Elegant entryway photo in Las Vegas

Situated on a rare 36-foot-wide vacant lot on a quiet side street in South Philadelphia, this 3-story house borrows its organizational idea from principals of the ‘piano nobile’ or noble floor. The main spaces of the house, including the kitchen, dining room, and living room, are elevated above the street level to the second floor. It is here that the lush interior winter garden punctuates the otherwise open plan, borrowing light from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the north and south faces of the building. On the elevation, the second floor fenestration is contrasted above and below by the private, inverted spaces of the first and third floors – a studio workspace and courtyard on the first floor, and bedroom spaces of the third floor. A private roof deck finishes the elevation and offers intimate views of the City. The exterior is clad in a palette of cypress wood siding treated two ways, brushed ‘shou-sugi-ban’ and natural with clear coating. Photography: Halkin Mason Photography

Lori Whalen Photography
Example of a mid-sized beach style open concept and formal medium tone wood floor living room design in Boston with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Situated on a rare 36-foot-wide vacant lot on a quiet side street in South Philadelphia, this 3-story house borrows its organizational idea from principals of the ‘piano nobile’ or noble floor. The main spaces of the house, including the kitchen, dining room, and living room, are elevated above the street level to the second floor. It is here that the lush interior winter garden punctuates the otherwise open plan, borrowing light from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the north and south faces of the building. On the elevation, the second floor fenestration is contrasted above and below by the private, inverted spaces of the first and third floors – a studio workspace and courtyard on the first floor, and bedroom spaces of the third floor. A private roof deck finishes the elevation and offers intimate views of the City. The exterior is clad in a palette of cypress wood siding treated two ways, brushed ‘shou-sugi-ban’ and natural with clear coating. Photography: Halkin Mason Photography

Lewis Design Partners chose simple furnishings and interesting décor for an impactful but budget friendly bedroom design. The borrowed light gives added dimension and view to an otherwise typical bedroom. © Jack Ramsdale, photographer.

narrow staircase in a duplex apartment, interior windows into kids' room and guest room on top let natural borrowed light into the staircase.
Staircase - contemporary staircase idea in New York

Ulrich designer: Bonnie Hufnagel, CKD Photography by Peter Rymwid As the saying goes, "it is better to borrow than to steal"....With the significant challenge of making a small space look, feel and "act" larger without being able to actually change the dimensions of the room, we did a bit of borrowing: Instead of moving the wall, a 9" recess was built into the wall at the far end of the kitchen (This wall is shared with the adjacent office space- and the recess was done without sacrificing needed bookshelf capacity in the office!) This not only gave the kitchen space visual depth but also created extra work space, additional storage space, and provided a perfect place for the microwave that was convenient to use and not in the way when not in use.

One of two back-to-back ensuite bathrooms. High borrow-light windows bring daylight into this room from the bath on the other side of the wall. Photo by Robert R. Larsen, A.I.A.

loft bath with concrete wall, borrowed light and travertine shower [photo: built.photo]
Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in Portland

A view of the bathroom. There was no direct light possible in this space so we "borrowed" light from the adjacent bedroom space via a translucent material called "Polygal". The tub and shower are combined into a single "wet zone at the back of the space. Photography by Peter Kerze.

A spacious second floor with high ceilings connects the guest bedroom, reading nook, and even the first floor, with an open stair.
Hallway - large cottage light wood floor hallway idea in Portland Maine with beige walls

Corner windows in this guest bedroom feature a custom upholstered valance with a modern twist. A blue velvet swivel chair is elegant and inviting. The aged leather dresser with rounded edges adds another touch of modern styling, with metal legs and hardware to finish off its classic 30’s look. The oversized aged iron round mirror features a knotted jute rope. The cable knit carpet is sized perfectly for the space. The walls are painted in Borrowed Light by Farrow and Ball for a clean, soft look.

A blue and white bedroom Photo Credit: Ryan Tirrell
Elegant bedroom photo in Boston

The view from the house looking toward the mountains illustrates what is known as "borrowing the view", originally a Japanese garden design concept. Photo-Marion Brenner

Borrowed landscape view from the garden to the landscape beyond. Low maintenance and low water use eco-lawn in the foreground.

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz Architect: square three design studios Interior designer: GoGo Creations Builder: Clarum Homes
Example of a trendy entryway design in San Francisco

Another photo showing the importance of borrowed landscape. The property line is at the edge of the lawn. Kate Markham-Zantvoort
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun backyard landscaping.

Photography - Kate Hansen
Example of an eclectic dining room design in Melbourne

Minimalist master light wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Toronto with white walls