"Deluxe Private Fortress" [Zagreb, Croatia] Design Home Game Challenge

Today, our DH clients (both artists), who live in Zagreb, Croatia, have challenged us to design a modern styled living room for their ultra-modern villa that they consider to be “a dynamic, living canvas” of bright white walls. Well, to produce this design, we first need to do some research on this country and its culture, especially if you have no knowledge of this country.

Image from find-croatia.com.  Adriatic Sea.  Web. 23 Mar 2017.

Croatia is a coastal European country that borders the upper coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Zagreb, its small capital city, has recently experienced a boom in destination attraction appeal. In fact, Travel and Leisure magazine named Zagreb as one of the “Best Places to Travel in 2016" ranking it 29th of the 50 destinations that made the list.

Image from Navigator Tourist and Real Estate Agency. Zagreb City: Zagreb Walking Tour.Web.  Retrieved 22 Mar 2017.

The streets of Zagreb are aligned with captivating 18th and 19th century Austro-Hungarian architecture that promotes a vibrant culture and lifestyle of art, museums, quaint shops and bistros, open-air markets, parks, lakes, and much more.

Image from e-architect. Family House J20, Zagreb. Web. Retrieved 22 Mar 2017.

A Google search of “interior designer Zagreb, Croatia” generated a load of images showing the design styles that are trending in this region of the world. Many of the images suggest a culture preferencing a sleek and modern design aesthetic. My search for design inspiration led me to an image on e-architect website, which features an ultra-modern Croatian home in a modern décor style: one which requires the designer to think in terms of keeping it “clean and simple,” void of too many embellishments, extra furniture, and too many vibrant colors. My favorite architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe said it best, “less is more,” when it comes to the modern style.

Screenshot image from Design Home Game

To create a modern style living room for this “Daily Challenge” (March 22, 2017), (which wasn't a winning design),  I went with simple curvelinear forms for the sitting area. The glass top of the round Noir Jaca Coffee Table promotes an open and airy space as does the three raised Noir Jazz Chairs. The reclining shape of the chairs invite guests to embrace the conversation at hand. The rounded shape is repeated in the Serena & Lily Moroccan Leather Pouf, which offers relaxing contrast with the neutral colors of the chairs and the 100% wool rug from the Loloi Venice Beach Collection. The CFC Jasmine Cabinet and Kathy Kuo Home Modern Classic Serge Gold Brown Sliding Door Cabinet are perfect compliments to this space: each offer simple lines and are raised, further promoting the modern aesthetic of openness. Finally, the DWR Tripod Floor Lamp is an iconic style from the mid-century design period.

A McKinly Ray Designer Spotlight

There were many beautiful designs submitted for this challenge, but most lacked the style of a modern designed living room, which is what the DH client requested.  I did find a few that met the design requirement and this one included many of the features of modern/mid-century design.  This DH player chose DWR's Pelican Chair designed by Finn Juhl in 1940.  Most of the furniture is raised off the floor, a typical feature of modern furniture.  Perhaps, a different rug with a more simple pattern, would have kept the overall integrity of the modern aesthetic.  But, another good choice in this design genre is the Apt2B Houston Storage Unit, which is truly mid-century.  And, in specifying the Kathy Kuo Home Tahla Basketweave Brown White Media Cabinet, this designer provided a plan that is sure to make our Croatian artists smile!.

SOURCES:

1. "Best Places to Travel in 2016." Travel and Leisure, http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-places-to-travel-in-2016/22. Web. Accessed 22 Mar 2017. 
2. "Family House J20, Zagreb: Croatia Residence." E-Architect, http://www.e-architect.co.uk/croatia/family-house-j20. Web. Accessed 22 Mar 2017. 
3. "Zagreb Walking Tour." Navigator Tourist and Real Estate Agency, http://www.navigator.hr/tours/zagreb-walking-tour/. Web. Accessed 22 Mar 2017. 
4. "Adriatic Sea." Find-Croatia, http://www.find-croatia.com/adriatic-sea/. Web. Accessed 22 Mar 2017. 

For more information on the featured brands and furnishings, click on the link, or call McKinly Ray Interiors at 281-627-0269. If you enjoy decorating and designing, you'll love the Design Home Game.

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