A NOR11 chair anchors a sunny corner.

The facade features a sunny yellow balcony—intended to spark a smile, but it’s also a statement by the architects against the “monotonous and dull color palette” of traditional Japanese neighborhoods.

The idea of balance is expressed in all facets of the project—from light to dark, indoor to outdoor.

Belgian studio Ateliers J&J exhibited furniture and shelving with an industrial aesthetic.

“When you’re working on something inexpensive and then decide you don’t like it, fine. You’re not tearing down millions of kroners worth of work.” —Mette Lyng Hansen

On an 18th-century farmstead in rural Sweden, two Copenhagen designers handcraft a summerhouse that seamlessly melds the modern and the traditional.

Large paver patios make excellent walkways.

Step inside a pop-up hotel cabin inspired by the cave that King Arthur and his knights would have slept in while traveling—a legendary cave that could be discovered once, and never again.

A local welder crafted the house number which is mounted off the wall to cast a shadow. “It also looks like ‘god’ which means ‘good’ in Danish, so it’s also ‘the good house,’” Thomas says.

Inside, the eye goes immediately to a floating staircase along one wall. Hand painted by local artist Tess Thomas, its wood treads add a pop of color within the voluminous great room.

The sunlit family room features sliding glass doors that provide direct access to the surrounding patio and backyard.

The modernized kitchen works within the original post-and-beam construction and retains redwood cladding around the island in order to match the rest of the home. The space also features blue limestone countertops and slate tile flooring.

Despite their dark color palette, black and white kitchens can still feel bright. This tiny kitchen perfects the art of chiaroscuro with white shiplapped walls, custom-built open shelves and dark concrete floors. The owners selected sleek faucet fixtures by Santec and a sink by Blanco to complement the white laminate countertops. The stainless steel appliances include a Bertazzoni oven, Fisher & Payel refrigerator, and Thermador dishwasher.

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In keeping with the original character of the cottage the house was to be understated, a low maintenance home that could be enjoyed by everyone

LIVE. LOVE. LOFT.

Another crazy quilt interpretation, measuring 1'8" by 3'1".

A fluid, pastel interpretation of a crazy quilt, at 1'8" by 2'10".

A social creature who seems to know everyone, Loft J occupant Jamil Malone has hosted several "alcohol-themed" parties and manages to wedge as many as 20 people into his studio. The gatherings are like gallery openings, with the walls of Malone's apartment displaying a roving selection of locally produced art.

A look at Truedatorp's floor plan.

Divisumma 18 calculator designed in 1972 by Mario Bellini for Olivetti.

Also by Ateliers J&J, a shelf that fits into corners.

Hans J. Wegner Wishbone Chairs surround the large dining table on axis with the grand, exterior windows.

Wooden beams show off the 18.5-tall ceiling in the master bathroom.

The 18-foot-long built-in floating desk in the workspace has integrated storage for scripts.

Amalgam Studio spent around 18 months building this residence, which merges the indoors and outdoors.

The dining table and storage system were made by the clients' good friend, Anthony Zollo of Studio Zollo. The dining chairs are Fredericia's J39 chair by Borge Mogensen.

In addition to signs, Rose documents storefronts, like J. Braun Liquors in New York City. "Julius Braun was a Jewish immigrant who arrived in the United States from Poland with his family in 1921," he writes. "He was only seven years old at the time. City records indicate that the neon signage was installed in 1952. When Mr. Braun passed away in 1995, the store was sold to new owners who, despite changing the business name to ‘Uptown Wine Shop’, never updated the signage out front. No complaints here."

The Metropol Parasol by J. Mayer is an undulating structure made mostly of wood that twists and turns over a public square in Seville, Spain.