Modern Style 49 Ideabooks

In 1985 The Cosby Show was number one in the ratings, the Live Aid concert happened, Back to the Future was the highest-grossing movie, I was sporting a short, asymmetrical New Wave hairdo and Michael Graves became the first American designer... more »

Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese American sculptor who used a variety of materials and drew inspiration from a range of works around the world. Trips to Japan influenced the way he looked at lighting, particularly a trip to Gifu, where he admired lanterns... more »

Once barely habitable, this historical Rotterdam, Netherlands, house now boasts a modern interior with its original bones. Architects Fabiana Toni and Rocco Reukema bought it as part... more »

Architect Tony Round admits that there's nothing romantic about a home renovation, especially if you're an architect. "I renovated with my wife, who is also an architect — you could say that... more »

Few elements say "dream kitchen" in the way that a fireplace does. They represent the ultimate in comfort and coziness, and satisfy a primal longing to gather around a hearth. When most people think of... more »

Modern residential architecture may be perceived as glass walls, but most houses of the ilk have smaller windows, rather than full window walls. Which leads to the question, Why one window versus another one? Should a window be tall, wide, narrow, square,... more »

The intricate structure of Down Under coral reefs inspired this spherical pendant light. Designed by New Zealander David Trubridge, the Coral Pendant starts with the natural forms of coral, gives them a more streamlined geometric shape and reassembles... more »

Furniture designed by those with an architectural background is almost always intriguing. One of my favorite designers is Patricia Urquiola. Her influences include architecture, ergonomics, Spanish traditions, organic shapes, technology and her... more »

When cookbook author, blogger and designer Lisa Nieschlag bought the house she shares with her husband and child in Münster, Germany, she was greeted with small rooms, tiny windows and five types of wallpaper.... more »

I just spent three weeks in Sweden and Denmark, where good design is woven into the DNA of the culture. But while we may be familiar with the famous names of Scandinavian design, there is still the question of putting a room together. How do we achieve... more »

Interior designer Emily Mughannam's clients needed their kids to share one room in their San Francisco home, but the kids' different ages made for a design challenge: The nursery... more »

A Hundred Years: A Hundred Chairs, on show at the Tampa Art Museum through September 16, is a wonderful display of iconic 20th-century chair designs from the Vitra Collection.... more »

First-time homeowners Matt and Mary Emma Hawthorne orchestrated a modern remodel of their Dallas house like seasoned professionals. Their secret? A crystal-clear vision and lots of research. Matt says, "We wanted a clean, intentional space ready for our... more »

When you're choosing a light fixture, you have a great opportunity to give your room a sculptural element. The ethereal Big Bang Chandelier by Foscarini... more »