‘Minimalism isn’t about removing things you love. It’s about removing the things that distract you from the things you love,’ writer at Becoming Minimalist Joshua Becker says on social media.

Decluttering may not seem like an easy task at first, but once you get the hang of things - I promise, your mind as well as your space will look and feel more organized. Whether you are working from home or in the office, it’s always nice to venture into a space that feels like a breath of fresh air, rather than a hoarder's den.

If you want to reorganize your closet space or give the illusion of a bigger room in your home, these experts have got you covered with their minimalist-approved tips and tricks on how to declutter your home. Find out how to instantly make any room you enter feel neater.

1. Label label label!

Jamie Hord, Founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, tells us that labeling certain items around your home is an easy way of staying organized. When a system is put in place, Jamie says, ‘everything has a home so you can easily put things away where they belong’.

The best way to do this may be ‘labeled bins in lower cabinets to act as drawers, labeled bins on upper shelves to easily pull down, grab what you need and place back,' Jamie adds. For labeling, I particularly like this label maker by Nelko print, which can be found on Amazon. The label maker comes in different colors and you can create a label for your items straight from your phone!

2. Keep counters clear

This may seem like an easy step, but with busy schedules and day to day tasks, we can often mindlessly throw things onto the counter to deal with later, but Jamie says ‘visual clutter can make a space look and feel really messy’ and well... I could not agree more.

To avoid piling things up and to efficiently declutter kitchen countertops, you should try organizing countertops there and then. Jamie adds: ‘even if its items are used often, find a place in prime real estate that it can live where you still have super easy access to them.’

3. Create cohesion and balance

Creating a flow in your space which looks put together while remaining balanced is important. Cohesion in a home almost unifies the space you are living in, from paint colors to decor and furniture — it is as if each room tells a story.

Jamie says the best way to maximize a balanced room is by using earth tone colors. He adds: 'a lot of different, wild colors can be visually overstimulated. Consider a few earth tone colors for your space.' Enticed by earthy tones? I particularly love this bold yet naturally beautiful 'Wainscot' color by Farrow and Ball. The warm mid-brown tone color, creates an intimate and calming feel around any space.

4. Minimize to make things look neater

The use of furniture is important and plays a big role in making spaces look bigger or smaller. Jamie says in order to give the illusion of a wider space, you should 'minimize non functional decor' you can do this by replacing items 'with mirrors to make your space look larger'.

Decorating with mirrors is a good way of capturing natural lighting in a room as well as maximizing an area of the home to make it look spacious and neat - like this 'Beautypeak Arched Full Length Floor Mirror' from Walmart.

5. 15-minute win!

Shira Gill, organizing expert and author of Minimalista and Organized Living, tells us a trick she uses quite often is what she calls the '15-minute win'. This includes doing a 'quick sweep to declutter exposed surfaces like countertops, desktops, and tables'. Shira says to start off, 'remove all trash, recycling, and relocate any objects that have lost their way and need to be returned to other rooms.'

6. Grouping is your new best friend

Another way of creating neater space is by grouping 'similar items together' Shira adds. The best way to do this is by adding 'corral into vessels like a bin, basket, or tray,' which in turn creates a more 'orderly aesthetic'. I really like this organizer from Landneoo on Amazon, which is perfect to use as storage boxes or to add into your closet. This particular product comes in a pack of four and can hold small items such as socks, underwear, ties or even ornaments.

THE PROPERTY

A three-storey mid-century ‘post and beam’ house, situated just outside Philadelphia. The modern home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room, three living areas, a kitchen, dining room, home office, sauna, and gym, all set on a quarter-acre of land with extensive gardens.

See more chic modern homes

STAIRCASE

This mid-century modern gem (think Mad Men with maybe a touch of the Brady Bunch house and the house in Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm) is super sophisticated. And while it contains many witty references to the past, it’s absolutely not designed to be a time capsule. It is, however, the perfect backdrop for an impressive collection of vintage furniture, art, and ceramics.

The flagstone floor at the bottom of the stairs (pictured top) features a mosaic of blue stones that contrast against the orange artwork. These stairs used to be covered in shag-pile carpet, but the new owners removed it to expose the original oak.

LIVING AREA

The house, though initially dark and foreboding, still had many original features, from the built-in Sixties bookshelves to wood-clad walls and even an original cedar-wood sauna. The interiors hadn't been in touched in a while – the new owners had torestore the original red oak floors, lighten dark walls, bin the Seventies curtains and, of course, rip up the avocado shag-pile carpets.

The living room is a mix of mid-century pieces – just about every piece in the room, other than the couch. The coffee table is a Paul McCobb. It’s the exact length of the fireplace and that anchors the room.

While respecting the past, the new owner's vision was to use the mix of materials, furniture and art to create an interior that was elegant, fresh and modern. Something lighter and brighter than the Sixties and Seventies design mantra, which can sometimes look a bit kitschy.

Mixing old and new gives these interiors more depth, with high- and low-cost pieces. Good design comes at all different price points. It’s the way you put it together.

See Also: Living room ideas - 24 decorating tricks to inspire

UPSTAIRS HALL

This hall – or catwalk – leads to the master bedroom.

DEN

Mid-century houses are more common on the West Coast and this one was especially unusual as it sits on land with a creek snaking around it. So you feel like you’re away from it all – but you’re really not. The house has been opened up to make the most of the nature views– the plot is full of trees, with lots of birds and wildlife.

But, unlike many modernist homes, it’s not a fishbowl; there's a balance of walls and glass.

The colours in the den were inspired by the artwork on the wall above the sofa by the artist Karel Appel. The dashes of magenta and orange are again a nod to the period of the house. Similarly, furniture is a mixture of old and new.

KITCHEN

The hood over the oven is original. The electric kitchen clock (above the oven) is also an original fixture.

The flooring is cork, which always has a temperature of around 20°C, so when you walk on it, it feels cosy and warm.

Cook books are arranged along a long wall-mounted wood cabinet.

Splashes of ochre in the upholstery reflect the period of the house.

DINING AREA

The chairs and the table top are walnut, but the chairs were mixed up to make them feel more casual.

GUEST BEDROOM

This room is more patterned than most in the house. But in a space such as a guest bedroom, it’s fun.

DESK AREA

This area is in one of the bedrooms and has a day bed nearby.

MASTER BEDROOM

The view from the master bedroom overlooks the creek.

Photography/Paul Raeside

See Also: Master Bedroom Ideas - 31 stunning bedroom schemes

The properTy

A three-bedroom single-storey Edwardian house in Melbourne, Australia, extended and renovated to give the family two living rooms, an open-plan kitchen-diner, a walk-in pantry, utility room and two bathrooms, one of which is en suite. The modern home also has a separate two-storey extension with a garage, bathroom and a flexible studio space, currently used as a spare bedroom.

main Living room

Thanks to a clever use of space, with a nip here and a tuck there, the owners of this place have managed to extend a traditional Edwardian home on a narrow plot in order to pack an awful lot of function into its now 200 sq m footprint.

The project, undertaken by architect Clare Cousins, and her builder husband, Ben, included reworking and extending the living space to replace a previous extension, which had a veranda and French doors cluttering the connection with the garden.

They spent ten months building the extension and used durable, family-friendly materials throughout, such as concrete flooring, bricks and timber on the ceiling, to prevent it looking stark.

A built-in bench stretches the length of the living room, doubling as a display surface and seating space, with room beneath to stow objects.There are no fancy wallpapers or fussy finishes here – just simple bricks on the walls and sturdy concrete on the floor.

Dining room

Curved glazing makes it easier to move aroundthis corner of the house, which is one of the main junctions, sitting between the kitchen, the two living spaces and the garden. By rounding it off, it takes up less space and feels more human and usable.

The couple shunted the kitchen back a little to create space for a walk-in pantry and a utility room that opens on to an outdoor airing room.

They also fitted a built-in desk and bar into a wall next to the dining space, which can be concealed or revealed with a perforated screen.

Simple yet ingenious changes that make family living a comparative breeze and mean the couple can catch up on emails, but still be with the children.

See Also: Laid-back Luxe Dining Room Ideas

Kitchen

Rounded corners make the kitchen more child- friendly, while charcoal-coloured bricks and cabinets along the spine wall streamline the look and define this space as a work zone.

master bedroom

The bedrooms are in the period part of the houseat the front and required little more than new flooring and painting. With more room at the back, the couple were able to add an en-suite modern bathroom to their bedroom, tucked neatly into the space behind the main family bathroom next door, with the showers back to back.

Family bathroom

Vertical tiles accentuate height in the bathroom anda basin with an integrated towel rack helps keep the walls clutter-free.

See more of Clare’s work at clarecousins.com.au

Photography / Armelle Habib

See more modern homes here.

The property

A ground and basement level apartment in New York's East Village, part of a former community center, built circa 1860. The ground floor of this modern home has a kitchen-diner, living room, home office, studio, master bedroom with en suite and dressing room and two WCs. The basement has an atrium, library, TV area, viewing room, guest bedroom with en suite, utility room, shower room, WC and second office.

ATRIUM

When its artist owner bought it, this property was being used for storage. Thankfully he commissioned architect and friend, the late Nasser Ahari, to transform it into a home and art studio. Nasser opened up the main floor, anchoring the whole place around a central atrium.

Head down the stairs to the basement and the eight-meter-high atrium can be appreciated in all its grandeur. It took ‘three very full years’ for the project to be completed, during which time bricked-up windows were reopened and light wells sunk on the lower level. The ceiling was also lowered by 60cm to provide soundproofing and to house a complex lighting system.

The architecture is predominantly crisp and precise, but it’s softened with rugged elements such as the cast-iron columns – painstakingly stripped of 20 layers of paint – exposed brick walls, original joists and the birch ply floor.

KITCHEN

The main living space on the ground floor, which includes the kitchen-diner, wraps around this well and offers tantalizing vistas of a cozy TV and library area below.

Exposed brick acts as a foil to the stainless-steel appliances and white cabinetry. The cedar island provides plenty of preparation space. From the kitchen, a pair of double doors leads to the owner’s studio and office.

LIVING ROOM

Found objects make this place a home, such as the painted Afghani chest, which rub shoulders with heavyweight Danish designs.

Weathered timber pieces, such asthis bench, offset the pristine architecture. The art, which is mostly by the owner, echoes the predominantly monochrome theme.

On the floor are tribal rugs and cushions, which invite you to lounge and sprawl.

A low bookcase houses just part of the couple’s vast book collection. On the wall hangs one of the owner’s works, a complex painted collage.

Bathroom

The suite is clad in limestone slabs. The owners say it's like being in a boutique hotel.

Bedroom

The couple wanted this to be a sanctuary of stillness, so they didn’t build any bookshelves. A weathered pot from New Mexico and a Ghanaian textile (on the bed) add a touch of color to the space.

See more of the owner's artwork at robertkellystudio.net

See Also: This modern Edwardian house in Melbourne is small but mighty

THE PROPERTY

A contemporary coastal house in Cornwall. The modern home has an open-plan living area/kitchen-diner, utility room, children’s bunk room, snug, wet room and WC on the ground floor, plus an outdoor seating area. Upstairs there are three en-suite bedrooms.

See more chic modern homes

DINING AREA

This Cornish home looks up and out towards the endless expanse of beach, sea and sky. By maintaining the ocean as the constant focal point, the architecture is never too clever-clever or confounding. Each room is set to lap up the view, with the exterior walls simply working as an outer skin to draw them together.

This altogether more escapist beachside project draws on pure white organic curves, porthole windows and circular light wells.

The innovative architecture takes the sea’s horizon as its reference point, with almost every room – yes, including the bathrooms – gazing out on to it.

White walls and large windows frame the outside beautifully, while furniture with classic, simple lines lets the nature outdoors provide all the drama.

STAIRWELL

The perfect helix of a seashell was the inspiration for the staircase, which rises towards a circular light well.

LIVING AREA

The central, open-plan living, eating, cooking plus ‘hanging out, whatever’ space is fronted and backed by glass, with the sliding doors on the seaward side kept open as much as possible during the summer months.

This beach house is also centred around sustainability.Th is house borrows some of the principles of Scandi architecture, retaining and reusing the existing heat and light while allowing for ventilation. The layout means it gets absolute maximum natural light, so there’s no need for artificial light in daylight hours. Meanwhile the house’s structure – render wrapped around a prefabricated timber frame – is extremely well insulated.

KITCHEN

A minimal, distraction-free scheme maintains the clean, white aesthetic.

The stretch of coastland is both soothing and reviving – an antidote to the way our senses are overloaded in everyday life.

What used to stand on this spot was an utterly unremarkable house that nevertheless had a very remarkable view. Lots of older Cornish houses were originally built quite closely crammed together, up alleyways and narrow lanes that protected them against the storms. That’s all very quaint and charming, but this dramatic clifftop location beat ‘quaint’ hands down.

OUTDOOR SEATING AREA

This spot suits the unpredictable Cornish weather. It’s great for shade if the sun is out, or it’s sheltered from rain if the clouds gather.

MASTER ENSUITE

Even the bath has a sea view, while the roof lights are designed for stargazing on a clear night.

MASTER BEDROOM

The three double bedrooms on the first floor are each quite different, but they all have one thing in common: glass screens that open on to the sea.

In the bedroom, sliding doors open on to a glazed balcony, keeping this space in touch with the elements and flooding the room with sunlight.

See more of the architects portfolio at michaelisboyd.com

Photography ⁄ Paul Massey

THE PROPERTY

A detached house built around 1900 in southeast London. The modern home has a large living room, reading room, WC, kitchen, dining area and utility room on the ground floor. On the first floor are the master bedroom and en suite, two guest bedrooms and a guest bathroom. On the top floor, there is a TV room, bathroom, home office and girls’ bedroom.

See more ultra-chic modern homes

HALLWAY

Super-durable, wood-effect ceramic tiles were chosen for the hallway (pictured above), which sees a lot of traffic. They were simply laid over the existing tiles. And although they can be tricky to clean, they’re very hard-wearing.

LIVING ROOM

This house is impressively spacious – with a living room large enough for dancing, a dining table that regularly has ten people around it, outside space that saw a summer garden party for 100 and two generous guest rooms.

But what to do with all those rooms? The solution is to give each a strong identity, so that the house feels alive. The kitchen is the hub. The living room also has a distinct personality. The rear part is for relaxing, while the front is a games room, complete with ping-pong table.

Furnishing a large property can also be tricky, but the owners solved this by focusing on the fabric of the building, not the furniture. By giving the surfaces supersized character, fitting painted panelling and period details such as ceiling roses, they then only needed a sprinkling of furniture to sit against the rich backdrops, much of which was sourced from eBay and vintage stores.

Wood panelling gives the large living room some traditional character, while an eccentric collection of favourite pieces brings heaps of personality.

KITCHEN

The kitchen is full of clever design details – from the metro tiles inside the kitchen cabinets to the herb trough in the island.

The kitchen is classic industrial, while the rest of the downstairs is more traditional in feel.

The rustic-looking cabinet doors are sawn oak with a white finish. They look like reclaimed timber, but it’s engineered. Reclaimed wood isn’t so hard-wearing and you can’t wipe it easily.

The kitchen island is on wheels so it can be moved out of shot when the house is used as a location.

See Also: Kitchen island ideas for modern homes

A smooth plaster finish contrasts with the whitewashed brick wall to add an element of industrial chic.

The inspiration behind the wall units came from areally old shop display cabinet that had tiles on the inside. The tap was made from copper piping – it’s a cheap way to have an amazing, cool tap.

READING ROOM

An off-white colour scheme was chosen for most of the house, with the exception of the dark reading room. This den just seduces you to close the shutters and sit with a book, large glass of wine in hand.

MASTER BEDROOM

The panelled wall is made from old scaffolding boards, which were washed with watered-down Skimming Stone estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball. The dado rail effect was a nice mistake – boards had been put up to where it is, but it didn't look finished. So the owners added this thin horizontal strip which breaks up the wall a bit.

EN-SUITE BATHROOM

The master bathroom was originally bigger than this, but the master bedroom suite was reconfigured and opened out with a sliding door as a partition.Now, panelling creates a more intimate feel and a vintage tub sits centrally, while a partition wall with built-in shelves stands alongside and keeps toiletries handy.

Even the shower has a handy built-in alcove shelf for keeping toiletries at close hand.

Photography / Malcolm Menzies

See Also: Stunning shower room ideas - drenched with style

THE PROPERTY

An eight-bedroom house in west London, constructed with a ground floor beneath two circular towers and connected by a staircase ‘bridge’. The modern home has an entrance hall, WC, kitchen-diner, living room and office on the ground floor. The first tower has a bedroom, shower room and utility room on the first floor, and the main bedroom suite, with a shower room and separate WC on the second floor. The other tower has three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor and a further three bedrooms and bathroom on the second floor. Each tower has a roof terrace and garden and there’s also a courtyard garden with an outdoor swimming pool on the ground floor.

See more impressive modern homes across the globe

LIVING AREA

The property’s curved towers are linked by an external covered staircase – the bridge – to avoid blocking out light from the neighbours. The radical shape has turned the house into a talking point.

Inside, the decor has an almost powdery softness, given definition with black-framed internal and external glazing. The plaster has a rustic honesty plus it absorbs sound beautifully. Elsewhere, surfaces are gently tactile, from the deep quilting of the sofa to the silky pileof the living room rug, but it’s the collection of artworks that provides the real drama in the space.

KITCHEN

Despite the serious materials and design, there’s a whimsy to this west London property, thanks to the three-metre firefighter’s pole descending into the kitchen and the children's slide that run alongside the staircase.

But there is nothing kitsch to see here. Pale wood floors, bare plaster walls and a series of organic spaces give it a softness and serenity. It’s meditative, despite being a family home.

See Also: The 15 best modern kitchen ideas - stylish, smart and chic

STAIRWAY

The owners of this property installed a slide on the inside of the staircase, offering a fun – and quick – way down.

HALLWAY

Each artwork has been painstakingly sourced. The shapes of the house are organic, with every curve and corner functioning as part of a whole.

Get the look: The Love artwork is by Harland Miller. The chair was an antique find.

BATHROOM

The curved wall of this modern bathroom nods to the property's organic shapes but was also created for practical reasons – the property needed to fit into a tight space between existing houses.

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom sits in an oval tower, so the furniture curves into the space, being gently hugged by the walls.

The porthole windows in the bedroom add to the ocean-liner look.

See more of the designer's work at michaelisboyd.com

Photography ⁄ Paul Massey

See Also: Master Bedroom Ideas - 31 stunning bedroom schemes

THE PROPERTY

A newly designed Seattle beach house in Seabrook, Washington state. Spread over three levels, the modern home has an open-plan ‘great room’ on the first floor, incorporating an entrance hall, fireside lounge, games area, dining area and kitchen, as well as a utility room, pantry and cloakroom. On the second floor, there are three bedroom suites, a WC and a sitting room, while three further guest bedrooms (two en suite) and another games room are on the ground floor.

See Also: Explore A Modern Beach House In Ireland With Floor-To-Ceiling Sea Views

EXTERIOR

Hot orange, funky purple and mango yellow bounce off the surfaces of this beachside home, sending out its message loud and clear – as soon as you walk in, you know this isn’t a serious place.If you’re here, it’s to kick back and relax.

But this northwest US coastal hideaway can catch the uninitiated visitor by surprise. It’s built on a small hill overlooking the sea, amid tall shore pines. The exterior is clad in naturally grey timbers and stone, so the house almost blends into the seascape.

When the elevated, coastal spot was discovered, the owners were inspired to create a home that celebrated both the freedom and space of the beach below. They brought in architectural firm Lew Oliver to map out balconied bedrooms that would play to the amazing views and, inside, an open-plan communal hub called the ‘great room’, which could encompass different zones.

Landscape architect Stephen Poulakos also collaborated, designing three separate outdoor dining spaces that are great in spring and summer. If it’s a bit chilly, there’s an open-air fireplace (pictured top) – great for toasting marshmallows – and a 5ft-deep cedarwood hot tub.

Clean-lined architecture delineates the different levels of the house, which opens to the outside at every opportunity. This courtyard (above) is a morning suntrap.

ENTRANCE HALL

Inside, you might expect things to continue in classic beach-chic style, with weathered driftwood, bleached whites and sea-grass mats. Instead, you’re greeted by blasts of colour, plush velvet sofas and a vintage pool table that’s ready for the break shot. The shot of yellow lets guests know this is a house of fun.

GREAT ROOM

The décor reflects the ethos of the house, which is a holiday home and a place where you can slip into a holiday mind-set, cut loose from the everyday and see things afresh.This place was designed with downtime in mind, whether that means moments of calm contemplation or partying with friends.

The wire sofa is a show stopper.

Robert and Cortney Novogratz, whose work had just the right mix of attitude, wit and modernity were brought on for the interiors.

In the great room, Novogratz touches include the crazy orange scribble of a Campana brothers Corallo wire chair, a goose-feather pendant suspended over the pool table like a giant powder puff and audacious, clashy-but-matchy fabric combos that zing with energy.The vintage Brunswick pool table was restored by a Pennsylvanian couple.

It’s these pops of colour throughout the house that unite each of the style-savvy rooms as one coherent, flowing space.

A vintage photograph of Marilyn Monroe swimming hangs above the sofa.

TERRACE

The first-floor terrace, with an ocean view, is an extension of the great room and a favourite spot in the property.

The architecture of the house pays homage to the northeast’s Arts and Crafts tradition, with solid, unfussy balustrades and porticoes painted white so they shine out against the slate-grey cladding.

KITCHEN

This pared-back aesthetic is echoed inside in the white kitchen, with its sweep of white metro tiles echoing a traditional, country feel.

The mood in here is simple, stylish and very functional, but without being a cold, stainless-steel space.

This is where everyone gathers from the first coffee of the day right through until dinner – there’s plenty of character going on.

DINING AREA

The citrus walls are the brightest, boldest shade in the house, but it’s still refreshing.

See Also: Bright ideas - exploring colour in the dining room

SITTING ROOM

Mixing graphic patterns – ikats, stripes and tribal prints – creates an opulent, but informal mood.

The sitting room has a series of quiet nooks for reading, a glass of wine, or both!

Simple shelving, painted white, provides a neutral backdrop that keeps the focus on graphic album covers, displayed as artwork.

CLOAKROOM

Punchy purple walls add warmth to rustic wood.

GUEST BEDROOM

Vibrant brights are the ideal palette for a sunny guest bedroom with sea views.

GUEST BATHROOM

A plain white bathroom is given a lift thanks to a ceiling shade that pops.

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom zings with punchy colour combinations and quirky yet classic motifs.

This room has amazing views; you can lie in bed – or in the en-suite bath – and gaze out at the sea.

See more Novogratz designs at thenovogratz.com. For information about Lew Oliver, see wholetownsolutions.com.

Photography / Matthew Williams

See Also: Master Bedroom Ideas: 31 stunning bedroom schemes

THE PROPERTY

A Victorian terrace in west London. The ground floor has a living room, dining room and kitchen. The basement has a laundry area, playroom, wine store, cloakroom and a guest suite. On the first floor there’s a family room, guest bedroom, shower room and study with a roof terrace. The main en-suite bedroom, plus kids' en-suite bedroom are on the next floor. The loft includes more kids’ bedrooms and a bathroom.

See more chic modern homes

BASEMENT

An in-depth approach was taken when it came to the reworking of this family home in west London, so the owners called upon the expertise of Jennifer Hamilton of interior design and architecture practice The Vawdrey House.

The first leg of the renovation was to create a new basement level with a playroom for the kids and a wine cellar for the grown ups.Seamless cupboards run under the stairs (pictured top) and are built into the walls, while a glass balustrade on one side of the stairs and light walls and floor keep the mood bright and airy.

PLAYROOM

The Vawdrey House produced several layouts for the new basement, but the chosen favourite included a standalone utility and laundry area incorporating a wall of storage units, which leads into a light-filled playroom, which also links back to the garden via steps.

The Obama print in the basement playroom was bought to celebrate his election.

LAUNDRY AREA

A useful and beautiful utility space adjoins this envy-inducing laundry area in the basement, yet still feels light.

See Also: 35 Super Chic Laundry Room Ideas

DINING ROOM

In the dining room, abstract shapes add dynamism to the classically cool dining table.

A clear sightline leads from the living and dining rooms through to the kitchen extension and into the garden beyond.

The dining room is separated from the hallway via a traditional sliding door, offering a glimpse at the classical style staircase.

LIVING ROOM

An enveloping paint shade that’s not light, but also not too dark was used for the living room.

A contemporary photo collage adds interest above the fireplace.

See Also: Living room ideas - 24 decorating tricks to inspire

KITCHEN

In this sleek modern kitchen, crisp white Corian contrasts with the deep matt texture of a black polished plaster splashback and a limed oak joinery box.

This house is designed with hits of black that reappear as you travel through it, from the textural kitchen splashback to black metal glazing and the statement headboard in the main bedroom.

DINING AREA

This is one of two clear sightlines from the front of the house through to the garden, giving the layout a cohesive feel.

MAIN ENSUITE

This generous space works graphic black and white on one side, with softer feel lighting and artwork on the other.

Elements more usually seen in a living space (spot the artwork and hanging pendants) make this a supremely relaxed bathing space.

MAIN BEDROOM

A matt black headboard unit works as a functional focal point.

The headboard also hides a practical shelf for a changing array of art.

BOYS' ROOM

Ample built-in storage also incorporates a wallpaper with character, which can easily be adapted as children grow up.

GARDEN

The back of the house is clad in sweet chestnut and a roof terrace is accessed from the first-floor study.

In the garden, two distinct pathways link up with the two key sightlines of the house. The first follows the line of the hallway, into the kitchen and continues through the black metal Crittall glazing. The second runs parallel, through the dining room to awindow in the kitchen and beyond. The garden is linked to the perspective of the house itself, but in a very subtle way.

And, just as contemporary additions work within the old Victorian frame of the building, the garden design also melds old and new. Weathered clay pavers were used that recall historic gardens, alongside more rigid, formal structures. Then, of course, to loosen things up a bit, there is always the swaying, fluidity of nature.

See more of The Vawdrey House’s portfolio at thevawdreyhouse.com. Check out more landscape design projects at helenedewitte.com.

Photography ⁄ Chris Tubbs

See Also: Living room ideas - 24 decorating tricks to inspire

THE PROPERTY

A four- storey terrace townhouse in east London. The modern home comprises a kitchen- diner/living area and WC on the ground floor. The first floor includes a master suite with a bedroom, bathroom and dressing room. Above are two more bedrooms and a bathroom. The basement floor is a self-contained apartment.

See more beautiful modern homes

LIVING AREA

Nothing is left to chance in this home and every detail works beautifully. The textures and lighting add drama and luxury, but also make the house a relaxed and welcoming space. From floors to the lighting system, the plugs, paint colours, the design on the doors, everything has been specifically chosen. Then there are certain recurring themes and textures – animal skin, marble, glass, mirrors. Anything that doesn't meet these exacting standards is then custom-made, right down to the drawer for Nespresso coffee capsules.

The Louis XV fireplace in the living room (pictured above) was custom-made, along with others in the house. The Thirties stag chandeliers are from Belgium.

A Loxone remote control system means that every detail – lights, music, even opening the front door – can be remotely operated by mobile.

HALLWAY

Order and symmetry. That’s the overwhelming first impression of this stunning townhouse in edgy east London. Outside may be hip, urban and gritty, but step past the grey front door and inside is a cool, luxurious space with an air of utter calm and tranquillity – where it’s immediately apparent that nothing within these 3,000 square feet has been casually thrown together. When it comes to symmetry, everything in this home comes in pairs. And then there’s the attention to detail.

Even in the hall, there aremultiple chandeliers rather than just one. The painting is by a Brazilian friend.

KITCHEN

The kitchen is at one end of the living area, with French doors that open on to a paved garden.

Matilda the zebra was bought from a taxidermist in Islington.

See Also: The 15 best modern kitchen ideas - stylish, smart and chic

LANDING

The reclaimed driftwood flooring, featured throughout the house,runs up the wall on the landing, leading guests toward the upper floors.

MASTER EN SUITE

Premium modern bathroom fittings combined with personal elements create a bathing zone that's both cosy and luxe.

MASTER BEDROOM

The ceiling cornicing was remoulded, based on what was originally downstairs.

SHOWER ROOM

The shower area leads to the walk-in wardrobe. Throughout the house there are photographs by Lillian Bassman. This one is called It’s a Cinch.

WARDROBE

Everything in the wardrobe is rigidly colour coordinated. The interior was custom made and there’s a place for everything – even sunglasses.

GUEST BATHROOM

There’s more of a French influence here – on the top floor – than the rest of the house

Find more of this interior designers' designs at casabotelho.com

Photography / Paul Raeside

See Also: Black and white bathroom ideas for a modern, monochrome look

THE PROPERTY

A Victorian apartment in Battersea, London, a former school that was converted into a modern home 1994. There is a large entrance hall, kitchen-dining space, utility room, living room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

See Also: Designer Mark Lewis' Modern Rustic Victorian Home in London is a masterclass in modern rustic

ENTRANCE HALL

Bathed in sun from a roof light, the vast entrance hall opens off the kitchen-dining space and is a great example of how the flat facilitates the fun.

The design brief was for everything to be just so. This played out as an email exchange of 200 emails with the joiner who created the kitchen, and five trips to the timber yard in Norfolk to check the oak for the flooring was the right colour and finish.

KITCHEN

The timber kitchen was designed for cooking in, rather than sitting in with islands or wall cupboards eshewed in favour of low-level surfaces.

The dining table is a 17^th century Belgian piece; it's just wide enough for two facing place settings.

The bench conceals waste pipes, hidden by the previous kitchen.

The space is wonderfully social, an easily accommodates dinners for four, drinks for 10 - or even parties for 50.

See Also: Wood Kitchen Ideas

UTILITY ROOM

A utility room was created off the kitchen, in what had been a bathroom.

The side table, along with five cast-iron urns, were found abandoned in the garden.

LIVING ROOM

Natural motifs - such as this gold leaf wall lamp - pop up around the apartment.

The pink day bed is long enough for guests to sleep on - handy for when additional people come to stay.

Huge windows pull light into the living space, and the shelves are made from solid oak so can be moved as the book collection increases.

HALLWAY

The wall were once so out of line that they appeared to be constantly moving. Realigning them made much more sense of sightlines.

Cleverly, the shelves in this hallway are movable so they can be adapted as the owners' collection of books changes.

The home has a calm, thought-through feel, aided by a pared-back ingredient list of just four key materials – wooden floors, marble, handmade tiles and painted walls.

STAIRCASE

This staircase leads up to the second bedroom and bathroom. The original staircase was chunky and walled in. Opening it up and installing a simple pine staircase, clad in oak brought new life to the central spine of the house.

MASTER BEDROOM

Alot of the pieces for this home - including this bed - were sourced at rock down prices, either online or in clearance sales. The marble-topped coffee table is an Ebay find.

BATHROOM

Good quality taps provide a key feature for the master bathroom. The tiles were handmade by a small firm in Marlborough, Wiltshire.

Photography / Paul Raeside

See Also: White Bathroom Ideas - 20 Ideas for a calm and muted scheme

THE PROPERTY

This family home in upstate New York is located in Tuxedo Park, a rural area about 40 minutes north of NYC.

 The L-shaped modern home is  situated on a wooded acre of land. With four bedrooms and three baths, the  is filled with organic materials and natural textures, from a grass rug in the living room to linen sectional sofas and marble tables. 

See also: Home decor ideas to give your living space a fresh update

The owner, interior designer Crystal Sinclair, founder of Crystal Sinclair Designs wanted her home to be cosy – a place where her three year old daughter could play wherever she wanted, while also being adult enough to have friends over.

See Also:Explore A Penthouse Apartment In A Converted Brewery

HALLWAY

The neon sign in the hallway is a play on words as the hallway features a collection of photographs in chronological order from when the owners first met to present day.

FAMILY ROOM

The common thread throughout are the use of geometric patterns, bold pops of colour, and the colour black – it's accented everywhere – on ceilings, in art work, area rugs, tiles, and paint. 

The black and white piece of art over the fireplace is by Linda Colletta (she's one of the owner's favorite artists and worked with her on painting the piece with this location in mind).

The Roli Poli chair by Driade is from 2 Modern

The sectional sofa is from BoConcept

Behind the sofa is a family space, with a hanging chair and kids' arts & crafts corner.

See Also: Modern Living Room Ideas

LOUNGE

The home is filled with collections of the family's travels - the pink rug is from Morocco, the fur pillows and pelts from Iceland, vintage art from Greece, pottery from Portugal. 

MAIN BEDROOM

The bed is from Kravet, the rug is from Ikea. The ceiling light is by Serge Mouille. The painted blue triangle on the ceiling provides an unexpected flash of colour in an unlikely place.

See Also:Explore An Art-Filled Penthouse Apartment In A Listed New York Landmark

MASTER BATHROOM

A mix of graphic floor tiles and calming sage green wall tiles, the bathroom is both enlivening and serene. The floor tiles are from Cle Tile and the vanity unit is from Ikea, updated with fronts from Reform.

See also: Bathroom tile ideas: your complete guide for walls and floors

See Also:A Traditional Beach House Gets a Dose of Whimsy & Glamour

GIRL'S ROOM

Designed for a three year old girl, this room is smart but has a sense of joy and fun, too. 

The chandelier and shelves are from Amazon, the rug from RH Teen, the dresser from Wayfair and the drapes from Ikea.

This is what this corner looked like before, as a nursery:

Photography by Nick Glimenakis and Crystal Sinclair.

THE PROPERTY

The watchwords for home decor ideas in this six-bedroom modern home for a family in Houston were 'Italian Modern', and that meant curved shapes, statement lighting and a feeling of plush glamor throughout. 

See also: Home decor ideas to give your living space a fresh update

Working with Contour Interior Design, the owners gave the brief of wanting to update their home with luxury pieces and fixtures in collaboration with the home's original architecture in a very sophisticated manner. 

That meant a bold color palette of rich purples, enlivening teals and soft greys, furniture by brands such as Louis Vuitton and bursts of structural and daring lighting throughout. 

See Also:Explore A Penthouse Apartment In A Converted Brewery

ENTRANCE

The foyer is a calming space, with a silvery sheen provided by the lights that creep up the walls and across the ceiling. 

Handmade custom Corian flower in-lit lighting arrangement designed by ContourInterior Design in collaboration with Mak Studio, limited edition Louis Vuitton sofa and sidetable, custom made marble console table, custom Bocci balls arrangement in middle of circular stairs.

See Also:Chic Hallway Ideas That Make An Entrance

LIVING ROOM

Designed for entertaining, the living room features an original Picasso.

Zaha Hadid B& B Italia sofas, Hive Fandango lighting pendants, De Cotiiscustom handmade coffee table, custom rug, B&B Italia lounge chairs, Draenert side tables,Konekt stools, Original Pablo Picasso Artwork, and Brabbu Yoho stools

See Also:Explore An Art-Filled Penthouse Apartment In A Listed New York Landmark

By zoning the curved furniture around a central coffee table, the expansive living room feels comfortable, almost cozy, one of the many easy home decor ideas to be inspired by in his house.

See Also:A Traditional Beach House Gets a Dose of Whimsy & Glamour

DINING ROOM

A statement dining room lighting sculpture by Lindsey Adelman makes this vast space seem intimate in its soft, warm glow.

Draenert dining table, custom Lindsey Adelman lighting fixture,Fendi Casadining chairs, custom Corian accent flower wall designed by Contour Interior Design incollaboration with Mak Studio, and custom doors

See Also:Chic & Clever Small Dining Room Ideas

FAMILY ROOM

The pop of deep green on the sofa creates an elegant dash of warmth in this otherwise calming and muted space.

Minottisofa + pillows, ottoman, lounge chairs, and side table. Wittman loungechair, Brabbu side table (custom), Kreoo set of 3 side tables 

See Also:Moody Blue Living Room Ideas andLiving Room Wallpaper Ideas

KITCHEN

The mix of materials in the kitchen creates a striking contrast, using raw woods, metals and stone to blend together texture and homeliness.

Custom counter stools upholstered in Edelman leather, Gabriel Scott pendant lights, La Cornue Appliances

See Also:Striking And Stylish White Kitchen Ideas

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom, bold but also deeply luxurious, forgoes a traditional headboard in favour of wonderfully soft velvet panels. 

Custom bed and bed panels, Boca Do Lobo nightstands, Baxter dresser,Gabriel Scott pendants, Fendi Casa bench and pillows, Moroso lounge chairs, Holly Huntside table, Tai Ping rug, Bec Brittain chandelier, and custom doors.

See Also:Dramatic Dark Bedroom Ideas and Bedroom Wallpaper Ideas

MASTER BATHROOM

Providing real seating in the bathroom is a true luxury, creating the feeling of a powder room or salon.

Custom ottoman and stool, Gabriel Scott chandelier and sconces, MatthewStudio hardware.

See Also: Luxury Bathroom Ideas: 20 design ideas to steal for a luxury bathroom look

THE PROPERTY

A two-level Kensington apartment on the top floor of a Victorian terraced house in south west London.  The ground floor of this modern home comprises of a hallway, kitchen, sitting room, study and shower room. On the first floor, there is the master bedroom with dressing room and ensuite, guest bedroom and ensuite, laundry room and the central courtyard.

See Also: See how a small Victorian terrace has been tastefully extended into a modern family home

KITCHEN AREA

When planning the apartment, it was important to achieve a fluid feel to the living space with interwoven rooms blending together.  ‘We had a strong idea of how we wanted it all to look,’ continues Deian, ‘The open-plan aspect makes the flat feel extremely sociable. I can be cooking in the kitchen while talking to someone in the sitting room.  We also wanted a mid-century feel with the furnishings, from the muted yellow kitchen – which incidentally was inspired by a story in a past Livingetc – to the accessories we have chosen.  Plus, a lot of natural wood everywhere adds a cosy finish.’

A mid-century feel to the kitchen and dining room was achieved with muted yellow units, vintage furniture and a classic marble splashback. 

Kitchen units, bespoke. For similar marble splashback, VictoriaPlum. Kitchen table, The Conran Shop. Chairs vintage 1960 design. Lights (over table) Foscarini.

See also: Stylish storage solutions and cool colours define this London apartment

LIVING AREA

There is always much laughter in this home, and it’s not unusual to find Euan and Deian gathered with friends in a corner of the living room, where a beautiful teak cabinet sits, adorned with various bottles of spirits, just waiting for Euan to mix everyone a cocktail.  The piano is tuned ready, and a selection of random vintage portraits of women (‘Why women? Because we love women!’) observe from the wall.  “This home has taken dedication,’ acknowledges Deian, ‘But we both agree it’s absolutely been worth it.’

See Also: Living room ideas: 24 decorating tricks to inspire

‘We had a ton of scaffolding running up the outside of the building so we could transport heavy materials like granite blocks and even, eventually, the grand piano!,’ reveals Euan. ‘Because it’s such an old house, once we started the project, we discovered loads of problems we couldn’t have foreseen, like old chimney flues in places where we’d planned to add structural steel supports.  One time our builder yanked on an old electrical wire and it suddenly popped out of the newly decorated wall of the flat downstairs.’ 

See Also: Modern home decorating ideas: 18 striking design ideas worth copying

MASTER BEDROOM

Light streams into this master bedroom through the floor to ceiling sliding glass doors.  The natural wood everywhere creates a sense of warmth and comfort. 

Rug, John Lewis. For similar bed linen, The White Company.

See Also: Four Poster Bed Inspiration and Gorgeous Master Bedroom Ideas

GUEST BEDROOM

With undertones of earthy green used here, the feeling of being at one with nature in this home continues.

For similar blanket, Melin Tregwynt.

See Also: Modern Bedroom Ideas

THE PROPERTY

A country house in Connecticut. On the ground floor there is a living room, den, a dining room with a seating area, the kitchen-diner and a shower room. The first floor has the master bedroom with adjoining study, a guest bedroom, two single bedrooms and a bathroom.

The owners of this historic house wanted us to create an interior that honoured the narrative and the architecture of the property, and something that really suited their lifestyle,’ says Sheena Murphy, who co-runs New York-London studio nune with fellow interior designer Tor Sauder.

Entrance hall

This entryway leads to the den on one side and the formal living room on the other.

Vintage pedestal table, Laserow Antiques. Custom stair runner, Merida Studio.

The project she’s referring to is Bruey Cottage, the owner's country retreat in Norfolk, a small town in Connecticut, about a three-hour drive from their city pad in Brooklyn – which nune also designed.

See Also:Striking hallway floor ideas

Living room

‘This is the formal sitting area, so we’ve used more luxe materials, such as velvet, suede and brass,’ says Sheena. ‘These create a contrast with the primitive wood and rough cotton textiles.’

Velvet sofa, Jayson Home. Cushions, Küdd Krig. Vintage coffee table, Morentz. Armchair, Espasso. Brass side table, Anna Karlin. Vintage wooden bench, Andrianna Shamaris. Photograph, Anne Menke at Clic gallery.

‘They bought the cottage in 2017 and we got started right away,’ says Sheena. ‘We’d previously worked with the couple on their own properties and ones that make up their residential development firm, Branca & Co, so our relationship was well established.’ A whitewashed, wooden A-frame house set within seven acres, it was built in 1790 by Captain John Bradley, an American Revolutionary War veteran. Despite numerous cosmetic updates over the centuries, the cottage has retained many of its original features, including exposed structural beams. It looked to be in good condition – until exterior work revealed serious structural issues.

See Also:Storage ideas for small living rooms

Kitchen-diner

‘This is the newest part of the house,’ says Sheena.

‘The white-on-white scheme ensures it maintains a strong visual connection to the rest

of the property.’Bespoke cabinetry, designed with Frances Mildred. Vintage chairs, Amsterdam Modern.

Wall light, Schoolhouse

‘We had to wait almost a year while this was rectified,’ says Sheena. ‘It was unfortunate, but it did prompt the clients to reassess what they were doing with the kitchen.’ The couple hadn’t initially intended to renovate this space – it was to be part of a future extension – but they now had time to address it. They called in New York-based architectural firm Frances Mildred, who created a custom design that pairs white- painted wooden cabinets with a marble work surface. ‘The kitchen now feels aesthetically at one with the rest of the house – that was a nice silver lining,’ says Sheena.

See Also:Modern Kitchen Cabinet Ideas For A Contemporary Aesthetic

Dining room

The simple white tablecloth and vintage chairs manage to be chic while fitting in with

the cottage’s period features.

Volga Linen sells a tablecloth like this one. For similar vintage chairs, try Etsy

As for the rest of the interior, that now features a mix of old and new pieces, niche and more established brands, all expertly selected by nune to elevate the cottage’s white walls and dark floorboards. ‘We almost always work with a heavily layered and neutral scheme, but this project was a departure for us,’ says Sheena. ‘The age and character of the house demanded an eclecticism that others we’ve worked on haven’t. You have more freedom to mix what you want, as long as you unify things with a consistent tone and palette.’

See Also:Chic and Clever Small Dining Room Ideas

Guest bedroom

‘Two single bedrooms with sloping ceilings are almost mirror images and sit opposite one another at the top of the staircase.’ The reddish tones of the wide floorboards stand out here and elsewhere in the house.

Vintage bed, Chairish. Vintage side table and light, both 1st Dibs. Vintage rug, Home Stories.

Looking to play with materials, shapes and genres, all within a soothing colour scheme, the designers left no stone unturned in their search for different pieces, scouring flea markets and designer-makers, both nationally and worldwide. ‘Some things were already on our radar, but vintage is an ever-moving target – you never really know what’s out there,’ says Sheena. It’s also a part of the job that isn’t without hazards: ‘We’d go to markets and sometimes end up taking far more stuff home for ourselves – it can be hard to part with some finds!’

An example of Sheena and Tor’s meticulous furniture mix is showcased in the living room. A welcoming space full of amped-up textures,it features a luxe, contemporary velvet sofa from Chicago’s Jayson Home with cushions from Californian brand Küdd Krig. These mingle with a tiled coffee table from Dutch vintage gallery Morentz, while chance finds include a brass fireguard from Etsy.

Master bedroom

The pared back stlye is enticingly relaxe, yet sophisticated. A small study with built-in closets adjoins the room.

Bed, Earl Home. Vintage bedside tables, Laserow Antiques. Bedside lights, Circa Lighting. Rug, Territory Design.

Similarly unique arrangements are found in every room. Unified through the designers’ use of neutrals, each space adds to an overall look that feels casual and collected. ‘Nothing is too precious or new,’ says Sheena, who is looking forward to seeing how the house evolves over time – especially with the arrival of the couple’s son. ‘When clients move in, things get tweaked – that’s when it really starts to feel like a home.’

See more of nune’s design work at nunenune.com and find out more about Branca & Co at brancaand.co. View Frances Mildred’s architectural work at francesmildred.com

Photographs Nicole Franzen Styling nune Studio

See Also: 5 Expert Tips For Decorating Your Guest Bedroom

The tiny house movement is a celebration of minimalist living and is a fast-growing trend around the world. These cozy homes aren’t just for those looking to seriously downsize, though. A tiny home can also be used as a guest house, an off-grid holiday cabin, or even a private workplace in the backyard.

So what tips do the experts have for people considering such a significant downsize? “First off, ignore the people who think this is crazy. It's okay to do something that's counter culture,” says Steve Weissmann, CEO of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, a California-based company that designs and builds small houses attached to trailers for mobility. “Almost everyone who goes tiny does it because it's affordable, they’re a minimalist, or for environmental reasons.”

While small homes have many advantages,there are also a few challenges. One of the biggest is how to make the most of such a tiny space. With a few ingenious design tricks and a clever layout, however, you can fit in everything you need to live comfortably and bring the home of your dreams to life.

1. Save space with a spiral staircase

Micr’Home is a pretty holiday apartment perched five metres above the ground and squeezed in between two buildings in Nantes, France. Designed by French interior designer Myrtille Drouet, the tiny 26m² space manages to fit a kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom.

The home is arranged around a custom-built spiral staircase that allows access to all three floors without taking up too much space.

See Also:7 Lessons In Space-Saving Design From A Tiny House On Wheels in Hawaii

2. Put a guesthouse in the garden

Kabinka is a build-it-yourself tiny home or backyard office designed by Hungarian design studio Hello Wood. The home comes flat-packed and is available in four sizes, from 12m² to 20m². Thanks to its modular design, the layout can be completely personalised. All models comfortably fit a tea kitchen, couch and coffee table, and bathroom, with a bedroom tucked away on a mezzanine.

“The tiny house movement advocates living simply and sustainably,” says project architect Péter Oravecz. “There's a growing number of people who want more adventurous homes, or who prefer intimate, off-grid spaces over hotels while travelling.”

See Also:Case Study: A Clever Garden Room That Doubles As A Chic Guest House

3. Go off grid

This tiny off-grid mountain hut is all about getting back to nature, with a simple timber structure that requires no foundations. “The Mountain Refuge is inspired by traditional archetypes and the idea came from the traditional mountain shelters of the Alps,” says architect and Mountain Refuge co-founder Massimo Gnocchi. “Living off grid is about finding balance and reconnecting with nature, while having some basic services.”

Rainwater is collected in a tank beneath the deck and photovoltaic panels on the roof or batteries under the floor can be used to provide electricity and hot water.

See Also:Remote woodland log cabins we would't mind self isolating in

4. Embrace rustic charm

Elm is the most popular tiny house model from California-based Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. Modelled on a traditional lakeside cabin, the mobile timber home has plenty of charming rustic details that will stand the test of time –like the lancet window that overlooks the spacious front porch. The interior features a loft bedroom with space for a queen bed and a pull-out sofa bed in the living room.

“Each Tumbleweed owner customises their own tiny home from our standard options,” says CEO Steve Weissmann. “Some get really creative with personalised touches, such as bright blue kitchen cabinets.”

See Also:Explore A Space-Saving House In Brixton

5. Build in clever tech

This 45m² four bedroom apartment is notable for its engineering ingenuity. Sim-Plex Design Studio transformed a two-bedroom apartment in Hong Kong into a tiny four-bedroom family home. Easily reconfigurable walls and clever technology –such as a pop up coffee table in the living room/bedroom – allow each space to be used for multiple purposes. “Smart Zendo is based on the spiritual details of Zen,” says architect Patrick Lam. “The home combines natural scenery, traditional Feng Shui and smart technology.”

See Also:Inside A Space-Saving, Futuristic and Dream-Like Apartment in Shanghai

6. Make sure it's sturdy

This tiny three-metre-wide cabin has room for just a single inhabitant and was designed by Italian starchitect Renzo Piano. Located on the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany, it’s an experimental concept for a tiny home that could be used as a workplace or as a weekend getaway. The timber cabin is clad in aluminium panels to protect it from the elements and is completely off-grid, with solar panels, rainwater collection and a biological toilet. Inside, the sofa pulls out to a bed and a folding table is fitted beneath the window.

See Also:Tiny homes: Is this the coolest caravan ever?

7. Clad it in timber

This tiny beach house on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand was built on a sled base to satisfy a planning condition for the area that required all buildings to be removable. By constructing the interior entirely from timber, architects Crosson Clarke Carnachan have kept it visually uncluttered and created the illusion of a larger space.

See Also:A Former Timber Garage Has Been Transformed Into A Modern Family Home

8. Open up to the great outdoors

The owners of this cabin in the Gulf Islands in British Columbia had a strong interest in sustainable design – so architects Olson Kundig created an efficient cabin that is immersed in its surroundings.

“The cabin creates an intimate, protected refuge on a very small footprint,” says architect Tom Kundig. “Design moves like a sliding steel panel, large windows and outdoor shower encourage you to engage with the big landscape, yet still provide a cozy sanctuary when you want to retreat from the elements.”

See Also:Case Study: This Skinny House's 3.3 Metre Wide Shape Leaves Natural Surroundings Untouched

9. Transform a bus into a mobile home

“Skoolies” are renovated school buses that are repurposed into tiny homes ready to hit the road. This Scandinavian-inspired Skoolie was designed by Matthew Welsh Weinberger, founder of Killdisco Design as a home for a family of five to travel across the US and Canada.

“I wanted to find a way to make an unavoidably crowded space feel like a modern cabin retreat,” he says. “We needed space to sleep five, but still wanted to give the family ample room. My hope was for it to be timeless and simple to allow it to grow with the family and their changing needs.”

See Also:This modern attic re-design is full of stylish space saving ideas

10. Take stargazing to the next level

This 25m² modular glass cabin designed by ÖÖD House exclusively for a guest house in Iceland lets you gaze directly at the night sky from bed.

“Wonderful panoramic views make ÖÖD House one of a kind,” says CEO Andreas Tiik. “The tiny guest house is inspired by Nordic design and combines ergonomic use of space – such as large drawers below the bed – with comfort and luxury.” There’s even a hot tub outside for alfresco stargazing.

See Also:Storage ideas for small living rooms

11. Paint it pink

The Cindy Bear by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company was built specifically for Jellystone RV Park as a rental unit –and makes a playful statement with bright colour. “For this home, custom colours were very important,” says founder Steve Weissmann. “We also added special touches like the flowers up front and the tiny shutters on the windows. It was one of the most fun houses we have ever designed.”

See Also:Front Door Ideas: 24 Paint Colour Ideas For A Front Door Update

12. Create a garden

This 30m² Scandinavian-inspired tiny home on wheels comes with an additional trailer that adds an extra 8m² of outdoor living space –including a cute porch swing and a greenhouse.

“We designed The Elsa with a modern Scandinavian feel,” says Melodie Aho, co-founder of Olive Nest Tiny Homes. “We wanted a homey feel with clean lines and lots of light. The Elsa was a family project to join minimalist living and high quality materials and design.”

See Also:Chic & Stylish Ideas For Small Gardens

13. Let the light in

Interior designer Christina Salway teamed up with Nelson Treehouse & Supply to create her tiny home in the Catskills in Upstate New York. The 10m² home is built almost entirely from old windows, flooding the interior with natural light. A wrap-around deck extends the living space outside.

“One of the great pleasures of a small space is that it really forces you to consider the function of each and every piece you include,” says Salway. “Ideally, each piece will move the design forward, not only aesthetically, but also practically.”

See Also:10 Modern Treehouses To Inspire Your Next Garden Project

14. Build in plenty of storage

This modern pied-à-terre in West London is just 45m² –but makes clever use of colour and storage to make the most of the space.

Built in floor-to-ceiling wardrobes line the compact bedroom, which also features a fold-down bedside table, and bright teal kitchen cabinets add a pop of colour. A minimal wall storage system in the tiny living area turns books and nick-nacks into objets d’art.

Photography: Megan Taylor

See Also:Storage ideas for small living rooms,Bedroom Storage Ideas andSmall Bathroom Storage Ideas

Your Tiny House Questions Answered

What does it cost to build a tiny house?

This is a bit like asking how long a piece of string is, as it all depends on how much you’re willing to spend, what materials and finishes you use, and what other features you integrate. “Our tiny houses start at US$56,000 (£43,500) with an average cost of US$90,000 (£70,000), but I've seen people build a tiny house for as little as US$15,000 (£11,600),” says Steve Weissmann, CEO of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. “Practically everyone gets a loan, and the typical payment is around US$700 (£540) per month.”

Can you build a tiny house in your garden?

This all depends on the kind of tiny house you’re planning and whether you’ll need planning permission (see more on this below).

“We've worked with hundreds of people who built a tiny house in the backyard,” says Weissmann. “But building yourself can be risky because most people don't have the money saved up when they start it, and spend years trying to finish it. I shudder thinking of all those years they were paying rent on a place instead of buying a tiny house that was move-in ready.”

How much space do you need to build a tiny house?

There’s no set rules as to how big a tiny house should be –but most tiny houses are less than 37m². According to Weissmann, you’ll generally need around 1,000 square feet (92m²) of space to build a tiny home.

Do you have to pay property taxes on a tiny house?

This will depend on where you are hoping to build your tiny house, so it’s essential to check with the local authority. Even within the same country, regulations can vary from area to area. Also keep in mind that if your tiny house is on wheels, you would usually pay vehicle tax.

How do tiny houses get water and electricity?

There are various ways that tiny houses are supplied with water and electricity, from RV-style set-ups, to completely off-grid solutions. Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, for example, uses 50A electric and a water inlet and wastewater pipe that connects to the sewer. Other tiny home-owners choose to go completely off-grid, with gray water and compost.

Do you need a permit to build a tiny house?

Again, this depends on the kind of tiny home you want to build. If your house is on a trailer, then it will likely be classified as a caravan and you can use the home on your property as a secondary building in addition to your main dwelling. If it doesn’t have wheels it will likely be classified as an ancillary building – and for it to be legal you will likely have to apply for planning permission, so make sure to check with your local authorities before getting started.

It’s a similar situation in the US. “If it's a Tiny House RV, it should be certified by a third party,” says Weissmann. “If it's on a foundation, it requires a permit in most areas. Some areas also require permits to have the home on your property. Across the country there are over 10,000 zoning departments and the rules are uniform.”

THE PROPERTY

The owner of this large loft in Antwerp immediately fell in love with its double-height lofty proportions, exposed brick walls and industrial details, all giving this modern home a decidedly 'New York' feel.

However, when her partner and his three boys moved in, they needed to re-think the whole space as it wasn't big enough to accommodate everyone. The owner, Francine De Caluwé, brought on architecture studio Mr Frank who created a suspended 'box' at mezzanine height, housing two additional bedrooms that hang down from the ceiling. 

It wasn't exactly the most obvious solution; they had brainstormed and come up with several other solutions including a mobile box on wheels and extending the duplex with an extra platform, but this plan was the winning idea, and offered the best visual aesthetic. 

It was a multi-functional idea that could work long-term too, as the bedrooms can be used for other purposes in future after all their children move out.

LIVING AREA

The building dates back to 1850, when it was a chapel. Since then the building has been used as a shop for ship and maritime materials, as the harbour is only a few kilometres away. 

Present day, there's a home office on the ground floor, and the entrance to this loft sits on the first floor. The property has retained its industrial look, with exposed brick walls, an ornate ceiling, large sash windows and a dark blue epoxy floor – which has kept in pretty good shape the past 20 years, even with four children running around!

See Also:Explore A Light & Airy Loft In A Former Newspaper Printing House

The loft sits in an area of Antwerp that was underdeveloped 20 years ago when the owners bought it, but the past 20 years the area has seen a large amount of investment and noticeable gentrification. Now the neighbourhood is lively, with lots of restaurants and bars, shops and museums.

The meter-high sash windows overlook Antwerp's city centre.

Clever partitions divide up the space to create cosy areas. A block of storage with house plants on top creates a division between the main socialising space and a cosy snug area.

See Also:12 Lessons In Open-Plan Living From 3 Achingly Cool New York Lofts

Next to it is a slatted wood screen that doubles as a bookcase, creating a cosy reading area.

KITCHEN

The owners didn't want a typical kitchen look with a wall of cabinetry, and instead opted for just lower cabinets, leaving the exposed brick walls intact. Architect Piet Crevits designed a long aluminium kitchen island table, as well as a long dining table on wheels that you can slide under the kitchen workspace. This makes it modular and adjustable to the amount of people there are in the house, as floor space can be freed up.

See Also:This converted perfume factory is now a cool warehouse-style live/work space

KIDS' BEDROOMS

The floating mezzanine houses the kids' bedrooms.

The floating box connects through to a fixed corridor with a bathroom. The architect had to create this fixed structure in order to house the plumbing for the bathroom.

See Also:Explore An Industrial-Style Factory Conversion In Bow, east London

HALLWAY

Underneath the bathroom and corridor is the entrance and exit to the loft.

There's also a hallway area, with floor-to-ceiling storage for coats and shoes.

See Also:Boot Room Ideas andHallway Ideas

Architect: Piet Crevits

Photography: Mr. Frank, @mr_frank_photo

THE PROPERTY

This modern house in LA, in California's Silver Lake area, is filled with pattern and bold ideas, from Kelly Wearstler's Channels wallpaper that stretches up the stairwell to the bunny-print design covering the daughter's bedroom walls, and a cool, custom-made floating bed in the son's bedroom. 

Measuring a little over 3,500 square feet, the modern home features a modern kitchen with striking dining area, an elegant living room, a modern master suite and five different outdoor terrace areas.

The homeowner was visiting friends on the adjacent hill when she spotted the foundation being built on this property. She tracked down the developer and bought it early in the construction process, and took over the build. The plans for the property didn't reflect the owner’s style, so she brought on Michael Rasky from Modern Nest to help with the redesign.

It was a modern box without much detail – but it did have high ceilings, a generous floor plan and amazing views of the skyline and the reservoir. Michael and the home owner wanted to make this 'box' feel more human, so they created a more personalised scheme, giving the home soul.

ENTRANCE

The entrance vestibule features Anne Sacks' geometric tiles on the walls, a spider pendant and sweeping LA views.

See Also: Chic Hallway Ideas That Make An Entrance

KITCHEN

The entrance vestibule opens straight into the open-plan kitchen and dining area.

Ann Sacks' tiles feature again in the kitchen for the pistachio splash-back.

The modern kitchen island incorporates a sink, plenty of storage and a breakfast bar.

Kelly Wearstler's Channels wallpaper runs alongside the kitchen and dining area, and down the stairwell to the lower ground floor.

See Also: How to wallpaper a statement wall

LIVING ROOM

The open-plan kitchen flows into an elegant living room space with built-in bookshelves designed by Michael Rasky. The organic shaped sofa is by Patricia Urquiola.

GIRLS' ROOM

The downstairs bedrooms feature more colour and funk, particularly in the kids' rooms. As the daughter loves bunnies, Michael found this Hunt Slonem wallpaper to pull the room together.

BOYS' ROOM

The owner's son wanted ropes to climb and that was the starting off point for this playful bedroom.

It was an engineering feat to get the upper bunk to float without any support.

MASTER BATHROOM

Meanwhile the master suite features a more muted, natural palette.

The tiles – from Stone Source – look like folded paper, adding texture to this serene space.

TERRACES

The house came with lots of different terraces and balcony spaces that offer views from every height and angle.

Silver Lake is a hip enclave in Los Angeles and is a hub for fitness, parks and recreation. The 'lake' in Silver Lake is actually a reservoir that looks like a lake.

There are balcony spaces, an outdoor dining area, two swimming pools, and there's even a patio with fire pit. Dreamy.

Photography: Zeke Ruelas

See Also: Modern outdoor furniture ideas for gardens and backyards

THE PROPERTY

Situated in a traditional Co-Op style building, this chic San Francisco apartment maintains the iconic period elements of high ceilings and detailed moulding seen in “old” San Francisco buildings – while opening up the floor plan to add light and give it a younger, fresher feeling of a modern home. 

Designed by interior designer Alison Pickart, the new floor-plan eliminates the threshold between the living and dining rooms, creating a beautiful, cohesive space for the owner and her family.

See Also:Explore A Penthouse Apartment In A Converted Brewery

ENTRANCE

The foyer walls are pewter metal gilded linen by De Gournay, and gilded paper covers the ceiling too.

Wall lights from Urban Electric light up the space, and the owner’s artwork adds a pop of colour to the room.

See Also:Chic Hallway Ideas That Make An Entrance

LIVING ROOM

Designed for entertaining, the living room features three separate seating areas.

A massive light sculpture by Scottish artist Niamh Berry hang over the living room. Composed of brass loops with channels clad in opal glass, the sculpture is both modern and innovative, giving the classical apartment a new edge.

See Also:Explore An Art-Filled Penthouse Apartment In A Listed New York Landmark

Antique mirrors on the back of the living room bookcases provide a nod to the old while also reflecting the view and adding light to the space. Meanwhile a silk cut pile rug by The Rug Company adds silky soft luxury underfoot.

Traditional upholstered and case pieces from Rose Tarlow and Gregorius Pineo upholstered in metallic linen and mohair contrast with modern pieces.

See Also:A Traditional Beach House Gets a Dose of Whimsy & Glamour

DINING ROOM

A matching sculpture by Niamh Berry makes for striking statement dining room lighting.

See Also:Statement Dining Room Lighting

BREAKFAST ROOM

Antique mirrors in the breakfast room bounce light around this bijou space.

See Also:Chic & Clever Small Dining Room Ideas

MEDIA ROOM

The media room uses the lack of natural light to its advantage, creating a snug and cosy atmosphere. St. Laurent, on navy metallic silk by De Gournay, covers the walls, giving the room a luxe, warm feeling.

Custom Holland & Sherry embroidered pillows sit atop a custom corner sofa with peacock blue silk mohair by Corragio textiles. A banana silk Moroccan rug and pink lavender ice resin Scala luxury side tables add pops of colour to the space.

See Also:Moody Blue Living Room Ideas andLiving Room Wallpaper Ideas

KITCHEN

The white kitchen is painted in Penoir from Farrow & Ball, a bright white that brightens the room. Calcutta Royals countertops with purple veining line the kitchen, giving it a pop of colour and texture.

See Also:Striking And Stylish White Kitchen Ideas

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom, bold but also deeply luxurious, feels like a haven. Designer’s Guild dark grey silk velvet covers the walls, muffling city sound and giving the room privacy. Doors and windows are finished with an elegant Samuel and Son trim. A Cloud XL chandelier from Apparatus hangs overhead a Dmitry & Co bed upholstered in navy.

See Also:Cool Bedroom Lighting Ideas

A geometric silk rug from Stark adds further luxe to the room.

Sandra Jordan cashmere drapery are balanced by metallic netting Larson sheers. A chair and ottoman also from Dmitry & Co stand opposite a vintage secretary, once again blending new and old.

See Also:Dramatic Dark Bedroom Ideas and Bedroom Wallpaper Ideas

An ultra-cool coastal modern home in Kent with access to a private beach has gone on sale for £925,000.

The newly-built house was designed by Carl Turner of award-winning architectural practice Turner.Works. It’s situated on the Granville Cliff Estate, just over a minute’s walk from the estate’s private beach at Seasalter.

See Also:Explore a stunning modern rustic holiday home in Girona

Clad in black corrugated steel, the house cuts a sharp profile; its mono-pitched roof was inspired by the bitumen-clad fishing huts that have become synonymous with Kent coastline over the past 150 years.

Inside, the house is very much of the now, oozing a distinctive Scandi-style aesthetic. Named Loft House principally for its voluminous, airy proportions, the house also earns its moniker for the configuration of its bedrooms on the ground floor and the living quarters upstairs in an elevated position with beautiful views.

Inside, you'll find a masterclass in OSB (oriented strand board, a versatile and durable building board constructed in a similar way to plywood). The sustainable material has been utilised for everything from dining benches and kitchen island outer to flooring, shelves and side tables.

See Also:This architect-designed holiday home offers the perfect English country escape

The whole of the ground floor has polished concrete underfoot, with underfloor heating throughout. It is from this position that the material palette is first established; bespoke joinery in oriented strand board chimes beautifully with the polished concrete and large sections glazing.

There are four large king-size bedrooms on this floor; two with views out over the back garden and two facing the front garden. There are also two guest shower rooms and a utility room with plenty of storage space.

See Also:Explore A Modern, Coastal Holiday Home Perched On Sea Ranch's Dramatic Clifftop

However, the first floor is arguably the heart of the home and is certainly occupied by the most impressive spaces. A staircase of OSB winds up, beneath a skylight, to the first floor, where a dramatic, expansive set of living spaces have been configured in an open-plan design.

A large living room with a Juliet balcony and a Morsø Panther wood-burner is positioned to one side, while a kitchen and dining room occupy the northern wing of the room.

See Also:5 hip hideaways for a luxury off-grid secluded staycation

The kitchen is crafted with black-faced ply and has a skylight overhead, as well as a long kitchen island with integrated hob and sink. There's a cosy dining area opposite with that bespoke OSB seating and built-in storage spaces.

There is a Juliet balcony with glazed doors which opens up between these two spaces overlooking the garden at the rear. This Juliet balcony has planning permission for a full balcony and a staircase leading down, directly to the garden.

There is also a study space or home office, positioned in a nook between the living room and the dining room on this floor.

See Also:This Grade II-Listed Primrose Hill Home Hides A Modern Extension

There is a garden at the rear of the house, decked with scaffold boards and lined with black-stained raised planters filled with flax and evergreens.

This private space is perfect for outdoor dining, sunbathing and barbecues in the warmer months.

The house has been designed with sustainability and eco-credentials firmly in mind. It runs entirely on electricity, so running costs are very efficient. There's also an air source heat pump to ensure that rooms are well heated and ventilated year round.

See Also:Inside a surfer's modern and minimalist beach-front cabin in New Zealand

Loft House is perfectly positioned for the private beach, owned by the Granville Estate at Seasalter. The beach is quieter than the main stretches of coast of Whitstable; it is wonderful for swimming and has some of the most dramatic sunset views along the Kent Coastline.

The historic towns of Seasalter and Whitstable were entered into the Domesday book and originally famed for their oysters with which they supplied Canterbury Cathedral. That epicurean tradition has continued locally with the annualWhitstableOyster Festival, and inThe Sportsmanwhich has helda Michelin star since 2008.There is a year-round indoor farmers market atThe Goods Shedin Canterbury which is about 15 minutes by car and the excellentMacknade FineFoodscan be found in nearby Faversham.

See Also: See Inside Monique and Staffan Tollgård's Scandinavian-inspired London home

A stroll along the beach, Whitstable is highly favoured for its thriving independent high street, arts scene, working harbour, and diversity of places to eat and drink. Grain and Hearth is a particular favourite with locals, for sourdough bread and excellent coffee.

This lovely stretch of coast is popular throughout the year for its wealth of beaches, watersports and proximity to Canterbury which offers a wide range of amenities and cultural interests. The seaside town of Margate lies just a short distance along the coast with the Turner Contemporary situated on its seafront.

The home is on sale for £925,000 via The Modern House.

THE PROPERTY

This Ralph Anderson lakeside modern home in West Seattle was built in 1966 and is the main residence of Steve Hoedemaker, partner at architecture and interiors studio Hoedemaker Pfeiffer, and his husband Thomas Swenson. 

They bought the property in 2015 and began work immediately. The form of the house has been left substantially intact but major work has been done on lighting, finishes, furnishing, and landscape, now featuring a mid-century inspired interior.

The house is approximately 3500 square feet, spread across two floors. It also has several outbuildings, including a tropical greenhouse with spa, gym, outdoor living room and kitchen, plus there's a swimming pool and cabana.

See Also:Explore A Modern Lakeside Cabin In Washington by Hoedemaker Pfeiffer

TERRACE

A generous terrace wraps around the hillside property, with several seating and dining areas, plus stunning woodland views.

There's also a balcony terrace that connects to the main living room, offering views out over Puget Sound, which is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean.

See Also:50 Stylish Garden Patio Ideas,Balcony Ideas,Outdoor kitchen inspiration andA Modern, Meadow-Inspired City Roof Garden

ENTRY

Sometimes an architect is his own worst client. Opting to reserve all of his creative energy for his clients, Partner Steve Hoedemaker and his husband Thomas Swenson found this nearly immaculate house on a scant acre in West Seattle. Working with landscape architect Randy Allworth and Hoedemaker Pfeiffer’s own interiors team, Steve and Tommy refreshed finishes, updated lighting, made a few interior and exterior modifications, painted everything, refreshed the landscape and worked with new and existing furniture for a high impact low budget update to this classic mid-century house.

The entrance wraps around to the living and dining rooms, and features a balcony that looks down onto the level below.

See Also:Chic Hallway Ideas andStriking hallway floor ideas

LIBRARY

A cosy library space features a cosy corner sofa with built-in bookshelves behind, and a striking gallery wall.

See Also:Stylish Gallery Wall Ideas andChic bookshelf, bookcase and library ideas

LIVING ROOM

The living room carries the same neutral woody palette, and incorporates vintage mid-century finds and a large, oversized artwork.

See Also:Inside a surfer's modern and minimalist beach-front cabin in New Zealand

KITCHEN

The small kitchen gives dated wood cabinetry a fresher look with steel top cabinets and matching steel splash-back. A butcher's block gives texture. The owners say this home is a work in progress, and they have plans to renovate the kitchen and master bathroom next.

DINING ROOM

The dining room is wholly wrapped in wood, giving it a cosy chalet-style vibe.

See Also:Statement Dining Room Lighting Ideas

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom is a textural space with a woven wallcovering from Kravet.

See Also:Bedroom Wallpaper Ideas andMens Bedroom Ideas: Cool, Masculine Design Ideas For Men

Architecture/Renovation: Hoedemaker Pfeiffer – Steve Hoedemaker

Interior Design: Hoedemaker Pfeiffer - Tim Pfeiffer

Photography: Haris Kenjar

THE PROPERTY

Take a peek into the Scandi-craft family-focused modern home of British architectural interior designers the Tollgårds. The property, named Whitecroft, is located just outside London in Beaconsfield. Set in a tree-lined street, this contemporary home has a garden that slopes down to an old wood, with a view of trees from every window. The designers avoid Scandi clichés, such as hygge, favouring bold colours and an industrial edge instead. The open-plan spaces bring together eclectic collections, natural materials, and opportunities for family life.

“It’s a 6-bedroom, 3-story house that was built in 2014; we went for ‘new’ instead of a classic period house. The house is contemporary in feel, so we have tried to respect this, but bring in texture, warmth, and colour where we can,” Monique Tollgård explains. The interiors are Scandi-inspired, but not sparse. “The stereotypical Scandi look is simple with a few design classics. Swedish design style will always trend, but it doesn’t celebrate individuality – in London people are more creative with home design,” Monique explains of their home's funky spin on Scandinavian style.

See Also:10 Interior Ideas To Steal From These Very Stylish Copenhagen Homes

ENTRANCE

A sculptural console table makes a statement in the entrance hallway.

A bespoke artwork about their travels lends a very personal touch.

“Functional sculpture” was the key inspiration behind each space. Staffan Tollgård explains that: “functional sculpture is one of the red threads* that run through the design of our own home, captured in various American-manufactured luminaires as well as the concrete basin, metal-clad kitchen, curvaceous master bath and the striking metal fireplace in the main reception room.

As a design practice, the Tollgårds use the Scandinavian notion of the red thread in every project as a shorthand to describe the creative design DNA that runs through a project. The thread that makes it unique. Pulling together clues from the architecture, from the cultural history, environment, from their client’s own personalities and the questions of living that need to be solved by the design, the red thread draws a protective framework around the project, linking architecture with interiors, client with design.

See Also:Explore A Sleek, Modern Home Inside A Converted Power Plant In North Copenhagen

LIVING AREAS

Aged barn-wood, burnished metal and natural fabrics and fibres soften the architectural lines and help to bring the exterior setting into the house. Texture is one of the most important ingredients in the design palette that runs through the interiors and helps to ensure that the interiors feel modern but not cold.

“We’ve injected colour through art, cushions and accessories and created little vignettes through the house that make us stop and remember, reflect or just smile. We call them corners of contemplation,” Staffan adds.

The open plan kitchen/dining/living is the family's favourite room at the back. It opens up onto a terrace and the garden and it houses a wood burning stove. This kind of fire requires maintenance, but their family has a fire time ritual that starts with gathering wood from the garden; continues with cleaning out the fireplace, moves to the making a new fire and finally the feeling of it slowly warming the house.

See Also:Explore A Modern Beach Villa Just Outside Copenhagen

“We love our enormous L-shape sofa by Living Divani, an Italian brand, livened up by cheery cushions in mid-century-style graphics by an English designer, Eleanor Pritchard. The design ethos we use is bold but not brash, which can be seen from the four abstract art pieces of dots and stripes behind the sofa by young British artist Mark Francis,” Staffan tells us.

He adds: “We chose a fantastic Skantherm wood-burning fireplace for the living room – it’s both an architectural focal point as well as a really great heat source during the winter. Proper functional sculpture. The kids do their homework on the dining table, Monique plays guitar with our youngest son around the fire … or the kids run shrieking round the island trying to kill each other. It’s a real family living space.”

Designing with ‘industrial craft’ in mind is family-friendly; the sturdy leather and steel Kekke dining chairs by Piet Boon have a worn quality to the leather, the chairs are child-friendly and wipeable against any spills. “We have not strived to create a perfect home, the marble dining table is not suited to family mess, it has marks and scratches, but marble is durable, tactile and we love the perfect imperfection that our life is gradually imprinting on it,” Monique says.

See Also:Statement Dining Room Lighting

The living room and dining area look out onto the terrace and garden beyond, and with the doors open, it feels like you are right in the garden.

See Also:50 Stylish Garden Patio Ideas

Beyond the dining space is a sliding door that opens into a cosy snug, with a TV and fireplace. Staffan used to work in film, which has influenced his approach to design. “We like to design with the concept, the longer you stay in a room, the more you find. Like a movie, the more you watch, the more you notice. Around every corner you should find at least one thing that grabs your attention, a bold piece of art, furniture, or sculpture.

MASTER BEDROOM

Staffan Tollgård decided on an anti-glossy London luxe look for the master bedroom. “We reconfigured the room to add more storage behind the bed with floor to ceiling wardrobes in a soft clay finish from Lema, and moved the bed towards the centre of the room with a headboard and storage island clad in reclaimed Austrian barn wood.”

To add character and comfort it is softened by a silvery grey Navajo-style woven fabric. The bed is layered and textured with rabbit fur and throws in wool, linen, and cotton.

See Also:Gorgeous Master Bedroom Ideas

“We did choose Swedish for the bedside tables, the avant-garde furnishings are by Swedish design studio Front for Porro,” Staffan adds.

MASTER BATHROOM

The master bathroom is another sumptuously sculptural space, with a curvaceous master bath and striking 3D artwork above it.

See Also:30 stunning ensuite bathroom ideas

CHILDRENS ROOMS

“We like to design children’s bedrooms to be fun but not overly kiddy or predominantly a single colour. Kids’ rooms need to function as work, play and sleep environments. We like to acknowledge children’s unique personalities with open storage for them to personalise their space with lots of colour, texture, and pattern,” explains Monique.

See Also:Fun Ideas for Cool Kids Bedrooms,Boys' bedroom ideas,Girls' Bedroom Ideas andSharing Kids Room Ideas

We like one bold wall of colour, often behind the bed, so it’s not overwhelming when kids are going to sleep at night-time. We put graffiti art behind our eldest son’s bedroom wall. A kids’ room can be the most rewarding one in a home to design, as it can bring out the inner child in us.”

See Also:Cool, Scandi Kids Room Designs To Suit Modern, Minimalist Homes

ROOF TERRACE

Aside from the garden and patio spaces, there's a roof terrace too.

See Also:Balcony Ideas To Make The Most Of A Small Balcony

“As soon as we saw the house, we fell in love with it – the kids called it House number 1, as it was the first house the estate agent took us to visit,” Monique Tollgård tells us.

As a final thought, Staffan adds “Our own home has taken time. And it’s not perfect. Often our home is a transitioning area for pieces of furniture left over from the showroom so it’s certainly a work in progress. But it is our haven and it makes us happy every time we open the door to go in.”

Tollgård Design Group is founded by husband and wife duo Monique and Staffan Tollgård. Working from their creative and collaborative Belgravia-based studio, they offer architectural interior design services to dynamic clients.

THE PROPERTY

Set in the southern part of Primrose Hill – on a private street in between the Village, Regent’s Park and Camden Town – this beautiful, Grade-II listed grand terraced-house was calling out for something special - a transformation into a modern home. Having been the family home for more than 20 years, the time had come for a major re-think and re-arrangement, to suit the changing needs of the family.

Robert Rhodes Architecture + Interiors were brought on board to better connect the home's living spaces to the garden.The pokey former conservatory was replaced by a voluminous, double-height space, with colossal, two-storey pivot doors, connecting both entrance and lower levels to the garden behind. A similar small conservatory on the first floor was replaced with a modern, cubic, structural glass box, combining the space with the stair landing, and forming an observation platform above the gardens below.

See Also:Explore A Chic, Grade II-listed Victorian Home in Hampstead's Belsize Village

HALLWAY

The hallway is an un-fussy space, featuring a mostly white colour palette, and nothing but a pair artichoke pendant lights. The hallway serves only to lead you in towards the main feature at the back of the home.

The original staircase leading up was preserved, featuring a wooden banister, but the stairs leading down to basement level are modern and separated by a steel-framed glass partition.

See Also:Crittall-Style Doors, Windows And Partition Screens

BOOT ROOM

A boot room sits at the back of the hallway, with built-in wardrobes for coats, and a cloakroom loo.

See Also:Chic Utility Room, Boot Room and Laundry Room Ideas

KITCHEN

The stairs lead down to the kitchen and dining area at garden level.

The owners wanted to open up the interior space, to create a bright, spacious, modern, family-orientated kitchen, dining and living space at the garden level that could be both family-centric and suitable for entertaining.

The new kitchen island incorporates a modern concrete worktop and breakfast bar seating.

See Also:Modern Kitchen Island Ideas,Breakfast Bar Ideas andStylish kitchen island pendant ideas

In this new extension, the original bones of the building are clearly visible, incorporating the brick exterior wall as part of the new kitchen, and retaining the original doorway. The kitchen space has been opened up further and made double height, offering views up to the window on the first floor.

See Also:An Award-Winning Rear Extension Replaces An Old, Dilapidated Glass Conservatory

GARDEN

The primary ambition of the owners was to connect the house to the garden, allowing both to be useful throughout the day and throughout the year. Now a voluminous, double-height space replaces the former conservatory with colossal, two-storey pivot doors.

See Also:Before & After: A Tired Notting Hill Flat Gets A Fabulous Light-Filled Transformation

Working closely with Camden Council, Robert Rhodes Architecture + Interiors proposed this design that gives the feeling of completely open space, while retaining the listed fabric of the Victorian house.

READING NOOK

A small conservatory on the first floor was replaced with a modern, cubic, structural glass box, combining the space with the stair landing.

The listed window arch and pocketing shutters were maintained.

See Also:Inside An Eclectic, Grade II-listed Townhouse With A Rich 'Bloomsbury Set' History

This space now serves as an observation platform above the gardens below.

LIVING ROOM

An elegant, timeless palette of white, black, grey and natural oak impart a unified character to the home, providing a quiet background for the owners’ furniture, artwork and musical instruments collected over decades.

See Also:Explore A Grade II-listed Georgian Townhouse on Marylebone's Harley Street

MASTER SUITE

The master suite features a calm and minimalist theme, with grey walls, blinds and carpeting, and a wall of built-in wardrobes with recessed handles.

See Also:Striking And Stylish Built-In Wardrobes Ideas

Structural Engineer Fluid Structures

Main Contractor Image Build

Party Walls Grantchester Associates

Garden Designer Annie Pearce

Glazing Contractor UK Glass Ltd

Photographer Matt Clayton

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds' picturesque countryside is Thyme. Bordering a gorgeous village called Southrop, Thyme describes itself as 'a village within a village', as it's a cluster of barns and cottages that include a bar, a restaurant, a shop, a spa, a private dining barn, a vegetable garden, herb garden, bedrooms and self catered cottages. There's even a church on-site, where Kate Moss got married.

But Thyme hasn't always looked as charming as it does now. The owners – the Hibbert family – bought the plot in 2003 when the buildings were just derelict stables and animal barns, and over the years they have restored and converted each building, and even added on to the plot by acquiring neighbouring properties when they became available.

These barns and cottages date all the way back to Roman times, but they are first clearly defined in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Hibberts have spent the last fifteen years gradually restoring the historic manorial barns, houses and cottages, giving them new life and purpose.

OX BARN - BEFORE

There are two big barns at the heart of Thyme, one of which is the Ox barn.

Built in the 1800s, the Ox Barn was a state of the art construction for its time; the roof was constructed out of 65-foot-long beams, each made from an individual Douglas fir, brought over from Canada in 1820, a tortuous journey in long wooden ships. Built to house the farm’s oxen, it served that purpose for well over a century.

The Ox Barn was then fitted with stabling for event horses, until very recently.

OX BARN – AFTER

Now a restaurant for staying guests as well as locals, the Ox Barn restaurant is impressive, grand and beautifully finished.

The interiors have been left almost untouched from their original design, with the kitchen and restaurant sitting within the space to preserve the integrity of the renovation and to celebrate the agricultural heritage rather than hiding it.

The roof was also restored and preserved. The original boarded herringbone ceiling has been cleverly insulated above. This was achieved by raising the entire roof and parapet so that they remain undisturbed, with the insulation laid above so the change is invisible. It makes the historic building a highly technical one and ensures that the heat generated by the green technologies at Thyme is completely efficient.

Thyme's signature sheep stools are cast at the famous Pangolin Foundry (where Damian Hirst's works are also created), and then wrapped in the wool of Thyme's own sheep. They add the finishing touch to the restaurant and bar areas.

OX BARN ENTRANCE - BEFORE

The main entrance to the restaurant is on the other side, where a former hay barn (for the oxen) was bolted on.

OX BARN ENTRANCE - AFTER

The structure looks almost exactly as it did, except for the large double doors that now lead inside, and the manicured courtyard garden in front.

TITHE BARN – BEFORE

Directly next to the Ox Barn restaurant is Tithe Barn, which now makes up the core structure for Thyme, housing reception, the shop, the bar, and a large private dining space.

TITHE BARN – AFTER

The original square entrance seen above is now where the 'Baa' bar sits. The ground in front of it is now manicured, and leads through to rooms and cottages on site.

Inside Tithe barn, the original structure was completely preserved and restored, but freshened up with a lick of paint, carefully placed lighting, and elegant furniture.

BAR – BEFORE

The barn area that connected the Ox Barn with Tithe Barn was derelict and in disrepair.

BAR – AFTER

Now this area houses a cool bar, The Baa, a nod to the property's large flock of resident sheep.

COTTAGES – BEFORE

Opposite the Ox Barn and Tithe Barn are two guest cottages, also beautifully restored, now with their own kitchens and living rooms.

COTTAGES – AFTER

The cottages, called The Tallet and The Dairy, have retained their original charm with stone exterior, but look fresh and cared for.

View from the mezzanine in the Ox Barn:

THE LODGE - BEFORE

The lodge was a lovely country home, but it needed updating.

THE LODGE – AFTER

The Lodge now houses most of the guest bedrooms.

The landscaped grounds were done by Bunny Guinness, while the plot of a derelict greenhouse was re-built as the Spa. The original greenhouse had fallen down before the change of ownership, and all that was left was one freestanding central wall – listed of course! The new greenhouse building that sits in its place was constructed and built in a traditional style around that wall, leaving the building's history in tact.

The walls surrounding The Lodge are historic and listed, so needed to be kept as they were. They are now incorporated as part of the spa.

The natural black slate swimming pool is filled with Thyme's own spring water and is filtered through an innovative ceramic biodynamic filter meaning it needs no chemicals or salt at all.

FARMHOUSE –BEFORE

When another neighbouring property came up for sale – the Farmhouse – the Hibberts snapped it up and incorporated it as part of Thyme.

It underwent an extensive renovation, and now houses gorgeous guest bedrooms.

FARMHOUSE – AFTER

OLD WALLS – BEFORE

Now every last barn, cottage and structure on the land has been renovated, and given purpose, whether as a guest cottage or communal building.

OLD WALLS – AFTER

THE PROPERTY

A Victorian modern home in an East London conservation area, in Hackney / Clapton area, E5, had a dated and dilapidated glass conservatory at the back that was crying for an overhaul. Enter Scenario Architecture. 

The architects added a glazed rear extension with a sustainably-sourced timber-clad frame housing the kitchen and dining area. The home’s original rear wall remains intact, with its windows and doorway repurposed as internal “balconies”. It's a striking transformation, with a new kitchen and modern concrete floor where the old conservatory used to be, with modern mirrored steps leading up to the traditional drawing room, with original detailing still intact. The striking and clever design won it the NLA Don’t Move Improve award in 2017.

See Also:This Modern East London Home Is Bursting With Genius Ideas Worth Stealing

KITCHEN / DINER

The owners lived in this ground-floor flat for years before deciding to renovate. Its dilapidated glass conservatory froze in winter, overheated in summer and restricted natural light coming into the adjacent sitting room. But its generous proportions offered great potential for a redesign. The owners brought on Scenario Architecture who designed this modern rear extension with plenty of natural light while respecting the segmented layout of the original Victorian structure.

The architects collaborated with local planners to secure support for their bold proposal: a glazed rear extension with a sustainably-sourced timber-clad frame housing the kitchen and dining area. The home’s original rear wall remains intact, with its windows and doorway repurposed as internal “balconies”.

See Also:A Victorian Terrace in London With A Modern Rear Extension

The curved balustrade wraps around a corner bench with built-in storage, turning this nook into a cosy space with a view of the garden.

The small staircase itself is impressive too, pairing traditional and modern styles; a herringbone parquet top, with mirrored glass sides.

The original exposed brick wall provides a warm, textured and raw contrast to the sleek white kitchen, with smooth, handleless cabinetry.

See Also:A Former Timber Garage Has Been Transformed Into A Modern Family Home

A wall of floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows make a striking feature.

Aside from the wall of glass doors and the large window above the kitchen sink, there's a skylight here too, so natural light pours in from every angle, connecting this space to the garden.

See Also:Crittall-Style Doors, Windows And Room Dividers

LIVING ROOM

The transition from original Victorian home to the modern rear extension is particularly striking from the living room. Original wood shutters where the former doors and windows used to be now frame the views into the kitchen and out through the new steel-framed glass wall beyond.

See Also:A Georgian Home Is Updated With Crittall Doors And A Playful Palette

GARDEN

The new structure is made from wood and glass, providing a modern contrast against the original brick facade. The angular structure also holds a meadow-like 'garden' on its roof, so that green views can be enjoyed from the windows above.

Bifold doors open up completely, blurring the line between indoors and out.

See Also:A Clever Garden Room That Doubles As A Chic Guest House

Photography: Matt Clayton

THE PROPERTY

A Grade II-listed Victorian maisonette in Hampstead had not been touched since the 1980's, and required new electrics, plumbing, windows, kitchen, and bathrooms to turn into a stylish modern home.

Owner Carly Madhvani and Molly Fern of NW3 Interiors completely transformed the property from top to bottom, turning it into a chic and colourful family home, complete with stunning home office, a stylish home gym and a home spa with an infrared sauna.

The owners resided in just the lower ground floor and were given the opportunity to buy the ground floor, and obtained planning to convert two flats into one. The property functions as a family home as well as a working design studio, so home office areas were a top priority. The whole renovation took just six months, and now spans 1,504 square feet, including a home spa with sauna and steam room, an urban at-home gym as well as beautiful herringbone flooring, stunning artwork, stand-out wallpapers and gorgeous high ceilings. Every detail has been carefully considered.

HOME OFFICE

The property is designed "To welcome family and friends to stay and potential clients to chat about their residential projects."

Carly wanted to curate rooms which were airy and spacious, and which included timeless, iconic design pieces which made an impact on the room. With a background in luxury furniture, she already has a wish-list of items she coveted, including the Gubi Grasshoppa lamp and the iconic Knoll Barcelona Chair – in limited edition black and chrome.

The renovation involved hours of decoration prep work to retain all the existing original panelling and intricate ceilings.

This room is now the hub for NW3 Interiors.

But that's not the only office; this home has three office-working areas, to enjoy working-from-home in the natural light and be able to be separate from the family downstairs.

DINING ROOM

The main home's interiors feature a mix of mid-century design with the drama of bold contrasting colours. This is particularly evident in the striking dining room, with Gucci's green heron wallpaper.

The property's colour scheme evokes feelings of calm and the nods to nature – tree and bird inspired patterns – help to bring the outdoors in.

LOUNGE

A glass room overlooks the garden, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The former polished concrete floor was swapped for a cosy carpet, with curtains added, along with a soft sofa, silk Fromental wallpaper and a new TV with sound system. Throughout the home, Carly and Molly have selected natural woods to create a calming feeling. Paint shades were also chosen to have a soothing effect. Meanwhile the lighting was picked for impact, from the pendant in the lounge to wall lights and hallway pendants.

HALLWAY

Hallway wardrobe doors can be bland, so Carly hand-drew a tree and had it translated in 'marquetry for the doors.

The hall storage doors conceal coats, shoes, bags and accessories, while also making a striking statement in the entryway.

Carly had the doors made from oak, walnut and eucalyptus woods, using laser marquetry technique.

HOME GYM

The state of the art, urban gym has been thoughtfully designed with a very up-market style, featuring luxury wooden equipment, all in keeping with the Grade-II features of the space.

The gym was inspired by an inner-city style gym to make you want to work out, but be aesthetically pleasing to the eye too.

POWDER ROOM

The compact powder room has a serene feel to it, owed to the carved, rounded freestanding sink, with matching marble semi-circle shelf.

GUEST SUITE

Previously the guest room was a tiny space next to the kitchen, but the guest room is now a generous 'Guest Suite', complete with a home spa, which is designed to soothe the soul.

The guest suite with spa was especially for Carly's poorly father (who has since overcome cancer) and Carly's father in-law who travels a long way to see his grandchildren.

An Alexander Mcqueen tapestry sits above the bed, while a feature wall is covered in a bird-print wallpaper made in Oxford. The headboard is a textural, 3D structure that stretches wall-to-wall, framing the bed.

A ceiling pendant made from natural materials draws the eye up, highlighting the ornate original ceiling.

PARTY KITCHEN

The compact kitchen is actually a second kitchen, sometimes used as a guest kitchen, but also a very handy and rather excellent 'party' kitchen.

HOME SPA

Next to the guest suite is a stunning home spa, with an infrared sauna and a steam room. It feels luxurious and indulgent, and is a wonderful place to unwind and relax.

A freestanding bath sits on a raised marble plinth, while a smooth, tall hollow in the wall opposite is perfect for storing towels and a laundry basket.

The smooth surface of the walls continues into a bijou shower space, with a slatted wood seat which adds some warmth to this grey space.

Even the loo feels calming and restful, with soft, plastered walls, a thick natural wood plank countertop, and a smooth, rounded marble basin.

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom incorporates mid-century inspired furniture with a tactile wallcovering and a sumptuous, velvet upholstered bed in a bold blue.

POOL BATHROOM

The pool bathroom features a double shower so the children can wash quickly and at the same time as their friends.

The room was given a bright yellow colour to invoke sunshine-feeling before you jump into the pool outside.

PATIO GARDEN

The garden also took a lot of planning and changing, and was given a complete transformation. It's now one of the most "wow" parts of the home, encompassing a swimming pool, bar, firepit, hot tub, bbq area and outdoor cinema area. It's the perfect place for summer entertaining, and whiling away balmy summer days, and the fire pit makes this a cosy space to spend time even on colder evenings.

The patio was extended to accommodate a long, heavy swimming pool and hot tub. New tiles create a rug effect, while upholstered outdoor furniture is quick-drying (it dries off in 30 minutes).

Talking about her home transformation, Carly explains: "We yearned for more family space, especially for family to stay. We had grand plans to build a basement under our garden, but after 4 years of planning applications and a refused appeal, moving seemed the only option. We were delighted to receive a call from our neighbour above, which opened up the possibility to grow our home to another level. Two applications later (planning and listed building consent) and on Christmas eve our gift was granted. Work commenced in February 2020 and each week I was sure we would need to 'down-tools' due to Covid. But fortunately, abiding by the guidance of distancing and sanitising, the project went forth week after week. I am thrilled with the result."

Photographer: Vigo Jansons / vigojansons.com

Contractor: TM Building System ltd

Designed by: NW3 Interiors

THE PROPERTY

Bloomsbury has been linked to creative minds ever since the 'Bloomsbury Set' lived here, and their eclectic interior style was a radical break from traditional Victorian and Edwardian décor, and still inspires us today. Offering us a sneak peek at such an interior is the former home of scholar Eileen Power, who used to host meetings and dance parties (attended by the likes of writer Virginia Woolf) in her kitchen.

Quietly set amongst the academic, literary and medical institutions of Bloomsbury’s wide avenues, this stunning modern home is arranged over three dramatic levels within a Grade II-listed historic townhouse overlooking the verdant foliage of Mecklenburgh Square Garden.

Mecklenburgh Square is a coveted location, famed for its distinguished list of notable historic residents, many of whom comprised the ‘Bloomsbury Set’, an associated group of intellectuals, academics and artists during the first half of the 20th Century. Eileen Power, the medievalist scholar, lived at this very address on the Square from 1922 to 1940, holding regular ‘kitchen dances’ attended by another eminent resident, writer Virginia Woolf.

This elegant three-bedroom maisonette boasts expansive living spaces, soaring ceilings and almost 2,400 sq ft of internal space, and a private courtyard garden, as well as a beautifully maintained garden for resident key holders. The house is for sale for £3,750,000 through The Modern House.

See Also:A Renowned Artist Transformed This Historic Chapel Into A Fearlessly Colourful Workshop and Home

ENTRANCE

The main entry is at raised-ground level with a separate entrance at lower ground.

The sides of the stairs were painted, leaving a raw strip of original staircase running up the middle, acting as the stair runner.

See Also: Stylish Stair Runner Ideas and Chic Hallway Ideas

LIVING ROOM

The main entrance hall leads to a substantial living room with wide-board pine flooring, intricate cornicing and a log burner with a handsome copper surround.

French windows open to a Juliette balcony offering views over the courtyard garden on ground level below, and across through Crittall doors to the study and reading space at the rear of this home.

See Also:Explore A Grand, Art-Filled Victorian House in London's Holland Park

GUEST BEDROOM

At one end of the living room is corridor that leads through to a pretty guest bedroom. The charming higgledy piggledy corridor is stacked with books, and houses a guest WC. Our favourite feature is the trio of arched windows above the bed.

See Also: Bedroom colour ideas: 25 paint colours with impact

STUDY

Flooring changes from pine flooring in the living room to a slate floor in the corridor and study, laid in a herringbone pattern.

The doors open up so you can peer over the balcony down into the private courtyard below. We like to imagine the kinds of parties that have been held here, and who may have peered down – or up – through these balconies.

See Also: A Former Timber Garage Has Been Transformed Into A Modern Family Home

SNUG

A modern, open staircase descends to the lower-ground level, coming first to a snug / cinema room. We love the curved half wall that hugs the bottom of the staircase.

See Also: Explore A Grade II-listed Georgian Townhouse on Marylebone's Harley Street

COURTYARD

Slate flooring extends from the ground floor snug into the courtyard garden through a wall of Crittall.

See Also: Crittall-Style Doors, Windows And Room Dividers

KITCHEN

At the other side of the courtyard is a kitchen clad in William Morris' tapesty-inspired The Brook design in blue. A La Cornue range-cooker is set at the far end and an original cast-iron stove is positioned within a central alcove.

Doors open into the courtyard garden – a perfect party set-up, as Eileen Power proved with her kitchen dances.

See Also: A Georgian Home Is Updated With Crittall Doors And A Playful Palette

HALLWAY

Pine-parquet flooring in the kitchen becomes oak in the hallway, which leads to a pantry space, a separate WC, and a bedroom at the front with en-suite shower room.

See Also: Chic & Stylish bookshelf, bookcase and library ideas

MASTER BEDROOM

Upstairs on the second level are two enormous rooms that form a dramatic master suite. The bedroom, positioned at the front of the building, is set behind the property’s incredible floor-to-ceiling sash windows.

See Also: Gorgeous Master Bedroom Ideas

MASTER BATHROOM

Across the hallway is the masterbathroom and dressing room, with two curved corner sections concealing a WC on one side and a sink / vanity unit on the other, and a lovely free-standing copper bath under the light of a towering window.

Opposite the curved corners are arched wardrobes, while cosy seating makes this an inviting room to get ready and prepare with girlfriends for nights out.

See Also: Dressing Room Ideas and 30 stunning ensuite bathroom ideas

GARDEN

The communal gardens are for the sole use of residents and extend to approximately two acres made up of formal lawns and gravel paths with mature plane trees and several ornamental species. The east side of the garden is planted with plants native to New Zealand. It contains a children’s playground and a tennis court.

See Also: Vintage, Colourful and Eclectic Pieces Bring This Historic Townhouse To Life

The house is just a short walk from all that Kings Cross, Clerkenwell and Lambs Conduit Street have to offer. Kings Cross (Northern Line), Russell Square (Piccadilly Line), Holborn (Central and Piccadilly Lines), Chancery Lane (Central Line) and Farringdon Station (Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line and Metropolitan Line and National Rail services) are all close by. Farringdon Station will also benefit from the imminent opening of Crossrail, including a direct route to Heathrow Airport. The Eurostar is available at St Pancras. The stunning house is for sale for £3,750,000 through The Modern House.

See Also:Explore An Ultra-Modern House On The Hill In Hobart, Australia

THE PROPERTY

This efficient and deceptively simple weekend modern home is hidden up a zig-zag stairway in the dense, native forest of New Zealand's Waitakere Ranges, which roll down to the black-sand surf beaches below. It was designed by Stevens Lawson Architects in collaboration with artist, creative director and surfer Dean Poole for his own family.

The beach-front cabinwas born out of a desire to connect with the natural landscape and provide Dean Poole and his family with an “authentic New Zealand experience”, a goal that has been successfully executed in every corner of the project.

See Also:Explore A Modern Lakeside Cabin In Washington

LIVING AREA

The entire lower level is devoted to an open-plan kitchen, living and dining space in which the family can enjoy spending time together while looking out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to the expansive native bush just outside.

The room is wrapped top-to-toe in wood, creating a warm glow and making this a very cosy, snug space.

See Also:Inside A modern, private holiday home in the mountains with floor to ceiling glass walls

KITCHEN

The plywood-lined living space is accented only with black, from the kitchen island’s worktop to the built-in oven, providing dimension while allowing the natural woodgrain seen throughout to take centre stage.

The kitchen island incorporates a hob and the sink, and the island is completely open from all sides, with plumbing running through its centre. The shelf can therefore be used for pan storage, but it also makes a feature out of the plumbing, and allows for the eye to travel through the island so it's not so much of an obstacle or lump interrupting the space.

See Also:Wood Kitchen Ideas

To perfectly complement the architecture’s intentional simplicity, Dean took on the role of designing the kitchen himself. Having worked with Fisher & Paykel over many years in his role as creative director for a design studio, the New Zealand brand’s offering of sleek and contemporary appliances were the obvious choice for this pared-back project.

With this space, Dean wanted the kitchen to act as a workshop, with products that facilitated the needs of everyday life and no more, exemplifying an ‘enough is enough’ design ethos. The three freestanding timber cabinets incorporate storage, a fridge and freezer, a washer and dryer, and a Fisher & Paykel's integrated DishDrawer™, which removes the discomfort of loading and unloading a conventional dishwasher, with the pyrolytic, self-cleaning oven found just above.

See Also:Inside A Modern Mountain Home In Utah

The result is a very streamlined look, with appliances neatly hidden behind wood surfaces.

TERRACE

The kitchen leads through to a terrace space, boasting lush mountainous views.

See Also:Balcony Ideas To Make The Most Of A Small Balcony

STAIRCASE

The staircase is hidden in a wooden box, barely noticeable next to the kitchen cabinets. A door opens to reveal the start of a wood staircase that curves around the corner and up to the top floor.

See Also:Stunning Statement Staircase Ideas

KIDS ROOM

Upstairs, a long, narrow room provided the opportunity of two single beds in a line at one end, leaving floor space to the right of them. The built-in beds are stacked on top of two rows of drawer storage underneath. A small step allows children to see out of the window, and to climb onto the tall beds.

See Also:Stylish Kids' Storage Ideas andGenius Small Bedroom Ideas That Max Out On Style

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom is impressively minimal; the bed frame's design is clever and simple, the bedside tables are unfussy – there are no drawers or books or table lamps here – and the ceiling pendant is but a lightbulb hanging on a string. There is nothing to distract from the views outside.

Doors completely open up to reveal a private balcony.

See Also:This James-Bond style mountain home features a private ski resort and indoor climbing wall

BATHROOM

The family bathroom may be compact in size, but it still manages to pack in cool design features, from the slatted wood flooring to the freestanding basin with space-saving side shelf, and the extra tall tub with a wood head rest, and the tap coming out from the floor. A window ledge provides enough surface for shampoo & conditioner, but the room is otherwise uninterrupted by shelves or storage.

See Also:Chic and stylish bathroom flooring ideas

THE PROPERTY

A penthouse apartment in a converted brewery building in Chiswick, west London. A foyer leads up to the first floor, with a daughter’s bedroom suite and a guest bedroom. The second floor is all open-plan, with a living room, kitchen, dining area and home gym, plus WC. There is a bridge/mezzanine third floor and the master suite is on the top floor.

Marie Soliman, her partner Albin Berglund, and Marie’s daughter, live in a penthouse apartment in a converted brewery in west London. For the couple, who co-run interior design studio Bergman Interiors, its location was a bonus. ‘Lofts come up more often in east London, which historically had more factories, so this place felt like a rare opportunity,’ says Marie. She immediately loved its open-plan levels, criss-crossed by metal beams and bolt-studded joists.

See Also:URBAN GLAMOUR #69

KITCHEN AREA

The open-plan layout of this home also provided Marie with the impetus to come up with flexible design ideas. ‘There are so many ways that you can tailor a large space so that it works for you and your lifestyle,’ she says. A case in point is their bespoke dining table, which transforms into a billiards table after hours. ‘Once everyone has finished eating at a dinner party, we can clear the table, slide the top off and have some fun,’ smiles Marie.

Then there’s Marie’s smart solution to kitchen cabinets. With no walls to screen the white kitchen off, the couple wanted it to feel more like a bar area. To emphasise this ‘unkitcheney’ mood, artworks can be displayed against the panels that slide over the kitchen storage and appliances.

‘We suspended a slim metal rail above the cabinets to hang art from, almost like an update of the Victorian picture rail,’ Marie explains. It’s a design trick she has also used in clients’ homes. ‘If people want to hide the TV when it’s not in use an artwork can be hung over it, suspended from a thin metal wire or rail,’ she adds.

LIVING AREA

‘We love the height of the space – eight metres in places,’ says Marie. A statement pendant suspended from the beams illuminates both this area and the floor below.

Family life is lived in the open and without dividing walls. ‘We have our home gym in one corner of our big living space, and our en suite is only screened off from the dressing area and bedroom by a fabric curtain,’ Marie says. That sense of openness is aided by expanses of Crittal-style glazing, meaning that sunrise, sunset and every nuanced version of natural light in between, are part and parcel of life here.

See also:Urban Glamour #68

‘It has the dynamic of a loft space with very few internal walls and we wanted to embrace its industrial past. There was never any question of disguising these elements,’ she says. The clanky metal staircase is all part of the aesthetic – even with Brookman the Doberman in the house. ‘When he runs down them, he sounds like a horse in full gallop!’ she jokes.

For Marie, this also brings a softer side in the apartment’s character to the fore. ‘Up here, you can sit and watch blue skies gently fade into the peachy pinks of the golden hour.’ Then there’s the birdsong. ‘The sounds of waterfowl on the river below drift up to us and London parakeets visit early in the morning.’

The apartment’s metal beams are perfect for a hanging chair.

Marie is particularly attuned to the effects of natural light because, as well as being an interior designer, she is an artist and several of her works hang in their home. The couple are also keen collectors, with work by Michele Lamy, Rick Owens, Heather Day and Megan Doyle on display.

‘A lot of our art complements the way that natural light flows in here, but in an abstract way,’ Marie explains. Even my daughter gets in on the art act, with a mini KAWS figure beside her bed. ‘I’m a believer that art should be enjoyed on a day-to-day basis,’ Marie adds.

DAUGHTER’S ROOM

A palette of gentle pastels takes the edge off the metal frame.

See Also:Gorgeous Girls' Bedroom Ideas

MASTER BEDROOM

Mirrored wardrobes make the most of the light in this former rooftop office, which has spectacular views across the city.

See Also:Gorgeous Master Bedroom Ideas

ROOF TERRACE

When the weather is good, Marie heads up to the apartment’s rooftop space for her morning workout, where she can stretch, flex and twist while taking in the 360 degree views across London. But, she says, making the trip up there isn’t always necessary. ‘To be honest, this home is so flooded with light that it feels as if you’re open to the sky all year round,’ she smiles.

See Also:50 Stylish Garden Patio Ideas,Cool Balcony Ideas andRoof Terrace Inspiration

This truly is a home of two halves: gritty industrial on the one hand and light and ethereal on the other. But, for Marie, contrasts are what bring a design to life. ‘I think you always need layers of interest in a space,’ she says. ‘For example, Albin is more into monochrome minimalism and I love texture, gleam and vibrance, so we’ve found ways to merge our two design languages. It’s like gin and tonic – you can’t have the one without the other…’

See also:URBAN GLAMOUR #67

See more of Marie and Albin’s interior design work at bergmaninteriors.com

Photography / Anna Stathaki

THE PROPERTY

This stunning modern home sits in a Georgian apartment building at the end of a terrace in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Designed by architecture studio Michaelis Boyd, the interiors contrast stunning period features with striking modern design, playful details and a floating red staircase.

Michaelis Boyd combined two existing flats into this four bedroom maisonette ten years ago. A decade later, the architects returned to incorporate quirky design details that would reflect the creative personality of the owners and their children.

Having previously lived in apartments, the owners enjoyed the social and open nature of horizontal living. Now spread across three floors, the finished maisonette comprises four bedrooms, open plan living, dining and kitchen spaces, TV room, a study, dressing room, four bathrooms and a utility room.

See Also:Explore A Grade II-listed Georgian Townhouse on Marylebone's Harley Street

KITCHEN

The building’s external appearance reflects the established vernacular of the borough, and the owners valued the ornate period features of the house, but also believed their new home should have strong elements of contemporary design.

Michaelis Boyd installed striking bespoke joinery throughout the Georgian property, and introduced bright colours to liven it up. Crittall screens, a modern kitchen, geometric bathroom tiles and a stunning roof terrace all help to bring this property bang up to date.

See Also:Crittall-Style Doors, Windows And Room Dividers

This Bulthaup kitchen comprises a stainless steel clad worktop and island with simple white units sitting on a limestone floor, and a cosy dining area set in an adjacent bay window. The family TV room is separated from the kitchen by dark metal Crittall screens, with built in dark grey joinery concealing storage for board games and AV equipment.

LIVING ROOM

The contemporary spaces are warmed and softened by traditional oak floors, panelled walls and ornate cornices. Drawing on the family’s own heritage for inspiration, Michaelis Boyd’s interiors combine classic furniture pieces with an impressive and eclectic collection of art and photography.

See Also:Explore A Strikingly Playful, Modern Country Home in Petworth, West Sussex

STUDY

On the first floor, a study formed by dark metal Crittall glazing faces the open lounge space.

See Also:Striking Home Office Ideas For A Stylish Study andChic bookshelf, bookcase and library ideas

STAIRCASE

But the real statement here is the dramatic staircase. The owners wanted to 'live' with their art, rather than just have it on display. This led to the design of the new staircase, inspired by the floating red “Staircase-III” by Doh Ho Suh, exhibited at the Tate Modern.

Collaborating with Diapo and Webb Yates Engineers, Michaelis Boyd's team created this unique sculptural staircase, made from perforated red steel and floating above the living room floor. “With this staircase we wanted to create a statement piece that was both sculptural and functional,” Alex Michaelis tells us.

See Also:Stunning Statement Staircase Ideas

This bold addition reflects the general design approach to the home’s living spaces, which are designed to be as open as possible with steel and glass partitions providing separations without restricting natural light.

CLOAKROOM

A small cloakroom space features very clever space-saving design; a clever ledge that's made to fit on the edge of the basin, a wall-mounted tap, alcove shelving for hand soap, plus a clever a tall mirror to make the space feel larger and vertical striped wallpaper to accentuate the height of this bijou space.

See Also:Cool Cloakroom And Powder Room Ideas

BEDROOM

Up on the second floor, dappled light hits the white painted walls that surround the staircase and herringbone oak flooring leads through to four bedrooms, a shared bathroom and two en-suite bathrooms.

See Also:Gorgeous Master Bedroom Ideas andCalm & Sophisticated Bedroom Ideas

SHARED BATHROOM

The main bathroom features geometric floor tiles, a modern freestanding bath, his and hers sinks, and a large glass walk-in shower.

See Also:Stunning Shower Room Ideas andCrittall style steps into the shower

KIDS' BATHROOM

The children's bathroom is clad in curved geometric wall tiles.

See Also:Beautiful Bathroom Tile Ideas

TERRACE

The terrace features a glass retractable roof, allowing the owners to enjoy this space even when it's cold and rainy.

This indoor area leads through to a large balcony space which looks down onto the Chelsea street below.

See Also:50 Stylish Garden Patio Ideas and Balcony Ideas To Make The Most Of A Small Balcony

Courtesy of Michaelis Boyd

THE PROPERTY

A concealed house in the South African forest was built to blend into its surroundings, without having to fell a single tree. Designed and created by architecture studio Frankie Pappas, the house's long, thin shape was determined by the location of the trees so that not even one tree had to be cut down during its construction.

Spanning just 3.3-metres in width, the House of the Big Arch is hidden within the Bushveld nature reserve in the Waterberg mountains of South Africa; a landscape of remarkable plants, inspiring cliffs, and prodigious wildlife. This property has been specifically designed to suit this exact location in the valley.

See Also:Explore An Awe-Inspiring Architectural Gem In Beverly Hills

The owners, an elderly couple, are very passionate conservationists. Their love and knowledge of the bushveld is extraordinary and inspiring; every tree, bush, insect, bird and mammal is 'a personal friend of theirs', and they are enthusiastically involved in the environmental education of underprivileged youngsters from the surrounding areas.

The brief was to create a home that disappears into the landscape; that sits amongst the rocks and trees and birds, that offers animals and plants and humans equal opportunity to find shelter, and that treats the bushveld with its deserved respect. It's an entirely off-grid home, unconnected to water supply or electricity.

See Also:Explore this architect-designed house from Grand Designs – it's for sale

THE ARCHITECTURE

The skinny house's unusual form is a direct result of its unique location within this nature reserve, surrounded by forest and alongside sandstone cliffs. The property is completely shaped by its surrounds, and determined by the existing trees – it could exist nowhere else in the world.

The 3.3 metre-wide central space is as thin a building as possible, enabling the architects to thread the building through the trees.

Any funky bulges and protrusions in the structure were dictated by where trees allowed them to build.

See Also:Explore A Jaw Dropping Modern Country Home That Won A RIBA Award For Design

In order to further ensure that no tree would be harmed, the architects laser-scanned the entire site and then converted this information into a digital 3D model so that they could see every tree and every branch. This became the start of its design – they were in essence designing this building in a digital forest.

The underlying concept was to bridge the landscape between riverine forest and sandstone cliff, whilst raising the living space into the tree canopy. The house is arrangedas one long, thin building which slots between the forest trees. The shapes of the additions to the central building are dictated by the position and size of the surrounding trees so that the landscape didn't need to be altered or touched.

See Also:A Former Timber Garage Has Been Transformed Into A Modern Family Home

OFF-GRID LIVING

As the house is an hour-and-a-half drive from the nearest town, the architects decided to make it an off-grid home that's not connected to water or electricity networks. Instead, water is collected and filtered on the roof while solar panels provide electricity.

THE INTERIORS

All of the main living spaces are arranged linearly within a 3.3-metre-wide section that consists of two timber bridges. These bridges are supported on piers constructed from rough stock brick chosen to resemble with the nearby sandstone cliffs.

The timber bridges allowed the architects to minimise their footprint in the forest and allow for fauna and flora to inhabit these spaces.

See Also:10 Modern Treehouses To Inspire Your Next Garden Project

On the first floor there's a planted courtyard, a lounge, a sunlit dining room, a farmhouse kitchen and scullery, a tree-shaded deck, a small swimming pool and a fireplace – around which most of the cooking and living occurs.

The fireplace at the end of the building sits about four metres above the forest floor, supported by the brick arch underneath.

See Also: You Can Now Rent This Iconic Architect-Designed LivingEtc House

Down on the ground floor there are more courtyards, a study, library and a small swing bench under the arch.

There's also a cellar, which offers the perfect climate for storing food supplies and ageing wines – without having to rely on fridges or electricity.

See Also:Wine Room, Wine Cellar & Wine Storage Ideas

Being deep in nature and away from any city's light pollution, the views of the stars at night are unbeatable.

Photography: Courtesy of Frankie Pappas

When it comes to gardening, every roof terrace has its issues, but this city roof garden is buzzing with design and planting know-how. Strong winds and extreme exposure can desiccate even the toughest plants while weight restrictions, safety regulations and getting materials to the top of a building all make vertiginous outdoor spaces among the most challenging sites. But with those challenges come major benefits; at one penthouse terrace, designed by Aralia's Alastair Henderson, in Hammersmith's Fulham Reach they include incredible views of the River Thames as it snakes west and a breathtaking vista of the south London skyline towards the greenery of Richmond Park.

See Also:Revealed: These are the Top Garden Trends This Year

Despite neighbouring blocks, the city roof garden feels private thanks to the layered planting and carefully placed trees.

See Also:Balcony Ideas To Make The Most Of A Small Balcony

This eighth floor city roof garden is also just that – a true garden that feels immersive and naturalistic. 'A lot of roof terraces can look contemporary but not really be about the plants themselves,' says Alistair, who took his cue from coastal and Mediterranean plants that can tolerate exposure, as well as owners who were leaving a much-loved garden at their family home across the river in Barnes. 'They were keen to have a space that could evolve over time, attract wildlife and that was abundant with colour, scent and atmosphere.'

The main planting included osmanthus hedging with its rich jasmine-scented flowers in mid-spring as well as several trees; amelanchier (with beautiful blossom in March), small olives and multi-stem heptacodium trees that flower in autumn and are beloved of bees. Dotted in between are ilex balls, pittosporum and Pinusmugo – a tough, slow-growing shrub.

See Also:Chic & Stylish Ideas For Small Gardens

'The terrace is always buzzing with bees and there are often birds, too.'

But it's the drifts of perennials that bring rich colour; clumps of rusty red heleniums and soft pink sedums provide a contrast to purple salvias, lavender, verbena and hardy geraniums. there are bearded iris too – the least obvious contender for a windy site with their tall and extremely delicate flowers; here, they are staked for added support.

See Also:50 Stylish Garden Patio Ideas

Alastair's clever use of materials also works to create a soothing, natural mood. Bench seating and tables in iroko will age and fade over time, while larger planters are coated in a dark olive green that disappears into the planting.

See Also:Explore An Incredible Open-Plan, Modern Family Home That Brings The Outside In

At night, the whole space is subtly lit – crucial, given that the glass facade of the 50ft-living room faces directly out to the terrace. Seating is defined with inconspicuous tape lighting, while shadows and silhouettes are created among the trees and shrubs by hiding lights within the planters. For the owners, the evenings have proven to be the most magical time of day, too; 'Even inside we feel part of the garden because it's in the direct line of vision. The sunsets are wonderful and we see how the sun swings around throughout the year. Every night is different.'

See the full layout below:

See Also: Explore A Historic Notting Hill Townhouse With A Modern Roof Garden

Photography: Aralia

A tired flat in a grand building on one of the best roads in Notting Hill has received a stylish transformation into a modern home courtesy of a couple who own an award-winning property development and interior design company.

For their business, the couple focus on creating bespoke, high-end residential properties for both clients and our own developments. This was one of their own developments, and the design duo jumped at the chance of turning the apartment into something special. The main feature of the redevelopment and design was the garden. The team wanted it to play the starring role and built the design and look around it. The couple went about creating a light-filled space that focused on bringing the outside in and connecting the two spaces for an easy breezy feel and a feel-good flow.

See Also:Before & After: An Old Monastery Ruin Is Transformed Into A Modern Family Home

BEFORE:

The flat was in pretty poor condition and the owners saw an obvious option to carry out an infill extension and transform it from a one-bed into a two-bed. The whole project took around nine months, five of which was spent getting permission for the build, with the project then taking around four months. The outdoors was uninviting and not easily accessible.

The family bathroom was uninspiring, drab and brown.

The kitchen was dark, cluttered, and tired and was crying out for a full renovation, extension and makeover.

See Also: Before & After - A Dated Family Kitchen Gets A Fresh New Look

AFTER:

The impressive results showcase a light and bright interior with splashes of contemporary-coastal meets Scandi styling. The hallway sets the tone for the cool interiors, with white walls and grey painted console with leather strap handles.

Pale oak flooring throughout adds a refined-rustic, warm element to the home.

The hallway leads into the bright reception space, with cosy reading nooks and cool, aerial-shot coastal art bringing an informal yet stylish vibe.

See Also: The Five Extensions That Add The Most Value To Your Property

The owners described how the creation of a light-well in the extension was quite unusual as developers usually go to maximise indoor space (in an area where prices are around £2000/ft2).

See Also:Explore A Victorian Terrace in London With A Modern Rear Extension

The south facing private garden was the standout aspect of the flat so the team designed it around that, ensuring maximum light and maximum vantage of the garden.

Whereas before the garden was seriously lacking in TLC, the bright transformation created a welcoming space, with white painted walls, industrial lighting, raised flower beds and mint bistro chairs for a cosy socialising hotspot.

See Also:50 Stylish Garden Patio Ideas

Bespoke storage throughout was very important to the owners, including a bespoke kitchen, sitting room storage and built in wardrobes in both bedrooms.

The kitchen is a modern Scandi-lover's dream, boasting dark cupboards and stainless steel tops and flooded with light from the new extension.

See Also:Gorgeous Blue Kitchen Ideas And Inspiration

Floating shelves create the perfect spot for showing off those stylish kitchen essentials, while copper-inner grey wall lights add a flash of glamour.

The kitchen leads through to the open dining space, with its stylish white wishbone chairs and black steel-framed doors.

See Also: The 35 Kitchen Design Trends To Know About

See Also:Cool Kitchen Storage Ideas

The couple's favourite room is the master bedroom. It has a very grand feel with the double doors leading in to the en-suite bathroom and the showstopper bath on show. They used BC Designs Boat Bath as it blended a traditional shape with a a crisp finish in white, which gave the impression of a relaxing and calming space with a contemporary edge.

See Also:Metro Tiled Bathroom Ideas

They finished the look with white metro tiles contrasted with grey grout, handmade encaustic tiles and open shelves for all those bathroom essentials.

The pièce de résistance to the master bedroom was its private patio. The couple wanted to create something different and continue the theme of bringing the outside in.

The guest bedroom is equally delightful, boasting a beautiful sky-blue headboard and modern wall lighting.

See Also:Bedroom colour ideas: 25 paint colours with impact

THE PROPERTY

A ranch in California. Spread over 4,500 square feet, this four bedroom, four bathroom modern home was designed for a retired couple from the Bay Area. They wanted a floor plan that functioned more efficiently and that maximised the natural light. 

As avid travellers, the owners also needed plenty of display room for their incredible Pre-Colombian artefact collection. They brought on Intimate Living Interiors who extended the property and opened up the east-facing side to take advantage of the morning light. The designers transformed this Mid-Century ranch-style home into a modern ranch-style home that was better suited to the couple's lifestyle.

See Also:Explore A Modern Ranch In California's Wine Country

ENTRANCE

The property (pictured top) sits on an acre of mature landscaping. The ranch home is a single-storey bungalow, with the exterior clad in stone. The inside is all about natural materials, with sanded wood floors, exposed wood beams, stone fireplaces and lighting, furniture, soft furnishings and window treatments all made from natural materials too. Shiplap walls add to the cosy, country feel.

See Also:Explore Calvin Klein Co-Founder's Stunning Equestrian Estate

LOUNGE

The front door enters into a cosy lounge space, with open shelving and a stone fireplace.

The soft furnishings in this ranch home are all linen, from the upholstered bench seat and sofa covers to the accent cushions and even the dining chairs. The stone and brick fireplace adds to the rustic, country scheme.

See Also:Explore A Historic Farmhouse In Provence With Modern Rustic Interiors

OPEN-PLAN LIVING AREA

A large open-plan living area sits at the heart of this home, with an open-plan kitchen, dining area and TV area all within the same room, but given their own personality and design. Lighting helps to zone the different spaces, with beaded chandeliers zoning the kitchen area and a minimalist chandelier pendant grounding the dining area.

A large linen corner sofa makes this space extra inviting.

See Also:Explore a rustic farmhouse with a refreshingly modern take on colour

KITCHEN

The white kitchen features beautiful white cabinetry and sleek marble surfaces.

A stone wall alcove around the cooker gives it a rustic edge.

See Also:Striking And Stylish White Kitchen Ideas

BREAKFAST NOOK

But the best part of this kitchen is the casual breakfast nook, featuring a sculptural bleached wood table and striking leaf-shaped wooden chairs.

Built-in banquette seating is deep and generous, and wraps around the table like a hug. Plump cushions make it extra inviting, while wall-to-wall windows frame the garden views.

See Also:Explore An Incredible Open-Plan, Modern Family Home That Brings The Outside In

DINING AREA

There's also a more formal dining area in the main living space, with a dining table that can seat eight. We love the leather armrest detailing on the upholstered dining chairs.

See Also:Statement Dining Room Lighting

MASTER BEDROOM

Steel-framed glass doors connect the master bedroom to the ensuite bathroom.

See Also:Crittall-Style Doors, Windows And Room Dividers

A striking chandelier features petal-like shapes.

A modern four-poster bed sits at the centre of the bedroom, with minimalist wall lights adding to the modern vibe.

See Also:Cool Bedroom Lighting Ideas

A beam-framed doorway leads through to a dressing room.

See Also:Fabulous Four Poster Bed Ideas for modern bedrooms

See Also:Dressing Room Ideas

MASTER BATHROOM

Marble herringbone tiled floors create a serene backdrop to this spa-like bathroom. There is a calmness to this space, aided by the minimalist clean lines of the oversized window, modern freestanding bath, wall mounted taps, concealed basin, and floating bathroom shelves.

See Also:30 stunning ensuite bathroom ideas

Lead Designer: Kari Arendsen, together with Tory Peterson

Architect: New Modern Design

Builder: T-Mac Construction

Photographer: Karyn Millet

THE PROPERTY

This Grade II-listed apartment in London's Marylebone has undergone a stunning transformation into a modern home, juxtaposing traditional period features with high drama. Part of a larger Georgian townhouse, the two-storey 18th-century apartment features striking new interiors designed by studio Red Deer.

Built in 1750, the two-bedroom property is comprised of a ground-floor open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, bathroom, master bedroom with ensuite and outdoor terrace. On the upper first-floor is a second bedroom which overlooks the outdoor terrace. Encompassing 1200 square feet, the apartment beautifully blends period features and antiques with bold design, brass accents and modern paint ideas.

See Also:Old House, New Look: Explore A Grade-II Listed Manor House With A Modern Interior

HALLWAY

Stripped back to its shell, the layers of history begin with the property’s Portland Estate 1750s layout, which underwent some alterations in the early 19th century. Reconfiguring the layout further, design studio Red Deer removed the apartment’s bathroom and cloakroom and narrowed the hallway in order to accommodate two smaller bathrooms, one being ensuite.

See Also:Chic Hallway Ideas That Make An Entrance

OPEN-PLAN LIVING AREA

A palette of black, white and grey flows across the property, allowing the sharper lines of one-off furniture pieces and brass fittings to shine.

This open-plan living, kitchen and dining space feels both elegant and dramatic, with a painted ceiling highlighting the original plasterwork, and antique busts, sculptures and ornaments mixing with modern lighting and fresh linen curtains and furniture.

See Also:The Getty family's historical Italian villa is now available for private holiday rentals

With a distinctive mid-century American styling, the interior is effortlessly elegant and eclectic.

Original Jacobethan mouldings and new-classical plasterwork make up a marriage of styles which were all carefully restored by Red Deer. Period fireplaces were also sourced and reinstalled, along with reclaimed Douglas Fir floorboards.

A second hallway leads through to a guest bedroom.

See Also:A Renowned Artist Transformed This Historic Chapel Into A Fearlessly Colourful Workshop and Home

KITCHEN

The kitchen was reoriented to create an open-plan social kitchen and dining space for entertaining. Brass cabinetry handles and brass cane effect give this kitchen a distinctly modern feel. The white marble countertop and splash-back, along with the plain white walls, keep things feeling super fresh.

See Also:Gorgeous Grey Kitchen Ideas

Antique frames and wall lights add unexpected traditional elegance.

DINING AREA

An industrial-style dining table sits in the kitchen, making this a social space.

The antique mirror lends old-school elegance to this dining area.

See Also:This Traditional Victorian Villa Has A Modern And Colourful New Interior

GUEST BEDROOM

Down a narrow corridor is a guest bedroom, wrapped in a skirt of grey paint. The paint effect gives this room a cool and modern feel.

The room leads through to a pretty roof terrace.

See Also:Cool paint ideas for walls that are graphically glorious

The strip of grey paint envelopes radiators too, stretching into the alcoves with a perfectly crisp line.

Picture frames are positioned over the line, and blend in with grey painted frames.

See Also:Vintage, Colourful and Eclectic Pieces Bring This Historic Townhouse To Life

BATHROOM

The ensuite bathroom features modern black bathroom fittings and a dramatic brass coloured foxed mirror panel.

Again the old and new sit together harmoniously; modern black taps penetrating an aged-effect mirror, and a vintage oil painting peering out from behind a modern, sculptural vase.

See Also:The Top 30 Bathroom Trends That Add Instant Wow-Factor

The faucet is a vintage lion head, while the basin has a modern and raw, industrial look about it.

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom features wall to wall built-in storage, cleverly concealed behind wood panelled, handleless doors.

See Also:Striking And Stylish Built-In Wardrobes Ideas

The wood panelled wardrobe doors and detailed plasterwork on the ceiling give this room aged elegance, while the angular wall lights punctuate the scheme with modernity.

A large, linen-upholstered bed sits at the centre of the room.

See Also:Explore A Victorian terrace with bags of built-in storage

Wood panelling opposite the bed helps tie the room together. A modern gallery wall incorporates beaded necklaces, a wooden mask, an oil painting, modern photography and a neon light-up sign. The effect is cool and curated.

See Also:Stylish Gallery Wall Ideas

ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM

The ensuite shower room is a cool space; steel-framed shower doors, black bathroom fittings and raw concrete in the shower create an urban, industrial-inspired look. Brass handles, a brass mirror and a brass faucet make it glam.

See Also:Stunning Shower Room Ideas

See Also:Stylish Concrete Bathroom Ideas

See Also:Crittall style steps into the shower

Photography Billy Bolton

When Whiting Architects were approached to renovate a tiny Melbourne terrace on a footprint of just 1,000 square feet, they rose to the challenge, seeing it as an opportunity to prioritise quality of space over quantity.

Likening the design and construction process of this 'Pocket House' project to ‘building a ship in a bottle’ due to the restricted site access, the final result is an achievement of design that takes restrictions and reimagines them as opportunities.

See Also:7 Lessons In Space-Saving Design From A Tiny House On Wheels in Hawaii

Inside, the ground floor features one main open-plan living area, which includes living room seating, a dining area, full kitchen plus a laundry area and ample built-in storage.

See Also:Cool Black Kitchen Ideas andStylish Space-Saving Galley Kitchen Ideas

The walls of this multi-purpose space are lined with clever built-in storage, hidden behind sleek, handleless cabinetry.

See Also:Is this the coolest caravan ever?

The right hand cabinets incorporate a concealed fridge and freezer, along with kitchen storage.

See Also:Cool Kitchen Storage Ideas

To the left of this there's a handy built-in laundry area, nestled into the smaller alcove under the stairs.

But it's the modern black kitchen that's really the highlight of this space. Kitted out with the latest Fisher & Paykel appliances, the kitchen is full of space-saving ideas. It features a compact oven, with an induction hob on top, and a concealed cooker hood, disguised within the top kitchen cabinets.

See Also:Explore A Space-Saving House In Brixton

There's also a clever dishwasher drawer which takes up less space than a traditional dishwasher would.

See Also:This modern attic re-design is full of stylish space saving ideas

Photography: Shannon McGrath

THE PROPERTY

A Victorian villa in a South London conservation area was described by new owners as an 'elegant wreck' and needed total renovation and reconfiguration to transform it into a modern home. Step in Clerkenwell based practice Robert Rhodes Architecture + Interiors, who tackled the project hands-on, turning it into a contemporary and colourful home.

The enormous 8-bedroom Victorian villa had previously been the home of a multi-generational family. The magnitude of the property meant that even basic renovation would cost a small fortune. The task set to Robert Rhodes was simple but challenging; total renovation and reconfiguration, with new heating, plumbing and electrics, new floors, structural repairs, new joinery, new bathrooms, a music studio, a wine cellar, new sash windows, landscaping, repointing... all for less than £1000/m2. The owners also wanted a kitchen that felt like a New York loft, complete with a polished concrete floor, underfloor heating and large floor to ceiling Crittall windows. No small ask! But together with the property’s owners, the architects managed to transform this property over a four year period into the forever home it is today.

See Also:Explore A Victorian Terrace in London With A Modern Rear Extension

HALLWAY

Although the property required a lot of modernisation, the owners and designers honoured the property by preserving period features and even adding some in, like the traditional encaustic tiled floor in the hallway, and gorgeous stained glass windows in the front door. Lighting has a traditional feel too; a modest chandelier hanging from a ceiling rose.

Walls carry a neutral, stoney palette of soft greys, with a darker shade on the banister to tie in with the stair runner. Colour is subtle; pops of blue in the tiled floor, striking green and red from the stained glass window, and a trio of framed movie posters.

See Also:Chic Hallway Ideas That Make An Entrance

LIVING ROOM

Don't be fooled by the neutral hallway, the rest of this home carries plenty of drama. A vibrant green scenic wallpaper wraps around the formal living room.

The Chinoiserie design in combination with the herringbone parquet floor and antique furnishings create an elegant and traditional atmosphere.

See Also:Living Room Wallpaper Ideas

A modern copper pendant light shakes things up.

SNUG

Across the hallway is a cosy snug, enveloped in a cocooning inky blue. The traditional chandelier is the same as the one in the hallway, creating a cohesive look.

See Also:Moody Blue Living Room Ideas

KITCHEN

The hallway leads straight to the main part of the house; a large, open-plan modern kitchen.

See Also:Gorgeous Blue Kitchen Ideas And Inspiration

Here there's a large marble kitchen island, a dining area, and window bench seating for lounging.

See Also:Modern Kitchen Island Ideas andStylish kitchen island pendant ideas

It's a very modern space, with handleless cabinetry and smooth matte surfaces, floor to ceiling Crittall doors and windows, and polished concrete flooring.

The architects combined these modern features with traditional architectural details including finely crafted gauged arches and denticulated brickwork on the rear elevation and extension.

See Also:Crittall-Style Doors, Windows And Room Dividers

DINING AREA

A whole wall of Crittall windows frames the garden space and makes this the main focal point. The rest of the walls are decorated with framed posters and art prints.

A pair of Chinese lanterns emit a soft glow over the dining table.

See Also:Laid-back Luxe Dining Room Ideas

WINE ROOM

Bespoke shelving was created in the basement to turn this space into a large wine cellar.

See Also:Wine Room, Wine Cellar & Wine Storage Ideas

CLOAKROOM

A funky wallpaper makes the most of a small cloakroom / loo space.

See Also:Bathrooms and Cloakroom Wallpaper Ideas

STAIRCASE

Stained glass windows make this stairwell a bright and cheerful space.

Carpets on the landing areas are plush and cosy.

See Also:Stunning Statement Staircase Ideas

DRESSING ROOM

The architects added a few fun details to the property, including a hidden “jib” door that provides access to a dressing room.

See Also:Chic Dressing Room Ideas

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom was painted a teal colour, giving it a modern look.

See Also:Bedroom colour ideas: 25 paint colours with impact

This space leads through to a sumptuous grey master bathroom.

See Also:Chic And Stylish Paint Colours For Your Bathroom

GUEST ROOM

At the top of the house is a powder blue painted guest bedroom.

See Also:The Six Best Powder Blue Paint Shades

GUEST BATHROOM

A tiled shower room makes the most of an awkward sloped roof.

See Also:Clever Loft Conversion Ideas

Photography: James Balston

THE PROPERTY

This rustic farmhouse in Connecticut is actually a new-build modern home, crafted from start-to-finish by Hendricks Churchill. The home mixes traditional details and Shaker-inspired colours with modern amenities and an up-to-date kitchen. Antique wood furniture pieces and vintage artworks complement the traditional aesthetic while the sparse placement gives it a minimalist vibe. The result is a truly calming country respite.

The rustic farmhouse embodies Hendricks Churchill’s typical, hallmark style: Run by a couple of creatives, interior designer Heide Hendricks and creative director Rafe Churchill, the firm creates traditional living spaces infused with modern touches and careful curation of colour. Each project undertaken by Heide and Rafe is a journey of transformation defined by a shared desire to develop spaces with beauty, comfort and individual character. Children of the arts, the couple has been married for 25 years and are heavily influenced by their upbringing and residence in Williamsburg in the 90s.

See Also:A Renowned Artist Transformed This Historic Chapel Into A Fearlessly Colourful Workshop and Home

FRONT PORCH

The house is entered through a front porch or sun room, which is the perfect covered spot for people watching, and for enjoying the property's views and sunsets.

The yellow from the exterior cladding wraps around this space, making it feel sunny even on dreary days.

See Also:This Waterside Home Pairs A Crisp Colour Palette With Vintage Finds

HALLWAY

Enter through a sunshine yellow front porch and you'll find yourself in the main hallway. Here, the grey paint colour on the stairs is tied in with the skirting, door frames and even the cornice, framing the room's features.

See Also:Cool paint ideas for walls that are graphically glorious

The doorless door frames in the hallway frame vignettes into other rooms, like the sunshine yellow kitchen.

See Also:Chic Hallway Ideas That Make An Entrance

LIVING ROOM

Farrow & Ball's Folly Green sets the tone in the living room, where wood-panelled walls and built-in shelving and drawers all give this room an aged, historic look. It's a far cry from your stereotypical new-build property.

The green gives this space an uplifting energy, while also highlighting the detailing in the woodwork. The same colour was applied to the window frames that peer into the sunny front porch, and the cornice that wraps around the room, tying the scheme together.

See Also:These are the most popular paint colours of 2020

KITCHEN

The yellow paint colour (Farrow & Ball's Babouche) in the kitchen isn't confined to just the kitchen island and cabinetry, the colour wraps around the window frames, door frames, skirting and cornice.

A black marble sink, black marble worktop and matching splash-back break up the scheme, and complement the steel framed windows.

See Also:Modern Kitchen Islands andStylish kitchen island pendant ideas

DINING ROOM

The yellow carries through to a country-style dining room, modernised with a Flos pendant.

See Also:Neutral & Relaxed Dining Space Ideas

LANDING

Up the grey stairs is a serene landing area, with windows and doors wrapped in a ribbon of grey paint. An antique table, country pendant light, white painted floorboards and vintage-style lace curtain all add to the rustic farmhouse aesthetic.

BEDROOM

Bedrooms were given a different palette, with warmer woods contrasting Farrow & Ball's Theresa’s Green – a very pale cool green.

See Also:Bedroom colour ideas: 25 paint colours with impact

Photography: Amanda Kirkpatrick

An abandoned, derelict chapel dating back to 1703 has been completely transformed and given a new lease of life, thanks to its new owner Hal Messel, a renowned silversmith and artist.

The former chapel now acts as his home and his workshop, and the interiors are strikingly eclectic, showcasing a mix of vintage pieces, family heirlooms, taxidermy, paintings and his own pieces, all set against a powder blue colour backdrop.

The property is showcased in new book, Bold British Design by Emilio Pimentel-Reid & Sarah Hogan, alongside many other fabulously colourful properties, all owned and decorated by British artists. Here we offer a glimpse of Hal Messel's eclectic home, as featured in this new book.

See Also:Explore a jaw-dropping converted church in Kensal Green with spectacular interiors

Set in the pretty market town of Wotton-under-Edge in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, thishistoric chapel – Nonconformist (later Methodist) and architecturally Victorianised – is now resurrected as the sculptor’s home, studio and workshop.

When Hal spotted the empty, abandoned and derelict 1703 chapel in a silent auction, he knew it had his name on it.

The building is in a conservation area but not listed, so Hal consulted local architects Millar Howard Workshop. The young practice talked to the planners, who felt that as long as the exterior was faithfully kept, a thoughtful live-work interior conversion should be fine.

‘It was derelict for 30 years,’ explains Hal in the book, ‘and needed rooms, floors, electricity, water... but otherwise,’ he adds, ‘it was structurally sound.’

The architects skilfully transformed the cavernous building into a logical and cosy space while preserving the magic of the chapel and the impressive ceiling height.

Hal wanted to keep the main space open-plan. On the lower floor, the architects suggested raising the central area two feet to mark out the living space, with a wood-burning stove and Ikea book dividers.

See Also:Explore the private spaces of East London's creatives

Creating a tall central raised platform, the architects divided the nave into three clearly defined spaces: workshop, living room and kitchen.

They reused the old floorboards but added underfloor heating. At one end, jewelled by the big stained-glass window, is the kitchen. A long run of Shaker-style grey cabinets from Wickes sits against an existing bead-and-butt dado. An Arts & Crafts oak auction cupboard at one end and a very long oak table from Hal’s parents’ home add drama, while a huge lantern that he and his mother brought back from Morocco complements thestained-glass window. ‘Something large and unexpected was needed; the space called for something contemporary and not churchy,’ Hal explains in the book.

See Also:A Sleek, Modern Home Inside A Converted Power Plant In North Copenhagen

Hal Messel’s work bridges the gap between silversmithing, art and sculpture, and he is known for his whimsical and romantic style. His home and workshop is evidently no different; the interiors have a definite whimsical and romantic quality to them, with powder blue painted floors, and a mix of auction finds, paintings, and furniture designed by his father.

On choosing this colour palette, Hal explains: ‘I feel that colour temperature is crucial. By having “cool” colour walls and “warm” colour floors and ceiling, or vice versa, you can create a dynamic backdrop, allowing pieces to “pop” within it. This also avoids spaces looking like porridge. Lighting is key: a mixture of uplighters, downlighters and a table or floor light can be the difference between a beautiful space lacking drama and atmosphere and it being a dramatic stage that evolves throughout the day.’

See Also:Explore a converted pub in London

In the living room, several steps up from Hal’s red-floored studio / workshop, the stunning ‘Dad’s credenza’ by his father, furniture designer Thomas Messel, looks like something straight out of the Vatican. ‘The trompe l’oeil green marble credenza is very much his style and was in fact made for my mother to store her paint materials,’ explains Hal in the book. Several portraits are by Oliver Messel, the celebrated artist and stage designer who was Hal’s great uncle. Most were painted while he was living on Barbados and depict friends (including a 1960s Miss Barbados) and daughters of friends.

See Also:Explore a converted chocolate factory with rustic, industrial-style interiors

The bookcase contains things Hal has collected that interest him, including African bronzes, crystal, fossilised wood and shells. A few breathtaking pieces within a simple setting deliver a space with tremendous depth, courage and style.

The sectional sofa is split by an Ercol chair upholstered in cloth from Nomad Design. ‘The griffin on the bookcase is a table-leg prototype for one of my father’s designs.’ Victorian family portraits and pictures that originally hung at the family’s Nymans House add to the mix.

Considering the traffic intersection and bus stop outside, the property, affectionately known as the 'Meeting House' is oddly quiet. The lower two windowpane tiers are frosted and from inside you can only see treetops, which transport you to the countryside.

See more of this home and others in Bold British Design by Emilio Pimentel-Reid & Sarah Hogan (Quadrille, Hardback & eBook)

Photography ©Sarah Hogan, styled by Emilio Pimentel-Reid

THE PROPERTY

This strikingly colourful and eclectic beach house in Delray Beach, Florida is home to a couple of empty nesters who wanted to create a modern home and stylish space to enjoy but also be able to accommodate a growing number of grandchildren. The couple enlisted The Brooklyn Home Company, led by brother-sister team Bill Caleo and Lyndsay Caleo Karol, and their father Richard Sands, former CEO and current Chairman of the Board of Constellation Brands.

An admirer of antique woods, Sands tasked Upstate New York-based Grand Wood to salvage wood from an 1860s barn for this home’s reclaimed frame. This addition resulted in a comfortable property with a truss system and high ceilings – the only one in the whole condominium development without a flat roof. Lyndsay Caleo Karol designed the interiors, which feature custom art and furniture pieces by her husband and frequent collaborator, Fitzhugh Karol. Fitzhugh designed three distinctive sliding doors, the fireplace, the staircase railing and sculptural wooden bed frames.

See Also:Vintage, Colourful and Eclectic Pieces Bring This Historic Townhouse To Life

KITCHEN

A Gray Malin photograph hangs in the kitchen, which is the first room you enter when you step foot in this home. The Gray Malin photo, together with the Mathieu Challieres' La Voliere birdcage lampshade and the crockery on display all add fun pops of colour to this white kitchen.

See Also:Striking And Stylish White Kitchen Ideas

The kitchen island / breakfast bar is XXL, and can comfortably seat eight. An aquarium nestled between the kitchen and living room features starfish, coral and sea shells.

See Also:Modern Kitchen Islands and35 Strikingly Stylish Kitchen Breakfast Bar Ideas

There's also a separate pantry for additional food storage. A gallery wall of bread boards makes a beautifully rustic display.

See Also:Pantry Ideas: Dreamy Kitchen Pantries

LIVING ROOM

Salvaged wood beams add drama to the main living spaces, and draw the eyes up to the ceiling. There are beachy accents throughout, from corals and shells to driftwood, highlighting this home's beach setting. A palette of white and blue is also a nod to the nautical vibe, but a mix of different prints and patterns keep it from feeling too themed.

See Also:Stylish White Living Room Ideas

DINING ROOM

The art-filled home features work from acclaimed artist Len Urso – a metal sculptor and painter in Rochester, NY – who features three large paintings in this home’s dining room.

Like the kitchen, this space is XXL, with plenty of space for hosting the whole family.

The bespoke dining table has a weathered, rustic look to it, tying in with this home's location.

See Also:Statement Dining Room Lighting

STAIRCASE

The staircase is a striking space. A custom-made handrail features bumps and curves, contrasting against the white painted shiplap walls and the modern glass banister at the top.

A trio of hanging pendants add a more rustic look, while the landing was extended in one part to perfectly accommodate a sculpture.

See Also:Stunning Statement Staircase Ideas

MASTER BEDROOM

In the master bedroom, one of Fitzhugh's sculptural beds makes a striking focal point. The rest of the room is muted, allowing the bed to shine. Bedside lights were custom designed to resemble fishermens' nets.

See Also:Fabulous Four Poster Beds for modern bedrooms

Fitzhugh also designed three distinctive sliding doors, one of which is the barn door that connects the master bedroom to the dressing room area.

See Also:Dressing Room Ideas

KIDS ROOM

Two kids' sharing rooms were created with built-in bunk beds, designed to accommodate the couple's growing number of grandchildren.

See Also:Sharing Kids Room Ideas andFun Ideas for Cool Kids' Bedrooms

Each of the bunk bed rooms features four beds, with trundle drawers for extra storage, and wall lights for reading. Built in bookshelves give each bed the opportunity to be more personalised to that child, displaying their books or treasures.

See Also:Wonderfully Fun Kids Play Room Ideas

KIDS BATH

One of Fitzhugh's sliding doors features in the kids' room, linking through to a generous ensuite bathroom.

A large pendant light is seemingly hung from a fishing net, adding to the nautical vibe. Shuttered doors open into a large, walk-in shower room, clad in pretty mosaic tiles.

See Also:Stunning Shower Room Ideas and24 Stunning Wet Room Ideas

A trio of basins offer lots of space for the kids to brush their teeth and get ready at the same time.

See Also:His And Hers Double Bathroom Basin Ideas

Photography: Kim Sargent

A modern house in Maryland got a complete transformation, with interior designer Zoe Feldman at the helm. The owners, a couple with their two children, fell in love with the property because of its location in a Potomac, a family friendly area. The scale of the home and open space plan fit their needs perfectly. The house was a lot larger than where they were living before, with 7,900 square feet of interior space, so they brought on Zoe Feldman to help them create a modern look that felt warm, colourful and inviting too.

Zoe and her team incorporated grey oak floors, blackened steel and expansive glass to warm the interior and to create a connection to the garden. Their primary objective was to make the space feel cosy without losing its modern edge. In order to add warmth to the white backdrop, they added simple, organic materials and finishes like woods. Pops of pattern, colour and metallics were incorporated in the artworks and accessories to add dimension and visual interest.

ENTRANCE – BEFORE

The designers opened up the spaces by installing large, steel-framed windows to flood the home with natural light.

See Also:Before & After: How This Family Home Got A Whole New Look With Just Accessories

ENTRANCE – PRE MOVE-IN

The designers kept things simple, focussing on lighting and accent colour, but leaving most walls white and laying down the same flooring throughout to create a continuous flow.

ENTRANCE – AFTER

The final look was achieved through accessorising and layering. Colour was added to the entrance hall by hanging framed blocks of colour above the sideboard / console, while rugs add texture and help to define the different areas.

The wood console table adds warmth and makes a striking statement with its jagged, three dimensional edging.

See Also:Before & After: How Architects Breathed New Life Into A Dated Victorian Property

DINING ROOM – PRE MOVE-IN

The dining room lighting was installed before anything else, hung to perfectly sit above the table.

DINING ROOM – AFTER

A rug and full length curtains soften this space and make it cosier, while cane dining chairs add natural texture.

See Also:Statement Dining Room Lighting

The dining room leads through to a darkened, walk-in bar area, perfect for entertaining in the evenings.

See Also:Cool and Stylish Home Bar Ideas

CORNER ROOM – BEFORE

The walls were ripped out entirely so that large steel framed windows could be installed, to make this a light and bright corner room.

CORNER ROOM – AFTER

With stone flooring, a stone fireplace, wood walls and a wood ceiling with ceiling fans, this corner room has an indoor-outdoor feel, and is separated from the main living room by concertina doors.

See Also:Before & After: Terraced House in Hackney Gets A Modern Make-Over

LIVING ROOM – BEFORE

A modern fireplace was installed in the main living room, which is just off the main hallway.

LIVING ROOM – PRE MOVE-IN

Large windows plus the concertina doors to the corner room all bathe this space in natural light. Wood beams add a rustic element.

See Also:Before & After: A dated family kitchen gets a fresh new look

LIVING ROOM – AFTER

A large area rug defines the space and adds cosy texture, while a U-shaped sofa and a classic Eames lounge chair all create an inviting, welcoming look.

A TV was wall-mounted above the fireplace.

The only pops of colour in this predominantly white space are the accent cushions on the sofa, and the upholstery on a pair of metallic chairs, which tie in with a framed green reindeer moss on the wall.

See Also:Explore An Incredible Open-Plan, Modern Family Home That Brings The Outside In

This space also flows into an informal dining area.

KITCHEN – BEFORE

The design team also installed a brand new kitchen with modern kitchen island and breakfast bar.

See Also:Before & After: An Old Monastery Ruin Is Transformed Into A Modern Family Home

KITCHEN – PRE-MOVE IN

The new kitchen features a blend of wood cabinetry and white cabinetry, with two low hanging pendant lights above the island adding a metallic touch.

A utility area was also added to the side of it, along with a downstairs loo.

KITCHEN – AFTER

Kitchen island stools add the finishing touch.

See Also:Striking And Stylish White Kitchen Ideas andWood Kitchen Ideas

DOWNSTAIRS LOO – PRE MOVE-IN

The design team installed a large marble basin in the downstairs powder room.

DOWNSTAIRS LOO – AFTER

A large framed black & white photograph offers the finishing touch.

See Also:Cloakroom And Powder Room Ideas

OFFICE – PRE MOVE-IN

The design team created a home office, with windows across all the walls to allow for lots of natural light. Spotlights were installed in the recessed ceiling, and plug sockets in the middle of the floor for under where the desk would go.

OFFICE – AFTER

The ceiling was then wallpapered, adding instant drama to this space, and the built-in cabinets were painted black.

See Also:Working From Home? Striking Home Office Ideas For A Stylish Study

Straight edged furniture and black accents give this office a decidedly masculine feel.

BEDROOM – BEFORE

The master bedroom was given new windows, flooring and lighting.

BEDROOM – PRE MOVE-IN

A grasscloth wallpaper was added to give this large bedroom a cosier, textured feel.

See Also:Bedroom Wallpaper Ideas

BEDROOM – AFTER

The bedroom is now an elegant, grown-up space.

A cosy seating area makes the most of the spacious room and adds a hotel-inspired touch.

See Also:Gorgeous Master Bedroom Ideas

LOFT – BEFORE

The designers thought the loft deserved a little drama.

LOFT – PRE MOVE-IN

They coated the walls in a deep, teal blue, which was taken right up the ceiling, creating a den-like feel.

See Also:These are the most popular paint colours of 2020

LOFT – AFTER

The loft is now a relaxed family space where the kids can play freely.

See Also:Wonderfully Fun Kids Play Room Ideas

Builder: Jeffco

Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

THE PROPERTY

What do you get when an architect couple decide to build a modern home together? A strikingly innovative house with note-worthy space-saving ideas, effortless flow, oodles of daylight and inspiration at every turn. We're not surprised that this modern house took home the Don’t Move Improve award, amongst others.

Designed by Ran Ankory and Maya Carni of Scenario Architecture, the property was an opportunity for them to realise their creative visions. This house is their canvas. Located in E5 in Clapton, East London, the couple bought this Victorian terraced house for the opportunity to extend and adapt a larger space for their growing family. They added a glazed rear extension, removed walls and introduced a broken-plan layout with split-levels whereby rooms have a degree of separation, while still being visible to each other.

Their main challenge was connecting the main floor physically and visually with the lower ground. They designed an open-plan spatial sequence, encompassing the lounge, dining area and kitchen, and introduced a glass balustrade that creates an uninterrupted visual connection between the two levels.

See Also: A Family Home In Highgate Has Been Reconfigured And Modernised

LIVING ROOM

The Victorian terraced house's existing internal layout included a pair of reception rooms at the front of the house, with no real connection to the basement level. The architects removed walls and introduced a sloping glazed roof that abuts the boundary wall of the adjacent property to create a seamless transition between the ground-floor living areas and a kitchen and dining room below.

The new layout incorporates a split-level double reception, with a short set of steps connecting the upper area to a more casual area for relaxing in front of a fireplace.

The roof light and rear glazing connect the indoors with the garden beyond, while interior glazing links the lounge with a “floating” library at mezzanine level – which can be seen from the living areas below. Another set of steps lead down to the kitchen and dining room, both visible through the glass balustrade.

See Also:A Light And Airy Family Home In Islington, London

A long and shallow modern fireplace hugs the wall and frames the top step. It makes a show-stopping feature, and adds cosiness too.

From the parquet-floored living area, a staircase with treads made from the same material descends to the open kitchen and dining space. The glass roof above the stairs enables daylight to filter down to the basement kitchen and dining area.

See Also:Before & After: How Architects Breathed New Life Into A Dated Victorian Property

KITCHEN

This style of broken-plan living is all about the clever use of a space. Distinct zones are created by the use of different floor finishes – like the poured concrete flooring in the kitchen area – as well as other separations such as the split-levels and partitions (for example the glass balustrade). These subtle divides retain the spacious feel that open-plan living provides, but also give a sense of separation, meaning people can have their own space away from each other.

Kitchen storage sits mostly below countertops so that walls are left relatively free, helping to make this space retain a feeling of spaciousness.

A new bay window in the kitchen created the perfect pocket for a cosy window seat with built-in storage.

See Also:Explore A Light-Filled Family Home In London's Holland Park

Full-height folding glass door add to the natural lighting and provide a direct connection with the garden.

The kitchen now opens to a newly landscaped gravel garden, achieved after some of the above photos were taken.

See Also:50 Stylish Garden Patio Ideas

Wall lights above the dining table are a clever way of illuminating this space at night, as a pendant light would not have been possible with the sky light above, and a floor lamp would have interrupted the flow of movement needed to walk around the table.

PLAY AREA

Conscious effort was made to use every available space the house had to offer. This included using spaces under the stairs, in the eaves, in hallways and limited height areas. Storage pockets were cleverly added under the stairs, and continue along the wall.

See Also:Stunning Statement Staircase Ideas

This recessed area has a low ceiling height due to the lowering of the reception area above, but it works perfectly as a playroom or homework area for the kids, who can play here while Mum or Dad are busy in the kitchen.

See Also:Wonderfully Fun Kids Play Room Ideas

The best thing about this space? The architects custom-built apull-out table and bench for drawing or doing homework, which perfectly slots back into the wall between the drawers. Genius.

See Also:Kids Office Ideas: Stylish Desk Areas & Homework Nooks For Kids

LANDING

A library space was integrated into a room alongside the stairs that lead up to the bedroom levels. It projects out over the basement and can be seen through the floor-to-ceiling glass window from the living areas below.

KIDS ROOM

The fun didn't stop there. The architects incorporated lots more great ideas in the kids' room too. They combined the bedroom with the eaves space above it to create one extra tall space with a mezzanine level that can be accessed via a climbing wall, thus making a secret hangout spot for the kids. Tall poles keep things safe and prevent them from falling, while a cool fireman's pole offers a fun way down.

What more could growing boys ask for?

See Also:Fun Ideas for Cool Kids' Bedrooms,Sharing Kids Room Ideas andBoys' bedroom ideas

Photography: Matt Clayton

THE PROPERTY

A family home on Cromwell Avenue in Highgate had multiple circulation issues, with different levels and spaces flowing in an uncomfortably unordered manner. To turn it into a more practical modern home,  the owners brought on North London based XUL Architecture to address these issues and to create a space which is usable, has a better circulation and is filled with light. The homeowner enlisted the services of a fabric consultant who chose fabrics for the rooms to add colour and warmth to this vibrant home. The interior design was originally conceived by Philip Lihou from Inner Space London.

See Also: Explore A Light And Airy Family Home In Islington, London

HALLWAY

Key to the refurbishment of this property was opening views from the front door through to the garden, drawing light in from both angles. XUL Architecture also opened up a skylight to flood the stairwell with more natural daylight.

The architects also closed up one of the entrances to the dining room, and replaced that doorway with handy hallway storage and a bench seat.

See Also:Chic Hallway Ideas That Make An Entrance

KITCHEN

The kitchen flooring was created with polished concrete, which continues on the kitchen countertops.

Together with the grey cabinets, this took on an industrial look which was warmed up with the clever use of plywood, terracotta lamps and pots and decorated with greenery throughout.

See Also:Cool Black Kitchen Ideas

The room is filled with light from two sides and has a view to the front door.

FAMILY ROOM

The kitchen flows into a relaxed family room which sits in a conservatory-style space.

See Also:Chic, Family-Friendly Design Ideas For Stylish Family Homes

Hanging plants add lots of greenery, giving this space a garden-like vibe.

See Also:Cool Ways To Bring The Outdoors In

DOWNSTAIRS LOO

The downstairs loo is a similarly inky colour, a textural wallpaper that was painted in Farrow & Ball's Inchyra.

See Also:Cloakroom And Powder Room Ideas

DINING AREA

A step up from the kitchen is a laid-back luxe dining room.

By opening up the walls from the kitchen and living room into the dining room allowed for the doorway from the hallway to be sealed off. This created more wall area to create a cosy dining room.

See Also:Laid-back Luxe Dining Room Ideas

Glassware and crockery is stored in the dining room, which also helps free up space in the kitchen.

LIVING ROOM

Restoring original features of the property was part of the brief to the architects. Reclaimed wood was used for the flooring within the refurbished living room.

See Also:Stylish White Living Room Ideas

The alcoves next to the mantel were undeep, so the bottom shelf comes out at an angle to create triangular storage.

A colourful Kilim-style flatweave rug adds colour to the living room, making it a more homely space.

STAIRCASE

A signature to all XUL projects is to consider the three directions of light that can be channelled into the building; from above, back and front of a property. XUL opened up the plastic skylight above the stairwell and replaced with a contemporary glass alternative which now floods the space with light.

Bookshelves were also fitted into the stairwell, making a striking feature, adding colour and maximise space.

See Also:Stunning Statement Staircase Ideas

MUSIC ROOM

XUL spent many hours talking to the homeowner and discovered their love of cactus. This colour and shape were brought through to the design adding character and a homeliness that turned the house into a home.

The music room or “green room” as the owners refer to it has built-in storage which was already present in the house from a previous renovation.

See Also:These are the most popular paint colours of 2020

MASTER BEDROOM

The house was spread over three floors and after many discussions with the owners, the architects decided to relocate the master bedroom to the top floor and create a suite for them. This allowed for the middle floor to become bedrooms for the children and guests.

A curved arch framing the window breaks up the sloped ceiling and gives this room a softness.

See Also:Gorgeous Master Bedroom Ideas

MASTER BATHROOM

The master suite comprises of a bedroom, bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. The bathroom is accessed via the wardrobe so when the doors are closed it looks like typical wardrobe doors.

The master bathroom is definitely a highlight in this home, it is pretty much another hangout space.

See Also:30 stunning ensuite bathroom ideas

A wallpapered feature wall and daybed with coral print cushions add lots of fun colour to this inviting master bathroom. The wallpaper plays on the owners' love of cacti.

See Also:Bathrooms and Cloakroom Wallpaper Ideas

The bath takes central space under the dormer window and curved ceiling.

The bathroom has a steam shower in addition to a standard shower.

See Also:24 Stunning Wet Room Ideas andStunning Shower Room Ideas

KIDS BEDROOM

A large palm print paper makes a fun feature in one of the kids' rooms.

See Also:Bedroom Wallpaper Ideas

The bay window creates a perfect nook for doing homework.

See Also:Kids Office Ideas: Stylish Desk Areas & Homework Nooks For Kids

KIDS BATH

A couple of framed art prints add a pop of colour to the compact, minimalist bathroom.

Photography: Matt Clayton

THE PROPERTY