Historic warehouse loft conversion on Market

Market is a two-storey penthouse loft designed by Rad Design Inc., situated in an old historic building built in 1858 that was once a wholesale grocery warehouse along the waterfront of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. When designer Golbou Rad first entered this loft, green and red walls are what greeted her, along with dim lighting from the lack of large windows as well as dilapidated interior finishes and old appliances. The re-design of the two-level, 1,200 square foot space begun with a fresh coat of white paint to brighten up the space for the young professional clients.  The designer selected subtle materials and finishes in the loft, being careful not to take away from the well-worn texture and colors of the exposed brick.

Bright colored cabinetry and walls lightened up the space and allowed the wood structure and exposed ducts and piping to stand out, which emphasized the industrial character of the building and gave the loft a raw appeal.

The clients both have sailing backgrounds, and wished to add some of their own decor to the design, such as the ship’s wheel displayed on the exposed brick wall.

The clients requested a less-is-more bedroom; they ended up keeping the striped bedding and navy blue throw pillows from one of our favorite stores, West Elm, that Rad used for the photo shoot.

An antique lighthouse lantern anchors a bedside table vignette, adding another nautical touch to the room.

The new sliding barn doors allow enough space for the drawers of the new vanity to open with ease.

Prior to Renovation:

Photos: Courtesy of Rad Design Inc.

Stunning renovation of historic Cow Hollow home

Complete renovation of historic Cow Hollow home in Pacific Heights, San Francisco, California. The home was designed by architect David Gast in conjunction with interior designer Martha Angus and builder Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders. The home is comprised of 5,500 square feet of living space with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, living room, kitchen, family room, office, playroom, laundry room, two rooftop decks, a rear yard and terrace. The existing front facade remained for historical preservation. The scope of the project included framing the entire three story structure, constructing large concrete retaining walls, and installing a storefront folding door system at the family room that opens onto a rear stone patio. The rear yard features terraced concrete planters and living wall.

Photos: Bruce DaMonte

Rusting corrugated steel barn with African influences

Wolfe Residence was designed by Ehrlich Architects for an African art dealer/collector and big game hunter and his family in West Los Angeles, California. The 3,400 square foot sustainable residence is a rusting Cor-ten steel barn showcasing the owner’s ever-changing collection of African art and furniture, taking full advantage of Southern California’s benign climate. The Owner and the Architect share a deep love of, and a long history with Africa where the Architect lived for six years and the Owner continues to visit and engage local artists every year. Their shared connection with this continent was an instrumental influence on the architecture, landscape, and interiors.

The corrugated Cor-ten steel roof wraps continuously around the roof to the walls to the ground, showcasing the naturally weathering material. Oversized sliding glass doors open the steel structure up on two sides (sliding into wall pockets), transforming the house into an airy pavilion. The owner’s collection of African art is displayed on the large white walls of the main living area.

The 13 foot high, white walls of the main living space display eclectic African treasures from many regions. A zebra print carpet covers the stairs leading to the upper floor and mezzanine, past a skylit moosehead hanging on the stairwell wall, continuing the African wilderness theme present throughout the house. The upstairs master bedroom suite features a balcony overlooking the backyard pool and a “his and hers” walk in closet that were customized to expresses the Hunter and the Hunted which the Owners religiously dress as. Sustainable landscaping is achieved with extensive zero-scape, native plants and bark and sand ground cover. African hardwood stools mix with found and recycled artifacts, and a basketball hoop.

Photos: Grant Mudford

Under Tree House showcasing brightly colored interiors

Situated on a lot with nine mature post oak trees, Under Tree House has been designed by architecture studio Loop Design in Austin, Texas. The architect designed the home for clients that are good friends, which is a big part of why they were hired for the project. They wanted the house to grow from this bond, to be a place that feels particular when you walk through it, because it was conceived with people who know them and love them. They wanted it to feel like home before they even moved in. The home features a modern exterior and a streamlined, brightly-colored interior, which is comprised of only 1,900 square feet, but feels quite spacious due to its outdoor areas like the breezeway, decks, second floor terrace, and courtyard.

The lot had never been developed and was covered with mature post oak trees; nearly every buildable square foot was in a root zone. The architect protected the trees by designing around them—they are as integral to the house as its walls and windows. To minimize root zone compaction, the driveway is short, with the carport set to the front of the lot. The house floats behind on concrete piers with cedar decks that terrace down to the ground. The screened breezeway is a front porch, an entry foyer, and a pleasant place to play cards even on a hot summer night.

The house is thin and uses a pier and beam foundation so as not to disturb the trees—light, air and views of tree and sky reach in from all sides. The approach to sustainability is largely low–tech: build in an existing neighborhood where you plan to stay, keep conditioned spaces small through good connection to outdoor spaces, make the sun and shade work for you, collect the rain, plant a garden. On this shady lot, the garden had to move upstairs, where it is the railing of the roof terrace. It is here, up in the only spot of open sky, your perspective of the site and the house changes—no longer under the tree canopy, you’re up in it.

Before Renovation:

 Photos: Whit Preston

Mid-century modern getaway in Portola Valley

Nestled on 12 acres of land with a barn and swimming pool, the William Wurster Ranch, a mid-century modern home renovated by Moller Architecture in collaboration with interior designer Charles DeLisle, is situated in Portola Valley, just outside of Silicon Valley, California. The ranch house was originally designed by William Wurster in the early 1950s and though it was well-built for it day, the house need to have vitality injected back into it. After a successful collaboration on another home for the owners, Ian Moller was asked to adapt the house to their needs. The family is a young professional couple with children; this ranch is their summer home. Because it was only going to be used seasonally, the couple wanted the home to be modern and playful, but sophisticated and long-lasting — something suiting their style that also could be used for generations.

A breezeway that connected to separate guest quarters was incorporated into the floor plan of the house. A large kitchen, breakfast room and family room were incorporated into the design along with all new bedrooms and bathrooms. Products were chosen a bit randomly, inspired by old photographs; he used a combination of custom designs, vintage pieces, and more modern purchases from high-end showrooms. The palette of materials includes an earthy mix of terrazzo, western red cedar, locally produced custom tile work and contrasting steel details. In addition to the main house renovation, the project includes a new barn, pool house and a 75 foot pool.

Bringing the outdoors in, DeLisle used wood paneling to offset another of his custom creations, a soft daybed set against wood stump tables cut from trees on the property.

Vintage lighting is a common theme throughout the house. DeLisle was able to achieve a quirky sense of elegance in this house, that isn’t always attainable with more standard lighting choices.

This cozy fireplace, built into the home’s 12-inch thick adobe walls, was created into a snug sitting area with a 1940s Danish chair, French vintage table, and a unique Gio Ponti light fixture above the mantle.

DeLisle designed the dining room chandelier. This geometric light fixture is made of raw brass hexagonal tubing hung with handwoven rope.

The bathroom was designed in the aesthetic that the owner’s wanted, simple, functional and beautiful. The cabinet is customized with laminate, making it moisture-resistant and easy to clean and has vintage hardware.

 Photos: Art Gray

Picturesque beach house getaway in WaterColor

Williams Residence is a dream vacation home for a Houston couple designed by Geoff Chick & Associates in WaterColor, Florida. The three-story house faces a neighborhood park and backs up to the Point Washington State Forest, a huge natural preserve. The homeowner who had collected two decades of notes and magazine clippings interior designed the space herself, with simple and clean design of blues, greens and beiges that seems to be collected right from the beach. The home is comprised of 4,731 square feet of living space, with four beds plus a bunk area, four-and-a-half bathrooms and a spacious apartment above the garage with a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

The awe-inspiring exterior has a signature galvanized roof and HardiePlank lap siding with red cedar shingles, all painted a custom soft blue color made to harmonize with all the materials. Gas lanterns, transom windows, exposed rafters on the top tower structure and a detailed railing with a recurring X pattern punctuate Watercolor’s architectural style. With the intense Florida sunshine, the extended eaves help cut down on solar gain in the tower, and since hurricane winds pose a threat to ripping the roof off, a beam and a corbel detail were added.

This landing area connects the main house to the garage apartment. With a Dutch door, a farmhouse sink, antique wood furniture and a color palette of red, black and white, the style is a mild departure from the rest of the house.

This view is from the third floor — which has a home theater and an office space — looking down on the second, which has a bunk room, a master suite and two guest rooms.

Denise Williams has a massive collection of beach sand from all over the world. The antique nautical map wallpaper in the back of the niche is used to display portions of her collection.

The second-floor bunk room is meant to accommodate future grandkids. The bunks were custom made. The green door is a hundred years old and from Romania.

Note the starry night motif in the bunk room with the dark blue ceiling and custom chandeliers.

A sliding, distressed door on the third floor closes the house off to the fourth-floor tower to prevent heat loss.

 Photos:  Jack Gardner

Charming 41 square meters apartment in Stockholm

This charming Stockholm, Sweden apartment, spotted on Alvhem, is situated on the second floor of a three story building with breathtaking views over the river. The home is extremely well designed and space efficient for only 441 square feet (41 square meters) of living space, offering an open contemporary floor plan, high ceilings and a sunny balcony. With a continuous floor plan, the home feels quite spacious and the large windows give a bright and airy feeling. Painted white boarded floors run throughout the apartment. The recently renovated kitchen is open to the living room with a built-in breakfast bar dividing the space that serves as extra work/countertop while providing dining space. The spacious bedroom features partly glazed double doors that leads out to a cozy balcony.  There is also a stylish bathroom that was recently renovated in timeless colors and materials. The apartment is located towards a quiet courtyard and out toward the river with the absence of traffic, this is a very quiet and peaceful home.

31 Bright and colorful kitchen design inspirations

Even though white kitchens are still the mainstream because they are clean-lined and safe for anyone who is afraid of using color, bold and colorful cooking spaces seem to have made a major comeback. Most of us are used to decorating our favorite social space with a neutral color palette, but adding a splash of color can make the heart of the home feel bright and cheery. The kitchen sets the stage for the quality of life enjoyed in the home, as not only a place to gather together for a meal but for before and after.  It should harmoniously connect with the entire home, reflecting the style and personality of the inhabitants. It is in the details that create that personal statement of style, with the basic ingredients being the appliances and cabinets, which should specifically be selected to fit the design style of the home.

Hues such as red, bright green and yellow may not be what you would expect to see in the food-prep areas, but that’s exactly why they can elevate a kitchen beyond the ordinary. Whether they are applied to the entire room, or limited to a vibrant backsplash, they can also help personalize your cooking space. If you are wishing to infuse your kitchen with color but don’t know where to start, take a look at this inspiring collection of colorful kitchens that we have gathered for you with their neon countertops, brightly colored cabinetry, and incredible backsplashes and you might just get the motivation you need to start experimenting with color in your own home.

Don’t forget to tell us which colorful kitchen we have featured is your favorite!

Modern apartment with a sleek sculptural staircase

Nam Dger Apartment is a unique modern home situated in Nam Tower in the heart of Tel Aviv, Israel, designed by Gerstner Architects. The most intriguing feature about this home is its sculptural steel staircase as the focal point of the home. This two-level bachelor pad showcases sleek white interiors and modern furnishings of minimalist design. There is an upstairs mezzanine level that encompasses the private areas of the home, a master bedroom and nursery. A large embankment of windows along the front of the home looks out onto the busy city, extending out to a spacious patio.

Photos: Amit Geron

Simply elegant Victorian flat in Notting Hill

This stunning Victorian flat in Notting Hill, London was designed by interior designer Katrina Phillips and her assistant Georgiana Huddart. The owner is a movie producer who chose to purchase the home to share with his wife and daughter as a vacation getaway. The Victorian facade gives way to the interior with a cozy and quiet elegance. The deep respect to the architectural heritage, the history and aesthetics of the building, guided throughout the project, but distribution, setting and treatment of the spaces start from a contemporary concept.

They selected the latest technology for comfort and safety, and a deliciously timeless style. In addition, an interesting work of research was conducted for each space: choice of colors, fabrics, furniture, decorative objects, nothing was left to chance. For example, they decided on a color palette of stone, ivory, antique gold, oxide red, ocher, which was the advice of an expert in historical painting. The treatment of light and colors was inspired by those used by the Italian painter Caravaggio and also the work of the master of the modern decor, the Belgian Axel Vervoordt.