Inside a Contemporary La Jolla Glass House

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 Malibu Glass Box House, designed by Klopf Architecture, represents a significant architectural project on a site in Malibu, California, that was devastated by the Woolsey Fire of 2018. This project presented a unique opportunity to rebuild, focusing on the property's inherent potential while adhering to stringent fire-rebuild codes. The architectural approach by Klopf Architecture transformed these limitations into assets, guiding the design process. The city's fire-rebuild regulations dictated that the new structure closely mirror the original footprint, size, and bulk. This constraint, rather than hindering creativity, provided a clear direction for the architectural development. The house is strategically positioned near the front of a long, narrow lot, offering views of a private, park-like rear expanse, a rare feature in Malibu. Without a fixed program from a client, Klopf Architecture explored how a modernist home could best interact with its specific environment. The design team posed a foundational question: How would a modernist inhabit this space, and what spatial qualities would foster tranquility, connection, and awe? This inquiry shifted the process from problem-solving to architectural storytelling, where the site, natural light, and principles of modern design informed the home's form and flow. The design culminated in a glass-box pavilion, an open-plan space inspired by Mid-Century Modern aesthetics. This central area, encompassing the living, dining, and kitchen, appears to float at the edge of the property's natural slope. It connects to the more private sections of the home via a glass-walled hallway, establishing the pavilion as the design's focal point. The pavilion opens on all four sides to the surrounding landscape, featuring decks and patios, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and an expansive, unobstructed view of the backyard and ocean to the south. Despite the mandated footprint, meticulous planning ensured that every area of the house engaged with natural light or the landscape. Strategic atriums and courtyards were incorporated to allow daylight to penetrate deep into the home's interior, creating a bright and open atmosphere. These elements also blurred the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, expanding the perceived space and strengthening the home's connection to its natural surroundings. The house's unique character is further enhanced by its prominent siting, contrasting with neighboring homes that recede into their backyards. From the central living pavilion, descending into the landscape evokes the sensation of entering a secluded park, complete with an existing accessory structure, a trail, and recreational areas. The home's unassuming street facade belies the unfolding drama of space, views, and nature within. Integrating fire-resilient materials and assemblies was crucial throughout the design. Features such as triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure that the house not only complies with California's stringent wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards but also harmonizes with them effortlessly. While technical challenges arose, particularly concerning the cantilevered glass box, the team found functional compromises that upheld the design's integrity. The interior reflects a restrained palette and an exposed post and beam structure, celebrating Mid-Century Modern principles. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, providing an uninterrupted visual link from the street to the ocean. Even more intimate spaces, such as the library and office, maintain a connection to nature, each opening onto its own courtyard or garden view. The project, conceived within a strict regulatory framework and without an initial client, developed with remarkable clarity. Its design is rooted in site-specific logic, refined by limitations, and emphasizes timeless spatial relationships, including light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature. The outcome is a design that is both effortless and inspiring. The home integrates seamlessly with its environment, opening generously to its surroundings, and achieves a delicate balance between privacy, openness, and tranquility. For Klopf Architecture, this project serves as a compelling demonstration of how site conditions, building codes, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring modernist architecture. Leveraging their extensive experience in reinterpreting mid-century modern design for contemporary living, the firm viewed the project's limitations as opportunities. The final residence is characterized by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear structural aesthetic, illustrating that architectural innovation can thrive even under strict constraints, allowing modernism to evolve. #MalibuArchitecture #GlassBoxHouse #KlopfArchitecture #ModernHomeDesign #CaliforniaResidence #FireRebuildCodes #MidCenturyModern #IndoorOutdoorLiving

The Southwestern Residence, designed by smitharc architecture + interiors, is a modern home situated in a Dallas, Texas neighborhood characterized by bungalows. This residence was specifically created for retired empty-nesters, prioritizing privacy and a seamless indoor/outdoor living experience. The architectural design deliberately maintains a low-slung profile, consistent with the scale of the surrounding cottages, featuring a standing seam metal roof. A distinctive design element of the Southwestern Residence is the integration of clerestory windows along the front roofline. This architectural choice creates an optical illusion, making the roof appear as if it is floating above the main structure. Despite the extensive use of glass in its construction, the interior spaces of the home retain a high degree of privacy, achieved through the thoughtful and strategic placement of these windows. The rear of the house features a spacious covered patio, directly accessible from the open-plan kitchen and living room. This design facilitates an easy transition between indoor and outdoor environments, enhancing the home's suitability for an integrated lifestyle. The material palette used throughout the residence contributes to a relaxed and warm ambiance, both externally and internally. Key materials include Texas limestone, western red cedar, ipe wood decking, concrete pavers, insulated glass, and white oak flooring. Within the interior, a consistent aesthetic of neutral tones and light-colored woods is employed, contributing to a classic yet minimalist feel. The expansive glass panels serve a dual purpose: they allow abundant natural light to penetrate the home while simultaneously framing picturesque views of the verdant landscape that surrounds the property. This connection to the outdoors is a central theme in the home’s design. One of the defining features of the Southwestern Residence is its courtyard. The house is strategically wrapped around this central outdoor space on three sides, effectively creating a private oasis for the homeowners. This arrangement enhances seclusion and provides a tranquil outdoor area that is integral to the home’s overall layout and function. The design thoughtfully balances transparency with privacy, creating a contemporary living space that respects its context while offering a unique experience for its occupants. #ModernArchitecture #GlassHouse #TexasHome #IndoorOutdoorLiving #FloatingRoof #DallasArchitecture #SmitharcArchitecture #CourtyardHouse #ContemporaryDesign

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

This article highlights the transformation of a Los Angeles home, originally designed in 1951 by Chinese American architect Gilbert Leong, who notably incorporated an ornate stained-glass window. Decades later, interior designer Sarah Zachary-Jones took on the task of updating the home for a young couple working in comedy, aiming to refresh the entry, dining space, and two living rooms while preserving its mid-century character. The design approach was heavily influenced by a postcard depicting a poppy field in Yosemite, inspiring a palette of red-orange and emerald green. In the dining room, Zachary-Jones maintained an original fluted plaster wall, revitalizing it with several coats of Ash Grey by Farrow & Ball, a color chosen for its classic appeal and dynamic interaction with light. Furnishings were carefully selected, with an emphasis on vetted reproductions from brands like Lawson-Fenning and Design Within Reach, providing mid-century aesthetic without the extensive search for vintage pieces. The dining area's layout was optimized by repositioning the table and light fixture, and introducing a larger rug to enhance spaciousness and functionality. The entry, though compact, was enhanced by filling previously empty corners with living elements, including a tall, freestanding planter and large, graphic art pieces on the ledge above the door. The living room features Leong’s original metallic wallpaper. Zachary-Jones addressed a fading tree trunk pattern on the wallpaper by designing an 11-foot-long walnut storage bench with grasscloth doors, suggesting it replaced a custom cabinet that likely existed when the house was first built. The living room's proximity to the kitchen necessitated a modular sofa with a movable ottoman, offering flexibility for entertaining. For the casual TV room and office, a leafy wallpaper print was chosen for all four walls, with the ceiling left white to prevent overwhelming the space. In line with the home's 1950s origins, window treatments in both the TV and dining rooms were ceiling-mounted using a track system. This design choice, eschewing traditional iron rods, facilitates a ripple fold effect, creating a continuous wall of yellow when the curtains are closed, ensuring a consistent warm ambiance throughout the day and evening. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #MidCenturyModern #LosAngelesHomes #StainedGlass #HomeDecor #DesignInspiration #SarahZacharyJones #DesignRevitalization

Content creator Rachel “Rocky” Barnes and photographer Matthew Cooper embarked on a significant home renovation in 2019 after purchasing what Cooper described as “The worst house on the block, by far” in Los Angeles. The 1958 ranch-style home, a three-bedroom property, presented a mix of styles, including terracotta floors with Greek columns, non-functional original appliances, and a general aesthetic that Barnes humorously called “Mid-century meets ’80s meets a bad remodel.” The couple discovered Barnes was pregnant two weeks after closing on the house, and their son, Jones, was born in New York by the time they secured permits in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Despite initial challenges, including clearing out mold and asbestos, the home's L-shaped layout remained largely intact. Architect Yoram Lepair was instrumental in opening up doorways, adding a parapet, and trimming the roof's eaves to enhance natural light and views of the expansive backyard, which features a pool and tall palm trees. The couple's vision for the home was to create a perpetual vacation-like environment, an idea reflected in their choice of the primary bedroom with direct access to the pool. This design decision aimed to evoke the serene feeling of a hotel stay. The backyard's plaster walls were deliberately maintained to mimic the aesthetic of the Amangiri desert resort in Utah, reinforcing the luxurious, retreat-like atmosphere. The interior design process, guided by Summer Jensen of Hawk & Co, involved a blend of Barnes's maximalist tendencies and Cooper's preference for clean, industrial styles. Ultimately, they settled on a calming palette and a sanctuary-like space filled with personal touches and collected items. These included an oil painting from Barnes’s uncle in Hawaii, thrifted pottery displayed in the kitchen, and a Sarah Ellison Huggy chair in the living room. Each piece contributed to a curated, global aesthetic. Individual preferences were accommodated in specific areas. Barnes transformed a former bedroom into a walk-in closet and office space, designed to showcase her extensive hat collection and facilitate her content creation and modeling work. Cooper's home office, featuring a denim blue sofa and a fireplace, served as his personal retreat and a space for quality time with their son. Although not initially designed with their growing family in mind, the open-plan kitchen proved ideal for casual meals and entertaining. The family now includes a second son, Charlie, and they frequently gather on their large orange circular daybed in the backyard, enjoying the home's resort-like ambiance. The renovation successfully transformed a challenging property into a personalized, luxurious, and family-friendly haven. #HomeTour #LosAngelesHome #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #LuxuryLiving #FamilyHome #OutdoorSpace #ModernRanch #CelebrityHome

Tracy Guarino, an entrepreneur residing in Forest Hills, sought to infuse a sense of tranquility and modern Zen into her expansive 11,328-square-foot home. Collaborating with interior designer Ray Booth, the objective was to create a peaceful sanctuary that contrasted with Guarino's active professional life. The residence, situated within the gated community of Bancroft, presents a classic facade with Mediterranean architectural influences, featuring native stone, exotic wood, and a rust-colored barrel tile roof, extending across six acres. Inside, the home transitions into a modern aesthetic with an open floor plan, high ceilings, and a luxurious grayscale palette. Booth addressed the initial vastness of the space by incorporating floor-to-ceiling draperies made from Holly Hunt's 'Soft Spoken: Pale Silver' fabric. These semi-sheer panels create defined dining and living areas without fully enclosing them, offering a sense of intimacy and gentle transition. The draperies were instrumental in softening the previously 'cold and hard' interior, adding a crucial element of 'pause' before entering spaces like the master bedroom. Elegant details are found throughout the five-bedroom home. A hand-carved teak panel from Thailand and a Shakuff’s Kadur Drizzle multi-pendant chandelier contribute to the luxurious atmosphere. Guarino's passion for collecting is evident in various art pieces, including sculptures by Herb Williams made from crayons, an abstract commission by Ed Nash in the kitchen sitting room, and graphic artworks derived from the animated film 'Destino,' a collaboration between Walt Disney and Salvador Dalí. The master bedroom continues the theme of elegance with a velvety Italian carpet and a tufted gray chaise in the master bath. The outdoor space is designed to resemble a luxury resort, featuring a uniquely shaped infinity-edge swimming pool surrounded by cabanas and a secluded screened-in porch with an outdoor shower, which Guarino prefers over her exquisite indoor master bath shower. Functionality for entertaining and business is also a key aspect of the home's design, which includes a professional kitchen alongside the family kitchen, two offices, and a gift-wrapping room. The family kitchen, located strategically between Guarino's and her sons' bedrooms, serves as the home's social center. Ray Booth integrated 'appliance garages' made of Bendheim architectural glass in this space, allowing cabinets to be concealed for a seamless look. This kitchen is a central gathering point for Guarino's extended family, particularly on Sundays when she prepares large meals, reflecting her Italian heritage where the kitchen is considered the heart of the home. #ForestHills #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ZenAesthetic #ModernLuxury #RayBooth #NashvilleHomes #ArchitecturalGlass #ArtCollection

Julia Kramer, a former Bon Appétit editor, and her husband, Zach Kaplan, purchased a Craftsman home in Koreatown, Los Angeles, sight unseen during the early days of the pandemic. The decision was primarily influenced by a stained-glass peacock window in the dining room, which resonated with their family's experience visiting live peacocks at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. This personal connection served as a significant sign, making the long-distance purchase feel destined. The couple, still residing in their two-bedroom apartment in New York’s Upper West Side, relied on an L.A.-based friend to view the property shortly after it was listed before making an offer. Following the purchase, and with only six weeks until their move, Kramer and Kaplan enlisted the help of Jamie Haller, an experienced Craftsman restorer and shoe designer. Haller's primary task was to modernize certain aspects of the home while also stripping away inappropriate additions, such as built-in speaker systems in the living room and kitchen, and numerous recessed lights. The goal was to preserve the original character and 'good stuff' of the Craftsman style. Kramer, who was largely put off by the ubiquity of newly remodeled kitchens featuring subway tile and open shelves during her house hunt, found the untouched, wood-heavy kitchen of this home particularly appealing. She expressed a preference for living without common countertop materials like marble and granite and appreciated the kitchen's separation from other rooms, allowing her personal space while cooking. Restoration efforts in the kitchen focused on subtle yet crucial updates. Haller oversaw the replacement of awning window chains with historically accurate hardware, a task that required considerable effort to source and install. She emphasized 'restraint' in the renovation process, focusing on making the space functional without sacrificing its original charm. A carpenter was brought in to repair the track of the old-fashioned bread box's garage door, ensuring its safe operation. While the kitchen lacks modern amenities like soft-close hinges, it retains a distinct 'soul' that appealed to the owners. One of the most challenging projects was the living room, where plaster walls had been covered in blue silk dupioni fabric and secured with an estimated 45,000 staples. Removing these staples was a laborious process, taking a week of manual effort. The focal point of the revitalized living room became Kramer’s vintage coffee table, a 1stdibs acquisition, which uniquely functions as a champagne and shrimp cocktail station, with its inverted center perfectly accommodating her ice bucket. Haller also had to source new lighting fixtures, as the previous owners took the originals. She turned to a salvage shop in Los Angeles known for preserving lights from Old Hollywood celebrity homes, finding an antique sconce for the guest bedroom’s salvaged sink that once belonged to Buster Keaton. Distinguishing this Craftsman from others, the home features dark, purple-hued mahogany wood rather than the typical red-orange Douglas fir. This unique wood tone harmonizes surprisingly well with subtle pink accents, such as the original fireplace grout and the new dining room walls, which were painted a soft dusty lavender-gray. Haller noted that the natural light interacting with these elements creates a warm glow. Due to the tight renovation schedule, restoring the painted wood trim was not feasible. Instead, it was repainted in Farrow & Ball’s dark navy shade, Railings, to achieve a cohesive look. In contrast to the home’s more vibrant areas, the main bedroom adopted a softer palette, transforming its previous purple walls into a serene cream. Kramer, typically drawn to maximalist designs, was swayed by Haller’s vision for a neutral, tranquil space. The bedroom renovation included creating two closets on either side of the bed by reallocating space from an adjacent children’s room, and adding a built-in reading nook with a tufted cushion, which serves as Kramer’s preferred work-from-home spot. For the children’s bedrooms, Kramer and Haller exercised a different form of restraint, opting for allover wallpapers with prints that strike a balance between kid-friendly and adult-approved aesthetics. Kramer expressed her desire to postpone 'ugly child spaces,' choosing whimsical crane designs by House of Hackney for her youngest son's room and a floral print by the same brand for the bathroom. She found that the numerous built-ins in the large bathroom helped to break up the busy floral pattern effectively. The various bird motifs throughout the home, from the initial peacock window to the crane wallpaper, have become a personal symbol of good fortune for Kramer. #HomeTour #CraftsmanHome #LosAngelesRealEstate #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #SightUnseenPurchase #HistoricPreservation #VintageDecor #FamilyHome

This article showcases a newly constructed Tuscan-style villa in Valley Village, Los Angeles, designed by Shlomi Sfadia of SLS Properties. Completed in 2024, the five-bedroom home integrates contemporary Italian style with relaxed California living, drawing inspiration from Sfadia's travels in Italy to create a unique blend of rustic, organic, and modern aesthetics. The designer aimed to infuse the brand-new property with character and warmth, transforming it into a space that transports its inhabitants. The design focuses on creating a sense of 'La Dolce Vita' in California. The kitchen, situated at the heart of an open-plan family room, features white oak cabinetry, natural plaster walls, and a large island with a white countertop and built-in stovetop. It also incorporates classic modern farmhouse elements like open shelves with rustic pegs and a farmhouse sink. The living room, adjacent to the kitchen, is defined by a Mediterranean-revival arched fireplace and natural lime plaster walls, which soften the new construction and provide a rustic, organic backdrop. Reclaimed wood alcove shelves add a touch of patina and character. Spaciousness is a key design element, with natural wood flooring and a wall of sliding glass doors in the living area opening to a landscaped backyard. The outdoor space is designed as a continuation of the Tuscan theme, featuring plants commonly found in Italian villas such as olive trees, cypress, rosemary, and lavender, ensuring a cohesive design from inside out. The downstairs area, while open-plan, maintains distinct zones, including a cozy dining alcove with an elegant arched window. A classic Mediterranean-style arch also frames the staircase. One of the home's highlights is the upstairs landing, treated as a room in its own right, complete with a rustic lime plaster fireplace and a built-in bench seat, aligning with current staircase trends. The primary bedroom combines rustic and textural details, featuring a contemporary paneled accent wall that bridges the gap between the lime plaster and modern villa aesthetics. Steel-framed glass doors and a balcony connect the bedroom to the outdoors. The seven bathrooms in the house feature clean, minimal plaster finishes, inspired by historic Moroccan designs, and the primary bathroom strategically positions a freestanding tub to maximize exterior views. The pool house offers a bolder color palette, deviating from the neutral tones of the main house with rich wine-colored lime plaster walls and limestone flagstone flooring from Eco-Outdoor, extending to the patio. Custom white oak cabinets and vaulted ceilings with reclaimed wood beams complete this space, which Sfadia considers his favorite part of the project due to its unique and expressive design. #LosAngelesHome #ItalianStyle #CaliforniaLiving #ModernRustic #TuscanVilla #InteriorDesign #HomeTour #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalDesign

Designer Annie Kern undertook the renovation of a 1913 Kansas City, Missouri, home, focusing on preserving its unique character while updating its interior to be more approachable and comfortable. The house, built by a Frank Lloyd Wright protégé, features distinctive stained-glass windows, reportedly custom-made by Indiana’s Kokomo Opalescent Glass Co. These windows, with their jewel tones, amethysts, ochres, and aubergines, served as the primary inspiration for the home's new color palette, guiding the selection of fabrics, wall coverings, and decorative elements throughout the expansive 14,000-square-foot residence. The design aimed to replace the previous owner's opulent and glitzy décor, which included silk damask walls and peachy colors, with a more inviting aesthetic. A significant challenge in redecorating the six-bedroom home was its sheer volume and the acoustic issues posed by its reinforced concrete construction and shot-sawn limestone cladding. To counteract the echo and create a warmer, more intimate atmosphere, Kern incorporated upholstered walls backed with batting. These wall coverings, featuring diverse patterns such as Mulberry Home’s plaid Braemar in the billiard room and a sunshine yellow gingham in the playroom, were chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their ability to absorb sound and envelop the rooms in a tactile sumptuousness. The music room, for instance, received Phillip Jeffries grasscloth walls to soften its plaster relief barrel-vaulted ceiling, complemented by custom shades on pendant lights. The redesign extended to various living spaces, each meticulously detailed. The main entry hall features a two-story stained glass window that immediately establishes a grand tone, with a custom sofa in Brunschwig & Fils fabric and Vaughan table lamps. The music room, designed with an “old-school, dapper, and prim” vibe, includes a custom sofa in Pierre Frey fabric, a custom ottoman, and a Ferrell Mittman armchair, all grounded by a Bellbridge rug. In the living room, Claremont Furnishing Fabrics wall coverings and Filippo Uecher draperies with Samuel & Sons trim create an elegant backdrop, while custom armchairs in Fermoie fabric and a Charles Edwards ceiling light add to the sophisticated ambiance. The snug offers a cozy retreat with Ferrell Mittman swivel chairs in Sanderson fabric, a Soane Britain ceiling light, and Les Indiennes wallcovering, alongside a Highland House sofa. The billiard room evokes a “Roaring Twenties–like parlor feel” with chairs from Esperance Gallery in Le Gracieux fabric and Mulberry Home wallcovering. The kitchen features a custom Gieske range hood, Armac Martin cabinetry, International Materials of Design tile, and Viking appliances. A high-gloss painted bar area includes custom cabinetry by Refined Finishes and Carthage Stoneworks backsplash and counter. The dining room, embracing a low-light setting, is painted in a high-gloss inky finish by Fine Paints of Europe, furnished with a New Classics dining table and Rose Tarlow dining chairs. Bedrooms also reflect the home’s renewed character. The primary bedroom boasts Schumacher wallcovering bordered with dark aubergine grosgrain, a Vaughan table lamp, and a custom bed. The children's bathroom combines whimsical and sophisticated elements with Scalamandré wallcovering, Visual Comfort & Co. sconces, and a Caldwell Green vanity by Benjamin Moore. The playroom, with its yellow gingham wallcovering by Romo and a Coleen & Company ceiling light, coordinates with the stained glass, offering a fun and vibrant space. Externally, a simple yet impactful change was the removal of hedges that had obscured the landmarked property for years, allowing the home to be visible and admired once again, signifying a complete transformation both inside and out. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #HistoricHome #StainedGlass #ColorPalette #LuxuryInteriors #KansasCity #DesignInspiration #HouseTour

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

Entrepreneur Eric Bach embarked on a comprehensive renovation of his Craftsman home in Echo Park, Los Angeles, with designer Leah Ring of Another Human. Bach, known for his "psychedelic taste," sought to infuse his home with vibrant colors and unique design elements, departing from the typical earth tones often seen in Southern California interiors. The project's genesis lay in Bach's admiration for a specific swirly emerald and celery marble slab he saw on Ring's Instagram, which he eventually secured for his kitchen after an extensive search. The initial phase of the renovation focused on reconfiguring the home's layout to accommodate Bach's casual hosting style. The main living space, previously divided by columns, and a closed-off kitchen were opened up to create a more fluid environment. This included eliminating a formal dining room, a practical choice for the Los Angeles lifestyle, allowing for guests to gather around the kitchen island or dine outdoors. A key element of the living room design is a large L-shaped sky-blue sofa, chosen to evoke the feeling of "sitting on a cloud," a direct contrast to conventional neutral palettes. Bach's extensive art collection heavily influenced the home's aesthetic. The living room features a gallery wall alongside a Frame TV, seamlessly integrating technology with art. Adjacent to the main sofa, a sitting area showcases neon "wackadoo chairs," further enhancing the vibrant and unconventional atmosphere. The primary bathroom was inspired by a photograph of a woman swimming underwater, leading to a bold mix of blue tiles that cover the shower walls and floor, creating a distinctive and immersive experience despite initial skepticism from friends and family. Color played a significant role throughout the home. The guest bathroom was designed as a soothing, spa-like space with sage-green tiles, while a guest room, also serving as Bach's office, features a shocking pink comforter and Technicolor art. In contrast, the primary bedroom maintains a neutral palette with linen bedding and a minimalist nightstand, providing a calm retreat. This intentional contrast highlights Bach's philosophy of designating specific areas for relaxation versus energy. The kitchen, a central focus of the home, harmonizes the striking marble backsplash with almond-colored Plykea cabinet fronts and a linoleum floor that subtly echoes the marble's pattern. The design reflects Bach's fearless approach to personal style, emphasizing that design should evolve and bring happiness, regardless of external opinions. The renovation ultimately transformed the Craftsman into a unique and personalized space that reflects Bach's bold and artistic vision. #HomeTour #InteriorDesign #CraftsmanHome #LosAngelesDesign #VibrantColors #MarbleKitchen #OpenConcept #EclecticDecor #ModernArt #PersonalizedSpace

Maison de Verre in Carantec, Brittany, designed by Studio Odile Decq, addresses a unique architectural challenge: creating a living space for a client with a degenerative eye condition who required perfect, homogeneous light without glare. This contemporary structure distinguishes itself from previous "Maisons de Verre," notably Pierre Chareau's 1928 proto-industrial dwelling, by its extensive use of a specific type of glass and its overall aesthetic. The house is conceived as a "box of natural light," featuring a combination of milky white glazing and reflective gloss black panels. Its angular, almost alien appearance contrasts with its suburban setting, giving the impression of a high-tech commercial building transplanted into a residential plot. To ensure privacy and enhance its dramatic isolation, the architects incorporated new hedges and fruit trees around the property. The unique façade serves a dual purpose: to create an interior space that is brightly lit yet free from uncomfortable glare. The design intends to offer a "cocoon" effect, isolating the occupants from the external world. Inside, living areas are defined by white walls, while functional spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens are shielded by black glass. A crucial element of the design is the collaboration with specialist glazing supplier Okalux, which manufactured insulated panels of translucent glazing. These panels integrate a thin insulating textile between the panes, allowing for diffuse and even light distribution that minimizes strong shadows. Despite its predominantly glazed exterior, the house incorporates a few conventional windows to provide views of the garden from the main double-height living space. This open-plan area includes a kitchen, sitting area, and dining space, connected by a glass-tread staircase leading to the main bedroom. Two additional bedrooms are situated on the ground floor. The ceiling also contributes significantly to natural light, utilizing lighter glazed panels aligned with the building's angled grid, from which carefully selected artificial lights are suspended. At night, the Maison de Verre transforms into a glowing lantern, offering both a distinctive appearance and enhanced privacy compared to its predecessors. Studio Odile Decq, founded in 1979 by Odile Decq and initially joined by Benoît Cornette, is renowned for its bold, deconstructed, and high-tech architectural approach. The firm has consistently delivered innovative and unconventional architectural statements, earning numerous accolades. Following Cornette’s passing, Decq continued to lead the Parisian studio, further solidifying its reputation for pushing architectural boundaries. The Maison de Verre exemplifies the studio's commitment to combining artistic vision with technical precision to address complex client needs. #ArchitecturalDesign #GlassHouse #StudioOdileDecq #ModernArchitecture #BrittanyFrance #NaturalLight #InnovativeGlazing #ResidentialArchitecture #ContemporaryDesign

A family of five, having relocated from Chicago, sought to fully integrate with the natural landscape of Boulder County. Their 7,600-square-foot home, situated on four acres with views of the foothills and diverse terrain, initially offered limited connection to the renowned Flatirons, particularly from its west-facing living room. This space featured only a standard sliding glass door and a single window, underscoring a design that was somewhat disconnected from its impressive surroundings. To address this, the homeowners enlisted architects Huili Feng and Ross Barney to undertake significant renovations. The primary change involved replacing the existing living room wall with a 30-foot-wide set of folding glass doors. This transformation dramatically enhanced the natural light within the living room and adjacent kitchen, creating a seamless transition between the interior and exterior environments. When these doors are open, the distinction between inside and outside is effectively blurred, allowing the family to immerse themselves in the surrounding nature. Complementing this expansive opening, the architects focused on interior elements to foster a sense of coziness and integrate the home's modern aesthetic. The living room's existing paneled and beamed ceiling, which evoked a ski chalet atmosphere, was enhanced with custom white-oak millwork throughout the house. This millwork included art and plant display shelves near the staircase and a built-in kitchen banquette designed for family activities such as meals, games, and homework. The design emphasized rounded edges, prioritizing a kid-friendly and calming environment. The selection of furnishings also played a crucial role in establishing the home's new modern aesthetic. The family, having previously favored more traditional styles, embraced streamlined designs with soft textures. Key pieces included an Eero Saarinen Womb chair and B&B Italia’s modular Tufty-Time sofa, which can be reconfigured to face either the fireplace or the mountain views. Upholstery fabrics were chosen for their organic materials and nature-inspired hues, such as soft leathers, plush alpaca fiber, and felt, used for various seating options and accessories. Functional and stylish solutions were integrated throughout the home. A custom media room seating platform, designed by the architects, maximized space by eschewing conventional home theater seating in favor of two tiers of classic modern sofas and chairs, alongside sleek stools. This design demonstrated that comfort can be achieved without compromising on aesthetic appeal. Another innovative design feature was the repurposing of the space beneath the stairs. Inspired by Eero Aarnio’s Ball chair, Feng and Barney created a play nook for the three boys. This involved carving three spherical, interconnected seats into a high-density foam structure, reinforced with fireproof fiberglass, and finished with a coat of lime plaster. Despite the complexity of its three-dimensional curve, this space became a favorite retreat for the children. The renovation also extended to custom art pieces, specifically commissioned to reflect the home’s surroundings. An abstract painting featuring sky blues and autumnal ochres was installed near the living room fireplace. In the dining room, acrylic paintings depicted translucent branches and leaves, inspired by a treetop photographed on the property. The primary suite featured a woven wall hanging that mirrored the silhouette of the foothills, visually linking the interior to the external landscape. These strategic design choices collectively transformed the Boulder County home into a residence that fully embraces its spectacular natural setting and its modern style. #HomeDesign #BoulderCounty #FlatironsView #ModernArchitecture #InteriorDesign #CustomMillwork #GlassDoors #FamilyHome #SeamlessTransition

This Buckhead residence exemplifies Frank Lloyd Wright's "organic architecture" philosophy, seamlessly integrating modern design with natural elements. The home, designed by architect Scott West for a family of four, utilizes natural materials like wood, stone, and concrete throughout its structure to create a continuous flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. The design's core principle is to avoid disrupting the landscape, instead enhancing its inherent beauty through thoughtful architectural choices. A key feature of the house is the extensive use of glass, including ipe ceilings that extend over glass transom windows and out to the terrace, and glass-walled "pocket gardens" strategically placed in the entry, primary suite, and even the basement garage. These elements introduce organic textures and maintain a visual connection with nature from various points within the home. The most striking element is a 40-foot-long retractable glass wall that spans the entire rear of the house, effectively dissolving the boundary between the interior living space and the outdoor environment, especially the pool area. Project designer Whitney Ray of Wyeth Ray Interiors highlights the home's continuous flow, noting that the design encourages the family to utilize the entire dwelling, with a central "spine" that connects all rooms. The owners, who previously resided in a four-story townhouse, desired a single-floor lifestyle in their new home, a preference that influenced the expansive layout. This design also allowed for the incorporation of a large subterranean garage, accommodating the owners' sports car collection. The aesthetic of the home draws inspiration from the owners' extensive travels, particularly to Asia, and their experience in luxury hotel development. This influence is evident in the selection of dramatic, luxurious materials and a minimalist approach to accessories. Furniture is characterized by clean lines and upholstered in dark neutrals, with subtle accents of navy. Accessories are intentionally sparse, contributing to an uncluttered and sophisticated ambiance. The outdoor landscaping further reinforces the serene, nature-inspired theme with the inclusion of pom-pom trees, bamboo, and tall grasses. Throughout the home, bespoke details enhance the organic and luxurious feel. A Tom Dixon blown-glass light fixture with an imperfect, organic quality is featured in the foyer. Concrete panels above a see-through fireplace are arranged in a deliberate abstract pattern. The kitchen boasts a sleek Poliform design with bookmatched marble, chosen for its vibrant character over manmade surfaces. The primary bathroom showcases Calacatta Viola marble and black cork walls, with light streaming through tall windows that overlook a private outdoor shower surrounded by lush foliage. In the dining area, another organic blown-glass fixture softly illuminates a dark marble Poliform table. The living room is designed to foster social interaction, intentionally omitting a television. A see-through metal screen separates it from an adjoining music room, providing both architectural interest and a degree of privacy. The primary bedroom features a wall of windows facing the backyard, where stone walls surrounding the pool are integrated with built-in firepits, planters, and fountains, with architect Scott West contributing to the outdoor space design. A corner of the primary bedroom is transformed into a private oasis by glass walls enclosing a shower garden. White oak floors with a custom stain create a contrast with the primary suite’s dark palette, including a gray mohair-upholstered wall, providing a crisp and fresh feel to the room. The overall result is a home that, despite its urban Buckhead location, evokes a sense of a luxurious, faraway sanctuary, blending intimacy with an expansive connection to its surroundings. #OrganicArchitecture #ModernDesign #GlassWalls #PocketGardens #Buckhead #NaturalMaterials #LuxuryHome #InteriorDesign #LandscapeIntegration

The article details the thoughtful renovation of a Spanish Revival home in Los Angeles by interior design studio Ome Dezin, in collaboration with interior designer and content creator Marco Zamora. The project aimed to restore the home's historical essence while integrating modern design sensibilities, culminating in an interior that is both soothing and European-inspired. Located in the historic Outpost Estates neighbourhood, the renovation respects the architectural roots of the Spanish Revival style, which was prominent in 20th-century California, characterized by clay tile roofs, white stucco walls, arched doorways, exposed wooden beams, carved doors, and wrought ironwork. The design approach by Ome Dezin and Zamora blends old-world European-Spanish textures with contemporary, clean-lined elements. The chosen colour palette features earthy neutrals, including deep-stained woods, terracotta tiles, and marble, creating a calming atmosphere. Natural materials contribute to the home's soulful character, while touches of stainless steel introduce a sophisticated tension. The interior styling involves a curated mix of vintage and modern pieces, sourced from various places including Amsterdam Modern, Ruemmler, Lulu and Georgia, Nordic Knots, and European flea markets. This eclectic yet refined selection emphasizes the impact of a few well-chosen elements over visual extravagance. A key aspect of Spanish Revival architecture, the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, is meticulously addressed in the renovation. The project extends the backyard with a deck that cantilevers over a canyon, featuring a secluded outdoor kitchen surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees. Winding paths lead to hidden sections of the property, including a meditation hut offering expansive views of the hills. Every design decision, from material choices to object selection, reflects a balance between preserving heritage and embracing a modern aesthetic. The result is a home that does not adhere strictly to past or present trends but rather occupies a thoughtful middle ground, creating a timeless and serene living environment. This renovation is part of Wallpaper's series, "The Inside Story," which spotlights innovative interior design projects. The article highlights how the collaboration successfully captures the nostalgic spirit of 1950s Los Angeles while adapting it for contemporary living. The project underscores the importance of a nuanced design approach that respects a home's history while infusing it with new light and functionality. #SpanishRevival #LosAngeles #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #OmeDezin #MarcoZamora #ArchitecturalHistory #EuropeanDesign #OutdoorLiving