Dorothy Alon is the founder of prominent Los Angeles-based design firm, Sophea Interior Designs. Dorothy has previously explained what sets her firm apart from other firms in the industry. Sophea Interior Designs is an all-encompassing firm with a holistic approach an exceptional attention to detail. Recently, Dorothy took time from her busy schedule to discuss modern design with Haute Design. What is modern design, anyway? Dorothy provided her fascinating perspective on this and more.

Haute Design: Does modern design equate to minimal design? If not, why do you feel so many people think out does?

Dorothy Alon: To each their own. As with everything in design, each person will have their own conception of what modern entails. Minimalism originated in the midcentury as a result of the Bauhaus movement, where less became more. Through the years, I think people started to want to care for less. So fast forward to the 2000s, and particularly toward the past 15 years or so, things changed drastically as far as construction is concerned. There are more metals involved, engineering has drastically advanced, and in turn, become more complex and we are now able to create far greater expanses and openings. This leads to larger windows and doors.

Construction has plenty to do with it because now, architects are able to plan way beyond their dreams in comparison to the past, where supplies and techniques were much more limited. So due to advances in construction, the exteriors of these houses are almost completely made of metal and iron. This allows architects to create openings of 20 to 30 feet.

Photo Credit: Sophea Interior Designs

Additionally, the contribution of television and social media cannot be overlooked. Clients used to come to you with maybe two or three reference images, whereas these days, they have 30 images at the ready because they see these pictures from all around the world and they want that openness and that space.

However, with that openness and the lack of walls, comes plenty of issues. Most of the issues come in the form of storage. Because now, your home does not have walls, it has no room for shelves or places to hang your art. Back in the day, your kitchen would be hidden and with it, any mess you created would go unnoticed by any guests you may have. Now, your kitchen is open for all to see in the living room. So, it's difficult to host if you have a family because everything is exposed. So, not everything that came as a result of this modern design was necessarily positive.

Clients who come from traditional homes to modern homes run into problems all the time. If you collect art for example, no we need to start discussing how to hang your pieces from hooks and all of these elaborate systems because your new home is all window. This is not to say that there aren't solutions to these problems, but most clients do not even consider this beforehand.

Photo Credit: Sophea Interior Designs

HD: Do you think the average conception of a modern homes has changed, especially after considering all of our relationships with our living spaces over the past year and a half?

DA: If anything, I think most people realized they don't need that much. People have learned to make their spaces accommodate to their lifestyles rather than the other way around. For the most part, when clients say modern, they are thinking of an open floor plan and clean lines. And yet, most clients ask for a 'warm modern.' Because a minimalist home, does not feel like 'home' to most people. So, they do not necessarily want a modern home. Because if the exterior is this shell of a minimal, Bauhaus home, but the inside has traditional furniture, with stucco, and curved and cozy furniture, it's not a cohesive idea. The inside has to communicate with the outside. It's all about feeling.

HD: Is there such a thing as a timeless home?

DA: When you say timeless, I believe you mean classic. It's something I tell my clients every time, when talking about exteriors, "Go for the classic." To me, classic is comprised of anything from the beginning of the 20th century, until the '80s or '90s. Classics will still look great 20, 30 years from now, but more importantly, they work. All of these design homes from the past century, they might be updated with new colors and textures, but their shape remains the same, because it works.

Photo Credit: Sophea Interior Designs

The post Dorothy Alon Explains Why You Might Want To Reconsider Minimalist Design appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

FIESP Building, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha passed away Sunday, May 23rd at the age of 92. Mendes da Rocha died in a Sao Paulo hospital of lung cancer.

The highly-awarded architect is seen by many as one of the greatest Brazilian architects, coming second only to Oscar Niemeyer.

Born in 1928, Mendes da Rocha was part of an iconic generation of modernists and was globally regarded as a major architect despite having rarely built anything outside of his native Brazil.

Pinacoteca Sao Paulo

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The Paulista School of Brazilian architecture, which he was part of, was generally characterized by exposed reinforced concrete, large open spaces, and rational structures. Mendes da Rocha's propensity to work with large expanses of raw concrete led to many associations with Brazilian brutalism, which the late architect did not care for.

Among Mendes da Rocha's greatest works are the Museum of Contemporary Art at the University of Sao Paulo and the Athletic Club of Sao Paulo.

Pinacoteca Interior

Photo Credit: Shutter Stock

Mendes da Rocha's work was duly noted and lauded throughout the world. Notably, he won the Mies van Der Rohe Award for Latin America for his renovation of the State Museum of Sao Paulo in 2001 and the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2006.

The post Legendary Brazilian Architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha Passes Away appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Eco-Style interior design is the perfect alternative for someone who values being in nature and environmentally friendly. Walking barefoot on a wooden floor and breathing plants and flowers on your balcony is the gist behind the eco-style interior design, which has the purpose of building an earthy environment that promotes relaxation and comfort. 

At the same time this style reinforces the use of natural components, it also praises the careful use of energy and resources, such as solar panels and a smart home system, which saves gas, electricity, and water. Eco-style supports minimalism and the idea of using natural materials that can be recycled and reused. 

A way to accomplish an eco-style home is to use lots of plants. If you live in a big country house, then planting a vegetable garden, setting up greenhouses, building a pond, and including plant vases inside your house is a good method. If you live in an apartment, the idea of an eco-home can seem challenging, however, great ways to adhere to the style is to plant a vegetable garden on the windowsill, using pots and the right lighting and temperature, or using decorative touches that match the style, such as a florarium or making a plant frame for a mirror to decorate your walls. You can also arrange a green balcony, by hanging pots of plants over your head, including lots of flowers, and enjoying your weekend morning coffee in the shade of plants at a small wooden table. 

Another important element of the eco-style is a natural color palette. To bring about an atmosphere filled with light and air, it is ideal to paint the walls white or pastel colors. The spaces should have a big amount of natural light, as well as shades of yellow, blue, green, and brown. This style also uses wood for flooring and furniture, stone, cork, terracotta, ceramics, glass, and paper as decoration attributes. 

 For an eco-style design, the environmental impact of a product should be assessed through its entire life cycle, including extraction, production, transportation, and disposal. Materials that renew quickly can be a good option, such as bamboo or cork. The materials should not only be safe for the environment but also for humans. It should have a minimum content of toxic substances and zero toxic emissions of compounds that can harm your health. 

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Minimalism in interior design is about clarity and a sense of zen, but all too often we get hung up on minimal texture and minimal color. The best spaces are the ones that take risks and in this living room, we dared to let a few knockout pieces stand for themselves. We grounded the space with natural elements while infusing a rich color palette with soft, luxurious texture.

This one-of-a-kind sofa was found in a warehouse buried under bolts of fabric and lovingly named, Giuseppe. Covered in a Ralph Lauren crushed velvet, its chesterfield style paired with mid-century modern legs is the epitome of luxe and sophistication. It softens the cold stone of the magnum fireplace yet stands strong on its own. No throw pillows necessary.

Photo Credit: John Friedrich

The unique tree sculpture next to the sofa was actually a fallen tree at one point that was stripped and charred and now repurposed as natural art, adding intrigue, texture, and warmth. The way it stands formidable and opposite the fireplace is an irony that deepens the character of the space.

We wanted textural window treatments, but for this application, we chose to think outside the box. Whenever you do something unexpected in interior design you breathe life into the space, giving it a pulse as this creates a sense of safety and desire. We cut thousands of strips of carpet binding and knotted them onto a galvanized pipe that acted as our curtain rod. The result is a stellar covering that filters the light and blends with the walls so naturally, you get the feeling you’re under a weeping willow tree. Pair that with the silk rug and oversized art and you are left with a calming, luxurious space evoking a personality all its own.

Photo Credit: John Friedrich

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