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These kitchen drawer organizers by Henrybuilt are perfect. Made of solid wood, each item holds and divides kitchen utensils and accessories in precise order, and, after installing them, the rest of your life will magically sort itself out. Maybe. But, before you get too attached to these drawer organizers, there’s some not-so-good news: they’re only available as part of a complete Henrybuilt system. That means it’s time to start saving for a new (perfect) kitchen.
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Small, well designed apartments that take advantage of cramped quarters will always have a place in my heart, thanks to living in a ~450 square foot studio apartment in my 20s. I remember imagining countless ways to remodel it if I owned instead of rented. That’s why, despite its somewhat rough looking walls, this little apartment by architect Karin Matz in Stockholm has caught my interest. Take a look at the lofted bed sharing a glass wall with the kitchen, with storage underneath, and marvel at the smart way they’ve incorporated necessary living areas all within under 400 square feet (36 sq meters).
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Remember this smart lock? Through the magic known as bluetooth, the August Smart Lock senses your approach and unlocks your door for you, without you reaching for your phone. Here’s the lowdown: It fits over the interior portion of your current deadbolt, so there’s no need to change out your door hardware, as from the outside you’ll still have the same keyed entry. August’s encrypted locking technology allows you to control when people have access to your home, from family members to cleaning crews, and you can see a complete log of who has come and gone (and the exact times of their arrival/departure) remotely from your phone or computer. Don’t worry about power outages or internet connections, as the August is powered by standard batteries. The second batch of August Smart Locks will be available later this year; reserve yours now.
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So…wood walls, yes or no? If your ‘no’ has aesthetic reasons, then I’ve got some images that might change your mind. If your answer is ‘yes, but…’ then join the club. Often wood walls are struck off the to-do list because of cost and installation, yet with the product Stikwood suddenly we’re thinking ‘hey, I could do that.’ Stikwood is just like its name- you stick the wood onto whatever surface you want. It’s got a peel-and-stick backing that makes it easy to attach, whether on a wall, ceiling, or furniture. How exactly does it work? Here’s the installation instructions. And, if you’re still not intrigued, here are a few images for inspiration (note: below images aren’t Stikwood products, just wood wall inspiration).
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You’re probably thinking that those are stone tiles above, but, surprise, those tiles are made from recycled and reclaimed sources of paper-laminate. Paper-laminate? Yep, you read it right. Slate-ish is lightweight, strong, durable, and easy to install, and with geometric shapes like Hex, Tri, and Para, I think it’ll make it onto many of our future remodeling materials list.
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Reflective glass entirely covers the facade of this private villa, providing camouflage and privacy during the day. At night, one can only assume the home lights up like a lamp, but it’s nevertheless notable for its minimal approach and detailed treatment. A compact and simple floorplan allows for an open feel despite the relatively small square footage, and the use of birch multiplex panels throughout the interior contrasts nicely with the shiny, glamorous facade.
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I spy with my little eye two shipping containers. Can you see them? There are two, each one offset with the other with a raised ceiling area in between. It’s more proof that container building can be done well, and there’s no need to sacrifice spaciousness if you keep your roof situation creative. Take a look at the photo below to get an idea of the outside, or visit PSP for more images. The Savannah Project is by artist/architect/designer, Julio Garcia.
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If you subscribe to Dwell magazine, you probably already saw this flat in Berlin, but I’d like to point out that a few risks does wonders for a small space. Not everyone has the guts to go with pink/rose cabinets and a dark grey tile backsplash, yet Mr. Fehrentz’s 646-square-foot apartment proves it works well alongside other subdued colors. Flip through the slideshow over at Dwell and I’m 99% sure you’ll agree. Maybe you’ll even be able to make some gutsy changes to your own home.
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To anyone that says accent walls are passé, show them the Kabinett House in Paris, designed by septembre. A black wall against a pale or white interior packs a punch of contrast, and hey, when you involve the kitchen cabinetry as well, you’ve got a strong statement. Also worth pointing out is septembre’s space layout, with storage alongside either side of the apartment (see plan below)
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While these door knobs from Brinks Home Security aren’t as visually appealing as a minimalist/modernist would hope, they do pack a certain punch in terms of function. Simply push, pull, or rotate the door knob to open a door. Have your arms full of groceries/kids/laundry/etc? Use your hip/elbow/knee/whatever to push the knob and open the door.
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Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s got the most spatial tricks of them all? Not only is this extension by ODR architects in Melourne, Australia, superbly done (just take a look at the before picture), but they’ve also employed mirrors in various areas to increase visual space and light. Case in point, the kitchen backsplash and on walls- both of which trick the eye into seeing double the space. And, if you’ve got any bad memories of 80’s interiors that used mirrors in an unfortunate way, this place will have you seeing shiny, reflective surfaces in an entirely new light. A few more photos below from Architectism.
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What the what!?! Eight funcional spaces packed into 420 square feet- how is that even possible? Well, turns out when you’ve got clever minds put to the task, a few ingenious solutions will double the storage space. Graham Hill, entrepreneur and treehugger.com founder, is the mastermind of this small-yet-large studio space, and, after you see the video below, you can see more pics (before and after) at Life Edited.
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Maybe you can’t yet afford an Olson Kundig house, but you might just be able to splurge on some special Kundig hardware. There’s twenty-five cut-and-folded steel products- from cabinet pulls to various door hardware- each fabricated by 12th Avenue Iron. As usual, prepare your wallet for specialty hardware prices ($19+ per drawer pull will add up pretty quickly).
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Every once in a while I sneak over to tumblr to get my fix of interior images. Sometimes there’s nothing that catches the eye, but today, thankfully, the Pangal Cabin by EMa Arquitectos popped up on the collective/random radar. At 60 sq. meters (that’s 646 sq ft.), it’s about the size of a studio apartment, yet with the large windows and staggered layout it feels much larger. Of course, having a deck, lap pool, and commanding view of the landscape certainly doesn’t hurt. Located in Casablanca, Chile.
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Remember Matthew Hofmann from the HofArc Airstream Renovation? Well, he’s recently opened an all-Airstream hotel in downtown Santa Barbara, California. Four vintage Airstream trailers from the ’50s to ’70s have all undergone interior renovations- three have completely updated modern interiors and one has been restored to its original splendor with new finishes, systems and appliances. Called the Santa Barbara Auto Camp, each trailer is available for around $120 – $150 per night. More images, background and info from HofArc below.

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