Eight of the world's most remarkable homes

The world is home to an incredible array of diverse buildings, with some standing out for their vibrant hues. This article explores 38 of the most colourful homes across the globe, showcasing how cultural, architectural, and social circumstances contribute to their striking appearances. From candy-striped huts in Portugal to hillside neighbourhoods in Mexico transformed with murals, these properties demonstrate that personality can be expressed boldly on the exterior of a home, not just within its interiors. Key examples include Zhengbin Fishing Port in Keelung, Taiwan, where 16 vibrantly-hued houses line the river bank, and Rainbow Row in Oklahoma City, USA, featuring six three-storey, candy-coloured homes designed by architect Sam Day. Indonesia's Kalisari Rainbow Village, or Kampung Pelangi, received a government-funded glow-up in 2017 to attract tourists, transforming buildings and bridges into multi-coloured murals. In New York, USA, artist Katwise and her partner transformed a rundown farm into a psychedelic wonderland with every colour imaginable, funding their renovations by making patchwork coats from old sweaters. The Bo-Kaap neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa, is known for its brightly painted houses, a tradition that began when freed enslaved people painted their homes in celebration after being allowed to purchase them. Jodhpur, India, is nicknamed the 'Blue City' due to its many blue homes, a colour believed to help keep interiors cool and deter termites. Italy’s Cinque Terre region features vividly decorated houses cascading down steep hillsides, where fishermen reportedly painted their homes in bright tones to spot them from sea. Las Palmitas in Pachuca, Mexico, saw a community project by the 'German Crew' transform a downtrodden area into a living art mural with rainbow-hued homes. Yves Saint Laurent’s Villa Oasis in Marrakesh, Morocco, is a vivid celebration of colour, Art Deco, and Moorish design. Poznań, Poland’s Old Market Square boasts Renaissance-style merchant houses, each unique with mismatched colours and patterns, rebuilt after World War II. Venezuela features old, traditional houses resembling abstract paintings, with strong colour pairings and bold lines. In Pattaya, Thailand, the Xanadu Beach Resort showcases elaborately painted accommodations. Burano, Italy, one of Venice's islands, is known for its rainbow-painted homes, a tradition thought to help fishermen locate their houses in the fog. Valparaíso, Chile, has houses painted with leftover ship paints, creating a vibrant, colourful town. Vienna, Austria, features the Hundertwasserhaus, an unusual apartment building designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, with an art-like quality and colourful exterior. Portland, Oregon’s Nob Hill neighbourhood is filled with historic Victorian and Craftsman homes painted in pretty hues. Singapore's Little India district is home to many bold structures, including a multicoloured, century-old Chinese villa. Ilulissat, Greenland, features brightly painted buildings where colours historically indicated function, and now serve as decoration. Guatapé, Colombia, is dubbed the world's most colourful town, with everything from doorways to balconies painted in eye-catching colours. London’s Primrose Hill and Notting Hill boast pastel-hued and brightly coloured terraced houses, respectively, with trends starting in the 1960s. Muizenberg, South Africa, has colourful bathing boxes along its beach. Caminito in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a street museum revitalized by artist Benito Quinquela Martín, featuring brightly hued houses. Varanasi, India, has chaotically structured, radiant houses on the Ganges, with colours reflecting Hindu symbolism. Tenerife, Spain, shows coastal houses painted in bold colours, likely to help fishermen see them from afar. Bristol, UK, is known for its vibrant buildings, with theories ranging from sailors' navigation aids to a mayor's influence. Innsbruck, Austria, features buildings painted in every imaginable shade against its mountain scenery. Stockholm, Sweden’s Stortorget public square showcases Renaissance-style buildings with uniquely painted façades. Getsemani in Cartagena, Colombia, highlights colourful colonial homes, reflecting its diverse cultural history. Diessenhofen, Switzerland, has adorable painted houses in its main street, thought to welcome visitors. Stykkisholmur, Iceland, and St. John's, Canada, feature unique, bright structures, with traditions rooted in individual expression and making homes visible in fog, respectively. Lüderitz, Namibia, displays colourful Art Nouveau buildings in a Bavarian style, a relic of its German colonial past. Finally, Istanbul, Turkey’s Balat district is recognized for its vibrant, historic wooden homes, and Costa Nova, Portugal, is famous for its candy-striped huts, originally built to shelter fishermen and later painted to attract tourists. #ColorfulHomes #Architecture #GlobalDesign #HomeExterior #TravelInspiration #CulturalHeritage #UrbanArt #VibrantCities #CoastalHomes

The article explores the increasing necessity of sustainable homes in response to global challenges such as the climate crisis, depletion of natural resources, aging populations, and rapid urbanization. It highlights the crucial role architects play in creating a positive future through innovative and sustainable design. Avi Friedman, author of "Future Homes: Sustainable Innovative Designs," emphasizes that sustainable thinking involves considering the future consequences of present actions. His book showcases a collection of homes that exemplify this forward-thinking approach, addressing diverse aspects of sustainability including environmental considerations, community integration, and aesthetic longevity. Friedman selected these homes based on their innovative sustainable responses to emerging social challenges, as well as their architectural appeal and clever design. The article then details seven exemplary sustainable homes from around the world. The first, SysHaus in São Paulo, Brazil, is a customizable prefabricated home designed by Arthur Casas. These homes utilize recyclable materials and offer optional features like green roofs, rainwater collection systems, solar panels, and biodigesters for waste-to-energy conversion. The second, Holmberg House in Belgrano, Argentina, features an innovative water delivery and circulation system integrated into its façade. This system, resembling a radiator, not only circulates water but also supports plant growth, creating beneficial microclimates. The third, Living Screen House in Sydney, Australia, incorporates a unique wood grid façade with windows and perforated metal panels, maximizing natural light for interior LED-lit green living walls. It also includes smart home systems for energy monitoring, solar panels, and an integrated water collection and reuse system. Limestone House in Melbourne, Australia, designed by John Wardle Architects, is the fourth example. This home adheres to rigorous Passivhaus and Living Building Challenge (LBC) standards through airtight construction, triple-glazed windows, and high-performing insulation, significantly reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. The fifth, Đai Kim House in Hanoi, Vietnam, focuses on maximizing ventilation and creating visual interest through its façade. This mass-customization approach aims to prevent architectural monotony and enhance occupants' sense of personalization. The sixth, Marmalade Lane Cohousing Project in Cambridge, UK, designed by Mole Architects, promotes a socially active and eco-friendly lifestyle. It offers modular dwelling units and shared common spaces, fostering a community dedicated to a sustainable social future. Finally, the article presents Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm, Sweden, a residential development designed to encourage alternative transportation methods. This community has achieved a largely car-free environment through strategic planning, including extensive public transportation access, wide, landscaped sidewalks, and close proximity between residential and commercial areas. These seven homes collectively illustrate the diverse and impactful ways architects are responding to contemporary challenges by integrating sustainability into their designs, creating functional, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally responsible living spaces worldwide. #SustainableHomes #SustainableDesign #Architecture #EnvironmentalDesign #EcoFriendlyHomes #GreenArchitecture #UrbanPlanning

This article offers a virtual tour of 14 spectacular homes belonging to renowned artists and architects around the world. These residences, usually open to the public but now virtually accessible, provide a glimpse into the personal spaces and creative environments that shaped these influential figures. The article highlights unique architectural styles, interior designs, and personal touches that reflect each artist's personality and work. The tour begins with Frederic Church's Olana in New York's Hudson Valley, a 19th-century landscape painter's home that blends Victorian and Middle Eastern motifs. Oscar Niemeyer's Casas das Canoas in Rio de Janeiro showcases his signature curves and reinforced concrete, with organically positioned boulders integrated into the design. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin in rural Wisconsin is described as his architectural autobiography, an 800-acre estate that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, features wraparound windows designed to integrate with the surrounding landscape, a meticulously sculpted environment inspired by a 17th-century painting. Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell’s Charleston House in Sussex, United Kingdom, embodies bohemian charm with hand-painted cupboard doors, patchwork chintz curtains, and stenciled paisley walls, complemented by a vibrant garden. Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Mexico City, the site of her birth, death, and many years of her life, is a cobalt-washed residence with chartreuse floors and bright white walls, showcasing local folk art, handmade ceramics, and pre-Columbian sculptures. Auguste Rodin’s La Villa des Brillants in Meudon, France, served as his workshop, business place, and home, filled with dazzling white sculptures. Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner’s East Hampton home has remained untouched since Krasner’s death, featuring paint-splashed floors in the studio and an eclectic interior with a broken anchor and Krasner’s seashell collection. Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and studio in Abiquiu, New Mexico, radiates natural light and includes surprises like a rattlesnake skeleton, along with an extensive potager garden. Clementine Hunter’s modest cabin at Melrose Plantation in Louisiana showcases her prolific artistry, with thousands of paintings depicting daily life. Frederic Church's Olana, a Persian-inspired fortress, is rich with hues of mustard, cherry, and clay, lavishly draped in Turkish rugs and ornate frames. Jim Thompson’s teak Thai-style home in Bangkok, though not an artist's own work, houses an extraordinary collection of traditional Thai art. Sam Maloof’s 1952 California ranch-style home, relocated to Pomona, features treehouse vibes with redwood walls, a hand-carved spiral staircase, and whimsical stained-glass windows. Irma Stern’s The Firs in Cape Town, South Africa, is a colorful collage of portraits and tribal artifacts, painted in mint green, sunny yellow, and and vivid corals. Finally, Claude Monet’s home in Giverny, France, is famous for its poetic interior with a stream of copper pots in the kitchen and lemony yellow dining room, alongside his collection of Japanese art. #ArtistHomes #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #CulturalTourism #VirtualTours #ArtHistory #HistoricHomes #TravelInspiration #GlobalArt

This article explores the growing trend of living on houseboats, presenting eight unique examples from around the globe. It highlights the appeal of houseboat living, which often stems from a desire for adventure, a connection to nature, and a sense of community. The article also touches upon the practical challenges and environmental considerations associated with these unconventional dwellings, including their potential as a sustainable housing alternative in the face of rising sea levels due to climate change. The author, Portland Mitchell, in her book "Making Waves: Floating Homes and Life on the Water," emphasizes the diversity in design and the individualistic spirit of boat-dwellers. The featured houseboats showcase a range of styles and origins. In the UK, Max McMurdo's "Reetainer" demonstrates the innovative reuse of a shipping container, transformed into a mortgage-free home on the River Ouse. His design incorporates space-saving solutions like a concealed bath and dining table, alongside sustainable features such as solar panels. In France, Agnès Combes Bernageau resides in "Le Cid," a historic transport barge moored in central Paris. Her move from a conventional flat was driven by a desire for a less impersonal life, and she has since fostered a strong community spirit among fellow boat-dwellers. The barge's interior has been elegantly converted into an open-plan living space. Anibal Guiser Gleyzer's "Mini" in Argentina exemplifies a move towards self-determination and an eco-conscious lifestyle. Built from environmentally friendly materials like ferro-cement and wood, his floating home in the Paraná and Uruguay rivers delta is part of an ecological community. In the Netherlands, Jeanne de Kroon's "Zazi Houseboat," a wooden vessel from the 1970s in Amsterdam, reflects her vibrant personality through its saffron and crimson interior. She values the community aspect of boat life, including shared activities and gift exchanges. The Danish couple Lis and Ove Nilsson found their ideal home in "Oldenburg," a 1908 houseboat, which they renovated to include a spacious dining area and comfortable, minimalist interiors, reflecting Lis's childhood experiences on a fishing cutter. In the US, Siva Aiken's "Soggybottom Shanty" is a whimsical pontoon-based boat crafted from recycled and discarded materials, inspired by her childhood fascination with a Disneyland ride and the history of American river people. This houseboat fosters a laid-back lifestyle, with Aiken enjoying playing the banjo on its porch. Rodrigo Martins' "Altar" in Brazil serves as an eco-friendly, off-grid retreat on the Jaguariuna reservoir. This compact yet spacious prefab structure, designed by sysHaus, is made from recyclable materials and features floor-to-ceiling windows, solar panels, natural ventilation, and advanced water-treatment systems, offering a minimalist Scandi-chic aesthetic. Finally, "De Walvisch," a Dutch sailing clipper in East London, is home to artists Zatorski & Zatorski. They have restored the boat with reclaimed materials, such as a submarine washbasin and a porthole from a torpedoed liner, and use it as a creative space for art installations and salons, embodying a life "under the radar" within a cooperative moorings community. The article concludes by highlighting that living on water offers diverse experiences, from eco-conscious retreats to community-focused urban dwellings, all reflecting a unique approach to home and lifestyle. #FloatingHomes #HouseboatDesign #SustainableLiving #AlternativeHousing #EcoConsciousHomes #WaterfrontLiving #CommunityLiving #ArchitecturalInnovation #OffGridHomes

This lookbook compiles eight homes that feature terracotta floors, highlighting their decorative and practical qualities. Terracotta, a reddish-brown earthenware clay fired at low temperatures, has a rich history dating back to 3,000 BCE for sculptures and has experienced a resurgence in interior design for flooring and walls in various spaces, from kitchens to balconies. The material is valued for its warm, rustic aesthetic, as well as its durability and low maintenance. One example is Hacienda Granada in Los Angeles, where Working Holiday Studio infused a midcentury home with a Mexican hacienda style. The designers, Carlos Naude and Whitney Brown, aimed for a neutral, earthy, and warm interior with accent pops. Handmade terracotta tiles laid in a herringbone pattern feature prominently in the kitchen, contributing to the home's distinct character. Another featured home is Duane House in the US, designed by OWIU. This California residence, once owned by Swiss architect Pierre de Meuron, draws inspiration from Japanese ryokans, traditional inns. The original brick floors were preserved, complemented by Japanese design elements such as shoji screens and sculptural Akari lamps by Isamu Noguchi, creating a blend of cultural aesthetics. In Spain, Atelier du Pont transformed an old Menorcan farmhouse into a summer retreat, Estancia San José. The traditional stone barn was converted into a light-filled living room featuring a tactile terracotta floor. A palette of natural materials enhances the flooring, echoing the building's historical context. YSG's Budge Over Dover in Sydney, Australia, showcases a vibrant color scheme of rosy, pale pink, purple, and green. Terracotta bricks, aubergine-colored plaster, and aged brass were used to craft the interiors. The main living space is elevated on a platform of handmade terracotta tiles, which extend to the garden patio. Elemental House in London, UK, by Archmongers, is a revamped 1970s house where a terracotta floor seamlessly connects the kitchen to an outdoor terrace, fostering an indoor-outdoor feel and expanding the perception of space. Architect Johan Hybschmann selected terracotta along with concrete, galvanized steel, and softwood timber to ensure the home's robust construction. Hygge Studio in São Paulo, Brazil, by designer Melina Romano, features terracotta flooring throughout the entire apartment, including the bathroom, where a sculptural terracotta sink also stands out. Romano notes that the terracotta imparts a "rustic charm" to the space, with its red hues contrasting with a forest-green wall and abundant plant life. Farley Farmhouse in Wiltshire, UK, by Emil Eve Architects, incorporates terracotta tiles both inside and out. The exterior is clad in terracotta arrowhead tiles, while the interior boasts terracotta-brick flooring in the kitchen and dining room. Complementary clay pendant lights further integrate the material into the design. Finally, Checkmate in Byron Bay, Australia, another project by YSG, is a seaside home with 1970s-inspired retro interiors. The dining room features terracotta pavers arranged in a geometric grid, which influenced the project's name. Vintage Italian dining chairs and a colorful lounge chair contribute to the home's relaxed, surfer-style ambiance. This collection of homes demonstrates the versatility and enduring appeal of terracotta as a design element. #TerracottaFloors #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RusticCharm #DurableFlooring #Lookbook #ResidentialDesign #ArchitecturalInteriors #MaterialHighlight

This article presents a curated selection of ten residential interiors, meticulously designed to highlight and integrate significant art collections. It serves as part of the Dezeen Lookbooks series, offering visual inspiration for individuals interested in design. The featured homes range from minimalist, gallery-like spaces that provide a neutral backdrop for art, to more eclectic and busy environments where the art is woven into the overall aesthetic. Each example demonstrates unique approaches to displaying various forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and even bespoke furniture. The Former Artists Studio in the UK, transformed by Rodić Davidson Architects, showcases an eclectic mix of furniture and art within whitewashed brick walls and an open-plan layout, illuminated by a glass sloped roof. Alison Brooks Architects extended a Georgian farmhouse in the UK to create Windward House, featuring a double-height gallery space with niches specifically designed for particular art pieces, and a staircase integrating a mini-gallery of 100 small works. In Canada, Ali Budd Interiors designed Muskoka Cottage with pure white walls, stained wood floors, and wood-lined ceilings to serve as a backdrop for a client's art collection. Noteworthy pieces like Faye Toogood's Roly Poly chair and Paul Rousso's graphic art are strategically placed. John Wardle Architects renovated Kew Residence in Australia, his own home, incorporating Victorian ash on walls, ceilings, and floors to create a neutral setting for his collection of Japanese sculptures, ceramics, and vibrant artworks. Built-in shelving and cabinetry discreetly store collections without detracting from views. i29's Home for the Arts in the Netherlands displays an extensive art collection across two levels of a loft-style apartment. Double-height larch wood and grey HPL shelving conceal a staircase while housing books and sculptures, with grey resin floors providing a blank canvas. The Artery Residence in the US, designed by Hufft, was conceived around its owner's vast art collection, featuring expansive wall spaces for paintings, photography, and sculpture, complemented by specialized lighting and climate control systems akin to those found in art galleries. Stern McCafferty Architects renovated a 20th-century country home in Massachusetts, the Cambridge Residence, to better exhibit art. White matte walls with large baseboards and pale wood floors evoke a gallery aesthetic while maintaining country heritage. Casa Salvatori in Milan, Italy, by Elissa Ossino Studio, is situated in a 200-year-old palazzo and features marble and stone furnishings, sculptures, and artworks set against original rippled terrazzo floors. A green-stained wood-lined ceiling complements the stone palette and green-hued artworks, with woven wicker and brown butterfly chairs offering textural contrast. Magdalena Keck's Four Seasons Residence in Tribeca, Manhattan, is a two-bedroom home characterized by a minimal, monochromatic design. Its pared-back material palette, high ceilings, and large windows create a sophisticated, gallery-like environment for displaying art, softened by herringbone floors and a mix of vintage, contemporary, and custom furnishings. Finally, the Residence for Two Collectors in Chicago, US, by Wheeler Kearns Architects, is a penthouse apartment designed for an art collector couple. The open-plan space with walnut flooring functions both as a welcoming home and an event venue, showcasing a range of artworks, including a George Nakashima bench, Harry Bertoia sculptures, and Paul Evans furniture. #ArtFilledInteriors #HomeDesign #InteriorDecoration #ResidentialArchitecture #ArtCollectionDisplay #GalleryLikeHomes #ModernInteriors #ArchitecturalDesign #DesignInspiration

This article explores eight distinct Indian homes, each characterized by their eclectic interior designs, showcasing a fusion of contemporary and vintage elements and a rich tapestry of materials and craftsmanship. Eclectic design, defined by its blend of diverse styles and objects, is a prominent feature in these residences, drawing from India's extensive history of artisanal traditions. The homes are presented as part of a lookbook series, offering visual inspiration from Dezeen's archives, alongside other themed collections focusing on kitchen islands, London basements, and Art Deco interiors. The first featured home is Pennyroyal Tea in Tamil Nadu, designed by Multitude of Sins. This family residence in Chennai exhibits a maximalist approach, incorporating a wide array of materials. Over 200 artisans contributed to its creation, featuring a 400-kilogram chandelier made of wooden beads and a lilac mural designed to evoke draped fabric. Toy Storey, located in Kerala by Wallmakers, demonstrates an innovative use of recycled materials, with approximately 6,200 discarded toys adorning its perforated circular walls. This unusual detail is complemented by Japanese-style shoji screens, glass, and timber accents, promoting light and ventilation through the perforations. Next, the House of Concrete Experiments in Maharashtra, by Samira Rathod Design Atelier, showcases sculptural concrete walls cast from on-site waste in Alibag. The interior blends concrete flooring inlaid with black stones, vibrant furnishings, and distinctive geometric skylights. Also in Alibag, Asmalay by Blurring Boundaries is a curvaceous home designed to integrate with its natural surroundings, wrapping around mango trees. It features natural and recycled materials such as locally sourced bricks, glass bottles, and stone, with benches made from grey rocks and curving blue mosaics on the floor. Hybrid House in Rajasthan, by Sketch Design Studio, is distinguished by its rammed-earth walls in Alwar. The interior walls are coated with lime plaster, complementing an eclectic collection of items gathered by the clients during their travels. Terracotta floors are patterned with kolam, a traditional inlay made from rice flour. The Infinite Rise, another project in Tamil Nadu by Earthscape Studio, is a holiday home near Anaikatti camouflaged with large local rocks suspended within its gabion wall. Inside, these rocks create a constellation effect, set against green oxide-painted floors and custom furniture made from scrap wood. The House of Gond in Maharashtra, by Renesa, is an apartment in Pune designed for a fashion designer with a passion for traditional Kerala crafts. The living room boasts an intricate tiled floor inspired by Chettinad mansions, alongside a curated collection of artworks, including paintings, pots, antique masks, and statues. Finally, Karai in Tamil Nadu, by Rain Studio, is a holiday home in Kuvathur that utilizes clay tiles, earthenware pots, and compressed earth bricks. Its eclectic flooring is made from discarded stone and pre-used Mangalore tiles, harmonizing with timber furniture, colorful artwork, and unique features like a courtyard swing seat. These projects collectively highlight the diverse and innovative approaches to interior design in India, emphasizing the use of local materials, traditional craftsmanship, and a creative blend of styles to create unique and functional living spaces. The article reinforces India's position as a hub for eclectic design, where tradition meets modernity in inspiring ways. #IndianHomes #EclecticDesign #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #ArchitecturalInnovation #SustainableMaterials #Craftsmanship #DesignInspiration #ModernIndianInteriors

This lookbook showcases ten homes that incorporate decorative and ornate ceilings, featuring elements such as plasterwork mouldings, ceiling roses, cornices, architraves, and coving. These architectural features, often associated with historical periods like Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras, draw inspiration from classicism and ancient Greek and Egyptian architecture. Traditionally crafted from plaster and timber, the 20th century saw the introduction of alternative, more durable, and cost-effective materials. The featured homes demonstrate how these traditional elements are integrated into modern residential design, sometimes being restored to their original glory, and other times being reinterpreted with contemporary touches like bold paint colors or innovative material applications. One example is a Stockholm apartment by Note Design Studio, which transformed an office into a vibrant home using pastel hues on its 19th-century mouldings and window frames. Each room is painted in a single color, highlighting the historical features. Another instance is the Historic Schoolhouse in Williamsburg, where White Arrow restored original decorative tin ceiling tiles in a bathroom, an American innovation offering a durable alternative to plasterwork. Färg & Blanche's Bakers House in Sweden, a residence with four generations of family history, boasts extravagantly ornate interiors with intricately detailed furniture and gilded frames complementing decorative ceiling mouldings. The ceiling details are painted in bold colors and incorporate fresco-like paintings. In Lithuania, ŠA Atelier renovated a 19th-century apartment in Vilnius, preserving and restoring original plasterwork mouldings and ceiling roses while maintaining a minimal aesthetic. Jeanne Schultz Design Studio in Barcelona's Passeig de Grácia apartment incorporated and re-energized period features by painting stepped coving in a vibrant green that extends to doors, window frames, and skirting. Freaks, a French studio, renovated a Paris apartment, retaining period mouldings and architectural features while adding modern elements such as fluorescent lighting and freestanding angular volumes. Similarly, Toledano + Architects' Wood Ribbon apartment in Paris features ornate plasterwork that subtly defines spaces, contrasting with contemporary decor. In areas requiring a more modern feel, false polycarbonate ceilings were installed over the original decorative ceilings. Vives St-Laurent, a Canadian interior design studio, renovated a Montreal home, highlighting existing architectural elements including original plaster mouldings. Coving informally zones the dining room from the kitchen, and a ceiling rose anchors a pendant light above the dining table. David Kohn Architects' renovation of a Barcelona apartment focused on revealing and emphasizing large windows, high ceilings, and ornate mouldings, with coffered ceilings stretching across living areas and ceiling roses serving as focal points without light fixtures. Finally, DG Arquitecto's Casa Cas 8 in Valencia, Spain, a 1920s penthouse, celebrates its original features, including mosaic floors, mouldings, and arched doorways, with panel moulding and corbels protruding from the ceilings. These projects collectively illustrate the enduring appeal and versatile application of decorative ceilings and ornate plasterwork in contemporary home design, showcasing how these historical elements can be preserved, restored, or reinterpreted to create unique and visually rich interiors. #DecorativeCeilings #OrnatePlasterwork #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalMouldings #HistoricalInteriors #ResidentialRenovation #CeilingRoses #Cornices

The emergence of glass houses stands as a pinnacle of modernist design, with materials like glass, steel, wrought iron, and concrete defining a significant architectural movement and captivating the imagination of architects worldwide. Glass structures, renowned for their lightness, transparency, translucency, and reflectivity, offer an unparalleled ability to reveal a home's interior while fostering a deep connection with nature. Iconic examples such as Mies Van Der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Illinois and Philip Johnson’s Glass House in Connecticut are celebrated as seminal works that ingeniously captured the zeitgeist. The period of postwar America saw a boom in experimentation and expansion, leading to the widespread popularity of glass as a primary building material for residential homes. This architectural style has since transcended geographical boundaries, inspiring architects across continents, including South Africa, Vietnam, and Brazil. A new publication from Phaidon showcases 50 such homes, highlighting extraordinary architectural achievements that thoughtfully and compellingly incorporate glass. This article spotlights 15 of these beautiful glass houses, making a strong case for integrating glass into modern home design, suggesting a departure from traditional materials like brick, stone, timber, and concrete. Among the featured homes is the Shokan House in New York, designed by Jay Bargmann, which appears to organically emerge from the Catskills hillside. Despite its imposing structure, the house's highly reflective glass panels and black steel frame create an immersive natural experience. Similarly, the Glass Pavilion in Spain’s Gorafe desert, by Ofis Arhitekti, offers a tranquil retreat. Its triple-glazed, mirrored-glass panels effectively deflect sun rays and withstand extreme desert conditions, providing an essential and serene holiday escape. The Tower House in upstate New York, by Gluck+, features an unconventional design that minimizes its footprint by elevating living areas into the sky, supported by a V-shaped beam. The upper floor provides an expansive, nature-enveloped view, reminiscent of a modern treehouse. In Paris, the Maison de Verre, designed by Pierre Chareau and Bernard Bijovet, challenged architectural norms by using industrial materials like glass blocks and steel beams in a residential setting. The Sheats-Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles, by John Lautner, built in 1963, seamlessly integrates with its landscape through floor-to-ceiling glass panels, offering panoramic views of the city. Philip Johnson’s Glass House in Connecticut, an homage to Mies Van Der Rohe, is a celebrated example of glass architecture, serving as Johnson’s primary residence for nearly sixty years. Lina Bo Bardi’s Glass House in São Paulo, Brazil, known as Casa de Vidro, is celebrated for its wrap-around glass windows and stilted design, creating a treehouse-like feel amidst lush rainforest vegetation. The Flip House in San Francisco, by Anne Fougeron, is recognized for its innovative floor plan, utilizing a prismatic custom-built glass façade to maximize natural light and offer dynamic city views. The Kramlich Residence and Collection in Napa, California, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, integrates art and living spaces through two intersecting curved glass panels, showcasing a significant collection of video and media art. The Glass-Block Micro House in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, by Room+ Design and Build, demonstrates an affordable and functional use of glass bricks for a small 18-square-meter home, allowing ample natural light and creating a lantern-like effect. Pierre Koenig’s 1960 Stahl House in Los Angeles, also known as Case Study House #22, epitomizes postwar modern living with its glass and steel construction, offering sweeping views of the city. The Conservatory in Zwavelpoort, South Africa, by Nadine Engelbrecht, features a double-height glass and steel conservatory as its focal point, blending indoor and outdoor living. Villa Kogelhof in the Netherlands, by Paul de Rutter Architects, is a futuristic, energy-neutral home that harnesses wind, sun, and rain, encapsulated by a functional glass façade. Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Illinois, built between 1945 and 1951, challenged notions of privacy by using floor-to-ceiling glass windows, relying on the surrounding forest for concealment. Finally, the Mirror Houses in Bolzano, Italy, by Peter Pichler Architecture, reflect their idyllic surroundings with mirrored-glass façades, offering autonomous holiday homes that subtly blend into the landscape. #GlassHouses #ModernistDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #SustainableLiving #LuxuryHomes #InternationalArchitecture #HomeDesign #ContemporaryArchitecture #ResidentialDesign

This article highlights ten exceptional home libraries from around the globe, showcasing various innovative designs and extensive collections. The focus is on unique architectural features, the sheer volume of books, and the personal touch these spaces bring to a home. The article begins by presenting a private studio in Seattle, Washington, featuring a library with wall-length windows and a playful gold pole slide connecting it to a lofted hangout space. This design emphasizes both functionality and entertainment within the home. Another featured library is located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, belonging to inventor Jay Walker. This expansive 3,600-square-foot space houses over 30,000 books, maps, charts, and artwork, distributed across multiple staircases, underscoring its significant scale and comprehensive nature. In Costa Rica, a private backyard library designed by Gianni Botsford Architects offers its own separate entrance and deck, seamlessly integrating with the natural surroundings and providing a secluded reading sanctuary. The article also delves into the libraries of prominent figures, such as fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld's Paris residence, where books are uniquely stacked horizontally in a floor-to-ceiling arrangement, creating a distinctive visual effect. George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch in Nicasio, California, is home to a research library distinguished by its magnificent glass ceiling dome, offering an inspiring and grand atmosphere for study and contemplation. Although not open to the public, it serves as a resource for filmmakers by appointment. In Zurich, Switzerland, design firm Ilai created a beautiful library for a private home that includes a strategically placed small window near an armchair. This allows occupants to gaze into their yard while taking a break from reading, blending indoor comfort with outdoor views. A creative solution to book storage is presented in a London library, where books are ingeniously integrated into a wooden staircase leading to a lofted bedroom. Designed by Levitate Architects, this staircase can accommodate approximately 2,000 volumes, maximizing space efficiency. The article further describes a two-flight library within an $18 million Manhattan townhouse, originally the Hans Hoffman Art School in the 1930s, highlighting its historical significance and vertical design. Richard Macksey, a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, possesses one of Maryland's largest private book collections, with over 70,000 books and manuscripts, reflecting a profound commitment to scholarly pursuits within a personal residence. Finally, the article mentions writer Alberto Manguel's 30,000-volume library in his 15th-century Loire, France home, which inspired his book "The Library at Night," exploring the deeper meaning and impact of libraries. Each example illustrates diverse approaches to creating personalized and impressive literary spaces within residential settings. #HomeLibraries #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #BookCollections #LuxuryHomes #CreativeSpaces #ResidentialArchitecture #UniqueHomes

The article presents maximalism as an interior design trend, offering an alternative to the prevailing minimalist aesthetic. It features six distinct homes, each illustrating how maximalist principles can be applied to create vibrant and character-filled living spaces. Maximalism is characterized by its use of multiple textures, patterns, and colors, often leading to a rich and 'pleasantly crowded' visual experience, contrasting with the simplistic nature of minimalism. The first example, described as 'Mix-mash,' demonstrates how various textures and patterns can be combined harmoniously within a single living space to evoke a sense of homeliness and comfort. Printed cushions introduce vibrancy, while an old-fashioned rug contributes a vintage feel to the room, showcasing a curated blend rather than a chaotic mix. Another home highlights a 'Thai Influence,' utilizing numerous paintings and sculptures to achieve an artistic look. This design incorporates antique rugs for texture and bright red shelves to infuse color, creating a space rich with cultural and visual elements. 'The Blue Hue' section showcases a room dominated by a striking bright blue color on its walls, shelves, and cabinets. The design integrates daring graphical patterns on sofa seats for contrast and arranges stacked books to form an organized, yet visually abundant, clutter. An 'Oriental Vibes' interior integrates Asian elements into a maximalist design. A textured feature wall and a vintage rug work together to provide a sense of fullness. Additional details like cushions and classic drawer cabinets further enhance the richly adorned aesthetic of the living room. 'Pattern Play' illustrates the bold combination of diverse and vibrant patterned prints. Framed artwork on the walls and other colored furnishings contribute to an overall maximalist ambiance, emphasizing a dynamic and expressive design. The final example, 'Eclectic Charm,' displays a blend of patterns and hues that create a visually engaging and rustic living space. Despite being filled with various trinkets, the room maintains a sense of balance, suggesting that abundance can still be cohesive and aesthetically pleasing. These examples collectively aim to inspire homeowners to explore maximalist trends, suggesting that there are numerous ways to integrate this design philosophy into their living environments. #EclecticInteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Inspiration #InteriorDesign #LivingRoom #OrientalInteriorDesign #Patterns

This article highlights eight unique houses that utilize earth-toned plaster and render finishes to create distinct architectural forms and integrate with their natural surroundings. The selected projects demonstrate a variety of applications for these materials, showcasing their ability to provide both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits such as weatherproofing and insulation. The featured homes span diverse geographical locations, from India to Greece, and vary in scale and purpose, including micro homes and holiday residences. Each project exemplifies how plaster and render can be modified with additives like brick dust or hemp to achieve specific colors and insulating properties. One featured project is the House in Pyrgos, Greece, by Kapsimalis Architects. Unlike the typical whitewashed homes of Santorini, this fortress-style holiday residence is clad in an earth-toned render. Constructed from reinforced concrete, its angular design draws inspiration from rocky outcrops and the island's ancient fortifications. Another example is the Zenith House in Spain by Nomo Studio, a single-storey holiday home in Menorca. Its walls and roofs are covered in a terracotta-pigmented render, chosen to harmonize with the arid landscape and accentuate the building's modular geometry. The design comprises eight interconnected square modules with alternating flat green roofs and pitched roofs. The Tiny House in India, designed by Harshit Singh Kothari and Tanvi Jain, serves as a prototype for affordable housing. Its brick walls are externally coated in earth-colored plaster, while the interior features materials like marble flooring and teak window frames, aiming for an aspirational feel. Casa Plaj in Portugal, by Extrastudio, showcases a simple gabled form coated in a rough layer of earth-toned lime plaster. This holiday home is elevated on a platform supported by concrete walls, allowing its terraces to extend over the landscape. UA House in Kenya, by Studio Mehta Architecture, uses lime plaster mixed with quarry dust on its limestone-block walls, resulting in a pink hue that complements the environment. The house incorporates landscaped courtyards to facilitate year-round ventilation. Casa Magarola in Spain, by Raúl Sánchez Architects, is perched on a steep slope near Barcelona. Its concrete structure is disguised with a burnt orange-toned render. The design creates a sense of discovery, transitioning from a modest single-storey facade facing the street to a two-storey facade overlooking a valley. Proclamation House in Australia, by State of Kin, is a sculptural concrete house wrapped in olive-toned hemp render. This finish not only provides an earthy aesthetic but also enhances insulation. Designed for an intergenerational family, it includes a landscaped courtyard with a small pool. Finally, Mayalogili in India, by Nowhere, involves the renovation of an existing house. The exterior was covered in a rough red-brown plaster made from brick and marble dust generated during the project, aiming to introduce a tactile quality and connect residents with nature. These projects collectively illustrate the versatility and aesthetic potential of plaster and render in contemporary residential architecture. #MonolithicHouses #EarthTonedPlaster #ArchitecturalRender #SustainableMaterials #ResidentialArchitecture #GlobalDesign #HolidayHomes #AffordableHousing #ArchitecturalFinishes

This article explores the concept of modern house design, presenting 35 examples to inspire homeowners seeking contemporary aesthetics and functional living spaces. It delves into the definition of modernism in architecture, tracing its origins to early 20th-century pioneers like Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier, who emphasized utility over ornamentation. The piece highlights key tenets of modern design, such as open floor plans, minimal material palettes, sleek lines, and abundant natural light, quoting Louis Sullivan's "form follows function" and Mies van der Rohe's "less is more." The article clarifies that "modern" in architecture can encompass an attitude or spirit rather than a strict adherence to textbook definitions. Matt Berman, a founding principal of Workshop/APD, explains that overt modernism is characterized by rational organization, open spaces, clean lines, large windows, and crisp detailing. He also stresses that a modern space should be well-edited, warm, and capable of surprising and delighting inhabitants. The examples provided demonstrate the diverse ways the modern spirit has been reimagined in contemporary architecture, ranging from volumetric vacation houses on Greek islands to sustainable retreats in California. The featured homes showcase a variety of interpretations of modern design. For instance, a 1956 house overlooking Lake Michigan, designed by Winston Elting and admired by architect Celeste Robbins for its simplicity and intimate courtyards, illustrates the enduring appeal of mid-century modernism. Another example from the Hamptons, by Workshop/APD, challenges the notion that modern homes must have flat roofs, incorporating historic gable forms with extensive glazing. A New Zealand coastal retreat designed by Jeff Fearon for Jenni Kayne features timber-clad geometric volumes integrated into the dunes, with cozy interiors reflecting Kayne's California-cool aesthetic. The article also presents instances where modern design addresses specific client needs or environmental challenges. An artful Los Angeles residence by Woods + Dangaran, with interiors by Studio Mallone, was built to accommodate a homeowner's art collection, featuring 12-foot ceilings and plaster walls. The Lauder family's guest house in Long Island, designed by Stelle Lomont Rouhani, exemplifies resilience, rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy with a sapele mahogany rain screen that blends into the coastal landscape. Other examples include a rustic 1968 cabin on Maine’s Deer Isle by Emily Muir, an 1890s Manhattan townhouse with a modern glass top-floor addition by O’Neill Rose Architects, and a San Antonio house where a modern extension harmoniously coexists with an early 1900s stone cottage. Further illustrations include an ethereal glass residence in Amagansett by Richard Bender, designed as a prototype for a Utopian community, and a resilient Montecito home by Jamie Bush and Shubin Donaldson, clad in fire-resistant metal. A linear Hamptons home by Architecture Plus Information (A+I) with interiors by Poonam Khanna stands out among Shingle Style neighbors. International examples include a family vacation home on the Greek island of Pàros by Christina Seilern, a coastal retreat of faceted volumes in Lebanon by Raëd Abillama, and a concrete monolith in Argentina by landscape architect Jenny Graham. Blockbuster California builds, reimagined mid-century homes in Beverly Hills and Johannesburg, an architectural icon townhouse in New York City by Paul Rudolph, a warmer Palm Springs residence by Studio AR&D;, and a beachy mid-century home in Palm Beach by Caroline Rafferty further highlight the versatility and broad appeal of modern house design. These diverse projects collectively demonstrate that modern design is not monolithic but rather a flexible approach that prioritizes functionality, aesthetics, and a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment, continually inspiring dream homes. Each home showcases unique solutions to design challenges, reflecting personal tastes, and integrating with diverse landscapes, proving that modernism can be both practical and spectacularly beautiful. #ModernHouseDesign #Architecture #ContemporaryHomes #HomeInspiration #InteriorDesign #OpenFloorPlans #ArchitecturalTrends #LuxuryHomes #SustainableDesign

This article explores ten unique homes that showcase the architectural technique of cantilevering, a design element popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright. Cantilevered structures create living spaces that appear to defy gravity, extending outwards and often dramatically over challenging terrains. The Bolton Residence, designed by \_naturehumaine, is a vacation home in an Eastern Quebec forest. Its geometric silhouette reinterprets classic gable roof barns with a contemporary twist. The architects utilized a narrower first-floor envelope and a wider, cantilevered upper level to manage a tight budget and steep terrain, minimizing excavation while creating a sculptural appearance. A centralized, multi-purpose fireplace acts as storage, a TV stand, and a staircase guardrail. The Balancing Barn, by MVRDV and Mole Architects, is a stainless steel-clad structure in Suffolk that projects 18 meters out and five meters off the ground, showcasing an extreme example of cantilevering. Midden Studio, a zinc-clad artist's studio by Studio Weave on the Scottish coast, floats over a stream. The design incorporates a "light soffit" to maximize views, and its cantilever increases internal volume without expanding the ground footprint. The studio, built with prefabricated materials to overcome remote site challenges, features a custom embossed standing seam zinc system. Altaïr House, by Bourgeois/Lechasseur Architects, features an upper level that juts out over the lower level, allowing the living room to integrate with surrounding trees and offer water views. This design enhances the connection between the interior living space and the natural environment. The Norwegian Sea Cabins, designed by Snorre Stinessen, are rentable glass cabins on Manshausen Island, Norway, that offer an immersive experience with nature. One cabin cantilevers from a natural ledge, providing a comfortable shelter that exposes visitors to the elements. These cabins feature two layers of larch wood construction with custom glazing, and strategically placed large glass expanses frame planned views. Aleph House, by Siegman Associates in Asheville, North Carolina, incorporates a modest cantilever from its second floor, inspired by the Hebrew alphabet's first letter. The lower level, with studios and guest rooms, blends into the natural contours, and a retractable door connects a woodworking studio to an outdoor workspace. The cantilevered second floor houses the communal living space. Crane Blvd, by Anonymous Architects, features two side-by-side residences on tiny, precipitous lots in Los Angeles. The architects stacked two stories on concrete pile foundations and used bay windows to extend the living space. The homes, while having identical floor plans, are offset and vary subtly in size and height to ensure privacy. Cantilever House, a prefab home by Anderson Anderson Architecture in the Washington wilderness, uses a steel frame on a concrete foundation bolted to a rock. This allowed the entire structure to cantilever, orienting the house towards waterfalls. The house provides a robust retreat from harsh weather, offering ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The Berkshire House, designed by Framework Architecture, is a cantilevered cabin on a rock outcropping with a 20-foot drop, creating a treehouse effect. Its south face is almost entirely glass, with a roof canopy to manage solar gain. The exterior uses knotted pine planks to manage costs. Finally, Sandpath, an Oxford home by Adrian James Architects, uses a modest cantilever over a concrete wall to create a striking entrance. The house, built with structural insulated panels and an integrated steel frame, features a bedroom and family bathroom on the upper level that extend into the cantilevered façade. This design element adds lightness and drama to the home’s approach. #CantileveredHomes #ArchitecturalDesign #ModernArchitecture #HomeTours #StructuralInnovation #ResidentialDesign #UniqueHomes #BuildingTechniques

This article explores a collection of eight residential interiors where wardrobes transcend their functional purpose to become central design elements, challenging the traditional notion of concealing storage. It showcases various innovative approaches by architects and designers who have transformed wardrobes into eye-catching focal points within homes. The article begins by featuring Leather Dressing in the UK, designed by Simon Astridge, where rust-coloured leather lines the floor and sliding wardrobe doors of a dressing room, creating a distinctive centrepiece in a renovated London house. Astridge highlights the sensory experience, noting the pleasant scent of leather emanating from the 'leather tunnel.' Following this, Casa Triana in Seville, Spain, by Studio Noju, presents a vivid yellow wardrobe within an open-plan apartment. This brightly coloured unit stands out against white surroundings, providing a striking backdrop for clothing while also helping to define separate zones within the fluid living space. Raúl Sánchez Architects' Magic Box Apartment in Spain features a shiny brass wardrobe positioned centrally. This wardrobe is designed to mimic a precious jewellery box and functions as a partition between rooms, incorporating a 'secret passageway' in its middle. The architect's choice of brass aimed to impart a magical and precious quality to the object. Pedro Varela & Renata Pinho's Yellow Apartment Renovation in Portugal also utilizes a vibrant yellow wardrobe. This piece is integrated into a wall of storage that divides the apartment. Unique design elements include circular openings of varying sizes that serve as handles and a pull-out step with a smiley-face cut-out. Wood Ribbon in Paris, by Toledano + Architects, showcases a sinuous plywood wall that snakes through the apartment. This structure divides the residence into three zones and cleverly incorporates doorways, a dressing room, and storage areas for clothes, including one located in the hallway. Adam Nathaniel Furman's Nagatachō Apartment in Tokyo features a sugar-sweet colour palette throughout, extending to the bedroom. Here, a built-in wardrobe is accentuated with bright baby-blue doors and yellow semicircular motifs, contrasting with the white and green walls. Cavaa's Galla House in Spain integrates a blue-painted wardrobe that, despite its seamless appearance, becomes a prominent feature. It includes wooden drawers for shoes, taller cupboards for hanging clothes, and a deep window seat, catering to both human and feline occupants. Finally, the Versailles Studio Apartment in Australia, by Catseye Bay Design, features a wooden wardrobe that serves as a privacy screen for the bed. Projecting diagonally from a bedroom wall, this two-metre-high structure combines clothes storage with shelving and conceals an upholstered bench looking out to a window. These examples collectively demonstrate how wardrobes can be creatively integrated into interior design, becoming more than mere storage units but rather integral architectural and aesthetic components of a home. #WardrobeDesign #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #StorageSolutions #FocalPoint #CustomFurniture #HomeDecor #ModernLiving #SpatialPlanning

This article details the annual holiday decorating tradition of Nashville interior designer Christopher Todd Hall and his team at a client's equestrian estate in Lexington, Kentucky. Every year, the team transforms the home with extensive holiday decor, evolving the themes and styles over their twelve-year working relationship. The client family typically travels for Thanksgiving, returning to a fully decorated home. The process takes four days, with the team meticulously decorating nearly every room, from the entryway to individual children's bedrooms. The article highlights how Christopher Todd Hall and his team adapt the decor to keep up with trends, changing the look every few years. For instance, the living room's most recent holiday iteration features a towering flocked tree that beautifully complements the room's permanent cool-toned color palette of grays and blues. In contrast, the family room, a central gathering space for Christmas morning, is adorned with a nostalgic, colorful tree featuring vibrant lights and Christopher Radko ornaments, evoking a sense of past holidays. The dining room's decoration emphasizes functionality, with Christopher carefully selecting decor that does not impede meal service or conversation. He prefers smaller, easily movable items, such as glass Christmas trees, over long garlands that might need constant rearrangement. The children's rooms are decorated according to their current interests, which have recently shifted to soccer. Christopher creatively addresses the challenge of decorating three different soccer-themed trees by making one a general FIFA-themed tree with international flags and the other two dedicated to specific teams, such as France and Bayern Munich, showcasing how personalized themes are incorporated. The article concludes with Christopher Todd Hall's seven essential tips for holiday decorating, aimed at helping readers recreate a similar magical experience in their own homes. His first tip encourages individuals to embrace their personal style, whether whimsical, traditional, or elegant, and to commit to it wholeheartedly. The second tip advises maintaining the tree's natural shape even when heavily ornamented, ensuring it still looks like a tree. Thirdly, Christopher advocates for the use of high-quality faux greenery for its realism and durability, especially for decor that will be displayed for over a month. He also emphasizes the importance of selecting warm, glowy LED lights around 2700K for all greenery. The fourth tip suggests replacing ornament strings with more substantial hooks or green pipe cleaners for a cleaner look and better placement control. The fifth tip focuses on prioritizing ornaments: sentimental pieces should be front and center, followed by color-scheme-complementing ornaments, and then filler ornaments to conceal gaps. A key piece of advice here is to decorate abundantly: "When you think you have enough, get more." The sixth tip details careful ornament placement, ensuring that dangly or icicle-shaped ornaments hang straight and do not touch each other. Finally, the seventh tip stresses the importance of an organized take-down process, recommending that ornaments be separated into labeled boxes by category (sentimental, filler) to simplify future decorating efforts. This professional service extends beyond setup, as Christopher and his team return after the holidays to meticulously pack away all decorations, ensuring a seamless transition for the client. #HolidayDecor #HomeTour #InteriorDesign #ChristmasDecorations #DecoratingTips #EquestrianEstate #SeasonalDecor #LuxuryHomes #DesignTrends