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      Ten living spaces that are punctuated by saturated primary colours

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      Our latest lookbook compiles residential living rooms that have been given an air of playfulness through their use of the three primary colours.

      In design, the primary colours are yellow, blue and red. They usually appear in this context as strong cobalt blues, vivid sunshine yellows and intense fire-engine reds.
      This trio of colours is prevalent throughout design history and can be seen in paintings by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian and suspended mobiles by American sculptor Alexander Calder.
      They are often used when designing products for children due to the visually stimulating nature of their bright, dense hues.
      In interior design, they have a similarly invigorating effect, whether applied directly to structural elements such as walls and columns or found in soft furnishings and accessories.

      They primary colours help to bring energy into living areas both when used in isolation and when appearing in tandem with one another.
      This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring four-poster beds, split-level living areas and colourful bathrooms.
      Photo by Paolo FuscoRetroscena apartment, Italy, by La Macchina Studio
      Vibrant pops of blue, yellow and red are set against a neutral backdrop of white walls and terrazzo stone floors in the living room of this mid-century one-bedroom apartment in Rome.
      The space represents the distilled interior scheme devised by Italian architecture practice La Macchina Studio that characterises the apartment, which is also home to floor-to-ceiling citrus-toned curtains and bright blue doorways.
      Find out more about Retroscena ›
      Photo by José HeviaHouse in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Spain, by Arquitectura-G
      A monochromatic red colour scheme dominates both the exterior and interior of this rural house near Barcelona designed by Spanish design studio Arquitectura-G.
      The split-level living space features a rhythm of striking red-painted columns and ceiling-height cupboard doors combined with rosy clay tiles.
      Find out more about House in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor ›
      Photo by Will PryceRed House, UK, by David Kohn Architects
      Red House in Dorset, England, was given its name by David Kohn Architects in reference to its red brick facade, however, splashes of the colour also appear throughout its eclectic interior.
      Primary coloured furnishings – including a blue rug and footstool, red wall hanging and yellow upholstered armchair – are dotted around the living space, offset by white-painted cinderblock walls and warm wooden accents.
      Find out more about Red House ›
      Photo by The Fishy ProjectOut of the Blue, India, by The Act of Quad
      Renovated by Mumbai-based studio The Act of Quad, this apartment in the Indian city of Thane is defined by its consistent use of cobalt blue in an otherwise neutral interior.
      Soothing splashes of the colour appear in pieces of bespoke furniture – including hemispherical and spherical inclusions on light fittings and tables – and line the inside of a wall-mounted drinks cabinet.
      Find out more about Out of the Blue ›
      Photo by Jesper WestblomApartment renovation, Sweden, by Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor
      The full trio of primary colours is used across this apartment in Stockholm by local practice Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor.
      Blue, yellow and red are seen in both full saturation and muted hues on walls, ceilings, soft furnishings and furniture, creating a colourful yet cohesive interior.
      Find out more about apartment renovation ›
      Photo is by José HeviaApartment renovation, Spain, by Arquitectura-G
      Spanish studio Arquitectura-G used a colour palette governed by shades of yellow in its refurbishment of this apartment in Barcelona.
      The living space contains a sunny yellow modular sofa and matching kitchenette, with the spaces united by a backdrop of small golden wall tiles, a honey-coloured wooden floor and white plasterwork.
      Find out more about this apartment renovation ›
      Photo by Johanna LinkFàng Sōng, Germany, by Crossboundaries
      Beijing-based architecture practice Crossboundaries reconfigured the interior of a houseboat moored in Berlin, which features modular furniture and storage solutions all finished in either red or yellow in reference to the Chinese imperial colours.
      An adaptable living area onboard contains a lemon-yellow sofa that folds away to support a double bed, as well as a cantilevered desk integrated into a wall panel that can be stowed away when not in use.
      Find out more about Fàng Sōng ›
      Photo by Yiannis Hadjiaslanis and Point SupremeIlioupoli Apartment, Greece, by Point Supreme
      Graphic primary-coloured details are scattered around this 56-square-metre subterranean apartment in Athens renovated by local architecture studio Point Supreme.
      The rough concrete walls and ceilings of the small living area are contrasted by red items – including a bench and window panes – as well as a trio of deep blue flags suspended in the entryway.
      Find out more about Ilioupoli Apartment ›
      Photo by Mattias HamrénFunction Walls, Sweden, by Lookofsky Architecture
      This apartment in Stockholm, which was renovated by local studio Lookofsky Architecture, is designed around a multifunctional wall that snakes through the interior.
      In the living area, the zesty yellow structure contains a sofa snuggled inside an extruded frame, accompanied by integrated shelving and matching golden upholstery.
      Find out more about Function Walls ›
      Photo by Prue RuscoePolychrome House, Australia, by Amber Road and Lymesmith
      Australian design studio Amber Road worked with colour consultants Lymesmith on this house in suburban Sydney, which is charactertised by its excessive use of colour.
      The aptly named Polychrome House is finished in a kaleidoscopic spectrum of colours, including in its living room where a wall mural of abstract shapes featuring red, blue and yellow is echoed by red and blue seating.
      Find out more about Polychrome House ›
      This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring four-poster beds, split-level living areas and colourful bathrooms.

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      Eight living spaces with industrial Crittal-style windows

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      Industrial-looking living spaces with Crittal-style windows and doors are the focus of this lookbook, which includes an apartment in Israel and a rural Chinese house.

      Crittal-style windows and doors are characterised by their gridded metal frames, traditionally made of steel with a bold black finish.
      They are modelled on the iconic Crittal windows by ironmonger Francis Henry Crittall, which were developed in the late-19th century and became a feature in many art deco and modernist buildings.
      Today they are seeing a resurgence in popularity, with their clean graphic lines bringing an industrial quality to contemporary homes around the world.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring striking accent walls, stylish bookshelves and tranquil sunken baths.

      Photo is by Felix MooneeramGhost House, UK, by BPN Architects
      This double-height Crittall-style window doubles as the wall to an open-plan living and dining room in an industrial concrete house in Warwickshire, England.
      It is one of several steel-framed windows that enclose the home, which was designed by BPN Architects to have an “ethereal presence” – leading to it being named Ghost House.
      Find out more about Ghost House ›
      Photo is by 181Tel Aviv apartment, Israel, by Maayan Zusman and Amir Navon
      Interior designer Maayan Zusman and architect Amir Navon opted for gridded black window frames when renovating this apartment in Tel Aviv.
      Complemented by other delicate black furnishings, the windows form part of a wider design strategy that centred on creating an interior that felt “airy yet framed”.
      Find out more about the Tel Aviv apartment ›
      Photo is by Wu Yong-ChangReturning Hut, China, by Xu Fu-Min
      The Returning Hut is a two-storey home just outside the city of Xiamen in China, designed by Xu Fu-Min to offer their client a peaceful retreat where they can connect with nature.
      Among its key features is an open living room with a giant wall of glazing. Lined with gridded metal frames, it slides open to create a seamless connection to the garden. 
      Find out more about Returning Hut ›
      Photo is by Johan DehlinDitton Hill House, UK, by Surman Weston
      Surman Weston honoured its “client’s love for all things industrial” when creating the Ditton Hill House, a London residence with an exposed steel frame that nods to mock-Tudor homes nearby.
      This steel framework enabled the studio to create spacious, column-free interiors, such as this open-plan living area. Here, Crittal-style windows overlook the garden and are paired with exposed steel floor decks for a warehouse-like aesthetic.
      Find out more about Ditton Hill House ›
      Photo is by Greta RybusLittle Peak, USA, by Berman Horn Studio
      Black gridded windows and doors puncture the facade of Little Peak, a holiday home that the founders of Berman Horn Studio, Maria Berman and Brad Horn, built themselves on an island in Maine.
      According to the duo, they were chosen for their industrial look and to help “bring focus onto the textures and colours of the stone, huckleberry, bay and lichen that surround the house”.
      Find out more about Little Peak ›
      Photo is by Ståle EriksenBurnt House, UK, by Will Gamble Architects
      These Crittal-style windows and doors help to create a minimalist aesthetic for the Burnt House, a residential extension that Will Gamble Architects has modelled on a Japanese tea house.
      They are intended to evoke a shoji screen and were complemented by a large window seat finished in blackened wood that sits up against the glazing.
      Find out more about Burnt House ›
      Photo is by Trieu ChienBinh Thuan House, Vietnam, by MIA Design Studio
      MIA Design Studio used white gridded frames on the sliding doors at the Binh Thuan House in Vietnam.
      The steel frames were complemented by its industrial all-white structure, which is modular and designed for easy modification or expansion in the future.
      Find out more about Binh Thuan House ›
      Photo is by William AbranowiczHarrison Residence, USA, by Jeffrey Dungan Architects
      These black Crittal-style windows form the focal point of the living space at the Harrison Residence, a home in Florida designed by Jeffrey Dungan Architects.
      Framing the surrounding tall trees, the windows help bring colour into the otherwise monochrome interior, which features black shelving and a coffee table, and white walls and sofas.
      Find out more about Harrison Residence ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring striking stylish bookshelves and tranquil sunken baths.

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      Eight open-plan living areas with mix-and-match flooring

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      This lookbook collects eight homes with spacious open-plan interiors, where different floor designs have been used to subtly define areas for cooking, dining and lounging.

      Open-plan interiors are an enduring trend in residential design, used most commonly to blend kitchen and living spaces and create a social heart for the home.
      However, this is now competing with an increase in homeowners opting for broken-plan layouts that cater to different activities and bring more variety to their interiors.
      In this roundup, we explore the middle ground: open-plan rooms where mix-and-match flooring is used to softly demarcate kitchens, dining and living areas, visually reducing the size of the space without truncating it.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring discreet lifts, concrete bathrooms and non-boring beige home interiors.

      Photo is by Mariela ApollonioCas 8 House, Spain, by DG Arquitecto
      A decorative range of mosaic tiles is used across the floors of Cas 8 House, a 1920s penthouse in Valencia that was recently modernised by local studio DG Arquitecto.
      As part of the project, the studio created an open-plan living area with an integrated kitchen. Here, the tiles help to set apart zones for lounging and food preparation, without breaking up the room.
      Find out more about Cas 8 House ›
      Photo is by Nicholas WorleyHackney House, UK, by Applied Studio
      London architect Applied Studio used mix-and-match chevron flooring in the rear extension of this house in Hackney, where two different finishes help divide the space.
      On one side, black granite tiles outline the kitchen area, complemented by jet-black timber cabinetry. The opposite side of the room, which is used for dining, is lined with wooden planks teamed with white walls and matching furnishings.
      Find out more about Hackney House ›
      Photo is by Roberto RuizKlinker Apartment, Spain, by Colombo and Serboli Architecture
      Colour-blocking marks out different spaces in the Klinker Apartment, which Serboli Architecture created within the shell of a fire-damaged residence in Barcelona.
      In the open-plan living area, a terracotta-hued strip of micro-cement flooring decorates the kitchen, which has a matching ceiling, splashback and cabinetry that is contrasted with a neutral tiled lounge area.
      Find out more about Klinker Apartment ›
      Photo is by José HeviaVillarroel, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez Architects
      This open-plan cooking, dining and sitting area in the Villarroel apartment is divided into two sections by the flooring, which marries grey-coloured stone slabs with warm wood.
      This reflects architecture studio Raúl Sánchez Architects’ overall design strategy for the home, which was to arrange it into zones without partition walls, opting for “material codes” that distinguish rooms from one another instead.
      Find out more about Villarroel ›
      Photo is by Trieu ChienMài Apartment, Vietnam, by Whale Design Lab
      Chunky white-marble terrazzo is teamed with smooth cement for the flooring of this monolithic, multi-purpose room in the Mài Apartment in Ho Chi Minh City.
      The graphic terrazzo used for the kitchen and food preparation area also covers its cabinets and worksurfaces, making the area feel like its own room despite opening out into the dining area.
      Find out more about Mài Apartment ›
      Photo is by Tim Van de VeldeHouse Mellinet, Belgium, by Atelier Fréderic Louis
      Architecture studio Atelier Fréderic Louis opted for a more subtle terrazzo for the floor in the kitchen of House Mellinet, which shares the same room as the dining area.
      While the terrazzo gives a functional feel to the kitchen, the dining area adjacent has wooden parquet flooring that establishes a warmer and more intimate atmosphere more suited to gathering at the dinner table.
      Find out more about House Mellinet ›
      Photo is by is by Jan VranovskyNagatachō Apartment, Japan, by Adam Nathaniel Furman
      Designer Adam Nathaniel Furman designed the colourful Nagatachō Apartment in Tokyo as a “visual feast”, with open-plan rooms that are filled with an eclectic mix of colours, patterns and textures.
      At the heart of the plan is a candy-pink kitchen suite, which is finished with watermelon-green vinyl flooring. It connects to a sitting room with a contrasting soft lilac carpet that “looks like icing”.
      Find out more about Nagatachō Apartment ›
      Photo is by David FoesselApartment in Paris by Septembre Architecture
      Sleek poured-concrete flooring is juxtaposed with rustic wooden planks in this large, light-filled multi-purpose room, which is located in a renovated Parisian apartment.
      The concrete is used to mark out the kitchen area, which is overlooked by a lounge and dining space with Les Arcs chairs by architect Charlotte Perriand and a statement Tulip table by architect Eero Saarinen.
      Find out more about this apartment in Paris ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring discreet lifts, concrete bathrooms and non-boring beige home interiors.

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      Ten cabins with cosy interiors that frame views of nature

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      From Norway to New Zealand, this lookbook explores rural cabins with cosy living areas that are animated by natural materials and views out over wild landscapes.

      Cabins are a popular building typology with architects all around the world. Typically built from wood, the little shelters are ideally suited as peaceful retreats in remote locations.
      Their small size and the use of organic materials such as wood helps these structures to blend in with natural surroundings, while also creating warm and calming living spaces for inhabitants.
      As demonstrated by this roundup, little else is needed to make a cabin cosy, and keeping their interiors pared-back retains focus on the main event – the views out to nature.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with statement carpets, earthy bedrooms with natural colours and hotel interiors enriched by jewel tones.

      Photo is by James BrittainEnough House, Canada, by Brian MacKay-Lyons
      Dark-stained floorboards complement the light and exposed timber beams and columns of this cabin on a farmstead in Nova Scotia.
      Its living room has large windows for looking out over the rustic landscape but retains a sheltered feel with low ceilings, a soft rug and comfy leather furniture such as the 2 Fauteuil Grand Confort armchair by Le Corbusier.
      Find out more about Enough House ›
      Photo is by Tom BirdLooking Glass Lodge, UK, by Michael Kendrick Architects
      A black fireplace is suspended from the ceiling of this sitting area, located in the Looking Glass Lodge in East Sussex.
      The room has a pared-back design filled with woven furnishings and wooden surfaces, helping to ensure the focus stays on the floor-to-ceiling glazing.
      According to its designer Michael Kendrick Architects, the studio’s aim was to give the cabin “a sense of transparency and belonging within its setting”.
      Find out more about Looking Glass Lodge ›
      Photo is by Jim StephensonThe Hat House, Sweden, by Tina Bergman
      Despite its tall ceilings, The Hat House’s living-dining space has been made to feel snug with its warm material palette dominated by different woods.
      These include spruce panels on the walls and end-grain spruce blocks for the floor. A cushioned window seat allows the owner to immerse themself in the view.
      Find out more about The Hat House ›
      Photo is by Rob MaverBruny Island Cabin, Australia, by Maguire + Devin
      Baltic pine lines almost every surface of this off-grid cabin in Tasmania, designed by Maguire + Devin with references to traditional Japanese houses.
      Nearly every piece of furniture forms a part of the building’s frame, creating a minimalist and uncluttered interior. This includes a raised seating area, positioned beside a pane of glass and finished with a low-lying table and rugs for sitting.
      Find out more about Bruny Island Cabin ›
      Photo is by Stephen GoodenoughBiv Punakaiki, New Zealand, by Fabric Architecture
      Hidden within the rainforest in the coastal village of Punakaiki, this holiday cabin has large spans of glazing that aim to immerse occupants in the landscape.
      Furnishings are few and far between to prevent distracting from the view, but a homely feel is created through the warm and exposed timber structure and mid-20th-century furnishings including a leather butterfly chair.
      Find out more about Biv Punakaiki ›
      Photo is by Jordi HuismanForest Cabin, Netherlands, by The Way We Build
      Arches made of poplar give a chapel-like character to this tiny mobile cabin, located on a campsite in the Robbenoordbos forest in the Netherlands.
      Its compact living area is deliberately simple, furnished with just a writing desk and a wood burner for warmth and offering visitors a meditative space to “rejuvenate close to nature”.
      Find out more about Forest Cabin ›
      Photo is by Marcos ZegersHouse by the Cautín River, Chile, by Iragüen Viñuela Arquitecto
      Iragüen Viñuela Arquitectos opted for dark-stained wood for the interior lining of this ski cabin in Chile, creating a moody yet cosy living area where the outside views take centre stage.
      “The interior of the house, completely covered in black wood, allows a great contrast with the white winter and green summer landscape, and offers an atmosphere of introspection and calm according to the vocation of shelter,” said the studio.
      Find out more about House by the Cautín River ›
      Photo is by Tom AugerCabin Nordmarka, Norway, Rever & Drage
      An angular corner window animates the unadorned living room of Cabin Nordmarka that Rever & Drage recently completed in Norway.
      The green and blue tones of the forested surroundings form a colourful backdrop to the elevated space, which is characterised by light timber planks and matching furniture.
      Find out more about Cabin Nordmarka ›
      Photo is by Rasmus Hjortshøj, CoastThe Author’s House, Denmark, by Sleth
      Landscape studio Sleth designed this writer’s cabin to blend in with its natural setting on the outskirts of Aarhus.
      Douglas fir planks line the living room, creating a cosy retreat for the owner while echoing the surrounding trees. Bookshelves at the base of its gabled profile help reduce the height of the room, making it feel even more snug.
      Find out more about The Author’s House ›

      Bergaliv Landscape Hotel, Sweden, by Hanna Michelson
      This compact wooden cabin nestled in the treetops of a Swedish mountain is one of four designed for the Bergaliv Landscape Hotel.
      Like many other cabins on the list, the interior is simply finished. This draws attention to a wooden L-shaped bench and window seat, designed for visitors to get lost in the views out over the landscape.
      Find out more about Bergaliv Landscape Hotel ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with statement carpets, earthy bedrooms with natural colours and hotel interiors enriched by jewel tones.

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      Ten lounge areas with fireplaces suspended from the ceiling

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      Suspended fireplaces that are used as the centrepiece of contemporary but cosy living rooms are the focus of this lookbook, which includes a mix of rural residences and urban dwellings.

      Also described as hanging or floating, suspended fireplaces are stoves and log burners that are mounted on ceilings and unsupported from beneath.
      They are a popular choice with architects and interior designers in lounge areas, as they can add warmth to a space and transform unused ceiling space into an opportunity for a focal point.
      As demonstrated by this roundup, they come in different shapes but are most popular with a bold black finish that is suited to a variety of homes.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cottage interiors, converted warehouses and Bauhaus-informed interiors.

      Photo is by Denilson Machado of MCA EstúdioHygge Studio, Brazil, by Melina Romano
      Brazilian designer Melina Romano suspended a statement black fireplace within the lounge of this São Paulo apartment, which she designed with a “rustic charm”.
      The structure stands proudly against its tactile surroundings, which include tan brick walls and a decorative cobogó screen, as well as a sculptural wooden chair, woven rug and sofa.
      Find out more about Hygge Studio ›
      Photo is by Marià CastellóCa l’Amo, Spain, by Marià Castelló
      At the heart of the living room of Ca l’Amo on the Spanish island of Ibiza is a pivoting log burner, around which fold-out wood and leather chairs are arranged.
      The sculptural finish of the black fireplace juxtaposes the home’s lightweight and geometric structure, which is crafted from cross-laminated timber left exposed inside.
      Find out more about Ca l’Amo ›
      Photo is by Richard John SeymourVaratojo House, Portugal, by Atelier Data
      The sleek interior of the Varatojo House in Lisbon forms an ideal backdrop to this floating stove, which Atelier Data has incorporated into the open-plan living and kitchen area.
      While acting as a centrepiece around which to gather, its design and placement ensure it does not detract from the views of the valley framed through the surrounding windows.
      Find out more about Varatojo House ›
      Photo is by Rory GardinerMarramarra Shack, Australia, by Leopold Banchini Architects
      An inconspicuous shack-like dwelling overlooking a creek in New South Wales unexpectedly opens into a lofty, wood-lined interior with a tall floating fireplace.
      Surrounded by tiered seating, the metal flue acts as the centrepiece for the living area and is complemented by an industrial-looking, north-facing window that is opened with hoists and weights.
      Find out more about Marramarra Shack ›
      Photo is by Jomar BragançaValley House II, Brazil, by David Guerra
      Architect David Guerra used a suspended fireplace to subtly demarcate the sitting and dining areas in the open-plan living room of Valley House II in southeast Brazil.
      The verticality of the fireplace emulates the structural columns dotted throughout the room, as well as those on the adjoining veranda that is accessed by sliding glass doors.
      Find out more about Valley House II ›
      Photo is by Peter BennettsTowers Road House, Australia, by Wood Marsh
      This fireplace is an ideal accompaniment to the snug conversation pit at the Towers Road House, which Australian studio Wood Marsh created in Melbourne’s Toorak suburb.
      Its conical flue overhangs a circular, chunky firepit, which is complemented by the curved forms of the retro setup that also includes a concrete plinth, polychromatic carpet and sofas.
      Find out more about Towers Road House ›
      Photo is by Nacasa & Partners IncShell, Japan, by ARTechnic
      Within this holiday home in Karuizawa, ARTechnic has hidden a cosy, winding seating area that centres around a floating fireplace.
      The curves of both the room and the sculptural log burner complement the form of the house, aptly named Shell and composed of two tubes with oval sections crafted from concrete.
      Find out more about Shell ›
      Photo is by Tiago CasanovaCork House, Portugal, by Inês Brandão Arquitectura
      Inês Brandão Arquitectura arranged the open-plan living, dining and kitchen space of the Cork House in Portugal around a suspended fireplace.
      The burner’s black finish is echoed by furnishings including a sculptural Maisons du Monde table and a dark grey sofa, but stand out against the white walls and sliding doors that surround it.
      Find out more about Cork House ›
      Photo is by Tiia EttalaVilla K, Finland, by Mer Architects and Ettala Palomeras Architects
      This log burner hangs between the living room and dining room of this Finnish house, which perches on bedrock in a forest near Helsinki.
      It helps bring warmth and a sense of cosiness to the dwelling while also tying in with its minimalist aesthetic of exposed pre-cast concrete elements and monochrome furnishings.
      Find out more about Villa K ›
      Photo is by Marc GoodwinGeilo Cabin, Norway, by Lund Hagem
      In the lounge of a blackened-timber holiday cabin in Norway, local studio Lund Hagem hung a fireplace from its sloped ceiling to create a striking focal point.
      Its bold black colouring tones with black concrete floors and dark oak panelling all work in tandem to provide the occupants with an intimate, sheltered feel.
      Find out more about Geilo Cabin ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cottage interiors, converted warehouses and Bauhaus-informed interiors.

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      Ten living rooms that use warm neutrals to create a cosy ambience

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      As the days get darker in the northern hemisphere, our latest lookbook spotlights 10 living rooms rendered in warm yet discrete colour palettes, proving that neutrals don’t have to feel clinical.

      Mixing tactile natural materials with toasty shades of chocolate brown, creamy beige and blush pink can help to create a sense of homeliness in a room without being overbearing.
      From a São Paulo apartment filled with Brazilian modernist design to a converted biscuit factory in Los Angeles, here are 10 American homes that show how it’s done.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bathrooms with statement sinks, homes with Eames chairs and contemporary living rooms in Victorian and Georgian houses.
      Photo is by Joe FletcherTwentieth, USA, by Woods +Dangaran

      This Santa Monica home features two separate living areas – a family room (top image) and a formal living room (above) – which flank a central courtyard housing a decades-old olive tree.
      Despite being framed by glazing, the rooms maintain a homely atmosphere with the help of an earthy material palette ranging from the travertine fireplace to a rose-gold cashmere rug and club chairs finished in tactile chocolate-brown corduroy.
      Find out more about Twentieth ›
      Photo is by Sean DavidsonAmity Street Residence, USA, by Selma Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas
      Architectural designers Selma Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas used warm oak floors and cream-hued walls, contrasted against dark stone and stained-wood bookshelves, to enliven this “neglected” apartment in a 20th-century building in Brooklyn.
      “A dialogue of opposites was the main theme behind the creation; minimal but warm, understated yet rich,” Muqaddas told Dezeen.
      Find out more about Amity Street Residence ›
      Photo is by Denilson Machado of MCA EstúdioHygge Studio, Brazil, by Melina Romano
      A black fireplace is suspended from the ceiling in this living room to contrast with the otherwise soft colour scheme of the interior, reflected in everything from the cream sofa and woven rug to the cobogó block screen that acts as a room divider.
      Walls and floor throughout the São Paulo apartment are covered in terracotta tiles, chosen by local designer Melina Romano to strike a balance between “modern and bucolic”.
      Find out more about Hygge Studio ›
      Photo is by Nicole FranzenEast Village Apartment, USA, by GRT Architects
      New York-based GRT Architects used warm tones and materials to modernise this renovated East Village apartment – set in a Beaux-Arts building on Second Avenue – while “preserving its turn-of-the-century disposition”.
      In the lounge, this was achieved by adding a storage wall backed with sienna-coloured panels and complementing it with a geometric, art deco-style rug rendered in muted shades of sage green and dusty rose.
      Find out more about this East Village Apartment ›
      Photo is by The Ingalls and Matthieu SalvaingSanta Monica Proper, USA, by Kelly Wearstler
      Although not technically a living room, the lounge of the Santa Monica Proper hotel features all the trappings of a cosy den – timber bookshelves, creamy-white Soriana lounge chairs and a Coulmier limestone coffee table with three orbs for legs.
      Interior designer Kelly Wearstler used natural materials and neutral colours throughout the hotel to reference its seaside setting.
      “Organic materials, neutral colour stories, everything has a texture,” Wearstler told Dezeen. “There’s a patina, there’s a hand, there’s something that feels very warm.”
      Find out more about Santa Monica Proper ›
      Photo is by Sean DavidsonWest Village apartment, USA, by Olivier Garcé
      American interior designer Olivier Garcé found a creative outlet during last year’s coronavirus lockdown by working remotely with friends and colleagues to transform his West Village home into a show space for contemporary art and design.
      His lounge now houses a vintage Axel Einar Hjorth rocking chair, paired with a lava-stone coffee table and side chair upholstered in alpaca wool by New York designer Ian Felton, complementing the terracotta-coloured tiling on the building’s original fireplace surround.
      Find out more about this West Village apartment ›
      Photo is by Brian Ferry20 Bond apartment, USA, by Home Studios
      Curves feature liberally throughout this family apartment in New York’s NoHo neighbourhood, from its copper-edged skirting to the rounded oak-and-brass shelving unit in the living room, which was made bespoke by interior practice Home Studios.
      The muted tones of the timber are complemented by a set of antique Danish armchairs with woven leather seats and a blush-coloured version of designer Sabine Marcelis’s Candy Cube side tables.
      Find out more about 20 Bond apartment ›
      Photo is by Fran ParenteGale Apartment, Brazil, by Memola Estudio
      Furnishings are coloured in grounding, earthy hues inside this lounge flanked by two double-height statement walls – one housing the owners’ art collection and the other clad in a broken-edge stone mosaic.
      “Furniture has been reupholstered to match the new colour palette, inspired by the autumn and the sunset colours found in the horizon,” said design practice Memola Estudio, which was responsible for renovating the São Paulo apartment.
      Find out more about Gale Apartment ›
      Photo is by Justin ChungBiscuit Loft, USA, by OWIU Studio
      Japanese design informed this apartment in a converted 1920s biscuit factory in Downtown Los Angeles, with a guest room modelled on a traditional Ryokan inn that also functions as a space for hosting gatherings and tea ceremonies.
      Local practice OWIU Studio added Noguchi pendant lights to bathe the room in a warm glow, while a convertible platform made from pale wood conceals extra storage and functions as a base for a futon when guests are staying over.
      Find out more about Biscuit Loft ›
      Photo is by Denilson MachadoDN Apartment, Brazil, by BC Arquitetos
      Walnut wood panelling and soft furnishings upholstered in caramel-coloured leather help to temper the chunky concrete columns of this apartment, housed in a 1970s building in São Paulo’s traditional Jardins neighbourhood.
      Local practice BC Arquitetos describes the home as a “gallery apartment” as it houses an extensive collection of mid-20th century Brazilian art and design, ranging from the net-backed Janguada armchair by Jean Gillon to Jader Almeida’s Verde Corvo sofa, which is finished in a faded olive green.
      Find out more about DN Apartment ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bathrooms with statement sinks, homes with Eames chairs and contemporary living rooms in Victorian and Georgian houses.

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      in Rooms

      Ten homes that don't relegate tiles to the bathroom

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      Our latest lookbook rounds up 10 living spaces that take tiling from practical to decorative, applying it to everything from bars and fireplaces to entire statement walls.

      Tiles in the modern home are often consigned to the bathroom or kitchen, where their durable finish can protect walls from water damage.
      But a growing cohort of designers are using the surfacing much like they would rugs or wallpapers, as a means of bringing colours and patterns into living spaces.
      Whether made from ceramic, stone or concrete, this can help to imbue an otherwise cosy interior with a much-needed sense of depth and dimension.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring maximalist interiors, kitchens with polished granite surfaces and brutalist interiors with a surprisingly welcoming feel.

      Photo is by Prue RuscoeDream Weaver penthouse, Australia, by YSG
      Spanish tapas bars informed the design of this penthouse in Sydney, which belongs to a couple of empty nesters.
      In the open-plan living space, this reference was translated into an entire wall of glossy off-white tiles, providing the backdrop for a custom bar trolley made from white ash and blue granite.
      Find out more about Dream Weaver penthouse ›
      Photo is by German SáizConde Duque apartment, Spain, by Sierra + De La Higuera
      Vibrantly glazed tiles help to define the different zones in this apartment in Madrid, with green used in the kitchen, red and blue in the bathrooms and yellow in the living areas.
      The traditional Moroccan zellige tiles are characterised by their tonal and textural variations, with imperfect surfaces that are moulded by hand.
      Find out more about Conde Duque ›
      Photo is by Pion StudioPuro Hotel Kraków, Poland, by Paradowski Studio
      Polish practice Paradowski Studio mixed and matched different kinds of tiling throughout this lounge, covering everything from the floor to the columns to an entire wall, designed by artist Tomasz Opaliński based on the modernist mosaics of the 1970s.
      To soften up these hard, glossy surfaces and add a sense of warmth, the studio added plenty of textiles plus a stained oak bas-relief, which a couple of doors.
      Find out more about Puro Hotel Kraków ›
      Photo is by Joana FrançaSão Paulo apartment, Brazil, by Casulo
      A bar clad in glossy green tiles forms the centrepiece of this living room, contrasted against the matt black slate on the floor.
      Brazilian studio Casulo repeated this same material palette in the bathroom and kitchen of the São Paulo apartment, which the owners bought at a closed-door auction without seeing its interior.
      Find out more about São Paulo apartment ›
      Photo is by José HeviaYurikago House, Spain, by Mas-aqui
      Hydraulic tiling helps to create a sense of continuity across the various different floors and half-levels of this apartment, designed by architecture studio Mas-aqui.
      The natural tonal variations of the reddish-brown ceramics help to create a sense of depth and texture despite using only one material.
      Find out more about Yurikago House ›
      Photo is by Benoit LineroHotel Les Deux Gares, France, by Luke Edward Hall
      Chevron marble floors, striped pink-satin armchairs and chintzy duck-egg blue wallpaper create a riotous clash of patterns and colours in this lounge by British designer Luke Edward Hall.
      “I really wanted this space to feel above all joyful and welcoming and alive, classic but a little bonkers at the same time,” he explained.
      Find out more about Hotel Les Deux Gares ›
      Photo is by José HeviaReforma de una Vivienda en Ensanche, Spain, by Arquitectura-G
      Barcelona practice Arquitectura-G removed a series of dividing walls from this apartment to let more light into the plan and relied on changing levels and flooring to denote different areas.
      Here, the transition from the hallway to the lounge is signified by a zig-zagging junction between the gridded grey tiling and the neutral-toned carpet, which is made from coarse sisal plant fibres.
      Find out more about Reforma de una Vivienda en Ensanche ›
      Photo is by Adrià GoulaPasseig de Grácia 97, Spain, by Jeanne Schultz
      A pink stone fireplace with chequered tiling served as the starting point for the renovation of this old Barcelona apartment, with doors, window frames and ceiling mouldings throughout the home painted in a matching shade of green.
      Designer Jeanne Schultz also introduced minimal yet characterful modern furnishings to keep the focus on the building’s period features, which also include traditional Catalan vault ceilings and wooden parquet flooring.
      Find out more about Passeig de Grácia 97 ›
      Photo is by Yiannis HadjiaslanisIlioupoli apartment, Greece, by Point Supreme
      Originally popular in the 1970s, when they were used to cover verandas and porticos in holiday homes throughout Greece, these glazed terracotta tiles were salvaged from storage so they could be used to cover the floor of a one-bedroom home in Athens.
      Formerly a semi-basement storage space, the apartment is located at the bottom of a typical Athenian polykatoikia – a concrete residential block with tiered balconies.
      Find out more about Ilioupoli apartment ›
      Photo is by Eugeni PonsCasa AB, Spain, by Built Architecture
      When Built Architecture renovated this 19th-century Barcelona apartment, the Spanish practice retained the traditional mosaic flooring laid throughout most of its rooms, including the hallway, bedroom, living and dining room.
      The spaces between the tiling were filled with oak floorboards to match the custom oak cabinetry the studio installed to run longways through the apartment like a spine, dividing up the private and communal areas.
      Find out more about Casa AB ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring maximalist interiors, kitchens with polished granite surfaces and surprisingly welcoming brutalist interiors.

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      in Rooms

      Ten colourful living rooms that make a statement with bold hues

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      Flamingo pink walls in a Greek seaside apartment and a living space in Italy defined by primary colours feature in our latest lookbook, which collects colourful living rooms that are designed to stand out.

      From the pastel colour palette used in a Tokyo dwelling to the clash of reds and greens seen in an Athens apartment, these 10 living rooms from across the world are defined by their colourful interiors.
      While using strong colours in a living room can seem like an intimidating prospect, these examples show how even just a few splashes of colour can create a warmer atmosphere and work as a contrast against traditional white walls.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing brutalist interiors, terrazzo eateries and residential atriums.
      Photo is by Prue RuscoePolychrome House, Australia, by Amber Road and Lymesmith

      Pops of colour feature in every room of Polychrome House, a 1960s property in Sydney that was renovated by architecture studio Amber Road and colour consultants Lymesmith.
      “Bright primary colours, which were layered throughout the interior, became the heartbeat of the joyful experience we were all committed to creating,” Amber Road co-director Yasmine Ghoniem told Dezeen.
      Find out more about Polychrome House ›
      Photo is by Kim PowellWaterfront Nikis Apartment, Greece, by Stamatios Giannikis
      Flamingo pink walls and accents take centre stage in the living room of Waterfront Nikis Apartment, a Greek seaside dwelling set within a 1937 listed art deco building.
      Architect Stamatios Giannikis paired a neon-pink hammock with a soft fluffy rug and rosy plant pots in the living room that overlooks the sea.
      Find out more about Waterfront Nikis Apartment ›
      Photo is by Jan VranovskyNagatachō Apartment, Japan, by Adam Nathaniel Furman
      Designer Adam Nathaniel Furman used a sugar-sweet colour palette to liven up a Tokyo apartment he renovated for a retired expat couple.
      Located opposite the open-plan kitchen, the combined living space and dining area features a plush lilac carpet that was chosen to contrast a bold green and blue chair and footrest, which Furman said “has the feel of sponge cake and looks like icing”.
      Find out more about Nagatachō Apartment ›
      Photo is by Tim LenzConnecticut house, USA, by Hendricks Churchill
      American firm Hendricks Churchill sought to combine the aesthetic of a traditional farmhouse with more contemporary details at this Connecticut house.
      Dusty blue cabinetry meets reddy orange furniture in the home’s living room while a textured blue rug was placed on neutral wooden floorboards.
      Find out more about this Connecticut house ›
      Photo is by Michele BonechiTrevi House, Italy, by Studio Venturoni
      Thick bands of terracotta and sand-coloured paint wrap around the walls of Trevi House, a one-bedroom apartment in Rome that is defined by warm, earthy hues.
      The living room includes a contrasting rectilinear blue and cream rug, which is positioned underneath a statement oversized sculpture, reminiscent of traditional marble statues.
      Find out more about Trevi House ›
      Photo is by Maira AcayabaThe Karine Vilas Boas Apartment, Brazil, by Studio Julliana Camargo
      A large rug with a bright geometric pattern by Portuguese brand Punto e Filo features in the living space of this large apartment in downtown São Paulo.
      Studio Julliana Camargo placed a crescent-shaped pink sofa and vivid green armchairs around the rug, emphasising its bold, technicolour appearance.
      Find out more about the Karine Vilas Boas Apartment ›
      Photo is by Yannis DrakoulidisTrikoui apartment, Greece, by Point Supreme Architects
      Local firm Point Supreme Architects designed this vibrant Athens apartment to include a single open-plan space combining the living, dining and kitchen areas.
      To make up for the absence of partition walls, the apartment includes colourful built-in custom furniture to help delineate spaces, including a stained-green plywood storage wall and a table with a bright red top.
      Find out more about this Trikoui apartment ›
      Photo is by Francis DzikowskiHouse for Booklovers and Cats, USA, by BFDO Architects
      American studio BFDO Architects added splashes of pink, orange and blue to the living room of House for Booklovers and Cats, a Brooklyn home designed to include various nooks for a pair of shy cats to retreat to.
      A higgledypiggledy bookshelf featuring brightly painted alcoves was built into one of the room’s walls, which was designed to house the owners’ extensive reading collection.
      Find out more about House for Booklovers and Cats ›
      Photo is by Paolo FuscoRetroscena, Italy, by La Macchina Studio
      Retroscena is a distinctive 1950s apartment renovation in Rome, completed by Italian architecture office La Macchina Studio to reveal the home’s original terrazzo floors.
      Primary colours were celebrated in the interior design, where the living room can be screened off by a yellow curtain and is decorated with a circular red wall hanging and a squidgy blue sofa.
      Find out more about Retroscena ›
      Photo is by José HeviaMadrid apartment, Spain, by Husos Arquitectos
      Playful lime green deck chairs and bold yellow and orange accents feature in the large living room of this Madrid apartment by Spanish studio Husos Arquitectos.
      While its plywood-board cabinetry and pinewood floors mean that natural hues dominate in the room, the studio painted some of the shelves in vibrant colours to brighten up the wood.
      Find out more about this Madrid 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 green bedrooms, gardens with swimming pools and homes with glass extensions.

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