Edina Home with European-Inspired Design

This article details the construction of a new Edina home for Kara and Jason Allcox, which integrates European and Californian design influences through specific architectural and interior design choices. The homeowner, Kara Allcox, had a clear vision for the house even before the family relocated to Minnesota, meticulously planning every detail. Her design aspirations included a German smear exterior, rounded bullnose corners on interior walls, plaster for the fireplace, exposed ceiling beams, arches, and built-in features to achieve an old-world European aesthetic. She also pre-selected light fixtures and cabinet hardware, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to the home's design. The Allcoxes, having previously renovated their Chicago townhouse, decided to build a new home in the Minneapolis area to be closer to family. They partnered with City Homes, a custom builder in the Twin Cities, and selected a corner lot in Edina, valued for its urban feel within a suburban setting, close to local shops and restaurants. Architect Tom Flint from Alexander Design Group was engaged to bring Kara’s vision to life, focusing on a design that combined European sensibilities with a California vibe, emphasizing abundant natural light. The team successfully incorporated specific details such as an arched front door, a brick firebox, and a subtle herringbone pattern throughout the home, which appears in the white oak flooring of an upstairs hallway. Rebecca Remick, principal and general manager of City Homes, noted the extensive detailing in the house, where every space features unique elements. The design incorporates numerous arches, starting from the custom front door and extending into the living room, complementing a floating staircase that maximizes natural light. The interior walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Snowfall White with a matte finish, providing a neutral backdrop for furniture and artwork. The TV room includes a fireplace wall finished in plaster, deliberately designed without a tempered glass door to evoke an old-world aesthetic, alongside exposed ceiling beams. Material selections were crucial in achieving the desired casual yet sophisticated atmosphere. Kara chose honed quartzite for the kitchen countertops and backsplash, avoiding shiny materials. Unlacquered brass cabinet hardware with a living finish was used, intended to develop a patina over time, and various metals were mixed throughout the house to add character. Vintage-looking pendants from Ann-Morris were a favorite fixture in the kitchen. The kitchen layout strategically places the sink on the perimeter rather than the island, with an arched opening above it providing a partial view outside while maintaining privacy. The butler's pantry was designed with extensive cabinetry, including a refrigerator and freezer drawer, reflecting a desire for ample storage space. The primary bedroom features painted beams and a shiplap-clad cove ceiling, creating a grand and distinctive space. A transom window was incorporated to allow more natural light. The primary bathroom continues the no-sheen theme with a matte tub and honed marble countertops and tile flooring, avoiding a glitzy appearance. An Italian tub was perfectly fitted into a vaulted alcove, a design modification resulting from a permit issue that ultimately enhanced the space. Under-counter lighting with motion detection was installed beneath the white oak vanity, adding a modern and practical touch. The project involved collaborations with City Homes as the builder, Alexander Design Group for architecture, and Studio M Interiors for interior design. #HomeDesign #EuropeanInfluence #CaliforniaVibe #CustomBuild #InteriorDetails #ArchitecturalDesign #EdinaHome #NaturalLight #VintageElements

The article presents a detailed tour of designer Lauren Sullivan's newly built home in Tennessee, which she intentionally designed to evoke a sense of European charm and history, despite its recent construction. Sullivan's design philosophy is deeply rooted in her childhood experiences, including antique hunting with her grandmother and an early admiration for the characterful homes depicted in European fairy tales. This personal history informed her desire to create a new build that felt timeless and lived-in, rather than freshly constructed. The project was a collaborative effort between Sullivan's interior design studio, Well x Design, and Brooks & Falotico architects. The aesthetic is described as 'Modern European,' a style that subtly blends old-world whimsy with contemporary elements without resorting to pastiche. Sullivan emphasizes the challenges and creative pressures of designing one's own home, especially when aiming for a specific, layered aesthetic. She highlights the importance of restraint in design, ensuring that every detail, from architectural features to interior decor, contributes to the overall vision without overwhelming the space. A key aspect of the home's design is the extensive use of antiques and timeworn materials. Sullivan deliberately incorporated reclaimed stone, aged metals, vintage textiles, and art with visible age and texture to imbue the new build with a sense of depth and history. This slow curation process allowed her to gather meaningful pieces over the four years of construction, preventing a rushed or 'finished' feel. This approach ultimately inspired the launch of her sourcing platform, Well Found, dedicated to antiques and vintage finds. The exterior of the home reflects storybook inspirations, featuring steeply pitched roofs, limestone walls, dormer windows, and copper gutters, contributing to a magical and old-world appearance. Inside, the design emphasizes layers of textures, materials, and contrasts. Sullivan explains that mixing different shapes, styles, and eras creates visual tension and interest, advocating for pairing sculptural modern pieces with rustic antiques or clean-lined furniture with plaster walls and timeworn floors. This blend, she believes, is where the true 'magic' of a soulful home lies. Specific areas of the home are detailed, such as the entryway, which Sullivan considers an 'accidental success' and a perfect representation of her style. It features a French tapestry, an 18th-century Italian console, vintage travertine tables, neoclassical iron benches, and vintage busts, all contributing to a fresh, modern space with clear European influences. The living room similarly showcases a layered approach, with a vintage rug, Schumacher fabric, Dudouyt chairs, and a mid-century Scandinavian light fixture, all chosen over time to create a grounded, inviting, and timeless ambiance. The open flow between the living room, dining room, and kitchen creates a connected feel without being fully open-plan. The kitchen, while practical, features Calacatta Paonazzo countertops, an integrated sink, maximized vertical storage, recessed toe kicks, and furniture-like islands with brass feet and detailed moldings. Flush mounts by Ralph Lauren are used instead of recessed lighting to maintain visual interest. Sullivan also notes the unexpected benefits of building during the pandemic, which, despite delays, allowed for a more intentional and thoughtful decision-making process. The article concludes by emphasizing the personal nature of the project, built with love, memory, and a belief in creating deeply lived-in homes through careful layering. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #EuropeanStyle #AntiqueCollecting #NewBuildDesign #TimelessDesign #DesignPhilosophy #HomeTour

The article details the creation of a stone home in North Oaks, Minnesota, designed to evoke the charm of an old-world fairy tale. Homeowners Elaine and Claud Morgan, having moved from Atlanta, sought to recreate the wooded and natural environment they cherished while raising their children in Wisconsin. Their vision for a stone cottage in the woods, featuring abundant windows to connect with nature, guided the design process. They collaborated with City Homes, a builder, and Kathryn Alexander of Alexander Design Group to realize this dream. Elaine Morgan's specific requests included a European cottage aesthetic, incorporating stonework, curved rooflines, wood shutters, an octagonal sunroom, and a weather vane-capped cupola. These intricate details were crucial for achieving a timeless look. The exterior combines two types of stone, Fond du Lac Buff and Eden stone, selected for their light and dark variations by Rebecca Remick of City Homes. The roofline's gentle curves and painted shutters contribute to a soft, romantic, fairy-tale appearance, reflecting Elaine's background as an interior designer in Atlanta with a distinct Southern flair. French pane windows were chosen for their traditional style, allowing ample natural light into the interiors. The design emphasizes natural light and exterior views, transforming them into a form of art within the home. The Morgans also aimed to integrate meaningful art and antique pieces collected during their travels, necessitating spaces designed to accommodate these items. Elaine describes her interior style as a blend of soft contemporary and traditional, enriched with special antiques and diverse art, including pieces from European travels and a ceramic bust by Wisconsin artist Susan Strand-Penman. A key area of the home is the kitchen and adjoining sunroom. The kitchen features raised-panel, powder-blue cabinetry, providing a classic look and extensive storage. Expansive counters topped with Chiffon quartzite offer a durable and contemporary workspace, complemented by slab backsplashes. The sunroom, accessible from the kitchen, boasts walls of windows and French doors, offering natural light and scenic views. Inside, comfortable seating surrounds a cast-stone fireplace, while outside, turret-like architecture adds to the romantic, castle-like ambiance. The homeowner expressed immense satisfaction with the outcome, considering it her "happy place" and her home. #HomeBuilding #ArchitectureDesign #CustomHome #EuropeanCottage #InteriorDesign #NorthOaks #TimelessDesign

This article details the transformation of a nearly 9,000-square-foot Twin Cities estate, initially characterized by a Western-style aesthetic, into an authentic, European-inspired countryside manse. The project, spearheaded by interior designer Bruce Kading of Bruce Kading Interior Design, involved a comprehensive remodel rather than a complete teardown of the existing structure. Kading's design process is highlighted, emphasizing his reliance on hand-drawn sketches to visualize and communicate intricate design details, a method he believes conveys more integrity and emotion than computer renderings. The renovation began with shedding the original home's "gutsy, masculine aesthetic," which featured dark woodwork, outdated glazes, and chamois-colored textured walls and ceilings. Key modifications included painting the woodwork, adding French-inspired trim to plinth blocks, replacing all wood floors with aged-looking alternatives, and swapping out the stair railing for a more elaborate design. Walls were treated with a subtle glaze to emulate hand-patted plaster seen in Europe, and ceiling beams were refurbished by Jennifer Raskob Kranz to mimic vintage European timbers, demonstrating meticulous attention to aging and texturing to achieve a natural appearance. The great room, located to the right of the entryway, serves as an introduction to the home's European interiors. It features one of six custom fireplaces, patterned pillows, decorative furnishings, and velvety, tufted furniture with red accents, incorporated at the homeowner's request. This space seamlessly transitions into the open dining and kitchen area, where a revamped cooking center immediately draws attention. The kitchen boasts new flooring, cabinetry, a pewter-topped island, an inky black La Cornue range, an antique fire back, and a hand-carved French Rococo-style fireplace mantel, crafted by expert woodcarver Erik Wyckoff. Wyckoff also created a significant "trophy carving" on the wooden refrigerator door, which, in classic 18th-century French style, incorporates emblems reflecting the owners' interests rather than traditional hunting, royalty, or military themes. The upper level of the home features a British pub and a temperature-controlled wine attic. The wine attic's floor is made of Jerusalem-sourced stone, complemented by a worn wood countertop slab, a leaded glass window, traditional lath, commissioned metalwork, and custom shelving for the wine collection. The pub includes a replica London pub sign, whimsical tiled elements, and ample seating for guests. Downstairs, two guest rooms and a romantic primary suite await. The primary suite includes a sitting room with artisan-made bronze fireplace doors, a spacious bath with mosaic floor tiles and a pewter- and porcelain-crafted tub, and a large walk-in closet featuring mirror-paneled doors, a washer and dryer, a safe room, and a Carrara marble-topped island. The design in the primary suite and other areas is guided by the scenic outdoor views, utilizing a material palette of subdued tones to reflect the peaceful environment. The library, a favorite room of Kading's, features custom embroidered draperies, black walnut-stained paneling and bookshelves, a rolling ladder, antique lighting, and a nickel fireplace, creating an updated yet historically relevant ambiance. The overall project culminates in a globally influenced home that exhibits a high degree of provenance, pedigree, and patina, all traceable back to Kading’s initial hand-drawn concept sketches. #EuropeanInspired #HomeMakeover #InteriorDesign #BruceKading #LuxuryRenovation #CustomWoodwork #ArchitecturalRemodeling #CountrysideEstate #TraditionalInteriors

This article highlights a 6,810-square-foot, two-story residence in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, designed and built by Michael Paul Design + Build, specifically for an active family of five. The project, overseen by CEO/owner Michael Laumann, prominently featured the contributions of Natalie Talley from Talley Jane Interiors and Maggie Tarr from Margaret Jane Design Group, emphasizing a collaborative and 'girl power' driven effort. The home's design successfully blends "Midwest modern" aesthetics with functionality and entertainment, catering to the family's dynamic lifestyle. The residence boasts extensive recreational amenities, including a two-level sport court, an outdoor pool, an exercise room, an indoor faux hockey rink, and a 21-foot rock climbing wall, alongside a family bonus room for movies and a dedicated craft area for children. The interior design emphasizes durability and practicality, incorporating performance fabrics in various colors, leather upholstery to prevent staining, and vinyl wall coverings, selected for their resilience against the wear and tear of an active household. Talley Jane Interiors was chosen by the homeowners after their positive impression of her work on the 2019 Luxury Home Tour. The aesthetic of the home is characterized by a "Midwest modern" style, achieved through the integration of rustic-style beams and columns, and a selection of natural materials. Key material choices include Italian marble, a walnut-clad refrigerator, and dark-wash wood floors. The home also features custom oak, walnut, and painted cabinets and built-ins, complemented by a sophisticated color palette of grays ranging from jet black to taupe. This approach aims for an earthy look without being overtly rustic, creating a refined yet natural atmosphere. Notable architectural and design features include a modern floating staircase at the front of the home, a generously sized 'chef-inspired' back pantry, and breathtaking views of the Minnesota River Valley, particularly from the master bedroom and the entire second level. Michael Laumann emphasized the prime location of the lot, describing it as one of the top ten in the metro area, with the design goal of maximizing these views. The project successfully met the clients' objectives, providing a home that offers comfort, refuge, and ample opportunities for family activities and memory-making, such as impromptu hockey matches. The house details include five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a blend of rustic and modern design elements. #HomeDesign #MidwestModern #LuxuryHome #FamilyFriendlyDesign #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #CustomBuild #EdenPrairie #RecreationalAmenities

Interior architect Eilish Rickard, who founded her eponymous interiors business in 2019, specializes in designing beautiful and liveable family homes. Her design philosophy emphasizes a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, prioritizing high-quality materials and timeless architectural details. Rickard believes that the pursuit of perfection can hinder comfort, advocating for spaces that feel inviting and relaxed rather than pristine and unapproachable. She highlights the importance of natural materials, large sofas, and elements that age gracefully, accommodating the realities of family life with children and pets. Rickard critiques the idealized interior images often seen on social media, describing them as aesthetically pleasing but impractical for actual living. She argues that such perfectly styled spaces can feel hard, shiny, and flat, failing to provide the softness, warmth, and accommodating atmosphere people truly desire in their homes. Her approach aims to create environments that evoke a sense of calm and ease, making residents feel at home and relaxed. With 13 years of experience in high-end residential and commercial interior design studios and five years leading her own practice, Rickard understands the crucial role of early collaboration in design projects. She stresses the benefits of being involved from the initial stages, ideally before electrical plans are finalized and while the architect is still actively engaged. This early involvement, forming a collaborative triangle with the architect and client, ensures a more satisfactory outcome for the project. In a featured project, a seaside house in Co Dublin designed by Caulfield Wright, Rickard implemented her vision to create a contemporary, relaxed, and inviting interior. Her design process involves meticulous consideration of how spaces will be used and how they might evolve over time. This foresight ensures that every detail, from the layout to the finishes, is carefully planned from the outset to meet the family's needs and lifestyle. Rickard also offers advice for those without an interior expert, encouraging them to focus on styling their spaces with thoughtful decorative pieces. She suggests incorporating items like lamps, vases, and well-arranged bookshelves to prevent spaces from appearing sad or empty. Her online interiors store, Dwell, provides a selection of decorative items along with styling tips, making good design accessible to a wider audience. Through her work, Eilish Rickard aims to deliver comfortable, beautiful, and functional homes that truly cater to the well-being of their inhabitants. #InteriorDesign #EilishRickard #FamilyHomes #ContemporaryStyle #TraditionalDesign #LiveableSpaces #HomeComfort #DesignPhilosophy #ResidentialDesign

In 2022, facing a challenging real estate market, Cody and Ashley Spencer, along with Cody’s brother and sister-in-law, collaboratively purchased a property in Langley. This acquisition laid the groundwork for their company, Homestead Design Build, which specializes in multi-generational living projects. Their clientele often includes younger generations struggling to enter the housing market, leading to creative solutions like parents moving into basements or building laneways. The Spencers' personal project involved renovating an existing house for Cody's brother and sister-in-law while constructing a new home for themselves on the opposite end of the deep, forest-bordered lot. Initial plans for a sprawling rancher were re-evaluated due to the lot's narrow profile and proximity to a creek, leading them to design a two-storey, 1,950-square-foot residence. Inspired by storybook European cottages, the new home blends modern aesthetics with a cozy, timeless appeal. The exterior features steeply pitched rooflines, board-and-batten siding, and warm cedar accents against a charcoal-on-black color scheme. A covered back patio, sheltered by a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and slim skylights, provides a three-season outdoor living space amidst Douglas fir and cedar trees, fostering a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments. Inside, dual-panel sliding-glass doors open into a living room dominated by a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, continuing the European cottage theme. The interior design incorporates an eclectic mix of vintage and modern furnishings, including a minimalist gallery wall and a dining area with spindle-back chairs, modern benches, and a traditional console. The kitchen is a focal point with a custom-framed hood fan, built-in shelves, and a striking quartz slab backsplash in a soft green hue. Defying convention, a framed artwork hangs above the range. A fieldstone feature wall near the farmhouse-style sink and brushed-gold faucet visually links to the living room fireplace. White and rift-cut white oak cabinetry with polished-chrome hardware contributes to a light, modern feel, while the Caesarstone-topped island features reeded side paneling and an integrated feeding nook for the family dog. The main floor powder room introduces a bold touch with walls and wainscotting drenched in Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog. Upstairs, the primary bathroom offers a spa-like retreat with a freestanding tub, ceramic herringbone floor tile, and large-format wall tiles mitered into the windows with quartz sills, creating a durable, waterproof wet area. The daughter's bedroom is decorated in bright pink, complemented by a green and rose bathroom with playful terrazzo hex floor tile and a practical pull-out stool from the vanity for accessibility. The couple’s home office, where they work side-by-side on projects, reflects their collaborative design-build approach. While the Spencers thoughtfully designed their home for longevity and adaptability to their family's growth, they acknowledge that minor details can be refreshed over time, ensuring the home remains both functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come. #HomeDesign #CottagecoreStyle #MultiGenerationalLiving #HomesteadDesignBuild #CustomHome #InteriorDesign #EuropeanCottage #OutdoorLiving #FamilyHome

This blog post explores a newly constructed Spanish-revival style home in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, completed in 2022, which has been imbued with a strong sense of history and old-world charm through thoughtful interior design. Interior designer Kristen Fiore collaborated with the homeowners, a couple with four children, to blend new construction with traditional aesthetics, ensuring no overly modern elements were introduced. The project spanned five years, during which Fiore meticulously sourced materials, antiques, and unique finds to create a space that evokes the feel of an old-world villa, incorporating Spanish revival, Italian, Moroccan, and Turkish influences. The home features a grand open-plan living area encompassing the kitchen, living room, and dining room. High ceilings are adorned with reclaimed wood beams, hand-scraped by the homeowner and construction team to achieve a distressed, antique look, contributing a rustic and ancient feel. The walls are finished with plaster, creating a neutral, classic, and sophisticated palette. Living room ideas seamlessly integrate with the open-plan design, maintaining an organic and neutral aesthetic. The space is centered around a large pale stone fireplace, flanked by Restoration Hardware sofas and illuminated by zinc pendants from Jamie Young. Kristen Fiore reflects on the project as a significant departure from her typical design approach, emphasizing the value of listening, learning, and applying traditional nuances. This experience, she notes, fostered her growth as a designer and project manager, cultivating an appreciation for traditional design and extensive research. The kitchen, a bespoke creation within the open-plan great room, serves as a social hub for the family. Its uniqueness stems from cabinet door faces and a full butler’s pantry designed by La Puerta Originals, featuring hand-carved, hand-pieced, and stained wood, giving it the appearance of being from another century. Lighting includes Cisco Home island lights and Visual Comfort sconces. The dining area's impactful design is attributed to its central position within the open-plan layout. A multi-stemmed Holly Hunt light fitting is a focal investment piece, creating a 'wow' moment upon entry. An accordion wall allows the indoor space to merge seamlessly with an outdoor loggia and an Italian-style pool flanked by olive trees, providing an al fresco California experience. The outdoor living spaces are equally important, with an outdoor kitchen and a vintage dining table in the loggia, offering a perfect poolside setting. The home also features intimate spaces, such as a cozy nook in the main bedroom with a rounded chimney breast reminiscent of 1920s Spanish revival homes, furnished with reclaimed antique chairs covered in Kravet Couture fabric. The bathroom, a favorite of the designer, offers a warm and relaxed ambiance, avoiding a stark, clinical feel. It includes a black clawfoot tub overlooking garden-style window boxes and views of the lake, complemented by terracotta stone floors that provide an earthy red hue. The overall design successfully fulfills the clients' desire for a traditional, rustic villa that feels like it belongs in Western Europe—a timeless architectural masterpiece and a comfortable, understated luxury family home filled with originality, cultural influences, and high-quality craftsmanship, a rarity in modern new builds. #SpanishRevival #EuropeanDesign #TraditionalStyle #NewBuildHome #InteriorDesign #KristenFiore #Antiques #OpenPlanLiving #LuxuryHome

This article highlights the interior design philosophy and personal home of Kristin Paton, a designer who seamlessly blends European glamour with a fashion-forward sensibility in her 1892 Colonial Revival home in Cambridge. Paton, whose passion for design began with fashion magazines like Vogue, trained in New York, London, and Florence, ultimately choosing interiors as her field. She applies a layered approach to design, starting with the home's fundamental structure and adding period-appropriate elements such as coffered ceilings and molding in her family room addition. Paton and her husband became stewards of the historical house, originally built by Cabot, Everett & Mead, in 2009. Despite its age and the need for significant updates—including a 1940s kitchen and a large terrarium—they committed to honoring the home's original character while modernizing it for a young family. Her design choices reflect her experiences living in London and studying architecture in Florence, infusing the space with elegant continental style that is also welcoming and durable for her three children and two sheepdogs. She emphasizes a non-precious approach, allowing pets on furniture and integrating practical elements without sacrificing sophistication. The home’s aesthetic features a blend of Old World grace and contemporary touches. The entryway, enhanced with a new balustrade, leads to a paneled entrance hall showcasing an antique Macassar-ebony sideboard and Italian Empoli glass. The dining room is notable for its Fromental handpainted-silk wallpaper, which Paton discovered in Hong Kong, and a unique lighting arrangement of green bell jars instead of a traditional chandelier. This space, furnished with antique horsehair chairs and a Dessin Fournir rosewood table, evokes a surrealist salon atmosphere. Casual gatherings take place in the kitchen, which features a Calacatta marble countertop and Crate & Barrel barstools. Coffered ceilings connect the kitchen to a bistro-style dining nook inspired by Parisian weekends, furnished with chocolate-hued pleather banquettes, sleek mirrors, Biedermeier chairs, and antique lamps from a French flea market. Paton embraces mixing elements, combining fine pieces with more practical ones. French doors open to a spacious rear porch and backyard with a trellised terrace, complete with Philippe Starck chairs and an outdoor fireplace. The finished basement adds functionality with a wine room, a kid-friendly TV room, a gym, and a guest bedroom. Paton’s design showcases a strong understanding of fashion and function, creating a home that is both elegantly styled for guests and intelligently outfitted for her family. She describes her home's style using a fashion metaphor: “sleek enough for the runway, yet ready to wear,” indicating a design that is both sophisticated and livable. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #CambridgeHome #KristinPaton #EuropeanGlamour #ColonialRevival #FashionForwardDesign #HistoricHomeRenovation

The author, Hanya Yanagihara, reflects on the concept of 'home,' noting that her transient upbringing across nine cities and 20 residences prevented her from associating the idea with a single physical space. Instead, her sense of rootedness is derived from an accumulation of specific details, rooms, furniture, and light from the various places she inhabited. This personal reflection introduces a broader exploration of diverse relationships with the notion of home, as presented in T Magazine's Design Issue. The article highlights several distinct examples of family residences, each offering a unique perspective on what constitutes a home. One featured residence is a mountain compound in Brazil, meticulously constructed by furniture designer Etel Carmona and her grown children. This compound is designed to accommodate three generations, balancing communal living with the need for individual privacy for each family member. This arrangement demonstrates a contemporary approach to multi-generational living, where shared spaces coexist with distinct personal areas. Another case study involves an English art dealer in Italy who decides to rededicate himself to Venice, a city with which he has a complex relationship. His new apartment, situated in a 17th-century palazzo, surprisingly turns out to be a place he was familiar with during his teenage years. This narrative explores the serendipitous return to a place that held previous personal significance, illustrating how history and personal memory can intertwine with one's definition of home. The story suggests that familiarity and a sense of connection can transcend the novelty of a new dwelling, transforming it into a deeply personal space. The cover story of the Design Issue focuses on the three residences created by the Swedish painter Carl Larsson and his wife, Karin, located north of Stockholm. Their first house, Lilla Hyttnäs, has been maintained by their descendants since the 1940s, with parts accessible to visitors and others remaining private. This home, more than a century after the Larssons' passing, continues to preserve their artistic legacy, furniture, and overall spirit, while also adapting to the improvisations and additions introduced by subsequent generations. This longevity and evolving nature of the Larsson home exemplify a living history, where a residence becomes a vessel for enduring family heritage and creative expression. The Larssons' original vision for their home was revolutionary for its time, rejecting the perceived monotony of bourgeois design characterized by dark furniture and neo-Renaissance styles. Instead, they championed folk art, craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and a sense of coziness. Their intention was to create an environment that felt inherently like a 'home,' rather than merely a 'house.' This distinction underscores the emotional and experiential qualities that define a true home, emphasizing comfort, personal expression, and a departure from conventional, often sterile, architectural norms. The article concludes by reinforcing the idea that a home is not just a structure but a dynamic entity shaped by personal histories, family connections, and artistic values. #HomeDesign #FamilyResidences #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalStyle #BrazilianDesign #VenetianApartment #SwedishArt #MultiGenerationalLiving

Stefanie Crawford, a meditation teacher and former interior designer, has meticulously crafted her family home in St Kilda, Australia, into a sanctuary of personal style, blending European timelessness with subtle wabi-sabi influences. Her design philosophy prioritizes collected treasures and unique finds over fleeting social media trends, resulting in an idiosyncratic home that deeply reflects her life experiences and aesthetic. The home, shared with her husband Glenn, son Ollie, and rescue pets Lotte and Diego, stands as a testament to thoughtful interior design shaped by a rich, multicultural background. The genesis of this unique residence began with an irregularly shaped plot of land in St Kilda, located behind a row of apartments, a heritage-listed Methodist church, and several conventional cream-brick dwellings. This site, despite its challenging access via a narrow laneway, captivated Stefanie with its peculiar charm, feeling like an oasis removed from urban life. She purchased the land, envisioning its transformation into something special, and enlisted architect Susi Leeton, known for her expertise in curves and helical stairs, to bring this vision to life. The construction, including a month-long pause during lockdown in 2020, took approximately 11 months to complete. Stefanie's personal history, particularly her European childhood, years as a model in Paris and New York, and subsequent travels to places like Marrakesh and Japan, profoundly influenced the home's design. Her experiences fostered a deep appreciation for diverse aesthetics and the wabi-sabi philosophy, which celebrates imperfection and transience. These influences are evident throughout the house, from the handmade Zellige tiles in the kitchen, inspired by Marrakesh, to the Tuscan-style rendered walls and an antique Dutch steel window in the ensuite, which floods the space with northern light. The interior is furnished with a mix of high-quality pieces and secondhand treasures, showcasing Stefanie's eclectic taste. Items like a Joe grey linen sofa from MCM House are paired with a Verellen beige sofa found on eBay, a Mark Tuckey ‘Oxo’ coffee table and Beni Ourain Moroccan rug from Facebook Marketplace, and an antique leather trunk discovered at a Paris flea market. The kitchen features luxurious materials such as Limewash Elm cabinetry by Elton Group, Laminam Calce XL benchtops from Signorino, and Moroccan Zellige splashback tiles from Tiles of Ezra. A wooden display cabinet at the base of the helical staircase, painted Dulux Domino, was also a secondhand find. Key design elements include custom steel-framed arch windows and doors by Skyrange, finished with Porter’s Paints Industrial Lustre in Quarry, enhancing the home's indoor-outdoor flow. The main bedroom features a Louis XVI beige lacquered day bed sourced from Facebook Marketplace and a 19th-century French gilded mirror from Leonard Joel Auctions. The ensuite is a highlight, with its massive industrial Dutch window from Fossil Vintage, a Kaskade ‘Aveo’ stone bath, and Sussex ‘Scala’ tapware in Living Rustic Bronze. The garden, with crushed marble gravel and olive trees, further accentuates the European feel, creating an outdoor oasis for relaxation and entertaining. Glenn Crawford, Stefanie’s husband and General Manager at Harnest Constructions, managed the building process, contributing to a relatively seamless construction despite challenges like COVID-19 lockdowns and town-planning delays. The home serves not only as a family residence but also as Stefanie’s workspace, where she conducts meditation courses and coaching sessions, fostering a communal space that aligns with her current profession as a psychosynthesis coach. The project underscored the importance of clear communication and transparency for a smooth build, culminating in a home that truly embodies the owner's unique journey and style. #HomeTours #EuropeanDesign #WabiSabi #StKilda #InteriorDesign #EclecticStyle #Renovation #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeDecor

This blog post offers an exclusive tour of Dallas-based interior designer Erin Sander's custom-built home in University Park, highlighting her unique design philosophy of 'relaxed, refined luxury' and 'Belgian farmhouse' aesthetic. The 5,000-square-foot estate, featuring four bedrooms and five baths, was constructed from the ground up on a quarter-acre lot, with Sander herself drawing the floor and architectural plans. The design emphasizes natural light and understated yet impactful details, drawing inspiration from her travels and other design projects. The home’s architectural features include a long hallway terminating in a window, with steps leading to the second floor, designed to create visually appealing focal points. Custom light fixtures and detailed wood flooring were also designed by Sander. The living room, a space optimized for practicality for her young children, features performance fabrics, a custom grasscloth-covered coffee table, and artwork by Katrine Hildebrandt. An annex, originally Sander's home office, now serves as a family study. This vaulted, story-and-a-half space offers ample storage and privacy. The kitchen is a central highlight, showcasing rift-sawn white oak flooring and hand-hewn Douglas fir beams. A striking pale blue Lacanche oven range, chosen early in the design process due to its year-long procurement time, sets the tone for other blue accents in the space. Other notable kitchen elements include an unlacquered brass faucet by Waterstone and a backsplash by Clé Tile. Over the eye-catching island, custom-made fixtures from Urban Electric Company in a hand-hewn brass finish are suspended. Scandinavian-designed stools provide practical seating, and decorative bowls, including a vintage piece from Sander’s grandmother and ceramics by Sara Kersten, add personal touches. The honed marble countertops were intentionally chosen to observe their wear and tear over time, informing her client recommendations. Café curtains made from hand-blocked fabric by Galbraith & Paul add another layer of detail. The dining room combines vintage McGuire chairs, re-covered in Peter Dunham fabric, with contemporary art by Addie Chapin. Exposed brick and a light fixture from Currey & Company contribute to a modern yet cozy atmosphere. A collection of pewter dishes, including pieces from her mother and finds from the vendor Unrefined, adds dark contrast and personal history to the dining area. A custom coffee station, a testament to the family’s love for coffee, features a La Spaziale espresso machine with walnut panels, open shelving, and an Ann Sacks’ Savoy series backsplash. This functional space is equipped with refrigerator drawers for coffee essentials. The primary bedroom boasts a whimsical Oly Studio light fixture depicting a flock of birds, vintage cabinets from Juxtaposition Home, custom lamps, and quadrille bedding. The master bathroom includes custom white oak vanities and hand-cut limestone floors laid in a unique pattern, accented with tiny blue celeste marble mosaics. The home's exterior features a mix of materials like lime-washed brick and cedar shake, surrounded by live oaks and potted olive trees, creating an approachable street view. A custom wood bench from David Sutherland is nestled among Savannah holly trees in the backyard. The article provides a comprehensive look into an interior designer's personal residence, showcasing a blend of functionality, luxury, and personal style. #InteriorDesign #CustomHome #DallasHomes #HomeFeatures #LuxuryInteriors #BelgianFarmhouse #DesignerHome #HomeDecor #ErinSanderDesign

Designers Jenna Schumacher and Majid Maleki of Insert Design undertook a project in Dana Point, California, to create an interior that complemented the home's transitional Mediterranean new build, designed by architect Bob White of Forest Studio. The initial connection with the client occurred serendipitously on a flight, leading to the project's commencement in mid-2018. The primary objective was to craft a warm, inspired, and inviting interior that capitalized on the home's views while maintaining a balance between beauty, livability, impressiveness, and modesty, reflecting the casual vibe of the affluent coastal neighborhood. The 5,200-square-foot residence, featuring four bedrooms and six bathrooms, was envisioned as a family home, prioritizing comfort and functionality for a family with two teenage boys and a Jack Russell terrier. Maleki and Schumacher incorporated practical additions such as a second laundry room for wet suit drop-off and a secondary kitchenette for bulk item storage, catering to the family's active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle. The interior design drew heavily from the home's Mediterranean architectural style, utilizing durable textures and materials characteristic of the region. Authentic limestone floors, large-format stone, and various woods were selected to introduce history and warmth, contrasting with white plaster walls. Long-lasting finishes designed to patina over time were chosen to enhance charm, while durable wool and linen fabrics were used to withstand wear and tear. The color palette was kept warm and neutral, incorporating golds, rusts, and hints of black, inspired by the vibrant local sunsets. Beyond the romantic interior courtyard, which features antique cobblestone, a stone fireplace, and a towering olive tree, the main level comprises an office, media room, wet bar, butler’s pantry, and an open-concept dining room, living room, and kitchen. Each room was designed to offer a unique experience while contributing to a cohesive overall aesthetic. For instance, the living room ceiling's tongue-and-groove wood provided a backdrop for the more ornate dining room ceiling, and a simple iron chandelier spanned the living room and kitchen, guiding the eye across the space. The kitchen is outfitted with custom European Woodworks cabinets, a substantial marble island, and high-end Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. The dining area features an ADG Lighting chandelier, an RH table and chairs, and abstract art by Colleen Veltz. The main level also includes an en suite guest bedroom, a luxurious primary bathroom with diverse lighting, and a primary bedroom accented with brown tones. The primary bedroom aims for a romantic ambiance, incorporating a Century bed, Noir/CFC chests, and art by RH and Natural Curiosities, with organic bedposts and rustic wood beams contributing to a relaxing atmosphere. An additional guest bedroom and a separate casita with a kitchenette are located upstairs. The exterior boasts a serene backyard with a pool, spa, and RH outdoor furniture, complemented by a rooftop deck offering ocean and star views. Completed in March 2021, the residence seamlessly integrates modern conveniences such as an automated home control system, motorized window treatments, and hidden televisions with timeless elements. Insert Design incorporated vintage and personal items, including a vintage cabinet, the client's bell collection, a tete-a-tete seat in the living room, and flags above office workstations—a vintage American flag for one and a U.K. flag for the other, honoring the family's heritage. This blend of new, old, and meaningful pieces created a curated and authentic living environment for the family. #DanaPointHome #MediterraneanStyle #InteriorDesign #InsertDesign #LuxuryLiving #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalDesign #FamilyHome #OrangeCountyRealEstate

This article offers an exclusive tour inside actress Nina Dobrev's West Hollywood home, highlighting its European-inspired interiors and the blend of vintage charm with modern updates. Built in the 1920s, the Spanish-style architecture has been meticulously preserved, showcasing original details alongside personal touches influenced by Dobrev's European heritage and travels. The tour begins by noting how the COVID-19 pandemic spurred Dobrev to undertake a comprehensive home remodel. Spending extended periods at home for the first time, she personally repainted the exterior from a mustard yellow to a neutral white matte, a testament to her DIY spirit. This transformation created a brighter and airier look for the Spanish-style house. Inside, the living room is a sanctuary of light, blending 1920s original features, such as a statement fireplace, with contemporary furnishings and subtle color accents. Thoughtful accessories, including fresh flowers, plants, serene crystals, and framed artwork, personalize the space, with a photo from Dobrev's African travels and a David Bowie print (a gift from Shaun White) adding unique flair. A significant renovation was the kitchen, which Dobrev transformed from a cramped galley space into an open-concept area perfect for cooking and entertaining. This remodel involved knocking down a wall, integrating diverse materials like olive green cabinets, butcher block countertops, white subway tiles, and a Dolomite island. European influences are prominent here, with an Italian-imported ILVE oven and reclaimed terra cotta tile flooring that adds a rustic, lived-in feel. The kitchen also features a high-tech fridge, an elegant farmhouse sink, and a newly appreciated spice rack. Adjacent to the kitchen is a sunny breakfast nook, designed for relaxation and reading. It accommodates approximately ten people and is adorned with a sculptural plant centerpiece arranged in the Japanese art of ikebana. The dining room, featuring a solid oak table from Arbor Exchange, seamlessly extends into the outdoors through French doors, promoting natural airflow and a brighter, larger feel. The article advises on linking indoor and outdoor spaces using consistent flooring and transparent barriers like French or sliding glass doors. The home retains many of its original 1920s architectural details, including crown molding, an antique black fireplace, and hardwood flooring. Dobrev successfully balances these historical elements with modern comforts through strategic renovations and contemporary decor. Her cozy bedroom features airy windows, cheerful bedding, and a unique longhorn art piece, which serves as a focal point above the bed. The charming blue and white bathroom showcases original 1920s tile work, reflecting timeless style through its cracks and imperfections, reminding readers of the lasting appeal of antique designs. For entertainment, Dobrev's cozy movie room boasts a plush Cloud Couch, surrounded by fluffy pillows and blankets. Personal touches include statues, crystals, candles, and a charcoal painting by her mother. The backyard houses a transformed pool house into a home gym, equipped with state-of-the-art gear and personalized with Pent Fitness weights, a cherry-red Smeg fridge, and surfboard trophies from her Teen Choice Awards. Finally, the outdoor area features a zen-like pool space surrounded by greenery and a large outdoor dining table, embodying a relaxing Los Angeles lifestyle. The article concludes by offering practical design advice and inspiration derived from Dobrev's choices. #NinaDobrev #CelebrityHome #EuropeanStyle #HomeRemodel #InteriorDesign #DIYHomeImprovement #SpanishArchitecture #OpenConceptKitchen #VintageHome

Ania Dunlop, founder of Home for Zen, undertook a significant project: the gut renovation and interior design of her own family home in Westchester. After an extensive search that involved viewing 30 properties, Dunlop selected a house built in 2003, recognizing its underlying potential despite its dated Mediterranean style. She envisioned a complete transformation, leveraging the structure's good bones, expansive space, and generous grounds suitable for entertaining. This personal project served as a canvas for her decades of accumulated art, heirlooms, and graphic prints, allowing for a soulful and personalized expression of her design philosophy. The renovated residence now spans three levels, encompassing a dining room, family room, living room, sunroom, kitchen with a cafe nook, two offices, five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and two powder rooms. The lower level features an indoor pool, an entertainment area with a bar, a gym, and a screening room. The design prioritizes natural light, with extensive glazing throughout the home and ample green spaces outdoors, facilitating an indoor-outdoor living experience year-round. Architectural elements, such as the grand double staircase, were preserved but updated with a streamlined railing to complement the more modern aesthetic while contrasting with the original ornate moldings. Dunlop's design approach on the ground floor emphasizes an open plan, utilizing off-white walls and subtle natural hues to maximize daylight and create an airy atmosphere. Certain areas are enhanced with vibrant wallpapers and organic surface patterns, adding visual interest. A standout space is the solarium, which has become a favorite, designed as a tropical oasis with botanical patterns, gold velvet chairs, and various thriving plants. The home incorporates elements like luxurious marble mantles and backsplashes, metallic accents that will develop a patinated finish over time, and artisanal handmade ceramics. The furniture, primarily crafted from ash and rift oak, is upholstered in rich textures such as shearling, mohair, and boucle textiles, contributing to the tactile quality of the interiors. A notable detail on the first floor is the design studio, which features a large, weeping willow tree wall treatment, with its tendrils extending across the room, creating an immersive and artistic environment. The overall interior design blends Mediterranean and Parisian Chic influences, resulting in a cohesive yet eclectic atmosphere. The incorporation of artisan goods and handcrafted collectibles infuses the minimalist spaces with character and history. This approach reflects Dunlop's advocacy for meaningful curation, promoting quality, sustainability, and timelessness in design. For Dunlop, designing her own home presented unique challenges, demanding a strong reliance on her intuition. The project’s success, however, brought immense satisfaction, affirming the emotional return on investment when a designer creates a space tailored to their own family's needs and desires, free from external client expectations. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #ModernMediterranean #ResidentialArchitecture #ZenLiving #PersonalizedDesign #SustainableDesign #FamilyHome

This article highlights four distinctive home design projects by various architectural firms, showcasing innovative approaches to residential living spaces. Each project demonstrates a unique blend of creativity, functionality, and personalized style, reflecting contemporary trends in interior and architectural design. The first featured project is by Itch Società d’Architettura in Milan, focusing on the transformation of early-20th-century attic apartments and duplexes. These residences incorporate clever interventions such as a daylight-ushering glass rooftop extension that opens onto a balcony, enhancing natural light and outdoor access. The design also emphasizes refined color blocking, which serves to animate and add character to otherwise understated interiors, utilizing original wood-slat ceilings crisscrossed with steel beams as a foundational element. Next, Ubalt Architectes in Paris presents a conversion of a 1970s computer data center into a live-work unit on the outskirts of the Marais district. This project boldly reimagines the typically grayscale office environment with fearless design choices. Notable features include vertical blinds, a vibrant jolt of tinted Plexiglas cladding structural steel, and a unique staggered terrazzo jardiniere. This jardiniere, accessed by a surrealist pool ladder, ingeniously extends the terrace greenery into the interior space, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Office S&M;, an emerging London practice, contributes a remodeled lower level of a Victorian town house in Islington. Their design is characterized by a playful and vibrant aesthetic, incorporating joyous tropical colors and tinted mirrors that introduce warped views, adding a whimsical dimension to the space. Custom built-ins, designed with peaks and arches, reference the surrounding architecture and evoke a playhouse-like charm. A strong emphasis on sustainability is evident through the use of reclaimed materials, such as countertops made from melted-down plastics and pendant lights crafted from recycled crushed brick, giving new life to previously existing elements. Finally, Rowland+Broughton showcases a contemporary three-story family home in Aspen, Colorado. This residence is a crisp composition of natural and refined materials, including soap-finished larch, bleached oak, charred pine, and black steel. Situated adjacent to a meadow and surrounded by evergreens, spruce trees, and Gambel oaks, the home integrates seamlessly with its natural environment. Interior highlights include a sculptural spiral staircase featuring LED-lit treads and a hand-carved Pele de Tigre marble fireplace, a collaboration with the Haas Brothers, which serves as a central artistic statement within the home. These elements collectively define a sophisticated and modern living space deeply connected to its serene surroundings. #ResidentialDesign #CreativeHomes #InteriorArchitecture #HomeRenovation #MilanDesign #ParisianLiveWork #LondonTownhouse #AspenHome

The article highlights a Winnetka home designed by Emily Sturgess Design, which was recognized with a Design 9 Award for Best Traditional Residence. The clients, a growing family who had moved from Chicago to Winnetka, sought a home that would be both functional for young children and suitable for formal entertaining. Emily Sturgess was chosen for the project, and her design philosophy focused on creating a space that respected the home's classic architectural details while feeling fresh and approachable for modern living. Sturgess emphasized the importance of the spaces reflecting both the husband and wife's preferences and being comfortable for various occasions. The finished project is characterized by its layering of rich textiles, colors, and materials, which contribute to a sense of warmth and sophistication throughout the house. A key aspect of Sturgess's design is its inherent traditional style, yet nothing in the home is considered too delicate to be used and enjoyed. This approach ensured that the luxurious home remained livable and functional for a family with young children. Specific design elements are noted in various rooms. The living room, for example, features a mix of patterns, an antique Maison Jansen armchair upholstered in Bennison’s Wheat Flour fabric, a Highland House St. Pete cocktail table, and a custom sofa by BH Home. Above the sofa hangs artist Donald Sultan’s “Mimosa with Green.” In the primary bedroom, GP & J Baker’s Flora wallpaper in blue adds a distinctive touch, complemented by a Lexington Leanne chaise and an antique bureau from The Parson’s Nose, which collectively create a classic ambiance. The collaboration between the designer and the clients was marked by trust and a shared vision. Sturgess expressed pride in the outcome, particularly in how the home seamlessly blends its heritage with contemporary living. A significant testament to the client's satisfaction was Sturgess being invited back to design the nursery after the family welcomed their first child, which she considers the ultimate stamp of approval for a job well done. The article also provides "Design Details" of the project, including its type (single-family home), location (Winnetka, Ill.), and the interior design firm responsible (Emily Sturgess Design). It also lists various resources and vendors involved in the project, such as Azul Painting, Ashley & Sloane, BH Home, Inc., Century Furniture, Cowtan & Tout, Fuller Architectural Panels, Kravet, Mecox Gardens, The Parson’s Nose Antiques, Vaughan Designs, and Visual Comfort & Co., indicating the collaborative effort required to bring the design to fruition. The photography was done by Marta Xochilt Perez, and home styling by Kimberly Swedelius. #InteriorDesign #WinnetkaHome #TraditionalResidence #EmilySturgessDesign #LuxuryLiving #HomeDecor #DesignAwards #FamilyHome #TextileLayering