The steel fireplace in the dining area is framed with rescued stones from the dismantled garage during the original remodeling of the home.

GreenSpur and McAllister Architects imagined a cabin sided with Cor-Ten steel, glass, and shou sugi ban–treated cedar for a wooded property outside of Washington, DC.

The millwork hides the bed and desk, but it also conceals the air conditioner. “Everything is integrated,” says Losada-Amor. “That’s what keeps it clean.” Even the garage door mechanism is hidden here.

Villa Hohenlohe by Philipp Architekten won the prestigious Hugo Häring Award in 2014.

Inspirational spaces

The colorful concept shop that faces Rue Yves Saint Laurent is the third piece of 33 Rue Majorelle’s tripartite design experience.

The architects removed decorative wood beams and wood paneling, and raised the ceiling to reveal a bright, open space. The existing fireplace mantle was swapped out for Bolection molding, a minimal-yet-traditional profile that allows more space for wall art. Hendricks installed the sconces and Noguchi lantern above the clients' wood table and chairs.

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

The powder bathroom features a custom stone sink and white oak vanity base built by the homeowner.

The dining room table was designed by the couple and manufactured by Carlick Furniture; surrounding it are limited-edition chairs from Fritz Hansen that commemorate the 60th anniversary of Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 design.

The master bathroom is a calming oasis of marble. The couple often relax here for a moment of tranquility.

The kitchen and dining area seamlessly flow from the living room. Designed for entertaining, the space offers a 20-person dining table, three Gaggenau ovens, and a massive central island.

The formal dining room, accessible from the kitchen through a set of walnut doors, features an original stone fireplace that dates to the 13th century.

The master bath has a tiled shower and a double vanity.

The master bathroom is brightened by custom lighting and natural light shining through the tempered glass shower wall.

The master bath includes double vanities, a freestanding bathtub, and a hidden built-in television.

This prefab house is built around a system of 4' by 4' concrete modules and a reusable formwork to save on costs and materials.

The staircase steps straight through the facade’s metal grid, establishing a connection between the home’s interior and exterior.

British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.

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

In the living room, a Nelson bench doubles as a coffee table, and a wood-burning stove from Cleanburn Stoves set in a white brick hearth keeps the space warm.

The shop’s co-owners Yehia Abdelnour and Monique Bresson.

Designer Lucia DeRespinis at age 33. The photo was taken by George Nelson’s son while they were working in Moscow on the American Exhibition.

Found in Seis am Schlern, Italy, this ornate, gothic-style staircase is a showstopper. The black metal tread and railing heighten the home’s drama and elegance. Designed by Italy’s Network of Architecture, the idea behind the detailed staircase design is that the further one ascends, the more it heightens intimacy.

The open kitchen has an attached dining table, and is located outside of the secondary glass facade enclosure. This allows not only for natural ventilation while cooking, but also views to the greenery beyond.

This 2'5" by 3'3" rug is an improvised interpretation of crazy quilt designs.

"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.

Architect Aarne Ervi built the classic Villa Koivikko in 1958 on a lakeside just outside Helsinki. When Studio Petra Majantie and Oopeaa recently restored the building, they had to design the bathroom without the home’s original plans. They used matte-glass mosaic flooring, ceramic tiles matching the living area's hearth, and copper fixtures. High windows let in a lot of natural light, but they added undercabinet lighting and built-in cabinet lighting to create a beautiful balance.

One of the two bathrooms. Ceramic tiles, which have the appearance of micro cement, cover the walls.

The updated bathrooms include floating mahogany vanities with black, leather-finish granite countertops.

An oversized vanity in one of the bathrooms complements the large glass and stone shower.

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.

Double vanities run along both sides of the room, illuminated from above by full-width skylights. In the center of the space, a free-standing soaking tub sits in front of a marble-clad wall, with both a shower and walk-in closet on opposite sides.

A more formal dining area can be found just steps from the kitchen in the glass-wrapped atrium.

Amy Tangerine worked with Dan Brunn Architecture to turn her home into a quirky, lavish abode in Los Angeles, California. The primary bathroom, in particular, has exquisite balance, creating almost identical dimensions for the soaker tub and shower. This large bathroom fills with natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. One of the finer details is the sliding glass door on the shower side, which opens to enable the user the sensation of showering in the fresh outdoor air.