An existing private residence is transformed by John Henshaw Architect Inc. into a thoroughly modern home with a restrained yet luxurious contemporary style finishing. The overall design scheme was inspired by the South Pacific resort style favoured by the client, with abundant utilization of natural materials and cool colour palette. The existing home was constructed and finished in the 90’s with excessive use of brass, shiny materials such as glass and stainless steel, and drop ceilings. After numerous discussions with the client, a mini resort was created for living and entertaining. The client is a busy executive with a young family with the need for hospitality and still to be close to the family. The renovation is tailored to suit the client’s exact specifications: to have good public entertaining space while his family can also enjoys a relaxed private life. Existing double height space was eliminated to create more intimate…

Located an hour east of Toronto, The Farm, by Scott Posno Design, occupies a 65-acre site amidst the peaceful green fields of this Southwestern Ontario agricultural region, adjacent to a large conservation forest. It serves as a weekend and vacation home for the client, his grown children, and a variety of friends and family who frequent the tranquil property for relaxation and enjoyment year-round, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Comprised of several buildings and structures spread over the property amidst a plethora of natural landscape features, The Farm aims to engage the history and physical attributes of the site while amplifying a relationship with the outdoors. The materials were selected from a palette which most of the original farmhouses in the area also use. Stone, timber and metal were applied in a way that complimented and defined the contemporary style of the home. Concrete floors and…

This home was originally built in 1939 and designed by Clement J. Ford, an architect known for creating comfortable, modest homes in the Druid Hills and Buckhead neighborhoods of Atlanta, Georgia. After the very first visit to see the house, Square Feet Studio architects did a quick napkin sketch that they developed into an overall design to modernize the interior spaces. They fell in love with the property and the house’s small but gracious bones, its simple fluted trim, interior arches, and built-in bookcases. It was clear that a thoughtful architect had been involved with its inception. But the house needed a full electrical overhaul to get up to current code requirements, plus it was in desperate need of a new kitchen and updated bathrooms. So they purchased the house in 2008 and started a 6-month renovation. They did a subsequent renovation of the attic in 2012, adding a dormer…

Decorated and renovated by Nobo Studio, this Spanish house, built in the 1950’s in El Rocio, adopts a relaxing sand colored natural decoration. Cane, rattan and wood combine for a contemporary style and soften the black of the steel frames. A beautiful mix of textures and materials that make this house with swimming pool a haven of peace under the southern European sun. It is a good example of modernizing an interior with traditional tiles and a fireplace without taking away any of its original decoration.  See also : https://house-diaries.com/a-house-in-lempordacatalonia-spain/

It was important to the client that the renovations be a sympathetic addition to the much-loved style of the original art deco apartment building. The design of the kitchen took particular care to retain the original 1938 wall tiles whilst doing a full kitchen replacement. The new cabinetry conceals all the modern conveniences and appliances in a relatively small galley kitchen. It was important for the kitchen to not feel like a room full of machines. The key to the success of this project by James Allen Architect Studio, was finding a new place for the fridge. This was solved by cutting a hole in the wall and poking the back of the integrated fridge through, borrowing space from the living room. This way precious kitchen bench space was maximised and allowed a new cupboard space for the washer/dryer that was previously in the common basement. The client’s vintage sofa…

Exclusive living in this beautiful 3-layer ground floor apartment with deep backyard in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. This unique house is very tastefully and ingeniously finished with high quality materials under the watchful eye of the interior designer. The high windows at the rear and the stained-glass windows at the front make it a wonderfully light living room and you have a beautiful view from the sofa over the green backyard. Due to the location on the floor you experience a nice feeling of privacy. The ceiling is a modern version of the traditional classic ornamental ceiling of yesteryear, which was specially designed by an artist. See also :https://house-diaries.com/looking-inside-a-dutch-designers-former-house/

A apart-hotel concept by Fare Inc. Studio for those looking for a more design led, urban yet characterful escape in the heart of the city. We’ve divided the internal space with deeply texture critical windows to allow light through and mimic the doors leading to hidden terraces and walk in wardrobes. Ribbed and panelled walls in neutral colours add other subtle textures to the layers of linens throughout the rooms. Other features include vintage, black leather armchairs, a marble dressing nook, a brass, marble and polished concrete en-suite, and a light filled heightened dining area styled with oversize lighting (Published with Bowerbird). Photography : Annie Harrison See also :https://house-diaries.com/a-penthouse-in-madrid/

On a large private lot at the foothills of the Hill Country, this client wanted their house to be ingrained in nature, rather than up on the hill towards the view; what results is a beautiful play fashioned amongst landscape and building – with each one stealing the spotlight from each other around every bend. To achieve greater privacy and to use the superior natural quality of it’s surroundings, Dick Clark & Associates Studio have nestled the house deep into the lot and worked integrally with the Landscape Architect to create a balance in the environmental setting and positioning. The design solution involves a plan orientation that is unorthodox. The rear of the house, with rooms configured around the swimming pool and courtyard terrace, is oriented towards the access road – while the entry to the house is situated towards the rear of the property. A wonderfully challenging project that…

This elegant five-bedroom house with a private south-facing garden can be found on Walsingham Road, a quiet residential street lined with Victorian townhouses. Arranged over three levels, the house has been extensively remodeled to a light and volume-enhancing design and now extends to just over 1,900 sq ft internally. The house’s Victorian interiors have been carefully restored, using a considered palette of neutral colours throughout to chime with raw materials and contemporary interventions. The redesign culminates in an expansive dining room and kitchen extension to the rear that reflects a truly modern approach to living. Photography : The modern house See also :https://house-diaries.com/the-southend-an-elegant-calm-aesthetic-residence-in-herefordshireuk/

On a large villa plot there is a beautiful villa from 1898 containing several exquisite homes, of which this floor is found on the entrance level and is reached via the villa’s magnificent main entrance. This unique accommodation on two levels boasts a dining room and living room in a row with a terrace facing the lush garden and pool area. Crossing the threshold, you find yourself in an unexpected and moody space, decorated in dark colors and with an abundance of interesting decor. Spacious rooms, moldings on the walls, several fireplaces and bright eclectic posters and paintings. The exclusive bathroom in Carrara marble was renovated in 2017…. See also :https://house-diaries.com/youth-house-in-exclusive-patricier-villa-in-1910/

The Mayfair was conceived as a collaboration between client and Megowan Architectural Studio over a 6 year period. Keeping with the architectural traditions of Toorak and South Yarra, the architecture looks forward while also looking back. Formally and spatially, the design reflects the intersection of classic forms with modern luxury. In terms of organization, the first two floors are divided to create two street/north facing residences and two park/reserve facing residences. The penthouse benefits from the best of both worlds. The ground floor residences are connected to large gardens and terraces and the penthouse is connected to the sky. The top two floors enjoy views of a leafy canopied foreground with the CBD skyline as the backdrop. Large terraces, high ceilings, numerous rooflights, carefully selected moments of symmetry, expansive views to the city skyline and Fairbairn Reserve and Brookville Gardens, Extensive stone throughout, virtually seamless connections between inside and out,…