Colbo Next Door: A Fusion of Retail, Wine, and Vinyl in NYC's Lower East Side
Colbo, a New York apparel store, has expanded its Lower East Side premises to include Colbo Next Door, a wine and vinyl bar. Designed by Of Enso, the new space features stainless steel and stained wood, offering a cosy, community-focused environment. This extension integrates retail displays with an intimate bar and listening lounge, aiming to foster connection through design, music, and social interaction.
Schemata Architects Revitalizes Le Labo's Tokyo Store with Wood and Concrete Integration
Schemata Architects has completed a significant renovation of Le Labo's inaugural Tokyo store. The redesign, eighteen years after its initial opening, strategically integrates raw industrial materials like concrete with warm natural wood, reflecting the city's dynamic character. A key feature is the relocation of the fragrance lab to the storefront, offering passersby a direct view into the art of perfume creation, thereby enhancing the brand's commitment to craftsmanship.
Lisbon Residence Transformed into a Tranquil Countryside-Inspired Haven by AB+AC Architects
AB+AC Architects has meticulously renovated a 158-square-meter home in central Lisbon, creating an 'urban retreat' for a family seeking a countryside feel within the city. The design emphasizes natural elements, with terracotta floors, ample green spaces, and a neutral color palette. Every room connects visually to nature, enhancing mental clarity and reducing stress, while handmade tiles and modular furniture add warmth and functionality.
Experience Transformed Living: A Lisbon Townhouse Reimagined for Comfort and Connection
Reclaiming Scale and Purpose: From Open Expanse to Intimate Living
Initially a series of individual apartments, this Lisbon property had been previously combined into a single townhouse, resulting in an "office-like feel" characterized by vast, undefined spaces lacking warmth and connection. The primary goal of McClean Quinlan's renovation was to redefine the home's scale and inject a sense of intimate purpose into its layout, transitioning from an open expanse to a more structured, inviting environment.
Thoughtful Division: Creating Distinct Zones for Family and Guests
The reimagined townhouse now features a thoughtfully divided floor plan, encompassing a four-bedroom "main house" designed for daily family life. Complementing this, a self-contained apartment on the uppermost floor offers a private and comfortable haven for visiting family and friends, ensuring both privacy and hospitality within the unified structure.
The Art of Partition: Enhancing Flow and Natural Light
To achieve a more intimate ambiance and improve the overall flow of the interior, the architectural firm strategically installed various new partitions. Several of these screens are slatted, ingeniously allowing natural light to penetrate deeper into the floor plan, illuminating previously dark areas. A prominent example is the Douglas fir partition at the entrance, which not only serves a functional purpose but also acts as a striking backdrop for an artwork by Anish Kapoor.
Crafted Comfort: The Versatility of Douglas Fir
Douglas fir, a central material in the renovation, was extensively used to create a variety of elements that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly practical. This natural wood forms storage cupboards, benches, and shelves throughout the home, contributing to a cohesive and warm interior palette. The kitchen's ceiling, also lined with this inviting wood, beautifully complements the soft putty-colored cabinetry and plaster walls, enhancing the room's serene atmosphere.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living: A Terraced Connection to Nature
Beyond the kitchen, a designated dining area, illuminated by a cluster of white pendant lamps, flows into a comfortable sitting room anchored by a plush cream sofa. All these communal spaces boast direct access to a newly constructed, expansive terrace on the home's exterior. This outdoor extension seamlessly connects the interior to a beautifully landscaped garden and a refreshing swimming pool, inviting residents to engage with the natural surroundings.
Garden Oasis: A Reimagined Landscape and Luminous Pool House
The outdoor area has been meticulously redesigned by Fernando Martos Estudio, transforming it into a tranquil garden oasis. A new pool house, complete with a shower, WC, and changing area, stands gracefully amidst a cluster of trees at the edge of the lawn. Echoing the main house's design, the pool house features intricate Douglas fir detailing and large inset windows that, when illuminated, give it a captivating, lantern-like appearance.
Staircase Transformation: A Statement in Woodwork
A significant aspect of the renovation involved the complete overhaul of the home's staircase. The previous stark glass balustrade was replaced with robust Douglas fir batons, creating a more tactile and visually appealing ascent. The treads and risers were also meticulously crafted from the same wood, reinforcing the project's commitment to natural materials and cohesive design.
Wellness Retreat: Ground Floor Sanctuary
Descending the transformed staircase, residents are welcomed into a dedicated wellness area on the ground floor. This serene sanctuary includes a fully equipped gym, a luxurious spa, a soothing sauna, and a revitalizing steam room, offering a private escape for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Serene Slumber: Bedrooms and a Cozy Top-Floor Apartment
The second floor is home to the bedrooms, each maintaining the calming, neutral color palette and material choices found throughout the communal living areas, ensuring a consistent and harmonious aesthetic. The top-floor apartment capitalizes on the building's distinctive mansard roof, featuring intimate walnut-lined breakfast nooks and comfortable seating niches nestled beneath its sloping ceilings, creating a cozy and inviting retreat.
Curated Elegance: Furnishings and Design Collaborations
To further enhance the apartment's interior, Los Angeles-based Studio Shamshiri was commissioned to curate the furnishings. Their selection includes classic pieces from renowned designers such as George Nakashima and Hans-Agne Jakobsson, adding layers of sophisticated elegance and timeless appeal to the space, harmonizing with the architectural vision of McLean Quinlan.