This impressive house, situated in Sao Paulo was designed and built by Fernanda Marques Arquitetos. Occupying 250 square metres, the objective to create a seamless transition between the interior and nature was met, as was the owners' idea of perfect architecture: a country home with a nod to architect Mies van der Rohe. Stone schist was used throughout along with limestone floors and a combination of glass and steel. Exterior living was equally as important to the owners, with a deck, nearly the same size as the house, surrounding the interior. Inside, the furnishings have a mid-century/ modernist appeal, with furniture pieces from many of the greats including Oscar Niemeyer's Lounge chair. Likewise, glass objects by coveted designer Jeff Zimmerman can be found lining the bookcases. A stunning execution from the architecture right down to the soft furnishings.

For more work by this architect go here.

One of our own Design Folio incubator designers, Jonathon Logan is the 2011 winner of the Australian Launch Pad design initiative. Promoting the support and development of Australian product design , Launch Pad holds an annual competition in which emerging designers can submit their products for consideration. With over 100 entrants, the accolade is a huge recognition of original and innovative design work, with the prize offering huge support in the development of the recipient's current and future design intentions.

Jonathon won with his 'de Sade' table, which was exhibited late last year at our Design Folio Incubator exhibition. The de Sade table comprises of 25 individually turned table legs,  and finished with a slick high gloss black finish. Embracing eroticism in the context of furniture, Jonathon Logan's designs have surrealist undertones with striking outcomes.

Jonathon moved to Sydney earlier this year to focus on his furniture design and says that winning the award is hugely reassuring and encouraging of his future design intentions.

"Launchpad is a really fantastic design initiative, open to unseasoned Australian / NZ designers. It was astounding to be recognised from such a well established judging panel amongst the diverse and well crafted host of designers."

Jonathon plans to continue with theoretical and practical discourse than has evolved within his work, reflecting an undercurrent theme of the 'tension of opposites'.

We are extremely proud of Jonathon and look forward to seeing what is next on the horizon for this talented designer.

Story by Louisa Penney

Japanese design studio Nendo's recent Thin Black Lines collection of furniture is now on display as part of their solo exhibition at the Taiwanese government-sponsored National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute. The exhibition space aptly illustrates their objective of creating 'active black on white' with carefully sketched illustrations lining the floor in a psychedelic state. They explain:

The drawings on the floor flow like river water around the exhibition stands.
‘Dancing Squares’ is a collection based on the concept of ‘active white’,
so we wanted a space that expressed the idea of ‘still black on white’.
Our room-sized sketch, affixed to walls and floor, uses a fish-eye lens-like effect
as though viewers are seeing it through a tiny water drop.

For more information on this exhibition go here.

Industrial designer Giha Woo had found a way to discreetly incorporate a reading lamp into a slick chair design. Titled Hidden Light, the light sits unannounced at the top of the chair, and can be swiveled into place and turned on when needed. It's very rare to see two necessary design pieces incorporated successfully into one, it really is multi-purpose design operating at its best.

The Millbrook house designed by Thomas Phifer architects is situated in Millbrook, New York. Set on a 200 acre site, the house maximises its spacious position by employing discreet geometric structures that complement its idyllic countryside setting. The main structure, a cantilevered weathering-steel box, hovers elegantly above the car park, whilst elsewhere in the structure, a glass pavilion flows out seamlessly to the lawn. The living space which combines the kitchen and dining areas, is dressed with classic furniture and floor to ceiling windows. The bedrooms face east for the morning sun with their own respective bamboo gardens out to the fields beyond.

We've just sent our biggest and most coveted September Issue (Spring/Summer) of Design Folio to the printer. To celebrate, we're giving something back to our fans with the chance to win one of 50 preview copies straight off the press. To enter, all you need to do is:

1. Like our Facebook page
2. Post one of your favourite stories from designfolio.co.nz on our .

And we'll put you in the draw! 

a. LetterMPress APP simulates the joys and pains of Letterpress printing [Fast Co]
b. Change the record by Paul Cocksedge [Dezeen]
c. Appuru Pal's photo stream on Flickr showcases photographic long exposures at their best [Flickr]
d. Speculation over what Pittsburgh architecture will be featured in Batman [Media Bistro]
e. Rowing and canoeing centre by Estudio de Arquitectura [Daily Icon]

We are excited about adding a little more sparkle to our kitchens with the soon-to-be-released Grohe Blue Chilled & Sparkling water filter system. Taking water to the next level, the system not only chills and filters the water but also offers two levels of carbonation. Still, semi-sparkling or carbonated? By turning the three-step handle on the left of the faucet you can select chilled and filtered water, with the level of effervescence perfectly tuned to your palate.
We are yet to confirm the date the product will be available in New Zealand, but it will be later this year from Paterson. In the meantime, we suggest you pop on by to the new D’Arc Paterson showroom in Mt Eden, which features their leading brands Grohe, Villeroy & Boch and Keuco.

Grohe is available locally from Paterson here

This house, which pays homage to the style of Richard Neutra sits proudly in Mexico by architects Parque Humano. The AA house, was designed as a man-made pavilion so that the owners could observe and live in close proximity to nature. The L-shaped structure of the house utilises modernism's presiding aesthetic, whilst keeping the house enormously functional. All the rooms are centered around the central living areas, and back onto an adjacent courtyard and swimming pool. Floor to ceiling glass windows flank most rooms, enabling the interior and exterior of the home to seamlessly integrate, whilst brick is utilised throughout to provide insulation in winter, and protection from the intense high summer temperatures. The soft wooden tones of the interior enable this house to feel light and airy, maximizing its spacious interior.

Budapest born designer and winner of this year's ICFF award, Gabriella Asztalos has designed the Hug chair. It's circular form provides a perfect hideaway designed for intimacy, with its two seats, which sit side by side, conducive to conversation. With a walnut-wood outer layer, and leather padded seats, it's the perfect balance between form and function.

Asztalos explains her design and choice of name for the chair:

A unique uni-body circular structure connects both seats together allowing two people to sit face-to-face and thus creating an immediate intimate interaction.Through this physical connection, you feel socially and emotionally connected with the person sitting on the opposite side. The upper “half-pipe” which bends above the heads creates a highway of thoughts and a chain of emotions. In this way you are interconnected within the same circle and the focus is always on the other person, exactly what a hug is about.