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Pozner credits Borowski with the idea to use a roller shade, purchased at the Shade Store, to close off the sleeping loft. The simple intervention, neither sound- nor lightproof, is sufficient to demarcate one “room” from another.

“Try to group uses and find solutions that solve multiple problems,” Borowski counsels. As an example, Pozner cites the idea of having the loft stairs double as clothing drawers. Though he eschewed a handrail, preferring a cleaner look, Pozner says that the slipperiness of the stairs “remains a work in progress. We had grooves, but they hurt my feet.” The pair are now looking into heavy-duty felt treads.

“The most important thing to do in a small space is exploratory demolition,” Pozner says. “We found all that height in the bathroom ceiling. There are giant cabinets above the bed—we found all that space. This facilitated architect Darrick Borowski’s small-space rallying cry: “Built-ins, built-ins, built-ins!”

Exploratory demolition revealed enough space in the kitchen for an Asko washer-dryer and a full-size refrigerator.

Of the seven steps in Michael Pozner’s not-quite-500-square-foot aerie in Greenwich Village, five contain drawers. His small set of table and chairs is from CB2.

Built-in cabinetry beneath the staircase provides extra storage space for the 1,024-square-foot home.

Built-in shelving under the stairs to the mezzanine level provides the resident with extra storage.

The couple packed storage around the stairs, with cabinets underneath and shelves lining the tread.

The couple's daughter reads in the cozy nook just inside the front door painted in a vibrant blue from Benjamin Moore. Of the storage area below, Fredrik says, "In Sweden, there's always a place to sit and take off your shoes. This is a version of that."

The stairs are one of the best parts of the renovation and were assembled on-site, stretching from basement to the top floor.

With a minimal and understated look, this floating staircase and landing design evokes a less-is-more philosophy and architectural style. Architect Carlo Gaspari converted a former knife-making workshop in Abruzzo, Italy, into a sophisticated residential property. The design pays homage to the home’s name—Casa del Ferro (the Iron House)—by using iron within the interior design, such as the staircase.

At the end of the long hallway, a staircase leads up to a second story at the back of the home.

Farnley Hey’s heart is a large, double-height living area, dubbed "the dance floor

"There aren’t many row houses that treat vertical circulation and the relationship between public and private spaces the same way as [this house]," Shane says. White oak treads and a painted steel handrail make up the home's signature staircase.

The cherry cabinetry throughout, including the kitchen island with the exposed corner, “echoes” the post-and-beam architecture, says Wang.

The fireplace now has a tile-covered hearth—the tile is La Pietra Compattata Cromie Bianco—that people can sit on.

Jason and Laura Miller-Smith tapped Cover Architecture and EEK Studio to update their Buff and Hensman midcentury home with custom casework, ribbed glass, and a grand fireplace while staying true to the original plans.

In the bathroom, large tiles and a freestanding tub create a soothing spa-like feel.

A simple monochrome palette fits the homeowners’ minimalist aesthetic and echoes the charred cladding of the exterior. The dramatic roof pitch makes the space feel airy and light.