Modern Home Renovations

Given the homeowners’ request for an open-concept house with a fluid floor plan, Bloomberg first stripped the building down to its basics. Brick walls and a steel structure appeared; both became integral to the design. The architecture was not meant to be wholly decorative – that was the full responsibility of the bold furniture and art.

In the new 2,770-square-foot apartment, original I-beams brace the structure at dramatic angles and collide overhead, and the raw concrete is tempered by blackened steel, white-oak flooring, and bush-hammered Carrara marble—all selected by Willis.

The original home’s dilapidated rear wall was in such poor condition that Roberts called it “an opportunity in disguise.” She removed the wall and built a two-story addition that features double-glazed windows and sliding doors for unified entertaining inside and in the garden.

Edinburgh is full of modest single-story houses like Donal McBreen and Emma Russell's. "There are thousands of similar houses across suburban Edinburgh," says architect Níall Hedderman of Capital A Architecture, "they are hugely popular but their original layout is unsuitable for modern living."

The open and airy courtyard and dining area encourages outdoor living. A custom table made from Andiroba wood and Magis White Air armchairs complete the space.

“I just removed things until I knew an Eames Compact sofa would look right at home," says Nguyen.

The cozy “rumpus room,” a kids playroom that functions as a second living room, looks out onto the courtyard. The space was designed to encourage kids’ creativity, while complementing adult tastes. With the addition of a movable wall, the space can be sectioned off so children can be seen but not heard. Functional and durable white cork flooring completes the child-friendly space.

Several interior walls were removed so light could penetrate the space more fully. Fiberboards made from recycled cardboard and newspaper fibers line the ceilings and floors.

The main living room, located near the front door, features a striking two-story glass garage door that opens the interior spaces to the outdoor dining area. The original house was very dark, so the new plans involved as many windows as possible to break down the barriers between the indoor and outdoor spaces. “Even when [the garage door] is closed, it’s still very bright and helps open the house to the outdoors,” Rice says. “It was basically an easy way to eliminate a wall entirely.”

A far cry from minimalism, the renovated 900-square-foot Paris flat belonging to Nicolas Roche, a scion of the French furniture company Roche Bobois, is decked out with vivid hues and vintage furniture. A 1960s orange lamp by Luxus is suspended over the Warren Platner dining table and chairs. The 1950s rosewood glass cabinet is from Soriano. Pod Lens pendants by Ross Lovegrove for Luceplan hang from the ceiling.

With three sons in the family, the kitchen gets a lot of use. Hee barstools by Hee Welling for Hay slide up to a multi-functioning island where the family gathers to eat, study and play.

Downstairs, century-old subway tile and copper windows keep the new kitchen gritty; it gained a stainless-steel island, new appliances, and a wall of IKEA storage.

Lassen designed all the furniture with the exception of a few items, like the vintage Chairman armchair by Henrik Tengler and white IKEA sofas. “To keep it simple, we only used natural colors from wood inside, with everything else being white,” Lassen says.

With its sloped Douglas fir ceiling, expansive glass, and elm built-ins crafted by Wolf Melian, the upstairs study resembles a Crestwood Hills classic. Case Study sofas that double as guest beds meet the client’s request for convertible space. The rug from Amadi Carpets, pillows sewn from vintage Swedish fabric, and painting by Sylvan Lionni inject red into the earthy palette.

Irit and Zohar imagined a space that would be a cohesive blend of old and new. Stone, metal, glass, and wood intersect in the interior courtyard. Large skylights bring light in, and play upon the indoor-outdoor functionality of the courtyard space.

The bungalow had beautiful bones but some major problems, including a poorly designed addition to the back that had to be removed. In its place, Tribe Studio designed a gray brick box that connects directly to the garden. “The owners love the fact that the extension is compatible with the old part of the house, and is completely different from many renovations of this type, which simply open up the back in a single move,” Tribe says.

In the living room, and throughout the home, recessed "book nooks" are used to provide space-saving storage. The only seating in the room is a sleek black faux leather and steel daybed, fabricated by Montreal-based Surface Jalouse. Walls were removed to cohesively unite the living space and kitchen.

Louvers, jalousies, frits, awnings, and exterior shutters—learn about some of the best-looking and effective ways to achieve a passive solar design in your home.

Linda Hutchins and John Montague hired Works Partnership Architecture to turn a former Portland, Oregon, warehouse and auto repair shop into a versatile live/work space.