It’s hard to believe this family of five’s lakeside retreat has been recreated from a dark and frightening vegetation covered home. In fact, the home owners even considered tearing it down. With their design team, JAS Design Build, they tackled a major renovation that creates a luscious family home. Continue reading →

The tricks used to enhance the spaciousness of this beautiful brick (formerly-a-barn) home are quite frankly genius! The previous home owners had expanded the home to create living, kitchen, and lounge areas. Yet the new inhabitants found that the original barn, with simply creative alterations, would be better suited for those uses. Continue reading →

They say “love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life”. It seems that Irene Martens, the owner of well known and very much loved Sukha shop in Amsterdam has somehow achieved that, since her home and work environments are a continuation of one another, though without them being hosted under the same roof. The kind of life qualities that matter to the home and shop owner are evident through her repeated and consequent choices. Continue reading →

Can you imagine living in a Swiss army arsenal built in world war II? Well this small chalet is as cleverly designed as a Swiss army knife. Ralph Germann Atelier d’Architecture preserved the soft patina of the original structure, by inserting a crisp glass cube inside the exterior wood walls. I know, genius, right? Continue reading →

Architect Karin Matz gives new life to what used to be the hay storage of a traditional house located on the small island of Fohr in the north sea. Respecting and cherishing local traditions, she gives a fresh, modern look to the interior of a house built in red bricks, topped with a thatched roof. Such houses really appeal to me, always reminding me of visits to the British countryside and places like Cambridge and Oxford. Do you like them, too? Continue reading →

I think most of us would be ridiculously happy with any home that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Now imagine that home’s centuries old walls of stone, clay, and shells have been exposed and restored. Soft worn arches and concrete slabs lead between rooms and moments in time. Pitsou Kedem Architects have revitalized this home with deep respect and the most minimal modern comforts. Continue reading →

In Manhattan’s West Village, an international home owner is lounging in understated luxury in his four level town home. Picture it, private spaces on the street side and public spaces on the garden side – the glass covered garden side! Continue reading →

Given the remarkable way in which a footprint of just 425 sq ft has been put into excellent use in this small loft located on the top of a Manhattan’s Upper West Side brownstone building, the title “micro – loft” is but a humble way to describe it. Taking advantage of the space’s 25 feet height and the lucky event of it having access to a roof terrace, architect Specht Harpman and his design team successfully created four separate living platforms inserted within the space, providing rooms for all the essentials while still allowing the apartment to feel open and light filled. Continue reading →

Big Sur’s central California coast line is rugged with the mountains bursting from the sea. In this dazzling natural paradise only a home that gracefully drapes itself across the land feels appropriate. This award winning contemporary vacation home, designed by Fougeron Architecture does that in a most respectful manner. Continue reading →

English countryside. Local produce. A traditional pub. A small number of bedrooms. They all somehow merge together and unify under one roof, one name: The Wild Rabbit. A newly opened, small hotel with its very own pub and restaurant in Kingham, Oxfordshire. The owner is Lady Bamford, the founder and inspiration behind Daylesford, UK’s most glamorous organic farm shop. A building dating back to 1750 with the most charming chalky white interiors, typical of the Eco-chic hotelier. Continue reading →