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While the home’s simple, boxy forms starkly contrast with surrounding residences, its compact shape and modest scale help it fit into the traditional neighborhood without calling attention to itself. The house was built around a large birch tree, with dwarf fountain grass and porcupine grass planted in front. A weeping blue atlas cedar provides a focal point near the front door.
While the home’s simple, boxy forms starkly contrast with surrounding residences, its compact shape and modest scale help it fit into the traditional neighborhood without calling attention to itself. The house was built around a large birch tree, with dwarf fountain grass and porcupine grass planted in front. A weeping blue atlas cedar provides a focal point near the front door.
Pacek and Roynon peeled away wallpaper to reveal layers of old paint that serendipitously complemented the color scheme of their new kitchen, and used a circular frame to preserve a section of it. The matte-chrome handles and pulls are by Mockett.
Pacek and Roynon peeled away wallpaper to reveal layers of old paint that serendipitously complemented the color scheme of their new kitchen, and used a circular frame to preserve a section of it. The matte-chrome handles and pulls are by Mockett.
Pavers and succulents in a yard in Malibu, California, help save water.
Pavers and succulents in a yard in Malibu, California, help save water.
Maira wallpaper from the 70s adorns the guest bathroom. When they knocked down several interior walls, Sawatzky and Flanders were left with tons of lath—the thin, irregular strips of softwood that provided the base for wall plaster. With the help of a demolition contractor, they sorted out the cleanest pieces to reuse. The couple clad the box on the second floor that contains their bathroom and closets with the lath, nail-gunning each piece to the walls.
Maira wallpaper from the 70s adorns the guest bathroom. When they knocked down several interior walls, Sawatzky and Flanders were left with tons of lath—the thin, irregular strips of softwood that provided the base for wall plaster. With the help of a demolition contractor, they sorted out the cleanest pieces to reuse. The couple clad the box on the second floor that contains their bathroom and closets with the lath, nail-gunning each piece to the walls.
Builders, developers, designers, and architects have developed a range of homes that are composed of prefabricated, modular, or kit-of-parts pieces that can allow for lower costs, faster and easier on-site construction, and even higher quality spaces. Here, we delve into the differences—and similarities—among these manufactured residences.
Builders, developers, designers, and architects have developed a range of homes that are composed of prefabricated, modular, or kit-of-parts pieces that can allow for lower costs, faster and easier on-site construction, and even higher quality spaces. Here, we delve into the differences—and similarities—among these manufactured residences.
“The backyard, which was kind of the focus of the project, was overgrown and quite disconnected from the house itself,” said architect Nigel Parish. The glass doors of the addition open onto a patio and lawn where the kids can play.
“The backyard, which was kind of the focus of the project, was overgrown and quite disconnected from the house itself,” said architect Nigel Parish. The glass doors of the addition open onto a patio and lawn where the kids can play.
The once public hallway between the two apartments now boasts a bold wallpaper by Kravitz Design for Flavor Paper.
The once public hallway between the two apartments now boasts a bold wallpaper by Kravitz Design for Flavor Paper.
Stephen Waddell and Isabel Kunigk worked with architect D’Arcy Jones to breathe new life into their “dank old” structure. The couple chose to sacrifice square footage inside in order to make the most of outdoor space.
Stephen Waddell and Isabel Kunigk worked with architect D’Arcy Jones to breathe new life into their “dank old” structure. The couple chose to sacrifice square footage inside in order to make the most of outdoor space.
One of the hardest things to do when looking at potential homes is to overlook existing finishes, colors, and materials.
One of the hardest things to do when looking at potential homes is to overlook existing finishes, colors, and materials.
A path leads past glazing and gravel to the front door.
A path leads past glazing and gravel to the front door.
Simon and Eva Luna play in front of a wall covered in Daks wallpaper from Walnut.
Simon and Eva Luna play in front of a wall covered in Daks wallpaper from Walnut.
The back wall of the garden, made from stacked concrete blocks, was initially meant to be a row of vertical planting boxes.
The back wall of the garden, made from stacked concrete blocks, was initially meant to be a row of vertical planting boxes.
The Lotus wallpaper pattern by Galbraith and Paul is produced in-studio with the help of a digital printer.
The Lotus wallpaper pattern by Galbraith and Paul is produced in-studio with the help of a digital printer.
Calico nabbed a 2015 ICFF Editors' Award for its painterly wallcoverings. (Long live gradients!)
Calico nabbed a 2015 ICFF Editors' Award for its painterly wallcoverings. (Long live gradients!)
Sphinx, the family Carolina dog, scouts the perimeter of the Concrete Collaborative pavers in the backyard. The pavers were installed on a slight angle to channel water to the surrounding gravel, lawn, and planting beds. This substantially lowers the landscape's water demand. Perforated PVC pipes and a pump move excess rainfall (which would otherwise go to storm drains) into an underground basin where it can later drain off. Redwood fencing reflects the material palette of the interior and creates visual continuity around the backyard.
Sphinx, the family Carolina dog, scouts the perimeter of the Concrete Collaborative pavers in the backyard. The pavers were installed on a slight angle to channel water to the surrounding gravel, lawn, and planting beds. This substantially lowers the landscape's water demand. Perforated PVC pipes and a pump move excess rainfall (which would otherwise go to storm drains) into an underground basin where it can later drain off. Redwood fencing reflects the material palette of the interior and creates visual continuity around the backyard.
The headboard in Hansen’s bedroom echoes the 2013 side-board. The wallpaper is from Arte.
The headboard in Hansen’s bedroom echoes the 2013 side-board. The wallpaper is from Arte.
The house sits on a corner lot, which makes the side yard (shown here) also a front yard. Five-and-a-half-year-old Maya (left) and two-and-a-half-year-old Yumi (right) play on the gravel while Mayuko, David, and Shota sit on the bench.
The house sits on a corner lot, which makes the side yard (shown here) also a front yard. Five-and-a-half-year-old Maya (left) and two-and-a-half-year-old Yumi (right) play on the gravel while Mayuko, David, and Shota sit on the bench.
The Pine Plains, New York, home of Elise and Arnold Goodman boasts 48 windows, the largest of which measures 8'6'' by 7'6''. As architect Preston Scott Cohen explains, the "free facade makes it impossible to identify how many levels there are, or even to tell the difference between a door and a window." Photo by: Raimund Koch
The Pine Plains, New York, home of Elise and Arnold Goodman boasts 48 windows, the largest of which measures 8'6'' by 7'6''. As architect Preston Scott Cohen explains, the "free facade makes it impossible to identify how many levels there are, or even to tell the difference between a door and a window." Photo by: Raimund Koch
The editors' pick for Best Wallcovering went to Trove. Here's a selection of their new Redux wallpaper, which is PVC-free and made from 31 percent post-consumer recycled material.
The editors' pick for Best Wallcovering went to Trove. Here's a selection of their new Redux wallpaper, which is PVC-free and made from 31 percent post-consumer recycled material.
The new all-white office space frames the iconic Shard. Flush skirting creates clean lines and allows furniture to butt up against the walls. Wide plank high-density fiberboard in a white wenge finish reflects light and makes the space feel larger. It also resists scratch marks from skidding the Eames side chairs.
The new all-white office space frames the iconic Shard. Flush skirting creates clean lines and allows furniture to butt up against the walls. Wide plank high-density fiberboard in a white wenge finish reflects light and makes the space feel larger. It also resists scratch marks from skidding the Eames side chairs.
The lightweight staircase leading to the terrace is composed of lacquered black steel and oak treads. Its floating design frees library space beneath and allows light to reach the office from the skylight above.
The lightweight staircase leading to the terrace is composed of lacquered black steel and oak treads. Its floating design frees library space beneath and allows light to reach the office from the skylight above.
Playful wallpaper from Graham & Brown livens up the house’s otherwise staid powder room, which also contains a pint-size Ikea sink.
Playful wallpaper from Graham & Brown livens up the house’s otherwise staid powder room, which also contains a pint-size Ikea sink.
Parisian design company, Élitis, began designing wallpapers because they felt the industry didn’t offer enough colorful and innovative selections. Their latest Kandy line, inspired by the ancient city Kandy in Sri Lanka, is just that. Painterly yet structured, this paper is strong enough to make a statement and subtle enough to paper a whole room without overwhelming it. Bonus: the thick vinyl coating makes it easy to wash. $700 per panoramic (Each panoramic can be hung like a pattern drop, cutting marks are provided).
Parisian design company, Élitis, began designing wallpapers because they felt the industry didn’t offer enough colorful and innovative selections. Their latest Kandy line, inspired by the ancient city Kandy in Sri Lanka, is just that. Painterly yet structured, this paper is strong enough to make a statement and subtle enough to paper a whole room without overwhelming it. Bonus: the thick vinyl coating makes it easy to wash. $700 per panoramic (Each panoramic can be hung like a pattern drop, cutting marks are provided).
So what music do designers listen to when work? “It depends who's in charge of the Sonos device that day,” Nick says. While his preference tends to be towards Chopin or Max Richter, it’s not uncommon for hip-hop or 80s music to fill up the studio.
So what music do designers listen to when work? “It depends who's in charge of the Sonos device that day,” Nick says. While his preference tends to be towards Chopin or Max Richter, it’s not uncommon for hip-hop or 80s music to fill up the studio.
More patterned wallpaper in the bathroom.
More patterned wallpaper in the bathroom.
Warmth is provided by a Morso wood-burning stove and radiant heated floors. Lacquered medium-density fiberboard paneling conceals a foldaway workstation.
Warmth is provided by a Morso wood-burning stove and radiant heated floors. Lacquered medium-density fiberboard paneling conceals a foldaway workstation.
Degrado Amarillo wallpaper by Eijffinger. The Dutch company’s Ibiza collection saturates walls in degrees with a photorealistic paper that adds an of-the-moment gradient effect.
Degrado Amarillo wallpaper by Eijffinger. The Dutch company’s Ibiza collection saturates walls in degrees with a photorealistic paper that adds an of-the-moment gradient effect.
Sherman recommends reflective materials for smaller spaces. "Metallic materials and colors to add light movement and mirror effects, immediately making a space feel more dynamic and larger," he says.
Sherman recommends reflective materials for smaller spaces. "Metallic materials and colors to add light movement and mirror effects, immediately making a space feel more dynamic and larger," he says.
Trove’s founders, Jee Levin and Randall Buck, made over 100 light “paintings” by exposing photographic paper to flashlights and fiber-optic toys. Then, they distilled their favorite elements across all of the paintings and created two patterns: Heze and Nimbus.
Trove’s founders, Jee Levin and Randall Buck, made over 100 light “paintings” by exposing photographic paper to flashlights and fiber-optic toys. Then, they distilled their favorite elements across all of the paintings and created two patterns: Heze and Nimbus.
Heze connects circles with blurred strokes of color that is supposed to display the “mathematical impossibility of the circle.”
Heze connects circles with blurred strokes of color that is supposed to display the “mathematical impossibility of the circle.”
Designers can enjoy a coffee break on the sofa. It certainly beats gathering around the water cooler.
Designers can enjoy a coffee break on the sofa. It certainly beats gathering around the water cooler.
Husband-and-wife founders of Calico Wallpaper Rachel and Nick Cope show how easy it can be to put a personal, design-led touch on loft living—even when it’s a rental. When the Copes rented a Red Hook loft in an industrial 1860s warehouse, the couple turned their rental into a testing ground for their marbleized wallpaper business and installed wallpaper in each of their rooms. The custom pieces take inspiration from the loft’s immediate surroundings and characteristics—from the silver-and-gold marbled mural that complements the loft’s exposed structural beams to a color-gradient wallpaper in the primary bedroom that takes cues from the sunset seen from Red Hook.
Husband-and-wife founders of Calico Wallpaper Rachel and Nick Cope show how easy it can be to put a personal, design-led touch on loft living—even when it’s a rental. When the Copes rented a Red Hook loft in an industrial 1860s warehouse, the couple turned their rental into a testing ground for their marbleized wallpaper business and installed wallpaper in each of their rooms. The custom pieces take inspiration from the loft’s immediate surroundings and characteristics—from the silver-and-gold marbled mural that complements the loft’s exposed structural beams to a color-gradient wallpaper in the primary bedroom that takes cues from the sunset seen from Red Hook.
For Afghan Made, Wallpaper paired modern rug companies with manufacturers from Afghanistan as a way to jumpstart the industry.
For Afghan Made, Wallpaper paired modern rug companies with manufacturers from Afghanistan as a way to jumpstart the industry.
The master bedroom features a Case Study bed from Modernica.
The master bedroom features a Case Study bed from Modernica.
A stepped back view shows the confined site, bracketed by multi-unit residential buildings. The lone window is angled to grab maximum light while protecting privacy.
A stepped back view shows the confined site, bracketed by multi-unit residential buildings. The lone window is angled to grab maximum light while protecting privacy.

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