Zarkon Group, Author at Zarkon Group Real Estate Builders & Developers

Interior Design

Eight comfortable living rooms with inviting interiors

By Zarkon Group,24/06/2021

With winter approaching in the northern hemisphere, wes selected eight snug living rooms with cosy features including fireplaces and wood-lined walls as our latest Dezeen Lookbook.

This is the latest roundup in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased colourful kitchens, bedrooms with statement walls and domestic bathrooms designed by architects.

Villa Weinberg, Denmark, by Mette and Martin Weinberg

The inviting living room inside this 1940s cottage in Aarhus is almost entirely lined with oiled oak boards.

Although it is devoid of sofas, the seating bench that runs around the room’s periphery has been topped with comforting tan-leather cushions and woolly throws. There are also a couple of beanbags for inhabitants to relax on.

Find out more about Villa Weinberg ›

Ocean House, Australia, by Rob Mills

Concrete isn’t typically associated with cosiness – but architect Rob Mills has applied it throughout the living room of this house on Australia’s Great Ocean Road, adding homely details like a plump sofa, a shaggy rug and a fireplace.

“I don’t see the design as being stark,” Mills said. “The interior is organic and tactile, and incorporates neutral fabrics.”

Find out more about Ocean House ›

Carriage House, USA, by Workstead

Exposed-brick walls smattered with remnants of paint and plaster lend a cosy, lived-in quality to this lounge, which sits inside a Charleston home that dates back to the 1800s.

Cane cabinetry, red-leather armchairs and an olive-green sofa provide extra touches of warmth.

Find out more about Carriage House ›

Avalanche House, New Zealand, by Intuitive Architects

Pitched ceilings and plywood-lined walls make this holiday home in Wanaka feel much more like an intimate cabin.

Intuitive Architects have finished its lounge with more cosy decor elements like fluffy cushions, a wood burner and even a trio of tree branches, which have been stood in the room’s corner.

Find out more about Avalanche House ›

North Bank, UK, by Elliott Architects

Walls washed with pale-brown plaster give a rustic warmth to this living area, despite its lofty proportions and large windows which look out to the countryside of Northumberland.

Tucked in the corner of the space is a daybed dressed with a patchwork blanket, fur throws and plush cushions, forming a perfect spot for inhabitants to snuggle up.

Find out more about North Bank ›

Central Park Road Residence, Australia, by Studio Four

Studio Four orientated the design scheme of this Melbourne home around the concept of hygge – a Danish term used to describe feelings of cosiness, comfort and general contentment.

Its living area rather aptly features a warm mix of blackened timber surfaces, copper light fixtures and tan-leather armchairs. The focal point of the room is a huge fireplace topped with a five-metre-high steel flue, where inhabitants can gather on chilly winter evenings.

Find out more about Central Park Road Residence ›

Cottage in Hai Zhen, China, by Sun Min and Christian Taeubert

The creative pair behind the renovation of this cottage on the rural outskirts of Beijing opted to retain the property’s rustic features, while introducing slick contemporary elements.

In the lounge, cracked plaster walls, worn ceiling beams and an old wood burner have contrastingly been paired with wire-frame chairs and steel cabinetry, forming a cosy yet balanced space.

Find out more about the cottage ›

Seaside Abode, Denmark, by Norm Architects

Weathered beams of dark-stained timber clad the central gabled wall of this living room. Just in front are a couple of marble side tables, a thick fringed rug and taupe-coloured sofas.

These earthy, tactile details are meant to foster a sense of warmth within the space, but also reflect the rugged coastal landscape of Denmark’s North Zealand region, which can be seen through the home’s expansive windows.

Find out more about Seaside Abode ›

Reference

CategoriesInterior Design

Ten dining rooms in American homes that are a feast for the eyes

By Zarkon Group,24/06/2021

With glimpses of the seaside to views of the Rocky Mountains, our latest Dezeen Lookbook rounds up 10 dining rooms in American houses that would be spectacular settings for a Thanksgiving dinner.

This is the latest roundup in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased cosy living rooms, domestic bathrooms designed by architects and colourful kitchens.

Bayhouse, New England by Studio Rick Joy

A dramatic wood-covered ceiling covers the dining room in New England residence Bayhouse designed by Tucson-based Studio Rick Joy.

When seated at the long table – which forms part of a wood palette throughout the house – diners enjoy views out to the sea.

Find out more about Bayhouse ›

Dawnridge House, California by Field Architecture

The dining room of this house, in a suburb of Silicon Valley, is designed so that it is always open to the outdoors and frames a large oak tree.

Food can be served up from a built-in barbecue or from the kitchen, which adjoins the space via sliding glass doors.

Find out more about Dawnridge House ›

Hale Lana, Hawaii by Olson Kundig

An expansive roof provides shade to a wooden deck furnished with a dining area in this residence Seattle firm Olson Kundig has completed on an old lava field in Hawaii.

Suited to a large gathering, the wood table and benches mirror the form of the surrounding wood architecture.

Find out more about Hale Lana ›

Hudson Woods Home, New York by Magdalena Keck

A more intimate gathering would suit this foldable Finn Juhl dining table – one of a number of Danish mid-century designs furnishing the holiday home in a Catskill Mountains development.

The table is placed to make the most of a square window framing a view of the outdoors.

Find out more about Hudson Woods home ›

Ledge House, Connecticut by Desai Chia

Placed between the kitchen counter and a concrete fireplace with a wood-burning stove, the dining table forms the heart of this home in Connecticut.

The pale wood table extends to large rectangular windows that span the length of the house providing views of the hilly landscape.

Find out more about Ledge House ›

Little Peek, Maine by Bernman Horn Studio

Weathered metal chairs and a weathered wood table form a simple, stripped-back setting for diners in Little Peek House.

The area is an enclosed patio that is sandwiched between two cedar volumes to form the holiday home that the founders of Berman Horn Studio built themselves on an island in Maine.

Find out more about Little Peek ›

Shaw Mesa, Idaho by Michael Doty Architects

The Rocky Mountains in Idaho are visible through sliding glass doors from the dining table in this Shaw Mesa residence by Michael Doty Architects.

Metal slices through the wood table top referencing the materiality of the house, which includes charred-black timber walls and a corrugated metal roof.

Find out more about Shaw Mesa ›

Sheffield House, Masschusetts by Vincent Appel

The dining room in Sheffield House is furnished with warm, red-hued wooden chairs with woven seats and a glossy black table.

With these bold hues, which provides a contrast to the house’s bleached cedar exterior, the dining area provides an anchor in the open-plan living space.

Find out more about Sheffield House ›

Valley Street House, California by Síol Studios and Levy Art and Architecture

Black gridded windows and doors wrap a corner of the dining room in this residence in San Francisco.

They open onto a terrace with glass railings, ideal for hanging out before or after a feast.

Find out more about Valley Street house ›

Wasatch House, Utah by Olson Kundig

Set in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wasatch House by Olson Kundig is furnished with a circular table for four diners.

Hues of green, orange ad brown pick up the tones of woodland visible through the window.

Find out more about Wasatch House ›

Reference

CategoriesInterior Design

Ten peaceful bedrooms designed by architects

By Zarkon Group,24/06/2021

A Shaker-style sleeping space and a bed chamber with a colour scheme informed by California deserts are among the ten serene, architect-designed bedrooms in our latest Dezeen Lookbook.

This is the latest in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased visually inspiring dining rooms, cosy living rooms, domestic bathrooms designed by architects and colourful kitchens.

Guadalajara House, Mexico, by Alejandro Sticotti

Architect Alejandro Sticotti designed Guadalajara House around two existing trees, and closeness to nature was an important aspect of its layout.

This can be seen in the master bedroom suite, which has large floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up onto a private deck on the northern side of the house. Wooden panelling and a soft grey and white colour scheme create a relaxing place for sleep.

Find out more about Guadalajara House ›

Pound Ridge House, US, by Tsao & McKown

This house in upstate New York was designed with an open layout, but its master suite is separated from the more public areas by a private sitting area.

Here, the owners’ bed sits up against a wall painted in dark, moody hues, close to a veranda that can be accessed through a set of sliding doors. A fireplace completes the bedroom.

Find out more about Pound Ridge House ›

Prism House + Terrace Room, Chile, by Smiljan Radíc

The main bedroom in Prism House by Chilean architect Smiljan Radíc overlooks a dead river of lava from a previous eruption of the nearby Llaima Volcano.

The dramatic view, seen through Prism House’s glazed rear wall, is offset by a simple interior that features a blackened Oregon pine wood floor and a wooden bed that also functions as a seat or shelf.

Find out more about Prism House ›

Xiang Jiang House, China, by Claesson Koivisto Rune

Swedish architecture and design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune went all-in on natural materials for this Beijing house, where a bedroom features timber panelling on both floor and walls as well as a large, four-poster wooden bed frame.

The pared-down colours are matched with contemporary design pieces from Scandinavia, Japan, China and Italy.

Find out more about Xiang Jiang House ›

Spanish holiday home, Spain, by YLAB Arquitectos

A walnut slatted ceiling decorates the master bedroom of this holiday home in southeast Spain with coastal mountain-range views.

Grey sandstone was used for the wall, and a contrasting headboard and storage unit in black behind the bed was decorated with brass accessories. “The interplay of materials and brass elements make it feel very luxurious, but it’s also cosy, almost like a wooden holiday retreat,” said the studio co-founder Yolanda Yuste López.

Find out more about the Spanish holiday home ›

Bermonds Locke, UK, by Holloway Li

California deserts informed the design of Bermonds Locke, a hotel in London’s Bermondsey area. Colours throughout its rooms were taken from desert sunsets, as seen on the warm terracotta-hued rug and multicoloured bedspread in the bedroom above.

Bermonds Locke rooms are used to sleep in but also for eating and working, so the studio separated the bed from the rest of the room by creating bespoke black bed frames that can be enclosed using linen drapes.

Find out more about Bermonds Locke hotel ›

Forest House, Thailand, by Shma Company

The plant-filled Forest House accommodates seven people and 120 trees on just 300 metres. In this peaceful bedroom, steel louvres cover the windows to create privacy, while two narrow balconies hold an assortment of potted plants.

A wooden headboard with built-in bedside tables adds practical storage space. Colours were kept to white, with brown rugs that match the wood detailing.

Find out more about Forest House ›

Klinker Apartment, Spain, by Colombo and Serboli Architecture

Colourful tiles create a vibrant floor decoration in this bedroom in Klinker Apartment in Barcelona, where a sage border warps around the room and even envelops the headboard.

The ceiling was painted a matching green hue, and decorations kept to a minimum to allow the colours to speak for themselves – two white spherical lamps illuminate the bed and a bedside table in a darker green holds Alexander Calder-style mobiles.

Find out more about Klinker Apartment ›

Kawakawa House, New Zealand, by Herbst Architects

The dramatic bedroom of Kawakawa House is clad in dark birch panels. It features clerestory windows that let in the dappled sunlight from the canopy of pōhutukawa trees outside, as well as smaller windows next to the bed.

With such striking views, the walls could be kept empty of pictures and the only other details are hanging bedside tables in a lighter wood.

Find out more about Kawakawa House ›

Círculo Mexicano Hotel, Mexico, by Mabrosi Etchegaray

There’s a monastic feel to the Shaker-inspired Círculo Mexicano Hotel, with its white-painted floors and beds covered in beige linens with exposed seams. Barrel-vaulted ceilings clad in red tiles add a touch of colour to the serene surroundings.

“Originally all the design process was inspired by an ecclesiastical aesthetics,” architect Jorge Ambrosi told Dezeen. “With that premise, we imagined an architecture free of ornament, where the correct use of simple materials enhances the quality of the space.”

Find out more about Círculo Mexicano Hotel ›

Reference

CategoriesInterior Design

10 contemporary living rooms with calm interiors

By Zarkon Group,24/06/2021

In our latest Dezeen Lookbook, we’ve rounded up 10 living rooms with calm, relaxing interiors, including rooms with soothing colours and natural materials that create a peaceful environment.

This is the latest roundup in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased peaceful bedrooms, dining rooms in American homes, and kitchens and domestic bathrooms designed by architects.

Budge Over Dover house, Australia, by YSG

Interior design studio YSG opened up the kitchen and living room into one large, open-plan space that connects to the garden to create a “fluid” sense of space in the Budge Over Dover House in Sydney.

The studio used warm, deep colours to create a sense of calm, including dark wood detailing and aubergine hues. Marble surfaces add a luxury touch and look intriguing next to the simple brick floor.

Find out more about Budge Over Dover house ›

Esperinos Guesthouse, Greece, by Michael Stamos

Greek designer Michael Stamos used a moss-green colour for the living room walls in the Esperinos guesthouse in Greece. The colour gives the room a relaxing feel and picks up the green from the plants that are dotted around the space.

A nearby staircase has been painted black as a contrast, creating a moody atmosphere that’s contrasted by the colourful cushions on the large sofa.

Find out more about Esperinos Guesthouse ›

Whidbey Island Farm, USA, by MW Works

MW Works wisely designed Whidbey Island Farm to make the most of the surrounding nature, with large windows and a pared-back interior design that lets the view speak for itself.

Simple wooden furniture sits both inside the living room and on the connected terrace, while woven blankets and a furry throw adding a cosy touch. The open fire means the owners can enjoy the view of the surrounding forest in comfort even in the depths of winter.

Find out more about Whidbey Island Farm ›

VS House, India, by Sãrãnsh

Architecture studio Sārānsh used local Kota tiles in the living room of the VS House in Ahmedabad to create a sense of tactility. The interior was kept minimalist, but the studio created interest by combining a range of different natural materials.

The discrete grey hues of the plush furniture cushions work well against the rattan armrests and wooden furniture bases, while a decorative wall in dark wood adds a refined touch.

Find out more about VS House ›

Nithurst Farm, UK, by Adam Richards

Nithurst Farm might have been inspired by both Roman architecture and Soviet-era science fiction, but its living room has a more traditional look.

Architect Adam Richards, who designed Nithurst Farm as his own home, took advantage of the high, concrete ceilings as a calm background onto which he’s projected bright splashes of colour in the form of paintings and curtains. A baroque-style chair and a fabric-clad footstool help soften the space.

Find out more about Nithurst Farm ›

Williamsburg schoolhouse, US, by White Arrow

The living room of this schoolhouse in Brooklyn, which studio White Arrow’s founders designed for their own home, has plenty of patterned textiles, but their creamy pastel hues means the space still doesn’t feel busy.

A large palm tree is a fun detail and picks up the dark wood of a small sideboard and a floating TV-bench. Clean, white walls and a selection of modernist white lamps, as well as glass sofa table, create a restful atmosphere.

Find out more about Williamsburg schoolhouse ›

Bismarck House, Australia, by Andrew Burges Architects

With its floor-to-ceiling glass walls that open out onto a garden in Bondi, Sydney, the living room of Bismarck House has the feel of a terrace. Andrew Burges Architects kept the details simple, adding galvanised steel columns and a concrete floor to “reinforce a robust outdoor character.”

Furniture is in the same laid-back style with wooden chairs and a daybed creating comfortable resting spots. A terracotta-coloured wall lends the space more privacy and adds to the comfortable holiday-vibe of this inviting living room.

Find out more about Bismarck House ›

Riverside Apartment, US, by Format Architecture Office

The living room of Riverside Apartment, set within a 1920s building on New York’s Upper West Side, owes much of its quiet charm to the beautiful wooden floorboards. The theme was taken up in both furniture in various types of wood and a woodclad doorway.

Crisp white walls are decorated with graphic art that perfectly matches the mid-century modern furniture to create a soothing environment.

Find out more about Riverside Apartment ›

Casa Meco, Portugal, by Atelier Rua

The enormous sitting room in Casa Meco, a holiday home south of Lisbon, Portugal, has three different vistas surrounding it and plenty of space for socialising and relaxing.

Earthy colours were used for the interiors, which work well with the exposed-concrete ceiling and floor and make for a laid-back space. Glazed panels can be slid open for easy outdoor access.

Find out more about Casa Meco ›

Residence for Two Collectors, US, by Wheeler Kearns Architects

The living room of this Chicago penthouse is filled with art, collected by its owners, and features a striking view of the city skyline.

In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, a sofa group in pale colours is combined with a matching rug in calm grey and white hues, while a seagreen glass coffee table picks up the light from the windows.

A Georg Nakashima bench from the owners’ collection adds an organic touch to the elegant space.

Find out more about Residence for Two Collectors ›

This roundup is part of our interior inspirations series that aims to provide ideas for people renovating or decorating their homes. For more inspiration read our pieces focused on bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and home offices.

Reference

CategoriesInterior Design

Ten contemporary bathrooms designed to take advantage of the view

By Zarkon Group,23/06/2021

In our latest Dezeen Lookbook, we’ve rounded up 10 minimal bathrooms with incredible views, including a house on the Isle of Skye with a bath overlooking a loch and a jungle cabin with a glass-walled shower.

This is the latest roundup in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased living rooms with calm interiors, peaceful bedrooms and domestic bathrooms designed by architects. Read more “Ten contemporary bathrooms designed to take advantage of the view”

CategoriesInterior Design

Dezeen Lookbooks present interior design inspiration and trends

By Zarkon Group,23/06/2021

Dezeen has launched Dezeen Lookbooks, a new section featuring roundups of home interiors and decor trends to help designers and design lovers plan their projects.

Published each Saturday, the visually driven Dezeen Lookbooks present roundups of images of contemporary interiors selected from our vast archive of over 750,000 images.

Each roundup is curated by the Dezeen editorial team and addresses a different room and theme.

Top: an image from our cosy living rooms lookbook. Above: a project from the peaceful bedrooms lookbook

Lookbooks published so far feature living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.

Dezeen Lookbooks is a response to the surge of interest in home design since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen people spending much more time at home.

As a result, web traffic to Dezeen posts about home interiors has soared.

This Barcelona apartment features in our colourful kitchens lookbook

Popular Lookbook stories we’ve published over the last few months include our showcases of living rooms with calm interiors, bold bathroom designs and thirty kitchens designed by architects.

We’ll be adding more image-led roundups over the coming weeks and plan to expand the section to include other types of interiors plus trend reports in future.

Interior design fans can also check out our sections on residential interiors, apartments and houses.

Reference

CategoriesInterior Design

Seven Japandi interiors that blend Japanese and Scandinavian design

By Zarkon Group,23/06/2021

This Dezeen Lookbook presents seven interiors that combine design influences from Japan and Scandinavia in a style that has become known as “Japandi”.

A hybrid of east and west, the style is increasingly popular as a way to create interiors that are minimal without being cold. Japandi makes clever use of craftsmanship and tactile materials, such as textured wood and handmade ceramics, to add comfort and warmth.

It features pared-back styling, precise craft and natural materials – qualities that have long been central to the design traditions of Japan, and the Nordic countries, particularly Denmark and Sweden.

This is the latest lookbook in a series providing visual inspiration for interior designers and design lovers. Previous lookbooks in the series have showcased bathrooms with views, calm living rooms and peaceful bedrooms.

Archipelago House, Sweden, by Norm Architects

Norm Architects’ Archipelago House is a pine-clad holiday home that was designed to embody Swedish and Japanese aesthetics, a theme that comes through most clearly in the double-height living room.

Here, the owners can lounge on furniture that Norm Architects designed together with Karimoku Case Study – the sister brand of Japanese manufacturer Karimoku.

Creamy white and pale grey hues complement the light wood furniture in the room, where the main light source is a bespoke cone-shaped lantern. This was designed in washi paper by Japan’s Kojima Shouten, which has been making lanterns for over 230 years.

Find out more about Archipelago House ›

A Quiet Reflection show, Sweden, by Ariake

An exhibition by Japanese furniture producer Ariake at Stockholm Design Week showcased the label’s wooden furniture, which was designed in collaboration with a number of designers from all over the world (above and top).

Set in the dilapidated former Mexican embassy in Stockholm, the clean lines of the furniture stood out against the crumbling walls and stuccoed ceilings, creating a mix of texture and colour and an appreciation for older craftsmanship that perfectly embodies Japandi.

Find out more about A Quiet Reflection ›

Pantechnicon, UK, by Farrells

Pantechnicon, located in a 19th-century building in London’s Belgravia neighbourhood, is home to both shops and restaurants that focus on Japanese and Nordic culture. Tenants include a cafe by French-Japanese cult record label Kitsuné and a Nordic restaurant called Eldr.

While Pantechnicon’s interiors are pared-down, plenty of wood detailing gives the space an inviting feel, and lantern-like lights and green plants have been added to soften the minimalist aesthetic.

Find out more about Pantechnicon ›

Upstate New York Home, US, by Magdalena Keck

A family with Japanese and American heritage live in this home in the Catskill Mountains, which has an interior that draws on both their backgrounds and adds plenty of Scandinavian style.

In the open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen, a table and chairs by Danish designer Finn Juhl share the spotlight with Japanese pottery and woven mats sourced from Tokyo. Mid-century design and American crafts also feature in the house, balancing out the Japanese minimalism.

Find out more about Upstate New York Home ›

Izumi, Denmark, by Pan-Projects and Mok Architects

A Japanese restaurant in Copenhagen is the perfect setting for an interior style that mixes the two cultures.

Izumi, in the city’s Charlottenlund suburb, draws on both Japanese restaurant interiors, with translucent screens that reference traditional paper sliding doors, and Scandinavian design. This can be seen in the curving oak panels that surround the open kitchen.

“Japan and the Nordic countries have a rich history of cultural interactions,” explained Pan-Projects’ founders Yurioko Yaga and Kazumasa Takada. “Especially in the field of design, there are many examples that are rooted originally in Japanese culture yet developed uniquely in the land of the Nordic region.”

Find out more about Izumi ›

K5 Tokyo Hotel, Japan, by Claesson Koivisto Rune

A converted bank building in Tokyo, bombed during world war two, was turned into a boutique hotel by Swedish studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The studio created a warmer interior style than is usually associated with Japandi, using tactile details and saturated hues.

Thin blue ombre curtains evoke the traditional craft of Japanese indigo-dyeing, or aizome, while sturdy wooden room dividers nod to Scandinavian mid-century modern design. The studio based K5’s interior around the Japanese notion of “aimai”, which is used to describe things that are ambiguous or unclear.

Find out more about K5 Tokyo Hotel ›

Powerscroft Road townhouse, UK, by Daytrip

As part of the renovation and expansion of this London townhouse, London-based Daytrip loosely lime-washed the walls and added polished concrete floors to create a “calm and serene home”.

The Scandinavian influence can be seen in the warm wood details used throughout the flat – as in this dining room, where a dark-wood chair complements a dainty table underneath the window – while elegant lighting fixtures add an East Asian feel.

A Japanese paper lamp from designer Isamu Noguchi’s Akari range stands on a wood-burning stove stacked with logs, Scandinavian-style.

Find out more about Powerscroft Road townhouse ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing peaceful bedrooms, calm living rooms and colourful kitchens.

Reference

CategoriesInterior Design

Ten welcoming living rooms where the fireplace takes centre stage

By Zarkon Group,23/06/2021

With spring still a few months away in the northern hemisphere, this is the season to snuggle up in front of an open fire. For our latest lookbook, we’ve rounded up ten cosy living rooms where the fireplace is at the heart of the interior design.

This is the latest roundup in our Dezeen Lookbook series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased living rooms with calm interiors, peaceful bedrooms, Japandi interiors and domestic bathrooms designed by architects.

116 Sorauren and 118 Sorauren, Canada, by Ancerl Studio

The living room of 116 Sorauren Street in Toronto, one of a pair of twin townhouses designed by Ancerl Studio, has been made cosy through the use of natural materials and plenty of textiles.

A black steel fireplace sits on a cast concrete plinth against the back wall. The plinth extends to create a comfortable nook has where the owners or their guests can warm themselves.

Find out more about 116 and 118 Sorauren ›

Three Chimney House, US, by T W Ryan Architecture

This modernist white-brick house in Virginia (above and top image) has three white chimneys that define its external form. Inside, one of them opens up into this starkly elegant, brick-clad fireplace in the living room.

Here, tall white walls and ceilings create a contrast with the more traditional upholstered furniture. Warm colours ranging from pale aubergine purple to a mustard yellow were used on the seating by the fireplace, which is practical during cold winter months as well as being a decorative feature all year round.

Find out more about Three Chimney House ›

Pound Ridge House, US, by Tsao & McKown

Tsao & McKown drew on Japanese architectural principles when designing Pound Ridge House. The influence that can be seen in the pared-back fireplace built onto a square stone hearth that sits between the living room and the dining room.

The design references an irori, a traditional Japanese sunken hearth which is often square in form and set in the middle of a room.

Smoke is extracted by a bronze flue in the form of a truncated pyramid that hangs from the ceiling of the lounge, which is filled with wood detailing and cream-coloured textiles. A generous skylight lets the light in during the daytime.

Find out more about Pound Ridge House ›

Teton House, US, by Olson Kundig

With views like the ones from Teton House (above and top) in the mountainous terrain of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you don’t need art on the walls. Olson Kundig used floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage of the vistas. But the view is almost upstaged by a substantial black fireplace in the centre of the glazing.

The simple form of the fireplace is complemented by leather chairs in warm brown hues as well as wood surfaces and woven textiles, creating an inviting, relaxing atmosphere.

Find out more about Teton House ›

House for Grandparents, US, by Dash Marshall

The renovation of this California farmhouse was informed by the state’s Spanish missions, and its geometric forms and spartan material use reference these religious structures. But there is nothing ascetic about the house’s comfortable living room, where a broad brick fireplace sits on one wall.

A colourful painting and rug add vibrancy to the room, while two cylindrical metal coffee tables pick up the warm glow of the fire.

Find out more about House for Grandparents ›

Smith Residence, Canada, by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple

Inside this holiday home on the Nova Scotia peninsula, a massive fireplace keeps the living room toasty. Made from granite that was sourced from a nearby quarry, the fireplace features one aperture for the fire and one for storing logs.

Its sits underneath the black steel trusses that support the exposed roof. In front of the fire, a soft high-pile rug and two brown leather sofas complete the design of the living room.

Find out more about Smith Residence ›

Wasatch House, US, by Olson Kundig

An enormous bronze flue dominates the library in this Utah home by Olson Kundig, which has the feel of a living room thanks to a wide leather sofa and two cognac-coloured leather chairs. These sit in front of the unusual portrait-shaped fireplace, which is set in the monolithic flue and fronted by double doors.

A colour palette of dark browns and greys create a pleasantly laid-back atmosphere in the capacious room while ceiling-height bookcases flank the fireplace.

Find out more about Wasatch House ›

Lincoln, Belgium, by Notan Office

Modernist architect and designer Alvar Aalto inspired the design for this fireplace, set in a rooftop extension in Brussels by Notan Office.

It wraps around a corner and was built from concrete and ceramic construction blocks in warm orange and pale grey hues. “A fireplace is a kind of artifactual element in a house,” architect Frédéric Karam told Dezeen. “I wanted to express a sense of organic and rough feeling for such a function,”

Find out more about Lincoln ›

Little Peek, US, by Berman Horn Studio

Little Peek is a holiday home in Vinalhaven off the coast of Maine, designed by the Berman Horn Studio founders for themselves.

Designed to be used in all seasons, the house nevertheless has a summer feel thanks to its light interior and many generous windows, as well as an enclosed patio.

But in the open-plan kitchen and living room, a built-in fireplace set in a narrow stonework flue helps keep the room warm during cold New England winters.

Find out more about Little Peek ›

Casa Prè de Sura, Italy, by Casati

A freestanding fireplace in the form of a trapezoidal prism decorates this living room in Italy, set in a gabled house by Austrian architects Casati that has rough limestone interior walls.

The white fireplace functions as a decorative piece as well as a heat source. It has been cleverly designed with a side ledge on which the owners can stack wood. Beige and cream hues were used for the colour palette, matching both the fireplace and the limestone walls.

Find out more about Casa Prè de Sura ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing peaceful bedrooms, calm living rooms and colourful kitchens.

Reference

CategoriesInterior Design

Ten designer bathrooms with freestanding baths

By Zarkon Group,23/06/2021

For our latest lookbook, we’ve rounded up 10 dream bathrooms with statement baths ideal for luxurious bathing, including tubs made from teak, clay, concrete and porcelain.

This is the latest roundup in our Dezeen Lookbook series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased peaceful bedrooms, colourful kitchens and living rooms with calm interiors.

Below are ten bathroom interiors from the Dezeen archives featuring standalone baths that sit in the middle of the room or away from the walls.

Screen House, Sydney, Australia, by Carter Williamson Architects

The bathroom of Screen House by architecture studio Carter Williamson is covered from floor to ceiling with tactile black tiles to create a spa-like setting for its owners.

A freestanding bathtub was placed under a bubble-like pendant light that is suspended from the asymmetric pitched roof.

Find out more about Screen House ›

Chimney House, Sydney, Australia, by Atelier Dau

As part of an extension and refurbishment of a heritage-listed building in Sydney, architecture studio Atelier Dau added a ground floor bathroom.

The bathroom is defined by porcelain floor tiles designed by Patricia Urquiola and a statement roll-top bath alongside a narrow window with views to the home’s internal courtyard.

Find out more about Chimney House ›

Highgate house, London, UK, by House of Grey

This London home designed by interiors studio House of Grey incorporates a range of natural materials and finishes.

In the bathroom (above and top), the walls are coated with a lime-based plaster surface called Tadelakt, which is waterproofed using a soap solution. The bath and sink were made from a combination of sands, unfired clays, pigments and minerals.

Find out more about Highgate house ›

Art Villa, Costa Rica, by Formafatal and Refuel Works

Czech studios Formafatal and Refuel Works left the concrete structure exposed throughout this villa nestled into the jungle in Costa Rica.

In the master bedroom, a concrete tub is set alongside a pair of glass doors that allow the space to be opened up to the surrounding jungle.

Find out more about Art Villa ›

Mountain cabin, Italy, by Modostudio

The bathroom of this secluded mountain cabin designed by Modostudio has spectacular views over Italy’s Adige Valley.

Set at the centre of the room the freestanding bath was positioned to take the best advantage of these views through full-height windows.

Find out more about Mountain cabin ›

Tsubo House, London, UK, by Fraher & Findlay

Architecture practice Fraher & Findlay focused the renovation and extension of this home in east London on a small courtyard.

All of the house’s bathrooms feature graphic monochromatic tiled floors, while the master bathroom has its own fireplace and a freestanding jet-black tub.

Find out more about Tsubo House ›

House V, Slovakia, by Martin Skoček

The dramatic en-suite bathroom of the master bedroom of this gabled house near Bratislava, designed by architect Martin Skoček, is lined with salvaged bricks.

Its centrepiece, aligned with the apex of the pitched ceiling, is an oval, freestanding bathtub.

Find out more about House V ›

Atelier Villa, Costa Rica, by Formafatal

The bathrooms within this perforated-aluminium clad villa in Costa Rica are defined by floors made with cement tiles from Nicaragua.

One of the bedroom suites has a freestanding bath that is lit by mottled light coming through the cladding perforations.

Find out more about Atelier Villa ›

Leaf House, London, UK, by Szczepaniak Astridge

The focal point of the rooftop extension to architectural photographer Edmund Sumner and writer Yuki Sumner’s London home by Szczepaniak Astridge is a Japanese-style wooden bath.

Positioned against a large window that has views across London, the bath was made from waxed teak by furniture maker William Garvey.

Find out more about Leaf House ›

The Boathouse, Devon, UK, by Adams+Collingwood Architects

London studio Adams+Collingwood Architects designed this house overlooking Salcombe Estuary so that its first-floor living spaces could take advantage of views across the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

On the ground, which is embedded into the hillside, there are four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including the master en-suite that features a copper bathtub.

Find out more about The Boathouse ›

Photography is by Jim Stephenson, Brett Boardman, Edmund Sumner, BoysPlayNice, Adam Scott, Laura Egger, Tom Ferguson, Michael Sinclair and Matej Hakár.

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing peaceful bedrooms, calm living rooms and colourful kitchens.

Reference

CategoriesInterior Design

FOG Architecture creates “modern cave” for ToSummer’s Beijing store

By Zarkon Group,23/06/2021

Chinese studio FOG Architecture has added curved walls, mirrored surfaces and faux stone to the interiors of aromatherapy brand ToSummer’s flagship store in Beijing.

Located in Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping village, FOG Architecture designed the 170-square-metre ToSummer store to recall the atmosphere of a cave.

Top: a mirrored screen was placed at the entrance to the store. Above: the exterior of the store is covered in a textured faux stone

“The brand’s concrete requirement for this space design was a modern cave,” said FOG Architecture.

“We chose not to directly create the natural appearance of caves but, instead, presents the characteristic elements of material textures to inspire the sensory experience.”

The mirrored screen reflects passers-by and the interior of the store

The entrance to the store is marked by a large faux-stone wall and a mirrored screen, which leads visitors into the store.

The studio explained that the large mirrored screen was designed to draw passers-by into the store while referencing screens typically used in homes and domestic spaces.

Curving walls were used along the perimeter of the store

“The curiosity of what is behind attracts the beholders to walk inside,” FOG Architecture co-founder Zheng Yu told Dezeen. “The surface of the screen is usually decorated with an illustration of natural scenery.”

“It is a metaphor of the space hidden behind. And this is the reason we placed a scaled up, mirror polished screen as the central spatial element. It illustrates beauty in a restrained manner.”

The store was divided into multiple zones

Natural-toned, undulating walls envelop the interior of the store and are illuminated by strip lighting set within the ceiling.

The interior was divided and zoned into a collection of small sections each with its own functions, housing retail space, exhibition space and installation areas.

Formoral is a skincare store that resembles a “desert planet”

A cream Togo by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, an off-white Playdough chair and coffee table by Karstudio as well as amorphous mirrors were placed throughout the store suggesting the idea of domestic space.

“The aim of the furniture is to convey a sense of the domestic,” said Yu. “That’s why we named this space a ‘Living Room’. A space that gives people a place to breathe in a busy and fast-moving shopping mall.”

A long metal island contrats with the softness of the store

Custom “timber rotten” chairs designed by British designer Max Lamb were also placed across the store and in niches formed by its curved walls.

“In a way, Max Lamb was also our main inspiration during the project,” Yu explained.

“The [chairs] lacquering was smooth, shiny and colourful while the foam is tortured, torn, scarred – combined the materiality itself gives me an illusion of heaviness similar to a piece of timber rotten through time, but it is lightweight and smooth and newly made.”

Shelves were built within the curving walls

An exhibition and retail space at the rear of the store has a series of shelves organised around a long reflective metal island that contrasts to the curving walls it is surrounded by.

Rectangular metal shelves were suspended along the undulating walls, drawing attention to the irregularity of the space while displaying products like artworks.

Two chairs designed by Max Lamb occupy the space

A metal cashier’s table was tucked behind a curving volume and mimics the shape of its walls, forming a rounded counter space that becomes an extension of the walls.

“[The store] transforms the original cave concept into spatial language, integrating it into this realistic space full of modern oriental feeling to present a delicate balance between commercial and art, domestic and public realm, natural and artificial,” said the studio.

The display areas were designed to showcase product like artwork

FOG Architecture is a studio with offices in London, Shanghai and Chongqing founded by Yu and Zhan Di.

Other Beijing projects with curved walls include this avocado-green space age informed hair salon and this kindergarten with a rooftop playground by MAD Architects.

Photography is by Inspace.

Project credits:

Design principle: Zheng Yu, Zhan Di
Design team: Hou Shaokai, Zhou Chuyang, Xiong Aijie, Vince Choi and Fu Shidi
Lighting design: School of Architecture, Tsinghua University and One Lighting Associates Beijing
Furniture and installation design: DEFRONT and F.O.G.
Construction drawing: SU PIN
Construction team: Youlong Jinsheng Decoration Ltd.

Reference