Oh baby! There’s nothing like a super hot and raunchy interior to rev up my design engine on a Monday morning. Vroom vroom!

By the way, I am on a bit of “old country” fire of late. First the Square Nine hotel in Belgrade a few days ago, and today the sizzling As Aperitivo bar and restaurant in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. This interior was recently remodelled by Slovenian design superstar Nika Zupanc in collaboration with Arhé d.o.o. architects. Nika is world renowned for her product design, however this was her first interior project – and I suspect, not the last.

 

 

So, where do I start? Let me see. I adore everything about this place. There is something Jamie Hayon-esque about the overall aesthetic (apart from his black Pina chairs for Magis used throughout the interior), although Nika’s signature style definitely shines through. This interior is sassy, flirty and sophisticated, beautifully balancing soft feminine forms with a rich masculine palette. I am completely in-love with cherry-shaped pendant lights hanging from the ceiling, which are part of Nika’s “La femme et la maison” collection from 2009, fabric “black mini-skirts” stretched around the credenza and bathroom basin for a sexy feminine touch and beautiful border detailing on terrazzo flooring. Extreme love!

 

Nika is an internationally acclaimed industrial and product designer who graduated Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana in 2000. After graduating, she started working as an independent designer and today she is a regular member of various design projects throughout the world including 100% Design and Designersblock in London, the Young Talent Show in Hong Kong, and Milan Satellite and SaloneDel Mobile. Her furniture has been produced by the likes of Moooi and Moroso. Yes, she is a super star. And also a major fox – it has to be said! (I may or may not have gone on about it in this Milan post from last  year.)

 

Go on, your turn. Tell me how much you love this place. Or am I alone on this one?


[Images via As Apertivio. Photography by Saša Hess.]



About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

15 Responses

  1. gavin

    Im with you too. Refreshing to see an interior that is truly unique and beautifully executed. Well spotted!

    Reply
  2. Anna

    It’s great, the cherry lights make me smile.

    I also really love that you’re showing projects outside of the London/New York/Paris triumvirate, I love being reminded that the world of design is bigger and more vital than that, it’s so much more exciting when the world is a bigger place.

    Reply
  3. natasa

    Hi, I did not know the place till this very moment and I am typing this from Ljubljana, Slovenia. I am urgent to see the place and enjoy the afternoon cocktail in its beauty. Thanks for posting this. xox

    Reply
  4. Anonymous

    […] aperitivo by zika zupanc (via) Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Published: 2012/04/03 Filed Under: bar […]

    Reply
  5. loueasy

    You forgot to mention that architecture and also interior was made by Matej Vozlič, all she did was basically choose the furniture.

    Reply

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