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      Eight bold showers that add a pop of colour to the bathroom

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      Showers enclosed in dichroic glass and wrapped in speckled terrazzo are featured in our latest lookbook, which showcases eight unique showers that bring a touch of colour to the bathroom.

      Bathtubs often hold the spotlight in a bathroom, but this round-up proves showers can be just as showstopping – and luxurious.
      From an all-pink shower in Taiwan to a minty-green shower in an Antwerp apartment, these colourful showers add a bold touch to brighten up the surrounding space.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring pared-back loft conversions, lattice screens and outdoor showers.
      Photo is by Dylan ChandlerCrosby Studios apartment, USA, Crosby Studios

      Crosby Studios founder Harry Nuriev and partner Tyler Billinger outfitted their New York City apartment in a palette of purple and grey.
      The bold colour scheme was carried into the bathroom, where the shower was clad in grey tile and enclosed with a purple shower screen.
      Find out more about the Crosby Studios apartment ›
      Photo is by Christian HarderThe Siren Hotel, USA, Quinn Evans Architects
      The Siren Hotel in Detroit was originally built in 1926 by architect Robert Finn before being refreshed by design development firm ASH NYC with the help of Quinn Evans Architects in 2018.
      The renovation included the addition of pastel hues and an assortment of rich textiles, while the hotel’s showers were updated with red-speckled terrazzo and a glass-brick divider.
      Find out more about The Siren Hotel ›
      Photo is by Maxime BrouilletUnit 622, Canada, Rainville Sangaré 
      Unit 622 by Rainville Sangaré is located inside architect Moshe Safdie’s famous brutalist Habitat 67 in Montreal, Canada.
      Sangaré updated the apartment to include walk-in showers enclosed in dichroic glass that appears to change colour when viewed from different angles.
      Find out more about Unit 622 ›
      Photo is by Hey! CheeseCats’ Pink House, Taiwan, KC Design Studio
      Not only does the Cats Pink House by KC Design Studio include an entire room dedicated to the owner’s cats, but it also contains a spacious pink bathroom.
      Large pink tiles cover the walls and floor of a walk-in shower, which is also outfitted with a stand-alone tub.
      Find out more about Cat’s Pink House ›
      Photo is by Karen Van der BiestSpinmolenplein penthouse, Belgium, Jürgen Vandewalle
      Located on the top floor of the tallest residential building in Ghent, Belgium, the 60-square-metre Spinmolenplein penthouse updated by Jürgen Vandewalle was designed to maximize space.
      A bathroom unit clad in white wood panels opens to reveal a colourful shower stall finished with a micro-cement in a muted red.
      Find out more about Spinmolenplein penthouse ›
      Photo is by Luis Díaz DíazReady-made Home, Spain, Azab
      Located in an apartment building in Spain built in the 1960s, the Ready-made Home by Azab features a colourful palette of soft pinks, blues and yellows.
      A corner bathroom in the main bedroom is partitioned by a light blue curtain, while a deeper shade of blue was carried into the tiles that cover the floor and walls of the bathtub and shower.
      Find out more about Ready-made Home ›
      Photo is by Piet-Albert GoethalsApartment A, Belgium, Atelier Dialect 
      While an en-suite shiny steel tub makes quite the statement in this Antwerp apartment updated by Belgian design studio Atelier Dialect, the shower is equally intriguing.
      Contrasted by the stark white and black palette of the surrounding bedroom, the shower was wrapped in minty green, with a single shelf cut into the wall for toiletries and a bench installed opposite.
      Find out more about Apartment A ›
      Photo is by Megan TaylorLouisville Road house, England, 2LG Studio
      Located in Tooting, south London, interior design studio 2LG overhauled a period home with blue tilework and coral-orange cabinetry.
      The walk-in shower features baby blue floor tiles and matching hardware, as well as sky-blue bordering that surrounds the fluted-glass shower screen.
      Find out more about Louisville Road house ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring basement apartments, mid-century homes and textural kitchens.

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      Eight restful bedrooms decorated in the colours of autumn leaves

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      In this lookbook, Dezeen has selected eight bedrooms that feature shades of green, yellow, orange, red and brown to create cosy environments with an autumnal feel.

      As the northern hemisphere settles into the autumn season and the days get colder, this roundup showcases examples of how to create serene and restful bedrooms by using colours similar to the changing hues of leaves.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring airy loft conversions, kitchen islands with waterfall countertops and art-filled living rooms.
      Photo by David ZarzosoLa Casa de los Olivos, Spain, by Balzar Arquitectos
      Spanish studio Balzar Arquitectos designed a copper-toned home in rural Valencia with an interior colour palette informed by the colours of the surrounding landscape.

      Taking cues from the leaves of the surrounding olive trees, green cupboard doors feature in the bedrooms and kitchen, while terracotta-toned flooring throughout the home mimics the colour of the reddish soil.
      Find out more about La Casa de los Olivos ›
      Photo by Mariell Lind HansenZero House, UK, by Ben Garrett and Rae Morris
      Informed by the mid-century period this London home was built in, recording artists Ben Garrett and Rae Morris renovated Zero House with a warm-toned material palette.
      Timber ceilings were stained a dark red hue, while the walls were stained a lighter yellow tone.
      A rusty red carpet covers the floor in the main bedroom, complementing the orange velvet upholstery on the dark wood bed frame.
      Find out more about Zero House ›
      Photo by Derek SwalwellSomers House, Australia, by Kennedy Nolan
      Australian studio Kennedy Nolan finished the interior of Somer House in Victoria with shades of dark down and pops of red, mirroring the dark timber cladding and red-hued render used on the exterior.
      A range of textures in the tactile flooring, curtains and wood-lined walls create variation in this deep-brown bedroom, which is accented by red bedding.
      Find out more about Somers House ›
      Photo by Giulio GhirardiCanal Saint-Martin apartment, France, by Rodolphe Parente
      A palette of warm neutrals was chosen to enhance the classical heritage of this 19th-century Parisian apartment, which French interior designer Rodolphe Parente renovated in a contemporary style.
      Caramel-coloured walls and a leafy green throw in the bedroom create a warm and inviting environment, which is juxtaposed by a vivid purple rug and lavender-hued bed sheets.
      Find out more about the Canal Saint-Martin apartment ›
      Photo by Fabian MartinezColonia Condesa house, Mexico, by Chloé Mason Gray
      Local interiors studio Chloé Mason Gray renovated a mid-20th century house in Mexico City, embracing the lack of natural light in the home by flooding the walls with deep shades of brown and green.
      The bedroom has a moody atmosphere, with brown textured plasterwork walls accompanied by a leather headboard and green linen bedding and curtains.
      Find out more about the Colonia Condesa house ›
      Photo by MCA EstúdioHygge Studio, Brazil, by Melina Romano
      Named after the Danish word describing a sense of cosiness and contentment, Hygge Studio is a São Paulo apartment designed by Brazilian designer Melina Romano.
      Creamy brick walls, terracotta flooring and warm-toned accents feature throughout the home, including in the oversized upholstered headboard in the bedroom.
      Romano also added nature-inspired elements to the bedroom in keeping with the cosy, bucolic feel of the home, including branches speckled with lichen and insect-shaped wall art.
      Find out more about Hygge Studio ›
      Photo by Purnesh DevHybrid House, India, by Sketch Design Studio
      Architecture firm Sketch Design Studio used vernacular building techniques from both north and south India to create the three-bedroom Hybrid House.
      The house was made from pink-toned rammed-earth walls, which were partly covered with lime plaster in the interior, and terracotta floors feature a kolam inlay created using rice flour.
      Find out more about Hybrid House ›
      Photo by Fabian MartinezCasa Tres Árboles, Mexico, by Direccion
      Varying shades of brown define the interior of Casa Tres Árboles, a holiday home in Valle de Bravo designed by Mexican studio Direccion to be a “monastic sanctuary”.
      Darker, cool-toned shades were used for the bedrooms to create a tranquil atmosphere and counterpoint to the warmer tones in the exposed timber ceiling beams.
      Find out more about Casa Tres Árboles ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring airy loft conversions, kitchen islands with waterfall countertops and art-filled living rooms.

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      Eight living rooms where low-slung furniture creates a casual lounge atmosphere

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      Low-back sofas and armchairs play a key role in our latest lookbook, which explores how low-slung furniture can make living rooms feel more relaxed and less formal.

      When lounge furniture sits low to the ground, it can make a big difference to the mood of the room.
      Low-back seats are typically more generous in width, so the sitting position doesn’t have to be as upright. This means sofas can sometimes feel more like beds.
      This type of furniture works well in open-plan interiors, as it can divide up the space without making different areas feel too separate. But it can also be used to soften rooms that are heavily decorative.
      Read on for eight examples, including a London loft renovation and a California home.

      This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, other recent lookbooks feature colourful bedrooms and kitchens with tiled worktops.
      Photo is by Mariell Lind HansenSt John Street, UK, by Emil Eve Architects
      The aim behind this renovation of a former warehouse space in London’s Clerkenwell neighbourhood was to make it feel more comfortable without losing its industrial character.
      A low-slung, L-shaped sofa helps to create that mood in the living space. Other furniture elements are also set low, allowing the exposed brickwork walls to be the key focal point.
      Find out more about St John Street ›
      Photo is by Salva LópezCasa Vasto, Spain, by Mesura
      This converted factory apartment in Barcelona’s El Poblenou neighbourhood doubles as a gallery, so it plays host to an ever-changing roster of collectable art and design pieces.
      Low-lying furnishings help to enhance the apartment’s high, vaulted ceilings, creating an optimal setting for display.
      They include a modular sofa system that can be arranged in different ways and an equally low coffee table made out of construction waste.
      Find out more about Casa Vasto ›
      Photo is by Lorenzo ZandriHouse by the Sea, UK, by Of Architecture
      The open-plan ground floor of this seaside house in Cornwall includes two lounge spaces. One is designed as a snug, with a high-back sofa and a hearth, while the other has a more casual feel.
      The sofa in this second space is a modular L-shaped piece, upholstered in beige marl fabric.
      Its low back helps the space feel connected with the adjacent kitchen and allows views across to the expansive sliding windows, which offer a view of Newquay’s picturesque Pentire Steps beach.
      Find out more about House by the Sea ›
      Photo is by Joe FletcherSausalito Outlook, USA, by Feldman Architecture
      The living room of this renovated 1970s house on San Francisco Bay features an iconic low-slung seating design that was launched around the same time.
      Designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1973 and produced by Ligne Roset, the Togo chairs and sofas look like slouchy, oversized cushions, but their foam filling is surprisingly supportive.
      Here, they create two seating areas that can be used for reading, watching television or looking out at the sea view.
      Find out more about Sausalito Outlook ›
      Photo is by Joe FletcherTwentieth, USA, by Woods + Dangaran
      Generous, low furniture pieces are a recurring theme in this three-storey house in Santa Monica, which was designed to be practical for day-to-day life and able to host parties and gatherings.
      The most striking example is a set of four club chairs with swivel bases, organised around a polished stone coffee table in one of two ground-floor living rooms.
      Find out more about Twentieth ›
      Photo is by José HeviaNZ10 Apartment, Spain, by Auba Studio
      Low-back furniture can work well in rooms that connect indoors with outdoors, where the atmosphere is typically less formal. This apartment in Palma de Mallorca is a prime example.
      Located in a converted bakery, the home features full-height sliding doors that connect a rear lounge space with patio terrace. The room is furnished with a casual, low sofa that extends all the way along one side.
      Find out more about NZ10 Apartment ›
      Photo is by Giulio GhirardiApartment Canal Saint-Martin, France, by Rodolphe Parente
      The living room of this renovated Haussmann-era apartment in Paris centres around a sculptural vintage sofa, upholstered in mustard-yellow velvet.
      The piece has a formal, geometric shape that complements the building’s period details, while its low shape offers a contemporary feel that is echoed by other playful artworks and furnishings in the room.
      Find out more about Apartment Canal Saint-Martin ›
      Photo is by Read McKendreeSag Harbor 2, USA, by KOS+A
      Sunset views were a priority for the owners of this waterfront house in the Hamptons, the popular retreat destination for New Yorkers.
      The waterfront facade is largely glazed to maximise views, so it made sense to choose unobtrusive furniture. For the family lounge, this meant a low-slung L-shaped sofa and a curved club chair.
      Find out more about Sag Harbor 2 ›
      This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, other recent lookbooks feature colourful bedrooms and kitchens with tiled worktops.

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      Eight airy and pared-back loft conversions

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      A tactile Amsterdam apartment and a birch plywood-lined extension feature in our latest lookbook, which collects eight loft conversions created for maximum space.

      Architects and designers often open out the room located directly under the roof of a house to create extra living areas or storage space.
      Whether they were renovations of an existing room or conversions of unused attic space, the following loft conversions are united by their thoughtful use of space.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring basement apartments, mid-century homes and textural kitchens.
      Photo is by Studio de NooyerAmsterdam apartment, the Netherlands, by Firm Architects

      Local studio Firm Architects renovated this loft apartment in the De Pijp district of Amsterdam, creating a striking horizontal line formed of zinc, mirror and brick elements.
      The line, which runs around the walls of the loft, was designed to make the apartment look as if it has been “visibly cut through”.
      “Everything above the cross-section is a new interpretation, and everything below a reflection of the old,” said the studio.
      Find out more about this Amsterdam loft ›
      Photo is by Anna PositanoHouse for a Sea Dog, Italy, by Dodi Moss
      House for a Sea Dog was designed for a naval engineer who is used to long periods in confined spaces and wanted their home to be as open as possible.
      Contained within a 300-year-old Geona building, the multi-level loft features a mezzanine floor, which serves as a bed deck. Architecture studio Dodi Moss slotted a slender bathroom underneath to make use of the high ceilings.
      Find out more about House for a Sea Dog ›
      Photo is by Jochen VerghoteAntwerp attic, Belgium, by Van Staeyen Interieur Architecten
      The formerly dark and dusty attic inside this Antwerp home was converted into a multi-functional living space characterised by bright yellow accents, arched portals and curvy built-in furniture.
      Van Staeyen Interieur Architecten designed the renovation to serve as both a guest room and a zone for the clients’ daughters to play and socialise in as they grow up.
      Find out more about this Antwerp apartment ›
      Photo is by Edmund SumnerLeaf House, UK, by Szczepaniak Astridge
      Szczepaniak Astridge added a rooftop extension to Leaf House – a terraced property in south London that is home to photographer Edmund Sumner and writer Yuki Sumner.
      The architecture studio designed the space to be uncharacteristically sparse for a loft conversion and positioned a wooden bathtub and double bed next to a floor-to-ceiling window with views of Lettsom Gardens.
      Find out more about Leaf House ›
      Photo is by Jim StephensonProject Escape (to the Roof), UK, by A Small Studio
      An exposed brick wall and a curved rocking chair are one of many features within three loft spaces created by A Small Studio for this southeast London home.
      The firm converted the building’s existing roof space into a trio of new rooms with zinc-clad dormer windows that offer views of the leafy back garden.
      Find out more about Project Escape (to the Roof) ›
      Photo is by Brigida GonzálezR11, Germany, by Pool Leber Architekten
      Pool Leber Architekten removed the reinforced concrete upper floor of this 1980s housing block in Munich to make way for two lighter cross-laminated timber structures.
      The updated loft features prominent wooden features on its interior including walls, ceilings, floors and sculptural joinery.
      Find out more about Project Escape (to the Roof) ›

      Photo is by Jim StephensonBrighton house, UK, by Studiotwentysix
      Architect Dan Gray and his wife Isabella, who are co-owners of Studiotwentysix, renovated their Brighton family home to include an angled loft extension lined with birch plywood.
      The project created an additional 55 square metres of living space, which is accessed via a new staircase. A triangular snug carved into the eaves of the gable end adds a playful and cosy space for the couple’s two daughters.
      Find out more about this Brighton house ›
      Photo is by Mariell Lind HansenLondon apartment, UK, by Emil Eve
      London practice Emil Eve decked out this Hackney loft extension in a pale pink hue to evoke “a sense of calm”.
      The renovation created a sanctuary-style bedroom featuring slatted panelling with an integrated bedhead and understated storage.
      Find out more about this London apartment ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring basement apartments, mid-century homes and textural kitchens.

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      Eight kitchens islands that have sleek waterfall edges

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      For our latest lookbook, we spotlight eight contemporary kitchens that centre on islands with waterfall countertops made from concrete, stone and chunky terrazzo.

      As its name suggests, a waterfall edge is a style of kitchen island or cabinet where the countertop appears to flow seamlessly from the surface to the ground.
      The feature, also known as a mitred end, is popular in contemporary kitchens as it is an easy way to create a focal point while retaining a sleek, pared-back aesthetic.
      As revealed by this lookbook, they are particularly impactful when made from materials such as marble and concrete, which give rise to sculptural, monolithic centrepieces.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring living rooms with striking art pieces, colourful bedrooms and living rooms with cowhide rugs.

      Photo is by Pion StudioBotaniczna Apartment, Poland, by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio
      Agnieszka Owsiany Studio draped travertine over a series of oak cupboards to form this kitchen island. The wood helps accentuate the warm tones of the stone, which the studio chose because of its soothing and timeless qualities.
      “I really wanted to create something timeless, hence the idea to use materials such as wood and travertine which age beautifully and hopefully won’t be replaced within many years,” said the studio’s founder Agnieszka Owsiany.
      Find out more about Botaniczna Apartment ›
      Photo by Megan TaylorSunderland Road, UK, by 2LG Studio
      Sky-blue cabinetry offers a calm backdrop to the bold waterfall countertop in this kitchen, designed by 2LG Studio.
      Made of white marble with grey veins, it extends over both ends of a wood-clad kitchen island and incorporates a hob for cooking. The countertop was paired with pink bar stools and is illuminated by a Cherry Pendant light by designer duo Daniel-Emma.
      Find out more about Sunderland Road ›
      Photo by Mike SchwartzLake Geneva Residence, USA, by Collective Office
      Concrete was used to form the mitred end of this kitchen island, creating a centrepiece that juxtaposes the light and natural look of its wood-lined surroundings.
      It is complemented by matching concrete countertops on the adjacent wooden cabinets and incorporates a sink within its surface.
      Find out more about Lake Geneva Residence ›
      Photo by Danny BrightMontauk House, USA, by Desciencelab
      A black countertop overrides the wood-lined base of this central unit, found in the kitchen of a gabled house in Montauk, recently overhauled by Desciencelab.
      Standing out against the surrounding wooden cupboards, it helps to demarcate the food preparation area within the open-plan room, which also contains the dining and living areas.
      Find out more about Montauk House ›
      Photo by José HeviaPaseo Mallorca 15 Apartments, Spain, by OHLAB
      This clean-cut stone island is located in the light and airy interior of an apartment in a housing block in Mallorca.
      Its minimalist aesthetic was paired with a more tactile material palette of rough plaster, dark wood and rustic fittings in the rest of the home, which OHLAB chose as a reflection of its Mediterranean setting.
      Find out more about Paseo Mallorca 15 Apartments ›
      Photo by Daniëlle SiobhánFamily Home Zwaag, Netherlands, by DAB Studio
      The sculptural waterfall countertops in this kitchen are formed from striking Arebescato Orobico marble.
      Its earthy brown and grey tones are enhanced by the warm colours of the surrounding Afromosia wood joinery and oak ceilings and floors, which form part of DAB Studio’s wider “calm yet soulful” material palette.
      Find out more about Family Home Zwaag ›
      Photo courtesy of Yellow Cloud StudioGlyn House, UK, by Yellow Cloud Studio
      Oversized chunks of colourful aggregate were used to create the terrazzo finish of this statement kitchen unit, which is located in Glyn House by Yellow Cloud Studio in London.
      Its waterfall edge conceals a series of black-painted drawers with silver handles and helps to “intensify the experience of raw, handmade surfaces” throughout the interior, the studio said.
      Find out more about Glyn House ›
      Photo by Fabián MartinezLoma Residence, Mexico, by Esrawe Studio
      Curved sides and mitred ends soften the look of this monolithic kitchen island, which Esrawe Studio created as part of its remodelling of an apartment in Mexico City.
      The unit sits in the centre of the home’s kitchen and was formed from a striking green-toned granite that pops out against its neutral surroundings.
      Find out more about Loma Residence ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring living rooms with striking art pieces, colourful bedrooms and living rooms with cowhide rugs.

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      Eight living rooms enhanced by decorative and striking art pieces

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      For our latest lookbook, we have gathered eight examples of serene living rooms where well-curated artworks add a touch of creativity.

      Paintings, sculptures and other art pieces can add a more personal feel to interiors, as seen in these eight art-filled living rooms.
      While some have gone all in on the art, others chose just one or two signature pieces to create a creative atmosphere.
      Either way, smartly placed artworks can enhance an interior and give homes a more personal feel.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring living rooms with cowhide rugs, monochrome interiors and basement apartments.

      Photo by Nicole FranzenAmagansett house, US, by Athena Calderone
      Plaster walls, marble details and linen fabric were used to decorate this renovated mid-century home in Long Island, New York.
      Owner and designer Athena Calderone also added plenty of sculptures and paintings to the interior, including in the living room where white artworks with playful textures and shapes add interest to the pale walls.
      Find out more about the Amangansett house ›
      Photo by Fran ParenteGale Apartment, Brazil, by Memola Estudio
      Brazilian studio Memola Estudio aimed to balance natural and industrial materials in this apartment in São Paulo, which has a double-height living room.
      The owners took advantage of the height to create a gallery wall on one side of the living room. Artworks also decorate an adjacent mosaic wall, giving the whole room a gallery-like feel.
      Find out more about Gale Apartment ›
      Photo by Salva LópezCasa Vasto, Spain, by Mesura
      Designed to be both an apartment and an art gallery, this home in a former factory in Barcelona features an exquisitely curated living and exhibition space.
      A large abstract blue-and-beige painting sits on top of a low bookshelf, which also displays a sculpture and multiple smaller paintings.
      Find out more about Casa Vasto ›
      Photo by Trevor Mein and Sharyn CairnsKew Residence, Australia, by John Wardle Architects
      A large contemporary painting in a bright green hue decorates the living room of this house in Melbourne, the home of architect John Wardle.
      Other artful details include playful side tables held up by mannequins, a sculptural wooden coffee table and numerous small vases and sculptures.
      Find out more about Kew Residence ›
      Photo by Olmo PeetersRiverside Tower, Belgium, by Studio Okami Architecten
      Located inside the brutalist Riverside Tower in Antwerp, this pared-back apartment has made a feature out of its original concrete structure.
      In the living room, the material is juxtaposed with a dark blue wall and a large painting in green and blue hues. Cosy leather sofas and green plants add a homely feel.
      Find out more about Riverside Tower ›
      Photo by Andrey Bezuglov and Maryan BereshLog cabin, Ukraine, by Balbek Bureau
      This house in Ukraine, a modern interpretation of a log cabin, features a number of striking and strategically placed artworks in the open-plan living room and dining room.
      Above the dining table hangs a large painting in a neo-expressionist style, integrating turquoise, white and pink to create an eye-catching focal point among the room’s more neutral colours.
      Find out more about the log cabin ›
      Photo by by Ingalls Photography and Mark Durling PhotographyMalibu Surf Shack, USA, by Kelly Wearstler 
      Designer Kelly Wearstler created Malibu Surf Shack, a renovated 1950s beachfront cottage, as a bohemian retreat for herself and her family.
      Its wood-clad living room has been enhanced by artworks in tonal colours that match the warm panelling, as well as tactile timber sculptures and geometric stone tables.
      Find out more about Malibu Surf Shack ›
      Photo by Giulio GhirardiParis apartment, France, by Rodolphe Parente
      This apartment in a Haussmann-era building in Paris was given a makeover by interior designer Rodolphe Parente.
      Parente played with contrasting materials and colour palettes in the apartment, which was designed around the owner’s “radical” art collection. In the living room, a framed photo print hangs on an otherwise empty wall overlooking two sculptural coffee tables.
      Find out more about the Paris apartment ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring living rooms with cowhide rugs, monochrome interiors and basement apartments.

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      Ten living rooms decorated with textural cowhide rugs

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      From a ranch in Colorado to a treehouse in Australia, the living spaces in this lookbook are united by the grounding presence of cowhide rugs.

      Animal skins have been used in dwellings for warmth and decoration for thousands of years. More recently, cowhide rugs – which were popularised in America – have become a common sight in interiors around the world, thanks to their recognisable pattern, outline and durability.
      Each hide has unique colourations and patterning, with variations in texture depending on the breed of the animal. One side features the hair, while the reverse is plain leather – the result of the tanning process.
      Cowhides imbue a cosy cabin-like feel, and can both blend into rustic homes and add timeless contrast in more minimalist interior schemes.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring underground bedrooms, kitchens that combine stone with wood and interiors with bright yellow accents.

      Photo by Brad FeinknopfBully Hill House, USA, by Studio MM
      A tan and white cowskin rug adds warmth to this lofty living space in a rural house in upstate New York.
      The skewbald floor covering lends a rustic edge to the living space, and is bolstered by the saloon-style bar stools and a fire surround clad in Corten steel with a niche for storing chopped firewood.
      Find out more about Bully Hill House ›
      Photo by Fernando Marroquín, Jaime Navarro and Beto LanzMexican house, Mexico, by Amezcua
      A dappled cowskin rug adorns the volcanic stone floor of the living room in this modular holiday house in Mexico.
      The brown and white rug zones the seating area, which comprises two chairs and a side table made from wood and leather and is flanked by a simple bookshelf in matching hues.
      Find out more about the Mexican house ›
      Photo by Christopher StarkSonoma farm house, USA, by Tyreus Design Studio
      Nature is ever-present in this house in California, thanks to its expansive sliding doors as well as the earthy elements of the interior scheme, including a pale cowskin rug.
      The lightly dappled coat appears to glow in the sunlight and echoes the striated white marble kitchen counter on the other side of the interior.
      Find out more about Sonoma farm house ›
      Photo by Matthew MillmanPaintbrush Residence, USA, by CLB Architects
      A vast picture window and a cylindrical log burner flank the cowhide floor covering in this contemplative seating area in a house in Wyoming.
      The curving outline of the grey and white hide provides a textural contrast to the regular linear shapes in the timber wall and ceiling cladding that encloses the area.
      Find out more about Paintbrush Residence ›
      Photo by BoysPlayNiceCzech house, Czech Republic, by Atelier SAD and Iveta Zachariášová
      This gabled living space in the ceiling of a house in the Czech Republic is dominated by a large brindle cowhide.
      The rug’s naturally irregular patterning is offset by the geometric floor lamp and a ribbed seat covered in black-and-white zigzag upholstery.
      Find out more about the Czech house ›
      Photo by Barton TaylorPepper Tree Passive House, Australia, by Alexander Symes
      A cream cowhide with a pronounced brown stripe running down its centre straddles two types of flooring in this unique house in New South Wales, Australia.
      Built around a 60-year-old pepper tree, the interior has a fundamentally neutral colour palette punctuated by plants.
      Find out more about Pepper Tree Passive House ›
      Photo by Cristóbal PalmaLBS house, Chile, by Umberto Bonomo and Felipe Alarcón
      Overlooking a V-shaped wall made from cinder blocks, the industrial-style living space in this Chilean house is softened by the presence of a glossy brown cowhide.
      The use of concrete and metal throughout the interior is offset by the rug’s organic feel.
      Find out more about LBS house ›
      Photo by Leo MendezReforma Alas, Paraguay, by OMCM Arquitectos
      A classic black-and-white spotted cowhide lines the floor in the airy open-plan living room of this house in Paraguay.
      The rug provides a focal point in the otherwise minimally decorated space, which is defined by the use of grey and white hues on the walls and floors.
      Find out more about Reforma Alas ›
      Photo courtesy of Studio FuseRockham House, UK, by Studio Fuse
      The laid-back living room in this house in Devon centres around a pale cowskin that sprawls across the concrete floor.
      The room’s broad picture windows frame views of the countryside, with the hide retaining the space’s cosiness with help from a suspended fireplace.
      Find out more about Rockham House ›
      Photo by David LauerGoatbarn Lane, USA, by  Renée del Gaudio Architecture
      An orange leather sofa, a side table made from gnarled wood and a light-coloured brindle cowskin rug huddle around a fireplace in the corner of the living room in this house in the Rocky Mountains.
      Despite the rugged setting, warmth and comfort are instilled in the interior through the use of soft furnishings and warm-toned wooden floors.
      Find out more about Goatbarn Lane ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring underground bedrooms, kitchens that combine stone with wood and interiors with bright yellow accents.

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      in Rooms

      Eight basement apartments that are subterranean sanctuaries

      by

      In this lookbook, we select eight apartments that prove basements are the new penthouses, from an art deco flat in Paris to a sci-fi-style hideaway in Madrid.

      Often associated with limited space and poor natural light, basement homes have not always been particularly coveted.
      But as the world’s cities get more expensive, busier and hotter, below-ground living can be a relatively affordable, private and temperate option.
      Below are eight of the best basement apartments previously featured on Dezeen.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cave-like interiors, residential entrance halls and pocket doors.

      Photo by Jim StephensonUnearthed Vault, UK, by Daab Design
      Architecture studio Daab Design turned a former art storage vault in London into a two-bedroom basement flat.
      Georgian period features were meticulously restored as part of the renovation and paired with a soothing colour palette of creams, greens and blues, turning what was previously a dark and cramped interior into a modern living space.
      Find out more about Unearthed Vault ›
      Photo by Simone BossiThe Whale, France, by Clément Lesnoff-Rocard
      The Whale takes its name from the huge structural elements that punctuate this home in the basement of a Parisian apartment building, which reminded architect Clément Lesnoff-Rocard of being inside an enormous animal.
      Lesnoff-Rocard stripped back the apartment to reveal the chunky concrete beams, while extensive mirrored glass, brass and geometric shapes inject an understated sense of art deco.
      Find out more about The Whale ›
      Photo by José HeviaYurikago House, Spain, by Mas-aqui
      Architecture studio Mas-aqui used half-levels in its renovation of this semi-basement apartment in Barcelona to maximise space.
      The previously unused bottom level was excavated to create a staircase down to a new guest bedroom featuring a structural arch above the bed and an exposed-concrete retaining wall.
      Find out more about Yurikago House ›
      Photo by by Yiannis Hadjiaslanis (also top)Ilioupoli Apartment, Greece, by Point Supreme
      Sunken into the ground at the bottom of an apartment building in Athens, this small, one-bedroom flat was previously a storage space.
      Point Supreme sought to retain the interior’s “magical-cave-like” feeling by leaving raw concrete surfaces exposed and using floor finishes, curtains and sliding partitions rather than walls to separate the space.
      Find out more about Ilioupoli Apartment ›
      Photo by Hey! CheeseHouse H, Taiwan, by KC Design Studio
      The basement of House H in Taipei leans into its underground setting with a dark and moody colour palette provided by concrete flooring, loosely rendered grey plaster walls and black or grey fixtures and fittings.
      To filter more natural light and fresh air into the basement, KC Design Studio carved several openings into the ceiling, accommodating a staircase and an indoor courtyard.
      Find out more about House H ›
      Photo by José HeviaApartment Tibbaut, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez
      Architect Raúl Sánchez converted a vaulted basement beneath a house in Barcelona into a subterranean apartment using curving panels of laminated pine.
      The partition curls around a central living area, separating each of the rooms but stopping short of the ceiling to ensure the building’s original architecture remains visible, as well as allowing natural light to spread throughout the space.
      Find out more about Apartment Tibbaut ›
      Photo by José HeviaCasa A12, Spain, by Lucas y Hernández-Gil
      This semi-basement Madrid apartment features fun, Stanley Kubrick-esque features such as shiny silver curtains, cobalt-blue accent walls and an indoor courtyard with orange grass.
      Lucas y Hernández-Gil designed the space to be a “world of work and leisure” where the homeowners can escape from the street above.
      Find out more about Casa A12 ›
      Photo by Jérôme FleurierStudio LI, France, by Anne Rolland Architecte
      A secret room sits beneath this sunken studio apartment created by Anne Rolland Architecte in a long-abandoned space in a 17th-century Parisian townhouse.
      Accessed via a mechanical trapdoor and granted natural light by a window in the kitchen floor, the former slurry pit was restored to create a music room and home cinema.
      Find out more about Studio LI ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring cave-like interiors, residential entrance halls and pocket doors.

      Read more: More