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A villa in Leuven, Belgium, has an unusual new roof over its garden extension. Instead of being flat on the underside, the steel structure varies in thickness from about 2 inches to 18 inches (with an 8-inch layer of insulation on top). As the ceiling dips, the floor drops: The living area is four steps below the rest of the room. Fix lights from Lucide hang from above. The Highlands sofa is by Patricia Urquiola.
A villa in Leuven, Belgium, has an unusual new roof over its garden extension. Instead of being flat on the underside, the steel structure varies in thickness from about 2 inches to 18 inches (with an 8-inch layer of insulation on top). As the ceiling dips, the floor drops: The living area is four steps below the rest of the room. Fix lights from Lucide hang from above. The Highlands sofa is by Patricia Urquiola.
Leo flies across the yard on a rope swing (opposite). The oak’s trunk is surrounded by Mexican river stones. Mill Valley, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017
Leo flies across the yard on a rope swing (opposite). The oak’s trunk is surrounded by Mexican river stones. Mill Valley, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017
The home’s cedar siding is untreated, and its zinc roof will “mellow” over time, according to architect Peter Pfau. Mill Valley, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017
The home’s cedar siding is untreated, and its zinc roof will “mellow” over time, according to architect Peter Pfau. Mill Valley, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017
In the kitchen, a tube-type exhaust hood complements the fireplace around the corner. The artwork is by Horace McCullough, the owners' son.
In the kitchen, a tube-type exhaust hood complements the fireplace around the corner. The artwork is by Horace McCullough, the owners' son.
“We wanted to have fun with it,” says Ren of the entry installation. A teal velvet curtain acts as the closet door.
“We wanted to have fun with it,” says Ren of the entry installation. A teal velvet curtain acts as the closet door.
A privacy curtain turns this area into its own room.
A privacy curtain turns this area into its own room.
The new color palette combines a medley of hues, including mustard, mint, rusty orange, and lavender. The bathroom floor, tiled with oversized flowers, is paired with a plaid shower curtain. The client encouraged the firm to stretch here: “I think we originally had something with a bit less color, but she was always pushing us,” says Merrill. “It was so fun.”
The new color palette combines a medley of hues, including mustard, mint, rusty orange, and lavender. The bathroom floor, tiled with oversized flowers, is paired with a plaid shower curtain. The client encouraged the firm to stretch here: “I think we originally had something with a bit less color, but she was always pushing us,” says Merrill. “It was so fun.”
Graham Hill, a sustainability advocate whose TED talks have delved into the benefits of living small, put his own lessons into practice at his 350-square-foot apartment, which he shares with his partner and two dogs. Quick transitions, like drawing the FilzFelt curtain, convert the living space into a bedroom.
Graham Hill, a sustainability advocate whose TED talks have delved into the benefits of living small, put his own lessons into practice at his 350-square-foot apartment, which he shares with his partner and two dogs. Quick transitions, like drawing the FilzFelt curtain, convert the living space into a bedroom.
A chain curtain from Cascade Coil separates the kitchen without interrupting sightlines or sunlight. “When you light the outside brighter than the inside at night, it becomes more opaque,” says Mark. Bulthaup cabinetry joins appliances by Gaggenau and Miele.
A chain curtain from Cascade Coil separates the kitchen without interrupting sightlines or sunlight. “When you light the outside brighter than the inside at night, it becomes more opaque,” says Mark. Bulthaup cabinetry joins appliances by Gaggenau and Miele.
Taking inspiration from train cabins, the guest bed lifts to reveal a bathtub. Garlick made the mechanism using sailboat hardware. The velvet curtain is by Restoration Hardware and the tile is from Stone Tile.
Taking inspiration from train cabins, the guest bed lifts to reveal a bathtub. Garlick made the mechanism using sailboat hardware. The velvet curtain is by Restoration Hardware and the tile is from Stone Tile.
In the living room: the theatrical heavy curtain is made of Grazia and co Feel acoustic drapery. The furnishings are also by Grazia and co and include the HARVEY curved arm sofa, HARVEY armchair and IVY coffee table.
In the living room: the theatrical heavy curtain is made of Grazia and co Feel acoustic drapery. The furnishings are also by Grazia and co and include the HARVEY curved arm sofa, HARVEY armchair and IVY coffee table.
A curtain slides across for privacy.
A curtain slides across for privacy.
Original acrylic screens, which close off the kitchen and line the floor-to-ceiling windows, are a signature design element. “We took almost museum-quality care of them,” says Lee.
Original acrylic screens, which close off the kitchen and line the floor-to-ceiling windows, are a signature design element. “We took almost museum-quality care of them,” says Lee.
In an effort to maximize space, the architects skipped bulky walls, instead utilizing curtains on curved tracks that allow the residents to manipulate the interiors on a whim.
In an effort to maximize space, the architects skipped bulky walls, instead utilizing curtains on curved tracks that allow the residents to manipulate the interiors on a whim.
The open living-and-bedroom area of Ian Hague’s rural retreat can be divided by a wall that rises from within the master-suite platform. Interior designer Elaine Santos blended her client’s collection of vintage furniture with no-fuss pieces like a Shaker-style bench by Ilse Crawford for De La Espada.
The open living-and-bedroom area of Ian Hague’s rural retreat can be divided by a wall that rises from within the master-suite platform. Interior designer Elaine Santos blended her client’s collection of vintage furniture with no-fuss pieces like a Shaker-style bench by Ilse Crawford for De La Espada.
Solar panels create a geometric pattern on the roof of the ADU.
Solar panels create a geometric pattern on the roof of the ADU.
The couple were looking for a second-hand Quilton sofa by Doshi Levian for HAY in grey. When they came across this blue version, however, they realised the color would work perfectly in the apartment. "We are now really in love with it,
The couple were looking for a second-hand Quilton sofa by Doshi Levian for HAY in grey. When they came across this blue version, however, they realised the color would work perfectly in the apartment. "We are now really in love with it,
The yellow upholstery of the banquette seating in the dining nook was inspired by the couple’s recent visit to Neutra VDL Studio and Residences in Los Angeles.
The yellow upholstery of the banquette seating in the dining nook was inspired by the couple’s recent visit to Neutra VDL Studio and Residences in Los Angeles.
“One of the most important elements is the kitchen counter,” says architect Iana Vicq. “We presented a tiled island with a tiled countertop but they wanted something more practical as they cook so often, so we decided to use a Corian countertop.” The high-performance surface cost $5,750.
“One of the most important elements is the kitchen counter,” says architect Iana Vicq. “We presented a tiled island with a tiled countertop but they wanted something more practical as they cook so often, so we decided to use a Corian countertop.” The high-performance surface cost $5,750.
The kitchen almost blends into the background of the home, thanks to the all-over use of plywood across the cabinetry, appliances, and ceiling.
The kitchen almost blends into the background of the home, thanks to the all-over use of plywood across the cabinetry, appliances, and ceiling.
The kitchen is adorned with Fireclay olive-green tile on the backsplash that ties to the green-painted custom millwork of the lower cabinetry.
The kitchen is adorned with Fireclay olive-green tile on the backsplash that ties to the green-painted custom millwork of the lower cabinetry.

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