Not every client has a firm grasp on their priorities when starting a project, but the marching orders from one Central Texas couple were abundantly clear: They wanted to convert a classic car garage on their estate into a dance hall and speakeasy, creating their own social sanctuary. After enlisting designer Sarah Stacey to bring their vision to life, that “simple” project quickly catapulted into a four-year, all-encompassing design journey when the pair added the renovation of their 4,900-square-foot primary home into the scope. It was during this time that Stacey, an avid auction enthusiast, shared her passion and expertise with her clients. “Walking through auction previews is thrilling—you wonder who owned the items and how they were used. You can feel the history,” she explains. “New homes need stories; we can design an entire room around a piece. Plus, you can save a lot of money at these events.”But before the bidding wars came planning. Stacey reimagined the space that once housed the former owner’s car collection as a moody billiards club, replete with plenty of lounge seating, a full bar salvaged from a Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and vintage collectibles, including an original Jimi Hendrix guitar. To separate the dance hall from the speakeasy, she cleverly utilized an iconic British telephone booth as the secret entrance from one area to the other. A simple push of the back wall gets you in—if you know there’s a door, that is. This is a dopamine interior.... It’s immersive and just makes you happy.For the main house, the objective was to embrace the home’s original Mediterranean style, but amplify it with a series of thoughtful selections. Stacey meticulously evaluated “every single Sherwin-Williams white” to find the ideal buttery color for the main living areas (Casa Blanca, Sherwin-Williams), incorporated 200-year-old salvaged wood beams, and designed the laundry room in the spirit of a French garden, complete with an undercounter striped sink skirt worthy of a Parisian café.She then set out to blend old-world charm—like the lavishly draped canopy bed in the primary suite—with contemporary pieces, such as large-scale pendants and multitiered chandeliers. The overall design is enhanced by colorful carpets, including a striking snake pattern in the living room and a hand-tufted graphic rug in the dining area. Auction house wins, antique treasures, and Parisian flea-market finds complete this unexpected and unconventional Texas haven.FAST FACTSDesigner: Sarah Stacey Interior DesignLocation: Central TexasThe Space: A garage-turned-speakeasy with a dance hall and a 4,900 sq ft main house with 3 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, a dressing room, sauna, and wet bar. SPEAKEASYThe former garage transformed into a go-to party hub.Stephen KarlischWallpaper: Phillip Jeffries. Sconces: Visual Comfort. Bar Stools: Nior. Armchairs: Hickory Chair. Coffee table: Sunpan. Drink Tables: Robert James. The bar is from a Ruth’s Chris restaurant and has become the heart of the space. It’s where friends and family naturally gather, often ending the night belting out karaoke songs, tipsy and totally in the moment.Stephen KarlischStephen KarlischThe husband won the six Orgy lithographs by Picasso at an online auction and Stacey hired artist Elisa Gomez to paint the frames. One of the standout features above the bar table is an original Jimi Hendrix guitar—a striking tribute to the rock 'n' roll legend. A custom tufted banquette in Schumacher fabric sits alongside Robert James café tables and under Hinkley pendants for the ultimate lounge experience.Stephen KarlischSeating: Hickory Chair. Coffee table: vintage. Rug: vintage, EtsyA cozy corner of the room is designed for dance breaks, providing plentiful options where guests can sit and take five. A framed archival photograph of Jimi Hendrix features a guitar that the couple purchased for their own collection. Stephen KarlischA British telephone booth gets recast as the secret entrance between the speakeasy and dance hall. See Stacey's go-to formula for a memorable entrance below. Create your own one-of-a-kind entrance like designer Sarah StaceyFind something that resonates with you. Stacey’s clients considered a Coca-Cola machine but fell in love with this phone booth.In this case, the designer brought on a contractor to remove the back of the booth and then cleverly recreate it as a hidden door.Keep it simple with a wall panel that pushes open, or go elaborate with an engineer-approved coded release—just type in the numbers and voilà!Always make sure there’s a manual way in and out!LIVING ROOMA warm white by Sherwin-Williams complements the original stone floors.Stephen KarlischSofas: custom, in Vervain fabric. Seating: Alfonso Marina, in Pierre Frey (chairs) and Fox Linton (bench) fabrics.Vivid and bold, the living room design comes alive through a colorful carpet, highlighted by a striking snake-patterned centerpiece designed by a tattoo artist. The Picasso to the right of the fireplace went missing, but was thankfully found and now has a place of prominence.KITCHENClever storage solutions are packed in this European-inspired kitchen.Stephen KarlischRange: La Cornue. Backsplash and Countertops: Aria Stone Gallery. Runner: vintage, Black Sheep Unique. Island Pendants: Urban Electric. Island: DeVOL.  Stephen KarlischLight fixture: Vintage. Dining table: Vintage. Dining chairs: Gregorius Pineo with Pierre Frey fabric.  A prep island by Devol provides easy access to dinnerware stored behind glass doors. It’s finished with an aged copper countertop that sets off the beveled white oak herringbone floor. New herringbone wood floors add a built-in patina to this newly created kitchen. The breakfast room chairs are upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric that Stacey treated with a wipeable vinyl coating. Pendants: The Urban Electric Co.WET BARA convenient bar for entertaining in the main living space. Stephen KarlischSconces: Allied Maker. Stools: Paul Ferrante, in Kelly Wearstler fabric. Table Lamp: Sunday Shop. Wanting an option to entertain in the main house, the homeowners asked Stacey for a bar with seating and room for their collection of cocktail glasses. A mirrored backdrop adds shine and glamour while bouncing light around the room. DINING ROOMContemporary and vintage pieces make this dining room memorable.Stephen Karlisch Dining chairs: Gregorius Pineo, in Moore & Giles leather. Chandelier: custom, Apparatus Studio. Rug: Christopher Farr.In the dining room, an eclectic mix of furniture and accessories meld into a one-of-a-kind entertaining scene. The mismatched Venetian mirrors were won at an auction, the bust of David originally sat outside in the flower beds, and the painting was found online. OWNER'S SUITEA bedroom bathed in rich green sets the scene for a luxurious, serene escape.Stephen KarlischPaint color: Chimichurri by Benjamin Moore. Wallcovering: Porter Teleo. Bedframe and fabric: Alfonso Marina.Stephen KarlischLight fixture: Fortuny. Sofa: Vintage, recovered in House of Hackney fabric. Trunk: Vintage, Louis Vuitton. Inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with metallic lacquer, the Porter Teleo wallcovering sets the palette for this room. Yards of Fortuny fabric give the Alfonso Marina bed a regal air. The vintage sofa is reupholstered in a luxurious House of Hackney textile, featuring a bold, substantial trim detail.BATHROOMLavish stone and custom flooring create a one-of-a-kind en-suite.Stephen KarlischStone: Aria Stone Gallery. Vanity: Custom. Fixtures: Watermark. Sconces: Apparatus Studio.A custom terrazzo floor by Marble Buro grounds this space. Its unique coloration and less organic structure allow the marble backsplash and elaborate custom wood-carved mirrors, meant to mimic Black Forest-style design, to take center stage.Stephen KarlischStacey originally wanted the marble book-matched, but when her fabricator said the slabs weren’t symmetrical, they decided to rotate each one 180°, creating a consistently random design with even veining. Bench: custom.LAUNDRY ROOMThis utilitarian space is full of natural light. Stephen KarlischPaint: Stone Blue, Farrow & Ball. Wallpaper: Botanica Claustra by Papier Francais. Backsplash: Zia Tile. Curtain fabric: Clarence House.Papier Français partnered with Bibliothèque Nationale de France to bring back more than 60 archival prints, including this Bon factory flowering-trellis wallpaper, which turns this utilitarian space into a year-round spring jewel box. THE DRESSING ROOM The "closet" was quickly expanded to feel more like a boutique retail space.Stephen KarlischCeiling wallpaper: Gracie. Light fixture: Visual Comfort. Sofas: Mr. Brown in De la Cuona fabric and Samuel & Sons trim. Carpet: Nourison. Pillows: Dedar. Library ladder: Alaco. Hardware: Armac Martin.Stephen KarlischPaint color: Brinjal by Farrow & Ball. Hardware: Armac Martin.The entire main house and garage renovation began with a closet redesign. Stacey came to assess the closet, cataloging everything from long- and short-hang sections to shoes and bags, and it quickly became clear the space was too small. This discovery sparked the decision to expand and elevate the closet...and set the stage for a full home transformation.SAUNAThe ultimate in-home spa experience. Stephen KarlischA discreet sauna is the preferred spot to recover after a night of dancing. About the DesignerSarah Stacey is known for her artful approach to layering, creating spaces that balance timeless elegance with a fresh, eclectic edge. Raised in Louisiana and influenced by antique auctions, Southern cities, and global travel, her style embraces bold contrasts and personal storytelling. With a background in studio art and interior design from LSU, she brings a vibrant, collected sensibility to both residential and commercial projects. Now based in Texas with her musician husband and their son, Sarah’s work is infused with the same energy and joy that defines her life.SHOP THE SPACEFarrow & Ball Stone Blue Paint Color$143 at Farrow & BallItalian Venetian Murano Blue Glass Chandelier$8,250 at 1stDibsLa Cornue Cornu Fé 110 Range Matte Black$13,275 at Williams SonomaCredit: Williams SonomaPablo Picasso LithographNow 20% Off$3,000 $2,400 at 1stDibs

"We use a lot of what I call ‘muddy colors,’ ” Alison Giese says of her namesake design firm’s signature palette. To establish a tailored but cozy interior scheme for a young family’s newly constructed ranch-style residence in San Antonio, Giese once more relied on “color that’s not colorful.” The way she sees it, “If it’s blues and pinks and greens that have a lot of brown in them, they become more of a neutral.” FAST FACTSAlison Giese, of Designer: Alison Giese InteriorsLocation:The Space: Four bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom houseWe just lavished it with color. If it’s fun and feels collected, then let’s go for it. GREAT ROOMA multi-functional space that lives large—and feels cozy. Yanglin CaiSectional: Vanguard, in Kravet fabric. Armchairs: Lee Industries, in Lake August fabric. Lounge chair: Design Within Reach. Rug: Dash & Albert by Annie Selke.The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house is laid out in a “boomerang shape,” Giese says, and is poised to be the family’s “legacy home,” a place to be enjoyed by many generations. Giese, working with Smithdish Architecture, filled the 5,000-square-foot interior with natural materials, botanical patterns, and personal touches.In the great room, eight-foot-long pendants from The Urban Electric Co. bring the vaulted ceiling down to “human height,” Giese says.LIBRARYDeep teal paint fuels the moody setting.Yanglin Cai Paint: Salamander, Benjamin Moore. Lamp: Currey & Company. Sconce: Visual Comfort & Co. Chair: clients’ own.In place of a home office, the family requested a library complete with a Putnam rolling ladder.KITCHENThe fresh cookspace isn't all it seems. Yanglin CaiPendants: The Urban Electric Co. Counter stools (with backs): Summer Studio. Cabinetry paint: Natural Choice, Sherwin-WilliamsThe most unassuming room is the open-concept kitchen with “a melody of colors and finishes,” Giese says. “At first glance, it may appear to be a white kitchen, but it is anything but! We have three paint colors and one stain in the cabinetry mix. We just kept all the color on the bottom half of the sight line.”Yanglin CaiThe 12-foot-long island boasts a custom brass footrail reminiscent of a restaurant bar.BREAKFAST NOOKCafé curtains level up the coziness.Yanglin CaiPendant: RTO Lighting. Banquette fabrics: Schumacher (back) and Nassimi (vinyl seat). Banquette paint: Mulberry Silk by Sherwin-Williams. Drapery fabric: Anna FrenchThe heirloom table on casters rolls out so people can easily slip in and out of the custom banquette. The family's livestock brand, E7, is engraved on the base of the banquette.LIVING ROOMA cozy hangout in a separate house on the grounds.Yanglin CaiPaint: Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams (wall); Mizzle, Farrow & Ball (trim). Shade: Custom, in Namay Samay fabric. Rug: Serena & Lily.The homeowners filled what they call “the garden cottage” with secondhand finds.GUEST BEDROOMA private retreat that boasts all the charm of a boutique inn.Yanglin CaiYanglin CaiInside the garden cottage, visitors can unwind in a cheery oasis wrapped in a meadow-inspired Morris & Co. wallpaper. An antique chair found at an estate sale and a floating desk turn a niche into a cozy workstation. Paint: Sudbury Yellow, Farrow & Ball. Bed: Serena & Lily. Table: vintage, Uncommon Objects. Rug: Pottery Barn. Art: clients’ own. Quilt: GreenRow.PRIMARY BEDROOMEarthy shades provide a serene place to unwind.Yanglin CaiBed: Woodbridge Furniture, in Schumacher fabric. Lamp: clients’ own. Chaise longue: Lee Industries, in Jasper Textiles fabric.To evoke the feel of a luxe hotel, Giese relied on a soothing palette with subtle pops of print. “We chose warm colors and a balance of masculine and feminine patterns,” she adds.DAUGHTER'S ROOMThe cottagecore style is playful yet elevated.Yanglin CaiYanglin CaiWhile the effect is subtle but stunning, bold colors shine in pockets of the house. In Giese’s favorite space, the daughter’s room, a floral Liberty of London wallpaper was the jumping-off point to cottagecore style. “We went all in on layering pattern and color,” Giese says, including covering the custom millwork in Dix Blue paint by Farrow & Ball. Beds: Bramble. Quilts: Etsy. Sheets and table lamp: Pottery Barn Kids. Carpet: Prestige Mills.PRIMARY BATHROOMThe epitome of quiet luxury. Yanglin CaiMirrors: RH. Sconces: Arel Lighting. Faucets: Rohl. Hardware: Classic Brass. Rug: Vintage.Textural cement tiles from Arto offer a nonslip surface, while an Arrabescato Corchia marble countertop adds a sleek touch and stunning focal point.LAUNDRYA charming place to check-off daily to-dos. Yanglin CaiPaint: Blustery Sky, Sherwin-Williams. Faucet: Moen. Roman shade: Custom, in Virginia Kraft Textiles fabric.“This quartzite is one of the prettiest I’ve seen,” Giese says of the Brilliant Grey stone countertops in the ultra-functional laundry room. MUDROOMWhere there's a place for everything.Yanglin CaiFlooring: Limestone, Material Bespoke Stone + Tile. Mirror: Schwung. Hooks: Clients’ own.In this corridor-style space, custom cubbies were designed to fit around the vintage chest. COAT VESTIBULEWarm wood envelopes the multifunctional space. Yanglin CaiBench fabric: Schumacher. Pillow and throw: Thompson + Hanson. Hooks: Etsy. Sconce: Huey Lightshop.This stow-away zone doubles as a privacy buffer between the foyer and adjoining powder room.FOYERIt's all in the textures.Yanglin CaiTable: Arhaus. Mirror: Arteriors. Lamp: Currey & Company. Rug: Passerine. Vessels: African gourd baskets, Alison Giese InteriorsA floor-to-ceiling limestone wall, which doubles as the backside of a fireplace, brings texture and warmth to the entry.EXTERIOR The grounds are vast.Yanglin CaiDespite its location just minutes from the airport, the property feels tucked away into the countryside, thanks in large part to the surrounding landscape, where the owners combined their several-acre property with an adjacent lot. With a one-bedroom guest cottage, greenhouse, barn, and “zen zone” with a cold plunge pool on the grounds, the home is both a family estate and an escape from the stresses of life outside its doors.About the DesignerAlison Giese founded the San Antonio–based design firm Alison Giese Interiors under the belief that "every room should have character and interest over perfection." Inspired by her travels and experiences, Giese loves to blend her clients’ existing treasures with carefully selected pieces to create harmony between old and new. AGI takes on projects from coast to coast, working closely with clients to develop interiors that reflect their story. SHOP THE SPACEWebster Bed$2,698 at Serena and LilyMeadow Sweet Wallpaper$312 at wmorrisandco.comNord Counter Stool$1,028 at summerstudiodesign.comSalamander Paint$6 at Benjamin Moore

Songzhuang Z Museum | © Jonathan Leijonhufvud Located in the remote mountainous terrain of Zhejiang Province, The Quartet: Songzhuang Z Museum presents a compelling study of architectural adaptation, contradiction, and transformation. Situated in Songzhuang, a 600-year-old village that remained largely untouched by modernization until recent years, the project by TEAM_BLDG offers an architectural response that neither retreats into nostalgia nor imposes a foreign image. Instead, it constructs a spatial and material dialectic, acknowledging incongruity, emphasizing contrast, and subtly embedding itself into the evolving cultural landscape. The Quartet: Songzhuang Z Museum Technical Information Architects1-6: TEAM_BLDG Location: Songzhuang Village, Songyang County, Zhejiang Province, China Area: 472 m2 | 5,080 Sq. Ft. Project Year: 2024 – 2025 Photographs7: © Jonathan Leijonhufvud Better to stand out than to disappear. – TEAM_BLDG Architects The Quartet: Songzhuang Z Museum Photographs © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud © Jonathan Leijonhufvud Reframing the Village Artifact The project begins with a conflict: a 1990s brick-concrete residence towering awkwardly over the village’s low-slung, contiguous rammed-earth structures. Its scale and materiality severed it from the surrounding context, and it was long deemed a misfit within the village’s traditional fabric. Yet rather than camouflage its presence, the architects embraced its dissonance as a narrative condition. Guided by the client’s directive to amplify, rather than suppress, the building’s incongruity, TEAM_BLDG approached the structure not as a problem to resolve but as a site of architectural inquiry. The question was not how to erase the past intervention but how to recalibrate it into a new typology: the rural museum. In doing so, the firm leveraged the tension between the old and new, not as a binary opposition but as an opportunity for mediation. From Monolith to Quartet The building’s spatial transformation unfolds through a deconstructive logic. The formerly monolithic mass was subdivided into four distinct volumes, a gesture that echoes the scale and fragmented rhythms of the surrounding village dwellings. Interstitial courtyards separate and unite these volumes, allowing light, air, and spatial rhythm to intervene in the once-heavy structure. The design’s vertical core is a newly inserted light well. This atrium spans the height of the building, acting as a conduit for natural light while simultaneously connecting the interior’s horizontal strata. Circulation is organized around this vertical void, allowing for a fluid visitor experience that maintains visual continuity between floors. Each level wraps around the central shaft, reinforcing a sense of openness and transparency that contrasts with the building’s original opacity. Visitors enter through an adjacent, preserved rammed-earth house that has been minimally modified to serve as a “prologue” space, a deliberate moment of compression and quietude before ascending into the brighter, open volumes of the main structure. This spatial sequencing, dark to light, low to high, becomes a sensory transition that enhances the visitor’s perceptual engagement with the museum’s content and context. Weaving Lightness into Mass The project’s defining material intervention is its façade, reconceived as a woven skin inspired by the techniques and metaphors of textile making. TEAM_BLDG wrapped the structure in a finely spaced lattice of aluminum square tubes, painted red on three sides and white on one. The resulting grid creates a dynamic interplay of light, shadow, and chromatic variation, responding to the shifting sun and weather conditions. The design team intentionally avoided a uniform application. Instead, they introduced variations in spacing and density, especially across different levels and orientations. The upper portions of the façade are denser, while the lower remain more open, modulating both visibility and porosity. On the terrace, the façade becomes multidirectional, layering dimensional complexity and deepening the woven metaphor. In bright sunlight, the façade takes on a soft pinkish hue; in overcast or snowy conditions, it becomes a subdued white veil. This chromatic fluidity imparts a temporal quality to the structure, each visit offering a subtly different impression of the building’s mood and presence. The weaving principle is further extended through custom interior furniture, constructed with woven red straps over slender steel frames, echoing the façade’s tectonic logic and material language. Songzhuang Z Museum: Mediation Through Architecture Rather than asserting itself as an icon or retreating into contextual mimicry, the Z Museum mediates between eras, materials, and scales. Its relationship with the village is neither submissive nor dominating; instead, it engages in a form of spatial dialogue. Reconfigured windows frame specific views of the surrounding village, allowing exterior scenes to interact with interior exhibitions. On the third floor, large apertures in the stairwell wall transform the space into a semi-outdoor condition, encouraging visual and behavioral connections with the outside world. The rooftop terrace offers a final moment of release: an unprogrammed panoramic platform where boundaries dissolve, and visitors are immersed in the landscape. The architecture recedes, allowing elevation changes and open material transitions to a gently structured experience without overt control. In an architectural climate often dominated by formal spectacle or overbearing contextualism, The Quartet – Songzhuang Z Museum proposes a third way, rooted in spatial logic, material clarity, and conceptual subtlety. It neither replicates tradition nor denies its presence. Instead, it proposes a weaving of time, space, and perception, where architecture becomes an active thread in the evolving cultural fabric of rural China. The Quartet: Songzhuang Z Museum Plans Level 1 | © TEAM_BLDG Level 2 | © TEAM_BLDG Level 3 | © TEAM_BLDG Roof Plan | © TEAM_BLDG Section | © TEAM_BLDG The Quartet: Songzhuang Z Museum Image Gallery About TEAM_BLDG Design Team: Xiao Lei, Deng Caiyi, Shen Ruijie Structural Design: GongHe Architecture Design Group Co., Ltd. Custom Furniture & Lighting Design: TEAM_BLDG Visual Identity Design (VI): TEAM_BLDG Client / Operator: Mountain Creations (山风大美) Curatorial Team: CSC Communis Photography Assistant: Wai Wai Altitude: Approximately 400 meters above sea level

Songzhuang Z Museum / TEAM BLDGSave this picture!© Jonathan LeijonhufvudMuseum•Lishui, China Architects: TEAM BLDG Area Area of this architecture project Area:  472 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2025 Photographs Photographs:Jonathan Leijonhufvud Lead Architect: Xiao Lei More SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! The Quartet – Songzhuang Z Museum - Located in Songzhuang Village, Songyang County, Zhejiang Province, the Z Museum sits over 400 meters above sea level, nestled deep within the mountains. With its winding roads and narrow paths, arriving here for the first time feels like stepping into a modern-day version of the "Peach Blossom Spring". It is said that prior to 2017, this was a place even most locals of Songyang had never visited—or even heard of. As a result, the village has managed to preserve much of its original character, including its traditional housing and historical spatial fabric. In early 2024, TEAM_BLDG was invited to undertake a project in this 600-year-old village: to transform a brick-and-concrete residential house built in the 1990s into Z MUSEUM – the first contemporary rural art museum in China dedicated to the theme of weaving.Save this picture!Better to Stand Out than to Disappear - The original architecture stands in a prominent location within the village—its scale and material starkly contrast with the surrounding low, continuous rows of traditional rammed-earth houses. Having long been uninhabited, the building had been considered for renovation on multiple occasions. It wasn't until the current operator, Mountain Creations, proposed transforming it into the Z Museum that a clear vision began to take shape. From the outset, the operator conveyed a definitive design direction to TEAM_BLDG: since the building's incongruity with the village context was an established fact, instead of concealing or diminishing it, why not enhance this contrast in a way that is memorable? At the same time, this contrast should be appropriate and graceful—resonating both with the spirit of an art museum and with the character of the village itself.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!A Quartet and a Color-Shifting Skin - Faced with the dense and rigid façade of the original structure, the design began with a deconstructive approach. Drawing on the scale and spatial rhythm of the surrounding old houses, the building was vertically divided into four volumes from the inside out, with inner courtyards inserted in between. These four volumes were then interconnected vertically and horizontally. Varying rooftop terraces and semi-transparent shading canopies were introduced, generating a dynamic composition of staggered heights—what the architects describe as a "quartet" of forms.Save this picture!To visually "lighten" the mass of the original building, the architects took inspiration from traditional textile weaving. Aluminum square tubes measuring 20mm x 40mm were painted red on three sides and white on one, then arranged into a fine lattice that wraps the entire façade. Structural elements fixed to the façade act like the shuttles of a loom, guiding the interplay of "warp" and "weft," and weaving strands of dual-colored "yarn" into the building's skin. The result is a mass that feels both delicate and diaphanous.Concerned that the aluminum lattice might appear too rational and mechanical, the design team refined the arrangement by varying the spacing of the slats. The gaps between the tubes are intentionally irregular, and the upper and lower sections are treated differently—with denser patterns above and more open ones below. Particularly on the terrace levels, the lattice introduces multidimensional interweaving, further amplifying the sense of "woven skin."Save this picture!In the early morning, as sunlight begins to filter into the mountain village, light and shadow begin to "weave" across the façade. Thanks to the red-and-white orientation of the aluminum slats, the building takes on subtle and ever-shifting hues throughout the day. This means that each visit to the Z Museum may offer a distinct impression: on bright, sunny afternoons, it may appear as a translucent pink volume; on rainy or snowy days, it becomes a serene, white monolith.Save this picture!Ascending Around a Shaft of Light - In order to give full focus to the artworks, the architects intentionally minimized additive interior design interventions, instead prioritizing the clarity of circulation and the relationship between interior and exterior spaces. The journey begins in the adjacent rammed-earth structure, where a "prologue hall" has been inserted—a quiet, dimly lit space. Aside from red-painted steel cladding added to the window frames and a traditional "tiger window," the room largely preserves the original appearance of the old house. By contrasting this subdued spatial atmosphere with the contemporary interior of the main building, visitors undergo a sensory transition before entering the main exhibition areas.Save this picture!A new skylight was introduced by carving out a vertical atrium—a "light well"—that spans all three levels of the main structure. This shaft allows natural light and ambient warmth to penetrate deep into the interior, while also visually and physically connecting the horizontal spaces on each floor. Exhibition halls on each level are arranged around this central void, allowing visitors to glimpse others moving through the museum from different vantage points.Save this picture!Original window openings were reconfigured in response to the surrounding landscape. This strategy of "secondary framing" allows curated views of the village to dialogue with the artworks on display, subtly bridging the museum interior with the rural context. Meanwhile, large new openings were carved into the stairwell's exterior wall, transforming the third floor into a semi-outdoor space—visually and experientially reinforcing the museum's relationship with the village. Upon reaching the rooftop terrace, visitors are offered an unobstructed panoramic view of Songzhuang Village. The uniform wall and ground materials, along with the absence of deliberate functional zoning, only minimally guide people's behavior through varying elevations, allowing visitors here to fully experience nature and relaxation. Save this picture!Notably, the architects also designed a custom "LOOM" furniture series for the museum's café and shop, inspired by the forms of traditional looms. Constructed with 20×20mm square steel tubes as frames, each piece is wrapped and tensioned with 20mm-wide custom red woven straps to create both horizontal and angled surfaces. The spacing of these woven elements echoes the façade's lattice system, extending the woven "thread" motif from exterior to interior.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:Lishui, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this office Published on May 20, 2025Cite: "Songzhuang Z Museum / TEAM BLDG" 20 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030268/the-quartet-songzhuang-z-museum-team-bldg&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Secondo Fuoco collection by TIPSTUDIO (photo courtesy Nicolò Panzeri) Tradition Meets Innovation in Interior and Textile Design at IED Firenze May 19, 2025 Sponsor IED Firenze Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) Firenze expands its academic offerings with the Master of Arts in Interior and Furniture Design—Hacking Tradition: Reinventing Craftsmanship and Materials. This new program redefines the intersection of heritage and innovation, where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary design. Aligned with IED’s sustainable textile focus, students learn to critically reinterpret cultural and material heritage through a sustainable lens, with design positioned as a transformative force that shapes environments while addressing social and ecological challenges. This Master of Arts program equips students with the skills to “hack” tradition—decoding artisanal methods, rethinking materials, and innovating applications. By fostering a dialogue between past and future, craftsmanship becomes a space for reinvention. The curriculum integrates DesignXCommons, an ecological design philosophy focused on sustainability and resource regeneration. Rooted in Tuscany’s world-renowned manufacturing traditions—marble, textiles, furniture, jewelry, and leather—the program offers hands-on experience. Students engage in workshops, industry collaborations, and real-world projects, turning cultural contexts into design innovation. Secondo Fuoco by TIPSTUDIO (photo courtesy TIPSTUDIO) It complements IED Firenze’s Master of Arts in Textile Design—Eco-Threads: Materials and Circularity, which explores sustainable materials, eco-design, and process innovation across fashion, interiors, and product design. Together, these programs position the school as a leader in sustainable design education. Set in Florence—where history, art, and fashion merge—IED Firenze offers a unique learning environment. From the grandeur of Ponte Vecchio to the heritage of Gucci and Ferragamo, the city itself becomes part of the curriculum. Housed in an architectural landmark, IED Firenze nurtures designers ready to challenge conventions, honor heritage, and shape the future of design. To learn more, visit ied.edu/courses.  Founded in 1966, IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) is an international network of higher education institutions specializing in design, fashion, visual arts, and communication. With campuses in Italy, Spain, and Brazil, IED fosters a multidisciplinary approach that blends creativity, craftsmanship, and technological innovation. Through hands-on training and strong industry connections, it prepares students to become forward-thinking professionals in the global design landscape. Cratere by TIPSTUDIO (photo courtesy TIPSTUDIO) Loto mirror by TIPSTUDIO (photo courtesy TIPSTUDIO) Secondo Fuoco by TIPSTUDIO (photo courtesy TIPSTUDIO) Previous articleNext article

Mercatorio season 4 kicks off on Friday May 16th. The season includes new resources, buildings, products and productions methods. This time it’s especially the forging and textile classes that are expanding. Posted by rune1 on May 14th, 2025 Mercatorio season 4 kicks off on Friday May 16th. The season includes new resources, buildings, products and productions methods. This time it’s especially the forging and textile classes that are expanding. The medieval trade and economy simulator with true markets is getting more products to produce and trade, new places to produce them, more ways to upgrade buildings and new, more intuitive, game mechanics. The Season 4 map Season 4 will take place on a new map, with most of the towns located on the two large landmasses in the south and east. Other than a new geography, the new map contains the new resources tin and silver. Buildings With new resources comes the need for new buildings to mine and process them. Along with some expansion of the production chains for existing products. Updates: Added mines for tin and silver The foundry splits of processing of ores into the new building the smeltery Added alloy smelter for production of bronze from copper and tin Added carding and fulling houses for processing wool and wool cloth Added tapestry weaver Added armoury for production of plate armour Added bell tower upgrades to religious prestige buildings Flax farm upgrade beehives removed (covered by apiary) Pasture fermentory removed (covered by dairy) Product updates Added fleece: wool as cut from the sheep, before carding Added raw cloth: cloth weaved from wool, before fulling Added tapestries: luxurious fabrics weaved from thread and dyed yarn, potentially incorporating silver and gold Added dyed yarn for use in tapestries Added tin ore and ingots Added silver ore Added bronze ingots Added bells Added plate armour Increased unit size for belts to bundles of 5, making storage and transportation easier Reduced premium of dyed cloth over cloth, both production and consumption increased accordingly Renamed light armor to light armour Production chain updates As usual there are many balancing adjustments and updates across all production chains, but as outlined above there are especially two areas that see major changes this time: Smelting and casting have many new production methods with the inclusion of tin, silver and bronze. The new smeltery deals with all ore processing (except iron), while the alloy forge alloys copper and tin into bronze. The foundry retains casting functions, including casting of the new bells. The textile production chain has been reworked by adding additional (optional) carding and fulling steps for wool, as well as reducing throughput of buildings lower in the chain while increasing garments production throughput Prestige and worker bonuses More tenants from prestige Less management points from prestige, making hiring and training apprentices a relatively more important source of management points Additional bonuses at high levels of prestige Specialist worker bonus reduced from 20% to 12% Game mechanics changes Season 4 will also see two significant changes to the game mechanics, relating to production at buildings and operation linked to a warehouse as well as how services and non-durable production function. Sequential operation The buildings and operations linked to a warehouse will now consume and produce products in the order they are listed, with outputs becoming immediately available to the operations coming after them. For durable goods this reduced the required buffer somewhat and gives quicker feedback when adjustments are made. Services are now truly intra-turn Services and non-durable / perishable products generally can’t be stored or transported, but due to the delayed operation of linked buildings previously, the labour from a farmstead would only become usable the turn after it was produced. This is now changing such that produced labour and other services becomes available for use immediately, allowing adjustments to production to take effect as you make them. In the case services are produced for sale, this means the production has to be finalized at the start of the turn instead of the end (remember production and consumption numbers are usually projections of what will take place at the end of the turn), in order to be available at the start-of-turn auction. This is the same concept that is already used for transports, which consume their inputs as they move, not at the end of the turn. How to start playing? Go to Mercatorio.io to play and join the discord server to meet other players, plan strategies and strike deals.

The collective yearning for romantic escapism feels far greater than ever. Promising to soon stave off the hunger are a handful of highly anticipated period dramas—from Downton Abbey 3 to Call it kismet that the growing desire for all of this in 2025 coincides with the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Fans return to the famed author's work time and again as it’s ripe with opulent settings where captivating tales unfold, from Sense and Sensibility to Emma to Persuasion. But, once again, the alluring interiors in these narratives are pushing past the page and screen. Let’s call it an Austentatious revival.Courtesy of Max RollittA daybed with a lush canopy adds romance to a room by designer Max Rollitt.While Bridgerton may have sparked initial interest in Regencycore, this aesthetic furthers the appeal. Austentatious interiors are dominated by everything from heirloom-inspired furniture to delicate wallpapers. Less heavy on ornamentation in modern-day practice, the atmosphere relies on details that exude charm: strategic moldings, arresting lampshades, and vases of fresh flowers. And the maximalist style embraces intentional clutter. Every surface is covered with beloved objects and collections, whether it be leather-bound books or taper candles in special holders.Courtesy of Nicola HardingSmall ornate frames pop against lavender walls in this bedroom by Nicola Harding.Courtesy of Nicola HardingA striped clawfoot chair creates a formal yet comfy corner for reading in this bedroom by Nicola Harding.To embrace Austentatious interiors, Max Rollitt, a designer based in Winchester, England, points to furniture made of popular Regency-period materials, like mahogany and rosewood, as a grounding foundation. These furniture finds are best found in antique shops, where shoppers can get a good feel for the piece in person. “Regency period interiors saw hints of neoclassicism, and we often see [Jane Austen’s] characters reclining on a chaise lounge or beds with curled ends,” says Rollitt.Courtesy of Max RollittGolden walls and wood furnishings exude warmth in a drawing room by Max Rollitt.London–based designer Nicola Harding recommends zeroing in on the color palette. “Blue was a popular color during the Regency period, often used with yellow,” she says. But there are plenty of other soft yet spirited shades to drench walls in should you fancy blush pink, lavender, or pearl gray. Blue-greens especially stand out in Austen adaptations. From the seafoam green dining room in Emma (2020) to the turquoise drawing room in Persuasion (2022), vibrant paint colors make these formal spaces feel less stuffy.Courtesy of SchumacherSchumacher’s Mr. Darcy wallpaper transports onlookers to the English countryside.Wallpapers inspired by nature enhance the overall effect. Take, for instance, textile company Schumacher’s Pride and Prejudice-inspired wallpaper, released in early 2025. Dreamt up by Johnson Hartig, founder of fashion brand Libertine, the three-panel design showcases a bird’s-eye view of an 18th-century English village. Fittingly named Mr. Darcy, it encompasses an aristocratic estate, manicured gardens, a Gothic cathedral, small homes dotting rolling hills, and a serene lake in the distance. A handmade feel gives the design the aura of an original artwork from a bygone century. “I can just see Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett walking across the foggy misty field and running into each other—I could see that happening in between the two houses in the wallpaper,” Hartig told Vogue.In the realm of fabrics, Illinois-based designer Andrea Goldman has been seeing more tone-on-tone embroidery and the use of "ditsy prints, which are very small-scale patterns,” she says. “We’re big fans of the tone-on-tone embroidery, because it feels like a pattern without being in your face. In the Regency era, that would’ve been trellised or vined patterns, but the modern play on it leaves it open to more pattern options.”Aimee MazzengaSheer curtains with white embroidery maintain an airy atmosphere in the kitchen of a Naples, Florida, home by designer Andrea Goldman.Goldman recently used a sheer white fabric with white embroidery for a window shade in the service kitchen and laundry room of a Florida home. “The use of sheers also was very common in regency fashion, and they make their way into our modern interiors.”Another fabric type Goldman recommends for embracing Austen-inspired interiors? Upholstered walls. In a bedroom or home movie theater, the textured, inviting detail can produce an exceptionally sumptuous setting.Whether you fully embrace the charm or simply add a touch of enchantment, Austentatious interiors serve as your gateway to infusing romance into the everyday. In a world where unsettling events are all too frequent, this style offers a much-needed escape and sense of relief. Related StoriesFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

In the heart of Palm Desert, one of California’s celebrated architectural landmarks has been reborn with renewed vibrancy and purpose. The Miles C. Bates “Wave House,” famed for its signature sweeping roofline and avant-garde design, gives nod to the past while transforming into a dynamic space to be lived in, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between Design Within Reach (DWR) and vacation rental platform Boutique. This isn’t your average rental home. The newly unveiled DWR x Boutique Rental Home invites guests to experience the intersection of architecture, furniture, and fashion in an intimate, immersive setting. It marks the first time that DWR has launched an experiential rental home – an innovative step that brings modern design to life in a tangible, livable way. The Wave House, originally constructed in 1955 by architect Walter S. White, is a striking example of organic modernism. Its curved roof – an architectural gesture mirroring the San Jacinto Mountains – sets it apart from the many mid-century homes scattered across the Coachella Valley. Initially created as both a residence and a creative studio for artist Miles C. Bates, the home quickly became a cultural escape for artists and thinkers of the era. After a meticulous restoration by Stayner Architects, the house was reopened to the public in 2020, reclaiming its place as a Palm Desert landmark. Today, it stands not only on the National Register of Historic Places but also as a city-designated historical site. With the latest transformation, it enters a new chapter – one where guests can step directly into a curated environment where the lines between home, gallery, and showroom blur. The project coincides with the launch of DWR Presents: The Paul Smith Collection, a vibrant fusion of iconic modern furniture and the renowned British designer’s playfully sophisticated textile designs, created in collaboration with Maharam. This exclusive collection introduces limited-edition versions of mid-century classics – such as Eames Molded Plastic Chairs and Saarinen Womb Chairs – reupholstered in whimsical, richly colored fabrics that celebrate pattern, contrast, and personality. From bold plaids and textured stripes to energetic polka dots, Paul Smith’s signature aesthetic is on full display, giving the home a distinctive character that reflects both its heritage and its evolution. The result is a dialogue between two design eras, brought together by a shared commitment to craft, quality, and storytelling. “Our goal was not just to furnish a space, but to create a complete experience,” says Omar Nobil, Senior Vice President Creative Director at DWR. “The Wave House, with its daring architecture and expressive form, provides the perfect canvas for a collection that’s all about unexpected harmony – between color, material, and design legacy.” By teaming up with Boutique – a vacation rental platform known for its design-centric properties around the globe – DWR ensures that this vision extends beyond aesthetics. Guests are not just observers; they are participants in a fully designed experience. Each room, each piece of furniture, each accent has been chosen not just to look beautiful, but to feel meaningful in use. For Boutique, whose global portfolio includes over 1,500 architecturally significant homes, the collaboration is a natural extension of their mission to elevate travel through great design. “We’ve always believed that where you stay should be as inspiring as where you go,” says Marc Blazer, CEO and Co-Founder of Boutique. “Partnering with DWR, who shares our passion for thoughtful, expressive design, allows us to create a space where travelers can connect with creativity on a deeper level.” The interior of the Wave House showcases the synergy between comfort and curation. Outdoors, sleek furnishings are set against the sculptural desert landscape, enhancing the property’s harmony with nature. Inside, bedrooms are wrapped in soft, layered textiles, offering tactile comfort alongside visual delight. Every detail – down to the placement of objects and the integration of color – has been considered to reflect the ethos of both brands. This initiative signals a shift in how brands like DWR think about customer engagement. Rather than limit interactions to retail environments, they’re offering design lovers a chance to live with the pieces, to understand their proportions, materials, and moods in the context of daily life. It’s about putting modern design within reach – quite literally. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a design professional, or simply a traveler looking for inspiration, this one-of-a-kind destination offers a glimpse into the possibilities of modern living – rooted in history, redefined by creativity. Bookings for the DWR x Boutique rental are now open until August 31, 2025, and all furnishings featured in the space are available for purchase at dwr.com. Photography courtesy of DWR.

Modern luxury embraces a quieter kind of elegance, one that leans into minimalism instead of extravagance. It reflects a way of living rooted in purpose, calm, and thoughtful design. These interiors blend sophistication with simplicity, avoiding clutter in favor of clean lines and refined choices. Every element serves a role, allowing essential details to shine. The outcome is a space that feels balanced, serene, and timeless. By combining minimalism with wellness and smart living, these interiors enhance not only the look of a space but also how it feels and functions. Through purposeful design, integrated technology, and a focus on mental clarity, you can introduce these design concepts to create a space and lifestyle that is calm, intentional, and elevated. 1. Infuse Timeless Elegance In luxury interiors, minimalism is more than an aesthetic as it represents a refined elegance achieved through restraint. These spaces are grounded in timeless design, where organic forms, soft curves, and clean lines establish a sense of harmony and visual rhythm. A thoughtful blend of ambient, accent, and task lighting shapes both function and mood. Sculptural fixtures and strategically concealed LEDs highlight textures, enhance the atmosphere, and elevate the space with quiet sophistication. Additionally, true luxury lies in incorporating timeless craft and craftsmanship where each element is thoughtfully designed and intentionally curated. Longchamp enters the world of home decor with its first furniture collection, created in collaboration with designer Pierre Renart. Known for its refined leather craftsmanship, the French fashion thoughtfully designed sculptural forms that merge elegance with motion. The collection captures a sense of flow with materials like leather and wood while pushing creative boundaries and embracing luxury minimalism. The Wave bench, is wrapped in cashew-toned leather and hovering above a fluid wood base. The Ruban chairs follow, with eight shades of leather including Longchamp’s signature Heritage and Lumière greens, creating a subtle rhythm of color and form. Though bold in design, each piece maintains an airy, effortless feel. Renart’s use of locally sourced French wood grounds the collection in sustainable values. inimal, and made to resonate with a new generation of design lovers. 2. Less is more Luxury minimalism embodies the “less is more” philosophy, crafting clutter-free spaces that strike a balance between beauty and purpose. More people are looking for homes that provide peace, comfort, and a place to relax in this fast-paced world. As a result, these interiors promote mindfulness and reduce stress. Clutter-free spaces are designed with built-in storage, functional furniture, and sophisticated designs. Every element serves a purpose, adding depth rather than clutter. The choice to invest in fewer, premium pieces creates an atmosphere that’s both inviting and thoughtfully composed. The outcome is a peaceful, nurturing space that supports intentional, present-day living. The Gont vase captures the essence of luxury minimalism with its clean lines and natural textures. Inspired by the structure of a pinecone, its layered plywood shell adds quiet complexity without visual clutter. The silhouette is sculptural yet subtle—perfect for modern interiors that value restraint. Inside, a cylindrical metal insert offers practical elegance for holding small, non-flowering trees. At just over a foot tall, the Gont belongs in well-lit spaces, where its geometric facets catch shifting light and cast bold, architectural shadows. 3. Consider Neutral Color Tones Neutral tones form the foundation of tranquility in luxury minimalist interiors. Shades of earthy brown, soft white, and warm cream blend seamlessly to evoke a sense of calm and openness. These hues work in harmony rather than in contrast, creating a light, balanced atmosphere that feels both expansive and serene. Texture brings these tones to life—through tactile materials like plush textiles, natural stone, and rich wood finishes. Finishes in brushed brass or matte black steel bring a sleek, contemporary contrast. The restrained palette ensures a clean, uncluttered look while adding subtle depth and character. 4. Use Natural Materials Luxury minimalism celebrates natural materials that blend aesthetic beauty with comfort and conscious living. Soft textiles, such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool, introduce warmth and tactile richness, while woods like oak, walnut, and ash lend a grounded, organic feel. Timeless stones like marble and granite add quiet sophistication to surfaces and statement accents. Each material is thoughtfully selected for its quality, durability, and enduring style. By prioritizing fewer, well-crafted pieces, this philosophy embraces sustainability and reduces excess. Richard Haining’s handcrafted chandelier is a refined statement in luxury minimalism, made from salvaged California Redwood once part of NYC’s iconic water towers. Measuring 36 inches across with ten dimmable LED bulbs, it offers a warm, ambient glow. Each wood segment is precisely stacked to reveal the grain’s natural beauty, creating a sculptural form that feels both grounded and elevated—organic elegance distilled into a functional centerpiece. Part of Haining’s STACKED Collection, the chandelier reflects a deep commitment to sustainability and thoughtful design. Sourced from pre-war buildings and local woodshops, the reclaimed materials are given new life through meticulous craftsmanship. The result is a one-of-a-kind piece that honors the texture, tone, and history of natural materials—minimalist in form, rich in story. Perfect for interiors that value quiet luxury, authenticity, and timeless design rooted in place. 5. Create an Indoor Outdoor Connect Luxury minimalism often dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior, fostering a seamless connection that enhances light, flow, and spatial harmony. Open floor plans play a key role, inviting natural light and fresh air to circulate freely. Expansive windows, sliding glass walls, and fluid transitions extend living areas outward, creating a biophilic atmosphere rooted in nature. Thoughtfully placed greenery—like sculptural indoor trees, succulents, or lush potted plants add softness, warmth, and a sense of life to the space. These elements not only elevate the aesthetic but also support wellbeing. The result is a tranquil, light-filled environment where simplicity, nature, and comfort exist in perfect balance. Geddes Ulinskas Architects deliver a masterclass in luxury minimalism with this 12,000 sq. ft. Cow Hollow residence in San Francisco. Defined by clean geometry and natural materials, the home centers around a cast glass staircase that is sculptural and serene, forged from molten glass over three months. Layered, glazed volumes create seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, framed by bronze ribbon windows and a floating roof supported by glass-wrapped columns. A 20-foot wooden door leads into refined interiors featuring hand-textured stone, warm wood, and blackened steel—all in a palette inspired by nature. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors blur the boundary between garden and living space. Fabric-stretched ceilings conceal systems, maintaining smooth lines and quiet elegance. The home includes a theater, wine room, gym, 72-foot lap pool, and wellness spa with sauna and steam shower. A rooftop deck with a stone fire table offers panoramic Bay views—completing this restrained yet richly layered modern retreat. Luxury is more than décor—it’s also about comfort and staying in tune with the present. In minimalist homes, technology is discreetly integrated to enhance everyday living. Smart lighting, concealed audio systems, and touchless features offer modern convenience while preserving a clean, tranquil aesthetic.The post 5 Steps To Add Luxury Minimalism For Having Timeless Elegance And Smart Tech in Perfect Harmony first appeared on Yanko Design.