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      Olson Kundig and Erica Colpitts renovate mid-century house in North Vancouver

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      US architecture firm Olson Kundig and Canadian designer Erica Colpitts have renovated a mid-century house near Vancouver, warming the modernist structure with natural materials and neutral colours.

      The residence is surrounded by tall cedar trees on a quiet plot in Edgemont, a village-like neighbourhood of North Vancouver, across the water from the Canadian metropolis.
      Wood lines the ceiling and floors of the renovated home, contrasting the blackened steel structural elementsIts new owners are a family of four who relocated to the West Coast from New York City, looking for a community to put down roots.
      Olson Kundig, which has an office in nearby Seattle, was asked to update and slightly expand the building to meet the owners’ needs while respecting the original design.
      The living spaces are all connected along the back of the house, in its single-storey portionLocally based Erica Colpitts was brought on to complete the interiors with a softer, warmer feeling than typical mid-century designs.

      “The pure challenge of this home completely appealed to me,” said Colpitts. “My task was to meld Olson Kundig’s overall design for the home with an ever so slightly soft and romantic interior.”
      Dark tones in the kitchen, including the steel hood and shelving, match the building’s beams and columnsLike many homes from the period, the building has a low-slung form, a shallow roof pitch and large expanses of glass across its facades.
      Blackened steel structural elements were highlighted throughout the interior, and their dark colour is repeated across several other elements.
      The kitchen connects to the patio via a bar counter and sliding windowThese range from the guardrails and supports for the staircase unit, which connects the home’s multiple split levels, to a custom hood and shelving in the kitchen.
      The staircase is separated from the lounge by a huge bookcase that is original to the house, along with a red-brick fireplace on the other side.
      An original bookcase separates the lounge from the entry hallway and staircaseAll of the primary living spaces run along the back of the home, in the single-storey portion, facing the landscaped garden and a plunge pool through huge windows.
      Wide-plank flooring and a wood-covered ceiling connect the open-plan areas, which culminate at the dark-stained kitchen.
      Bedrooms in the two-storey side of the house follow the same design aestheticThe hues and materials chosen for the these spaces are warm and inviting, such as cream surfaces and heathered oatmeal textiles paired with cognac-coloured leather, dark flax, and deep grey.
      “This home has a decidedly neutral colour palette to go with the natural materials selected; however, it is warmly neutral and texturally layered,” said Colpitts.

      Eight renovated mid-century homes that marry period and contemporary details

      “Where colour was used, we wanted those colours and their textures to be reminiscent of a gentleman’s library,” she added.
      The bedrooms, bathrooms, and additional living areas are organised within the two-storey side of the house, where the same design aesthetic continues.
      The home’s large expanses of glass connect it to the surrounding landscape, designed by Amelia SullivanOn the exterior, weathered ebony siding and a Corten steel front door were added in keeping with the building’s modern-industrial appearance.
      “This home is a juxtaposition of all good things,” Colpitts said. “Dramatic and serene. Rustic and refined. Industrial and romantic. Exquisite and comfortable.”
      Olson Kundig aimed to respected the building’s original design while slightly expanding its footprintThe mid-century architecture style remains incredibly popular with homebuyers across the US and Canada, which has led to many renovations that align these residences with contemporary living.
      Recent examples include a Hamptons home that owner Timothy Godbold transformed to resemble a lair from a James Bond movie, and the former seaside home of modernist architect Henry Hill respectfully overhauled by Studio Schicketanz.
      The photography is by Ema Peter.
      Project credits:
      Architect: Olson KundigInterior design: Erica Colpitts Interior DesignContractor: Brent Braybrook / Braybrook ProjectsMillwork: Robin Woronko / Intempo InteriorsLandscape architect: Amelia SullivanMetalwork: Drabek Technologies

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      Eight imaginative home interiors created on a budget

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      In this lookbook, we collect eight residential interiors that were put together with limited funds but still have a certain richness.

      Featuring exposed structures, simple materials and sparing use of finishes, these budget interiors prove that adventurous design doesn’t have to be reserved for the very wealthy.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors made with reclaimed materials, inviting entrance halls and industrial-but-cosy living rooms.
      Photo by José Hevia10K House, Spain, by Takk
      Renovated on a material budget of only 10,000 euros, this Barcelona apartment takes raw, pared-back aesthetics to extremes.

      Leaving traces of dismantled fixtures visible, Spanish studio Takk chose not to apply coatings to the floors and walls, while utilitarian medium-density fibreboard features throughout.
      Find out more about 10K House ›
      Photo by Trieu ChienBinh Thuan House, Vietnam, by MIA Design Studio
      Simple white curtains divide spaces inside the Binh Thuan House, designed by MIA Design Studio for a family of four using limited resources.
      An exposed steel frame lends a distinctly industrial feel and is also an easily adaptable means of fitting windows, curtains, furniture and pictures.
      Find out more about Binh Thuan House ›
      Photo by Taran WilkhuSegal House, UK, by Fraher & Findlay
      UK architecture studio Fraher & Findlay avoided using specialist trades and bespoke products to keep costs down in the renovation of this house in south London that was originally designed according to Walter Segal’s self-build methods.
      Extensive use of plywood meant there was no need to hire a plasterer, for example, while other materials and products were chosen for being widely available off the shelf.
      Find out more about Segal House ›
      Photo by Ariadna Polo/Sandra Perez NietoCasa Nakasone, Mexico, by Escobedo Soliz
      This small, simple house on the outskirts of Mexico City was designed by Escobedo Soliz for a retired teacher.
      Cheap structural materials were left exposed in the interiors, such as brickwork walls, tiled floors and pale wooden beams on the ceilings.
      Find out more about Casa Nakasone ›
      Photo by Jumpei SuzukiMinimum House, Tokyo, by Nori Architects
      Minimum House, in Tokyo, was designed by Nori Architects as a prototype for a low-cost, low-waste, adaptable model of urban housing.
      Ductwork and wiring was left exposed with only simple light fittings, while the timber structure is left uncovered on the walls and used for kitchen and storage units.
      Find out more about Minimum House ›
      Photo by José Hevia105JON, Spain, by Vallribera Arquitectes
      Simple materials feature throughout this house in Vallès, Spain, modernised by Barcelona studio Vallribera Arquitectes.
      Chunky chipboard is a recurring motif, contrasting with blue linoleum flooring in the bathroom and with exposed brick party walls in the living spaces.
      Find out more about 105JON ›
      Photo by Richard ChiversMaison Pour Dodo, UK, by Studio Merlin
      Studio Merlin incorporated an abundance of storage in its revamp of this Stoke Newington flat to ensure that the available space could be kept luxuriously serene and clutter-free.
      Touches include a large floor-to-ceiling shelving unit in the living and dining area, and a wall of deep-set IKEA cabinets with smokey blue door fronts from Danish brand Reform in the kitchen.
      Find out more about Maison Pour Dodo ›
      Photo by Javier de Paz GarcíaUpHouse, Madrid, by CumuloLimbo Studio
      Completed on a shoestring budget of $39,000, this extensive renovation of an apartment in Madrid by CumuloLimbo Studio prioritised using inexpensive materials such as salvaged plywood.
      The kitchen area features a simple open shelving system with a black-tile backsplash, while the counter forms part of an unusual staircase leading up into a newly inserted mezzanine.
      Find out more about UpHouse ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors made with reclaimed materials, inviting entrance halls and industrial-but-cosy living rooms.

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      Familien Kvistad brings colour to 1950s house in Oslo

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      Vibrantly coloured tiles and textiles feature in this house renovation in Oslo, Norway, designed by locally based duo Familien Kvistad.

      The Yellow House in the Apple Garden is a 1950s house in Oslo’s Voldsløkka area, home to a family of four and their cat, “the rambunctious Caspian”.
      Familien Kvistad has renovated a Oslo homeFamilien Kvistad founders, married couple Astrid and Ziemowit Kvistad, have completely remodelled the interior using a palette that also includes solid ash joinery and lightly speckled terrazzo surfaces.
      “When they bought the house, the family envisioned painting some walls, moving the kitchen and building two new bathrooms,” the pair told Dezeen. “Over time, things naturally escalated, resulting in a complete change of layout, roof windows, new insulation, siding… absolutely everything was replaced.”
      The kitchen features solid ash cabinetsThe three-storey house has an enviable setting in a large garden filled with fruit trees. It was this that primarily attracted the owners, rather than the building itself.

      “The house was relatively old, not architecturally distinctive and outdated inside on all levels,” said the designers.
      The house was originally built in the 1950sHowever, shortly after they bought the property, the council enforced new conservation zone restrictions that made it impossible to alter the building’s exterior in any way.
      The task for Astrid and Ziemowit was to modernise the house without changing or extending its structure.

      Mid-century Zero House in London imbued with “Kubrick feel”

      “This is obviously a costly project; it would have been cheaper to build a new house,” they explained.
      “However, the outer structure had to remain.”
      A terrazzo floor and ochre sofa are installed in the conservatoryThe renovation removed many of the old internal partitions, creating a more open layout. This gives the ground floor a broken-plan feel, made up of various separate but connected living and dining spaces.
      The old loft was also removed and replaced with small mezzanines, revealing the sloping roof beams and increasing the ceiling height in the first-floor bedrooms and bathroom to up to four metres.
      Wooden ceiling joists are exposed throughoutThe colour scheme was based on “earthy shades” of the owners’ favourite colours.
      On the ground floor, this resulted in a feature fireplace clad in mustard-yellow Kaufmann tiles, a lounge sofa upholstered in a plum-coloured Kvadrat textile and a storage bench topped by forest-green cushions.
      A storage bench topped with green cushions lines the main living spaceAn abundance of wood brings balance to this bold palette, with Douglas fir flooring from Dinesen and solid ash kitchen cabinets matching the exposed ceiling joists.
      This level also includes a sunken conservatory featuring large plants, a terrazzo floor, an ochre-toned sofa and electric-blue cushions. On the wall, an expressive painting displays similar colours.
      Custom-designed wall carpets adorn the primary bedroom”During the renovation, the family sold most of what they already owned,” said Astrid and Ziemowit. “This meant that all the furniture was purchased new.”
      “However, they did have some art from before,” they added. “Much to our delight, they fit perfectly into both the colour palette and the style.”
      In one of the children’s rooms, a staircase doubles as a shelving unitUpstairs, the primary bedroom features a pair of tufted wall carpets designed and made by Familien Kvistad, depicting abstract landscapes.
      One of the two children’s bedrooms features a playful storage unit that doubles as a staircase, while the other has a ladder to provide access to the mezzanine loft above.
      The family bathroom combines green tones with terrazzoThe bathroom has a more mellow character, combining terrazzo sanitaryware with calming green tones. The basement floor mainly serves as a utility area, although it does include an extra bathroom and a living room that doubles as a guest bedroom.
      Other recently completed homes in Norway include a “house of offcuts” by Kolman Boye Architects and a villa on piloti by Saunders Architecture.
      The photography is by Magnus Berger Nordstrand.

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      Eight homes with light-filled kitchens from Australia to Slovenia

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      For our latest lookbook, we’ve chosen eight kitchens in contemporary homes where strategically placed windows and glazing create well-lit spaces for cooking and spending quality time with family and friends.

      These light-filled kitchens feature different finishes, including marble, concrete, wood and glass, but are joined together by the sunlight that streams through their large windows, glazed doors or skylights.
      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 furry walls, sculptural wooden staircases and rustic Italian interiors.
      Photo is by Matthew WilliamsMonroe Street House, USA, by TBo
      New York studio TBo updated a 124-year-old townhouse in Brooklyn to meet the demands of a modern, multi-generational family’s lifestyle.

      Featuring a window that stretches from the worktop to the ceiling and glass doors that lead to an outdoor deck, the kitchen has maximised access to daylight and to the outdoors.
      Find out more about Monroe Street House ›
      Photo is by Rohan VennSydney bungalow extension, Australia, by Emily Sandstrom
      Australian architect Emily Sandstorm restored this out-of-use 1930s bungalow in Sydney with reclaimed materials from the demolition of its small rear kitchen.
      She sees the new kitchen, which features a kitchen island with a worktop of recycled Australian hardwood, as the centre of the home. A window wall creates views of an outdoor dining area and fills the room with light.
      Find out more about the bungalow ›
      Photo is by Nick DeardenGlazed house extension, UK, by DHaus
      As part of the rear extension to a house in Hertfordshire, UK, London studio DHaus opened up the original dark and cramped kitchen with a material palette of concrete, glass and Douglas fir timber.
      The studio lowered the kitchen floor by one metre and connected the interior to the garden, with glazing lining the entire end of the extension to create a bright, welcoming space.
      Find out more about the glass extension ›
      Photo is by Jason RickQuarry House, USA, by AB Design Studio and House of Honey
      West Coast-based architecture practice AB Design Studio renovated the Quarry House in California, a 1954 house that had fallen into disrepair, in collaboration with House of Honey, which was responsible for the interior design.
      The kitchen was renewed with textured marble surfaces and a kitchen island, as well as Crittall-style windows and doors.
      Find out more about Quarry House ›
      Photo is by Ana SkobeHouse MM, Slovenia, by A202 Arhitekti
      A202 Arhitekti transformed the traditional gabled house in Slovenia by removing all non-structural interior elements and adding a timber extension inside while preserving the shell of the property.
      The studio built the kitchen with light-coloured materials in a minimalist style, adding a large window with a comfortable window seat for reading or contemplation.
      Find out more about House MM ›
      Photo is by Lorenzo ZandriHouse extension, UK, by ConForm
      Designed by ConForm, the light-filled kitchen in this Hampstead home is covered with white marble panels.
      The patterns of light grey veins on adjoining surfaces were unmatched to “encourage a natural and textural language”, the studio said. Sliding doors open the room up to the garden.
      Find out more about the Hampstead extension ›
      Photo is by Peter Bennetts10 Fold House, Australia, by Timmins + Whyte
      Australian studio Timmins + Whyte added an extension with a folded roof that brings in extra natural light to this Melbourne home.
      The kitchen included in the extended space was combined with the living room through a shared material palette of ribbed wood, marble and grey terrazzo.
      Find out more about 10 Fold House ›
      Photo is by Jeroen VerrechtHouse C-DF, Belgium, by Graux & Baeyens Architecten
      Belgian studio Graux & Baeyens Architecten was tasked to maximise the space in a narrow townhouse in Ghent that already had a rear kitchen extension.
      The studio changed the gap between the old extension and the original house into a skylight and replaced the wall between the garden and the kitchen with a glass sliding door, which introduced additional light to the ground-floor kitchen.
      Find out more about House C-DF ›
      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 furry walls, sculptural wooden staircases and rustic Italian interiors.

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      Barde vanVoltt orients renovated Mexico City house around mezcal bar

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      A private mezcal bar forms the heart of this house that Amsterdam interior architecture firm Barde vanVoltt has overhauled in Mexico City’s La Condesa neighbourhood.

      Working for longstanding Dutch clients who live in Mexico, Barde vanVoltt transformed a historic, dilapidated building into a contemporary residence that respects the heritage of the existing structure.
      The building’s former life as a mezcal tasting venue influenced Barte vanVoltt to create a bar in its central courtyard”We walked together into this old, beautiful building, and instantly fell in love,” said studio founders Bart van Seggelen and Valérie Boerma. “Even though the house was falling apart, we felt its soul was fully alive.”
      The three-storey house had previously been used as a mezcal tasting venue, and the duo used this as a starting point for the design.
      Arched openings create routes through the home, passing through the open kitchen, living and dining spaceA primary aim of the renovation was to create a “vibrant oasis in the city” with a better connection to the outdoors.

      This was achieved by connecting a series of courtyards, terraces and semi-enclosed corridors to form a route and airflow through the building.
      An earthy colour palette was chosen for the minimalist interiors to create a relaxing aura”We worked together with Thalia from Aldaba Jardines, a talented landscape designer, to create a seamless flow from the indoors to the outdoors and back again,” said the studio..
      In the central courtyard, Barde vanVoltt removed the roof from the double-height space and replaced it with operable glass panels to let in more light.
      Multiple openings onto courtyard spaces encourage indoor-outdoor livingThe designers turned this space into a mezcal bar as a nod to the building’s former life that the owners could use for entertaining friends and family.
      Backed by a semicircular brass panel, upon which shelves for liquor bottles are mounted, the rounded bar counter is wrapped in narrow terracotta tiles.
      The back courtyard is used as an outdoor lounge and features planting up the grey plaster wallsA five-metre-tall guayabo tree was also planted in the courtyard, casting shadows across the surrounding walls.
      Open archways lead from this central space into various rooms including the kitchen and living area, which features dark cabinetry, open shelving, and a large bespoke wooden dining table.
      Floors for the stairs, bathroom and outdoor areas are tiled with handmade bricks by Tata MosaicosBeyond a row of French doors is the back courtyard that forms an outdoor lounge, and an annex that accommodates a home office on the upper level.
      To retain some of the original character, the architects recreated the cast iron, Art Deco windows and Spanish-style railings. and extended them to the back of the house.
      The neutral-toned decor continues in the three bedrooms on the first floorThe overall layout of spaces was kept largely the same, aside from a few walls that were removed to combine or create bigger rooms.
      For example, the primary bedroom and bathroom now flow together as one space, divided only by a partition of angled bricks that forms a backdrop to the freestanding bathtub.
      The primary bedroom and bathroom were combined into one space, with only a partition of angled bricks dividing them”We included the bathroom into the space to create a home sanctuary to rest and refresh,” said Barde vanVoltt.
      Two further bedrooms are located on the first floor, the other side of the central courtyard void at the front of the house.
      A series of semi-enclosed loggias connect the first-floor roomsThe roof terrace features a plunge pool, an outdoor shower, a row of loungers and built-in seats, all accessed via a spiral staircase from the loggia outside the main bedroom.
      The building’s exterior is covered in greige-coloured plaster, as a nod to Mexico’s prevalent concrete architecture, while warmer earth tones decorate the minimalist interiors.

      Casa Los Tigres is a minimalist residence in Mexico

      Moss green sofa covers and bed linens visually tie to the plants outside, and wood, terracotta and off-white hues complement one another.
      “We love the natural feel these colours have together,” said the designers. “According to colour psychology, nature-inspired hues are the best for interiors as they soothe and invigorate.”
      The building’s original cast iron handrails were recreated and extended to the back of the propertyFloors for the stairs, bathroom and outdoor areas are tiled with handmade bricks by Tata Mosaicos, made from compacted earth sourced from different regions throughout Mexico.
      “This unique structure means they need 50 per cent less cement, using the sun and shade to dry naturally and secure the structure,” Barde vanVoltt said. “An environmentally friendly solution, sourced locally.”
      Custom lighting and Mexican objects, textiles, sculptures and other wall art are also found throughout the residence.
      The terrace also has multiple seating areas so that the family and their friends can gather outsideBarde vanVoltt has renovated many older buildings, having converted a former garage into a light-filled home and a century-old farmhouse into a retail store – both in the Netherlands.
      The photography is by Alejandro Ramírez Orozco.
      Project credits:
      Lead interior architect: Barde vanVolttContractor: CF Taller de ArquitecturaArchitect: ZVA Interiores & ArquitecturaBathroom: Agape BathroomsKitchen appliances: GaggenauLighting: Studio Davidpompa, ILWT, Nuumbra, Federico Stefanovich, DCW editionsMaterial: Tata MosaicosRugs: Txt.ureFurniture: Casa Quieta, Chuch Estudio, Acoocooro, Carl Hanssen & Sons, ArflexArt: Kreyé, Chic by Accident, Carlos Vielma, Prince Láuder, Axelle Russo, Rrres, Saudara, Luuna WabiLandscaping: Aldaba Jardines

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      Seven cosy living rooms with industrial material palettes

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      Living rooms with tactile brick, concrete and wood surfaces feature in this lookbook, which shows that opting for industrial materials doesn’t have to sacrifice cosiness.

      Typically informed by old and unrefined factories, lofts and warehouses, industrial-style interiors are a go-to for many contemporary designers.
      Homes of this style are often characterised by a combination of man-made and natural materials, including brick, wood, concrete and metal, and the exposure of details that are usually concealed, such as ductwork.
      While, for some, the image of industrial spaces can conjure up feelings of being cold and unwelcome, this list of living rooms proves that with the right finishes, the style can actually be warm and inviting.
      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 furry walls, sculptural wooden staircases and rustic Italian interiors.

      Photo by Mariell Lind HansenSt John Street, UK, by Emil Eve Architects
      Emil Eve Architects retained the raw aesthetic of this former warehouse while transforming it into a warm and inviting home.
      In the living room, old brick walls, metal window frames and a rough concrete ceiling form a tactile backdrop to contemporary wooden furnishings and an abundance of tall plants.
      Find out more about St John Street ›
      Photo by Mike SchwartzMichigan Loft, USA, by Vladimir Radutny Architects
      A suspended black-metal fireplace is the centrepiece of this lofty apartment, which is located in Chicago and dotted with floor furnishings including a Toga sofa.
      The fireplace is complemented by exposed black ducting and hanging lights, which pop against the surrounding brick, warm wood and concrete elements.
      Find out more about Michigan Loft ›
      Photo by Fran ParenteGale Apartment, Brazil, by Memola Estudio
      Exposed services, ducting and concrete help achieve an industrial look in this living room, which is located in a Brazilian apartment designed by Memola Estudio.
      To add warmth to the space, these finishes are balanced with natural details including dark wooden floorboards and furniture, suede chairs and a textile wall tapestry.
      Find out more about Gale Apartment ›
      Photo by Andrey Bezuglov and Maryan BereshRelogged House, Ukraine, by Balbek Bureau
      This living room belongs to a Ukrainian cabin, designed by Balbek Bureau with a utilitarian aesthetic that aims to challenge conventional cabin interiors.
      Concrete is the predominant material, but stainless steel and wooden elements such as horizontally stacked logs also feature throughout. To add warmth, a giant fireplace takes centre stage and is positioned opposite a modular sofa on which visitors can cosy up.
      Find out more about Relogged House ›
      Photo by Casey DunnSouth 5th Residence, USA, by Alterstudio Architecture
      In this lounge, the stripped-back material palette helps to draw attention to the “dramatic vistas” over a valley in Austin, Texas.
      Rough-textured concrete forms the walls of the space, while polished concrete lines the floor. Window frames made of wood and steel add to the room’s industrial look, and colour is introduced through furnishings including a tubular pink-metal armchair.
      Find out more about South 5th Residence ›
      Photo by JAG studioA Forest House, Ecuador, by Aquiles Jarrín
      Aquiles Jarrín married dark Chonta wood with black-steel beams and rough concrete for the design of this textural living room, found in A Forest House in Quito.
      The wooden elements help break up the open-plan interior, carving out cosy nooks and storage spaces for the owner. The seating area is warmed by a cowhide rug and tan butterfly chairs.
      Find out more about A Forest House ›
      Photo by Joe FletcherAnalog House, USA, by Olson Kundig Architects
      A tactile material palette of metal, concrete and glass tones was used for the living room of Analog House, a home in a Californian forest created by Olson Kundig Architects with the ​​founder of Faulkner Architects – the client for the project.
      In the lounge, these materials are paired with light wooden floors and minimalist furnishings including hanging lights, a sleek black sofa and tubular chairs.
      Find out more about Analog House ›
      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 furry walls, sculptural wooden staircases and rustic Italian interiors.

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      Eight sculptural wooden staircases that bring warmth to the home

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      Our latest lookbook features eight sculptural staircases made of wood that make a statement and bring warmth to apartments from Hong Kong to Boston.

      Often the organizing principle in the planning of any space, a staircase can either blend in or stand out.
      The eight gathered in this lookbook lean into the latter – showcasing both the structural abilities of wood like larch, birch and plywood and demonstrating how circulation need not be boring.
      From a completely pre-fabricated staircase in a Boston apartment to a plywood spiral staircase twisting from the loft of a renovated barn in the Netherlands, these sculptural stairs create a visually striking centrepiece, as well as a fun way to traverse a house.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring rustic Italian interiors, autumnal bedrooms and show-stealing dining room tables.

      Photo by James LengHairpin House, USA, Studio J Jih and Figure
      Located in Boston’s South End neighbourhood, this historic townhouse renovation sees a four-storey interior plan wrapped around a white oak staircase that spirals around a 40-foot-high (12-metre-high) atrium.
      “Aptly named Hairpin House, the project takes the tight, unpredictable, and ultimately poetic switchback turns of a mountain road as inspiration for the overall renovation – and in particular a new unravelling central stair,” said the design team.
      Find out more about Hairpin House ›
      Photo by Jonathan LeijonhufvudCape Drive Residence, Hong Kong, Linehouse
      Just a short walk from the beaches of Hong Kong’s south side, this three-storey house channels “coastal essence” through natural materials and light, Chinese studio Linehouse told Dezeen.
      An “easy flow” was also imbued into the design, created in part by a timber stairwell that’s tucked to the side and – save for a white metallic screen – is open to the living spaces.
      Find out more about Cape Drive Residence ›
      Photo by Frank FrancesMass Timber House, USA, Schiller Projects
      According to design studio Schiller Projects, this renovated carriage home in Brooklyn is the borough’s first single-family residence that uses mass timber construction.
      Besides repurposed wooden elements like timber panels and floorboards used for the project, the house features a pre-fabricated glue-laminated timber (glulam) staircase that can be completely disassembled.
      Find out more about Mass Timber House ›
      Photo by Alex BaxterBarn at the Ahof, the Netherlands, Julia van Beuningen
      Architectural designer Julia Van Beuningen converted this Gelderland barn into a holiday home complete with a spiral staircase made out of plywood at the heart of the floor plan, which contrasts the more rustic materials of the surrounding building.
      “This is very different and very unusual in a barn like this,” said Van Beuningen. “It’s something you either love or hate, but it’s definitely a statement.”
      Find out more about Barn at the Ahof ›
      Photo by Eric PetschekCarroll Gardens Townhouse, USA, Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design
      New York studios Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design merged a two-family dwelling into one for the owner’s growing family.
      White oak running throughout the two units unifies the project, which includes the addition of a new wooden staircase covered by a slated screen made of the same material.
      Find out more about Carroll Gardens Townhouse ›
      Photo by Jim StephensonStoke Newington loft, UK, Whittaker Parsons
      Architecture firm Whittaker Parsons was tasked with adding a loft to a house in Stoke Newington, London, as well as updating spaces throughout the lower floors.
      With efficiency and quality in mind, the studio used prefabricated structural insulated panels (SIP) to construct the new loft. The space is accessed by a spiral staircase made of larch that’s topped with a skylight.
      Find out more about Stoke Newington loft ›
      Photo is by Tim CrokerDragon Flat, UK, Tsuruta Architects
      A floating timber staircase features in this flat in London, which is outfitted with walls CNC-etched with images of peonies, dragons, bats and the Thames.
      The central staircase allows light to filter into the kitchen and living room below, while solid timber bricks act as landings on either side.
      Find out more about Dragon Flat ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerElsternwick penthouse, Australia, Office Alex Nicholls
      The timber staircases in this Melbourne house were integrated into its “library spine” an organizing corridor that contains the family’s collection of books, art and artefacts.
      “From a practical standpoint, it allowed everything to be easily accessible and displayed but it also helps to draw people through the apartment and celebrate the two staircases to the roof garden at either end,” said Office Alex Nicholls founder Alex Nicholls.
      Find out more about Elsternwick penthouse ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring rustic Italian interiors, autumnal bedrooms and show-stealing dining room tables.

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      Ten rustic Italian interiors that evoke the history of the Mediterranean

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      This lookbook collects 10 interiors in Italy with a distinctly rustic feel, including homes and hotels replete with wooden beams, cool stone and other rich textures.

      As well as being known for its contemporary furniture and lighting design, Italy is home to some of Europe’s oldest buildings and has numerous historic cities and villages.
      From a 17th-century house in Puglia to a hotel in a 1,000-year-old castle, below are 10 examples of projects that pay homage to the Mediterranean country’s history while catering to modern tastes.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring chequerboard floors, lime plaster walls and Mediterranean-style interiors.
      Photo courtesy of Monteverdi HotelMonteverdi Hotel, Tuscany, by Ilaria Miani

      Restoration specialist and interior designer Ilaria Miani helped transform several crumbling buildings in Val d’Orcia into a boutique hotel that aims to balance the history of the area with contemporary design influences from Milan and Rome.
      In the bedroom suites, chunky exposed beams made from salvaged wood are complemented by natural colours and textures, while nearly all the furniture is handmade by local artisans.
      Find out more about Monteverdi Hotel ›
      Photo by Francesca IoveneCascina, Piemonte, by Jonathan Tuckey Design
      London-based Jonathan Tuckey Design was tasked with returning this 19th-century farmhouse in northern Italy to its original state following a heavy 1980s renovation.
      Stone walls and wooden beams now feature prominently, with a cool chalky palette offset by brass lamps and chestnut panelling and furniture.
      Find out more about Cascina ›
      Photo by Salva LópezCasa Soleto, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Trotter and Marcelo Martínez
      Parts of Casa Soleto in Puglia are more than 400 years old. Architecture firm Studio Andrew Trotter and its studio manager Marcelo Martínez renovated the building without making any structural changes, leaving the irregular walls in place.
      To give the interiors an authentic, natural feel, the designers used lime plaster for the walls, linen fabrics for the sofas and curtains, jute rugs, terracotta ceramics and antique furniture.
      Find out more about Casa Soleto ›
      Photo by Alex FilzMonastero Arx Vivendi, Trentino-Alto Adige, by Network of Architecture
      Network of Architecture applied rippled antique-effect plaster to the walls of this 17th-century ex-monastery near Lake Garda, which is now a hotel.
      The plaster is complemented by pale wooden floors, black iron furniture and earth-toned fabrics, while the original doors have been retained and restored.
      Find out more about Monastero Arx Vivendi ›
      Photo by Salva LópezCasolare Scarani, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Potter
      Casolare Scarani is a home created from the renovation of a long-abandoned girls’ school built in the style of a traditional Puglian villa – but still modest in size.
      The vaulted ceilings were kept intact and covered in lime plaster, while the rooms were finished with earthy tones and traditional stone flooring.
      Find out more about Casolare Scarani ›
      Photo courtesy of Hotel Castello di ReschioHotel Castello di Reschio, Umbria, by Count Benedikt Bolza
      Hotel Castello di Reschio occupies a 1,000-year-old castle in the Umbrian hills that was transformed by count Benedikt Bolza and his family.
      Rooms have been decorated with terracotta-brick or wooden floors, hand-stitched linen curtains, Italian fabrics and locally crafted marble and brass vanities alongside portraits sourced from nearby antique markets in a reference to the building’s rich history.
      Find out more about Hotel Castello di Reschio ›
      Photo by Davide Galli AtelierBrolettouno Apartment, Lombardy, by Archiplan
      Located in a building in Mantua that dates back to the 15th century, this apartment was overhauled on a budget by local design studio Archiplan.
      The studio decided to honour the interior’s timeworn aesthetic by retaining the distressed floor tiles and faded frescos, combining these features with functional light-hued wooden furniture.
      Find out more about Brolettouno Apartment ›
      Photo by Salva LópezCasa Maiora, Puglia, by Studio Andrew Trotter
      Another project from Studio Andrew Trotter, this villa is in fact a newly built project – but carries heavy rustic influences from traditional homes in the area.
      Flagstone floors, lime-washed walls and locally sourced antiques combine to create a soothing, timeless feel.
      Find out more about Casa Maiora ›
      Photo by Serena EllerG-Rough, Lazio, by Gabriele Salini
      Features showcasing the building’s 400-year-old history were juxtaposed with contemporary art and mid-century furnishings at this boutique hotel in Rome, Italy’s capital.
      The imperfections of age, particularly on the patina walls, combine with furniture inspired by modernist Italian designers like Ico Parisi, Giò Ponti and Piero Fornasetti for a rough-yet-refined aesthetic.
      Find out more about G-Rough ›
      Photo by Irina Boersma César MachadoPalazzo Monti hotel, Lombardy, by Julie Cloos Mølsgaard and Vipp
      A collaboration with Danish homeware brand Vipp saw interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard create a pop-up hotel in a 13-century palazzo in Brescia.
      To keep the focus on the building’s many historic features, Mølsgaard took a minimalist approach to the furnishings, with mattresses sitting directly on the floor and artwork propped up against the walls.
      Find out more about the Palazzo Monti hotel ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring chequerboard floors, lime plaster walls and Mediterranean-style interiors.

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