This project by L G Arquitectos in Valle de Bravo, México, is made from an existent house, modifying its architecture –façade, interior and exterior space– obtaining a complete renovation.The base elements are composed by the combination of natural wood with rustic finishing, combined with metals such as brass and bronze. Through the impressive entrance door, we find ourselves in the lobby with high ceilings leading to a grand corridor decorated with vertical furniture in solid parota wood and bronze details. This corridor divides the interior areas and leads to the terrace with a beautiful view of the lake in the distance. See also :https://house-diaries.com/valley-house-a-residence-with-complete-respect-to-endemic-surroundings-in-mexico/

Working in quite demanding industries, Taylor Knights’s clients ultimately wanted to create a calm and comfortable space to retreat within. Also essential to the brief was to create moments of privacy and seclusion within the open plan. In response, the architect’s strategy was to arrange these spaces in and around three sculptural masonry walls, curating view lines across the space and creating nooks and reveals within the open plan of the addition – spaces that could offer a place to sit and share with family, or to withdraw to at other times to read a book by the garden window.For the client, creating a space that would also accommodate their diverse collection of artwork and literature was also an essential part of their brief – a family favourite being the much-loved print of Kandinsky’s ‘Upward (Empor)’, 1929. This offered an opportunity for the architect to draw upon some of the…

This old barn, which now adjoins a second home, had lost all use and threatened to ruin. Wanting to save her from imminent loss, the owner came up with the idea of ​​making it a home for his children: a place of gathering and celebration. The Firm Studio was keen to preserve the vernacular architectural qualities of the original building. The initial structure has therefore been fully recovered. Each piece of hemlock in the facing and the structure was numbered to be then reinstalled: it is this framework that guided the organization of the space.The floor that once housed the livestock has become the main living level. It offers residents different degrees of privacy thanks to its multiple areas: open, half-open and closed. But above all, its 30 feet in height make it a space that breathes and connects majestically with the natural setting.It must be said that the site,…

When Eilidh and Roddy went to visit Loader Monteith Studio about their project, they’d done their research. Armed with a series of evocative images that spoke of warmth and material tactility, they knew what they wanted to achieve.Their existing ground floor flat had its kitchen located in a single storey projection into the garden to the rear. It felt uncomfortable, disconnected from the rest of the property in a surprisingly dark room. The dining room – a well proportioned space with a classic high ceiling and ornate cornicing – was little more than a thoroughfare to the kitchen, and the convoluted route to the hall via the lobby exacerbated this further. So the plan was to create a space suited to living, with the kitchen being the heart and soul of the home.The kitchen was pulled towards the centre of the flat, into the former dining room, with a door…

Within one of Potts Point’s (sydney) older style heritage buildings, this Apartment Fitout was created by Brooke Aitken Design Studio for an Australian lawyer and her Italian partner with much inspiration coming from Italian living. Her brother built the apartment and at completion they moved in with new twin children. This photoshoot has occurred 11 years later but the apartment still feels new. Their client works primarily from home so it needed to feel like a calm sanctuary with a number of separated spaces whilst also being a home to raise two young children within. Period details in the original apartment were retained, such as the bathroom door and all other doors were designed to relate to this period. ( Published with Bowerbird.io ). Photography : Ryan Linnegar See also :https://house-diaries.com/pot-points-apartment-refreshing-historic-nature-of-a-heritage-listed-building/

A grade II listed building within the Kensington Square Conservation Area, this commercial office was converted by Stamos Yeoh Architects, in collaboration with Irena Sedashev Prestige Co design studio, into a single family home.  The proposal has been specifically designed and considered to restore, renovate and replace missing architectural features/detail thereby significantly improving the quality and character of this historic building. The house itself is a tasteful blend between period features & new interventions. The project is considered one of its kind since it features the last full basement extension within the area before limits were introduced. The basement houses a unique leisure space including sauna, gym and wine store, all accessed by a one-off full glass staircase entirely cantilevered at one side from a structural wall.Moreover, the garden basement excavation incorporates a projecting garden window for natural daylight ingress within the plant room.(Published with Bowerbird.io) Photography : Marek Sikora…

The design by CHROFI Architects in collaboration with Triibe Interiors, responds to a steep one directional Western facing site overlooking Sydney’s Pittwater. A large sunken courtyard is cut into the escarpment at the rear of the dwelling, providing a meditative and calming outlook from adjoining spaces, a juxtaposition to the site’s expansive and sometimes extreme primary aspect. Transparency within the dwelling’s core provides an interconnectivity between these contrasting edges allowing the habitants to experience an ever-changing quality of light and atmosphere, whilst connecting to the landscape. (Published with Bowerbird.io) Photography : Katherine Lu See also : https://house-diaries.com/two-sheds-a-hub-for-landscape-rejuvenation-and-shared-family-experiences/

Living in an apartment building more than a hundred years old, on the one hand it values ​​authentic details and the dignified history of the house, on the other hand it combines it with modern trends. The result is a modern yet timelessly luxurious home! The highlight of the flat is the small home office for work. It is separated from the rest of the living by the spectacular black metal frame glazing, which adds a slightly fresher and more modern feel to the timeless finish. I also adored the mural on the hall wall.Brilliant idea if you want to transform a usually dull part of the house to a piece of art… Enjoy it !!!! See also :https://house-diaries.com/fabulous-apartment-renovation-in-stockholm/

From the side of the canal, this building in the center of Amsterdam looks restrained and prim, which certainly cannot be said about the apartment located in it.The apartment is situated on the ground floor of the stately apartment building “van Raey”. The building was built in 1672. However, in 1930 when the “Hollandsche Koopmansbank” established itself here, the entire building and the foundation was rebuilt, only the facade was still standing at the time. The beautifully landscaped courtyard contributes to the luxurious appearance of this unique double downstairs house! The three floors of the apartments cover an area of ​​208 sq. meters. The living room became the brightest – both literally and figuratively – space. Not only the walls are painted yellow, but also the ceiling and even the fireplace, and the mirror between the two huge windows makes the room almost endless. Plants, golden palms and animal prints create a tropical or…

This captivating, gated compound is a treasured sanctuary that’s been passed between Hollywood celebs with good reason. The home was designed in 1933 by noted architect Ralph S. Loring—whose period-revival style homes and apartment complexes can be found sprinkled throughout Hollywood, the Fairfax District, and Mid-Wilshire. The primary residence shows off Loring’s vision, as the home is quite unique for the period – every room opens to the outdoors and there is storage space galore. This chic home once owned by actor and New Girl star Zooey Deschanel is now up for grabs in Los Angeles. Over the years, it has attracted multiple celeb residences, with actor Mark Ruffalo owning it from 2004 to 2009, then passing the keys to Deschanel. Enjoy the tour!!!! See also : https://house-diaries.com/tantalizing-modern-tudor-chateau-in-eagle-rock-la/

Bretorp Farm is located in a living landscape, surrounded by forests and meadows, winding gravel roads, fields and small lakes. Here there is peace, quiet and freedom. The farm is located as a separate place on earth in an undisturbed location and on a small hill with a cozy and natural garden. The property dates back to the 17th century and was originally a crown croft under Gripsholm Castle. Today it is a beloved home for a family that has built up and cared for it tenderly for almost 30 years. During these years, the farm has functioned both as a summer place and permanent residence. In addition to the major renovations and extensions, the buildings have been continuously maintained over the years. Everything has been done with a loving hand and respect for the origin. This is the home of genuine materials and recycling, created with the right feeling that not everyone is privileged to have and that…