Ten home interiors with inventive broken-plan layouts

This article explores ten unique residential architectural designs that deviate from conventional rectangular floor plans, showcasing a range of innovative and unconventional shapes. These homes, located in various parts of the world, demonstrate how architects utilize unusual geometries to respond to site conditions, optimize views, or create distinct living experiences. Each featured house presents a creative solution to architectural design, often resulting in striking visual forms and functional layouts. The first example is Casa de la Roca in Mexico, a Y-shaped house designed by Cadaval & Solà-Morales. Its three equal-sized volumes, resembling a throwing star, point towards different views from a central living area, with bedrooms strategically placed to maximize scenic exposure. In London, 6 Wood Lane by Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects features a distinctive sausage-shaped upper floor, constructed using boatbuilding techniques. This unconventional form was prefabricated and craned into place, creating a unique urban dwelling Michael Russum described as a "mystery vessel." Moon Hoon's Simple House on Jeju Island, South Korea, is characterized by stacked, cantilevered concrete boxes that form a cross-like plan. This design is engineered with diagonal reinforced-concrete beams to withstand strong winds while orienting each box towards specific views. Casa Bruma in rural Mexico, designed by Fernanda Canales and Claudia Rodríguez, consists of nine dark-colored blocks arranged like a bracelet around a central courtyard. This layout preserves existing trees on the site, with each block housing a different function of the home. The Treewow Retreat in Zhongcun, China, by Monoarchi, is a circular holiday home supported on stilts, resembling an eyeball in plan. It features a circular terrace and a freeform roof, designed to integrate with its natural surroundings by a stream. In Colorado, Skylab Architecture's Owl Creek Residence has a triangular, arrowhead-shaped floor plan. This design capitalizes on views of the Rocky Mountains, with V-shaped bedrooms on the lower floor and an open-plan living area on the upper level. Planar House in Brazil by Studio MK27 is a monumental single-story residence with rooms arranged linearly under a grass-covered concrete roof. A curved brick screen gives the house the appearance of an elongated grand piano, highlighting the studio's emphasis on horizontality. Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects' Todoroki House in Tokyo features an artichoke-shaped ground floor with full-height glazing facing a tropical garden, while the first floor comprises eight intersecting rectangular volumes offering treetop views. My Home in Fukushima, designed by Cohta Asano, is a three-story house composed of nine intersecting cuboids, evoking a pile of toast. This configuration creates varied and harmonious internal spaces. Solo House II in Matarraña, Spain, by Office KGDVS, is a wedding ring-shaped residence with a 45-meter diameter circular roof and glass walls, providing panoramic views of the forest from its plateau location. Lastly, Gluck+'s Artist Retreat in Upstate New York consists of eight Tetris-like cuboids arranged on a grid, with six connected as living spaces and two serving as a photography studio, their simple forms creating strong silhouettes in the agricultural landscape. The Vault House in South Korea by OBBA features undefined, curvy walls extending from the house to enclose private garden spaces, protecting them from nearby infrastructure. #ResidentialArchitecture #HouseDesign #UnusualFloorPlans #ArchitecturalInnovation #ModernHomes #GlobalArchitecture #UniqueStructures #DesignInspiration

The article explores the concept of 'broken-plan living room ideas,' a design trend that has gained traction over recent years, moving away from purely open-plan layouts. This approach involves sub-dividing living spaces to enhance functionality and create a cozier atmosphere while retaining an open feel. The benefits of broken-plan living rooms are highlighted, emphasizing how they allow different family members to engage in separate activities within the same area without causing distraction. The article presents 15 distinct methods for achieving a broken-plan aesthetic, demonstrating its versatility across various interior design schemes. One popular method involves the installation of Crittall doors, which effectively divide a living space without compromising natural light or a sense of spaciousness. Sims Hilditch, a design director, notes that these doors can create distinct zones, such as a formal entertaining area and an entrance hall, while maintaining visual unity through consistent flooring and color palettes. Another technique suggests using open shelving to zone areas. This method preserves sightlines and an airy feel while offering functional partitions, with architectural shelving doubling as sculptural elements. Decorating these shelves with houseplants helps to soften their appearance. Bespoke furniture also plays a crucial role in defining areas within a broken-plan layout. Ammor Architecture LLP exemplifies this by using custom-built millwork to delineate an entry vestibule, living-dining area, and den in a modest house. These furniture pieces are designed to stop short of the ceiling and feature sculptural legs, ensuring that openness and light are maintained. Creating an office nook is another practical application of broken-plan design, especially for those without a dedicated home office. Small internal partition walls and slimline floating shelves can form a functional workspace, with plants adding a natural screen. Double-sided fireplaces offer both a visual division and an efficient heating solution for larger broken-plan spaces, allowing enjoyment from multiple angles. When installing such a feature, considerations include ensuring adequate lintel support and heat output for both sides of the room. Strategic placement of high-backed seating is presented as a method for zoning when structural changes are not feasible. Movable screens provide flexibility, allowing for instant division or an elegant backdrop, as demonstrated by Paolo Moschino of Nicholas Haslam. Transitions in flooring can also signify distinct zones within a broken-plan area, such as using chevron wood flooring alongside mosaic tiles to guide guests from a hallway into a living space. Glazed partitions, like those implemented by Studio Peake, create separate zones while maintaining movement and flexibility. Lowering a section of the floor, creating a sunken living area, is another innovative way to zone a space without physical barriers, as advised by EMR Architecture. Internal windows, particularly useful in poorly lit areas, can borrow light from adjacent rooms, offering perceived space while retaining a sense of division. Sliding panels, clad in materials like parquet, can conceal or reveal spaces as needed. Crittall window pocket doors can create versatile corners that can be opened for a unified space or closed for privacy. Drapery is another flexible option for dividing rooms, particularly in older, larger homes, adding color and pattern. Finally, glass-walled fireplaces integrated into partitions provide both an aesthetic focal point and an entertainment system, using heat-resistant porcelain to visually separate areas. Broken-plan living is defined as a middle ground between open-plan and traditional room layouts, achievable through various elements like screens, internal glazing, or furniture arrangement. The article concludes by emphasizing that many methods exist to divide a room without permanent walls, including curtains, internal windows, and varying floor treatments or rugs, offering both physical and visual segregation of spaces. #InteriorDesign #LivingRoomIdeas #BrokenPlanLiving #CrittallDoors #SpacePlanning #HomeOffice #RoomDividers #ModernLiving #InteriorDecor

The article presents a curated collection of ten interior designs that creatively employ room dividers to segment spaces, offering practical and aesthetically pleasing alternatives to traditional walls. The featured projects showcase a diverse range of divider types, including lightweight screens, adjustable curtains, and integrated furniture units like shelving. These innovative solutions are designed to break up large rooms, provide privacy, and enhance the overall functionality and visual appeal of interiors. The first example is the Ready-made Home in Bilbao, Spain, designed by Azab, which utilizes pale blue curtains to partition a semi-circular floor plan, creating distinct bedroom and bathroom areas while adding a playful element to the apartment. Following this, Casa Alma in Brasil by Studio Melina Romano transforms an exhibition space into a cozy apartment-like setting using gauzy curtains and rounded elements, aiming for a sensorial experience. Studiomama's Metamorphic Wardrobe in the UK serves as a versatile piece of furniture that functions as both a wardrobe and a room divider, offering a creative solution for privacy in open-plan living. The K5 Tokyo Hotel in Japan, designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, features delicate blue ombre curtains in its guest rooms, providing private nooks around wooden desks and beds. In Madrid, Lucas y Hernández-Gil’s Casa A12 incorporates shiny silver curtains to section off a bedroom suite in a basement apartment, addressing challenges of light and space. Another project by Foomann Architects in Melbourne, Australia, involves a timber bookshelf strategically placed to divide a combined living, kitchen, and dining area, allowing natural light to penetrate the entire space. Philippe Malouin's Study Screens in the US showcase experimental room dividers made from various materials, including perforated metal, to create intimate zones in a historic building. AdH House in Mexico by Simon Hamui features a slatted screen divider crafted from wood and brass, offering privacy to the dining area while maintaining an open feel. AML Apartment in São Paulo, Brasil, designed by David Ito Arquitetura, uses a glass curtain wall and sliding doors to flexibly divide living and dining areas, accommodating social events. Finally, Casa P82 in Madrid by Lucas y Hernández Gil employs bright orange full-height partitions instead of walls to create a spacious and modern apartment from a previously cramped layout. This lookbook is part of a series offering visual inspiration from Dezeen's archives, covering various interior design themes. #RoomDividers #InteriorDesign #SpacePlanning #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalSolutions #FlexibleLiving #FurnitureDesign #Curtains #ShelvingUnits

The article explores the emerging interior design concept known as the "broken-concept" layout, which acts as a middle ground between traditional open-concept and closed-concept floor plans. This innovative approach aims to offer the benefits of openness while maintaining a sense of separation and coziness within a home. Unlike open-concept layouts that often present challenges such as a lack of privacy or visual clutter, broken-concept designs use subtle architectural and design elements to define spaces without relying on physical doors or complete walls. Various techniques employed by design professionals to achieve this broken-concept aesthetic are highlighted. One method involves incorporating a "tunnel" feature, as demonstrated by Josh Linder of Evolve Residential in Boston. This not only creates a unique architectural moment but also allows for distinct visual identities within different areas of the home, enabling designers to experiment with varied color palettes, wallpapers, and styles for each space. This approach adds an element of fun and creativity to the design process. Another classic technique is the use of archways. Designer Jeff Aird's work in a Paris apartment illustrates how arched thresholds and partial walls can provide acoustic separation and defined functionality while preserving a sense of spaciousness and connection between rooms. The goal is to offer a glimpse into the next area, generating intrigue without fully exposing it, thus creating contained and purposeful zones within a larger home. Soft architectural elements like columns or strategically placed furniture can also serve this purpose. The article further discusses the use of glass as a quasi-wall. David Piscuskas of 1100 Architect, in a New York City loft project, utilized glass panes to delineate rooms, offering separation without obstructing visual flow. This approach caters to clients seeking both distinct functional areas and an overall feeling of openness, showcasing how innovative material choices can bridge the gap between traditional and modern design philosophies. The versatility of glass allows for creative interior configurations, material palettes, lighting, and furniture arrangements. Additionally, level changes, such as sunken living rooms, are presented as an effective way to create distinct spaces. Amy Vroom of The Residency Bureau advocates for the return of this 1970s trend, noting that a change in elevation naturally separates areas like dining and living rooms. Stepping down into a living space can create a cozy, intimate atmosphere that contrasts with the surrounding open areas, providing a sense of enclosure without the need for walls. For smaller spaces where architectural modifications are not feasible, color-coding is suggested as a design solution. Susannah Holmberg’s design of an entryway and foyer exemplifies how wallpaper and paint can be used to demarcate spaces and create a memorable first impression, even in the absence of physical barriers. #InteriorDesign #HomeMakeovers #FloorPlans #ArchitecturalDesign #SpacePlanning #HomeDecor #RoomSeparation #DesignInspiration

The article discusses several enduring home remodel trends for 2024, emphasizing a shift towards functionality, comfort, and thoughtful design over fleeting fads. It highlights six key innovations and renovation trends that are expected to shape living spaces this year, moving away from past renovation projects that might devalue homes. The first trend discussed is the move from open-plan spaces to 'broken-plan' homes. This involves re-establishing distinct, purposeful rooms to cater to varied household needs, rather than constructing entirely open layouts. The article suggests ways to implement this, such as using bookshelves, stylish partitions, or different flooring to define areas, and incorporating elements like crittall doors or internal windows to separate spaces while maintaining visual connection. The use of decor and paint colors to reflect the purpose of these new zones is also recommended. Next, the article explores the resurgence of wooden accents and wood paneling. Wood is presented as a timeless material that brings an outdoor element indoors. Suggestions for incorporating wood include accent walls, shaker panels in bedrooms, or wainscoting in bathrooms. It also mentions wooden ceilings and unique kitchen backsplashes. For smaller touches, custom wood shelving, handcrafted coffee tables, or wooden art frames are proposed. Engineered wood flooring is highlighted for its warm aesthetic and ability to make small kitchens appear larger, especially when extended into adjacent living or dining areas. Butcher block islands are also noted as a functional and visually appealing addition, particularly for modern farmhouse aesthetics. Smart home technology is identified as another lasting trend. It is no longer considered exclusive to tech enthusiasts but is becoming mainstream for those seeking to simplify daily life. Entry-level smart tech includes voice-controlled smart lighting and energy-saving smart thermostats. Upgrading home security systems with easy-to-install cameras and sensors is also recommended. The fourth trend focuses on healthy home upgrades, reflecting a growing health consciousness. This involves using eco-friendly paints and building materials, as well as strategically placing dehumidifiers and air purifiers to maintain good indoor air quality. For a more hands-on approach, installing a water filtration system or creating living walls or incorporating houseplants are suggested to improve well-being. Inside-outside living is presented as a trend that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, fostering relaxation and a deeper connection with nature. This can be achieved through large glass doors that invite natural light and outdoor views. Extending indoor design elements, such as color schemes and natural materials like rattan, bamboo, or wood, to outdoor areas is advised. Covered outdoor spaces like pergolas are mentioned as a way to enjoy the outdoors regardless of weather. Growing indoor herb gardens is also suggested. Finally, the article covers zoning with color and materials, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. This approach differentiates areas without physical walls, primarily through flooring. Using distinct materials or patterns, such as hardwood for living spaces and tiles for kitchen-dining areas, can visually separate zones. Playful wood flooring patterns like herringbone and chevron are cited as methods to add visual interest while defining spaces. Changes in ceiling design, like raised or coffered ceilings, are also suggested to create intimacy. Strategic placement of columns or half-walls, such as a kitchen island, can mark boundaries. Lighting is highlighted as a crucial tool for zoning, with different styles and intensities creating varied ambiance in each area, such as pendant lights for dining, recessed lighting for kitchens, and soft floor lamps for living spaces. Minimal cove lighting is also mentioned for its ability to make ceilings appear higher and set a mood. #HomeRemodelTrends #InteriorDesign #BrokenPlanHomes #WoodenAccents #SmartHomeTechnology #HealthyHomeUpgrades #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ZoningWithColor

Achieving a successful whole-house layout is crucial for creating a harmonious and functional living space, as a well-designed layout ensures that a home not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also feels right and supports the daily routines of its inhabitants. Despite diverse home sizes, from small apartments to large family residences, certain common layout mistakes reappear across various properties. Understanding and avoiding these pitfalls, which range from improper room sizing and placement to a lack of adaptability for future needs, can significantly enhance a home's overall design and livability. One common mistake is underestimating the importance of a well-designed hallway or entryway. These transitional spaces are not merely utilitarian but serve as the first impression of a home's design style. Ideally, an entryway should be centrally located, allowing easy access to various rooms without navigating through other living spaces, and should include adequate storage for coats and shoes. Additionally, hallways that are too narrow can impede furniture movement and create a cramped, unwelcoming atmosphere, making natural and unforced movement between rooms essential. Bedroom location is another critical consideration. Placing bedrooms too close to high-traffic areas like living rooms or kitchens can lead to noise disturbances, hindering relaxation. Strategic placement that separates sleeping areas from communal spaces helps create a more serene environment. For main bedrooms, the decision to separate them from other bedrooms or cluster them together often depends on personal preference and family dynamics, particularly for those with young children. Room dimensions also play a significant role in a home's comfort and functionality. Creating rooms that are either too small or excessively large can negatively impact the resident's experience. Small rooms may feel restrictive and uninviting, while overly large rooms can feel impersonal and cavernous. The key lies in finding the right balance in scale, ensuring that each room's size is proportionate to its function and its relationship with adjacent spaces. A lack of flow throughout the home is a pervasive issue. A successful layout facilitates smooth and seamless movement between different areas, achieved through thoughtful room placement and interior design principles like rhythm and repetition. Dead-end spaces should be avoided, with traffic ideally flowing in a circular pattern, possibly around a central staircase in multi-story homes. Furthermore, integrating outdoor spaces with indoor areas can make smaller rooms feel larger and contribute to a more cohesive design. While open-plan layouts can foster a sense of spaciousness and natural flow, excessive openness can be a drawback. A recent trend has shifted towards more 'broken-plan' designs, which offer privacy and coziness. Overly open spaces can make relaxation challenging due to distractions from other activities, such as kitchen tidying. Incorporating room dividers, such as bookshelves, or layering textiles like rugs and acoustic panels, can help define zones and absorb noise, creating a more inviting and comfortable environment. Window placement is crucial for maximizing natural light and enhancing a home's ambiance. Understanding the home's orientation relative to the sun (sunrise and sunset) allows for strategic window placement. North-facing windows provide indirect natural light, south-facing windows offer consistent warmth and sunlight, and east-facing windows are ideal for morning light in spaces used at the start of the day. While west-facing windows can bring intense, hot light, they can also frame beautiful sunset views. Furniture arrangement should also influence window placement, considering whether a window or a piece of art is preferred above a headboard. Another mistake is having beautiful rooms that remain unused. Regardless of a home's size, maximizing the utility of every space is essential. Homes should adapt to the needs of their inhabitants, and an imperfect room that is frequently used is more valuable than a perfectly decorated but neglected one. Curating spaces to align with current needs ensures optimal use of the home's square footage. Failing to provide adequate dining space for guests is a common oversight. Although modern lifestyles may favor casual living and home offices over formal dining rooms, having a designated area for communal meals remains important for fostering connection and nourishment. Options range from small bunching tables for compact spaces to comfortable seating around a kitchen island, all of which support social gatherings beyond typical living room arrangements. Finally, neglecting future needs when planning a layout can lead to regrets. A home's layout should not only accommodate immediate needs but also be adaptable to evolving life stages. For instance, a playroom designed for young children could later transform into a mother-in-law suite or a game room as the family grows. Planning for long-term flexibility ensures that the home can easily adjust to future changes without requiring extensive renovations. In essence, a well-thought-out floor plan, characterized by accurate scale, optimal room placement, proper flow, and adaptability, is paramount. Avoiding these common errors ensures that every room is utilized, appreciated, and enjoyed, creating a functional living space that harmonizes with a modern lifestyle. #HouseLayout #FloorPlan #InteriorDesign #HomeDesignMistakes #RoomPlanning #OpenPlan #NaturalLight #FutureProofing #HomeFunctionality

This article explores a growing design trend that embraces an "unfinished" aesthetic in home interiors, showcasing ten examples where raw materials, exposed structural elements, and a sense of deliberate incompleteness contribute to the character and appeal of residential spaces. This approach challenges traditional notions of polished and perfectly decorated homes, instead celebrating the authenticity of construction materials and a less prescriptive design. One featured project, Skip Stop House in England by Design Haus Liberty, exemplifies this trend by converting a Marylebone house into apartments while intentionally leaving patches of exposed plaster after stripping wallpaper and incorporating industrial-style furniture. This design choice aimed to keep costs low while imparting a distinctive, raw appeal. In São Paulo, Vitrô Arquitetura's Pompeia Apartment embraces minimalism with limited furniture and brickwork walls, alongside structural concrete pillars that were uncovered during the renovation, contributing to a relaxed, open-plan environment. Similarly, the Setagaya Flat in Tokyo by Naruse Inokuma Architects features exposed concrete walls with cement smears, combined with sliding plywood partitions, to create a balanced mix of old and new elements within a minimal aesthetic. David Cervera's El Palmar, a concrete summer house in Mexico, integrates natural materials and hammocks. Its fluid layout, with one side exposed to the garden, blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living, enhancing the connection with its surroundings through its unassuming finish. In Crusch Alba, Spain, Gus Wüstemann preserved the building's history during a Barcelona apartment renovation by varnishing over existing wallpaper and raw stone walls. This approach highlights previous interventions and layers of the building's past, celebrating its evolving character. Jo Nagasaka's House in Hatogaya, Japan, features timber columns that resemble scaffolding, exposed after the removal of partition walls. This creates an open, light-filled space that deliberately showcases structural elements as part of the interior design. GENS: Association Libérale d'Architecture converted a dilapidated barn in northeast France into social housing. The resulting shingle-clad structure maintains an unfinished appearance, designed to harmonize with the surrounding village and its rustic context. Karin Matz's HB6B in Sweden involved a Stockholm apartment renovation where many original features, including crumbling brick and peeling plaster walls, were retained from a renovation abandoned in the 1980s. This preserves the apartment's unique history and character. The deFlat project in the Netherlands, by NL Architects and XVW Architectuur, involved renovating a large post-war apartment building. The flats were left bare for residents to customize, offering a highly personalized and unfinished starting point for their homes. This innovative approach earned them the Mies van der Rohe award. Finally, G Studio Architects pushed the unfinished aesthetic further in the Tokyo Loft, applying white paint dabs to walls and installing bright orange electrical wires as visible design features, making the typically concealed elements a focal point of the interior. These projects collectively demonstrate a conscious move towards appreciating the raw, authentic, and evolving nature of architectural spaces. #InteriorDesign #UnfinishedAesthetic #RawMaterials #HomeInteriors #ResidentialDesign #ConcreteInteriors #ExposedElements #MinimalistDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation

This lookbook presents a curated selection of ten residential projects that integrate open-plan studies and workspaces into their living environments. The featured homes range from an apartment in Berlin to a residence overlooking the Devon countryside, demonstrating diverse approaches to flexible and creative work areas within a domestic setting. The article highlights that studies do not necessarily need to be confined to separate, often stuffy, rooms, but can instead benefit from more expansive and integrated layouts that promote creativity and focus. This approach allows for greater flexibility in arrangement, privacy, and access to natural light. The projects illustrate how living rooms can seamlessly transition into functional work zones, and in some cases, entire homes are conceptualized around the idea of a comprehensive study, such as the Library Home. The article suggests that open-plan designs for studies offer opportunities to avoid sacrificing style, size, or comfort in the pursuit of a dedicated workspace. Each example provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archives, showcasing how architects and designers have successfully implemented these concepts in various residential contexts. One example is the Charlotte Road project in Shoreditch, East London, by Emil Eve Architects. This industrial-style workspace is part of a larger living area within a Victorian warehouse loft. The design retains original features like exposed brickwork, timbers, and columns, contrasting them with contemporary finishes such as new metal and tiling. Another project, the Riverside Studio Apartment in Antwerp by Studio Okami Architecten, features a brutalist aesthetic with exposed concrete beams, peach-hued resin floors, and double-height windows. The study area is subtly defined by half-sized walls, emphasizing the apartment's open and spacious design to highlight its original concrete structure. The Devon Passivhaus by McLean Quinlan, located in the UK, offers a study with expansive views of a historic garden through a window wall. This home incorporates earthy materials like reclaimed terracotta tiles, rough-sawn oak flooring, and charred wood cabinetry to create a serene environment that connects with its natural surroundings. House 03 in Madrid, Spain, by Lucas y Hernández-Gil, involved removing internal walls in a 190-square-meter apartment to create a large open-plan living, dining, and study area, featuring a dark wooden desk and built-in white shelving. Gisbert Pöppler’s Berlin Apartment project reorganizes the floor plan to make only the master bedroom, guest bedroom, and bathroom completely separate. Social spaces, including the study, are distinguished by different materials and color schemes, such as mint-colored surfaces in the study and red-lacquered wood in the entrance. The Library Home in Shanghai by Atelier TAO+C transforms a 95-square-meter apartment into a vast study with floor-to-ceiling oak bookshelves. A secluded reading nook on a mezzanine level overlooks the living area through a light bronze mesh, further emphasizing the home's dedication to intellectual pursuits. Flat House in Cambridgeshire, UK, by Practice Architecture, utilizes large prefabricated panels made from hemp and lime for its structural shell, creating a tactile interior warmed by timber doors and woven rugs. The zero-carbon home connects deeply with its rural setting. Christopher Polly’s Unfurled House in Sydney, Australia, features sculptural white walls that create interconnected interior spaces. The study offers views of lush vegetation outside and is linked to the living room below via a curving atrium. Penthouse Britselei in Antwerp, Belgium, by Hans Verstuyft, showcases a minimalist home office spread across the lower floor of a converted office building. The open-plan office is arranged around an open-air courtyard, with full-height glass windows providing light and views of a 35-year-old tree. The interiors feature lime-washed walls and brass detailing. Finally, the Grosvenor Residence in Hong Kong by Lim + Lu, designed for a nature-loving couple, features neutral colors, natural finishes, and ample greenery. The home office, located in the brightest corner, includes oak slats, minimalist white walls, and an L-shaped Calacatta marble desk with built-in timber shelving and brass accents. These examples collectively illustrate the diverse and innovative ways open-plan studies can enhance residential interiors. #OpenPlanStudies #HomeWorkspaces #ResidentialInteriors #InteriorDesign #ModernLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #FlexibleSpaces #DezeenLookbooks

This article showcases five distinct homes, each featuring unique and interesting floor plans, along with stunning architectural designs and breathtaking locations. The selection highlights properties submitted by members of the Dwell community, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and functional innovation in home design. The first featured home, 'Crestline' in Santa Barbara, California, by ANACAPA, demonstrates a significant transformation from an outdated 1960s structure into an ultramodern, minimalist residence. While retaining the original hipped roofs and basic framework, the renovation expanded the master suite by 600 square feet, incorporating a larger bedroom and a lush living room that opens onto an outdoor patio with a full kitchen, ideal for entertaining. Next, the 'Case Inlet Retreat' in Washington, designed by mw|works, is nestled into a forested slope, offering expansive views of the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound. This 2,600-square-foot building features a weathered, cedar-clad bedroom wing. Its living and dining areas are dramatically cantilevered into the forest, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls creating an open-plan space that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor, and high ceilings that evoke the sensation of being surrounded by trees. A broad flat roof extends over the living area, providing an upper-level terrace. Thirdly, the 'Lake Chelan' property in Washington, by Hoedemaker Pfeiffer, serves as a family hideaway designed for modern, easy living, inspired by 'camp life' and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. The design integrates elements from miners' cabins, barns, and alpine structures with contemporary shapes and details. Its three-level layout facilitates both communal gatherings and private retreats, all while connecting occupants with the surrounding natural beauty and striking views. The fourth entry, 'The Öcher House' in Navarra, España, by MLMR Architecture Consultancy, is defined by a robust concrete wall that dictates its form. This wall strategically protects the house from unfavorable orientations (north and west) and ensures privacy from neighboring plots. Additionally, it functions as a retaining structure, enabling the creation of flat spaces and allowing the house to adapt seamlessly to the challenging unevenness of the terrain. Finally, 'Casa OM1' in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, by Andrés Escobar, is a newly constructed brick residence characterized by high ceilings and an open-floor plan, designed to enhance the living experience. This home seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, leading to a private sanctuary. The architect describes Casa OM1 as a home built for modern living, achieving a balance between technology, comfort, and luxury. #ModernHomes #FloorPlans #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeRenovation #OutdoorLiving #MinimalistDesign #ContemporaryArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #LuxuryHomes

The article delves into the concept of a 'broken floor plan,' also known as a semi-open floor plan, presenting it as a middle ground between fully open and closed floor plans. This design approach incorporates architectural features or design elements to subtly divide spaces without completely isolating them. The article highlights the increasing appeal of broken floor plans, particularly for individuals who find open floor plans overwhelming but closed floor plans too restrictive, offering a balanced environment that caters to varied lifestyle needs and preferences. It emphasizes that while open floor plans promote seamless transitions and minimal barriers, broken floor plans offer enhanced privacy, greater functional flexibility, and increased visual interest through strategic divisions. Key design experts, Samantha Pratt, owner and principal designer at Samantha Ashley Designs, and Elizabeth Vergara, CEO and founder of Vergara Homes, contribute their insights into understanding and optimizing broken floor plans. They explain that these layouts utilize subtle distinctions such as glass partitions, thoughtful furniture arrangements, changes in floor levels, and distinct wall treatments to define areas. These elements allow for the creation of versatile zones, such as a private reading nook or a semi-enclosed home office, without sacrificing a sense of connection within the larger space. The article elaborates on the advantages of broken floor plans, including better sound control and a structured yet connected environment, contrasting them with open floor plans that typically lack permanent dividers. Designing and styling a broken floor plan requires a strategic approach to ensure cohesion across interconnected spaces. The experts recommend maintaining a consistent flooring material and a complementary color palette throughout the entire area to create a unified aesthetic. This consistency helps to link different zones visually, even when architectural elements provide separation. Strategic furniture placement is crucial for defining areas and functions; for instance, a sofa can delineate a living space, while area rugs can anchor specific zones. Additionally, incorporating partial walls, built-in shelving, or glass partitions can further enhance separation without entirely blocking views or natural light. The article provides practical examples of broken floor plans in various home settings. One example showcases a sitting room seamlessly integrated with a primary bedroom, where similar textiles, consistent color schemes, and eye-catching wallpaper are used to maintain visual harmony while still distinguishing the two areas. Another illustration features a kitchen and dining area connected by a hallway, where large statement lighting acts as a visual guide, drawing the eye between the rooms and preventing them from feeling entirely disconnected. The emphasis on clear sightlines and light, airy aesthetics in this example reinforces the interconnectedness. A third example discusses a broken floor plan involving different levels, such as a living room leading to an upstairs area and then a kitchen, all without full walls or doors. In such layouts, maintaining a cohesive color palette, layering lighting for ambiance and functionality, and introducing diverse textures and tones are vital to creating a harmonious flow between the distinct levels. Ultimately, the article positions the broken floor plan as an enduring and adaptable design choice that effectively bridges the gap between the varying popularity of open and closed layouts. It offers a solution for homeowners seeking a balance between spaciousness and defined functional areas, providing practical guidance from design professionals to maximize the potential of this versatile architectural style. The advice centers on thoughtful design choices that promote both individuality and unity within a home's interior, ensuring that each space serves its purpose while remaining connected to the whole. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #FloorPlans #BrokenFloorPlan #OpenFloorPlan #RoomDesign #DesignTips #ArchitecturalFeatures #SpacePlanning

This lookbook explores homes where pivot doors serve as significant architectural features, either creating dramatic entrances or seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor environments. Pivot doors distinguish themselves from traditional side-hinged doors by utilizing hinges fixed to the top and bottom, allowing them to swing around a single vertical axis. This design places the pivot point inset from the side, resulting in an asymmetric opening that makes the door appear to peel away from the wall in opposing directions. The aesthetic of pivot doors is often minimal and sleek, as their external frames can be hidden behind wall finishes. Their unique pivoting mechanism also supports larger and heavier constructions than conventional doors, enabling grander architectural statements. The lookbook showcases various applications of pivot doors across different residential projects. For instance, Cork House in the UK, designed by Nimtim Architects, features a pink-framed pivot door that provides a striking contrast against a cork-clad rear extension. This large glazed door, alongside an adjacent window, offers residents expansive views of the patio and garden, enhancing the ground floor living spaces' connection to the outdoors. In Indonesia, Tamara Wibowo's self-designed House of Inside and Outside employs rows of pivoting glass doors to facilitate natural airflow through its living areas. These doors open onto both a garden and a pool area from the open-plan kitchen and dining room, blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces. Herne Hill House in the UK, an extension by TYPE, integrates a glazed pivot door framed in Douglas fir wood, aligning with the timber-clad facade. Situated in the open-plan kitchen and dining room, the door is positioned next to a built-in bench under a large window, offering residents extensive garden views. In upstate New York, JacobsChang's Half-Tree House, a blackened timber cabin, features three glazed, floor-to-ceiling pivot doors that frame the surrounding forest, creating an immersive natural experience. This project was notably constructed on a modest budget by its owners with community assistance. Atelier du Pont, in collaboration with Aru Arquitectura, converted dilapidated stone farm buildings in Menorca into Estancia San José, a summer house. They incorporated arched glass pivot doors in the barn, designed to match an existing doorway's shape, thereby flooding the living space with natural light while preserving the original character of the structure. The Roofless House in California by Craig Steely Architecture showcases a main entrance marked by a glazed pivoting door within a curvilinear timber-clad wall. This doorway leads into a corridor that borders a spacious courtyard with sliding glass doors, emphasizing an open and fluid architectural plan. Unknown Works' CLT House in east London features a distinctive bright yellow entrance and a bespoke timber pivot door, left exposed to complement the cross-laminated timber structure of the rear extension. This design choice highlights the material honesty and modern aesthetic of the home. CasiTa in Phoenix, Arizona, designed by The Ranch Mine, boasts an exceptionally large 3.7-meter-wide floor-to-ceiling pivot door. This impressive door connects an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area with a covered patio, establishing a strong indoor-outdoor link. CasiTa functions as a guesthouse in the backyard of another project, Foo House. Casa Tres Árboles in Mexico, revitalized by Direccion, integrates a pivoting wooden door at its entrance, located below street level via a sunken courtyard. This design decision aims to create a dramatic sense of arrival, leading to a double-height entrance hall and playing with contrasts of light and shadow throughout the home. Finally, Cast House in London by EBBA Architects features a glass pivot door that connects the concrete extension's conservatory to an outdoor terrace, which are both floored with brickwork. The design utilizes a utilitarian material palette and wood-paneled windows, ensuring a cohesive and textured aesthetic. These examples collectively demonstrate the versatility and visual impact of pivot doors in contemporary home design. #PivotDoors #HomeInteriors #ArchitecturalDesign #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ContemporaryHomes #ResidentialArchitecture #GlazedDoors #ModernDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures

Many homes feature awkward, unusable spaces or unreachable landings that often sit dormant, leaving homeowners perplexed about their purpose. However, these areas can be transformed into functional and beautiful parts of a home with some creativity and strategic design. Several designers offer insights and examples of how they've tackled such challenges, turning seemingly useless spots into valuable features. Erin Myers, founder of Erin Myers Design, recounts a project involving an awkward niche in a powder room, which she dubbed a "builder special." Instead of using it for typical powder room storage or dried flower arrangements, Myers collaborated with a client who collected perfume bottles. They installed custom glass shelves and lighting within the niche, effectively transforming it into an illuminated display case that highlighted the client's collection. This not only utilized the space but also added a unique and personalized aesthetic. Philip Consalvo, founder of PJCArchitecture, faced a similar challenge in a three-story Brooklyn townhouse, where a small closet containing a ladder to the rooftop was largely unutilized. Consalvo and his team reoriented the opening of this space by 90 degrees to align with the main staircase. They replaced the existing ceiling hatch with an operable skylight hatch, introducing natural light. The most innovative transformation involved converting the ladder into custom millwork with integrated shelves and drawers for books and storage. The design was clever, allowing the shelves to serve as steps for rooftop access, thereby giving the space two practical functions and making it a focal point flooded with natural light. In another project, Consalvo's team merged two apartments on Manhattan's Upper West Side. This created an extra entry door and hallway that were no longer needed. To maximize this leftover square footage, they ingeniously converted it into a spacious kitchen pantry. The design integrated this new pantry seamlessly into the existing cabinet layout, making it appear as a typical cabinet rather than a separate walk-in area, thus utilizing the awkward space for essential storage without disrupting the kitchen's flow. Guillaume Coutheillas, founder of frenchCALIFORNIA, encountered a small, seemingly useless closet in a penthouse. Instead of conventional storage, he saw an opportunity for a unique feature. Coutheillas transformed the closet into a custom coffee station, complete with shelving and decorative wallpaper. He further personalized the space with artist and coffee table books and decorative objects, turning an otherwise overlooked area into an intentional and charming coffee nook. This approach demonstrates how awkward spaces can become personalized showcases reflecting the homeowner's style. Beyond these specific examples, the article suggests that the internet is a rich source of ideas for dealing with unusable spaces, such as unreachable landings. Coutheillas emphasizes that these spots can be opportunities to display personal items or create gallery walls, sharing stories about personal aesthetics and experiences. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok also feature creative solutions, from transforming ledges into cat getaways to building reading nooks. Consalvo advises thinking unconventionally, examining the space's adjacencies, and envisioning potential functions. He stresses that embracing the unique quality of these awkward spaces can ultimately enhance the entire home, turning a design flaw into a distinctive advantage. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SpaceUtilization #HomeRenovation #CreativeSolutions #ArchitecturalChallenges #DesignInspiration #FunctionalDesign

Marta and Scott Dragos, residing in Winchester, built their home with an open floor plan, primarily to accommodate Scott's stature as a former NFL player, avoiding a 'dollhouse' feel. However, with three young children and a puppy, the first floor, particularly the great room, became chaotic. The family often congregated there, leaving the television on during meals, while a formal living room remained unused and the playroom, visible from the entry, was perpetually messy. Marta felt the room synergies were misaligned with their family's active lifestyle. To address this, they enlisted Liza Kugeler and Laura Ogden of Realm Interiors. The designers aimed to bring order and integrate Marta's stylish aesthetic in a way that suited an active family, all without structural renovations. The designers first reassessed the function of each room. They implemented 'low-impact modifications' to define and connect the spaces. A significant change involved moving the dining table from the bay window to the center of the great room. This repositioning anchored the open floor plan, effectively dividing the kitchen from the living area, and created a clear circulation path around a commissioned Scandinavian-style table from Saltwoods. This adjustment also created a new focal point in the bay window and improved the overall flow and visual appeal from the entry, highlighting a pleasing contrast between light wood and black accents. Further modifications included reworking the kitchen island. The original white marble top was replaced with a larger slab of leathered black granite, and legs were added for support. The base was painted in Farrow & Ball Pigeon, transforming the island into a statement piece and a more functional eating area. The kitchen also received matte black hardware for cabinetry, updated lighting, and oak trim detailing on the hood, enhancing its style and utility. The designers also swapped the functions of the living and family rooms. The original living space, adjacent to the kitchen, had become a default gathering spot. They removed the television and reoriented the furniture, replacing facing sofas with a layout that encouraged conversation rather than constant movement. The walls were covered in a neutral grass-cloth, extending into the entry to unify the spaces, and the furniture was upholstered in family-friendly fabrics, making the room both cozy and durable. The television was moved to the previously underused formal front room, which had convenient pocket doors. This former formal room was transformed into a functional family room with two shades of gray paint, tailored furnishings, and custom artwork by Pauline Curtiss. It now serves both adults for cocktails and children for cartoons, elevating the space to withstand family use while maintaining a high level of design. The playroom, once an 'eyesore' off the entry, was converted into a stylish office after the toys were relocated to the basement. This new office features dark, saturated walls, a sculptural bleached oak desk, and a framed fashion photo, reflecting Marta's personal style. Marta noted that these changes significantly improved how her family interacts with the home, leading to less aimless wandering and a 100 percent increase in calmness, as each room now serves a defined purpose. #InteriorDesign #OpenFloorPlan #HomeRedesign #FamilyLiving #HomeOrganization #SpacePlanning #TransitionalDesign #ResidentialInteriors

The article showcases a four-bedroom Victorian terraced house in North London that underwent a renovation to address its small and compact original layout. The homeowners, in collaboration with Amos Goldreich Architecture, opted for a broken plan kitchen design rather than a fully open plan extension. This approach aimed to create a wonderfully airy kitchen diner while maintaining seemingly separate spaces for storage and relaxation, achieved through a shelf-laden dividing wall. The architect explains that this design references separate internal and external spaces using an asymmetric form united by white brick, maximizing space and reconnecting areas while keeping them clearly defined. The layout includes a kitchen, a dining area, a reading nook, and a WC. The kitchen area features dark blue replacement kitchen doors on standard carcasses, a budget-friendly choice that provides a unique finish. The bold blue contrasts with a neutral palette, preventing the space from feeling cold, while integrated handles ensure a clutter-free look. Full-height units maximize storage. Pine joinery is utilized for shallow cupboards and open shelving, offering versatile usage for the area, such as a children's play area, a cozy reading snug, or a home office. High shelving keeps dangerous items away from small children, and cupboards allow for quick tidying of everyday objects. The galley kitchen format uses a natural structural divide to separate the cooking area from the dining and reading nook, enabling children to be in the same room as parents during meal preparation. Large format tiles add subtle texture, and materials are chosen to encourage light diffusion. Exposed pine rafters divide areas and form open storage, reflecting light from spotlights, skylights, rooflights, and the rear garden door, which creates a continuous connection with the outdoors. The asymmetric design of the extension immediately makes an impact, highlighting the roofline and reflecting the external form. The color palette primarily consists of natural light hues, with bursts of blue providing a considered contrast without making the space stark. Track lighting and pendant lights provide varied illumination. The dining area offers ample space for family meals and entertaining. A new, tall shelving unit made of light timber ensures it doesn't feel overbearing. The window seat in the separate reading nook offers privacy while maintaining a connection to the dining and kitchen areas, making it feel like an outdoor space due to its large picture window and the extension’s asymmetrical roof filtering light deeply into the room. This multifunctional extension is designed for year-round enjoyment. The exterior features Karma White Stock brick, distinguishing the modern addition from the existing Victorian property and emphasizing lightness, consistent with the interior design. Brick pavers create a new patio area, and a large fixed glazed window with a window seat further bridges the internal and external spaces. The article concludes with architect Amos Goldreich's tips for broken plan layouts, emphasizing visual connections between zones using feature joinery, consistent material usage across areas, and employing cues like changes in floor level, feature skylights, or built-in furniture instead of rigid partitions. He also advises considering room function and occupancy to control flow, potentially with concealed sliding doors, and utilizing different types of lighting to set the mood in each distinct space. #BrokenPlanKitchen #KitchenDesign #HomeRenovation #VictorianTerrace #SpaceSavingSolutions #InteriorDesign #KitchenExtension #ModernLiving #AmosGoldreichArchitecture #LightingDesign

This article explores thirteen different small living room layouts designed to maximize space and functionality in compact dwellings. It emphasizes that a living room, regardless of its size, needs to serve multiple purposes, from relaxation and entertainment to a temporary home office or a gathering space for friends. The article encourages readers to think creatively about their living room ideas, moving beyond the common practice of pushing all furniture against the walls. One key piece of advice is to carefully select furniture that fits the small living room. This involves drawing up a floorplan to ensure new items integrate well without cluttering the space. The article highlights that choosing pieces that allow room to breathe and are not overly bulky is crucial. It suggests that while many might think a small sofa is necessary, a larger, leggy sofa can actually make a room feel cozier and bigger by revealing more of the floor. Additionally, it recommends using side tables or soft footstools instead of traditional coffee tables for greater flexibility and functionality, with footstools doubling as extra seating or a surface for drinks with the addition of a tray. For creating intimacy, the article proposes using an L-shaped sofa combined with a matching armchair to form a circular arrangement, fostering conversation and comfort. Round coffee tables are suggested as a space-friendly alternative to rectangular ones, further enhancing the circular flow. A common misconception addressed is the idea that pushing all furniture against walls makes a small room appear larger. The article argues that this often creates an unused, empty central space and an unbalanced feel, instead advocating for building the layout from the center outwards to create a more inviting atmosphere. Utilizing natural light from windows is another effective strategy, especially in long and narrow living rooms. Placing a sofa by a large window can create the illusion of a wider and brighter space, though caution is advised regarding direct sunlight exposure for certain furniture materials like leather. For open-plan living areas, the article suggests using open shelving units as room dividers. These units offer storage and visually separate spaces without blocking light or making the area feel enclosed, with the added benefit of items being accessible from both sides. The inclusion of caster wheels on coffee tables is also mentioned for easy repositioning. A symmetrical layout is presented as a visually pleasing and space-expanding option for small living rooms, achievable even with a sofa and two smaller armchairs. Grounding the furniture with an area rug in the center can further enhance this effect. Alternatively, a more flexible and multifunctional layout allows for adapting the space to various needs, such as using a sofa bed to transform the living room into a guest room. Building in storage, such as window seats with storage underneath or wall-mounted shelving, is recommended to free up floor space and reduce clutter without visually intruding into the room. The article also suggests embracing the small proportions of a room to enhance coziness rather than always trying to make it appear larger. Layering rugs is presented as a hack to make a space feel bigger and more inviting, by using a large area rug to define the room's edges and a smaller rug as a focal point. For those desiring a sectional sofa, the article advises minimizing other furniture and choosing slimline pieces to maintain an open feel. Floor cushions are suggested as a flexible alternative to bulky armchairs, offering additional seating that can be easily moved and contributing to a low-slung furniture aesthetic suitable for spaces with low ceilings. Finally, strategic lighting is highlighted as crucial for defining different zones and moods within the room, with various lighting fixtures creating cozy reading nooks, small home office areas, or central focal points. #SmallLivingRoomLayouts #FurnitureArrangement #SpaceSavingIdeas #InteriorDesign #HomeOrganization #CompactLiving #MultifunctionalFurniture #RoomDividers #LightingDesign

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