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      Ten living spaces with glossy surfaces that create depth and dimension

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      Mosaic tiles, red-lacquered wood panelling and sleek resin floors feature in this lookbook of 10 living spaces proving that high-shine surfaces don’t need to feel clinical.

      Glossy finishes – whether in the form of reflective paint, stone or simple sheet metal – can help to add polish and contrast to living rooms, which are traditionally heavy in plush textiles and upholstery.
      In particular, they shine in dark, compact spaces where they can mirror the light to make the room feel brighter and more expansive.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing residential swimming pools, steely kitchens and bookshelf staircases.
      Photo is by Michael SinclairHelios 710 apartment, UK, by Bella Freud and Maria Speake

      British fashion designer Bella Freud and Maria Speake of reclaimed furniture studio Retrouvius worked together to create the interiors for this two-floor London apartment, which is set in the former BBC Television Centre.
      In a nod to the building’s history, the duo worked to incorporate the “bold colour, eclecticism and glamour” of the 1970s, pairing glossy black sofas with burnt orange seat cushions, emerald green carpet and hessian-covered walls.
      Find out more about Helios 710 apartment ›
      Photo is by Robert RiegerThe Village apartment, Germany, by Gisbert Pöppler
      Living spaces in this renovated Berlin apartment by local interiors studio Gisbert Pöppler are demarcated by different surface materials.
      The entryway is panelled in red-lacquered wood, a geometric limestone relief wall distinguishes the kitchen and reflective stainless steel panels are fitted to the living room ceiling to make the room appear taller.
      Find out more about The Village ›
      Photography is by Simone BossiThe Whale, France by Clément Lesnoff-Rocard
      Architect Clément Lesnoff-Rocard aimed to create a modern take on art deco inside this apartment in a period building in Paris’s 16th arrondissement.
      This is reflected in the brass-fronted storage cabinets, columns clad in baby-blue marble and mirrored doors leading through to the sleeping quarters.
      Find out more about The Whale ›
      Photo is by Joshua McHughSleepy Hollow Residence, USA, by Lexi Tallisman
      Glossy paint was used to cover the walls and ceilings in this cosy snug in a renovated 1990s home in New York’s Hudson River Valley to create a feeling of spaciousness despite the tight floorplan.
      American designer Lexi Tallisman complemented the deep army green of the walls with an equally decadent material palette, introducing a brass-and-oak shelving unit, a blue velvet sofa by designer Steven Gambrel and a vintage chair reupholstered in creamy white leather.
      Find out more about Sleepy Hollow Residence ›
      Photo is by Giorgio PossentiCasa Mille apartment, Italy, by Fabio Fantolino
      Italian architect Fabio Fantolino only preserved a few original features when converting parts of this 19th-century palazzo into his own home in Turin.
      Instead, Fantolino used colour and texture to add character to the rooms as evidenced in this dining area, where polished concrete floors are paired with a lacquered cherry-red tabletop and a gridded partition made of smokey-grey and petrol-green glass.
      Find out more about Casa Mille ›
      Photo is by Ricardo LoureiroApartment on a Mint Floor, Portugal, by Fala Atelier
      Mint-green epoxy resin – so glassy it looks permanently wet – covers all of the floors including the terrace of this Porto apartment, designed by local practice Fala Atelier.
      “The goal was to unify all the spaces of the project, inside and outside, somehow compensating for the overall complexity of the plan,” the studio’s co-founder Filipe Magalhães told Dezeen.
      Find out more about Apartment on a Mint Floor ›
      Photo is by Pion StudioPuro hotel Kraków, Poland, by Paradowski Studio
      Polish practice Paradowski Studio proved that tiles don’t need to be constrained to the kitchen or bathroom in its design for the lounge of the Puro hotel in Kraków’s Old Town.
      Informed by the modernist murals of the 1970s, the studio commissioned local artist Tomasz Opaliński to create an intricate mosaic of lacquered tiles for the space, which is paired with soft furnishings and patterned rugs.
      Find out more about Puro hotel Kraków ›
      Photo is by José HeviaCasa A12, Spain, by Lucas y Hernández-Gil
      Shiny silver curtains and corrugated metal wall panels help to amplify the sparse natural light that filters into this duplex basement apartment in Madrid, envisioned by local design duo Lucas y Hernández-Gil.
      The studio also created a fake courtyard at the centre of the flat, complete with artificial skylights, orange grass and tall leafy plants to foster a connection to nature despite the building’s deep floorplan.
      Find out more about Casa A12 ›
      Photo is by Ishita SitwalaMumbai apartment, India, by The Act of Quad
      Polished marble floors provide a tactile contrast to the muted furnishings in this communal living room, designed by Indian duo The Act of Quad for a three-generational family in Mumbai.
      The studio added playful design elements such as spherical sculptures and undulating columns to break up the minimalist architecture of the home, which was formed by combining two flats in a suburban high-rise.
      Find out more about this Mumbai apartment ›
      Photo is by Prue RuscoeBudge Over Dover, Australia, by YSG
      Glossy travertine floors, a forest-green velvet rug and a dropped ceiling finished in reflective aubergine-coloured plaster create an “interplay of polished and raw finishes” inside this home, which Australian practice YSG has renovated in Sydney.
      This helps to create distinct zones within the otherwise open-plan interior, created by knocking down the majority of the home’s existing rabbit warren of partition walls.
      Find out more about Budge Over Dover ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing residential swimming pools, steely kitchens and bookshelf staircases.

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      Konishi Gaffney converts 1950s garage into artist's studio with a sense of “civic grandeur”

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      Architecture studio Konishi Gaffney has overhauled a 1950s garage in an affluent Edinburgh suburb, adding a rhythmic facade made up of wooden battens.

      The Scottish studio was challenged with turning the existing concrete garage into a functional artist’s studio, while being sensitive to the existing Georgian property in The Grange.
      The converted garage sits beside the original stone Georgian houseKonishi Gaffney devised a scheme that involved filling in the existing garage door, raising the structure’s roof to match the height of the house’s ground floor and incorporating the property’s side gate into the facade.
      These changes unified the structure’s appearance from the road creating a sense of contemporary “civic grandeur”, as well as facilitating secure side access to the back garden.
      The grid of battens frame a window and conceal a side gate”As a practice we’ve been exploring ways of expressing the structure of cladding in projects,” said Konishi Gaffney.

      “We started by setting up the vertical timber battens and horizontal cladding in a rhythm of fins across the facade.”
      Windows and skylights allow plenty of natural light to enter the studioTimber was selected for its affordability, sustainability and its capacity to weather appealingly.
      The battens were carefully orientated to allow water to drain off them and prevent water from pooling, as well as to catch light and form interesting shadows across the facade.

      Konishi Gaffney repurposes church into versatile community hub

      The existing structure was insulated and the walls and ceiling punctuated by two aluminium clad windows and a skylight, providing the studio space with ample natural light for the artist to work in during all seasons.
      The creative function of the structure’s interior is referenced in the facade, which was intended to read “like a musical score,” and “continue beyond, separated from the house, like a stage-front.” according to the architects.
      Wooden elements feature in the studio’s interior as well as on its exteriorThe wooden composition of the frontage continues on into the garage’s interior, which has a ceiling clad in dark stained wood with protruding beams.
      Other garage-related projects featured on Dezeen include an orange-painted timber-framed garage extension by McCloy + Muchemwa and a garage in Amsterdam that was transformed into a family home by Barde + VanVoltt.
      The photography is by ZAC and ZAC.
      Project credits:
      Architect: Konishi Gaffney ArchitectsStructural engineer: EntuitiveJoiner: Andrew MacdonaldCladding supplier: RusswoodWindows: VelfacPhotographer: ZAC and ZAC

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      Part Office transforms Venice Beach condos into “calm” live-work units

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      Los Angeles design studio Part Office has renovated two condominiums on the California coast, as part of a wider conversion of buildings into hybrid residential and office spaces.

      Sited directly on the Venice Beach boardwalk, the Venice Lofts occupy a pair of buildings that are undergoing updates to create a 44,000-square-foot (4,088-square-metre) complex of 12 live-work units.
      Part Office used a minimal material and colour palette to transform the condos into live-work unitsPhase one of the project involved the completion of two units, as well as exterior common areas, hardscaping and landscaping in collaboration with LA studio Cactus Store.
      Finished without specific tenants, the spaces were designed to be neutral and flexible, with a restrained material palette of oak, concrete, steel and tile used throughout.
      Double-height spaces were kept open and sparsely furnished”In contrast to similar programs, where trends within start-up culture favour bold and irreverent design gestures detached from their specific users or locations, our intent was to create a calm environment that reflected a nostalgic coastal experience,” said Part Office.

      Code and structural requirements meant that the building envelopes were preserved, and that units need to have an equal division of “live” and “work” spaces.
      Accordion doors allow spaces to be separated or joined as requiredDue to the shift in office culture during the pandemic, the team chose to lend the units a less formal and more residential atmosphere. Although layouts of some units vary slightly, all are organised in a similar way.
      Lower floors are designated primarily for residential use, with necessities like kitchens and bathrooms, while other adjustable spaces are separated by rows of accordion doors.
      Concealed doors under the stairs open to provide storage spaceOpen double-height areas function as living spaces but can also be used as more casual work environments, and are sparsely populated with modular pieces crafted by LA-based Michael O’Connell Furniture.
      Open workspaces can be found upstairs, furnished with custom desks that feature angular steel bases and lime-washed ash tops. Each unit also comes with its own roof deck.

      David Saik gives Emeco a cactus-filled Californian brand home

      Grooved oak panelling used across walls and concealed doors was also lime-washed “to create a more beach weathered appearance”, and guardrails were installed with a very fine mesh “to appear like window screens overlooking the beach”.
      “Attention was placed on the detail, finish, and interaction of each material in order to elevate their appearance,” said Part Office.
      Workspaces upstairs are furnished with custom desksOn the exterior, orange glazed tiles by ceramic artist Sofia Londono were added to breezeways to demarcate unit entries, and the planting evokes windswept coastal environments.
      Venice Beach, which is known for its bohemian and creative spirit, is a popular place for small businesses like design studios and architecture firms to operate from.
      Orange glazed tiles and coastal planting were used to enliven the exterior spacesFurniture company Emeco recently opened a cactus-filled brand space in a converted an old sewing factory in the neighbourhood.
      The photography is by Taiyo Watanabe and Gustav Liliequist.
      Project credits:
      Design: Part OfficeTeam: Jeff Kaplon, Kristin Korven, Israel CejaArchitect of record: Klawiter and AssociatesContractor: Barling ConstructionLandscape: Cactus StoreFurniture: Michael O’Connell Furniture

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      Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos creates alfresco feeling inside Mexico City skyscraper restaurant

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      Expansive triple-height windows and fully grown trees feature in this eatery at the top of a Mexico City skyscraper, designed by local firm Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos to create the impression of dining in a traditional Mexican courtyard.

      Called Ling Ling, the Asian fusion restaurant is located on the 56th floor of the Chapultepec Uno skyscraper on Paseo de la Reforma avenue and offers nearly 360-degree views of the city.
      Ling Ling is a skyscraper restaurant by Sordo Madaleno ArquitectosArchitecture firm Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos was asked to revamp the 1,000-square-metre interior to create the sensation of dining in one of the grand courtyards and terraces that are typical of Mexican architecture.
      The firm said it took a formal approach to the design process, using structural elements and construction methods to help blur the boundary between architecture and interior design.
      Greenery was incorporated throughout the interiorAt the heart of Ling Ling is a glazed triple-height space dubbed the “terrace”, which is covered by a portico-style structure.

      Here, planters filled with mature trees sit among the tables while climbing plants wrap around columns and hang from the portico structure overhead.
      The inner salon and dining room feature lowered ceilingsCeilings were brought down to human scale for the inner salon and the dining room, which are enclosed within vaulted timber structures.
      Highlighted by gentle illumination, these more intimate, cavernous spaces are fitted with purpose-built furniture.

      Space Copenhagen designs Esmée restaurant as “urban orangery”

      The design team selected a palette of vegetal hues for Ling Ling’s interior to complement the exuberant greenery installed throughout the space.
      Other plant-laden restaurant interiors featured on Dezeen include an “urban orangery” designed by Space Copenhagen that resembles a cross between a brasserie and a courtyard.
      Ling Ling has views across the cityElsewhere in Mexico City, architecture studio Taller ADG has created a dining area with a vaulted ceiling to echo old Italian trattorias.
      The photography is by LGM Studio.

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      Dezeen Agenda newsletter features the Dezeen Awards 2022 longlists

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      The latest edition of our weekly Dezeen Agenda newsletter features the longlists for this year’s Dezeen Awards. Subscribe to Dezeen Agenda now!

      This week, Dezeen revealed the longlists for Dezeen Awards 2022, which feature over 1,000 of the world’s best projects and practitioners across more than 40 categories.
      The architecture longlist highlights the best recently completed buildings from around the globe, designed by studios from 48 different countries including Peru, New Zealand, Germany, Mexico, Belgium and Japan.
      Grimshaw’s Victorian Tunnelling Centre (above) and LUO Studio’s Timber Bridge in Gulou Waterfront (above) feature in the Dezeen Awards 2022 architecture longlistDezeen also revealed this year’s studio longlist, as well as dedicated longlists for design, interiors, sustainability and media.
      Other stories in the latest newsletter include a roundup of seven innovative projects by Japanese designer Issey Miyake following the news of his death last week and an interview with the developer behind Saudi Arabia’s controversial megacity The Line, who says the development will “revolutionise our current way of life”.

      Dezeen Agenda
      Dezeen Agenda is a curated newsletter sent every Tuesday containing the most important news highlights from Dezeen. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Agenda or subscribe here.
      You can also subscribe to Dezeen Debate, which is sent every Thursday and contains a curated selection of highlights from the week, as well as Dezeen Daily, our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours on Dezeen.

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      Norm Architects creates inside-out greenhouse restaurant in a Swedish meadow

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      Danish studio Norm Architects has completed Äng, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Sweden that features a glasshouse entrance and a subterranean wine cellar.

      The restaurant is located in the middle of a meadow in Ästad Vingård – one of Sweden’s largest vineyards.
      Norm Architects has added the Äng restaurant to a Swedish vineyardThe main component of the restaurant is a minimal glass building supported by a steel structure. Its design resembles an inside-out greenhouse, with the steel structure on the inside and a smooth exterior that reflects its meadow surroundings.
      Accessed via a stone pathway that winds through the grasses and crops, guests enter Äng through a glass door, where the stone flooring continues inside.
      The restaurant has a steel structure surrounded by glass panelsThe entrance takes guests past an open kitchen with a stone counter and bespoke artworks of organic forms.

      Inside, the glass building is designed to give diners the feeling that they are sitting in the middle of the field with nothing but clear skies overhead.
      “With inspiration found in both the unspoiled Nordic nature surrounding the premises of Äng and Japanese sensibilities in design aesthetics and craftsmanship, the interior provides a holistic, sensory experience,” said Frederik Werner, partner at Norm Architects.
      A stone counter and oak furniture features in the open dining spaceThe interiors are furnished with oak furniture by Japanese brand Karimoku, for which Werner is the creative director, and wood and stone sculptures made by Norwegian artist Anders Pfeffer Gjengedal .
      The furniture include the Äng lounge table, which was designed exclusively for the restaurant and constructed from solid oak.
      Other bespoke pieces include an oak serving tray by Keiji Ashizawa and a solid wood trolley inspired by the umbrella and shoe racks by the entrance of Japanese temples.
      Solid oak furniture by Karimoku fills the spaceA range of tableware designed to complement the restaurant’s atmosphere was created in collaboration with Sweden-based design studio Bonni Bonne.
      The collection of plates and bowls are made from green wood, an ancient woodworking method that creates natural silhouettes and raw textures.
      A grey cube-shaped volume is surrounded by further seatingArtworks by Danish designer Sara Martinsen made from materials found in the forest are also displayed.
      Norm Architects said its aim was to carefully balance every element of the design from architecture to design, lighting, taste, smell, and sound.

      Blue Bottle Coffee cafe in Yokohama spotlights natural materials

      “The fundamental ambition behind the Michelin-starred Restaurang Äng is in many ways in line with Norm Architects’ design philosophy of striking a delicate balance between all the sensory experiences that make up a space to create a harmonious setting, where all elements support one another,” explained Norm Architects partner Peter Eland.
      A series of stone sculptures from a quarry in Växjö, Sweden, reference the Japanese Karesansui gardens of raked sand and stone. These dry landscape gardens celebrate yohaku-no-bi, meaning the beauty of blank space.
      Stone sculptures from a Växjö quarry sit in the spaceThe interior also features discrete acoustic walls. Constructed from canvas, the studio specified the panels be made in a shade reminiscent of the jute sacks that are used to store grain.
      Bespoke cabinetry is filled with sculptures and ceramics by Viki Weiland and Ulla Bang, both artists who work with curved, simple forms.

      Ceramic pieces are on display in the restaurantAs well as the main restaurant spaces, Äng also has a hidden elevator that transports guests underground to a catacomb-like wine cellar with a dark lounge setting in its centre.
      “With the changing of light, we play on the phenomenon of chiaroscuro; a technique from visual arts used to represent light and shadow as they define objects in order to achieve a sense of volume,” said Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, architect and founding partner at Norm Architects.
      “When stepping into the shadows, the vision weakens while the remaining senses intensify. One automatically pays more attention to sounds, smells, tastes and touch and even the intuition and instinct are strengthened.”
      The cave-like wine cellar was inspired by the visual arts technique chiaroscuroTo emphasize the transitions from one atmosphere to another, the floor tiles in the wine cellar recall a brick floor to enhance the cave-like feel, while the main dining room has a wooden floor.
      Founded in 2008, Norm Architects says its work builds on the traditions of Scandinavian design. Other recent projects by the Danish studio include a spa-like dental clinic modelled on art galleries, and a Swedish forest retreat “designed for a simple life”.
      The photography is by Jonas Bjerre Poulson.

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      Mutuus Studio designs inclusive Supernova nightclub in Seattle

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      A giant disco ball holds the DJ booth at this nightclub in Seattle, designed by local firm Mutuus Studio to be a “safe and welcoming environment for women, BIPOC, and all members of the LGBTQIA+ community”.

      Supernova was established by DJ Zac Levine with Mutuus Studio, GMD Custom and several artists as an inclusive art and entertainment space.
      The Supernova nightclub is centred around a DJ booth inside a hemispherical disco ballThe nightclub occupies a 6,500-square-foot (604-square-metre) timber warehouse building built in 1937 in Seattle’s SoDo neighbourhood, which was transformed by the team into a two-floor venue.
      “Supernova’s guiding principle was to create a safe and welcoming environment for women, BIPOC, and all members of the LGBTQIA+ community as employees, patrons, and entertainers,” said Mutuus Studio. “Catering to diverse audiences, and self-expression, Supernova welcomes everyone to enjoy a night of dancing, music, and art.”
      The club occupies a former warehouse in Seattle’s SoDo neighbourhoodPatrons enter past graffitied walls and a neon-lit hall of mirrors onto a mezzanine on the upper level, which overlooks the main dance floor below.

      The DJ booth is housed within a huge disco ball, covered in small mirrored tiles and measuring eight feet (2.4 metres) in diameter.
      Rows of disco balls scatter light across the VIP areaThe hemispherical booth sits in the centre of a 30-foot-long (9.1-metre) stage, used by entertainers for performances of all kinds.
      These are accompanied by lighting arranged in diamond patterns behind the booth and other audiovisual equipment suspended from the roof.
      The venue is entered via a hall of mirrors illuminated with neonsA variety of installations can be found throughout the club’s many smaller spaces.
      A VIP area is demarcated by classic red velvet ropes and golden stanchions, beneath a ceiling of more disco balls that scatter light fractals across the dark space below the mezzanine.

      Mutuus Studio converts industrial artefact into Acid Ball installation in Washington park

      In another lounge area, fluorescent panels cut into wavy shapes frame sofas and a pink neon mounted on the back wall.
      Some of the panels swoop down from the ceiling to create additional seating, while the first spans the room’s full height and is punctured by an amorphous shape that forms the doorway.
      Spaces within the club include a lounge framed with wavy fluorescent panelsDrinks are served from a metallic bar, as well as through the front of a vintage Volkswagen van – its windscreen missing but headlights still functioning.
      Supernova currently hosts weekly events, including house music and disco-themed parties on Fridays and Saturdays.
      A vintage Volkswagen van forms a barThe project was completed in July 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when many nightlife venues were hit hard by lockdowns and restrictions.
      In response, creative studio Production Club designed a personal protective suit for clubbing in the time of social distancing, which includes features for phone integration and beverage and vape consumption
      The space is filled with a variety of sculptures and installationsBased in Seattle, Mutuus Studio has completed a wide range of projects in the Pacific Northwest – from designing a cosy farm-to-table restaurant, to turning a large, steel sphere into an installation in a waterfront park.
      The photography is by James Gerde, unless stated otherwise.
      Project credits:
      Mutuus Studio design team: Kristen Becker, Saul Becker, Jim Friesz, Jorge Gomez

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      Ten steely kitchens that use metal as their primary material

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      A black steel island fitted between original cast-iron columns, a gleaming stainless-steel kitchen and one with reclaimed metal cabinetry are among the kitchen interiors featured in our latest lookbook.

      Metal kitchens can make for a stylish addition to a residential interior, often lending the heart of the home an industrial and restaurant-style look.
      These types of kitchens are said to have risen to popularity during the 1950s, after the steel factories that were formerly used to manufacture weapons pivoted to produce domestic goods.
      Though they went out of favour in the 1960s, by the turn of the millennium sleek, stainless steel kitchens were popularised in residential homes as the result of a futuristic, technology-driven outlook.
      They have since come to represent a modern kitchen look. Here, Dezeen has spotlighted ten homes that make use of metal in residential kitchens in different ways.

      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing relaxing hammocks, white bathrooms and minimalist interiors with natural palettes.
      Photo is by Ioana MarinescuFrame House, UK, by Jonathan Tuckey Design
      British studio Jonathan Tuckey Design renovated this Grade-II listed building in west London, creating a two-storey home that features open-plan living solutions and skeletal partitions.
      Its kitchen, which was positioned behind an intentionally incomplete wall, was clad in stainless steel to provide the home with a cool metallic distinction against the exposed brick walls and plywood carpentry that surround it.
      Find out more about Frame House ›
      Photo is by Ralph FeinerFarmhouse, Switzerland by Baumhauer
      Set within a vaulted room in a traditional barn house in the Swiss hamlet of Florins, architecture studio Baumhauer used clean lines and modern finishes to juxtapose against the home’s farmhouse look.
      An L-shaped kitchen, comprised of two stainless steel counters and rows of cabinetry, was placed beneath the curving ceiling. The metal countertop has a seamless look and features a built-in sink and electric hob, with appliances incorporated within the steel cupboards below.
      Find out more about the farmhouse ›
      Photo is by Nieve, Productora AudiovisualCasa Roc, Spain, by Nook Architects
      Fitted along the edge of an open-plan living and dining room, a glossy metal-lined kitchen adds a modern look to the interior of this Barcelona apartment, which was renovated by Spanish studio Nook Architects.
      The renovation saw the studio maintain the Gothic Quarter apartment’s original mosaic floors and wooden beams while applying shades of grey and white across the walls and ceiling.
      Find out more about Casa Roc ›
      Photo is by Salva LópezBarcelona apartment, Spain, by Isabel López Vilalta
      Several partition walls were removed in architecture and interior design studio Isabel López Vilalta’s overhaul of this penthouse apartment in Barcelona’s Sarrià-Sant Gervasi.
      Afterward, the studio fitted a black iron island that anchored the kitchen, and its appliances, within the now open-plan kitchen, dining and living area.
      “Life in the kitchen was very important to the family, they felt more comfortable in a lively, gathering space than in a strictly traditional and functional kitchen,” said Vilalta.
      Find out more about Barcelona apartment ›
      Photo is by Paul WarcholThe Photographer’s Loft, US, by Desai Chia Architecture
      Aptly named The Photographer’s Loft, this minimal loft apartment in New York was renovated by US studio Desai Chia Architecture for a photographer local to the city. It occupies a 5,000-square-foot former industrial space and is complete with cast iron columns that line the interior.
      Within the home’s main living space, the studio fitted a long black steel kitchen island that runs parallel to a stark white row of kitchen cabinetry and also a dining table.
      The island’s dark steel construction ties to the apartment’s existing iron columns, creating the impression that it existed alongside its original industrial features.
      Find out more about The Photographer’s Loft ›
      Photo is by Justin Clemons and Robert TsaiCCR1 Residence, US, by Wernerfield
      With a material palette consisting of concrete, steel, teak and glass, this kitchen has a stainless-steel finish that covers its worktops, appliances and below- and overhead cabinetry.
      The kitchen has a U-shaped design that backs onto its living and dining area, creating a social yet practical space. The home was designed by Dallas studio Wernerfield and occupies a lakefront setting in a rural location 60 miles southeast of Dallas.
      Find out more about CCR1 Residence ›
      Photo is by Claudia Muñoz KarigCasa Ocal, Ecuador, by Jorge Ramón Giacometti Taller de Arquitectura
      Reclaimed metal was used across the kitchen of this home designed by architecture studio Jorge Ramón Giacometti Taller de Arquitectura in northern Ecuador.
      The textural weathered material was used across its cupboards, countertops and splashback and contrasts against the home’s light timber walls. Positioned above the single row of cabinets, and with a sink at its middle, a rectangular window provides views across the hilly surroundings.
      Find out more about Casa Ocal ›

      House in Tokushima, Japan, by FujiwaraMuro Architects
      Fitted in a home in Tokushima, a city on the Japanese island of Shikoku, a metallic kitchen flanks a living and dining room between its split-level living arrangement.
      Designed by Japanese studio FujiwaraMuro Architects, the kitchen comprises an open-plan design, with its countertops and sink looking out to an adjoining breakfast bar that lines the border of the home’s dining room.
      Find out more about House in Tokushima ›
      Photo is by French+TyeEast Dulwich house extension, UK, by Alexander Owen Architecture
      London studio Alexander Owen Architecture added a marble-clad extension to this Victorian mid-terrace in East Dulwich, London, which houses a kitchen fitted with poured concrete floors, shot-blaster pewter brick walls, a timber ceiling and a stainless steel kitchen.
      The L-shaped kitchen stretches the width of the home and extends across the adjoining length of the extensions pewter brick walls. Stainless steel clads the tops of the kitchen’s worksurfaces and the sides of an island placed at the centre of the space.
      Find out more about East Dulwich house extension ›
      Photo is by Anton GorlenkoShakespeare Tower apartment, UK, by Takero Shimazaki Architects
      Metal countertops top wooden cabinetry at this Japanese-style apartment located within London’s Barbican Estate by London-based studio Takero Shimazaki Architects.
      The apartment comprises a primarily wooden interior that is complemented with cooler materials, such as glossy-black subway tiles organised across the floors of the kitchen, steel worksurfaces and appliances that run parallel in the galley-style space. An exposed concrete ceiling provides a finishing touch.
      Find out more about Shakespeare Tower apartment ›
      This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing relaxing hammocks, white bathrooms and minimalist interiors with natural palettes.

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