Versatile seating

Designers nowadays are faced with many challenges when having to come up with new lines of furniture, especially by the reduction of living spaces. They're always in the look out for new ideas and ways of maximizing their functionality. And when looking for new seating alternatives, I was wowed by all of these kooky solutions. Is it a chair or a lamp? Is it a bench or a bookcase? Is it a magazine rack or a stool? The answers: all of the above. These seating wonders had their job descriptions doubled — besides giving us a place to sit, they also help us live clutter-free.  Thanks to the ingenuity of these designers, those of us living small, now can enjoy some free space. Turn it on, grab a book, sit back and relax!

Click to read more ...

Owlmania!

I don't have to turn my head to notice the latest fascination with owl decor that has been popping up everywhere. This nocturnal creature has quietly become the design inspiration for a diverse collection of accessories for your home  — in a very interesting range of interpretations. This novelty has come and gone through time, but this recent reincarnation seems to be most playful. From lamps, throw pillows, sculptures to even wall art, bringing any of these adorable pieces into your nest will add, for sure, a dash of fun.

Click to read more ...

A ceramic affair

Yes, I know I'm a junkie when it comes to crisp white interiors, result of my obsession with cleanliness (and no, I didn't have to pay a therapist for this diagnosis). But in this case what captivated me about this glorious space is that the architect, Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez, used ceramic tiles as the leading element in this project — hence the name Ceramic House. His idea was to create a continuous space and to have unobstructed flow between the open rooms and different levels. The layout of this attic apartment in Madrid maximizes space to perfection, creating a roomy and luminous space to relax in. One of my favorite things about this home is the love affair between the cold ceramic tiles and the warmth and richness of the wooden décor — what a perfect romance!

Click to read more ...

Holiday Gift Guide: part 1

OMG, can you believe it's November already? I certainly can't. Time is flying by so fast and before we know it, the Holiday Season is upon us. I don't like rushing into things, but I hate to partake in the last minute shopping frenzy that comes with this time of year. I think the secret is in the planning, especially when our list tends to get bigger and bigger every year. So I decided to give you a head start by sharing my first Annual Gift Guide starting today.

Click to read more ...

Trick or Treat

My dear friends,
I want to take this festive day to sincerely thank you for your devout readership and for making the TheDesignerPad's first couple of months a complete success. I hope you're finding it exciting and inspiring — and you enjoy reading it. I'm absolutely having loads of fun gathering the best and most innovative treats out there in the design stratosphere to share with you all. Have a safe and spooky Halloween — and a handful of sweets, from me to you!

Artwork design ©TheDesignerPad

Who's there?

Aren't these adorable? What a fab way to add some whimsy to your entrance door. These fun peephole covers are the perfect disguise for such boring-looking piece of hardware. And on top of it, they're made out of birch wood from sustainably managed forests, making them a great eco-friendly product. I'm sure they'll put a huge happy smile on all those guests knocking at your door.

Click to read more ...

Contain yourself

Some of the massive freight containers that pollute our landscape every time we drive by any of our country's many ports, are now seeing better days. They're being recycled into very affordable and innovative living spaces. Container architecture is becoming a hot trend. From having a lonesome purpose in life, these dreadful steel boxes are now becoming small homes, vacation cabins, business and even multi-unit buildings. It's an eco-friendly and a very flexible option to build.

Click to read more ...

Now you see it, now you don't

People are living in smaller and smaller spaces, especially here in the Big Apple where square footage is a luxury. Most New Yorkers live in very small apartments and have to be extremely creative to make their space work for them — especially those living in studios. Having guests is a sure thing for those of us living in Gotham, but having a guest room is not often a option. This is why we always have to be in the lookout for smart solutions that will make our lives a little easier

Click to read more ...