I have posted about saturated walls of colour before yet my eye continues to be drawn to unique uses of colour in interior spaces. In particular, I have been fascinated by neutral rooms with ceilings that extend beyond the obvious lines and are painted a bright colour so light can bathe the room in a beautiful wash of hue. I am also fairly in love with cement or rough studio walls half painted with vibrant colour. A form of modern wainscoting perhaps? This style colours me happy and is now officially my dream look for a working studio. If all else fails, I say paint a white spotlight right onto your wall and floor. You can be on “stage” every single night…

(photographs via maria alexandra vettese, remodelista, apartment therapy, red house design, simply grove, coco+kelley, hus & hem, simply grove and french by design)

Furniture photography is often very similar – a perfectly styled eye level product shot or an interior showing the piece in the context of a handsome space. That common style might be why these unique product shots for the Place Sofa by Jasper Morrison for Vitra caught my eye. An intriguing approach that makes the chesterfield feel more chic editorial than catalogue (which also showcasing its wide range of modular set-ups).

How lovely are these Origami Boat Candles by designer Roman Ficek? Available in six colours, they are beautifully crafted facets of thin wax. I would love to see a pool with thousands floating about…

(spotted on design east)

I did some research on styling this week and came across these beautiful painted walls by Bartsch, a Paris-based studio. I would be quite thrilled to have a dark wall of those gold moons in different phases in my home. Their craftsmanship is sublime but I was also drawn in by their choice of styling (including a great palette shot of paint cans). I love how Bartsch showcases their work – an expanse of pattern and colour with a world of small white objects living below. Monochromatic styling is becoming my new obsession…

I have seen a lot of Spring interior design magazines popping up lately with a theme of colour and all of their cover designs seem to feature photography of vividly styled rooms. While the lush visuals are enticing, I find myself thinking about this 1948 cover of House & Garden designed by Herbert Matter. Featuring Fall hues from pastels to jewel tones, the illustrated palette really makes you wonder what lies inside. I would love to see a modern interior magazine follow a similar swatch idea or infuse it into a photography-focused cover.

(image via condé naste/art.com)

I love bright coloured paint jobs so these photos more than made my day. I love the feature wall completely saturated in one vibrant colour including coat hooks, radiator and shelving. I also love the idea of colour splashed randomly and artfully up one wall. Who says you ever have to paint your walls in a traditional fashion?

(photographs via 101 woonideeen and agent bauer)

Real estate has the adage “location, location, location” and I think retail could live by “presentation, presentation, presentation”. The way items are showcased in a shop or show has a huge impact on how a designer, brand or company is perceived by a customer. I wrote an article on Rena Tom’s website on one specific area of presentation – shelves! From inset shelves in the shape of gems to a wall of recycled cardboard tubes to hold products, shelving is a fantabulous part of retail design and interiors in general. Even if you aren’t looking for retail inspiration, I poked around to find plenty of eye candy that could be applied your next home or office design. Take a peek at the post here.

(images via dezeen, the cool hunter, apartment therapy, casa.com.br, from me to you, dezeen and arch daily)

Until last week, I had no idea what the Department of Philosophy building at New York University looked like. When I came across an image while doing research, I was stunned. Jaw-dropped, eyes insanely large, stunned. How was this done four years ago but I had never seen it? Good Lord. While the exterior of the 1890 corner building is protected and thus remains untouched, Steven Holl Architects did a complete 30,000 square foot interior renovation. The concept “organizes the new spaces around light and phenomenal properties of materials” and it is hard to see the space as anything but enlightening. The skylight and 6-level stair shaft are awash in beautiful shapes and constantly change with the seasonal light. The upper level floors feature “different shades and textures of black and white, according to the texts in Ludwig Wittgenstein’s book ‘Remarks on Colour’“. Oh and those flickers of rainbow on the gorgeous textures of rich white? Prismatic film was installed on some of the stairwell windows which allowed sunlight to occasionally place a piece of rainbow onto the clean interior. It feels modern, spiritual and simply peaceful. Can you think of a better place to ponder philosophy? Easily one of the most beautiful pieces of interior designs I have laid eyes on and so very perfect for its subject. Hmm, time to google NYU philosophy program applications…

(all images © andy ryan via steven holl architects, dezeen and architizer)

That fireplace. Good Lord. A large expanse of fuchsia that will be in my dreams indefinitely and is only one colourful detail at newly opened The Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. The space was “inspired by the contemporary architecture of Mexico and the Arizona desert… designed around the color and light of the surrounding landscape.” Doesn’t it feel like you are in the middle of a desert sunset? A really inspiring palette including tangerine, fuchsia, grape, coral, saffron and a host of other warm hues. I love those bold pops of colour mixed with varying shades of natural wood. The bedrooms feel airy, vibrant and modern yet still calm. If I am missing in Scottsdale, you can definitely find me sitting by that beautiful fireplace…

(photographs via saguaro & knstrct)

I think I just found a new sculpture to add to the top of my “art I would kill to have” list. Created by Canadian designer Miya Kondo, ‘Composition Light‘ is a light sculpture comprised of five different shapes of light with five different frames of colour. Each piece can stand alone as well as be grouped together in an infinite number of combinations. In addition to the beautiful use of light and colour frames, I love the use of bright cords and wiring. Rather than simply make those technical elements white or hidden, they are pops of colour that add to the entire piece and remind the viewer of what is powering the sculpture as a whole. I’m hoping there will be a home version of Composition Light one day. The only other thing needed is a big loft with industrial beams to showcase it in….

(photographs via miya kondo; spotted on via designboom)

I love the way Crown Paint displayed their colour trends for 2011. The combination of still life objects and interior images is inspiring but it’s the groupings of swatches that I really love. The palettes are beautiful and they feel more tangible than paper chips photographed together. It makes all the difference to have swatches in different sizes and depths as the resulting shadows and shapes reflect how colour is used in a home – in different weights and ratios via pieces of furniture, wall colour and decor objects. Overall, a fantastic example of styling and colour theory. I wouldn’t mind having that top purple palette as a piece of wall art…

(spotted on trendland)

Mouta is a natural object and furniture collection by Bordeaux designer Caroline Gomez. The wood she uses to craft her work is a dreamy hue and a perfect neutral for punchy pastels and sherbet hues. In addition to beautiful wood work, Caroline’s sense of styling is fantastic. I love the pops of colour she stacks on that handsome table. How about those beautiful lamp cords? Or the illustrations with perfectly selected tape hues? Caroline’s images have created a distinct brand palette of natural cool-toned wood, muted neons and traditional pastels. An inspiring combination. There is so much to love but that cutting board with the holes for fruit steadying is making my day…