Author

Anastasia Karra

Browsing

The owners of this Casablanca villa gave Crina Arghirescu Architecture Studio blanche to do a total gut renovation job, inside and outside. With a very modernist shell, the villa called for an unconventional space in respect to Moroccan culture, taking some of the formal elements out of the traditional settings.Designers were able to reconfigure the layout of both floors to generate seamless flow between spaces, redesign the house’s enclosures and openings as well as the pool and the landscaping. Their goal was to open the house to the exterior by opening up walls and positioning tall windows in places that offer different layers of transparencies and create unexpected perspectives and vistas that cut through the house without revealing it in its entirety: for example, the olive tree behind the glass facade becomes a backdrop for the sculptural staircase, the beating heart of the house, that itself protects the living room’s…

In the heart of the splendid Costa Brava, Villa Cap Roig by Bloomint Design Stydio embodies the perfect harmony between Mediterranean charm and contemporary atmosphere. This exceptional residence, located in the picturesque village of Calella de Palafrugell, has undergone a thorough renovation that has transformed this villa from the 70s into an oasis of style and comfort. The owners, accompanied by architect Ivana Tuneu and interior designer Aude May from Bloomint Design, have transformed this once dark and dated villa into a jewel of Mediterranean. At the heart of the renovation, light is the essential actor. From the first moments, its omnipresence is striking. The large outward-facing bay windows generously invite natural light to flood the renovated spaces. Cleverly integrated skylights create plays of light, flooding the once dark corners of the house. Photography : Bloomint Design https://house-diaries.com/a-house-in-lempordacatalonia-spain/

This little wooden house with mountain views in Montana is set in the grounds of a working farm and is an oasis of calm. It has a loft-style layout, with open spaces and a single bedroom that also houses the bathroom. It is complemented by a sauna built right next to it, an appreciated facility when the snow has fallen outside in this mountainous region and the cold has set in. You can also warm up by the contemporary fireplace, and in the evening, the sunsets over the mountains in the distance are a fascinating sight. Although it looks rather rustic from the outside, with its weathered wood to blend in with its local surroundings, it nevertheless has a modern interior, and plenty of light thanks to its large glass walls that allow you to enjoy the wild landscape from every room. https://house-diaries.com/red-mountain-backcountry-retreat/

The original building on the site was demolished due to a series of earthquakes that affected the region. The demolition revealed the original roof trusses that were rescued and safely stored by the client who was hoping to reuse them. The trusses became an important feature of the new build. Their strengthening was achieved with rusted metal plates and exposed bolts.The new building envelope needed to fit in the industrial port area responding to the heritage constraints of the city plan. This led the design to keep the original shape of the building, reinterpreting the structure and cladding material. The client requested an open space that celebrates the view to the port and creates privacy from the surrounding. For this the design of the big steel and cedar window façade has allowed a great view to the harbour, the hill and the stormy southerly weather. The house has been designed…

Moving from Portland to Bend, Wise Design Studio clients wanted a fun, relaxed aesthetic in their home to match their new city. Wise Design was brought on the project on to help furnishings in the living, dining, breakfast nook and primary suite with a light kitchen remodel and fireplace design. The living room was transformed as regionally sourced stacked stone was added to the fireplace facade, running the full length of the wall in the double-height living room, all the way up to the ceiling. A new wood mantel was added for mountain drama and warmth. A large iron pendant above and cozy yet durable furnishings, all in a palette akin to the natural environment of Central Oregon, were added to the space, creating a perfect spot to come home to after a day on slopes. The primary suite received all new furnishings including bed, nightstands and dressers as well…

This building designed by Juliet Lloyd sits on the edge of a tree-lined river overlooking the water and opens out with full height doors, allowing interaction with the sea views and changing light. The interior materials respond to the surrounding coastal context in the intentional use of natural materials, textiles and soft furnishings. The built interior surfaces are hard-wearing and designed to withstand heavy usage and the demands of daily family life – natural stone, polished concrete, steel and solid timber all evoke a sense of solidity and permanence while textured plaster, linen blend fabrics, braided jute and walnut all reference the surrounding environment in texture and colour palette. The framing of sea views and demarcation of spaces is achieved in the furniture layout, to create a more intimate sense of scale and interaction within larger areas. A cosy fireplace is juxtaposed with a tall flue that emphasises the double…

Parque Vía is a residential building designed by Cuaik CDS, located on the side of Paseo de la Reforma in Lomas de Chapultepec. Characterized by a classic style, which is reflected in both the architecture and interior design of the spaces. The entrance facade is separated from the house by a driveway, and it is L-shaped. Two solid volumes are connected to each other by another volume that functions as a vestibule. The vestibule is a double-height space that serves as the connection point between the house and its program, facilitated by a sculptural staircase. The layout of the program is quite straightforward; on the ground floor, you’ll find public spaces like the living room, dining area, and kitchen. On the opposite side, also on the ground floor, there’s a lounge area and a covered terrace. These spaces are surrounded by exterior perimeter corridors that link the access driveway with…

In the heart of a urban apartment, a compact living room takes center stage by The Glade Design Studio. What began as a narrow-windowed space has undergone a captivating transformation, spurred by a client’s quest for a jaw-dropping first impression. The decision to replace the window with a TV unit was audacious, and yet, it became the pivotal point around which this evolution revolved. Despite constraints that demanded preservation of wall paint, flooring, curtains, and lighting, the room’s soul was about to be reborn. Enter the masterful joinery – a piece that not only merged seamlessly but became an integral part of the room’s DNA. The unexpected inclusion of an open wine shelf, though initially met with skepticism, ultimately added a touch of finesse, perfectly enhancing the overall aesthetic. This journey embodies the fusion of imagination and design, where every element finds its place, igniting a sense of grandeur within…

When it came to the design of this Southern California home by Jennifer Miller Studio, it was all about respecting—not reinventing—the property. Just a block away from the bustling lower village of Montecito, CA, this 1924 Mediterranean-style estate (called the Butterfly House) had been passed down through one family for three generations before the current owners purchased it. With a focus on scale—opting for a larger living space to accommodate the smaller, European-esque features—they were able to update the home while celebrating its original spirit. The client loves the space because of its casual sophistication.  The design and feel meet their global lifestyle that they live.  They love that when they walk in the door, they are immediately met with comfort and can immediately start enjoying their weekend in Montecito. (via https://ruemag.com/) Photography: James Michael Juarez https://house-diaries.com/mediterranean-touches-in-a-california-home-with-a-guest-house/

The architect and interior designer Marta Chrapka treated her new apartment  as an experiment. It was bought quickly, right after the pandemic, when there was no choice on the market. Until suddenly it appeared! Beautiful, from the 1950s, in Saska Kepa and with a garden. Seemingly great, but actually … it did not meet any of the previous criteria and dreams of the owner. It wasn’t pre-war and looked “made from waste”. At the same time, however, it had a big advantage – a captivating, huge garden. Marta based the idea for this interior on the fact that it was supposed to be practically drowned in greenery. All decisions on changing the functional layout were aimed at creating the effect that greenery appropriates the space with a wide gesture. (via https://www.designalive.pl/) https://house-diaries.com/warsaw-apartment-restoration-of-an-old-warsaw-tenement-house/

This house in Mallorca was designed to express the love of the owners, a couple from Germany and their children, for the southern Mediterranean. They have a particular love of Provence, and fell in love with this house, asking designer Carde Reimerdes of Seawashed Interiors to combine the French spirit with the Mallorcan spirit in this renovated house with its blue decor. The colour of the sea is a common thread running through all the rooms, without becoming heavy or boring. The addition of Mallorca stone, recycled wood, rattan and linen is also key to the successful design and decor of this renovated house with its blue decor. (Source and photos: El Mueble) https://house-diaries.com/palacio-can-marques-an-18th-century-private-residence-turned-into-a-gorgeous-hotel/