House Tours: 6 homes with spiral staircases

This article showcases a curated selection of six unique, rounded homes across the United States, highlighting their distinctive architectural features and picturesque settings. Each property offers a blend of innovative design and comfortable living, set against diverse backdrops ranging from mountainous landscapes to oceanfront views. The first home, Azura Gardens in Weaverville, North Carolina, is a 2022 monolithic dome home nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This Moroccan-inspired residence spans two bedrooms and features arched doors and windows, intricate woodwork, and a kitchen equipped with Turkish lantern pendants and a live-edge island. The property extends over 28 acres, including two guest cottages, pollinator gardens, a year-round creek, wells, springs, and trails. This unique dome structure emphasizes both aesthetic appeal and a harmonious integration with its natural surroundings. Next, in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, a curvaceous 1989 shingle-style home sits on nearly 14 wooded acres in the Berkshires. This four-story, four-bedroom house is characterized by turrets and arched windows. Its interior boasts an open kitchen with a Tulikivi stove, a sunroom, an atrium, a bricked lounge area, and a large indoor pool illuminated by skylights. The exterior offers a river with a bridge, expansive yards, and multiple decks and terraces, providing a tranquil and luxurious living experience. The third featured property is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, approximately 15 minutes from the downtown area. This residence comprises a connected group of monolithic domes, built in 1977 by orthodontist Dr. Luther Bruce, and topped with copper-toned steel. The three-bedroom home, featuring seven orbs, includes arched windows, high ceilings, a contemporary kitchen, two living rooms, and a central spiral staircase crowned by a skylight. Outdoor amenities include a deck, a stone patio overlooking a pond, and an attached two-car garage. In Kilauea, Hawaii, a Balinese-style estate graces Kauai’s northeast coast, a short walk from Larsen’s Beach. Constructed in 2016, this home is a cluster of nine octagonal structures. Its five bedrooms are distributed across separate pods, connected by a covered breezeway. The main living areas, including the kitchen, living room, and dining room, are adorned with carved woodwork, decorative tile, French doors, sliders, and offer captivating ocean views. The nearly 3-acre property also features a botanical garden, a fruit orchard, and a yoga studio, encapsulating a serene and exotic living environment. The fifth home, built in 1975 in Nampa, Idaho, is a mid-century modern concrete structure with four bedrooms. This unique home showcases several curving walls and a partially spiraled green roof, alongside a circular library with a domed skylight. Spanning over 3,200 square feet, the interior includes cedar-lined ceilings, a glass-walled living room, and curled balconies. The property is surrounded by farmland and features a stock pond, raised garden beds, and a raspberry field. Finally, in Elk River, Minnesota, a renovated 1984 geodesic dome home is situated on 5 wooded acres, about 45 minutes north of Minneapolis. This three-bedroom residence features triangulated walls lined with light wood, skylights in the ceilings, and floating wood stairs leading to a loft. The downstairs area contains additional bedrooms and a second living room, while a screened porch provides views of the yard and mature trees. #RoundedHomes #ArchitecturalDesign #UniqueHomes #MonolithicDome #GeodesicDome #BalineseStyle #PropertyShowcase #LuxuryRealEstate #HomeDesign

This article compiles a visual lookbook featuring ten residential staircases that incorporate contemporary and non-traditional balustrades. Balustrades, which are railings designed to prevent falls, are traditionally characterized by their bulbous, lathe-turned balusters. However, the featured examples deviate from this conventional form, introducing innovative designs that serve as statement focal points within their respective homes. The collection begins with a Private House in Cologne, Germany, designed by SMO Architektur. This home features a seamless, perforated balustrade made from a single sheet of material. Its circular perforations create a striking contrast with the staircase's rigid, angular profile, aligning with the house's cubic form and a design informed by Le Corbusier's Plan Libre. Next is the Mo-tel House in London, UK, a Georgian townhouse renovated by Office S&M. This residence showcases a brightly colored, geometric staircase. The balustrade consists of vertically slatted balusters painted pink, complemented by a bright yellow handrail that integrates seamlessly with the staircase's end post, contributing to the home's vibrant interior scheme. A Tel Aviv townhouse designed by architect David Lebenthal presents a unique steel rod balustrade. The staircase is suspended behind a wall of vertically arranged steel rods that extend between floors, fixed to and intersecting with the metal-folded treads. This design is integrated with an exposed concrete party wall, forming a central element of the home. Gundry & Ducker's White Rabbit House in London features a cantilevered staircase with a balustrade made of green-painted vertical rods. A single-piece wooden bannister is positioned atop these balusters, piercing through an overhanging lip on the base step's tread, adding a distinct architectural detail to the 1970s house. Bonhôte House, also in London, designed by AOC, incorporates angular brass rods arranged in a zigzag pattern. These rods flank the staircase, which ascends above an open-plan living and kitchen area. The brass-wrapped staircase also functions as a visual divider for the ground floor spaces within this contemporary family home. AOC's Hearth House in Golders Green features a negative relief-style balustrade. Plywood sheets are laser-cut with the silhouettes of traditional spindle balusters, creating voids where ornamental spindles would typically be found. A lamp extending from the handrail further enhances the unique design. In Berlin, Germany, architect Philipp von Matt designed O12, an artist's home with a golden-hued, perforated-brass bannister. This mesh brass element zigzags along a solid concrete staircase, allowing light to filter through its perforations and illuminate the monolithic stairwell. Ash House in Lewisham, London, by R2 Studio, features a full-height ash bannister with circular cut-out openings. These openings are strategically sized, with larger holes at eye level for both adults and children, and a groove on the opposite side forms an inset handrail, connecting two storeys of an Edwardian house. Maryland House in London, the home of designer Remi Connolly-Taylor, includes a red metal staircase with a seemingly weightless appearance. A tubular, pipe-like handrail and balustrade follow the profile of the red folded treads, and the staircase is encased within a glass block-clad stairwell, designed to maximize light while maintaining privacy. Finally, Coastal House in Devon, UK, renovated by 6a Architects, showcases a wooden staircase with thin, tapering spindle-shaped balustrades. These are arranged at alternating angles, creating a wave-like rhythm. Made from oak, the balustrade and bannister have an unfinished, rustic quality that complements the home's original beams and stone walls. This lookbook aims to provide visual inspiration, highlighting innovative approaches to staircase balustrade design that move beyond traditional forms to create striking and functional architectural features within residential settings. The examples demonstrate diverse material choices, structural designs, and aesthetic considerations, showcasing how balustrades can be transformed into key elements of interior design. #HomeInteriors #StaircaseDesign #Balustrades #ContemporaryDesign #ArchitecturalDetails #ResidentialDesign #InteriorInspiration #ModernHomes #DesignInnovation

This article showcases six distinct homes across the United States, each characterized by its unique architectural style and meticulously landscaped gardens. The first property, located in Santa Rosa, California, is an 8-acre Mediterranean villa featuring a 26-foot octagonal tower that offers views of the surrounding forests and hills. The three-bedroom house includes marble floors, beamed ceilings, three fireplaces, a chef's kitchen, a breakfast room, a library, a wine cellar, and a sunroom. Its exterior boasts flagstone pathways connecting various patios, a courtyard, a wooded picnic area, a greenhouse, and diverse gardens, notably a rock garden. The second featured home is a five-bedroom modern Colonial in Harding Township, New Jersey. This residence opens with French doors onto a lawn adorned with two French-inspired stone patios. Inside, it presents an open kitchen-living room area with beamed ceilings and a central stone fireplace, a paneled study with coffered ceilings, a dining room, a media room, and a gym. The 3-acre property is extensively landscaped with shrubs and trees, further enhanced by a fountain, a small woods, and a turf putting green complete with two sand traps. Next is a four-bedroom Tidewater-style home in Weems, Virginia, whose formal gardens provide a scenic view of the Corrotoman River. The house is distinguished by heart-of-pine floors, custom cabinetry, crown moldings, multiple decks, and a chef's kitchen that seamlessly connects to a butler's pantry and the living room. The outdoor area features well-maintained lawns, vibrant flowers, shrubs, a fountain, oyster-shell walkways, and an arbor. Additional amenities include a screened porch with a pool and spa, and a deepwater dock equipped with boat lifts. A four-bedroom home in Minneapolis occupies a 0.23-acre lot, which is thoughtfully planted with flowers, vines, mature trees, and boxwoods. This updated 1926 house maintains its original French windows, interior arches, and glass-paned double doors, while also incorporating a modern open kitchen, a paneled study, and a master bedroom with a private porch. The exterior includes a small front patio overlooking Lake of the Isles, along with brick and stone garden patios in the back, one under an arbor, and a picnic patio with a grill. The fifth property, Bogardus Hall in Amenia, New York, is a six-bedroom Georgian house built in 1781 and expanded in 1871. It is set amidst wide lawns, mature trees, and extensive perennial beds. The house preserves historical details such as original fireplaces and a spiral staircase adorned with murals depicting life along the Hudson River. It also features a library-study, a full kitchen wing, a brick great room, and a wine cellar. The expansive 132-acre property encompasses woods, a trout creek, a two-bedroom guesthouse, and a three-car garage with an office, full bath, and car wash. Finally, a 1929 Normandy-style château in Mansfield, Ohio, stands on nearly 2 acres of landscaped grounds. This five-bedroom house has been modernized with a contemporary kitchen, wet bar, and security system, yet it retains its original central turret with a curved staircase, a steep slate roof, a Juliet balcony, frescoes, wormy chestnut-beamed ceilings, and a cellar room that once served as a speakeasy. The exterior boasts a sweeping front drive, a porch, garden beds, and a backyard with mature trees, a lawn, a patio, and carved-limestone elements, including a fountain. Each of these homes offers a blend of architectural charm and exceptional outdoor spaces, appealing to those who appreciate both refined interiors and extensive, beautiful gardens. #LuxuryHomes #LushGardens #ArchitecturalStyles #RealEstate #HomeDesign #LandscapeDesign #PropertyShowcase #OutdoorLiving #GardenHomes

This lookbook presents a curated selection of 10 residential interiors where corridors transcend their utilitarian function to become distinctive and celebrated spaces. Often regarded as mere transitional areas, or even undesirable in contemporary open-plan designs, these examples demonstrate how corridors can be intentionally designed as integral and aesthetically pleasing components of a home. The featured projects highlight various design strategies employed by architects and designers to elevate corridors. These approaches include the deliberate use of color palettes, unique flooring materials, and architectural elements that define and enhance these passageways. The aim is to showcase that with thoughtful design, corridors can offer more than just circulation; they can provide visual interest, spatial definition, and even an emotional experience within a residence. One example is the Upper Wimpole Street apartment in the UK, designed by Jonathan Tuckey Design. This project features an elliptical corridor with pastel pink walls and contrasting black and white triangular floor tiles. These elements work together to establish the corridor as a distinct space while simultaneously building anticipation for the areas beyond, illustrating how color and pattern can transform a hallway. StudioAC's Candy Loft in Canada introduces arched corridors with pale Douglas fir floors, subtly illuminated by warm inlaid LED lights. The upward glow emphasizes the architectural curve, creating an intimate and immersive experience as one moves through the thresholds. This showcases the power of lighting and form in shaping the perception of a corridor. In Belgium, Bovenbouw Architectuur's Weekend House transforms a corridor into a journey. The front door opens to a curving hallway with wooden steps, designed to evoke the sensation of walking up a path. This concept integrates the corridor with the natural surroundings, offering views of the garden and challenging traditional notions of internal circulation. Format Architecture Office's Riverside Apartment in the USA incorporates a translucent glass section into the pale hardwood wall of its corridor. This design allows light to permeate the space, preventing it from feeling enclosed, while integrated millwork provides discreet storage. The corridor itself serves to clearly delineate different functional zones within the compact New York apartment. Hiha Studio's renovation of Montcada house in Spain features an inward-curving wall defining a long, narrow corridor. This design choice disrupts the linear layout and creates a dynamic visual element. The continuation of a slightly lower ceiling and light-grey color into adjacent living areas further integrates the corridor's design with the broader interior scheme. Jean Verville Architectes' MB House in Canada utilizes recesses and passageways to sculpturally define the space. The corridor, like much of the house, is constructed from plywood, contributing to a minimalist aesthetic and cleverly concealing storage, demonstrating how materials and hidden functions can enhance corridor design. Civilian's Bed-Stuy Townhouse renovation in the USA involved creating a new corridor using a full-height maple millwork block, which serves as both a divider and storage. Lined with aluminum laminate and framed by parquet-styled American oak flooring, this corridor section demonstrates how new additions can thoughtfully integrate with existing structures while adding practical value. In the Trikoupi Apartment in Greece, Point Supreme Architects highlight the role of flooring in defining a corridor-like space within an open-plan layout. A long strip of oak parquet laid perpendicular to the entrance hall visually extends from the dining area to the balcony, acting as a clear central axis for the interior without physical walls. Azab's Inner Home in Spain, constrained by a tight budget, ingeniously enlivened a long central corridor with bold bubblegum-pink paint and a matching carpet. A gabled glazed doorframe at one end, fitting into the pitched ceiling, further accentuates the space, proving that impactful design can be achieved even with limited resources. Finally, S\_estudio's Casa Genaro in Argentina, designed with accessibility in mind, features a wide, central entrance hallway that provides direct access to every room. Generous skylights illuminate this spacious corridor, demonstrating how inclusive design principles can lead to open, bright, and functional passageways that are central to a home's layout. These examples collectively illustrate that corridors, when approached with creative design solutions, can transform from simple connecting paths into significant architectural and aesthetic features within a residential interior. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ResidentialCorridors #ArchitecturalFeatures #SpacePlanning #HomeRenovation #Lookbook #DesignInspiration #ModernInteriors

The stairway serves as a fundamental connector within a building, enabling movement between floors. Beyond this basic function, a well-designed stairway can significantly unify and enhance the entire aesthetic of a space, making a dramatic impression that few other interior architectural features can achieve. In contrast to the ornate, heavily carved newel posts characteristic of Victorian staircases, modern design philosophy, as exemplified by companies like Viewrail, centers on the treads themselves as the primary eye-catching element. Viewrail, founded in 2011 with a focus on modern stair design, developed its FLIGHT floating stairway in 2017. This design emphasizes wooden treads, complemented by railings made of glass, cables, or metal rods. The core principle behind this approach is to minimize the visibility of structural components, allowing the natural grain patterns and colors of the wood treads to become the focal point. This creates a sense of openness and allows light to filter through, making rooms appear larger and contributing to a more expansive visual environment. Floating stairways, particularly those with glass railings, are highly valued for their transparency, which allows them to seemingly disappear and integrate seamlessly into the surrounding architecture. This design choice transforms the stairway from a mere functional element into a striking focal point. Brian Ellison, a multidisciplinary designer, attests to the transformative power of Viewrail's stairs, noting their ability to unify spaces and impart a modern feel. He views the floating stairway as an unexpected and memorable feature that leaves a lasting impact on observers. Traditionally, staircases relied on lumber stringers built into the walls for support. Viewrail's modern floating stairways, however, often utilize a metal stringer located beneath the stairs, contributing to their sleek, minimalist appearance. Furthermore, Viewrail's pre-fabricated components, manufactured in Goshen, Indiana, offer a more affordable alternative to custom-built floating stairways. This accessibility allows designers to incorporate sophisticated, modern designs into projects that might otherwise be constrained by budget, making high-end aesthetics attainable for a wider range of projects. Viewrail prides itself on creating a streamlined process for designing, manufacturing, and delivering staircases, contributing to their affordability. The cost of a Viewrail staircase is comparable to that of a new kitchen countertop or half the expense of a mid-range bathroom remodel. Whether undertaking a renovation or new construction, careful consideration should be given to the stairway's design from the outset. Rather than being an afterthought, the stairway should be intentionally planned to accentuate the room and foster connectivity between different areas, thereby literally bringing spaces together. #ModernStairwayDesign #FloatingStairs #GlassRailing #InteriorArchitecture #HomeRenovation #ModernHome #Viewrail #AffordableDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures

This article details the renovation of a 19th-century carriage house in Brooklyn Heights by Ingui Architecture, transforming it into a modern, energy-efficient home adhering to Passive House principles. The primary objective of the renovation was to create a comfortable living space while maximizing natural light and incorporating sustainable design. The architects and homeowners embarked on a significant overhaul that included preserving some elements of the original garage structure while redesigning the layout to include a backyard, living space, kitchen, and dining area on the ground floor. A major structural change involved excavating to create a cellar housing a gym, recreational space, and home office. The second floor was reconfigured to accommodate three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Additionally, a penthouse featuring a glass-enclosed home office and a substantial roof deck was added, ensuring it remained invisible from the street to comply with Landmarks requirements. Light-stained rift and quartered oak floors were installed throughout the residence, contributing to a cohesive aesthetic. A central and distinctive feature of the renovation is a sculptural custom staircase, meticulously designed using 3D software, fabricated in Pennsylvania, and assembled on-site. This staircase serves as a focal point, connecting the various levels and allowing natural light to penetrate deeply into the core of the house. The nursery, for instance, incorporates a glass wall to enhance light, with a curtain for privacy and darkening when needed. The renovation prioritized Passive House standards, leading to a highly sealed and insulated structure that minimizes energy consumption. The house benefits from continuous filtered fresh air and windows designed to significantly reduce external noise and dust. While the house requires minimal heating due to its efficient design, an air conditioning system powered by a Mitsubishi heat-pump handles cooling needs, with shading and multiple layers of roof insulation reducing the cooling load by approximately 50 percent. Throughout the project, careful attention was paid to restoring the harmonious proportions of window and door openings, which had been compromised by previous haphazard renovations. Original bricks from interior walls were repurposed to seamlessly match the exterior brickwork. The interior design, managed by BIA Interiors (Ingui Architecture's in-house team), incorporates custom cabinetry, a Lacanche range, and zellige tile in the kitchen, alongside a custom-sculpted stove hood. The dining area features an upholstered banquette and lighting from Danish company Le Klint. The living room retains original, unfinished structural beams, which were protected throughout construction. Furnishings in the main living areas blend pieces from accessible sources like Montauk Sofa, Pottery Barn, and Anthropologie with items from designers such as Space Copenhagen for a lounge chair and Roll & Hill and Workstead for lighting fixtures. The bedrooms are furnished with items from CB2 and Design Within Reach. The design also includes a thoughtful sacrifice of some interior space for an outdoor patio and garden area, further enhancing the living experience. The project exemplifies a blend of historical preservation, modern design, and advanced energy efficiency. #CarriageHouse #BrooklynHeights #PassiveHouse #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation #CustomStaircase #InteriorDesign #EnergyEfficiency #HistoricPreservation

Spiral staircases are highlighted as not merely functional elements but as sculptural masterpieces that significantly enhance a home's aesthetic appeal and spatial dynamics. This article showcases five distinct examples from Architectural Digest's archives, each demonstrating unique design philosophies, material innovations, and architectural integration across different Indian homes. In Karnataka, Cadence Architects designed a five-bedroom, 15,000-square-foot home with a sweeping, fluid staircase that echoes the overall architectural concept. The design emphasizes varying roof levels and a play of volumes to create a sensorial experience. The home's layout, an L-shape encompassing various living spaces and courtyards, benefits from the staircase's central placement, which modulates volume and provides a distinct identity within the large open plan, as described by architect Smaran Mallesh. The staircase's geometry draws attention, flowing like a wave through the space, embodying both visual fluidity and a sense of rootedness within its environment. Moving to Kerala, architect Vinu Daniel of The Wallmakers created a unique spiral staircase for a family home near Ernakulam. Inspired by a jackfruit tree and the need for privacy, Daniel, known for his sustainable and context-driven approach influenced by Laurie Baker, conceptualized a staircase appearing like draped fabric. Constructed from cement over a skeleton of discarded pipes, its form harmonizes with the compound wall and roof curves. This project underscored an organic design process, with on-the-spot problem-solving due to the complexity of the 3D design in reality. The staircase stands out for its material innovation and striking form, contrasting with the brick walls and wooden furnishings that create a warm and cozy interior. In Ahmedabad, architects Sandeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand designed Abhikram, a two-storeyed home known for its climate responsiveness in a city experiencing extreme heat. A dramatic corten-steel spiral staircase serves as a radical element, connecting the two levels and leading to an entertainment terrace. This outdoor installation is particularly notable for its material choice and its function in linking various parts of the house, spanning 30 feet across a double-height living space. The robust materiality of the corten-steel staircase provides a strong contrast to the home's softer, muted interior palette of aqua blues, beiges, and blush, adding a unique industrial aesthetic. In Delhi, Shonan Purie Trehan designed her parents' home, weaving personal stories and memories into its architecture. A captivating teal spiral staircase with floral metalwork details is a focal point, contrasted by terracotta brick walls. The home's layout deconstructs a standard rectangular plot, creating a fluid experience that integrates the garden, patio, and pool with the interiors. The handcrafted brick exterior, with each brick meticulously placed, exemplifies both artistic freedom and precise craftsmanship, making the staircase an integral part of this richly detailed and personal residence. Finally, in Raipur, Studio Lotus designed a 15,000-square-foot bungalow inspired by old rice granaries, aiming to connect its multi-generational occupants with nature. A sculptural staircase is the centerpiece of the double-height lobby, serving as the crown jewel of the home's interior. The design prioritizes a vibrant visual palette against a muted background, ensuring privacy while maximizing the natural surroundings. The staircase acts as a central gathering point, connecting the living and dining areas with the lawn and courtyard, facilitating family interactions while allowing for individual spaces. #SpiralStaircases #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #MaterialInnovation #SculpturalElements #IndianHomes #LuxuryHomes #CustomDesign

The 'Spiral' House, a modern extension to an old French countryside residence, showcases Powerhouse Company's design approach to integrating new architecture with existing structures. The project is located in Burgundy's rural landscape on a 13,000m2 property, centered around an original farmhouse. The extension adds 200sqm to the property, primarily to accommodate new guest rooms for the family. The design is characterized by its 'spiral' form, where an arm of the extension extends from the main house's upper floor, twisting down to the ground. This creates a loosely defined inner courtyard between the long volume of the extension and the existing farmhouse. The architectural challenge addressed in this project was the coexistence of the old and the new. Powerhouse Company opted for a bold, yet well-considered design that contrasts with the traditional architecture of the original farmhouse. The extension's form facilitates a dialogue between the structures, rather than a direct mimicry. The client was actively involved in the design process, leading to a high-ceilinged, elongated structure featuring glass walls on one side to maximize openness and connection to the surroundings. The lower end of the extension houses a living room and library, providing additional communal space for the main residence. The more private upper end contains two guest suites, ensuring privacy for visitors. An internal staircase runs parallel to the extension's inner outline, accommodating its gentle inclination and maintaining the fluid, organic feel of the design. The patio, formed by the spiral's curve, serves as a subtle homage to the region's traditional 'Clos' courtyards, which are common in local enclosed vineyards. This patio also functions as the complex's main entrance, skillfully blending the old and new sections of the property. The elevated volume of the extension helps to seamlessly merge the interior spaces with the external garden and the surrounding parkland, enhancing the sense of integration with nature. The extension by Powerhouse Company is designed for both openness and a skillful combination of indoor and outdoor environments, making it an integral part of the overall complex. The design visually and physically connects guests with the natural landscape of Burgundy, fostering an immersive experience. Additionally, the project successfully links the historical elements of the farmhouse with contemporary architectural design, aiming to make guests feel fully incorporated into the family's life and the home's history. The blend of functionality, aesthetic contrast, and respect for the site's context defines the 'Spiral' House as a notable example of modern architectural intervention. #Architecture #ResidentialDesign #ModernExtension #FrenchCountryside #PowerhouseCompany #SpiralHouse #ArchitecturalDesign #Burgundy #InteriorExteriorIntegration

This article showcases six distinct properties across the United States, each embodying a modern farmhouse style with rustic elements. These homes are situated in various locations, including Washington, Connecticut; Garrison, New York; Bluffton, South Carolina; Sherman Oaks, California; Valley Village, California; and Atlanta, Georgia, offering a diverse range of settings from leafy, expansive acreage to more urban, tree-lined streets. The property in Washington, Connecticut, is a five-bedroom cedar-clad barn home constructed in 2008, set on eighty acres. It features a two-sided fireplace, a wood-beamed living room with glass doors opening to a covered porch, and views of a pond. The lower level includes a gym, game room, and an entertainment space with a bar. The estate also comprises a two-bedroom guesthouse, a pool, spa, patio, and an orchard, located near Lake Waramaug and New Preston. In Garrison, New York, a newly built four-bedroom home, known as The Garrison House, blends classic farmhouse details. Its interior is characterized by wide-plank wood floors, exposed reclaimed-timber beams, vintage fixtures, and a chef's farmhouse kitchen with a large, wood-topped island. The 2.74-acre lot provides a patio with a stone fireplace, grassy yards, mature trees, and a guest cottage, with proximity to hiking trails, a Metro-North train station, the Hudson River, and the cultural and dining amenities of Cold Spring. Bluffton, South Carolina, features an award-winning barn-inspired farmhouse from 2022, built with shou-sugi-ban charred cedar. This five-bedroom home highlights a living room with a shiplap ceiling, French doors, and a gas fireplace, adjoining an open kitchen-dining room. The property offers a private pool, firepit, gardens, and river views, within a resort community that provides various amenities such as restaurants, a spa, stables, and sports courts. A classic five-bedroom farm-style house from 1936 in Sherman Oaks, California, has been updated with contemporary features. This open-plan residence includes vaulted ceilings, four skylights, a floating central staircase, and a gourmet kitchen with Moroccan tiling, a glass-fronted bar, a large central island, and a built-in daybed. The exterior boasts a pergola, a gas grill and smoker, a salt-water pool, an outdoor theater, and a sports court, and is a short drive from the Getty Museum. In Valley Village, California, a 2019 four-bedroom farmhouse is distinguished by vertical board-and-batten siding and a front barn door. Its open-plan interior showcases exposed beams, shiplap ceilings, a chef's kitchen with quartz counters and a drinks refrigerator, and a living room with accordion glass doors leading to a covered patio. The landscaped property, situated 25 minutes from downtown L.A., includes a waterfall pool and spa, a built-in grill, and an orange tree. Finally, Atlanta, Georgia, presents a three-bedroom modern farmhouse built in 2021 on a tree-lined street in historic Oakland City. The home features an open main living space with a fireplace, a kitchen with an eat-in island, and a primary bedroom with sliding barn doors that open to a spa-like bathroom with marble tile and a soaker tub. The lot includes a covered patio and a large, fenced backyard, with downtown Atlanta located 15 minutes away by car. Each of these properties illustrates the enduring appeal and varied interpretations of the modern farmhouse aesthetic, combining rustic charm with contemporary living. #ModernFarmhouse #RusticHomes #PropertyShowcase #RealEstate #HomeDesign #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalStyle #FarmhouseRenovation #USProperties

This article explores six meticulously preserved homes constructed in the 1930s, showcasing a range of architectural styles and locations across the United States. Each property highlights original period details alongside modern updates, offering a glimpse into historical residential design. The first featured home is The Stone House in Phoenix, Arizona, a 1934 colonial that underwent a significant restoration in 2020. This four-bedroom residence boasts arched stone doorways, wooden ceilings, and wrought iron accents. Its chef's kitchen features reclaimed wood floors, while the primary bathroom includes a copper tub. Situated on a 0.38-acre lot across from the Encanto golf course, the property offers extensive yards, gardens, and a patio. In Los Angeles, California, a 1930 updated Spanish Revival home in West L.A.'s Little Holmby neighborhood is presented. This five-bedroom house is characterized by dark-toned herringbone and wide-plank floors, arched doorways, and a living room with distressed beams, built-in shelves, and a plaster fireplace. An upstairs suite includes a wrought iron Juliet balcony overlooking a pool, spa, and private yards. Atlanta, Georgia, features a French Normandy home, built in 1934 and later expanded, located within a gated community in Kingswood. The grand foyer showcases marble black-and-white tiles, leading to a barrel-ceiling living room with parquet floors, diamond-pane windows, and French doors. The lower level of this residence includes a wine cellar, gym, and billiards room. The 1.44-acre lot is professionally landscaped with a fountain and a pool. Mount Kisco, New York, is home to a 1936 colonial estate situated on over 11 acres in the historic Bedford area of Westchester County. This five-bedroom house features two chimneys, vine-wrapped columns, arched doorways, vertical shiplap walls, and dentil crown molding. An updated eat-in kitchen with sliders opens onto a stone terrace. The expansive property also includes a pool and mature trees. In New York City, a three-bedroom West Village co-op loft in the 1939 Waywest building, a former cold-storage warehouse, is highlighted. This loft boasts original brick walls, high ceilings, and cast-iron pillars. A 2022 renovation introduced wide-plank oak floors, updated plumbing and electrical systems, and an open kitchen equipped with a Sub-Zero fridge and marble counters. The apartment offers two terraces, and building amenities include door staff and a roof deck. Finally, Portland, Oregon, presents an updated 1930 English cottage in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood. This three-bedroom home retains original wood floors, features a dining room with leaded glass cabinets, and a galley kitchen with butcher-block counters. An unfinished basement provides additional space. The exterior includes a deck with a hot tub and pergola, leading to a backyard and garage. #HistoricHomes #1930sArchitecture #HomeRestoration #LuxuryRealEstate #ArchitecturalStyles #PropertyShowcase #InteriorDesign #RealEstate

This article explores seven distinct and inspiring staircase designs that can transform a property, particularly country homes, into a stylish statement. It emphasizes how the staircase, often a central architectural feature, can reflect a home's character and enhance its aesthetic appeal. Each design concept offers unique material combinations, spatial considerations, and stylistic approaches. The first design, "Modern rustic," suggests utilizing a building's natural structure, such as exposed timber frames in barn conversions. It proposes blending state-of-the-art steel with aged-wood beams to create a clean-lined banister that complements the roof timbers, resulting in a contemporary yet rustic feel. "Ahead of the curve" focuses on curved staircases, highlighting their space-saving benefits in compact interiors and their ability to make a bold architectural statement. The advice is to keep the area beneath the curve clear of clutter to emphasize its design. For quirky country homes, "Be bold with beams" recommends bespoke staircases that integrate hand-carved green oak treads. Richard McLane of Bisca Staircases suggests using green oak for its beautiful aging process, allowing it to blend seamlessly with existing timber. "Faded glory" introduces a contemporary coastal style by sanding back original wood boards and pairing them with beach-style banisters stained to match. Cathryn Helsby from Earthborn Paints recommends environmentally friendly wood stains in various colors to update banisters and balustrades. "Runner up" caters to grand country homes with spacious entrances, advocating for eye-catching sweeping staircases made of natural English oak. These can be complemented by natural materials like slate or stone for surrounding floors. The article also suggests adding warmth with natural wool runners, secured with gripper and underlay, and finishing with decorative oak rods and brass brackets for a classic look. "Climb the walls" presents an idea for making a significant impact in a country hallway by using wallpaper instead of paint on an ornate staircase. Claire Vallis of Harlequin Group encourages bold choices, such as oversized florals with metallic hints, to immediately capture attention in a thoroughfare like a hallway. Finally, "On display" offers a practical and aesthetic solution for smaller country homes: a multi-purpose staircase that incorporates open-plan shelving for displaying ornaments and curios. This design cleverly utilizes the otherwise redundant space beneath the treads and risers, creating both storage and a functional staircase. #StaircaseDesign #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #CountryHomes #RusticDecor #SpaceSavingSolutions #WallpaperIdeas #StaircaseStorage

This article highlights the timeless elegance and versatility of arched doorways in modern home design, showcasing 20 distinct projects where arches play a significant role. Arches, ranging from gothic to rounded and foiled styles, are presented as a design element that adds refinement regardless of the room, style, or era. The examples demonstrate how arches are utilized in various architectural contexts, from new constructions to renovations of historical buildings, and in diverse geographic locations such as Australia, Italy, China, Japan, Greece, and the United States. The article begins by featuring the Glebe House by Chenchow Little architects in Australia, characterized by its arched details and a wedge-like form, creating a sculptural aesthetic. It then moves to the Palomba Residence, where Italian designers transformed a 17th-century oil mill into a serene retreat using arched doorways to connect spaces. A unique example from Central China illustrates the transformation of an old cave dwelling into a stylish home, with a wooden grid and glass curtain wall at the main entrance allowing ample natural light through an archway. An ancient trullo in Puglia, Italy, is modernized with a large arched door and understated decor, preserving its original features while introducing utilitarian style. Further examples include a live/work home in Japan, brightened by a rainbow of colorful arches, and a Tuscan villa that conceals a modern, industrial interior behind its traditional facade. The Hawthorn House in Melbourne features concrete arches that shroud a minimalist forever home, applying rural design sensibilities to a suburban context. An arch-filled Greek island villa, Villa Nemésis, demonstrates how modern design can integrate with the ruins of a 14th-century castle on Nisyros. A compact Japanese house boasts dynamic arches and lush courtyards, where lime plaster walls reflect sunlight pouring through archways. An old home infused with Art Deco-inspired touches showcases a drywalled and plastered arched motif in the main living area, creating separation within open spaces. The article also presents examples beyond private residences, such as the Sister City hotel, where strategically placed arches evoke buoyancy in a 200-room setting, and a Wes Anderson-inspired cafe in China that leverages arched doors for a highly Instagrammable aesthetic. Other residential projects include an arch-filled home in Japan that encourages play and exploration with exposed timber trusses and arched thresholds, an English home with a barrel-vaulted brick addition featuring an arched, load-bearing roof that creates an airy feel, and a Jazz-Age classic in Florida that underwent an Art Deco-inspired renovation. An old, cave-like dwelling reimagined as an alluring, minimalist home uses arched thresholds instead of doors to define areas. A renovation taking cues from 1930s cruise ship design in South Australia features a stucco facade and steel-framed, arched windows. An open-air tech office in Poland incorporates arches and gates across historic buildings. A Hollywood hideout is defined by character-defining arched openings, and a revamped apartment in an 18th-century Sicilian building pays homage to the sea with an intense blue-green arched threshold. #ArchedDoorways #ModernHomeDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures #InteriorDesign #RenovationProjects #GlobalArchitecture #DesignInspiration #HistoricalRenovation #ContemporaryLiving

This article showcases eight distinctive spiral staircases from various architectural projects, highlighting their innovative design and functional elegance. Each example demonstrates how spiral staircases transcend their primary purpose of vertical movement to become central aesthetic and structural elements within diverse environments, from corporate offices to luxury hotels and private residences. The first example features Gensler's design for CBRE's Glendale office, where a nautilus-like staircase connects three lower levels of a four-story space, promoting vertical flow in an office with a 'free address' policy for its 125 employees. Paul Cocksedge Studio's 'Ampersand' project in London incorporates a 40-foot spiral staircase that integrates benches, a small library, and a balustrade garden with six plant species, effectively using natural sunlight to create an energy-infused office environment. Gensler Tokyo's design for Yanmar in Osaka, Japan, includes a steel staircase painted in the company’s signature chili red, spiraling through eight floors and serving as a vibrant visual anchor. Richard Meier & Partners Architects' Hotel Seamarq in South Korea showcases a main staircase crafted from snow-white Venetian plaster with oiled oak treads, forming a graceful swirl that descends to the restaurant level's entry gallery within a distinctive parallelogram structure. Eva Jiricna Architects utilized ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) to create an elegant spiral staircase for London’s Somerset House. This staircase features delicately molded UHPC treads swirling around an airy filigree steel tube, a design that presented significant engineering challenges and was described as a live experiment in material application. Gensler's project for Hyundai Capital's European headquarters addressed the lack of internal connection across three H-shaped floors by introducing a nautilus-shaped staircase almost centrally located. This staircase achieved a sense of both literal and figurative lightness through its construction, utilizing two layers of 1/4-inch steel, pressed and welded, for the stair walls, complemented by pristine Thassos marble treads and risers, and an LED ribbon within the handrail. Square One Architecture's Carturesti Bookstore in Bucharest features two spiral staircases made of white-painted steel, linking the ground level to the mezzanine. These staircases maintain continuity with the 19th-century art nouveau building’s original structural columns, providing essential vertical circulation and a sense of motion. Finally, the Los Angeles House designed by Belzberg Architects and curated by Delta Wright features an asymmetrical spiral staircase that is a central architectural feature. Rising through the core of the 12,000-square-foot residence, this staircase transitions from narrow to wide and from thin to thick. Each strip of European white oak cladding the spiral was hand-cut and hand-laid, and the balustrades are composed of heat-bent clear glass, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship and innovative design. #SpiralStaircases #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #GenslerDesign #PaulCocksedgeStudio #RichardMeier #EvaJiricna #BelzbergArchitects #OfficeDesign #HotelDesign #ResidentialArchitecture

HDB executive maisonettes in Singapore are highly sought after due to their scarcity and multi-storey, landed home-style living. These properties are considered appreciating assets, and investing in their renovation can significantly enhance their aesthetic and functional appeal. The article presents six distinct HDB maisonette staircase transformations, showcasing how these central architectural features can be reimagined beyond simple railing replacements to become impressive focal points within a home. The first transformation highlights a built-in slide with LED lights, designed for a family of five. This innovative design, created by Jesigns Interior Design, integrates fun and functionality directly into the staircase. The slide, featuring fluted panels and light wooden elements, seamlessly blends with the home's overall Scandinavian aesthetic, offering children a unique play area within their living space and eliminating the need for daily playground visits. The second example showcases an industrial-style staircase with raw cement finishing. Drawing inspiration from urban chic apartments and cafes, this design incorporates a cement screed staircase that contrasts beautifully with an all-white interior. Dark wooden planks on each step add a rugged yet balanced charm. The surrounding decor includes geometric fixtures, artwork, and contemporary furniture, creating a minimalist artist's abode. The third transformation features an all-white staircase with organic curves. This design incorporates arched features, a significant trend, into the maisonette staircase, resulting in an elegant and flowing composition. The Interior Lab ingeniously created a small room under the stairs, complete with an arched doorway, functioning as both storage and a children's playroom, reminiscent of Harry Potter's Cupboard Under The Stairs. The all-white design complements a modern Scandinavian decor theme. The fourth example presents a Parisian-style staircase with recessed lighting. This sleek, modern design, also by The Interior Lab, features an all-white facade and embedded LED lights that elegantly trace each step. A transparent glass balustrade adds a futuristic and contemporary flair, making the staircase appear as if it belongs in a minimalist boutique hotel and serving as a striking focal design element. The fifth transformation explores another take on the industrial theme, this time incorporating hidden cabinets and fluted panels. This design uses strong industrial elements like a wire mesh railing, bold electrical conduits, and vintage factory wall sconces, creating a distinct style that complements an oriental theme running through the home. A particularly clever aspect is the inclusion of under-stair pull-out cabinets, which convert dead space into highly functional storage for miscellaneous household items. The final transformation embraces a Wabi-sabi aesthetic with Bali resort vibes. This 2023 trend combines different interior styles to create awe-inspiring homes. In this maisonette, a textured microcement finish covers the ceiling, walls, and even the staircase railing, imparting a sense of depth and tranquility. This simple yet impactful transformation creates an immersive experience, transporting residents to a serene, resort-like environment. These diverse staircase transformations demonstrate the potential for HDB maisonettes to be elevated into unique and personalized living spaces. By focusing on design innovation and thoughtful execution, homeowners can turn their staircases into impressive focal points that reflect various styles, from playful and modern to industrial and tranquil. The article emphasizes that a well-designed staircase can significantly contribute to the overall aesthetic and functionality of these coveted HDB flats, making them truly exceptional homes. #HDBMaisonette #StaircaseTransformation #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #SingaporeHomes #ScandinavianDesign #IndustrialDesign #WabiSabi

This article explores the architectural application and benefits of incorporating interior courtyards with sliding doors in residential designs. Interior courtyards, a common feature in traditional architecture, particularly in warmer climates, serve multiple functions. They create introverted, safe, and sometimes sacred spaces, acting as gathering areas while providing natural light and ventilation to the internal spaces of a home. The integration of sliding glass doors is crucial for establishing a seamless and functional relationship between these indoor and outdoor environments. The article presents five distinct projects that exemplify the effective use of sliding glass doors to achieve this integration. The first project, an O-shaped house called 'An Oasis in the Desert' by The Ranch Mine in Phoenix, Arizona, demonstrates how a courtyard can create a microclimate in an extreme desert environment. Spanning 4,090 square feet, the house utilizes Western Window Systems' Series 600 Multi-Slide Doors and Series 600 Window Walls to connect the interior with the central courtyard, which also functions as a safe space for pets. The design emphasizes natural ventilation and employs low-E, argon-filled glass to mitigate high temperatures and reduce energy consumption. The second example features a small prefabricated waterfront residence in Long Island, designed by Resolution: 4 Architecture. This project highlights economic and ecological solutions, with the house constructed from two prefabricated sections on a steel frame and clad in corrugated aluminum. Despite a modest exterior, the home is centered around a spacious patio and deck. Series 600 Sliding Glass Doors facilitate a smooth transition from indoor to outdoor areas, demonstrating that generous openings can make a small house feel more expansive. The third project, 'The Courtyard House' by HK Associates in Tucson, Arizona, addresses the unique requirement of housing over a dozen rescued cats. The architects designed a 3,500-square-foot house with a free-flowing floor plan and multiple courtyards. These courtyards not only provide abundant natural light and ventilation but also serve as comfortable habitats for the cats. The main U-shaped courtyard and four smaller courtyards create an intricate series of integrated indoor-outdoor spaces. Large openings in the living, kitchen, and dining areas use four-panel Western Window Systems Series 600 Multi-Slide Doors, while bedrooms and offices feature Series 600 Sliding Doors flanked by fixed floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuring visual continuity at a lower cost. The fourth project, a house designed by Tai Ikegami in Palo Alto, California, prioritizes the surrounding landscape. The design uses a restrained material palette of exposed concrete and wood, complemented by extensive natural light. The residence is divided into three pavilions, each with its own outdoor areas and unique natural views, strategically designed to avoid disturbing the roots of nearby large trees. This results in a composition of strong horizontal lines and glass extensions that constitute almost 50% of the home's surfaces. Large sliding doors and picture windows create individual outdoor vignettes that can be experienced from within the house, with delicate profiles from Western Window Systems frames maximizing unobstructed views of the courtyards. Finally, a luxury house in Las Vegas by Blue Heron showcases extensive transparency to blend interior and exterior spaces. The material choices connect the structure with its desert surroundings. An L-shaped floor plan positions primary living areas facing northwest for city views, while bedrooms are located at the rear to minimize afternoon solar heat gain. Western Window Systems pocketing Series 600 Multi-Slide Doors retract into wall pockets, transforming the main living areas into open-air pavilions and blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments. This complex design navigates the technical challenges posed by mountain winds and the desire for seamless integration. #SlidingDoors #InteriorCourtyards #ResidentialArchitecture #GlassDoors #ArchitecturalDesign #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ModernHomes #SustainableDesign #WesternWindowSystems