Ten homes with staircases that have statement balustrades

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

This article compiles a selection of ten distinctive residential staircase designs from the Dezeen archives, highlighting their role as significant architectural features rather than mere functional elements for vertical movement. These examples demonstrate how staircases can become central design statements within a home, often sparking discussion among design enthusiasts. One featured project is the Kappa House in Japan by Archipelago Architects Studio, where three central staircases, finished in greenish-blue resin, serve to divide the internal spaces. The uppermost staircase extends to the ceiling, functioning as a seating area for various activities, thereby challenging the conventional purpose of a staircase. Similarly, Nendo's Stairway House in Tokyo incorporates a large faux staircase that spans from the garden through a glazed facade and up to the roof. This dominant structure ingeniously conceals a cats' playroom, bathroom facilities, and a functional staircase for accessing upper levels, showcasing a multifaceted approach to staircase integration. In Japan's Hiroshima Prefecture, Kazunori Fujimoto Architect & Associates designed a guardless cast-concrete spiral staircase for a seaside house. This staircase, notable for its seamless transition without a central pillar, creates a visually striking element. The Escher House in Montreal, renovated by Naturehumaine, features an angular steel staircase inspired by MC Escher's trompe l'oeil art. This staircase acts as the central organizing element, around which all other spaces within the residence are arranged. Tato Architects' House in Takatsuki, Japan, a compact three-storey residence, utilizes 16 different floor levels instead of traditional staircases. Residents navigate these split levels using wooden blocks, shelves, and furniture, creating a unique and open flow within a small footprint. In a renovated east London terraced house, Paolo Cossu Architects designed an extra-wide oak staircase with varying tread sizes, allowing it to function as both a passage and a seating area. This design is complemented by adjacent bookshelves and wooden blocks that define the walking path. Tommy Rand's self-built house in Denmark features a helical staircase crafted from 630 computer-cut plywood pieces, meticulously assembled on-site to achieve precision and a sculptural form. In Chile, Guillermo Acuña integrated a wide, guardless wooden staircase into an old boathouse, transforming it into a holiday home. This trapezoidal staircase not only connects two terraces but also serves as elevated seating, offering views of the surrounding landscape. The X House in Madrid, designed by Beta Ø Architects, includes a black metal 'staircase' that is, in fact, a non-functional sculpture. Composed of staggered rectangular frames within a void, it facilitates air and natural light circulation throughout the house. Finally, Jac Studios' renovation of a Copenhagen apartment features a smoked-oak staircase suspended by steel poles, creating an illusion of levitation. This lightweight structure, combined with tapered terrazzo steps, presents a clean and modern aesthetic. These projects collectively demonstrate how architects are reimagining staircases as pivotal design components that can define space, serve multiple functions, and contribute significantly to the aesthetic and experiential quality of residential architecture. #ResidentialArchitecture #StaircaseDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures #HouseDesign #HomeRenovation #InnovativeStaircases #ModernArchitecture #SpaceUtilization

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 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

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

This 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 blog post highlights ten exemplary buildings that seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor living through the use of courtyards. Each project showcases a unique approach to this architectural feature, demonstrating its versatility and benefits across various contexts and design philosophies. First, Hiiragi's House in Japan, designed by Takashi Okuno, centers around a beloved family tree within a courtyard. This design ensures that the significant tree is visible from every room, creating a constant connection to nature and family heritage. The courtyard acts as the heart of the home, providing both visual access and a tranquil focal point. Next, MIA Design Studio's The Drawers House in Vietnam utilizes plant-lined courtyards and hanging greenery to open up the family home while maintaining privacy. The design, composed of three single-story segments, strategically places these green spaces to offer outdoor access and a sense of openness without compromising seclusion, crucial in dense urban environments. In Seattle, MW Works' Laurelhurst Residence, an update to a 1960s home, features a garden courtyard as its primary focal point. The architects removed internal walls to create a more open layout, making the courtyard visible from the living room and other areas, thus blurring the lines between the interior and the natural surroundings. DCPP's Casa Campestre 107 in Mexico City is a T-shaped house that incorporates two courtyards—one at the front and one at the rear. All downstairs rooms open directly onto these paved stone courtyards, enhancing natural light and ventilation while providing private outdoor spaces for relaxation and entertainment. Bak Gordon Arquitectos transformed a traditional Lisbon house into two apartments for different generations of a family, separated by a secluded shared courtyard. This design not only provides privacy for each living unit but also creates a communal yet intimate outdoor space for the residents to enjoy. Amin Taha Architects reconfigured a 1950s terraced house in London's Bayswater by adding a courtyard garden. Lightwells extend down to the central courtyard, illuminating the underground spaces and bringing natural light deep into the building, a common challenge in urban terrace housing. dRMM's Maggie's Oldham Centre in the UK, a cancer care facility, incorporates a courtyard with undulating glass walls that descends from the stilted wooden structure. This accessible courtyard garden, reached via a wood and steel staircase, provides a peaceful and therapeutic outdoor environment for patients and visitors. Mariposa1038 in Los Angeles, designed by Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, introduces a curvilinear courtyard within a multi-story apartment building in a densely populated neighborhood. This open-air, landscaped courtyard features an integrated bench and doubles as a rainwater-collection system, offering both aesthetic and functional benefits in an urban setting. Finally, The Guild in Jakarta by RAW Architecture, led by Realrich Sjarief, is a geometric house built around a rectangular central courtyard. This building serves as both Sjarief's studio and a library dedicated to architectural works. The courtyard acts as a central organizing element, bringing light and a sense of tranquility to the workspace and library. #CourtyardArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #IndoorOutdoorLiving #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #UrbanHousing #ModernArchitecture #PrivacySolutions #GreenSpaces

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

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

Staircases, often considered a mere functional link between floors, are re-envisioned by architects as opportunities for artistic expression and defining architectural elements within a home. This perspective transforms the utilitarian necessity into a focal point, capable of creating dramatic moments and adding significant aesthetic value. Banduk Smith Studio, for instance, integrated the staircase as a central element in their Tower House, emphasizing its role in vertical circulation and making it a core around which other activities unfold. The design minimized horizontal circulation, reinforcing the staircase as an integral part of the living space. Ashiesh Shah's approach to a Mumbai duplex apartment showcases an experimental form for the staircase, combining sharp, polished black steps with a delicate, curved sweep at the base, demonstrating a blend of modernity and elegance. Abin Chaudhuri literally interpreted the idea of a sculptural staircase for a Bengaluru home by incorporating sculptures at various points on cantilevered treads. The design is further accentuated by a vibrant, siren-red balustrade, intentionally drawing attention and becoming a striking feature. Puran Kumar's design, while influenced by the surrounding mango trees, features an equally captivating, industrial-looking suspended steel staircase. This minimalist yet dramatic centerpiece gently curves upwards, embodying simplicity with a strong visual impact. Matra Architects and Rurban Planners adopted a concrete approach for a home designed for artists. Their interpretation of a sculptural staircase offers a dramatic twist on the traditional spiral, replacing gentle curves with sharp, angular forms, showcasing innovative use of material and geometry. Khosla Associates conceptualized a rust-orange staircase for a Bengaluru residence, crafted from mild steel and timber treads. This design stands out as the most noticeable feature in the living room, asserting its presence through color and form. Beyond their individual sculptural qualities, some staircases are notable for their contextual roles. In the Deolali House, the staircase enhances the experience of its unparalleled views, transforming the ascent or descent into a dynamic viewing platform. Similarly, a house in Kathaluwa, Sri Lanka, utilizes its staircase as a private sanctuary, strategically shielded from lake views, offering a sense of seclusion. The High Street House in Islamabad features a black marble staircase that, when illuminated by a thick glass wall at night, transforms into a luminous box, adding a captivating glow to the urban setting. These examples collectively illustrate how leading architects use staircases not just for utility, but as artistic statements, integrated elements that define spatial experiences, and dramatic focal points within contemporary homes. #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalDesign #StaircaseDesign #InteriorArchitecture #SculpturalElements #ModernHomes #LuxuryInteriors #IndianArchitecture

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 article highlights ten buildings that utilize decorative brick facades to create unique and visually engaging exteriors. Bricks, a globally prevalent building material, are showcased not just for their structural integrity but also for their versatility in aesthetic applications. The inherent small, rectangular shape of bricks allows for diverse decorative effects, including variations in color, complex forms, intricate patterns, and strategic perforations. The featured projects demonstrate a wide array of architectural styles and functions. The Gadi House in India, by PMA Madhushala, features a facade of protruding and perforated bricks over a stone base, designed to ventilate the home and minimize the need for mechanical cooling. At the Kitrvs winery in Greece, ETH Zürich researchers used an "augmented bricklaying" technique to create a semi-transparent facade of over 13,000 individually rotated and mortared bricks, mimicking the movement of light on liquid. The Arches in the UK, by The DHaus Company, incorporates layers of red-brick slips forming arches that frame doors and balconies, paying tribute to nearby Victorian railway architecture. Wallmakers' Pirouette House in India employs the rat-trap bond technique to construct curved and twisting brick walls that animate the facade while concealing structural elements. Bureau de Change's The Interlock in London showcases matte blue bricks that appear to swell around its windows, utilizing 5,000 bespoke bricks in 44 shapes and sizes, meticulously modeled and templated for precise arrangement. Museum de Lakenhal in the Netherlands, designed by Happel Cornelisse Verhoeven and Julian Harrap Architects, features concertina-style folds and bricks set at varying angles, evoking woven textiles and referencing the site's history as a fabric factory. Kohan Ceram, the headquarters of a brick manufacturer in Tehran by Hooba Design Group, presents a six-storey facade with bricks incorporating circular glass inserts, forming distinctive patterns alongside protruding brick blocks. In Vietnam, CTA's Wall House utilizes hole-punctured bricks, seemingly haphazardly stacked, to create a tactile, irregular surface that also funnels air and sunlight into the multi-generational home. Studio Lotus's Krushi Bhawan government building in India features an elaborate brick facade made from three different colored clays, arranged to emulate the traditional Odisha Ikat dyeing technique. Finally, the Shah Muhammad Mohshin Khan Mausoleum in Bangladesh by Sthapotik is defined by six red-brick turrets with perforated tops for natural ventilation, elevated on a brick platform to mitigate flood risks. These examples collectively illustrate how brick, beyond its fundamental utility, can be transformed into an expressive architectural element, contributing significantly to a building's aesthetic identity, environmental performance, and cultural narrative. #BrickFacades #ArchitecturalDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #SustainableDesign #BuildingMaterials #InnovativeConstruction #CulturalReferences #ArchitecturalRoundup

This article explores the aesthetic and functional versatility of concrete in modern home design, showcasing eleven distinct residential projects from the archives of *Belle* magazine. Concrete, often perceived as a cold, utilitarian material, is presented here as a sophisticated element that can provide an industrial-chic foundation for diverse interior styles and create a sense of timelessness. The featured homes illustrate various applications of concrete. One example highlights a curvaceous concrete facade designed by Samantha McKenzie and executed by Leeton Pointon architects + interiors, emphasizing a sturdy and sensorial architectural approach. Another project, a beach house conceived by Brett Mickan, incorporates oak and polished concrete stairs, with the concrete tinted a taupe shade to harmonize with the surrounding sandstone cliffs. Fiona Lynch's design for a Williamstown home utilizes poured concrete floors with darker 'pebbles,' creating an unexpected texture and character, in combination with solid oak and stone for longevity. Further examples demonstrate concrete's ability to foster warmth and a zen-like atmosphere when paired with materials like American oak, as seen in a home by Ray Demkiw of Schulberg Demkiw Architects. SLAB Architecture’s space-saving home integrates raw concrete and steel with natural finishes, blurring the lines between exterior and interior materials. A penthouse apartment designed by Adam Haddow and BKH features concrete walls and ceilings complemented by American oak flooring, while Pamela Makin's coastal home employs concrete floors and walls in the bathroom to achieve an industrial-chic aesthetic. Matt Gibson's modernist house combines concrete, stone, timber, and steel to form a robust industrial palette. Architects Kerry Phelan and Stephen Javens transformed a military building’s garage into a home, where concrete plays a subtle role, with a hidden courtyard at the entrance. Neil Cownie’s concrete house utilizes matt cement and ribbed timbers to establish a specific mood. Finally, a home by Luigi Rosselli Architects and Alwill incorporates an elliptical concrete staircase, connecting its three levels and basement garage. Across all these examples, the consistent theme is concrete’s capacity to be both a dominant architectural feature and a harmonious backdrop, proving its adaptability and enduring appeal in contemporary residential architecture. #ConcreteHomes #ModernArchitecture #IndustrialChic #InteriorDesign #HomeTours #ArchitecturalDesign #Materiality #ContemporaryHomes #AustralianDesign #RenovationIdeas

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