Sofia Design Week 2013 featured a professional forum with prominent international speakers, as well as a one-day 'Balkan Talks' agenda. This year's speakers included names like Konstantin Grcic, Matali Crasset, Michael Marriott, Mark Chalmers, Erik Kessels, Ji Lee, Marti Guixe, Stefan Sagmeister, Genevieve Gauckler, David Carlson, Peter Bilak, and Tomek Rygalik. Between June 12 to 30 there was also an extensive line up of events throughout the city in the form of exhibitions, workshops, screenings, parties, book openings, and interactive events for children. Photo courtesy of Sofia Design Week.

While Brooklyn brownstones conjure up memories of their turn-of-the-century roots, they also remain the modern-day face of New York’s coolest boroughs. With brownstone living, however, comes responsibility—many of these classic beauties are in need of renovation and restoration. Here are 10 standout, renovated brownstones that retain their original charm with added contemporary cool.

2013: Sou Fujimoto Called a “cloud of steel,” Fujimoto’s gorgeous grid, assembled from 28 kilometers of white poles, is almost translucent. The barely visible roof, built from clear polycarbonate discs, ruffled in the breeze. Photograph © 2013 Jim Stephenson

Nao Tamura blown glass installation for Wonderglass, shown in the "Landscapes" exhibition at Maison&Objet.

Unikko coated cotton fabric $59 Unikko (poppy) was born in 1964 shortly after Armi Ratia had announced that Marimekko would never print a floral pattern. Maija paid no heed to Armi’s decree and designed an entire collection of floral patterns in protest. One of them was Unikko, a true icon of the future.

Puketti coated cotton fabric $40 The Puketti (bouquet) pattern from 1965 is a true Marimekko icon. Its minimalistic design language reflects functinalism, a key principle in Annika Rimala’s work.

Kuuskajaskari linen fabric$66.45 Brilliant panoramas. Bring the splendor of rainfalls and sun rays to the home all year long. This stunning fabric complements Marimekko's new, exquisite Weather Diary collection inspired by the beautiful autumnal nature of Finland.

Attika cotton fabric$48.69 Consisting of large colour blocks, the Attika print from 1959 is one of the bold graphic prints of Maija Isola.

Kuuskajaskari linen fabric $66.45 Brilliant panoramas. Bring the splendor of rainfalls and sun rays to the home all year long. This stunning fabric complements Marimekko's new, exquisite Weather Diary collection inspired by the beautiful autumnal nature of Finland.

Twisti cotton fabric $136.21 Named after a popular schoolyard game, Twisti (twist) takes us back to childhood summers.

Pähkinäpuu cotton fabric $35.94 The Pähkinäpuu print from 1974 exemplifies Katsuji Wakisaka’s close relationship to Japanese design tradition.

Taapeli cotton fabric $100.27 The quilt-like Taapeli (pile of boards) pattern takes us through the forest and all the way to a saw mill. There logs are being sawn into boards and placed in piles, or “taapeli” in Finnish, to dry.

Cassina, part of the Poltrona Frau Group, had one of the moodiest, gorgeous, evocative booths around. This series of wall shelving (accented by raw cut wood) adds to the feeling.

Before the awards presentation, Dwell president Michela O’Connor Abrams (sporting her Google Glass) announced the Dwell Vision Award, a collaboration between Dwell and Big Ass Fans. Photo by: Mimi Teller Rosicky.

It is about the creation of products rather than the products themselves, says Oki Sato of the Nendo installation in the entrance hall of Stockholm Furniture Fair. 80 lasercut sheets of Forex foam board take on mountain-like shapes when stretched, and create a partly invisible landscape surrounding examples of Nendo’s designs up through the last decade.

Magis is introducing a ton of new furniture for 2013, including some companions to Konstantin Grcic's past work, like the Tom & Jerry bookshelf in the back.

Our Kitchen and Bath award went to relative newcomer Franz Viegener for its innovative designs. Photo by: Alejandro Chavetta

The Modern Lifestyle award winner was Miele, which this year encompassed an overall lifestyle vision at the show. Photo by Alejandro Chavetta.

Nourishmat by Earth Starter allows city dwellers to grow their own food in small spaces, and for that it snagged our Design Materials award. Photo by: Alejandro Chavetta

Iron Dog by Scott Molampy of Geppetto Studios.

Picnic Basket by Mike Perry Studio.

Puzzle Box by WABI Design.

Much like great design, great meals are considered by most to be an art. Dwell has long supported the work of innovative designers regardless of their canvas or craft because creativity challenges and propels further ingenuity. Thus, it is with great pleasure we announce our exclusive media sponsorship of DIFFA’s Picnic By Design, an event that couples charitable donation with original design on August 21st. Out of the 45 contributing designers, Dwell has picked our five favorites after the jump. Disco Picnic by Jose Fernandez of 17A Creative.

Motown by Corey Damen Jenkins.

Emeco’s combination of eco-friendly design philosophy and show-stopping bright white booth ensured their place as the winner of Best in Show at Dwell on Design. Photo by Alejandro Chavetta.

Playforms by North Forty Design grabbed our New Product award for their simple, imagination-driven kids’ playhouses. Photo by Alejandro Chavetta.

After transforming Dwell Outdoor into a verdant paradise, landscape architecture firm Shades of Green was awarded for Outdoor this year. Photo by Alejandro Chavetta.

Our Furniture category went to Clei for Resource Furniture, whose convertible beds especially piqued the judges’ interests. Photo by Alejandro Chavetta.

For his oversize Manuka light, New Zealand–based designer David Trubridge captured the award for Lighting. Photo by Alejandro Chavetta.

With its multi-tiered fountain, trio of modern structures, and wall of fixtures, Brizo captivated the jury and brought home the award for best Booth. Photo by Alejandro Chavetta.

The awards were a custom collaborative design by Dwell creative director Alejandro Chavetta and the San Francisco design firm Ohio. Photo by: Mimi Teller Rosicky

In the Sustainability category, Lacava garnered the award, for showing that responsible design can be beautiful. Photo by Alejandro Chavetta.

Petting Zoo by Minimaforms (2013) Theodore and Stephen Spyropoulos created these robotic “pets,” which adapt and change their behavior based on interactions with humans. Image courtesy of Apostolos Despotidis

Kinisi by Katia Vega (2013) An “e-makeup” application, the Kinisi systems flashes different lights based on facial muscle movements. Image courtesy of Katia Vega