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

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

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

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

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    Eight restful bedrooms decorated in the colours of autumn leaves

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    Eight kitchens islands that have sleek waterfall edges

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

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

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

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    Eight living rooms enhanced by decorative and striking art pieces

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

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

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

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    Ten living rooms decorated with textural cowhide rugs

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

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

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

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    Eight basement apartments that are subterranean sanctuaries

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

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

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

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    Eight interiors that use lattice screens as walls and room dividers

    For our latest lookbook, we have selected eight interiors that use lattice screens to conceal and divide spaces without blocking sightlines.

    Lattice screens can come in a variety of materials and provide a versatile alternative to solid walls and room dividers, offering a way to create privacy between two spaces while still maintaining a connection between them.
    From concealing bathrooms to establishing connections between interior and exterior spaces, this lookbook presents eight different ways in which lattice screens have been used in residential, hotel and restaurant interiors.
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring period home renovations, open-plan interiors characterised by bold dining tables and interiors with reclaimed materials.
    Photo by Denilson MachadoDendê Duratex House, Brazil, by NJ+

    Brazilian architecture studio NJ+ took cues from Bahia, the Brazilian state that studio founder Nildo José grew up in, to create the interior of Dendê Duratex House. Here, it integrated a white latticework structure that separates the living space from the bedroom.
    The volume encompasses the one-bedroom apartment’s bathroom and kitchen amenities while introducing texture to the monochrome minimalist home.
    Find out more about Dendê Duratex House ›
    Photo by Amit GeronP Duplex apartment, Israel, by Pitsou Kedem Architects
    The second floor of this apartment in Tel Aviv was transformed into a mezzanine that overlooks a double-height living and dining room by local practice Pitsou Kedem.
    A black metal guardrail wraps the upper level, tracing the route from the staircase to the upper floor and offering security while allowing views of the floor below. The see-through lattice design features triangular shapes compiled into rectangular modules.
    Find out more about P Duplex apartment ›
    Photo by Pedro PegenauteSulwhasoo Flagship Store, South Korea, by Neri&Hu
    This five-storey flagship store, designed for Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo, is characterised by large expanses of brass rods that form a lattice network. Used throughout the store, the latticed walls form see-through room dividers as well as shelving.
    The framework continues from the exterior into the interior of the store, guiding visitors through the five floors. Architecture studio Neri&Hu’s concept was informed by lanterns and their role in illuminating journeys in Asian culture.
    Find out more about Sulwhasoo Flagship Store ›
    Photo by Andrii ShurpenkovVirgin Izakaya Bar, Ukraine, by YODEZEEN
    Timber screens and red metal webbed structures conceal and divide spaces within this Japanese restaurant in Kyiv, designed by Ukrainian architecture and design studio YODEZEEN.
    The wooden lattice screens were introduced to soften the restaurant’s cold material palette, consisting of raw concrete and brick surfaces.
    Find out more about Virgin Izakaya Bar ›
    Photo by Luis Garvan, Luis Young and Maureen EvansCasa Octavia, Mexico, by PPAA
    Thin latticed timber screens shield this hotel’s interiors from harsh sunlight and cast intricate shadows throughout the day.
    The screens aim to serve as a mediator between hotel guests and passerbys, fostering interaction between residents of the La Condesa neighbourhood in which its is located and the hotel itself, while maintaining a level of privacy.
    Find out more about Casa Octavia ›
    Photo by Tom FergusonManly Pacific, Australia, by Luchetti Krelle
    Sliding lattice screens separate the reception from the bar in this hotel in Sydney, which was renovated by Australian studio Luchetti Krelle.
    The partitions allow the two distinct spaces to blend together without losing their individual character, which is defined by contrasting material and colour palettes.
    Find out more about Manly Pacific ›
    Photo by Maha Nasra EddéMimi Kakushi, Dubai, by Pirajean Lees
    London studio Pirajean Lees was informed by Japan’s jazz age, combining a variety of materials and textures such as beaded curtains, stained-glass windows and sliding gridded screens in this restaurant in Dubai.
    The flexibility of the moveable lattice screens allows the restaurant to host events of varying crowd sizes, partitioning the open-plan layout into a variety of smaller spaces.
    Find out more about Mimi Kakushi ›
    Photo by Amit GeronHiba, Israel, by Pitsou Kedem Architects
    A combination of solid and hollow oakwood components forms a gridded screen that allows visitors to glimpse between the dining area and the entrance of this restaurant in Tel Aviv.
    Alongside oakwood, the restaurant’s interior features granite slabs and concrete. Designers Pitsou Kedem Architects aimed for the raw material palette to reflect the restaurant’s use of fresh ingredients.
    Find out more about Hiba ›
    This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring period home renovations, open-plan interiors characterised by bold dining tables and interiors with reclaimed materials.

    Read more: More