Have you ever thought about the various functions of a window? They don’t have to serve all functions, but the one(s) they do serve should be intentional. Light, Air, Views, Connection to Nature…as long as this is well considered, we find the rest of the design will fall easily into place. That was the motivating factor behind this single-family residential renovation and addition. An existing modified Cape Cod, typical of the area, had loads of charm but a 1980s post-modern addition made it disjointed and less-than functional for this modern family. Through a full interior renovation by Cedar Architecture Studio, plus the addition of an entry vestibule and a primary bathroom, the house underwent a transformation from quaint to post-modern to a disctifusion of its history. The goal was to create a feeling of inner expansiveness without reducing privacy in this urban neighborhood. And to let there be light. Photography…

Original architecture is allowed to shine in the clean and minimal space of this converted coach house. This 3-bedroom house was updated by Derek Barrett, to create a calm and light environment for a family who love food, art and music. With this in mind, the kitchen was planned with great care around how they cook and eat together. The dining space is purposefully simple and flexible, to allow change over time. Throughout, bespoke joinery and furniture add a personal touch. Different textures compliment the space. Subtle crafted details, like a bespoke door handle or a bevelled edge, express a sense of quality. Interior Designer : Sandra Flashman Photography : Anna Stathaki See also : https://house-diaries.com/casa-olivar-spatial-continuity-and-a-warm-minimalism-in-a-house-in-madrid/

Replacing the old family cottage, this new build by U31, was fashioned to reflect the couples’ changing needs. Set in the tranquility of Lake Couchiching, the low-slung architectural form with its intersecting roof pitches and expansive glazing, provided the perfect starting point to create something modern and warm with a playfulness well suited to its owners. Designed as a primary residence, as well as a captivating get-away destination for family and friends, the restrained detailing in the form of walnut slatted partitions, wood clad ceilings and the clean white envelope, all provide a nod to the architect’s vision and allowed us to animate the spaces with eclectic combinations of colours, textures and personal artifacts which speak to the client’s unpretentious passion for a life well lived. Photography : Gillian Jackson See also : https://house-diaries.com/lake-house-transforming-an-unusual-summer-dacha-near-potsdam/

The idea of living in harmony with nature is something people often aspire to.An old building surrounded by the green hills with an ancient olive tree grove has undergone a renovation by DID Studio, in order to host the work of a non-profit organization.The client is indeed the founding member of a social utility association that support cultural activities connected in contact with nature, self awareness and personal care paths in a bucolic context.To renew an old building trying to respect the original character of it was the main challenge of this project. In fact the specific location of the house, that ensures a fascinating view, is barely reachable by motor vehicles and made the organization of the site very difficult.It was necessary to analyze how, originally, the locals had managed to build with very little transportations: the solution to realize the renovation came precisely from this analysis.The strategy was…

Sitting on 5 acres of beautifully maintained land, Lower Farm is a stunning, Grade II listed building in Surrey. The main house, cottage and pool house cover 5700 square feet. The grounds, redolent of a quintessential English country garden, comprise wide stretches of lawn dotted with mature trees, manicured hedges, a kitchen garden, pond, field and children’s play area. With a 17th century core and an 18th century front elevation, which was restored in 1907, the house had undergone various extensions over the last 75 years. Ana Engelhorn ‘s client bought the property from a family who had lived there for 20 years and, while they were generally happy with the layout, as new owners they wanted to adapt certain aspects to their style of living. So, in addition to some structural changes, and creating a fresh, perfectly imperfect interior design incorporating the client’s existing furniture and artwork, the house…

Behind the Las Perelli design studio, there are two sisters, Elena and Beatriz. Both are passionate about generating space with an identity that requires much more than simple furnishing. The Madrid-based studio therefore engages in personal projects that also include architecture, landscape architecture or lighting. Their style is based on the use of natural materials and unique objects, respecting their different characteristics and using light as a key element. Photography : Las Perelli Studio See also : https://house-diaries.com/a-16th-century-farmhouse-in-the-catalan-countryside/?fbclid=IwAR21vMQfo8LKmq_vH7JCn3qvSgluubAd9pgUGoVdyExJ4Ko90o1O2f04T28

This linear cabin, by Ment Architecture LLC stretches out along the length of a site that overlooks a reservoir in southwest Washington. Views of Mt. St. Helens beyond and the lake below get better as one approaches the cliff. A shed roof allows for a vast array of solar panels for this off-grid cabin, which power the main cabin, a custom-designed sauna building, and a garage for the family boat. A warm interior palette is defined by exposed Douglas fir glulam beams and tongue and groove decking at the ceiling, along with warm wood floors and exterior charred wood cladding wrapping through to the interior.The result is a dynamic series of spaces that communicate to the exterior and allow the owners to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The cabin sits behind a 35 foot buffer zone between the building and the edge of a cliff that…

Avenue Design Studio is one of the best interior design studios in The Netherlands. And recently they have finished another project: a former ballet school turned elegant townhouse in The Hague. This historical residence was renovated in its entirety and brought slowly and lovingly back to life for the studio’s British expat clients, in collaboration with build team Euroconstruct and Foam Architects. (via https://www.thenordroom.com/) See also : https://house-diaries.com/a-stunning-barn-style-country-home-in-netherlands/

This five bedroom brownstone underwent an extensive renovation by McGrath II, Interior Design Studio, to bring it up to today’s standards, including adding to the back of the house to accommodate a larger kitchen and dining area. The family who calls this place home requested a design that is layered, cheerful, warm, and collected. A healthy dose of pattern and rich colors were devised to evoke the English country style homes the couple had always admired. In the living room an antique Sultanabad rug introduces the blue, red, and green color story that weaves its way throughout the house. The newly updated kitchen was designed with a crisp black and white palette, inspired by hand painted ceramic tiles from Morocco. (via Pufikhomes.com) Photography : Joshua McHugh See also : https://house-diaries.com/moffat-townhouse-restoration-of-a-late-19th-century-townhouse-in-brooklyns-bushwick/

An Architect-turned-sculptor Client, and an Architect with a penchant for art, approach the renovation of a Victorian terrace house in the heart of Fitzroy as artists might approach their work. Together they have wrapped, carved out, inserted, framed, coloured, decorated and lit the project as an artist might. The collaboration between Architect and our Architect-turned-sculptor Client resulted in a sculptural piece of architecture and interior design. The materials are predominantly modest – most of the joinery is laminate, most of the tiles were inexpensive, we used plastic sheet for the balustrade and nook screen, and the Baltic pine floors were kept where possible. The effect is achieved by the design approach, clever compositions of textures colours and light, and thoughtful details. Project Team : Hindley & Co Photography : Tatjana Plitt See also : https://house-diaries.com/art-pop-reinventing-a-mid-century-project-into-a-series-of-balances-between-colour-material-and-character/