I haven't seen many of these concrete blocks around Sydney which is why it was nice to see them used both inside and out in the Tierney Watson house designed by Greg Natale in the latest issue of Belle magazine.
I think they give homes a retro, resort style feel and remind me of the entrance to the Parker in Palm Springs (middle), the indoor screen in a home designed by Philip Galanes that I have had bookmarked (bottom), mid-century architecture, the beach, sun, water, hammocks, lying by the pool, margaritas... please excuse me while I daydream.
(Top image: photography by Anson Smart, design by Greg Natale via Australian Design Review)
Love the look! I'm inspired to find ways to implement this in my home
ReplyDeletei didn't know those were called breeze blocks! so cool, they remind me of something from blanche's house on golden girls!
ReplyDeletexo
sami
www.aglimpseofglamour.com
Love the third pic.
ReplyDeleteWonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm always glad to see more use of concrete nowadays, in moderation, of course. Very strong, honest material, with natural allure.
Better than another glass wall/divider :)
Oh Viv, I love breeze blocks!! I get excited when someone else does too, as most people don't give the the time of day. They were used quite a lot in 70's houses and unit buildings in my city. How great is it that Greg has used them in such a glam setting.
ReplyDeleteIf you would like to see someone who is really passionate about concrete breeze blocks, please visit Uncle Jack's Very Vintage Vegas, he photographs every different style of breeze blocks, too funny:
http://veryvintagevegas.com/category/decorative-concrete-block-designs/
Jx
these are interesting - what is old is new again! they look FAB in white!! very 70's in look - remind me of tropical places like Miami, Gold Coast and Palm Springs, im sure if you delve into suburbia Sydney, you'll find a few of these around...
ReplyDeleteHave not seen these blocks in a while. They remind me of trips to the beach when I was a child. Good to see them!
ReplyDeleteI used these in m graduation project from architecture at uni & people though i was crazy :) I was just about to do a post on my local thai restaurant that has the as a fetaure wall! Ill post it tomorrow - love that bottom inage viv!!
ReplyDeletejulie - thanks for the link! PS: these concrete blocks would suit your home and style really well.
ReplyDeleteSal R-J - how funny! I told my mum I was writing a post about these blocks and she thought I was crazy too. I love them though. Look forward to your post.
We had a wall of these in our garden when I was growing up in the 1960's. They bring back lots of wonderful memories of family BBQs and parties held in front of that breeze block wall:)
ReplyDeleteOh Viv, I adore breeze blocks too! I mentioned to my husband that I'd love to add some in our garden as a feature wall and he threatened to called the guys in the little white van to come and take me away. We have a flat roofed house (in Canberra) that is a lovely little salute to mid-century architecture, so I think they'd fit in perfectly. They are so Palm Springs, I just feel like sipping on a martini by the poolside just looking at them. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHere is a great site to see several options. Might be able to find where to get them from there.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.us-concrete.com/products/masonry.asp
Very cool idea!
hello love,
ReplyDeleteCheck out these ecooler blocks on DesignBoom, plays on the breeze block idea and turns them into a eco friendly (apparently) cooling system. Me likey.
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/11746/ecooler-by-mey-boaz-kahn-iida-awards-2010-third-prize-winning-entry.html
Gorgeous! I never thought about using them indoors. It looks amazing! Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteFrom Bali With Love,
Anna
http://annaelizabethpoole.blogspot.com/
I have a very soft spot for breeze blocks and these images are brilliant! jx
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