Renowned French Architect and designer Joseph Dirand (and the son of esteemed interiors photographer Jacques Dirand) has recently found time to perform a breathtaking renovation on his Paris apartment, despite his booming business. 

The tranquil apartment, located in Paris' 7th Arrondissement features parquet flooring throughout, that is juxtaposed with a neutral colour palette. A signature of Dirand's work is heavily veined marble, and this project is no exception - it has been used in the kitchen, bathrooms and for a fire place, "I like to look for materials that express a lot of disorder" he notes. 

The home provides ample privacy for his family of four - with all of the rooms separated, but all generously proportioned. A highlight of the furniture pieces used would have to be the stunning Oscar Neimeyer chair and ottoman in the master bedroom. 

Via tmagazine

The Barn house is the home of Steven and Carole Whiting of Australian studio Whiting Architects. They have taken an existing structure and completely renovated - the original brick first floor has been extended via black timber boards, and the shape is now reminiscent of a traditional barn shape.

The interior colour palette is mostly neutrals with touches of black that tie in with the exterior. Furniture pieces used include a Tom Dixon Offcut stool (available from ECC) and a Foscarini Twiggy floor lamp over the dining table (available from Matisse). 

Via Studio Arrc

a. The Dying art of neon signs. [Fast Co Design]

b. Sand creatures suspended in mid air by Claire Droppert. [Colossal]

c. Google's Amsterdam headquarters. [Trendland]

d. Shop-able luxury New York City apartment by The Line. [Yellowtrace]

e. Nick Meek photographs Costa Rica covered in flower petals. [DesignBoom]

Ceresio 7, a rooftop pool bar and restaurant in Milan has recently been given an overhaul by architectural firm Storage Associati and interior design company Dilmore Studio. The space, which is located in a historical 1930s Facist era Milan building was previously home to the offices of the national electricity company and is steeped in history. 

Nowadays, the building is occupied by fashion house DSQUARED2 and it was the brothers behind the brand, Dean and Dan Caten that commissioned the proprietors to create Ceresio 7, which has rapidly become a hotspot in Milan. The interior is a sophisticated mix of the eccentric and exquisite, featuring polished brass, luxurious velvets, and a combination of contemporary and traditional period furniture pieces - a typical aesthetic for Dilmore's work. 

The lush green planting and bright blue cushions create a tropical vibe for the pool area, somewhat reminiscent of a typical L.A. rooftop bar. 

Via Yellowtrace.

 
Denmark has once again proved its talent in modern architecture and interiors, with Danish-Italian design duo, GamFratesi redesigning The Standard hotel in Copenhgen, as a "new cultural and gastronomic landmark". Classic and supremely understated, Nordic styling is prevalent here, with the historical building lending more contemporary furniture, such as the wooden Nub chairs by Patricia Urquiola, and Orient pendant lamps by Lightyears, a truly iconic look when immersed in the light-filled surrounds of The Standard. A truly successful overhaul that will no doubt cement the hotel and its restaurants as a hot destination for design-minded travellers.

Patricia Urquiola's Nub chairs are available locally from UFL.

The NS House was designed by Galeazzo Design Agency, and is located in the city of Sao Paulo. The client's primary aim was for the residence to be a social hub, while serving as a platform to accommodate a collection of art and design pieces. Separate living spaces are linked by wide passages, and big windows allow daylight to be the big supporting element of the interior. 

Natural and sustainable materials such as demolition wood were used for the floors and raw marble elements add a hint of pared back luxury, while allowing the client's possessions to take center stage. Vintage furniture is interspersed with modern Italian, French and Scandinavian design, including Fornasetti ceramics and a quirky Philippe Starck chandelier for Baccarat.

This idyllic holiday home, otherwise known as the Plane House, is located on the Aegean island of Skiathos, Greece. Strong horizontal lines dictate the structure's form, the twin L-shapes creating a surprisingly serene effect, blending into a backdrop of pine trees and allowing virtually every room panoramas across the ocean. The dwelling is a paragon of indoor-outdoor living, the owners wishing to abandon all divisions. Despite a largely minimalist aesthetic, the home is not without its surprises. A pine tree explodes out of an overhang, piercing an outdoor room, while a grid of dried palm fronds hang above a dining table, dappled sunlight streaming through to the diners below. Plenty of natural materials have been used throughout, from iroko wood decking on the sea-ward terrace, to drystone walls and mosaic slate walls. 

A stunning example of breezy summertime living. 

Designed for a young family, the Vienna Way residence sits upon an extensively landscaped property in Venice, California. Floor-to-ceiling glass and a plethora of outdoor living spaces fully integrate the home within the native landscape. 

Due to narrow site constraints, Marmol Radziner architects divided living spaces into thirds, with the two main volumes placed on the outer edges of the property, bridged by a sunken kitchen in the center. Formal living and dining areas are combined in the southern space, flowing out onto an outdoor dining terrace. More casual, private spaces can be found in the northern part of the structure, including a family room, with an office and bedrooms on the first and second floors respectively. 

A second-story hallway offers views of the green roof above the kitchen and the tree laden landscape below. Lastly, the kitchen acts as the dwelling's central social hub, connecting private and public areas and providing views of the pool area, the perfect vantage point for keeping an eye on little ones. Inside, wood panelling has been used extensively throughout all main living areas, bringing a sense of warmth that's enhanced by plush carpeting and strong black accents. 

Vienna Way is an impeccably designed, creative family home that answers a myriad of needs, while navigating the property's constraints with ease. 

Washington based design team Ladies and Gentlemen Studio have launched their latest piece of homeware; Perimeter Tray. The use of different materials allow the tray to be completely customised, while still retaining its appealing minimal aesthetic. We particularly like the Carrara marble, walnut and brass option. The trays are all assembled by hand.

Via leibal.

Between Time is a pop up exhibition hosted in Berlin by interior architect Gisbert Pöppler and vintage furniture dealer Erik Hofstetter. The pair, in an effort to showcase interior design in Germany, have commandeered a former 19th Century hardware store, combining interior elements, fine art, and home furnishings with objects from 1900 to present day. The worn down décor of the building creates tension, breaking with the conventions of typical white walled showroom culture. Available from viewing until September 10th.