9 Digital And Physical Publications To Satisfy Your Crazy, Stupid, Love For Architecture
When do you know you’ve grown up and you’ve finally become an adult? The answer is simple: When architecture and interior design give you that satisfactory feeling of completeness and tranquillity that a finished Mandala once gave you as a child. That, my friend, is when you know..you’re adulting.
Having been locked up in the same four white walls since quarantine started, and looking at the same white desk and the same orange armchair I decided to do what any sane Bocconi student would do mid-exam season: re-design my entire room. Now that my project is completed, I thought it might be helpful for the rest of you out there debating whether you should do what I did, if I shared my hottest tips on websites, YouTube channels, and stores with you. So, my fellow quarantined, furniture-addicted, home-lovers, welcome to an aesthetically pleasing architectural catalog.
1. Architectural Digest (YouTube, Website, and Instagram)
Image via Architectural Digest
For anyone that is not familiar with the AD website or YouTube channel, that features the rich and fabulous, you should change that ASAP! Architectural Digest is impeccably talented in designing high-end interior architectural masterpieces, exploring various styles and techniques, and of course, discussing contemporary and modern twists on classical architecture. My personal favorite is their YouTube channel since I spend hours stalking celebrities’ homes!
2. Living Big In A Tiny House (YouTube)
“Living Big In A Tiny House” is a Youtube show by Bryce Langston, and it features a whole new approach to minimalism. Super interesting and fun design ideas centering around small space design. Basically a perfect watch if you are interested in maximizing your living space by creating efficient storage opportunities. After watching this you are guaranteed to look at your home in an entirely different light.
3. Westwing Group (Online Shop & Website)
Are you on the lookout for super chic and affordable furniture? Westwing is the place to go. With the most amazing sales and design ideas, it is definitely heaven for those in search of items matching its interior styles. It is very youthful and modern and the perfect online shop if you are searching for that certain wow factor.
4. Maisons du Monde (Furniture Online Shop)
Although a bit more expensive than my previous suggestion, Maisons du Monde has fantastic furniture. This is the kind of furniture you would put in your apartment when you start your first well-paid job and can afford more than your typical IKEA Kallax shelves.
5. Taschen (Books)
Image via EAMES by Taschen
Some of my favorites include EAMES, Interiors Now, The “Living In” Series, and Green Architecture. If you find interior design and architecture fascinating these books will explain different techniques, historical facts, and heritage as well as the process behind the development of iconic furniture, in a lot more depth than most blogs will. Taschen will forever be my favorite publisher and although these books make coffee-table books, and are not read that often, they are still definitely worth the occasional investment.
6. The Basics (IKEA & Zara Home Websites)
Whoever said cheap cannot be great did not know what he (or she) was talking about. Both IKEA and Zara Home are great at allowing students on a low budget to live in style. And their fun design ideas displayed on their websites make it much easier to buy their products since they allow you to envision how they would look in your space — or how you should “style” them. They will forever have a dear spot in our hearts.
7. Stay Here (Netflix)
This list would not be complete without a reality re-design TV show. This is a show that you watch when you do not want to think. It shows clean and affordable, cool, and chic trends using a lot of whites and “ocean-feeling” designs. I would not recommend this if you are looking for a life-changing tv show, but it is definitely a fun watch and makes for a great “playing-in-the-background-while-I-do-other-things” show.
8. The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes (Netflix)
This TV show focuses on architecture scurrility. It explores the most fascinating homes and architectural masterpieces in the world. This is definitely a show that highlights how architecture is a form of art and how great design can manifest itself based on one tiny initial idea.
9. Stiltje.se (Instagram)
This Instagram page is simply just very beautiful. Although it mostly showcases designs you would never have in your own home, their aspirational character and perfection make them incredibly fascinating to look at. This page has great and crazy ideas matched with beautiful motifs that, to me, demonstrate a deep love for interior design. It is definitely worth checking out.
4,520 Likes, 7 Comments - Pamela Moell Stiltje (@stiltje.se) on Instagram: "Classic never goes out of style. . . . . ...."