Ten residential interiors showcasing exposed plaster walls

This article highlights ten diverse interiors that effectively utilize cork as a primary material for wall cladding or construction. Cork, a natural and renewable resource harvested from cork oak trees, is presented as an increasingly popular choice in architecture and interior design due to its biodegradable nature, durability, and insulating properties. The material, typically formed by heating cork granules to release natural binding resins, offers warmth and a tactile quality to spaces when left exposed. The featured projects demonstrate cork's versatility across various settings. One example is the Art Barn in the UK, where architect Thomas Randall-Page designed a cozy, cork-clad winter studio for his sculptor father, elevated on timber supports within an old barn. Nimtim Architects' Cork House extension in London showcases cork paired with bright pink window frames, maintaining a continuous textured surface that subtly complements the existing brickwork. Office AIO incorporated cork panels into the Big Small Coffee + B&B in Beijing, adding comfort and sound absorption while enhancing the interior's tactility. In a modular Cork House in Berkshire, Matthew Barnett Howland, Dido Milne, and Oliver Wilton utilized Lego-like cork blocks for both construction and interior finish, providing an earthy aesthetic and ensuring the house's recyclability. Other notable applications include Takk's The Day After House in Madrid, where charred cork covers walls, ceilings, and columns, valued for its heat-retaining and low-carbon attributes, and seamlessly integrates with a storage wall. Neiheiser Argyros used cork in the Olive+Squash cafe in London to visually separate the dining area from the serving counter and create an inviting atmosphere. A heart clinic in Zurich, designed by Dost, features cork-lined cubicles that introduce earthy tones, contrasting with the clinical white finishes to create a less sterile healthcare environment. Gundry & Ducker's Biju Bubble Tea Rooms in London use cork cladding that extends to form tiered seating and flooring, creating a playful interior landscape that echoes the cafe's use of fresh ingredients. The Selencky Parsons office in the UK showcases a cork-covered pod with pegboard walls, allowing for flexible display of models and plants, and providing privacy within an irregularly shaped commercial unit. Finally, the Ecork Hotel in Portugal by José Carlos Cruz features a restaurant with a feature wall made from overlapped cork slabs, matching the building's exterior and promoting cork as an insulating and recyclable cladding material. These projects collectively illustrate cork's aesthetic and functional benefits, from its natural appearance to its sustainable and practical characteristics. #CorkInteriors #SustainableDesign #TexturedWalls #ArchitecturalMaterials #InteriorDesignInspiration #RenovationProjects #NaturalMaterials #EcoFriendlyDesign

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

This article highlights ten interior spaces that utilize custom plaster wall finishes by the British brand Clayworks to create visual interest and unique atmospheres. Clayworks emphasizes the transformative potential of clay plasters, stating they can elevate ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences through their aesthetic opportunities and the integration of contemporary material science. The featured projects showcase a diverse range of applications and finishes, demonstrating the versatility of Clayworks' products in various settings, including residential homes, hotels, shops, and offices. One featured project is the Gold Flake Demi Rustic finishes at Hundred Acre Wood House in the UK. Designed by Denizen Works, this residential space incorporates minerals resembling gold flakes into Clayworks' Demi Rustic clay plaster. The resulting seamless, light-diffusing wall surface adds depth and intrigue to the interior, providing a robust finish that complements the monumental scale of the house in Loch Awe, Scotland. Another example is The Teahouse in the UK, a collaboration between Clayworks and Sasa Works. This space, unveiled at the 2023 Surface Design Show, demonstrates the harmonious relationship between natural and handcrafted materials. Here, Rammed Earth and Fading Straw Arakabe Ombre finishes are used to create an atmosphere of balance and tranquility within the teahouse setting. The Red Room at The Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, London, designed by Bryan O'Sullivan Studio, features a striking red-to-orange clay plaster gradient. Clayworks’ technical team meticulously researched and developed several pigment proposals to achieve this fiery color ombre, creating a distinctive and luxurious ambiance within the hotel bar. For the Oro de Cacao chocolate shop in Zurich, Switzerland, by Moser Wegenstein, Clayworks developed custom pink ombre wall finishes. These finishes, made from natural minerals and pigments, exhibit a dual fade: a color transition from deep to light pink, coupled with a texture gradient from rough plaster at the top to a softer finish at the bottom, enhancing the shop's aesthetic. The Fellow coffee retail shop in Los Angeles, USA, designed by Studio Mai, utilizes Clayworks’ Rammed Earth surfaces for both walls and display plinths. The custom Rammed Earth design for this interior references California's geography, aiming to create a unique and immersive shopping experience for customers. At the Gaucho restaurant in Glasgow, Scotland, designed by Design LSM, a tough-textured rammed earth surface with grey, sand, and red hues evokes the Pampas landscapes of Argentina. This earthen feature wall contributes to a calming and comforting multi-sensory dining experience. The Room2 hotel in Chiswick, London, which claimed to be the world's first whole-life, net-zero carbon hotel upon its 2021 opening, incorporates Clayworks’ clay wall surfaces in an ombre terracotta-colored finish. These finishes were chosen for their low-carbon qualities, owing to their raw and unprocessed state, aligning with the hotel's sustainable design principles. The Self-Portrait Kings Road store in the UK, a collaboration between Self-Portrait founder Han Chong and architect Andreas Kostopoulos, features mint green clay walls with limewash-like markings and custom corrugated textures. This design leverages minimalism, materiality, and color to create an intimate, sensory retail environment free from visual distractions. In the Fulton Avenue home in Los Angeles, USA, designed by Diaz and Alexander Studio, a custom slim corrugated clay plaster was applied as a feature wall in several rooms. This addition introduces texture and irregularity, complementing the home’s soft, neutral tones and raw materials, and enhancing the residential interior. Finally, the CBRE Offices in Glasgow, UK, utilize Clayworks’ Rammed Earth collection, made from natural clay, minerals, and sand. The 10-millimeter-thick surface was applied to office walls to integrate the aesthetics of raw earth into an urban workspace, while also improving the acoustic and thermal performance of the space. #Clayworks #TexturedWallFinishes #InteriorDesign #RammedEarth #ClayPlaster #OmbreWalls #SustainableMaterials #ArchitecturalFinishes #ResidentialInteriors

This lookbook showcases ten residential interiors that feature exposed wooden beams, highlighting how these structural elements can add a rustic yet industrial aesthetic to a living space. The article compiles diverse examples from various international locations, demonstrating how designers have incorporated exposed beams into both modern and traditional settings. In Morehouse, US, renovated by Stewart-Schafer, the home in Connecticut was designed to reflect its woodland surroundings. The integration of Japandi-style decor and a natural, woody color palette complements the existing wooden floors, ceilings, and exposed joinery, creating a cohesive and natural interior. The Barn in Canada, transformed by Louis Beliveau of La Firme studio, is a three-storey holiday home converted from a dilapidated building. Its interior is characterized by white oak floors, white-washed wood walls, and exposed wood beams, which were intentionally preserved to maintain the property's rustic character while infusing it with light. Nook Architects refurbished a Barcelona apartment, creating a space where light flows freely. Original colorful tile flooring and exposed timber beams, uncovered during the restoration, were preserved. Crittal glass partitions for the master bedroom and a central lightwell are modern additions that harmonize with the historic elements. In New York City, Worrell Yeung renovated a Manhattan loft for an artist, leaving timber columns, beams, and ceiling joists raw and exposed. This industrial backdrop is complemented by new Cassina furniture, white walls and ceilings, and reclaimed pine wood floors, forming an eclectic yet sophisticated living area. Danish design company Vipp's showroom-cum-apartment in Tribeca, US, embodies a pared-back aesthetic within a former factory dating back to 1883. Exposed wooden elements blend with a neutral grey-beige palette and functional living spaces, serving as a New York pied-à-terre for the founder. Jonathan Tuckey Design's Collage House in England is an architectural designer's home created from a 19th-century steel workshop. Jonathan Tuckey chose simple materials, restoring original ceiling beams and leaving bare brick walls with black marks, contributing to a weathered and characterful London home. Another project by Nook Architects, End of the Roc in Barcelona, features original wooden ceiling beams, geometric patterned floor tiling, and a 40-year-old wall covering. The designers utilized oak and black-painted furnishings to create a sense of cohesion among these diverse elements. General Assembly's Gowanus Loft in Brooklyn, US, saw chunky timber columns and beams deliberately exposed and sanded to highlight the original woodwork of a former textile mill. Modern touches include grey kitchen tiling, polished concrete flooring, and rift white oak cabinetry, balancing industrial heritage with contemporary design. In Japan, Studio Kwas designed the Y House with angular spruce wood columns resembling tree trunks. These structural elements divide the open-plan living area and continue on the second floor, where pine beams and diagonal columns playfully partition sleeping and play areas for a family of five. Finally, the Calistoga Residence in Napa Valley, US, designed by Wade Design Architects and Geremia Design, draws inspiration from local vineyards and farmhouses. This wood-clad home features white walls, pale tones, dark tiled flooring, black window frames, and a collection of antique furnishings, integrating rustic charm with elegant design. These projects collectively demonstrate the versatility and aesthetic appeal of exposed wooden beams in residential architecture and interiors. #ExposedBeams #WoodenInteriors #ResidentialDesign #InteriorRenovation #RusticIndustrial #ModernDesign #ArchitecturalElements #HomeDecor #WoodArchitecture

This lookbook compiles ten interior design projects from Dezeen's archive that incorporate exposed brickwork, offering visual inspiration for designers and enthusiasts. The selected projects showcase how exposed brick can add a rustic and comforting feel to interiors, moving away from traditional painted or wallpapered walls to highlight the original construction material. This design choice often imparts an industrial quality to the spaces. The lookbook includes examples from various international locations, including the UK, Brazil, Belgium, and Spain, demonstrating the versatility and global appeal of this design trend. One featured project is a Victorian terraced house in York, UK, by Studio Ben Allen, where handmade bricks form barrel vaults, echoing the city's historical brick architecture. Another example from the UK is an extension to a house in Weybridge by Soup Architects, which uses light grey exposed brick walls both externally and internally, creating texture that complements sleek modern furniture and artworks. Duggan Morris Architects' Old Bearhurst project, a converted 19th-century farm, showcases the restoration of a brickwork oast house with rugged red-brick walls contrasting with smooth concrete floors, a blend of traditional and modern elements that was shortlisted for a RIBA House of the Year award. From Brazil, Arquipélago Arquitetos designed a rammed-earth house in Cunha with straw-coloured bricks from a local pottery studio lining the interior walls, including a walk-in shower room, enhancing the house's overall simplicity. Melina Romano's Hygge Studio in São Paulo features peachy-brown brick tiles, blending a modern aesthetic with bucolic touches to create a cozy and content atmosphere. BLAF Architecten's GjG House in Ghent, Belgium, is constructed entirely from reclaimed bricks, featuring an irregular shape reflected in its curvaceous interior spaces where warm red bricks contrast with wooden beams and eclectic furniture, emphasizing waste reduction. In Argentina, Lalo Carillo, Colombo and Serboli Architecture, and SY Arquitectos designed the El Quicho guesthouse with chunky exposed brick walls that mirror a traditional brick asador oven, incorporating other rustic elements like dark wooden furniture and worn rugs against a modernist backdrop. Space Popular's Brick Vault House in Valencia, Spain, utilizes Guastavino vaults, a type of Catalan vault made from light bricks, to introduce curved elements into an otherwise geometric house. Finally, Emil Eve Architects converted a London warehouse into an apartment, preserving its original brick walls and concrete columns to maintain an industrial aesthetic, highlighting the beautiful tones and textures of the raw materials. Studio Wet's Casa Borrero in Alosno, Spain, features curved terracotta bricks lining vaulted ceilings, continuing the brick theme from its ceramic-clad exterior and responding to a narrow plot. This collection is part of a broader series of Dezeen Lookbooks, which aim to provide visual inspiration, with previous editions covering themes such as cozy cabin bedrooms, Shaker-style interiors, and interiors inspired by Wes Anderson films. #InteriorDesign #ExposedBrickwork #RusticInteriors #IndustrialStyle #ArchitecturalRenovation #ResidentialArchitecture #SustainableDesign #DesignInspiration #HomeDecor

The resurgence of plaster walls in contemporary interior design signals a shift towards warmer, more textural aesthetics, moving away from the starker minimalist trends of the past. This subtle, yet impactful, wall treatment has become a hallmark of what is now often referred to as 'warm modernism,' a style that emphasizes comfort and natural textures. The article highlights that this trend has gained significant traction, appearing in high-profile residences from New York City to Los Angeles, including the homes of celebrities and designs by renowned architects and interior designers. The appeal of plaster walls lies in their inherent warmth, depth, and unique textural quality, which creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow within a space. Unlike perfectly smooth, painted surfaces, plaster offers an organic, hand-crafted feel that introduces character and a sense of history. This distinct visual and tactile experience is described by some designers as the 'umami of architecture,' capable of transforming an ordinary space into something extraordinary. The natural variations and imperfections in plaster applications ensure that no two moments are exactly alike, providing a living, breathing quality to the walls. The historical context of plaster is also explored, demonstrating its long-standing presence in architectural and design traditions across various cultures and eras. From ancient Egyptian tombs and Roman stucco to 15th-century Italian marmorino and 20th-century movements like 'Mizner Mediterranean' and Tuscan styles, plaster has consistently played a significant role in interior finishes. Its current popularity is attributed, in part, to leading artisans like Kamp Studios, whose work has been featured in numerous high-profile projects and has helped re-establish plaster as a prominent wall treatment in contemporary design. Designers, such as Vanessa Alexandra and Gregory Rockwell, frequently incorporate plaster into their projects, noting its ability to soften modern interiors and create an inviting atmosphere. Rockwell advises applying plaster to all walls and ceilings in a room for a cohesive look and suggests that passageways and areas with abundant natural light are ideal for showcasing its unique qualities. He also emphasizes the importance of creating samples to ensure the desired effect. For those seeking a more accessible approach, brands like Portola Paints offer lime wash and Roman clay paints that replicate the raw, textural appearance of traditional plaster, allowing for DIY applications. The broader implication of this trend suggests a desire among homeowners and designers for interiors that are more tactile, authentic, and connected to craftsmanship. In an increasingly digital world, there is a growing impulse to engage with physical materials and handmade elements. Plaster walls, with their inviting texture and rich history, fulfill this desire, offering a sensory experience that contrasts with mass-produced finishes. This movement towards 'warm modernism' and the embrace of natural, textural materials like plaster reflect a broader appreciation for bespoke details and a more organic, lived-in aesthetic in contemporary home design. #PlasterWalls #InteriorDesign #WarmModernism #HomeDecoration #TexturalFinishes #DesignTrends #Craftsmanship #ArchitecturalFinishes #WallTreatments

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

Tiles are a remarkably versatile and vibrant material in interior design, capable of transforming a range of spaces from hospitality venues to residential homes and offices. This article showcases ten diverse projects that effectively utilize colorful tiles to create distinctive and engaging environments. Each project demonstrates a unique approach to tile application, highlighting their aesthetic and functional potential. The first example features a Santa Monica home designed by John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects, where the master bath incorporates terrazzo tile flooring and wave-patterned wall tiles inspired by Copacabana Beach, complementing custom lacquered MDF cabinetry and curved architectural forms. This design moves away from conventional boxy structures, embracing curvilinear aesthetics. Another project, Mercado Little Spain in New York City by Juli Capella, extensively uses Spanish ceramic tiles throughout its 35,000-square-foot culinary space. This sprawling tribute to Spanish cuisine, developed with innovation studio Icrave, features three restaurants, 15 dining and retail kiosks, and two bars, all adorned with colorful tiles, artwork, and custom murals that immerse visitors in a taste of Spain. In Macau, Jouin Manku’s Voyages by Alain Ducasse restaurant in the Morpheus Hotel employs brilliant hues, including vivid orange flooring and ceiling panels. A notable feature is a wall-sized panel displaying 100 acrylic tiles by Léa Maupetit, featuring playful food drawings and handwritten recipes by Ducasse, adding a personal and artistic touch. Jorge Pardo transformed a drab building in downtown Dallas into the Commissary, covering it with over 27,000 ceramic tiles in various shades of blue and white. Pardo’s design intent was to reflect the sky and provide a visual break from the city's gray palette, using Guadalajara-made tiles durable enough for the Texas climate. Spacemen, a firm known for its bold and experiential aesthetic, designed Icha Chateau, a Western fusion restaurant and teahouse in Shanghai, utilizing porcelain tile for its flooring. This project exemplifies the firm's approach to hospitality design, creating a memorable and futuristic ambiance. Kingston Lafferty Design converted a 200-year-old Dublin coach house into a modern residence, showcasing a love for tile beyond conventional applications. Róisín Lafferty integrated solid and decorative Moroccan tiles and contemporary geometrics throughout the living, dining, and even bedroom spaces, extending an encaustic cement tiled table to an outdoor patio. MuseLAB designed an apartment in Mumbai with 21st-century Art Deco sophistication, drawing inspiration from the client's childhood memories of Art Deco objects and terrazzo tiles. Bharat Flooring tiles were central to the design, particularly in the bathroom, where contrasting colors and patterns create a dynamic space. Brooklyn’s Nous Studio renovated a French apartment, emphasizing pattern through features like a trompe l’oeil cube composition with mirrors in the powder room. The project highlights collaboration with local artisans and a thoughtful approach to material selection. Perkins + Will blurred the lines between work and leisure at Madison Marquette’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, incorporating a brilliant blue tile backsplash against a terrazzo-topped island in the lounge. This 17,800-square-foot workplace uses varied textures and finishes to create an environment akin to a luxury hotel. Finally, AvroKO channeled Savannah’s gracious hospitality at the Perry Lane Hotel in Georgia. Despite being a new construction, the hotel's interiors evoke a bygone era while remaining fresh and modern, featuring porcelain tile enlivening walnut paneling at the Wayward Bar, contributing to the hotel’s sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere. #ColorfulTiles #InteriorDesign #ResidentialDesign #HospitalityDesign #OfficeDesign #TileInspiration #ArchitecturalDesign #ModernInteriors #ArtDeco #DesignInnovation

This article explores the use of skylights in residential interior design, highlighting ten projects that demonstrate their aesthetic and functional benefits. Skylights, defined as windows placed on a roof, are typically angled to allow natural light to penetrate interior spaces, serving as an alternative to traditional windows. Their application can provide privacy, introduce decorative lighting, or compensate for a lack of conventional window openings. The article presents a curated selection of residential projects, each showcasing a unique approach to incorporating skylights. The Oculi House in New York City, by O'Neill Rose Architects, exemplifies how elliptical skylights can transform dark brownstone interiors into airy, bright spaces, complemented by rectilinear glass doors. This project was a Dezeen Award shortlist in 2019 for house interior of the year. In Norway, Line Solgaard's Weekend House Fredrikstad features a pyramid-shaped skylight that brightens the entire holiday home, including an oak-lined dining room. The natural light creates dramatic shadows and contrasts with darker kitchen elements. Branch Studio Architects' Casa X in Australia's Phillip Island integrates clerestory windows and large skylights, with three 'pop-up' high-level windows designed to draw northern light deep into the house throughout the day. Fala Atelier converted a windowless garage in Lisbon into a vibrant living space by incorporating strategically placed skylights and painting the walls white, using pops of color like a teal-hued extractor fan to enhance the spacious interior. Yoshihara McKee's Photographer's Loft in Chelsea, New York, despite its ground-floor location, maximizes natural light through an angled skylight. The architects removed internal partitions to optimize the light's distribution, highlighting sculptural furniture in neutral tones. Tres Birds Workshop created an innovative operable skylight from dichroic glass in an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the Rocky Mountains. This multicolored glass casts dynamic, vibrant light patterns across the interior, changing with the sun's angle and season. In Santiago, Chile, Rodolfo Cañas's Mogro House, also known as Skylight House, features a prominent stainless steel volume topped with an oversized skylight. A floating metal staircase within this volume leads to the roof, while monochrome furniture mirrors the house's steel and exposed concrete palette. FujiwaraMuro Architects designed the House with a Light Void in Japan, achieving privacy through geometric skylights instead of traditional windows. These openings are positioned above five cement-clad volumes, contributing to the minimalist aesthetic. Casa Boavista, a Porto townhouse renovated by Pablo Pita Architects, incorporates skylights on multiple levels to enhance privacy on a busy street. An extension and new storey were added, with a trio of skylights illuminating the neutral interiors. Lastly, R2 Studio's renovation of a Victorian London home uses a skylight to accentuate a bright orange central staircase, adding warmth and vibrancy to the already colorful interiors. The article emphasizes that skylights are versatile architectural elements that can solve practical challenges like privacy and natural light distribution, while also serving as significant decorative features, demonstrating their capacity to profoundly influence the ambiance and functionality of residential spaces. #Skylights #ResidentialInteriors #ArchitecturalDesign #NaturalLight #HomeRenovation #InteriorLighting #ModernArchitecture #DesignInspiration #Lookbooks

This lookbook showcases eight diverse living room interiors that highlight the aesthetic and functional qualities of rammed-earth walls, a traditional low-carbon building method. Rammed earth is created by compacting layers of soil, which can include aggregate, sand, silt, clay, and gravel, into formwork to create solid walls. While traditionally used in its raw form, modern applications often stabilize the earthen material with binders like cement to enhance strength while preserving its characteristic appearance. The featured examples demonstrate the wide range of colors and textures inherent in rammed-earth walls, dictated by the local soil composition. These variations include warm oranges, deep browns, cool greys, pinkish hues, and sandy tones. The layered compaction process results in distinct striped patterns, making these walls visually striking focal points within homes. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, rammed-earth walls possess high thermal mass, a property that helps regulate indoor temperatures, keeping spaces cool during hot days and warm during cooler nights, which is particularly beneficial in diverse climates. Each project illustrates a unique approach to incorporating rammed-earth into living spaces. Hybrid House in India, designed by Sketch Design Studio, integrates vernacular building techniques with exposed rammed-earth walls that exhibit a pinkish tone due to the high clay content in Rajasthan's soil. PPAA's Vipp Todos Santos guesthouse in Mexico utilizes thick rammed-earth walls to blend the structure with its natural surroundings and provide passive cooling. Arquipélago Arquitetos' House in Cunha, Brazil, features rammed-earth walls on a concrete foundation, extending into the interior to form elements like an open-plan kitchen wall and built-in living room storage, complemented by timber accents. Studio Asaï's Tembo Tembo lodge in South Africa draws inspiration from termite nests, using locally sourced rammed earth mixed with a sealant for both exterior and interior surfaces, including a living room that pairs earthy tones with dark green furnishings. Neil Architecture's Casa di Campo in Australia showcases a four-meter-high external rammed-earth wall exposed in the living room, contrasting its rough, grey texture with smooth wood and tiled elements. Déchelette Architecture's Casa Franca in France presents a three-story monolithic rammed-earth facade in Paris, with the living area set back to create an outdoor terrace clad in aluminum. Lake Flato's Marfa Ranch in the US features two-foot-thick sandy-hued rammed-earth walls built around a central courtyard in the desert grasslands of Texas, with living spaces opening to outdoor areas via weathering steel sliding doors. Finally, Di Frenna Arquitectos' Espacio Kaab in Mexico, designed to appear as if rising from the ground, incorporates rammed earth alongside stone, woven carrizo, and stucco. Its living room boasts a dramatic grey-toned striped rammed-earth wall with an integrated bookshelf. These projects collectively demonstrate how rammed-earth walls can contribute significantly to both the visual character and environmental performance of contemporary living spaces. #RammedEarth #LivingRooms #InteriorDesign #SustainableArchitecture #ThermalMass #ResidentialArchitecture #BuildingMaterials #ArchitecturalFeatures #Lookbooks

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

Plaster, a versatile and timeless material, offers a wealth of opportunities to enhance the character and aesthetic of any interior space. While commonly associated with walls, designers are increasingly leveraging plaster in various applications to introduce texture, depth, and a unique artistic quality to homes. This exploration delves into seven key areas where plaster can be effectively incorporated, moving beyond conventional uses to create engaging and sophisticated designs. Walls remain a prominent canvas for plaster, with a diverse range of types, colors, and finishes available to personalize any living room or kitchen. Techniques such as Venetian plaster, limewash, and tadelakt are being utilized in contemporary ways, producing dynamic effects that interact with lighting and offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemical-laden finishes. These bespoke plaster treatments provide an organic movement and a tailored look that mass-produced wallpapers often lack. The fireplace, often a focal point in living rooms, is another ideal location for plaster. It can transform a worn fireplace into an eye-catching feature, offering a cost-effective solution to refresh existing brickwork or drywall without extensive renovations. Plaster's ability to create varied textures, from smooth to rugged, adds significant depth and elevates the overall aesthetic of the space, whether applied as a full coat or a subtle accent. Kitchens benefit from plaster through customized range hoods. Replacing traditional wood or metal, plaster offers a natural and stunning alternative. These hoods can be easily shaped and then finished with Roman clay in a color of choice, seamlessly blending with both contemporary and rustic settings while exuding a refined and elevated appearance. Historically, plaster, particularly tadelakt, has been valued for its waterproof and durable properties, making it suitable for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and shower rooms. Its resurgence in 2024 highlights its ability to provide a seamless, luxurious aesthetic reminiscent of ancient Roman baths. The use of lime and marble dust in tadelakt creates a beautifully mottled texture, offering both functionality and visual appeal. For those hesitant to introduce plaster into a main bathroom, powder rooms serve as an excellent experimental space. The material can be applied to vanities, tub surrounds, or countertops, adding character to these smaller areas. Plaster's durability and ease of maintenance make it a practical choice for high-traffic powder rooms, contributing to a layered, textured, and warm 'Old World' design aesthetic that is currently trending. Architectural details, often overlooked, can be significantly enhanced with plaster. Elements such as millwork and crown molding, when coated in plaster, can evoke old-world charm in traditional settings or add a sleek yet inviting touch to modern spaces, preventing them from feeling too cold. Plaster effectively highlights existing architectural features, adding visual interest to plain walls and setting a distinct tone in living areas, dining rooms, hallways, entryways, and bedrooms. Beyond structural applications, plaster is increasingly being incorporated into design accessories. It transforms from a building material into a decorative finish, bringing an artistic and sophisticated element to various home items. From light fixtures and accent tables to smaller decorative objects, plaster's sculpted, unfinished appearance and off-white coloring lend an artisanal, chic, and modern quality. These plaster-made items act as sculptural focal points, adding organic charm and intrigue, particularly in modern or minimalist design schemes. Simple alternatives, such as Rustoleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint, can also be used to achieve a similar plaster-like effect on various surfaces. Ultimately, incorporating plaster in these diverse ways offers an accessible and impactful method to infuse character and charm into any home. #InteriorDesign #PlasterFinishes #HomeDecor #TexturedWalls #FireplaceDesign #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #ArchitecturalDetails #DesignAccessories

This lookbook showcases ten living spaces that effectively use high-shine surfaces to add depth and dimension, demonstrating that these finishes do not necessarily lead to a clinical aesthetic. Glossy materials, including reflective paint, stone, or sheet metal, introduce a polished contrast to living rooms, which often feature plush textiles and upholstery. They are particularly beneficial in dark or compact areas, where their reflective qualities can amplify light and create an illusion of greater space. This collection offers visual inspiration from various architectural and design projects, highlighting diverse applications of glossy finishes in residential interiors. One featured project, the Helios 710 apartment in the UK by Bella Freud and Maria Speake, integrates 1970s glamour with glossy black sofas, burnt orange cushions, emerald green carpet, and hessian walls, nodding to the building's history as the former BBC Television Centre. In Berlin, Gisbert Pöppler's renovated apartment utilizes different surface materials to define living areas, including red-lacquered wood panelling in the entryway, a geometric limestone relief in the kitchen, and reflective stainless steel ceiling panels in the living room to enhance vertical perception. Clément Lesnoff-Rocard's "The Whale" apartment in Paris presents a modern interpretation of Art Deco, featuring brass-fronted storage, baby-blue marble-clad columns, and mirrored doors leading to the sleeping quarters. Lexi Tallisman’s Sleepy Hollow Residence in the USA employs glossy deep army green paint on walls and ceilings in a snug, making the compact space feel more expansive. This is complemented by a decadent material palette including a brass-and-oak shelving unit, a blue velvet sofa, and a vintage leather chair. Fabio Fantolino’s Casa Mille apartment in Turin, Italy, retains few original features from the 19th-century palazzo, instead using color and texture to define spaces. The dining area combines polished concrete floors with a lacquered cherry-red tabletop and a gridded partition of smokey-grey and petrol-green glass. In Portugal, Fala Atelier’s Apartment on a Mint Floor in Porto unifies all spaces, including the terrace, with mint-green epoxy resin flooring that mimics a wet, glassy appearance. Paradowski Studio’s Puro hotel in Kraków, Poland, incorporates a modernist 1970s-inspired mosaic of lacquered tiles by artist Tomasz Opaliński in its lounge, contrasted with soft furnishings and patterned rugs. Casa A12 in Madrid, designed by Lucas y Hernández-Gil, addresses limited natural light in a duplex basement apartment with shiny silver curtains and corrugated metal wall panels. The designers also created a faux courtyard with artificial skylights, orange grass, and tall plants to introduce a sense of nature. The Mumbai apartment by The Act of Quad features polished marble floors that contrast with muted furnishings, alongside spherical sculptures and undulating columns to break up the minimalist architecture. Finally, YSG’s Budge Over Dover house in Sydney, Australia, uses glossy travertine floors, a forest-green velvet rug, and a reflective aubergine-colored plaster ceiling to create distinct zones within an open-plan interior, demonstrating a sophisticated interplay of polished and raw finishes. #GlossySurfaces #InteriorDesign #LivingRoomIdeas #ReflectiveMaterials #ModernInteriors #HomeDecoration #ApartmentDesign #MaterialityInDesign #SpatialIllusion

Glass bricks, originally popularized in the 1930s by architects like Pierre Chareau and Arne Korsmo, and later embraced by Tadao Ando in the 1970s, are experiencing a resurgence in interior design. This lookbook presents ten contemporary projects that highlight the versatility and aesthetic appeal of glass-block walls in various settings, demonstrating their ability to manipulate light and shadow while providing privacy and unique visual effects. The featured projects showcase how these glazed masonry units can illuminate and transform interior spaces, ranging from compact bathrooms and hallways to restaurants, co-working offices, and residential dwellings. Among the examples is Maido, a sushi restaurant in London designed by Child Studio, which converted a 1960s post office. The design incorporates a semi-circular glass-block wall that pays homage to the building's modernist origins, complemented by dark cherry wood and a soft-blue coffered ceiling. In Hiroshima, Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP's Optical Glass House features a towering, two-storey wall of 6,000 specially crafted glass bricks. This innovative partition separates the house and its planted courtyard from the busy city streets, creating a play of shadows and refractions that extend into the living spaces, which can open completely to the garden. Remi Connolly-Taylor's self-designed London home, Maryland House, utilizes glazed inserts in a small statement staircase and as a balustrade for an adjacent balcony. These glass bricks filter light into the interior, maintaining privacy while ensuring sunlight reaches two bright-white bedrooms. Buckle Street Studios, a hotel in east London by Grzywinski+Pons, features a glass-brick facade with radiused corners on its top floors, giving the building a lantern-like appearance at night. The interior guest suites echo these curves with custom-made furniture designed to fit the rounded corners. In Athens, Studio Andrew Trotter transformed a 1970s warehouse into 10AM Lofts, a bright and sunny event space. The renovation involved replacing a significant portion of a concrete wall with glass masonry and inserting new windows on the ground floor, enhancing natural light. The Glass-Block Micro House in Ho Chi Minh City, designed by ROOM+ Design & Build, is a Dezeen Awards-shortlisted renovation where frosted glass bricks entirely replace the walls, even in the second-floor bathroom. This design choice transformed a dark and cramped space into a private, sun-dappled sanctuary. Spacial, a co-working space in Montreal by Ivy Studio, employs a glazed-block wall to delineate public and private office areas while allowing light to permeate. The interior predominantly features a greyscale palette, accented by large circular blue mirrors and a zinc-plated reception desk. Jun Murata's Diamant Glass Art Gallery in Japan utilizes glass bricks of various textures and translucencies to create shimmering refractions, mimicking light filtered through water. The sparsely furnished interior, including a classic Barcelona chair, allows the glass wall to be the focal point for temporary product displays. J Boroski, a bar in Shanghai by Atelier XY, incorporates a glazed wall that bisects the space, separating the main bar from an intimate lounge. This wall also serves as a ledge for drinks and is part of an unusual interior design reflecting the owner's fascination with insects, including a display of preserved tarantulas. Finally, the Vizor office in Minsk, Belarus, by Studio 11, reinterprets Soviet-era design. A snaking wall of glass blocks, combined with a deep red colour palette, geometric flooring, and hanging ferns, integrates traditional elements into a modern workplace. These diverse projects collectively demonstrate the enduring appeal and adaptive qualities of glass bricks in contemporary interior architecture. #GlassBricks #InteriorDesign #ModernArchitecture #ArchitecturalTrends #LightAndShadow #RenovationProjects #HomeDecor #CommercialInteriors #SustainableDesign

Teal, a captivating blend of blue and green, is emerging as a prominent color trend in home decor, offering a fresh alternative to traditional blue and green hues. This versatile color, reminiscent of the sea, can transform any space into a calming oasis or an energetic hub. Whether opting for a subtle accent or an immersive wall-to-wall application, teal introduces an element of unexpected sophistication and charm. One approach to incorporating teal is to embrace it fully, as demonstrated by Janie Molster's design, which features various shades of teal on walls, artwork, and upholstery, complemented by gold accents for a vibrant and cheerful ambiance. For such a bold statement, Benjamin Moore's Teal Ocean is a recommended paint color. Alternatively, a darker, richer teal can evoke the serene depth of the ocean, as seen in Julie Rootes' butler’s pantry. Here, a deep teal wallpaper and paint color create a sophisticated backdrop, harmonized with white marble countertops and gold fixtures; Clare's Sublime is a suitable choice for this effect. For those seeking a less intensive transformation, painting kitchen cabinets in a soft, subdued teal can refresh a space with minimal effort. Tasmin Johnson's design illustrates how a gentle teal can instill a calm atmosphere, ideal for a kitchen. Behr's Heron offers a similar soft and soothing tone. Bathrooms provide another excellent opportunity to introduce teal, even in smaller doses. Nina Farmer's design incorporates a muted, dreamy sea-green accent with black, white, and mixed-metal details, creating a modern yet romantic aesthetic; Benjamin Moore's St. Lucia Teal fits this description. Teal can also be incorporated to enhance vibrant and eclectic spaces. Kristen McCrory's design ties together a medley of bold colors and patterns, including a hot pink mantle, checkerboard curtains, and a navy velvet couch, with a subtle, watery teal shade on the walls. Benjamin Moore's Innocence is a minty teal that can achieve this effect. In kitchens, a bright and upbeat splash of teal on cabinets can instantly enliven a neutral space, as shown in Regan Baker's design, which pairs intense teal cabinets with wooden floors and textured backsplashes; Farrow & Ball's St. Giles Blue offers such a spunky hue. Even small spaces can benefit from a moody teal. Zoe Feldman's bathroom design uses a deep green-blue shade to make an alcove feel warm and inviting, enriched by elegant gold accents; Benjamin Moore's Jade Garden is an appropriate choice for this chic effect. Children's rooms are ideal for experimenting with color. A design by Zoe Feldman showcases a blend of deep teal cabinets balanced by a lighter blue on an adjacent wall, with pink accents and simple bedding. Benjamin Moore's Caribbean Blue Water provides an oceanic teal for such a playful yet balanced look. Teal's hybrid nature makes it an excellent complement to other blue and green tones, as seen in a living room design by Regan Baker, where a refreshing teal with hints of pale blue and minty green blends seamlessly with deep green chairs and a slate blue couch, creating a relaxed and comfortable ambiance; Behr's Tahitian Sky is a fresh, airy option. Lastly, a targeted pop of teal, such as a teal archway in a dining room designed by Leanne Ford, can make a significant impact without overwhelming the space, providing a funky yet refined transition. Farrow & Ball's Chinese Blue is suggested for this refined effect. These diverse applications demonstrate teal's versatility in creating unique and inviting interiors. #TealPaintColors #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ColorTrends #PaintInspiration #RoomDecorating #DesignTips #HomeRenovation #AccentWalls