Black Metal Steels the Show at This Renovated Live/Work Space in Toronto

A distinctive live/work property situated in Toronto's East End, adjacent to the St. John's Norway Cemetery and Crematorium, is currently listed for 2.5 million CAD. Located at 208 Kingston Road in the Woodbine Corridor community of the Upper Beaches, the building presents a single-storey facade that conceals a substantial 3,932 sq ft footprint extending significantly back from the street. The exterior is characterized by redbrick, while the interior features hard-loft aesthetics, including raftered timber ceilings, concrete and tiled floors, and hewn timber pillars. This design forms the basis of a flexible space, which is currently utilized as a workshop. Triple arches on the exterior provide a hint of the property's unique character. The listing agent for this commercial property is ElliottAdam Medoff of Jones Lang Lasalle Real Estate Services. The property is being marketed for its potential for adaptive reuse, with suggestions including its transformation into a showroom, a combination of office and residential accommodation, or an art gallery. While the front portion of the building boasts exposed brick, rafters, and Victorian-style ceramic tiles, forming a kitchen and dining area, the rear section, featuring warehouse-style sheet roofing, would benefit from the addition of skylights to enhance natural light flow throughout this deeper part of the structure. Despite the need for additional natural light in the rear, the property has undergone significant modernizations. These improvements include a refurbishment of its brick facade and upgrades to essential building systems, such as heating and cooling, ensuring modern functionality within its historic shell. The unique location next to a large cemetery adds to its distinctiveness, offering a quiet and contemplative environment. The expansive footprint and current workshop setup highlight the versatility of the space, making it suitable for a variety of commercial or mixed-use applications following appropriate renovations. #Toronto #LiveWorkSpace #CommercialProperty #AdaptiveReuse #RealEstateCanada #PropertyForSale

A remarkable single-family home in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, originally a garage, is currently listed for just over $1.9 million. This unique residence at 222 Madison Street combines industrial aesthetics with functional living spaces, spanning 3,000 square feet. The exterior maintains a modest garage appearance, cleverly concealing the expansive and stylish interior. The home's design embraces an industrial chic, characterized by cured cement floors, exposed white-washed brick walls, and soaring ceilings punctuated by skylights that flood the space with natural light. This architectural approach creates an open and airy atmosphere throughout the dwelling. The main floor features a spacious living room that provides direct views into a serene atrium, a central element designed to enhance the home's tranquil ambiance. Above this living area, a dedicated reading nook is integrated with a Dutch-designed music storage system, offering both comfort and practicality. The open-plan design seamlessly connects the living room to a large dining area, accommodating substantial furniture arrangements and fostering a sense of continuous flow. Adjacent to the dining area is a chef’s kitchen, equipped with stainless steel counters and cabinetry, a professional 36-inch range and oven, and a prominent Carrara marble island. A generous pantry offers ample storage, catering to the needs of a gourmet kitchen. This level is designed for both everyday living and entertaining, maximizing space and utility. The second level of the home houses the master bedroom suite. This private retreat is large enough to comfortably fit a king-sized bed and includes a walk-in closet for extensive storage. A private terrace extends from the master bedroom, providing an exclusive outdoor space for relaxation. The master bathroom is appointed with a separate soaking tub and a walk-in shower, complemented by two distinctively hand-painted Talavera sinks, adding a touch of artistic detail. Across from the master bedroom on the second level, a second large loft area offers significant versatility. While currently configured as a playroom, its substantial size allows for various creative uses, adaptable to the owner's needs or preferences. This flexibility underscores the home's capacity to evolve with its inhabitants. The outdoor terrace, designed to function as a garden, plays a crucial role in bringing additional light into the main living room through its large windows, reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the home is engineered for energy efficiency, incorporating modern conveniences such as on-demand hot water, heated floors, and central air conditioning. An integrated sound system allows for individual control in each space, enhancing comfort and personalization. A private garage provides practical city living, addressing parking challenges. The property is listed by Wendy Stephenson and David Cobell for Compass, showcasing a sophisticated blend of industrial design, modern amenities, and practical living solutions within a transformed urban space. #BedStuy #GarageConversion #IndustrialGlamour #ZenAtrium #SingleFamilyHome #BrooklynRealEstate #ModernDesign #EnergyEfficientHome #LuxuryLiving

This article details the transformation of a 1907 San Francisco shingled house in the Richmond district, bordering the Presidio, through a comprehensive remodel led by architect Malcolm Davis. The homeowners, Jen and Adrian, sought to integrate modern design elements while preserving the home's historic character, addressing issues such as a disjointed layout and an unusable backyard. Davis's philosophy centers on exposing the 'bones' of old houses and introducing natural light, which was crucial for this project given San Francisco's often gloomy climate. The renovation involved strategically removing interior walls and installing a large support beam to create an expansive, open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area on the first floor. A significant change was lowering the floor of a conversation area next to the kitchen, directly connecting it to a new, multi-level rear garden through wide glass doors. This reconfigured the main living space to be more open and family-friendly, while the front entry, formal living room with its original bay window, and staircase were largely kept intact, yet now feel connected to the brighter rear. A key aspect of the remodel was the innovative use of skylights and glass. The attic transformation was particularly impactful, allowing daylight to penetrate from the third floor down to the front entry. This was achieved by adding a new stairwell to access a top-floor office, which features a low glass wall and skylights behind it. The light travels through the office, through the glass wall, and then into the main stairwell, where the ceiling was opened to expose framing, creating a dramatic and bright effect throughout the house. The backyard, previously unusable, was converted into a functional, low-maintenance outdoor space with concrete seating and hardy plants, mirroring the interior layout with distinct outdoor dining, cooking, and lounge areas. This integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces was a primary goal for the homeowners and architect. The interior design carefully balances modern and traditional aesthetics. Jen, with her master's degree in architecture, emphasized maintaining traditional details like trim in certain areas while introducing modern elements where appropriate. The home features a striking contrast between light and dark, with rich stained floors, Simply White walls, and a combination of Marine Black soapstone and Pure White Caesarstone countertops. Unlacquered brass fixtures are used throughout, adding a subtle metallic glow that patinas over time. The primary bathroom benefits from two skylights, allowing light from opposite exposures to illuminate the Heron Blue variegated Heath tile, creating dynamic visual changes throughout the day. While common areas are bright and inviting, bedrooms are designed as quiet, cocoon-like retreats with thick curtains and dark, moody paint colors like Farrow & Ball Railings and Bancha. The home also incorporates inherited pieces, like Jen's grandmother's dining table, mixed with modern furnishings, reflecting a personal and eclectic style. #HomeRenovation #SanFranciscoArchitecture #ModernDesign #HistoricPreservation #Skylights #GlassWalls #IndoorOutdoorLiving #InteriorDesign #GardenDesign #ArchitecturalRemodel

John Marsala and Becka Citron, the creative and business partners behind Modern Anthology, have shifted their focus to interior design services after closing their physical retail stores in Dumbo and Cobble Hill. This move builds on their original business model, as interior design was their primary focus before venturing into retail. Their signature industrial chic aesthetic, previously evident in their stores, is now a hallmark of their interior design projects, such as the Dumbo loft featured in this article. The project involved furnishing a 2,400-square-foot loft for a young couple with a small child. The loft, located in a converted industrial building, retained original features like exposed brick and wooden columns. The designers were tasked with creating a functional and stylish living space, moving away from the clients' initial plans for fully custom-made furnishings. A key structural change was the addition of a dividing wall to create a dedicated den/TV area, separating it from the main living space. The primary focus, however, was on sourcing new furnishings, predominantly from retail outlets. The design choices were influenced by the homeowners' existing art collection, which included quirky pieces such as a framed print humorously stating ‘I was young and needed the money’ and a striking, large-scale portrait. These artworks signaled to Citron that the clients were open to bold design elements and did not wish for an overly conventional approach. The designers integrated these artistic cues into a cohesive design that blended industrial elements with comfort and personality. Key furniture selections included a Chesterfield-style sofa and egg-shaped mid-century chairs from Restoration Hardware, demonstrating a blend of classic and modern aesthetics. A vintage wing chair was given a distinctive update with plastic-coated fabric imprinted with street signs on the back and a tailored pin stripe on the front. An over-dyed vintage rug from Nomadic Trading Company added texture and color, while a Serge Mouille wall-mounted sconce provided sophisticated lighting. For the informal breakfast area, blue vintage chairs paired with a Saarinen-style pedestal table created a casual yet elegant spot. The dining area features a live-edge table complemented by wire chairs reminiscent of Eames designs from Modernica. A long hallway leading to the bedrooms was transformed into a gallery space, displaying framed photos and art unified by simple wood and metal frames. The primary bedroom maintained a warm ambiance with natural brick, furnished with a bed by Brooklyn-based Uhuru Design, a dresser by L.A.-based designer Thomas Bina, and a chandelier from Apparatus, further emphasizing the blend of industrial roots with contemporary design. This project exemplifies Modern Anthology's ability to create warm, functional, and industrially chic interiors using a mix of sourced retail pieces and thoughtful design interventions. #DumboLoft #InteriorDesign #ModernAnthology #IndustrialChic #HomeRenovation #BrooklynDesign #FurnitureSourcing #ResidentialDesign

The High-Tech Architecture movement, which emerged in 1970s Britain, was characterized by exposed mechanical systems, structural elements in vibrant colors, and adaptable interiors constructed from lightweight, metallic materials. This style, often called “structural expressionism,” was popularized by architects such as Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, and Renzo Piano. It transformed industrial and factory production elements into an ornamental language, where functionality became the primary aesthetic. These designs paradoxically appeared as technology began to shrink, with the advent of microchips, home computers, and global communication networks. These advancements led to computer-aided design, new material technologies, and rapid prototyping, giving rise to sleek and simple technological aesthetics. Currently, a new generation of designers is reevaluating the meaning of a “high-tech” aesthetic in interior and object design. Moving away from post-pandemic trends that favored natural and organic materials, these designers are incorporating digital manufacturing techniques and processes while playfully engaging with past factory-made components. Harry Nuriev of Crosby Studios, known for his chromatic surfaces, pixelated videogame-inspired furnishings, and digital software-referencing wallpapers, views the past high-tech movement as a "cold engineer’s functional aesthetic." For him, contemporary high-tech design should be centered on the "virtual experience." Nuriev recently coined the term “transformism” to describe his design philosophy, which involves combining existing objects and materials to create a transition from one form to another. His Video Game Stool collection exemplifies this, inspired by the aesthetic of low-quality, downsized furniture files in virtual environments. Nuriev’s "transformist" approach, as seen in his Retro Futurism Collection, transforms streamlined machine-like motifs into soft, reflective textiles, mimicking liquid stainless steel settling into sofas or bedsheets. Other designers are using factory aesthetics as a foundation for broader metaphors in commercial spaces. Masquespacio’s MO Bakery and Espresso Bar in Saudi Arabia draws inspiration from the role of water in baking and coffee brewing, employing metallic finishes to evoke flowing water. Sandblasted pipes extend from a mirrored ceiling, forming booths and reminiscent of the pipes and air ducts of the Centre Pompidou. Curvilinear glass and chrome orbs represent gas bubbles, blending industrial shine with organic forms. This curvilinear approach advances the high-tech aesthetic toward a more streamlined language. This style is also evident in spaces where industrial elements were always present, such as Buero Wagner’s office transformation. The Munich-based architectural studio converted its basement into a workspace, using galvanized steel gratings for custom seating and welded furniture that appears to grow organically from the floor. An aluminum foil curtain provides natural light and privacy, allowing industrial elements like exposed gas pipes and X-Beams to remain visible. The versatile space echoes the flexible, open-plan ideals of the High-Tech architectural era. CHYBIK+KRISTOF’s Modular Research Center for KOMA Modular exemplifies flexibility and ecological motivations. This “innovation hub” for modular building prototypes incorporates elements of High-Tech Architecture and digital design, notably omitting right angles and using rotating containers as structural columns. Constructed from three main modules (roof, container, and floor), the center features shiny load-bearing walls and floor-to-ceiling windows that reflect natural light off perforated metal ceilings. The materials are locally produced, aligning with High-Tech Architecture’s original ecological concerns and emphasizing the structure as a dynamic, adaptable module that promotes human activity. The High-Tech architectural style has also influenced furniture and objects. The Korean design group niceworkshop’s Affordance Series, crafted from polished stainless steel, directly references industry and machinery. Chairs feature industrial lifts instead of legs and roll on steel wheels, while a bench, inspired by an assembly line, rests on a precisely engineered sphere. Oversized bolts and screws are exposed, making joinery and construction ornamental. This collection, aimed at “inducing human behavior and psychology,” encourages users to interact with objects as if they were industrial factory workers, pushing them to engage with the furniture’s mechanics. Founder Hyunseog Oh explains that the series uses elements like conveyor belt rollers and industrial lifts to highlight the interaction between furniture and user. This approach, recalling Le Corbusier’s concept of homes as "machines for living," embodies an ultramodernity celebrated by High-Tech architects. Whether in commercial projects or everyday objects, the familiar motifs of the High-Tech Architecture movement, adapted for smaller scales, continue to reflect a fascination with mechanical workings, extending beyond mere function into decorative expression. #HighTechInteriors #ArchitecturalRevival #CrosbyStudios #Masquespacio #BueroWagner #CHYBIKandKRISTOF #niceworkshop #DesignTrends #IndustrialAesthetics

Space Dynamix designed a luxurious 2,400 square-foot apartment in Mumbai with a focus on functionality, meticulous detailing, and an open, lavish feel. A significant challenge was the apartment's low ceilings, which the designers addressed by emphasizing vertical lines and incorporating floor-to-ceiling elements and vertical metal accents. To enhance visual spaciousness and connectivity, several interior walls were replaced with glass, creating a contemporary and chic atmosphere and promoting spatial flow. The material palette for the apartment includes beige travertine flooring, Italian marble, a composite quartz kitchen counter, wallpapers, Grey Oak veneer, and composite leather panelling. These are complemented by metallic accents in rose gold, bronze mirror finishes, and other metals. The entrance lobby is designed to resemble an art gallery, featuring a crystal chandelier, an abstract copper sculpture against a bronze mirror screen, and deep blue lacquered wall panelling. An adjacent multipurpose room, functioning as a home office, lounge, and guest room, extends the aesthetic of the lobby with artwork and a pendant lamp highlighting a ballerina figurine. The living and dining area features a large square ceiling cutout with a concentric profile light, a deliberate choice over standard spotlights to maximize vertical volume in the limited height. This area combines formal and informal seating, including a distinctive 'Rhino seat', unified by a plush abstract carpet. Accent lighting is provided by pendant lamps and a wall bracket, and a large abstract artwork adds visual interest. Mirror panelling ingeniously conceals a beam drop and air-conditioning units. The living space extends outdoors onto a deck through wall-to-wall sliding doors, creating an expanded area for entertaining. The deck is illuminated by three oversized dome-shaped straw pendant lamps and features vibrant red and blue seating. The central living-dining area is flanked by the kitchen and master suite, with a passage leading to the junior suite, mother's bedroom, and guest room. In the kitchen, a central island with speckled Brazilian granite serves as a focal point, visible through a glass partition from the living area. A deep wine-coloured glass backsplash contrasts with mushroom-grey cabinet shutters, and a concealed ceiling chimney contributes to the sleek, modern aesthetic. The master bedroom suite integrates the bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet areas into a single, flowing space using glazed partitions for flexible privacy. The decor includes intersecting edge-lit circular mirrors on a Versace marble wall, a leather-upholstered bed with rose gold metal inserts, a floral-fabric day bed, and a compact study table. Wardrobe shutters in the walk-in closet are made of transparent brown tinted glass in rose gold aluminium profiles. A multipurpose room adjacent to the living area is enclosed by a curved glass partition, maintaining visual continuity while allowing for privacy with sheer curtains. It is furnished with a statement chair, a circular carpet, and a cantilevered floor lamp, and includes a lift-up bed to convert it into a guest room. The junior suite utilizes wall art, geometric pendant lamps, and a bold abstract carpet to create a 'studio' ambiance, maintaining visual continuity with the rest of the home. The mother's bedroom features a bright yellow bed panel, floral wallpaper, and a cozy seating area with a gold painting and a wooden display case for curios. Manjunath Hathwar and Ashutosh Wad of Space Dynamix successfully employed a muted color palette and sophisticated art integration to create a stylish, functional, and luxurious home. #MumbaiApartment #LuxuryDesign #MetallicTones #OpenFloorPlan #SpaceDynamix #InteriorArchitecture #ModernInteriors #HomeDecor #ResidentialDesign

This blog post highlights a $5 million penthouse loft in Tribeca, located at 58 Walker Street, showcasing its unique blend of industrial charm and modern luxury. The 2,115-square-foot duplex spans two floors and includes a generous 1,318 square feet of private rooftop space, making it suitable for both winter and summer enjoyment. The apartment, situated in a building constructed in 1869, retains much of its original character, particularly through extensive exposed brickwork. Contemporary additions include an open staircase that connects the two levels, a striking massive copper kitchen vent, and distinctive lighting fixtures. The kitchen, positioned beneath the lofted second floor, features an externally-powered indoor grill, allowing for year-round culinary activities. The main floor of the penthouse accommodates two bedrooms and two bathrooms, both offering northern views. The master bedroom is further enhanced by a spacious dressing room. The second, lofted floor is an open-plan area currently configured as a “dining loggia.” This space is equipped with a custom 100-bottle wine bin, a wine bar, a wine refrigerator, and a half bathroom, designed for entertaining. Access to the private rooftop terrace is provided via another open staircase leading from the dining loggia. The terrace offers ample room for outdoor furniture and landscaping, with panoramic views that include iconic New York City landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Woolworth Building. Interior design details include a classic bathroom with a clawfoot tub and a second bathroom featuring patterned wallpaper, adding a contemporary touch to the rustic aesthetic. Overall, the penthouse presents a balanced living environment with a wood-burning fireplace for colder months and expansive outdoor space for warmer weather, combining historical elements with modern amenities in a highly desirable Tribeca location. The property is listed by Dina Lewis and Melanie Lazenby of Douglas Elliman. #PenthouseLoft #TribecaRealEstate #LuxuryApartment #ExposedBrick #RooftopTerrace #Duplex #IndustrialChic #NYCArchitecture #WalkerStreet

The article details the renovation of a 1970s split-level row house in Hackney, London, undertaken by Archmongers, the architectural firm led by Johan Hybschmann and his wife, Anita Freeman. The project's primary goals were to modernize the home for contemporary living, enhance its energy efficiency, and introduce more natural light into the interior spaces. The renovation adheres to Archmongers' commitment to using honest, exposed materials and traditional wood joinery, incorporating a palette of brick, galvanized steel, cast concrete, and timber. Before the renovation, the house had remained largely untouched since the 1970s, retaining its original structural elements like masonry, timber framework, and exposed concrete. However, its layout was inefficient, marked by a ground-floor garage that created an awkward entrance and a constricted kitchen/dining area. The original design also featured excessive storage and limited daylight connection to the street, with most rooms facing the rear garden. Archmongers addressed these issues by extending the ground floor and converting the garage into more functional living spaces. A new in-situ cast concrete extension at the rear significantly expanded the kitchen and dining areas on the lower level. This extension's insulated slab not only provides thermal insulation but also forms a new garden terrace, which doubles as a structural foundation to help distribute the load of both the existing and new facades. The flat roof of this extension was designed to accommodate a green roof at the first-floor level, contributing to the home's sustainability and biodiversity. The renovation focused on opening up the three-floor structure to create a more spatially vertical feel. Plasterboard walls were removed to reveal the underlying structural logic of the house, making its various elements more legible. The underside of the stairs was exposed to enhance spatial clarity, and strategically placed internal windows were incorporated to introduce sight lines and flood the interior with natural light. The rear elevation was further opened up with sliding doors at ground level and a large new window on the first floor, offering views of the new green roof from the living room. The design draws inspiration from Northern European modernism, with specific references to architectural works in Hybschmann’s native Denmark, including Wohlert’s Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Finn Juhl’s house in Ordrup, and Arne Jacobsen’s Søholm houses, as well as Alvar Aalto’s homes in Finland. The interior design features a harmonious blend of gray brick, white-washed walls, and natural timber finishes. These are complemented by bold accents of red in the exposed steel beams, columns, and handrails, and by the terra-cotta tiles used on the lower floor. Repeated rectilinear motifs are consistently applied throughout the material arrangement, contributing to a unified aesthetic. In terms of exterior enhancements, the rear garden and the wildflower green roof were planted with indigenous species. A new, small pond was added to encourage local wildlife. The planting scheme, designed by Anita Freeman, specifically aims to boost biodiversity within the property’s limited footprint. The renovation successfully transformed a dated 1970s house into a modern, energy-efficient home that maximizes natural light and space while maintaining a strong connection to its natural surroundings and modernist architectural principles. #LondonRenovation #SeventiesRowHouse #ArchitecturalRenovation #EnergyEfficiency #ModernistDesign #GreenRoof #ExposedMaterials #NaturalLight #SustainableDesign

This article explores the aesthetic and functional benefits of integrating industrial elements, specifically metal cladding, into contemporary residential architecture. It highlights how a mixed-media approach, combining materials like wood, metal, and cement, can create visually appealing and modern home exteriors, moving beyond traditional combinations of stone, wood, and brick. The discussion emphasizes that while traditional material mixes can sometimes appear haphazard, the thoughtful incorporation of industrial materials tends to achieve a more cohesive and sophisticated design. The article features twelve examples of contemporary homes that effectively utilize exterior metal cladding. Each example showcases different architectural firms and their unique interpretations of this design approach across various locations and environmental settings. For instance, PB Elemental Architecture is highlighted for its successful use of exterior metal cladding, setting the stage for subsequent examples. Finne Architects, based in Seattle, demonstrates the use of two tones of metal cladding on a Port Ludlow home, where horizontal striations complement the wood-lined roof, creating a harmonious blend with its forested surroundings. M+A Architecture Studio in Houston presents an affordable home design that employs bold colors and alternative materials, including metal siding, which respectfully references the vernacular architecture of local farm buildings. WA Design, a Berkeley-based firm known for sustainable structures, showcases an industrial-style home in Napa Valley that incorporates corrugated metal, stucco, and Cor-Ten steel across three distinct volumes, illustrating material diversity and thoughtful composition. Genesis Architecture from Wisconsin features a Milwaukee home designed to maximize southern exposure with large, metal-framed glass expanses and horizontally ribbed metal siding integrated with wood slats, balancing light and shade. Knowles PS, an architecture and interior design studio near Seattle, integrates multiple industrial elements such as vertical corrugated metal siding, unfinished wooden beams, painted metal posts, and factory-style porch lights in a Port Orchard home, juxtaposing them with horizontal wood slats. Samara Greenwood Architecture from Melbourne, Australia, presents a hillside house with corrugated metal panels set between thin strips of orange-tinged wood, with rectangular windows providing a contrasting horizontal orientation. Adams Mohler Ghillino Architects, another Seattle firm, combines corrugated metal siding with concrete stacks and wood elements for garage doors and windows in a home overlooking Lake Washington, showcasing a robust yet refined aesthetic. Homecraft Design & Build from British Columbia, Canada, designed a painting studio utilizing corrugated metal siding placed horizontally to create a shed-like appearance that integrates well with its wooded, rural setting. Intexure Architects from Houston developed a live-work studio featuring a predominantly gray, metal-clad exterior with protruding volumes that prevent the structure from appearing as a simple box. Kimberly Peck, an architect from New York City, designed a black structure in the Catskills using economical and environmentally conscious materials, including a fully corrugated metal front façade and a barn-style metal standing seam roof, with a traditional black paneled door adding an interesting detail. Finally, CR Forma, a design-build firm from Tulsa, Oklahoma, highlights a sustainable lake house incorporating recycled and natural materials such as stained redwood, corrugated metal, and gray wood slats on its exteriors. Collectively, these examples demonstrate the versatility and modern appeal of metal cladding in residential architecture, proving that industrial materials can be elegantly incorporated to create visually striking, functional, and contextually appropriate homes. The various projects illustrate how architects use metal in conjunction with other materials to achieve diverse aesthetic and practical outcomes, ranging from rustic modern to sleek industrial, while often considering sustainability and site-specific conditions. #MetalCladding #ContemporaryHomes #ResidentialArchitecture #IndustrialDesign #SustainableArchitecture #ExteriorDesign #ArchitecturalMaterials #HomeDesign

The article details the transformation of Montreal's former Royal Bank Tower into a coworking space named Crew Collective. This Neo-classical bank, once Canada's tallest building and a key feature of Saint-Jacques Street during its 'Wall Street' era, was built in 1928 and abandoned by the Royal Bank of Canada in 2010. The startup group Crew Collective, which includes a network of designers and developers, commissioned architect Henri Cleinge to convert the ground floor into a shared office, cafe, and their company headquarters. Cleinge's architectural intervention focused on preserving the building's original grandeur while introducing modern functionality. This involved repairing existing features such as the marble inlay flooring, the 50-foot vaulted ceilings, and the original brass fixtures and light fittings. The architect emphasized a 'discreet intervention' to maintain a delicate balance between the historic elements and the new additions, ensuring the old features remained primary while the new components were distinct but not overwhelming. Key design decisions included repurposing existing structures; for instance, counters previously used for deposit slips now serve coffee drinkers in the cafe area. To define separate zones within the expansive space, teller counters were utilized to delineate the public cafe from the private office areas. Additionally, brass-plated steel partitions and glass walls were incorporated to create individual meeting rooms without visually segmenting the large hall. The use of glass was particularly significant, chosen for its discretion and modernity, allowing for transparency that ensures all elements, both old and new, remain visible. This approach prevented the space from being compartmentalized, maintaining an open feel while still providing necessary divisions. The coworking space offers various membership options, including permanent desks and hourly rental of meeting rooms. This project exemplifies adaptive reuse, breathing new life into a significant historical landmark. The design successfully integrates contemporary workspace requirements into an opulent, heritage-rich setting, offering a unique environment for professionals. The detailed restoration and careful introduction of new elements highlight a thoughtful approach to preserving architectural history while meeting modern demands. #CoworkingSpace #Montreal #AdaptiveReuse #HistoricArchitecture #InteriorDesign #HenriCleinge #RoyalBankTower #OfficeDesign

Designer Rebecca Philipson undertook a significant remodel of a 1990s-built, 5,300-square-foot home in Aurora, Ohio, focusing on transforming the kitchen, great room, and lounge into more open and inviting spaces. The homeowners sought to infuse warmth and an open concept into their residence, a vision Philipson brought to life through a blend of traditional and rustic elements, with distinct French Country influences. Central to the design is the incorporation of Amish hand-hewn ceiling beams and elaborate stonework, which serve as prominent features, particularly in the lounge. This area, designed for relaxation and entertaining, includes a wet bar, a built-in refrigerator, and custom alder cabinetry. The adjacent sunroom houses a pool table, creating a seamless flow for social gatherings and post-dinner interactions. The overall layout was reimagined to foster a sense of togetherness, allowing family and guests to interact comfortably across the connected rooms. Philipson achieved this open concept by strategically removing the wall between the great room and kitchen, then linking the kitchen to the lounge. Archways were introduced to formalize these open transitions. The kitchen underwent the most substantial transformation. Previously walled off, it featured an angled peninsula, an irregularly shaped island, and low-hanging soffits. Philipson replaced these with faux beams to maintain the rustic aesthetic and installed a central island with seating for three. The homeowners' desire for warmth and intricate details was met through design elements such as decorative island legs. Attention to detail extends throughout the kitchen, with intricate touches found in the baseboards, legs, valances, and along the bottom of the island cabinetry. The refrigerator was artfully concealed with cabinet panels and mirrored glass, designed to resemble an armoire rather than an appliance, fulfilling the client's wish for cabinetry that emulated furniture. A built-in coffee maker contributed to a decluttered countertop space. The great room further showcases the sophisticated stonework, with cream-colored stone extending from floor to ceiling around the fireplace. This central feature is flanked by built-in cabinets that mirror the design of the kitchen's concealed refrigerator. Oversized iron hardware on the cabinetry adds a dramatic flair, complementing the multi-tiered iron chandelier, which serves as a focal point. Recessed lighting supplements the chandelier, with all lighting choices made to enhance the room's warm ambiance. The remodel successfully integrated rustic charm with French Country elegance, creating a cohesive and welcoming environment across the main living areas. #HomeRemodel #AuroraHome #FrenchCountryStyle #RusticDesign #KitchenRenovation #GreatRoomDesign #LoungeArea #InteriorDesign #OpenConcept

The "Aluminum Scarf" apartment in Montreal, designed by Canadian architect Jean-Maxime Labrecque, redefines interior spaces through the innovative use of industrial aluminum grates. This renovation project transforms a multi-level dwelling, incorporating elements typically found in subway ventilation ducts to create distinctive walls, railings, and storage solutions. The apartment spans three levels, comprising a kitchen and living area on the ground floor, complemented by two mezzanine levels above. The central design motif is the continuous flow of white aluminum grates, which serve a multitude of functions throughout the property, including balustrades, partitioning walls, and integrated closets. This pervasive use of metallic grating inspired the apartment's name, signifying a metaphorical 'scarf' that envelops the interior. A key intervention in the renovation was the replacement of a previous black spiral staircase and its associated railings with a new white stairway. The new staircase features tall white grates that form its railings, seamlessly integrating with the overall design theme. Labrecque describes how this "scarf" intelligently guides movement, first covering the initial staircase to the first mezzanine, then extending to the second, before descending to encase a large luminaire-bookshelf. This bookshelf, illuminated and covered in aluminum, spans the entire length of one of the apartment’s longitudinal walls, becoming a significant feature of the space. On the ground floor, built-in bookshelves with grate doors continue this design, reaching up to the floor above. These metal frames, functioning as hinged doors, cleverly conceal storage areas equipped with shelves and additional aluminum ladders. Despite these extensive modern interventions, Labrecque meticulously preserved the apartment's original structural elements. The white pillars and exposed wood ceiling beams were retained, emphasizing the impressive 25-foot (7.6-meter) high ceilings. Existing glass blocks that enclose a bathroom on the first floor were also maintained, contributing to the apartment's layered history. The dark wood floors underwent a refinishing process, being sanded down and lightened to draw attention upwards towards the historical timber framework on the ceiling, creating a dialogue between the old and new elements. The color palette predominantly features white finishes throughout the apartment, which are harmoniously contrasted with the natural wood used for kitchen cabinets and counters. A black grand piano serves as a bold accent, adding a touch of classic elegance to the contemporary space. This project stands as an example of repurposing industrial materials for residential design, demonstrating how functional elements can be elevated into aesthetic features. The "Aluminum Scarf" apartment showcases a design philosophy that balances stark industrial aesthetics with the warmth of natural materials and historical architectural details, creating a unique and coherent living environment in Montreal. The renovation illustrates a thoughtful approach to interior architecture, where every element, from a staircase to a storage unit, contributes to a unified artistic vision. #ApartmentRenovation #MontrealDesign #IndustrialInterior #AluminumGrates #JeanMaximeLabrecque #InteriorArchitecture #ModernLiving #MaterialRepurposing #ResidentialDesign

This article details the transformation of a 1,700-square-foot loft in a century-old industrial building in Brooklyn, New York. Designed by Hormuz Batliboi of Batliboi Studio for Valerie Tsvetkova, the two-bedroom, two-bath residence blends historic industrial elements with a modern, playful aesthetic. The design process began by embracing the loft’s original character as a former manufacturing site. Hidden timber beams and steel joints, discovered during renovation behind a dropped ceiling, were intentionally exposed and integrated into the design, serving as visual anchors and contributing to the space’s authentic industrial feel. Initially, the loft presented challenges typical of converted spaces, including disjointed utilities and an inefficient kitchen layout. Batliboi addressed these issues by centralizing the utility infrastructure and strategically raising the floor in certain areas. This thoughtful alteration enabled a seamless integration of the kitchen into the heart of the home, optimizing both functionality and flow within the space. The renovation showcases an innovative approach to spatial planning, turning initial limitations into design opportunities. A prominent feature in the main living area, particularly the dining room, is a 15-foot sculptural shelf. This piece, characterized by its green, wave-like ripples, is constructed from layers of CNC-milled wood and precisely color-matched to the client’s existing pendant lights. It functions as both a practical sideboard and an artistic focal point, demonstrating the designer’s ability to merge utility with aesthetic appeal. This bespoke element adds a unique and dynamic visual texture to the loft, embodying its playful aesthetic. In the kitchen, the design combines sleek stainless steel countertops with brass accents and natural stone, creating a sophisticated yet warm ambiance. Rather than fully custom cabinetry, Batliboi utilized a flat-pack system from REFORM, carefully customizing it to achieve a high-end, built-in appearance. This cost-effective approach allowed for a luxurious aesthetic without excessive custom work, reflecting a sustainable design mindset. The integration of diverse materials and strategic use of pre-fabricated components contribute to the loft's refined industrial charm. The bathrooms feature contrasting material palettes to enhance the home’s eclectic character. One bathroom presents a moody design with deep black zellige tiles, matte black flooring, and a bold granite shower, amplified by natural light from an industrial window. Other areas incorporate a mix of penny tile and marble, providing a tactile and visual contrast. These carefully selected materials and custom fabrications, combined with clever spatial solutions, ensure that the home feels personalized, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely lived-in, successfully merging industrial edge with a playful modern aesthetic. #BrooklynLoft #IndustrialDesign #ModernAesthetic #InteriorDesign #BatliboiStudio #ResidentialArchitecture #CustomFabrication #SpatialPlanning

This article highlights 23 Black-owned businesses that offer a diverse range of furniture and home decor items. The selection aims to support these brands year-round and showcases their unique contributions to interior design and home aesthetics. The featured companies span various categories, from bohemian-inspired decor to mindful, historically conscious pieces and luxury linens. For instance, Jungalow by Justina Blakeney offers a wide array of bohemian-style items like planters, rugs, pillows, and bedding. Justina Blakeney is also known for her New York Times best-selling book, "The New Bohemians." Don't Sleep Interiors, a Black woman-owned small business from Atlanta, specializes in historical decor, including art prints of Black newspapers and pillows with quotes from prominent Black figures, emphasizing African diaspora culture and political consciousness. Albany Park, founded by a husband-and-wife team, addresses common frustrations with furniture shopping by offering affordable, easily assembled, and quickly shippable pieces. Their furniture is designed to navigate tight spaces and features high-resiliency foam wrapped in cruelty-free synthetic feathers. Mind the Cork, a Black woman-owned business based in London, provides planters and lifestyle accessories made from 100% natural, biodegradable, and self-regenerative cork, promoting sustainability. Bespoke Binny, another London-based, Black woman-owned company, creates small batches of colorful, African-inspired home textiles, such as oven mitts, aprons, table runners, and placemats. Linoto is a luxury linen company known for its wide range of colored bedding, window treatments, and bath towels. Us and the Planet, a Black woman-owned small business in Brooklyn, crafts all-natural home products, including colorful body candles, notably a mastectomy scar candle. Sweeten is a referral service founded by architect Jean Brownhill, connecting homeowners with pre-screened general contractors for various renovation projects, from small-scale installations to complete home makeovers. Nonily Studio, a Black woman-owned Etsy shop in San Francisco, offers affordable, downloadable wall art, allowing customers to print designs instantly to their desired size and material. Be Rooted, founded by Jasmin Foster, focuses on creating products that represent women of color, offering a variety of cheerful home goods, puzzles, stemware, journals, and calendars. Nikss Art, a Black woman-owned small business in London, sells high-quality prints of Black bodies, faces, and hair. Imitation By Jerrell handcrafts poured resin coffee tables with metallic gold detailing, often featuring shapes of famous and influential Black figures. The Trinigee, a Black woman-owned business from Houston, offers home goods like tote bags, blankets, and mugs that celebrate Black culture and history. Hilton Carter, a prominent plant influencer, offers a line of plant-adjacent products, including gardening aprons and planters, in addition to being an author of several books on houseplants. Harlem Candle Company, a Black woman-owned luxury home fragrance brand, specializes in scented candles inspired by Harlem's rich history and jazz music, with beautifully designed glass jars. Clare is a paint company founded by interior designer Nicole Gibbons, providing designer-curated, zero-VOC paints with peel-and-stick swatches for an easier selection process. Estelle Colored Glass, inspired by founder Stephanie Summerson Hall's grandmother, offers handblown colored glassware made by artisans in Poland. The Black Home, a New Jersey-based shop by celebrity interior designer Neffi Walker, focuses on home goods that highlight the Black experience. Yowie, a lifestyle retail store in Philadelphia, curates an array of homewares, including handmade planters and stoneware, and specifically tags products by Black artisans. EcoVibe, a retail shop in Portland, Oregon, emphasizes sustainable and ethical practices, supporting local, women, minority, and family-owned businesses, with a focus on house plants and gardening supplies. Pardon My Fro, founded by graphic designer Dana Bly, creates lifestyle goods and home decor like shower curtains and coffee mugs, celebrating Black women with natural hair. Jeanette Gonzales, a Los Angeles-based artist, offers a collection of home goods, including art prints and blankets, from her multidisciplinary studio. Lastly, Create The Culture, a Black woman-owned brand in Brooklyn, produces embroidered home goods and clothing, also offering DIY embroidery kits. #BlackOwnedBusinesses #HomeDecor #Furniture #InteriorDesign #SupportBlack #SustainableLiving #Artisanal #LifestyleBrands #HomeRenovation

Bev Adam and Craig Shearn, residents of an 1800s double-fronted miner's cottage in Melbourne's inner north, undertook a significant renovation of their home with the help of designer David Flack of Flack Studio. The exterior of the cottage was painted in a dramatic, heritage 'Oxblood' by Porter’s Paints, a choice that garnered attention and conversation from neighbors, suggesting a potential trendsetting move. The homeowners, both involved in the property industry, sought a professional's expertise for their 'last and biggest hurrah' in renovating, aiming to create a space tailored solely for their enjoyment, rather than focusing on resale value. The renovation involved stripping the residence back to its bare bones and implementing a new scheme and footprint. The brief included establishing a new master wing with a wet area and walk-in wardrobe, a guest bedroom, a den, a powder room, and a spacious new extension. This redesign transformed four period bedrooms into two, prioritizing personal comfort and luxury over the original layout. The interior design showcases a blend of vintage and contemporary elements with a vibrant mix of hues and textures. A key feature of the updated home is the oversized open-plan kitchen, centered around a custom island bench with a honed white Arabescato stone top, mild black steel legs, and brass feet. An adjoining bar, backed by glossy green stone, complements the kitchen. David Flack also designed a cozy nook with a custom leather banquette, a Cassina armchair, a vintage Bonacina side table, and a cowhide, which he describes as a 'crazy little maximalist corner' filled with objects and art. This area, along with the bar, has become a popular spot for guests, fulfilling the homeowners' desire for a space that encourages regular entertaining. The furniture selection combines pieces accumulated by the couple over the years with newly sourced items, including vintage Italian, Danish, and contemporary Australian pieces. These are thoughtfully arranged, particularly under the cathedral ceiling at the rear of the house, overlooking a large fireplace and plunge pool. The main bedroom features walls painted in Porter’s Paints ‘Donkey Grey’ and copper linen curtains. Dulux’s ‘Royal Battle’, a rich Prussian blue, is used in the walk-in wardrobe and to accent the hand-glazed Spanish shower tiles in the ensuite, which David discovered locally. Throughout the renovation, Flack Studio emphasized a methodology of 'testing and sculpting on site' to capture nuances and adapt designs, aiming for a project executed with integrity. The use of varied materials such as American oak timber veneer, polished plaster, steel frames, and Elba stone tiles further contributes to the home's unique character. The project successfully transformed an historic miner's cottage into a vibrant, personalized, and luxurious home that reflects the homeowners' desire for comfort, color, and a distinctive aesthetic. #FlackStudio #MelbourneCottage #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #ColourfulHome #VintageContemporaryMix #CustomDesign #LuxuryHome

Speaker design studio Silence Please has established its first showroom and listening space in a New York City loft, located in Manhattan's Bowery neighborhood. The extensive loft space is designed to function as a multi-purpose environment, featuring a showroom and seating area at the front, with a record shop named Duty Free Records and a tea room situated towards the back. Silence Please specializes in designing and producing high-fidelity, analogue speakers, which are characterized by their array of materials and distinct horns. The studio took the lead in the interior design of this new space, aiming to create an inviting, home-like atmosphere while simultaneously offering an elevated experience for visitors. The design philosophy was to foster a deeper connection to sound and create a unified space for listening and discovery, balancing an approachable, domestic feel with a dreamy, liminal quality. Upon entering the second-floor walk-up, visitors find a large open space with white-painted walls and an exposed ceiling. The front of the space features tripod speakers, along with tables and chairs designed in collaboration with Brooklyn studio Graine Studio, overlooking Bowery Street. Two dark-washed dining tables by Graine Studio are centrally placed on a black rug that extends towards the dedicated listening area. This intimate section is furnished with black leather Togo sofas, a small wooden dining table, a potted tree, and brushed aluminium speakers fitted with bright white horns. Silence Please aimed to present its speakers in a way that evokes the comfort of a large living room. The studio expressed a desire to merge a gallery aesthetic, recognizing the speakers as art, with the soft and intimate ambiance suitable for personal listening. This juxtaposition of gallery and intimate living space is considered a unique aspect of the design. A white dividing wall partitions the listening area, enclosing one side of the Duty Free Records vinyl shop, which is centrally positioned within the floor plan. Two passageways lead into the record shop, which is outfitted with thin display shelves, crates of records, and seating options. Beyond the record shop, the rear of the Silence Please space houses a tea room, furnished with smaller, boxy, geometric furniture pieces also from Graine Studio. A countertop is located to one side, while operational areas are discreetly concealed behind a white curtain, and a workbench is tucked into the furthest corner. The space is further enriched by artwork from various artists, including French abstractionist Frédéric Heurlier Cimolai. The main listening room serves as a platform for artists and the broader New York community, with the overarching goal of balancing sophistication with warmth to encourage engagement and connection among visitors. This initiative follows Silence Please's recent participation in the first New York iteration of the Collectible design fair, and the establishment of the space reflects a growing trend in dedicated listening environments. #InteriorDesign #Showroom #ListeningSpace #NewYorkCity #SpeakerDesign #RetailDesign #TeaRoom #RecordStore #LoftConversion

The article details the renovation of an industrial loft apartment in Vancouver, Canada, for a DJ with a passion for complex, geometric patterns and diverse music tastes. Designers Kelly Reynolds and Chad Falkenberg of Falken Reynolds aimed to create a space that offered both expansive openness, typical of a warehouse loft, and abundant visual stimulation, reflecting the client's eclectic preferences. The loft is situated within a 1909 former supply warehouse, characterized by sand-blasted brick and old-growth timber, and was initially converted for live-work tenants in 2004 by Alda Pereira Design. The renovation built upon the existing framework. For instance, the kitchen's original steel-framed millwork from the 2004 design was retained and enhanced with new shelving and tile to improve functionality and add visual texture. Similarly, the open-concept en-suite bath and shower were rebuilt and finished with bold black and white patterned tiles. The kitchen area now features a steelwood bistro table by Magis, Bensen Stax chairs, and a Vine 3 pendant light from AndLight, providing a casual dining space. The designers selected Hella Jongerius’ Diarama tiles from Mutina for their subtle variations, comprising 14 unique tiles that form the pattern. In the powder room, a deep green wallpaper from Jupiter 10 complements the original Marc Newson-designed sink, creating a striking contrast with the darker walls. Despite these modern updates, the loft's industrial heritage remains evident through elements like the original Douglas Fir ceiling and beams. To balance the wood tones overhead, the designers incorporated a series of area rugs in warmer hues. The aesthetic is further enriched by vibrant artwork and distinctive lighting fixtures, including a dedicated DJ station. Custom furniture pieces, such as a walnut chest of drawers in the bedroom, feature thoughtful details like a blue finger pull that echoes the blue in a Jan Kath Spacecraft 11 rug. A clothing rod made from old-growth fir wood, adorned with brass hangers from Bocci / OAO Works, adds a unique touch. For privacy, a wall separates the main bedroom from the open loft, also serving as shelving and closet space. The bathrooms showcase geometric wall coverings, including a vibrant green and black pattern from Jupiter 10’s Modernist III Collection Salzburg, and a peach wallcovering with repeating white lines from the Modernist III Collection Buenos Aires. A black and white checkerboard wallcovering lines the shower wall, echoing the Diarama Series Dusk Tile by Mutina used in the bath. The living room is anchored by a Jan Kath Artwork 19 rug in warm pinks and oranges. Additional seating from the dining area and reading nooks allows the homeowner to host larger gatherings and film screenings. An existing graffiti-inspired painting in the entry, too large to remove, influenced the color palette for the entire home. A copper 28.19 waterfall pendant light by Bocci illuminates the brick walls in the living room, adding warmth and mirroring the patterns and textures found in the bathrooms. Exposed pipes in the hallway further emphasize the building's industrial character. #IndustrialLoft #VancouverDesign #LoftApartment #FalkenReynolds #InteriorDesign #ResidentialDesign #MusicLover #GeometricPatterns #EclecticDecor