Accordingtodina: Christoph Matthias in Dubai

Accordingtodina: Christoph Matthias in Dubai

Christoph Matthias in Dubai

This was situation- firstly 2 additional rooms, after labelling them as feature dining rooms, we realize that yhave to be private ones too... RM has a brain wave and indicates we could use timber slats on the entrance way... that would be amazing!- i agree and do a visual with the flying man!I feel no-one is convinced,but i think it will work, me and RM agree!
Well, now for the interiors and its finishes. I go through the mood board, RM is unhappy at the whole process going haywire, but helps in technical details. Now to convince the client of the interior mood, I see a part of a very interesting image and decide on the interior facade. Get a go ahead from RR and bang on..we have both the room designs. DD now proposes materials, we get a small sample made.. Everything seems so interesting while on a project..what a drive..and what a team!!! Soon after, me and DD browse through lights.that is when i see these brilliant, flame like pendants..My stomach churns...I just feel this would be ideal...thoughts of cost,availability,finish,suspension(the room did not have a ceiling!) cross my mind...but it just feels right..so what do you do then??? Answer is simple- USE IT! *evil laugh* And we did..everyone questioned it- even the client(the rate was a lil steep) but then...we were sure it would look amazing...
These are the memories while designing the CHI ZEN at the Dubai festival city...Lovely team...lovely realisation.. i still want a few more things added..some things done differently..but I like what I see..Do you want to see how it looked???? Here is the room..and there you see the pendant used..isnt it beautiful..Do visit their link of fb for more images!

We fought for the light till the end... and even used it (though just one) in the private dining at their latest venue at the Chi Zen MOE...(The client still thought this light was too expensive..) But you tell me...isnt it worth it? Just look at the way its glows, It reminds me of the symbolic expression of our soul...untameable...unleashing its desires...beautiful!

This is a creation by Christoph Matthias-Litchenfest. I wrote to him and sent him images when the site was done. An artist and his work must be appreciated! We used the gold plated one, but this also comes in copper and in white.

Moving Forward- I visited the 100 objects of desire event organised by the commercial interior design in Dubai. They had almost all my favourites, missing a few like this one, but then hey- you can have it all can ya? Click over the link above and enjoy...Happy designing...do let me know if you've used this or seen it anywhere else!Have an awesome week ahead!!!

Design Feature-FLW

Today, We must all thank Architect Frank Lloyd Wright for what he has gifted us- Organic architecture. He has been famous for many other works, amounting to 500, but the gift of nature, specially today,where we are still learning to preserve nature's resources, its application in architecture is what we must learn from the Legend.

For all you non -art/architecture enthusiasts- Frank lloyd wright(june 8th 1967-April 9th 1959) is the Father of Modern Architecture. His interests doesnt stop at architecture, but at interiors, art - he was a writer and an educator as well.

The image below is of his most famous work:The FALLING WATER.

You can read more about Falling water here

For architects and designers, He is one of the most famous architects of all time. Did you know that he was the inspiration for Ayn Rand's FOUNTAIN HEAD, Howard Roark was FLW himself?, I got to see the movie version and the designs and drawings are reminiscent of FLW's work.

As an architecture student, i always wanted to imitate his style, Im not sure how far i got, but then according to me,I believe that his love for Organic architecture began unknowingly- The forms he chose was very close to the art he chose from Japanese artists. Known to deal in art and interiors while doing his homes, he had a strong liking towards Japanese architecture, which is very close to nature in everysense!
Wright's desire to amalgamate man and nature is definitely inspired by the japanses style. Hence the term organic architecture was coined by Wright, in his writings.
The other kinds and types of work by FLW are mentionable, but i would like this to just be a part of the very many series of his design and its evolution, which i would want to emulate through my blog.
His usonian houses, Prairie houses, work with mentor Louis Sullivan are all interesting, but my love for Organic architecture surpasses all the rest.

In a nutshell, Organic architecture :

• Organic architecture has to be sustainable, healthy,conserving and diverse.
  Unfold like an organism from its seed within


• Exist in continuos present and begin again and again


• follow the flows and be flesxible and adaptable


• satisfy local,spiritual and physical needs


• Grow out of site and be unique


• celebrate the spirit of youth, play and surprise


• express the rhythm of music and the power of dance!

What an inspiration! But I must say he remains Forgotten, Would architects, builders,land owners think of sutainability until and unless imposed on them? I wonder how many buildings in Dubai are built keeping the natural landscape intact!I cannot recall of anything I've seen that blends with the desert's natural landscape other than the Army vehicles on the roads of Abu Dhabi!
Sustainabilty is definitely the way forward,Its amazing how the greatest architect of all times lead us to it with Organic architecture!Has any structure here in the UAE been able to apply the aforementioned rules of Organic architecture?
The hunt is on....

Summer's Minty Mango

I have just realised that My design wing is slightly abandoned at this point in time. I reckon that its because while i design, i refuse to write about it, I do have a few more famous designers to feature, though it will have to be my next post, as these are dedicated to the MANGOES in this season
Mangoes are very dear to me, back at home, at the start of summers we would relish every type of them, be it badami, alphonso, totapuri,malgova the names and types being endless..
But slowly as the watermelon and other fruits roll in, mangoes take a backseat and then Mom would literally find innovative ways of feeding us mangoes, Mango ice cream, sorbet, Mango puliserry, mango pickle, mango jam, mango squash,mango pulp etc again a long list!
This is a drink we invented at home, and we call it-
Minty Mangoes
2 whole ripe mangoes peeled and pulped(do not strain)
2 oranges

small bunch of mint leaves
1tbspn honey(optional)
Spoon in the mango pulp into 4 glasses and leave them in the freezer. squeeze the oranges, crush mint and blend them in a blender , i also crush them togethr with a mint crusher and mix them well(tedious,but a decent work out)add honey if you feel the oranges are sour.Strain them into the glasses with the mango pulp out from the freezer .Garnish with mint leaves and a tiny dollop of whipped cream.

refrigerate for an hour before serving.Makes 4 glasses.

Sinful Brownies

Loads happening, but first and foremost, I must thank Rajani mani for introducing me to the "Famished in Arabia" gang on facebook and Arva for the very warm welcome. I feel truly honoured. Seeing so many of you active, with the most amazing blogs and recipes, Im completely in awe! Really excited to be a part of a very beautiful group, these brownies are dedicated to them!
I have finally joined a photography course and loving every minute of it! YAY! I have also promised myself that i will take photos of all the food i blog.. thats a really tough one, as Im not really great with the camera, but Im learning, Except the Tiramisu, I am proud of all the photos I have clicked.
This is something you can cook up on a very busy party planning day, and everybody will be eating off your fingers/plates. I have made this a couple of times, and promised to share the recipe, but never got the time to, so why not share it in here and send the link to all those friends of mine! you can never go wrong with it, so first time bakers...this is a MUST TRY!
Ingredients:
4 ounce of unsalted butter
8 ounce of semi sweet chocolate chips
7 ounce of demerera sugar
1 pinch of salt

1tspn vanilla essence

2 eggs

1 1/2 ounce plain flour

5 ounce coarsley chopped toasted almonds
(I ounce = 28gms)
Method:
Preheat oven to 160 degree celcius(gas mark 1 in mine) line the base and sides of a 20cm square tin with parchment. Melt butter and chocolate chips over a double boiler(simmering water in a pan beneath and a heatproof bowl over it) or microwave in low heat. once melted, stir in to blend butter and chocolate together, and then add sugar, salt and vanilla. Remove from heat,Beat eggs in ( when slightly cool) one by one and then the flour and half the almonds.

When the batter is smooth and homogenous, pour into tin and sprinkle the rest of the almonds. Bake for 30-40 mins.Cool tin for 25 mins before cutting them to squares.
Serve warm with cold vanilla icecream.

Prawns masala- the maharashtrian way.

Prawns Masala

This is my first Prawn recipe, and again, I have tried a healthy option to it. I love Prawns, specially when they are in a salad(one of the healthier options to any non vegetarian salad). Prawn curry has always been dear to my heart, as I believe that the Prawn has the unique quality of being tiniest in size, yet imparting the mightiest flavour!

I had this at a friend's place..Pols and her Mum, Mrs Jyoti Mhatre prepared it for us! Being a South Indian I always thought our ways of preparing Prawns were the best, but i was blown over by hers! I am not sure if this is the exact method, but the taste seemed to match! Mr Z does not like garam masala hence i have avoided it in here.

Do try this rich in flavour, low in calorie yummy prawns masala..the Maharashtrian way.

Ingredients:

Jumbo prawns- deviened anc cleaned 250 gms

Onions- 2 medium sized, finely chopped

Ginger- one tbspn chopped

Garlic -3 large cloves

Chilli Powder- 2 teaspoon or according to preferred spice level

Turmeric Powder- 1/4 teaspoon

Coriander Powder-1 teaspoon

Tomato -1 medium sized one, finely chopped

Potato- 1 medium sized, chopped thin

Oil- 2 Tspn (yes 2 teaspoon)

Mustard - 1/2 tspn

Coconut Milk (half cup or 1tbspn mixed in half cup of hot water)

Tamarind pulp- 1tbspn

Salt - to taste

Coriander to garnish

Method,

Clean the prawns and keep them aside.
In a non stick pan, heat the oil and sputter Mustard, saute onions till transparent, I add salt at this point coz i feel the onions and tomatos cook and blend better with the salt. Further, add the masala- chilli,turmeric and coriander , stir till flavours are aromatic, add tomatoes and stir. close lid and leave at low flame for 5 minutes. Add coconut milk and tamarind pulp and simmer at low flame. when smal bubbles begin to appear, add the chopped potatoes and after 10 minutes, add prawns. leave to cook for about 15 minutes at a medium heat, or until the potatoes and prawns are cooked. You made add hot water to the necessary consistency you require.Granish with chopped coriander leaves.

The key is that the potato and tomato must be tasted, not seen :)

Best served with steamed rice.