Maison de Verre: a dramatic glass house in France by Studio Odile Decq

The emergence of glass houses stands as a pinnacle of modernist design, with materials like glass, steel, wrought iron, and concrete defining a significant architectural movement and captivating the imagination of architects worldwide. Glass structures, renowned for their lightness, transparency, translucency, and reflectivity, offer an unparalleled ability to reveal a home's interior while fostering a deep connection with nature. Iconic examples such as Mies Van Der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Illinois and Philip Johnson’s Glass House in Connecticut are celebrated as seminal works that ingeniously captured the zeitgeist. The period of postwar America saw a boom in experimentation and expansion, leading to the widespread popularity of glass as a primary building material for residential homes. This architectural style has since transcended geographical boundaries, inspiring architects across continents, including South Africa, Vietnam, and Brazil. A new publication from Phaidon showcases 50 such homes, highlighting extraordinary architectural achievements that thoughtfully and compellingly incorporate glass. This article spotlights 15 of these beautiful glass houses, making a strong case for integrating glass into modern home design, suggesting a departure from traditional materials like brick, stone, timber, and concrete. Among the featured homes is the Shokan House in New York, designed by Jay Bargmann, which appears to organically emerge from the Catskills hillside. Despite its imposing structure, the house's highly reflective glass panels and black steel frame create an immersive natural experience. Similarly, the Glass Pavilion in Spain’s Gorafe desert, by Ofis Arhitekti, offers a tranquil retreat. Its triple-glazed, mirrored-glass panels effectively deflect sun rays and withstand extreme desert conditions, providing an essential and serene holiday escape. The Tower House in upstate New York, by Gluck+, features an unconventional design that minimizes its footprint by elevating living areas into the sky, supported by a V-shaped beam. The upper floor provides an expansive, nature-enveloped view, reminiscent of a modern treehouse. In Paris, the Maison de Verre, designed by Pierre Chareau and Bernard Bijovet, challenged architectural norms by using industrial materials like glass blocks and steel beams in a residential setting. The Sheats-Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles, by John Lautner, built in 1963, seamlessly integrates with its landscape through floor-to-ceiling glass panels, offering panoramic views of the city. Philip Johnson’s Glass House in Connecticut, an homage to Mies Van Der Rohe, is a celebrated example of glass architecture, serving as Johnson’s primary residence for nearly sixty years. Lina Bo Bardi’s Glass House in São Paulo, Brazil, known as Casa de Vidro, is celebrated for its wrap-around glass windows and stilted design, creating a treehouse-like feel amidst lush rainforest vegetation. The Flip House in San Francisco, by Anne Fougeron, is recognized for its innovative floor plan, utilizing a prismatic custom-built glass façade to maximize natural light and offer dynamic city views. The Kramlich Residence and Collection in Napa, California, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, integrates art and living spaces through two intersecting curved glass panels, showcasing a significant collection of video and media art. The Glass-Block Micro House in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, by Room+ Design and Build, demonstrates an affordable and functional use of glass bricks for a small 18-square-meter home, allowing ample natural light and creating a lantern-like effect. Pierre Koenig’s 1960 Stahl House in Los Angeles, also known as Case Study House #22, epitomizes postwar modern living with its glass and steel construction, offering sweeping views of the city. The Conservatory in Zwavelpoort, South Africa, by Nadine Engelbrecht, features a double-height glass and steel conservatory as its focal point, blending indoor and outdoor living. Villa Kogelhof in the Netherlands, by Paul de Rutter Architects, is a futuristic, energy-neutral home that harnesses wind, sun, and rain, encapsulated by a functional glass façade. Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Illinois, built between 1945 and 1951, challenged notions of privacy by using floor-to-ceiling glass windows, relying on the surrounding forest for concealment. Finally, the Mirror Houses in Bolzano, Italy, by Peter Pichler Architecture, reflect their idyllic surroundings with mirrored-glass façades, offering autonomous holiday homes that subtly blend into the landscape. #GlassHouses #ModernistDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #SustainableLiving #LuxuryHomes #InternationalArchitecture #HomeDesign #ContemporaryArchitecture #ResidentialDesign

The Mary Ellen House, located in Studio City, California, is a new family home designed by Diaz + Alexander Studio, offering a modern interpretation of the French Chateau style. The architects aimed to infuse the new build with the character and intriguing patina typically found in period homes. This four-bedroom residence achieves this through a thoughtful integration of both new and aged materials, such as antique French roof tiles and heart oak timber flooring from Madera. The home's exterior features a distinctive double-gabled roofline, which not only contributes to its striking form but also strategically separates the upstairs bedrooms for enhanced privacy. Arched windows and entrances are consistently used throughout the design, serving to soften the home's geometric forms and introduce an element of elegance. The exterior aesthetic is further defined by smooth Santa Barbara stucco, slender steel-framed windows and doors, traditional filetti-style cobblestones, limestone walls, and oak shutters that visually connect with the interior's oak flooring. Inside, the design maintains a balance between clean lines and soft details. The interior is characterized by clay-rendered walls and extensive use of oak flooring, complemented by luxurious textiles and sculptural lighting. Architect Rob Diaz highlighted the decision to use a “live” grade oak flooring from Madera, which emphasizes the timber's raw and natural beauty, including articulated center cracks and a dynamic look. This choice was deliberate to allow the floors to be a focal point, rather than incorporating a busy design elsewhere. Madera, a Brooklyn-based design and fabrication firm, produced 14-inch-wide heart oak timber flooring in lengths up to 24 feet for the expansive first floor, which includes a nearly 40-foot-long kitchen and dining area. The collaboration between Diaz + Alexander Studio and Madera involved multiple visits to Madera’s L.A. showroom and close work with their in-house design team, particularly for the custom 13-inch stair treads that match the wide-plank flooring. Key features within the home include an enormous steel-framed skylight in the upstairs hallway, which floods the space with natural light and accentuates the oak flooring's grain. The en suite bathrooms incorporate arched mirrors, echoing the exterior's architectural motifs. The sitting room features emerald green walls and oak paneling, contributing to a luxurious living environment. The Guesthouse kitchen also showcases oak joinery, walls, and ceiling, extending the oak theme from the main home, while a stone floor in this area adds to the home's aged charm. The Mary Ellen House was developed as a speculative project for the open market and quickly sold to a family of four, who were drawn to its blend of old-world charm and modern design. The project is considered a significant achievement for Diaz + Alexander Studio, particularly for its successful integration of a characterful material palette and distinctive architectural elements. The design emphasizes the timeless appeal achieved through thoughtful material selection and architectural detailing, ensuring a lasting and inviting aesthetic. #HomeDesign #FrenchChateauStyle #ModernArchitecture #OakFlooring #MaderaSurfaces #DiazAlexanderStudio #ArchitecturalDesign #MaterialPalette #LuxuryLiving

Rikke Baumgarten, creative director and cofounder of Danish fashion brand Baum Und Pferdgarten, found her dream home in Copenhagen's historic Carlsberg neighborhood in 2021. She and her husband sought "romantic, architectural homes" with a sense of history, a preference that ultimately secured their current 3,800-square-foot villa. During a bidding war, despite offering a lower price, the couple was chosen by the previous owner because the competing bidders intended to remove the home's historic glass ceilings, which Baumgarten cherished. Built in the late 18th century by architect Oscar Kramp, the villa features Italian and South European architectural details that Baumgarten found particularly appealing. The property includes a substantial garden, where she enjoys spending time during warmer months. Having previously resided in an apartment, Baumgarten describes the move as akin to a permanent vacation, particularly in the summer, where she experiences a holiday-like atmosphere at home. Baumgarten's approach to interior decoration balances the home's historical elements with modern design. While her husband wished to preserve traditional features like the mahogany staircase and kitchen cabinets, Baumgarten revitalized them with vibrant colors and contemporary furnishings. For instance, a friend suggested painting the staircase, leading her to adorn it in vermilion and complement it with a fringed textile piece. Her design philosophy revolves around color, which serves as her initial point of interest for art and textiles, allowing her to blend modern art with vintage furniture seamlessly. In the primary bedroom, the ceiling, distinguished by its geometric pattern, is considered the most beautiful in the house and provides daily inspiration. Upon waking, Baumgarten's attention often turns to a set of bookshelves, a sleek system she installed after being inspired by a visit to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She finds that having bookshelves in the bedroom, an unconventional choice, brings her a sense of calm and peace. Having settled into her new home, Baumgarten's older children have moved out, and she has focused her attention on enhancing her outdoor space, primarily investing in garden flowers. She envisions a future expansion to connect the kitchen to her adjacent atelier, allowing her to cook and engage in creative pursuits like painting or flower arranging simultaneously. Regardless of how often she rearranges art or changes sofa pillows, fresh flowers remain a constant element in her home, reflecting her appreciation for the magic of growing things from small seeds. #CopenhagenHome #FashionDesigner #HomeTours #InteriorDesign #HistoricHomes #ArchitecturalDetails #ModernEclectic #GlassCeiling #GardenLiving

Bill and Dorrie McGonigal, the homeowners, designed their oceanfront dream home in Kure Beach, North Carolina, with a strong emphasis on glass, leveraging Bill's background in the commercial glass installation industry. The house, slightly under 5,000 square feet, was built on a lot-and-a-half of oceanfront property not in a flood zone, adjacent to a beach access. The couple, who began vacationing in Kure Beach in the 1980s, purchased the property in 2011, which initially housed a bungalow and an apartment building that were subsequently demolished to make way for their new home. The design inspiration for the house was drawn from various sources including television shows, magazines, and past vacations. The McGonigals collaborated with Jimmy Doster, president of Doster Building Company in Wrightsville Beach, who was intrigued by their vision for a modern, unprecedented design. The construction process was highly collaborative, with the homeowners actively involved, especially in the early stages, sharing their expertise in glass installation. Bill and his sons even participated in installing a portion of the glass, a process that Doster's team then learned and completed. The build spanned two years, characterized by continuous brainstorming and problem-solving, without the involvement of a traditional architect, evolving organically through the combined expertise of the homeowners and the builder. A key feature of the home is its extensive use of hurricane-resistant commercial-grade glass for the ocean-facing exterior. These custom-fabricated panels, measuring up to 7 feet wide and 10 feet tall, were chosen for their durability and ability to maximize ocean views. The exterior also incorporates white painted glass tile, sizable glass panels, and bamboo planks, with ipe decking for the outdoor porches and electric solar panels on the roof, all chosen for low maintenance. The front entrance is marked by a slab of marble, and the property includes a four-car garage and a ground-level apartment designated for grandchildren. The interior design continues the theme of openness and reflection. High-gloss white cabinets in the kitchen complement carved concrete countertops mixed with cobalt and royal blue glass aggregates, mirroring the ocean's colors. Radiant heated porcelain tile is used throughout the home for flooring and accent walls. A glass staircase imported from Italy serves as an architectural centerpiece, alongside hand-blown glass light fixtures and one-inch thick glass railings fastened by metal clips, ensuring maximum transparency between floors. Embracing a minimalist lifestyle, the home features only two closets and sparse furniture in most bedrooms, with beds floating in the center of the room, all oriented towards the ocean. The master bathroom boasts a custom-fabricated sandstone tub, weighing over 2,000 pounds, which required a crane for installation before the final exterior wall was constructed. This tub was inspired by two sandstone vessels the McGonigals found. Upstairs, guest bedrooms accessible via the mezzanine feature painted glass sliding doors in various colors like blue, green, and coral, with each room offering ocean views over the glass railing. The design allows every bedroom to have an oceanfront perspective, a rare feature for a five-bedroom house. The outdoor spaces, including an infinity pool and a rooftop deck with 360-degree glass railings, are designed for year-round enjoyment, providing panoramic views of the ocean, Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and even Wrightsville on clear days, fulfilling the homeowners' desire to immerse themselves in the coastal environment during their retirement. #GlassHouse #ModernArchitecture #OceanfrontHome #KureBeach #CustomDesign #CoastalLiving #LowMaintenance #SustainableDesign #LuxuryHome

Interior designer David Jimenez, a New York City native who moved to Paris six years ago, shares his experience finding and decorating an expansive eight-room private apartment in a centuries-old manor house in France’s Oise department. Jimenez sought a country retreat for weekend getaways that was within an hour of Paris, featured handsome architecture, and was surrounded by private grounds, fields, and forests. After a two-year search, he discovered his dream home near the charming village of Saintines, an hour north of Paris and 30 minutes from Chantilly, nestled in a region rich with history and natural beauty, including the medieval Compiègne forest. The apartment, located on the second floor of the manor, possesses graceful symmetry and parquet floors, with rooms flowing elegantly into one another in an enfilade style. Jimenez enhanced this natural flow by painting the entire apartment in a warm off-white, or blanc cassé. His design inspiration came from classic French decorators like Henri Samuel, whose work on versatile and elegant rooms he studied to achieve a similar aesthetic in his own home. He aimed to create spaces that were comfortable yet deeply connected to the beauty of the French countryside and its joie de vivre. Jimenez immersed himself in the local art and culinary scenes, discovering antique dealers, art galleries, and farmers’ markets in nearby villages such as Verberie and Pierrefonds. He describes finding unique pieces like bronze chandeliers, beveled mirrors from an estate sale, and a draper table with cobalt blue leather chairs from a shop at the foot of Château de Pierrefonds. These encounters often led to strong friendships with local shop owners and artisans, who in turn connected him with skilled craftspeople—from upholsterers and curtain makers to electricians and gilders. The apartment's design fosters a convivial atmosphere, particularly in the salon. Jimenez strategically placed a ticking-upholstered recamier in the center of the room, facing the fireplace, preferring it over chairs that would obstruct the view. He also added numerous stools to provide flexible cocktail seating. Louis XVI-style chairs near a tapestry offer a strong presence and can be easily incorporated into any conversation group. From the salon’s tall windows, Jimenez enjoys views of apple orchards and fern-filled glades, along with the sounds of horses from the château grounds and a symphony of birds. This natural setting provides him with a profound sense of calm, joy, and well-being. More of Jimenez’s projects are featured in his book, 'Parisian by Design'. #DavidJimenez #FrenchCountryside #ManorHouse #InteriorDesign #FrenchDecor #Antiques #ChâteauLiving #HomeDecor #VerandaMagazine

French design firm Le Berre Vevaud, comprising Raphaël Le Berre and Thomas Vevaud, undertook the transformation of a three-floor hôtel particulier in Paris’s 16th arrondissement into a functional and luxurious family home. The project aimed to integrate the art of living with comfort for an art-collecting couple and their two children. The initial impression of the property revealed grand volumes and abundant natural light, necessitating extensive redesign. The designers focused on the first-floor living area, dining room, and kitchen, creating an open-plan layout to maximize natural light. To address the six-meter-high ceilings, a mezzanine level was constructed. This elevated platform now serves as an office overlooking the dining room and offers a view of an olive tree. This intervention cleverly utilized vertical space while maintaining the flow and original decadent character of the property. Adjacent walls were opened to create a larger lateral room, framing views between the living and dining areas. The dining room features a cloudy gold leaf canvas by Anne Féat Gaiss, a black round-legged Olbia cabinet from Le Berre Vevaud’s own furniture collection, minimal Sophie S’Assoit chairs from Maison Dada, and a custom marble table beneath a vintage 1950s eight-arm chandelier. The living room showcases mural artwork by Martin Berger, black wood sculptures by Charles Kalpakian, Ignazio Gardella armchairs, and a cantilevered bronze coffee table by Yann Dessauvage. A carved screen in cut-out brushed oak veneer was added to partition the sitting area from the entranceway elevator, which connects to street level. The design draws inspiration from a combination of materials and textures, spanning the Art Deco period to the bold colors and forms of the Memphis movement. Le Berre Vevaud's expertise extended beyond architectural ingenuity to interpreting the couple's extensive art collection within a domestic context. In the entranceway, a 17th-century portrait by Hans Hansen Rasch is casually displayed above a custom Belize bronze console. A bedroom features a Sophie Calle photograph and a pink and gold patterned de Gournay screen by David/Nicolas, alongside a custom-designed bed, presented in an unassuming manner. The home not only provides a backdrop for a diverse art collection—including modern and contemporary sculptures, photographs, paintings, and classical pieces—but also incorporates a 1,000-square-foot spa. Le Berre and Vevaud repurposed part of the ground floor courtyard for this zen-like space. The staircase leading to the spa features dark materials and waxed concrete to create a subdued atmosphere and mimic natural stone textures. Under a gridded skylight, a raised platform houses a circular Jacuzzi. Opposite, a shower room and hammam sauna are adorned with minuscule mosaic tiles designed in collaboration with Beton Blanché, aiming to transport the owners into a tranquil environment within their home. #ParisianHome #HôtelParticulier #LeBerreVevaud #LuxuryDesign #ArtCollectorsHome #SpaDesign #InteriorArchitecture #FrenchDesign #Mezzanine #ArtIntegration

The article presents a detailed look into a 14,000-square-foot bungalow located in Chhatarpur, New Delhi, designed by DADA Partners for a family of four. The architectural design aims to create a lush oasis within the city, with a prominent feature being the ground floor's appearance as a floating glass box, especially luminous at night, complemented by shallow, in-lit reflective water bodies. The north elevation contrasts this transparency with an opaque white wall from the upper floor, incorporating double-glazed glass, sweeping glass expanses, and charcoal grey sheet cladding to achieve a deceptively simple geometric aesthetic. Sumit Arora of DADA Partners highlights the complexity of the design process, emphasizing that structural columns do not obstruct views within the house. The residence boasts a triple-height space, featuring a basement pool that is open to the sky, and includes extensive formal and informal areas. The property, which had been in the client's family for years, featured several old trees. Given that two of the client's brothers already had bungalows on the farm, maintaining privacy was a key consideration. The design also needed to accommodate frequent entertaining of guests, though overnight stays would be infrequent. A significant aspect of the design involved retaining a large Caryota tree, a fish tail palm, which was initially slated for removal. This tree was integrated into a glass-encased courtyard, becoming the central focus of the three-level house. Numerous spaces within the home either open onto or overlook this courtyard, which is open to the sky, facilitating efficient airflow and contributing to a comfortable microclimate throughout the residence. The entrance of the bungalow features cantilevered slabs that extend from the base of the house, forming a stepped entry. A custom-made sculpture of a female figure in fiber and resin is precariously balanced alongside, serving as a striking visual element. A cascading water feature runs along the stepped entry court and surrounds the elevated living room, enhancing the illusion of a floating structure. One of the steps cantilevers over the water, providing a base for the sculpture. The house is also Vastu compliant; however, the expansive 3.5-acre site allowed for the integration of Vastu principles without compromising the architectural design. Large sliding windows on the ground floor connect the interior rooms with the surrounding greenery, and a guest room is provided with a separate entrance. A dedicated block of four rooms accommodates the household staff. Despite its open aesthetic, the bungalow is designed to ensure privacy. Formal areas are situated on the ground floor, limiting thoroughfare and services to this level. All bedrooms are located on the first floor, offering superior views compared to the ground-level areas that are flush with the lawns. The bedrooms are designed as suites, complete with dressing rooms and en suite bathrooms, and are accessed via a gallery running along the internal courtyard. Each bedroom features an entire wall as a window, providing views of the lush surroundings. The master bedroom uniquely overlooks the inner courtyard and is positioned at eye level with the foliage of the Caryota palm through its 12-foot-wide window, also offering glimpses of some ground-floor areas, while other bedrooms face the external landscape. The lower ground level is dedicated to entertainment areas and a notable indoor pool. A sunken court serves as a focal point for both these zones, functioning as an outdoor seating area for the lower lounge and study. The material palette includes various granites, marble flooring, and dark polished timber for the staircase. Double-glazed windows with grey aluminum frames and double brick cavity walls provide insulation against Delhi's extreme temperatures. DADA Partners sourced all the furniture and art, noting that the clients' lack of existing furniture allowed for a cohesive, contemporary design without the challenges of integrating disparate pieces. The clients' preference for a contemporary home facilitated the design process, allowing the architects to create a modern lifestyle space without constraints. #ArchitectureDesign #LuxuryHome #GlassArchitecture #ModernBungalow #DelhiRealEstate #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ContemporaryDesign #VastuCompliant #DadaPartners

This article details a Naples home, owned by Laura Christophar, that is heavily influenced by Parisian design, specifically the George V hotel and the Palace of Versailles. The property, built five years prior, is now for sale, along with its furnishings and numerous chandeliers, for $15 million. The 8,549-square-foot home under air (totaling 10,837 square feet) features five bedrooms, six full, and two half bathrooms, alongside a 4,019-square-foot additional dock area. The home's aesthetic begins in the foyer and sitting room, featuring a two-story gold ceiling with a large chandelier and a two-story mirror that creates an illusion of expanded space. This mirror rests on a fireplace mantel made of hand-carved marble imported from Lebanon. Adjacent to this area is an 800-bottle glass wine room with fingerprint security, an Egyptian marble floor, and a crushed oyster ceiling, separated by a serving bar with mirrored smoked glass. Christophar's favorite room is the kitchen, designed to be both beautiful and functional. It boasts a 12-foot island under two crystal chandeliers, a hidden large Sub-Zero freezer and refrigerator, and an unusual brick barrel ceiling from which another chandelier hangs. The kitchen opens to a living room with glass walls that resemble French doors, leading to a terraced lanai with a dock designed to blend seamlessly with the lanai's stone, featuring viewable fish panels and a 45-foot Sea Ray vessel. Outdoor amenities include fire pits near an infinity-edge pool, black and white striped awnings for shade, and an outdoor kitchen, eating, bar, and sitting area under a dark wood herringbone ceiling. Another practical space on the other side of the house serves as a large utility room, equipped with a washer, dryer, pantry, refrigerator drawers, a dog wash, an island with a chandelier, cabinets, and a television, facilitating entertaining and household chores. Edgar Christophar's den reflects his preference for darker wood, extending into his bathroom and office, also featuring sliding glass doors that mimic French doors. The son's room, referred to as a "junior master," is more modern, with a low king-sized bed offering pool and water views through French doors. The second floor is accessible via a staircase or elevator, both adorned with chandeliers. Throughout the upstairs and downstairs hallways, mirrors strategically reflect the chandeliers, enhancing the sense of grandeur. The ceilings are a notable feature, with gold leaf in hallway barrel ceilings and gold paint in the waffle-style ceiling above the lobby. The loft, accessible from an overlook, includes soundproof curtains, a mini kitchen, comfy seating, and a television, dubbed the "leopard lounge" due to its leopard print decor. Upstairs, a hidden laundry and electrical room is concealed behind a swinging wall. There are four bedrooms, including a guest suite with a coral and shell design, a room used as a gym, and a bedroom for Christophar's daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren, which includes a balcony and jeweled chandeliers. The master suite features his and her bathrooms and closets, with her closet being bedroom-sized and containing an island under a chandelier, a window bench, and a steam shower with embedded crystals. The master bedroom itself boasts a crystal chandelier over the king-sized bed, two chairs, large nightstands, a fireplace with gold glass, and a wide terrace overlooking the water. Kim Price, a broker associate with Premier Sotheby’s International, highlights the home's special qualities, including its attention to detail, furnishings, spaciousness, age (built in 2015), construction quality, and desirable location on Mermaids Bight, known for its picturesque seascape and strong real estate market, attracting buyers from various regions. #ParisianStyle #LuxuryHome #Chandeliers #HomeDecor #RealEstate #NaplesFlorida #InteriorDesign #VersaillesInfluence #HighEndLiving

This article explores a Parisian pied-à-terre, designed by Champeau & Wilde, for a young couple seeking a blend of classical and modern aesthetics. Located on the Quai Voltaire, across from the Louvre, the apartment captures the essence of 19th-century Parisian style while incorporating contemporary elements. The interior design studio, Champeau & Wilde, led by Laurent Champeau and Kelli Wilde, is known for its ability to infuse French sophistication into their projects, balancing historical references with modern sensibilities to create harmonious and livable spaces. Their approach involves a subtle alliance of contemporary and classical elements, tailored to clients' desires. The clients' vision for their 1,500 sq ft apartment in Saint-Germain-des-Prés was to evoke a 19th-century feel while ensuring it reflected their personal style and the romance of Paris. The original three-bedroom layout was reconfigured into two bedrooms, featuring an adjoining walk-in closet and a spacious bathroom, optimizing the use of space. The design incorporates quintessential French architectural details, such as crown mouldings and overdoors, which are then given a modern twist through the integration of contemporary art, like abstract collages by Francis Montanier, and modern furniture pieces, such as a zebra-print bench. Champeau & Wilde's signature style is characterized by this interlacing of bold patterns, diverse textures, and contemporary forms with traditional elements. They excel at combining bespoke and vintage furnishings to achieve individuality, emphasizing that schemes that are too uniform lose interest. A key aspect of their design philosophy is the strategic use of color and texture, often featuring splashes of bold hues against neutral, soft backgrounds. For instance, in the living room, a leopard-print rug and a blue sofa provide striking accents against off-white walls, creating visual interest without overwhelming the space. The kitchen maintains a casual yet classical appeal through its neutral palette, while the bedroom also predominantly features neutral tones to foster a calming atmosphere. The master bathroom highlights the designers' strengths in functionality and aesthetic appeal, featuring a his-and-hers sink layout with ample storage. The collaboration between Laurent Champeau, whose style is described as more rigorous and classically French, and Kelli Wilde, who brings a freer and more playful touch, is pivotal to their success. This partnership allows them to deliver comprehensively designed projects that resonate with their clients' aspirations while maintaining their distinctive design ethos. The article showcases how Champeau & Wilde successfully married the past with the present in this Parisian pied-à-terre, creating a space that is both timeless and uniquely personal. #InteriorDesign #HouseTour #ParisianApartment #ClassicalModern #ChampeauWilde #FrenchInterior #HomeDecor #Design

Artist Stephanie Dillon and her husband, Reilly, were captivated by a model home in Eden Prairie, which boasted a blend of whitewashed shiplap and shakes on its exterior, creating a timeless and airy aesthetic. The interior featured light-filled communal spaces, each with a distinct character, moving away from conventional floorplans. The color scheme ranged from calming charcoals and pale neutrals to deep greens and rich terra-cotta, evoking a European atmosphere. Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang, owner of West Bay Homes and the designer behind the model, drew inspiration from her travels to Paris, characterizing the style as French contemporary farmhouse. She envisioned the kitchen as a French pastry shop, integrating multiple layers of meticulously detailed materials throughout the 5,000-square-foot residence. The kitchen's design incorporates three types of glazed tiles for the backsplashes, with a small hexagonal tile chosen for its light-reflecting properties, contributing to an elevated visual experience. Dillon, an acrylic and mixed-media artist known for painting her emotions, found a kindred spirit in Vogelgesang, whose design philosophy also prioritized passion and feeling. Dillon retained Vogelgesang to complete the interior design of their new home. The designer expressed enthusiasm for incorporating Dillon's extensive rug collection. Elements like shiplap and painted charcoal, seen on the exterior, were repeated inside on the basement's fireplace wall and the vaulted ceiling of a lounge area adjacent to the kitchen, along with charcoal-colored square tiles extending from counter to ceiling in the kitchen backsplash. This repetition of color ensures cohesiveness and a holistic progression throughout the home, where all environmental elements relate to one another. Vogelgesang skillfully managed the abundance of materials, preventing a busy or cluttered appearance, much like Dillon blends colors on her canvases. Some design choices stand out, others recede, and some shimmer, collectively defining the mood of each space. The materials coalesce into a balanced and proportionate composition, resulting in a home tailored for an artist. Vogelgesang aims to create spaces that are timeless and elegant without being overly delicate or cost-prohibitive. The lower-level bar area features charcoal shiplap around the fireplace, painted in Sherwin-Williams’s Dorian Gray, and steps down into a sunken media room, showcasing the designer’s preferred brass and gray combination. Brass hardware also adorns the front entry doors. Light fixtures, including those from Mitzi on the library ladder, were strategically chosen. The unexpected entry leads to a "dining hall" that functions as a grand foyer, as described by Vogelgesang. This space features nine-inch-wide-plank white oak floors laid in a herringbone pattern, with ceiling beams bisecting its soaring height, allowing ample natural light. The built-in bar features a backsplash of alternating light and dark neutral tiles, custom cabinetry with dental molding, and a marble sink skirt. Open shelving in the kitchen displays two sizes of backsplash tiles from The Tile Shop, with custom alder wood cabinetry finished with a clear whitewashed stain and brass hardware for an enhanced shimmer. The kitchen, inspired by Parisian pastry shops, includes two islands for ease of navigation, with only one housing a sink to allow for uninterrupted dining on the other. The mudroom boasts large-format heated tiles combined with white oak cabinetry, finished in a whitewash stain, offering an industrial concrete look harmonized with French country cabinetry. A basement guest bath incorporates vibrant color through whimsical floral tiles from The Tile Shop on one wall and Sherwin-Williams’s Perfect Periwinkle on the adjacent wall. The library features a bold mix of Sherwin-Williams paints: Canyon Clay on the walls and Gauntlet Gray in a high-gloss enamel finish on the moldings and doors, complemented by chartreuse chairs. A wide-plank whitewashed cedar wall on the rear deck provides privacy. The prep kitchen off the mudroom embraces color with Waverly Classics wallpaper by York, cabinets painted in Sherwin-Williams’s Green Onyx, and a hammered copper sink, showcasing how personal touches can enhance practical areas. The powder room dazzles with an antiqued mirrored glass tile wall from The Tile Shop, a custom white oak vanity with a marble shelf, and Savoy House sconces. The floors throughout the home incorporate patterned ceramic tiles from The Tile Shop. The home's floor plan, while a traditional rambler, diverges into an unconventional layout where the front entry opens into a vaulted foyer and dining room, serving as a pass-through to the kitchen and great room. #HomeStyle #InteriorDesign #HomeTours #FrenchContemporaryFarmhouse #CustomCabinetry #TileDesign #ArtisticHome #ArchitecturalDetails #EuropeanInfluence

Lise Wilson and Steve Strauss embarked on a significant home renovation project that evolved into a complete rebuild of their La Jolla residence, transforming it from a stucco-rounded structure into a linear, contemporary glass house. Their primary objective was to maximize the property's stunning ocean views, leading to a design incorporating frameless, floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive decks, and infinity edges. The 11,000-square-foot home features three bedrooms, six bathrooms, a theater, gym, office, and a guesthouse. Steve, a third-generation San Diegan and son of prominent philanthropists and art collectors Matthew and Iris Strauss, shares his family's appreciation for art. He and Lise, who met in law school, have cultivated their own art collection. The home's interiors, characterized by ivory Venetian plaster walls and neutral tones, serve as a serene backdrop for their modern art pieces. A notable sculpture by local artist Roman de Salvo, made from electrical conduit and steel, greets visitors at the entrance, its industrial aesthetic complementing the home's glass rails and custom metal cladding, designed with Kynar Aquatec for coastal durability. Beyond aesthetics, the house integrates thoughtful functional elements, including 100 solar panels for energy efficiency, radiant heating throughout, and oversized lids that help manage heat from the afternoon sun. Upon entering, visitors are met with more glass and metal, alongside a Jim Dine bronze figure and a floating walnut staircase. The living room features high-end furnishings such as B&B Italia tulip chairs, a Met sofa from Cassina, Robert Kuo vases, and a custom Amari rug. Interior designer Pam Smith created the custom coffee table, further enhancing the space. The second floor houses the kitchen, office, and master suite. The large kitchen is part of a great room that seamlessly blends casual, formal, and living areas, opening onto a spacious deck equipped with a hidden barbecue and a flat-screen TV. The consistent use of Fiorito beige marble flooring throughout the house ensures smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. Lise Wilson collaborated with Pamela Smith on the interiors, aiming for a soft, monochromatic, and minimalist palette to create a calming atmosphere. The kitchen is outfitted with taupe-gray Metro cabinets from Milan's Synthesized Furniture and a large picture window behind the range, offering continuous views. A custom hood by Timeless Wood Products complements the design. A walk-in wine cellar, a passion for the couple, features custom stainless steel saddles by Timeless, transforming the glass-walled room into an artistic display. In addition to their home life, Lise and Steve are deeply committed to community service. Lise serves on the board of Voices for Children, supporting foster children through court-appointed special advocates. Steve is a board member of the La Jolla Playhouse, and both are active supporters of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Despite their busy philanthropic endeavors, they make time to enjoy their home, including an organic garden in their backyard, reflecting their gratitude for their surroundings and their commitment to appreciating the beauty of their unique La Jolla residence. #LaJolla #GlassHouse #ContemporaryArchitecture #OceanView #ModernArtCollection #SustainableDesign #LuxuryHome #CommunityInvolvement #InteriorDesign

Art Nouveau, a pervasive design movement from 1890 to 1910, distinguished itself through its characteristic sinuous curves, intricate ornamentation, and stylized interpretations of natural forms. Drawing inspiration from Japonisme and the English Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau emphasized material experimentation, allowing artists to translate the beauty of the natural world into highly individualistic expressions. Many prominent figures of the movement delved deeply into nature or traveled to diverse locales, seeking inspiration from unfamiliar flora, fauna, and insects. The core genius of Art Nouveau artists lay in their capacity to render the organic delicacy of natural forms using rigid materials such as glass, wood, and metal. Specialists like Victoria Tudor from Christie's Design department highlight the pivotal role of glassmaking, woodcarving, and marquetry during this period, with fruitwoods, mahogany, and satinwood being common choices. Designers skillfully manipulated structured materials to evoke the movement found in nature, mirroring the forms of flower stems or leaves. The masters of Art Nouveau, including Tiffany, Gallé, and Daum, excelled in working with their chosen materials, transforming themes and emotions into tangible art forms rather than merely words. Several key designers significantly shaped the Art Nouveau movement. Daum, founded in 1878 by Jean Daum, initially produced tableware. However, under the artistic direction of Antonin Daum and Henri Bergé, the company embraced floral designs in colored and cameo glass, greatly expanding its artistic range and production volume. Daum also engaged in significant collaborations, notably with Louis Majorelle, a key figure in the Ecole de Nancy, resulting in notable pieces like the 'Nénuphar' table lamp. Emile Gallé, another founder of the Ecole de Nancy and based in the glassmaking hub of Nancy, France, created works celebrated for their elegant forms, rich colors, and nature-inspired decorations. He pioneered experimental techniques such as glass marquetry and acid etching, creating complex layered glass pieces, often with inclusions like gold leaf. Gallé also introduced 'verreries parlantes' or 'speaking glassware,' which incorporated poetic inscriptions, requiring the viewer to interact with the object to read them. René Lalique dominated Art Nouveau jewelry and decorative objects. After achieving fame for his modern jewels, he began experimenting with glass around 1890. Lalique later opened a shop at Place Vendôme, showcasing both his jewelry and glass objects. He revolutionized the perfume industry with his glass bottles and, by the 1920s, focused exclusively on glassmaking, developing a distinctive technique of contrasting clear and frosted glass. His extensive output included numerous vases and other mass-produced items, and his business continues to thrive today, having adapted to subsequent styles like Art Deco. Louis Majorelle, renowned for his woodworking, operated a substantial atelier that produced a wide range of furniture, from standardized designs to exclusive commissions. He worked with a diverse palette of global woods, creating tonal designs, gradients, and fine art-like floral marquetry. Majorelle was a vice president of the Ecole de Nancy and maintained multiple shops across France. Tiffany Studios, led by Louis Comfort Tiffany, focused on stained glass design and production. Working with skilled American artisans, Tiffany Studios developed patented processes, such as for iridescent Favrile glass, and created iconic leaded glass lamps. Tiffany drew immense inspiration from his estate, Laurelton Hall, which was meticulously designed to reflect his artistic vision and served as a retreat for artists. Despite the estate's destruction by fire, the legacy of Tiffany Studios endures through its vibrant lamps and other decorative creations in glass, ceramics, enamel, and metalwork, which remain highly valued by collectors. The global influence of Art Nouveau extended to various international variations and localized movements. Italian designer Carlo Bugatti produced architectural furniture, while the Vienna Secession featured artists like Gustav Klimt. Cities such as Barcelona, with Antoni Gaudí's works, and Paris, with Hector Guimard's contributions like the Métro entrances, showcase the ambitious scope of Art Nouveau creators. The interplay between architecture and furniture design was crucial for many Art Nouveau designers, underscoring the holistic nature of their artistic approach. These diverse examples highlight the widespread and transformative impact of the Art Nouveau movement on design and art across Europe and beyond. #ArtNouveau #CollectingGuide #DecorativeArts #DesignHistory #Glassmaking #FurnitureDesign #TiffanyStudios #EmileGalle #ReneLalique #LouisMajorelle #Daum

The article details the creation of a stone home in North Oaks, Minnesota, designed to evoke the charm of an old-world fairy tale. Homeowners Elaine and Claud Morgan, having moved from Atlanta, sought to recreate the wooded and natural environment they cherished while raising their children in Wisconsin. Their vision for a stone cottage in the woods, featuring abundant windows to connect with nature, guided the design process. They collaborated with City Homes, a builder, and Kathryn Alexander of Alexander Design Group to realize this dream. Elaine Morgan's specific requests included a European cottage aesthetic, incorporating stonework, curved rooflines, wood shutters, an octagonal sunroom, and a weather vane-capped cupola. These intricate details were crucial for achieving a timeless look. The exterior combines two types of stone, Fond du Lac Buff and Eden stone, selected for their light and dark variations by Rebecca Remick of City Homes. The roofline's gentle curves and painted shutters contribute to a soft, romantic, fairy-tale appearance, reflecting Elaine's background as an interior designer in Atlanta with a distinct Southern flair. French pane windows were chosen for their traditional style, allowing ample natural light into the interiors. The design emphasizes natural light and exterior views, transforming them into a form of art within the home. The Morgans also aimed to integrate meaningful art and antique pieces collected during their travels, necessitating spaces designed to accommodate these items. Elaine describes her interior style as a blend of soft contemporary and traditional, enriched with special antiques and diverse art, including pieces from European travels and a ceramic bust by Wisconsin artist Susan Strand-Penman. A key area of the home is the kitchen and adjoining sunroom. The kitchen features raised-panel, powder-blue cabinetry, providing a classic look and extensive storage. Expansive counters topped with Chiffon quartzite offer a durable and contemporary workspace, complemented by slab backsplashes. The sunroom, accessible from the kitchen, boasts walls of windows and French doors, offering natural light and scenic views. Inside, comfortable seating surrounds a cast-stone fireplace, while outside, turret-like architecture adds to the romantic, castle-like ambiance. The homeowner expressed immense satisfaction with the outcome, considering it her "happy place" and her home. #HomeBuilding #ArchitectureDesign #CustomHome #EuropeanCottage #InteriorDesign #NorthOaks #TimelessDesign

The Vertical Glass House, designed by Yung Ho Chang of Atelier FCJZ, features an innovative design where glass floors replace traditional windows, allowing residents to view from a dining table down into a toilet in this concrete house in Shanghai. Originally conceived as an urban housing prototype for a competition in 1991, the design was realized 22 years later as a permanent pavilion for the West Bund Biennale of Architecture and Contemporary Art. This four-storey structure now serves as a guesthouse for visiting artists and architects, maintaining the original design's core principles. The house's design is a deliberate 90-degree rotation of typical Modernist glass houses, which traditionally emphasize horizontal transparency and views of the landscape. In contrast, the Vertical Glass House prioritizes vertical transparency. With enclosed concrete walls and transparent glass floors and roof, the dwelling opens up to the sky and the earth, creating a central, meditative space for its inhabitants. This approach offers a critique of conventional glass house designs by addressing privacy concerns while still embracing transparency, albeit in a unique vertical orientation. A singular steel column acts as the central axis of the building, extending upwards through all floors. This column, along with a series of intersecting joists, divides each level into quarters, each designated for different activities. One of these quarters on each floor is occupied by a steel staircase that spirals down to the basement from a double-height second floor, further enhancing the vertical connection within the structure. The aesthetic of the house is characterized by its austere concrete walls. These walls were cast using wooden formwork, which left a rough texture on the exterior facade while the interior surfaces were sanded smooth, providing a tactile contrast. The glass floors are seamlessly integrated into the structure, slotting into narrow horizontal openings in the walls. These junctions are equipped with lighting, which illuminates the glass edges at night, creating striking stripes of light on the building's exterior and adding a mystic quality for observers. Despite its innovative multi-storey design, the Vertical Glass House has a compact footprint of less than 40 square meters. The project description highlights its dual function as both a spiritual space and a material exploration. The vertical transparency visually interconnects all domestic elements, including utilities, ductwork, furniture, and the staircase, creating a system that reinterprets the modern theory of "architecture as a living machine." All furniture within the house was custom-designed to align with the original concept and maintain a cohesive appearance with the structure. The house also includes modern amenities like air conditioning. This structure stands as a testament to its original conceptual design, developed by Atelier FCJZ, and serves as both an architectural exhibition and a functional guesthouse, offering a distinct residential experience in Shanghai. #VerticalGlassHouse #AtelierFCJZ #ShanghaiArchitecture #GlassFloors #ConcreteDesign #UrbanHousingPrototype #ArchitecturalInnovation #ModernistCritique #SustainableDesign

An economist with a keen interest in literature and Art Deco commissioned De la Villa Studio, a Madrid-based firm comprising architects Miguel Otero and Juan Esteve, along with interior designer Alberto Mirror, for a complete renovation of their 1,450-square-foot residence in central Madrid. The client sought to integrate their inspirations into their living space through architectural detailing and new furnishings. De la Villa Studio approached the project with meticulous attention to detail, incorporating numerous custom elements throughout the apartment. A central feature of the renovation was the library, which was designed to house the client's extensive book collection. Varnished oak shelving with leather-upholstered lower cabinets provided storage, while an aged, mirrored ceiling was installed to enhance the room's sense of spaciousness and brightness. The library also includes a reading nook furnished with an Eames lounge chair, a 265 wall lamp by Paolo Rizzatto for Flos, and a painting by Sabine Finkenauer. This versatile space doubles as a dining area, featuring oak dining chairs and gazelle leather-upholstered seats, illuminated by natural light from a balcony. Custom design elements are prevalent throughout the residence, crafted from materials such as stone, linen, and wood. The firm designed geometric flooring for the entry, bathroom, and kitchen, ensuring it harmonized with the overall aesthetic. Many furniture pieces were also custom-made, including the living room's bronze-smoked glass coffee tables with honed travertine. Specific design details pay homage to the Art Deco style, such as the arched bronze-and-glass doors in the bathroom and custom-designed oak sliding doors in the bedroom. Despite the extensive renovation, De la Villa Studio preserved the apartment's original architectural features, including its high ceilings and balconies. Located just steps from the bustling Gran Vía street, the residence has been transformed into a tranquil and inspiring sanctuary. The living room features a vintage B&B Italia sofa by Mario Bellini, complemented by Patricia Urquiola armchairs for Cassina. The entryway showcases a painting by Aythamy Armas alongside a black-stained oak console. The kitchen is equipped with bar stools by Leon Ransmeier for Hay, positioned at a stone island, while the dining area features oak chairs upholstered in gazelle leather surrounding a bronze-tinted smoked glass table designed by De la Villa Studio. These carefully curated elements combine to create a residence brimming with flair and Art Deco elegance. #MadridResidence #ArtDecoDesign #DeLaVillaStudio #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #CustomFurnishings #ArchitecturalDetailing #LuxuryInteriors

This blog post compiles recent articles and projects from Designboom focusing on the application of glass in art, architecture, and design. The collection highlights the versatility and aesthetic potential of glass, ranging from large-scale public installations to architectural facades and interior elements. The articles showcase how artists and designers are pushing the boundaries of traditional glass use, incorporating it into innovative structures and artistic expressions. Key examples include a luminous forest in Hanoi composed of mirroring steel branches, demonstrating glass's role in creating immersive public art. Another project features an 'invisible Tokyo bar' that utilizes heated, transparent acrylic glass panels to distort reality, illustrating glass's capacity for experiential design. Architecture projects frequently employ glass for facades, as seen in Selgascano's transparent seaside café in China with three parallel glass volumes, and Cossement Cardoso's Helsinki museum concept, which features a textured glass skin forming a curved roof. The DA VÀNG studio in Vietnam also uses 3,000 glass bricks to create a curved, translucent house facade, emphasizing both structural and aesthetic applications. The articles also delve into the use of glass in smaller-scale design and art pieces. For instance, Bottega Veneta's summer show features 'lucid murano blown-glass stools' that mimic sea waves, showcasing glass as a medium for elegant furniture and decor. Artists like Vincent Leroy use floating lenses in an optical mobile, and Ben Tuna transforms a Porsche 911 into an art car with cathedral-inspired stained glass, highlighting the material's artistic adaptability. Sarah Brahim and Ugo Schiavi explore ancient rituals through glass temples and vessels, linking glass to cultural and historical narratives. Further architectural applications include a gradient brick facade by Delmulle Delmulle in a Belgium house, transitioning from terracotta to glass, and Vinklu's triangular prism coffee shop in Romania, using glass to fill narrow urban gaps. SICIS uses decorative glass to create glowing swimming pool surfaces in Cambodian villas, while BBWORKSPACE's Thai café employs iridescent panels to evoke gemstones and refract light. EcoLogicStudio's microbial installation at Triennale Milano reimagines domesticity with glass components, and Apropos Architects use a translucent glass facade for the Czech pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, demonstrating its use in significant public structures. Industrial design also features glass, such as Bugatti's Brouillard Coupe, which includes a miniature glass sculpture in its gearshift. Fredrik Nielsen's Stockholm studio explores glass's resistance to fragility and embraces chance in its creation. Atelier Échelle’s lakeside gallery residence subtly integrates glass within dark clay brick structures, harmonizing modern elements with traditional aesthetics. The variety of projects presented collectively underscores glass's multifaceted role in contemporary design, from enhancing visual experiences and light manipulation to contributing to structural integrity and artistic expression across diverse scales and contexts. #GlassArt #GlassDesign #ArchitecturalGlass #PublicInstallations #InteriorDesign #ContemporaryArt #BuildingMaterials #DesignInnovation #SustainableDesign

The author, Camille Dubuis-Welch, recounts her recent trip to Paris, highlighting four interior design trends observed in various establishments, including homes, stores, cafés, and restaurants. The first trend identified is "Bibliothèque charm," inspired by a visit to the Cravan bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The bar's Rizzoli Library on the second floor, designed by Ramy Fischler, showcased a cozy yet luxurious aesthetic. This space featured red velvet couches, Parquet de Versailles wooden floors, and a combination of built-in and free-standing bookshelves. The color scheme was neutral, complemented by clean lines and angular furniture, creating an open yet intimate atmosphere. This observation reinforced the "Bookshelf wealth" trend, prompting the author to consider incorporating similar design cues into her own reading nook. The second covetable trend is the "hint of unexpected marble." While marble is traditionally associated with kitchens and bathrooms, the author noticed its subtle integration into Parisian decor through accessories, statement lamps, and small side tables. This observation broadened her perspective on marble, suggesting its use in less conventional ways to enhance a home's aesthetic, particularly when aiming for a "Paris Grandma Aesthetic." This trend encourages a fresh approach to incorporating luxurious materials in unexpected details rather than solely in large-scale applications. The third trend is the striking "Red and white" color combination. Although summer color palettes often lean towards peach tones, the author found herself drawn to the classic red and white scheme prevalent in Parisian settings, including outdoor bistro chairs at Bar Bisou Paris. The article notes that by toning down the red and warming up the white, a high-contrast yet livable design can be achieved. An example from Les Bains Paris hotel illustrated how a rustier red paired with white can create an effortlessly cool and inviting space, especially when combined with sculptural furniture to add visual interest. Finally, the author observed a trend towards "Exaggerated sculptural decor." Examples included silver hot air balloons in Louis Vuitton window displays and voluminous light shades in restaurants. This trend suggests using subtle yet dramatic elements, such as curvaceous furniture or unique ceramic pieces, to elevate traditional Parisian interiors. The interplay of fluid shapes with angular architectural features, like marble hearths, can soften a space. The author also notes the use of gold and silver accents to inject life into a room. These observations collectively provide practical and inspiring ideas for readers looking to infuse their homes with a modern French aesthetic, moving beyond conventional country-style interpretations.