Daniella Siegel Daniella Siegel

AMOO Studio, Barcelona

I always come back to Spain for inspiration. Barcelona architect duo Aureli Mora and Omar Ornaque of AMOO Studio do amazing things with color, angles, and mirrors.

BORRELL:

CALÀBRIA:

OMG BCN 2:

PROVIDÈNCIA:

THE VILLA (vermouth bar):

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Daniella Siegel Daniella Siegel

Notes on Air Conditioning Systems

Shimon Alperet of Avoda Tova ran a great seminar for interior designers yesterday on types of air conditioning systems. A few notes:

Types of Air Conditioning Systems

Models aside, there are two ways an air conditioner can work:

  1. ON/OFF - Always runs at full power; when it reaches the desired temperature, it turns off, then back on again when temperature changes; makes air dry; energy bills are much higher; loud; unit is cheaper than inverter

  2. INVERTER - Compressor does not run at full power, rather keeps working at a lower intensity; maintains desired room temperature; lower energy bills (by 30-50%); at times better left on and running than constantly powered on and off; quieter; unit is more expensive

If you plan on using your AC a lot (like we do in Israel), the inverter technology may be the best investment for the long haul.

If you opt for ON/OFF, you can choose to install:

  • Individual units in every room, or

  • Central air conditioner (mini mercazi), which will send air to every room from a central unit; cannot adjust temperature per room

If you opt for an INVERTER system, you can choose between:

  • Single - One outdoor unit connected to one indoor unit (for targeted air in a single room)

  • Multi - One outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units; each indoor unit can be run independently; saves space outdoors; energy efficient; each indoor unit must be connected to the outdoor unit with cables / piping / tzinorot

  • VRF (variable refrigerant flow) - Each room’s temperature can be controlled individually and precisely, with one main unit outside; ductless — no tzinorot need to be funneled outside to the main unit, so nothing gets in the way of the air; saves space structurally; works well with long distances / large spaces; expensive

Types of Vents

Decor vents (image source)

  • Decor - Older vent model; more affordable; can come in any size you want

  • Slot - Typically two or three air passageways that create a modern, streamlined look; can result in some excess air waste, but often a go-to for designers for aesthetic reasons

Slot vents (image source)

Rona vents (image source)

  • Rona - A thin line on the ceiling, about twice the price of slots

  • Jettim - Circular jets for moving air efficiently in large, high-ceilinged spaces

Jettim vents (image source)

Tips

  • Who makes the nicest vent solutions (and most expensive, about 3x): OpenArt

  • Make sure your air conditioner technician properly accounts for avir chozer (return air); return ducts bring air that has been warmed or cooled back to your main unit (source).

    • One designer told the story of a technician who did not account for avir chozer properly and a giant gust of air prevented a door from being closed.

    • Ideally, return air ducts can be passed right underneath or next to the main air ducts within the drywall.

    • Consider leaving at least 10cm of space behind your kitchen cabinets for avir chozer to run through.

    • One designer said she always makes her 60cm-deep kitchen cabinets 80cm out to align with standard refrigerators that would otherwise stick out — those remaining 20cm in back work great for funneling out avir chozer.

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Daniella Siegel Daniella Siegel

Hunting: Coffee & Side Tables

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Daniella Siegel Daniella Siegel

Photographer Alice Gao

At some point before I knew who Alice Gao was, her Instagram went viral and she approached 1M followers. Her still life and interior photography, composed and lit to perfection, are as hypnotizing as her documentary-style Instastories of the New York high life. Enjoy the ride.

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Daniella Siegel Daniella Siegel

Sarah Sherman Samuel’s Michigan Home

I’ve been following Sarah Sherman Samuel for nearly a decade as she designed her own homes in Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Now based in Michigan with high-profile clients across the US, she calls her style “artful modern” and has made her family this woodland retreat to call home.

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Daniella Siegel Daniella Siegel

IKEA Hack: Placemat Wall Decor

I’m making some affordable art for a client’s gallery wall. This ₪9 ($3) Mittbit placemat from IKEA fits her color scheme perfectly, and I framed it with the 40x50cm Hovsta for ₪49 (~$15).

She also wants basket-style wall decor mixed in. Somehow basket wall art is simultaneously ubiquitous and tough to find at a low price point. Instead we’ll use some more IKEA placemats, including one that I painted with some leftover pink paint from the samples I used on Talia’s wall.

It’s a subtle accent on the ₪9 Sluten placemat.

We may also incorporate the ₪19 Soare, ₪29 Ihallig, and ₪19 Lattad. The project is in progress — more to come.

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Daniella Siegel Daniella Siegel

Talia’s Room

Earlier this year I shared Talia’s in-progress bedroom and plans for updates. Since then I’ve painted her walls pink and added a green mountain mural.

Her room before.

Testing pinks. Ended up going with Tambour’s Baked Alaska (top right).

First coat of green mountains in Tambour’s Green Maiden.

The end result.

This side of the room is still a bit rinky-dink and I may edit the scale of the mountains, but it’s fine for now.

This view I’m happy with. It has the wonderland feel I was going for.

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