There is a raw beauty in the shape of certain household objects often masked in modern design – these objects, by contrast, show off both their outside lines and internal workings.

From Althea Ceramica: “Outline is an impassioned tribute to the style and the spirit of the 60’s. Forms never before seen, unusual, characterized by an “emptying” of volumes which gives life to a design, or better a concept, from which spring interesting aspects regarding living the bathroom environment and its protagonists.”

But there are practical underpinnings of this broader aesthetic approach as well: “The operations of installation, maintenance and cleaning, are simplified, and the completely glazed surfaces reduce the porosity of the ceramics to zero, guaranteeing a greater hygiene.”

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One of the worst feelings in the world is to leave home for a week of relaxation…and an hour later, wonder whether you left the oven on. Scenarios like this can cause unneeded stress and, in the worst case, significant property damage. The Off Door Handle could help prevent both.

The door handle, created by designers Eun Ah Kim, Jinhyuk Rho, and Maria Rho, was a 2011 Red Dot Design award winner. The door handle is connected to the home’s main power and gas supplies, allowing residents to turn both off and on easily.

A small dial at the end of the handle lets users choose whether to turn off the electricity, gas, or both upon leaving. After making a selection, the user presses the button on the end of the handle and then simply turns the handle as usual. The selected services are then turned off.

Upon residents’ return to the home, the door handle re-activates the services that were previously turned off. According to the designers, this inventive door handle can help prevent home fires and wasted utilities. But if you are away from home for a long period of time, it would be a good idea to have your home security system powered on a separate system.

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Tough restrictions on how much the building’s facade could be changed were not a problem for the renovators of this home in Singapore. Architects Ong & Ong managed to keep the building’s historic facade intact while creating an entirely new, updated interior.

Perhaps the most striking single feature of the residence is the interior courtyard, complete with a swimming pool. Stepping stones lead between the living room and dining area on the first floor. This thoroughly modern space is delightfully bisected with a mature frangipani tree, creating a comfortable contrast between man-made and natural materials.

This space not only serves to define the interior spaces of the home; it adds some much-needed light and ventilation throughout the house. Partitions on either side of the pool can be closed to segment the space or opened to create one continuous room.

Lining the courtyard is aluminum wall cladding. These lightweight bands add a lovely modern touch to the courtyard, but they also serve the very practical purpose of reflecting light into the interior living spaces. The contrast between the building’s traditional ornate facade and these modern metallic bands sets the tone for this home full of dualities.

The entire second floor of the home’s main section is devoted to a massive combined master bedroom, office and en suite bathroom. Although full of light, this section of the house is softer and much more subdued than the first floor public areas.

Contrasting dark and light materials are used throughout the space, creating a comfortable retreat.

Dark walnut plank flooring leads to the en suite bathroom, which is contained in a sort of box which is cantilevered over the pool area. Directly across the courtyard from the bathroom, a rooftop deck adorns the other half of the home – allowing for a daring look right into the glass-walled room. A stunning sculpted stone bathtub is undoubtedly the crowning glory of the second floor.

Each element of this home renovation was carefully selected both for functionality and for looks. The natural elements perfectly offset the man-made modern elements. The twisted trunk of the frangipani tree echoes the curves of the dual spiral staircases. Glass and aluminum are balanced with natural wood and grasses.

The public living areas in the front of the home contain well-hidden electronics concealed by large pieces of art. Putting these distracting electronic toys behind a movable partition helps to preserve the serene modernity of the home.

The rear part of the home, which houses the kitchen and other service areas, is similarly smooth, modern, and free from clutter. The home’s overall effect is one of relaxation and a complete escape from the pressures of the outside world.

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Looking like the petals of a deconstructed flower, the Fiore collection of patio furniture from B-alance is a modular set of sofas, coffee tables and footstools. The elegantly curved pieces call to mind the balance of yin and yang as they perfectly fit together.

The Asian-inspired collection features dark rattan frames and plush white cushions, again reinforcing the theme of balance. Artful curves allow the pieces to snuggle up to one another, creating all kinds of creative configurations.

A sofa plus a teardrop shaped footstool, a pair of sofas back-to-back with a couple of coffee tables, a large grouping of all three types of pieces – every arrangement is an individual work of functional art.

The set draws a certain amount of inspiration from the cherry blossom: that well-loved symbol of life and renewal. The delicate, graceful shapes combined into a small, intimate setting or put together in a large conversation circle would bring style and sophistication to any patio or deck.

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This stunning home on Seattle’s Lake Union from Vandeventer + Carlander Architects is an unconventional take on the well-loved Seattle floating home. Offering spectacular views on all sides – downtown to the south, Gas Works Park to the north, Queen Anne Hill to the west and the lovely Lake Union all around – the home is in an indisputably desirable location.

But what really makes the home stand out is its upside-down floor plan. The private spaces – that is, those usually reserved only for the residents – are on the first floor and encased in huge, glittering windows.

The public spaces – those normally shared with guests – are located on the second floor. This unusual layout offers incredible views from the living room, dining room and open kitchen.

Outdoor living spaces are incorporated into the home’s design to further strengthen its connection to the beautiful location. Dual terraces and a rooftop deck let residents and visitors enjoy the spectacular views at any time.

The modern architecture of this floating home is perfectly offset by its luxurious setting and a few elaborate appointments, such as the spiral staircase leading to the rooftop deck. It is a home that is uniquely Seattle, through and through.

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