Architecture & Design: 34 Rebellious Interiors
Meet 34 homes that rebel against the design rules, inside and out
Julia Fairley
12 February 2019
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture... More
Some rules have a good reason for existing; others were made to be broken. Here are 35 design details in homes around the world that venture beyond the norm, with results that range from sleek and sophisticated to eclectic and zany.
You can get more details on a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
You can get more details on a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
1. Location: London, UK
Luckily, the assumption that trees are only planted outside is falling out of fancy.
Luckily, the assumption that trees are only planted outside is falling out of fancy.
2. Location: Sydney, NSW
Not all kitchen benches need to meet at right angles.
Here’s how a kitchen island can be more than an island
Not all kitchen benches need to meet at right angles.
Here’s how a kitchen island can be more than an island
3. Location: Sydney, NSW
According to convention, the kitchen bench should be above the floor… unless the two become one.
According to convention, the kitchen bench should be above the floor… unless the two become one.
4. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
This photographic wall mural shuns advice to avoid creating optical illusions when decorating interiors – to great effect.
This photographic wall mural shuns advice to avoid creating optical illusions when decorating interiors – to great effect.
5. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Who says wallpaper is just for walls? This ceiling wears it with pride.
Who says wallpaper is just for walls? This ceiling wears it with pride.
6. Location: Sydney, NSW
It appears not all ceilings must be painted white.
Take a look at these painted ceilings for ideas
It appears not all ceilings must be painted white.
Take a look at these painted ceilings for ideas
7. Location: Sydney, NSW
Out with standardised right angles, in with curves.
Out with standardised right angles, in with curves.
8. Location: Tamarama, NSW
This home proves walls don’t have to be a straight, singular plane.
This home proves walls don’t have to be a straight, singular plane.
9. Location: California, USA
Who says ceilings must be flat? Not this curvaceous house.
Who says ceilings must be flat? Not this curvaceous house.
11. Location: USA
Books don’t always need to be arranged on a flat surface.
Books don’t always need to be arranged on a flat surface.
12. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Most designers recommend introducing tonal variations of a colour, but not here. The singular, saturated shade of blue sets the space awash with drama.
Check out these spaces drenched in blue
Most designers recommend introducing tonal variations of a colour, but not here. The singular, saturated shade of blue sets the space awash with drama.
Check out these spaces drenched in blue
13. Location: London, UK
Conventional grey walls and a typical white ceiling – but thanks to fluorescent wall mouldings, this powder room is anything but dull.
Conventional grey walls and a typical white ceiling – but thanks to fluorescent wall mouldings, this powder room is anything but dull.
14. Location: New York, USA
The golden design rule about never overwhelming a room has been kicked to the kerb in this inspired living area.
The golden design rule about never overwhelming a room has been kicked to the kerb in this inspired living area.
15. Location: Lyon, France
Always leave white space? Not in this home.
Always leave white space? Not in this home.
16. Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Not all kitchen cabinetry needs to match.
Not all kitchen cabinetry needs to match.
17. Location: Sydney, NSW
Stairs with individuality.
Stairs with individuality.
18. Location: Surrey, UK
Who says you can only have one rug?
Who says you can only have one rug?
19. Location: Toronto, Canada
A good bedhead is typically a symmetrical bedhead, but not in this case.
A good bedhead is typically a symmetrical bedhead, but not in this case.
20. Location: Los Angeles, USA
It pays to break with convention if it means relaxing on a sanctuary-style suspended bed like this one.
It pays to break with convention if it means relaxing on a sanctuary-style suspended bed like this one.
21. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Ombré paint effects take pride in departing from convention.
Ombré paint effects take pride in departing from convention.
22. Location: London, UK
Forget about choosing one hero piece and letting it shine. Here, every feature loves the limelight.
Forget about choosing one hero piece and letting it shine. Here, every feature loves the limelight.
23. Location: Madrid, Spain
We’re guessing this bedroom doesn’t care for the rule, ‘blue and green should never be seen’. Instead, it makes waves with both.
We’re guessing this bedroom doesn’t care for the rule, ‘blue and green should never be seen’. Instead, it makes waves with both.
24. Location: Cheshire, UK
Thou shalt never graffiti… unless you’re the owner of this bedroom.
Thou shalt never graffiti… unless you’re the owner of this bedroom.
25. Location: Brazil
This rebel interior breaks all the rules.
This rebel interior breaks all the rules.
26. Location: London, UK
Many designers recommend limiting your paint palette to just a few shades, but not this designer.
Many designers recommend limiting your paint palette to just a few shades, but not this designer.
27. Location: USA
Welcome to wonderland.
Welcome to wonderland.
28. Location: London, UK
Residential and religious architecture usually have different aesthetics, but this home combines two in one.
Residential and religious architecture usually have different aesthetics, but this home combines two in one.
29. Location: New York, USA
A former missile silo doth not make a home, but there are exceptions to the rule.
A former missile silo doth not make a home, but there are exceptions to the rule.
30. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
When you love your wheels so much you decide to park inside.
When you love your wheels so much you decide to park inside.
31. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Not all artificial turf belongs outside.
Wondering if artificial turf is right for homes?
Not all artificial turf belongs outside.
Wondering if artificial turf is right for homes?
32. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
By tilting this wall instead of adhering to the vertical, the architect created a relaxing backrest in alfresco seating.
By tilting this wall instead of adhering to the vertical, the architect created a relaxing backrest in alfresco seating.
33. Location: St Kilda, Victoria
This facade may not appear to break the rules, until you realise this is the back, not the front. The rear was designed as a social space for neighbours to socialise…
This facade may not appear to break the rules, until you realise this is the back, not the front. The rear was designed as a social space for neighbours to socialise…
…Here’s a view of the unconventional interior stairs.
34. Location: Sydney, NSW
Streetscapes usually dictate building facades, but this facade dictates the streetscape.
Read more:
8 Interior Design Rules You Should Break
Tell us:
Which home-design rules do you think should be broken? Tell us how you’d rebel in the Comments below.
Streetscapes usually dictate building facades, but this facade dictates the streetscape.
Read more:
8 Interior Design Rules You Should Break
Tell us:
Which home-design rules do you think should be broken? Tell us how you’d rebel in the Comments below.
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These are wonderful, and my favourites are 5 and 11, because I love optical illusions. Wall murals can give the illusion of more space. And it is nice to read about people who buck the trends. Great article!
Absolutely love these!
Thank you, dear Julia, for choosing my kitchen for the article. I do not stop moving when I see my work between the election of journalists :-)