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    Eight quiet luxury interiors from Biarritz to Stockholm

    Our latest lookbook focuses on quiet luxury and features projects including a French hotel and a Swedish Grace apartment that exemplify the trend for discrete, yet sumptuous interiors.

    Classic, hardwearing materials and simple, neutral colour palettes characterise these eight quiet luxury interiors, which convey an elegant feeling without being over-the-top.
    Gleaming marble decorates bathrooms and hallways, while polished wood and soft, tactile textiles add an exquisite touch to bedrooms and living rooms.
    To create these quiet luxury interiors, designers have focused on the contrast and texture of different materials and added details such as sprigs of flowers and timeless designer furniture pieces.
    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 is by Gokul Rao KadamClermont residence, India, by FADD Studio
    This multi-generational home in Bangalore, India, is a prime example of how the right material choice can make an apartment feel sophisticated without needing to splurge on many additional features.
    Designer FADD Studio clad the bathroom in veiny marble for a striking effect, underlined by the contrast with the dark wood floor of one of the six bedrooms.
    Find out more about Clermont residence ›
    Photo is by Yannick LabrousseRepublique apartment, France, by Hauvette & Madani
    While this Paris apartment has a striking wine-red kitchen, the rest of the colour palette was kept neutral, but clever material use has given it a decidedly upmarket feel.
    In the dining room, chromed cantilevered dining chairs have been combined with a marble table. A lustrous herringbone parquet floor adds a natural feel, while a playful modern chandelier in smoke-coloured glass completes the interior.
    Find out more about Republique apartment ›
    Photo is by Mr TripperRegina Experimental, France, by Dorothée Meilichzon
    Located in a Belle Epoque-era hotel in the French seaside town of Biarritz, the Regina Experimental hotel has a number of luxurious touches.
    In this bathroom, combining the colour of the doorframe and shelving with tiles in the same hue creates a coherent, stylish interior.
    Fluted panelling at the top of the walls, classic porcelain sinks and shell-shaped soap holders add a nautical vibe.
    Find out more about Regina Experimental ›
    Photo is courtesy of Note Design StudioHabitat 100, Sweden, by Note Design Studio
    A calm hallway with patterned marble floors welcomes visitors into Habitat 100 in Stockholm, which was designed to resemble the original interior of the 1920s apartment.
    Note Design Studio also used greyed wood and stained oak to create a quietly luxurious feel inside the flat, which is located in a building built during the Swedish Grace era, a romantic, refined style movement.
    Find out more about Habitat 100 ›
    Photo is by Felix Speller and Child StudioMayfair residence, UK, by Child Studio
    The interior of this Mayfair house was informed by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s home and features a number of custom-made pieces.
    These are combined with mid-century modern furniture, including a glassware cabinet and coffee table in dark, glossy wood. A marble side table and a brass wall sconce add more interesting material contrasts.
    Find out more about Mayfair residence ›
    Photo is by Joe FletcherTwentieth House, US, by Woods + Dangaran
    Twentieth House, a three-storey home in California, features a bedroom with a material mix that conveys a sense of restrained elegance.
    Soft brown velvet seating along with a rug colour match the panelled wooden wall, creating a cohesive and relaxing interior. A modern chandelier adds a frivolous touch.
    Find out more about Twentieth House ›
    Photo is by Seth CaplanDumbo loft, US, by Crystal Sinclair Designs
    Interiors studio Crystal Sinclair Designs renovated this loft apartment in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighbourhood (above and main image) to retain its industrial look while adding some “European flair”.
    The result is a home that feels both cosy and elegant, with a practical mezzanine floor and stylish details, including a rough-hewn vase and a classic mushroom-shaped Artemide Nessino table lamp.
    Find out more about Dumbo loft ›
    Photo is by Gavin GreenFisherman’s Cottage, Australia, by Studio Prineas
    This former fisherman’s cottage in Sydney was extended with a concrete tower. Inside the home, a mirrored bathroom feels both industrial and upmarket at the same time.
    Veined green marble was used for the deep bath, while minimalist white sinks and chrome taps add a modernist touch.
    Find out more about Fisherman’s Cottage ›
    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 interiors where chequerboard flooring adds a sense of nostalgia

    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 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.

    Read more: More