Dark green marble, glossy black tiles and sculptural lighting contrast the rough stone walls of this Montreal restaurant that has been resurrected by local Ivy Studio.
Located in Rosemère, on Montreal’s north bank, Piatti opened 15 years ago in an old stone building that was previously extended to accommodate a larger commercial space.
A pizza oven wrapped in green marble forms a focal point at Piatti
After a fire ripped through the Italian restaurant over a year ago, damaging the roof and the interior, the owners chose to renovate and update the space.
“From this tragedy rose the opportunity to give the space a much-needed facelift,” said the Ivy Studio team, who took on the project.
Entrance to the kitchen is through an arch set into a pistachio-coloured wall
“While the overall aesthetic is very contemporary, the decor was inspired by traditional Italian design and includes textures, materials and colours that project clients directly to the Mediterranean,” the studio added.
The two-storey building is entered on the lower level, where the preparation kitchen, a private event room and the washrooms are situated.
A sienna-toned banquette is installed beneath a mirrored wall
Upstairs are the dining areas, each with a distinct atmosphere. When entering past courses of glossy black tiles, customers are met by a “monumental” pizza oven wrapped in green Saint-Denis marble.
A black stained-wood and marble structure in front acts as a dining and service area, across from a hand-plastered pistachio wall with an arch that leads to the closed kitchen.
The bar area is located in the old stone building
Above a sienna-toned velvet banquette, a mirrored wall helps to make the dining space feel larger – reflecting its cream walls and sheer curtains.
Bistro chairs with green seats and caned backs are placed around tables.
Lighting and stools were custom designed for the bar
A circular wood-topped table sits on zig-zag black and white tiles below a central bespoke chandelier.
The bar occupies the old stone aspect of the building. Here, a U-shaped counter is clad with vertical oak boards and topped with a four-inch-thick travertine slab.
Custom stools made from velvet, steel and wood are lined up against the bar, colour-matching the banquette upholstery in the dining room.
Minimal, custom cream-painted lamps are spaced along the length of the counter, while a steel structure suspended above holds bottles behind fritted glass panels.
A pendant light hangs above a table in the corner of the bar area
“The entire room has recessed lighting going around the ceiling to properly highlight the original stone walls in the evening,” said Ivy Studio.
Montreal is home to a wealth of Italian restaurants with notable interiors, several of which have opened over the last few years.
Ivy Studio based the contemporary decor on traditional Italian design
They include pizza spot Vesta and Tiramisu at the city’s Hilton hotel – both designed by Ménard Dworkind.
Among Ivy Studio’s other hospitality projects in the Quebec capital is Jack Rose, an eatery in a former auto body shop.
Brooklyn-based Home Studios has filled an Italian restaurant close to Harvard University with plush booths and banquettes to introduce colour and texture to the space.
Bar Enza is situated in a prime spot on Harvard Square next to the Ivy League college in Cambridge, Massachusetts – just across the Charles River from Boston.
Home Studios revamped Bar Enza to include a variety of soft seating
The project involved the revamp of an existing restaurant on the ground floor of The Charles Hotel.
To complement chef Mark Ladner’s menu, Home Studios pulled references from a range of regions and styles across Italy – from Rome’s trattorias to Milanese villas – and combined them to create interiors that feel elevated yet cosy.
The restaurant’s original floors and ceiling were kept intact
Upon request of the client, the original ceilings and floors were retained. Meanwhile, brick walls were plastered and painted white to match the ceiling and to help brighten the space.
Freestanding tables and chairs were mostly swapped for soft seating, in the form of booths, banquettes and sofas covered in five different upholstery types to add variety.
Five different fabrics were used to upholster the booths and banquettes
The building’s zig-zag glazed facade, which brings in plenty of light, creates niches that are filled with high-top tables surrounded by curved, pale pink booths.
Forming a row through the centre of the dining area, pairs of high-backed red sofas face each other across marble tables.
Brick walls were painted white to help brighten the interior
Other booths and banquettes feature sage green or beige fabrics, accompanied by cane-backed cafe chairs, while bar stools are topped with red leather cushions.
“Unexpected details include plush seating, reminiscent of stately libraries and studies,” Haslegrave said. “Essentially we mixed mid-century architectural details with more traditional upholstered seating to achieve a confluence and diversity of designs.”
The service areas were kept largely intact, but custom millwork was added to refresh the materiality.
Shelving was also clad in warm woods, while textured glass and brass hardware were introduced as accents.
Cane-baked cafe chairs accompany the booths and freestanding tables
“The very elevated level of service meant for very specific requirements on the service area millwork and shelving,” said Haslegrave.
Time and budget restrictions meant that lighting was sourced. The selection of sconces, pendants and table lamps was chosen to create a “warm and sexy” feeling in the evening.
The Italian restaurants draws references from Rome’s trattorias and Milanese villas
During the day, sheer curtains allow natural light to wash over the interior and allows the fabric hue to pop.
Home Studios’ previous bar and restaurant projects across the US include the Laurel Brasserie and Bar in Salt Lake City, The Harvey House in Madison, Wisconsin,and Bibo Ergo Sum in LA.
Clashing colours, statement furnishings and mismatched patterns feature in this lookbook, which rounds up ten flamboyant interiors that embody the maximalist aesthetic.
Maximalism is a style of art and design that rejects the rules of minimalism. Instead, exuberance is celebrated and anarchic use of pattern, colour and texture are encouraged.
According to Claire Bingham, author of the book More is More, the style can be attributed to the Memphis Group – the 1980s design and architecture collective known for their bold postmodern creations.
However, as demonstrated by this roundup, maximalism continues to make its mark today, as designers apply the aesthetic to the interiors of our homes as well as to public spaces.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing brutalist interiors, walk-in wardrobes and colourful living rooms.
Photo is by Benoit Linero
Hotel Les Deux Gares, France, by Luke Edward Hall
Contemporary pea-green walls stand in stark contrast to chintzy wallpaper and soft velvet sofas in the rooms of the Hotel Les Deux Gares in Paris.
According to its designer Luke Edward Hall, the aesthetic is intended to be “anti-modern” – harking back to a Paris of the past.
Find out more about Hotel Les Deux Gares ›
Photo is by Adrián Llaguno
Casa TEC 205, Mexico, by Moneo Brock
The bright-coloured works of Mexican architect Luis Barragán informed the look of this maximalist-style home in Monterrey, designed by architecture studio Moneo Brock.
Inside, striking wallpaper prints are juxtaposed with geometric tiling and colour-blocked walls, such as in the kitchen and dining room where a large floral mural takes centre stage.
Find out more about Casa TEC 205 ›
Photo is by Günther Egger
Rookies, Germany, by Stephanie Thatenhorst
Designer Stephanie Thatenhorst challenged the conventional look of healthcare facilities when designing this kid-friendly optician in Munich.
Intended as a “noisy, wild and unique paradise for children”, it marries a bright blue carpet with geometric wall tiles, U-shaped neon lights and display areas covered in apricot-coloured fabric.
Find out more about Rookies ›
Schiphol airport lounge, Netherlands, by Marcel Wanders
The flamboyant rooms of the Schiphol airport lounge were all given a distinct look when renovated by Marcel Wanders, a creative best known for his uninhibited maximalist style.
Among them is an animated seating area that references canal houses in Amsterdam. Its finishes include wall panels resembling giant stained-glass windows and a cartoonish lamp that mimics a street light.
Find out more about Schiphol airport lounge ›
Photo is by The Ingalls
Austin Proper Hotel and Residences, USA, by Kelly Wearstler
Interior designer Kelly Wearstler teamed local art and textiles with one-off vintage details when creating the eclectic interior for Austin Proper Hotel and Residences.
This includes the hotel’s drinking establishment, which occupies a room with high ceilings covered in decorative wallpaper. Below, a cobalt blue-painted bar sits against low stuffed armchairs, chunky wooden tables and stone plinths.
Find out more about Austin Proper Hotel and Residences ›
Annabel’s, UK, by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio
This dim hallway features in London members’ club Annabel’s, which was recently overhauled by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to make visitors feel as though they have been “transported somewhere else”.
Similarly to the rest of the building, the corridor features clashing animal prints across all its surfaces and is overlooked by a sculpture of a gorilla on a seat – just one of the fanciful features hidden inside.
Find out more about Annabel’s ›
Mondrian hotel, Qatar, by Marcel Wanders
Marcel Wanders also applied his signature maximalist style to the interior of the Mondrian hotel in Doha, which is filled with mismatched patterns and oversized furnishings.
Among its standout spaces is the swimming pool on the 27th floor. Crowned by a floral-patterned stained-glass dome, it features bulbous white seating, a tactile grass-like bridge and monochrome tiling.
Find out more about Mondrian hotel ›
Studio Job office, Belgium, by Studio Job
Studio Jobs’ founder Job Smeet describes his maximal self-designed home and office in Antwerp as being “like a visual assault”.
Encased by an exposed concrete shell, it comprises a central gallery space, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms – one of which clashes paint-splattered walls with shark-patterned wallpaper, a maze-like rug and spaghetti-print bed sheets.
Find out more about Studio Job office ›
Photo is by Christian Harder
Esme Hotel, USA, by Jessica Schuster Design
In an overhaul of the boutique Esme Hotel in Miami, New York studio Jessica Schuster Design opted for saturated tones and sculptural furnishings to “create an artful collage of bohemian grandeur”.
Among its decadent spaces is a mahogany cocktail bar that is encircled by fringed stools and sculptural pendant lighting, set against a checkered floor and a wooden ceiling.
Find out more about Esme Hotel ›
Photo is by Prue Ruscoe with styling by Alicia Sciberras
Polychrome House, Australia, by Amber Road and Lymesmith
Pops of bright primary colours feature in every room of this 1960s house in Sydney, which was recently renovated by studio Amber Road and colour consultant Lymesmith.
When extending the ground floor, the team introduced an open-plan living space with graphic paved floors modelled on aerial photographs of the surrounding terrain, which contrasts with white-painted brick walls that are partly covered by an abstract mural.
Find out more about Polychrome House ›
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing brutalist interiors, walk-in wardrobes and colourful living rooms.
The London Fire Brigade has unveiled its updated typeface designed by Studio Sutherl& and The Foundry Types at the Running Towards exhibition of graphic artworks informed by the organisation’s design heritage.
The Running Towards exhibition took place at the Shoreditch Fire Station during the London Design Festival, with visitors entering through the building’s big red shutters into a display of artworks created by UK designers.
The exhibition took place at Shoreditch Fire Station
The new Fire Brigade Sans typeface, created by Studio Sutherl& and The Foundry Types, was displayed on the exterior of Shoreditch Fire Station.
Its design was informed by the lettering of old fire engines and on the facade, the typeface was printed in the red, yellow and gold colours synonymous with fire engines.
Studio Sutherl& designed London Fire Brigade’s new typeface
To celebrate the typeface, London Fire Brigade collaborated with communications agency KesselsKramer, writer Thomas Sharp, Studio Sutherl& and carpet manufacturer Brintons on the exhibition, which saw designers create their own interpretations of the organisation’s design heritage.
Among the pieces on show were graphic interpretations of the Danger Risk of Fire safety sign, a bespoke carpet with a pattern informed by the universal fire exit sign and firefighting objects and items from Shoreditch Fire Station’s own collection.
London Fire Brigade’s typeface Fire Brigade Sans was featured on posters
KesselsKramer described the showcase as “a celebration of London Fire Brigade’s bravery, aiming to inspire that very same spirit within ourselves.”
The studio invited 25 London-based designers to recreate the fire safety symbol for their display, titled Warning: Risk of Fire.
“It felt appropriate that for London Fire Brigade’s inaugural Design Festival exhibition, a piece of graphic design synonymous with the fire service became the focus,” said KesselsKramer.
Franz Lang’s design tells the story of her grandma’s cat
Presented on triangular signs, each artwork was designed to tell a story of firefighting bravery. Graphic artist Jimmy Turrell‘s interpretation was dedicated to his father who was a firefighter.
Illustrator Franz Lang‘s entry represented the story of her grandma’s cat, who was rescued from a tree by the fire brigade.
“This is such an iconic location for an art show,” said Lauren Coutts, art director at KesselsKramer. “To get a rare glimpse into a fire station is very exciting in itself so to then be able to celebrate bravery here, in so many forms, feels very special.”
Brintons created a bespoke wool carpet for The Running Towards exhibition, which features a pattern informed by the universal fire exit symbol.
Brintons designed a carpet to display at The Running Towards exhibition
Burgundy and navy chevrons repeat along the length of the carpet with arrows and stick figures that reference the fire exit sign. According to Brintons, the carpet is made from wool to exemplify the material’s naturally fire-retardant properties.
“As a material, wool contains a higher water and nitrogen content than other man-made fibres making it a naturally fire-retardant material,” said Brintons.
“Another benefit is that it does not emit smoke or fumes, often one of the main causes of serious health issues following a fire.”
The exhibition showcased graphic posters in a colour palette that references fire engines
Other exhibitions that took place during London Design Festival include a collection of wooden objects made from a dying ash tree and a sculptural stone installation that references Stonehenge.
The photography is courtesy of the London Fire Brigade.
The Running Towards took place between 20 and 24 September as part of London Design Festival. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
San Francisco-based Studio Terpeluk has renovated and expanded Redwood House in Noe Valley with redwood interiors and terraces.
The three-storey Redwood House was originally designed by American architect Albert Lanier – husband to sculptor Ruth Asawa – in a hilly San Francisco neighbourhood characterised by Victorian and Edwardian houses.
Studio Terpeluk renovated an interior in Noe Valley
Studio Terpeluk was selected to expand the 1976 house from 2,260 square feet (210 square metres) to 3,218 square feet (299 square metres) with a new guest room suite, home office, wet bar and media room.
The renovation “surgically modified the house in an architecturally non-aggressive manner,” the studio said.
Western red cedar was used for the walls and ceiling
Wrapped with irregular western red cedar planks, the narrow house cascades down the hillside with exterior courtyards that mitigate the grade change.
One enters the house through an intimate courtyard off the street into an open-plan upper level with a sloping ceiling and dark-knotted Douglas fir flooring made from local reclaimed pier pilings.
Many of the walls and ceilings were updated with vintage rough-sawn redwood veneered plywood maintained from the original build.
“Redwood surfaces and structural elements complete the warm interior landscape: from the sloping roof beams to partition walls and built-in shelves,” the studio said.
The renovation expanded the home
To the left of the entrance is the kitchen with custom-gloss cabinets and a Carrara marble backsplash. It opens to a dining room that features a Saarinen table and Hans Wegner wishbone chairs.
To the right is the library where sunlight from the large window brightens the dark panelling and sculptural furniture.
Bright panelling contrasts the rich wood tones
The living room is oriented around a pink sculpture by American artist Wanxin Zhang.
Padded seating wraps the corner under a large window looking out to the San Francisco skyline.
The living room has wrap-around seating and views of San Francisco
The house is centred around a staircase illuminated by a skylight.
“The sculptural blackened steel stair with vintage rough-sawn redwood plywood walls anchors the house, weaving together the three floors and their diverse spatial character,” the studio continued.
The home is oriented around a central staircase
The middle level features guest suites with direct access to the entry courtyard.
The primary suite is softened by light pink terrazzo tile and a micro mosaic of Indian red recycled plastic tiles.
The home’s colour complements the art collection of the owners
“Color was a recurring theme in the exquisite and eclectic art collection of the owners,” studio founder Brett Terpeluk said.
“This went perfectly hand in hand with my interest in mid-century Italian design and its bold use of color.”
A series of terraces connect the home with the sloping site
“We collaborated with our friend and designer Beatrice Santiccioli to enrich the project with a dedicated and bespoke color language,” he continued.
At the lowest level, a media room, home office and kitchenette open to an abundantly landscaped garden.
The outdoor areas were designed by Terpeluk’s wife and longtime consultant, Italian landscape designer Monica Viarengo.
The terraces shift from curated gardens to wild vegetation as one moves through the property, while the plantings reference California coastal landscapes with yellow roses, espaliered fruit trees and a variety of thymes.
A guest suite connects to the central courtyard
Studio Terpeluk was founded in 2008 by Brett Terpeluk, after he finished a tenure working with Italian architect Renzo Piano.
Other Noe Valley renovations include the Gable House by Edmonds + Lee, a renovated Victorian townhouse by Fougeron Architecture and an industrial home for a tech entrepreneur by Levy Art and Architecture and Síol Studios.
An exhibition of hand-crafted art and design pieces, including a seminal sculpture by Charles and Ray Eames, is on display at the former New Jersey home of 20th-century landscape architect James Rose.
At the Rose House is on show at the Ridgewood home that the late American modernist landscape architect designed and hand-built for himself and his family in 1953 and lived in for almost 40 years.
Pieces in the exhibition are displayed throughout the home as if they belong there
Organised by curatorial platform Object & Thing and furniture and interior design studio Green River Project LLC, the exhibition stemmed from Rose’s appreciation for craft and materials.
The show “emphasises the hand-made, beauty in nature and a sense of timelessness” according to the curators.
Rose self-designed and hand-built the house, which features several Japanese design elements
Green River Project LLC founders Aaron Aujla and Benjamin Bloomstein, who have admired the landscape architect for some time, have produced a series of new designs based on his work.
Created in collaboration with a group of designers, these pieces include a side chair by both Bloomstein Industrial and Luck Carpentry, rice paper lamps from Preziosi Lighting and carved grooming items on shelves in the bathroom by Teague’s Path.
Artworks and designs were selected to reflect Rose’s appreciation for craft and materials
“The ease in which Rose expanded the home using ready-made materials was an early point of reference for our practice,” said Aujla.
“In particular, there is a kitchen with mahogany shelves and pegboard that we must have spent over 100 hours dissecting and referring back to over the last five years.”
Green River Project’s products are presented alongside the work of mid-century and contemporary designers, including Alvaro Barrington, Bode, Charles and Ray Eames, Louis Eisner, Hugh Hayden, Nancy Holt, Kiva Motnyk, Michele Oka Doner, Johnny Ortiz-Concha and Anne Truitt among others.
Clothing based on Rose’s personal style is hung in closets
The works are installed as if they belong in the rooms and garden, which – like many of Rose’s later projects – feature elements of Japanese design, including the exposed timber structure and shoji screens.
“[Rose] spent considerable amounts of time in Japan and became a Zen Buddhist,” said the curators. “This influence is evident in the Ridgewood house, especially on the upper floor, which contains a room for his daily mediation practice that The James Rose Center is currently restoring.”
An edition of the 1943 Plywood Sculpture by Charles and Ray Eames is being presented in the US for the first time. Photo by Michael Biondo
Pieces on display include the Eames’ seminal 1943 Plywood Sculpture – the first time that this edition, which was made and released by Eames Office, is being presented in the US.
Among the designs created for the showcase are leather Adirondack chairs by Hugh Hayden, wood-fired micaceous pots by Johnny Ortiz-Concha and naturally-dyed framed textile works by Kiva Motnyk.
A selection of clothing by New York brand Bode, based on Rose’s “eccentric” personal style, is hung in the closets throughout the house.
Landscape paintings, rice paper drawings, flower vases, terracotta sculptures, and a screening of Nancy Holt’s 1975 film Pine Barrens that “portrays the New Jersey wilderness” also feature.
The house in Ridgewood, New Jersey, is preserved by The James Rose Center. Photo by Michael Biondo
Green River Project LLC is also producing new editions of one of Rose’s lanterns to coincide with this exhibition.
These will be sold to benefit The James Rose Center – a non-profit landscape research and study foundation, which is based at the house and has preserved Rose’s legacy since his death in 1991.
The exhibition, curated by Object & Thing and Green River Project LLC, runs until 2 October 2022. Photo by Michael Biondo
“Rose was an impossible maverick, called by one author, ‘The James Dean of Landscape Architecture,’ but I think he would be very happy with the vision Green River Project LLC and Object & Thing have brought to his house,” said foundation director Dean Cardasis.
At the Rose House runs until 2 October 2022. This is the latest in a series of exhibitions organised by Object & Thing within the homes of notable 20th-century artists and architects, following presentations at the houses of Gerald Luss, Robert Dash and Eliot Noyes.
Other exhibitions that showcase the work of modernist designers include an exhibition of Le Corbusier’s tapestries in Manhattan.
See our Dezeen Events Guide for information about other exhibitions, installations and talks.
After 6,000 votes, projects by Adam Kane Architects and Hollaway Studio are ahead in the Dezeen Awards 2022 public vote interiors categories. Vote now for your favourite!
Other studios in the lead include Random Studio for its blue pop-up installation for Jacquemus in London’s Selfridges and Ennismore for its hotel inspired by the late architect Ricardo Bofill in Spain.
The public vote, which closes on 10 October, gives readers the chance to vote for projects shortlisted in the architecture, interiors, design, sustainability and media categories, as well as architects and designers who are battling to be named studio of the year.
Voting is open for another two weeks, so you still have time to vote for your favourite interiors!
Click here to vote ›
Public vote winners crowned in October
Public vote winners will be published 17 to 21 October on Dezeen. The public vote is separate from the main Dezeen Awards 2022 judging process, in which entries are assessed by our jury of renowned industry professionals.
We will be unveiling the Dezeen Awards 2022 winners in late November.
Who is in the lead?
Of almost 30,000 votes that have been cast and verified across all categories so far, the interiors categories received over 6,000 verified votes.
Continue reading on to see which projects and studios are ahead in the public vote.
House interior
› 26 per cent – Barwon Heads House, Melbourne, Australia, by Adam Kane Architects › 23 per cent – West Bend House, Melbourne, Australia, by Brave New Eco › 22 per cent – Twentieth, Los Angeles, USA, by Woods + Dangaran › 16 per cent – Clear Oak, Los Angeles, USA, by Woods + Dangaran › 14 per cent – House in Marutamachi, Kyoto City, Japan, by Td-Atelier and Endo Shojiro Design
Browse all projects on the house interior shortlist page.
Apartment interior
› 28 per cent – Tribeca Loft, New York City, USA, by Andrea Leung › 23 per cent – Earthrise Studio, London, United Kingdom, by Studio McW › 18 per cent – Shoji Apartment, London, United Kingdom, Proctor and Shaw › 13 per cent – Flat 6, São Paulo, Brazil, by Studio MK27 › 11 per cent – The Hideaway Home, Gdańsk, Poland, by ACOS › Seven per cent – Iceberg, Tel-Aviv, Israel, by Laila Architecture
Browse all projects on the apartment interior shortlist page.
Restaurant and bar interior
› 31 per cent – Spice & Barley, Bangkok, Thailand, by Enter Projects Asia › 24 per cent – Connie-Connie at the Copenhagen Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark, by Tableau and Ari Prasetya › 22 per cent – Terra, Vynnyky, Ukraine, by YOD Group › 13 per cent – Dois Tropicos, São Paulo, Brazil, by MNMA Studio › 11 per cent – Koffee Mameya Kakeru, Tokyo, Japan, by Fourteen Stone Design
Browse all projects on the restaurant and bar interior page.
Hotel and short-stay interior
› 25 per cent – The Hoxton Poblenou, Barcelona, Spain, by Ennismore › 23 per cent – Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel, Los Angeles, USA, by Kelly Wearstler Studio › 21 per cent – Inhabit Queen’s Gardens, United Kingdom, by Holland Harvey › 16 per cent – Schwan Locke, Munich, Germany, by Locke › 15 per cent – Well Well Well Hotel Renovation, Beijing, China, Fon Studio
Browse all projects on the hotel and short-stay interior page.
Large workspace interior
› 47 per cent – Dyson Global HQ St James Power Station, Singapore, by M Moser Associates › 24 per cent – Victoria Greencoat Place, London, United Kingdom, by Fora › 16 per cent – Midtown Workplace, Brisbane, Australia, by Cox Architecture › Eight per cent – Design District Bureau Club, London, United Kingdom, by Roz Barr Architects › Six per cent – Generator Building, Bristol, United Kingdom, by MoreySmith
Browse all projects on the large workspace interior page.
Small workspace interior
› 30 per cent – Alexander House, Sydney, Australia, by Alexander & Co. › 19 per cent – OTK Ottolenghi, London, United Kingdom, by Studiomama › 15 per cent – HNS Studio, Nanjing, China, Muhhe Studio Institute of Architecture › 14 per cent – Samsen Atelier, Stockholm, Sweden, by Note Design Studio › 13 per cent – The F.Forest Office, Linbian, Taiwan, by Atelier Boter › Nine per cent – Asket Studio, Stockholm, Sweden, by Atelier Paul Vaugoyeau
Browse all projects on the small workspace interior page.
Large retail interior
› 33 per cent – An Interactive Spatial Design and Scenography for Jacquemus at Selfridges, London, United Kingdom, by Random Studio › 29 per cent – Deja Vu Recycle Store, Shanghai, China, by Offhand Practice › 15 per cent – XC273, Shanghai, China, by Dongqi Design › 12 per cent – Kolon Sport Sotsot Rebirth, Cheju Island, South Korea, by Jo Nagasaka / Schemata Architects › 11 per cent – Proud Gallery Gotanda, Gotanda, Japan, by Domino Architects / HAKUTEN / Nozomi Kume (Studio Onder de Linde)
Browse all projects on the large retail interior page.
Small retail interior
› 33 per cent – MONC, London, United Kingdom, by Nina+Co › 20 per cent – Aesop Yorkville, Toronto, Canada, by Odami › 18 per cent – Durat Showroom, Helsinki, Finland, by Linda Bergroth › 15 per cent – Haight Clothing Store, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Aia Estudio › 13 per cent – The Market Building, London, United Kingdom, by Holloway Li
Browse all projects on the small retail interior page.
Leisure and wellness interior
› 39 per cent – Patina Maldives Spa, Fari Islands, Maldives, by Studio MK27 › 24 per cent – Self Revealing, Taipei City, Taiwan, by Studio X4 › 16 per cent – Barlo MS Centre, Toronto, Canada, by Hariri Pontarini Architects › 13 per cent – Bath & Barley, Brussels, Belgium, by WeWantMore › Nine per cent – Wan Fat Jinyi Cinema, Shenzhen, China, by One Plus Partnership
Browse all projects on the leisure and wellness interior page.
Civic and cultural interior
› 40 per cent – F51 Skate Park, Folkestone, United Kingdom, by Hollaway Studio › 34 per cent – Stanbridge Mill Library, Dorset, United Kingdom, by Crawshaw Architects › 12 per cent – The Groote Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands, by Merk X › Eight per cent – Yorck Kino Passage, Berlin, Germany, by Batek Architekten › Five per cent – Designing Ecole Camondo Méditerranée’s Interior, Toulon, France, by Émilieu Studio
Browse all projects on the civic and cultural interior page.
Small interior
› 34 per cent – A Private Reading Room, Shanghai, China, by Atelier Tao+C › 22 per cent – OHL Cultural Space for the Arts, Lisbon, Portugal, by AB+AC Architects › 19 per cent –Relaxing Geometry with Pops of Yellow, Antwerp, Belgium, by Van Staeyan Interior Architects › 14 per cent – Fatface Coffee Pop Up Shop, Shenyang, China, by Baicai Design › 11 per cent – Sik Mul Sung, South Korea, by Unseenbird
Brightly coloured chairs and personal memorabilia feature in the Parables for Happiness exhibition showcasing the works of London-based designer Yinka Ilori at the Design Museum.
Opened during London Design Festival, the exhibition is the first major display of Ilori’s vast number of vibrant designs, including graphic murals, furniture and public installations.
Parables of Happiness showcases a wide selection of Ilori’s designs
Ilori’s designs are exhibited alongside pieces that influenced his work and objects representing his Nigerian heritage, including Nigerian textiles adorned with colourful geometric patterns and a traditional Dùndún drum that visitors can play.
The show also includes models of some of the 80 sculptural chairs that Ilori has designed.
Ilori started his career designing chairs
One of Ilori’s chair designs is presented in a line-up of iconic and recognisable chairs with the aim of giving context to his work. Included in the display is the RCP2 chair by Jane Atfield, who was Ilori’s tutor at university.
“One of the reasons I started designing was because of a brief given by Jane Atfield called Our Chair,” Ilori told Dezeen. “Purely because of her brief is why I started designing chairs when I finished uni.”
A chair designed by David Adjaye is exhibited alongside Ilori’s work
Another chair on display is the Washington Skeleton Side Chair designed by British-Ghanian architect David Adjaye, who Ilori credits with having “opened doors for designers like me”.
“Over the years, my work has gained recognition for the strong use of colour, pattern and narrative that comes from my Nigerian heritage,” said Ilori. “However, it has often deviated from design trends and has been misunderstood”
“This display charts my inspirations and creative journey as I transitioned from furniture design to community-driven public installations,” he continued.
His work is influenced by Nigerian textiles
Visitors to the exhibition can discover Ilori’s architectural projects through photographs, drawings and models including his Colour Palace pavilion, which was erected in Dulwich in 2019.
Details of Ilori’s Launderette of Dreams – an installation that involved reimagining a launderette in London as a children’s play zone for Lego – are displayed. A lego chair that formed part of the Launderette of Dreams installation is also on display at the show.
“A fast-rising star of contemporary design, Yinka Ilori’s unique aesthetic – drawing on Nigerian textiles with a nod to postmodernism – employs a mix of visual references that come together to inspire joy,” said the exhibition’s curator Priya Khanchandani.
“This display is a testament to how cultural fusions, frissons and juxtapositions can be rich fuel for creativity and for generating more inclusive architectures in the city.”
Chairs and details of the designer’s public installations are included in the exhibition
As well as showcasing Ilori’s bright, playful designs and examples of his design influences, the exhibition features some of the designer’s personal items.
Visitors can see his name badge from working at Marks and Spencer and a pair of paint-splattered trousers that Ilori wore while painting a number of his graphic murals.
Ilori is known for his use of colour and graphic representation
“I’m a huge believer in memory making and storytelling – how do we relive or revisit memories?” said Ilori.
In Parables of Happiness, Ilori hopes to “open up new conversations about design in the UK and internationally, to see how other people view design around the world”.
“I am truly humbled and honoured to have my work exhibited at such an early stage in my career and hope the display provides inspiration for the next generation who might feel they don’t fit into the status quo,” the designer continued.
Known for his colourful designs, Ilori has recently completed a pavilion in Berlin with a canopy made up of brightly coloured translucent disks and transformed his London studio and office with bold hues indicative of his signature art style.
Parables for Happiness takes place from 15 September 2022 to 25 June 2023 at the Design Museum in London. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
Flamingo pink walls in a Greek seaside apartment and a living space in Italy defined by primary colours feature in our latest lookbook, which collects colourful living rooms that are designed to stand out.
From the pastel colour palette used in a Tokyo dwelling to the clash of reds and greens seen in an Athens apartment, these 10 living rooms from across the world are defined by their colourful interiors.
While using strong colours in a living room can seem like an intimidating prospect, these examples show how even just a few splashes of colour can create a warmer atmosphere and work as a contrast against traditional white walls.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing brutalist interiors, terrazzo eateries and residential atriums.
Photo is by Prue Ruscoe
Polychrome House, Australia, by Amber Road and Lymesmith
Pops of colour feature in every room of Polychrome House, a 1960s property in Sydney that was renovated by architecture studio Amber Road and colour consultants Lymesmith.
“Bright primary colours, which were layered throughout the interior, became the heartbeat of the joyful experience we were all committed to creating,” Amber Road co-director Yasmine Ghoniem told Dezeen.
Find out more about Polychrome House ›
Photo is by Kim Powell
Waterfront Nikis Apartment, Greece, by Stamatios Giannikis
Flamingo pink walls and accents take centre stage in the living room of Waterfront Nikis Apartment, a Greek seaside dwelling set within a 1937 listed art deco building.
Architect Stamatios Giannikis paired a neon-pink hammock with a soft fluffy rug and rosy plant pots in the living room that overlooks the sea.
Find out more about Waterfront Nikis Apartment ›
Photo is by Jan Vranovsky
Nagatachō Apartment, Japan, by Adam Nathaniel Furman
Designer Adam Nathaniel Furman used a sugar-sweet colour palette to liven up a Tokyo apartment he renovated for a retired expat couple.
Located opposite the open-plan kitchen, the combined living space and dining area features a plush lilac carpet that was chosen to contrast a bold green and blue chair and footrest, which Furman said “has the feel of sponge cake and looks like icing”.
Find out more about Nagatachō Apartment ›
Photo is by Tim Lenz
Connecticut house, USA, by Hendricks Churchill
American firm Hendricks Churchill sought to combine the aesthetic of a traditional farmhouse with more contemporary details at this Connecticut house.
Dusty blue cabinetry meets reddy orange furniture in the home’s living room while a textured blue rug was placed on neutral wooden floorboards.
Find out more about this Connecticut house ›
Photo is by Michele Bonechi
Trevi House, Italy, by Studio Venturoni
Thick bands of terracotta and sand-coloured paint wrap around the walls of Trevi House, a one-bedroom apartment in Rome that is defined by warm, earthy hues.
The living room includes a contrasting rectilinear blue and cream rug, which is positioned underneath a statement oversized sculpture, reminiscent of traditional marble statues.
Find out more about Trevi House ›
Photo is by Maira Acayaba
The Karine Vilas Boas Apartment, Brazil, by Studio Julliana Camargo
A large rug with a bright geometric pattern by Portuguese brand Punto e Filo features in the living space of this large apartment in downtown São Paulo.
Studio Julliana Camargo placed a crescent-shaped pink sofa and vivid green armchairs around the rug, emphasising its bold, technicolour appearance.
Find out more about the Karine Vilas Boas Apartment ›
Photo is by Yannis Drakoulidis
Trikoui apartment, Greece, by Point Supreme Architects
Local firm Point Supreme Architects designed this vibrant Athens apartment to include a single open-plan space combining the living, dining and kitchen areas.
To make up for the absence of partition walls, the apartment includes colourful built-in custom furniture to help delineate spaces, including a stained-green plywood storage wall and a table with a bright red top.
Find out more about this Trikoui apartment ›
Photo is by Francis Dzikowski
House for Booklovers and Cats, USA, by BFDO Architects
American studio BFDO Architects added splashes of pink, orange and blue to the living room of House for Booklovers and Cats, a Brooklyn home designed to include various nooks for a pair of shy cats to retreat to.
A higgledypiggledy bookshelf featuring brightly painted alcoves was built into one of the room’s walls, which was designed to house the owners’ extensive reading collection.
Find out more about House for Booklovers and Cats ›
Photo is by Paolo Fusco
Retroscena, Italy, by La Macchina Studio
Retroscena is a distinctive 1950s apartment renovation in Rome, completed by Italian architecture office La Macchina Studio to reveal the home’s original terrazzo floors.
Primary colours were celebrated in the interior design, where the living room can be screened off by a yellow curtain and is decorated with a circular red wall hanging and a squidgy blue sofa.
Find out more about Retroscena ›
Photo is by José Hevia
Madrid apartment, Spain, by Husos Arquitectos
Playful lime green deck chairs and bold yellow and orange accents feature in the large living room of this Madrid apartment by Spanish studio Husos Arquitectos.
While its plywood-board cabinetry and pinewood floors mean that natural hues dominate in the room, the studio painted some of the shelves in vibrant colours to brighten up the wood.
Find out more about this Madrid apartment ›
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 green bedrooms, gardens with swimming pools and homes with glass extensions.
In this lookbook, we pick out 10 home interiors that feature walk-in closets designed to provide bedroom storage that is both practical and appealing.
Walk-in wardrobes create a bespoke storage solution that is hard to achieve with standard furniture.
Often they are considered a luxurious feature used to declutter the bedroom in large houses, but as the 10 examples below demonstrate, they can also be a sleek solution for utilising dead space in smaller homes.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing well-organised bedrooms, interiors with built-in furniture and homes that make a feature of their corridors.
Photo is by Jack Lovel
Marine, Australia, by David Barr Architects
This walk-through wardrobe sits in a corridor between a bathroom and the master bedroom of a cottage near Perth.
Birch-plywood storage units and concrete flooring define the wardrobe, a continuation of the materials used throughout the light and airy extension designed by David Barr architects.
Find out more about Marine ›
Photo is by Roehner + Ryan
O-asis, USA, by The Ranch Mine
Warm-toned wood shelving and cabinetry was combined with terrazzo flooring in this enormous walk-in closet that sets out clothes like a boutique fashion store.
It flows right off from the bathroom of a large house in Arizona designed for a musician by architecture studio The Ranch Mine.
Find out more about O-asis ›
Photo is by Pion Studio
Botaniczna Apartment, Poland, by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio
A linen-curtain screen tidily obscures the walk-in wardrobe in this Poznań apartment designed by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio.
The elegant and delicate aesthetic of the curtains contributes to the calming atmosphere the studio sought to create, as well as helping to offset the adjacent burl-wood vanity desk that acts as the bedroom’s feature element.
Find out more about Botaniczna Apartment ›
Photo is by Studio Noju
Casa Triana, Spain, by Studio Noju
Studio Noju used a floor-to-ceiling curtain to create a walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom of this renovated apartment in Seville.
The studio used a bright yellow paint for the wardrobe that contrasts with the monochrome curtain and surrounding walls, adding to the sense of theatre and surprise when the drape is drawn back.
Find out more about Casa Triana ›
Photo by Do Mal o Menos
Apartment in Estrela, Portugal, by Aurora Arquitectos
A small, triangular room in this old Lisbon apartment was converted into a walk-in closet as part of a revamp by Aurora Arquitectos.
White curtains cover a storage unit that runs along the longest wall of the wardrobe, which is provided with natural light by glazing above an arched doorway.
Find out more about Apartment in Estrela ›
Photo is by Hey! Cheese
House H, Taiwan, by KC Design Studio
This basement apartment in Taipei was given a moody colour palette and raw textures in an overhaul by KC Design Studio.
That theme was continued in the walk-in wardrobe off the master bedroom, which acts as a dressing area between an en-suite bathroom and a private lounge.
Find out more about House H ›
Photo is by David Foessel
Hubert, France, by Septembre
Embedded within a modestly sized Paris apartment renovated by architecture studio Septembre, this walk-in closet is an example of clever utilisation of space.
A wall behind the bed forms a partial division, allowing for generous clothing storage while retaining the room’s overall proportions.
Find out more about Hubert ›
Photo is by José Hevia
The Magic Box Apartment, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez Architects
This apartment near Barcelona, designed by Raúl Sánchez Architects, takes the concept of a walk-in wardrobe to a new level.
Aptly called The Magic Box Apartment, it features a shiny brass wardrobe that divides two bedrooms instead of a traditional partition wall, which can be passed through like a secret passageway.
Find out more about The Magic Box Apartment ›
Photo is by Pablo Pacheco
RL House Renovation, Spain, by Diego López Fuster Arquitectura
Diego López Fuster Arquitectura opted to give the bedroom of this Alicante a generous walk-in wardrobe that acts as a full dressing area.
Rather than being hidden or tucked away, its wide proportions help to make the relatively long and narrow bedroom feel more spacious.
Find out more about RL House Renovation ›
Photo is by José Hevia
Casp21, Spain, by Bonba Studio
Green-panelled wood boxing encloses a sizeable walk-in wardrobe in the corner of this bedroom in a converted office building in Barcelona.
Through this intervention, Bonba Studio maximised the feeling of brightness and spaciousness in the room, as well as ensuring that the full impact of the traditional vaulted ceiling was maintained.
Find out more about Casp21 ›
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 well-organised bedrooms, interiors with built-in furniture and homes that make a feature of their corridors.
