Makr

Having been an avid fan of Makr Carry Goods for a while, now seems like the perfect time for shameless praise. My appreciation for Makr stems from their apparent guiding philosophy of craftsmanship and calculated style. What strikes me most is that while their line-up can at times seems random - tote bags, bar stools, house keys - there is a very apparent and very cohesive theme of old-world craft and timelessness. To put put bluntly, I picture them asking themselves not "Can we make this?," but rather, "What can we make well?" See their full collection at Makr Cary Goods.

I would also highly encourage everybody to become a devout follower of their blog: makr.com/blog/

Pila and Pilo

Debuting this week at the Milan Furniture Fair, a table and chair duo from Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Magis. In tune with their reputation of charming minimalism, these pieces approach the lowest common denominator in contemporary furniture design. A little bit mechanical, a little bit warm, the overall impression is of efficiency - both aesthetically and conceptually. More at Dezeen.

A Farmhouse Reborn

The genius behind this charmingly disorienting home, you ask? Copywriter turned recreational contractor, Tom Givone. Adhering to a design philosophy of "add[ing] by taking away," Givone slowly but surely transformed a locally infamous 200 year old farmhouse in upsate New York, into a museum-like environment of old and new. I'm particularly fond of the exposed shingles against the planar white ceiling. Read more at Dwell.

Olaf Hajek

Discovered on The Selby, the home of German-born, England-residing illustrator Olaf Hajek. Not a lot to say, just wanted to share this peek into a calmly creative space. More at The Selby. See also Olaf Hajek.

A Barcelona Home

From Barcelona-based architects Benedetta Tagliabue and her husband, the late, Enric Miralles, this 19th-century building was given new life as the couples own home. Purchased in a state of neglect, the designers sought to and succeeded in preserving the buildings precious historical details, while skillfully juxtaposing their own identity into the design. Intricate patterns, old and new, are a theme throughout the home. Bright white rooms are highlighted with touches of centuries-old wood and tile. As a whole, the home projects the cultural history of the city. For more, visit Dwell.

Small House

From Japan's Junpei Nousaku Arhcitects comes this this single family residence in Tokyo. Rather than treat the home as a refuge from the neighborhood, the designers sought to embrace the streetscape around them. Something akin to living in a storefront, the living area sits intimately faces the street, separated only by broad planes of glass. While small in footprint, the home's height and its semi-enclosed loft spaces allow for the feeling of voluminous space. More at Design Boom.