This Mumbai duplex redefines urban living with space, scale, and serenity

In the competitive London property market, while square footage has traditionally been a primary concern for buyers, there's a growing trend towards valuing cubic feet, specifically double or triple-height ceilings. Property experts note that ceiling height has become a crucial factor, with "How high are the ceilings?" now a common initial question from prospective buyers, indicating that a standard 2.6m ceiling is no longer considered sufficient. This shift is particularly evident in London, where properties often lack the expansive views found in cities like New York or Hong Kong, making high ceilings essential for creating an illusion of light and space. Beyond aesthetics, there are practical advantages to these voluminous spaces. Matthew Creed of Khalil & Kane highlights that many high-end buyers are art collectors who require ample vertical space to display large art pieces effectively. He also points out that the ground floor of traditional stucco-fronted London homes commands a premium of 30 to 50 percent due to their extra height. The article showcases several London properties that exemplify this trend. Hewer Street, North Kensington, features a triple-height living area and kitchen in a former Victorian dairy, designed by Theo Otten, which enhances light and drama. In Covent Garden, a four-bedroom townhouse modernized by Form Architecture includes a soaring, double-height seating area within a 30ft kitchen, extending to a terrace. A two-bedroom home in Battersea Park Road boasts a double-height living area and a skylight for abundant natural light. An apartment in Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, transformed by architect Paul Fineberg, offers a double-height ceiling and windows on all sides. Furthermore, a vast loft for rent on Shoreditch High Street, located in a former warehouse, is designed with "zero bedrooms" and two "sleeping decks" to maximize the open, high-ceilinged space. The appeal of double-height spaces extends beyond art collectors. Creative professionals, such as photographers and musicians, are drawn to these properties, particularly in areas like Shoreditch and Bermondsey, for their ample light and space, which accommodates their work and lifestyle. Stephanie Lieu from Urban Spaces, an agency specializing in industrial conversions, notes that these buyers seek something beyond typical two-story homes and often resist adding mezzanines or extra floors that would diminish the prized height. Even in older properties undergoing basement excavations, developers are recognizing the importance of increased ceiling heights. Matthew Morton-Smith from Savills explains that a voluminous and well-lit basement creates a more impressive and less claustrophobic feel. Ultimately, while double-height spaces might offer less traditional living area, their primary advantage lies in the dramatic visual impact and enhanced sense of grandeur they provide. #DoubleHeightSpaces #LondonProperty #ArchitecturalTrends #LuxuryRealEstate #InteriorDesign #UrbanLiving #PropertyVision #CreativeSpaces

Radio host Ramona Holloway, known for “The Matt & Ramona Show” on 107.9 The Link, moved to Charlotte from Virginia Beach in 2001. In 2003, her mother, Louise “Wheezy” Glover, living in Columbus, Ohio, experienced what was initially thought to be a stroke. This turned out to be an injured disk in her neck, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. As an only child, Holloway managed her mother’s care remotely, coordinating home health services and senior taxi services, and spending her mornings on the phone with doctors and insurance companies. This arrangement involved weekly commutes, with Holloway flying to Columbus on Friday evenings after her show and returning to Charlotte on Monday mornings. This demanding routine continued for four to five months until Holloway persuaded her mother to move to Charlotte. In 2004, Holloway and Glover moved into a house in Indian Land, South Carolina. However, two subsequent back surgeries for Glover in 2008 and 2013 highlighted the unsuitability of the large home, which was difficult to navigate, especially when Glover needed a wheelchair or walker for several months post-surgery. In 2010, they relocated to a smaller house in Belmont with the intention of finding a permanent residence. They chose Belmont because its small-town atmosphere reminded them of Oberlin, Ohio, where Glover grew up and Holloway was born, offering a sense of community and familiarity. Holloway faced challenges in finding a home that met the needs of both herself and her mother, particularly concerning accessibility and comfort for Glover. Traditional floor plans often meant a master bedroom downstairs and less convenient arrangements upstairs. Consequently, Holloway decided to build a custom home rather than buy an existing one. She collaborated with Integrity of the Carolinas to design a house tailored to their specific requirements. The builders incorporated suggestions for enhanced mobility, such as installing hardwood floors throughout the entire downstairs, including closets, to facilitate wheelchair movement. They moved into their 2,700-square-foot, two-story brick home in Belmont Village in March 2014. The design prioritizes accessibility on the first floor, with all doorways, including those for smaller spaces like the laundry room, wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The main entrance features three steps, but the back door, used for daily entry from the detached garage, is equipped with an elegant, gradual ramp made of pavers, offering a practical and aesthetically pleasing alternative to bulky metal ramps. Holloway noted that she learned from observing friends who had to modify their homes with temporary ramps for family members. Glover’s bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are designed with a neutral color palette of beige, taupe, and moss green, offering ample space for maneuverability. The bathroom counter lowers to a seated height on one end, allowing Glover to comfortably groom herself from a chair or wheelchair. The tub has a low edge for easy access, and the toilet is elevated. Oil-rubbed bronze grab bars in the shower and by the toilet are integrated seamlessly with the decor. A bulletin board in her room stores medical information for easy access by caregivers. Upstairs, Holloway has her “grown-up” room with a garden tub in her bathroom and a walk-in closet. Her bedroom is decorated in modern red and black colors, with a photograph that serves as a source of perspective and inspiration. A third bedroom serves as a guest room, providing comfortable accommodation for visitors, especially when Holloway needs someone to stay with her mother. Holloway’s aunt created the textile art hanging above the guest bed. A Jack-and-Jill bathroom connects to Holloway’s office. The main living spaces, including Glover’s bedroom and the living room, are areas where they spend most of their leisure time. The large living room features a gas fireplace, built-in bookshelves, family photos, and matching black leather chairs. Notably, there is no television in the living room; Holloway prefers conversation and maintains the serenity of the space. An enlarged black-and-white photograph from 1961 shows Glover and her best friend touring Europe after college. Holloway and Glover share anecdotes and memories, reflecting their close bond. Glover is a dedicated listener of “The Matt & Ramona Show” and even had her own segment, “The World of Wheezy.” This home serves as a testament to their special relationship, providing a comfortable and accessible environment for both. #HomeDesign #AccessibleLiving #MultiGenerationalHome #CustomHomeBuild #AgingInPlace #BelmontNC #RadioPersonality #FamilyCare #MobilitySolutions

This article explores the unique interior design challenges and solutions for the residence of Lindenwood University president, Jim Evans, and his wife, Lois. The 9,200-square-foot house in St. Charles functions simultaneously as a comfortable private home and a sophisticated venue for entertaining university dignitaries and donors. Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design, along with senior designer Colleen Ertl of Diane Breckenridge Interiors, were tasked with creating a space that could seamlessly transition between these two distinct purposes. The design approach involved essentially creating "two houses in one." The formal areas, intended for university events, boast an elegant and traditional aesthetic. The dining room, for instance, seats 14 people and features a coffered ceiling, a grand fireplace, and French doors opening to a balcony. Its design evokes a modern interpretation of "Downton Abbey" style, balancing formality with comfort. The color palette in this space incorporates browns, greens, blues, cream, and touches of gold, aiming for a timeless yet contemporary feel that avoids being perceived as old or stuffy. This room is routinely used for formal occasions, donor engagements, alumni gatherings, and meetings with the university's board of directors. Adjacent to the dining room, the living room is designed in the style of a grand hall, complete with a dark, wood-beamed ceiling and an elegant fireplace. An inlaid floor visually connects the two formal spaces, with the color scheme from the dining room echoed in an area rug in the living room. Ertl emphasized the importance of the furniture being comfortable and inviting, despite the room's formal function as a receiving area for events. The goal was to create an atmosphere where guests could feel at ease and "just plop down." In contrast to these public and formal spaces, the residence also includes private, more casual living areas. These are primarily located on the lower level and feature a cozy kitchen, a breakfast nook, a hearth room, and a master-bedroom suite. The overall house comprises four bedrooms and eight bathrooms, demonstrating the extensive scale of the property. A key aspect of the design strategy was to ensure the house felt like a personal home rather than merely a showroom. This was achieved by incorporating personal touches throughout the space. For example, large bookshelves, standing 15 feet tall, display photographs and other items personal to the Evanses and Lindenwood University. The article also mentions an antique piano, a focal point in one of the rooms, which has a long history with Lindenwood University. However, the designers acknowledge that the house, particularly its cream-colored sofa, is not designed to be pet-friendly, highlighting a practical consideration in maintaining the pristine environment required for official functions. The architectural style of the house is described as "Collegiate Gothic" by Carol Wall of Mitchell Wall, a style often seen on Ivy League campuses, further reinforcing its connection to the university environment. This dual-purpose design successfully merges the requirements of a high-profile public residence with the need for a comfortable private dwelling, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment for its occupants and their guests. #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #HomeDecor #LindenwoodUniversity #StCharles #MitchellWallArchitecture #DianeBreckenridgeInteriors #CollegiateGothic

A Hong Kong couple, Rosanne Wong and Anthony Chu, transformed their living situation by acquiring the adjacent apartment in their Happy Valley building, effectively doubling their living space from 350 sq ft (33 sq m). Having purchased their original 17th-floor flat in 2012, the couple found themselves in need of more room but were reluctant to leave their established neighborhood and its conveniences. The opportunity arose when their neighbors moved out, allowing Wong and Chu to negotiate the purchase of the adjoining unit just before Christmas 2020. To seamlessly integrate the two one-bedroom flats into a single, cohesive unit, the graphic designer and architect couple enlisted the expertise of Lisa J. Lai, founder of TATI Studio, and independent interior designer Choy Siu-kwan. The primary design goal was to infuse the expanded home with a Zen aesthetic, which Lai drew inspiration from Japanese film director Yasujiro Ozu's cinematography, noting its visual symmetry and poetic portrayal of everyday life. This approach aligned with the clients' desire for a calm and simple living environment. Key functional requirements for the renovation included accommodating a king-size bed in the sole bedroom and integrating work-from-home capabilities. The design team addressed these needs by meticulously planning the layout. The original second bathroom was preserved for guest use and transformed into a laundry room. The remaining space was intelligently reallocated to create a spacious 221 sq ft main suite. This new main suite was designed to include separate 'his and hers' wardrobes, providing ample storage, and a well-appointed bathroom featuring a soaking tub, enhancing the luxurious and relaxing Zen ambiance the couple desired. The collaboration between the homeowners and the design professionals focused on creating an environment where every element was interconnected and contributed to a unified whole. The transformation from two small, separate units into a larger, integrated space not only met the couple's need for more room but also reflected their lifestyle and aesthetic preferences, proving that a creative approach to real estate can yield a personalized and serene urban sanctuary. #HongKongApartment #HomeRenovation #ZenDesign #InteriorDesign #SpaceExpansion #WorkFromHome #TATIStudio #HappyValley #ArchitectHome