Ten built-in beds that are embedded into the fabric of the building

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

This lookbook explores the design concept of incorporating balconies into bedrooms to enhance space, natural light, and scenic views, drawing inspiration from ten distinct architectural projects. Balconies serve as an additional outdoor area while visually expanding the interior and connecting it with the surrounding environment. One example is the Surf House in California by Feldman Architecture, where the master suite's floor-to-ceiling glass walls open onto a private balcony. This design choice not only provides expansive views of the coastline but also integrates the blues and greens of the outdoors with the room's neutral palette, as curated by Commune Design. Another project, Royal by William Kaven Architecture, features a black house nestled on an Oregon forest hillside. Here, an expansive double-aspect balcony extends from the bedroom, fulfilling the design intent of allowing residents to 'live among the trees,' as described by partner Daniel Kaven. The AdH House in Mexico, designed by Francesc Rifé Studio, incorporates black aluminum shutters on its bedroom balcony, offering privacy when desired. This element complements the tranquil interior, which is furnished with pieces from Cassina and custom designs by Simon Hamui, maintaining a consistent aesthetic throughout the space. In Barcelona, the Seven Lives apartment building by Anna and Eugeni Bach showcases bedrooms with balconies that visually connect to the building's vibrant yellow exterior. The interior design utilizes neutral tones and raw finishes to contrast with the bright doors, drawing attention outward to the striking facade. Ancerl Studio's 116 Sorauren in Toronto features French doors and a glazed wall leading to a bedroom balcony on the top floor. The room's weathered brick feature wall and black metal accents contribute to a subtle industrial feel, while the balcony provides an open-air extension. The Ridgewood house, a mid-century renovation by Henry Hill and Framestudio near San Francisco, includes a bedroom with glass walls that invite abundant natural light. The design allows occupants to access the balcony directly, offering views of the Alamo hills and creating a peaceful sanctuary in harmony with nature. In Australia, David Barr Architects extended a cottage near Perth, adding a bedroom with a large glazed panel that slides open to a small outdoor terrace. This design provides direct access to views of the Indian Ocean, making the natural surroundings an integral part of the living experience. Woorak House in Sydney, by CM Studio, features a bedroom with a corner balcony carved into the wall, offering views of the coastline. Glazed sliding doors and gauzy white curtains, combined with pale limestone flooring and white-painted ceiling beams, evoke an airy, Mediterranean atmosphere. Lookout House by Faulkner Architects in California is aptly named, with a top-floor bedroom suite that opens onto a spacious terrace, providing panoramic views of the valley. The interior, with concrete walls and walnut wood ceilings, is subtly illuminated by a slender red-colored window, creating a warm contrast. Finally, the Wasatch House in Utah, designed by Olson Kundig, includes a generous master bedroom balcony that overlooks Mount Olympus. The interior's furnishings and finishes are selected to harmonize with the colors of the surrounding forested landscape of Salt Lake City, further integrating the indoor and outdoor environments. #BedroomDesign #BalconyIdeas #ResidentialArchitecture #InteriorInspiration #ModernLiving #OutdoorSpace #ArchitecturalDesign #NaturalLight #HomeInteriors

This lookbook presents a curated selection of eight minimalist bedrooms that feature exposed concrete surfaces, offering a distinctive aesthetic that challenges traditional warm-toned material palettes often found in bedroom designs. The article highlights how concrete, with its varied textures from rough to sleek, contributes significantly to the character of these modern interiors. The selection aims to provide visual inspiration, showcasing concrete as a versatile material for creating serene and minimalist sleeping spaces. One featured project is The Cabin House in Bangalore, India, by Taliesyn, where the main bedroom on a mezzanine level is entirely encased in concrete surfaces, complemented by wooden furniture to introduce warmth. Another example is Northcote House in Melbourne, Australia, designed by LLDS Architects. This home on a narrow urban plot incorporates textured concrete walls and barrel-vaulted ceilings in its bedrooms, demonstrating concrete's ability to define unique architectural forms. Villain House in Barcelona, Spain, by Architecture Office Claudia Raurell, reimagines a dilapidated townhouse with a new concrete volume. Its interior showcases exposed concrete walls throughout the living and bedroom areas, emphasizing a raw, industrial aesthetic. Pacific House in Sydney, Australia, by Alexander & Co, illustrates how rendered concrete walls and ceilings, paired with oakwood, can create a cohesive and sophisticated living environment that extends into the bedrooms. Casa Alférez in Mexico, a brutalist holiday home by Ludwig Godefroy, features bedrooms set on concrete bases, maintaining the raw concrete structure seen in its exterior. AM House in Long An Province, Vietnam, by Nguyen Huu Duy, Nguyen Duy, and Bui The Long, utilizes board-marked concrete walls and concrete floors, creating wood-imprinted textures that add a natural yet refined feel to the holiday home. Piers Taylor's House in an Olive Grove in Corfu, Greece, reveals a pared-back interior where the reinforced concrete structure is left exposed, contributing to a minimalist and authentic living space, including the bedrooms. Lastly, Building Frame of the House in Tokyo, Japan, by IGArchitects, an open-plan home designed as “one big room,” incorporates board-marked concrete walls offset by wooden floors and metal detailing, showcasing how concrete can structure and define large, multi-functional spaces while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. This collection demonstrates that exposed concrete in bedrooms is not limited to a singular style but can be adapted to various architectural contexts and design preferences, from rough and tactile finishes to smooth and polished surfaces. It offers an alternative to conventional bedroom design, focusing on material honesty and minimalist principles. #ConcreteBedrooms #MinimalistInteriorDesign #ExposedConcrete #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalInteriors #ResidentialArchitecture #ModernBedrooms #Lookbook #InteriorInspiration

This lookbook explores ten examples of suspended fireplaces used as central design features in contemporary and cozy living rooms, ranging from rural residences to urban dwellings. These fireplaces, also known as hanging or floating fireplaces, are mounted on ceilings and lack support from below, making them a popular choice among architects and interior designers. Their appeal lies in their ability to introduce warmth into a space and transform otherwise unused ceiling areas into compelling focal points. The showcased examples demonstrate a variety of shapes, though a bold black finish is consistently favored for its versatility across different home aesthetics. The featured designs begin with Hygge Studio in Brazil, where Melina Romano integrated a striking black suspended fireplace into a São Paulo apartment's lounge, creating a rustic yet modern ambiance against brick walls and a cobogó screen. In Spain, Marià Castelló positioned a pivoting log burner at the core of the living room in Ca l'Amo, contrasting its sculptural form with the home's lightweight, exposed cross-laminated timber structure. Atelier Data's Varatojo House in Portugal utilizes a floating stove in its open-plan living and kitchen area to serve as a gathering point without obstructing the scenic valley views. Leopold Banchini Architects designed Marramarra Shack in Australia with a tall, floating fireplace as the centerpiece of a wood-lined interior, complemented by tiered seating and an industrial-style window. David Guerra employed a suspended fireplace in Valley House II, Brazil, to subtly delineate the sitting and dining areas, its vertical lines echoing the room's structural columns and the veranda. Wood Marsh incorporated a conical suspended flue over a circular firepit in the Towers Road House in Australia, enhancing a snug conversation pit with retro-inspired curved forms and polychromatic elements. ARTechnic's Shell holiday home in Japan features a winding seating area centered around a floating fireplace, whose curves harmonize with the home's distinctive oval-sectioned concrete structure. Inês Brandão Arquitectura designed the Cork House in Portugal with an open-plan living area where a suspended fireplace's black finish accentuates white walls and sliding doors, complementing dark furnishings. Villa K in Finland, by Mer Architects and Ettala Palomeras Architects, uses a log burner suspended between the living and dining rooms to add warmth and coziness, fitting seamlessly with the home's minimalist aesthetic of exposed concrete and monochrome decor. Finally, Lund Hagem's Geilo Cabin in Norway features a fireplace hanging from its sloped ceiling, creating a strong focal point in a lounge designed with blackened-timber, black concrete floors, and dark oak paneling to evoke an intimate, sheltered atmosphere. These diverse projects collectively illustrate the aesthetic and functional versatility of suspended fireplaces as a design element. #SuspendedFireplaces #LoungeAreas #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ContemporaryLiving #ArchitecturalFeatures #DesignInspiration #ModernFireplaces #Lookbook

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 explores eight distinct interiors where ladders serve as both practical and aesthetic elements, particularly in kitchens and living rooms. Ladders are highlighted as a space-efficient alternative to traditional staircases, offering flexibility and a playful touch to modern interior design. They can be utilized to access elevated storage or mezzanine levels, or simply as sculptural accessories, adding character and visual interest to a space. One example is the Warren Street Townhouse in Brooklyn, USA, designed by Studio Vural. Its Japanese-inspired kitchen features a wooden ladder mounted flush against a whitewashed brick wall, reflecting the owners' request to incorporate elements reminiscent of Kyoto. This ladder aids in accessing higher cabinetry while seamlessly blending into the serene design. In the Collectors Home in the Netherlands by DAB Studio, an antique fruit ladder, dating back to 1890, is transformed into a vibrant focal point. Positioned in a bay window niche, the ladder was painted green to complement the surrounding stained-glass panes, showcasing how historical objects can be revitalized to suit contemporary interiors. The Kensal Rise house in the UK, renovated by The Mint List, an Edwardian end-of-terrace property, incorporates mid-century modern design. Here, a sliding ladder in the kitchen provides convenient access to high-up cupboards, demonstrating a practical and integrated design solution for kitchens with vertical storage. Isabelle Heilmanne's Timbaud apartment in France, a Parisian space located in a former textile workshop, features a wooden ladder propped against a mezzanine level. The ladder's materiality harmonizes with an old wooden dining table and chairs, and the addition of a swing further enhances the playful, informal atmosphere of the living room. The Lake House in Slovakia, by JRKVC, exemplifies efficient use of space in a 65-square-meter footprint. Mezzanine areas above enclosed cabin rooms, which house bedrooms and a bathroom, are accessed by light wooden ladders. These ladders are integral to the design, providing functional access while contributing to the compact and clever layout. Crystal Sinclair Designs' Dumbo Loft in New York's Dumbo neighborhood includes a mezzanine library and seating area. A metal-and-wooden ladder accesses this elevated space through an arch-shaped cut-out in the floor, demonstrating a clever space-saving technique that also adds an architectural feature. In Punta Chilen, a Chilean beach house by Guillermo Acuña Arquitectos Asociados, the kitchen features two rows of open shelving and is accessed by a pair of ladders on castor wheels. Made from pine timber, these mobile ladders facilitate access to high shelves, and their natural material contributes to the warm interior, contrasting with the sea views. Finally, Casa Texcal in Mexico, by HGR Arquitectos, showcases a double-height bookcase with a central platform in its living space. A matching ladder with black metal handrails provides safe access to the platform and the upper shelves, making the bookcase a prominent and functional architectural element. These diverse examples illustrate the versatility of ladders in enhancing both the utility and design of residential interiors. #Ladders #InteriorDesign #Kitchens #LivingRooms #Mezzanines #SpaceSaving #HomeDecor #ResidentialInteriors #ArchitecturalFeatures

The article explores various design approaches for creating stylish and functional bedrooms without the traditional use of a headboard. It highlights how eliminating a headboard can offer creative freedom, optimize space, and align with minimalist aesthetics or budget constraints. The post presents nine distinct examples, each illustrating a unique way to achieve a sophisticated look in the absence of a headboard. The first approach, a boho-inspired design, showcases a functional and unique wooden triangle behind the bed, demonstrating how non-traditional elements can elevate a bedroom's aesthetic. Another suggestion involves incorporating a thin ledge shelf above the bed, providing a practical space for artwork or storage, particularly beneficial in small bedrooms. This method uses mismatched bedside lamps to visually frame the bed and offer additional reading light. For those with existing architectural features, the article recommends embracing natural elements like a stunning plant-filled wall or an exposed brick wall. These features inherently provide visual interest and texture, negating the need for a headboard. By opting for a streamlined, low-profile bed, the focus remains on these unique wall treatments. The piece also suggests leveraging art as a focal point. Without a headboard, a mini gallery wall or bold, tranquil artwork can become a statement piece, drawing the eye and framing the bed effectively. Creativity with wall finishes is encouraged through the idea of using chalkboard paint, allowing for changeable designs, notes, and inspirational quotes, offering a dynamic and personalized backdrop. Color is another powerful tool; painting an accent wall behind the bed in a vibrant or interesting color can create an instant focal point, making the headboard superfluous. Similarly, investing in distinctive wallpaper can transform a bedroom, with the wall becoming the primary design element. The article emphasizes that when a wall is adorned with compelling patterns or textures, the absence of a headboard goes unnoticed. Finally, the article highlights the beauty of natural light and views. For rooms with large, expansive windows, positioning the bed to allow the window to act as a natural frame creates an open and airy space, effectively bringing the outdoors in and eliminating the need for an artificial headboard. These diverse examples collectively illustrate that a headboard is not a prerequisite for a well-designed and elegant bedroom. #BedroomDesign #NoHeadboard #InteriorDecorating #MinimalistBedroom #AccentWalls #CreativeSolutions #SmallSpaceDesign #HomeStyling #BohoDecor

This blog post compiles ten distinct residential projects that utilize stilts to elevate their structures, showcasing a variety of architectural solutions to challenging topographies and environmental considerations. The article emphasizes how this architectural approach enables construction in otherwise uninhabitable sites such as lakes, steep slopes, and coastal areas, thereby fostering a closer connection between inhabitants and nature while minimizing environmental impact. The piece also highlights the increasing relevance of stilt architecture in the face of climate change, particularly in enhancing resilience against rising sea levels and more frequent flooding, as indicated by recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The first example, Redshank in the UK by Lisa Shell, features a cross-laminated timber cabin protected by untreated oak and cork panels, elevated on three galvanized steel legs painted red, a tribute to the local wading bird. Stepping Stone House in the UK, by Hamish & Lyons, is an extension built over a lake, allowing swimmers beneath its white corrugated floor deck, supported by Y-shaped glue-laminated timber columns and featuring exaggerated eaves. In the Czech Republic, Šépka Architekti's House in the Orchard is a three-storey, bulbous home propped on a reinforced-concrete stalk and covered in polyurethane to resemble a rock formation, with a birch plywood interior. Cabin Lille Arøya in Norway, by Lund Hagem, is a boat-accessible summer home on a small island, balanced on slender stilts to navigate craggy boulders. Its black exterior blends with the surroundings, while the interior uses raw concrete and rough-sawn pine. Malan Vorster's Tree House in South Africa consists of four cylindrical towers on stilts, offering forest views from a sloped site, with Corten steel legs acting as structural columns and red cedar battens adorning the exterior. Viggsö in Sweden, by Arrhov Frick Arkitektkontor, is a timber-framed cabin lifted into the treetops by wooden legs, providing views of the Stockholm archipelago and featuring a white corrugated metal roof extending to a translucent plastic-covered terrace. The Building Descending the Stairs in Italy, by ElasticoFarm and Bplan Studio, is an apartment block elevated on angular metal stilts, designed to maximize sun exposure and offer views of the Venetian Lagoon, with each of its 47 flats having a private outdoor space. Brillhart Architecture's Stewart Avenue Residence in the USA addresses rising sea levels by integrating stilts as a deliberate architectural element, using a combination of skinny galvanized steel pipes and hollow concrete columns for utility rooms. Manshausen 2.0 in Norway, by Stinessen Arkitektur, comprises raised holiday cabins in the Arctic Circle, perched on metal stilts above a rocky coastal outcrop to withstand projected sea level rises, with aluminium panels protecting the CLT frame. Finally, Dock House in Chile, by SAA Arquitectura + Territorio, is a pine-clad home near the Pacific Ocean, elevated on a structural wooden plinth and diagonal pillars that vary in height to maintain a level floor on uneven terrain, providing ocean views. These projects collectively demonstrate the versatility and environmental benefits of stilt architecture, offering innovative solutions for diverse geographical and climatic challenges. #StiltArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #ClimateChangeResilience #SustainableArchitecture #CoastalHomes #InnovativeHousing #EnvironmentalDesign #ModernArchitecture #BuildingOnSlopes

This article highlights ten architect-designed bedrooms, each offering a unique approach to creating a serene and peaceful sleeping space. The examples showcase a variety of styles, materials, and influences, from Shaker-inspired simplicity to interiors informed by natural landscapes. The first example is Guadalajara House in Mexico, designed by Alejandro Sticotti. This master bedroom suite emphasizes a connection to nature with large floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a private deck, complemented by wooden panelling and a soft grey and white color scheme. Following this is the Pound Ridge House in the US by Tsao & McKown, where a master suite is distinct from public areas. It features a bed against a dark, moody wall, with access to a veranda through sliding doors, and a fireplace, creating a cozy and private retreat. Smiljan Radíc's Prism House + Terrace Room in Chile offers a dramatic view overlooking a lava river. The bedroom's interior is kept simple with a blackened Oregon pine wood floor and a wooden bed that doubles as a seat or shelf, allowing the striking natural scenery to be the focal point. In Beijing, China, Claesson Koivisto Rune designed Xiang Jiang House, extensively using natural materials such as timber panelling for floors and walls, and a large four-poster wooden bed frame. The minimalist color palette is paired with contemporary design pieces from various global influences. The Spanish holiday home by YLAB Arquitectos features a luxurious master bedroom with a walnut slatted ceiling and grey sandstone walls. A contrasting black headboard with brass accents adds to the opulent yet cozy atmosphere, reminiscent of a wooden holiday retreat, offering views of coastal mountains. Bermonds Locke, a hotel in London by Holloway Li, draws inspiration from California deserts. Its rooms incorporate warm terracotta hues and multi-colored bedspreads, with bespoke black bed frames and linen drapes separating the sleeping area from other functional spaces. Forest House in Thailand, designed by Shma Company, integrates nature into its urban setting. The peaceful bedroom uses steel louvres for privacy and narrow balconies filled with potted plants. The interior maintains a clean aesthetic with white walls, a wooden headboard with built-in bedside tables, and brown rugs. Klinker Apartment in Spain by Colombo and Serboli Architecture features a vibrant bedroom with colorful tiled floors and a sage green border that extends to the headboard and ceiling, with minimal decorations to emphasize the color scheme. Lastly, Kawakawa House in New Zealand by Herbst Architects presents a dramatic bedroom clad in dark birch panels. Clerestory windows and smaller windows beside the bed allow dappled sunlight from the surrounding pōhutukawa trees to enter, with light wood hanging bedside tables providing functional details. Círculo Mexicano Hotel in Mexico by Mabrosi Etchegaray offers a monastic, Shaker-inspired aesthetic with white-painted floors, beige linens, and barrel-vaulted ceilings with red tiles, emphasizing an unadorned, simple elegance. #BedroomDesign #ArchitecturalInteriors #HomeDecor #LuxuryBedrooms #MinimalistDesign #NaturalMaterials #SereneSpaces #InteriorInspiration

This lookbook showcases eight distinct bedrooms, each featuring a four-poster bed as a central element, illustrating the bed's enduring appeal as a symbol of luxury and a versatile design piece. Tracing its origins to the medieval period, the four-poster bed originally served practical purposes, offering privacy and warmth through wraparound curtains, and quickly became associated with nobility and elaborate designs. Today, it remains a significant statement piece that can adapt to various interior styles, from traditional to contemporary. The featured designs begin with the House on the Schopfacker in Switzerland by Bernardo Bader Architects, where a grand carved four-poster bed creates a striking contrast with modern chrome furniture, a concrete ceiling, and light larch wood surfaces. This integration highlights a blend of historical grandeur with minimalist modern aesthetics. Next, The Ned hotel in the UK, designed by Soho House and Sydell Group, exemplifies a luxurious 1920s aesthetic. Here, mahogany four-poster beds are adorned with richly patterned curtains, complementing walnut paneling and restored chandeliers, emphasizing a lavish, period-specific design approach. Hotel Peter and Paul in New Orleans, a project by StudioWTA and ASH NYC, reimagines a former church, rectory, and convent. Its rooms feature black four-poster beds topped with crucifixes and walls decorated with saint paintings, maintaining traditional furniture to evoke a timeless, religiously infused atmosphere. Villa Pelícanos in Mexico, by Main Office, presents a rustic interpretation within a thatch-roof seaside villa. The four-poster bed is draped with gauzy white curtains, blending Mexican materials like parota wood with South African design elements against a backdrop of white walls and concrete floors, creating a bright and airy coastal retreat. The Tri-Pod in the UK, by Scott Whitby Studio, offers a contemporary and innovative take. Designed for a polyamorous throuple, this bespoke boudoir reinterprets the four-poster as a space divider, featuring a closable walnut sleeping area and an elevated mezzanine for relaxation, prioritizing comfort and personal space for multiple occupants. In the Sackett Street townhouse in the USA, The Brooklyn Home Company features a hand-crafted wooden four-poster bed by sculptor Fitzhugh Karol. This piece anchors a bright bedroom characterized by white oak floors, white-painted walls, and an adjoining private terrace, showcasing bespoke craftsmanship in a serene setting. Another New Orleans project, the Henry Howard Hotel, renovated by Hunter Mabry Design, introduces a sleek black metal four-poster bed. This modern element is juxtaposed with antique furnishings and vintage brass instruments, reflecting the city's jazz heritage while adding a contemporary touch. Finally, the Xiang Jiang House in China by Claesson Koivisto Rune presents a modern Scandinavian interpretation. An oversized plinth supports a four-poster bed, providing space for a bedside lamp and enhancing the room's tranquility and coziness, further augmented by extra-wide floorboards and pale-wood wall paneling. These examples collectively demonstrate the four-poster bed's versatility and enduring appeal, adapting its historical grandeur to diverse architectural and interior design contexts, from alpine chalets to urban townhouses and seaside villas. #FourPosterBeds #BedroomDesign #LuxuryInteriors #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalRenovations #BespokeFurniture #HotelInteriors #ResidentialDesign

This article highlights the benefits and creative possibilities of built-in beds for children's rooms, moving beyond conventional small or extra-small bed options. Built-in beds are presented as a solution to maximize space, spark imagination, and offer unique functionalities not found in standard twin-size mattresses. By elevating beds a few feet off the floor, these custom designs can incorporate hidden drawers, secret lofts, and built-in staircases, effectively transforming a child's bedroom into a more engaging and organized environment. The piece argues that custom-built beds are a superior alternative to traditional options like race cars and trundles. Six distinct examples of built-in kids' beds are showcased to illustrate these concepts. The first example, "The Blank Canvas," features a birch and plywood bunk bed from Casa Kids in a Dumbo, Brooklyn home. This design includes streamlined drawers integrated into the steps with simple cutout holes for access, emphasizing durability and adaptability. The idea is that parents can update the room's aesthetic by merely changing the bedding, rather than replacing the entire furniture as the child's tastes evolve. "The Book Nook" demonstrates a built-in bunk bed designed by Studio DB that prioritizes storage. This unit offers large drawers at the lowest level for clothing and seasonal items, alongside an open shelf specifically for books. A bonus ledge facilitates easy access to reading material when climbing into bed, combining practicality with comfort. "The Pink Palace," designed by Jall and Tofta, exemplifies a lofted built-in bed that creates a dedicated play area beneath. This lower level is equipped with a floor-length curtain and an ascending wall of cubbies, making it suitable for creative play and impromptu performances, effectively maximizing vertical space for both sleep and recreation. Graphic designer and illustrator Marie Willumsen's approach in "The Two-for-One" showcases a children's room with a two-tiered built-in bed system. This design smartly caters to city parents living in smaller apartments by placing a nursery below and quarters for older children above, optimizing space utilization for different age groups within a single room. "The Slumber Party Starter," another creation by Casa Kids, features an impressive multi-level bunk unit that includes a third sleeping nook at the very top. This design is presented as an ideal choice for families who frequently host sleepovers, highlighting its capacity to accommodate multiple children and foster a fun, social environment. Finally, "The Dream Catcher," designed by Crystal Sinclair, focuses on creating a serene sleeping environment. This built-in nook incorporates a double-height, sun-blocking curtain to ensure young occupants fall asleep easily and enjoy sweet dreams, emphasizing comfort and atmosphere. Each example underlines the versatility and imaginative potential of custom built-in beds in children's bedrooms, offering both functional storage and engaging design elements. #KidsBeds #BuiltInFurniture #ChildrensRoomDesign #SpaceSavingSolutions #BedroomStorage #CustomKidsRooms #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #KidsBedroomIdeas

This article explores the aesthetic and practical considerations of incorporating four-poster beds into various home decor schemes, primarily focusing on country-style bedrooms. It addresses common questions regarding the selection and dressing of these beds, offering expert advice from industry professionals. One featured option is 'The Etien' four-poster bed, characterized by its clean, curved lines and geometric design, making it suitable for a country scheme. This handcrafted bed features an open, circular canopy, twisted upright posts, and V-groove inset panels. It is available in various paint colors, including French Grey, and offers customizable headboard upholstery options. The article also delves into how to dress a four-poster bed, presenting two main approaches. The first is a formal, 'tailored' look with traditional hangings, while the second involves simply draping lengths of fabric. The latter offers flexibility, allowing for seasonal changes, such as sheer muslins for summer and richer brocades or velvets for winter. For those seeking a dark wood four-poster that doesn't dominate a room, a traditional mahogany option without a canopy is suggested. This style, inspired by the Georgian period, offers simple yet bold lines that blend elegantly into both modern and classic settings. It features foliate carved, reeded posts and flame mahogany panels, showcasing traditional furniture-making skills. Addressing the suitability of four-poster beds for modern country schemes, the article highlights understated styles as appealing focal points that can anchor a rustic design. An example is a solid weathered Acacia frame bed with carved and turned posts and floral detailing. The headboard and footboard, initially upholstered in a Natural and Off-White striped linen, can be re-upholstered to adapt to changing tastes or decor. For a Scandi-style bedroom, a simple, pared-back design with clean lines and a lightly distressed off-white finish is recommended. This style aligns with Scandi interiors' focus on functionality, comfort, and elegant design. Vertical wooden wall paneling can enhance the bed's height, and layering textiles creates a contrast against its angular shape. This particular bed is handcrafted from solid mahogany and has matching storage pieces. For a statement piece in a main bedroom, a grand four-poster with a canopy is presented as an elegant centerpiece, particularly suitable for large country bedrooms. Modern interpretations of traditional Georgian designs incorporate graceful, romantic elements. An example includes a hand-applied, antiqued silver leaf finish and a canopy with finely carved Prince of Wales Feathers and a decorative clover leaf ceiling. Finally, the article addresses single four-poster beds for children's rooms. A classical design with fairytale appeal is suggested, designed to grow with a child. A white painted finish, hand-carved poles, and a canopy adorned with ribbons and flowers create a modern country feel. This design can be enhanced with drapery for a more personalized touch. #FourPosterBeds #BedroomDesign #CountryStyle #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #FurnitureSelection #ScandiStyle #BedDressing

Floor-to-ceiling windows are a design element that maximizes natural light and offers expansive views, making a space feel larger and more connected to its surroundings. This architectural feature is particularly impactful when a home boasts a spectacular vista, whether it's a sprawling forest, a serene beach, or a vibrant city skyline. The glass panels often extend both vertically and horizontally, creating an almost alfresco living experience. Beyond the visual appeal, these windows bring abundant light into interiors throughout the day. A kitchen, for instance, can be bathed in bright, cheerful morning light, while a living room can be imbued with a warm glow as the sun sets. To further enhance the aesthetic impact of floor-to-ceiling windows, design considerations can include painting the window sashes and mullions in a dark hue. This choice creates a striking contrast against the outdoor scenery, making the vista pop even more. However, the inherent beauty of the view itself often negates the need for elaborate additional adornments. The article showcases 25 diverse examples from the Architectural Digest archives, illustrating how floor-to-ceiling windows are integrated into various residential settings. These examples highlight a range of interior design styles and geographical locations, demonstrating the versatility of this architectural element. In a Connecticut house by Carrier and Co., cube chairs by Desiron are positioned to face the living area's floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting inhabitants to engage with the exterior. Kara Ross and Stephen Ross's New York apartment, designed by Ingrao Inc., features city views through curtained windows, complemented by vintage French mahogany floor lamps and a papier-mâché sculpture. A San Francisco residence, furnished by Ken Fulk, boasts a 27-foot-tall window in the great room, offering sweeping cityscapes. The master bedroom of a New York Hudson River Valley retreat, designed by architect Joel Sanders, includes a Poliform platform bed and a CB2 Peekaboo table by the windows, paired with a vintage Frank Gehry Wiggle chair. An art-collecting couple's home in Amagansett, New York, by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, features a sun-drenched open living area framed by Duratherm doors and windows, with custom-made sofas upholstered in Rubelli fabric and a Stark rug. In Laguna Beach, California, a home by Ehrlich Architects integrates a window wall in the master bedroom that slides open to blend indoor and outdoor spaces, with beds by Roche Bobois. Designer John Barman's Miami Beach apartment utilizes a retractable, floor-to-ceiling door to provide immediate ocean views from every room, showcasing Thonet chairs and vintage accessories. A Los Angeles house decorated by Dan Fink features a Poul Kjærholm leather-top stool and a Vladimir Kagan sofa within a great room that connects to the outside through large windows. A Manhattan apartment by Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper incorporates a Jeff Koons sculpture and vintage Fritz Henningsen chairs at a window wall. Architect Antoine Predock designed a New Mexico home with a master bedroom offering mountain views, where coyotes have been observed walking outside the windows. Jamie Drake’s New York City living room combines a custom cocktail table and sectional sofa with a Pedro Friedeberg Hand chair and gold-leafed floor lamps, all benefiting from ample natural light. A home by Lake|Flato Architects near Austin, Texas, provides broad views of downtown through expansive windows, accented by a large-scale artwork by Vik Muniz. The Florida living room of Judy Blume and George Cooper, renovated by Thomas E. Pope and Malcolm James Kutner, is bordered by a garden rich with palms and orchids, visible through its windows. Adam Levine’s Hollywood Hills living room, designed by Mark Haddaway, is a carefully curated space of vintage pieces, illuminated by natural light. Lee F. Mindel of Shelton, Mindel & Assoc. designed a New York City apartment living area with stools and wicker lounge chairs by Poul Kjærholm, arranged on a custom-made V’Soske carpet. In Nashville, Tennessee, a family room by McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors features a Sutherland lounge chair and a Flexform sectional sofa, with Donghia fabric curtains. A Commune-designed house in Los Angeles incorporates reclaimed-oak paneling in its double-height living room, benefiting from large windows. Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan’s Shelter Island, New York, home features custom-made ceramic tiles in a sunken living area that is brightened by natural light. A New York City pied-à-terre by Jennifer Post Design Inc. includes a vintage Stilnovo light fixture and a Minotti sofa in a living room filled with light. The kitchen of a New York City residence by ODA-Architecture features red-lacquer cabinetry and stainless-steel counters, with light streaming in through large windows. Gilles Mendel’s Manhattan apartment living room showcases an Earl Reiback artwork between nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, offering unobstructed northern city views. A Manhattan apartment’s master bath, designed by Cooper, Robertson & Partners and De la Torre Design Studio, is clad in Jerusalem Gold stone and features custom-made mirrored cabinets. A Sagaponack, New York, home by Christoff:Finio Architecture has a dining area with a Geoff Kuzara mobile and vintage Walter Gropius chairs, situated to take advantage of natural light. Lastly, a Shelter Island, New York, master bedroom by Michael Haverland Architect and Philip Galanes is lined with Carolyn Ray wallpaper and benefits from significant window space, and a New York City living room by Len Morgan features a George III sofa and antique Irish armchairs, illuminated by the natural light from the windows. #FloorToCeilingWindows #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #NaturalLight #ArchitecturalFeatures #LuxuryHomes #ModernLiving #ResidentialArchitecture #StunningViews

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

Built-in bunk rooms offer an effective solution for accommodating more guests, making them ideal for multi-generational families, friends, and holiday gatherings. Sarah Broughton, an architect at Rowland & Broughton, emphasizes the increasing popularity of bunk rooms in "legacy houses" designed for various age groups. These rooms maximize floor space and ceiling height, allowing a standard three-bedroom house to sleep multiple families. Creative utilization of existing spaces, such as converting a playroom or an attic, can transform underutilized areas into comfortable sleeping quarters for numerous people. For instance, a lake house playroom can be adapted by installing stacked bunk beds, or an unused attic can become a cozy retreat with beds nestled under the eaves, potentially providing sleeping arrangements for ten or more individuals. Designing a functional bunk room requires attention to detail. Each bunk should include essential amenities such as an electrical outlet for charging devices, a shelf for personal items like a glass of water, and individual lighting. Broughton also suggests integrating storage solutions, such as drawers beneath the bottom bunks, and upholstering headboards for added comfort. By building everything in, similar to a ship's design, every square inch of space is utilized efficiently, making the room feel spacious even with lower ceilings. The design extends to adjacent bathrooms, which should be planned to accommodate multiple users simultaneously, featuring separate water closets, shower chambers, and multiple sinks. Practical considerations also include constructing sturdy ladders with comfortable rungs for bare feet and ensuring sufficient space around mattresses for easy bed-making. Bunk room designs are not limited to children; they can be adapted for adults with sophisticated styles. Examples include rooms with charcoal gray and brown palettes, privacy curtains, and stylish built-in storage, as showcased by Amber Interiors. Mindy Gayer Design employs pale neutral color schemes and clean lines for a minimalist aesthetic, while Liza Reyes incorporates plush wall-to-wall carpeting and bolster pillows for added comfort in Tahoe guest rooms. Any room can be transformed into a sleeping area by adding multiple twin mattresses, as demonstrated by a grain silo-inspired outbuilding designed by Julie Hawkins. Legaspi Courts Design illustrates how playrooms can serve dual purposes as sleepover spots without compromising space for activities. Other creative ideas include using mixed prints and vintage lighting to create cozy attic havens, or carving out spacious sleeping dens in rustic cabins with attached washrooms. Lindsay Hill Interiors transformed an unused garage space into a six-bunk crash pad, and custom plywood beds enhance shared sleeping arrangements for siblings. #BunkRoomDesign #SpaceSavingSolutions #HomeDesignIdeas #InteriorDecorating #FamilyTravel #GuestAccommodation #BuiltInFurniture #CleverStorage #HomeRenovation

This article showcases a curated selection of ten exquisite four-poster beds, highlighting their unique designs and the companies behind them. These beds offer a range of styles and price points, catering to various aesthetic preferences and budgets for those looking to enhance their bedroom interiors. Each entry provides the bed's name, size, price, and the manufacturer's contact information and website. The featured beds begin with the Althorp Victory oak four-poster bed from Brights of Nettlebed, available in super king size for £4,095, known for its traditional craftsmanship. Julian Chichester presents two distinct options: the Beatrice bed, a 5ft wide design priced at £5,820, and the Demi four-poster bed, also 5ft wide, available for £3,720, both reflecting sophisticated design. Lombok's Keraton carved four-poster bed offers an exotic touch, in super king size for £1,756. For those seeking luxury, Max Rollitt's Chamberlayne bed, measuring 5ft 6in wide, is presented at a higher price point of £16,800. Neptune offers the Wardley four-poster bed, a painted king-size option for £1,680, known for its elegant and often coastal-inspired aesthetic. OKA's Zamindar four-poster bed, including a mattress, is available in king size for £4,650, combining comfort with a distinctive style. The Original Bed Co. provides the Turner bed in Dark Cherry, a king-size option for £1,049, focusing on classic design. Willis & Gambier's Elle four-poster bed, at 150cm (5ft) wide, is priced at £2,149, known for its contemporary appeal. Finally, the Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co. features the Sophie bed, a double-size bed for £925, emphasizing durability and classic metalwork. Accompanying these selections are related articles that delve deeper into bedroom design. "Period bedroom design ideas" by Carla Passino explores how to best furnish a period bedroom, covering everything from four-posters to Victorian brass frames. Another piece, "Create your own rural oasis: Five bedroom furniture tips," offers advice on incorporating countryside touches into a bedroom, irrespective of location. The article also touches upon a contemporary trend with "Bathtub in the bedroom: Should you try it at home?" by Arabella Youens, examining the growing popularity of integrating bathtubs into bedroom spaces. #FourPosterBeds #BedroomDesign #InteriorDecor #LuxuryBeds #HomeFurnishings #CountryLife #BedroomFurniture #PeriodBedroomDesign #RuralInspiredInteriors