Vienna, Austria
Viennese interior design studio Atelier Karasinski has taken a historic Austrian home and respectfully reinterpreted it for contemporary family life with a bold nod to the past. Closer inspection of this avant-garde home reveals an intriguing combination of materials, details, and statement-making colour choices informed by its rich history.
This approach is evident through the dynamic colour combination in the guest bedroom, where custom cabinetry pairs Farrow and Ball’s delicate, cool blue Parma Grey paint with a bold, ultra-glossy lacquer in coral red for an evocative contrast.
Berlin, Germany
Designed by German architecture firm Studio Karhard, Glassblock Apartment’s kitchen joinery features stainless steel and untreated brass that makes an impression with its vibrant, golden hue. Designed to allow natural light to bounce off the reflective material palette, Studio Karhard co-founder Thomas Karsten describes the space as having a 60s Milan feel. “Everything we do is related to materials,” the architect says. “The apartment combines classic materials with the warm notes of the wall plaster and fabrics,” he adds.
Shakespeare Residence by B.E Architecture
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country / Melbourne, Australia
Shakespeare Residence by B.E Architecture is a testament to the idea that furniture is more than an extension of architecture—it is an artistic expression in its own right. At its heart, a freestanding bar unit serves as both a bold centrepiece, inspired by North African furniture with its solid timber construction and hand-carved detailing. Crafted from solid white oak, the internal joinery of the unit was finished in a custom-designed translucent red stain that offers a diffused glow in the evening, “reminiscent of a flickering fire,” B.E Architecture director Andrew Piva reflects. “More than just storage, it invites interaction, sparking moments of joy and intimacy over shared drinks,” he adds.
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country / Melbourne, Australia
Designed by Studio Tate, Malvern Residence III unfolds as a ‘jewel box moment,’ where a dynamic interplay of colour defines each space with intention. A considered yet expansive palette of neutral warm tones, pastels and forest greens and blue create layered depth, ensuring no two spaces feel the same.
The unexpected takes form in the glossy marine blue interiors of the bar cabinet, complemented by Norwegian Rose stone handles and shelving. Featuring subtle brass detailing and soft Limed White Half on 1/4 cut oak veneer, the deep Dulux ‘Passionate Blue’ gloss creates a bold statement in the heart of the home.
Sky House by Sally Caroline
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country / Melbourne, Australia
When designing Sky House, Melbourne-based interior designer Sally Caroline selected Dulux paint in the deep navy shade ‘Night Wizard’ for the custom joinery in the living spaces, crafting an atmosphere of considered elegance. “Navy tones complement a range of colour ways,” Caroline reflects. “We selected a vibrant green for the cabinetry interior, adding a playful touch that is revealed only when opened,” she adds. This bold palette creates a thoughtful dialogue with the intricate black and white marble, allowing both elements to stand out and harmonise.
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country / Melbourne, Australia
Tasked with re-designing this Melbourne heritage terrace, architect Albert Mo focused on crafting sophisticated and inviting spaces, with careful attention paid to the selection of materials. “Subtle use of colour elevates the home beyond mere monochromatic simplicity to a refined and nuanced palette of olives, blues and browns, accentuated by moments of black and white,” Mo says.
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country / Melbourne, Australia
What was once an uninspiring 1980s addition to a Victorian villa, Art House by Melbourne-based design studio K.P.D.O has been resurrected as a captivating home for an avid art collector. Through the alchemy of both art and design, Art House emphasises the symbiotic relationship between the two through a focus on form, colour, balance and composition.
Deep verdant hues unify the interior, seen in the custom cabinetry designed by K.P.D.O that create concealed moments of intrigue and surprise in every detail. “The joinery insertions create the top notes with moments of unexpected colour, some highly figured stone and intricate detailing, all balanced against the background palette,” director of interiors Kerry Phelan says.
