Category: Home & Kitchen

Our latest lookbook compiles residential living rooms that have been given an air of playfulness through their use of the three primary colours.

In design, the primary colours are yellow, blue and red. They usually appear in this context as strong cobalt blues, vivid sunshine yellows and intense fire-engine reds.

This trio of colours is prevalent throughout design history and can be seen in paintings by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian and suspended mobiles by American sculptor Alexander Calder.

They are often used when designing products for children due to the visually stimulating nature of their bright, dense hues.

In interior design, they have a similarly invigorating effect, whether applied directly to structural elements such as walls and columns or found in soft furnishings and accessories.

They primary colours help to bring energy into living areas both when used in isolation and when appearing in tandem with one another.

This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring four-poster beds, split-level living areas and colourful bathrooms.

---

Retroscena apartment, Italy, by La Macchina Studio

Vibrant pops of blue, yellow and red are set against a neutral backdrop of white walls and terrazzo stone floors in the living room of this mid-century one-bedroom apartment in Rome.

The space represents the distilled interior scheme devised by Italian architecture practice La Macchina Studio that characterises the apartment, which is also home to floor-to-ceiling citrus-toned curtains and bright blue doorways.

Find out more about Retroscena ›

---

House in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Spain, by Arquitectura-G

A monochromatic red colour scheme dominates both the exterior and interior of this rural house near Barcelona designed by Spanish design studio Arquitectura-G.

The split-level living space features a rhythm of striking red-painted columns and ceiling-height cupboard doors combined with rosy clay tiles.

Find out more about House in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor ›

---

Red House, UK, by David Kohn Architects

Red House in Dorset, England, was given its name by David Kohn Architects in reference to its red brick facade, however, splashes of the colour also appear throughout its eclectic interior.

Primary coloured furnishings – including a blue rug and footstool, red wall hanging and yellow upholstered armchair – are dotted around the living space, offset by white-painted cinderblock walls and warm wooden accents.

Find out more about Red House ›

---

Out of the Blue, India, by The Act of Quad

Renovated by Mumbai-based studio The Act of Quad, this apartment in the Indian city of Thane is defined by its consistent use of cobalt blue in an otherwise neutral interior.

Soothing splashes of the colour appear in pieces of bespoke furniture – including hemispherical and spherical inclusions on light fittings and tables – and line the inside of a wall-mounted drinks cabinet.

Find out more about Out of the Blue ›

---

Apartment renovation, Sweden, by Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor

The full trio of primary colours is used across this apartment in Stockholm by local practice Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor.

Blue, yellow and red are seen in both full saturation and muted hues on walls, ceilings, soft furnishings and furniture, creating a colourful yet cohesive interior.

Find out more about apartment renovation ›

---

Apartment renovation, Spain, by Arquitectura-G

Spanish studio Arquitectura-G used a colour palette governed by shades of yellow in its refurbishment of this apartment in Barcelona.

The living space contains a sunny yellow modular sofa and matching kitchenette, with the spaces united by a backdrop of small golden wall tiles, a honey-coloured wooden floor and white plasterwork.

Find out more about this apartment renovation ›

---

Fàng Sōng, Germany, by Crossboundaries

Beijing-based architecture practice Crossboundaries reconfigured the interior of a houseboat moored in Berlin, which features modular furniture and storage solutions all finished in either red or yellow in reference to the Chinese imperial colours.

An adaptable living area onboard contains a lemon-yellow sofa that folds away to support a double bed, as well as a cantilevered desk integrated into a wall panel that can be stowed away when not in use.

Find out more about Fàng Sōng ›

---

Ilioupoli Apartment, Greece, by Point Supreme

Graphic primary-coloured details are scattered around this 56-square-metre subterranean apartment in Athens renovated by local architecture studio Point Supreme.

The rough concrete walls and ceilings of the small living area are contrasted by red items – including a bench and window panes – as well as a trio of deep blue flags suspended in the entryway.

Find out more about Ilioupoli Apartment ›

---

Function Walls, Sweden, by Lookofsky Architecture

This apartment in Stockholm, which was renovated by local studio Lookofsky Architecture, is designed around a multifunctional wall that snakes through the interior.

In the living area, the zesty yellow structure contains a sofa snuggled inside an extruded frame, accompanied by integrated shelving and matching golden upholstery.

Find out more about Function Walls ›

---

Polychrome House, Australia, by Amber Road and Lymesmith

Australian design studio Amber Road worked with colour consultants Lymesmith on this house in suburban Sydney, which is charactertised by its excessive use of colour.

The aptly named Polychrome House is finished in a kaleidoscopic spectrum of colours, including in its living room where a wall mural of abstract shapes featuring red, blue and yellow is echoed by red and blue seating.

Find out more about Polychrome House ›

This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring four-poster beds, split-level living areas and colourful bathrooms.

A copper sink is a distinctive and chic choice for a kitchen or bathroom. Copper sinks have natural qualities that make them ideal for kitchen use. Natural copper has antimicrobial properties, making them resistant to bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms.

A copper sink is an expensive choice, so it is important you evaluate all the angles to ensure that it is the best choice for your kitchen.

Material Qualities of a Copper Sink

Copper it is also durable, stands up to heavy use, and resists damage from impacts and scratches. Copper is also heat resistant, so copper kitchen sinks can withstand damage from hot pots and pans. Copper kitchen sinks will not corrode over time.

Look for a copper sink made of a high component of pure copper metal. Some high-end manufacturers choose to use 100% copper. Others add a small percentage of zinc as an alloying element to give the sink new properties. Zinc mixed with copper increases durability and strength. It also enhances the anti-corrosion properties.

The gauge metal you choose is another factor for consideration. Gauge corresponds to the thickness of the metal. The lower the gauge, the thicker the metal. Make sure to select a kitchen copper sink that is either 12, 14, or 16-gauge metal. These are standard gauges for good quality copper kitchen sinks, though a copper bathroom sink is sometimes as high as 18 gauge.

---

Basin Configurations of Copper Sinks

Experts in the industry refer to the shape and arrangement of bowls in the sink as the basin configurations. Copper sinks are available in multiple basin arrangements and shapes.

Single Basin

Single basin sinks, copper and otherwise, have become one of the most popular for home kitchen design. These sinks feature one large basin. A single basin copper sink gives your kitchen a classic and traditional look. These are ideal for washing large sets of dishes and pots and pans.

Double Basin

Double basin sinks feature two separate areas. These have traditionally been one of the most popular sink configurations. Some double basin copper sinks feature different sized basins; others have basins with an equal split. Double basin sinks work well if you need separate compartments for food prep and clean-up.

Triple or Multiple Basin

Triple and multiple basin sinks feature three or more compartments. Most of these sinks feature two large basins on either side with a small basin in the middle. Multiple basin copper sinks work well if you need defined areas for your food prep. These sinks are large and take up extensive counter space.

Copper Sink Finishes

Manufacturers create copper sinks with a variety of finishes which help to determine the way the sink will age. It is also important to consider if a copper sink has any additional coating like epoxy or lacquer. These coatings help to protect the finish from scratches and stains and prevent the surface from coming into contact with moisture and air. This finish will slow down or stop the patina process.

• Natural – Natural finish copper sinks have an unpolished and unlacquered surface. The lack of lacquer means that the sink will develop a natural patina over time.
• Antique – Fabricators develop an antique finish copper sink by applying a chemical solution to the sink that accelerates the patina process. The aged finish gives the sink a dark and aged look.
• Satin – Satin finish copper sinks have a smooth, matte finish that manufacturers develop using a light sanding technique.
• Hammered – Hammered copper sinks have a dimpled appearance. Small hammers are used to create the small divots on the copper surface. Hammered copper sinks are popular in rustic and traditional style kitchens.
• Oil-Rubbed – Fabricators create oil-rubbed finish by applying a special oil to the sink’s surface and then polished and buffing it to a dark and smooth finish.
• Polished – Polished sinks have a high shine and glossy look. Many designers prefer the look of sleek polished copper sinks, but they are some of the most difficult to maintain.

---

Mount Styles for Copper Sinks

Copper sinks are a popular kitchen sink choice and work with every kind of countertop. Consider different installation methods before you purchase a specific copper sink to ensure that this method will work for your needs and counter/cabinet type.

Copper Farmhouse Sink

Farmhouse copper sinks have single basin configurations with an exposed front, or apron, with a rounded or flat profile. Like other farmhouse sinks, copper farmhouse sinks are also heavy but not as heavy as clay or cast iron farmhouse sinks. Farmhouse copper sinks will require extra structural support, but it is a good choice if you need a lighter option. A farmhouse copper sink is one of the most expensive varieties of copper sinks. The installation is also more difficult as you may need to change the configuration of your cabinets in front of the sink to accommodate the apron copper sink front.

Copper Undermount Sink

Undermount copper sinks are another option that has become a popular choice for home kitchens. Manufacturers configure this type of sink to fit underneath the counter. This leaves an exposed counter lip. Undermount copper sinks are popular with designers creating sleek and modern kitchens. This mounting style does not work well with wood countertops, as water can damage the exposed edge. Undermount copper sinks also require extra support to mount, but they are light compared to other sink varieties.

Copper Drop-in Sink

Copper drop-in sinks have a visible rim above the counter. This means that the sink gets added support from the countertop. A drop-in copper kitchen sink is easy for anyone to install as it just needs a rough-cut hole rather than the precisely measured opening that an undermount sink requires.

Copper Vessel Sink

A copper vessel sink sits on top of the countertop. This is not a practical sink style for a kitchen but a popular choice for bathrooms. This copper sink style is one of the most distinctive. Copper vessel sinks do not require a large hole cut in the countertops.

Copper Integrated Sink

Copper is a popular choice for sinks, but some people also use it as a counter material as well. Integrated copper sinks and countertops are molded together. This creates an attractive continuous line between countertops and the sink. This style works well for industrial style kitchens as there is no seam to trap food and debris.

---

Maintaining a Copper Sink

Maintaining a copper sink will preserve the finish of your copper sink and prolong its longevity.

• Clean on a regular basis – Wipe down the sink with a soft cloth or sponge and soapy water after each use. This will keep food particles from building up or staining the surface of the sink and spoiling the finish.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners – Do not use cleaners with heavy chemicals like chlorine bleach, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide. This can damage the finish and cause discoloration. Coarse materials like abrasive powders or scouring pads will scratch the surface of copper sinks.
• Do use copper cleaning solutions – Cleaning solutions formulated for copper sinks are available at hardware and home improvement stores. These will clean, remove stains, and restore the shine of copper sinks.
• Remove tarnish – You can remove the tarnish from copper sinks with just a few products around your house. Apply a thin layer of ketchup to the sink. Rub in and rinse and polish dry. Do not leave ketchup sitting on the sink as this can damage the finish. You can also polish the sink with a paste of baking soda and water. Mix the baking soda with a few drops of water. Rub gently onto the sink, rinse, and dry.
• Apply wax – Some sinks have a natural finish and develop a patina over time. Other copper sinks have a lacquer that manufacturers apply in the factory. Apply a wax finish if you see the lacquer begin to wear away. Find a wax that manufacturers designate for copper sinks.

Cost of a Copper Sink

The cost of copper sinks range according to size, gauge, and style. The average price range for copper sinks is between $400-$1,000. You can find copper sinks as low as $125 and as high as several thousand. In general, small sinks are less expensive than large ones. Farmhouse copper sinks are the most expensive type and undermount sinks are the least expensive.

Pros and Cons of a Copper Sink

Copper sinks are an interesting and distinctive sink variety, but they will not work for everyone’s space. Here is a quick list of pros and cons to consider before you purchase a copper sink.

Pros:

• Look – Gorgeous and unique material
• Durability – Strong material that resists stains, scratches, and dents
• Antibacterial – Resists bacteria that are common in food preparation
• Corrosion resistance – Resistant to corrosion to prolong the life of the sink
• Patina – Develops an attractive natural patina
• Easy maintenance – Easy to clean and maintain over time
• Recyclable – Copper is a recyclable material
• Variety – Wide variety of styles, basin configurations, and price points

Cons:

• Cost – Copper sinks are expensive compared to some other varieties
• Ongoing maintenance – Maintenance for copper sinks is not difficult but requires constancy and specialized products
• Patina – Some people dislike the dark patina that develops on copper sinks
• Cohesion – Copper sinks will be a different material than other kitchen fixtures

Spanish architect Emma Martí has converted an 18th-century townhouse on the Balearic island of Menorca into the intimate eight-bedroom Hevresac Hotel, taking over all of its five floors from basement to attic.

The building, which originally belonged to a local merchant and privateer, is set in the historic centre of Mahón – a former trade hub that still bears traces of French and English culture after spending many years under colonial rule.

Hevresac owners Ignasi Truyol and Stephanie Mahé brought Martí on board for the renovation in part because she was an old friend, who they thought could be trusted to conserve and enhance the spirit and character of the building.

Martí’s aim for the project was to fill the building with light and life while preserving its wealth of existing architectural elements, from wooden beams and mosaic flooring to stucco walls and staircases.

“The aim of the project was to create a fresh and inspiring hotel that values the beauty of the existing architecture,” said the hotel’s owners.

Hevresac’s original floors, covered variously in wooden parquet and encaustic cement tiles, were carefully preserved.

In areas where it was not possible to retain the original elements, Martí chose a new design language using modern equivalents of these original materials, including micro-cement.

The renovation process revealed both the stucco on the walls and the original paintwork on the beams, uncovering part of the building’s hidden history.

The original wrought iron columns in the living room are now a celebrated feature. Less noticeable but equally interesting is the Masonic symbolism on the wrought-iron railing of the marble staircase at the entrance.

Martí also wanted to preserve the original room structure of the townhouse.

To allow for this, she added private bathrooms within each of the existing bedrooms using a lightweight timber framing system made of solid Flanders pine, while three-ply spruce boards form partitions, headboards and wardrobes in each bedroom.

“Martí’s intention is for the new materials to coexist and harmonise with the originals, providing a new language, lightness and contemporaneity,” the owners said.

A new staircase – also utilising spruce ply – now coexists with the original staircase, providing an alternative route through the Hevresac Hotel.

The material is key to the contemporary language of the new insertions, which sit clearly differentiated alongside layers of the building’s past.

“I like to work with an honest and frank attitude towards the island’s architectural heritage,” Martí told Dezeen. “I wanted it to be clear what our intervention was, not to highlight it but to highlight the value of what existed in the building.”

To fill the spaces with natural light, several skylights were added on the upper floor, with one above the main stairwell as well as three new openings in the facade.

In the basement, the vaulted ceiling made of local marés stone required an intervention to lighten the space.

Martí’s response was to remove a bay of the existing vault and install a new, more comfortable staircase to link the ground floor with the basement and flood the space with light.

Hevresac’s choice of furnishings reflects Mahón’s cosmopolitan history, including an eclectic assembly of antique, vintage and contemporary pieces from all over Europe.

Among them are Nanimarquina rugs, Achille Castiglioni lights and some of Marcel Breuer‘s Cesca chairs, as well as items from Menorcan antique dealers including Alcolea & Kraus and Antics Antigüedades.

“It’s a kind of synergy,” the owners said. “Together, the components project a warm, creative and personal composition, which is more than the algebraical sum of those individual pieces.”

Martí, who founded her self-titled studio Emma Martí Arquitectura in Menorca in 2013, has since completed a number of projects on the island.

Among them is a work retreat inside an abandoned girls’ school, with design-driven spaces where businesses can host meetings or team-building sessions.

The photography is by Pol Viladoms

Fashion house Prada has opened the Prada Caffè in luxury department store Harrods, which has an interior that is blanketed in the brand’s signature green hue and mirrors one of Milan‘s oldest patisseries.

Located at the corner of Hans Road in London, the Prada Caffè is accessed via a mint green latticed storefront that complements Harrods‘s Edwardian baroque terracotta facade.

The interior of the pop-up cafe draws on the interior of Pasticceria Marchesi, a Milanese patisserie that opened in 1824, which has similar pale-green interiors that are paired with green velvet-upholstered soft furnishings.

At Prada Caffè, the walls, ceilings and furniture – including booth seating, plush armchairs and architectural elements – were hued in a minty green referred to as Prada green, a colour that has become synonymous with the brand.

A large marble countertop, decorated with textural, pebbled panelling at its base, is located at the entrance to the cafe and used to display Prada-branded patisseries that are presented like individual pieces of jewellery.

The floors of the space were clad in black and white-checkered floor tiles in a nod to the floors of the Prada boutique located in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Floral reliefs and mouldings cover the walls and ceilings of the cafe, which the brand explained aims to evoke the look of Prada stores worldwide.

A mezzanine level, supported by green columns, is decorated with bowed balustrades and used as an elevated seating area overlooking the marble-wrapped patisserie counter.

At the rear of the cafe, a secluded room continues the interior scheme. Here, green velvet booth seating surrounds the perimeter of the space beneath decorative floral relief walls.

Tableware was selected specifically for the cafe and ranges from blue-hued Japanese porcelain, informed by ancient Celadon pottery and decorated with contrasting black lines, to blown-glass crystalware.

To accompany the blown glassware and duck egg blue porcelain, silverware was engraved with Prada branding and features handle ends that are shaped like the brand’s triangular logo.

The cafe will remain at Harrods until January 2024.

During Milan Fashion Week, Prada presented its Autumn Winter 2023 collection in the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada, which featured a moving and retractable ceiling.

Elsewhere in London, Ola Jachymiak Studio brightened a cafe in Notting Hill incorporating terracotta-tile floors and tangerine-hued walls.

The photography is courtesy of Prada.

For this lookbook, we’ve collated eight kitchens from Dezeen’s archive that use terracotta tiling to bring a sense of warmth into the functional space.

Terracotta – meaning baked earth in Italian – technically refers to any object made from fired clay. But most commonly, the term is used to describe pottery made from a porous type of earthenware clay that is high in iron oxides, giving it a rusty reddish brown colour.

Unlike ceramic stoneware or porcelain, terracotta is fired at lower temperatures so it does not vitrify – meaning the clay retains a coarse, organic texture and isn’t waterproof unless it is glazed.

Used as a backsplash or flooring, this can bring some much-needed colour and texture into the kitchen while helping to create a connection to the outdoors.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring accent walls, bookshelves and sunken baths.

---

Budge Over Dover, Australia, by YSG

Australian studio YSG used narrow terracotta tiles to “draw the outside in” to this house in Sydney, spilling from the floor of the garden patio onto the adjacent kitchen and dining area, which can be opened up to the exterior using sliding glass doors.

The rough clay is paired with shiny aubergine-coloured plaster and travertine in the sunken living room beyond, creating a contrast between raw and polished surfaces.

Find out more about Budge Over Dover ›

---

Farley Farmhouse, UK, by Emil Eve Architects

When Emil Eve Architects added a gabled kitchen to a farmhouse in Wiltshire, the British studio set out to mirror the material palette of the existing home by adding arrowhead terracotta tiles to the extension’s exterior.

Inside, matching rectangular tiles were laid in a herringbone pattern on the floor while a row of clay pendant lights hang from the wooden roof beams.

Find out more about Farley Farmhouse ›

---

Hygge Studio, Brazil, by Melina Romano

Terracotta flooring and tan brick walls lend a “rustic charm” to this São Paulo apartment, designed by Brazilian designer Melina Romano.

The tiles spill out across the entire home including the bedroom and lounge, which is framed by a screen made of decorative perforated cobogó blocks.

Find out more about Hygge Studio ›

---

Las 3 Marías, Spain, by Bajet Giramé and Nicolas Burckhardt

All-over terracotta flooring was one of the ways that Spanish studio Bajet Giramé found to connect the kitchen of this 1960s holiday home to its generous backyard, alongside the addition of generous arched openings and perforated steel doors.

“We ended up working on the whole plot, treating both house and garden as a playful matrix of varied interconnected rooms,” the studio told Dezeen.

Find out more about Las 3 Marías ›

---

La Odette, Spain, CRÜ

To create a bright, open floor plan inside this apartment in a Barcelona housing block that dates back to 1877, Spanish studio CRÜ tore down most of the internal petition walls

Instead, the kitchen is now delineated by a statement wall clad in terracotta tiles – left over from the flooring and turned back-to-front to reveal their ribbed underside.

Find out more about La Odette ›

---

West Bend House, Australia, by Brave New Eco

Three kinds of tiling provide textural interest inside the kitchen of this “forever home” in Melbourne, with sections of rustic terracotta contrasted against a backsplash of teal-glazed ceramics.

Corrugated tiles were also folded around the pendant light above the island that illuminates the work area, courtesy of Australian lighting brand Southdrawn.

Find out more about West Bend House ›

---

Como Taperia, Canada, by Ste Marie

Both the seating area and the open kitchen of this Spanish tapas bar in Vancouver were lined with terracotta, in a nod to the brick chimneys of Barcelona’s industrial Poble Sec power station.

Other Catalan references can be found in the restaurant’s cobalt blue accents – informed by the paintings of Joan Miró – and various abstract details that nod to the work of architect Antoni Gaudí.

Find out more about Como Taperia ›

---

Conde Duque apartment, Spain, by Sierra + De La Higuera

Different spaces in this open-plan apartment in Madrid were defined by traditional Moroccan zellige tiles, with glossy yellow and green glazes and organic handcrafted surfaces.

To balance out these flashier surfaces, terracotta was used to ground the kitchen and dining area, paired with plain white walls and custom timber joinery.

Find out more about Conde Duque apartment ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring accent walls, bookshelves and sunken baths.

Canadian design studio Yabu Pushelberg has created the Moxy and AC Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles to encapsulate a variety of references to the surrounding city.

The two hotels were placed side by side within a Gensler-designed building in central Los Angeles, with Yabu Pushelberg carrying out the design for both hotels.

The designers used a variety of LA-oriented references across both hotels, referencing local artist culture, streetlife, the desert, as well as the imagery of movies from Hollywood.

“Moving making and the California Dream are all mashed up together to create this atmosphere,” studio co-founder George Yabu told Dezeen.

“We also captured the grittiness,” added co-founder Glenn Pushelberg. 

The hotels were designed to complement each other, providing various experiences for guests, who the team hopes can be staying in one while visiting the bars and restaurants of the others.

According to the duo, the hotels are meant to be the day and nighttime versions of the same person or “like the same person in different movies”.

AC Hotel provides a more work-oriented vision and the Moxy representing a more dimly lit atmosphere.

Using desert themes and references to the 1969 film Easy Rider starring Peter Fonda, the Moxy has rammed earth walls, woven wall hangings and homages to motorcycle culture with a custom pouf designed with Harley Davidson in mind. It even has a motorcycle in the lobby lounge.

“If you look at the materialities and colors and textures, it is kind of off-off, which makes it on,” said Pushelberg. 

Also in the Moxy’s lobby is a snakeskin-like carpet with a graphic of a snake.

The hotel includes studio spaces above the lobby with neon lights and plush furniture; minimal rooms with tile and stone walls; and a bar inspired by the “roadside gas station” with mottled stone countertops, metal mesh liquor cabinets and “cocoon-like” chairs.

The AC Hotel is more restrained. The lobby is on the 34th floor and was designed to evoke the “artist’s loft” with views of the city below. Materials were inspired by Spanish architecture – such as textured plaster and stucco.

These details continue throughout the bars, guestrooms and library lounge, with the addition of wooden sculptures and dark black tile.

Yabu Pushelberg designed the carpets in the guest rooms to “reflect the geometric pattern and color story found throughout the hotel” and contrast the birch wood flooring.

According to the team, the hotels together are meant to bring together a variety of local influences to attract people to the downtown core.

“It’s a ​​perfect time for the hotels to be there because all these different types of people have never ever had a reason to go downtown,” said Pushelberg, who referenced the growing gallery scene in the area as an additional inspiration.

The design follows a slew of other hotels designed for LA’s downtown, including Hotel Per La designed by Jaqui Seerman, which occupies a 1920s bank building.

A division of Marriot, Moxy has dozens of hotels around the world, including a recent addition in New York’s Lower East Side designed by Michaelis Boyd and Rockwell Group.

Japanese studio Kooo Architects has converted a 1970s textile factory in Shanghai into a store that aims to capture the ethos of messenger bag manufacturer Freitag.

Located on an alley in the Xian-Suo district in central Shanghai, the store was designed to retain elements of the former state-run factory while incorporating reused material.

Kooo Architects aimed to create a pared-back aesthetic utilising few finishes to reduce the fit-out’s carbon impact. Like its previous Kyoto store, the look was partly informed by Freitag’s Zurich warehouse.

“In order to reduce CO2 emission as much as possible, the building interior does not use any decorational material, and all surfaces and conduits are exposed,” Kooo Architects told Dezeen.

“In order to achieve a connected, inclusive and transparent environment, nothing is hidden, and there are no interior partition walls either,” it said.

“Even the storage space is positioned in front of the visitors across all three floors. These spatial characters are highly relevant to the factory spirit of Freitag, and the space is a natural reflection of that.”

Within the three-storey store, the upper floors contain display areas featuring industrial-looking units and storage spaces, while a large repair shop occupies the entire ground floor.

The raw atheistic was broken by pops of bright yellow – one of the brand’s signature colours, which was used for the feature stair as well as ladders and a gantry.

“In order to create an interior space fit for retail purposes, we adopted the white colour for the walls and ceiling and introduced a new skylight above the void space,” said Kooo Architects.

“Traffic yellow was used for elements related to vertical movement, including staircases, the cargo lift and the ladder,” it continued.

“The bright factory color not only introduces some playfulness to the architecture but also simply reminds visitors and staff of safety when using these elements.”

To create the store, the studio opened up the ground and part of the first floor by removing the walls, which are supported on a steel structure.

While the studio retained many of the bricks, the rest of the waste was ground up to make “rebirth bricks”, which were used for the ground floor paving.

The store was overclad in steel, which was also used as the hoarding required to enclose the building during the demolition phase of the works.

“We saw the material similarity between the hoarding and our designed deck plate facade, so we decided to use the deck plate as the hoarding material,” said Kooo Architects.

“In later stages of construction, the deck plate was removed from the hoarding, trimmed to size and reinstalled as a permanent facade material,” it continued.

“The steel deck plate was galvanised to protect the building against the weather and with a matte finish to avoid harsh reflection of sunlight.”

Throughout, the design studio and Freitag aimed to reduce carbon emissions by reusing materials and sourcing new materials from within a 100 kilometre radius of the store.

In total, Freitag and the architects estimated that the measures they undertook reduced its carbon impact by 144 tonnes of CO2 equivalent compared to a standard redevelopment.

Founded in 1993, Swiss brand Freitag started by creating bags from reused tarpaulins. It recently opened a “micro-factory” where customers could help make their own bags out of recycled tarpaulins.

The photography is by Studio Fang.

---

Project credits:

Store design: Freitag / Kooo Architects
Developer: Chengjun Fan
Constructor: Hengpin
Concept rooftop: Jody Wong
Greening rooftop: Forest City Studio
Freitag bench design: Leandro Destefani (Zauber Aller Art)

Architecture studio Office Alex Nicholls has fused two penthouse apartments in Melbourne into one large flexible home, converting their basement parking spots into a private spa and pool.

Adaptability was key to the home in Melbourne’s Elsternwick suburb, which needed to provide enough space for a multi-generational family as well as accommodating visiting relatives in guest rooms that double up as studies.

“Spaces were designed to adapt to a multitude of uses, with flexible working and living spaces as well as areas that could expand for large groups or contract to provide intimate settings,” the studio’s founder Alex Nicholls told Dezeen.

Office Alex Nicholls was brought on board while the apartment block was still under construction and was able to make significant changes to suit his clients’ needs – improving the layout, adding skylights and up-speccing on key details like the windows.

“The design intent was to create variety and different spatial experiences across a very expansive and potentially monotonous floorplan,” Nicholls said.

“I wanted to create a light yet grounded and natural-feeling space that was contrasted with some stronger formal elements such as sculptural skylights and coloured functional volumes.”

To navigate this vast apartment, Nicholls devised a central “library spine” – a corridor running the entire length of the apartment that houses the family’s collection of books, art and artefacts while creating an opportunity out of what could have been a dark and monotonous space.

“The idea for the library spine was born from a storage requirement of the clients,” the architect said. “However, it became a key architectural intervention.”

“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.”

To provide vital light to the heart of the apartment and enhance the two main living spaces, Nicholls designed a series of circular and semi-circular oculus skylights, which reference the clients’ love of Elsternwick’s art deco architecture.

“They create a sense of movement and symmetry in the composition of otherwise rectilinear volumes,” he explained.

The apartment has three kitchens, partly to meet the family’s religious requirements and partly to allow the different generations who are sharing the apartment to enjoy their own independence.

Described by Nicholls as a series of “magic boxes”, each monolithic kitchen is defined by one vivid colour. This helps to delineate spaces and provides a counterpoint to the otherwise warm and natural material palette, which includes Blackbutt timber and Gosford sandstone.

“The kitchens were designed to be largely concealed within these coloured volumes to give each one more spatial presence while ensuring the apartment did not feel too kitchen- and appliance-heavy as a result of the clients’ complex requirements,” Nicholls said.

In the basement, Nicholls turned the penthouses’ lift-accessed parking spots into a private 100-square-metre wellness space that features a fitness pool, sauna, kitchenette, changing rooms and a flexible rehabilitation area.

To make up for the lack of natural light in this subterranean space, Nicholls deployed atmospheric indirect lighting and a warm colour palette.

“Lighting the space via a datum of timber niches helped give the spa a restorative atmosphere, enhanced by the use of natural materials such as sandstone, timber, terracotta and lime render,” he explained.

Elsternwick is a thriving suburb in the southeast of Melbourne, brimming with buzzy shops, restaurants and bars.

Among them is the Hunter & Co Deli, whose interiors were informed by the cold cuts on offer, and the minimal Penta cafe with its monolithic concrete counter.

The photography is by Rory Gardiner.

For our latest lookbook, we’ve collected eight homes where stylish wall-mounted and built-in bookshelves add storage and visual interest.

For book lovers, storage can quickly become a problem. But well-designed shelves can solve this issue and simultaneously function as a decorative detail.

This lookbook showcases practical bookshelves from across the globe, including custom-made steel shelving in Chicago and a floor-to-ceiling wooden bookcase in Shanghai.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bathrooms with sunken baths, bedrooms with regal four-poster beds and interiors with natural materials and timeless accents.

---

Residence for Two Collectors, US, by Wheeler Kearns Architects

Local studio Wheeler Kearns Architects designed this Chicago home for two art collectors to have enough space for their extensive collection.

In the penthouse’s living room, a custom-made shelf in patinated steel with its own circular staircase takes up almost an entire wall. This is filled not just with books but also with various artworks in wood and clay.

Find out more about Residence for Two Collectors ›

---

House 6, Spain, by Zooco Estudio

Bookshelves span two levels of this flat in Mallorca, designed by Spanish studio Zooco Estudio. Colourful book covers contrast against the white shelving unit, which rises up from the ground floor.

“As a unifying element, a shelf rises colonising both living and lobby spaces,” the studio said. “This way we integrate aesthetic and functionality in one single element.”

Find out more about House 6 ›

---

Pedro Reyes House, Mexico, by Pedro Reyes

The Mexico City home of sculptor Pedro Reyes and fashion designer Carla Fernandez is filled with sculptural details including a double-height staircase and a library made from coarse concrete.

The concrete is left exposed both here and throughout the rest of the house, which takes cues from the city’s modernist and brutalist buildings, including examples by Luis Barragán.

Find out more about Pedro Reyes House ›

---

Library Home, China, by Atelier Tao+C

This Shanghai apartment, located in the ISS Normandy Apartments designed by Hungarian-Slovak architect László Hudec in 1924, is almost completely lined with bookshelves.

The wooden storage matches the flat’s parquet flooring and contrasts with the white marble staircase in the living area, where a wine fridge adds to the relaxed feel of the room.

Find out more about Library Home ›

---

A Cloistered House, UK, by Turner Architects

When Turner Architects renovated this Georgian terraced house in south London, the British studio was careful to restore the building’s original features while still keeping it modern.

Built-in shelves filled with books add a splash of sage green to the living room, where a cosy mustard-yellow sofa creates an inviting reading spot.

Find out more about A Cloistered House ›

---

Farleigh Road House, UK, by Paolo Cossu Architects

A smooth wooden bookshelf lines the wall and connects to a chunky wooden staircase inside Farleigh Road House in east London, designed by local studio Paolo Cossu Architects.

Its deep shelves provide space for books as well as magazines, plants, vases and lamps.

Find out more about Farleigh Road House ›

---

Cuernavaca House, Mexico, by Tapia McMahon

Inside this family home in Mexico City, a huge timber bookcase adds a warm feel to the concrete walls.

“Large timber bookshelves and a kitchen assembly mimic furniture installations and help to break up the use of fair-faced concrete walls and slabs throughout,” architecture studio Tapia McMahon said.

Find out more about Cuernavaca House ›

---

Charlotte Road warehouse, UK, by Emil Eve Architects

The living room inside this apartment in a former warehouse in Shoreditch, east London, features a built-in wooden bookcase that complements the exposed wooden beams in the ceiling.

Reaching all the way up to the ceiling, the oak shelving was designed to add to the warm material palette of the brick-and-timber building.

Find out more about Charlotte Road warehouse ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bathrooms with sunken baths, bedrooms with regal four-poster beds and interiors with natural materials and timeless accents.

Mixing metal finishes in the kitchen requires a balance between harmony and contrast. There are practical tips for achieving a cohesive look in a kitchen design. Mixing various metal finishes defines your style.

Homeowners blend different metal finishes using lighting fixtures, appliances, faucets, cabinet hardware, and more.

---

The Perks of Mixing Metals in Kitchen Decor

Mixing different metal finishes has more perks than sticking to a single type of metal.

Adds Visual Interest and Depth

Mixing metal finishes in kitchen decor adds visual interest and depth. Introducing a variety of finishes breaks up the monotony and creates a more dynamic space. The contrast between different metals makes your kitchen feel more inviting.

It complements your kitchen’s color scheme while creating distinct focal points. For instance, pairing a copper range hood with stainless steel appliances creates an attractive centerpiece. Combining warm-toned metals like brass with cool-toned metals like chrome also achieves an appealing design.

Showcasing Personal Style and Creativity

Customizing your kitchen allows you to showcase your style and creativity. You can experiment with different metal textures and combinations to create a unique aesthetic. You could blend brass hardware on your cabinets with stainless steel appliances for an eclectic look.

---

Common Kitchen Metal Finishes

Standard metal finishes for modern kitchen aesthetics include stainless steel, copper, polished brass, brushed nickel, and more.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is durable, corrosion-resistant, and easy to clean. It’s often used for appliances, sinks, and countertops. Stainless steel’s sleek, modern appearance complements various kitchen styles.

Contemporary kitchen designs feature stainless steel appliances, fixtures, and matte black cabinet hardware and faucets. Stainless steel is also a primary metal for industrial kitchens due to its durability and ease of maintenance.

Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel has a matte finish, which hides fingerprints and smudges. Its subdued shine works well with stainless steel appliances, making it popular in modern kitchens.

Brushed nickel complements warm color schemes like red, yellow, or orange. The major downside to this finish is that it’s difficult to clean. Its textured surface makes it challenging to get the dirt off.

Polished Brass

Polished brass adds a touch of warmth and elegance to a modern kitchen. It’s ideal for homeowners who want a gold finish without overpowering other metals in the kitchen. Brass complements natural, earthy tones.

You can also balance the warmth of polished brass kitchen hardware with stainless steel appliances. Most modern homes feature a white kitchen with brass hardware.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze

Oil-rubbed bronze fixtures fit traditional and contemporary kitchen designs. The metal’s rich color contrasts white backgrounds and hides smudges and fingerprints.

Oil-rubbed faucets and light fixtures pair well with stainless steel hardware. Mix matte black and oil-rubbed bronze cabinet pulls and pot fillers.

Matte Black

Create a bold contrast by mixing stainless steel with matte black metal. Combine with a matte black faucet and gold hardware. Matte black and gold are contrasting accents to the primary metal, stainless steel.

Matte black is a popular finish for cabinet pulls on white or gray cabinets. Matte black adds modernity to the design, exuding elegance and refinement in the kitchen.

Copper

Copper is a reddish metal. It works for most designs, including industrial and farmhouse kitchens. Over time, copper develops a natural patina. It adds a unique, aged appearance, enhancing the charm of rustic or farmhouse kitchens.

Polished copper finishes look stunning in a sleek and minimalist contemporary kitchen. For instance, you can add a polished copper faucet and pendant lights to warm an all-white space.

---

Key Tips for Mixing Metal Finishes in the Kitchen

It’s crucial to understand the basics of mixing metals in the kitchen. It ensures a cohesive and unique aesthetic.

Establish a Dominant Metal and Secondary Accents

Select a primary metal for fixtures and appliances. Add a secondary metal for contrast and visual appeal. The secondary metal is ideal for smaller accents like cabinet hardware, light fixtures, or faucets.

Pair Warm and Cool Tones for Balance

Pairing warm and cool metals creates visual balance. Warm metals include copper, gold, oil-rubbed bronze, and brass. Nickel, stainless steel, iron, and chrome are cool metals. For instance, mixing brass and nickel finishes create an appealing contrast, which results in a harmonious look.

Create a Visual Hierarchy With Metal Finishes

Mixing metal finishes in the kitchen highlights specific elements and creates a focal point. Use statement pieces, such as a chandelier, a faucet, or eye-catching cabinet handles.

For instance, mixing gold hardware with stainless steel appliances creates a striking contrast that draws attention to the space.

Limit the Number of Different Metals for a Cohesive Look

Mix two or three metal finishes for a cohesive look in your kitchen. Consider other materials and colors in your kitchen design when choosing metal finishes. Warm-toned metals like copper, brass, and gold pair well in black kitchens. Cool metals like chrome and stainless steel complement bright kitchen interiors.

---

Mixing Metals in Various Kitchen Elements

Kitchen elements with metal finishes include kitchen appliances, hardware, kitchenware, and decor.

• Faucets and Sink Fixtures: Mixing metal faucets and sink fixtures allows you to add personality to your kitchen. Mix brass or gold faucets with stainless steel or matte black sinks for a bold contrast.

You could also mix complementary metals, such as brushed nickel faucets, with a chrome sink. Blending a copper faucet with an oil-rubbed bronze sink also adds visual interest to your kitchen.

• Cabinet Hardware and Pulls: Similar metal finishes in upper and lower cabinet hardware create a cohesive look. Alternating between the two also adds a sense of balance.

For example, match brass pulls on the top cabinets with matte black handles on the lower cabinets. Consider using one metal for knobs and another for pulls to enhance the visual texture.

• Lighting Fixtures and Pendant Lights: Lighting fixtures and pendant lights create a focal point to a kitchen’s design. Consider mixing two or more metals within the same accessory.

For instance, you could install a brass and black pendant light. For a harmonious blend, use several lighting fixtures with different metals.

• Appliances and Range Hoods: Most kitchen appliances are available in standard finishes like stainless steel. You could add a range hood with a contrasting metal finish, such as copper or brass. To avoid overwhelming the space, choose a limited palette of metals.
• Kitchen Furniture and Seating: Metal-framed bar stools or chairs complement the kitchen design. You could also opt for a dining table with metallic accents like copper or brass legs.
• Decorative Accents and Backsplashes: Use a metallic backsplash tile that blends two or more metals. Stainless steel lintels, brass, or a mosaic of copper create a notable visual impact.

You could also use a single-metal backsplash to contrast with other kitchen design elements. Another option is incorporating mixed metals using wall art, utensil holders, or decorative bowls.

---

Mixing Metals in Different Kitchen Design Styles

When choosing metal finishes, consider your kitchen’s style and color palette to ensure they complement each other.

Modern and Minimalist

Modern and minimalist kitchens feature a cohesive layout and shiny, dramatic elements. Stainless steel is popular as the primary metal, with brass or matte black as the accent metal. Distributing metals throughout the space creates a cohesive look. Avoid concentrating one metal in a single area, creating visual imbalance.

For instance, you could use stainless steel for the sink, faucet, and large appliances. Add brass or gold drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and light fixtures.

Rustic and Farmhouse

Copper’s warm, rich tones suit rustic and farmhouse kitchens. Use copper in light fixtures, range hoods, sinks, or kitchenware. You can also accessorize using items made from wrought iron for a vintage touch.

Traditional and Classic

Brass, bronze, and brushed nickel are standard in traditional kitchen designs. Pairing warm-toned brass with cool-toned nickel creates an appealing contrast. Chrome fixtures are also popular for classic kitchens. Chrome is an alternative for homeowners who prefer a shiny finish to the matte appearance of nickel.

Mix the deep, rich tones of bronze with the shiny, reflective surface of chrome for a balanced design. Incorporate bronze in light fixtures, cabinet handles, and chrome for faucets and appliances.

Eclectic and Bohemian

Boho styles mix a lot of brass with other metals, including copper, chrome, and nickel. Create an eclectic look using many metals and different textures. Combine the warmth of brass with the rich tones of copper for a cohesive blend.

Use brass for cabinet hardware and light fixtures and copper for pots and decor. Wooden utensils and antique dishware fit in as well.

---

Inspiration Ideas for Mixing Metals in Your Kitchen Design

Combining different metallic elements adds a unique flair to the kitchen space.

• White cabinets with black stainless steel kitchen appliances: To achieve a modern look, contrast your cabinets with bold black stainless steel. The combination is best for both contemporary and traditional kitchen designs.
• Silver sink with black faucet: Installing a silver sink with a sleek black faucet creates a sense of contrast. The idea works best in an industrial, minimalist, or contemporary kitchen.
• Brushed nickel appliances: Brushed nickel appliances create a more subtle style when mixing metal finishes. They have a soft, matte finish, adding warmth to a kitchen space. Consider pairing brushed nickel appliances with metal finishes like gold or brass faucets.
• Gold hardware on white cabinets: Mixing these two evokes a sense of luxury and elegance. Gold accents add warmth and richness to the white cabinetry. Use gold cabinet pulls, hinges, and knobs to achieve this luxurious look.
• White and brass appliances: Combining white and brass creates a more eclectic design. The blend makes the kitchen space bold and striking. Pair these appliances with brass elements, such as cabinet hardware or light fixtures.