"Beauty," Olafur Eliasson, 1993. In this work, a spotlight shines through a layer of mist to create a rainbow that's only visible from certain angles.

“Who better than the farmer and the farmer's family to know how most effectively and easily to find efficiency?” says architect Alan Barlis. Regional architecture inspired the barn-life structure of the house, an open volume that aides in efficient heating and cooling of the space.

1993, Pierluigi Cerri.

The Tilt Pendant Light from Nyta delivers open, soft lighting in an interior. Featuring intuitive handling, the Tilt Pendant can be turned and swiveled to redirect lighting as needed. The Tilt Pendant Light is currently marked down to 20% off at the Dwell Store until October 31, 2015.

The Nest Caddy is a versatile storage solution that can be used in several ways. The wood caddy can be used to store pens, pencils, jewelry, or even makeup. The caddy’s lid can be used to conceal contents, or can be flipped over to hold additional items, or can be used as a tray. The metal holder can be used as its primary function—to transport the caddy—and can also be used to hold a tablet or display an art print. The versatile Nest can be used in a home office, as storage on a bedroom dresser, or even in a kitchen.

A photo of Verner Panton from 1993. © Panton Design, Basel

From On Our Table, the BlockBowl is an innovative walnut accessory that is both a cutting block and serving bowl.

With its simple profile, the Cup Lamp is an unexpected multitasker. In addition to its primary function as a dimmable LED lamp, the aptly named lamp includes a storage cup at the base of the lamp. Designed to hold pens and pencils or other small knickknacks, the Cup Lamp is ideal for a desk or bedside table.

Vitra Fire Station, Weil am Rhein, Germany, 1993

Outside, the back of the fireplace functions as a minimalist sculpture.

A streamlined multi-tasker, the D’E-Light Task Lamp is defined by its strong horizontal lines and an LED panel that gives off consistent light. The lamp features a charging dock for an iPhone, too.

Hatchet Design Build fabricated missing components to complete the casework around a bay window.

Simple black tiles and a basic, exposed showerhead kept costs down, allowing other parts of the house to function as the showpieces.

The design of the Mushroom family of stools was function driven: They can be seats or tables.

Functioning as a stool, coffee table, and magazine rack, the Pumpkin is a multifunctional design.

The Waterloo International Terminal, 1993, in London. Image courtesy Jo Reid/John Peck.

Kellogg spent five years working on the house, and the structure was completed in 1993.

A Dwell Store exclusive from J. L. Lawson & Co., this key shackle and bottle opener is defined by its anchor shackle inspiration, geometric silhouette, and triangle pin that keeps the key shackle closed. The simple and refined piece is precisely cut within thousandths of an inch, requiring tremendous attention to detail and skill. This bottle opener is a multi-tasker that is created to inspire new traditions and to be passed down from generation to generation.

Taking a break in the pool, and for the Summer at least, not missing Santa Monica!

An Airborne Snotty vase, reflecting his determination to make even bodily functions beautiful.

Yoly and Mandi in the living room full of Tag Front–designed furniture. “The loft also functions as our showroom,” Mandi says, “which works well for me.”

Until Hindman and Carr moved in, the space had never been a home. Carr cooks every day, so the compact kitchen was a natural starting point for the renovation. It features an industrial curving steel counter, which also functions as a breakfast bar. The Scrap stools are by contemporary Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek.

The home is a traditional, single-fronted Victorian terrace. The architects reinstated many of the original features that were missing from the front of the home before the renovation.

The kitchen has incorporated Congdon's collections and Walsh's minimalism to achieving a bright balance between form and function.

Rineke Dijkstra, Long Island, N. Y., USA, July 1, 1993, 1993; chromogenic print; 66 1/8 in. x 55 11/16 in.; Courtesy the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, New York & Paris; © Rineke Dijkstra

The screened porch functions as the building’s primary bedroom, creating a cabin-like experience.

Top 9 Kitchens of 2020: The nominees for this year’s Dwell Design Awards are the epitome of style and function.

Windowsills were extended to do double-duty, and also function as bookshelves.

The spacious open floor plan maintains a utilitarian sense of function. The floors are made from colored concrete.

Natural light was extra important to Aaron, as this space functions as his art studio, too.

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Dimster added new, two-story-tall beams to support the weight of the glass box topping the stair. “We were missing a grand outdoor space—that’s where the roof deck comes into play,” Dimster says.

It's easy to keep the two functions of the NewYorker clear: the desk pulls down (here) and the bar opens out.

These bright blocks and non-functioning ladders came from artist Ben Jones shown by Johnson Trading Gallery.

San Diego California Temple — 7474 Charmant Dr., ldschurchtemples.com/san...

Here's a proper view of the back of the house that reveals the height of the space and how the courtyard really does function as an outdoor room.