building. (this one here is abandoned, luckily not for long).

Do you wonder about non-living beings?

Related articles
Architectural Fragments

Home Desk #4.

2011-07-22T14:58:00.001+01:00

Form follows function | Function follows form - I argue that form and function should always walk side by side. This way we can achieve a different yet communicative piece of design to make the difference in a world of abundance. It could sound redundant though I think it's a subject to reflect further.

Anyway, this home desk by Nádia Soares is a good example of form and function hand-in-hand. Super functional and engaging, the Multi Storage desk is a successful mix of shelves and desk which beauty is enhanced by its function, meaning, it is your accessories of decoration, material memories and books that will personalize the product.

It's indeed a white canvas where you decide to start on a collage, don't you think?

Shop online.

Detail Detail Detail | Bus Stop.

2011-07-20T23:28:00.004+01:00

A bus stop is a non-place, which is a place of transience that do not hold enough significance to be regarded as "places".

When I took this photo I could only visualize this concept but reversed. These wooden kitchen chairs, which I imagine locals brought in, give all the significance a place needs to be part of someone's routine.

I look at it and I see a shelter, a meeting point, a chatting room. The TWO chairs invite to a friendship.

I don't argue that a bus stop in London, New York or even Lisbon is a non-place, but in small villages I am sure it has a different soul, don't you think?

Please click on the picture to enlarge.

Marc Augé coined the phrase "non-place" | Introduction to an anthropology of supermodernity - A good essay to read over the weekend.

Watch This Space: Studio Toogood.

2011-07-18T23:13:00.001+01:00

First time I came across to Studio Toogood it was when Dezeen advertised a job vacancy for a designer, two maybe three years ago. Love first sight.

Formerly the Senior Stylist of the World of Interiors magazine, Faye Toogood plays with color and forms giving a unique life to spaces.

From minimal to eclectic her signature is easy to recognize. Here's a few images of her stunning work. Get inspired.

Faye's interview by Dezeen.

Function.

Detail.

Installation to display shoes for fashion brand Comme de Garçons @ Dover Street Market. This totally reminds my final project at Central Saint Martins (2005 until 2008). One day I will post a few sketches.

As eclectic as The Rug Company is.

Perspective sketches.

2D collages, my favorite media to express an idea.

Color and textures moodboard.

Isn't Studio Toogood an inspiration to all of us?

Photos from Dezeen and Studio Toogood websites.

À La Mode.

2011-07-13T18:35:00.000+01:00

This year, furniture trends embrace Nature, or rather, natural looks quite well. Oak is indeed à la mode, though I can't imagine my house with a piece of furniture all in such finish. I always have the feeling a console in natural oak is unfinished.

Anyway, a few years ago, back in 2008, I saw this piece by Miguel Vieira Batista for TemaHome in London. LOVE FIRST SIGHT! Elegant and quite contemporary, this sideboard is indeed a feature piece. The detail which in my opinion makes the piece special is not the laser cute flower (designed with paper folding technique) BUT the rectangular oak feet.

Oak details make natural looks, indeed!