Neals Yard Remedies Head Office

A couple of years ago, I mentioned Urban Outfitters' Hip office space in Philadelphia and if you remember it was a fantastic inspiring spaces. The place was bursting with colours, mood boards and I was aching with envy just looking at the photos...
Today it is a complete different design but as beautiful and of course in tunes with the brand it embodies...here are Neals Yard Remedies Head Office designed by Feilden Clegg in Dorset (Feilden Clegg also designed Greenpeace HQ, The Woodland Trust offices). The building is stunning, there is no question about it. I love how Feilden Clegg made use of wood and blend the company within the beautiful landscape of Dorset but what caught my attention was the work of Pinch which were asked by Neals Yard Remedies to design the interior and furniture for their new head office and manufacturing facility.
Pinch is an Award-winning company set up by husband and wife team Russell Pinch and Oona Bannon in 2004. Before Pinch, Russell had co-founded The Nest, a multi-disciplinary brand design agency with clients including British Airways, MFI, WHSmith, Rip Curl and Selfridges while Oona worked first at The Nest then at branding agency Bloom.
They now design furniture for some of the best UK furniture brands such as Conran, SCP and Benchmark Furniture (another company established by Sir Terence Conran).
As you will see from the pictures below, the interior combines bespoke Pinch furniture with customised basics to create a positive working environment that works to refect both the NYR brand and the exterior architecture and I think a lot of their gorgeous ideas could also be applied to your home.

Reception desk & display...really really loving the twig bench

Blackboard storage (clever & stylish idea for the home)

Reception signage

Office and coat hook


the restaurant and its gorgeous lighting

(C) Credits photos Pinch and Feilden Clegg

House in Ibiza

I love spending time there but frankly giving the longing I have for the sun, heat and white houses of Ibiza, I wonder some times why we didn't buy a house there instead (oh I know....spur of the moment purchase....near my family....the beaches of my childhood.....bike rides through pine forests....). Anyway, last night, Elodie and I skyped each other and we agreed to go to Ibiza together for a week so if you know any nice villas to rent in Ibiza or Formentera (my favourite), let me know. In the meantime, let's dream about Ibiza's beautiful fincas looking at this one that belongs to a parisian TV producer. Michel bought this finca a few years ago. At the time of his purchase, it had no water, no electricity and it was really in a sorry state but it was on top of a hill and it reminded Michel of the little houses that Marcel Pagnol described in his novels...The house looked like an old, wrinkly and tired, little turtle...but Michel was seduced and bought it.

As the house was too small, he called architect Pascal Cheik Djavadi to help him to transform it into a family home.....so plans were drawn, ideas discussed and agreed and off they went. Pascal Cheik Djavadi started adding beautiful volumes to this little house and little by little the little turtle (3.50m high) turned into a giant one (7m high) and suddenly things weren't great anymore between Michel and Pascal so they went separate ways and Michel finished the renovation with his partner.
If divorcing, moving, losing its job are on top of the most stressful things to experience (beside illness of course), disagreements with builders, architects or anyone involved in a renovation project can't be far from the top of the list. When we renovated our house in France, we had the builder from hell. Each time, I was discussing an idea with him and asking him to quote before going ahead, I would come back the day after and he would have started banging into the walls, knocking down the fireplace without my approval and then would tell me that it would cost $$$$. The first time, I lost it, the second time we fired him. I found out later on that he was making an habit of it and drove our lovely local baker to tears when she asked him to work on the bakery's oven. Thanks god, it's all behind now.

However, I'm not implying that Pascal Cheik Djavadi was the architect from hell. On the contrary, Pascal is a very talented architect and it is not the first time I come across his name but at some point, they misunderstood each other. Although now looking at it, I think this house in Ibiza has benefited from the owner and architect's differences in style and expectations and is now a wonderful and unique blend of traditional architecture with simple, beautiful contemporary lines. The kitchen for instance is fitted with state-of-the-art appliances from Gaggeneau while the sink is made of a very old stone imported from Portugal and the kitchen island from a local black stone, fitted with stainless-steel cupboards.

I love the large windows of this house. They emphasize the outdoor scenery like giant picture frames and look at the light and the perspective in this bedroom! Doesn't it look superb? The bath is by P. Starck for Duravit and is fitted in a concrete block just high enough to make the most of the view outside.

What about you? Have you had stressful experience on a renovation project? What did you do in the end? I would love to hear from you....
(C) photos: Marie-Claire Maison/Cote Maison/PERE PLANELLS

Cadeira / Chair Eros

A cadeira giratória Eros, desenhada por Philippe Starck para a Kartell. Elegante e sofisticada cadeira que se caracteriza pela sua forma orgânica de um ovo. Uma magnífica combinação de conforto e de luz, cor e transparência sobre uma base rotativa em alumínio polido com apoio central, produzidas de forma clara e transparente em policarbonato. Disponível em diversas cores.

Eros swivel chair designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell. An elegant and sophisticated chair which is characterised by its organic egg shape. A magnificent combination of light and comfort, colour and transparency on a polished aluminium rotating base giving central support produced in clear and transparent polycarbonate. Availabel in several colors.

Encomende já / Order Now:
geral@4udecor.com

Telf: 214 867 378

Tlm: 966 312 602

Cascais / Portugal

Pavilhão de Macau 2010

Pavilhão de Macau para Shangai 2010 do arquitecto Carlos Marreiros.

Macau pavillion for shanghai 2010 by carlos marreiros architects.

Candeeiros / Lamps

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geral@4udecor.com
Telf: 214 867 378
Tlm: 966 312 602
Cascais / Portugal

Candeeiro Mesa / Table Lamp

SOON é regulável individualmente por um dispositivo que ilumina um número idêntico de secções translúcidas sintéticas que confere a cada modelo uma característica unica. A lâmpada da coluna vertebral consiste de uma banda dupla com isolamento de aço entre os diversos planos. Além de fornecer electricidade, impede também que a lâmpada se funda ao longo do tempo, independentemente da sua posição. O transformador está integrado na ficha, a luminosidade é controlada por meio de um comutador de duas fases. SOON está disponível nos sistemas de cor vermelha, azul e transparente e com uma base polida. Fonte de luz: 50W GY 6,35.

SOON is an individually adjustable fixture consisting of a number of identical translucent synthetic sections that give each model a characteristic yet alterable expression. The lamp’s spine consists of a double flat steel band with insulation in between. Besides supplying the power, it also prevents the lamp from buckling over time, regardless of its position. The transformer is integrated in the plug, brightness is controlled by means of a two-phase switch. SOON is available in the colour schemes red, blue and transparent and with a polished base. Light source: 50W GY 6,35.

Encomende já / Order Now:
geral@4udecor.com

Telf: 214 867 378

Tlm: 966 312 602

Cascais / Portugal

4UDECOR - Metro Casa 19/03/09

A 4UDECOR foi noticia na passada edição de 19/03/09 do Jornal Metro no seu suplemento Metro Casa onde foi divulgada a marca Planika de lareiras de bio combustivel.

Banco de Jardim / Garden Bench

Um novo olhar para o tradicional e romântico banco de jardim de madeira. Óscar Tusquets actualizou-o ao seu próprio estilo, o que se reflectiu no perfil de alumínio elegante dos pés. Perfeito para o seu jardim ou para contract. Disponivel em varias dimensões desde 60 x 62A x 74,2cm até 300 x 62A x 74,2cm.

A new look at the traditional romantic bench made of wooden slats. Óscar Tusquets has updated it in his own personal style, as reflected in the profile of the elegant aluminium leg. Perfect for your garden or contact. Available in various sizes from 60 x 62A x 74,2cm até 300 x 62A x 74,2cm.

Encomende já / Order Now:

geral@4udecor.com
Telf: 214 867 378
Tlm: 966 312 602
Cascais / Portugal

Burj Dubai - The World Tallest Building

Burj Dubai é um arranha-céu em construção no Dubai, Emirados Árabes Unidos, e é a mais alta estrutura feita pelo homem na Terra, apesar de ser incompleta. A construção começou em 21 de setembro de 2004, e é esperada a sua conclusão e pronto para ocupação, em Setembro de 2009.

Burj Dubai is a skyscraper under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is the tallest man-made structure on Earth, despite being incomplete. Construction began on September 21, 2004, and it is expected to be completed and ready for occupation in September 2009.

4UDECOR - Moroso site

Visite o site da Moroso onde poderá encontrar todos os artigos comercializados por nós em Portugal.

Visit the Moroso website where you find all the items sold by us in Portugal.

Encomende já / Order Now:

geral@4udecor.com

Telf: 214 867 378

Tlm: 966 312 602

Cascais / Portugal

Siza Vieira recebeu hoje medalha da Rainha Isabel II

O arquitecto português Siza Vieira recebeu hoje em Londres o prémio Medalha de Ouro Real de 2009 pela sua contribuição para a arquitectura internacional, distinção atribuída pelo Instituto Real dos Arquitectos Britânicos, em nome da Rainha Isabel II.

Álvaro Siza Vieira, 75 anos, junta a Medalha de Ouro Real a importantes prémios internacionais da área, com destaque para o Prémio Pritzker (1992), considerado o Nobel da Arquitectura, três prémios Secil (1996, 2000 e 2006) e Prémio Wolf, categoria de Artes (2001). O prémio é dedicado à família e em especial aos filhos. Siza Vieira tem dois filhos, Álvaro Leite Siza, também arquitecto, e Joana Marinho Leite Siza, fruto do casamento com Maria Antónia Siza, falecida em 1973.

A obra do arquitecto pode ser encontrada em vários pontos do mundo, como por exemplo no Brasil, Coreia do Sul, Espanha, Estados Unidos, Argentina, Finlândia ou Itália.Actualmente o arquitecto tem vários projectos parados ou suspensos devido a dificuldades dos promotores.

"Eu tenho vários casos, sobretudo em Espanha, onde tenho trabalhado bastante", referiu o arquitecto portuense. Para ele a culpa é da fórmula de investimento usada, em que os bancos podem deixar de fornecer financiamento, mesmo a empresas fortes, como era o caso. Entre 1980 e 1984 Siza Vieira trabalhou no edifício de habitação Bonjour Tristesse, em Berlim, Alemanha. Em 1988 iniciou o projecto para o Centro Galego de Arte Contemporânea, em Santiago de Compostela, Espanha, que viria a ser finalizado em 2003.

Ainda em território espanhol, Siza Vieira realizou um estudo urbanístico geral para Expo de Sevilha, que teve lugar em 1992. 2008 viu o arquitecto edificar a nova sede da Fundação Iberê Camargo, em Porto Alegre, Brasil e a Faculdade de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Lleida, na Catalunha, Espanha. Entre outros grandes projectos internacionais de Siza Vieira encontram-se a Faculdade de Ciências da Informação, em Santiago de Compostela, Espanha, o Paul Getty Museum, em Santa Mónica, Estados Unidos, e o Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Helsínquia, na Finlândia.A Medalha de Ouro Real é atribuída desde 1848 e no passado distinguiu arquitectos como Frank Lloyd Wright (1941), Le Corbusier (1953), Frank Gehry (2000) e Oscar Niemeyer (1998). Em 2008, o galardoado foi o britânico Edward Cullinan. Álvaro Siza Vieira destacou à Agência Lusa no passado mês de Janeiro a "satisfação" por receber um prémio de "muito prestígio" como a Medalha de Ouro Real.

SAPO/LUSA

Kartell Cadeira /Chair Mademoiselle

Cadeira Mademoiselle da Kartell. O Brilho, as cores modernas e simples, com um design linear transformam a Mademoiselle numa cadeira chique e luxuosa. A sua estruturaé resultado da injecção de um molde de policarbonato sobre a qual um banco de poliuretano é expandido e colocado. O assento é estofado com 100% poliéster Kvadrat ® tecidos em cores sólidas, tornando o seu estilo ideal para locais de negócios ou ambientes mais formais. O tecido é invulgarmente espesso e macio, tornando-o tão confortável como atraente para os seus olhos. Desenhada por Philippe Starck, 2003.

kartell mademoiselle chair, Bright, modern colors and a streamlined, linear design make the Mademoiselle Chair a chic and luxurious choice for seating. Its frame is an injected mold of polycarbonate upon which a seat of expanded polyurethane is placed. The seat is upholstered with 100% polyester Kvadrat® fabrics in solid colors, making this style ideal for business or formal settings. The fabric is unusually thick and soft, making this chair as comfortable as it is appealing to the eye. Designed by Philippe Starck, 2003.

Encomende já / Order Now:
geral@4udecor.com
Telf: 214 867 378
Tlm: 966 312 602
Cascais / Portugal