This project by Renato D’Ettorre Architects involved the restoration and modification of a heritage-listed three storey Italianate-style c1890’s terrace house and 1860’s sandstone stable in inner Sydney. The concept was to translate the 1990’s office fit-out into a modern-day residence preserving the historic style of the building while inserting a brave and very contemporary atmosphere inside. The substantial alterations & additions project comprised four components: the three-storey terrace house for the family, the historic sandstone stables converted into guest quarters to eventually accommodate ageing parents, restoration of rear stone fences and a new concrete carport with landscaped roof terrace and swimming pool. The building’s main historical features such as ornate marble fireplaces, main staircase, and entry glass panelled door and side lights were brought back to life contributing to the beauty of the new residence. Materials favoured where salvaged bricks, terracotta tiles, white Carrara marble and white stuccoed walls. (Publishe…

This elegant three-bedroom maisonette designed by Rachel Chudley , with private courtyard garden, is arranged over three dramatic levels within a Grade II-listed townhouse, with expansive living spaces, soaring ceilings and almost 2,400 sq ft of internal space. It occupies a central position on an historic terrace overlooking the verdant foliage of Mecklenburgh Square Garden. French windows open to a Juliette balcony offering views over the courtyard garden and through Crittall doors to the study. Photography : The modern House See also :https://house-diaries.com/the-old-school-house-with-a-lovely-garden/

Santos apartment was undertaken for a young art collector couple in their late 20’s. They requested a timeless, elegant and serene home. The 1950’s apartment is located in the trendy neighborhood of Jardins, São Paulo. The renewal of it’s 120sqm was designed to integrate the living space fully, while clearly defining three different functions: kitchen, living room and home office, whose rhythm is given by a thoughtful sequence of volumes and voids. The curation of materials is very precise to reinforce both the cohesive identity and the fact that no detail was left unchecked. Door handles, switches, faucets, and even windows, were entirely designed by Atelier PECLAT+CHOW and produced locally. Not as neutral as one might think at first sight, the apartment shelters a curated selection of modern Brazilian pieces, such as Zanini ́s and Hauner ́s armchairs, together with international icons, anonymous articles, and a few art pieces. Further emphasizing the…

Annaliesse Kelly Design is a full-service interior design firm, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, that specializes in luxury residential homes, boutique commercial locations, and bespoke design projects such as event spaces. They offer custom packages and will work with you to create a plan that works for your project and budget. Their extensive experience in residential interior design will ensure your vision becomes a reality. In New West Project the designer embraced a timeless palette and effortless functionality. They designed a white-on-white concept, pulling in natural elements to complement the beautiful space around and added pops of colour for a playful tone. (Published with Bowerbird). Photography : Janis Nicolay See also :https://house-diaries.com/elegant-contemporary-design-by-photographer-aristea-rizakos/

Located in a small beachfront community in South Africa, Project La Belle Vue was a creative design collaboration between Bomax Architects, headed up by Dion Walters, and OKHA Interiors. The house was to provide a place of sanctuary and repose from the fast paced life of this international executive. From its elevated position, the house has spectacular views of both mountain and ocean which are visible from every aspect of the house. There are extensive balconies and terraces both at the front and back of the house and large windows frame the mountain and sea views from the interior – a key design element attributed to Bomax Architects. The project was an extensive alteration of an introverted building that now literally unzips across the entire front façade allowing direct access from the dining, living, entertainment and master bedroom to the exterior on both levels. The house breathes the sea air…

This Manhattan apartment was purchased by a Hong Kong family to serve as a luxurious pied a terre. They have always been in love with Central Park and wanted Jasmine Lam Design Studio to design a home that embodies a contemporary, elegant, and calm experience that allows them to enjoy the panoramic views of the park and beyond. Large black-stained raked oak portals frame each section of the home, defining each area as its own distinctive function. His and Hers Dressing Rooms and an enormous library wall were built out of cerused walnut and embedded LED lighting. At the Entry Foyer, Jasmine selected a handmade Japanese washi wallcovering and custom designed hand-forged decorative metal screens to add texture and a play on light and shadows. The cream and black color palette was selected in order to highlight these architectural features. When the 15’ wide pockets doors are pulled open at…

This apartment, located on the fifth floor of a pre-revolutionary period (the early 20th century) apartment building in the heart of Kyiv, was designed by Emil Dervish for his friend Marc Raymond Wilkins. The owner of the apartment is a talented film director who previously lived in New York and Berlin but decided to move to Reytarska, the most beautiful street in Kyiv. The apartment features high ceilings (3.7m) and unusual shape. The name of the apartment Birdsnest is explained by the fact that it is located on the top floor in a tower with a cone-shaped roof. The finishing of the apartment focuses on a creating a cozy atmosphere − warm wood textures, ivory plaster walls, and ceiling made of old concrete blocks, brass elements. The pieces of furniture and such details as window and door handles were specially designed for this project, sofa and armchairs were transported from Berlin. The kitchen…

Belgian interior designer Nathalie Goris renovated an apartment in a busy street in the heart of London into a unique white minimalist space filled with books, art objects and abundance of light.The apartment is located in a busy street in the heart of London. An overwhelming sense of peace prevails when entering the secret Japanese garden; the entrance to the apartment. It is one big space with huge windows front and back, which provides all places with an abundancy of light. Although everything is painted white, the cladded walls in the living area, kitchen, office space and bedroom give the space a more warmly feel. Bathroom and washroom are covered in a cement based waterproof cladding. The floors in both bathrooms are covered with cement tiles that were recovered from an old home. The old oak floors were reused from a big country house. Most of the furniture was found in antiques shops. Except for the made-by-measure sofa…

Stretched across a ridge near Orange, NSW, sits a stunning new modular home by Modscape that follows the lay of the land and sited to enjoy dramatic views across the valley towards Mount Canobolas. The 190-hectare working farm is pastoral and tranquil. Owing to the site’s location, the Sydney-based clients engaged Modscape to conduct the construction offsite in a controlled factory environment to eliminate potential weather delays and erase the task of coordinating multiple trades – difficult in a rural setting that’s close to four hours’ drive from their permanent residence. Through the design phase Modscape developed and refined the initial concept sketches to create a beautiful 3-bedroom/2-bathroom home that’s very efficient from a modular point of view – the 225sqm home utilises just three modules. Externally, the house is clad in vertical Silvertop Ash timber which will silver off and blend into the surroundings. Apart from small glimpses into…

It was in the charming neighborhood of Graça, one of the most traditional of the capital of Bahia,Salvador, that Rebeca found a home that, with brighting eyes, swears that will always be hers. Born and raised in Feira de Santana, the largest interior city of the northeast region of Brazil, she felt the need to move to Salvador for professional and personal reasons. Despite not lacking options of new developments, what interested the young lawyer was an apartment from the seventies, inserted in an 8 floors building with just one apartment of 230 square meters for each floor, located in a residential street, a few meters far from the Rua Euclydes da Cunha, the main commercial street of the neighborhood, and close to several cultural points. The architectural work of renovation and transformation of the space was given to Studio Kyze, led by the young and well succeeded Bahian architect…

This superb Grade II-listed four-bedroom house is set within beautifully landscaped private gardens in the sought-after Cotswold village of Mickleton. A former school building, the house was the subject of a complete renovation and restoration, enhancing the natural light and entire spatial experience across the single-storey lateral living space of approximately 2,200 sq ft. Ceilings soar to double-height, intersected with thick oak beams, and the charming patina of exposed red-brick walls adding great character. Exceptionally well-maintained gardens at the front of the house provide privacy and a wonderful introduction. Flashes of hydrangea limelight are partnered with neat parterre box and ornate topiary. Lines of scented lavender are raised in beds built of honey-coloured Cotswold stone, with a timber-decked terrace positioned opposite. A prolific purple wisteria forms a scented canopy across the timber-framed pergola in one corner; a wonderfully secluded position for eating outside in warmer months. Photography : The modern…