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

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      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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      Eclectic Warsaw apartment interior designed as “elaborate puzzle”

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      Walnut burl and terrazzo accents are combined with chunky statement furniture in this apartment in Warsaw, which Polish studio Mistovia has renovated for an art director and her pet dachshund.

      Located in the city’s Praga Północ neighbourhood, the 45-square-metre flat is set within a 1950s estate designed by Polish architects Jerzy Gieysztor and Jerzy Kumelowski.
      The Warsaw apartment was renovated by MistoviaMistovia devised an eclectic material and colour palette when updating the interior, which the studio describes as an “elaborate puzzle” of contrasting patterns.
      “The apartment is based on several dominant ‘cubes’,” said Mistovia founder Marcin Czopek. “Each of them has a different function, accentuated by various patterns through the use of veneer or colour.”
      Panels of swirly grey wood veneer feature in the living spaceThe living room is defined by a wall panelled in swirly grey wood veneer– originally designed by Memphis Group founder Ettore Sottsass for Alpi in the 1980s – while the bathroom is obscured behind a wall of glass blocks.

      The kitchen is now connected to the lounge to create one open-plan space, filled with statement pieces including a misshapen vase and the molten-looking Plopp stool by Polish designer Oskar Zieta, set against the backdrop of floor-to-ceiling walnut-burl cabinets.
      A tortoiseshell cabinet defines the bathroomTerrazzo was used to form chunky black-and-white legs for the kitchen’s window-side breakfast bar as well as an entire burnt-orange table in the dining area.
      “A muted base – bright, uniform micro cement flooring and walls with a delicate texture – allowed for the use of geometric forms, rich in interesting structures and bold patterns,” Czopek said.

      SSdH tucks Melbourne warehouse apartment into former chocolate factory

      Designed for an art director and her dog, the apartment features a similarly striking bathroom.
      Here, gridded monochrome tiles and glass-brick walls are paired with a statement standalone sink, featuring squat cobalt-blue legs that support a tortoiseshell cabinet crowned by a triptych mirror.
      The single bedroom includes purple and marble accentsA purple wardrobe complements the rectilinear marble headboard in the apartment’s singular bedroom, adding to the boxy geometry of the home.
      Also in Warsaw, Polish studio Projekt Praga incorporated mid-century elements and pops of colour into a dumpling restaurant while local firm Noke Architects referenced the high waters of Venice in a bar complete with sea-green floors and skirting tiles.
      The photography is by Oni Studio. 

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      Eight kitchens with tiled worktops that are pretty but practical

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      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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      Ten homes featuring clever wine storage solutions

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      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

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      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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      Whittaker Parsons crowns North London mews house with “bolthole” extension

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      Using a combination of copper, larch and structural insulated panels, architecture firm Whittaker Parsons has added an additional storey to a contemporary mews house in Stoke Newington to house a bedroom suite.

      Originally built in 2005, the property belongs to a couple with two older children, who have lived here for the last decade.
      Whittaker Parsons added an additional storey to a London mews houseThe family asked Whittaker Parsons to provide more space with the addition of a loft, as well as to revamp the lower floors including the studio on the second floor, which was reconfigured to create a well-proportioned workspace complete with its own library.
      Daylight floods the new third storey, bouncing off lime-plastered walls while carefully positioned windows provide views of tree canopies and across rear gardens from window seats and the bespoke bed.
      “We set out to design a beautiful, healthy, serene retreat, in which the homeowners could immerse themselves in the beauty of natural materials, a bolthole in the middle of north London,” Whittaker Parsons told Dezeen.

      The extension is accessed via a larch-clad staircaseWith efficiency and quality in mind, the studio used prefabricated structural insulated panels (SIPs) to construct the additional storey, with the aim of minimising waste and saving time.
      “Compared to standard timber construction, it is simpler to control the quality of onsite workmanship and achieve a more robust, air-tight building envelope,” the team explained.
      Generous windows provide views of the surrounding areaExternally, the extension is set back from the street elevation and finished in materials that mirror the surrounding architecture, including black-stained timber cladding, brick slips and patinated copper to tie in with the copper facade on the second floor below.
      Internally, the triangular arrangement of the larch beams was developed to work with the load path of the existing building and the irregular form of the loft.
      “The intention was to make visible and celebrate the structural effort that went into creating this new space,” Whittaker Parsons explained.
      Integrated window seats provide a place to restThe practice created a tranquil master bedroom with a larch-clad and lime-rendered interior, bespoke larch bed frame and walk-in wardrobe made from low-formaldehyde furniture board.
      As the unsealed lime plaster wall finish cures, the lime will absorb almost as much carbon as was emitted in its production, the studio claims.
      “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.”

      Architecture for London uses natural materials to renovate studio founder’s home

      Used alongside the render, white oiled larch panelling spans the spaces between the exposed larch beams, improving acoustic absorption.
      “Often in bedrooms, the ceiling is the most important yet neglected surface,” the studio said. “The larch adds a sense of warmth, calm, and character to the space, creating an articulated ceiling at the top of the house – almost a reward for climbing all those stairs.”
      Whittaker Parsons also created a custom larch-wood bed for the interiorIn the adjoining skylit shower room, fluted travertine tiles line the walls, enveloping the shower area and complementing the travertine floor tiles.
      “The roof light to the shower oversails the fluted travertine tiles, creating the impression that one is showering outside under the sky,” said Whittaker Parsons.
      The basin, splashback and vanity unit are formed from unsealed Calacatta Rosato marble, which according to the studio provides a lower-carbon alternative to fired tiles.
      The vanity in the adjoining bathroom is formed from Calacatta Rosato marbleOverall, Whittaker Parsons says the project is “exceptionally low-carbon”, with the bulk of its embodied emissions coming from the triple glazing, thermal insulation and a single steel beam used to create the opening for the staircase.
      Founded by Matthew Whittaker and Camilla Parsons in 2015, Whittaker Parsons has completed a number of projects in the British capital including The Naked House, which was longlisted for sustainable interior of the year at the 2021 Dezeen Awards.
      The marble is paired with fluted travertine tilesOther sustainably-minded extensions in London include Low Energy House in Muswell Hill, designed by local studio Architecture for London founder for its founder Ben Ridley.
      The photography is by Jim Stephenson.

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      Chipboard and recycled denim define spaces inside Microloft in Melbourne

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      Australian architecture practice Studio Edwards has completed an exercise in contemporary small-space living with this 24-square-metre micro apartment in Melbourne’s Fitzroy district.

      The clients, a young couple, approached Studio Edwards to remodel the tiny studio apartment on the top floor of a 1980s apartment block.
      Microloft is a 24-square-metre apartment in Melbourne”They asked for a home that felt unified and clutter-free, with ample storage, an efficient kitchen with space for cooking and dining, a comfortable lounge and quiet sleeping zones,” founder Ben Edwards told Dezeen.
      “Microloft provides a solution for inner-city living that navigates the constraints of limited space and ageing housing stock through an interior that provides the clients with a functional and coherent dwelling.”
      Aluminium was used to form kitchen counters and shelvesRather than using partitions or walls, spaces are defined by custom furniture pieces that provide visual connections.

      A horizontal raw aluminium surface forms angled countertops in both the kitchen and dining area before extending through an existing double archway into the sleeping area beyond.
      Chipboard forms several other storage units throughout Micoloft”Angled elements act in a similar way to room dividers, nothing extends higher than the datum line, helping the space to remain open,” said Edwards.
      “The kitchen melds seamlessly into a dining space via the angled countertop, while triangular storage shelves make use of the corners of the room.”

      Studio Edwards conceals “jewel-like” eyewear store behind perforated aluminium facade

      The angular wedge shape of the aluminium counters is mirrored in a wall-mounted console and a custom-made sofa with bookshelves integrated into its base, both made from oriented strand board (OSB).
      Above the datum line, one wall is clad in grey mirrored panels to make the apartment appear larger while creating a visual link to the grey-painted exposed brick walls and the heavily patinated concrete floor.
      The bed sits on a raised chipboard plinth to maximise bedroom storage, while the sliding door of the wardrobe, as well as the apartment’s front door, are wrapped in recycled denim to provide further textural interest as well as acoustic softening.
      Among them is the wardrobe in the bedroom”Use of raw aluminium surfaces, along with the OSB plinth that elevates the bed, provide creative storage solutions while delivering refined aesthetic appeal,” said Edwards.
      Simple IKEA stools were customised to fit in with the apartment, with a bedside stool wrapped in recycled denim to further soften the acoustics in this space.
      In the dining area, the same stools were extended with aluminium legs to create high seats for bench-top dining.
      A recycled denim panel forms the wardrobe’s sliding doorMicro homes are among a number of solutions being explored by architects and interior designers in response to Melbourne’s worsening housing crisis, as the city saw record rent increases last year.
      Others have explored creating multi-generational homes where family members can split both spaces and costs, as seen in this house on a narrow infill site by Matt Gibson and this adaptable suburban home by Austin Maynard Architects.
      Maynard also recently self-funded the construction of an “ethical housing” block in inner-city Melbourne, accommodating 20 low-cost, eco-conscious apartments with enough room for young families.
      The photography is by Peter Bennetts.

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      Design Theory updates mid-century coastal home in Perth

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      In the City Beach suburb of Perth in Western Australia, interiors studio Design Theory has updated a tired house from the 1960s while remaining true to the rich palette of natural materials in the original design.

      The young client wanted a home where she could entertain friends and live with her dogs in a durable, easy-to-clean, pet-proof home with a reworked plan making space for three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
      Design Theory has renovated a 1960s house in Perth”The brief was, on the surface, simple: to update the home while keeping its considerable mid-century charm,” said Design Theory.
      “While its strengths lay in its architectural form and south-facing windows, our innovative approach to the project was essential in bringing contemporary functionality and sustainability to the fore,” the studio added.
      “By specifying with our client’s lifestyle in mind and considering every detail, she feels relaxed to use the house the way she wants to.”

      Carpet tiles bring tactility into the sunken loungeOnce the project was underway, Design Theory quickly discovered that the structure was largely rotten and had suffered significant termite damage, so extensive restoration work was required.
      “We established an early rationale to restore base-building elements in keeping with the original architecture and interior elements,” the studio said.
      “Joinery, finishes and furniture would be new, informed by mid-century design. This allowed the home to evolve yet respect the heritage of this special building.”
      Yellow mosaic tiles feature across the kitchen counterOtherwise, the house only needed sensitive restoration and a light touch to bring it up to date, according to the studio, due to its prescient emphasis on natural light, fresh air and modern, unpretentious living.
      “Our design cues were taken from the era of the house’s original design, a time of humbler, honest materials and restrained detailing,” said Design Theory co-founder Lisa Reeves.
      “Where cabinetry needed restoration, it was updated in respectful ways, always with a nod to what may have come before us.”
      Design Theory introduced Blackbutt timber details to the interiorThe material palette celebrates warm, earthy materials: exposed brick in terracotta tones, native Blackbutt timber and a cork-like Forbo Marmoleum on the floors.
      In the sunken lounge area, carpet tiles bring an added element of comfort and a distinctive gridded visual effect.
      The heavy use of richly toned timber and brick is balanced by the white of the painted wall sections, the grid-like window frames and low-hanging pendant lighting.

      Ten timeless mid-century modern interiors

      For the kitchen counters and the bathrooms, simple mosaic tiles continue the textural theme, while referencing the home’s early-60s origins.
      “We embraced a quintessentially West Australia landscape-inspired palette of Eucalyptus greens, warm timbers and sunset oranges,” the studio said.
      Forbo Marmoleum flooring was added for textural interestIn the kitchen, subtle detailing on the cabinetry such as the full-width handles adds visual interest without grabbing undue attention, while an orange range cooker adds a retro touch.
      The client acquired several pieces of vintage furniture along with the house, which Design Theory was keen to retain and restore.
      Mint green tiles feature throughout one of the two bathroomsAs a counterpoint to these mid-century elements, contemporary furniture in gently curving forms softens the rigorous lines of the original architecture and prevents the interiors from feeling like a period pastiche.
      Key pieces of hardware such as original door furniture and pendant lighting were also refurbished and reinstated, “lending an authenticity to the home’s new life”, according to the studio.
      The built-in bathtub is also made from multicoloured mosaic tilesOther residential projects in Perth that have been featured on Dezeen include a family home formed from arched panels of precast concrete and a wood-and-brick extension for a couple of empty nesters.
      The photography is by Jack Lovel.

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