House Tour: Simple single-floor terrace house with a pitched ceiling design

This blog post details the transformation of a ground-floor condominium unit on River Valley Road into a unique living space that evokes the feel of a landed property. The homeowner, a lawyer in her mid-30s, sought a tranquil retreat to de-stress from work and travel. Lim Shing Hui, the principal architect at L Architects, was tasked with the renovation, which spanned 12 weeks for the 1,119 sq ft, two-bedroom unit. Upon initial inspection, Shing Hui identified the apartment's potential, particularly its access to a beautiful patio adorned with trees, plants, and water features. This outdoor connection inspired her to design the living room and bedroom to seamlessly integrate with a garden-like environment, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. A crucial discovery during the renovation was the presence of additional ceiling space above the existing false ceiling. The removal of the false ceiling revealed lofty pitched ceilings, which became a cornerstone of the design strategy, reinforcing the vision of a house-like ambiance within a condominium. The apartment's original state was described as old, dark, cold, and sombre. Shing Hui aimed to redefine the negative perceptions often associated with ground-floor units, particularly in land-scarce Singapore where landed properties are rare and aspirational. The renovation aimed to transform these perceived drawbacks into delightful features reminiscent of a landed home. A key aspect of the design involved maximizing natural light. The original kitchen wall was removed to allow more sunlight to penetrate deeper into the interior, also expanding the dining area. The floor plan was conceptually divided into three distinct zones: the living area, the dining area, and the master bedroom. Each of these zones features its own pitched roof, creating the illusion of separate, smaller houses within the larger apartment. To further enhance this distinct zoning and sense of transition, occupants must cross thresholds marked by granite steps surrounded by river pebbles when moving between areas. This architectural choice is intended to create the feeling of traveling from one "house" to another, contributing to the overall landed property aesthetic. Shing Hui deliberately chose not to introduce a loft, a common approach for high-ceiling apartments, as the homeowner's simple lifestyle and minimal possessions made the existing open floor area sufficient. Instead, the pitched roofs and ceilings were strategically utilized to evoke the archetypal image of a house, which is deeply ingrained in architectural symbolism. The architect's objective was to challenge conventional notions of condominium living and eliminate the stigma associated with ground-floor apartments. The unique "house form" within the apartment often surprises and intrigues visitors, who typically anticipate a standard condominium interior. This design, however, was not merely an arbitrary choice but a contextual response to the site and the client's needs. It aimed to read the spatial requirements of the rooms and infuse visual appeal with deeper meaning, transcending mere interior decoration. The homeowner, who moved into the unit in September 2020, has found that the transformed space has positively impacted her lifestyle, leading her to prefer staying home and hosting friends for meaningful conversations, underscoring the success of the design in creating a comfortable and inviting retreat. #CondominiumDesign #PitchedCeilings #InteriorArchitecture #LandedPropertyFeel #GroundFloorRenovation #NaturalLight #ZonedLiving #Minimalist

Tiny houses have evolved significantly since their emergence in the United States in the 1990s, becoming a global phenomenon with a presence in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea. France has also become a hub for impressive, high-quality tiny house builds that are pushing design boundaries. One such builder, Tiny House Tarentaise, based in La Bâthie, south-eastern France, is contributing to this trend with magnificent living spaces. Their latest project, 'The Dejessi,' showcases a modern, streamlined interior design and features a unique plant-filled living wall in the bathroom. Damien Fugier launched Tiny House Tarentaise in 2019, inspired by his observations of tiny houses during a trip to Canada in 2016. Fugier notes a geo-cultural difference in the adoption of tiny homes, suggesting that North America's larger dimensions and mobile lifestyles made its inhabitants more receptive to these new forms of mobile habitat. However, with innovative designs like The Dejessi, European interest in tiny houses is expected to grow. The Dejessi itself is built on a sturdy 33-foot-long trailer and features a wood-clad exterior, an angled window, and a spacious outdoor deck. The outdoor deck is generously sized, accommodating an L-shaped sectional couch and a table, effectively extending the interior living space. Large sliding patio doors facilitate this connection between the indoor and outdoor environments, allowing occupants to enjoy relaxation outside. The interior kitchen is bright, with cabinetry thoughtfully arranged to maximize floor and overhead space, providing room for personal touches like artwork or additional shelving. An ingenious backlit backsplash illuminates the food preparation area while also serving as a decorative element. A space-saving glass top on the four-burner stovetop provides additional counter space when not in use. From the kitchen, one can view the sliding patio doors and a large refrigerator. The article suggests that replacing the large refrigerator with a mini-fridge under the counter could free up space for indoor seating and a small dining table. Moving past the kitchen, the bedroom is situated on the same level towards the rear, eliminating the need for stairs or ladders. The bedroom is well-appointed with two small skylights for natural light and stargazing, and features a sizable closet accessed by a sliding wooden door. Recessed lights highlight the ledge above the closet, adding to the aesthetic appeal. The bathroom, located between the kitchen and the bedroom, is a standout feature, designed to evoke an "Amazonian rainforest" ambiance. The walls are covered with plants, arranged by artisan florist JULALIE, specifically selecting moisture-loving plants that thrive in the bathroom's humidity. This biophilic design concept holds significant potential for integrating nature into small living spaces. Tiny House Tarentaise offers turnkey models like the Dejessi, which include exterior and interior finishes and furnishings, starting at $48,700. This stylish tiny house represents a promising beginning for the emerging company, showcasing their commitment to innovative design and quality craftsmanship. #TinyHouse #SustainableLiving #EcoDesign #BiophilicDesign #InteriorDesign #CompactLiving #FrenchDesign #GreenLiving #ModernArchitecture

Leah Taylor, an interior designer, stylist, and the proprietor of the homewares store The Minimalist, resides with her husband, Darius, and their cat, Asher, in a four-storey, one-bedroom Sydney terrace. The ground floor of this building houses Leah’s retail store, while a separate entrance leads to their living quarters on the upper floors. Their home, located in the iconic Porter’s Paints building in Surry Hills, underwent a nine-month cosmetic makeover, costing approximately $20,000, which covered updates to the kitchen, balcony, and rooftop, as well as interior refreshing. Upon moving in four years ago, the couple found the interior, balcony, and rooftop in need of renovation despite the building's eye-catching exterior. The original kitchen featured white open shelves and cupboards with a 'timber look' laminate, and walls painted in a dark charcoal with a bright red accent. The primary goal of their renovation was to simplify and streamline the kitchen, transforming it into a monochromatic space. This was achieved by installing matte black cabinetry and new handles, and by painting the surrounding walls a light grey. These changes significantly altered the ambiance of the space, creating a more cohesive and modern look. The kitchen is equipped with a commercial-grade oven and cooktop, complemented by a three-meter-long custom-made dining table from Cafe Culture + Insitu, ideal for entertaining. Leah selected three Mud Australia pendant lights to hang above the dining area, contributing to a sense of visual repetition. She particularly appreciates the open layout of the space and the subway tiles with black grout, which she personally updated from white using a black grout pen. While the overall scheme of the home is monochromatic, Leah successfully introduced warmth and texture through timber floors and textured brick walls, preventing the space from feeling clinical. Additionally, sheer linen curtains added another layer of texture, and a pale grey paint color in the combined kitchen and living area further unified the minimalist interior. A significant part of the renovation involved completely stripping down and revitalizing the rooftop garden. The couple retained the existing wood-fired pizza oven and added a bar next to it for convenience, along with outdoor lighting and a sound system. The rooftop was designed to be an ideal entertainment area, frequently used for New Year’s Eve parties, birthdays, Halloween gatherings, and casual summer evening drinks. Consistent with the home's interior palette, the rooftop features shades of grey, black, and white, with vibrant greenery providing natural accents. Leah describes her personal style as valuing simplicity and texture, preferring a few strong key pieces over clutter. She finds white to be a calming and serene color, aligning with her desire for a peaceful home environment amidst a busy life. Her approach ensures the home is filled only with cherished items. Reflecting on the renovation process, Leah noted the importance of patience and thorough research to avoid costly mistakes. The transformation of the rooftop area was a particularly pleasant surprise, as it was previously underutilized and its full potential was realized through their efforts. The only aspect she would change is to install a completely new kitchen with deeper cabinets and more drawers, indicating a desire for more extensive functional improvements in that area. #HomeTour #InteriorDesign #MinimalistStyle #HomeRenovation #RooftopGarden #KitchenMakeover #MonochromaticScheme #SydneyHome #Homewares

The article explores the interior design and overall concept of the Japanese reality show “Terrace House,” which has gained significant global popularity through Netflix. It differentiates the show from typical Western reality TV, characterizing it as wholesome yet nuanced, with unscripted drama and a slow build. The premise involves six housemates (three men and three women) living together in a titular 'Terrace House' while continuing their daily lives, jobs, and social activities, often seeking romantic relationships and forming friendships. A panel of commentators periodically provides humorous interjections throughout each episode. A key focus of the article is the house itself, which is presented as a central element of the show's appeal. The three seasons available on Netflix are set in different locations: Tokyo, Honolulu, and Karuizawa. The current season, "Terrace House: Opening New Doors," features a large, cabin-like house in Karuizawa. The author contacted the show's production team, including Hiroaki Takasuna Takapuna of Takapuna Design Office and Shunsuke Okutani of Nouvelle Vague Co., Ltd., to understand the design philosophy behind this particular setting. The designers explain that the house is intended to be aspirational, offering a living space that is slightly beyond what young adults might typically achieve. The interior design of the Karuizawa house incorporates rustic elements, such as natural wood and sheepskin, blended with mid-century and contemporary furniture. Features include a spacious kitchen for communal cooking, a large living area with comfortable seating, well-organized bedrooms, and an onsen-style bathroom. The design aims to create an atmosphere distinct from everyday life, promoting a sense of well-being. The bedrooms are designed to be toned-down, providing a neutral canvas for the housemates' personalities. Men's and women's rooms have distinct styles; the women's room features more natural light and common seating, while the men's room has a cabin-like feel with wood paneling. The design also considers the practicalities of filming, aiming to facilitate camera angles that capture housemates' interactions and movements. A dedicated playroom, characterized by a large green sofa, is intentionally designed as a private space for intimate conversations, emotional exchanges, and relaxation, with low, indirect lighting contributing to a warm ambiance. Finally, the house's design in Karuizawa emphasizes its natural surroundings. The rural setting, with its changing seasons, influences the housemates' activities, such as snowboarding and visiting local attractions. The design team intentionally integrated the natural environment into the house's aesthetic, noting how elements like wood, keys, greenery, snow, and light on the wooden deck are charmingly captured on camera. As the show progresses, the opening sequences reflect both the changing house members and the seasonal transformations of the landscape, highlighting the house's role as a comforting and dynamic space for new experiences and evolving relationships. #TerraceHouse #JapaneseRealityTV #InteriorDesign #CoLiving #Karuizawa #NetflixShow #HomeAesthetics #RoomDesign #RealityTV

The article showcases a single-story cottage house plan, SL-2054, known as "The Loudon," designed by Bridgewater. This particular house plan has gained recognition through Allen Patterson Builders, members of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program, who have constructed several variations of it in Habersham, a Southern Living-inspired community in Beaufort, South Carolina. The Loudon was initially featured as the 2020 Southern Living Showcase Home, with interior design handled by K.Lo Style & Design. Its appeal extends beyond the Lowcountry, suggesting its versatility and charm are suitable for various locations. Key features of The Loudon include its three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom layout, spanning 2,279 square feet. The design emphasizes an open-concept living area, integrating the living room, dining room, and kitchen, thereby fostering a spacious and connected feel. The kitchen is designed with functionality and aesthetic appeal in mind, boasting a large island and ample counter space, which includes a hidden walk-in pantry. This pantry, concealed behind a cabinet door, is a practical addition that maintains the kitchen's streamlined appearance. Further enhancing the home's functionality and aesthetic are elements such as a small office nook strategically placed near the living area, offering a dedicated workspace without disrupting the main living spaces. The house features a generously sized laundry room, accessible through a pocket door, with sufficient space for everyday tasks and additional storage. The master suite is a private retreat, located off the main living area, ensuring privacy and tranquility. It includes a spacious bedroom and a well-appointed master bathroom with a large walk-in closet. The exterior of The Loudon house plan is notable for its welcoming curb appeal, characterized by a large front porch and classic architectural details. The design is intended to blend seamlessly with various architectural styles, contributing to its broad appeal. Additional outdoor living spaces are integrated into the design, including a screened-in back porch that provides an ideal setting for relaxation and entertaining. This design aspect enhances the connection between indoor and outdoor living. Overall, The Loudon house plan is presented as a well-rounded and charming option for those seeking a single-story home. Its thoughtful design combines traditional aesthetics with modern functionality, offering practical and inviting living spaces suitable for a comfortable lifestyle. The plan's adaptability to different environments and its inclusion of desirable features like an open-concept layout, a well-equipped kitchen, a private master suite, and inviting outdoor areas make it a notable offering in residential architecture. #HousePlan #SouthernLiving #HomeDesign #SingleStoryHome #ArchitecturalDesign #CharlestonStyle #ResidentialArchitecture #AllenPattersonBuilders