Worn interiors, small rooms and lack of light were ruining the potential of this 3,000 sq. ft. apartment on Barcelona’s Avenida Pau Casals in Spain. Due to its elongated shape, the biggest challenge designer Ana Engelhorn faced was bringing natural light into the middle section. By changing the apartment’s internal layout, they were able to create a large, bright apartment with three bedrooms. They increased the master bedroom size and designed a multi-purpose space that includes a bedroom, dressing room, lounge, yoga room and bathroom. Three small rooms were transformed into an airy open-plan kitchen that flows directly into the dining room. When choosing furniture, fixtures and decor, they sourced quality pieces from across Europe. The overall appearance, however, has a decidedly English flair. They decorated each en-suite and the guest bathroom with Drummonds’ utilities and all the artwork is from Spanish artists in Madrid and Arco. The result is…

Edificio Huatusco consisted of renovating and architecturally recycling a 1940’s residential building in total abandon. The building has four different units configured around three courtyards on three levels, each unit has its peculiar layout and distribution. The main challenge for C2D Studio was to bring back this building to life through not only restoration but also redistributing the original layout. Although the building was a residential construction since it was originally built, the current lifestyle demands more flexible undivided spaces with better lighting and features such as exterior spaces like terraces or patios.To maintain the original appearance of the property the architects reclaimed and recycled a large part of the original materials and architectural elements like steel doors and windows, wooden floors or the quarry stone on the façade and details; achieving a contrasting balance by combining classical with more contemporary elements.( Published with Bowerbird.io) Photography : Mau Salas See also…

This optimally planned four-room apartment is located in a bright and quietly located property built in 1913 in a national romantic parade style. The floor captures most of what can be desired by an accommodation from the era, such as large airy living rooms, fantastic sash windows, open kitchen and three bedrooms located towards the quiet courtyard. In addition to this, the floor has two balconies, one facing the street and one facing the courtyard as well as a beautiful bay window in the large kitchen and access to a balcony to the west from the living room. A careful renovation, which has retained the floor’s original details, creates charm and atmosphere tastefully combined with a modern form and function. See also : https://house-diaries.com/fabulous-apartment-renovation-in-stockholm/

This apartment is decorated in a typical Scandinavian neutral color palette with lots of white, grey and natural materials which results in a calm atmosphere. It’s decorated in a very serene way using only white and grey tones combined with light wood giving it such a serene atmosphere. I wouldn’t mind living in such a stylish small home! See also : https://house-diaries.com/stylish-design-with-classic-touches-in-a-small-apartment-in-stockholm/

The concept for this house by Mastrominas ARChitecture is simple. The horizontal concrete slab is in conversation with the ground relief and disappears into it. It submerges into the ground and provides space for functions beneath it.Technology and nature, contradiction and coexistence. Τhe influence of nature covers the slab with natural vegetation, absorbing it, it including it. From above, only a subtle trace is visible. Underneath the slab, in linear arrangement across the view, there are interior and outdoor spaces, with undefined boundaries.The gesture integrates with the water line thus blending with the vast blue on the horizon. See also : https://house-diaries.com/extrovert-house-in-the-suburbs-of-kos-greece/

The Ridge House is situated on the western edge of a 25 acre property on the Blackall Range near Montville, QLD.  This acknowledgment of context and topography was ultimately pursued in the planning of the building and the orientation of internal spaces. The brief called for a large program and a desire for the building to maximise the sites amenity and views whilst reflecting the clients respective cultural aesthetics – the couple being from a rural property in western Queensland and the mountains of Colorado. Sparks Architects gave the solution through two pavilions that slide against each other and one slightly skewed against the other in plan. The materiality of the house is expressed through rammed earth, galvanised sheet metal, hardwood and glass. The composition also allows the brief to be spilt into the primary private needs of the owners and those of guests – connected via the public outdoor…

When you enter this historic townhouse from the 1920s in the village of Esporles, you will enter directly into a charming living room with white walls, exposed beams on the ceiling and with a large fireplace after one of the walls. Behind the living room and through a beautiful vault is a dining room with another fireplace and plenty of space for a large table with plenty of seating. The kitchen is located on the back of the house towards the lush garden. From the kitchen you reach an inviting terrace facing south-west with lots of sun and views of the green surroundings. The village of Esporles is very beautiful, has a well-preserved traditional architectural heritage and a fantastic environment on the southern side of the Tramuntana Mountains and with Palma just within 20 minutes drive. Have a look!!! See also: https://house-diaries.com/a-family-house-in-milos-island-greece/

This house was built by the Ukrainian architect Sergey Makhno for his family. It is located in Kozyn, a village in the suburbs of Kyiv. There, more than 15 years ago, Sergey Makhno began his journey. And then he decided that he would live there.The house is built in contemporary Ukrainian style under the influence of Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi that finds beauty and harmony in imperfections. Being almost completely enclosed by a minimalist concrete fence, its character can be seen with half an eye — a proud thatched roof hangs over the wooden rails on the walls.These materials are traditional for both Ukrainian and Japanese cultures. This house is also home to an impressive collection of contemporary Ukrainian art. Besides, there are famous Kaws and designer art-toys by Sergey Makhno — Dido, made in the ancient Ukrainian tradition of zoomorphic plastics. Photography : Serhii Kadulin |

The conversion and reinvention of a 1950s agricultural steel framed barn to a contemporary and highly sustainable home and fine art and architectural studios and workshops was achieved while retaining the original structure and material and proportional aesthetic. The Company’s client is a fine art restorer who restores and conserves fine art from private collections and galleries. His skills and interests complemented the conservation and protection of a steel frame to provide a home for both him and the art works while they were undergoing conservation. The Thread Studio’s objective was to keep the design work and material specifications as simple as possible, with reduced materials and a refined aesthetic that let the art works sing, and allow those who work with the building space, light and warmth.(Published with Bowerbird.io ) Photography : Nick Dearden ……and the barn before During construction… See also : https://house-diaries.com/canyon-barn-renovation-in-the-usa/