Category: Home & Kitchen

This hotel by architecture studio Metro Urbe occupies a series of former industrial buildings on the banks of the River Douro in Porto, Portugal, and features interiors by Quiet Studios.

The Rebello Hotel is spread across several 19th-century buildings, which have been overhauled and adapted with new additions by Metro Urbe, in Vila Nova de Gaia – across the river from the city proper.

Operated by Bomporto Hotels, which has two properties in Lisbon, the new addition to its portfolio was designed with a local approach and to take full advantage of its prime riverside location.

The Rebello is named after Porto’s famous rabelos – wooden boats that used to transport barrels of port wine down the river – and located beside the city’s only remaining boatyard.

The collection of buildings was once a kitchen utensil factory and had been unoccupied for some time before work began to reconfigure the site.

The team restored two long buildings that face onto the river, preserving their historic stone facades, and constructed two new volumes in the centre of the site that incorporate smaller original structures and resolve the sloping topography.

Presented with a blank canvas, Spanish interior designer Daniela Franceschini – founder of Lisbon-based Quiet Studios – worked with local artists and creatives to transform the industrial spaces into warm and comfortable guest facilities.

Using vintage and contemporary objects, she based the interiors around four key elements: water, wine, wood and industry.

“There’s a nautical feel to the colours, materials and textures,” said Franceschini. “That also comes through in the lighting, which is suggestive of floating and sailboats, and in the lamps with chains, the wooden shelves by Tomaz Viana, the ceramic nets by Fig Studio and the undulating mirrors that evoke the movement of the sea.”

Above the retro-style reception counter, fronted by a metal lattice, is an artwork crafted using reclaimed materials from the rabelos, which was designed by Studio Ther in collaboration with a local artisan.

The lobby lounge and bar was designed for digital nomads to work or relax on a variety of comfortable soft seats, within a bright space that features polished concrete floors and exposed ceiling ductwork.

As a nod to the site’s history, the ground-floor Pot&Pan restaurant serves family-style dishes in large pots and pans within a space decorated with dark-toned walls and plants to create a casual atmosphere.

There’s also a cafe and store selling local produce and crafts, and meeting rooms that can be hired separately or combined for private events.

The Rebello Hotel’s 103 guest rooms and apartments are split into 11 different types, ranging from studios to three-bedroom penthouses that span 37 to 195 square metres.

The interiors of its light-filled suites have been decorated with walnut, steel, concrete and tiles, along with contemporary furniture that introduces splashes of bright colour to the otherwise neutral palette.

The bedrooms also include “tailor-made pieces influenced by nautical and industrial design, such as the sinks inspired by old water tanks and the organically styled bed headboards that resemble the rippling waters of the Douro”, according to the design team.

The Rebello Hotel guests can enjoy a spa, modelled on ancient Roman baths and encompassing a heated pool, sauna, fitness centre and treatment rooms.

Finally, the Rooftop Bello bar on the fourth floor offers a spot for al fresco cocktails overlooking the river, with a view of the city’s terracotta-tiled skyline beyond.

Other interior design projects in Porto include a rustic restaurant interior designed by Space Copenhagen, which features a ceramic mural by Álvaro Siza, and a sushi bar by Paulo Merlini where 8,000 wooden chopsticks hang above diners.

The photography is by Francisco Nogueira.

The culinary landscape is constantly changing, as are the kitchen trends that define the style of this heart of the home. Outdated kitchen trends, which were once cutting-edge, now appear dated and passe.

Revitalizing this area of your home is critical because the style of the kitchen frequently defines the style of the entire home. Understanding the “in” and “out” kitchen trends will help you avoid costly mistakes that will quickly date your home.

Outdated Kitchen Trends

As with any design trend, you have to decide which ones to follow and which to pass up. These kitchen trends, while not entirely gone from the current kitchen landscape, are on their way to becoming outdated.

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All White Kitchens

White kitchens, which once looked clean and modern, now seem sterile, lacking in personality, and overused. Aside from their appearance, all-white kitchens are difficult to maintain and keep looking spotless, as white cabinets and countertops show every spill, crumb, and scratch.

The growing color trend in kitchens is to use warmer, more textured, and earthy materials such as wood and earth-toned cabinet colors. If you still love white, try a warmer white like ecru or ivory, or even a slightly darker option like a light beige. This will still create a light kitchen look without the harshness of stark white.

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Granite Countertops

Granite is a solid, natural stone surface that is virtually indestructible when you use it as a kitchen countertop. Many people still prefer this surface, but the trend of using it in new kitchen designs has faded due to overuse in the 2000s.

Marble and soapstone are still luxurious options for kitchen countertops, though they require some maintenance to stay pristine. Another high-end option that is gaining popularity is natural quartzite.

This material has beautiful veining and color, similar to marble, but is denser. Quartz, a synthetic version of quartzite, is also a popular and cost-effective choice. If you prefer something eclectic or more colorful, opt for mixing your countertop materials using options like wood, terrazzo, and copper.

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Traditional-Style Cabinets

Traditional-style cabinets, such as those with ornate detailing, raised panels, decorative molding, and detailed hardware, appear too heavy in modern and even rustic kitchen designs. Instead, sleeker and cleaner cabinet styles are the most popular choices for new kitchen designs. In modern and contemporary kitchen styles, flat panel cabinet doors will be most in demand. For traditional and classic kitchen designs, Shaker style cabinets are still popular, though some interior designers are choosing a modified Shaker style.

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Subway Tile Everywhere

Subway tile, a classic rectangular tile, has covered countless kitchen backsplashes since the 2000s. While subway tile will always have a timeless appeal, many other tiles are being used for backslash designs. Warmer, more textured tile options have gained popularity since 2020. To create more organic and earthy kitchen styles, interior designers have turned to zellige tiles, handcrafted and colorful subway tiles, and terrazzo tiles.

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Small Windows

The shift from smaller windows over sinks to larger windows reflects a broader trend toward brighter, more open interiors. Designers are exploring new ways to incorporate more natural light into kitchens, which can boost mood and provide a better sense of well-being. Larger windows improve the visual connection between the kitchen and the outdoors while also adding architectural interest.

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Open Shelving

Open shelving was a popular trend in the 2010s and is still used as a kitchen detail, but many kitchen designers are moving away from full above-counter shelving. Open shelving, while appealing in many kitchens, was always problematic. Open shelves collect dust and grime on dishes and cookware, necessitating more frequent cleaning. They also add to the visual clutter in the kitchen and reduce available storage, as open shelves are used for display rather than practical storage.

More popular options today include pantry-like cabinets and other closed options that provide a cleaner and more streamlined appearance. If you still like the look of shelves, a small corner shelf or a set of display shelves will suffice for your overall kitchen design.

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Matte Black Hardware

Matte black hardware was used extensively in modern and contemporary design renovations. While matte black hardware can look clean and modern, it lacks texture and warmth for today’s kitchen design. It also does not hold up well to prolonged use over time.

Rather than sticking with a single type of hardware, such as matte black, mixing metals is one of the most popular ongoing trends. Because of its warm undertones, polished nickel complements warm metals such as brass and gold particularly well. Select one primary metal color and then accent with another. Experts recommend using a single finish, such as polished or satin, for both metal colors.

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Too Much Gray

A monochromatic gray kitchen can work well in modern or industrial design, but the trend is towards more organic, warm, and nuanced color palettes. Gray still works well in some contexts. If you still love the look of gray, use a warm gray paint color and mix it with other earthy tones. Warm gray colors still look current when paired with warm metal colors like gold or brass. Steer away from using too much gray in your kitchen and cool gray colors with blue and purple undertones.

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Standard Light Fixtures

When constructing a home, most builders use standard grade lighting fixtures. Many of these light options may be unoffensive, but they do nothing to elevate the kitchen design. Statement lighting does not require a significant financial investment, but it yields an immediate return. Decorative lighting over your island and eat-in kitchen can create focal points, instantly personalizing your kitchen style. Beyond just aesthetics, modern light fixtures have more functionality: choose smart light fixtures where you can control the timing, ambience, and mood.

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Ultra-Modern Kitchen Designs

Ultra-modern kitchen designs, which were popular in the 2000s, are being phased out in favor of warmer, more organic designs. If you are designing a new kitchen, avoid ultra-modern design elements such as glossy and reflective surfaces, lacquered cabinets, sharp edges, and cool colors. Instead, combine earthy tones and warm textures with flat panel cabinets, warm metal colors, organic shapes, and mixed materials such as natural stone and wood countertops.

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Handle-Free Doors and Cabinets

Kitchen designers are abandoning handle-free doors in favor of textured design trends with mixed materials and a cozier aesthetic. Everyone loves the jewel-like sparkle of hardware against doors and cabinets and is looking for new ways to use it. Plus, it is just more convenient and fool-proof to grab a handle or knob to open the door rather than rely on a push-door system that might deteriorate over time.

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Decorative Vent Hoods

The popularity of overly decorative or large vent hoods is waning, giving way to more understated and minimalist designs. Although vent hoods are a popular kitchen focal point, designers are taking a more balanced approach.

They are seeking to harmonize rather than overwhelm the rest of the kitchen design with the choice of vent hood. The most popular kitchen designs today include a vent hood that is either hidden in the cabinetry or has a clean, straight appearance. These edited vent hoods offer greater design flexibility and versatility if you decide to switch kitchen styles in the future.

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Farmhouse Kitchen Styling and Decor

Reclaimed wood, vintage-inspired decor, and graphic signs were all popular farmhouse kitchen decor elements in the early 2000s. This design trend lasted far beyond its expiration date. The current kitchen trend is toward creating authentic and comfortable kitchens. While many people associate this feeling with farmhouse style, the majority of farmhouse kitchen decor lacks authenticity and feels overused.

Instead, choose warm, textured decor with an interesting backstory, such as a painting or textile wall art. As an alternative, choose personally meaningful décor to add coziness and warmth to your kitchen.

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Highly Decorative Backsplashes

Backsplashes can date a kitchen more quickly than almost any element besides the cabinets, so choosing a decorative backsplash means committing to a very particular style. Although there are still many beautiful kitchens with statement backsplashes, they tend to age faster than more understated options.

The secret to having a kitchen design that endures over time is to go with a less decorative option because styles in the kitchen change so quickly. Say goodbye to backsplashes with overly trendy colors, glass mosaics, and intricate designs. Instead, choose wood paneling, artisan tile, or backsplash slabs to complement your countertops.

Japanese brand Karimoku Case has redesigned an apartment on a hilltop in Tokyo, using wood and a neutral colour palette to create a “calm and serene atmosphere”.

Named Azabu Hills Residence, the project was designed by Karimoku Case – a studio developed by Karimoku Furniture in collaboration with design studios Keiji Ashizawa and Norm Architects.

The studio used the project as an opportunity to optimise the use of local zelkova wood which is increasingly underutilised.

“We sympathized with the story of how zelkova used to be a common material in Japan, but is now being chipped and discarded, and wished to explore the possibilities of zelkova through this project,” lead designer Keiji Ashizawa told Dezeen.

“When I first saw the sample of it, I felt that its gentle reddish hue, along with its story, was a good match for the project,” he continued.

“We decided to create the interior using zelkova that would come in harmony with the gentle light from the north side.”

The 226-metre-square apartment was centred around a spacious, open-plan living area and dining room illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows.

A small workspace nestled behind a wall in the living space makes use of the spacious interior, and is furnished with a desk, chair and shelving made from zelkova wood.

The minimalist interior is defined by textured white walls and wood used for flooring, window frames and fittings, which are tied together by cream furnishings, paper lighting fixtures and decorative artwork.

In the living space, lattice wooden screens were used to separate programmes as well as provide cross ventilation through the space to create airy interiors.

“With the residence being located in the middle of a large city like Tokyo, it was important to have a home-like atmosphere that makes you feel at ease,” Ashizawa said.

“We were conscious of the calmness and tranquility needed to achieve this, and designed the interior with well-curated furniture, lighting, and art to create an environment for this purpose.”

A counter made from zelkova wood divides the living space and adjacent kitchen, while also serving as an additional seating and dining space.

Within the kitchen, cabinets built from gridded wooden frames were finished with concrete countertops, complemented by tiled terrazzo flooring that also features in the home’s entryway.

Gridded wooden frames are repeated for both storage in the living area and a wall in the main bedroom where the home transitions into a cosy-feel with carpet flooring.

A circular chair and marbled table sit in front of the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows, with a study desk nestled into the corner.

Other recently completed projects with minimalist interiors include a dental clinic in Montreal designed to feel like “someone’s home” and a London pub converted into a pared-back jewellery showroom.

The photography is by Tomooki Kengaku. 

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Project credits:

Architect: Keiji Ashizawa Design
Project architect: Keiji Ashizawa / Ryota Maruyama
Client: reBITA / NTT Urban Development Coperation Tokyo
Construction: Tamarix
Furniture collaboration: Norm Architects
Furniture: Karimoku Case
Lighting: Kojima Shoten / Saito Shomei
Lighting plan: AURORA / Yoshiki Ichikawa
Interior styling: Yumi Nakata

New York studio Alda Ly Architecture has designed a taproom for female- and veteran-owned brewery Talea in the city’s West Village neighbourhood, which includes a place for groups to “scheme”.

Talea West Village is the beer company’s third outpost and its first Manhattan location, following two established in Brooklyn.

The space is located in a 1920s building on Christopher Street, an iconic thoroughfare that’s home to several landmarks, businesses and historic spaces associated with the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

“This new taproom on Christopher Street reclaims the masculine identity of a West Village saloon to celebrate voices of women and LGBTQ+ communities in the Village, all while serving Talea’s popular sour brews in an elevated, vibrant space,” said Alda Ly Architecture (ALA).

Flooded with natural light thanks to large windows along the street facade, the main space is anchored by a purple-fronted bar with a curved white quartz countertop in one corner.

Behind, numerous beer taps are mounted onto a yellow-tiled partition, while glassware and cans are displayed on shelves above.

The bar is lit by Junit oak pendants from Schneid Studio and brass Dottie sconces by Visual Comfort are mounted around the perimeter.

“We opened up the space to provide as much open area for the front dining room, and brought the bar front and centre to highlight the taps with their extensive selection of beers,” said ALA founder Alda Ly.

“We wanted the bar to be a welcoming beacon for all people in the neighborhood,” she added.

The other side features built-in, stained-oak seating and small circular tables against an exposed brick wall.

Pale green backrests and muted red Scroll dining chairs from Industry West continue the interior’s bright colour palette, which is also echoed in the works by local artists displayed on the walls.

“It was important to us to capture the spirit of Talea in a space that felt elevated but also very warm and welcoming,” said ALA project director Marissa Feddema.

Past the bar is a more intimate space called The Revolution Room, designed for groups of eight to 10 people to “scheme, hang and gather” according to the team.

A large table sits below a Nuura Miira 8 Oval chandelier that’s suspended from a skylight, and more brickwork is exposed to add to the saloon-like vibe.

Further back still, patrons will find the Snug – a much darker and cosier room decorated with jewel-toned furniture, navy limewash painted walls and a vintage fireplace mantle.

The moody bathrooms are adorned with images of prominent local residents and gender activists through the years, further emphasising the neighbourhood’s importance to the LGBTQ+ community.

The West Village is packed with bars and restaurants, from upscale dining spots like Cecchi’s to casual cocktail places like Donna.

Close by, in the Union Square area, ALA has previously designed the interior for a doctor’s office and clinic with earthy and homey details.

The photography is by Brooke Holm.

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Project credits:

Architect and interior designer: ALA (Alda Ly, Marissa Feddema, Sheridan Treadwell, Marlee Anderson)
MEP engineer: Tan Engineering
General contractor: Aerial Design & Build

Dutch firm UNStudio has revealed a two-storey flagship store for Chinese technology company Huawei in Shanghai with a facade clad in ivory-coloured petal-like forms.

Drawing from Huawei’s global operating system, named Harmony, UNStudio‘s design aimed to generate biophilic associations between the brand and its technology by integrating organic geometric shapes throughout the scheme.

“Among the many interfaces found in retail nowadays, the flagship store we have created for Huawei in Shanghai is one that blends interactive experiences, technology and community creation,” UNStudio founder and principal Ben van Berkel said.

“The new store reimagines modern retail spaces as inviting environments that promote a sense of community and provide a contemporary venue for consumers and visitors to meet, share and innovate,” he continued.

The store’s double-height frontage is defined by a series of overlapping elements that the studio described as “petal-like”, which fold together to form a raised band across the facade glazing.

Each ivory-coloured ‘petal’ weaves down to meet the ground as ‘stems’, configured to hide the structural mullions between glass panels and create the sense of a frameless facade.

Soft lighting was also integrated between the petal edges to illuminate the store’s exterior at night.

Positioned directly behind the facade, a spiralling column named the Tree of Harmony continues the organic geometries internally.

The column was positioned to the side of the central atrium as a focal point for visitors and is wrapped by stairs that lead to the upper mezzanine floor.

To further the store’s biophilic character, the southern facade was finished with undulating glazing and seating that folds around the building’s curves.

Internal finishes were kept warm and neutral to match the facade’s clean tones and extensive white overhead lighting.

The studio used wood and glassfibre-reinforced cement for the store’s ceilings, floor and columns, while product tables and furniture were also made from wood and natural-toned materials to add to the organic feel of the space.

According to UNStudio, the store integrates high-performance materials and prefabricated, detachable finishes to increase the building’s longevity, while the quality of the air inside the store is monitored by climate control technology.

“Huawei TKL flagship store re-crafts Huawei’s innovative technology into a design aesthetic,” UNStudio partner Hannes Pfau said.

“It seamlessly creates a unified facade and interior narrative, while using high-performance, certified and recycled materials.”

The store has a central product display avenue that spans the length of the ground floor, with two further experiential zones interspersed for increased user interaction.

A Signature Experience zone will host featured events and exhibits, while the Consumer Full Scenario Experience zone lets visitors use and test Huawei products.

Both floors were designed with open and flexible spaces in which the store can host lectures, activities and classes.

To complete the store’s functional offerings, UNStudio also created a minimalist interior cafe to blend with the rest of the store for customers awaiting after-sale services.

UNStudio was founded in Amsterdam in 1998 by Van Berkel and Caroline Bos.

The studio has also recently completed the Booking.com headquarters in Amsterdam and the YG Entertainment headquarters in Seoul featuring metallic surfaces and geometric forms.

The photography is by Wen Studio unless otherwise stated

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and when you’re ready to sell, one of your home’s most (or least) attractive features. Replacing your kitchen flooring can be expensive but provides a good return on investment, especially when you pick a timeless and long-lasting option.

To help you get the most bang for your buck, we interviewed interior designers and flooring manufacturers to discover which flooring types you should avoid. Here’s what they had to say.

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Carpet is a Big No-No

Carpet is the worst flooring choice in the kitchen, according to almost every expert we spoke with. “Water flooding and spills will get trapped under the carpet and between the subfloor causing a mold problem you don’t want,” says FLOOR360 interior designer Courtney Wollersheim. “Even if you can soak up the surface spill, moisture damage can still occur and, in the worst cases, rot the wood flooring underneath.”

Instead of carpet, Courtney encourages waterproof flooring options like luxury vinyl plank. She adds that if you want carpet in the kitchen, low-pile, easy-to-clean area rugs in high-traffic spots are the best option.

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Laminate Floors Can Warp When Exposed to Moisture

Laminate flooring offers an inexpensive and easy-to-install option that mimics the look of natural wood. While these floors are stylish, they are composed of several layers, including a fiberboard core that can warp when exposed to moisture. When a drink is spilled on a laminate floor and not cleaned in a timely manner, the floor’s core will absorb the moisture, causing warping, buckling, and, ultimately, a wavy-looking floor.

There have been some advancements in laminate floors in recent years. So, if you’re opting for this route, pick a waterproof laminate. These floors have a water-resistant top layer that can give you extra time to clean up spills.

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Hardwoods Aren’t Always a Good Choice

Hardwoods work well in some circumstances, like in kitchens that don’t fare many spills or have heavy foot traffic. In busy kitchens, not so much. Here’s what Alice Moszczynski, a New York-based Interior Designer at Planner 5D, had to say, “Wood, though visually appealing, can be a bit high maintenance in the kitchen. It’s prone to scratches, water damage, and stains, making it a high-maintenance choice for this high-traffic area. Spills can turn into a real-life kitchen horror story.”

Alice recommends stone or porcelain tile as a durable, long-lasting kitchen flooring. “Porcelain flooring is like the superhero of kitchen floors – tough and practical. These tiles can take a beating without showing wear, scratches, or chips, perfect for a bustling kitchen.”

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Marble is Prone to Scratches

While beautiful, marble doesn’t stand up to heavy foot traffic like porcelain or ceramic tile. Here’s what Rotem Eylor, the CEO and founder of Republic Flooring had to say when asked about the worst kitchen flooring choices. “The worst type is obviously carpeting, but also marble is not ideal because it can scratch so easily.” Instead, he recommends sticking with easy-to-clean waterproof flooring for the kitchen.

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Better Flooring Alternatives for the Kitchen

According to the experts we interviewed, the top flooring choices for kitchens include porcelain tile, luxury vinyl plank, sealed natural stone, and glazed ceramic tile. In some households, hardwood floors or waterproof laminate will hold up well depending on lifestyle factors.

Father and son architect duo Luís and Tiago Rebelo de Andrade explain how they furnished Lisbon’s Art Legacy Hotel entirely with Moooi products in this video produced by Dezeen for the Dutch furniture brand.

Lisbon practice Rebelo De Andrade designed the interiors of the five star Art Legacy Hotel, located in the Baixa-Chiado district in the city’s centre.

The hotel is notable for its exclusive use of Moooi products and rooms with bold primary colour schemes.

“Hospitality is always about image and stories,” said Luís Rebelo De Andrade, founder of the studio, in the exclusive Dezeen video interview. “We wanted the guests, when they come to this hotel, to have a completely unexpected experience.”

“So, we proposed to our client that we make a hotel with only Moooi products, to give it a very strong identity.”

Moooi’s products were used throughout the hotel, including carpets, furniture, lighting, wall coverings and art pieces.

“Moooi is everywhere in the building,” said Tiago Rebelo De Andrade, who is partner and principal architect at the studio and Luís Rebelo De Andrade’s son. “When you enter the hotel, all the colours, all the textures, all the furniture from Moooi helps us to tell a different story in every floor.

The project is a renovation of a historical office building. Alongside overhauling the hotel’s interior, Rebelo De Andrade also redesigned its facade.

According to Tiago Rebelo De Andrade, Moooi’s blend of modernity and classical references suited the studio’s approach to designing the hotel’s interiors.

“Moooi is classic but in a way that can also be modern,” he said. “It’s a modern-classic building.”

Luís Rebelo De Andrade decided to partner with Moooi on the hotel’s interiors after visiting the brand’s Museum of Extinct Animals exhibition at Milan design week in 2018.

Each room in the Art Legacy Hotel has either a blue, red, yellow or green colour scheme, with matching wall coverings, furniture and tiling in the bathrooms.

“When I first met Moooi’s products, I felt that it uses a lot of primary colours,” he said. “So I used primary colours in a very strong way in the hotel. They are colours that provoke you.”

In the video interview, the duo also discussed their working relationship.

“My son, he provokes me,” said Luís Rebelo De Andrade. “We had to educate ourselves on how to work together.”

“I offer my experience, he offers his youth in projects,” he continued. “So I think it’s a good mix.”

“It’s difficult because it’s a father and son relationship,” added Tiago Rebelo De Andrade. “We are always arguing, but at the end of the day, we drink a bottle of wine so that we can make peace with each other.”

Other recent projects from Moooi include the IDEO-designed Pallana suspension lamp, made up of adjustable ring lights, and the rope-like Knitty Chair designed by Nika Zupanc.

The photography is by João Guimarães.

Partnership content

This video was produced by Dezeen for Moooi as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen’s partnership content here.

Greek architecture offices K-Studio and Monogon have converted the abandoned Manna Sanatorium in Arcadia, southern Greece, into a luxury forest hotel.

Originally built in the 1920s to give tuberculosis patients access to the healing power of nature, the historic structure is now a five-star wellness retreat.

Manna offers 32 rooms fitted out with natural materials and neutral tones, plus gym and spa facilities and a restaurant focused on local produce.

The building sits within a fir forest on Mount Mainalo, the tallest peak in the mountainous region.

The design vision set out by Athens-based K-Studio was to amplify the sense of sanctuary offered by the remote location and enhance the feeling of connection to nature.

Manna owner Stratis Batayas, a Greek entrepreneur who had spent his childhood summers in the area, wanted to create a year-round destination that stayed true to the building’s history.

“The client’s ambition was to reinterpret the concept of a sanctuary in the mountains with contemporary terms,” reads K-Studio’s design statement.

“The hotel would have to be a place for isolation, as well as community-making and participation in the primary activities of everyday living.”

The renovation was overseen in collaboration with Athens-based Monogon and involved significant building work, including the reconstruction of a derelict rear wing and the installation of a new roof.

When the sanatorium closed – made obsolete following the introduction of penicillin in 1938 – the building had been emptied to prevent looting. Stone window sills were stripped out and relocated, while the original roof was removed and repurposed on a hospital in nearby Tripoli.

Concrete was used to replace the old sills, while the new timber roof was installed over rendered brickwork.

A reconfigured layout provides a new entrance on the side of the building.

This leads through into a series of elegant reception and lounge spaces where details include columns with curved corner reveals, ornate gridded ceilings and a herringbone-patterned fireplace.

Manna’s bar can also be found here, featuring neatly crafted joinery. Elsewhere, the restaurant run by chef Athinagoras Kostakos has a more casual feel thanks to an open kitchen.

Art is present throughout, with works by Greek artist Nikos Kanoglou, painter Joanna Burtenshaw and ceramicist Diane Alexandre.

Bedrooms are located on the upper floors of the main building, including a new attic level, and on all levels of the rebuilt northern wing.

Attic rooms offer the most modern feel, extending out to balconies set within large gable-ended dormers.

The materials palette combines brushed timber with earth-toned textiles. Standout features include the elaborate privacy screens that form a backdrop to the beds.

Terrazzo flooring is inlaid with marble to define different zones, matching the stone used for wash basins. Room numbers are carved into the floor surfaces in front of each room entrance.

“Local craftsmen were involved in all construction phases, as they bear the knowhow of stoneworks, joinery and even the characteristic engraved grouting of the exterior stonewalls,” said K-Studio.

Manna opened its doors in the summer of 2023 and is represented by Design Hotels, a booking company that specialises in design-led retreats.

K-Studio co-founder Dimitris Karampataki presented the project at the 2023 edition of The Lobby, an annual hospitality conference in Copenhagen.

He said the design for Manna “embraces the wear and tear, embraces the natural patina”.

“When we first arrived we saw something, which took about a century to make,” he said. “We didn’t want to clean it too much, to be selective of its heritage. It was more important for us to embrace the whole story.”

Other destination hotels to open recently include the Six Senses Rome, designed by Patricia Urquiola, and the Sanya Wellness Retreat in Hainan, China, designed by Neri&Hu.

The photography is by Ana Santl.

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Project credits

Architectural concept: K-Studio
Technical design: Monogon, CS Architecture
On-site supervison: Monogon, K-Studio
FF&E: K-Studio, Monogon
Art curation: Joanna Burtenshaw
Branding design: MNP
Surveyor: Ioannis Charbilas
Structural engineer: Niki Psilla
Mechanical engineer: Gerasimos Vasilatos/Alexandra Zachopoulou & Partners
Lighting design: Eleftheria Deko and Associates Lighting Design
Sound consultant: Alpha Acoustiki
Kitchen consultant: Xenex
Landscape architects: H Pangalou & Associates
Main contractor: CT Construction

Paris-based lifestyle brand Kitsuné has opened a cafe next to its boutique in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, both with minimalist interiors featuring white oak and stainless steel.

The interiors of the new Cafe Kitsuné and the renovated Maison Kitsuné store were designed by co-founder Masaya Kuroki to reflect the brand’s French-Japanese culture as well as the West Coast setting.

Facing Sunset Boulevard on the east side of the city, this is the brand’s fourth cafe in North America – following locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Vancouver – and its first in LA.

“A sprawling city of diverse findings, from cutting-edge restaurants to pockets of art and architecture second to none, LA has lent design inspiration and a backdrop to several campaigns for the fashion house,” said the Kitsuné team.

“Now, it’s the perfect setting for Café Kitsuné, a physical extension of the brand’s Franco-Japanese DNA, and reinvention of the classic Parisian cafe and wine bar experience with a Japanese twist,” they added.

The building’s red-tile exterior and poured concrete flooring were preserved, and hand-painted signage by Californian artist Jeffrey Sincich was added over the large street-facing windows.

Inside the 700-square-foot (65-square-metre) cafe, white oak tables and brushed stainless-steel counters feature alongside burnt orange dining chairs and upholstered benches.

Another Sincich mural covers the full length of a wall, offering “a whimsical take on Café Kitsuné’s standard appearance” and presenting the space as an “old-school market”.

A speaker system by Japanese audio company Rotel was installed in the cafe “to provide a top-notch sound experience for customers”, according to Kitsuné.

Next door in the boutique, a similar material palette is used for elements including a built-in storage and display unit across the back wall.

White oak forms the framing, shelves and doors that lead to the stock and fitting rooms, while ribbed stainless-steel sheets provide a backdrop for the items on show.

More oak was used for the minimalist service counter and panelling behind, and a bright blue table sits in the centre to add a pop of colour.

Kitsuné was founded by 2002 by Kuroki and Gildas Loaëc and encompasses the fashion brand, Maison Kitsuné; a music label, Kitsuné Musique; and its line of cafes, bars and restaurants.

Back in 2017, French designer Mathieu Lehanneur designed the Kitsuné store interior in New York’s Soho, adding snaking metal rails for displaying garments.

The photography is by David Kitz.

The Sims has been allowing players to act out their architecture and interior design fantasies for more than two decades. Jane Englefield finds out how the makers of the iconic life-simulation video game keep up with shifting trends.

“People laugh when I mention playing The Sims, but it was hugely significant in terms of spatial planning and was a key part of how and why I have ended up in the line of interior design work that I have,” interiors stylist and editor Rory Robertson told Dezeen.

“The Sims offered people the opportunity to get a feel for design,” he reflected. “You could be as extravagant and outrageous, or as briefed and restricted as you liked.”

Created in 2000 by American game designer Will Wright, The Sims is a video game where players make human characters – or “sims” – and build their virtual houses and lives from scratch, catering to their needs and desires.

With four iterations of the main game and dozens of themed expansion packs focussing on topics such as university, parenthood and cottage living, The Sims is one of the best-selling video-game franchises of all time.

“It’s really accessible”

Architecture and interior design has been a major part of The Sims experience from the very beginning.

Having previously created the city-building game SimCity in 1989 – which itself has been credited with inspiring a generation of urban planners – Wright was originally motivated to develop The Sims after losing his home in the Oakland firestorm of 1991 in California.

In fact, early designs were for an architecture game, with the shift to focus on people a relatively late addition to the concept, according to one of the game’s first art directors, Charles London.

Design remained a core part of the offering, however, and the interface features tools that allow players to instantly build structures and decorate and furnish them from an extensive inventory of items.

“It’s really accessible, so I think a lot of people get into it without even realising that they’re playing with architecture and playing with space,” said video-games expert and historian Holly Nielsen.

“While it was like catnip for design budding minds, it was also just a wonderful opportunity for procrastination and frivolity for people who aren’t particularly confident or tuned in to interiors or architecture,” echoed Robertson.

Since the original The Sims, a broad set of options has been available for players to suit their tastes and imaginations.

Possibilities have ranged from minimalist bungalows filled with neutral furniture to more outlandish dwellings, such as castles defined by Dalmatian-print wallpaper or hot tubs parked in the middle of multiple living rooms.

“We’ll take any source”

The team behind these possibilities described how they ensure that the architecture and interior design options stay feeling fresh and contemporary with each new game in the series.

“Since we’re a game about real life, anytime we step outside our door we have inspiration by just looking at what’s in our immediate environment,” game designer Jessica Croft told Dezeen.

Art director Mike O’Connor added that he and his team scour the real world and the web for up-to-date references.

“We’ll take any source,” he said. “We’re looking for patterns. If we start to see round furniture, or bouclé, or whatever the trend is, [we ask] has it already gone?”

“The internet doesn’t scrub old ideas. So you know, it’s seeing if there’s a trend, is it sticking, does it apply to what we’re doing now?”

Furniture and appliances within the game are regularly revised over time to reflect cultural and technological progression in the real world, Croft explained.

“In Sims 2 [released in 2004] I would not be surprised if there was a landline phone – and there definitely isn’t a landline phone in my own house, or Sims 4,” she said.

“Even things like VR [virtual reality] didn’t really exist back in The Sims 2 days, so things like VR consoles, computers – we just added dual-monitor computers, and LEDs are now in most households,” she continued.

That in turn sees the team take a surprisingly deep dive into how interiors are changing, O’Connor acknowledged.

“Over the life of this game, you see an evolution,” he said. “Electronics are probably the biggest category [of change]. Even just how people use TVs, how they place them, has changed.”

The idea, says Croft, is to ensure that The Sims players feel a close connection to the world they are building for their sims.

“The most fun thing for me is being able to allow players to craft stories that are relatable to them,” she said. “So, looking for opportunities to make players feel seen.”

“An element of freedom and fantasy-building”

But, as Nielsen points out, there is an additional aspect to the game’s architecture and design possibilities that is central to its appeal.

“In one sense, it’s reflective of society, but in another way, it’s aspirational,” she said.

“There’s an element of freedom and fantasy-building to playing The Sims,” she continued. “Homeownership is a thing that a lot of us will not get to do.”

As in real life, everything you build or buy in The Sims has a cost.

However, unlike in real life, punching “motherlode” into The Sims cheat-code bar will immediately add a healthy 50,000 simoleons to your sim’s bank account, putting that luxury sofa easily within reach.

That possibility remains central to Robertson’s nostalgia for playing The Sims as a young would-be interior designer.

“Once you double-clicked The Sims graphic on your Microsoft desktop, a multi-roomed mansion cost nothing to design,” he said.

This aspirational element has become an increasingly large part of The Sims’ commercial model over the years.

The Sims 4, as an example, is accompanied by 19 purchasable “Stuff Packs” that expand the options of items available to buy, including “Perfect Patio”, “Cool Kitchen” and one based on the products of Milan fashion label Moschino.

And the latest of the more extensive expansion packs is For Rent, which allows players to build rental houses where some sims are landlords and others are tenants.

Within the game, landlords encounter various true-to-life issues, including the potential for toxic mould build-up in their properties – although, unlike in the real world, the mould feature can be toggled on and off.

Inclusivity has also become an increasing focus of The Sims, with integral features now including options to choose sims’ sexual orientation, for instance.

For Nielsen, that traces back to a significant foundational element of the game’s widespread appeal – as well as being one of the reasons it has had such strong interior-design influence.

“It didn’t feel like it was aiming for anyone,” she explained. “One of the things that people bring up a lot is that it has a very female player base.”

“For me, it was a big turning point – it was getting to create the spaces but also play around with the people inside them. It felt like a socially acceptable way to play dollhouses.”

The images are courtesy of Electronic Arts.

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