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Could These Be The Best Designed Spaces You've Ever Seen?
From unexpected material and colour pairings to deftly put together spots, these 15 spaces from all across the world are just unforgettable
Preeti Singh
15 November 2017
Houzz India Editor
What constitutes a well-designed space? Is it one that has the right balance of colours and textures, or one where the placement of elements is just perfect? Or perhaps it is where we feel most comfortable? Here is a selection of 15 spaces that show us glimpses of that elusive quality that elevates just another room to a place of joy.
1. We love: The aqua blue that mirrors the ocean and the delicate sleight of hand for accessorising only with the bare minimum but tasteful essentials
This attic bedroom has been transformed into an wonderland of fantasy and wispiness. The changing daylight touches the walls here with light and shadow just the way it streams through clouds on clear seas. We also love the crispness of the white cotton canopy as it creates a comforting cocoon within this big space. Though it is the sense of serenity and calm in this room that has us spellbound.
Designed by: Tom Scheerer
Where: Bahamas
This attic bedroom has been transformed into an wonderland of fantasy and wispiness. The changing daylight touches the walls here with light and shadow just the way it streams through clouds on clear seas. We also love the crispness of the white cotton canopy as it creates a comforting cocoon within this big space. Though it is the sense of serenity and calm in this room that has us spellbound.
Designed by: Tom Scheerer
Where: Bahamas
2. We love: The sense of structure and symmetry in this dining room
From the overall interplay between darker browns and lighter beiges, and the softness of the leather-bound chairs against the subtle polish on the wooden dining table, to the elegance of the gold-plated pendant chandelier, this room is a study in understated sophistication. The three strips of mirrors instead of one is an ingenious touch that balances out the room by adding layers to its upper part.
Where: Canada
See more pictures of Elle’s house here
From the overall interplay between darker browns and lighter beiges, and the softness of the leather-bound chairs against the subtle polish on the wooden dining table, to the elegance of the gold-plated pendant chandelier, this room is a study in understated sophistication. The three strips of mirrors instead of one is an ingenious touch that balances out the room by adding layers to its upper part.
Where: Canada
See more pictures of Elle’s house here
3. We love: The decision to make the art the focal point in the room
An all-white room with a palette of beige, gold and cream gets a shot in the arm with the peach-pink hue that draws the eye immediately. Once the artwork on the wall is taken in, it’s the brass-saxophones light piece that surprises next.
Designed by: r+d studio
Where: India
An all-white room with a palette of beige, gold and cream gets a shot in the arm with the peach-pink hue that draws the eye immediately. Once the artwork on the wall is taken in, it’s the brass-saxophones light piece that surprises next.
Designed by: r+d studio
Where: India
4. We love: The scale of the living room, and the warm deep, lush red of the bricks
A series of rectangular spaces go up and down various sub-levels to form this voluminous home. Though the height of this living room is intimidating, a cosy niche has been fashioned towards the corner for the furniture. This seating area seems as extension of the outdoors, with two sides open to the views. The teardrop-like pendants subtly compensate for the magnitude of the ceiling height.
Designed by: Ajay Sonar
Where: India
A series of rectangular spaces go up and down various sub-levels to form this voluminous home. Though the height of this living room is intimidating, a cosy niche has been fashioned towards the corner for the furniture. This seating area seems as extension of the outdoors, with two sides open to the views. The teardrop-like pendants subtly compensate for the magnitude of the ceiling height.
Designed by: Ajay Sonar
Where: India
5. We love: The light in this bathroom
A big window in most spaces is usually a boon. Except for the bathroom, most would say. This bathroom takes a bold step and instead of minimising the impact of a big window, it dials it up by 10. One entire wall is covered with glass, part frosted, part clear. The two frosted panels on either side of the room form the backdrop for the twin vanities with a marble countertop. The incoming light streams in unhindered below through the steel frames.
Designed by: Classic Home Design + Construction
Where: United States
A big window in most spaces is usually a boon. Except for the bathroom, most would say. This bathroom takes a bold step and instead of minimising the impact of a big window, it dials it up by 10. One entire wall is covered with glass, part frosted, part clear. The two frosted panels on either side of the room form the backdrop for the twin vanities with a marble countertop. The incoming light streams in unhindered below through the steel frames.
Designed by: Classic Home Design + Construction
Where: United States
6. We love: The mix of colours and patterns, and the restraint. We also love the picture-perfect postcard feel of it
The blue velvet from the sofa and the coarser grey of the chair shine against the electric carpet. The hint of green from the ferns and the clashing roundness of the eggs against the rug’s strong rectilinear bands is an unexpected surprise that binds the spot with warmth.
Designed by: Toronto Interior Design Group
Where: Canada
The blue velvet from the sofa and the coarser grey of the chair shine against the electric carpet. The hint of green from the ferns and the clashing roundness of the eggs against the rug’s strong rectilinear bands is an unexpected surprise that binds the spot with warmth.
Designed by: Toronto Interior Design Group
Where: Canada
7. We love: The matte sobriety of the teal wallpaper
This graceful powder room corner also made us once again aware of the fantastic potential of a gold and teal colour combination. This space is regal and opulent but in a toned-down way. The cream colour from the accessories gives a lift to the space and keeps the room from becoming heavy.
Designed by: Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
Where: United States
This graceful powder room corner also made us once again aware of the fantastic potential of a gold and teal colour combination. This space is regal and opulent but in a toned-down way. The cream colour from the accessories gives a lift to the space and keeps the room from becoming heavy.
Designed by: Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
Where: United States
8. We love: The starburst chandelier and its scale
Placing an oversized accessory within a room is not an easy bet to make but in this room, the call was spot on. The glossy surfaces in the room – the sea-green sliding door panels, the brown-mauve marble dining table and the cascading curtains of the same colour – almost create an illusion of an underwater habitat where the centre piece is this pearl-like chandelier. We would like to believe the designer mirrors our sentiment too, which is why the artwork with the ripples on the wall.
Designed by: Wheeler Kearns Architect
Where: United States
Placing an oversized accessory within a room is not an easy bet to make but in this room, the call was spot on. The glossy surfaces in the room – the sea-green sliding door panels, the brown-mauve marble dining table and the cascading curtains of the same colour – almost create an illusion of an underwater habitat where the centre piece is this pearl-like chandelier. We would like to believe the designer mirrors our sentiment too, which is why the artwork with the ripples on the wall.
Designed by: Wheeler Kearns Architect
Where: United States
9. We love: How this space gives us a glimpse of the transformation of a typical uninspiring, Mumbai bedroom into a swish boudoir
The zig-zag black-and-white tiles do most of the work but the shine from this surface is also reflected back by the use of floor-to-ceiling, mirrored wardrobe doors. An ornate birdcage light complements the Parisian table, the carved mirror adding a gentle oomph to the mix.
Designed by: Ravi Vazirani
Where: India
The zig-zag black-and-white tiles do most of the work but the shine from this surface is also reflected back by the use of floor-to-ceiling, mirrored wardrobe doors. An ornate birdcage light complements the Parisian table, the carved mirror adding a gentle oomph to the mix.
Designed by: Ravi Vazirani
Where: India
10. We love: The clash of rough and soft elements
The exposed brick wall has been neglected on purpose. The tougher this scape looks, the deeper the contrast between it and the rest of the room. The palette inside borrows tones from the scene outside, save for the pop of red from the flowers.
Designed by: MSR Design
Where: United States
The exposed brick wall has been neglected on purpose. The tougher this scape looks, the deeper the contrast between it and the rest of the room. The palette inside borrows tones from the scene outside, save for the pop of red from the flowers.
Designed by: MSR Design
Where: United States
11. We love: Everything about this pink corner
Pink is not an easy colour to use on the walls. If the wrong shade is chosen, it can take the concept of a dreamy fantasy room and turn it into an overbearing and OTT space. In this room, three different shades of pink have been introduced to provide respite from each other. The wall colour is a pleasing shade that is delicate, whereas the chairs add depth to the spot in a darker hue. The blinds only give away a hint of pink, almost bordering on white. Three little circles make whimsical accents on the wall.
Designed by: Kyle Schuneman Designs
Where: United States
Pink is not an easy colour to use on the walls. If the wrong shade is chosen, it can take the concept of a dreamy fantasy room and turn it into an overbearing and OTT space. In this room, three different shades of pink have been introduced to provide respite from each other. The wall colour is a pleasing shade that is delicate, whereas the chairs add depth to the spot in a darker hue. The blinds only give away a hint of pink, almost bordering on white. Three little circles make whimsical accents on the wall.
Designed by: Kyle Schuneman Designs
Where: United States
12. We love: The lattice work
All day, this dining spot sees the play of light and shadow by the sun streaming in through jalis aptly shaped like sunflowers. The exposed cement walls, the patterned clay floor and the greens on the room’s peripheries hone in the earthiness of the decor.
Designed by: Ankit Prabhudesai
Where: India
All day, this dining spot sees the play of light and shadow by the sun streaming in through jalis aptly shaped like sunflowers. The exposed cement walls, the patterned clay floor and the greens on the room’s peripheries hone in the earthiness of the decor.
Designed by: Ankit Prabhudesai
Where: India
13. We love: The sun-kissed spot
This pristine white verandah, with its hacienda-like construct, offers a perfect spot for the electric, egg-yolk-yellow dining arrangement. The architecture allows for a layered view of the sky, created from rising and receding walls. Along with nibbly things, the diners outside will also have the views of the indoors for entertainment.
Designed by: Jours et Nuits
Where: France
This pristine white verandah, with its hacienda-like construct, offers a perfect spot for the electric, egg-yolk-yellow dining arrangement. The architecture allows for a layered view of the sky, created from rising and receding walls. Along with nibbly things, the diners outside will also have the views of the indoors for entertainment.
Designed by: Jours et Nuits
Where: France
14. We love: The look of ‘new’ under the garb of ‘old’
On a quick first look, this bathroom appears to have stepped right out of the history pages. But then the sunken tub, the fixtures and the styling give away its contemporary leanings. This partially open-to-sky bathroom, with its combination of slate and terracotta tiles, seems like a modern Indian interpretation of the age-old hammams.
Designed by: Spasm
Where: India
On a quick first look, this bathroom appears to have stepped right out of the history pages. But then the sunken tub, the fixtures and the styling give away its contemporary leanings. This partially open-to-sky bathroom, with its combination of slate and terracotta tiles, seems like a modern Indian interpretation of the age-old hammams.
Designed by: Spasm
Where: India
15. We love: The industrial vibe in this contemporary kitchen
Strategically exposed pipes in black and the metal accessories add yet more definition to this crisp grey kitchen accented with light-brown cabinetry. Partially open plan, its angular layout allows for more space near the oven and the sink, and tapers in as one moves towards the stove. Another wall is carved out to create a two-way counter space.
Designed by: DISTINCTidENTITY Pte Ltd
Where: Singapore
Read more:
50 of the Best Indian Homes on Houzz
Is This The Best Colour Combination You Have Ever Seen?
Tell us:
Which space did you like the most and why? Tell us in Comments below.
Strategically exposed pipes in black and the metal accessories add yet more definition to this crisp grey kitchen accented with light-brown cabinetry. Partially open plan, its angular layout allows for more space near the oven and the sink, and tapers in as one moves towards the stove. Another wall is carved out to create a two-way counter space.
Designed by: DISTINCTidENTITY Pte Ltd
Where: Singapore
Read more:
50 of the Best Indian Homes on Houzz
Is This The Best Colour Combination You Have Ever Seen?
Tell us:
Which space did you like the most and why? Tell us in Comments below.
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