"Beauty," Olafur Eliasson, 1993. In this work, a spotlight shines through a layer of mist to create a rainbow that's only visible from certain angles.

A sexy new material takes the place of traditional siding.

When JAC Interiors was commissioned to revive an old 1,200-square-foot Hollywood home, the clients—a young couple who the designers call "fun and quirky"—requested the firm find a way to transform the space with as little construction as possible. The fireplace is a custom-made, three-dimensional feature that stands in stark contrast to the soft woods and white walls that make up the rest of the room.

The cavernous living room takes advantage of its height with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

Pork Chop, the dog, has plenty of comfortable places to nap between meals.

1993, Pierluigi Cerri.

In the kitchen, Dedo stools by Simone Simonelli for Miniforms pull underneath a poured-in-place concrete countertop.

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German designer Maximilian Schmahl created the DIY beacon while considering the philosophy behind his new fifti-fifti label, making a equal connection between the object and the customer. “I wanted to make a product you can customize, something that gives you joy while using it, a vibrant product,” he said. “I started to experimenting with perforated paper and it was just perfect to design a lamp with it. The owner can decide for him or herself where the light comes through the shade.”

Ravana vanquished and order restored, Rama and Sita take their place as king and queen.

Marcia takes in the view.

Take-Off Light These flat-packed, laser-stitched lamp shade invites endless customizations.

Rendering of the different pieces of the lamp.

Linen Place Mat From festive gatherings to everyday breakfasts, the Linen Placemat adds warmth and style to any meal. Made from durable and machine washable 100% linen, the Linen Placemat from Fog Linen Work will become softer with each use making it ideally suited for everyday dining rituals and special occasions.

The original leather sofa introduces an additional texture to the living room, and loud wallpaper brings a splash of visual interest. JAC also incorporated a new loft railing and ladder to climb to the next level.

The bedroom takes up the small second floor of the house.

A well-placed writing desk takes advantage of the view.

Eric Schneider and Michael Chen take in the space-efficient renovation.

A photo of Verner Panton from 1993. © Panton Design, Basel

The table’s base, which itself is an additional storage container, rolls easily into place to support the surface.

The great room takes shape.

The home created by Patternity, the design duo comprised of Anna Murray and Grace Winteringham, plays with geometric shapes.

The collection of essays places the foundation in context with historical ways of organizing knowledge while anticipating new methods and systems for handling information.

Crawford's design incorporates various audio-visual elements. "We had two projections on loop," she says. "One is a film of all the daily actions and rituals that take place in any home throughout the course of a day. The second is a stop motion slideshow of all the objects and 'things' we touch and interact with in the course of a day. These run to a soundtrack that captures the sound of home, and are offset by a fragrance we have developed with London-based fragrance expert Azzi Glasser. We wanted to capture the smell of an old sofa, aging wooden floorboards, and extension cables."

Placed Places by William Wegman

KANVA designed this addition to an existing warehouse in Montreal's industrial east end as the headquarters for a mid-sized landscaping firm. Transparent and opaque elements intermingle to create an open space reminiscent of a greenhouse.

"We wanted to create a sensory installation that engages visitors with sight, sound, smell and touch," Crawford says. "The hope is that people will connect to these and be triggered to think about their own experience and the concept of home."

The Studioilse installation by Ilse Crawford is a multisensory experience showcasing the "layers of life" within somebody's home.

Place Saint Sulpice in Paris.

The home contains a trio of kaleidoscopes that create optical illusions.

Opening in September of 2012, The South Place is the first hotel project by restaurateurs D&D London who nestled this new 80-room Design Hotel on the extremities of Shoreditch, making it a go-to for well-heeled creatives and their bespectacled cohorts. Conran and Partners peppered the bright rooms with macro houndstooth loungers, craft gin stocked minibars, and glass-sided tubs—a daring and sexy take on the ubiquitous clawfoot. Rooms from $299.

MU Flatware Place Setting, $90 at the Dwell Store Created by award-winning Japanese architect and designer Toyo Ito for Alessi, this distinctive cutlery set draws on the tactile sensation and minimalist look of chopsticks.

Another place for locals to go is Federation Square, a public gathering place.

Vitra Fire Station, Weil am Rhein, Germany, 1993

Some of the best scenes in the film take place behind the Iron Curtain, particularly a cafe scene in Hungary.

Large windows with stark black trim welcome plenty of natural light into the space.