Trees interacting with living space in Chilean home

This Chilean home is that of architect Carolina Katz, her husband and four children, where trees are a part of the home’s original design that was constructed 27 years ago by well-known architect Fernando Castillo Velasco. The interior courtyard features four ficus trees and one almond tree, which is part of what drew Katz to this beautiful home; along with the high ceilings, simple floor plan and a fabulous location in Santiago’s Vitacura neighborhood. The 2,475 square foot (230 square meters) home did need some interior renovations, Katz made sure to retain the architectural history and embrace its quirks, which includes the ficus trees. This interior patio was once the home’s dining room, but since the large space is in the center of the house, Katz turned it into a central hangout spot.

A chandelier hangs amidst a grove of ficus trees.

Katz and her husband have a love of contemporary art, rotating their collection and personal work around the house.

A portable fireplace adds a cozy element to the high ceilings in the interior patio.

Several main windows were opened and widened during renovation.

Katz loves modern furniture, especially Scandinavian pieces, and warms up their simple lines with hand-crafted Chilean pottery and rugs. The elegant coffee table is one of Katz’s designs.

Bright white modern shelving and cabinetry contrast against the home’s original brick walls in the office.

A colorful rug hand-crafted in Chile and bold red chairs reflect Katz’s signature contemporary style in an adjacent family room.

The kitchen has been completely renovated, except the brick walls, which have been preserved to keep the home’s identity and unity. Ceramic floor tile, updated appliances and custom-designed cabinetry transformed it into a functional space. The kitchen dining table is partially hidden in one of the shelves and pulls out when needed.

The dining room was originally where the kitchen was.

The racquets above her son’s bed were Katz’s husband’s tennis and squash racquets from the late ’70s. The golf clubs were Katz’s father’s.

A small patio sits just outside the home office, it has been redesigned as an easy-to-access home garden. Old CD shelves hold pots of herbs and other plantings.

The square-shape patio is almost 250 square feet. The patio space was not being utilized so instead the family decided to turn it into a garden, planting lemon, orange and tangerine trees, as well as lettuces, tomatoes, spinach and herbs.

Photos: Courtesy of Carolina Katz + Paula Nuñez

Stylish apartment in Linnéstaden flooded with light

In the heart of Linnéstaden, Sweden is this stylish apartment full of inspirational design. The home features 807 square feet (75 square meters) of living space with a living room with high ceilings, large communal kitchen, two bedrooms and a spacious wrought iron balcony adjacent to the kitchen. Entering through the hallway into the home, there are impressive high ceilings and white smooth walls, combined with delicious wallpaper from Cole & Son. The floor is made up of dark gray Italian ceramic tiles with underlying warmth, perfect during the cold and slushy months. Further into the hallway is oak parquet flooring, which will continue uninterrupted throughout the home.

Straight from the hallway is an open kitchen which runs at an angle and is open to the dining area which creates an airy atmosphere. There is plenty of room for a large dining table and late-night dinners with friends, great feature in this apartment. The living room is at the other end of the apartment, with two tall windows, it offers plenty of natural light to flood the home. The walls are lined with striped wallpaper in two white tones. The bedrooms are on each side of the balcony, one of which is characterized by a rounded designed brick wall, adding a warm tone to the otherwise gray walls. The second bedroom is papered with bright walls and three white wardrobes. Via

Small yet spacious loft infused with industrial charm

In downtown Salt Lake City, Utah you will find the incredibly designed Pierpont Lofts. This gorgeous modern loft found on cityhomeCollective features only 452 square feet of living space with one bedroom and one bathroom, yet its bright, open plan design with soaring ceilings and spread out onto two levels makes it feel so spacious. Details include exposed brick wall and ductwork, original wood flooring small outdoor patio and a stellar location in the downtown district close to shops and restaurants. This unique home has an industrial atmosphere yet has been designed to feel warm and cozy, leaving you feeling right at home!

This gorgeous loft is listed for sale at $140,000, from here.

Beyond spectacular loft mansion in TriBeCa

This exceptional limestone loft mansion, spotted on Elliman, was built in 1862 and was just recently gut renovated to the highest standards, situated in the heart of Tribeca, New York. We originally featured this loft here, when it was for sale a year ago. This one-of-a-kind masterpiece boasts 30,000 square feet of living space, being one of the largest and most beautiful properties to ever become available downtown. Built 41feet x 109feet with six floors above grade and two floors below grade, this property has been completely renovated both structurally and cosmetically to retain the structure’s original character. The grand proportions of this building, with ceiling heights ranging from 12-17 feet, huge windows and multiple skylights bathe all areas with superb light. Brand new mechanical systems and an elevator are in place, as well as top-of-the-line appliances, fixtures and hardware.

The building features an owner’s penthouse (approx. 11,000 square feet of living space) on the 4th, 5th and 6th floors with an extraordinary, fully landscaped roofdeck and terrace (2,775 square feet). This Penthouse also comes with a private gym and half basketball court in the basement (2,650 square feet). The property generates substantial rental income from two floors of meticulously renovated rental units (2nd and 3rd floor, 4000 square feet each) that if desired can be delivered vacant, and a high end showroom on the ground/retail floor with a half basement (7,750 square feet). This is an entirely unique opportunity to purchase an elegant and classic loft building in triple mint condition that is also suitable for a condominium conversion: retain the penthouse and sell the remaining units.

This fabulous loft mansion is listed for sale at $49,500,000, from here.

Industrial-chic urban loft in Budapest

The basement of a building in Budapest, Hungary, spotted on Casa Vogue, has been transformed into an industrial loft occupying a living area of 2,152 square feet (200 square meters). With a certain bucolic air and many masculine touches the environment is well-distributed and integrated in an intimate yet dynamic and comfortable setting. The home has been decorated by stylist Beatrix Torma, the property draws attention for its architecture with its large windows on all side, which brings clarity to the interiors. The kitchen is attached to the living room on one side and on the other is a winery, dining room and library.

The environments are divided by the punctual distribution of furnishings. The existence of wood throughout the dwellings helps to soften the industrial tone. A mix of materials of aluminum, brass, copper, cement creates a dialogue with somewhat lighter materials of glass, wood ceiling, the cement wall in the dining room and bedroom and the black lacquer wall of arched windows where there is a fireplace.

Photos: Imre Barna

Awe-inspiring Beethoven Hall in NoHo

Beethoven Hall, spotted on Sotheby’s Realty, is an awe-inspiring post & beam industrial loft of unparalleled proportions. Passionately restored, the circa 1860 concert hall is the centerpiece for grand entertaining with its 32 foot high arched ceiling. Design elements include steel, glass, brick archways, wood-burning fireplace, reclaimed wood flooring, marble, imported wood doors beautifully integrate with modern amenities including central air and sound system. The 6,785 square foot home boasts eleven rooms, including a chef’s kitchen, living, dining, and solarium which are perfect for informal gatherings. Terrace oasis provides for circular indoor/outdoor entertaining. The loggia is the gateway to four bedrooms including large master with spa bath. The second level features fitness, media and guest area. High-tech library has state-of-the-art work stations. Film directors, artists and musicians are part of Beethoven Hall’s history. Located in downtown’s hottest hood where couture reigns along with luxury goods and gourmet eats.

This fabulous historical property is listed for sale at $25,000,000, from here.

Industrial chic loft with open-plan interiors in NoHo

This classic loft tries to maintain its spatiality through the use of materials, brick, wood and steel in NoHo, an historic district in New York City. The 4,000 square foot (279 square meters) loft was designed by architecture studio JENDRETZKI LLC. Instead of conventional partitions from floor to ceiling, free standing volumes house the different environments creating a landscape of intriguing geography of materials, heights, light and shadows. Structural wood beams are lost through free volumes.

The master bedroom maximizes its open space floor plan, giving the sector of bathroom and shower their own volumetric identity. The same shower is between a wall of stone and the brick perimeter wall. Kitchen furnishings are designed in black steel and translucent plexiglass. The loft uses eco-friendly fireplaces of alcohol with and without ventilation. All carpentry work is in mahogany manufactured in Argentina by Guillermo Miraglia and exported to New York in parts for an easy assembly at work.

Photos: Alejandro Wirth

Historic Bilbao flat infused with industrial charm

Found on Nuevo Estilo, this old apartment in a neoclassical building in Bilbao, Spain gets reinterpreted to the typology of the historic neighborhood by interior designer Mikel Larrinaga. To rehabilitate it, the owner wanted to extract all the charm of the structure and at the same time, give it some contemporary notes. The designer is an expert in recovering this type of housing, applying a very current prescription to convey authenticity. Walls were uncovered the expose the original brick to give industrial strength to the house and the false ceiling was removed to achieve height, exposing the old crooked beams.

The walls were given a fresh coat of white paint in order to gain additional light and give a sense of uniformity and harmony. Attention to detail was also given in quality of finishes and materials as well as color selection throughout the home. Old painted woodwork was reproduced and oak flooring was installed, which was given a coat of matte oil that softens its color and gives a true Nordic air. In this way, an environment was created, very neat and full of clarity. Neutral shades were chosen in the fabrics mixed with vintage furnishings and retro flare, along with 20th century lamps and fun bursts of color compose an atmosphere that exudes personality and warmth.

Gothenburg villa gets a magnificent transformation

This stunning Gothenburg, Sweden early 20th century villa, spotted on Hus & Hem, has been rescued from dilapidation by interior designer and owner Wictoria Ostrelius. When the old home was for sale she fell in love with her vision of the potential that the home had. After four years of renovating the 180 cubic meters of scrap and garbage, the plaster was switched to a wooden fascia and virtually all indoor spaces were rehabilitated. Before the home was restored, the plaster had long fallen from the facade, some windows were broken and it was only a matter of time before the roof would start to leak. Behind all this, Wictoria saw the beauty she wanted to recover.

Wictoria worked with her husband on the home, who both put their entire relationship at stake by investing everything on Wictoria’s dream. In the middle of the entire venture their son was born, a second addition to their family. The house made the family learn to live together and during the worst period of the renovation, the job welded the family together. Wictoria’s husband became the leader of 35 artisans who came and went during the first two years of intensive renovation. There was no moisture, mildew or rot, so the core remained intact. The home received a new tin roof and new windows similar to that of the old ones.

Spaces were gutted, sewage pipes and water pipes replaced and the floor was opened up to create an open plan environment. Three bedrooms, a new bathroom, walk-in closet, and a room with a bed loft on top of one bedroom was created. Wictoria referred to design magazines for inspiration, with much of the home was purchased on online auctions. The home received new life with patterned fabrics and a fresh coat of white paint, bringing serenity and breathing space. With a passion for old things with a story, the century-old house became a regeneration process and now breathes new life.

Rustic-chic grand duplex home in TriBeCa

This magnificent grand duplex home, spotted on Douglas Elliman, is on one of the best cobblestone blocks in TriBeCa, New York. The home is located within the historic American Express Carriage House built in 1866, which was originally a stable and converted into 15 luxury apartments, each costing upwards of $3 million. There are two apartments that offer stunning original details blended impeccably with contemporary touches. The duplex is currently setup as two separate and adjacent units with the ability to be combined, both share striking architectural features such as cast-iron columns, oversize windows, original porte-cochere doors, exposed brick walls and voluminous 14-15 foot high ceilings with original beams dating back to the 1500′s. There are a total of seven bedrooms and seven-and-a-half bathrooms. Upon combination, this expansive duplex would span the southwest corner of the building allowing the resident to enter the home via the street entrance staffed by a full time doorman or through the homes private. A private parking space in the buildings garage with access to the home is also included in the sale providing the owner with the utmost privacy and convenience.

The two apartments are on offer as a package, after being sold individually in August for $3,563,585 and $1,231,452. The package deal is listed for $15,900,000, from here.