Ten residential interiors illuminated by statement skylights

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

Loft apartments, characterized by their expansive open floor plans, soaring ceilings, and oversized windows, are highly sought after by urban dwellers. These spaces are often housed in former factory buildings and frequently retain industrial elements such as exposed pipes, support columns, or original wood-plank floors. Their long, uninterrupted walls provide an ideal canvas for showcasing large artworks or sophisticated designer furnishings. This article showcases ten distinctive loft spaces curated from the pages of *Architectural Digest*, illustrating how raw industrial spaces can be masterfully transformed into luxurious and unique residences. Each example highlights innovative design solutions and a sophisticated approach to modern living. One prominent example is a Manhattan loft designed by Shelton, Mindel & Associates. The master bedroom in this residence features a striking floating wall that elegantly silhouettes a 1954 lamp by Max Ingrand for FontanaArte. The headboard is upholstered in a Holly Hunt Great Plains fabric, complemented by Pratesi bed linens. The room is further adorned with chairs by Alvar Aalto and Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist, demonstrating a blend of classic and contemporary design. In Seattle, designer Terry Hunziker undertook an extensive renovation of his own loft. He employed free-floating planes to intelligently define distinct spaces, such as a gallery area, within the expansive layout. This approach maintains the open feel of the loft while providing functional delineation. Another Manhattan loft, belonging to Bernd Goeckler, features whimsical Italian chairs that infuse a vibrant energy into the space. This design was a collaboration between architect Francine Monaco and decorator Carl D’Aquino of D’Aquino Monaco, showcasing how artistic furnishings can personalize an industrial setting. A New York loft, also designed by Shelton, Mindel & Associates, is furnished with iconic pieces by Charlotte Perriand, Knoll, and Poul Kjærholm, reflecting a commitment to high-quality, timeless design. The selection of these pieces contributes to a refined and sophisticated atmosphere. Investor Yoon Kim’s Manhattan penthouse, designed by David Mann and Brett McMullen of MR Architecture + Decor, features a custom-made De Angelis sofa covered in Edelman leather. A custom-made blackened-steel console by Soraya Ltd. and a Ball chair with goat-hair upholstery by Inmod add distinctive touches. A cowhide rug by Beauvais Carpets grounds the living area, while the walls throughout the loft are painted in a custom white blend by Benjamin Moore, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. The sheer scale of Yoon Kim's loft immediately impresses visitors, with large windows extending the visual dimensions and offering expansive views. The dining area is illuminated by a chandelier by David Weeks for Ralph Pucci and furnished with Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs by Knoll, alongside Hudson counter stools by Emeco, creating a contemporary and inviting space. In the New York loft of architect Steven Harris and interior designer Lucien Rees Roberts, monumental bookshelves serve to delineate the living and dining areas, effectively creating distinct zones within the open plan. A Sherwin-Williams taupe paint provides a neutral backdrop for a 1960 Georges Braque print and vintage Vistosi pendant lights. The dining table, a Rees Roberts + Partners design, is surrounded by Ib Kofod-Larsen chairs upholstered in Roger Arlington silk and adorned with Dorothy C. Thorpe Lucite candlesticks. Designer Campion Platt addressed the challenge of high ceilings in his SoHo loft kitchen by devising a “room within a room,” partially enclosing the kitchen area in his New York residence. He also integrated an illuminated cove above the walls to create a visually striking floating effect. In Manhattan’s West Village, a collaboration between architect Preston T. Phillips and designers Randy Kemper and Tony Ingrao of Ingrao Inc. resulted in a sun-drenched, art-filled loft for financier Chad Leat. The living area boasts a Ron Arad table atop a goatskin carpet by Patterson, Flynn & Martin, flanked by facing Vladimir Kagan sofas from Ralph Pucci International upholstered in Bergamo fabric. A red sculpture by Keith Haring adds a vibrant focal point. Finally, photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin's Manhattan residence was created by combining adjacent lofts by Simrel Achenbach of Descience Laboratories in collaboration with Daniel Sachs of Sachs Lindores. The living area features a crocheted mushroom stool by Anne-Claire Petit paired with Yves Klein’s 1961 Table Bleue, showcasing a unique blend of artistry and design. #LoftApartments #InteriorDesign #UrbanLiving #IndustrialChic #ManhattanLofts #LuxuryInteriors #ArchitecturalDigest #ApartmentDecor #SpaceDesign

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

The St. George Street house in Vancouver, Canada, is a 2,200-square-foot minimalist family home designed by Randy Bens Architect, in collaboration with Moosehead Contracting and Falken Reynolds Interiors. The project is notable for its innovative use of design to overcome the challenges of an unusually narrow lot, measuring only 20-by-200 feet, which is comparable to the size of an average back lane. Despite these spatial constraints, the design team successfully created an airy and open feel throughout the residence. The interior design, described as "Canadian Nordic" by Chad Falkenberg, principal of Falken Reynolds Interiors, draws inspiration from Scandinavian, Japanese, and West Coast aesthetics. This style emphasizes clean lines, a neutral color palette, and the integration of natural elements. The home's minimalist façade features standing-seam metal cladding, contributing to its modern and understated appearance. A critical design strategy for enhancing the perception of space and brightness was the incorporation of 11 skylights strategically placed throughout the interior. These skylights not only flood the walls with natural light but also create an illusion of amplified depth, making the compact home feel significantly larger and more open. The layout of the house includes a central courtyard, which serves as a key feature for drawing abundant light into the core of the structure. This architectural element is vital for a narrow home, ensuring that even internal areas receive natural illumination. The interior spaces are characterized by a crisp palette of toned woods and fresh white paint, which further contributes to the light and expansive atmosphere. To maximize functionality and maintain a clutter-free environment, concealed storage solutions are integrated along the walls of the interior corridors. Specific areas within the home showcase thoughtful design and material choices. The living room features a Bensen Endless Sectional upholstered in Kvadrat Raf Simons fabrics, highlighting a blend of comfort and sophisticated design. This room also opens directly onto a back patio, extending the living space outdoors. The dining room is adorned with a Bocci 84.21 pendant, Bensen chairs, and Delta art lighting, creating a refined ambiance. In the kitchen, white lacquer millwork is complemented by white glass, providing a sleek and contemporary aesthetic. Architectural details, such as a staircase with Nordic Oak treads and a slatted steel guardrail, add visual interest and structural elegance. A skylight positioned at the top of the staircase landing creates dynamic light play, enhancing the vertical flow of natural light. The den is furnished with a Bensen chair and shelves, alongside a Diurne carpet from Salari, offering a cozy yet stylish retreat. The master bedroom is designed with simplicity and comfort in mind. The overall home styling includes Bensen furniture with exclusive Raf Simons fabrics, as well as Cloth Studio linens, curtains, and bedding, maintaining a cohesive and high-quality aesthetic throughout. For the bathrooms, Mutina tiles are used for both floors and walls in the kids' bathroom, providing durability and a modern finish. The plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms are sourced from Blu Bathworks, ensuring consistency in contemporary design. The powder room also reflects the minimalist and clean aesthetic found throughout the house. The project successfully demonstrates how intelligent architectural and interior design can transform a challenging, narrow site into a luminous, spacious, and highly functional family home. #VancouverHome #NarrowLotDesign #SkylightArchitecture #CanadianNordicStyle #MinimalistHome #CompactLiving #NaturalLight #FalkenReynoldsInteriors #RandyBensArchitect

This article explores the use of clerestory windows in residential architecture, highlighting eight distinct projects that demonstrate how these high-level glazed strips enhance natural light, privacy, and ventilation within home interiors. Clerestory windows, traditionally found in churches and cathedrals, are increasingly integrated into modern residential designs, positioned just beneath the roofline to maximize daylight penetration. The featured projects showcase diverse applications and aesthetic outcomes. In Australia, Architecture Architecture's 'Sunday' cottage extension in Melbourne incorporates large, translucent clerestory glazing above a mono-pitched roof, blending indoor and outdoor spaces with hollow breeze-blocks and drawing ample light into the home. Proctor & Shaw's 'Heath House' in north London, an extension to a Grade II-listed villa, uses clerestory glazing alongside floor-to-ceiling openings in its kitchen and dining areas to optimize natural light, complementing a material palette of wood and white brick. Denis Joelsons' renovation of 'Sítio Rio Acima' in Brazil, a residential complex near São Paulo, includes the addition of a vaulted ceiling with an arched clerestory window in the main home, which transforms into a luminous 'lantern at night.' In Fukushima, Japan, IGArchitects' 'Forest of Pillars' homes utilize a ring of clerestory windows beneath the roof to ensure privacy from surrounding properties while still allowing light to enter through their slender timber column frames. K59 Atelier's 'Di Linh House' in Vietnam, constructed with local rammed earth and timber, features a strip of clerestory glazing on its west facade positioned above smaller windows. This design strategically enhances privacy and provides effective sun shading in the remote location. Sam Crawford Architects' renovation of the 'Hidden Garden House' in Sydney, Australia, aims to brighten a previously dark interior. The ground floor kitchen features a concrete ceiling that curves upwards, coupled with operable clerestory windows, to draw in winter sun and offer shading. In Hyderabad, India, Kiron Cheerla Architecture designed 'Pott House' with a lantern-like roof that draws both light and natural ventilation into the timber-gridded home. The design centers around a full-height living and dining space beneath exposed timber trusses. Finally, IGArchitects' '2700' in Japan, a two-story home on a narrow plot, uses clerestory windows to increase privacy on the ground floor while simultaneously drawing light into its layered living spaces, defined by exposed concrete walls. These examples collectively illustrate the versatility and functional benefits of clerestory windows, demonstrating their capacity to transform residential spaces by providing optimal daylight, improving natural ventilation, and offering privacy solutions without compromising illumination. The article compiles these projects as visual inspiration from Dezeen's archives, emphasizing the architectural and interior design trends that leverage these specific glazing elements. #ClerestoryWindows #ResidentialArchitecture #HomeInteriors #NaturalLight #ArchitecturalDesign #ModernHomes #ResidentialExtensions #PrivacySolutions #SustainableDesign

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

This lookbook highlights ten residential living rooms that incorporate floor-to-ceiling glazing and window walls to establish a strong connection with their natural surroundings. The primary benefits of this architectural approach include making living spaces appear larger and brighter, while also maximizing outward views. This visual strategy is known to enhance the well-being of occupants by fostering a closer relationship with the outdoors. The featured homes showcase diverse applications of this design principle. The Watchman Cabin in the USA, designed by Imbue Design, utilizes a window wall to provide expansive views of the Utah desert. Its interior maintains a restrained grey palette to emphasize the natural colors of the landscape. Olson Kundig's Bilgola Beach House in Australia features floor-to-ceiling glazing and sliding doors that open to Sydney's Bilgola Beach, complemented by retractable louvres for weather protection. Nedd, a house in the Scottish Highlands by Mary Arnold-Forster Architects, frames the undulating landscape with two strategically placed floor-to-ceiling windows, avoiding a continuous glass wall to preserve a sense of enclosure. MW Works' Whidbey Island Farm in the USA animates its minimalist living spaces with woodland views through large windows, with the home's three volumes positioned to offer unique perspectives of the surrounding environment. Calders House in Spain, designed by Narch, features sliding glazed panels that blur the line between the lounge and an adjacent park, creating an interior experience akin to an outdoor garden. Aidlin Darling Design's High Desert Retreat in California uses floor-to-ceiling windows to celebrate its elevated desert location, with some sections opening to a swimming pool that runs almost the entire length of the house. Sommarhus H in Sweden, by Johan Sundberg, integrates giant glass panes into its larch-clad exterior, providing views of the Baltic Sea and an open connection to a decked area. CF Møller Architects' Villa Aa in Norway features a window wall as its main facade, connecting the living room to a concrete terrace that mirrors the interior flooring, further dissolving indoor-outdoor boundaries. UGO's Terrace With a House by the Lake in Poland incorporates large lounge windows that contrast with the corrugated metal exterior, with interior materials selected to harmonize with the adjoining terrace and woodland. Lastly, Norm Architects' Pavilion House in the UK, a holiday home in rural Suffolk, boasts almost entirely glazed walls in its living room, emphasizing the surrounding countryside as its most significant feature. Each example demonstrates how large-scale glazing serves not only an aesthetic purpose but also a functional one, enhancing natural light, spatial perception, and occupant connection to nature. The article concludes by referencing previous lookbooks on statement skylights, welcoming terraces, and living rooms with sculptural furniture, indicating that this content is part of a series offering visual inspiration from the Dezeen archive for home design and interior decoration enthusiasts. #LivingRoomDesign #FloorToCeilingWindows #Glazing #WindowWalls #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ResidentialArchitecture #HomeInteriors #ArchitecturalDesign #NaturalLight

This lookbook presents ten dining spaces that feature sculptural suspended lighting as their central design element. Suspended ceiling lights, including pendants and chandeliers, are a popular method for creating a focal point and establishing a particular ambiance within a room. Pendants typically hang from a single cord with one or two bulbs, while chandeliers incorporate multiple lamps and branches. The examples provided demonstrate how these lighting fixtures can enhance dining areas and cultivate an intimate atmosphere around the dining table. The first example is a brutalist apartment in Antwerp by Studio Okami Architecten, where a black ceramic light by Pani Jurek descends through a double-height dining room. This sculptural piece helps to soften the exposed concrete interior, complemented by various artworks. Next, the Three Chimney House in rural Virginia by T W Ryan Architecture showcases an ornamental Drop System Chandelier by Lindsey Adelman. Its mottled brass finish and spherical bulbs contrast with the wooden furniture and white-brick chimney. Extrastudio's Red House in Portugal, located in an old winery, features a delicate, paper-like pendant light. Its minimalist design aligns with the airy interior, characterized by white-painted walls, large windows, and skylights. The Cedars, a Long Island house by Michael Yarinsky, includes the adjustable Shape Up light by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio. This art-like fixture consists of three distinct mouth-blown glass and metal pendants suspended by a pulley system. In London's opulent AC Residence by DeDraft, the Slingshot Chandelier by Doozie Light Studio serves as a centerpiece. This light comprises three tubular brass branches with spherical white bulbs, paired with white walls, wooden chairs, and a marbled Tulip Table. The Walker House in Toronto by Reflect Architecture features a chandelier from Bocci's 87 series, made of pearlescent glass lamps resembling unravelling ribbons. This fixture illuminates the open-plan kitchen and dining area. CLB Architects' Riverbend residence near Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park highlights a molecular chandelier with metal branches and circular glass shades in earthy tones, complementing the wooden finishes of the furniture and ceiling. Haus im Obstgarten in Austria by Firm Architekten features an open-plan kitchen and dining room with a sculptural suspended pendant by Michael Anastassiades for Flos. This light, made of black powder-coated aluminum, allows for various configurations. The Baby Point Residence in Toronto by Batay-Csorba Architects includes the Vitis chandelier by RBW. This light uses nylon-wrapped fabric draped from the ceiling to support hand-blown frosted glass lamps. Finally, Casa Mérida in Mexico by Ludwig Godefroy features inky black pendant lights hanging low over the dining table, matching the mid-century-style chairs. Their minimalist design harmonizes with the brutalist architecture, which incorporates exposed concrete throughout. #SuspendedLighting #DiningRoomDesign #PendantLights #Chandeliers #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalLighting #Lookbook #ModernInteriors

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

Lauren Sparber, an interior designer, and her husband Josh, embarked on a renovation project for their historic 1920s Tudor-style home in Washington D.C. Their primary goals were to expand the footprint, significantly increase natural light, and optimize the house's functionality for their family of four. Facing the challenge of a narrow plot with nearby properties, which complicated expanding and introducing more light, Lauren enlisted the expertise of her neighbor, architect Colleen Healey. Healey's local knowledge and understanding of the couple's vision proved invaluable in developing effective solutions. A key design challenge involved incorporating a large screened-in porch without blocking essential light to the new living spaces. Colleen Healey's innovative solution involved a striking porch addition at the rear of the house, featuring large doors that can be fully opened to seamlessly integrate with the interior living areas. An open space beneath the porch was also incorporated for children's play equipment and storage, with the flat roof designed for a future green roof. This design allowed the family to enjoy the porch for dining and entertaining throughout much of the year, with integrated fans and heaters ensuring comfort. Furthermore, strategically placed skylights became crucial for illuminating the interior. To maximize natural light, especially in the kitchen and family room, an asymmetrical ridge line was implemented in the roof design. This allowed morning light to reach the new primary bedroom and afternoon light to penetrate the double-story kitchen through a carved-out section of the second floor. An additional east-facing skylight further enhances the natural illumination in the kitchen. The original kitchen, described as tiny and cramped, was transformed into an airy and functional workspace, boasting triple the storage and counter space, centered around a large island ideal for entertaining. Lauren Sparber selected earthy warm oak full-height cabinets and an island, complemented by painted white lower cabinets, to introduce subtle layers of color. For countertops, Vermont Danby natural stone was chosen for its durability and unique green and black accents, which then influenced other design elements in the space. Three Allied Maker pendant lights above the island and laced leather and rattan barstools from McGuire were selected to complement the architectural details and other black accents in the room. The family room, constrained by the home's footprint, was meticulously planned to feel spacious despite its narrow layout. The design prioritized a well-considered arrangement and carefully chosen furniture. Hardwearing materials were selected to accommodate a young family, with a West Elm sectional serving as a primary seating area. Sophisticated touches were added with a Holly Hunt chair and side table, custom coffee tables, and a Matt Camron wool rug. TimberTech flooring on the screened porch seamlessly extends to the light oak interior floors, creating a cohesive look. A popular window seat, positioned between the family room and the glass porch, provides a cozy reading nook, featuring a Pollack woven linen cushion, a Mantas Escaray blanket, and a Visual Comfort reading light. The dining room, though maintaining its original location, benefited significantly from the new open wall leading to the addition, creating an illusion of greater size and natural light. Furnishings in the dining room include a BuzziSpace light fixture, an ebonized oak Camerich dining table, and easily cleanable leather-covered Holly Hunt host chairs and molded wood CB2 side chairs. Externally, the front facade also underwent a renovation. The existing front porch, which darkened the interior rooms, was removed. Windows were replaced with a soft grey finish and a simple mullion pattern, and the heavy Tudor elements were replaced with a clean stucco finish. The redesign successfully created a modern, light-filled family home that meets the owners' aesthetic and practical requirements, with the double-height kitchen ceiling and the screened porch being particular highlights for Lauren. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalDesign #ModernHome #LightFilledSpaces #KitchenDesign #FamilyHome #ScreenedPorch #Skylights

This lookbook presents a curated selection of ten residential projects that integrate open-plan studies and workspaces into their living environments. The featured homes range from an apartment in Berlin to a residence overlooking the Devon countryside, demonstrating diverse approaches to flexible and creative work areas within a domestic setting. The article highlights that studies do not necessarily need to be confined to separate, often stuffy, rooms, but can instead benefit from more expansive and integrated layouts that promote creativity and focus. This approach allows for greater flexibility in arrangement, privacy, and access to natural light. The projects illustrate how living rooms can seamlessly transition into functional work zones, and in some cases, entire homes are conceptualized around the idea of a comprehensive study, such as the Library Home. The article suggests that open-plan designs for studies offer opportunities to avoid sacrificing style, size, or comfort in the pursuit of a dedicated workspace. Each example provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archives, showcasing how architects and designers have successfully implemented these concepts in various residential contexts. One example is the Charlotte Road project in Shoreditch, East London, by Emil Eve Architects. This industrial-style workspace is part of a larger living area within a Victorian warehouse loft. The design retains original features like exposed brickwork, timbers, and columns, contrasting them with contemporary finishes such as new metal and tiling. Another project, the Riverside Studio Apartment in Antwerp by Studio Okami Architecten, features a brutalist aesthetic with exposed concrete beams, peach-hued resin floors, and double-height windows. The study area is subtly defined by half-sized walls, emphasizing the apartment's open and spacious design to highlight its original concrete structure. The Devon Passivhaus by McLean Quinlan, located in the UK, offers a study with expansive views of a historic garden through a window wall. This home incorporates earthy materials like reclaimed terracotta tiles, rough-sawn oak flooring, and charred wood cabinetry to create a serene environment that connects with its natural surroundings. House 03 in Madrid, Spain, by Lucas y Hernández-Gil, involved removing internal walls in a 190-square-meter apartment to create a large open-plan living, dining, and study area, featuring a dark wooden desk and built-in white shelving. Gisbert Pöppler’s Berlin Apartment project reorganizes the floor plan to make only the master bedroom, guest bedroom, and bathroom completely separate. Social spaces, including the study, are distinguished by different materials and color schemes, such as mint-colored surfaces in the study and red-lacquered wood in the entrance. The Library Home in Shanghai by Atelier TAO+C transforms a 95-square-meter apartment into a vast study with floor-to-ceiling oak bookshelves. A secluded reading nook on a mezzanine level overlooks the living area through a light bronze mesh, further emphasizing the home's dedication to intellectual pursuits. Flat House in Cambridgeshire, UK, by Practice Architecture, utilizes large prefabricated panels made from hemp and lime for its structural shell, creating a tactile interior warmed by timber doors and woven rugs. The zero-carbon home connects deeply with its rural setting. Christopher Polly’s Unfurled House in Sydney, Australia, features sculptural white walls that create interconnected interior spaces. The study offers views of lush vegetation outside and is linked to the living room below via a curving atrium. Penthouse Britselei in Antwerp, Belgium, by Hans Verstuyft, showcases a minimalist home office spread across the lower floor of a converted office building. The open-plan office is arranged around an open-air courtyard, with full-height glass windows providing light and views of a 35-year-old tree. The interiors feature lime-washed walls and brass detailing. Finally, the Grosvenor Residence in Hong Kong by Lim + Lu, designed for a nature-loving couple, features neutral colors, natural finishes, and ample greenery. The home office, located in the brightest corner, includes oak slats, minimalist white walls, and an L-shaped Calacatta marble desk with built-in timber shelving and brass accents. These examples collectively illustrate the diverse and innovative ways open-plan studies can enhance residential interiors. #OpenPlanStudies #HomeWorkspaces #ResidentialInteriors #InteriorDesign #ModernLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #FlexibleSpaces #DezeenLookbooks

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

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

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

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