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Our latest lookbook features eight sculptural staircases made of wood that make a statement and bring warmth to apartments from Hong Kong to Boston.

Often the organizing principle in the planning of any space, a staircase can either blend in or stand out.

The eight gathered in this lookbook lean into the latter – showcasing both the structural abilities of wood like larch, birch and plywood and demonstrating how circulation need not be boring.

From a completely pre-fabricated staircase in a Boston apartment to a plywood spiral staircase twisting from the loft of a renovated barn in the Netherlands, these sculptural stairs create a visually striking centrepiece, as well as a fun way to traverse a house.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring rustic Italian interiors, autumnal bedrooms and show-stealing dining room tables.

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Hairpin House, USA, Studio J Jih and Figure

Located in Boston’s South End neighbourhood, this historic townhouse renovation sees a four-storey interior plan wrapped around a white oak staircase that spirals around a 40-foot-high (12-metre-high) atrium.

“Aptly named Hairpin House, the project takes the tight, unpredictable, and ultimately poetic switchback turns of a mountain road as inspiration for the overall renovation – and in particular a new unravelling central stair,” said the design team.

Find out more about Hairpin House ›

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Cape Drive Residence, Hong Kong, Linehouse

Just a short walk from the beaches of Hong Kong‘s south side, this three-storey house channels “coastal essence” through natural materials and light, Chinese studio Linehouse told Dezeen.

An “easy flow” was also imbued into the design, created in part by a timber stairwell that’s tucked to the side and – save for a white metallic screen – is open to the living spaces.

Find out more about Cape Drive Residence ›

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Mass Timber House, USA, Schiller Projects

According to design studio Schiller Projects, this renovated carriage home in Brooklyn is the borough’s first single-family residence that uses mass timber construction.

Besides repurposed wooden elements like timber panels and floorboards used for the project, the house features a pre-fabricated glue-laminated timber (glulam) staircase that can be completely disassembled.

Find out more about Mass Timber House ›

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Barn at the Ahof, the Netherlands, Julia van Beuningen

Architectural designer Julia Van Beuningen converted this Gelderland barn into a holiday home complete with a spiral staircase made out of plywood at the heart of the floor plan, which contrasts the more rustic materials of the surrounding building.

“This is very different and very unusual in a barn like this,” said Van Beuningen. “It’s something you either love or hate, but it’s definitely a statement.”

Find out more about Barn at the Ahof ›

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Carroll Gardens Townhouse, USA, Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design

New York studios Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design merged a two-family dwelling into one for the owner’s growing family.

White oak running throughout the two units unifies the project, which includes the addition of a new wooden staircase covered by a slated screen made of the same material.

Find out more about Carroll Gardens Townhouse ›

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Stoke Newington loft, UK, Whittaker Parsons

Architecture firm Whittaker Parsons was tasked with adding a loft to a house in Stoke Newington, London, as well as updating spaces throughout the lower floors.

With efficiency and quality in mind, the studio used prefabricated structural insulated panels (SIP) to construct the new loft. The space is accessed by a spiral staircase made of larch that’s topped with a skylight.

Find out more about Stoke Newington loft ›

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Dragon Flat, UK, Tsuruta Architects

A floating timber staircase features in this flat in London, which is outfitted with walls CNC-etched with images of peonies, dragons, bats and the Thames.

The central staircase allows light to filter into the kitchen and living room below, while solid timber bricks act as landings on either side.

Find out more about Dragon Flat ›

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Elsternwick penthouse, Australia, Office Alex Nicholls

The timber staircases in this Melbourne house were integrated into its “library spine” an organizing corridor that contains the family’s collection of books, art and artefacts.

“From a practical standpoint, it allowed everything to be easily accessible and displayed but it also helps to draw people through the apartment and celebrate the two staircases to the roof garden at either end,” said Office Alex Nicholls founder Alex Nicholls.

Find out more about Elsternwick penthouse ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring rustic Italian interiors, autumnal bedrooms and show-stealing dining room tables.

Kitchen color schemes are the key to an aesthetic and functional space. The right color scheme makes a tiny kitchen appear bigger, boosting its visual appeal and increasing its resale value.

1. White + White

An all-white kitchen exudes an elegance that never goes out of style. The simplicity and purity of all white surfaces and cabinets create a clean, classic look.

The silver accents also add to the kitchen’s pristine theme. Designer Davide Giannella adds modernity to the all-white scheme using marble effects and geometric tiles.

White reflects light, making your kitchen feel brighter and more spacious. If you’re a minimalist, you’ll appreciate the clean and clutter-free look an all-white kitchen provides.

2. Red + White

The boldness of red against the crispness of white makes for a classic and timeless contrast. Red draws attention, and designers use it to highlight specific areas in the kitchen, like islands or cabinets.

Chrissy Szaszfai Racho captures the stark contrast between the white cabinetry and red countertops.

3. Green + White + Gold

A green, white, and gold theme balances tranquility and opulence. Green adds depth and richness to the space. Pairing green cabinets with white countertops creates a bright contrast.

Chad Esslilnger uses gold accents for a touch of luxury. You can introduce gold through cabinet hardware, faucets, light fixtures, and small decor items.

4. White + Brown

White offers a clean and fresh aesthetic, with wood accents adding character and authenticity to a space. Judith Balis breaks the monotony of all white by including statement wooden bottom cupboards with a rustic appeal.

Choose wooden floors with the same material as the cupboards or a different wood style altogether. Use golden light fixtures and cabinet hardware as accents.

5. Black + White

The classic pairing of black and white offers a striking, high-contrast aesthetic. These colors serve as a versatile backdrop for various design styles.

Designer Terri Sears chose a minimalist approach, using white for the walls and countertops. She used black on the cabinetry, adding depth without overwhelming the space. A patterned floor softens the contrast between the two colors.

6. Cool Gray + Marble

If you find white too harsh, cool gray offers a softer alternative. Combine crisp whites and blues with cooler grays. For a warmer shade of gray, choose cream or ivory. In this case, Lisa Buxton chooses marble as a focal point to add character and sophistication.

7. Gray + Blush

A gray and blush kitchen is a contemporary yet timeless choice, as seen in this space by Colombo and Serboli Architecture. The color scheme blends a neutral gray backdrop with the soft, warm hues of blush pink.

Fun kitchen design colors like blush and gray create warm and cool contrasts. Use white or metallic accents for a glamorous finish.

8. Navy + White

A navy and white kitchen oozes boldness and formality. Anna Rae achieves this by combining the crispness of white and navy’s richness in this modern kitchen. Navy and white are a versatile foundation for various design styles, from traditional to contemporary interiors.

The designer chose gold accents, which offer an elegant contrast. Other accent colors that work well with a navy and white scheme are gray, mint green, yellow, and red.

9. Black + Black

Black on black is bold and daring as far as kitchen color designs go. A black kitchen exudes luxury often associated with modern and minimalist designs.

Instead of plain black, play around with textures like Jado Developments did. The designer uses a glossy finish to glam up this space, complete with a kitchen island. The bright floor and ceiling bring more light into the kitchen, so it appears bigger.

10. Cool Blue + White

Don’t pass up a cool blue and white combo when looking for fresh color schemes for a kitchen. Bryant Alsop combines the crisp qualities of white with the calming effect of blue.

The kitchen design features floor-to-ceiling blue cabinetry on one wall and a white kitchen island in the middle. You can play around with varying shades of cool blue, like sky blue, powder blue, and cerulean blue. Use natural wood and blush as accents for added visual interest.

11. Off-White + Neutrals

Off-white and neutral colors are perfect for traditional or farmhouse-inspired kitchen designs. Shirley Meisels captures the warmth and coziness of this neutral kitchen using off-white and cream-beige hues.

The dark wooden floor helps create visual balance while also adding some contrast. Add hanging light fixtures with yellow light for added warmth.

US studio ICRAVE has revealed images of the public spaces inside the world’s largest spherical structure in Las Vegas.

Chosen through an international competition, ICRAVE was tasked with designing the interiors of the public spaces within the MSG Sphere Las Vegas by Sphere Entertainment – the giant venue’s operator.

The scope included the building’s entry bridges, lobby and guest welcome areas, the main concourse, food and beverage outlets, as well as private artist dressing rooms, and VIP clubs and suites.

The 20,000-person venue, designed by architecture firm Populous, was unveiled over the summer.

While the building’s exterior is covered with 580,000 square feet (53,900 square metres) of programmable LED panels, the inside glows with bands of coloured indirect lighting.

“The spectacle that is Sphere on the outside sets the stage and bar for how magical the designed experience ICRAVE was tasked with must be on the inside,” said the studio, which has offices in New York City and Miami and is led by Lionel Ohayon.

Upon entering the venue, visitors are ushered through a series of repeated illuminated archways before arriving in a vast eight-storey atrium.

Here, the building’s curved form is continued through a series of sweeping balconies and bridges, which intersect at different points across multiple levels to create “a sense of continuous motion”.

Thresholds and doorways are also shaped as either circles or ovals, while beside the escalators, a 160-foot-tall (49-metre) scrim wall hanging acts as a huge lenticular light installation.

Reflective black terrazzo flooring creates a sci-fi feel within the public spaces, which is further enhanced by the coloured lighting.

“The lighting sets the tone and ‘performs’ as part of the Sphere experience from entry, to Atrium activation, to showtime, and as you transition out of Sphere and back to the bustle of Vegas,” ICRAVE said.

The studio also designed the various food and beverage spaces within the venue, each carrying a distinct character.

Tucked into areas where the ceiling height is lower, these bars and food vendor spots include fluted panels, dark counters, and more indirect lighting.

Throughout the building, mathematical graphics added to surfaces are derived from the equations used in the Sphere’s construction.

In the dressing rooms, artists can enjoy lounge areas and massage chairs, as well as makeup stations, private bathrooms and showers.

Meanwhile, the VIP viewing suites feature a mix of absorptive and reflective materials intended not to distract from the performances.

“In an effort to create a transformative entertainment space that takes artists and fans out of the mundane and into the future, ICRAVE sought to bring life to every inch of Sphere, not just the stage,” said the studio.

“With a sophisticated mix of lighting, soundscape, visuals, ambiance and tactile elements, audiences and the artists will have a captivating experience like nowhere else in the world.”

The Sphere began its programming in October with a concert by U2, featuring visuals by designer Es Devlin, artist John Gerrard and more on an enormous wrap-around screen.

A similar venue was also planned for London, but the government put the project on hold earlier this year to give the Secretary of State more time to review the proposal.

The photography is by ICRAVE unless stated otherwise.

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Project credits:

Owner and developer: Sphere Entertainment
Architect: Populous
Interior designer: ICRAVE
Lighting designer: Journey
Audio engineer: ARUP
Audio tech / manufacturer: Holoplot