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    Ten maximalist interiors that are saturated with colours and patterns

    Clashing colours, statement furnishings and mismatched patterns feature in this lookbook, which rounds up ten flamboyant interiors that embody the maximalist aesthetic.

    Maximalism is a style of art and design that rejects the rules of minimalism. Instead, exuberance is celebrated and anarchic use of pattern, colour and texture are encouraged.
    According to Claire Bingham, author of the book More is More, the style can be attributed to the Memphis Group – the 1980s design and architecture collective known for their bold postmodern creations.
    However, as demonstrated by this roundup, maximalism continues to make its mark today, as designers apply the aesthetic to the interiors of our homes as well as to public spaces.
    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, walk-in wardrobes and colourful living rooms.

    Photo is by Benoit LineroHotel Les Deux Gares, France, by Luke Edward Hall
    Contemporary pea-green walls stand in stark contrast to chintzy wallpaper and soft velvet sofas in the rooms of the Hotel Les Deux Gares in Paris.
    According to its designer Luke Edward Hall, the aesthetic is intended to be “anti-modern” – harking back to a Paris of the past.
    Find out more about Hotel Les Deux Gares ›
    Photo is by Adrián LlagunoCasa TEC 205, Mexico, by Moneo Brock
    The bright-coloured works of Mexican architect Luis Barragán informed the look of this maximalist-style home in Monterrey, designed by architecture studio Moneo Brock.
    Inside, striking wallpaper prints are juxtaposed with geometric tiling and colour-blocked walls, such as in the kitchen and dining room where a large floral mural takes centre stage.
    Find out more about Casa TEC 205 ›
    Photo is by Günther EggerRookies, Germany, by Stephanie Thatenhorst
    Designer Stephanie Thatenhorst challenged the conventional look of healthcare facilities when designing this kid-friendly optician in Munich.
    Intended as a “noisy, wild and unique paradise for children”, it marries a bright blue carpet with geometric wall tiles, U-shaped neon lights and display areas covered in apricot-coloured fabric.
    Find out more about Rookies ›

    Schiphol airport lounge, Netherlands, by Marcel Wanders
    The flamboyant rooms of the Schiphol airport lounge were all given a distinct look when renovated by Marcel Wanders, a creative best known for his uninhibited maximalist style.
    Among them is an animated seating area that references canal houses in Amsterdam. Its finishes include wall panels resembling giant stained-glass windows and a cartoonish lamp that mimics a street light.
    Find out more about Schiphol airport lounge ›
    Photo is by The IngallsAustin Proper Hotel and Residences, USA, by Kelly Wearstler
    Interior designer Kelly Wearstler teamed local art and textiles with one-off vintage details when creating the eclectic interior for Austin Proper Hotel and Residences.
    This includes the hotel’s drinking establishment, which occupies a room with high ceilings covered in decorative wallpaper. Below, a cobalt blue-painted bar sits against low stuffed armchairs, chunky wooden tables and stone plinths.
    Find out more about Austin Proper Hotel and Residences ›

    Annabel’s, UK, by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio
    This dim hallway features in London members’ club Annabel’s, which was recently overhauled by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to make visitors feel as though they have been “transported somewhere else”.
    Similarly to the rest of the building, the corridor features clashing animal prints across all its surfaces and is overlooked by a sculpture of a gorilla on a seat – just one of the fanciful features hidden inside.
    Find out more about Annabel’s ›

    Mondrian hotel, Qatar, by Marcel Wanders
    Marcel Wanders also applied his signature maximalist style to the interior of the Mondrian hotel in Doha, which is filled with mismatched patterns and oversized furnishings.
    Among its standout spaces is the swimming pool on the 27th floor. Crowned by a floral-patterned stained-glass dome, it features bulbous white seating, a tactile grass-like bridge and monochrome tiling.
    Find out more about Mondrian hotel ›

    Studio Job office, Belgium, by Studio Job
    Studio Jobs’ founder Job Smeet describes his maximal self-designed home and office in Antwerp as being “like a visual assault”.
    Encased by an exposed concrete shell, it comprises a central gallery space, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms – one of which clashes paint-splattered walls with shark-patterned wallpaper, a maze-like rug and spaghetti-print bed sheets.
    Find out more about Studio Job office ›
    Photo is by Christian HarderEsme Hotel, USA, by Jessica Schuster Design
    In an overhaul of the boutique Esme Hotel in Miami, New York studio Jessica Schuster Design opted for saturated tones and sculptural furnishings to “create an artful collage of bohemian grandeur”.
    Among its decadent spaces is a mahogany cocktail bar that is encircled by fringed stools and sculptural pendant lighting, set against a checkered floor and a wooden ceiling.
    Find out more about Esme Hotel ›
    Photo is by Prue Ruscoe with styling by Alicia SciberrasPolychrome House, Australia, by Amber Road and Lymesmith
    Pops of bright primary colours feature in every room of this 1960s house in Sydney, which was recently renovated by studio Amber Road and colour consultant Lymesmith.
    When extending the ground floor, the team introduced an open-plan living space with graphic paved floors modelled on aerial photographs of the surrounding terrain, which contrasts with white-painted brick walls that are partly covered by an abstract mural.
    Find out more about Polychrome House ›
    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, walk-in wardrobes and colourful living rooms.

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    Ten colourful living rooms that make a statement with bold hues

    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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    Ten homes with walk-in wardrobes that store clothes in interesting ways

    In this lookbook, we pick out 10 home interiors that feature walk-in closets designed to provide bedroom storage that is both practical and appealing.

    Walk-in wardrobes create a bespoke storage solution that is hard to achieve with standard furniture.
    Often they are considered a luxurious feature used to declutter the bedroom in large houses, but as the 10 examples below demonstrate, they can also be a sleek solution for utilising dead space in smaller homes.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing well-organised bedrooms, interiors with built-in furniture and homes that make a feature of their corridors.
    Photo is by Jack LovelMarine, Australia, by David Barr Architects

    This walk-through wardrobe sits in a corridor between a bathroom and the master bedroom of a cottage near Perth.
    Birch-plywood storage units and concrete flooring define the wardrobe, a continuation of the materials used throughout the light and airy extension designed by David Barr architects.
    Find out more about Marine ›
    Photo is by Roehner + RyanO-asis, USA, by The Ranch Mine
    Warm-toned wood shelving and cabinetry was combined with terrazzo flooring in this enormous walk-in closet that sets out clothes like a boutique fashion store.
    It flows right off from the bathroom of a large house in Arizona designed for a musician by architecture studio The Ranch Mine.
    Find out more about O-asis ›
    Photo is by Pion StudioBotaniczna Apartment, Poland, by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio
    A linen-curtain screen tidily obscures the walk-in wardrobe in this Poznań apartment designed by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio.
    The elegant and delicate aesthetic of the curtains contributes to the calming atmosphere the studio sought to create, as well as helping to offset the adjacent burl-wood vanity desk that acts as the bedroom’s feature element.
    Find out more about Botaniczna Apartment ›
    Photo is by Studio NojuCasa Triana, Spain, by Studio Noju
    Studio Noju used a floor-to-ceiling curtain to create a walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom of this renovated apartment in Seville.
    The studio used a bright yellow paint for the wardrobe that contrasts with the monochrome curtain and surrounding walls, adding to the sense of theatre and surprise when the drape is drawn back.
    Find out more about Casa Triana ›
    Photo by Do Mal o MenosApartment in Estrela, Portugal, by Aurora Arquitectos
    A small, triangular room in this old Lisbon apartment was converted into a walk-in closet as part of a revamp by Aurora Arquitectos.
    White curtains cover a storage unit that runs along the longest wall of the wardrobe, which is provided with natural light by glazing above an arched doorway.
    Find out more about Apartment in Estrela ›
    Photo is by Hey! CheeseHouse H, Taiwan, by KC Design Studio
    This basement apartment in Taipei was given a moody colour palette and raw textures in an overhaul by KC Design Studio.
    That theme was continued in the walk-in wardrobe off the master bedroom, which acts as a dressing area between an en-suite bathroom and a private lounge.
    Find out more about House H ›
    Photo is by David FoesselHubert, France, by Septembre
    Embedded within a modestly sized Paris apartment renovated by architecture studio Septembre, this walk-in closet is an example of clever utilisation of space.
    A wall behind the bed forms a partial division, allowing for generous clothing storage while retaining the room’s overall proportions.
    Find out more about Hubert ›
    Photo is by José HeviaThe Magic Box Apartment, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez Architects
    This apartment near Barcelona, designed by Raúl Sánchez Architects, takes the concept of a walk-in wardrobe to a new level.
    Aptly called The Magic Box Apartment, it features a shiny brass wardrobe that divides two bedrooms instead of a traditional partition wall, which can be passed through like a secret passageway.
    Find out more about The Magic Box Apartment ›
    Photo is by Pablo PachecoRL House Renovation, Spain, by Diego López Fuster Arquitectura
    Diego López Fuster Arquitectura opted to give the bedroom of this Alicante a generous walk-in wardrobe that acts as a full dressing area.
    Rather than being hidden or tucked away, its wide proportions help to make the relatively long and narrow bedroom feel more spacious.
    Find out more about RL House Renovation ›
    Photo is by José HeviaCasp21, Spain, by Bonba Studio
    Green-panelled wood boxing encloses a sizeable walk-in wardrobe in the corner of this bedroom in a converted office building in Barcelona.
    Through this intervention, Bonba Studio maximised the feeling of brightness and spaciousness in the room, as well as ensuring that the full impact of the traditional vaulted ceiling was maintained.
    Find out more about Casp21 ›
    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 well-organised bedrooms, interiors with built-in furniture and homes that make a feature of their corridors.

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    Ten beautiful brutalist interiors with a surprisingly welcoming feel

    For our latest lookbook, we’ve collected 10 brutalist interiors from the UK to Brazil and Indonesia that show how textiles, plants and colours can be used to soften monolithic concrete spaces and create a cosy atmosphere.

    Brutalism as an architectural style often makes use of concrete to create large, sculptural buildings. These interiors in brutalist buildings feature plenty of concrete and hard angles but still manage to feel both warm and welcoming.
    Colourful tiling, wooden details and tactile textiles as well as an abundance of green plants were used to create inviting living rooms, bathrooms and even workspaces in these brutalist buildings, which include the Barbican in London and Riverside Tower in Antwerp.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring granite kitchens, terrazzo eateries and atriums that brighten up residential spaces.
    Photo is by Tommaso RivaA Brutalist Tropical Home, Indonesia, by Patisandhika and Dan Mitchell

    Designer Dan Mitchell worked with architecture studio Patisandhika to create this brutalist home in Bali, which features a double-height living room filled with books, records and green plants.
    The house has a split-level design that was modelled on modernist architect Ray Kappe’s Kappe Residence. Inside, colourful objects, textiles and furniture draw on the work of Clifford Still, Ellsworth Kelly and the Bauhaus movement to make the house feel homely.
    Find out more about A Brutalist Tropical Home ›
    Photo is by Niveditaa GuptaHouse of Concrete Experiments, India, by Samira Rathod
    As the name suggests, House of Concrete Experiments features sculptural concrete walls. Warm wood detailing offsets the grey hues, while the concrete floor has been inlaid with black stones to create an interesting pattern.
    Large windows and geometric skylights help make the room feel bright and inviting.
    Find out more about House of Concrete Experiments ›
    Photo is by Olmo PeetersRiverside Tower Apartment, Belgium, by Studio Okami Architecten
    Studio Okami Architecten stripped the walls of this flat in Antwerp’s Riverside Tower to let its original structure take centre stage.
    Colourful details such as a turquoise table and baby-blue spiral staircase and a playful, sculptural lamp make the home feel contemporary, while plenty of green plants give more life to the otherwise grey interior.
    Find out more about Riverside Tower Apartment ›
    Photo is by PhotographixBeton Brut, India, by The Grid Architects
    Designed as a “neo-brutalist” house, Beton Brut in India has a number of dramatic features, including a skylit atrium that extends through the home.
    The Grid Architects described the home as “typified by bare concrete, geometric shapes, a monochrome palette and a monolithic appearance”. Wooden flooring and furniture and plenty of textiles soften the house’s brutalist interior and potentially stern appearance.
    Find out more about Beton Brut ›
    Photo is by Anton GorlenkoBarbican flat, UK, by Takero Shimakazi Architects
    This flat in the Shakespeare Tower of London’s brutalist Barbican estate was overhauled by Takero Shimakazi Architects in a nod to the client’s strong ties to Japan.
    Details such as gridded timber panels and timber joinery were added throughout the flat, which also features Japan-informed details including an area lined with tatami mats.
    Find out more about the Barbican flat ›
    Photo is by Joana FrançaConcrete home, Brazil, by Debaixo do Bloco Arquitetura
    Debaixo do Bloco’s design for this sculptural house in Brazil is divided into three sections to provide a clear distinction between the various programmes.
    Inside, the interior has a mid-century modern feel, with gleaming wood parquet flooring and a glass PH table lamp by Danish designer Louis Poulsen decorating a side table.
    Find out more about the concrete home ›
    Photo is by Lorenzo ZandriSmithson Tower office, UK, by ConForm
    The brutalist Smithson Tower in Mayfair is the location for this “homely” office designed by ConForm Architects. The studio split the space into eight zones defined by the strong structural grid of the existing building, and added low-level joinery.
    The result is a design that softens the stark office spaces and makes the rooms feel more intimate.
    Find out more about the Smithson Tower office ›
    Photo is courtesy of The StandardThe Standard London, UK, by Shawn Hausman
    Designer Shawn Hausman created the colour-drenched interior of hotel The Standard in London, which is located in a brutalist building, to contrast “the greyness of London”.
    “I would say with this property we were a bit more colourful than usual, and I think part of that is acting in contrast to the brutalist building that the hotel’s in,” explained Hausman.
    In the bathrooms, stripy pink-and-black tiled walls and pops of pale mint green give the room a fun, playful feel.
    Find out more about The Standard London ›
    Photo is by Casey DunnPreston Hollow, US, by Specht Architects
    The long corrugated concrete volumes of Preston Hollow in Dallas were designed to reference brutalist Texan architecture from the 1950s and 60s, but the house was built to wrap around courtyards, creating a lively, open impression.
    Inside the low-slung buildings, mid-century modern-style furniture nods to the home’s architectural references but the interior is brought up-to-date with the addition of modern art.
    Find out more about Preston Hollow ›
    Photo is by Gilbert McCarragherBarbican apartment, UK, by John Pawson
    British architect John Pawson created this flat in London’s Barbican building using his signature minimalist aesthetic.
    The flat, which overlooks central London and has a small concrete balcony, has been kept almost empty with just a smattering of furnishings and pale wooden surfaces. Three artworks, a Buddha sculpture and a grandfather clock are the only decorative elements in the space.
    Find out more about the Barbican apartment ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring granite kitchens, terrazzo eateries and atriums that brighten up residential spaces.

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    Ten sunny interiors that make use of the Colour of the Year 2023

    For our latest lookbook, we’ve curated 10 interiors decked out in Wild Wonder after paint brand Dulux named the pale yellow hue as its Colour of the Year for 2023.

    Dulux describes Wild Wonder as a “soft gold with hints of green” that speaks to people’s desire for a closer connection to nature and better mental health in light of the recent period of upheaval.
    “As people search for support, connection, inspiration and balance in the world today, they’re diving into the wonders of the natural world to find it,” the brand explained.
    “Wild Wonder is a positive, natural tone that, by connecting us with the natural world, can help us feel better in our homes.”
    The optimistic hue, reminiscent of “fresh seed pods and harvest grain”, is particularly suited to brightening up living spaces – as seen below in an all-yellow Barcelona duplex and a renovated 19th-century apartment in Stockholm by Note Design Studio.

    But the colour can also be used to give a homely feel to commercial interiors, from a floating spa to a church-turned-coworking space, where it is often contrasted against shades of dusty pink or deep red.
    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 atriums, floating staircases and kitchens with polished granite surfaces.
    Photo is by Note Design StudioHidden Tints, Sweden, by Note Design Studio
    Set in a 19th-century building in Stockholm, this kitchen envisioned by Swedish practice Note Design Studio is entirely enveloped in buttery yellow paint – covering everything from the walls and mouldings to the window frames.
    “Colour helps to emphasise the splendour in the detailing of the architecture,” interior architect Sanna Wåhlin told Dezeen. “In fact, the approach to colour in architecture in the old days was much braver than we see today. It deserves its place again!”
    Find out more about Hidden Tints ›
    Photo is by Felix SpellerCubitts Belgravia, UK, by Child Studio
    Child Studio reinstated many of the Georgian design features found in this 19th-century Belgravian townhouse when turning it into a shop for eyewear brand Cubitts.
    The London design firm painted its walls in a chalky yellow hue that was typical of the period and uncovered the original floorboards to create an “intimate and domestic atmosphere”, complete with a cast iron fireplace installed in the front room.
    Find out more about Cubitts Belgravia ›
    Photo is by José HeviaDuplex in Sant Gervais, Spain, by Arquitectura-G
    To make this duplex apartment in Barcelona with its convoluted floor plan and shadowy living spaces feel more bright and spacious, local practice Arquitectura-G introduced an all-yellow colour scheme that features throughout the home.
    It was even chosen for the metal grating used to form shelving in the kitchen, which was designed to provide storage without obstructing sunlight from reaching every corner of the space.
    Find out more about Duplex in Sant Gervais ›
    Photo is by Mikael LundbladCafe Banacado, Sweden, by ASKA
    Swedish architecture firm ASKA aimed to create a warm and peaceful atmosphere inside this all-day breakfast cafe, using sunny hues across its nostalgic checkerboard floors, storage walls and custom-made tables with integrated cutlery holders.
    “In order to create an environment that feels harmonious, we work with subtle layering and tone-in-tone methods,” said ASKA co-founder Madeleine Klingspor. “The same yellow is used on the walls, lamps, tables and floor but in different scales and intensity.”
    Find out more about Cafe Banacado ›
    Photo is by Jérôme GallandVilla Noailles gift shop, France, by Pierre Yovanovitch
    When overhauling the gift shop of the Villa Noailles arts centre in Provence, French designer Pierre Yovanovitch created a series of colour-block alcoves to “dramatise” the presentation of the products on offer.
    The mellow yellow backdrop of these wall niches stands in stark contrast to the salmon-pink walls and cobalt blue trims, nodding to the villa’s “cubist” garden designed by Armenian architect Gabriel Guevrekian.
    Find out more about the Villa Noailles gift shop ›
    Photo is by Dylan PerrenoudOrigin spa, Switzerland, by Bureau
    Blocks of pastel-toned tiles overlap across the different surfaces of this float spa in Geneva. The colour-blocking was specifically designed to evoke the vague spots and flashes of colour that can sometimes be seen behind closed eyes after looking at a light source.
    The interior was designed to reflect the visuals that guests experience in the spa’s sensory deprivation tanks, which are filled with warm salt water but completely devoid of light to create the feeling of floating weightlessly in space.
    Find out more about Origin ›
    Photo is by Rei Moon13 Square Metre House, UK, by Studiomama
    Custom-made plywood furniture fringes this tiny 13-square-metre home set in a former mini cab office, which “might be London’s smallest house,” according to architect Studiomama.
    Beyond providing crucial storage, the light wooden elements help to create a cohesive interior, while functional zones such as integrated sliding doors are highlighted in swatches of soft yellow, pink and blue.
    Find out more about 13 Square Metre House ›
    Photo is by Mikael LundbladMaria Nila salon, Sweden, by ASKA
    Undulating shelves of hair products wind their way around the perimeter of this salon by Swedish haircare brand Maria Nila in Stockholm to evoke dripping shampoo.
    The storage is rendered in pastel gradient colours informed by the brand’s packaging, which fade from ballet-slipper pink to a pale coffee colour and finally a washed-out yellow.
    Find out more about the Maria Nila salon ›
    Photo is by Carola RipamontiImarika boutique, Italy, by Marcante-Testa
    Another interior that showcases the perfect match between yellow and pink is this boutique in Milan, designed by Italian studio Marcante-Testa.
    Here, an understated daffodil-colour covers the walls, while pink clay was used to render partitions and rose-gold rails hold up the glass shelves displaying accessories.
    Find out more about Imarika boutique ›
    Photo is by Cándida WohlgemuthThe Ruby Street, USA, by Francesca de la Fuente and Working Holiday Studio
    An abstract wall mural by Los Angeles artist Dakota Solt ties together the baby blue, pink and tan furnishings in this co-working space with the pale yellow of the wood-panelled walls and the rattan pendant light.
    Called The Ruby Street, the shared office and events space is set in a former church in the city’s Highland Park neighbourhood, whose stained-glass windows were retained and paired with simple, contemporary furnishings.
    Find out more about The Ruby Street ›
    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 atriums, floating staircases and kitchens with polished granite surfaces.

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    Ten kitchens with polished granite surfaces

    The durable, stain-resistant qualities of granite make it a choice material for kitchens. Our latest lookbook showcases 10 kitchens on Dezeen that celebrate the light-coloured stone.

    Waterproof and scratch-resistant, the igneous rock granite has been used in construction and interior design for centuries.
    Today, the versatile material is often used as an alternative to marble to top kitchen counters and work surfaces, as well as in bathrooms or on floors.
    From a large grey granite kitchen island in a Mexican apartment to a chevron-patterned granite floor in a London house, the examples below showcase the many ways in which the stone can be used to furnish kitchens.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks homes with characterful floating staircases that appear to defy gravity, atriums that brighten and expand residential spaces and calm green bedrooms that showcase the power of natural colours.

    Photo is by Federica Carlet403 Greenwich, US, by Stefano Pasqualetti
    A mix of materials including steel, marble, granite and wood were peppered throughout this New York residence, which Italian architect Stefano Pasqualetti aimed to make feel “soothing and timeless”.
    In the open-plan kitchen, which offers views onto Tribeca’s West Historic District neighbourhood, walnut cabinets are fitted with granite worktops while a standout blackened metal staircase runs through the property’s core.
    Find out more about 403 Greenwich ›
    Photo is by Ståle EriksenGrove Park, UK, by O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects 
    Designed for a client with a keen interest in the outdoors, Grove Park is a terraced house that offers expansive views of the greenery and wild woodland outside.
    London-based studio O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects paired the ash-lined kitchen interior with creamy Shivakashi granite countertops and splashback and polished concrete flooring, which was cast in situ.
    Find out more about Grove Park ›
    Photo is by Denilson MachadoDN Apartment, Brasil, by BC Arquitetos
    Located in a 1970s building in the Jardins neighbourhood of São Paulo, this 230-square-metre apartment was designed for a landscape architect by local studio BC Arquitetos.
    The apartment comprises a primarily warm natural walnut interior that is complemented with harder materials, such as concrete columns, stone flooring and granite countertops. A collection of mid-20th century art adds the finishing touch.
    Find out more about DN Apartment ›
    Photo is by Joana França308 S, Brazil, by Bloco Arquiteos
    Brazilian architecture studio Bloco Arquitetos transformed 308 S, an apartment in Brasília, by removing several walls and reconfiguring the challenging layout to make it more open plan.
    To add to the stripped-back look, the architects opted for a neutral colour palette, while pale granite was used for the kitchen and bathroom countertops and flooring.
    Find out more about 308 S›
    Photo is by José HeviaVillarroel Apartment, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez Architects
    The three main areas inside this apartment in Barcelona are distinguished by contrasting materials rather than traditional walls, making it appear more spacious and flexible.
    Wooden floors and white-washed walls define the living area while functional spaces such as the kitchen – where a granite breakfast island takes centre stage – are completed in shades of grey.
    Find out more about Villarroel Apartment ›
    Photo is by Onnis LuqueCasa Nicté-Ha, Mexico, by Di Frenna Arquitectos
    A large granite kitchen island with an adjoining wooden counter is positioned in the middle of the double-height kitchen and dining area inside Casa Nicté-Ha, a home designed by Di Frenna Arquitectos in Colima City, Mexico.
    Elsewhere in the three-bedroom house, the studio mixed dark and light decor including white-painted walls, warm wood and concrete floors and exposed steel beams.
    Find out more about Casa Nicté-Ha ›
    Photo is by Serena EllerDiplomat Apartment, Italy, by 02A
    Antique and mid-century furnishings join sleek, contemporary cabinetry to create this one-bedroom flat in Rome by local architecture and interiors studio 02A.
    The stateless diplomat who owns and lives in the dwelling wanted to make his home a sanctuary filled with items he collected during his trips abroad.
    Find out more about Diplomat Apartment ›
    Photo is by NosheArt-Apart, Germany, by Raum404
    Swiss-based studio Raum404 chose to keep the interiors as minimal, white and spacious as possible in its renovation of Art-Apart, a 19th-century apartment-cum-gallery in Berlin.
    The artist owner tasked the studio with creating a space that could be opened up to the public for exhibitions, which resulted in furniture that could be folded up and plenty of white cupboards that could conceal personal belongings.
    Find out more about Art-Apart ›

    Hackney House, UK, by Applied Studio
    Black timber decor and plenty of windows were installed in architecture and interior design studio Applied Studio’s overhaul of this house in east London’s Hackney.
    Afterward, the studio fitted the glass extension that houses the kitchen and dining table with chevron-patterned granite flooring.
    Find out more about Hackney House ›
    Photo is by French + TyeGolden Lane, UK, by Archmongers
    Quirky modernist elements such as pops of primary colours and glossy furnishings were reinstated by Archmongers in its renovation of this 1950s flat in an inner city London estate.
    In the peninsula kitchen, which is separated from the dining area by chunky white door frames, white cabinets are topped with steel, while grey terrazzo with granite chips highlights the counter end and splashback.
    Find out more about Golden Lane ›
    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 interiors bolstered by exposed wooden beams, living spaces with glossy surfaces that create depth and dimension and gardens with swimming pools that are made for summer.

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    Ten eclectic eateries that showcase the potential of terrazzo

    From a pink-hued Ottolenghi restaurant in London to a muted pizzeria in Beijing, our latest lookbook rounds up 10 eateries from around the world that feature terrazzo elements.

    Terrazzo is a flooring material that consists of uneven pieces of marble or granite set in concrete, which is then polished to give it a smooth finish.
    Architects and interior designers often use the sturdy material in their projects to create practical floors, but also to give walls or other surfaces a speckled and decorative appearance.
    We have collected 10 eateries that use terrazzo, such as on the tabletops of a fish and chip shop in Australia and to make up the floors of a Chinese teahouse.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing steely kitchens, green bedrooms and gardens with swimming pools.

    Photo is by Niveditaa GuptaRosie and Tillie, India, by Renesa
    Local architecture studio Renesa set terracotta tiles against smooth terrazzo surfaces at Rosie and Tillie, an all-day cafe in New Delhi.
    Squat curved booths create sculptural seating throughout the eatery, which is located within a former Indian restaurant at a shopping mall in the Indian capital’s Saket neighbourhood.
    Find out more about Rosie and Tillie ›
    Photo is by David SieversSmallfry Seafood, Australia, by Sans-Arc Studio
    Smallfry Seafood is a chip shop in Adelaide, Australia, that takes cues from the aesthetics of Japanese seafood markets.
    Sans-Arc Studio created a communal bar and curved tables from narrow slabs of light blue terrazzo. For the rest of the interiors, the studio chose mottled grey travertine and stained wood accents that are illuminated by globular pendant lights.
    Find out more about Smallfry Seafood ›
    Photo is by Oculis ProjectDrop Coffee, UAE, by Roar Studio
    A decorative terrazzo floor mirrors a mural created from broken ceramic tiles at this Dubai cafe that was designed by Roar Studio at the city’s Dar Al Wasl Mall.
    Drop Coffee has a colour palette of greys and whites, chosen to maintain focus on the cafe’s mix of industrial materials such as stainless steel and concrete.
    “We aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel by using broken tiles – our idea was to form a counterpoint to the terrazzo effect porcelain flooring as though the chips of the broken tiles were used in the flooring,” Roar Studio founder Pallavi Dean told Dezeen.
    Find out more about Drop Coffee ›
    Photo is by Jovian LimOdette, Singapore, by Universal Design Studio 
    Mosaic-like terrazzo floors formed from pale pink and white take centre stage at Odette, a restaurant in Singapore created by British practice Universal Design Studio.
    A range of soft and smooth materials make up the interiors, from plush grey velvet benches and chairs to sleek nickel fixtures and statement planters.
    Find out more about Odette ›
    Photo is courtesy of Alex MeitlisOttolenghi Chelsea, UK, by Alex Meitlis
    London deli and restaurant chain Ottolenghi has opened a branch in Chelsea that features interior styling by designer Alex Meitlis, who created exposed plaster walls interspersed with pink terrazzo tiles.
    The eatery includes slinky banquettes in red upholstery and low-slung rattan chairs, which are arranged around sculptural white tables.
    Find out more about Ottolenghi Chelsea ›
    Photo is by Tom BlachfordPenta, Australia, by Ritz&Ghougassian 
    Terrazzo was used to create subtle geometric seating at Penta, a minimal cafe in Melbourne designed by local architecture studio Ritz&Ghougassian.
    Jet black cushions and chairs contrast the grey speckled benches, while delicate native ferns add a touch of greenery to the otherwise monochrome interiors.
    Find out more about Penta ›
    Photo is by Jonathan LeijonhufvudLievito Gourmet Pizza, China, by MDDM Studio
    Another eatery with a muted atmosphere, Lievito Gourmet Pizza by MDDM Studio features blocky custom-made tables and a central bar formed from powdery grey terrazzo.
    The Beijing restaurant was designed with this layout in order to incorporate both open and more intimate dining spaces, which are arranged across three subtle levels.
    Find out more about Lievito Gourmet Pizza ›
    Photo is by Dirk WeiblenTingtai Teahouse, China, by Linehouse
    Situated inside an old factory space in Shanghai, Tingtai Teahouse is characterised by its intimate seating areas contained in elevated boxes positioned above a multi-level landscape of green terrazzo.
    “We paired smoked oak and brushed darkened stainless steel with the green terrazzo to bring warmth into the space,” explained Linehouse founder Alex Mok.
    Find out more about Tingtai Teahouse ›
    Photo is by Samara ViseB-Natural Kitchen, USA, by Atelier Cho Thompson 
    A rounded bar and service counter with a multi-coloured terrazzo top and tamboured wood siding features in B-Natural Kitchen, a pastel-hued restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut.
    Atelier Cho Thompson juxtaposed soft and bold finishes for the interiors, which include plant-themed graphic wallpaper that nods to the eatery’s menu of fresh ingredients.
    Find out more about project B-Natural Kitchen ›
    Photo is by Tom BlachfordMiddle South East, Australia, by Biasol
    Design studio Biasol took cues from Middle Eastern architecture for this Melbourne restaurant that juxtaposes deep blue and terracotta tones.
    A tiled water station with terrazzo shelving features in the centre of the room, while clusters of dining tables and a bar are topped with the same speckled material.
    Find out more about Middle South East ›
    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 white bathrooms, light-filled extensions and homes with statement windows.

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    Ten atriums that brighten and expand residential spaces

    A Montreal home with a trapeze net, a warehouse conversion in London and an Indian home with a monolithic marble facade are among the residences in this lookbook, which feature atriums as a central aspect of their design.

    Atriums – large spaces, surrounded by a building, that are either open-air or feature skylights – were originally used in Roman homes, where they functioned more like a courtyard.
    Modern atriums typically feature in larger buildings and are cavernous spaces that stretch up for stories.
    For residential architecture, architects who want to include atrium spaces have to scale down the size, but that doesn’t mean that homes can’t have the loft ceilings and ample light provided by atriums.

    In these homes, the central space is open, with skylights and glass ceilings bringing light into the heart of the structure.
    Atriums provide an option for airiness when confronted with constructing homes on busy city streets where exterior views are not always desirable.
    Often, the other rooms and spaces are all accessed from the atrium space, and many times trees feature in these lofty spaces.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing floating staircases, calm green bedrooms and organic modern interiors.
    The photo is by Adrien WilliamsAtrium Townhome, Canada, by Robitaille Curtis
    When dealing with limited space in city buildings, an atrium can open up the inside of the home. For this Montreal Townhome, Canadian studio Robitalle Curtis oriented the white-walled interiors around a triple-height atrium.
    The atrium is in the centre of the house and extends up from the open-layout kitchen upwards. A skylight brings light into the void and the open space is punctuated by a trapeze that forms a children’s play area on the top floor.
    Find out more about Atrium Townhome ›
    The photo is by Yohei SasakuraMargin House, Japan, by Kohei Yukawa
    Kohei Yukawa of Yukawa Design Lab designed this home for himself in Ibaraki City, north of Osaka. The corrugated-metal-clad home features a central atrium with a small tree.
    Instead of being completely topped by a skylight, the atrium fits into the slanted volume of the home. A wall of glass accompanies it on one side and at the top two clerestory windows bring light into the void.
    Find out more about Margin House ›
    The photo is by Glen GeryLa Clairière, USA, by Studio PHH
    Brooklyn-based Studio PHH connected two wood-and-brick-clad volumes with a double-height atrium that serves as the living room for this New Jersey home.
    The space has floor-to-ceiling glass on two sides where it faces the outdoors and is filled by a central staircase that leads to a mezzanine. Two large circular skylights brighten the space from above.
    Find out more about La Clairière ›
    The photo is by Rory GardinerBethnal Green warehouse apartment, UK, by Paper House Project
    UK studio Paper House Project’s design for this London home saw the studio turn an open-office space in an old warehouse into a residence. In order to add bedrooms to the space while still maintaining natural light on the first floor, the studio incorporated an atrium topped by skylights.
    The double-height atrium is lined with gridded windows that also bring light into the bedrooms above. Instead of a tree, the void of the atrium is filled by a sculptural chandelier.
    Find out more about this warehouse conversion ›

    Tawainese home, Taiwan, by KC Design Studio
    KC Design Studio was tasked with bringing extra light into this 50-year-old home in Tawain. In order to do so, an atrium-like central void was created.
    A metal stairway follows the atrium up three levels, creating a central flow through the home and bringing in plenty of natural light. Plants have been hung from the exposed structural rafters to take advantage of the sunlight and add life to the design.
    Find out more about this Taiwanese home ›
    The photo is by Hiroyuki OkiHouse for Daughter, Vietnam, by Khuôn Studio
    This house in Ho Chi Min City by Khuôn Studio features a massive triple-height atrium that splits the two sections of the home, one of which is used by the full-time residents and one by their daughter.
    The atrium features public spaces, a tree and a series of skylights that bring in light to the cavernous volume. The edges of the rooms on either side protrude into the area and are rounded, adding a softness to the atrium space.
    Find out more about House for Daughter ›
    The photo is by Photo André Jeanpierre Fanthome and Suryan//DangCleft House, India, by Anagram Architects
    This New Delhi house by Anagram Architects features two monumental marble blocks that are split by a massive atrium. The four-storey atrium is topped by a glass ceiling and even has a glass-lined elevator shaft on one wall.
    A massive spiral staircase fills the void and plant-filled public areas are arranged throughout the space. Balconies for rooms on the upper floor have been positioned to look out over the atrium, giving the impression of an open-air space.
    Find out more about Cleft House ›
    The photo is by Andres Garcia LachnerJungle Frame House, Costa Rica, by Studio Saxe
    Studio Saxe oriented this steel-framed home in Costa Rica around a “tropical atrium”. The three-storey atrium is lined by glass and wooden louvres so that the jungle is visible from much of the home.
    Because of the wooden slats, the ground floors have shadows similar to the floor of the jungle with the shadows of the overstory. At the bottom of the atrium space is the living room, which extends outside into a wrap-around patio.
    Find out more about Jungle Frame House ›
    The photo is by Hey!CheeseHouse H, Taiwan, by HAO Design
    The atrium was achieved in this home in Kaohsiung by removing the interior staircase and putting it outdoors. HAO Design decided that orienting the home around an atrium was the best way to take advantage of the space left by the staircase.
    A skylight at the top illuminates the kitchen and a variety of other living spaces are positioned as mezzanines on the upper floors. The home now serves as a cafe and furniture store.
    Find out more about House H ›
    The photo is by Albers StudioThe Lomas House, Mexico, by Arqueodigma Studio 
    Because of the busy area of Guadalajara where this home is located,  Arqueodigma decided to orient it inwards. The central public areas of the home are arranged around a triple-height atrium covered by a skylight.
    In the space are trees that rise up into the open area left open in the wooden ceiling. The public spaces on the ground floor were left mostly open so that the atrium can diffuse light through much of the home.
    Find out more about The Lomas House ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing floating staircases, calm green bedrooms and organic modern interiors.

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