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    Uchronia founder designs own home as “love letter to French craft”

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    Glossy walls, ruched curtains and oversized flower-shaped cushions characterise this eclectic 1970s-style Paris apartment, designed and owned by Uchronia founder Julien Sebban.

    Called Univers Uchronia, the apartment is in the city’s 18th arrondissement, close to the Uchronia office – a Parisian architecture and interiors studio known for its bold application of shape, colour and reflective surfaces.
    Julien Sebban designed Univers Uchronia as his homeSebban designed the dwelling as his home, which he shares with his husband and Maison Royère artistic director Jonathan Wray.
    The Uchronia founder created the apartment as an extension of his studio – “it’s truly a manifesto of our universe,” he told Dezeen.
    Colourful interiors anchor the apartmentSebban worked with local studio Atelier Roma to create all the walls and ceilings, which are either lacquered and glossy or made of matte pigmented concrete, respectively reflecting or absorbing light throughout the day.

    Finished in hues ranging from cloud-like pale blue to lemony yellow, the walls and ceilings complement the poured-in-place resin floor that spans the apartment and features a bold motif that “waves and moves in relation to the architecture”.
    A metallic island features in the open-plan kitchenThe home is anchored by a predominantly pink living space, which includes Uchronia-designed pieces such as low-slung interlocking coffee tables made from walnut burl and orange resin.
    Translucent and gathered pink curtains were paired with a geometric vintage bookshelf and a blocky but soft sofa finished in purple and orange.
    A bespoke onyx dining table was created for the home”The apartment is very colourful with ’60s and ’70s inspirations and a mix of our contemporary pieces and vintage objects,” said Sebban.
    In the open-plan kitchen and dining room, a veiny Van Gogh onyx table was positioned next to a metallic kitchen island, illuminated by a blobby seaweed-shaped table lamp.
    Ornamental jellyfish decorate the home officeA portion of the otherwise orange wall was clad with tiny, mirrored tiles. Reflected in the gleaming ceiling, the tiles have the same effect as a shimmering disco ball.
    Opposite the dining area is Sebban and Wray’s home office, characterised by a bright orange, built-in day bed topped with silk flower-like cushions and a wave-shaped backrest.
    The dwelling’s bathrooms follow a similar designAbove the bed, ornamental jellyfish were suspended like planets against a constellation of gold stars, which decorate the ombre orange and yellow wall that nods to the colour-drenched interior of the city’s Cafe Nuances – also designed by Uchronia.
    The dwelling’s bathrooms follow a similar design. Accents include dusty pink alcoves and ceramic tiles depicting underwater scenes, as well as a lily pad-shaped rug and a mirror resembling a cluster of clouds.

    Ten self-designed homes that reflect the unique styles of their owners

    “The apartment defines the codes we have tried to develop at Uchronia over the last four years,” concluded Sebban.
    “It’s a play on colours, textures and materials, and a love letter to French craft.”
    Univers Uchronia is “a love letter to French craft”Uchronia was named emerging interior designer of the year at the Dezeen Awards 2023. The studio previously renovated a Haussmann-era apartment for a pair of jewellery designers with multifaceted furniture pieces created to mirror the appearance of precious stones.
    Various architects have designed their own homes, such as John Pawson, who created this minimalist second home in the Cotswolds in the UK.
    The photography is by Félix Dol Maillot. 

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      Eight living rooms where vintage furniture adds an “unknown history”

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      Our latest lookbook features living rooms where vintage furniture and accessories add interest to contemporary interiors, including a concrete apartment in São Paulo and a home in the BBC’s former London headquarters.

      Vintage furniture can create cosy interiors and add a sense of timeless style to both modern new builds and historic homes.
      Whether it’s iconic pieces by well-known designers or artisanal accessories, these eight projects all feature eye-catching vintage furnishings and show how they can be used to create inspiring interiors.
      This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring burl-wood interiors, homes where ruins reveal layers of the past and well-designed sheds and outbuildings.
      Photo by Eric PetschekAmagansett Beach House, US, by Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design

      Located by the beach in the Hamptons village of Amagansett, the interior of this blackened wood home was filled with a mix of vintage and contemporary furniture.
      In one corner of the living room, a modern wood desk has been complemented with a dark-wood vintage chair, while a wooden lamp and small sculpture add a decorative touch.
      Find out more about Amagansett Beach House ›
      Photo by Edmund DabneyHighbury apartment, UK, by Holloway Li
      London studio Holloway Li designed this apartment for its co-founder Alex Holloway in a converted Victorian house.
      The living room, unusually, holds a bathtub that was placed here to add an “alternative touch” to the flat. Next to it, a green vintage Eames office chair sits by a bespoke timber Holloway Li desk.
      Find out more about Highbury apartment ›
      Photo by Michael SinclairPalace Gate apartment, UK, by Tala Fustok
      Designed to be a “calm sanctuary,” this apartment in a Victorian mansion block close to London’s Hyde Park has a neutral cream, white and brown colour palette.
      In the living room, a selection of carefully chosen artworks in organic shapes match the vintage furniture and antique mirror.
      Find out more about the Palace Gate apartment ›
      Photo by Denilson MachadoDN Apartment, Brazil, by BC Arquitetos
      This 1970s São Paulo apartment (above and main image), renovated by Brazilian studio BC Arquitetos, features monolithic concrete panels and plenty of walnut panelling.
      Vintage furniture pieces by Brazilian mid-century modern designers are found throughout the flat including in the living room, where a gleaming wooden Petalas table by Jorge Zalszupin has pride of place.
      Find out more about DN Apartment ›
      Photo by Brotherton LockChestnut Plantation, US, by John Pardey Architects
      Local studio John Pardey Architects designed Chestnut Plantation as a simple backdrop to the client’s vintage furniture.
      The largely open-plan interior features a living room with floor-to-ceiling glazing and textured brick walls, which contrast nicely against the more ornate vintage chairs that were placed to have a view of the garden.
      Find out more about Chestnut Plantation ›
      Photo by Michael SinclairHelios 710, UK, by Bella Freud and Maria Speake
      The interior of this apartment, located inside the former BBC headquarters in west London, was designed to channel a 1970s vibe.
      In the living room, a glass dining table is complemented by woven-cane dining chairs and burnt-orange sofas contrast against the emerald green floor. The pieces were chosen to evoke the “bold colour, eclecticism and glamour” of the seventies.
      Find out more about Helios 710 ›
      Photo by Giulio GhirardiHaussmann apartment, France, by Rodolphe Parente
      A yellow sculptural vintage sofa decorates the living room in this apartment in a 19th-century Haussmann building in Paris, which was given a contemporary overhaul by interior designer Rodolphe Parente.
      Its colour was chosen among the other warm tones used in the apartment to “subtly enhance the classical heritage of the apartment and keep an enveloping atmosphere,” the interior designer explained.
      Find out more about the Haussmann apartment ›
      Photo by Nicole FranzenLong Island Home, US, by Athena Calderone
      New York designer Athena Calderone renovated her own mid-century home in Amagansett to brighten it up and make it feel warmer. Vintage furniture is a big part of the design as seen in the living room, which has two white vintage chairs in different designs.
      “I would say probably 80 per cent of this home has vintage furniture,” Calderone added. “I love what vintage does to the home. It adds an unknown history and a timeworn patina.”
      Find out more about the Long Island Home ›
      This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring burl-wood interiors, homes where ruins reveal layers of the past and well-designed sheds and outbuildings.

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      Eight interiors where chequerboard flooring adds a sense of nostalgia

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      A cannabis dispensary, a hotel gym and an office in a converted 1930s military warehouse feature in this lookbook, proving that chequered floors aren’t just for kitchens.

      Alternating squares of colour, a style hearkening back to the nostalgia of 1950s American diners and Victorian entryways, can provide a graphic backdrop to any room.
      The examples below were realised using a range of materials, from tiles and stone slabs to wood parquet and paint, providing a clever way of bringing colour, pattern and texture into interiors.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring autumnal bedrooms, loft conversions and kitchen islands with sleek waterfall edges.
      Photo by Mikael LundbladCafe Banacado, Sweden, by ASKA

      The sun-drenched bars of Cuba and the symmetry of Wes Anderson films informed the design of this all-day breakfast cafe in Stockholm.
      This is reflected in its butter-yellow colour palette and the tonal squares painted onto the concrete floor, complemented by vintage touches including a vinyl player and a wall of Polaroid pictures.
      Find out more about Cafe Banacado ›
      Photo by Marine BilletIl Capri Hotel, Italy, by Graziella Buontempo and Arnaud Lacombe
      When renovating this hotel in a 19th-century Venetian-style palazzo, husband-and-wife duo Graziella Buontempo and Arnaud Lacombe aimed to balance the building’s old-school grandeur with a more pared-back contemporary elegance.
      A classic black-and-white checked floor runs through all of the hotel’s communal spaces and was paired with a mix of new and antique furniture pieces to create a homely, lived-in feel.
      Find out more about Il Capri Hotel ›
      Photo by Brian W FerryBonne Vie patisserie, USA, by Home Studios
      Alternating slabs of red and white marble pave the Bonne Vie patisseries at The Grand America Hotel, which was designed to bring European cafe culture to Salt Lake City.
      Matching crushed velvet chairs create a small seating area and are offset against duck-egg blue millwork and art deco-style opal globe lights mounted on brass fixtures.
      Find out more about Laurel Brasserie and Bar ›
      Photo by Ricardo GonçalvesRua Rodrigo da Fonseca apartment, Portugal, by Aboim Inglez Arquitectos
      Portuguese studio Aboim Inglez Arquitectos stripped back the interior of this 1930s apartment in Lisbon to reveal its original parquet floors during a renovation.
      Fulfilling much the same function as area rugs, the carefully restored patterns feature timber in different shades, laid into a subtle chequerboard pattern bordered by strips of light wood.
      “We believe it was used to stress the independence of the rooms and circulation areas and at the same time acting as the element that unifies the whole house,” architects Maria Ana and Ricardo Aboim Inglez told Dezeen.
      Find out more about Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca apartment ›
      Photo by Ernest WińczykClay.Warsaw office, Poland, by Mateusz Baumiller
      Tiled chequerboard floors are original to this former 1930s military warehouse in Warsaw, which now houses the joint offices of production companies Menu, Analog/Digital and Photoby.
      To soften the building’s industrial shell, architect Mateusz Baumiller furnished the office much like a residential interior, bringing in modern Polish art and a mix of contemporary and vintage design pieces from local brands and artisans.
      Find out more about the Clay.Warsaw office ›
      Photo by Alex LysakowskiThe Annex, Canada, by Superette
      This cannabis dispensary in Toronto was modelled on an Italian delicatessen, complete with a deli counter that contains an array of pre-rolled joints and different strains and strengths of marijuana.
      The kitschy nostalgic atmosphere was rounded off with green-and-white chequered flooring, while contrasting splashes of tomato red was used across stools and pendant lights.
      Find out more about The Annex ›
      Photo by David ZarzosoCasa Cabanyal, Spain, by Viruta Lab
      A mosaic of small navy blue and white tiles brings a subtle nautical feel to this home in Valencia’s traditional fishing neighbourhood El Cabanyal.
      Featured throughout all the rooms, from the bathroom to the sleeping quarters, they nod to the traditional azulejo tiled facades found across the city, which has been a prolific exporter of ceramics since the 15th century.
      Find out more about Casa Cabanyal ›
      Photo by Benoit LineroHotel Les Deux Gares, France, by Luke Edward Hall
      Colours and patterns clash merrily inside this renovated hotel, designed by British designer Luke Edward Hall to have an “anti-modern” feel that hearkens back to the Paris of the past.
      Even its gym has been reimagined with wooden equipment, graphic red-and-white flooring and mismatched floral wallpaper designed by Austrian architect Josef Frank.
      “I really wanted this space to feel above all joyful and welcoming and alive, classic but a little bonkers at the same time,” Hall told Dezeen.
      Find out more about Hotel Les Deux Gares ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring autumnal bedrooms, loft conversions and kitchen islands with sleek waterfall edges.

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      Eight retro interiors that capture the mood of a Wes Anderson film

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      Following the release of American filmmaker Wes Anderson’s eleventh motion picture Asteroid City, we have collected eight interiors that embody his distinctive cinematic style for our latest lookbook.

      Anderson is known for his retro pastel colour palettes and use of symmetry, as seen in the sets from his latest feature film that are currently the subject of an exhibition at London’s 180 the Strand.
      From a Milanese cafe designed by the director himself to a quirky makeup store in China that was styled to mimic 1970s offices, here are eight interiors that were either directly influenced by Anderson or look as if they are taken straight out of one of his films.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bedrooms with bathtubs, Parisian apartments and striking art gallery interiors.
      Photo is by Ye Rin MokBoisson, USA, by Studio Paul Chan

      Local firm Studio Paul Chan took cues from the opening scene of Anderson’s 2021 film The French Dispatch when designing the interiors for this bottle shop by non-alcoholic drinks brand Boisson in Los Angeles.
      Elements of mid-century Hollywood design and art deco were combined in a space that includes walnut-stained wooden wall panelling, dusty green accents and a bespoke glass-block counter.
      Find out more about Boisson ›
      Image is courtesy of AIM ArchitectureHarmay store, China, by AIM Architecture
      A colour palette of muted yellow, orange and brown characterises this shop by makeup brand Harmay, which is set across the renovated second floor of a business park in Hangzhou.
      Chinese studio AIM Architecture designed the space to mimic a 1970s office by using rows of yellow desks to display stock and incorporating a retro woollen carpet and frosted-glass sliding “meeting room” doors.
      “Creating an ‘old fashioned’ physical retail experience in an actual office space just seemed a fun way to translate this duality of space and time,” the studio’s founder Wendy Saunders told Dezeen.
      Find out more about this Harmay store ›
      Photo is by Alex LysakowskiThe Annex, Canada, by Superette
      The vivid colour palettes and geometric shapes often associated with Anderson’s cinematography also feature at The Annex, a marijuana dispensary in Toronto that was modelled on Italian delis.
      Green and beige checkerboard flooring was paired with deli props, tomato-red stools and hanging pendant lights while various cannabis paraphernalia was laid out like groceries.
      Find out more about The Annex ›
      Photo is by Roland HalbeBar Luce, Italy, by Wes Anderson
      Created by Anderson himself, Bar Luce is located within the OMA-designed Fondazione Prada in Milan.
      Pastel colours and veneered wood panelling were applied to the space, which was designed to reference iconic city landmarks and cafes – particularly those dating back to the 1950s and 60s.
      “I tried to make it a bar I would want to spend my own non-fictional afternoons in,” said the filmmaker, who stressed that the bar was not designed as a set but rather as a “real” place.
      Find out more about Bar Luce ›
      Photo is by Mikael LundbladCafe Banacado, Sweden, by ASKA
      Cafe Banacado is an all-day breakfast cafe in Stockholm designed by local architecture studio ASKA.
      ASKA followed “a strong symmetry” when creating the interiors, which feature checkerboard flooring, arched mirrors and a sunny colour palette that was specifically chosen to evoke the dreamlike atmosphere of Anderson’s films.
      Find out more about Cafe Banacado ›
      Photo is by Derek SwalwellThe Budapest Cafe, Australia, by Biasol
      Local studio Biasol designed this salmon-hued cafe in Carlton, Melbourne, to reference Anderson’s 2014 feature film The Grand Budapest Hotel – in particular its symmetrical compositions and “nostalgic” colour palettes.
      Stylised steps to nowhere decorate the walls, while a curved archway frames a glossy point-of-sale counter with a tubular base finished in terracotta.
      Find out more about The Budapest Cafe in Melbourne ›
      Photo is by James MorganThe Budapest Cafe, China, by Biasol
      Biasol also designed another outpost for The Budapest Cafe in Chengdu, China, that references the titular film.
      Here, Biasol combined pastel shades and marble surfaces with similar chunky elevations to those found in the Melbourne cafe. The centrepiece of the room is a tiered terrazzo seating area topped with a pink ball pit and an original Eero Aarnio Bubble chair.
      Find out more about The Budapest Cafe in Chengdu ›
      Photo is by Romain LapradeHotel Palace restaurant, Finland, by Note Design Studio
      When Note Design Studio renovated a restaurant within Helsinki’s Hotel Palace, the Swedish firm set out to honour the history of the modernist building, which was opened in time for the city’s 1952 Summer Olympics.
      Teak panelling, luxurious teal carpet and expansive windows lend themselves to a cinematic atmosphere, while white tablecloths add a touch of glamour to the space, where visitors can imagine Anderson’s characters dining.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bedrooms with bathtubs, Parisian apartments and striking art gallery interiors.

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      Traditional Hong Kong diners inform interior of Bao Express in Paris

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      Design studio Atelieramo has completed a retro interior for a Chinese restaurant in Paris, featuring celadon-green walls and curvaceous wooden booths modelled on those found in Hong Kong diners from the 1970s.

      Architect Tala Gharagozlou and designer Virginie de Graveron oversaw the interior concept for Bao Express, a restaurant near Bastille in the 11th arrondissement that serves dim sum and bao buns.
      Bao Express is a Chinese restaurant in Paris. Top photo by Géraldine MartensHoused in a former button factory, the 500-square-metre space is divided into three areas: a bakery, a diner and a basement bar.
      Atelieramo set out to create a series of distinct yet connected spaces that evoke the architecture and pop culture of 1970s Hong Kong – in particular its greasy spoon cafes, locally known as cha chaan tengs.
      Diners can sit in the eatery’s cosy wood-lined booths”We reinterpreted snippets of that vibrant Hong Kong urban atmosphere with its coloured pavings, pastel colours, neon lights and dense mix of patterns and motifs,” said the studio.

      “The aim was not to create a decor but rather, with a playful nod to these references, create a new atmosphere distinct to Bao’s new space.”
      A larger skylit dining area is located in the rear. Photo by Géraldine MartensThe adaptation of the existing abandoned building involved significant alterations to the floor plates and structure, along with the addition of a new staircase and circulation.
      From the street, customers enter a small bakery and cafe serving sweet and savoury snacks to eat in or take away. What appears as a simple neighbourhood cafe conceals the presence of the larger dining areas, which are set back in the building’s plan.
      A new staircase leads down to the basement bar. Photo by Bérénice BonnotThe kitchens are visible from the street and guests walk past colourful crates of raw produce before passing through a metal curtain to reach the main Bao Express diner.
      The long dining space features cosy booths with sinuous wooden frames. The pastel-green walls are contrasted with bespoke bright-red sconces and simple mosaic panels that echo the materials of the central bar.

      Superette models playful cannabis dispensary on Italian deli

      Towards the rear of the building is a larger dining area topped with an expansive skylight. This bright and airy space is filled with plants that create the feeling of dining in a winter garden.
      Exposed masonry walls painted in celadon-green form the basis for a playful colour palette featuring contrasting peach and pink elements as seen in the glossy tabletops.
      A hammered-metal artwork by SupaKitch decorates the ceiling in the barThe studio’s eclectic use of colour and pattern extends to the geometric tiled floors and punchy black-and-white stripes that are painted on the walls of the staircase leading down to the basement bar Underpool.
      This bar area features a hammered-metal ceiling installation by French artist SupaKitch, with a rippled surface that reflects the blue-green interior and creates the impression of looking up at an upside-down swimming pool.
      The artwork creates the impression of looking up at a swimming poolBao Express is part of a family of eateries in Paris owned by restaurateurs Céline Chung and Billy Pham. Atelieramo was responsible for designing several of the duo’s restaurants, each of which has a unique character inspired by different aspects of Chinese culture.
      Another eatery informed by traditional cha chaan tengs is The Astor restaurant in Hong Kong’s Eaton hotel, designed by New York studio AvroKO, which mixes elements of the city’s diners and street food stalls with nods to the arthouse films of Wong Kar-Wai.
      The photography is by Carole Cheung unless otherwise stated.

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      Ten colourful and comfortable 1970s-style interiors

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      Featuring wood-panelled walls, plushy seating and soft fabrics juxtaposed with glossy finishes, this lookbook collects 10 interiors that recall the 1970s.

      Having been out of favour for much of the past five decades, the 1970s re-emerged as a design trend in 2022.
      The interiors listed below draw on a range of motifs borrowed from the era of glam rock, roller discos and Star Wars, with low-slung, upholstered furniture in earthy tones filling multi-use spaces.
      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 Eames chairs, living rooms in Victorian homes and open-plan modernist living areas.
      Photo by Mariell Lind HansenPrimrose Hill townhouse, UK, by Studio Hagen Hall

      Architecture office Studio Hagen Hall channeled 1970s Californian modernism with its transformation of this north London townhouse.
      Classically 1970s materials such as velvet, elm and fluted glass were deployed alongside subtle contemporary elements including micro-cement flooring.
      Find out more about this Primrose Hill townhouse ›
      Photo by Anson Smart PhotographySRG House, Australia, by Fox Johnston
      SRG House was designed in 1972 by Stuart Whitelaw and was once the home of Australian modernist architect Sir Roy Grounds.
      Fox Johnston retained this heritage in its renovation of the building, installing wood panelling and thick carpet while also leaving parts of the building’s concrete fabric exposed.
      Find out more about SRG House ›
      Photo by Michael SinclairHelios 710, UK, by Bella Freud and Maria Speake
      Set inside the former BBC Television Center in London, Helios 710 is a penthouse apartment designed by architect Piercy & Company with interiors by creative duo Bella Freud and Maria Speake that seeks to capture the most vibrant aspects of the 1970s.
      Aiming for “bold colour, eclecticism and glamour”, the main living room sees glossy black sofas with burnt orange seat cushions contrast an emerald green carpet and hessian-covered walls.
      Find out more about Helios 710 ›
      Photo by Martin GravgaardSubstans, Denmark, by Krøyer & Gatten
      Local studio Krøyer & Gatten designed this Michelin-starred restaurant in Aarhus to feel like a Danish home from 50 years ago.
      The architects opted for retro-but-humble materials, such as simple brown tiles in the kitchen and white-painted brickwork for the bar.
      Find out more about Substans ›
      Photo by James Balston6 Babmaes Street, UK, by Fathom Architects
      The 1970s are often associated with a relaxed, comfortable aesthetic, and so the decade was referenced by Fathom Architects in its post-pandemic design for this London office.
      Warm colours are paired with tactile materials to create a cosier atmosphere than the traditional office, as a response to the increased prevalence of working from home.
      Find out more about 6 Babmaes Street ›
      Photo by Brooke ShanesyPalm Heights, Grand Cayman, by Gabriella Khalil
      Creative director Gabriella Khalil sought to mimic a 1970s-era Caribbean mansion with the design of this boutique hotel in the Cayman Islands.
      Sandy yellows mix with bold blues in each room, while collectible design pieces like Mario Bellini sofas, Ingo Maurer wall lamps and a chequered Ettore Sottsass rug feature in the guest lounge.
      Find out more about Palm Heights ›
      Photo by Timothy KayeYouth Lab 3.0, Australia, by Nickolas Gurtler
      This experimental space for cosmetic clinic Youth Lab takes on the daring task of balancing the brand’s minimalist identity with a retro style reminiscent of 1970s Milan.
      Designer Nickolas Gurtler paired a cooler overall colour palette and mirror wall with plentiful soft textures and shades of gold and olive green.
      Find out more about Youth Lab 3.0 ›
      Photo courtesy of HarmayHarmay Hangzhou, China, by AIM Architecture
      While it may look just like a 1970s office, this interior by Shanghai studio AIM Architecture is actually a retail store for cosmetics brand Harmay.
      It features a wool carpet by German brand Findeisen and suspended ceiling tiles, with a colour palette of muted yellows, oranges and browns.
      Find out more about Harmay Hangzhou ›
      Photo courtesy of StudiopepeClub Unseen, Italy, by Studiopepe
      During Milan design week in 2018, local studio Studiopepe opened a temporary private venue in a 19th-century warehouse that attempted to capture the spirit of 1970s nightclubs.
      “Those years are fascinating to us – the colours and materials were very glamorous,” the studio’s Arianna Lelli Mami told Dezeen. The interiors combined graphic shapes, grid patterns, pastel colours and metallic finishes.
      Find out more about Club Unseen ›
      Photo by David DworkindVesta, Canada, by Ménard Dworkind
      This pizza joint in Montreal, designed by local studio Ménard Dworkind, takes cues from the decor of 1970s New York pizzerias with funky colours and bold use of textures, as well as a smattering of vintage objects.
      White wall panelling, dark green ceiling paint, rich oak panelling and red leather seating come together to capture “the spirit of Italian family restaurants” from times gone by.
      Find out more about Vesta ›
      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 Eames chairs, living rooms in Victorian homes and open-plan modernist living areas.

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      Life House transforms motor lodge in the Berkshires into hotel

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      A former motel in rural Massachusetts has been transformed by American hospitality brand Life House into a hotel decorated with objects influenced by 1970s hospitality.

      Life House converted an existing, two-storey motel property with its in-house design team. While the 64 guest rooms maintain the same layout, a new extension was added for the lobby, restaurant and lounge.
      Life House, Berkshires is a reimagined 1970s-era lodge”Set in the middle of the mountains, Life House, Berkshires is a reimagined 1970s-era lodge that culls inspiration from the lodge styles of the past century and reinterprets the architecture via modern materiality and forms,” said Life House.
      The property is located in the Berkshires mountains, between the towns of Pittsfield and Lenox.
      Its design “culls inspiration from the lodge styles of the past century”Visitors access rooms via exterior walkways, a feature that Life House has reinterpreted for a more contemporary hotel set-up.

      “The exterior is rendered in oat-colored wood shingles juxtaposed with dark gray trims that give the building a cozy and luxurious appearance,” said Life House.
      The main communal space is called the Club RoomThe most important addition to the property was the communal space, which is nicknamed the Club Room.
      In addition to being the first space visitors see as they enter the hotel, this is the main gathering space, as it contains a fireplace, the bar, lobby and a restaurant.
      A custom mural covers the wallsThis double-height room features cathedral ceilings, exposed wooden beams and ornamental chandeliers that give the space a warm light and a sense of scale.
      “The gargantuan, 28-foot ceilings house custom Murano glass chandeliers handmade in Venice by Sogni di Cristallo and hang high above the bar millwork that showcases a marble countertop and leather upholstered panels,” said Life House.
      The terrace provides a space to loungeA custom mural painted by artist Lei Xing covers the walls of the Club Room. Vitage prints and found objects – as well as other electric accents – cover the walls.
      This indoor space is connected to a terrace via sliding glass doors, where guests can lounge on several large couches surrounding fire pits.

      Tourists hotel in The Berkshires takes cues from classic American motor lodges

      “The design of the outdoor spaces exudes the nonchalance of its environs telegraphed via a color palette inspired by the striking sunrises and sunsets of the Berkshires,” said Life House.
      Throughout the property, the team selected furniture and decor pieces that create a sense of nostalgia.
      Life House selected furniture that intends to evoke nostalgiaWithin the guest rooms, there are custom wardrobes created by the Life House team, alongside lamps and armchairs with a vintage aesthetic.
      “Collage artwork by Annie Lynch, whose pieces present black and white portraits of female figures with superimposed aerial photographs of local landscapes, are hung alongside framed poetry by artist Russell Markus who used an antique typewriter and vintage paper to produce each art piece,” said Life House.
      Custom wardrobes by Life House feature in the guest roomsOther hotel properties that can be found in the region include Hotel McKinsley, which was designed to avoid the typical aesthetic of “antlers or plaid and reclaimed wood” and a property in Armenia, NY that is set within an English-style country home.
      The photography is by Sophie Fabbri for Life House.

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      Superette models playful cannabis dispensary on Italian deli

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      Green and beige checkerboard flooring, deli props and tomato red hues feature in this marijuana dispensary in Toronto, designed by Superette’s in-house design team.

      Named The Annex after its location within the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, the latest marijuana store by Superette is a 500-square-foot cannabis dispensary-cum-hangout space for local young adults.
      The exterior of The Annex cannabis dispensary has green and beige striped awningsIt sits a few blocks away from two college campuses, the University of Toronto’s St. George campus and George Brown College’s Casa Loma campus.
      For the new space, the company turned to the “convivial spirit” of the college canteen for inspiration, aiming to appeal to the student demographic walking through its doors.

      The same retro colour and pattern theme is continued inside”Taking design cues from the convivial spirit of the college canteen, The Annex offers a one of a kind experience where students aged 19 and above can conveniently purchase and consume cannabis, as well as work and socialize,” said the brand.
      “This highly nostalgic and immersive space is rooted in one of our favourite communities.”
      Marijuana paraphernalia and cool drinks are displayed on lime green shelvesFull of entertaining colours and quirky objects, The Annex’s floors are covered in green and white square tiles which match the awnings on the store’s exterior.
      Marijuana products are displayed on lime green walls and shelves while contrasting splashes of tomato red was used for the stools and hanging pendant lights.
      The designers drew on the nostalgic interiors of a classic Italian deliSuperette is French for mini supermarket and all of the brand’s shops take cues from retro-themed eateries like old school diners and bodegas.
      The Annex takes cues from an Italian deli.

      Superette cannabis dispensary in Toronto resembles a retro grocery store

      A deli counter at the back of the store contains an array of pre-rolled joints and different strains and strengths of cannabis, while stools designed to recall a canteen are positioned next to the windows.
      “All of our shops pay homage to similarly familiar and nostalgic retail environments from diners, bodegas, to flower shops, and subway newsstands,” said the brand.
      They hope that the jovial design attracts local studentsAlongside pre-rolled marijuana joints and cannabis, customers can purchase cannabis paraphernalia including bongs, ashtrays and lighters. They can also peruse a selection of other homeware items such as candles and mugs.
      A slew of dispensaries have cropped up in the city of Toronto following the legalisation of marijuana in Canada.
      Among these is a minimal store by architecture studio StudioAC that has sheets of industrial grating over the product displays and a dispensary with mirrored ceilings by Toronto-based designer Paolo Ferrari.
      The photography is courtesy of Superette.

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      Rawan Muqaddas designs Sloane Street Deli to be a “classic neighbourhood spot”

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      Green tiles and bentwood chairs feature inside this deli and restaurant in central London, which design studio Rawan Muqaddas has renovated to complement its local surroundings.

      Situated along an affluent street in Belgravia, Sloane Street Deli incorporates a barista bar, take-away-deli counter and an eatery that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
      Sloane Street Deli is situated in an affluent London neighbourhoodRawan Muqaddas, founder of eponymous design studio Rawan Muqaddas, aimed to create a comfortable place to dine that captured the spirit of the local neighbourhood.
      At the same time, she hoped to inject some of her own Middle Eastern flair into the restaurant to give it a homely atmosphere.
      Rawan Maqaan has renovated a deli into a vintage style eatery”The concept behind Sloane Street Deli was to build on a classic neighbourhood spot that’s also an extension of one’s home,” Muqaddas told Dezeen.

      “A spot where you can come in and spend five minutes or 50, in a space that is inviting, comfortable and warm, with the customer’s comfort at heart.”
      A curved serving counter is positioned at the deli’s entranceUpon entering the deli customers are greeted by a green-tiled deli counter serving baked goods and fresh pastries.
      It is clad in Arcaico tiles, a Japanese tile that Muqaddas wrapped one at a time around the curved counter.
      Rattan furnishing and bentwood chairs add to the deli’s retro feel”The focus was on the layering of textures and an earthy colour palette, the centre being the Japanese handmade single tiles,” Muqaddas explained.
      “As customer journey was key, I introduced the curvature around the counters, followed by the curvature of the banquette to optimise the flow of the customer.”
      Green tiles contrast terracotta-coloured seatsThe same tiles can be seen on the spice shelf and the adjacent barista counter where customers can purchase hot drinks. Here, a retro, cream-coloured coffee machine perches on another counter in front of large windows.
      Other vintage elements throughout the eatery which is mainly spread over the ground floor level, include cushioned diner-style booth seating, rattan furnishing, bentwood chairs and shiny brass accents.
      The kitchen, prep room and restrooms have been renovated in a similar fashion and are all located downstairs in the basement.

      Sella Concept avoids South American cliches in retro-themed London restaurant Piraña

      Muqaddas employed a mix of creamy green tones and earthy terracotta – colours that are often associated with Middle Eastern interiors to flesh out the rest of the space.
      Elsewhere, splashes of pale pink can be seen on the leather and fabric seats as well as on the awnings that hang outside.
      The space is framed by large windowsTo further tie the deli to the neighbourhood, the studio wanted to preserve as many elements of the original deli as possible, including the facade, interior walls and flooring.
      It refurbished some of the existing bistro tables and kept the original white mouldings and marble tabletops.
      The kitchen and customer restrooms are located downstairsRawan Muqaddas is not the only studio to give a modern eatery a retro look. Cafe Banacado, an all-day breakfast cafe in Stockholm by architecture studio ASKA has a colour palette of muted yellows, brown and cream hues.
      Parisian design studio Lizée-Hugot added low-slung lacquered seating and wooden panels to Abstinence, a Parisian eatery that recalls traditional French brasseries.
      Photography is by Kensington Leverne.

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