Coates Design in Seattle took on a demanding project: adapting a contemporary family home that was already under construction. Altering an in-progress house poses different challenges than designing from scratch, but the firm found opportunities within the constraints. They revised some interior elements, replaced exterior surfaces and refined the floor plan to open up the … Read more

A mid-century residence designed by Howard R. Barr in the 1950s, the Ridge Oak Residence in Austin, Texas received a thoughtful, contemporary expansion and interior overhaul by the architecture firm Clayton & Little. The renovation preserves the historic street-facing façade while opening the rear of the house to more light, space and modern living. The … Read more

Contemporary Apartment Makeover in Epsom, Sussex Giving an apartment a clear design direction makes every decision that follows simpler and more confident. This bright, polished and slightly eclectic renovation by Slightly Quirky in Epsom, Sussex illustrates that perfectly. The original space felt cluttered and uninspired; the redesign streamlined the interiors around a restrained black-and-white base, … Read more

Dune House — A Sculptural, Sustainable Home on the Dutch Coast Set into the sandy dunes of the Dutch coastline with sweeping views of the North Sea, the Dune House by Marc Koehler Architects is a striking example of architecture shaped by landscape and climate. Its diamond-shaped wooden volume reads like a sculptural object emerging … Read more

This beautifully renovated townhouse in Jackson Heights, New York, demonstrates how a careful interior transformation can refresh a home without altering its historic exterior. Reimagined by Ward 5 Design, the project retains the building’s original street-facing character while creating an open, modern interior that feels bright, welcoming and intelligently organized. A subtle bluish-gray entrance door … Read more

Bright, cheerful colors can instantly lift the mood of a room, and you don’t need to cover every surface to achieve that effect. Yellow is one of those standout shades that brings warmth, elegance and a playful energy to a bedroom. Softer than red or orange and more lively than many blues or greens when … Read more

Adding layers of plants instantly elevates a yard, patio or balcony. Raising greenery to eye level creates privacy, texture and visual interest, and outdoor plant stands are a simple, effective way to do it. Many of the options below work equally well indoors, so you can bring the soothing presence of nature into any room. … Read more

House A: A Contemporary Social Home in Escobar, Buenos Aires Everyone’s idea of a dream home is different. Some prioritize efficient, flexible layouts that make the most of limited space, while others want a sprawling, nature-focused retreat built for relaxation and entertaining. House A in Escobar, Buenos Aires, designed by GMARQ, responds to both priorities … Read more

If you’re used to wide-open floor plans, 1,200 square feet can feel modest. In most urban settings, however, this is a generous footprint for a comfortable apartment, and in the heart of New York City it can even read as a bit of luxury. Nestled in Greenwich Village, this thoughtfully remodeled apartment pairs simplicity and … Read more

Revamping a family home to create more space often takes the form of a rear extension that links the original house with the garden in a cleaner, more contemporary way. That is exactly what Nat’s House achieves in Cammeray, a lively suburb of Sydney. The project replaced a poorly planned, outdated addition with a new, … Read more