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    Eight sunny yellow interiors from kitchens to living rooms

    One-palette rooms and statement staircases are featured in our latest lookbook, which explores the best yellow interiors from the Dezeen archives.

    From soft, buttery hues to vivid primary colours and deeper mustards, these residential and commercial spaces have challenged the use of traditional shades to create unique, eye-catching yellow interiors.
    The use of yellow has been incorporated into bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and facades, whether it is contrasting with brighter colours, blending with other honey tones or standing out against neutral materials.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with lime plaster walls, Barbiecore pink aspects and retro nods to Wes Anderson.
    Photography is by Peter LandersBeresford Road property, London, by Russian for Fish

    This London-based apartment features a statement yellow kitchen that was used to brighten the basement and complement the other colours in the space. Russian for Fish used the same vivid shade throughout the entirety of the kitchen, which also continues to the staircase.
    Plant pots are added to the area to create dimension, with the green tones adding more colour to the otherwise yellow and neutral home.
    “Yellow is a great colour – it brings out the ochre tones of the natural concrete floor, compliments the off-white walls, and creates warmth throughout the flat, even on the dullest of days,” says architect and founder at Russian for Fish, Pereen d’Avoine.
    Find out more about Beresford Road property ›
    Photography is by Eugeni BachSeven Lives, Spain, by Anna and Eugeni Bach
    Spanish architecture studio Anna and Eugeni Bach built this apartment block in Barcelona, adding primary yellow features to the facade that add a vibrant touch to the interiors.
    The building has yellow window frames and grills, balconies and blinds that are all visible from the apartments, as well as yellow internal doors to the balconies. These statement attributes contrast with the grey stucco and internal walls.
    The shade – which was selected as it was approved by the area’s regulators – is also used in the communal staircase.
    Find out more about Seven Lives ›
    Photography is by René de Wit and Pim TopResidential complex, The Netherlands, by Shift Architecture Urbanism
    A variety of bright colours were used to decorate this residential complex designed by Shift Architecture Urbanism in Amsterdam. The 235 apartments feature shades of yellow, green, blue, red in the furniture, fixtures and appliances to create a playful atmosphere.
    The homes feature laminate floors, white walls and concrete ceilings that create a neutral base for the additional colours used for the modular units, cupboard-style bedrooms and ceramic tiled walls.
    Find out more about the residential complex ›
    Photography is by Jesper WestblomApartment, Sweden, by Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor
    This apartment in Stockholm uses plenty of primary colours, with reds, blues and yellows used on the walls and on the furniture.
    A butter shade decorates the walls of the main and children’s bedrooms, and is complimented by a sunshine hue on the ceiling. Soft yellow shades are also used to contrast maroon tiles and doors throughout the home.
    Yellow accents can also be found on its accessories, such as lamps, crockery and artwork.
    Find out more about the Stockholm apartment ›
    Photography is by Del Rio BaniCasa Collumpio, Spain, by MACH
    MACH designed this industrial-style house in Barcelona with lemon-yellow steelwork used on the interior and exterior.
    Used as a focal point among grey concrete and wooden cladding, a bright yellow staircase with a protective mesh panel connects the upper floors of the building. To complement the feature, yellow stripes are added to the white kitchen cupboards.
    The colour continues on the steelwork around the door, forming a decorative statement around the windows at the front and back of the home.
    Find out more about Casa Collumpio ›
    Photography is by José HeviaApartment, Spain, by Arquitectura-G
    Arquitectura-G designed the interiors of this apartment in Barcelona with pastel yellow tones to create a lighter, more open space. The walls and floor of the space are covered in glazed square tiles, with the metal kitchen units matching in a similar tone.
    Yellow furniture, such as a sofa and cupboards, complement the apartment’s colour palette.
    “We prefer to use the same colour in the whole project, in order to give a strong visual impact and make it an essential part of the house’s identity,” sids Arquitectura-G.
    Find out more about the Spanish apartment ›
    Photography is by Mikael LundbladCafe Banacado, Sweden, by ASKA
    ASKA has created a picturesque cafe in Stockholm informed by film director Wes Anderson’s aesthetics, using shades of mustard, cream, pink and brown to adorn the space.
    The yellow checkerboard floor was influenced by traditional Cuban styles of interiors and mirrored by similar tones in the tiled table tops.
    “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 ›
    The photography is by Jose HeviaJJ16, Spain, by Lucas y Hernández-Gil
    Citrus yellow offsets petal pink in this Madrid apartment by Lucas y Hernández-Gil, with a yellow built-in bookshelf lining the length of the corridor.
    The hallway leads to the kitchen, which features a contrasting soft pink floor and walls and matte grey units.
    The rest of the space has been decorated with similarly vivid colours and prints, including neon orange storage hidden by white doors, blue checkerboard flooring and an aubergine wardrobe.
    Find out more about JJ16 ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with lime plaster walls, Barbiecore pink aspects and retro nods to Wes Anderson.

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    Ten built-in beds that are embedded into the fabric of the building

    From mattresses on concrete bases to beds encased within timber surrounds, this lookbook rounds up ten single, double and day beds that have been built into interiors.

    Some designers choose to integrate beds into the building’s wider structure to create cohesion throughout interiors, eliminating the need to add matching furniture.
    Built-in beds are often seen in buildings situated in warmer climates, such as Central America and the Mediterranean, where stone or concrete is used to keep spaces cool and to create bespoke, unmovable furniture.
    Incorporated beds are also a popular choice when designing wooden cabins, due to their space-saving nature and the way they lend themselves to creating a cosy atmosphere.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring lime plaster walls, red interior schemes and interiors informed by retro design.

    Photo by Spyros Hound PhotographyWooden Cave, Greece, by Tenon Architecture
    A double and a single bed were sunk into this striking cave-like hotel suite in Greece designed by Tenon Architecture, which is made from over 1,000 pieces of spruce wood.
    The tiered wooden stricture has a smooth, biomorphic appearance that recalls the grotto dwellings used by early humans.
    Find out more about Wooden Cave ›
    Photo by Rory GardinerCasa Alférez, Mexico, by Ludwig Godefroy
    Two stark bedrooms are found in architect Ludwig Godefroy’s brutalism-informed home, situated in a pine forest in Mexico.
    Concrete was used for the walls, ceilings, floors, storage and furniture of the house – the harshness of which is offset in the plush day bed in its office area.
    Find out more about Casa Alférez ›
    Photo is courtesy of Caspar ScholsCabin Anna, The Netherlands, by Caspar Schols
    A double bed – including headboard and bedding – was integrated into the floor of this modular cabin created by architectural designer Caspar Schols.
    The structure and some of the furniture within it are flat-packed, allowing the space to be reconfigured depending on the needs of the user.
    Find out more about Cabin Anna ›
    Photo by César BéjaVilla Petrico, Mexico, by CO-LAB Design Office
    A glazed arch-shaped door dictates the shape of the rest of this tunnel-like bedroom in a concrete holiday home in Tulum.
    Platforms are present throughout the bedroom, one of which acts as a broad base for an understated mattress bed.
    Find out more about Villa Petrico ›
    Photo by Jonas Bjerre-PoulsenSwedish forest retreat, Sweden, by Norm Architects
    A sunken day bed takes advantage of the dramatic views of a pine forest in this cabin by Norm Architects.
    Linen upholstery and pillows compliment the natural wood texture of the bed’s base and the rest of the floor – a combination that extends throughout the rest of the interior.
    Find out more about Swedish forest retreat ›
    Photo by Edmund SumnerCometa House, Mexico, by Mauricio Rocha and Gabriela Carrillo
    A rustic wall made up of irregularly shaped stones provides the backdrop for the pared-back built-in bed in this coastal home in Oaxaca.
    A jute mat separates the mattress from its wide stone base, which has built-in steps separating it from the rest of the space.
    Find out more about Cometa House ›
    Photo by Taiyo Watanabe4/Way House, USA, by Deegan-Day Design & Architecture
    A birch plywood platform bed blends into the interior of a house in California by Deegan-Day Design & Architecture.
    The bed is surrounded by integrated panelling with a shelf for books and has an angular footprint to accommodate a built-in bedside table.
    Find out more about 4/Way House ›
    Photo by José CamposChestnut House, Portugal, by João Mendes Ribeiro
    A double bed saves space in this small-scale rural cabin by sitting flush with the surrounding structure that makes up the floor.
    The mezzanine bed is flanked by a bedside table area on one side and a ladder platform on the other that allows access to the level above.
    Find out more about Chestnut House ›
    Photo by Yiorgis YerolymposNCaved house, Greece, by Mold Architects
    Pale bedsheets blend in with light-coloured cast concrete platform and steps in this split-level bedroom.
    The built-in bed allows for other design features to take centre stage in the double-height space, including the stone wall, lancet windows and exposed structural beam.
    Find out more about NCaved house ›
    Photo by Ondřej BouškaCabin Above the Town, Czech Republic, by Byró Architekti
    A curtain separates a sleeping nook from the rest of this hilltop cabin’s open-plan interior.
    A single plywood volume snakes around the edge of the space and provides storage, seating and a bathroom as well as a built-in bed, with a further guest bed atop the structure accessible by a ladder.
    Find out more about Cabin Above the Town ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring lime plaster walls, red interior schemes and interiors informed by retro design.

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    Eight kitchens with tiled worktops that are pretty but practical

    A kitchen with a statement oxblood-colour island and another with curved child-friendly counters feature in our latest lookbook, which spotlights eight worktops that are covered in tiles.

    Tiled worktops can be a functional yet attractive addition to a kitchen, able to withstand hot pots and food stains while also creating an opportunity for decoration.
    The examples in this lookbook range from tiled worktops designed as focal points to more utilitarian counters that blend in with surrounding walls, illustrating the potential of tiles in a kitchen and proving they are not limited to just splashbacks and flooring.
    This is the latest in Dezeen’s lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from our archive. Other recent editions showcase wine storage solutions, bedrooms with desk spaces and interiors that draw on Mediterranean living.
    Photo by Megan TaylorFruit Box, UK, by Nimtim Architects

    London studio Nimtim Architects opted for bright white tiles to cover the worktops of this kitchen and teamed them with plywood cupboards, shelves and drawers for a deliberately simple look.
    Some tiles have curved edges, helping to create seamless transitions between the counters and splashback while also eradicating sharp corners so the space is safer for the client’s children.
    Find out more about Fruit Box ›
    Photo by Nicole FranzenEast Village Apartment, USA, by GRT Architects
    The focal point of this kitchen in an East Village apartment is an island covered in oxblood-coloured tiles, which stand out against a backdrop of white-oak cabinetry with oversized handles.
    This rich, jewel-toned finish was complemented by chequerboard mosaic tiling across the floor and shiny brass legs for the end kitchen counters.
    Find out more about East Village Apartment ›
    Photo by Peter BennettsWest Bend House, Australia, by Brave New Eco
    Duck-egg blue tiles adorn the surfaces of this galley kitchen, which studio Brave New Eco created in West Bend House in Melbourne.
    This includes an island running through its centre, where square tiles are used on the worktop and the sides are lined with long, slender versions. They are teamed with wooden joinery and slender bar stools.
    Find out more about West Bend House ›
    Photo by Stijn BollaertDe Sijs, Belgium, by Officeu Architects
    Officeu Architects combined a mix of pastel-hued square tiles to decorate the worktops in this kitchen, which features in the De Sijs co-housing project in Leuven.
    The dusky colours of the surfaces are complemented by a mix of fern-green and wooden cabinets and help draw attention to playful furnishings and fixtures, including hanging lights and bright red pots.
    Find out more about De Sijs ›
    Photo by José HeviaPalma Hideaway, Spain, by Mariana de Delás
    Green tiles are used to create focal points throughout this lofty apartment, which architect Mariana de Delás has hidden in a former motorcycle workshop in Palma de Mallorca.
    This includes the kitchen, where the tiles crown a statement island supported by chunky pink legs. This watermelon-like colour combination pops against a concrete floor and wooden cabinets.
    Find out more about Palma Hideaway ›
    Photo by Henrietta WilliamsScreen House, UK, by Studio Ben Allen
    This pared-back kitchen features inside Screen House, a north London flat that was modernised and reconfigured by Studio Ben Allen.
    To align with a strict budget, the kitchen features utilitarian fixtures and combines simple wooden joinery with white-tiled surfaces. The end tiles are curved to form a smooth edge to the counter.
    Find out more about Screen House ›
    Photo by Joe FletcherDawnridge House, USA, by Field Architecture
    Large grey tiles are used across the countertops of this wooden kitchen, which Field Architecture designed within a house in California.
    They form part of the natural-looking material palette used throughout the home, for which the studio drew on the surrounding Los Altos Hills landscape that includes a creek and large oak trees.
    Find out more about Dawnridge House ›
    Photo by Peter BennettsBismarck House, Australia, by Andrew Burges Architects
    At Bismarck House in Bondi, Andrew Burges Architects used a palette of what it described as “outdoor materials” across the ground floor.
    Alongside exposed brick, concrete and steel elements, this utilitarian palette includes tiled kitchen worktops and is intended to blur the boundary between the inside and robust exterior of the home.
    Find out more about Bismarck House ›
    This is the latest in Dezeen’s lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from our archive. Other recent editions showcase wine storage solutions, bedrooms with desk spaces and interiors that draw on Mediterranean living.

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    Eight serene interiors with decorative lime plaster walls

    For our latest lookbook, we have gathered eight examples of homes where tactile and practical lime plaster walls give the interiors a natural, calming feel.

    Lime plaster is a traditional wall coating typically made from sand, water and lime. It is often used in heritage buildings, since it is a breathable material that can be a good choice for damp spaces.
    It also has a natural look and feel that can help to create a more rustic and peaceful atmosphere in modern homes.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring clever wine storage solutions, space-efficient bedrooms and Mediterranean-style interiors.
    Photo by Simone BossiMA House, France, by Timothee Mercier

    Architect Timothee Mercier turned a rural farmhouse building in southeast France into a home for his parents that aimed to respect both the site and the region’s architectural history.
    Inside, he went for a pared-back, spartan interior, where some of the house’s stone exterior was left exposed. Walls were white-washed with chaux – a local lime plaster – to create a clean backdrop for the living room’s wooden furniture.
    Find out more about MA House ›
    Photo by Lorenzo ZandriCork House, UK, by Polysmiths
    Cork-clad living spaces feature in this east London home, which architecture studio Polysmiths’ director Charles Wu designed for himself and his partner.
    Wu used locally sourced timber and lime plaster for the house. A lime-plastered wall divides the main bedroom from its en-suite bathroom, which is lit by a corner lightwell.
    Find out more about Cork House ›
    Photo by Lorenzo ZandriHerne Hill House, UK, by TYPE
    The Herne Hill House extension replaced an existing conservatory at a south London terrace house, creating a bigger kitchen and dining room.
    A peaceful window nook gives views out of the garden from the open-plan kitchen, which features walls covered in lime plaster. Their pale beige hue contrasts the warm terracotta-coloured quarry-tile floor.
    Find out more about Herne Hill House ›
    Photo by David DworkindQuébec home, Canada, by Ménard Dworkind
    This home in Montréal centres around a lime-plastered, curved central block that sweeps around a staircase and forms a mezzanine level that overlooks the living room.
    Here, the rounded wall holds a terracotta fireplace. A geometric steel table adds a more modernist and industrial feel to the organic interior.
    Find out more about the Québec home ›
    Photo by Mikaela BurstowIceberg apartment, Israel, by Laila Architecture
    Natural lime plaster covers the walls in this Israeli apartment, which gets its name from a large birch plywood storage volume resembling an iceberg.
    In the kitchen, the plaster walls were complemented with birch plywood cabinetry and sunny pastel-hued chairs.
    Find out more about the Iceberg apartment ›
    Photo by Lorenzo Zandri and Christian BraileyLow Energy House, UK, by Architecture for London
    The minimalist interior of this energy-saving home in north London was designed using wood, stone and lime plaster by studio Architecture for London.
    Designed as a home for its founder, Ben Ridley, it had some problems with dampness. To help solve this, walls were coated with lime plaster to form an airtight layer, mitigating any heat loss.
    Find out more about Low Energy House ›
    Photo by Salva LópezCasa Soleto, Italy, by Studio Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez
    Studio Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez renovated this 17th-century Puglia house, using natural materials and colours wherever possible.
    Earth-coloured lime plaster decorates the walls, adding to the rustic feel of the space and matching the tactile and rough-hewn materials and furniture used for the interior.
    Find out more about Casa Soleto ›
    Photo by Jim StephensonNorth London home, UK, by Whittaker Parsons
    A home in London’s Stoke Newington was given an additional storey made from copper, larch and structural insulated panels, which houses a bedroom suite.
    Architecture studio Whittaker Parsons chose lime plaster for the walls of the space, which was designed to have a serene feel.
    “Lime render is a calming tactile material, characterful and soft,” said Whittaker Parsons. “It is a low-carbon alternative to gypsum plaster. It’s also a hygroscopic material, so it naturally moderates the moisture level in the bedroom.”
    Find out more about this North London home ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring clever wine storage solutions, space-efficient bedrooms and Mediterranean-style interiors.

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    Ten homes featuring clever wine storage solutions

    For those who don’t want to keep their wine collection hidden away, our latest lookbook showcases some of the most inventive ways of showcasing wine bottles within a contemporary home interior.

    Wine storage solutions can be created in homes of any size, by cleverly integrating shelving into wall niches or built-in furniture.
    For those with enough space for a wine cellar, or even just a dedicated wine fridge, well-designed glazing and lighting can turn these spaces into focal points.
    A more casual wine drinker could simply slot a small wine rack into a kitchen island or bookshelf.
    Read on for 10 examples to suit homes of any size, including a wine cellar that doubles as a lightbox and a blue wine-rack wall.

    This is the latest in Dezeen’s lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from our archive. Other recent editions showcase serene bedrooms and wood-panelled dining rooms.
    Photo by Maxime BrouilletMaison du Parc, Canada, by La Shed Architecture
    Visible from both the staircase and a grand basement bathroom, this wine room was designed to be a key feature in a three-storey home in Montreal.
    With frosted glass walls and stark lighting, it makes the bottles visible but partially obscured. They appear as a grid of spots across the surfaces of the bright white volume.
    Find out more about Maison du Parc ›
    Photo by Pedro KokAML Apartment, Brazil, by David Ito Arquitetura
    Bright blue wine storage extends floor to ceiling in this apartment in São Paulo, lining up exactly with a doorway in front.
    The wine rack sits alongside a utility area but it is also visible from the living and dining room, so it made sense to make it a feature. It offers space for 108 wine bottles.
    Find out more about AML Apartment ›
    Photo by Agnese SanvitoGallery House, UK, by Neil Dusheiko
    Wine bottles are not the primary focus in this kitchen extension in north London, which features an entire wall of treasured objects including ceramics, glassware and framed pictures.
    Instead, they neatly slot into 10 circular cubby holes within the oak kitchen island. These holes extend through, creating room for two bottles in each opening.
    Find out more about Gallery House ›
    Photo by Nelson KonCasa em Cotia, Brazil, by Una Arquitetos
    The kitchen of this family home in São Paulo centres around a full-height glass-fronted pantry, offering plenty of storage space for food and crockery.
    Wine storage is located within the front cupboard, slotted in underneath shelves for mugs and glasses. This places it within easy access of the adjacent dining room.
    Find out more about Casa em Cotia ›
    Photo by Jack LovelCity Beach Residence, Australia, by Design Theory
    Hexagonal terracotta modules are stacked up to create storage space for 50 wine bottles in this renovated 1960s beach house in Perth.
    The arrangement slots into a niche in the wall, with the clay-based material helping to keep the wine at a stable temperature.
    Find out more about City Beach Residence ›
    Photo by Mark WickensRaft Loft, USA, by Dash Marshall
    There is plenty of space for storing wine in this two-level home in New York’s Tribeca, which was converted from two previously separate apartments.
    In addition to the main kitchen, the residence has a kitchenette that features both a wine fridge and a wine rack that slots in above the wall-mounted high cupboards.
    Find out more about Raft Loft ›
    Photo by Dror BaldingerSki Slope Residence, USA, by LaRue Architects and Britt Design Group
    The owners of this lakeside cabin in Austin, Texas, also own a vineyard in Argentina, so they were understandably keen to put their wine collection on full display.
    A wine room takes pride of place near the main entrance. It is visible behind a glass door that extends from floor to ceiling, creating an unusual backdrop to a grand piano.
    Find out more about Ski Slope Residence ›
    Photo by Adam ScottCharred House, UK, by Rider Stirland Architects
    In this London home, wine storage forms part of a bespoke kitchen created by Plykea, a British brand that specialises in customising IKEA kitchens.
    The bottles are held in place by simple supports that sit within a series of shelves, offering space for 30 bottles.
    Find out more about Charred House ›
    Photo by Asier RuaSalva46, Spain, by Miel Arquitectos and Studio P10
    Storage helps to organise the floor plan in this highly compact Barcelona apartment.
    A very simple wood-framed wine rack slots alongside a set of drawers, which together create a soft divide between the entrance lobby and the kitchen.
    Find out more about Salva46 ›
    Photo by Michael Moran and Julian King ArchitectSoho Loft, USA, by Julian King
    This warehouse apartment in New York offers a highly simple wine storage solution.
    The living space features a series of shelves that together form a sizeable bookcase. A wooden rack slots into the bottom shelf, allowing wine to sit alongside the literature.
    Find out more about Soho Loft ›
    This is the latest in Dezeen’s lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from our archive. Other recent editions showcase serene bedrooms and wood-panelled dining rooms.

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    Eight space-efficient bedrooms with understated yet productive desk spaces

    For our latest lookbook, we’ve rounded up eight bedrooms with desks that provide much-needed workspace while maintaining a peaceful environment.

    Not every house has the space for a designated office room, so adding a desk to the bedroom is a popular choice for those requiring a place to work or study at home.
    The examples in this lookbook show how a workspace for productivity can be added to a bedroom without detracting from the calm and serenity needed for sleep.
    It includes understated fold-out desks, desks built into wall storage, a cosy reading nook and a study area that can be closed off with sliding screens.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors informed by Mediterranean living, interiors that adopt wabi-sabi principles and interiors covered in Barbiecore pink.

    Photo by Gavin GreenFisherman’s Cottage, Australia, by Studio Prineas
    Architecture studio Studio Prineas designed a concrete tower extension containing four bedrooms for a fisherman’s cottage in Sydney, separating the private rooms from the rest of the house.
    The studio added dark timber built-in wardrobes, shelving and a small desk along a wall in one of the bedrooms, adjacent to a large window that overlooks the nearby bay and lets natural light onto the study space.
    Find out more about Fisherman’s Cottage ›
    Photo by Sanden+Hodnekvam ArkitekterHouse in Red Concrete, Norway, by Sanden+Hodnekvam Arkitekter
    The pine-panelled interior of this bedroom contrasts with the home’s red-pigmented concrete exterior, designed by Oslo architecture studio Sanden+Hodnekvam Arkitekter.
    Pine plywood furniture that decorates the space was built on site, including the wall-mounted desk at the end of the bed.
    Find out more about House in Red Concrete ›
    Photo by Ballman KhapalovaPine Lane House, USA, by Ballman Khapalova
    Two bedrooms were combined into one main bedroom suite with a study space, as part of the renovation of this 1980s ranch house in Saugerties, New York, by architecture studio Ballman Khapalova.
    The studio designed custom wood furniture for the home, including a minimalist fold-out desk that stretches the length of the bedroom’s designated office nook.
    Find out more about Pine Lane House ›
    Photo by Masao NishikawaLaxus, Japan, by Apollo Architects & Associates
    A desk space sits in line with glossy wall storage in the bedroom of this Tokyo home, which is lit by strip lighting recessed in the overhead cupboards.
    Designed by Japanese studio Apollo Architects & Associates, the bedroom overlooks a courtyard with trees and shrubs, adding a serene and calming quality to the space.
    Find out more about Laxus ›
    Photo by Timothy SoarApartment Block, UK, by Coffey Architects
    Local studio Coffey Architects overhauled the interior of this two-storey London flat and decorated it with surfaces made from wooden blocks, including a mezzanine study area with a long desk and storage.
    Behind the study area is a main bedroom. Here, Coffey Architects separated the two zones by changing the flooring from wooden blocks to a grey carpet and adding Japanese-style timber screens inlaid with translucent panels.
    Find out more about Apartment Block ›
    Photo by Rafael SoldiWhidbey Dogtrot, USA, by SHED
    American firm SHED added a reading nook with views of the surrounding landscape to the bedroom suite in Whidbey Dogtrot, a cedar-clad home in the Pacific Northwest.
    Slim black shelving covers the three walls in the nook and provides a worktop space for reading and studying.
    Find out more about Whidbey Dogtrot ›
    Photo by Simone BossiMA House, France, by Timothee Mercier
    An oak desk paired with an aubergine-coloured Cassina chair sits behind a large picture window in the bedroom of this farm building in southeast France.
    Architect Timothee Mercier converted the rural building into a home for his parents, creating a purposefully pared-back interior “clear of fuss and clutter” and adding splashes of colour in the choices of furniture.
    Find out more about MA House ›
    Image by Kevin KunstadtFinancial District apartment, USA, by Light and Air
    Brooklyn studio Light and Air removed partition walls in this 1,200-square-foot New York City apartment to create an open space with increased storage.
    Custom-built furniture creates separation between the rooms, including an L-shaped desk with open shelves that helps divide the bedroom area from the living room.
    Find out more about the Financial District apartment ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors informed by Mediterranean living, interiors that adopt wabi-sabi principles and interiors covered in Barbiecore pink.

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    Eight airy interiors that draw on Mediterranean living

    With summer in full flow, we have gathered eight residential and hotel interiors for our latest lookbook that each has a breezy and cooling Mediterranean style.

    Mediterranean interiors can often be defined by their minimal, paired back aesthetic that focuses on creating bright, airy and cool living spaces that offer an escape from the heat of the sun.
    White-washed walls, exposed brick and stone or terracotta floors typically serve as the basis for these interiors with furniture made from natural materials.
    From hotels in Greece built into caves to a home in a former ruin in France, here are eight interiors that are influenced by the Mediterranean.
    This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring Barbie-pink interiors, rustic interiors and Wes Anderson-style interiors.

    Photo is by Simone BossiMA House, France, by Timothee Mercier
    Architect Timothee Mercier of Studio XM converted this former ruined farm building in Vacluse, France into a home that aimed to honour the original features of the building.
    The interior of the home was blanketed in white, covering its walls and exposed stone surfaces. The space was sparsely decorated with light wood furnishings and natural materials to give the interior a Mediterranean feel.
    Find out more about MA House ›
    Photo is by César BéjarCasa A690, Mexico, by Delfino Lozano
    Named Casa A690, this three-storey building dates back to the 1970s. It was renovated by Mexican architect Delfino Lozano who looked to combine Mediterranean and Mexican aesthetics.
    “We use the term Mexiterraneo to describe the materials and feeling we try to give our projects, in which we interpret the Mediterranean architecture – simple, pure materials – and mix it with our Mexican traditional architecture,” said Lozano.
    Find out more about Casa A690 ›
    Photo is by Karolina BąkBerlin summer loft, Germany, by Loft Szczecin
    Polish studio Loft Szczecin looked to historic Mediterranean architecture when overhauling the interior of this apartment in the suburbs of Berlin.
    The brick walls of the home were painted white while the floors of the interior were finished with old bricks that were sourced from industrial demolitions across Poland. Throughout the apartment, doors were removed to create more of an open-plan interior.
    Find out more about Berlin summer loft, ›
    Photo is by Fernando GuerraPura Comporta, Portugal, by Falcão de Campos
    In Portugal, Lisbon studio Falcão de Campos implemented a Mediterranean-informed interior scheme throughout this triple-pitched roof beach house.
    White walls were paired with minimal architectural detailing and finishes to achieve a Mediterranean look. A natural-toned rug was used to zone the living area, while a 10-person wooden table occupies the dining area of the home.
    Find out more about Pura Comporta ›
    Photo is by Giorgos SfakianakisSaint Hotel, Greece, by Kapsimalis Architects
    Greek architecture studio Kapsimalis Architects transformed a series of former homes, barns and cellars on the island of Santorini into a hotel with rooms in caves.
    The interior was designed to match the all-white exterior of the hotel. Each of the rooms features an almost all-white finish with the exception of their poured concrete floors and furnishings.
    Find out more about Saint Hotel ›

    Summer house, Greece, by Kapsimalis Architects
    Large arched openings add character to the open-plan interior of these Santorini apartments, which were designed by Kapsimalis Architects.
    Throughout the space, small, wood-framed windows pierce the walls and furniture was organised sparsely.
    Find out more about summer house›
    Photo is by José HeviaLas 3 Marías, Spain, by Bajet Giramé and Nicolas Burckhardt
    Terracotta tile floors, large arched openings and bi-folding glass doors blend the boundaries of the interior and exterior at this Spanish holiday home, which was designed by Bajet Giramé and Nicolas Burckhardt.
    Much like homes found across the Mediterranean, white stucco covers its walls and Valencian terracotta tiles run through both the interior and exterior.
    Find out more about Las 3 Marías ›
    Photo is by Prue RuscoeWoorak House, Australia, by CM Studio
    CM Studio looked to bring a coastal, Mediterranean feel to the interior of this home in Australia through the use of a paired back interior palette and natural materials such as wood, stone and paper.
    In the dining room, a wooden table, chairs and bench were placed beside a glazed corner of the home beneath exposed beams that run through the home.
    Find out more about Woorak House ›
    This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring Barbie-pink interiors, rustic interiors and Wes Anderson-style interiors.

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    Eight interiors that embrace the principles of wabi-sabi

    In this lookbook, we collect eight interiors informed by the Japanese design philosophy of wabi-sabi, which celebrates imperfection and impermanence.

    Notoriously difficult to define, wabi-sabi is a concept rooted in Zen Buddhism that author Beth Kempton describes as helping us “to see beauty in imperfection, appreciate simplicity and accept the transient nature of all things”.
    In interiors, it is often associated with the blending of rustic and minimalist elements as well as natural, earthy tones and raw surfaces. Below are eight interpretations of the aesthetic from around the world.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring Japandi living rooms, bedrooms with earthy colour palettes and calming organic-modern interiors.
    Photo by Roberto RuizPalau apartment, Spain, by Colombo and Serboli Architecture

    Barcelona studio Colombo and Serboli Architecture sought to highlight the “imperfect” features of this apartment in a renovation project.
    Rough-textured wooden beams were left exposed, with the contemporary elements prioritising sturdy, simple shapes like circles and squares.
    Find out more about Palau apartment ›
    Photo by Harold De PuymorinImperfect Residence, Hong Kong, by NC Design & Architecture
    Grainy wood and veiny marble come together as symbols of nature’s flaws at Imperfect Residence in Hong Kong.
    NC Design & Architecture also introduced finishes such as oxidised bronze and textured plaster to heighten the feeling of a sanctuary in the city.
    Find out more about Imperfect Residence ›
    Photo by Andrey AvdeenkoKyiv apartment, Ukraine, by Sergey Makhno
    Ukrainian architect Sergey Makhno is among the key European practitioners of the contemporary wabi-sabi style.
    He applied the concept at his own apartment in Kyiv (top and above), installing oak beams in the living room alongside furniture specifically designed for the home to complement his collection of ancient Eastern European ceramics.
    Find out more about this Kyiv apartment ›
    Photo by Koji Fujii/TOREAL, Takashi YasuiC4L House, Japan, by Cubo Design Architects
    Traditional Japanese materials sit alongside contemporary finishes at this house in  Tokyo designed by Cubo Design Architects.
    “We believe houses that are rooted in an understanding of Japan’s cultural context and a respect for the skills and innovations of our ancestors, which can nevertheless be passed onto future generations, are the kind of houses we should be building in Japan today,” said founder Hitoshi Saruta.
    Find out more about C4L House ›
    Photo by Daniel MulheranButterfly House, Australia, by Dane Taylor Design
    This home on the coast of New South Wales was designed to have a therapeutic effect for its owner, who lives with multiple sclerosis.
    Dane Taylor Design interpreted accessible design principles through a wabi-sabi lens, using a warm material palette and understated furniture pieces.
    Find out more about Butterfly House ›
    Photo courtesy of Tilden HotelTilden Hotel, USA, by Studio Tack
    Brooklyn design firm Studio Tack decided to evoke wabi-sabi in its revival of this art-deco hotel in San Francisco.
    In a subtle nod to the philosophy, clean lines were mixed with organic textures throughout the distinctly modernist interior.
    Find out more about Tilden Hotel ›
    Photo by Soar Design StudioWabi-Sabi House, Taiwan, by Soar Design Studio and Chen-Tien Chu
    Taiwanese practice Soar Design Studio and architect Chen-Tien Chu created an open-plan layout when renovating this house in Taichung, allowing all the spaces to have a connection to the outdoors via a series of garden terraces.
    In the lounge area, the wooden deck extends from the outside into the room, enhancing the feeling of nature being invited in.
    Find out more about Wabi-Sabi House ›
    Photo by Piet Albert GoethalsSilo apartment, Belgium, by Arjaan De Feyter
    Belgian interior architect Arjaan De Feyter is another prominent proponent of wabi-sabi design, as seen in his renovation of this apartment that occupies the former silos of a distillery outside Antwerp.
    Here, he left the structure’s curving concrete walls exposed and applied a micro-topping surface to the floors while installing bespoke oak furniture designed in collaboration with Tim Vranken.
    Find out more about Silo apartment ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring Japandi living rooms, bedrooms with earthy colour palettes and calming organic-modern interiors.

    Read more: More