Living

Protected by an overhang, and floating above ground level, this tertiary space is known in traditional homes as the "engawa." To sustain a unified look throughout, the floor and ceiling are clad in ipe wood.

A 20-foot glass wall, ample sunshine, and an enviable collection of furnishings help this well-appointed living room carry on in Haifa’s great modernist tradition.

The centerpiece of the addition is a new anthracite “iron lace” staircase, which was loosely inspired by wooden circle motifs found in the house’s original entryway.

The living room is situated across the courtyard from the kitchen and dining room. Actus’ Graham sofa and beige carpet provide soft textural touches. The wall console was designed by Apollo Architects and Associates and created for the site by Zousakukagu.

The building was built in 1910. "It’s a pretty raw space with rough exposed brick, barrel vaulted ceilings, original hardwoods, and exposed ducting," Greenawalt says. "We tried to use industrial materials—stainless steel, perforated steel, brick—in a more refined way for the kitchen."

The 1920s building was converted into lofts in 2000. The client started out looking for new cabinet hardware and an improved connection between the laundry room and the guest bath, but ultimately decided to work with the firms on a full overhaul.

Structural changes were immediately made to the original shell to bring in more natural light. The small windows on the front façade were dramatically replaced with a folding window assembly that stretches the entire width of the room. Skylights were cleverly added slightly beneath the peak pitch of the roof to funnel light towards the mezzanine, while still illuminating the main floor below. Warm, rich iroko wood spans the ceiling and wall, and also extends to the seating bench beneath the window.

The theme of casual living is reinforced with plush, oversized couches designed by the architect. Like the versatile workstation, they play multiple roles by incorporating beautiful walnut shelving into their construction.

The horizontal strip window in the combined living and dining room frames the wooded mountain range and valley, transforming the home’s interior with the changing seasons. It also saved money during the construction process, as the minimal glazing cost a lot less than floor-to-ceiling windows. “It lets you enjoy the spectacular views without breaking the bank,” Dworkind says.

A crucial aspect you’ll learn about throughout the process is the energy efficiency that will come with your new selection. The range of operating styles and material types offered by Milgard makes it possible to meet Energy Star® requirements, no matter where you’re located. If you’re determined to meet specific performance goals but not sure how to make it happen, their Energy Calculator can help you figure out what choices would be best for you.

The warped wooden wall backing the living room not only visually counterbalances the coldness of the steel and glass, but also reduces reverbation throughout the entire loft.

This open-concept Amsterdam loft features soaring 15-foot ceilings, an Eames lounge chair and ottoman, and a Jielde light. Throughout the home, Standard Studio architects Wouter Slot and Jurjen van Hulzen favored raw materials, including concrete, oiled oak, and hot-rolled steel, all of which complemented the original space's industrial feel. Tucked smartly underneath the loft, a compact home office features functional built-in shelving and an Eames DSR chair.

The bird makes an appearance in the Eames living room.

Designer Paola Navone transformed a 200-year-old factory in Umbria into an inviting home for Andrea Falkner-Campi and her husband. Once a tobacco-drying plant, and before that a silkworm farm, the home sits 90 miles north of Rome.

The interior dry walls are made of layered spruce plywood panels, rubbed with transparent oil. The ceiling is concrete.

A Hans Wegner Shell chair by Carl Hansen & Søn outfits the living room, which is defined by a steel beam painted sharp red.

The living room opens to the backyard thanks to a large sliding glass door.