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The Sea Facing Penthouse in Mumbai

Indian studio Abraham John Architects designed the Sea Facing Penthouse in the busy city of Mumbai.

Old timber decking gives it a maritime feeling.

The bedroom looks straight out to sea, bypassing the bright lights of the city to the right.

The decking, the trellis and the tree impart a casual beach-y ambience that belies its big city location.

The palette is muscular and consistent throughout.

The severe residence relies on a stark decor of dark tropical woods and white walls.

This stark dark brown and white is very effective in the bathroom palette as well.

A bachelor’s pad, I’m guessing…

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Witty Charm of a Shanghai Boutique Hotel in a 1930s Warehouse

In the entrance to this cutting-edge boutique hotel, the original’s rough edges remain; worn stone flooring and old concrete walls.

The Waterhouse at South Bund by Neri & Hu  in Shanghai, China is a chic renovation of an industrial warehouse from the 1930s.

The dockyards neighborhood of the historic warehouse district remains outside.

A brisk new concrete counter keeps a stiff upper lip, and an ironic chandelier poses an amusing contrast in decor.

But irony aside, peeling paint and stained old concrete is just what the weary traveler has no energy for at the end of a tiring journey.

Which is why the rooms upstairs come as more of a surprise.

Suddenly you are offered a big hot bath in a glass box and a long night’s sleep on fresh white sheets – comfort!

It is almost as if the contrast is intended to maximize the relief.

Smoky glass is used in several rooms to screen off the shower or bath.

Upstairs there are only a few reminders of the antiquated original dockyards structure, like this dark brick wall.

After the historical preservation downstairs, here comfort and peace reign.

Altogether a refreshing spatial experience for guests who seek the extraordinary.

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Quality Workmanship Distinguishes a Remote Washington Home

This remote split-level residence in Washington’s Nahahum Canyon is by Balance Associates

The living room occupies the front double height space.

The house steps up the hill with the bedrooms on top at the back and the entry in the middle of this side.

Here, massive concrete blocks and fine woodworking offer a sturdy welcome.

In such a completely remote setting, the level of quality in the construction is amazing.

Fine cabinetmaker details like the table construction suggest some furniture was made by the builder.

The ‘Goldilocks’ kitchen, dining and living room arrangement is just right, neither too big or small.

Sturdy timber rafters and paneling in the ceiling is continued outside.

An unpretentious kitchen island is no nonsense practical, eschewing the trendy island sink.

Bedrooms occupy the back of the house upstairs.

In front, the ceiling paneling continues to a perfect cosy study nook above the living room.

Everything you need, and nothing more or less.